Sowing Seeds

I've always thought it would be fun
to start flowers for my yard from seeds. This year with finances so tight, and still having a desire for
a bounty of beauty,
it has become a necessity. To help fill our gardens with flowers,
I decided to try my hand at sowing seeds indoors. I purchased little green houses and
gathered a few packets of seeds. Now, just a few days later, I'm excited to report
a little growth.

Does it concern me that I should have
started this process about six weeks ago
in order to enjoy blooms before the fourth of July?
No.

Not really.
Okay.
Maybe.
But isn't that what real growth is all about?Overcoming our mistakes and
blossoming despite them.

Blossoming Inspiration

Inspired by Susan's surprise and a trip to the dollar store,
where I spied these poppy bouquets,
I decided to create a new door display of my own. I began by rummaging through my
thrift store orphanage/storage room and discovered this
charming metal hanging pocket. I was naturally drawn to it about a year ago because
it replicates old ceiling tins.
I was thrilled to be finally giving it a purpose in my home.
I think it's the perfect poppy container! They both conjure up feelings of years gone by,
so what would be more appropriate than to finish them off with
a little burlap and vintage lace.

Bowl-d Over

One of

my favorite thrift store treasures

is my huge, wooden, bread dough bowl.

I just happened to be at the right place at the right time when they brought out this little beauty. It was one of those finds that everyone in the store commented on when they spied it in my cart. That's when you know you have a real treasure!
I love every inch of the wear on this bowl. Even the large crack down the center makes it unique.I adore the way it was repaired with nails and strips of metal.This bowl is in constant use at our house. It usually sits on the kitchen island or table. In the fall it's loaded with pumpkins and gourds. The rest of the year it's usually laden with fresh fruits.

I thought I'd give it a little vacation from it's usual kitchen duties.
I brought it into the living room and filled it full of glass floats and Christmas ornaments that I've gathered over the years on clearance and at thrift stores.

I think it's enjoying it's little vacation and so am I.

Susan's Surprise

I recently worked with Susan rearranging and styling her home. On my second visit I asked her to bring out all of her decorations and accessories that she had stored away but that she wanted to find a place for in her home.

I love this part of my job!

To me it feels like Christmas morning with new toys for
play and imagination.

One of the items that appeared from her box was this
decorative iron piece. I immediately saw it's possibilities!
I told Susan the items she needed to purchase,
then she gave me the opportunity of pulling it all together.

First I cut a piece of cardboard to size then
I adhered floral foam using hot glue. Next I dressed the foam with plenty of moss
and slipped the entire thing into the metal piece. Then came the real fun!

I started with the fillers,
a beautiful backstage of greenery.

Next I placed the florals,
pretty poppies in red and yellow.

I attached a metal wire to the back for easy hanging.

Now Susan has a beautiful arrangement
to hang on her door or in her home,
made from an item that she had stored away.

Do you have something hidden away
that with a little transformation would become
a beautiful accessory?

Spicy Makeover

When I discovered this spicy orange floral fabric in the clearance pile I knew that it would look great in my family room.I pulled the perfect chair from another room in the house to give it it's inexpensive update.I removed the seat and covered the existing foam with a fresh layer of batting for a little extra cushiness.Then it was just a matter of cutting, pulling and stapling.Now I have a gorgeous addition to my family room that took me only a few minutes and around two dollars to create.

How's that for a little spice of life?

I am so happy to announce that Joys of Home has officially been declared the winner of the JDR Blogger Awards in the category of interior design!!!!!
I am indebted to those of you who took the time to vote.

Thank you,
thank you so very much!!!

Shutter Love

Last year I found an old shutter while doing a dumpster drive-by. Even though I had no clue what I would do with a tall, lone, beat-up shutter, I threw it in the garage until inspiration hit. Then it happened! I pulled out my trash find, cleaned, spray painted, and sanded until it had the perfect worn patina.
I added a knob where one was missing. I grabbed clips from my office supplies. And I began to hang and clip fun items onto the slats. Now I have the perfect memo/photo board for our guest room.

Simply Pleasurable

We recently had our annual neighborhood clean-up, a Saturday morning filled with yard work and getting to know neighbors as you work alongside and serve. While cutting down a patch of overgrowth in a new neighbor's yard I got a glimpse of a mound of fresh moss in the pile. My trash-to-treasure huntress instincts kicked in and I quickly scooped it up and set it aside. When work was done I carried my little nature find home and plopped it inside
a vintage tea cup. It's a pretty little reminder that

blessings come when you serve,
sometimes you just have to notice them.

I'm excited to share some news with you!
I have been asked, and humbly accepted, to be a contributor for Better Way Moms, a website that provides a source of honesty and humor about the true trials and emotions of being a mom. You'll find my articles under the Your Home section. It is a pleasure to work with the wonderful moms who run this site!
Also Joys of Home was recently listed among the Top 50
Blogs For Housekeeping Tips. It's an honor to be found amidst a list of some incredible blogs!

Trying a Trend

What do you do with a pretty little button? You use it as the center for a trendy
fabulous fabric flower.

Make a flower pattern by folding a piece of paper in half, in half again, and then fold one edge to meet the opposite, forming a point. Using scissors, round off the open end about 2 & 1/2 inches from the point. Make a second pattern by repeating the process of folding and cutting, this time cut about 2 inches from the point. You now have two flower pattern sizes.Choose one or two of your favorite fabrics, like brown burlap and a piece of upholstery fabric. Cut two of each size flower patterns (one fabric per pattern if you're using two fabrics).Layer the two small pieces on top of the two large, alternating the fabrics.
Stitch and hot glue the four layers together. Be sure to scrunch each layer a bit so they don't just lay flat (this is where the hot glue comes in handy).

Add a pin to the back. If you don't have an "official brooch pin" simply cut a scrap of coordinating fabric and glue it on top of a safety pin.Then pin it onto your blouse and get ready to
hear the comments like:

"That's pretty. Did you make it?"

"I like your brooch."or my favorite
"What is that?!?!"

Light Delight

My love affair with lighting
can be found throughout my home.

There is my newest in the bookcase.One candle-type light in a little vignette
atop a suitcase stack (another love).Lights are
tucked inside the crown moulding
above the front doorand living room windows.A small strand of Christmas lights is
nestled behind the frames
on the mantle creating a pretty glow.The firebox is lit with Christmas twinkle lights
snuggled amongst faux candlelight.The main bathroom is always illuminated
with a small silicone candle bulb.The kitchen windowsill now hosts a small lamp,
perfect for radiating just enough light for small tasks.
Are you
delighted by lights too?