The Jersey Shore

For me growing up in New Jersey was something I always treasured, especially since I moved away when I was in High School. There are so many memories I hold on to. My family always got together and when they did we had a blast. Being from up north we were loud and proud and loved being together.

My grandparents took us to the shore when we were little. Atlantic City was their spot and eventually Cape May. I remember the smell of peanuts and the smell of the boardwalk like it was yesterday.

I had the opportunity to ride all the rides on the pier in Atlantic City, Seaside Heights and Ocean City.
There was nothing like it. We would sometimes rent bicycles and ride on the boardwalk early in the morning. We would spend the day on the beach, go back to the hotel to take a nap and get ready for night.

Night time was the best! All those lights from the rides and game. It was so exciting.



Now that I am an adult I still have wonderful memories of the shore. Recently I spent the summer with my aunts. uncles and cousins. I got to hang out and watch my children enjoy and make memories.

Disaster strikes and we then realize what is important in our lives and how memories are all we have sometimes to hold on to.

Sandy came in with a vengeance. Destroyed the Jersey Shore. All the beaches are gone. The roller-coaster in the ocean. Boardwalks gone. Over the years watching my home crumble with two disasters has made me sad. September 11th forever changed the NYC skyline and now Sandy has forever changed the Jersey Shore.

I am thankful my family and friends are well. My heart and prayers go out to everyone. There is a lot of work to do. My aunt and Uncle have to rebuild their home and friends are out of work and school. Some have people piled up in their homes. All sharing and patiently waiting for gas and electricity.

Watching makes it worse. There is nothing the feels more helpless. So I donate what I can and hope that when I visit I can comfort someone.

If you are reading this please help rebuild The Jersey Shore and all those affected by hurricane Sandy by donating to the Red Cross or other organizations.

It just takes one person to make a difference! Thank You!

Union Jack Piano Bench

If you have been on my blog awhile you know I love painting furniture! Not just painting but trying to think up ideas to be more creative and artsy. One of my favorite projects that I have done is my French Piano Bench last year. It must have been your favorite too because it is one of my most viewed projects! When I finished the bench I purchased another one. This, like many, have sat around waiting for something to be done with it.

I guess I was so excited when this one sold that I couldn't wait to get another one. Problem is I never really got into what I wanted to go on it. So it sat!

Then the other day I thought I had come up with the perfect idea and changed it again. UGH!

It sat in my living room till I decided to put a Union Jack on it. Funny I haven't painted that yet. Even though it is very popular I never really wanted to paint one....till now. I think it is a perfect piece for this,

Love the distressing...Love the colors and honestly I love piano benches.  They are so versatile. They have storage, can be used as a table and it is a great accent piece. Maybe I will come up with another one now that this is finally done!

Have you ever had a piece sit for a long time till you finally came up with some inspiration?

I love that this piece is so different from the first one I did.

Also had a great time setting up a booth at The Vintage Halloween Festival at The Art Barn! Thanks to Dawna and Joe for all the sweet comments and help! Love this sculpture! Proud to be a part of some great artisans!!

I want to thank Colleen from B real magazine for a mention of me with a link to my blog too!!

Winner!

The winner of the Moss Covered Bird is Michele for The Scrap Shoppe! Congratulations!

Floral Chair

Click Here for Giveaway! Ends October 27th!

A fabric store in the area is going out of business. All the fabric they carry has to be ordered. That may be why they are closing. I happened to stop in the other day to see what they were getting rid of.

I asked if they were still selling things and they said yes but the material still had to be ordered. I asked if I could buy the sample. They said yes.....and it was cheap!

Since redecorating my craft room and moving my toy box turned storage chest in there I needed to put something in my hall.

I found a chair that I bought to sell then decided to keep it for that space. Does that ever happen to you? I just fell in love with the lines. Then I upholstered in my new material!

These are the colors in my hallway. So I painted the chair in Aubusson Blue and lightly distressed it.
I knew this would look great next to my painted hutch.

I think it is the perfect touch for the room!

The best part is that the whole project cost $14!!

I love projects like this,

It now makes walking into the house a cheerful welcome! 

Would you have kept it or sold it?

Toxic Vintage Bottle

Don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY going on right NOW!!

Halloween is fast approaching and I am ready for some spooky fun! I think it is one of the most creative holidays. I didn't get into it as much this year but I did managed to pull off some things.

I bought some vintage brown bottles awhile back and I knew they would look great with some labels from The Graphics Fairy!

Who could resist some arsenic and lace!

I just love these little bottles. Great for decorating! I just modpodged these little babies!

It has just the right creepiness for Halloween! I put them at Blackberry House so check them out! Also check out the new holiday hours!!

I will be doing a Vintage Halloween fest at The Art Barn in Rockvale Tennessee! Hope the weather holds out for us! So if you live here come out and enjoy the fun! For kids of all ages!!

Giveaway! {October}

I believe it is time for a Giveaway!! 

I decided to giveaway this popular item from the Barn Sale. I had to make more and I will save one for you!! I recently added the door/wall decoration to my Etsy Shop! This is to celebrate!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and wouldn't extra blessings be wonderful!! Maybe even a Christmas gift for someone special! That is where my moss covered birds come in.

Actually you can customize this to whatever you would like it to say! So what do you have to do to win this wonderful prize?

1. Press the GFC Follow Button or Linky Button and let me know you follow me! 1 entry
2. "Like" my Facebook Page with your personal page and share the giveaway 3 entries
 

That is it!! Easy peasy!! YOU MUST leave comment here to qualify letting me know you did the above! The contest will run till October 27th 12pmCST.  Please make sure I have a way to contact you!!

I appreciate all of you for being here! Thanks so much!!

Good Luck!

Simple Halloween Mantle

First I would like to thank Donna from Funky Junk Interiors for her post on Bella Rustica. She got a cute picture of us and gave us a shout out! She is so much fun!

This year I have to be honest and say for the first time I didn't get into all of my Halloween decor. I hope this doesn't mean I am getting old!! I just wanted to do it simple.

Remember my Bee Clock I made? Well I tried to sell it at Bella and it didn't sell so I just incorporated it my Halloween Decor so it wouldn't be sitting around. Plus secretly I love it!!

I did manage to get out my Pier I Knock-Off Pumpkin. I even bought some cute little pumpkins and painted them white. All and all it is simple.

Simple is ok sometimes isn't it? I mean really we put so much pressure on ourselves to do it all! Sometimes you just have to give yourself a break. This is my break. I have been so busy with everything else so I kept it simple!

I really like the clock above my fireplace. It may be a keeper!

I also want to thank all of you that voted for my Craft Room Design!! I did not win but I really am honored to have been a finalist.

Hope you have an amazing day today!