Pocketful of Blue

I've always liked the 'trees' I see around blogland made out of sticks and twigs  and decorated for holidays or even just for an everyday decoration. So I put one together for Valentine's Day. We definitely have enough sticks in our yard and then I just cut out some hearts from scrapbook paper that I already had. ~ quick and easy peasy ~ I'm using it on my kitchen table but I moved it to the counter to get enough light for the pictures. Then I played around taking some pictures from different angles. I'm trying to work on my photography skills ~ • ♡ •  ♡ • ♡ •  ♡ •  ♡ • ~ or lack thereof. • ♡ •  ♡ • ♡ •  ♡ •  ♡ • ~ HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY ~ I hope it's a sweet one! JoAnne • • • joining • • • THE CHARM OF HOME ~ HOME SWEET HOME

Hi Everyone, I have a few little painting projects that I have been putting off for a while now.   I have also been thinking about trying out the very famous Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I have really hesitated to purchase this paint because of the price. However, I finally decided that it might just motivate  me  to get to work on some of my projects. So I ordered my first can of ASCP in Old White. First up was the box with drawer thingie that I showed you  just before Christmas. I applied 2 coats of the paint, sanding between each coat. Then I waxed it with some Minwax Paste Finishing Wax that I already had. The pattern on the front is actually a piece of shelf liner that I just cut to size and attached with plain old white glue. Here it is all dressed up with some accessories!     ☙    ☙     ☙    ☙    ☙    ☙    ☙   ...

Cold January days have inspired me to add lots  of warmth to our family room. ~ snuggly pillows and warm throws ~ ❄   ❄   ❄   ❄   ❄  ~ lots of texture ~ ❄   ❄   ❄   ❄   ❄   ~ blankets and wood for the fireplace ~ ~ candles, too ~ And I will be right here, cozy on the sofa with my ipad, decorating books and a warm drink.  It's a nice idea anyway, right? I'm so very thankful that I have a warm home and warm blankets and a warm drink! ~ I hope you are staying warm too ~ JoAnne ❄ ❄ joining ❄ ❄ THE CHARM OF HOME ~ HOME SWEET HOME A DELIGHTSOME LIFE ~ HOME AND GARDEN THURSDAY

Do you tend to be safe and go neutral  on the cabinetry in your kitchen? I sure do! I adore the color blue, but I don't know if I would be brave enough to choose blue for my kitchen cabinets. These inspiration pictures make me think that someday  I might be daring enough! source The blue on the cabinets above is so soft and pretty  that I don't think I would tire of it. source This one is more of an aqua blue. Doesn't it look cute with the bright accent colors? source And here is a very bold peacock blue. It's beautiful but I think you would have to be  very gutsy to choose this color. source Another soft, soothing blue. source Love this cheerful shade of blue  especially with the  wooden knobs  and other wood elements. source This is just a cutie pie little kitchenette maybe for an apartment or guest cottage so I think the decision would be a little easier. (If one were lucky enough...

Hubby and I were in Lowes a few weeks before Christmas and we happened to see these pendant lights. They're Roth + Allen and only $48 each ~ so affordable! I mentioned to him  (wink, wink)  that they would look nice in our kitchen so he surprised me with them for Christmas. I had a small panic attack wondering what if I didn't like  them after he put them up? Would I be able to ask him to take them back down? Luckily, all is well . . . I love them! I think they add bunches of cottage charm and character. Do you like them? And . . . what do you do if your spouse or loved one gets you something you don't like? Do you tell them? ~ JoAnne ~ . . . Joining . . . THE CHARM OF HOME ~ SWEET HOME PARTY FRIDAYS FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE ~ FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY MOCKINGBIRD HILL COTTAGE ~ A FAVORITE THING SATURDAY

For the past several years, I have purchased  a Susan Branch calendar to hang in our kitchen. Here is the 2012 calendar all filled up and ready to be replaced with one for the new year. I just love Susan Branch.   Her calendars are filled with charming watercolors all painted by her along with sweet little sayings and quotes. Sometimes there is a yummy recipe too. Susan lives on Martha's Vineyard and you might think she could be a bit pretentious but nothing could be further from the truth. She is so kind and down to earth. You can feel her warmth come through on her blog . One of those people that you would immediately feel at home with. She loves houses and everything about home   just like so many of us.  Here is my 2013 calendar ready to be filled up. Look how cute it is!! { I'm pretty sure she painted it in these colors just for me, right? } On a side note, I remember one year whe...

This is what I could see from my  front windows today. ~ so pretty ~ Don't you love a fresh coat of snow on the ground? Do you ever buy yourself a Christmas present? It seems I always find something for myself when I am suppose to be shopping for others. I saw this box with drawer thingie at Homegoods. I didn't buy it at first but after I got home, I just kept thinking about it. So here it is. The green worked fine for Christmas but I  will probably paint it. I thought this was the perfect spot for it on my kitchen counter. Did you buy any presents for yourself?