Monday, April 29, 2019

Player Piano Scroll Art

 
Growing up my family always had a player piano. If you are thinking,

 what is she talking about?....all pianos play. Well we would attach these

paper rolls to the piano and the piano

 would mysterious play as the lyrics ran along the side.

Each roll was a single song. My little sister and I had the job of waiting

until the song ended to stop the roll from flapping and tearing.

My parents still have the piano and on some occasions when we are all get together

 we will have a sing-a-long.
 
 I found these rolls at the Thrift shop, they were torn and tattered... and 25 cents each.
 
I liked the fact that the rolls were full of plenty of paper.
 
 
 
I thought it might be fun to add some lyrics of my own.
 
My Mom loves Amazing Grace. I thought I would roll it up and give it to her as a Mother's day card.
 
I wrote out the words.
 

I used a pen for hand lettering with a chisel tip.
 

 
I used a piece of wire across the top, and decided how long I would need the roll
 
to hang.


 
I just free handed the lyrics in my own handwriting.
 

 
 
 
 



 
 
I rolled up the bottom edge because it was torn.
 
To weigh it down , I added back to back magnets.

 
 


You could do so much with these rolls. Wouldn't this be a wonderful way to

display lyrics to a favorite song or Bible verse.
 
 
 It will be a unique Mother's Day card for my Mom.
 
I love you Mom!
 
xo Lisa S
 
 


Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Wall Basket Makeover

Hi Friends!
 
I found this vintage wall-pocket type basket at the Thrift Store for a good price. 

 
 It was lined with zinc!

 I was excited to see if it would hold water

so I could fill the basket with fresh flowers ....sadly it leaked so I changed my plans.
 
 
 I decided to white-wash the basket with chalk paint.
 
 
 
 
Just add water to your paint.
 


I added 2 stems of Lavender and Lambs' Ear that I purchased from Dollar Tree.
 
 
 
 
 
 
I hung it on the window but it needed something.....

 
I tied a piece of antique ribbon around the middle and tucked in a

seed packet....
 

 
It was okay.... 
 


 
 
I printed this postcard from the Graphic Fairy.
 
 
Tucked the postcard in the antique ribbon.
 
 This was my favorite look.
 
 
Which look do you like? 
 
I am happy how it turned out. It reminds me of May Day!
 
and May Day will be here before you know it-
 
Thanks for hanging out today!
xo Lisa S
 
 


Friday, April 19, 2019

An Easter Greeting


Hello Friends,




What an amazing promise fulfilled !

Blessings to you and your family,

xo Lisa S


Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Galvanized Spray Paint - Does it work?

......And is it worth the money?
 
I already had 8 cans of spray paint in my stash.
 
I found everything from Brushed Nickel to Metallic Silver

  but I was curious about the galvanized paint.

 
These 8 metal chargers were a thrift store find. They were a brassy gold color.
 
I really wanted a set of galvanized, but they are so expensive.
 
 When we entertain we always eat outside.
 
The galvanized plates are casual and rustic.
 
 
 
 I think it's worth a try!


 
 
So I went with the RUST-OLEUM  Hammered Paint and Primer in Silver
 
 
I put down some cardboard and flipped the plates over to start on the back side.
 
I decided to use a couple of the cans I had since I was painting the backs.
 
 
 It was a nice hot day!
 
A couple of coats of paint and I was ready to try the
 
Hammered Silver
 
 
 Here is a close up
 
 
I did not see the 'galvanized look' right away

 
 after a couple coats...sure enough you start to see it!
 
I noticed the more the paint spits and sputters the better- you almost have to
 
make it thicker in places yourself.
 
What I mean is if you spray too perfectly even you may nor notice the slight variance
 
in the color.  This is my own opinion of course but I think it worked.
 
I left the plates outside to bake in the sun....
 
I was all ready to say...no, I don't see it happening then I noticed it looked great.
 
 It even gave a galvanized texture.
 
So YES, it was a success!
 
 
  
 
I only bought 1 can of the HAMMERERED SILVER
 
 and even without using up a couple old cans like I did,
 
 I would have had enough paint to cover all 8 chargers.
 
If you try this paint I think you will be happy with the results!
 
 
My chargers were $1 each
 
The Hammered Silver was $7 at Home Depot
 
Similar Galvanized Chargers were between $6 and $12 each
 
 

 
I put some pieces together temporarily.
 
 
 
 
 I plan to use these chargers often.
  
 
 I look forward to Easter Brunch with family!
 
