A Green project for a White Christmas...

  Hello bloggers! I have a holiday project to share today. I  love white Christmas trees!  Our family has enjoyed a white tree for the last 5 or 6 years. I have been on the hunt since last year for a pencil tree that was white. Lowe's came through for me, with a beautiful pre-lit white tree. The next decorations I have been trying to hunt down , was a white wreath and garland. No luck! If you have read some of my past posts, you know my motto. "If I can't buy it, I make it!"
    Because I purchased the new tree this year, I had three (yes, I said three) old white trees to dispose of. To fill out the original tree I had, I would use extra branches stuck in here and there. I felt really guilty putting those old trees in the landfill . While cruising Pinterest, I found a Martha Stewart wreath, and I fell in love!
    First, let me say this is a messy project!! I used an old sheet and I sill had a mess. If the weather will allow, do this outside. With good wire cutters it shouldn't be too difficult, just a little tedious. Now on to the project,

Materials needed:
wire cutters
wire wreath form
old Christmas tree
floral wire
Your choice of decorations

Cut all the pine tips off  of  the thick gauge wire branches of tree.

     You will end up with a huge pile of the pine tips. I don't remember the actual size of my wreath frame. It is pretty big and I used 3/4 of one of the old trees.

To construct the wreath, grab a handful of tips (I used approximately 6 to 8 per bunch) then attach them to the front of the wreath with the floral wire. I wrapped the bunch one or two times, laid it onto the frame, then wrapped the wire around the bunch and the wire frame a few times to secure.

                                                   This is the back of the frame when finished.

Once you have your wreath filled in, you are ready to decorate!!!!

Flooff and fluff your wreath, then add your decorations.

This is what I chose for my version of the inspiration wreath. After trying to attach the ornaments with floral wire, I resorted to the good ole glue gun. (not pictured). I needed tiny silver ornaments. I used beaded garland and cut it up.

This was my inspiration!
Martha Stewart

                                                                    My version!

    I feel great about this project! I got the wreath I wanted and I recycled! I will leave you with a few pictures of my Christmas decor, enjoy!

                                             

 

 

Thanks for letting me share,

Kathleen

Note: Please excuse the photo quality. I used my iphone because my blog photographer is busy studying for exams.

Linking up at:
                             

Broomsticks, Not just for Riding Anymore...

    Hello, Happy Tuesday! I have been enjoying a little break, spending time with my girls before they return to college. I have also been catching up on my reading. I squeezed in a couple of projects too!  I love to do all sorts of needle arts. Crochet, knitting, needlepoint, you get the idea. Usually I wait to tackle these kinds of projects in the Fall and Winter. The weather here is HOT! Working with yarn isn't favorable to the conditions. I have found myself yearning for Fall and everything that goes with that season. I turned up the AC and busted out my yarn stash. I have wanted to buy an afghan for my couch for a while. Everything I find is way too short! So, you know me if I can't buy it, I make it!
    While searching for a pattern that was unique and easy. I discovered Broomstick Lace. This stitch fit the bill.   It is unique and very easy. I found many great tutorials on Youtube. They recommend a large knitting needle to make your loops but I had a dowel that would work as well.

   

    This is going to be a scarf when it is finished. I picked a quick project to make first. I enjoy doing this, so an afghan is definitely  in the future! There are only two stitches involved when doing Broomstick Lace. The chain stitch and the single crochet. Don't be intimidated, it looks way more complicated than it is.


    Go pull those broomsticks out. They aren't just for riding on anymore, who knew!

                                                      Thanks for letting me share
                                                                          Kathleen

I'm linking up at:

                               PJH Designs Totally Transformed Tuesday

                               Stringtown Home: Tips and Tricks Tuesday

                               Kathe With an E: You're Gonna Love It Tuesday 

Table top Dress form...

    Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend. Today I am sharing a project that has been swimming around in my head for a while. You may remember my life size Barbie who sacrificed herself for the greater good. I made Santos hands, see that project here . I also promised a special project using what was left of the doll. Here is what I came up with!

    A table top dress form! I have made other dress forms using doll torsos. If you look at my header photos, you will see one of them. I had never added a cage before.

    I  think I bit off a little more than I could chew with this one. I usually sew the fabric into a cover for the form. For some reason it just wouldn't work out right. I went through an entire drop cloth trying to achieve my goal. This resulted in having to glue gun it!

    My favorite part is the cage. It was made using wire garden fencing.

     She is decorated with a wire ribbon rosette and sash.

