Book smart vs. street smart, guess which one I am!

Sometimes I read blogs, but not very often.  I write a blog but I am not really a reader of blogs, doesn't make much sense does it.  There are a couple of blogs I read religiously.  I think one of the reasons I don't read blogs that often is because I see all the places where this one lacks.  My strengths do not lay in writing or computer stuff.  I am lucky I even figured out how to plug this computer into the wall.

$3.00 forks and spoons from a yard sale.

In the past couple of weeks I have been trying to read more blogs because let's face it there are some really inspirational and encouraging blogs out there. I read Nester's blog while she was in Tanzania and cried like a baby. I read her sister Emily's blog the other day and haven't been able to stop talking about it.  Bloggers can use their written words to say such beautiful, meaningful things and inspire people they don't even know.

$1.00 piece of wood from Habitat Resale Store and the other from a neighbor's trash.

But I am not a writer. Is it crazy to have a blog if your strength is not in writing!?!?! I love making something, taking pictures of the process and then loading them onto my blog. Yes it took an army to teach me how to load a picture. To me the pictures are like telling a story. 

Then I remember I should add words....Yikes!!!!

Some spray paint and sanding.

I was a B/C student in school.  I am definitely more street smart than book smart.  Although I don't know how much street cred you get for yard sale shopping and sewing owls. I was never interested in what the teacher was teaching, except for that shop class I took when we lived in Alabama. That teacher had every bit of my attention. I never took art classes in school. I can remember reading my serial killer/true crime book behind my big over sized Lit book in class (yes I went on to get my degree in Criminal Justice which I have done NOTHING with)!!! I was more interested in boys, or boy, my husband went to high school with me. I was more interested in what parties were taking place that weekend instead of God or grades. Sad but true.  Luckily I have gotten most of my priorities in order now that I am a little older (a lot older).

Best glue in the world.

When it comes to writing I have a hard time. Maybe I'm just not open enough or scared to share too much. Sometimes writing just makes my brain hurt. I'm not stupid, my intelligence just shows up in other areas. I even have a hard time writing thank you notes, much less inspiring interesting blog posts. I think I feel so much, and am so full of emotion, I have a hard time putting that into words.

So, my question is this..... Can you have a blog even though you are not a writer and still inspire or encourage people with just pictures?

Robin's Egg Blue anyone!?!?!

Happy Memorial Day.  A VERY special thank you to the men and women who serve our country.  Thank you to my dad, who is the coolest army man I know.  I remember both my grandfathers today who served and fought for our country.  Praying for our troops and their families.

and back to some junk........

Remember this $40.00 red desk I bought at a yard sale last weekend!?

I couldn't wait to get some paint on it!

(no I haven't figured out how to get the picture right side up)!!



I had this list of Robin's Egg Blue paint colors on one of my pinterest boards.  It came from Centsational Girl's Blog, one of my favorites!

I went with number 2, interior wall paint in satin. 

I also had a little bit of this paint left over that I used for the drawers and the chair.  I little two tone action!!!  Funny how it totally matched my drop cloth!

I didn't want to use the old knobs and had a bunch left over from previous projects.  Since I can't throw anything away, I found just enough pulls that would go great with the desk's new look.

I covered the seat with part of an old quilt top.

Remember my .50 cent owl!!!  A little bit of cheap spray paint (Walmart .99) and bye bye pastels, hello magnificent white!!  I was planning on selling her at my next art festival, but it reminds me of myself and my two little ones.  Just don't know if I can part with her now.

Same spray paint on these little birds!

I haven't moved my round rubber mirror up just yet.  The thing on top of the desk attaches to the wall to give you more workspace on the desk.  Before I commit to attaching it to the wall, I have to decide if I really want to keep it or try to sell it. This space is right between our kitchen and living room so it would make a great little space for my kids to do their homework and keep up with all their papers.  I am also planning on painting all my green walls grey, so I think it will look better once I do that.  I don't know!  What do you think!?!? 

Keep it or try to sell it!?!?

Second Wind

 I got my second wind this past Saturday and spent the morning hitting yard sales.  I think the best part about yard sales is showing off what you find!  I left my house bright and early at 6:45 am and pulled back in my driveway at 11:00 am.

 This is what I found......

.50 cent necklace!  I can't decide if I will take it apart to make things with or wear it just like this!  What do you think!?!?!

