Make a Party Banner: Pottery Barn Inspired

9Welcome to the 232nd Metamorphosis Monday! How was your 4th of July weekend? I hope it was fabulous! We had a rainy one here in Georgia. The sun came out for a few minutes but unfortunately, it didn't last long. If you've been reading BNOTP this past week, you know I pulled out some old, worn and out of style jeans from my closet and found another use for them.   I recycled the back … [Read more...]




A New Use for Your Old Jeans

I'm trying to keep myself busy these days, it's part of the way I've been coping with Max's passing.  I've been clearing out closets and I came across these old jeans that are very much out of style and ahem, a little too small.  Do you have jeans in your closet like that? A little light bulb went off, something I've been wanting to do in a tablescape for a while.   I cut the back pockets off … [Read more...]




8 Months of Procrastination Finally Ends

Welcome to the 224th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend.  This was one of those weekends where I had a long list of things I really wanted to get done but Mother Nature had other plans.  It rained "monsoon style" all day long on Saturday, but being the determined, crazy woman that I am, I dragged the tall urns from the deck onto the porch and replanted those as I had planned. … [Read more...]




Spots and Spotlights: A Live Interview with the Mid-Morning Show on WBCL

Shaking in my boots.  Okay, it was more like shaking in my sneakers. ;) This morning I had the pleasure of being interviewed LIVE for the radio show, Spots and Spotlights, hosted by Lynne Ford and Bekah Shaffer. It was that "live" part that had me just a tad nervous but Lynne and Bekah are so wonderful, they quickly put me at ease. If you're here visiting for the first time, Welcome!  So glad you're … [Read more...]




Barbara Eberlein: Beautiful Rooms!

Recently I came across a designer with whom I was unfamiliar.  Her name is Barbara Eberlein and I love her work.  Her portfolio includes a variety of work in the areas of Preservation, Classic, Contemporary and Second Homes. Here are a few of the spaces she has designed.  You'll find many more at her website which I'll link to at the end of this post. I love this blue and white bedroom.  Notice the … [Read more...]




Adobe Photoshop Tip: How to Remove Unwanted Objects from Photos

Welcome to the 220th Metamorphosis Monday! A while back I took you on a little tour of my home town.  It was around Christmastime and the homes were decorated for the holidays. This house has always been one of my faves.  It reminds me a little of the home in the movie, Father of the Bride.  (You can tour that movie house here: Father of the Bride Movie House Tour) When I used this picture in a … [Read more...]




Dish Storage & A Serious Case of Pantry Envy

Hooky Day!  This post is going up a bit late because I took a little time off today to play.  I'm blaming it all on my friend, Marie. ;)  Today we had a "girls day out."  It started with a yummy lunch at a local cafe, then we headed out to shop some of our fave haunts.  I didn't buy anything (yet) but I found a table umbrella for my seating area out on the deck that I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy. I … [Read more...]




Make a Starfish Napkin Ring: A Pottery Barn Knock-off

Welcome to the 217th Metamorphosis Monday! This week for Met Monday, I'm sharing a crafty Before and After. I made a quick pass through Pottery Barn a few nights ago and spied some cute starfish napkin rings. It's kind of hard to see in this pic I snagged from the PB site here, but the ring part of the napkin ring is covered in jute yarn. I couldn't tell what the yarn was wrapped around while in the … [Read more...]




Wide Ironing Boards Make Ironing Easier

Welcome to the 216th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently I made an upgrade most folks would probably not get too excited about, but I'm actually pretty excited!  While out shopping a couple of weeks ago, I found myself in the ironing board isle of a local home product store. Guess what I discovered?  Ironing boards come in wider sizes! Did  you know this?  I had absolutely no idea. I didn't buy an ironing … [Read more...]




Decorating in Blue and White

I don't know when I first fell in love with decorating in blue and white,  I just know I passionately love it.   We're talking, a-big-kiss-right-on-the-mouth, love it!   I think it may have started when I found this Ralph Lauren comforter set for my guest room.  I love flow blue transferware and have collected a few pieces over the years, so I guess the bedding reminded me of beautiful flow blue porcelain. … [Read more...]




Brass is Back, Baby!

I am a lover of polished brass.  There, I said it...right out loud! I'm sure you've noticed, brass has been getting a bad rap over the last few years.  Its cousins chrome, nickel and oil-rubbed bronze have squeezed it out as the metal of favor. Now granted, I have seen some not-so-great brass in my days, the kind that looks lifeless and dull, or worse, pitted.  But I never really understood why quality … [Read more...]




