Top Ten Posts of 2013

#10

The Best Thing I EVER Found in a Thrift Store...

This one really got my heartbeat up. Cardio-Thrifting. 

Now there's an exercise plan I might actually stick with!

This vintage trophy-turned-lamp was waiting for me in one of my favorite little stores for under $5. I took it home and disassembled it to find the sterling stamp. I also had a very well-informed commenter who graciously shed some light on this find. Though it still remains a mystery, Robin suggested that in 1931, only very affluent people could join a country club and participate in a golf tournament. It may even have been associated with a famous professional! I have no idea of the location of the tournament, the club or the person who was awarded this trophy, but I love the very idea of it. 

#9

Befores and Afters: 7 FURNITURE PIECES

Yes we do. We all love a good before and after! This reminds me...I need to get busy and do some more "afters." I have been a tad complacent lately.

#8

CeCe Caldwell and Annie Sloan: How do they compare?

Face it. Inquiring minds want to know...especially before plunking down a chunk of change. This post is for people like me, who prefer to purchase mis-tint sample pots for .50c to pricey "designer" paints that are available these days. If I'm going to spend hard-earned cash on a product, it better be worth it!

#7

Seven Things to Do With a Rusty Rake

I had planned to do a whole series of "seven things" this year. Apparently, a series means three. 

(Wait...do the same rules apply to collections? I think I heard something like that.) 

This rusty rake post was the favorite of the three posts. Sorry, I really dropped that ball...but I do plan to pick it up again in 2014.

#6

Industrial/Elegant/Cottage Living Room Plans

I am still enjoying mixing vintage industrial and elegant elements into my living room. Though some seasons (like Christmas) I take much of the industrial stuff away, it always comes back. 

I DO adore combining opposite sorts of things in the same room. That sort of juxtaposition excites something deep within my soul.

#5

$1.50 Sofa Makeover

This is hands-down my favorite project of 2013. It made the biggest impact in my living room since painting the walls last year. 

My $60 1980's mauve and blue plaid thrift store find went from being a somewhat dirty dog bed to something sorta pretty. It all happened in an evening, and for only $1.50 in mis-tint paints. LOVE IT!

#4

DIY Mercury Glass - Lamp Reveal!

This post was part tutorial, part surprise and I still love it! 

I'm still a big fan of this Looking Glass paint, and mercury glass in general - faux and otherwise. I'm still "playing around" with it, so you'll most likely see more posts in the future.

#3

Yep, Another Faux Mercury Glass Post...

In all honesty, I am slightly ticked that this is my #3 post of all time. Seriously. 

If I had only KNOWN it would turn out to be 3rd place, I would have taken a little more care with the NAME, the PHOTOS, well...EVERYTHING. Now, I feel trapped. 

This was my first experiment with Krylon Looking Glass paint. I had seen other posts, and there was some pretty good information out there, so my post just elaborated on them via my personal experience. I filled in the blanks. The info is pretty good, but everything else makes me cringe. 

#2 

ANSWERS to Your Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Questions...

This post was in response to my #1 most visited post of all time below. I got plenty of questions and comments on the post, and attempted to share the information.

#1 

Why Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is Worth $40+ Per Quart

I NEVER imagined when I made this post that it would be the most visited post my blog. I simply had questions and I figured others might be asking them as well. 

So far, over ten thousand people have visited this post. It just goes to show - we are not alone in our interests! That is one of my favorite aspects of blogging.

Word for the Day:

Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men...

Linking With
Sunday
http://www.twiggstudios.com/	Sunday Show-off Link Party
Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com	Make it Pretty Monday
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com	Mod Mix Monday
Tuesday
http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/	Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
www.CedarHillFarmhouse.com/	The Scoop
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/	Inspire Me Tuesday
Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/	Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.timewashed.com	Blissfully White Wednesday
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/	What’s it Wednesday
Thursday
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/	Thursday Open House Party
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/	Time Travel Thursday
http://www.jannolson.blogspot.com/	Share Your Cup Thursday
Friday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/	Feathered Nest Friday
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/	Fabulously Creative Friday
Saturday
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/	Saturday Nite Special

Waiting for Hannah...

Hannah had planned to arrive home for Christmas today...but the weather did not cooperate with us.

She will hopefully be able to drive tomorrow from Dallas. 

I pray the sun will make an appearance to clear away the snow and ice from the roads. 

Meanwhile, the little fake Christmas tree stands ready to welcome her...white lights twinkling.

