Hodge podge post

Today, I received from my dear pal Peggy a thank you gift for 

hosting the runner giveaway.
Check out her site Angel baby creations

Let me say I was impressed by the wrapping and then the quality was really impressive.

Thank you  Peggy.
I also received a recent Etsy purchase made with love by my friend
Erin from




look how cute this looks in my kitchen

Here are my gifts from Peggy...

I love these place mats!
Girls I have been so busy with projects my head is spinning.
I have so many things swirling in my mind that I want to do..
I will let you peek at just a few.

This was the project I used the chalk  paint on..it did not stop here, fantastic stuff!

Had to find another use for my favorite yellow by Krylon

This is one of my favs of the day, can't wait to share it

I could not resist to show you this part of my porch now complete..The cross tin is new purchased at Garden ridge for half price. $15.00, it is really a cool piece.

My Handsome son off to his 8th grade Spring dance.
Dateless...by choice....

COLOR MY WORLD party going on
HERE
not the turn out I had hoped for..
weather and life seems to have gotten in the way.
I do thank you girls whom were able to participate.
What neat colorful projects out there.

Spanish Retablo

Perhaps you are asking yourself, What is a Spanish Retablo?

I had no clue myself until one vacation year we went to Arizona, visited a Spanish mission, and from that day forward  both Mike and I have been  very inspired by the Spanish culture, arts and history. 

Here is a little brief history on a retablo:

Retablos, better known as 'laminas' in Mexico, are  oil paintings on tin, wood or copper which were used in home altars to venerate the almost infinite number of Catholic saints. The literal translation for 'retablo' is 'behind the altar.' 

These are just a few examples of these beautiful pieces.

Mike happened to find a beautiful one on Ebay for our home, all hand carved and such detail.

We have had this piece for 8 years now, we love it, and to say it is a WOW conversation piece is an understatement, when people see it, they are very curious.

Most people have never seen one.

Let me share our retablo.

Enjoy!

Found an old chippy tin shelf to go under the Retablo

Lighting was purchased at different times. First light from Miami, Fl, and the second light, at a local thrift shop here in the Carolinas's

Hope you enjoyed your history lesson, and a thrifty light  buy.

NEWBIE LINKY PARTY GOING on
HERE

Also, you don't want to miss my magazine copy cat challenge

HERE

Joining:
Southern Hospitality

Front porch Part II

 Here is yet another tid bit on the front porch.

This table is undergoing it's third transformation.

First time was mod podged,

second time was painted and glazed,

and this time is spray painted and stenciled.
First view a little slide show..I have done these slide shows when I first started blogging and forgot how neat they are.  I have seen some other gals doing videos, Liz, Layla, Carrie, but I am not good with the video camera, just yet, so this was easier.

 

BEFORE, painted and glazed

 

This table has three or four different paints and techniques, that I will share in the future, all very simple

notice I stenciled the clay pot too?

I am out of control with the stencils now...

I of course wanted the smeared, rustic, beat up look. 

It is not suppose to be neat and all fancy looking.

Thank GOD! I do not do well at those projects, as perfectionist is not my forte' in the painting furniture department!

That was all about I can show you of the table for now. The front porch is still in process.

Still more to come on the Front porch.
The neighbors sure are talking, and not sure if it is good! Let me just say, our house is standing out with color!

One gal stopped her car and said she  feels like a slacker compared to me..I told her,
"hey it does not take that much energy to get out a can of spray paint", really, you all need to try it and be sure to come to my partay on March 25th to see all kinds of fun colorful projects!

joining Kim for
WOW us Wednesday
Swing into Spring party 
Power of paint party 
Miss Mustard seed
Newbie party still going on
HERE

Happy Sunshine Saturday

You know I am working on my front porch.

Having fun I might add.

I finished the other chair, and I will just sneak in some snippets. I am waiting for a few more things.

Country French

Touch of whimsy

Old World Spanish

Live greenery

The Before BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!

 Next I will be working on  our back deck!

So you see I have incorportated all the elements that were reflective of the indoors.

Color,

Spanish,

Country French

Old World

touch of whimsy.

I can't wait to see it all come together myself. This was fun!

Did I mention all on a budget too?

Of course it was. When all is said and done, this redo will be roughly

$100.00

I totally understand this may not be most of your styles, or color choices.

I think this is what makes us all unique individuals. Your home and style should be reflective or you, and what you like. Hope this inspires you for the color partay!

Joining Donna from  

Funky junk interiors

Blood, Sweat and tears!

That is what I feel like after doing one chair!

Now I know why I love spray paint so much. It is way easier to paint a  rocking chair with  a can opposed to a brush and roller. So many nooks and crannies.

These rockers were purchased many moons ago, and were originally oak.

I then spray painted them black, and lightly distressed them, that was  few years back BB (before blogging)

This year our front porch is getting a mini makeover.

I always change out per season, but this year I wanted a dramatic difference.
I am not sure the direction I will be going, however, I did know how I wanted
to redo the rockers.

So I sought out my color...

and decided I would start today.

I sanded the heck out of these chairs after the paint dried.

Tomorrow I will be working on the other chair.
 I wanted a change and had to start somewhere.
The hat is not staying, I only threw that on there for special effects.

 This was last summer.
I would love some ideas.
We love country rustic, Spanish, Old world decor...
If I can incorporate a little of each, I would be happy.
I want to replace the cross too with something else...
Thanks so much!
XO
And let's not forget on March 25th color my World party..spray paint ONLY!

Newbie party still going on
HERE.
And a special giveaway
HERE
Joining Kim for WOW us Wednesday
Swing into Spring party 
Power of paint 
Miss Mustard seed