Last year I showed you how I did a little DIY to create a kitschy aquarium. Not only have I been collecting more vintage chalkware type fish and adding to that kitschy aquarium, I've also been collecting freestanding vintage ceramic fish. This post is about the fun way I came up with for displaying those free standing ones! Over our years of visiting Maine, we've collected a few really fun trinkets and found objects... From giant lobster claws and special trinkets found on the beach to beautiful antique pottery picked up at tag ... Keep Reading...
Display a Vintage Thermos Collection
Isn't it so interesting the things we start collections of? Like this vintage thermos collection. Who would have thought that a utilitarian object to keep coffee warm in would be such a fun thing to collect?! FYI: I'm using the word 'thermos' as a term for insulated beverage holders, as there are actually a few different brands besides just Thermos brand. Displaying this thermos collection turned out to be such a fun way to add some charm in our back entry mudroom. Not only is the actual thermos collection fun, but a couple more details make it extra ... Keep Reading...
How to Fix a Slippery Rug
A few months ago I bought some new rugs for our kitchen, but there was a problem... they were slippery! I have always had good luck using those waffle weave type no slip rug pads. However, this time, though they stuck in place to the floor, this slippery rug just slipped right off the 'no slip rug pad'. Not only did that become an eyesore with the rug pad exposed a couple inches, it also became a tripping hazzard as the rug moved onto the wood floor and got even more slippery with nothing under it to hold it. I love the new rugs. They are a ... Keep Reading...
DIY Natural Simmering Potpourri
Throughout the winter I love our house to smell good. Subtle orange or apple, clove and cinnamon wafting through the rooms evokes a warm cozy feel. Some people love to use candles, melting wax and plug-in room fresheners. Not only do I get sick from perfumed things like that, but have you read any of those articles out there stating that the perfumes and soot released from candles and room fresheners can actually cause unhealthy pollution in your own house! Yikes! Truth be told, after being perfume and fragrance free in our house for so many years, ... Keep Reading...
Cabinet Door Gallery
I'm not sure, but I may have just created the term 'Cabinet Door Gallery'?? I did for sure create one in real life though! Here's why I came up with the idea in the first place with a few simple tips for creating your own cabinet door gallery. We have spent the past couple years renovating our home. It was built in the 1970's, a little late for the charming 'MCM' personality so frequently associated with a mid-century house. Instead this house we bought a few years ago, was pretty basic, (in other words 'boring'!). The house situated on a knoll overlooking ... Keep Reading...
Autumn Mantel
Up here in NW Wisconsin the changing seasons are real. The hot humid summer is rapidly transforming to cooler days and crisp nights. The pumpkins and squash are ripe and being stocked at the local farmer's stands. I can't wait to get out to the apple orchards where they are boasting their fall harvests too. What's not to Iove about autumn? My husband and I were just stating how it's our favorite season. Unlike spring, where the earth is still cold as it melts the winter ice off... in the autumn, the earth is holding on to the summer warmth, but the air is ... Keep Reading...
DIY Self-Stick Tile
Hey! Hi! I hope you had a great summer. With this pandemic and social distancing in place, it's been a very different time. Some good news, we've been blessed with our 7th grandchild this summer. A beautiful baby girl! Where normally we'd be rushing down to meet her and celebrate her birth with her parents, the pandemic put a huge damper on that. Not gonna lie, that's hard. We did visit over one weekend, but the entire time that I wanted to be feeling pure joy, it was replaced with a knot in my stomach worried I may have picked up some germs traveling ... Keep Reading...
DIY Compost Bin
I recently read an article stating the two most important things you can do for your garden is mulch and compost. Up until last week my gardens were void of both! I'm happy to report now with our DIY compost bin one of the two have been addressed. I had a compost pile several years ago when we lived in the country and it attracted a bear... Scared me so I quit composting for a while! Since then, I've been reading a lot about composting and feel compelled to get back at it. I think it'll be good for both our organic veggies in the raised containers we have, ... Keep Reading...
How to Age Galvanized Metal
Finding vintage age galvanized metal stock tanks, washtubs and the like are a little hard to find. But did you know new galvanized ones are still made and a little more readily available? And... did you know that there is a pretty easy way to age galvanized metal finishes? I bet you'll never guess what the secret 'age galvanized metal chemical' is either! I have purchased a few new galvanized metal pieces in the past week. I bought a pair of new galvanized washtubs, (here are a few choices of round washtubs too!), The washtubs are inside the potting ... Keep Reading...
How to Install a Floating Shelf
To install a floating shelf using a floating shelf kit is actually super easy and I'm going to show you how I mounted this simple weathered looking one and the fun display I put on it. I think I'll be unpacking boxes forever! Seriously! I'm slowly getting through them, but it'll be so long until I'm done. As I go through each box of treasures, I'm either using the stuff as is, or repurposing, (so that means time for a craft) or selling it, (which is time involved as well). My dad taught me a life long lesson when I was a little girl hoeing the ... Keep Reading...
