3rd Times a Charm!

My dear old gate a two time project fail finally found its place in our home, well actually outside our home...

I first thought that the perfect use for this gate was to plant some herbs in our dining room...

Well, that didn't go so well...they didn't get enough sunlight and stayed too damp in their pots.  They ended up looking pretty much like that lovely bottom bucket ;)

So then I tried to just plant some little shade flowers, but those too, became an ultimate failure!

The main problem to these adorable little pots is that they held way too much moisture in and I knew the only solution would be to drill some holes in the bottom to allow for some drainage which was not about to happen with them hanging in our dining room...

So the perfect solution was to hang this old, tattered, beauty outside when we did our backyard makeover!

I was almost scared to show them at first, thinking that I would of course kill whatever I planted with my black thumb again, but I am happy to report that the little red petunias are loving their new home!

It only took 5 months, but finally my third attempt really is a charm!!

Linking up here.

How to Make an Outdoor Rug from a Tablecloth

So now that I showed you our new backyard, it's time to show you some of the details.

As you know from my Pinterest Inspired Bathroom, I absolutely love trying out new projects to see if they are all they are cracked up to be, and today's post is no different.

I talked about some outdoor flooring ideas that I loved in one of my very first blog posts here, and I have been dying to try the outdoor rug project.

I actually bought a clearance table cloth from Target that I loved last year in preparation for this project...I certainly didn't realize at the time that it would take a year before we started on the back yard.

I used her same method of simply rolling on some water based polyurethane...

I coated the underside of the tablecloth first and let it dry and then did 2 coats of poly on the top side.  I had exactly the right amount of poly in this can.

It got a little bit more stiff and I can wash it right off when the dogs and kids get it dirty! 

It is a perfect solution for an outdoor rug! 

This rug cost a total of $32 ($22 for the poly & $10 for the clearance tablecloth).  Outdoor rugs are quite expensive, especially if you want one with a pattern and there are so many colors and options to choose from in tablecloths, it is a genius solution!

I'll be sharing this post over at Mom's Fun Money and linking up here.

We Have a New Backyard - Phase 2!!

Our backyard is almost complete!  I am so excited to share how far we've come in the last week!

In case you missed it, you can catch up on the before here.

Pretty amazing transformation if I do say so myself!

Okay...not quite...remember we are on a budget guys!  This is our friend's beautiful pool where my husband installed some amazing lights :)

Here is our real backyard...

We still have a little ways too go, but it is a far cry from where we were a week ago...

I'll be sharing some more details soon and the final pictures when we finally finish!

Linking up here

New Backyard - Phase 1

So I always tell you that when there is a lag in my posting it is for good reason...it is no lie!

We have been so busy on one of the biggest projects we have done.

After a year of renting this house we are finally getting a back yard!!

Just in case you couldn't tell from all the exclamation points, I am really EXCITED!!!!!

This is why we haven't had you over for any grand parties or BBQ's this past year...

Just gorgeous right?! 

Thanks to good friends and family and of course my amazing husband who might not be as fond of me at the moment ;-) we are really getting somewhere...

 

Can't wait to show you more this weekend!! 



On second thought...who really needs a lawn after all?



My Favorite Day of Spring!

Spring has not officially arrived in Southern Oregon until I have made it to my favorite place...

Aren't they gorgeous!  There are four, yes four, green houses that look like this! 

I had a fabulous outing with my dad and my two girls to pick out our flowers...

And now our porch is complete :-)

Any springtime must haves for you all?

P.S. My friend, Katie, over at Mom's Fun Money has a great giveaway for all you moms out there.

Springtime Porch

Whoo Hoo!  Spring is finally coming with 80 degree weather in the forecast!  I am so impatient for nice weather this time of year, but it definitely helps brighten the mood when I see fresh flowers and colors displayed on our front porch.

I love my old ladder that I can spruce up for any season or decor.  You can view my Christmas ladder here and fall ladder here.



I painted some old clay pots for a colorful, but distressed look and added some cheerful flowers.

How about you all?  Are you are itching for summer like I am?

Linking up here :-)

Is it Spring Yet!!??

We have had fabulous weather here this weekend and it has given me Spring fever! 

