New Placemats...

Many, many years ago I bought these paper plates at MacKenzie-Childs. I never got around to using them because I almost always use real dinner plates. the other day I got lazy and used them when the family came to visit. I have always loved this old world map pattern:

Remember earlier in the week when I made new valances for my morning room?

Well I just bought some MacKenzie-Childs cork placemats to match -a similar pattern to the paper plates - for only $20.00!:

The old world European map in the center takes me to my dream of cruising the Mediterranean:

It has the "Buttercup" design around the edges, which matches my casserole. And as the tale goes, Victoria first painted this design on the wall of the farmhouse with her fingers!

In the center of the table I have an old Hall pitcher....

...with a fake fern:

Ahhh...the little things that make me happy!

Sharing with Thrifty Thursday

A FREE Table...

A friend was throwing out this old wooden table and of course I said I would take it off her hands!

The top was a mess, with some deep scratches and sticky goop from Contac paper:

I sanded the heck out of it and primed it. I left many of the deep scratches to give it some "character". Then I gave it a spray of Ivory Silk satin spray paint. The Graphics Fairy shared this great graphic from an old french post card. I took the print to Office Max and had them blow it up on 11"x17" paper. I traced it onto the table and then painted it, sanded it and roughed up the edges of the table. A quick coat of a tan glaze finished it off:

Sharing this with:

Sizzle into Summer at DIY by Design

Thrifty Thursday at Tales From Bloggeritaville

Mackenzie Childs Tea Cup

I found this Mackenzie Childs Tea Cup at Goodwill for $.69. I saw it from a distance and might have pushed, shoved, plowed over "nudged" a few children out of the way to grab it off the shelf.

I knew immediately what I would do with it...

...I planted basil in it and put it by my kitchen work area:

Don't you just love basil?

Sharing this "deal" with:
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
and
Thrifty Thursday at Tales From Bloggeritaville

HUSBANDS!!!

Remember this little clock table I made from a candlestick and clock?

It was sitting beside the couch - not in a walk pattern. There are only 2 people that live in my home - my husband is the other. How could he not see this cute little table with a Pottery Barn plant sitting atop? As I heard the crash and rolled my eyes, I heard him say "who the hell put this table here?" Who did he think??

There were pieces everywhere, and it could not be repaired neatly. I glued the large pieces together because these plants are not cheap! Then I grabbed some burlap and cut a large square.

The trick to cutting burlap is simple. Pull one or two threads out to give you a cutting line on the grain:

Now you have a cutting line:

and the edges will fringe evenly:

I guess you could call this a quick fix:

The table is back in the same spot - Let's see how long it takes for him to "NOT SEE IT AGAIN"

Sharing this with Thrifty Thursday at Tales from Bloggeritaville

The Candlestick/Clock Table

Remember last week when this....

turned into this....

Well, as I was lightening it up, I had an idea....so I bought this in the sale section of Hobby Lobby:

I glazed the candlestick stick a bit more to warm it up....

I took the clock apart....

and adhered it to the candlestick...

Now I have a cute little wine table....

Sharing this idea with
Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
Thrifty Thursday @Tales from Bloggeritaville

Coffee Bags

The other day I went to kitchen supply store and bought 2 coffee bags for $2.50 ea. And then I remembered that each morning I pass the Kind Coffee Shop on the way to school. It is in the seedy part of the city, and I don't drink coffee, so I never paid much attention to it - until today.

I parked in the parking lot, making sure to lock my car, and opened the large metal door on the old brick building, on the side of the building that is spray painted with the words "coffee" (similar to a gang's spray paint tag)...The inside was of no surprise to me: an old ratty couch, old chippy chairs, an odd assortment of items and paintings on the walls, strange items everywhere.

Surprisingly, the owner of the Kind Coffee Shop was one of those sweet guys who just makes you smile. A warm voice, a happy attitude and an interst in what I was looking for. After a little chat, including me sharing with him that I do not drink coffee, he GAVE me two coffee bags!

So here are my 4 coffee bags and for some strange reason, the cat loves them. She was rolling around on top, stretching, scratching and yelping like a puppy - what's that all about?

So I was unable to get a photo of the bags without her...but she is the star of the show around here, the queen of the castle, the cat that can sense a photo op!

So, I have these bags and I am on the hunt for a chair to cover...and a frame for some of the words....any other ideas out there?

Joining TT at Tales from Bloggeritaville

The reason why I never became a florist...

Today I shoved a pick from the Dollar Tree into this fake plant and I am calling it a "fall decoration" on my coffee table....

Proof positive why I would never had been successful as a florist!

Sharing this little flaw of mine with Thrifty Thursday

More Black and White Checks...

Goodwill had 50% off everything this past weekend and I bought these 2 little ceramic boxes for a total of $.69

and I pulled out my nifty Sharpie and colored some checks:

and now I have "houses" for my soap and detergent bottles:

Cute?
Sharing with Thrifty Thursday Tales From Blogeritaville

MacKenzie-Childs Store

A few unique items I found hanging in the M-C store...
Here is a grand chandelier on display. It is made from spoons:And this one is made from spoons and tea cups:

I think this could be replicated by some clever bloggers I know!

Stay tuned: Tomorrow I will show photos of Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs home.
If you missed the last 2 days about M-C, read the posts here, the Barn Sale and here, The Farm House.

Offering some inspiration by joining Tales from Bloggeritaville