Early Spring Wreath & Evening Work

What a winter we have been having.

It has been hard to get into spring mode

while everything is still buried under a few feet of snow.

It is very unusual for us for this time of year.

With the snow, cold weather and short days

I have to admit that all I want to do

when I get home from work is be a couch potato.

But, I want to be more productive

so I am trying to do a small evening project each evening.

Did I mention I am a morning person?

This evening project is a challenge for me

but when I get it accomplished

I feel awesome!

This evening's project was to make a wreath

for my back door.

I wanted something that said "early spring".

I am not ready to do florals yet

with all the snow.

It just doesn't feel right.

I did, however, fall in love

with the pussy willows

and light shades of green

while I was browsing at Michaels.

I was very pleased with the finished look

and it feels just right

for the season we are currently in.

How about you?

Are you ready for spring?

~~~*~~~

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Alana

~~~*~~~

I am joining...
 Life and Linda for Dishing It & Digging It Link Party
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Unexpected Living Room Make Over - Before & After

A few years ago we did a living room make over

and I thought it would pretty much 

stay the same for awhile.

~Before~

~After~

However, in the decision to downsize

and a very quick sale of the piano

I found I was in the middle of an

unexpected living room make over.

~Before~

~After~

After the piano went out

I decided the fireplace needed to go as well

and I replaced it with a smaller, corner fireplace

which was half price.

I also wanted one more chair

and found this one on Kijiji

for only $40 in mint condition!

I don't think anyone ever sat on it.

~Before~

~After~

For now I have the couch cover off

but I can always put it back on

for a different look.

I fell in love with these cushions

that I found at JYSK

and even better, they were on clearance!

~Before~

~After~

We are enjoying the new look

and the feeling of space

in our living room make over.

 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



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Creating a Natural Vignette

 

I went to a presentation that was on how to make

arrangements using things that you can find around your yard.

It was so inspiring I came home

and decided to try my hand at making

a natural vignette by our back door.

 

 

The old fence gate and the pump were still there from the summer display

and I added the four white pots.

 

I gathered some spruce boughs,

red dogwood branches,

rosehips and cranberries on the stem

and some juniper.

 

First  I added in the spruce boughs.

 

Then the red dogwood branches went behind the spruce boughs.

 

The rosehips and cranberries were added along the front of the pots

cutting the branches down to a size I needed.

 

Then some juniper was added in here and there where needed as filler.

 

 

I then added some more juniper along the bottom

tucked in between the bottom of the pots.

 

While cutting the juniper branches I discovered this wasp nest

that had been built tucked in underneath and in the back of the juniper bush.

 

I thought it made a wonderful natural accent!

 

 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



 

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Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Dressing the Tree - Before & After

 

I just love all the stages of getting the trees ready for Christmas.

 

 

When they first go up I enjoy their greenery for a few days.

Then, we add the lights.

Sometimes, I find it hard to believe it can look any better

than it already does with the lights :)

 

 

After enjoying the lights it is time to finish dressing the tree.

 

 

This slim tree in our living room

is decorated in ribbons and flowers and berries.

 

 

Some gold balls add the finishing touches.

 

 

I love the way the lights reflect off of the bulbs.

 

 

And my little white dove perches on top

keeping an eye on everything around.

What's your favorite part of decorating the tree?

 

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



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Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

The Forgotten Garden

Do you have a corner of your garden

that tends to get neglected?

I have a little nook in the corner of our house

that seems to get forgotten about every single year.

It has potential so I said to myself

that this would be the year it would not be neglected.

So I went out and cleaned out all the weeds.

As you can see the one section wasn't left with much greenery.

I dumped in bags of good black earth and compost.

And gave this little garden a name.

Once something has a name it suddenly isn't forgotten anymore :)

Once I started talking about what I wanted to do with this little space

everyone got in on helping create it.

The little elf I found at an estate sale.

This mushroom I made way back when

when I was still in Junior High School.

My mom had kept it all these years

and when she heard about the garden

she thought that is where it belonged.

The cute little frog is a sprinkler

that my son gave to me many years ago for Mother's Day.

This little house I found at a thrift store.

I love the little butterflies dangling from the roof.

And this little fairy my daughter donated from her room.

The Tiger Lilies are just beginning to bloom

adding some vibrant color to this little corner.

I also added some African Daisies

hoping they will add some more color

as the summer progresses.

And this pretty pink Baby's Breath.

Even though my little garden is called the Forgotten Garden

it is no longer forgotten.

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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