An Enchanting Blue Hour Sky

In April 2009 I posted a "garden party" table setting out on the porch.   Do you remember this tablescape?  The flower pots are actually Oreo "Dirt" Cheesecake dessert.   The chargers  for this setting were large terracotta saucers, the type that go under terracotta pots.  The little elastic band on the garden gloves acted as napkin rings.  (You can view this garden party table setting and get the recipe … [Read more...]




A Fabulous Gift-Wrapping and Craft Room

Welcome to the 207th Metamorphosis Monday!   The last few weeks I've been sharing the amazing metamorphosis that happens each Christmas in the home of Governor and Marie Barnes.  It's been a joy to share their home decorated for this special holiday. This will be our last post, although I may put one together showing all the trees.  Marie decorates 16 trees and I don't think that's counting the fairyland … [Read more...]




Make a Wintry Snow Globe

I've had so much fun checking out all the "Before and Afters" linked for yesterday's Metamorphosis Monday party! Yesterday for Met Monday, I posted a garden transformation.  The Atlanta Botanical Gardens is beautifully illuminated now for their Garden Lights, Holiday Nights event.  Today's post is about another transformation, one you can make and give for Christmas or use for an upcoming dinner … [Read more...]




Don’t Throw Out Those Dead Christmas Tree Lights

Welcome to the 202nd Metamorphosis Monday! Georgia is a crazy place to live, weather-wise.  If you have a convertible you're pretty much guaranteed a few days every single month, even during the wintertime, when you'll be able to throw down the top and enjoy the warm breezes. We're in one of those periods right now.  This was the scene in my kitchen yesterday.  The door to the porch was wide open and it … [Read more...]




Colonial Williamsburg Apple Tree Form: Make Your Own

Back in December 2008, just 3-4 months after I began blogging, I created this Colonial Williamsburg style centerpiece for a Christmas party I had coming up.  I also used it for our Christmas table that year.  I make this centerpiece almost every Christmas.   It has to be my all time favorite Christmas table centerpiece. Sorry about the awful photography.  The camera I was using back in 2008 couldn't … [Read more...]




Never Buy Place Cards for Your Tablescape Again

I've been working on my Thanksgiving table setting this week and I had it almost finished when I realized how much I didn't like the way the place cards I was using looked with the autumn colors in my tablescape.  The only place cards I have are some I purchased a few years ago and they are stark white. I hopped in the car and headed over to a couple of home stores thinking I might find something in more … [Read more...]




Labeling the Baskets in the Closet Expedit

Welcome to the 198th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently, I made a trip to a lighting store in search of some items to "upgrade" a chandelier in my home.  I'll be posting about that soon and can't wait to share it!   Ballard Designs outlet is just a few blocks away from the lighting store.  Since I'm rarely in that area, I decided to stop in. The parking lot was packed which is unusual even for a Saturday. … [Read more...]




Getting Organized: It’s the Garage This Time

Welcome to the 197th Metamorphosis Monday! Have you ever done this? Sunday I drove over to the dollar store in search of a clear glass vase or some clear glass votives for a little project I had in mind for Met Monday.   I found votives that were just right but didn't put them in the shopping cart immediately.  I thought I'd look around the store a bit to make sure they were what I really wanted to … [Read more...]




New Uses for Discarded or Recycled Windows

A few years ago I stumbled across some old windows in one of my fave antiquing haunts.  They were only $2 each so I bought several thinking one day I might make one of these.  Come a bit closer and check it out.   Isn't it adorable?  Let's peek inside.   Love!   I didn't buy it since I don't have a great place where I can display it.  Plus, it was over $300!   Probably worth it though … [Read more...]




HomeZada, Software to Manage Your Home and Makeover Project: Awesome Giveaway

Thanks so much to all who entered the HomeZada Giveaway.  With this giveaway, really everyone is a winner because with the basic membership (which is free) you create a home inventory, upload property documents and contacts for easy access and create seasonal checklists to help maintain your home.   So if you didn't win, have fun using the basic membership! Chosen by random number generator, the winner … [Read more...]




A Fall Door Arrangement You Can Make in 5 Minutes (or less)

Earlier in the fall I made this arrangement for my front door.  It can be viewed in more detail in this post:  An Autumn Basket for the Front Door   For Halloween, there's some strange things happening on the front porch.  The earlier fall arrangement just wasn't working anymore.  It was a bit too dressy/formal for Halloween.   I decided to create  something a little more casual … [Read more...]