    The base is a from a lamp I took apart.

I may attempt a redo in the future. Sewing just isn't my favorite thing to accomplish.

   The willing participant, for these crazy ideas of mine!
                                   

    I know everyone likes a good tutorial but this one was a little difficult. I took the doll apart. I drilled a hole in the bottom of her torso and attached the lamp rod with a nut. I was a little tricky trying to achieve this through those tiny leg openings. I then  fleshed her out with batting and used a piece of poster board to form hips. When I was satisfied with her shape I covered her with drop cloth. I know this isn't a proper tutorial. If you have any questions I will try to answer them.

    Her finial is a combination of  a lamp part a wooden ball and a glass drawer knob.I think I'll give myself an A for effort. Maybe a C in overall execution! Does that round off to a B?

                                                                               Thanks for letting me share,
                                                                                                    Kathleen


I am linking up at:   Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
                              Kathe With an E : You're Gonna Love It Tuesday
                              Savvy Southern Style : Wow Us Wednesday

           
                               Stringtown Home

Versatile, That's me Baby...

    Hello, everyone! I hope you are all having a wonderful week. I want to take a moment to say thank you to all of the wonderful people  I have met  through this blog. When I decided to start this journey, I will admit, I was a little nervous. You know the little voice in your head, that isn't good enough and what if....I took a deep breath and took the leap. I don't regret it at all! I have been so warmly welcomed to this blogging world. Thank you to all of you who visit and comment. Thank you also to every one who just stops in to check it out. I really appreciate each and every one of you!
    There is another big thank you I want to send out to two lovely bloggers I have met. Tina at :Our Home in the Maples and Polly at: Blissfully Shabby . They both have awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award! They  have wonderful blogs and I am honored that they thought of me !
  

                                                                 

    I now have the honor of passing this wonderful award on to 15 others. There are a few rules first.

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.
2. Include a link to their blog.
3. Include the award image in your post.
4. Share 7 random facts about yourself.
5. Include a link to your nominees blog.
6. Contact your nominees and let them know .

   7 random facts about me:

1. My maiden name is Bliss. It is so funny seeing it everywhere.
2. I was born in Syracuse N.Y. Yes, I am a northern transplant lovin' the south.
3. I have never broken any of my bones.
4. I have a secret wish to own a farm so I can have miniature ponies.
5. I am totally afraid of birds. If you own one, I'm okay with it in the cage. If you take it out, I'm outta there!
6. I'm A total history buff!
7. I love rainy, gloomy days. They inspire me and I prefer them.

    Now to spread the love around! Here are the lovely blogs I am passing this award to.

1. Penny's Vintage Home 
2. daisy mae belle 
3. Kathe With an E 
4. Stringtown Home 
5. Coastal Cottage Dreams 
6. Shaggy Sheep Home 
7. EIY Photography 
8. I'm Sharon with you 
9. My Ugly Farmhouse 
10. PJH Designs One of A Kind Vintage & Antique Furniture 
11. Gail's Decorative Touch 
12. Whatever Is Lovely 
13. Bluebird 1959 
14. The Other Me is sane 
15. My Domestic Bliss 

    I  think you will enjoy visiting all of these wonderful blogs. Pass on the blog love!

                                                                                      Thanks for letting me share,
                                                                                                           Kathleen


   

Liebster Blog Award...

   Hello everyone. I hope you all had a great time on the 4th.  We are still trying to keep cool here. I think almost everyone is. I am a definite lover of air-conditioning! I have been taking some time off from projects and have been devoting my time to seeking out new blogs. Well, one sweet new blogger found me and she has given me the Liebster Blog award!! Liebster is a German word that means dearest.
    The blogger who nominated me is Solange from Shaggy Sheep Home! Her blog is just lovely. She has great style and I have really enjoyed reading through her older posts. I am so happy to be nominated for this award.

                                                               



    The first rule for receiving the Liebster is: List 5 random things about yourself.

1. I was a hairdresser before I had my children.Then I became a SAHM.
2. I have a secret wish to be a BMX biker. I love to watch them do the tricks!!Don't ask me why, no-one I know does this.
3. My dream vacation destination: Alaska. 
4. I would love to open a little decor shop! A big dream, maybe someday.
5. Sadly, I am a plant murderer! I love all kinds of plants and flowers, but my thumb is BLACK! You will see a lot of silk plants in my posts. I have great success with them. 

