Painting with a Gorgeous Frame - A Makeover Story

I inherited this painting from my mother in law a few years ago when she closed her antique booth. I fell in love with the frame, the painting...not so much. The painting was so old that it had just about grown into the frame. They had become one. So taking it out of the frame meant risking the already delicate integrity of the old frame. I tried touching up the painting...

I just had to change the color of the tablecloth. It was burnt orange and olive green. Can you imagine...with red and pink and purple flowers?

But it still looked so scraggly and off. I may have changed the colors but I only made the "tablecloth" look worse!

So tonight, after having spent the whole day on another new big painting, I grabbed it and pretty much started fresh (it's such a pain to set up the oil paints so I look for any excuse to keep those brushes wet). This thing has so many layers of paint now!!

So here it is! I can live with it now!

Don't ask me what kind of flowers they are. A figment of my imagination I guess. What started as hydrangea morphed into lilac...or wisteria or something. That's the great thing about impressionism- you can be a little more obscure! Haha

Only one problem...why in the heck did I use purples? I have zero purple in my house.



♥Linsey



restore interiors
savvy southern style

Welcome to Week 30 of Cowgirl Up! Link Party . . .

Welcome to Week 30 of

Cowgirl Up! Link Party . . .

the party with a cowgirl can-do spirit!

1 Party, 4 Blogs

This week's host is Amanda @ The Ivy Cottage Blog!

For those of you who do not know, I run a wedding decor design business in my spare time . . . I do about 50 weddings a year, so a little more than spare time!  I am smack dab in the middle of wedding season and am also being mobbed by 2013 clients . . . my job rocks!  Here is my latest custom bouquet for a client . . . she loved it!

With that said, I am all about weddings right now, so I selected this week's features with this in mind.  Enjoy!

I was immediately attracted to this bouquet by
What Meegan Makes!

What?!?!?!  You can iron fabric onto your walls?!?!?!  Check out The Creek Line House's tutorial!  I am totally invisioning a silhouette of the happy couple in a fun mod fabric at the wedding reception . . . how original!

Over at Swede Dreams, there is a great post of inspiration for Alfresco Dining!  The lovely colors and crystals easily translated into wedding decor in my mind.

Check out this lovely set of bookpage crafts from Town and Country Living . . . these heart shaped cutouts just call to my romantic side!

How sweet would these Pink Lemonade Pie In A Jars be served at backyard wedding?
Love it, Cherished Bliss!

How about having this cheescake gracing your cake table at the reception?
The recipe can be found over at Fresh Eggs Daily.

Are you a DIY bride?  How about making these simple burlap flowers by
Where I Gather My Thoughts?

And last, but certainly not least . . . . I LOVE ANNE OF GREEN GABLES!  I think Anne and Gilbert are so romantic . . . sigh.  When I saw this dresser, I had to add it to my list . . . okay, so it isn't exactly wedding inspiration, but it is romantic inspiration to me.
Way to go, Simply Vintageous!

Please grab the button below if you were featured!

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, (mine can be found on my sidebar.) Mandatory to be featured!!

* Be courteous and visit the two links before yours. 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.

Will this Problem ever be Solved?

Otherwise known as "More than you ever wanted to know about my Jewelry"

I decided to try the DIY burlap covered cork board organizer. There are jillions of variations on this project floating around, everything from screen doors to chicken wire, cute little hooks and doorknobs to muffin tins. But I did it the simple (lazy) way. I covered a cork board I found at the thrift store for $5 with burlap. Then I used docorative upholstry tacks to be the jewelry holders.

Back in the day I used a Caboodle, remember those? 

I still have a tiny caboodle. I keep hairpins and foreign coins in it. Everytime I open it though,  I expect to see scrunchies and Bonnie Bell nail polish.

Then I tried using one of these. 

This "thing" is in my closet. I always laughed at these "jewelry armoires" for some reason and swore I'd never own one. But I eventually broke down and asked Santa for one 3 years ago. It's a great idea in theory, but it just didn't work for me. The necklace situation was horrible. It didn't fit long necklaces in the side door compartments, and the ones that were stuffed in there were always stuck to the magnet that held the doors shut. To add to the problem, I found that if I couldn't see it in plain sight, with my groggy eyes during my hectic morning routine, I probably wouldn't remember to wear it. 

So I started keeping my jewelry in this little shabby, chippy (antique doll dresser???) thingy. Love the look of it. But those poor little knobs are barely hanging on and well...it didn't solve the "out of sight, out of mind" problem.

So we shall try the "hanging on the wall" approach. I like the way it looks. It's not super fancy but I figure jewelry is fancy enough to stand alone. 

I have a thing for lockets and jewelry with hidden compartments. When I wear this to work and open it up, it always makes me happy.

 And yet another use for burlap! I always manage to kill houseplants but my tiny little Walmart Ivy is loving her spot above the tub. As you can see I had to make a wire hoop to give her something to cling to.

I lined this old basket with a plastic grocery bag, then lined it with burlap. Then I put the dirt on that and planted the ivy. I think this, combined with the diffused "lace" light, and the proximity to warm steam is a winning combination. 

One more little trinket to share with you. I picked up this old silver tray for a few dollars. I loved the french looking design and the shape. I think it would be pretty with a row of white guest soaps, or even on a desk for pens and paper clips...

Don't forget to link up to Cowgirl Up! Monday Nights at 8:30 (ish)

♥Linsey

Sharing at:
debt free mommy blog

And the winner of the Oil Painting Giveaway is...

The winner of the giveaway for my oil painting is...

 ...Tiffani of A Thrifted Market blog! 

