Craft Room on a Budget

Things are changing here at Robin's Nesting Place. One of my own has just flown the nest! I have been very blessed to have both of my children stay in the home longer than most. My 24 year old daughter chose to continue her education close to home so she never left for college as many do. It will be very odd not having her here. 

I knew she was planning to leave soon, so I had been collecting some things for her and also things to place in her empty room. My craft room was the place to hold all of the stuff. It was a mess and you could barely see the floor. 

Once her plans were firm, I got to work doing many of the projects that I had been putting off and getting my craft room in order. It was a nice distraction and kept me busy.

As hot as it was, I spent many mornings and evenings in the garage painting.

I am a huge fan of Pinterest and there were many things I had "pinned" that I wanted to implement in my own space.

The glass-top desk had been in my kitchen for several years. I got it at Goodwill for $25.00! It was redwood and a pain to paint! I had used three coats of primer and the tannin was still bleeding through. I went to Lowe's to ask for a recommendation and they suggested a shellac based primer. It worked! I only wish I had tried that first! It would have saved me so much time!

I purchased very little for this makeover, other than paint and a few supplies, most of the things I already had! This dresser belonged to my mother-in-law and the top piece was purchased at an antique vendor mall a few months ago. One of these days I will paint them.

We had home schooled for many years and we love books, so we have book shelves in every room! I love having things organized again. I don't feel very creative in chaos!

The room has no overhead light and it can be rather dark when I work at night so I decided to use lamps that I have collected over the years from Goodwill and garage sales on top of the bookshelves. This was an idea  from Pinterest. I love the added light!

This area is where I make my cards! The table was purchased several years ago at a garage sale for $7.00. I paid about $6.00 for the shelves at Goodwill. A fresh coat of Valspar white paint on both and they look so much better! I can't believe the difference a little white paint makes!

The pink lamp was bought at the antique vendor mall. The vendor was going out of business and the lamp was in her dressing room. I got it for about $10.00. This hot pink lamp became my color inspiration!

I really wanted a dry erase board for the craft room and had patiently been waiting to run across one at Goodwill. My patience paid off a few weeks ago when I spotted this one for $2.99. I was very pleased when I discovered that it was magnetic! I didn't care for the original  frame so I spray painted one from the stash I have in my closet! I rarely get rid of old pictures because you just never know when you might need frame!

Over the past six years we have faced being unemployed or underemployed. I know there are others in the same situation. Here is the partial breakdown to show that you don't have to spend a lot to have a beautiful place to create! 

Later I will show some before and after shots of individual projects!

http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/

linking to:


http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2012/08/frugal-friday.html

Corner Mantle Decorations

I have a corner fireplace that is deep and awkward and very difficult to decorate.  I have scoured the internet for mantle inspiration and there is plenty for normal mantles, but I've never seen anything for corner mantles.

This is my 50th Christmas and I have never, in my entire life, had a real tree. I don't have one this year either, but I do have limbs and trunks of real trees. Yes, I guess that I am a bit of a scavenger. I couldn't even pass up the portions of the tree trunks in the free bin at Home Depot.

This year I wanted simple, natural and rustic decorations for the mantle. The only thing I purchased this year was the red scarf that I found at Goodwill for .99¢. Oh, I take that back, several weeks ago I bought the old window at the same warehouse where I got a van load of free wood scraps. I've wanted an old window for a long time and have many ideas for this one.

My family thinks this is rather silly looking,  perhaps you do to, but I like it! It makes this nature lover very happy to see the chunky remnants of the trees with their sticky sap dripping and giving the house that wonderful aroma that just smells like Christmas.

I love this wonderful rusty outdoor lantern that I found at a garage sale last summer at a local women's shelter. I paid $2.00 for it. It still had the electrical wiring and light bulbs in it but I ripped it all out to use indoors.

This lantern is usually outside on the front porch. It too is rusty in places. The lanterns have battery operated candles but the green candles are real. There really isn't much difference in the glow.

I have a wonderful collection of  turquoise Ball jars. Some were passed down to me from my mother-in-law and her mother, others were garage sale finds or a gift from a sweet friend. I love them and I'm so glad to see them become so popular in recent years.

I have pine tree branches scattered throughout the house, both inside and out.

May your days during this wonderful season be merry and bright and filled with the things you love!

Horton's French Flea Market

This weekend is the third annual French Flea Market at Horton's in Tipton, Indiana. I missed it the two previous years and made it a point not to miss it again this year.

Horton's is a unique place for a French Flea Market because as they state on their blog,"Like something out of the past, our store is a regular emporium of delights! We have hardware, a paint dept., and a garden center which includes flowers and veggies in season."

"Our ever changing merchandise is also spattered with lots of flea-market finds and one-of-a-kind treasures you can't find anywhere else."

The French Flea Market is obviously doing well because my friend and I got there around 2:00 and we heard from several vendors that they had sold a lot of their things already and were going to have a busy night trying to get their spaces filled back up and ready for the big day tomorrow.

As a nature and garden lover, I am enjoying the home decorating styles right now, especially the interest in botanical and bird prints.

I also like that old things are being recycled and used rather than being discarded in landfills. I'm not sure why, but there is something very comforting to me about being surrounded by old things from the past. I am even liking the chippy paint on old doors, windows and ladders!

I met Nicki, from The Vintage Farmhouse. I discovered her blog several days ago from Horton's blog post regarding the French Flea Market vendors. I was looking forward to meeting her. Thank you, Nicki, for not crossing your eyes and sticking your tongue out at me when I took your picture! ;-)

After seeing these lovely bouquets, the 'Limelight' hydrangea is definitely going on my wishlist. What a magnificent flower to add to bouquets! I love that color of green!

It was interesting seeing the creative uses for vintage doors at the French Flea Market! Horton's and these vendors have that mastered!

There was so much to see that it was overwhelming trying to take it all in.I can't imagine what it was like this morning before so much of it was sold. It would definitely have been sensory overload for me!

This particular booth was my favorite! It was decorated so cute with a paint theme. I really wish I could have seen it before most of their things were gone. She also has a blog that I just discovered called D. Reyne's Everyday Elegance. She is incredibly creative and her "Tinker House" is adorable! I can't wait to have some time to see more of it!

If you live nearby you should definitely make the trip to Horton's of Tipton for the French Flea Market!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!