These are a few of my favorite (NEW) things!

Wow! It has been a long time friends! I am committed to being a little more regular on my blog entries. In fact, it is one of my many resolutions for this new year. So here is the first of, hopefully, many 2011 blog posts!

I have been a busy bee around the house. I feel like I nest like crazy in the winter. I am like a hoarder grabbing little things that make me happy from every thrift and antique store I see. Here are a few of my favorite finds over the last month...

This was my sister's bed when she was a little girl. My mom gave it to me after Katie got married, because she wanted another double bed to accommodate our growing family! This was perfect because I wanted some additional sleeping options and sitting room in my office. So, I killed two birds with one stone and made it into a daybed. My mom and I made all of the pillows. It took us a long time but it was such a fun day! I love that lady and my new bed!

This little goody came from the Charleston holiday market. A sweet little mountain man was selling some of the most beautiful hand crafted items. I wanted to take home everything he was selling! When I asked him for his email to inquire about future purchases, he responded, "Oh, I don't have one of them computers." Priceless!  I may never see him again but I will cherish this little purchase for a long time!

This is a little showcase of some of my thrifted items. The vase came from a thrift store on Rivers Avenue $.99. The old fashioned indoor shutter came from an antique store clearance section for $2.50. This table sits in our bedroom. All of the Willow Tree items were gifts from very special people.

Okay... this has to be my favorite. This is an old barn door from my favorite antique store. I am not sure what I am going to do with it yet. Isn't it fabulous!

My latest obsession ... old glass bottles. Here are some of my favorites from my ever growing collection!

I rescued this amazing window from the bottom of a stack at the Habitat for Humanity Restore. A little paint and sandpaper, and this baby was ready to hang. It looks so fun in my bathroom!

These oversized coffee bags are my latest find. I got them FREE at a local coffee shop Ashley and I ride our bikes to on the weekend. They are awesome and my mind is racing with possibilities. Any suggestions... send them my way!

Thanks for reading and sharing with me the happiness found in the little things.

Grace and Love

Lisa

Search for the PERFECT Christmas tree

A year ago Wednesday, Ashley and I closed on our new home! Things were so busy we did not have much time to spend decorating for Christmas. This year I was so excited to decorate and find the PERFECT tree! And so begins our Christmas tree adventure!

I decided that our perfect tree would not be found at a roadside stand, but in its natural state. So, this morning we loaded up the car and set out to Tomlinson tree farm!

It was such a fun place out in the country! Everyone was so friendly and helpful! Especially since they knew this was our first time cutting down a tree! We walked around for about 30 minutes until we found the PERFECT tree! We named him "Chuck."

 After a little sawing and dragging on Ashley's part and some encouraging words on my part, Chuck was ready to come home!

After a few broken light disasters and broken ornaments, Chuck was all finished. We are so proud of our PERFECT tree!

Chuck is quirky and colorful, just like his family. But we love him and he is just PERFECT!

Old Traditions Made New

I have always greatly admired my mom's sewing ability! Over the years, she has transformed many dorm rooms, apartments, and classrooms for my sister and me! She does amazing things! I have only recently come to really appreciate her work, once I began to sew myself. It can be really difficult!

One project my mom has continued to pursue for as long as I can remember is making baby pillows for new mothers. I have always admired this and became amazed as I heard stories of how people cherished these pillows over the years. I wanted to continue this tradition because I have seen how this original gift has left a lasting impression.

Recently, our dear friends Paul and Kara Karnes were given the blessing of a sweet baby boy, Rawls Henry. I saw my opportunity and I set to work. Below is my finished project, not bad for my first try!

Here is the pillow stuffed setting next to my sewing machine (which has come one of my most prized possessions- thanks again mom!) I was able to give the Karnes the pillow today! First, of hopefully, many to come!

Have a happy and blessed Sunday everyone!

Home, Sweet, Home

God blessed us tremendously this past November when we purchased our new home in Charleston. I have loved working to make in my own and to reflect my somewhat unconventional taste.These are some of my  recent projects and additions!

I have become obsessed with gardening! This bike from Hobby Lobby was probably one of my favorite birthday presents ever ( from my awesome mom). It really gives our yard a lot of personality!

This is one of my favorite parts of my living room! My GDC table (major splurge), and other goodies I have collected along the way!

You will probably see a lot of pictures of my mantel because I change it almost every week. Right now it features shutters from Habitat for Humanity and an over sized canvas print of our five year photo shoot.

My love of Nadeau Furniture Store is a little ridiculous. This is my most recent piece. I call it "phone booth china cabinet."

This is a picture of my guest bed featuring the first pillows I've ever made. My sweet mama taught me! The remnant came from GDC ($7.40). I had enough left over to make the wall art using art canvas and a staple gun.

I stole my plate mural idea from one of my favorite blogs, Nesting Place. I created the whole thing for under $30 with clearance plates from TJ Maxx!

This is my sun room featuring the papazan chairs my sister and I had in college. I still think they are fabulous. The best thing, I did not have to pay a dime for them!