Make a Crow Tree Centerpiece for Halloween

Welcome to the 194th Metamorphosis Monday!  So, tell me!  How was your weekend?  It was really pretty here in Georgia, perfect fall weather.  I've been finishing up some last-minute decorating on my porch...I'll be sharing that soon. A few days ago for Tablescape Thursday, I shared a fun Halloween inspired table setting with a crow tree centerpiece.   For Metamorphosis Monday I'm sharing … [Read more...]




Show Your Colors and Showcase Your Fabulous Before and After

Greetings!  It's Friday!  Have any projects around the house you'll be working on this weekend?  Any painting projects?  If so, I have a little sumpin', sumpin' to get you inspired and raring to go! In March, I shared about an exciting new site by Glidden called My Colortopia.   My Colortopia was especially designed to help us DIYers when we're agonizing over finding the right paint color … [Read more...]




DIY Frosted Candlelit Lantern for Halloween

  I know Halloween is still a good distance off, but if I share this too close to Halloween, you may not be able to find one of the "ingredients" I used.  So, bear with me if I share some things with you a bit in advance. I've been itching to try my hand at making a frosted lantern with Krylon's Glass Frosting.  Have you ever used it? To make a Halloween lantern, you'll need a few basic … [Read more...]




Stolen Content: This is How It Looks

Happy Friday Evening!  I'm excited to announce the Seasonal Footer here at BNOTP is all updated for the Fall Season.  Linked in the  footer at the bottom of the BNOTP home page, you'll find posts about Autumn Decorating, Fall Dining, Halloween Crafts & Decor and Halloween Tablescapes.  Once Halloween has passed, I'll change the Halloween categories out to Thanksgiving related posts.  Hope you are … [Read more...]




Organization and Storage for the Home Office, Craft, Sewing Room

That's me, I admit it.  Anything that helps me put my hands on what I'm looking for, even if it's only a teensy bit faster, I'm all over it.  Recently I shared a whimsical addition to the office, a faux deer head with a rosemary wreath.   There was another little addition hiding in plain site on the desk under the wrapping paper organizer.  Did you notice it?   I spotted this organizer caddy at … [Read more...]




Pottery Barn Clock Plates, Make Your Own

Welcome to the 189th Metamorphosis Monday!   Back around New Years I posted a wonderful tablescape my friend, Bonnie put together for a New Year's Eve dinner party with friends.  I love vintage/antique clocks and this table was so perfect for a New Year's Eve gathering with its clock theme.   Bonnie used her Pottery Barn clock plates for this tablescape.   These plates were … [Read more...]




Decorating with Deer Heads and Antlers, Real and Whimsical

This was the picture that really got me going on antlers, this time around.   I've always loved seeing shed antlers used in wreaths and in other decorative ways and I've always had a passion for brown transferware.  Phoebe Howard combined them for this wall and wow, I loved it the minute I saw it!   I wish I could ask Phoebe Howard what inspired her to create this--what made her think to combine them.  Do … [Read more...]




How to Age, Antique or Distress Furniture, Signs or a Wood Flag

Welcome to the 186th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently, I was chatting via e-mail with Nancy,  a talented DIY reader of BNOTP.  Nancy was inspired by a tutorial I posted a while back detailing how I made a wooden flag for Independence Day. I had been inspired by this one in the Pottery Barn catalog.   Since I had a big cookout planned for the 4th, the flag was the finishing touch for my patriotic … [Read more...]




Pottery Barn Knockoff Shell Chargers

Welcome to the 184th Metamorphosis Monday! Shell Chargers are Done! Another significant metamorphosis checked off my "should-have-finished-ages-ago" list, was the completion of the shell chargers I started a while back.  Remember those? You may recall, I came across these six Pottery Barn shell chargers on eBay while searching for chargers for an Easter table setting.  I briefly thought about … [Read more...]




Trash to Treasure: Upcycled Kleenex Box

If you read my earlier post today, you know I have fun day planned today!  I'll be posting six (6) times today and each post will feature a wonderful "Before and After" project I've spotted during a previous Met Monday or from my travels around the Blogsphere. Instead of lumping all the projects into one big post, I've created 6 small posts that will go up throughout the day at the following times: 7:00 … [Read more...]




Make Your Own Beverage Tags: A Ballard Designs Knock-Off

Recently, I received an "End of Season" Ballard Designs catalog in the mail.  Excuse me, but would someone please tell Ballard Designs to not rush my summer.  It's just mid July and here in the south summer lasts at least until the end of September, sometimes well into October. Max and I curled up in the green and white chair here in the office and had fun oohing and ahhing from one page to the next.  So … [Read more...]




