Sweet Inspirations by JP designs: March 2015

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Spring Green & White Shabby Birds on Our Mantel

I really was going to wait to post our mantel reveal after I shared the DIY's on my nest and topiaries, but I'm jumping ahead and sharing it with you today instead!

Several months ago we painted two walls, in our living room, a soft, spring green. I wish my photos would show their true color. No matter how I adjust my camera or edit the pics I just can't get it right :(

I think you'll like my changes for the season, anyway...at least I do!

Do you like how the scripted butterfly landed on the trio of shabby green and white books? I just adore shabby, vintage books and butterflies always have a special meaning to me.

I shared a post on my super cheap spring wreath, last week, with my vintage frame. The link to it is at the end of this post.

I gathered birds from around the house to add them to the mantel.

I made twin topiaries for the candle sconces.

This, cast iron, cutie is hiding in it's nest inside my really old, antique, buttocks basket.

I'd love to paint the red brick white!

Faux, branches with buds drape the fireplace insert.

I made this nest in a nice big size and think it turned out really nice.

I always like to add some "glam!"

The butterfly is a very special, cherished ring.

Faux hydrangeas in white and green fill my, white washed, bushel basket.

I shared the post on Mom's old chair and wee basket last week, too.

Here's one last look with our, little boy, "Gucci"

and where is peeks out the window, too!

Saturday, March 21, 2015

A Super Cheap Spring Wreath with Napkin Flowers and a Braided Rag Nest

I like being super thrifty with my decorating by re-newing old wreaths and using things that I have from around the house and spending as little as possible to make projects come to life.

I needed a wreath for above our mantel and refused to spend any money on a making a new one, so... I made a super cheap one!

The white, grapevine wreath has been used many times before. I only spent $2 for the branch with the white, spring buds. Everything else I had on hand!

I, desperately, wanted some pretty, white flowers for it but, I didn't have any left to spare. I thought that I'd just make some quick ones from coffee filters, then I discovered that my pantry had none left :(

So, plain white, paper napkins came to the rescue and three, little buds were made!!!

A scrap of green fabric, torn into strips, got braided and hot glued onto an aluminum foil form for the little nest. Some green, spanish moss, a pair of hollowed, white eggs and a triple, satin bow finished it off perfectly.

I displayed it inside this vintage frame that I used for our Valentine's day heart.

This is a peek at how it looks above our mantel. Posts on the topiaries and nest still have to be finished and then I will share it all.

The post on My Mother's Chair and Wee Easter Basket is here.

Love, Hugs and Kisses,
JP

and Gucci, too!

Can you see him? He's playing "peek-a-boo!

A very special "thank you" to Kathy from adelightsomelife for featuring this post on her blog!

Sharing this post at these great parties
craftberrybush
craftsalamode
frenchcountrycottage
ivyandelephants
savvysouthernstyle
astrollthrulife
kathewithane
adelightsomelife
stonegableblog
thededicatedhouse
dwellings
onemoretimeevents
romantichome
lifeonlakeshoredrive

Friday, March 20, 2015

Spring Branches and Bunnies& a Rusty Sign in Our Bay Window

Yeah!!! Spring is here and our new window display is, too. It was a real fun one to create. I hope you like it!

It started with my idea to use a branch that I found in our yard. I wanted to bring some outside in...

and create a new, spring sign...

and add budding branches and an assortment of things like this pretty, hanging votive...

and fill it with flowers and a variety of pearls...

and hang my little birdhouse

and a book page butterfly, too!

This is just what I pictured....

with my glamorous rabbit with pearls

and my mother's white and gold pitcher with white, spring tulips and my cherished, little clock that my sweet, sister gave me!

It had to have a white basket filled with "flowers for sale"

and of course, I had to use my precious, little bunny

and some rust and more pearls.

These are the eggs that I made, last Easter, it was a tablescape of pearls.

My African violets are back where they do best.

Right in the sunniest window in our house.

The rusty metal that I used for the sign is from my old "Welcome" one that I just used the back of. I'll show you in my chalk transfer tutorial, now.

I created the graphic in "pic monkey" and printed it out. No need to reverse the image in this method here.

Just turn your image over and rub the design, heavily, with any color. One that will show up best on your project.

Tape your image into place.

Next, pencil over the entire design, with pressure, to transfer the chalk to your piece.

Lastly, over your chalk transfer and remove the leftover chalk residue when your paint is fully dry.
I forgot to remove mine when these pics where taken :(
"oh, well!"

Every year I always feel that spring has granted me and the world with another year of life and awakening and I thank God for the blessing!

I'm happy, each day, to wake up to this loveliness!

An outside view.

If you'd like to see this bird's nest centerpiece....you can find it here.

Last year's spring window was a special one, too!

I hope you are excited about a new year of life!

Love, Hugs and Kisses,
JP

and Gucci, too!

Can you see him? He's playing "peek-a-boo!

This post was featured @ finecraftguild a very special thank you to Rose!
and to Cindy @ dwellings-theheartofyourhome!

Sharing this post at these great parties

craftsalamode
frenchcountrycottage
commonground
ivyandelephants
savvysouthernstyle
astrollthrulife
kathewithane
adelightsomelife
stonegableblog
thededicatedhouse
dwellings

onemoretimeevents
commonground
romantichome
craftberrybush

thecharmofhome