Got old antique frames laying around? Simple Chic DIY Project

If you are anything like me you get excited when you find a really chunky, crusty, ornate old picture frame. The bigger the better! And if you're anything like me you have a few laying around waiting to be made into chalkboards you saw on Miss Mustard Seed's blog. : )


So there the frames have sat, for years, sadly waiting for you to give them some attention. Here is a simple DIY that  anyone can do. It takes about 15 minutes, is almost free, and only requires items you likely have on hand.


I LOVE the look of old linen baby gowns and baptism gowns. I especially love them framed. I found this little linen gown last week for $1.50 and had an ah-ha! moment. I used a regular stapler, not even a staple gun. I stapled a square of burlap to the back and safety pinned the gown onto it. That's it! And I know I'm DEFINITELY not the first blogger to reveal this type of project but hey...maybe there's another girl out there like me who hasn't considered this option.

I like it without glass too. And as often as I change up my decor, I like that I can disassemble this in about 30 seconds. 


Here are some other goodies I haven't shared with you. Old farmhouse photos...

 A few old mirrors. I'm still pondering where these will take up permanent residence.

 And lastly a red cliff ironstone bread platter that says "Give us this day our daily Bread" and an old bread knife. I'm thinking ribbon through the holes and hang? With the knife...somehow.

Have a great weekend!


♥Linsey

Do you mind if I share more of my paintings?

 I'm working on setting up a "store" or paypal type thing. I'm into art...not technology!! I am very slow when it comes to computer literacy. I'm so thankful to my blog buddies who take the time to tell me how to fix "stuff".

I also have a few large paintings for sale, but it is through a gallery called dh collection in Fort Worth. I am working on getting the link to that gallery up on my sidebar.

 "Dusk" oil on canvas, 18x24"                                  $145

"Any Way you Slice It" oil on canvas, 12x12"          $65 SOLD

"Dusk" 

"Pitcher" oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 6x6"       $60

 "Rose Bundle" Oil on canvas board, 12x16"        $75

"God is Nigh" Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 12x16"         $125

"Evening Clearing" Oil on gallery wrapped Canvas, 12x12" $90 SOLD

I am trying to work on a couple of small paintings each week.   After quitting (taking a break from) my teaching career of 9 years last summer, I found that I couldn't *just* be a stay at home mom. As wonderful as it is I felt something was missing. Painting, photography and blogging has filled this void and I am truly loving life right now.  The older I get, the more I feel God speaking to me, telling me to enjoy the gifts and blessings he has given me.

Thank you so much for stopping by to look at my beginnings into the art world. I am humbled by your support and encouragement. I have found many new friends through blogging that I would have otherwise never known. I really appreciate you all!

♥Linsey

A Cottage Garden Painting-fresh off the Easel

I love those old yard long floral paintings don't you? I saw one recently, on Pinterest, hanging above a stove. Right there under the vent-a-hood! An unlikely place, but it looks fabulous. So cottage-y and whimsical. It softens an industrial space with a pop of nature. I am a huge fan of garden style home decor. I think cottage style goes hand in hand with romantic, charming  cottage gardens filled with herbs, crusty white metal furniture and white picket fences dripping with roses.

In the spirit of floral yard long paintings, here is my attempt today.

The background is actually the palest robin's egg blue, behind pink and blush roses...

"Gathered Roses"

 oil on canvas, 11x14"

$125

After I glaze it, I think I'll hang it by a big ivory ribbon. 

I will glaze it with a tinted varnish that will give it an antique, aged look and shine.

Thank you so much for looking. I really enjoyed painting this sweet painting. 

♥Linsey

Welcome to "Cowgirl Up!" Link Party #13

Welcome to Week 13 of 

 Cowgirl Up! Link Party . . .

the party with a cowgirl can-do  spirit!

1 Party, 4 Blogs

<a href="http://www.theivycottageblog.blogspot.com/"><img border=”0” src="http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss229/krystalwinn/hfd/cowgirl-up-003-button-4.jpg" /></a>

Hey everyone!  This is Amanda over at The Ivy Cottage Blog!  I recently took a little vacation to Austin, TX and enjoyed some evenings of sunsets, good friends, great margaritas, and starry nights.  It was so nice to spend some time with my hubby and just relax.  Needless to say, this week's features are inspired by vacation, relaxation, and good times.

Check out Betsy's recent makeover at her heighbor's house.  Love the beachy feel and the unusual color palette!

Bliss Ranch had a Kodak moment with this dresser redo!

Follow along with Cherise as she creates her "Favorite Things" Quilt!  Stunning!

A little Cowgirl dreaming inspiration from Angie over at Swede Dreamer!

Miss Flibbertigibbet shows us a close second in the world of lilacs!

If you were featured here, grab a Featured button.  Be sure to like our Facebook pages, since we also post many other favorites there too. If you got featured on Facebook, then feel free to grab a featured button also. 

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Now about the party...

You link up on my blog and your link shows up on four blogs. 

 More exposure, less time. 

We are looking for the latest and greatest projects, tutorials, ideas, crafts, recipes, decor, and inspiring stories.  Anything that you are proud to show off.

Cowgirl Up! is the link party that saves you time and brings you inspiration.  Doesn't get any easier than that!

What blogs will your link appear on?  Check us out below!

Linsey with The Farmhouse Porch

Anita with Cedar Hill Ranch

Amanda with The Ivy Cottage Blog

Samantha with Crafty Texas Girls

The four of us are all Texas bloggers, but you don't have to be Texas, country, western, or own horses to participate in Cowgirl Up!  You just need that "can-do", cowgirl spirit!

Cowgirl Up! Link Party Guidelines:

(Please read the guidelines before participating)

*  When you link with Cowgirl Up!, your link will automatically show on four different blogs.  Awesome!

*  Please follow your host blog before linking up on GFC (and if you have a linkyfollow account, then please follow that way too.)

*  You may link up decor, DIY, crafts, guest post, recipes, giveaways, sewing, inspiring stories, and anything that you feel related to the listed categories.

*  You may link as many links as you want.

*  Be sure to include the Cowgirl Up! Button or text link to Cowgirl Up in your linked post.  

*  Be courteous and visit the two links before yours.  Please LIKE your favorite links!  Several projects will be featured each week!

* By linking up you are agreeing that we may use your photos to feature your project in a blog post, on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter with a link back to your blog of course.