Recycled Bottles and Vases Become Beautiful Centerpieces

Welcome to the 181st Metamorphosis Monday! A few weeks ago I attended the Haven Blog Conference in Atlanta.  Rust-Oleum held a cocktail party one evening for all those attending.  The tables were decorated in such a pretty and unique fashion, I knew I had to share it with you.  I continue to be amazed at all the wonderful things you can "metamorphosis" with paint. Each table was decorated in a … [Read more...]




IKEA Expedit: Sneaking a Peek Inside

So many wonderful Before and Afters were shared for yesterday's Met Monday!  I haven't made my way through all of them yet, but I the ones I have visited were fabulous! Yesterday I shared an update in the office...new buffalo check curtains.  Thanks so much for all your wonderful, much appreciated  comments on that post!  You made my day! IKEA Expedit: Today I thought I'd take you into the office … [Read more...]




Buffalo Check Curtains for the Office

Welcome to the 174th Metamorphosis Monday! Greetings!  Hope your weekend was great!  I'm really excited about a change I made recently here in the office.  Did you guess what it was from the hint I left a few days ago? Not long after I moved into this house twenty+ years ago, I purchased plantation shutters for all the windows.  In hindsight, that was one of the best purchases I've ever made for my … [Read more...]




File Sorter for the Office: Tools for Organization

Recently, I asked your advice in choosing which size file organizer to use here in the office.  Thanks so much to everyone who voted in the poll running on that previous post. You may remember from that post, a day or two after buying this 2-file organizer below, I stopped by another Marshalls... ...and found the same organizer in a taller version.  With three slots, this one offered even more … [Read more...]




Seashell Crafts for Your Nautical Beach House Decor

I'm convinced seashells are just about the most fun, least expensive decorating accessory you'll ever find for the summer house. Recently, I was shopping in Marshalls and came across this glass container for just $5.99.  I loved the natural woven design surrounding it, especially its nice, aged "drift-wood" look. I had some inexpensive shells from Big Lots ($3) and decided to embellish it just a bit. … [Read more...]




Storage and Organization for the Office

Welcome to the 172nd Metamorphosis Monday! Greetings this fine springtime day!  Hope your Cinco de Mayo, Kentucky Derby weekend was fabulous!  Last week for Metamorphosis Monday, I shared a wee Before and After in my office/craft room.  I removed the TV I never watched from behind the lamp and added a great little file organizer. Here's a close up of the organizer.  You know how sometimes you buy … [Read more...]




Office Updates & Shell Charger Progress

Welcome to the 171st Metamorphosis Monday! Greetings!  How was your weekend?  What did you work on this weekend?  Do anything fun? I have a couple of small little updates to share this week for Metamorphosis Monday.  I decided to remove the TV from the office since I found I only turned it on a couple of times a month.   You can see it in this older photo to the right of the wallpaper organizer, … [Read more...]




Shell Chargers for Summer Dining: Pottery Barn Knock-Off

n March, right after I purchased cupcake stands from Pottery Barn for this Easter table setting,  out of curiosity I typed "Pottery Barn chargers" into the search engine on eBay.   This auction for shell chargers popped up.   Wow!  Shell chargers!  Not great for Easter but perfect for summer dining on the porch.  Unfortunately, the bidding quickly escalated way beyond the amount I would have been … [Read more...]




Double Bowl Hurricane Floral Centerpiece: Pottery Barn Knock-Off

I've been using a lot of fresh flowers in table settings lately.  Once those cold winter months are behind us, it's such a joy to bring fresh flowers into our homes.  One of my favorite flowers is the tulip.  It's almost impossible to think of spring and not think of beautiful tulips. Tulips are a wonderful flower to give or receive for a birthday or for Mother's Day.  I've been the happy recipient of … [Read more...]




Decorate Your Door for Easter

Welcome to the 167 Metamorphosis Monday! I have a fun, crafty metamorphosis to share for this Met Monday.   I don't have "before" pics but they would simply be the supplies you would buy to create this adorable bunny for your spring door.   I know that looks like a Christmas tree out on the porch.  It was a tree in an urn with dragonfly lights.   I had it out there for a while but eventually removed it … [Read more...]




Make Heart-Shaped Sugar Cubes for Parties: A Tutorial

Recently while reading a Country Living magazine, I came across the cutest heart-shaped sugar cubes.  The magazine shared where they could be ordered but I decided to try making my own.  I thought they would be fun for parties, especially tea parties or to offer guests with coffee after dinner. Instead of white cubes as shown in the article, I decided to color mine.  Since it's so close to Easter, I … [Read more...]




