friday inspirations

via shaving kit supplies

I really like vintage lab ware, and this is a great use for it. I need to start looking for some to use as vases.

via long made co.

Articulating lamps are so fun, especially these vintage style ones. I can't decide which I like best.

via sf girl by bay

I've really been wanting to crochet a rug, but I can't decide what to do. This one is a simple motif, but I like the way it turned out. 

via terrain

I love this! It's a very simple style, but you could change the whole look of it just by changing the plants. 

Happy Friday!

finished patio

The patio is finally finished! I love the way it turned out. The colors are so cheerful, and now that the bee balm and echinacea are blooming, it is such a beautiful place to relax.

flea finds: accessories

I go to a lot of flea markets, yard sales, and thrift stores with my mom. She goes to gather inventory for the stores she sells at. Normally, I look for housewares: dishes and glasses, artwork, knick-knacks, etc. This week, I actually only found accessories. I got two bracelets, two necklaces, a ring, and two belts. The woman I bought the glass bead necklace from said it is Czechoslovakian glass from the 1930s. I don't know if that's true, but I love it!

friday inspirations

via ravelry

Bavarian crochet is so beautiful. I like this color combination as well. I'm usually not drawn to pink, but this reminds me of a rose garden.

via etsy

I really like hanging planters, and I think they would be pretty simple to make. Perhaps I will start experimenting. 

via etsy

Botanical prints are one of my favorite things to decorate with. I always cheer up when I look at them. This one would look lovely with the rest of my collection.

via the purl bee

I really want to learn how to quilt. One like this might be a good way to start, especially if the stripes are wider. 

Happy Friday!

painted terracotta pots

When looking for ways to decorate my patio, I found a stack of old terracotta pots in the garage. They were not in the best shape, so I decided to paint them. I wanted to keep some of the terracotta showing, so I painted the bottoms of some and the rims of others.

Supplies:

• terracotta pots
• outdoor or interior/exterior spray paint
• painters tape
• newspaper

First, clean the pots to get any loose dirt off. Tape the part of the pot you don't want to paint. You can use newspaper to help cover larger areas.

Next, spray paint your pots. When painting the bottom of the pots, I turned them upside down on a piece of cardboard. I also found that the pots I painted the rims of looked better if the inside was painted as well. My gold paint wasn't for outdoor use, so I used an exterior lacquer on top to help prevent it from chipping and getting spotty in the rain.

You can use the pots as they were meant to be used (as planters), or you can fill them with sand or gravel and use them for candles. If you do fill them with sand, it is a good idea to line the bottom with plastic so nothing leaks out of the hole. 

garden update

Everything in the garden is growing wonderfully (except my dill... is anyone else having dill problems?). The cauliflower is growing so quickly, it's putting the other plants to shame. My cilantro is also looking really nice. I've never had luck with it before - it never got very big and I was barely able to cut any to use. But this year it looks great!

This year, I'm also growing Roma tomatoes, which I never have before. I'm hoping to get a whole bunch so I can make sauce for the winter. Homemade tomato sauce is so delicious, and I will post my recipe when the tomatoes ripen!

firday inspirations

via lucky pony

I love this kitchen so much. It looks so cozy and homey. And the floor is beautiful, with the black and white tile and wood.

via gardenista

This window display is lovely. I'm really bad at floral arrangements, but different vases full of the same flowers is something I could handle. I also like the look the different heights and textures give.

via the purl bee

I want to make this right now! The linen would be perfect for warmer weather, but you could also use heavier fabrics to make a warmer wrap. 

via a sweet spoonful

I don't really like sweets, so cake is something I rarely make. This buttery honey almond cake, however, looks delicious. I may have to make it this weekend.

Happy Friday!