Bread Box Makeover

I love a good a makeover!  Especially if it's done by using paint.   I picked up a simple and plain looking bread box at the thrift store.   I knew I could give it a new look with paint.

I gave this bread box a new look using chalk paints and wax.  I’m so pleased with the results.  Paint it such an easy fix!  I am always amazed at what a little paint can do!

I used two different colors of chalk paint.  I watered down the paint a little and used the lighter color all over first.  Then used the darker color.  I alternated between the two to achieve the look using long slow strokes and a mostly dry brush.

I chose the colors "timeless" and "lace" both are from DecoArt.   I got these paints from the craft store, they are easy to use and clean up easily with water.

After the paint was dry I gave the bread box a light coat of clear wax and then gently buffed it.  The wax gives it a protective finish.

Here is the before of the bread box.  It was in great condition, just not what I'd envisioned or wanted it to look like.  I even painted the metal handle!  That is another thing that I really love about chalk paint, you can paint just about any type of surface or item.

A recent thrift store find for only three bucks, some paint, an afternoon of my time, and now it looks so much better!  I love it!

For now, I’m using it here next to my breakfast table to store cloth napkins on the ready.  It looks right at home here with my Spring decor.

I really love what a little paint can do!

Hello April - Happy Easter

Hello and Welcome to April today!

It’s a beautiful day here on this Easter Sunday and first day of April!  We're having Spring temperatures and getting some spring pollen too.   

Once Spring arrives I tend to wish for the time to slow down and let us enjoy the season for a long while.  It's nice to have longer daylight hours now, and I'm looking forward to the times we'll spend outdoors.

I added this sweet little vignette for Easter and to welcome April.   I found the cute egg planter on a recent trip to the antique mall.  The sweet bunny was a thrift store find from a few weeks ago, I've moved him around to a couple locations and have enjoyed having him around for Spring.  

I hope you have a blessed and beautiful Easter!

Spring & Easter DecorBunny Love

Spring has arrived and it’s quite beautiful.  It's nice to have the back door open and enjoy the day.  

I recently added a little touch of Spring & Easter to my chalkboard with a sweet little somebunny!

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

We’re having a beautiful Spring day today! I’ve almost forgotten how cold it was yesterday on our first day of Spring...Brrrr!  And, it was very windy too...Whewww!

I still had a good day though and even braved the elements to do a little shopping!:)  This sweet bunny and cute little vase below were a couple of my finds!

They're perfect for a little tray styling, along with a few items I already had on hand.  With Easter approaching I am enjoying some bunny love!

Hippity, Hoppity, Easter is on its way!...

Hello SPRING!

It’s here! ...It’s here!  Spring is officially here!  The wait is over now.  My thoughts are all things Spring at the moment.  Spring weather, Spring flowers, Spring everything! 

I put together this little vignette to welcome Spring.  It's my happy "hello" to spring! :)

~Happy Spring Everyone!

Tammy’s Homemade Reuben Sandwich

~ I love making these at home...my way!

*Boars Head Corned Beef -shredded, Lacy Swiss Cheese, Sauerkraut, Seedless Rye Bread, grilled on a skillet lightly sprayed with Pam cooking spray.  I add a touch of Olive-Oil Mayo, Salt & Pepper to my Reuben sandwich, just before serving.

~ It’s truly the best Reuben! It’s sooo...Yummy!

- I prepare my Reuben Sandwich by placing a slice of cheese on both pieces of bread, then add some shredded corned beef.  Next is a layer of sauerkraut, (I drain off any juices from my sauerkraut first, by placing the amount needed in a mini strainer and pressing the juices out, you could do this with a cheese cloth if you have that instead.)   Put the two pieces of bread facing together.  Warm a skillet on medium heat and then spray with Pam cooking spray just before placing sandwich in skillet, lightly spray the top side of the sandwich with the cooking spray before turning it over to cook on the other side.   Flip carefully, and occasionally until desired golden brown and the cheese has melted some, and sandwich is warmed through.

}This is my take on Corned Beef & Cabbage!;)

The Reuben Sandwich is a simple, quick, and easy lunch, or dinner!   There are those who either hate it, or love it! I’m definitely the latter! :)
[I often find when ordering a Reuben Sandwich at a restaurant it’s loaded with butter or oil to grill it, and/or the sauerkraut is too wet, and that makes it a soggy mess!  My Sandwich is not!]