You Made That from What?

Welcome  to the 165th Metamorphosis Monday! For this Metamorphosis Monday, I'm sharing some neat little transformations you can make right at home.   I was inspired by this wood tray I saw in a local Ballard Designs Outlet recently on a shopping trip. Come a bit closer and take a look.  Not the greatest pics since they were taken with my camera phone and it's dark inside Ballard Designs...but I think … [Read more...]




My Image Inspiration: What Inspires You?

A few weeks ago I shared My Colortopia, a fun site created by Glidden Paint to help take the scary guesswork out of choosing a paint color.  Using the tool, My Life, My Colors, you answered 7 fun questions to reveal colors you would enjoy having in your home. Often when we freshen up a space in our home with new paint, we'll have an item that's serving as our inspiration.  It could be a particular … [Read more...]




IKEA PJÄS Basket Closet Additions

Welcome to the 164th Metamorphosis Monday! Greetings!  Hope you had a fabulous weekend!  Last Friday I met a friend for lunch in Atlanta.  We lunched in a restaurant by the name of Osteria del Figo.  I think most folks just call it, Figo Pasta.  After lunch I headed over to IKEA.  You may remember after my last visit to IKEA, the closet went from looking like this... ...to looking like this. … [Read more...]




IKEA Expedit Hack: How I Made It Work

A few days ago I pulled a Houdini in the renovation of the office closet. Here's a view of the "Before" and "After" below. You can view this closet renovation project here: IKEA Expedit for Closet Storage. The Houdini part was getting an IKEA Expedit shelving unit, which measures 58 5/8 inches wide, into in a closet that is only about 1/2 to 3/4 inch wider than the Expedit itself. The closet … [Read more...]




IKEA Expedit Closet Makeover

Welcome to the 163rd Metamorphosis Monday! A while back I wrote about how on a recent visit to the Atlanta IKEA with a friend, I repeatedly decided and un-decided to buy an Expedit shelving unit.  I really wanted to buy one for my office closet but there was one big problem. The Expedit measures 58 5/8 inches wide and my closet measures 57 1/2 inches wide and 47 1/2 inches deep.  With the … [Read more...]




Decorate Bottles with Shells for Summer Beach Themed Decor

Yesterday, we went spring shopping in some of my fave haunts in THIS post.  On our shopping trip, we spied these cuties at Big Lots.  I could so see these in a summertime tablescape.  Actually, they would look great almost anywhere.  Imagine three lined up across a kitchen window sill with the sun lighting them up from behind.  Add them to a pretty spring/summer vignette on an entry table.  Or, tuck some … [Read more...]




Getting Organized: Label it!

I've been busy the last few days organizing and cleaning out some of the closets around my home.  I've finally corralled most of my holiday centerpieces into one closet where I can find them when I need them.  I do so love having everything neatly organized.  It's such a great feeling when you can immediately put your hand on something you need, when you need it. Recently, I posted about 20 Things I … [Read more...]




Photography Tips for Better Blog Photos

One of these days I'm going to write a post and title it: The 10 Things I Wish I Had Known When I First Began Blogging."  If I ever write that post, "master the manual setting on my camera" will be at the very top of the list.   In fact, it will probably be #1 on that list.  As proof, let me give you exhibit A, this picture of my guest room below. Not only did I share this photo of my guest room, this … [Read more...]




Eye Candy for Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine's Day!  Did you get a chance to visit the wonderful Before and Afters posted for yesterday's Met Monday?  I was once again blown away by all the wonderful talent and creativity in Blogland! I started to name today's post, "Hijacked" because this post started out with one topic and it kind of morphed into something else.  You'll see what I mean in a sec. If you've been reading BNOTP for … [Read more...]




Make Music-Covered Hearts for Valentine’s Day: A Tutorial

Yesterday for our Tablescape Thursday, I shared a Valentine's Day table setting with a sweet, romantic easy-to-make centerpiece.  I had been plotting thinking for some time about creating a willowy little "tree" with the River Birch branches I'm always picking up from my front yard. I decided to decorate my little birch tree with hearts so I checked several places online.  During my search I came … [Read more...]




20+ Products I Can’t Live Without

I've been working on this post in my head for months.  Every time I do or use something here in my home that I love or can't do without,  I have thought about this post.  It isn't written to endorse any particular brand, although that's invariably going to happen just because sometimes it's a particular brand that does the job just the way I want it done.  If I really prefer that brand, I'll mention it in … [Read more...]




