This Little Light of Mine

I have a soft spot for lamps---especially small, unique ones. So when I found this vintage glass beauty a while back at the thrift store I felt the need to adopt it. Sure it needed a pretty shade and to be rewired, but that didn't stop me. Lamp kits are available at hardware stores for not much money and rewiring a lamp only takes a few minutes. As for the shade I just kept my eye out at the thrift store until I found the style and size I needed.

Now my adopted little sweetheart has a new home
in the bookcase in the living room. I think it looks right at home there.

I would be thrilled if you would take a minute to
click here to Jackson Design and Remodeling.com
to vote for Joys of Home.
Voting ends Thursday the 15th
Thank you!!!

Hydrangea Love

I think that one of my favorite flowers has to be

the hydrangea.Unfortunately I have a brown thumb
when it comes to growing them.
I've tried three times.
Three times I have failed. I am working up the courage to try again this summer.
But I haven't let my failure of growing the real thing
stop me from surrounding myself
with the much easier variety to care for. . .
the faux hydrangea---easy to care for, widely available.I've even bought them from the dollar store. Dollar store hydrangea's displayed en mass on my front door.

What flower draws your attention, be it real or faux?

If you haven't had a chance to vote for Joys of Home at
JDR 2010 Industry Blogger Awards
I would really appreciate it if you would
please take a moment to click on this link and vote.
Voting ends Thursday and JofH has slipped in the polls.
Thank you so much for your support!!!

Flaws and Imperfections

I started writing this post with the idea of talking about collections. I was going to write about the two different kind of collectors. There are those who collect only the finest and then there are those, like me, who can appreciate a few flaws in their mass of similar items. I was going to say how the fun of collecting should be in the hunt---the patience of waiting until that certain item comes along that makes you giddy and so thrilled to place it in a prominent spot along with the other items of it's kind. I wanted to explain how sometimes it's the blemishes in your loved collection that make it even more dear to your heart, like the suitcase with it's original handle at one time replaced with rope as a makeshift luggage hold. Or the handle so lovingly repaired by my hubby on the small luggage piece found at a New York flea market that had been carefully transported home just to have our sweet granddaughter tear the vintage leather of the grip into small bits.I planned on showing how even though a pretty piece of pottery has received a chip or two along the way it can still

bring beauty into our life. And how if we concentrate on the small chip we can forget to
see the attractiveness of the whole.Then it dawned on me, that I was not just talking about collections. I was talking about life. It's okay to live a life that isn't perfect. Why is it that we can sometimes get so overwhelmed with looking for perfection that we forget that it's the flaws and bumps that give character to our life . A good life is made when we repair the damage that has been done and still go on to serve and bless the lives of others. Life isn't about having everything perfect and in order. Life is about the search, the hunt, the journey. Because it's in the journey where happiness can be found.

Yes, a happy life is what you make of it. Turning bad things into good. Having patience with ourselves as well as with others. Appreciating all that life offers, the wonderful as well as the not so wonderful. And remembering that it's during both of those extremes in our life's journey that beautiful memories can be made,
growth can occur and love can flourish.Life is much like a collection.

It's made up of many things that when pulled together form
an accumulation of
wonderment and awe.
We just need to take the time to stand back and
embrace it!

Thrift Store Scrolls

On a recent trip to the thrift store I spied this
scroll-y work of art. It was one of those thrift finds that
one picks up,
looks at with curiosity,
tries to figure out whatever could be done with said item,
puts it back,
and then repeats the process
several times
until
inspiration finally hits,
curiosity is resolved
and the item is purchased.

Do you ever do that with any thrift store finds?

Once home I decided to make my inspiration a reality by first cutting and painting a piece of MDF the length of the scrolls.Next I found a font on the computer that I liked and printed the word "Welcome." I rubbed the backside of the paper with chalk so that I could transfer the image onto the MDF by tracing over the text.I painted the letters---three coats were needed in order to cover the deep red base coat.A couple of wood rosettes were added to each end of the board. Then two small holes were drilled to thread wire through in order to attach the board to the scroll. Sometimes it pays to pick up a curious thrift store item several times until inspiration hits!

One Mantle Makeover

It's time for

another mantle makeover!I used many of the same elements I used on my Easter mantle---
faux flowers, electric candles, moss and shutters.
I added a mirror to reflect the light of the chandelier
and resemble a window between the shutters.
I like the feel of looking at
a window of spring from the inside.

I'm linking to Nester's mantle party.

Girl Time

OH MY! I have neglected this little blog lately. I have a good reason though. My daughter was in town! We spent time taking care of family matters and enjoying time together, catching up, shopping and creating. Saturday night I had the pleasure of a girls night out with my daughter, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. Oh what fun we had! We went to a local craft store that was offering mini make-and-take classes. Our favorite class was the one where we learned how to make these cute, easy, and quick favor boxes. And since blogland is a place for sharing great ideas, I thought you might enjoy learning how to make them too.

First start with a rectangle of scrapbook paper
(any stiff, cardstock type paper will do).Fold the rectangle in half width-wise. Then give it a small crease at the open end
to determine the center point.

Using a ruler, score a line
(use a stylist or the back of a butter knife)
from the top center to the bottom outside corner
of each side of the rectangle. Your scores will resemble a triangle. Flip the paper and repeat on the other side.

Use the scored lines to create folds in the paper. Fold both sides inward forming a box.

At the top of the box punch holes through all four ends.Thread ribbon through the holes and tie.Cut a circle about 4 inches in diameter. Begin at one edge and cut in a circular pattern
resembling a curled up snake.
Cut off the center bulb, or "snakes head."Start at the center and curl the entire "snake"
until it resembles a flower.

Use hot glue or craft glue to adhere a scrap of ribbon or yarn and then apply the paper flower on top
(use a big dollop of glue and hold until the flower is set).Now you're ready to untie the ribbon and
fill your cute little box
with small items like candy or jewelry.

Best Fool

Today is a wonderful holiday, the first of April---April Fools Day. A day for playing fun practical jokes. And being the joker that I am, I wanted to play one on you. But my mind is blank, empty, containing nothing of humor. Me! The person who loves to laugh. The one who has people walk up to her in a crowded room and say, "I knew you were here because I heard your laugh." (to which I often reply, "Please tell me I don't sound like a cackling witch.")
I'm always up for a good laugh and a great joke.

But today I have nothing.

So I'll share my most memorable April Fools Day joke. It was played on me by son #1 years ago in our previous home. The boy sneaked into our master bathroom and very carefully placed those little snappers (the small twisted white paper packages that make a loud POP when they're thrown to the ground) under the toilet seat, one snapper on each of the pods of the seat. When I went into the room to sit, those little packages EXPLODED causing me to scream so loudly the neighbors would wonder. Of course immediately following the scream was the sound of laughter both inside and outside the bathroom door!My sons have tried to repeat the infamous prank, but to no avail. This momma catches on pretty quick!

What is your most memorable
April Fool's Day joke?