If you love a good Reuben Sandwich, try making one this way!

Enjoy!...

Hello March!

Well, it’s a candle kind of day today, ‘cause

“March”...is in like a Lion! She’s living up to her reputation, let’s hope she holds true to “out like a lamb!”

Even so, I’m very happy to welcome March, because it’s the month when “Spring” arrives!

I created this little display for "March" by shopping my home and using thrift store, and dollar store items.  Easy, and low cost decorating!

I found the photo frame a while back, it's two acrylic pieces that come together with magnets.  I cut the flower heart from an old birthday card that I had.  It was the perfect size!  I'm always on the lookout and pick up some of the scrabble letter tiles and trays when ever I see them for sale at the local thrift store.  I have a good collection of them now and like to use them for different fun displays and vignettes!

~Happy March!...

Decorating using "Cloches"

Do you *Cloche?  I have fun decorating using my cloches.  I have a couple and find it fascinating to create little vignettes using them.  It just seems that an item becomes even more special when placed under a cloche.

*cloche (plural cloches)

noun  \ ˈklōsh \

-a bell- or dome-shaped cover:

-a glass or plastic cover used to protect small outdoor plants from frost; also : a similar cover used indoors to display or protect ornamental objects

-a cover (as of metal or ceramic) placed over food during preparation or serving

-a close-fitting women's hat with a deep rounded crown and narrow rim.

Cloches can be found at most home and craft stores, or you can find them online.  They vary in size and height.  I wanted to share a few examples and ideas of the cloche decorating I've done.

My sweet Valentine gave me this beautiful gift on Valentine’s Day a few years ago.
~ A “Willow Tree” statue with a message on the bottom... Je t'aime - I Love You
I placed it under my cloche, and I think it looks even more special displayed in this manner.

"Special" is how I feel when I look at my beautiful gift.

I’m so happy that my husband still finds different ways to say “I Love You” even after being married almost four decades!

This cloche is about 11 inches tall, I like that I can use it for tall items or items placed on a lift of some type.  I found this beauty at Michael's, it was labeled "Ashland® Glass Bell Dome" and with my coupon it was under thirteen dollars.

And since it is February I did another cloche and used a small heart inside.  A burlap covered heart on a stand, and a flower with a touch of greenery.

This cloche is a small sized one about 6 inches tall.  It's perfect for smaller items or little decorative pieces that can be used together for a sweet display.  I got this one at a thrift store for only a couple dollars.

And here's another I did last month, with a winter theme.  I think they are fun to use in my home for change of seasons displays.

This cloche is about 5 inches tall and the smallest one I have at the moment.  Also found at a thrift store(fifty-cents), this I believe was once for a candle and sat in a holder, I chose to turn it over then added a knob on top and use it as a cloche.

There you have it.  My cloche ideas!  I hope you found a little inspiration, and desire, to own a cloche and do some decorating with it!

Happy Decorating!...

Sweet Decor for February/Valentines Day

Love is in the air!  And, in the kitchen!

Because... The kitchen is the

heart of the home!

I always enjoy making my sweetheart something sweet.  With it being Valentine’s Day tomorrow it’s a good day to do just that!

Speaking of sweet...How sweet are these items I recently found at Target?  The wooden heart was in the Dollar spot area, only three dollars, and there were some that had a pink stripe instead of the red.  The tea towel was too sweet to leave behind, so in my cart it went.  A few dollars spent to create a sweet February/Valentine themed corner near our kitchen.  I love Target!  

~ Wishing you a Valentine’s Day filled with LOVE!

It's February...Love is in the air!Hearts & Love Decor

Love is in the air!  Valentines, hearts, and love!

I have hearts throughout my home, all year, not just for the month of February.  But, when February rolls around I do enjoy using more hearts in decorating my home.

My love for “hearts” has grown over the years, and I find it difficult to not bring every heart I see home with me. I found the sweet “Together Forever” pillow years ago.  The heart with sachet and the heart basket were thrift store finds.  Using just a few items here, I simply decorated this area with thoughts of love & hearts. 

I’ve always loved the heart shape and been drawn to hearts. My family knowing my love for hearts, often gift me with them, too.  My heart is always happy when finding hearts and when receiving hearts from those I love!

Happy February!...