Category: Projects

Wicker Rocking Chair

Decorating

Last year I promised myself a place to read beneath the cherry tree when it blossomed in the spring.   I cannot explain how much I love this tree.  Its branches have gone from buds to blooms in just two days, so today’s task was to keep my promise to myself.


A couple of years ago I picked up an old wicker rocking chair for $5.  It’s been used here and there, but most recently it’s been sitting in the basement.  Not much to look at.


The wicker table was a thrift store find.


A trip to Home Depot yielded three cans of Rustoleum spray paint in Spa Blue.   It reminds me of a piece of Pine Cone Hill furniture, or an Adirondack chair out of a catalog.

blue wicker rocker
It’s just what I was hoping for.  I’m pleased with the results.  Don’t you love what a little paint can do?!


I know where I’ll be sitting when the little ones enjoy a backyard picnic tomorrow!


Every spring I feel like our cherry tree turns the backyard into something of a paradise.  My blue wicker is the finishing touch that begs you to go sit beneath it and inhale the lovely scent of the blossoms while you lose yourself in a good book.


Wish you were here to join me!

Hopeful Homemaker Shared at DIY Day and A Silly Little Sparrow

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Sweet 16 Invites

Paper

I have a friend who has made such a powerful impact on my life that I hardly know how to thank her for her friendship.

One of the great gifts she has given me is the sharing of her parenting thoughts and experiences as she raises her 7 children.  She, too, has 5 girls.  The difference is that her oldest is almost 7 years older than my oldest.  Her friendship has helped me to see what’s coming around the bend, given me many wonderful bits of wisdom to ponder and implement, and generally made me a much better mother than I would otherwise be.

Last week I had the opportunity to make 60 birthday invitations for her daughter’s 16th birthday party.


I went with something ultra simple.  The invitations are 5 1/4 inches square, with a 5 inch piece of pink paper (from my old Close to my Heart stash).  I used my FAVORITE punch of all time for the center.


It’s a Marvy scalloped circle punch in the largest size, 3.5 inches in diameter.


The stamps are made by Technique Tuesday .  They are quite possibly my favorite stamps ever.  The font is Williamsburg although I think it’s been retired.  The little word “sweet” is from another Technique Tuesday set.

A little pink and brown ink around the edges of the paper and we’re done!


My friend has a talent for planning great parties, so I’m sure it will be a lot of fun and a great memory.


This was a fun project to help with.  It reminded me how quickly my own girls will be headed into this stage of life.  (Deep breath.)

Have a great day!
Hopeful Homemaker

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Ribbon Clothespins

Ribbon

After introducing my new reminder tree to our family earlier this week, my children have enjoyed clipping their information in a fun new place where it’s easy to see.  Tonight when my daughter brought home a one inch wide note about her gymnastics meet (which I had forgotten) we knew right where to put it!  To make it even more fun, I decided to embellish our clothespins with ribbon.  My ribbon organizer is inspiring me to use my ribbon more often.


All you need is ribbon, clothespins, scissors and a hot glue gun.


First I measured and cut my ribbon.  With a hot glue gun, I simply went around the clothespin and carefully adhered the ribbon to it.








Repeat the process with as many clothespins as you want!


I think they add a fun bit of personality to my topiary-turned-reminder station project.


This quick project made me happier than I anticipated.  Suddenly I’m thinking of all the places I can use these cute clothespins!  They will definitely be making appearances in more areas of my house.

ribbon clothespins
Happy, cheerful, useful.  This was also a no cost project, since I used ribbon scraps and clothespins I had on hand.  If you need to buy clothespins, I found a package of 18 for $1.50 at my local grocery store.  Not bad!  (In this economy, it’s kind of fun to discover things that cost less than $2.00).

What would you use them for?

Jennifer shared at The Inspired Room

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