Is anyone else there with me yet? 

I am dying to makeover our back yard this summer and have been scouring Pinterest for some inspiration.

I thought I would share so you can all drool with me :-)

via

This walkway is just lovely!  I love when the most simple things are the most beautiful!

 

via


How fun are these tire planters?!  I would never have thought to paint tires like that!





 via

How brilliant to use an old dresser as a planter!  I would change a few things about this look, but such a brilliant idea!

So how about you all?  Do you have your gardening gloves out yet?

Finally it's Autumn around here

I took the plunge and threw out my summer flowers and replaced them with my Fall decor.  It was crazy how hard this was for me to do...many of my flowers were still in bloom, but they were definitely wilted and probably only going to make it another week, so I decided to just make it time. 

Since this is the only Autumn inspiration I have inside my house I decided to make my front porch rustic and festive.



I started out by throwing out my old summer flowers :-((  and taking these old clay pots and transforming them with a little spray paint into something I actually like.



 I always loved the little frog feet on these pots, but I was just not into the dirt clay look...

And I suppose the fall Mums aren't so bad either ;-)

Then I remembered the $3 yard sale ladder I have sitting in the garage.  It is perfect for my front porch and my pumpkins!

I also picked up a wreath at Michael's and hot glued some pine cones and misc. things to it and made my own Autumn wreath.  The best part is there are very few Autumn pieces (like the little pumpkins) that I can just remove and replace with something Christmasy soon!!

I also forgot about these perfect little pillows I bought on clearance at Lowe's at the end of summer that I was saving for next year that are perfect for my front porch.  Sometimes I wonder why it takes me so long to realize these things...

So now the finished project...

P.S. please ignore the blue chalk, I have to let the girls have a little fun while we work outside :-)

I love it all...but it is really sad because all I keep thinking about is my Christmas decor, ha ha!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend so far!

Check out this post featured at http://www.momsfunnmoney.com/!

Linking up to these fabulous parties...
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Outside decor - Part 2 (flooring)

We all know when it comes to a room, the flooring can make all the difference in the world, and your patio is no different.

I have found a great alternative to your traditional outdoor rug!  Look at these floor cloths made from table cloths!  How clever and cheap!  I am going to take this idea outdoors and make myself a unique and thrifty outdoor rug.  Now I am just going to be on a mission to find the perfect table cloth.

I also think this is an amazing idea for a patio floor. You can pick any stencil you want and get to painting! The best part about this is that you wouldn't need to worry about animals, weather, children, etc. ruining it. 

flickr.com

If you prefer a traditional rug to add some comfort for those little kiddos or just want some texture, there is no better time to buy than now, clearance time!   Pier 1 is have a clearance sale on their outdoor furniture & accessories, as are most of the big box stores.

Since we moved in the middle of summer and I have not finished my patio to my liking, I am going to spend the end of summer and fall stocking up on clearance items for spring!!

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their patios this summer!  Happy BBQing!!

Let's get outside!

Let's take a look at my favorite room in the house...outside :-)

I will not envy, I will not envy... 

I wish this was a how to post on how to build a fabulous fire pit for 50 people, but I am not that skilled yet. 

Instead, I am going to show you my projects on how to make a simple patio a space you love. 

You don't need to have the perfect pottery barn furniture to make your patio inviting.  I have a great old wooden set that was given to us from my wonderful mother-in-law.  With a little spray paint and a couple pillows it makes a perfect addition to any patio. 

My favorite accessory to any patio is flowers!!  I have the best husband who bought me some amazing hanging plants for Mother's day. 

I found this DIY project from Inspiration for Moms that I will be attempting in the very near future! 

I really miss our old garden that Brian made me 4 years ago...

but next year I think this would be such a fun idea for a garden at our new house, I better start drinking giving away some more wine ;)

My other 2 favorite additions to a perfect outdoor patio...umbrellas & lights (I keep my patio lights up year round, because I love love love them, even when they are simple like mine)!  I am kind of sad that we don't currently have an umbrella in our patio now that we have a cover, even though it stays much cooler.  It makes my table seem so bland :-( 

Stay tuned, I have some more amazing patio ideas coming tomorrow...