Junkin' Up My House

Rose Trellis Fountain

Yes, it's true. My beautiful home is filled with junk. Well, other people's junk, anyway. I love thrift and antique stores and my home is beginning to reflect this obsession. I always wanted a home that didn't look so modern (or falling down) that it would really be a canvas for a shabby chic or country look. I'm attracted to things that I can re-purpose or use in ways not originally intended. And I have a hard time finding extreme usefulness in modern-day furniture designs. They leave out utilitarian needs and instead focus only on style. If it were simple enough in my home to focus on style, then I'd be all for it. But the varied interests, needs, and wants of a 7-member family also demands storage, function, and attractiveness. So with these few rules in place, I decided to fill my home with things that make me happy. I mean, why not? Isn't home supposed to be a place you come to when you want to be happy? And filling it with things that don't mean anything doesn't make me happy. So the pieces I'm choosing will most likely also be an eclectic mix of objects, but that's ok, because that suits me.

Yesterday my husband and I went thrift store shopping without our children for four entire hours! We found a sitter and went on our mini adventure. We found many things that caught our eye, but we didn't buy it all. Instead we chose some things to go in our fairy garden, a desk for the dining room/office area, and a teapot for our collection. Altogether we spent about $60. Yep, $60, desk included. The desk was at a yard sale, just waiting for us. I'm planning to clean it up, decoupage some scenes on the ends, maybe distress it and add a coat of white paint to it, and change out the handles on it to something a little fancier. It is, after all, in my formal dining room!

My $40 desk

My husband has an idea on how to hook up the fountains using pvc pipe underground, a two-way faucet, and some aquarium tubing. I'll try to take pictures of it when he gets it together.

The little fairy holding the petal bowl will eventually have some miniature roses in it. She will help me tend them. :)

We also started scrounging around the yard and found some old privacy fencing and wood from a building that would be perfect for the garden and for shelving inside the house. So as it all comes together I hope you'll join me in my journey. Your

Rose Garden Fountain

ideas and suggestions are ALWAYS welcome.

A fairy for the garden

Fairy Fountain

Planning the Garden

I have never been much on gardening - but have always loved gardens. Mostly I have never had any desire to set up a beautiful garden in a rental home that I didn't expect to be in very long. However, after our recent move to our lovely country home, I have decided that I will attempt a butterfly garden with a fairy theme this year. I have been all over Listia, bidding on seeds and seeking out beautiful flowers to attract butterflies, birds, and of course, fairies. :) I also need a few decorations in my garden, so naturally I turn to handmade artisans that catch my eye on Etsy and Zibbet. Her is a collage with coordinating links of some of my favorites.  http://pinterest.com/tammy_lyons1/fairy-garden/

Spring Break is over - but not at Artfire

Well, we made it through spring break. I traded my sister three girls for her two boys. So yesterday I had four boys here at the house and she had five girls at hers. The played dress up and watched princess movies. The boys? We had pizza for dinner and watched tv. I was sitting in the living room tatting when they woke up the next morning. I hear their little voices start talking about the dinosaur pictures on my sons' bedroom wall.  I smile at the cuteness. Then I hear the conversation turn from dinosaurs to farts. Had to roll my eyes at that point. I knew I was in a house full of boys! So we ended spring break on a really cool note. Here are some Artfire items to help you end YOUR spring break.
MoonofGlass

Can't you just see this vase with a bunch of wild flowers in it? I mean the hand-picked kind your kids can't resist plucking from the ground and handing to their queen mother. Usually dandelions and small weed-like flowers that no one else wants, but is a perfect gift for mommy. This is certainly above weed status, but would hold all that love just perfectly!










LynetteSadowyStudios

These are some of the most exquisite hand-painted wine glasses I've ever seen. They have beautiful white roses and the words "live, love, laugh" on them. My husband and I will celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks. These would be such a beautiful addition to our celebration!










Mygabbysattic

Now that spring break is over, get out this beautiful cupcake stand, whip up a batch of ooey, gooey, cupcakes, frost them with some decadent frosting, put them on this plate, and enjoy all for yourself! Ah, yes, heaven. The best part - upcycled glass. The dome is so that you can cover them and admire them whilst you eat the others. ;-)










RusticWonders

A perfect display for all those breakable fairy and miniature collectibles we all have. Maybe it would even provide a buffer zone so they don't get knocked off the shelf! These beautiful wooden mushrooms would make a fabulous addition to your fantasy collection.











ParadisePotpourri

Chocolate AND coffee in one wondrous collection of scented yum! Scent makes such an impact on our lives. I would think that just this combination would make for an eye-opening morning and a dreamy day.












greggsgoodies

And summer is coming. That wondrous time of the year when kids are out of school for months at a time. Hang this picture in your den to remind yourself that there ARE idyllic moments that we will never forget. Moments that will live on in our memories - even after all the "things" have disappeared. We won't remember the broken television (maybe) or grandma's antique vase that was smashed into 5 kabillion pieces (most likely). Like a photo, the good stuff will live on and we will appreciate the grandkids.