Have a blessed week and a Happy Easter!
 
 
xo Lisa S
 
 


Monday, April 15, 2019

My Backyard Garden Tour

Early Spring 2019

Hi Friends,
 
Spring is here ! It is probably my favorite time of year.
 
Well it is the best time to be in the garden.
 
I have to admit I am a bit of a lazy gardener.
 
 I love letting the plants do their own thing.
 
  We fill our yard with perennials and native plants and recently
 
 we have added some succulents.


Mr. Freshvintage is anything but lazy! I am blessed that he loves working in the yard.

He mows and digs my holes, I get to do the fun part of planting and trimming.

We are going to start in the backyard....and just look around a bit.

This beautiful combination below is Fewerfew and Forget-me-nots. 
 
 
 
Towards the front is Lambs Ear, then Freesia bulbs and  Nasturtiums.
 

 
This is part of my Herb garden. The tall plant in front is
 
Oregano. Behind that is Thyme with more blossoms than leaves....and lots of bees!
 
Behind the Thyme is Lavender and Mint.

 
Some Pink Lantana

 
The railroad sign was another gift from a different neighbor and more Lavender.

 
 
 
Come sit for a while.
 
I call these my Motel chairs! Comfortable even without cushions.
 
 
 




 
 Our window box was made with pallet wood. I designed it to fit 5 gallon buckets  so we can change
 
the plants for the seasons if we wish. This way the box doesn't get wet. It is attached to the
 
stucco wall with a hidden ' L ' bracket.
 
My gate holds my garden tool claw collection.
 
 
The tractors belong to my son when he was little....and they were vintage then.
 
I keep them under the window out of the way. 
 
 
 
 
Across from the window there is more setting- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
More rusty tools and a whirly gig we bought  more than 30 years ago.
 
When it's windy, the farmer  milks the cow in double time speed!
 

 
An old bird bath, Mexican Marigolds and Lemon Balm.

 
 
Our Lemon tree and an old wagon wheel on the fence.

 
We added the rock paths through the garden.
 
Mr. Freshvintage made this archway out of scrap wood.
 
We can sit under the grapes.
 
One side is Thompson and the other is Flame.
 

 
My husband made the rusty heart from a broken whisky barrel.
 
This bird house is attached to an old shovel.

 
A corner of the yard for sitting!
 
Old smudge pots and miscellaneous rusty goodness.

 
My gate and bottle garden

 
Back to my raised bed veggie garden.....day 1.....so far volunteer onions
 
and Blackberry bushes on the fence. I will update vegetable garden in summer.
 

 
 We  use our Compost Bin is used year round.

 
 
 
Next to our garden shed, I keep the potting bench made by my husband and son.
 
They made it from scrap wood- I use it as an extra table when we eat outside.
 
I love it! They added wheels and I can move it all over.
 
 
 
 
Another pallet planter with succulents.

 
  A Dwarf  Darcy Tangerine tree and some purple Lantana
 
 
 
That's a Pomegranate bush on the left. We recently added the Santa Rosa Plum on the right.
 
In front Mexican Sage, Autumn Sage, a dwarf Butterfly bush....beyond the rock path
 
Cat Mint and Tropical Milkweed.
 
 
 We have Trumpet Vines on the patio for shade. 
 

 
 
....by the way my house is blue.... not purple! :)

 
Some Daisies ready to open!

 
We don't get snow here.
 
I am always happy to see what survived the winter frost.
 

 
This mailbox was a trash rescue.
 
It's all wood covering a plastic interior.
 
My secret hiding place for an extra weeder tool and clippers.
 



 
All four corners!
 
 
 
My Husband found this Cream Separator and gave it a coat of paint.
 
 
 
Our side yard has 2 separate Chicken Coops.
 
These chickens below are my favorites. They are Japanese Bantams....
 
so friendly and they love to be held.
 
 
Yes , they lay eggs.
 

The chickens take turns in the run and on the grass.

 
The other flock of 4 are in their awkward teenage stage.
 
They are loosing their baby feathers and don't like the camera.
 
I'll get a picture next time.
 
 
 
 Sorry this was such a long tour!
 
I'm glad we could hang out together.
 
I will add some pictures of the vegetable garden in summer-
 
Thank you again and have a wonderful week!
 xo Lisa S
  


Faux Tin Tile Bunny

Hello My Friends!  Most of the Craft and Dollar Stores have some chunky cut outs for Spring! There are so many ways to decorate these. I use...