Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Spring Decorating :)

My thoughts are . . .
If I decorate for Spring, 
will it hurry up and get here?


Do you remember the lovely gate 
our sweet neighbors gave me?

I spray painted it with flat white paint.


And now it has a home inside.

I wish that I would have taken a before and after photo 
of this lovely bouquet.
I arranged the flowers the first time . . .
Arranging flowers is not something that I am talented at, LOL.
My sweet friend Shirley is great at it
and she was gracious and redid my flowers for me.
I love them now :)
Like I said I should have done a before & after
then you would know what I'm talking about:)

This is my finished Springtime fireplace.

I made this sign yesterday afternoon.

 It started here in Steve's scape pile.

Then I painted it and made stencils on my circut cutter. 

Cut some flowers and butterflies from old wallpaper boarder.

And it was done.

I then made a little banner to add some color.

I am very happy with the results.
Really we have been having some very lovely weather,
but rain or shine . . .
it is Springtime inside our little home:)


 Do you see the little black box up by the ceiling?
That was our weekend project.
We finally installed Steve's 
surround sound system from our old house.

 We didn't have trim around our ceiling before . . .
I hate wires showing, 
so now we have trim . . . cool, right:)
I hope that you enjoyed your visit.
That you will leave a comment 
&
that you'll return another day.



So for now, me and my sidekick Butchy
will wish you all a fun and happy day.

Keep Smiling.
Your blogging sister,
Connie :)




62 comments:

  1. Definitely looks like spring, Connie, love what you've done! I am envious of that old gate. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kate, don't be envious . . . your old gate will come around in time:) Thanks for stopping by . . . I love company.

      Delete
  2. Great repurposed use for the gate Connie! I love the sign and banners to!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christine, thank you, this was a fun project. Thanks to my friend Shirley for all of her help, she's a sweetheart:)

      Delete
  3. Connie, I feel like Spring has sprung...at least in your neck of the woods !
    Love the sign, and the pretty chic headboard, your bunting is sweet, I made my granddaughter's wedding bunting last year, all 600 feet of it.....
    You are quite the talented lady, I thought you had bought the sign, and was amazed to read you have made it.
    Pretty flowers....yes, send some spring our way.
    ~Hugs
    Jo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jo, thank you for stopping by to visit. I am a huge fan of your blog and of your photography. We have been among the few people this year in the USA that has had beautiful weather. We had a very cold November and then it just got better and better with each month that passed :) Have a lovely day and remember that Spring is just around the corner:)

      Delete
  4. Very nice! I am "so" ready for Spring!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Connie- I love that sign-it is perfect for Spring. I don't know what those tulips looked like before but they are beautiful now. I am so ready for Spring but haven't dug out the first Spring thing yet. Spring will not get here until at least mid April before we see the first sprig of green. Two months yet- oh dear! Hope you have a great rest of the day- xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Diana, I have been enjoying tagging along on your Florida vacation. I'm delighted that you are having such a good time.
      We have been very blessed this year with pretty mild weather. Our weather came in like a lion in November. So cold that our pipes froze, but then with each month it started getting warmer. We have had some days in the 60's this month and it's February. Yes, blessed is the word for our weather :)
      Shirley did a beautiful job on my bouquet of tulips, they were a bit of a mess before she got her hands on them, LOL.

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. Thank you! I sure am ready for spring:)

      Delete
    2. Loved the way your little fence turned out...I knew you would have a better idea. Bet that music sounds wonderful in your house....love the way you hid the wires, they are so intrusive at times. The only way I can keep them organized is to wrap them in decorated toilet paper rolls. hahahaha! Have a good day.
      Louise

      Delete
    3. Hi Louise, good ole toilet paper rolls. It's funny, but there really are a lot of very good uses for them :)

      Delete
  7. Your spring decorating looks great and I love how you used that old gate. Very clever. Maybe I should get some spring decorations out and try to chase away some of this dreadful winter weather we've been getting

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ann, you can at least have Springtime inside. After all; once spring really get here we'll all be too busy working in the yard to decorate. Using the fence for a firescreen was actually the idea of my friend Shirley . . . the same sweet gal that did my bouquet. She is a very talented lady and if she would ever decide to start blogging, her blog would be a wonderful one to follow :)

      Delete
  8. I do love your buntings! Your gate is great fun to decorate with. Wow, your sign is great. I don't wires showing either.
    warmly,
    deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Deb, that was the reason we didn't have his surround sound up sooner. I just couldn't stand the idea of doing it, until we had the time to do the trim too. Modern technology comes with wires, wires and more wires . . . and they are so unsightly. This was a good compromise :)

      Delete
  9. Your spring home has me itching to decorate for spring too! I have been debating on when I should do it. Maybe soon. We have been having very cold nights here in Florida. I am ready for warmer weather. I love the way the gate turned out and the little banner is perfect. Love the sign you made too! Have a lovely Thursday.