     Here is a list of the rest of the requirements to receieve the Liebster Blog Award:

1. Post about your win.
2. Link back to the blogger who presented you with the award and follow their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award button to your blog. You can right-click on the Liebster label from my blog and add it to your computer. Then add it to your blog.
4. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 5 blogs that have less than 200 followers and you think deserve to be recognized!
5. Let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

    Here is my list of bloggers I want to pass this award on to:

1. EIY Photography : Beautiful photos!
2.  Peppa's Dream : Her posts are lovely to look at!
3.  A Southern Blossom: She has a gorgeous home!
4. Penny's Vintage Home : Her posts are a treat for the eyes!
5. My Ugly Farmhouse : Fabulous farmhouse re-model from the ground up!

 I am honored to receive this award! Please visit my picks and show them a little blog love!


                                                                    Thanks for letting me share,
                                                                                          Kathleen


          

Giveaway...

   I wanted to pop in today to wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July. I also want to share a giveaway from my good blogging friend Peggy of PJH Designs. It is her one year blogging anniversary!! She holds a special place in my heart because she was my very first follower. Peggy does wonderful furniture makeovers. Her pieces always amaze me.

                           

    

                    

 Run, don't walk and check it out!

                                                          Thanks for letting me share,

                                                                               Kathleen

                                                                                 

        **Giveaway Now Closed**                                                                                           

Kitchen Re-fresh...

    I have been promising a kitchen post. Well, here goes!

    I call this my kitchen re-fresh because there was no reconstruction. It consisted of paint,paint, oh and did I mention... Paint. ugh! (actually, I am still not done totally with the painting.) You know how one thing leads to another. Enough chatter, on with the show!

    First let's address the elephant in the room. The hunk of burnin' love fridge there. Yes, it is huge, but I love it. We are putting twins through college, so, knocking out walls and re-construction has to wait a few years. I work with what I got! Paint can really work wonders <<<. BAD BLOGGER ALERT>>> I didn't take before pictures. My kitchen has had white cabinets for a few years, so they got a fresh coat of white paint. The walls used to be yellow. This is one of the few pictures that shows that.

    The color was Laura Ashley cowslip #3. The color I have on the walls now was color matched to a material swatch that I had.If anyone is interested, I can try to get the info off the label or post a pic of it.

    I am really proud of the deal we got on the stove. A re-store moved in literally 2 minutes from my house. This stove was the first thing we bought there. Brand new and it was perfect. Let's just say we got a killer deal. I was really disappointed when we first started looking. None of the stoves I found had a flat top on the back so I could display my spice jars. This one did!

This is the second thing I am proud of. I had toyed with the idea of subway tile for the back splash.but I really want to achieve that farmhouse-fancy (farmcy) look with the re-fresh. Tile was nice but I just wasn't enthused. Then I found allen + roth embossed paintable wallcovering at Lowes. I chose the ceiling tiles pattern. It was relatively inexpensive, under $20.00 for one roll and I have a lot left. I painted it with gloss enamel and I think it looks fantastic.

We used to have a bar here. We tore that out  and I placed a hutch in the hall . We attached a large chalkboard to the back. It makes a wall now which I prefer to the open area. We still have some finishing work to do on the wall. My husband is a truck-driver so his time at home is very limited so I have to be very patient to get things done.

    You may have noticed, no handles. (if you didn't, you do now ) I just found some antique pulls on the internet and have ordered them. I will blog about them when I get them on. I did have brass but they didn't fit with the look I was trying to achieve.

    I have collected blue willow china for years. I kept most of it but added in enamelware and ironstone.

I am looking for cute holders for the dish soap so I can get rid of the ugly plastic squeeze bottles. This is the other chandelier I bought. it is a little large but this kitchen really has a light deficiency. I haven't had my husband hard wire it yet because I wanted to be sure I liked it there. I really love it so that is another project for Mr. 10-4 when he has the time.

The first sign I ever painted!

             

I hope you enjoyed my kitchen . I am glad it is finally (mostly) done. Now I have to paint the eating area furniture. At this point I wield a paint brush in my sleep! :)

                                                                                 Thanks for letting me share,

                                                                                                      Kathleen

I am linking up at:    Kathe With an E: You're Gonna Love It Tuesday

                               Debbiedoos: Newbie Party

                              Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday

                              My Romantic Home: Show and Tell Friday

                              2805: Potpourri Friday

                              French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday

                              Stringtown Home: Tips & Tricks

                              Home Is Where The Heart Is - Link it up! Wednesdays