KITCHEN RENOVATIONS

I did a little puttering around the kitchen the other day and changed out some of my displays....that's another great thing about being a thrift store shopper...there is ALWAYS so much stuff lying around to choose from!!!!!

This gorgeous tray is one thing that will never be re-sold--it was my grandmothers and my mom gave it to me the last time I was home (don't worry mom..I didn't paint it...just stuck some vinyl on it!).

 Happy day!
xojanis

ART AND ARCHITECTURE JUNKMARKET STYLE!!!

It's only 8 more days and counting until the Art and Architecture JunkMarket Style event in Minneapolis.

I can't wait!!!!!!!!

Years ago when I  found and fell in love with the first JunkMarket style book I dreamed that one day I would be able to meet Sue Whitney and attend one of her events.  Sue has not only influenced the flea market decorating trend like no other she has allowed me and many others like me to embrace, understand, and 'go with' our love of 'JUNK'!!!!!! 

 I am honoured to be a part of this fabulous event she is hosting.

While in Minneapolis I will be spending lots of time with some of my other fabulous junking friends...... Gretchen of mimitoriasdesigns, Kathy of sylviasvintagedaughter, Amy of whisperwoodcottage, Lani of cottageelements, the junkfest girls, and I hope many more of the junkmarket style members!!!

Happy, Happy Day!!
Never give up on your dreams!
xojanis

BURLAP AND RUFFLES

My sister-in-law picked up a fabulous old coffee sack for me one day and I couldn't

wait make a table runner with it!!!!

 I just love the combination of burlap and ruffles (opposites attract!). 

An old sheet from the thrift store (washed and bleached of course!) makes the perfect weighted material for this ruffle edge. 

Happy day!

xojanis
PS...If you want to see some gorgeous burlap table runners visit Sissie's blog at http://sissieshabbycottage.blogspot.com/.  Sissie is a continual source of inspiration to me..she sews THE most beautiful burlap table runners and sells them on her etsy store.

A SWEET LITTLE "BEBE"

This is such an easy project for those old silver plates you have lying around.

Don't you just love the pretty detail on this old silver platter?  It just looks so 'girlie'!  I thought it would be adorabe in a baby's room so added "BEBE" along with some vintage bling!

Search your local crafting stores for rub-on vinyls to apply to old silver plates.   Paint and stencils would also work for this project. 

When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies. And now when every new baby is born its first laugh becomes a fairy. So there ought to be.

-- James Matthew Barrie

Happy day my blogging friends!!

xojanis
I am linking to Cindylou's blog today for "Made by you Monday"-----be sure to visit her blog for links to all the participants!

ORGANIZE 'SPICE' STYLE

I love picking up old spice bottles at the thrift store......they are the perfect way to store odds and ends in the craft room!

I took the tops off these ones and replaced them with some old dresser knobs I had on hand.

A pretty little button from my grandmother's collection tied on with some ribbon pretties

the bottles up.

These old spice containers sit perfectly inside an old silver condiment holder.

Happy day.

xojanis

APRIL PROJECTS!

Finally it is getting warm enough to get back to some painting and spray painting projects!

I've been working on some chalkboard projects and here are a couple of pictures for you.....

Well, I have about an hour before I have to pick the boys up at school so must hurry off to the Sally Ann down the street as I've heard from my friend Tracey at raggygirlvintage that there is some good junk to be found there today!

Happy junking and creating!!!

xojanis
PS I am linking this post to Transformation Thursday, hosted by Gina at theshabbychiccottage, one of my favorite blogs!

VINTAGE THURSDAY!

  Today I have decided to join in on the fun and participate in Vintage Thursday, a wonderful day celebrating all things vintage and hosted by Suzanne at Coloradolady.

I found this gorgeous vintage rosary while out thrifting one day and just had to show it to you all!

Oh and the lovely etched silver plate was also a vintage thrift store find.
Be sure to visit Suzanne's blog for links to all the Vintage Thursday participants.
Happy day!
xojanis

GARDEN PINKS

One of my very favorite signs of sring is the 'bleeding heart' in my backyard garden.  It is a sure sign to me that warmer, sun-filled days are coming!

These are some wonderful old sap buckets that my friend Carrie found.  I applied the numbers to the front and they will be for sale in her store, The Passionate Home (that's if I don't decide to keep them for myself-LOL!)

Hope you are all having a wonderful day!

xojanis

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden. ~Ruth Stout

DISAPPOINTMENT!

Don't you just love how kids look at life?

....back in December I was notified by the Editor of Somerset Life that some of my artwork would be featured in the April 2010 magazine.  I have been eagerly awaiting the issue ever since and knowing that it was already available in the States and not in Canada my husband and I loaded the kids in the

car and drove down to Seattle to get a copy!!!

It was with great anticipation that I ran into a store shouting at my husband and kids to wait in the car.  Standing in line waiting to pay I quickly perused through the magazine only to find that

MY ARTWORK WASN'T IN IT!!!!!!!

I plastered a smile on my face and dejectedly walked back out to the car.  You should have seen the looks of eager anticipation and excitement on the faces of the four precious souls waiting for me in that car!!  With great disappointment I told them that I wasn't in the magazine.  After the initial exclamations of "what?", "why?", "are you sure?", my youngest son said,

"Don't worry mommy it's probably just an APRIL FOOL'S DAY JOKE"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What could I do, but laugh?!!

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE KIDS??!!

Oh...and if you haven't yet bought your copy of the April Somerset Life, you really must!!!  It is outstanding and gorgeous in every way!

Oh....and don't feel too bad for me.... I got to go shopping at ANTHROPOLOGIE, and I had a great day with my husband and boys!

Happy day!

xojanis