Clearing Out the Computer Graveyard

What do you do with your old computer when you purchase a new one?  When I began working from home and decided to purchase a workhorse "desktop" computer, my still functioning laptop became the downstairs/kitchen/screened-in porch computer.  It's a handy place to quickly check e-mail, moderate blog comments or pull up the latest movie releases before heading out the door on a Friday night. Back in the … [Read more...]




9 Tips for Better Blog Photos

Over the past year I've gotten a lot of emails/comments asking if I would share some information about taking photographs for blogs.  I've been a bit reluctant to write this post because I'm totally an amateur in every sense of the word when it comes to the subject of photography.  But I'm happy to share what I have learned.  Just please keep in mind, I'm still learning, too. I'm writing this post as if … [Read more...]




12 Free Photo Editing Sites, Picnik Alternatives

Update:  This list has been expanded and updated.  You'll find the latest list of 14 Free Photo Editing Sites that are great alternatives to Picnik HERE.   I'm hearing good things about iPiccy and PicMonkey. Are you a long time user and fan of Picnik?  If so, I'm sure you've heard the news that it's going away.  Actually, the Picnik site says it's moving after April 19th to Google +. I have … [Read more...]




Dremel Deserves a Crown

Welcome to the 156th Metamorphosis Monday! Greetings Friends!  I hope you've been having a marvelous weekend!  I have a mini-metamorphosis to share for this Met Monday, but before I letcha see what I've been up to, I want to share a big change Blogger made recently, a change that made this girl very happy. Mini-Metamorphosis: I've been dremeling.  Yep, I'm using that word as a verb today.  You may … [Read more...]




Photography Equipment: What I Use and Love

Photography:  That's a subject I never had much interest in until I began blogging.  I think there are a lot of bloggers out there who could say that.   Once you begin blogging and/or reading blogs, you become acutely aware of just how important the pictures you post really are, especially if your blog is about design, decorating or any topic where photographs are critical in conveying the topic and meaning … [Read more...]




Table Numbers for Wedding Reception

Welcome to the 155th Metamorphosis Monday! Greetings!  Hope your weekend has been going great!  I have a Before and After to share for this Met Monday that's near and dear to my heart.  My son, Chip, and his sweetie, Nancy, will be getting married in May and they have been busy planning out all the details. I'm always telling Nancy she would be a great blogger and should have an Etsy shop because … [Read more...]




Christmas Mice Ornaments or Present Toppers: A Tutorial

Looking for an ornament or present topper? Christmas mice with candy cane tails make cute ornaments for the tree.   They are also great little present toppers.  This is a great craft for all ages.  I have a faux candy cane tucked inside my little mouse below, but you'll probably want to use a real candy cane if you attach these to a Christmas present.  The faux candy canes work great when making these to … [Read more...]




Christmas Porch with Triple Wreaths

Welcome to the 151st Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Holidays!  Hope your weekend has been grand!  I've been busy finishing the last bit of Christmas decorating for the front porch.  Come a bit closer and check it out.   I usually use pine garland around the door for Christmas, but last year I had to buy enough to go around the door twice because it was sort of skimpy looking.  So this year I … [Read more...]




Pottery Barn Christmas Garland Tutorial

Welcome to the 150th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you've had a wonderful weekend.  I've been busy with more holiday decorating and today a friend and I took a local Christmas home tour.   I took some pics on the tour and I'll be sharing those sometime soon. In the meantime, I'm sharing the start of my Christmas porch metamorphosis with a link to a tutorial in case it's one you would like to copy for your … [Read more...]




Kitchen Tweak: Updating my “It’s Complicated” Baking Center

Welcome to the 148th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you've been having a fabulous weekend!  Have you been shopping for groceries in preparation of Thanksgiving?  The stores have all been packed when I've been in. I don't have a big "Before and After" to share for this Met Monday--it's more like a little tweak.  Last week I shared a change I made in my kitchen in this post: Baking Center in movie, It's … [Read more...]




The Baking Center in the Movie, It’s Complicated

Hope your day is going great!  It's been gorgeous here...in the 70's, so I've been spending some time out of the porch enjoying the fall colors.   I know the cold is coming so I'm trying to fully enjoy these last warm days of fall.   A while back I posted a tour of the house in the movie, It's Complicated, starring Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin.  (That movie house tour is available … [Read more...]




Christmas Dollhouse

Hello dear friends!  How's your day going so far? I was hard at work yesterday and I'm one tired puppy this evening as I write this.  The leaves are just beginning to fall off the trees in the backyard and every afternoon for an hour or so the sun has been streaming in so brightly, I can't really view the monitor or work at my computer. During the spring and summer months, it's not a problem. So, I … [Read more...]




