OUTDOOR CHANDELIER

I took one of these...not sure what they are called. Anyone know? I got it at a yard sale years ago and it has rusted in my garden. I've never known quite what to do with it...that is, until now!

I had leftover chain and S-hooks from a birdbath that I did not hang and had an idea to make this beauty - my new "outdoor chandelier"! The glass hurricane fits perfectly in there with seashells and a glass pillar from Dollar Tree. I can change the look anytime by adding different items.

View from the side

View from the top

At a distance

My new centerpiece on the table is a terra cotta saucer with sheet moss in the bottom. I covered a dollar tree glass pillar candle with sheet moss (also $1), added ivy to Isabella's mosaic pot and painted a $1 birdhouse to make this centerpiece. I also layered a doily over a round placement for added interest. The glow of the candle looks beautiful through the sheet moss.

I also, covered an older pot that I just did not like anymore with jute. I love the result and can't wait to plant something in there.

Joining Metamorphosis Monday, Nifty Thrifty Tuesday and Outdoor Wednesday

SUGAR SCRUB GIFTS

I saw this on Under the Table and Dreaming and wanted favors for a "tea" party I am having tomorrow. I've invited the dealers at the store where I sell my tea. There are so many awesome ladies that I never really have a chance to talk to or get to know. So, I thought an outdoor tea party was in order.

I adjusted the recipe adding more sugar (eyeballed and smelled it - I did not like the heavy olive oil smell) and added lavender essential oil along with the lemon. Put it in baby food jars with a circle punch label on top, tied it with jute and slipped in a sample spoon (to scoop out for use). I hope the ladies will enjoy these.

Like she said on her blog, it is good to get paint (and glue) off your hands after crafting.

AWESOME MOTHER'S DAY

On Saturday before Mother's Day, the girls and I attended a Mother/Daughter tea at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw. It was a wonderful event with 100 people in attendance, wonderful tea and lots of fun. They had treasure boxes for the girls to decoupage, hats to decorate and supplies to make tussy mussies. It was a great time for everyone!


On Mother's Day I woke up to spray roses, my favorite, a letter from Isabella and handmade cards from my husband and oldest son. I also received a love letter from my husband and a handmade book about chimpanzees from Isabella. She also wrote letters like mine for all the mothers in our culdesac, which I thought was very sweet.

As I mentioned before we went to two different worship services, which were both awesome. We came home after lunch and I fell asleep in the screened porch until 6:30 pm when Isabella announced the home made pizzas were ready.

It was a blessed day!

POTTER'S WHEEL - TSMSS

For Mother's Day my request was simple I wanted to attend two worship services. This song was played during the first worship service. They played a video similar to the one in this post (maybe even the same one). Isn't it amazing when you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you ARE where you ARE supposed to be?

God is shaping me, molding me into who He wants me to be and although it's painful at times I am willing (sometimes kicking and screaming) to withstand the discomfort to rid myself of the things that remain that are not of Him. I want to see, I want others to see, I want Him to see His reflection.

Worship was very powerful for me that morning and the message even more so, you can listen to it here. It is listed as the Mother's Day sermon, but it was on TRUST. A couple of years ago I realized that I did not trust God and we worked through that or so I thought, now there seems to be a whole new layer to it. I haven't trusted Him in a long time, I have accused Him and I have doubted His intentions. I have no reason not to trust Him other than I attach disappointments I've experienced to Him. Disappointments with my dad, my husband, church, etc. I wrap it all up together, but it doesn't fit in a neat little package because God cannot fit in a box with humanity.

Let me just state for the record that God has NEVER let me down! He has always done exceedingly abundantly more than I could ask, think or imagine, ALWAYS! He is faithful because that is who He is, He cannot deny Himself or His Word. I on the other hand fall short. I start looking around at people, places and things for comfort and reprieve and when it doesn't come I doubt that God loves me, that He cares about me or that He will do anything about the situation. I was so convicted during worship about my attitudes towards God, it was humbling and sad at the same time.

I have let fear override my faith and get me into a dangerous place with the Lord. Sunday it was as if a light bulb went on. You always hear people talk about peeling back the layers of an onion and I was reminded of this on Sunday. This is another layer of my walk with Him, He is taking me deeper, but He must remove another layer...He must! So, I surrender and I sing:

Make me
Shape me
Into everything that You want me to be

Make me
Shape me
Into everything that You want me to be and more

So place me on the potter’s wheel
Spin me until
There’s nothing left but You in my life
Cause brokenness is what I want
So do a work Yeah in my heart
So when You look at me
You see Your reflection


Song by Daniel Bashta

Be blessed and be changed!

Joining Amy for Then Sings my Soul Saturday.

SCREENED PORCH PROGRESS

Joining A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday

This shelf came from my mom's house and it has been in the garage for months, but while cleaning on Friday I decided it would fit perfect in this corner of the screened porch. The bird's nest that is sitting on the third shelf consists of two spray painted dollar tree birds which my daughter glazed for me, a little Spanish moss and a terra cotta saucer. I love this look that cost only $3 to make. Love you Dollar Tree!

The plaques in the background were a thrift store find that I spray painted, sanded and glazed.

This is one sitting area in the porch. My husband bought me those indoor/outdoor pillows at Costco for Mother's Day, $14.39 for two...great deal! I'm still working on accessorizing the coffee table, any suggestions welcome! I found the tin teapot today and am ecstatic with it. I'm all about tea and this works well out here because I won't be afraid for it to get broken. It says made in Yugoslavia which makes me want to look it up and discover its history, if it doesn't have one it soon will...

Another corner of the porch that needs some attention. I would like to get more plants to fill in the wash tub. I found the Contorted Filbert today for $5 for a big bunch. I love it!

Yet, another corner...every room has four! Here is my favorite piece in the porch, my birdbath found at a yard sale years ago for $25, she has aged well. And more pillows from Costco.

A cozy sitting area with my favorite "new" find a vintage scale found at One of a Kind's Market Day a couple of week's ago.

A little bistro set I picked up on clearance at Target years ago with some beaded balls I found at Goodwill for .99 for all three. The balls are nestled in moss in another terra cotta saucer...I have two more left in the attic, so they show up again. The trim propped up against the chair will be hung from the molding on top of the screens, found those today along with the teapot and Contorted Filbert.

Any tips for accessorizing welcome, but be nice!

To see other great spaces and projects visit A Southern Daydreamer's Outdoor Wednesday

UH-MAZING DOLLAR TREE

Needed something to go over the dandelion vinyl cling from Stampin Up in the girls/guest bathroom - enter Dollar Tree. Total project cost $4 for the frames at Dollar Tree. I used scrapbook paper and the bird punch from Stampin Up to do the rest (they were already on hand). Love the result!

Just goes to show, it does not take a lot of money or time (took about 30 minutes to put together) to decorate.

I have big plans for those cabinets, stay tuned for the reveal. I also purchased a gorgeous mirror to go on top of the vanity, just trying to figure out if I'm painting it or not...maybe I'll let you be the judge?

Linking to Southern Hospitality's Thrifty Treasures and Coastal Charm's Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays