Making Memories of US

One of the best things about not having a full time job is definitely having more time to do the things I love.   I have already been doing quite a bit of catching up on things I love to do these last few weeks.  Things like working in the yard, planting flowers, organizing and cleaning the clutter away, planning projects and planning trips.

 Time to travel in our new to us camper is first on my list!

  We are getting closer to taking our first trip in just a few weeks and I can hardly wait.  I have been very busy making sure we have everything in order for our first trip.  Of all the things I've been getting together, one of those prep ideas included artwork for the wall behind the settee.  We creative types are somewhat picky about decorating our spaces right?  LOL!

   I really wanted to find something that spoke to me.  You know, something with words.  However, after searching high and low for just the right saying, I just could not find what I wanted.  I found lot's of signs that were very close, like the right colors, or fonts, the right weight or size but still just not quite what I had in mind.  After feeling satisfied I had exhausted all the best local places to find my sign I decided I was just going to have to make my own.  I am still having to remind myself that I actually have time to start and complete projects now days. It's a very good thing!

I decided I would use canvas because it is so light weight and that is very important in a camper.  I was pleased as punch to find just the right size I wanted too!

I painted my canvas with some leftover sample paint that I purchased last year when I thought I might want to paint my den this color.  That, by the way never happened.

Then because I was multitasking all day I brought my canvas back downstairs. Once I was in the kitchen and near the printer in hubby's office, I started playing with what I wanted it to say.

I typed out several different fonts and sizes using Word.  I also downloaded a free graphic from The Graphics Fairy.  I wanted something very scrolly to go in the corners and this design was perfect for me.

This is how I transferred my designs and my words onto my canvas.  

I used transfer paper and taped my printout over it, then traced them onto the canvas.  After getting my designs transferred, I simply painted them in by hand.  Could not have been any easier! 

The hardest part was decided exactly what I wanted my sign to say.  I knew I wanted it to say something about a Getaway Cottage but was lost after that.  Then I thought about what all of our camping trips have meant and the words "making memories" came to mind.  So, I googled those words and found the title to Keith Urban's song and knew I just had to use it.  Pretty sweet huh?  I'll include a link for that at the bottom of this post.

Here's my sign all finished and waiting to go in the camper.  I was thinking of putting a glaze over it but decided not to go that route after all.

I used a few of those adhesive strips with velcro (that you can remove easily) on the back to secure it to the wall

And Wah laah!  We now have something customized just for us to look at while dining and camping.

Thanks so much for dropping by!  

Hope your having a wonderful day!

A Season of Change

Check out these two pictures I took this weekend.

This was taken on Friday.

This one was taken today.  Notice anything?

Okay, let's try again.  Again, this taken on Friday, look at the side yard in this photo.

Now again look at the yard in this photo.  Notice anything now?  I thought so!

  Isn't it just amazing how in a few days our yard has begun to green up so dramatically?

Well, I certainly am excited about it!

In fact I am excited about a lot these days.

My beautiful dogwoods are such a welcome sight.

And the purple Homestead Verbena is calling my name.

This little angel is saying prayers of thankfulness for sure.

I am so grateful to be home more now after retiring my "full time" retail shoes.  

Don't get me wrong I love working and will most likely find something again, eventually.   But working 40 plus hours a week and most every weekend is not for me.  I need time to rest, time to enjoy my family, time to live in my own world more then I need the success of climbing the ladder.

I need time to bloom here at home again...

...and time to enjoy the beauty all around me.  

I have spent my first week of retirement planting flowers all over.

Getting our outdoor space ready for the season.

And what an exciting season it is! 

It's just a few subtle makeovers here for,

Metamorphosis Monday.

But oh what a...

 ...welcome season of change!

Here we "GO" again!

Well, at least I certainly hope so!  And soon too!!!!  Can you guess what I'm talking about?  If you guessed traveling, then you were correct.  Yep my friends, I really am talking about going places.  And by golly, if I ever get more then 1 day at a time off from work we are hitting the road.  And... here's how we do it down here in the south.

Yes, my dear sweet bloggy friends we have officially reentered the ranks of RV ownership once again.  Or as one of my favorite TV characters from Duck Dynasty described it...

What does an RV stand for?  A redneck vacation!

LOL!

We have owned several campers before, but have been out of this mode of travel for awhile now.  With the boys growing up and moving on, the two of us are ready to pick up and go.   We both found that we were actually missing our good times together while camping.  Oh the memories!  So, we made the decision it was time to find a little get away trailer for just the two of us now.

Because we have been down this road before we knew exactly what we wanted this time around.  We wanted a very light tow weight so we didn't have to buy a new vehicle and this one fit the bill.  I certainly didn't expect to also find one so purdy!  That's redneck language for "pretty" y'all!  Hehe!  Anyway, I absolutely fell head over heels for the white cabinetry in this new to us trailer.  We bought this from another couple who were getting out of camping.  I really loved some of the little decor changes she had made and was thrilled that they threw it all in for us.

Like this adorable bedspread.  This is the one she picked out but she also threw in the original one by the manufacturer as well.  

You know you have a good camper when the previous owners are stylish too right?

The colors of this camper are off white, beige, a light sage green and taupe.

It has a sweet little hall sink and closet.

While the shower and toilet are in a separate space on the opposite side of the hall.

Here is another little extra something they threw in with the purchase.  LOL!  Gotta love a camper who enjoys candlelight right?

I have been playing around with a few things I've pulled from the house to see what all I want to add to our camper before we drag in all the real camping stuff.

I've even removed a wall paper border that I wasn't too crazy about and am trying to decide if I want to add this picture or go with something else above the dinette.  

In the kitchen I added a few more things I already had that might actually have a useful purpose in here.  I am trying very hard to be practical to you know.

Now the only detail I can't seem to work out so easily is when I might actually be able to use it.  Hmm??? I am thinking I really need to do something about that!

If you happened by today I do hope you'll let me know.  I love to hear from you and I'd love to hear what you think about rednecking it!  LOL!  JK!  We have always really enjoy our camping days and am hoping to add many more.

I hope you have a great weekend!  I'll be working the 12hr sale, but as always I'll be dreaming...even more now for sure!

Spring Teaser

Hey Yall!  Sorry to be so quick.  I am on the run this morning but just couldn't pass up the chance to share a few bursts of spring I am working on for Tabletop Tuesday.  Hope you enjoy!

Hope you have a hip-pity hop-pity day!

Decorating with a Split Personality

Honestly, I do believe that is what I have!  Can you relate?  Part of me just loves the glitzy glamorous shine of bling, and then there's the part of me loves the traditional timeless look of warn rustic dull edges, and then there is the casual side of me that is all about being true to being nautical.  That's quite a contradiction isn't it?  Let me show you what I'm talking about.

Here's a few pieces I've recently bought from work and several of my other favorite shopping haunts.

I bought both sizes since they were on clearance and 60% off of that.

I've been admiring these sparkly blinged out frames for awhile now.

Stein Mart also has these.  Can you believe they are acrylic?  I bought them full price because I know they will not last until a sale.  I love the way the light reflects off the bubbles!

The shine on these eggs found at Marshalls certainly caught my eye too.

I love everything with sequins!

Still debating about this with the eggs.  Hmm???

Then there are pieces like these below that I purchased on our recent trip to Asheville, North Carolina.  We stopped in at this FABULOUS antique store called Antique Tobacco Barn.  OMG!  I didn't take any photos inside because I was too shy to ask, so you will have to go to the website to see what I'm talking about.  Seriously, check it out y'all!  Open a second tab and copy paste this link and then come back and tell me your first response.  OMG! Right?

I was in 7th Heaven yall!  This place is filled to the brim with all sorts of goodies.  We found it on the first night of our arrival and they were just closing so we only had a peek.  Then we tried to go back the next day and they were closed due to the threat of snow. Uh!  Finally, on the day we were leaving Asheville, my husband took me by there again and they were open.  It was so cold inside that day but we lingered long enough for me come home with these two items. 

Now this piece I think I can imagine how to use it.  I'm not sure if I want to paint it or not?   I've seen lot's of these out there in blogland.  I'll be checking out some of your posts to get more ideas. 

But this one?  What to do?  I just couldn't resist it though.  I love, love, love, the shoe placement thingy on the top.  Why?  IDK!  Really! 

Then there's the nautical side of me.  It keeps showing up in bit's and pieces around the house.

I've recently been trying to keep it all contained to one area of the house in this corner.

This sign stole my heart immediately.  I can certainly attest, it's so true!!!

Then this little beauty also jumped in my hand at Marshalls on the same day the eggs did.  Yes, I actually use my split personality while shopping.  LOL!

Now here's the question?  What to do? What to do?  How in the world do I work some of these items into my decor?  I haven't a clue.  But I am decorating with a "what you love" mindset.  I'm not sure this is such a good way to go about things though.  I am seeing big contrasts lately and not sure how I'm going to bring it all together, but I keep trying. 

What about you?  Do you ever feel like you have a split personality in home decor?  Maybe, it's just me!  He he!  Well, thanks so much for stopping by if you did.  Leave me a note if you feel like it too because I really do enjoy hearing from you.  Have a great day friends!

Mary

P.S.  If you know how to get the left side of my of my blog to stop jumping, I'd really love to know.  Thanks!