Make a Pincushion Tutorial

Welcome to the 146th Metamorphosis Monday! Greetings! How has your weekend been? I hope you've had a fabulous one! I spent Saturday down in Macon, Georgia with my sister and niece at the Christmas Made in the South Fair.  Mark Ballard was there and it was so good to stop by and chat with him a bit.  Did anyone else go to Christmas Made in the South?  It was packed with folks as you can see in this pic … [Read more...]




Repairing String Lights on the Pergola

Welcome to the 145th Metamorphosis Monday! A few years ago I purchased some outdoor string lighting from Hobby Lobby.  It was perfect for my deck(s) because it was white and the decks are painted white.  I spent several hours one afternoon, running it around the top of the pergola to the right of the screened-in porch and under the arm rail of the deck to the left of the porch. Within the year, … [Read more...]




Decoupage a Blue and White Pumpkin

  A couple of weeks ago I posted about these wonderful découpaged pumpkins I found in the October issue of Country Living.   That previous post contained a detailed tutorial I created showing how you could découpage a "craft" pumpkin.  You find the full tutorial in this post: Country Living Inspired: Découpage a Pumpkin   You may remember the pattern I chose for my pumpkin … [Read more...]




The Queen of the Ball

Welcome to the 166th Tablescape Thursday!   Happy Tablescape Thursday!  This week I'm so excited to share a beautiful, whimsical party table created for a fun crafting event I was privileged to attend recently.  You know those moments in life, those rare moments when you see something so wonderful your mouth flies opens and you just stand there in complete awe?   I had one of those moments this … [Read more...]




Country Living Fair in Stone Mountain, Georgia

I haven't been to a crafts fair in years.  We used to go to them all the time, but after a while you begin to feel like there's nothing new under the sun.  When I heard Country Living Magazine sponsors a fair at Stone Mountain Park each year, I knew I had to check it out.   It definitely didn't sound like your typical crafts fair from years gone by and it really wasn't.  There were crafted items for sale, … [Read more...]




How To Tighten a Screw in 15 Steps

Welcome to the 144th Metamorphosis Monday! Sometimes the solution to a problem is right under your nose, but you just can't see it. Recently, I almost turned a super easy repair into an expensive repair. In the end, the home repair muses were watching out for me. In the family room... ...there's a door that leads out onto the screened-in porch.  I rarely use that door. Instead, this door leading … [Read more...]




Découpage a Pumpkin

There is sooo much inspiration to be found in Blogland these days, the cover of a magazine has to REALLY grab me to convince me to buy the magazine.   The October issue of Country Living did just that. I loved the toile covered pumpkin on the cover. I glanced inside and saw there were directions with the "how to."  I couldn't wait to give it a try.   Another pumpkin inside was decorated using … [Read more...]




Hiding Ugly Scratches on Furniture

Monday, I was playing with the mantel in the family room, creating a fall mantel seen here: Fall Mantel.   I looked over and noticed a few scratches on the armoire in the corner.   Do you see the little dents/scratches in this pic below?   Over the years, this armoire has accumulated small scratches from everyday use.   I thought I'd share a few products I've … [Read more...]




Billy Bookcase, Easy to Assemble

Billy, where have you been all my life?  I'm a latecomer to Billy bookcases but it turns out they have been around for 30+ years.   The factory that produces the Billy bookshelf makes 15 Billys a minute.  That's 3.1 million a year!  Wow!  After buying three of my own, I can see why they are so popular.   They are sturdy, easy to assemble and reasonably priced. I shared my small (but growing) office … [Read more...]




IKEA Billy Bookcase & A Library for the Office

Welcome to the 136th Metamorphosis Monday! If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you're very familiar with this view of my  Office.   I've shared this side of the room in previous posts, too. But, I've rarely shared this side because...well, there's just nothing to see.  Pretty boring, right?  Well, that's about to change! I've had big plans for this space all along; I just … [Read more...]




Painting the Closets and Office Trim

How's your week going? I've had so much fun reading the comments you left about your past excursions to IKEA. One tip I wanted to share about the best times to visit IKEA to avoid crowds:  try to go on a week day, if possible.  If you do need to go on a Saturday, get there early, as soon as they open, or late in the day like around 5:00 PM.  I noticed it was a lot less crowded come evening/dinner … [Read more...]