.50 cent wood owl.  I don't like the pastel colors, I am totally going to copy my friend the Nester and spray paint this bad boy white.

Another spray paint project.  I bought these wood spoons and forks for $3.00.  I am going to spray paint them either white or robin's egg blue and then attach to an old distressed piece of wood.  Perfect wall hanging for a kitchen!

These apples are a lot bigger in real life.  $2.00 for both.  Another spray paint project, either white or green, and then I am going to modge podge funky fabric to the leaf.

$1.00 for these little birds!  I already spray painted them white and they look awesome!

The little side table was $3.00 and the magazine rack was $1.00!!  I can't wait to paint them!

This solid wood green book shelf which I will use as a display unit at some art festivals this summer was $20.00!

I loved this $1.00 old needlework piece, I think it will look even cooler once I paint the frame the same blue as the flowers, or off white, or green, or grey.....ohhhh I will have to think on this one!  What color do you think!?

I also grabbed up some clothes for me and the kids!

This dress and sweater were $1.00 each!

.50 cent top.  Cute with jeans!

Not sure how I feel about this one.  I think it will look good in the fall with boots and jeans.  I love the longness of it and I love the .50 cent price tag!  Is longness a word?

Top .50 cents and sweater $1.00!

This shirt is really cute in the back with a big black bow.  Guess I should have taken a picture of that!  Another jean and black boots shirt!  .50 cents!

Brand new Ann Taylor sweater $1.00

Ok this one my husband totally laughed at!  I almost knocked two people over trying to get to it. This fall I will love it with, once again a pair of jeans and some big ole brown boots (Yes I love me some jeans and boots)! hahaha  I will wear it on every date my husband and I go on.

Yes very blurry AND sideways!  But this was my favorite find of the day!!!  I paid a little more than I usually would have at $40.00, BUT I have the perfect place for it in my house or I can resale it at the

Creative Loafing Art & Music Festival

Saturday, June 16, Noon-9pm, NC Music Factory  

More on the Art and Music festival and the temporary red desk coming soon!

 I can not wait to show you what I am going to do with the desk!!!! 

I will give you a hint.....  it involves blue paint!

Marble Hustler

I was going to do a post today about my cool yard sale finds this weekend, a project I almost completed last week, or a post about some furniture I found and painted.  However I didn't get to any of that because of this guy.

My little man Wes.  He's 6 and a totally and complete momma's boy.  I had big plans for my Sunday afternoon. Usually my kids get home from church, rip off their church clothes and are outside in a matter of minutes running around the neighborhood with the other kids.  I get lots done hanging in the garage keeping an eye on them while working on my own projects.  I just assumed this day wouldn't be any different and I would get my work done and be able to post something Monday morning.  Little Wes had different ideas!!

As soon as we got home from church, a couple of kids knocked on our door wanting him to play.  Wes said no, he wanted to play a game with mom.  Oh!  That's nice, I thought, I will do my stuff in a little bit.  One game lead to another and he got me talking about playing marbles when I was a kid.  I was actually like a marble hustler in 3rd and 4th grade, taking all the kid's marbles with my awesome shooting skills!  Little Wes was really interested and wished he had some marbles to play with.  I had to run to Ace Hardware anyways to grab some paint and remembered they had some old school toys there as well.  Little Wes and I jumped in the car on the hunt for marbles and ice cream. 

Ace Hardware did not have any marbles but after a big ice cream, little Wes and I actually hit one of my favorite antique stores in the area, Oak Street Mill!  The lovely owner helped us find a jar of marbles and Wes and I were all smiles.  He couldn't wait to get home and play marbles with mom.  I was pretty much on cloud nine as well.

His friends joined the fun as soon as we pulled into the driveway.  I was happy that Wes would share his marble with his friends and his mom, even if he did just want someone to battle!

I did have to refresh myself on the marble playing rules!!

 Pretty much my favorite picture ever!

Showing off my mad shooting skills.

 I didn't get a thing done today that I wanted to or anything accomplished on my to do list.  I did however have the best time with my little man and was completely inspired by a bunch of kids and a simple game that brought back so many sweet memories.  Have you ever really looked at marbles? They are beautiful, like little pieces of art, all so different, colorful, and unique. You can get creative inspiration from art galleries, museums, or art classes, but sometimes a good healthy does of creative inspiration comes in the simplest form.  Like a good ole game of marbles!