Her name for the painting was "A Vintage Rose", which suits it perfectly!
Thank you so much to all of you for participating and giving me such beautiful compliments on the painting. I really enjoyed reading all of the names you guys came up with for the it! You are such a creative group, no wonder I love blogging. I am inspired by you all-

♥Linsey

Welcome to Week 29 of Cowgirl Up! Link Party . . .

Welcome to Week 29 of

Cowgirl Up! Link Party . . .

the party with a cowgirl can-do spirit!

1 Party, 4 Blogs

Hosting the party this week is Linsey from The Farmhouse Porch

I'm hosting my first ever GIVEAWAY here at The Farmhouse Porch!!! 
I will be giving away one of my original oil paintings (below)


•••Go HERE to enter the giveaway•••

Decorating Ideas Made Easy got a jump on her fall decor by creating this lovely fall wreath. It makes me want to say the word punkin'. I always pinch my mom on the cheek and call her that because she has beautiful hair that is a reddish color in a bob. I always call her my "pretty little punkin' head". Haha




Swedish Corner Down Under shared her wonderful collection of vintage cookie tins...

Jed and Ivy shared a sweet backyard "barnyard" themed party. Love the photo booth idea!



Twodaloo! Shame on you! For making me drool and crave this sinful looking strawberry concoction.





Clear Blue Sky scored this lovely dresser for $10! The classic lines and beautiful wood grain look perfect with the rich stain of the wood floors doncha think?



A Shabby Story used old garden edging to hold shabby platters above a doorway. What a great way to add  a chic-unique look to the kitchen!



Fancy Frugal Life created adorable teacher gifts.




This feature is especially meaningful to me this week as I continue on my journey as an elementary art teacher at a new school in a new city. I am excited to make new friends (adult and child alike). I'd be thrilled to receive something like this from a parent!
Don't forget about the art, music, and P.E. teachers. Show us some love too! We may not see your child all day, everyday, but we usually see them for the 5 years they attend our elementary school and watch them grow up! We really do get to know them. I have had a few parents over the years who took the time to come check out the art room and maybe send me a little gift or note, it always makes my day. I like to think that maybe they once had a great art teacher ...♥

Linsey

Now about the party... link up by clicking on the 'read  more' link below. 

My First GIVEAWAY!!!

     

     Blogging is so much more than posting pretty pictures and getting kudos. It is a place where you can be appreciated and be inspired by the talents and kind words of others. A place where you can connect with people who "get" you. I have had people unknowingly lift my spirits on a bad day, just by leaving a nice comment. In turn, I have found great joy in knowing that my comments have brought a smile to someone else's face as well. There are so many of you that feel like old friends to me now!

     I have always wanted to host a giveaway. I've had companies contact me with items to give away in exchange for commercials. I turned them down because honestly I felt like I would mess it up somehow. I am not computer savvy! I put technology into the same category as math. I learn just enough to squeak by...LOL! Soooo... I think I'm finally ready to take the "giveaway" plunge. 

My giveaway is for one of my paintings. She would love to come live in your lovely house. Here she is...

(This painting needs a name...any suggestions?)

12x18 " oil on canvas board

To enter the giveaway contest...

1. Follow me

2. Leave a comment and include a name for the painting! :D



*This giveaway is only open to US residents. The winner will be chosen randomly. Duplicate entries will be exempt. Must be over 18 to enter. The winner will be chosen and contacted Saturday, August 25,2012. The winner must reply within 3 days, with a correct shipping address, to recieve the giveaway item.

Good Luck!
♥Linsey

Sharing at
i should be mopping the floor

Welcome to Week 28 of Cowgirl Up! Link Party

Welcome to Week 28 of

Cowgirl Up! Link Party . . .

the party with a cowgirl can-do spirit!

1 Party, 4 Blogs

Hosting the party this week is Samantha from Crafty Texas Girls ! 

  

Hi Friends!

Can you tell I am missing the beach? After a nice, long vacation in Destin- I am in no hurry to get back to the 'hustle and bustle' of school. So around here, we are still holding on to the last few days of Summer.  Swimming, popsicles, and sleeping in are going to be hard to give up!

And keeping with the spirit of Summer Fun, here are the posts that caught my eye this week.

1. "Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson" shares her love of watermelon, including a great recipe for watermelon cookies (the seeds are chocolate chips!) 

2. These colors make me think warm 'summer thoughts'. "Beyond the Screen Door" created this for her laundry room. I love her taste in fabric.

3. How about some sweet strawberry banana jam? Homemade of course! Shared by "21 Rosemary Lane".

4. Learn how to make your own graphic transfer and you can turn a plain box into a french crate! Perfect for carrying all those summer veggies- shared by "Charm Bracelet Diva".

5. Enjoy a cold summer beverage in these "Redneck Martini Glasses" by Crafty Misadventures, such a fun tutorial. 

6. "Our Home Away from Home" revealed her 'spruced' up front porch, a great place to patiently way for fall-- while still enjoying summer. 

7. Check out this beautiful butterfly cake shared by "Inspired By"- this would be the perfect for dessert for an outdoor party. 

8. How does your garden grow? I wish my summer garden produced the kind of carrots grown by "I Gotta Try That". 

9. Don't miss this living room reveal by "Mouse House" so many bright colors, tasteful accessories, and wonderful details.

10. Finally, take a break from that porch swing like "Dirty Hands, Beautiful Life" did and brighten up that backyard. I love the potted plants and her quick fix for handling weeds around the trees. 

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.

Now about the party... link up by clicking on the 'read  more' link below.