A bin of ornaments in white, silver and gold are waiting for us to hang them together. We'll sip Mexican Hot Chocolate and listen to Christmas music as a Frasier fir scented candle simmers on a warmer.

Why didn't I remember to put the "blanket of snow" around the bottom before I took this photo? Oh, well.

The mantel, a final tribute to faux mini-trees, is ready to meet Hannah, and say a final farewell. Faux trees are not making an appearance in my Christmas Future.

Please join me in praying for Hannah and all travelers this Christmas - for safe arrival to their homes and loved ones.

Update on Dad: Thank you for your prayers for Dad, who spent his Thanksgiving in the hospital with double staph pneumonia and other things. He's home, free from the infections and regaining his strength. We'll spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together!

Wishing each of you much love, gatherings with your favorite people, and that you feel the tangible presence of the one whom we are gathering to celebrate!

Word for the Day:

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Christmas Mantel - Tarnished Silver, Greens, and Mercury Glass

Designs rarely happen exactly as I imagine them. This year, this statement is true to the MAX.

I had imagined having my home decorated inside and out the weekend after Thanksgiving, or maybe the following weekend. (SOOO didn't happen. Still happening.)

I had imagined a mostly white with metals again, and plenty of faux greenery. (I have used faux greenery for decades, and have been happy with it.) I also anticipated using small amounts of red. I love red. So far, that has not happened. 

I have added to my collection of faux greenery every year - Hobby Lobby after Christmas sales, garage sales, thrift store finds, etc. It is seriously overtaking my garage.

This year, I imagined arranging my growing collection of tarnished silver plate pieces and mercury glass across the mantel, and filling each of the containers with a faux mini tree. I was pretty excited about the idea!

But when I stepped back and took a look, it was just plain yucky to my eyes.

Too many faux trees. Yucky. It may have looked good with real trees, but the fake ones just sorta got me. In case you're wondering, the photo above is AFTER taking many of them away.

I have decided to ditch them altogether after this year. Yeah, I'm going to purge big-time. All the faux has gotta go.

I may keep the teeny-tiny ones...but the larger ones will be leaving. Same for the garland. 

See the sprigs of cedar above? It's real...cut from a tree in my front yard. It looks ever so much nicer than fake stuff.

As as long as I have a real tree or two from which I can clip low branches and bring something real into the room...why do I want a silly little tree like the ones above?  

I can just stick branches into pots if I want a "tree". 
I can even make my own fresh garland and wreaths. (Here goes the old imagination again. I have way more imagination than time.)

I've always had a real tree - until two years ago. Today, I was putting the fake one together and thinking about the number of fake things in my living room. I didn't like it. I've always been a bit of a snob about having things made from "real" materials - metal, stone, wood, glass, ceramic. I avoid plastic like the plague. WHY didn't I realize fake greenery is plastic? Why did it take so long to hit me, then hit me like a ton of fake bricks?

I rationalize. It's just me here, and putting a real tree into a stand is a two-people job. The fake ones take a while to "fluff" and stick fake branches into the fake trunk, but it's easily doable by one person. 

I can only imagine trying to do a real tree alone. It would be worse than installing my dishwasher.

Next year, I need to enlist a friend to help. Maybe I can return the favor at HER house. 

And next year, my goal is to do all fresh greens. (Never mind that in my semi-arid city they'll all be toast in a matter of days.)

Note to self: Google ways to prolong the life of fresh greenery. Pin them.

Word for the Day:
Luke 2:8-9
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

Possibly Linking With
Sunday
http://www.twiggstudios.com/	Sunday Show-off Link Party
http://www.findingsilverpennies.com	Silver Pennies Sundays
http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com/	Bouquet of Talent
Monday
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/	Masterpiece Monday
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/	Amaze Me Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/	Make it Pretty Monday
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/	Mod Mix Monday
http://www.maisondepax.com/	Give Me the Goods Monday
Tuesday
http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/	Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
www.CedarHillFarmhouse.com/	The Scoop
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/	Inspire Me Tuesday
http://cityfarmhouse.com/	Inspiration Exchange Linky Party
http://mamaldiane.com/	The Gathering Spot
Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/	Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.timewashed.com/	Blissfully White Wednesday
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/	What’s it Wednesday
http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com	Cottage Style Party
http://thestylesisters.blogspot.ca/	Centerpiece Wednesday Link Up Party