It has certainly been a while…

…since I posted a home project.

This one has been in the works for quite some time.

It has been on my to-do list for over 6 months.

The problems:

1.  I really needed my husbands help to get it hung, and he hasn’t had a free minute.

2.  I needed more money to be able to complete the second part.

You see.

We have a kitchen bar that I really wanted bar stools at.  Those are so expensive.

Along with the bar stools, I wanted my own little version of one of these, hanging above the bar:

I spotted this rustic ladder in Pottery Barn at Christmas time last year and fell in love.  The one I saw was different from this.  It hung over a festive dining table, and was beautiful.

Not long after I fell in love with the ladder, I found a beat up old trellis at an Antique shop and knew that it was exactly how I wanted to recreate it.

So my hubby surprised me one day, and helped to cross one thing of my honey-do list.

I loved it, but I was not prepared to hang items from it.  That is why it has taken me so long to post it.  I have been playing with it for a month.  Now, it is perfect.  It was on my list, but I hadn’t quite figured out what I was doing with it.

The one I saw in PB had these amazing green balls hanging from it.  I snatched up some of those earlier in the year.  I was prepared with that, but what else?

I thought I might do some sort of lights. 

I tried them for a few weeks, but the cords began to bug me.

My kids loved them.

Greenery is just to much right not, but I plan to use some at Christmas, and will add lights then.

I knew I wanted some fun lanterns, but they could not be to heavy or expensive.

Then I found these.  I love them.

Just what I was looking for.

After Jonathan got it hung, I wanted bar stools more then ever.  I knew that I would have to save my dough.

The day after he hung the “chandelier", I ran in to these little beauties at a thrift store.  I knew that I had to have them.

I have noticed in home decorating magazines that more and more people are using unique metal framed bar stools. 

I knew that these would be the perfect addition.

Plus, they were the right price.  $10.00 for both.

I am so glad that I did not just buy the run of the mill bar stools.

They are a big conversation piece, and very unique.

We have enjoyed using them.

I love looking over my bar, and seeing this great shabby chandelier. It makes the space so much more lively.

As for home projects, I think I am done.  No more on my list; FOR NOW.

I have to cross scrapbooks off my list.  I really need to sit down and create those.

I am leaving you with a little view of my entry way.  I added just a few Holiday touches. 

I love the fourth of July.

America is such an amazing place to live.

After living out of the country, I can truly say that we are so blessed.

My Spring Wreath... A vintage take on spring.

I am locked up at home, with potty training and sorts.

Every morning when I go out to water my flowers I cringe when I see this pinecone wreath hanging on my door.

Although I love it, I just don't think it fairs well with my flowering bushes and pots.

Because there is no going out for me. I can't risk Isaac peeing on some stores beautiful flooring. I wanted a new wreath so bad that I made do with what I had.

Luckily, my MIL had loaded me up with a stash while we were visiting in Utah.

I had a very small grapevine wreath on hand.  It is the perfect size for this project.  I am pretty sure that I found it at Dollar tree several years back.

I wrapped it in white muslin to cover the wreath.

Then I took some wide lace from my MIL and began doing a running stitch by hand. 

Once I got it gathered to my liking, I proceeded to  hot glue it on the wreath.  It made the actual size of the wreath much larger.

Then I picked a thinner lace, gathered it, and added another layer towards the middle.

Next, came a strip of the same white muslin that I used in the beginning.  I started by cutting a small notch and then ripping down both sides until I got a two inch strip.

I then did another running stitch down the middle.  You could use your sewing machine.  I did mine by hand because I did not want to get my machine out.

Once it was gathered, I began to roll it into a circle so that it would create a flower.  I hand stitched it in the back.

Then I made two flowers out of satin and burned edges.  I cut five circles for each.  I used a lighter to burn the edges and make them curl. 

Then off to my button stash(thanks to my MIL for adding to it), and I found these little copper gems to go in the center.

I then placed the flowers where I liked them, and hot glued them down.

I added a black lace bow, and some black ribbon for the hanger.

There you have it.  A wreath, made for FREE, that is light and reminds me of spring.

I also love the vintage quality of it.

I hope you can use one or more of these ideas to make something for yourself.

P.S.  I have been using the flowers for pins and bows, and they are just adorable.  They have such a handmade vintage quality about them.

P.P.S.  I linked up to Just a Girl Show and Share Day.