    Hugs, Vicky

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Vicky, you always are so delightfully full of energy and good cheer. Every-time I read your comments I wear a big smile. Thank you for the ray of sunshine you bring, when you visit. Here's wishing you a fun and happy day :)

      Delete
  10. The fireplace is absolutely awesome!!! I love everything about it! And I am going to adopt your way of thinking...if I decorate for spring, then it will come!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ginny, that's right . . . or at least it sounds very good. We can at least have springtime inside our homes.
      Wishing you a lovely evening and a great day tomorrow :)

      Delete
    2. Everything is so cheery and pretty. I used to make lots of signs, and I want to make one for my yard - so, you have inspired me! LOVE the banner, Connie. You are so talented. oh, I also like your blue and yellow walls! CUTE!

      Delete
    3. Hi Patti, I hope you get this . . . it was commented in Ginny's space . . . so yours and my emails both might end up in Ginny mail box. Anyway thank you for stopping by to visit. I am happy that I could inspire you to make a sign for your yard. Have a sweet day.

      Delete
  11. Hi Connie, Wishing for Spring soon as well! We finally had some snow the last few days....about 6" on the ground and freezing temps. It's actually been a mild winter until this past week and a hit here and there. Your Spring banner is so cute and the sign is adorable! You should sell those!! As for the vintage bike...it was my first one I bought...$15 at a flea market. It was a JC Higgins from Sears and I spray painted it (with the help of my 15 yr.old son at the time) white! I kept it for years, then sold it to a young lady that wanted it REAL bad!! I've had another one but didn't care as much for it..so I let it go too! But I'm on the look-out for one at the cottage~~~they are FUN to plant! Go for it...you will enjoy!! Hope you and Steve are doing well~~~Blessings~~~Roxie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Roxie, it is always a pleasure to hear from you. I do hope that your Spring weather arrives soon and stays :)

      Delete
  12. Oh sweet Butchy. I can't arrange flowers either, I even bought a book and still can't . I love the idea of using the gate for a fireplace grate, yes, it all looks so springy!! Ps: I wish I had a cricut!!!

    Carol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Carol, You would love a cricut . . . I use mine more for making stencils than anything else, but it is so handy because you can write whatever you want for making a sign or decorating. I know that there were intended for scrap-booking and card making . . . but to each his own, LOL. I was totally blessed with that gate and I love it. As, for Butchy, he is great company and keeps me on my toes. Wishing you a lovely day:)

      Delete
  13. Your little home looks so cheerful now. Sure wish it would bring spring here. I love your Farmer's Market sign that you made. You are so talented. I am not good at arranging flowers either but your friend did a nice job making your spring bouquet. Love it! Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nancy. Shirley did a gorgeous job and she offered to do it again anytime I have a flower arranging project or even making a wreath. She is a very sweet lady and we are blessed to have her and her husband as neighbors. When we bought this little country home the Lord blessed us in many wonderful ways.

      Delete
  14. P.S. Your little buddy looks so sweet!! Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Looks can be deceiving . . . Just joking, Butchy is the sweetest little dog and he is great company :)

      Delete
  15. Love your Springtime décor...the fireplace is decorated so pretty!! I'm so ready for Spring, but we are getting more snow over the weekend and we have wind chills that are -20 to -30 tonight.
    ~Cindy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my goodness . . . Cindy, I got goose bumps just reading your comment. Here's wishing you a Springtime that will be here soon and stay :) God bless.

      Delete
  16. maybe it's a good idea to speed up spring?:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope that my little bit of decorating will do just that, LOL.

      Delete
  17. Awesome job on that gate, and love the sign you created. Love coming by here, I get so many idea's!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Becky, thanks for stopping by and I am delighted that I could inspire you :)

      Delete
  18. Love that you colored the gate white, what a great addition to your spring decorations. Love your little banner and great job on the sign, your so creative!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good Morning Connie, thank you . . . I hope that decorating early for Spring will bring with it sun-shiny skies and warm earth for getting my hands dirty :)

      Delete
  19. You are a busy gal!! The wire gate in front of the fireplace looks perfect, and I love the little details you added all around the fireplace. So cute and spring-like :)
    Wendy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Wendy. Every-time I walk by it . . . it feels a little more like Spring is just around the corner. I can not wait to get into the garden and get dirt under my fingernails, LOL.

