DIY Decoupage Vase

Happy spring friends! I hope you've been enjoying the longer days, warmer temps, and fresh blooms that are springing up all around. Since I am working from home now, I really enjoy the spring days when I can have the screen door open and let the breeze roll in.

The rose bushes in my front yard have been taking off like crazy, too! I've been able to clip lots of blooms to put in vases all around my house which has left me looking for an easy way to spruce up some of my old containers. Inspiration hit as I was looking through instagram, and as luck would have it, I had everything I needed to complete this project! I took some old dictionary pages (book pages would work, too), and used a little spray adhesive and mod podge to finish the look.

These whip up in a flash, so pull out those old vases and let's get to work!

Materials
• Paper - dictionary or book pages
• Spray Adhesive
• Mod Podge - matte or gloss finish
• Foam Brush
• Paint
• Paint Brush

Directions
1.    Tear the pages. Tear your pages into relatively small strips. The smaller the piece, the better it
       will adhere to a rounded surface.

2.     Attach with adhesive. Use your spray adhesive* to spray the back of the page, then press it
        onto the vase. Continue until you have the entire vase covered.

*Pro tip: Spray your strips over a piece of cardboard. Spray adhesive will spread and make everything within 2ft. of the spray VERY STICKY!

3.     Apply a layer of Mod Podge. Use your foam brush and apply a layer of Mod Podge to the
        entire surface of the vase. Pay special attention to any corners of paper that are popping up.
        Allow to try completely.

4.     Paint the vase. After your vase is totally dry, it's time to add paint. I did a simple geometric
        stripe pattern, but here is where you get to be creative. Keep in mind that if you are using book
        pages, you don't need this to be too busy. The simpler, the better!

5.     Fill with flowers and enjoy!

I am very interested to try this technique with an old tea pot. I have one in my kitchen, but I'm not sure I'm ready to surrender it to crafting! This would be great to do on an old bowl, or even a teacup! I would love to see how you use this easy method to make something new for your home!

xoxo Sallie

Floral Friday

Happy Floral Friday everyone! Floral Friday is a new thing I'm starting where every Friday I share some pics of my favorite blooms AND free downloadable wallpapers for your phone! This gives me some incentives to work on my photography, and gives you access to some fun free art created by yours truly. You're welcome ; )

 A couple weeks ago I posted on Instagram about how when we first moved in, our neighbor told us our rose bushes were dying, and how we should rip them out because they wouldn't ever bloom. I don't know if it was because of laziness or optimism (probably laziness), but we never ripped them out and they've been blooming for the past 3 years! My neighbor was shocked that she got the diagnosis wrong -- she is a master gardener after all : )

With the rain and sunshine we've had, the roses look so beautiful! It puts a smile on my face every time I go outside. I also love the access to fresh flowers whenever I want them. I'm hoping that when we finish our backyard remodel, we can put in more rose bushes and really have a flower party.

Now onto the free stuff! Below you'll see the first four wallpapers I've come up with. I hope these bring a spring to your step and joy to your heart!

click to download Rose Wallpaper 1
click to download Rose Wallpaper 2
click to download Rose Wallpaper 3
click to download Rose Wallpaper 4

Which one is your favorite?

xoxo Sallie

Backyard Chickens: A Year in Review

It was one year ago this week when our lives changed forever. Ok, well maybe not forever but it was indeed a big change. It all started when I saw a chicken walking around my local plant nursery, and I instantly knew I wanted to be a chicken mother. 

For context, before last year I knew nothing about chicken raising. NOTHING! For this reason, Andrew was extremely against the idea. 

 

As was Lola. 

My friend Angie sent me a post she found on instagram a few weeks ago that read "I wanted backyard chickens, my husband didn't want backyard chickens, so we compromised and I got backyard chickens." Yep. That's pretty much how it went.

I "convinced" (more like forced) Andrew to get backyard chickens. He is such a good husband to go along with some of my crazy schemes. One year into it though, and it's one of the best decisions we've made. Even Andrew has grown to love the chickens. 

On this one year anniversary, I thought what better way to honor these little fluffy butts, than by sharing some of their finer moments caught on camera. So without further adieu, I give you "Chickens Year One."

Grand Plans for the Backyard Pt. 2

About a month ago I shared some of my hopes and dreams for our backyard. (If you missed that post, click here to read it.) Currently our backyard is a little sad. Ok more than a little. It's downright pitiful. My dream is to create a beautiful patio space where we could hold an amazing party for my birthday on May 22nd. That gives us a month and a half for this project.

The main issue to be solved is finding a fashionable way to keep the chickens off the patio because they poop on everything! Not even kidding.

Andrew and I had a brainstorming session on how to solve this problem, and we came up with an idea that I'm pretty crazy about. Concrete planters. Instead of fencing around the patio, we'll use built in concrete planters to create a stylish barrier.

Now, our patio will look great and will be free from chickens. This does mean we'll have to tear out the existing concrete -- but by doing so, we'll be able to double the patio space! Now we'll have room for a dining area and separate seating.

And even better, Apartment Therapy is now running a program where they will help fund your renovation and in return you share a detailed blog post about it. So of course I applied! Hoping to hear back from them on if our project qualifies and we could get as much as $1,500 toward our reno. That will definitely help with this part of my wish list...

If we don't get funding from Apartment Therapy, my wish list will probably be cut back a bit. I have found some great cheaper options in the way of outdoor furniture from Target and Overstock. I'm just excited to get this project rolling so I can finally have the outdoor party of my dreams!

xoxo Sallie