How to Sew a Pillow with Piping: Easy Tutorial

There are so many ways to make a pillow...just about as many ways as you can possibly dream up.  You can make them from napkins, decorate them with cute buttons, applique them...the possibilities are endless. When I decided to make two pillows for the swing, as part of my 4th of July makeover of the porch, I wanted to use the same pillow inserts that were already in the existing pillows.  That way, I … [Read more...]




How To Make Piping for a Pillow, Cushion or Slip Cover

Recently, when I decorated the porch for the 4th of July, I decided to recover the pillows on the swing.  The others were pretty faded and not in keeping with the red, white and blue color scheme I wanted for my patriotic porch in this post:  Porch Decorated for the 4th of July. I made the two large, red pillows you see on the swing in the pic below:   In an earlier post here: ( Halloween … [Read more...]




Displaying and Decorating with China for the Seasons and Holidays

Welcome to the 154th Tablescape Thursday! Jeanne  blogs at  Selep Imaging.  Jeanne has a wonderful hutch she changes out with each holiday or season.   I was so impressed with her lovely china collection and the creative way she displays it, I couldn't resist sharing it for Tablescape Thursday. As you scroll down, notice how Jeanne mixes so many different patterns beautifully.  There's a wonderful … [Read more...]




A Vintage Dress Form for the Sewing Craft Room

Welcome to the 131st Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Met Monday! Hope your weekend has been a fun one!  I don't have a dramatic Before and After for this Met Monday, but I do have some fun little changes I can't wait to share.  But before I show you what I've been working on... A Few Mini-Mets for this Metamorphosis Monday: A Naked Porch: Recently,  I blogged about having the house and … [Read more...]




Make a Pottery Barn Inspired Flag

Welcome to the 129th Metamorphosis Monday!   Whenever the Pottery Barn catalog shows up in my mailbox, I know I'm going to be inspired. There's almost always something in there that grabs my attention and gets those creaky wheels in the brain turning. The challenge is always how to get "the look" without the cost. Recently, I decided to do a complete makeover of my screened-in porch for the 4 … [Read more...]




After the Party

If this is your first visit to this blog, skip this post now...quickly, before you change your mind and never come back. ;) Pictures in this post may have you running away, never to return. Max had a big day yesterday. He partied hard, as you can see.   In the spirit of keeping it real, (are you tired of that phrase yet?) here's how my kitchen looks today after running the dishwasher once and … [Read more...]




4th of July Napkin Ring Tutorial

  While we continue enjoying all the wonderful tablescapes linked yesterday for Tablescape Thursday, here's a little tutorial for the napkin ring I used in the 4th of July tablescape I shared.   This is a super easy napkin ring to make. It reminds me of beautiful patriotic bunting.   I found this napkin ring craft design online HERE, but I changed it up a bit using a … [Read more...]




Brother SE-400, Embroidery & Sewing

When I was just 8 years old, my sister bought a Sears Kenmore sewing machine. She used it for many years then passed it down to me. Over the years it became very ornery, breaking thread despite a tune up and servicing. I haven't sewn in 24 years but I've been itching to get back at it. After a bit of research online, I decided on a Brother SE-400. The best price I could find was on Amazon. I was … [Read more...]




Litter Box Solutions

Recently, a reader e-mailed to ask a question no one had ever asked me before. The question was, how did I handle/cope with having a litter box in the house? What a great question! Back In The Day: When we bought this house 20 years ago, one of the things I liked most was it had a basement with an unfinished section, perfect for hiding the litter box. My last house didn't have a basement and we spent a … [Read more...]




4th of July Craft or Party Favor

A Flag Day and 4th of July Inspired Craft: Today is Flag Day! With today being Flag Day and the 4th of July just a few weeks away, I thought I'd share a fun little craft/party favor you could create to use as a centerpiece for your 4th of July table or as a gift for your friends. If you are a regular reader of BNOTP, you may remember when I created this milkshake/sundae centerpiece for … [Read more...]




A Behind the Scenes Tour

Sometimes the most fun stuff to see in a room redo are the things that are hidden from sight. So though I haven't hung this bulletin board, yet... Or, this cute shelf... Or, this wrapping center I shared HERE, I have been busy with a few other little things in the office. Come take a peek. Remember the steps I found for Max for only $10 at an indoor flea market HERE? I had Home … [Read more...]




A Paint Panic Attack

Update: Home Depot has changed the paint formulas again so ignore the formula further down in this post: You'll find the correct formulas in this post now:  My Fave Yellow Paint Colors: Duron Sugar Cookie & Duron Tea Biscuit Does this ever happen to you? You finally decide on a paint color, go to the paint store, buy the paint, come home, start painting and then, PANIC! It happens to me every. … [Read more...]