      Delete
  20. Great idea for the gate! Also hiding the wires for surround sound is perfect.
    Roll on the spring sunshine!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Felicity, thanks for visiting . . . I am happy that you like what you see, or what you don't see . . . when it comes to surround sound wires, LOL.

      Delete
  21. Spring has definitely arrived inside you home and it looks like Butchy is on the lookout for it to arrive outside as well. Everything looks so fresh and inviting! You did an awesome job!
    Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love all the spring decor in your house, Connie! It looks so fresh and cheerful. It is still very much winter here in northern IL (snow, sub-zero temps) so looks like I won't be decorating for spring for quite awhile. How awesome that you have surround sound in your house - and no visible wires. Nice treat!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Melanie, Steve and I were just watching the news . . . we feel for all of you that are experiencing the cold freeze. We are as far north as you, but for some reason we are having 50 degree weather. We even had a day in the 60's. This has got to end soon . . . here's wishing you warm sunny skies:)

      Delete
  23. the banner looks so cute on your new gate, connie! and i LOVE your sign! great idea to use flowers from the wallpaper! butch is adorable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lynn, thank you. I'm always keeping an eye out for yard sale left over boarder paper or wall paper boarder close outs. There is so much that you can do with them :) I love that you love my sign and gate. Here's wishing you a day filled with sunshine :)

      Delete
  24. Connie, you the Cute Fairy. You can take ANYTHING and with a wave of your wand make it cuter than ever!!! Amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow!! You have totally made my day . . . I have never been called "The Cute Fairy" before . . . nor will I ever be called that again. So, I’m off to tell my hubby . . . my new title and for tonight enjoy it, LOL From one Connie to another . . . have a lovely day tomorrow and keep smiling:)

      Delete
  25. Love your spring time display! Even if Spring drags it's feet getting here, at least in your home, it feels Spring-like!
    I adore the old gate!! I am thinking I need an old gate too ....:)H
    Have a great weekend, my friend.

    ~K.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good Morning Kerin, I hope that you find your gate and I'll be looking forward to seeing what you do with it :)
      We have a heavy frost on the ground this morning but our weather report says . . . high of 56 and partly cloudy.
      When I look at the rest of the country I can't help but feel a little guilty. That doesn't mean that I want to trade temperature with everyone else . . .
      I'll just live with the guilt :)

      Delete
  26. I've not been blogging much the past 3 weeks...
    I'm making rounds today...
    love your spring decor! The surround sound must be nice!
    I like all the cheerful colors in your home! definitely has a spring-like feel to it. We are having mild temps compared to the rest of the country too. But I don't feel guilty at all... by the time summer gets here, we'll be scorching. It's a trade off!

    have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Patricia, It's funny how we live so far away from each other and yet it sounds let our weather is very much the same. Last summer was our hottest for the longest length of time that I can remember. We had 3 digit days for at least half of the days between the first of June and the end of September and when it wasn't in the 100's it was in the 90's and no rain. We get our rain in the fall, winter and early spring, then it is dry unless a lighten and thunderstorm come our way. It is not what I expected when I moved to Washington, but we live in the desert area :)

      Delete
  27. Hi Connie, love that gate and I am sure it will open the door to Spring for you, how could she resist that sunny cheery spot? Lovely to see Butchy looking so happy! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jane, as we are posting our "Wishing for Spring" posts . . . you are getting ready for fall. Are you looking as forward to it as we are to Spring?
      Butchy turned 5 years old this year, I sure appreciate his sweet company. He's my best boy :)

      Delete
  28. I could have sworn I left a comment here already...but don't see it.
    I'll try again...
    I love all your spring decor! Your house certainly looks cheerful and springlike on the inside.
    I Iove all the bright colors, that gate! gets me everytime I see it.
    Oh yes! remember reading... the comment about the temps... we get lots of HOT here in the summer, and not much in the way of snowed-in ...but some cold temps in the winter. Though, not as cold as some parts of the country...its a trade off, for sure.
    ...now, Connie.
    If this is a duplicate, feel free to delete it. ;)
    Oh...and the banner is darling!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Patricia, yes you did leave a comment, but you are welcome here anytime and all the time. I am delighted that you like my spring decorating. I got a phone call last night and the garden cart that I ordered from Lowe's is in. It is one of those that you pull behind the riding lawnmower. It's going to be a great back saver when it comes to yard-work :) I'll see if I can get it today and get Steve to put it together for me. These things always come in many pieces with ridiculous instructions :) Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  29. Wonderful decor! Been following your blog, and get lots of great ideas here.

    ReplyDelete