Heap of Change Challenge

Funky Junk Interiors started a challenge for January and I decided to join in.

I am so far behind and this is my first post for the challenge.  

As my first challenge I decided to organize my Christmas decorations as I put them away this year.  I have such small storage spaces in my duplex and way too much stuff.  I tried to downsize my decorations and sent a few bags to the thrift shop.

Putting Christmas decorations in piles of 'like' items was a start...

I tried to group all the vintage items together

Linens, stockings and pillows

Tins for cookies and gifts

I put all the floral sprays and picks, groups of colored ornaments (for tablescapes) and pine cones in zip lock bags and then in one bin. 

This makes them much easier to find when doing a table or vignette!

One bin of vintage ornaments.

Another way to save space is to use pillow covers.  I got these at H&M this year for $5.99 each and I love them.  I'm still using the red & white pattern through February.  

So where do I store all the bins?

My laundry room...one corner has space for several large bins and this is where I put the Christmas and Fall decor.

I just added this set of shelves and on the top I was able to store my ornaments and several other small containers of Christmas odds and ends. 

The shelf above the washer/dryer holds my suitcases and some other boxes I still need to sort through.  This laundry room also houses Charlies litter box (I'm sparing you a photo of course).

This is going to help me focus on one area at a time and get it done!  It's so easy to get overwhelmed when you look at it as a whole! 

This weeks link ups are at
Beyond The Picket Fence

Wising you JOY,

Linda

Art Project Week 2

Thank you for the nice words about the first pages of my art journal project.  If you missed them I shared them here

We continue the January Challenge of the The Blank page

 and how to face it

This weeks art challenge:  Gesso

This weeks Journal prompt: "The beginning is always today." Mary Shelley

First of all I had to buy some Gesso.  I'm not an artist so I wasn't really familiar with this product so this is what I learned from Art is Fun website.  Gesso is similar to acrylic paint only thinner and it dries hard.  It's used to prepare a canvas for paint.  It can be used on many surfaces to make it ready for paint.  I put on a layer and then used a sponge brush to make some texture on the page

I let it dry overnight.  Then I started adding paint.  I used water colors to start since I wanted the Gesso to be highlighted.   For the journal prompt I choose to write my own words and use them on the page

New Beginning ~ Fresh Start

I used some acrylic paints and stickers

 and as before just had fun with it!

If you are interested in joining this project check out all the information here

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Junkin Finds 1-15-15

I love to go junkin! 

I love the thrill of the hunt.  You never know what you might find.  I especially love finding things I'll use in my home.  Dishes are high on my list since I love to tablescape.  Here are some of my recent finds!

These pretty pink bowls were a great find a .10 each so I bought all 7.  Not sure if they are repro's or original depression glass, but they are pretty and a great price!

This Longaberger basket was .25 I think it's a small berry basket and a great size!  Longaberger baskets don't seem as popular as they once were, but they are well made and I love and use baskets all the time...Score!

I have a fairly large collection of egg coddlers and finding these three berry pattern coddlers for .25 each was too good to pass up.  I love this small size.  I think this collection will be back in the cubbies soon!

Mary Alice Hadley is an American artist who combined her knowledge of clay to her art to create these unique dishes since the 1930's

When I saw these dishes at my local thrift shop, I knew what they were.  In addition to the three mugs and one bowl, I got these plates

Two 9" Breakfast plates

Three 6" Bread plates

They have been well used and have flatware marks on them, but the designs are still sweet!

I bought all of these for $5

I will use them in a tablescape and then try to find them another home.  If interested, let me know, my prices will be low!

I will keep one of the mugs because I love what it says inside

The End! 

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Tiger Tuesday

It's Tiger Tuesday! 

Time to update you on my sweet Grandson's newest adventures!

After Christmas and a visit to family in So. Ga.

Tiger was happy to be home! 

He is showing off the scarf his Mommy knitted for him.  He picked out the yarn and he loves it!

Tiger is not a fan of haircuts and it's been a challenge to get him to sit still long enough to cut his hair.  However, this under the bangs look had to end and he agreed to let Daddy give him a good 'shearing'!

He looks so much older with his short hair

and he LOVES it! 

He and his Mom made 'snow' messy but fun!

It's rainy and cold today but I'm heading out to do some errands.  I need a few supplies to start my next art page.  See you soon with some fun thrifty finds I need to share!

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

JE SUIS CHARLIE

I love Paris!

I am so sad about the recent events there not just for the loss of life, but the attack on freedom!

This article from 'A La Carte~Paris Apartment Rental' is very moving and I encourage you to read it HERE

Source A La Carte Paris Apt Rental

Je Suis Charlie!

Linda