An Ode to Winter

Winter, Oh Winter
..why do you have to be so frickin cold?!
Stop it.
Stop it right now.
* * * * * *
ha ha

Look at these wrought iron doors,

the LOVE of my winter garden.

(soon to be an awesome spring/summer garden trellis)

I also added some colorful ornaments to a tree branch that has a cement base:

* My friend was looking for some unique and pretty decor for her step daughters wedding reception.

Branches were the answer folks!

They are usually free and, when all decked out, they can add such a romantic atmosphere!

She "potted" many branches in apple buckets using Quickcrete,

then added those super thin wire lights and also hung some clear glass drops.

IT.WAS.BEAUTIFUL.

I acquired some of her "trees" after the reception was over.

I have set them in my house

 (they added a festive touch to the corners of my dining room at Thanksgiving and Christmas)

 and I have set them outside.

The one pictured below has stood up to all kinds of wind and blizzard-like weather.

I just love seeing the bright colored ornaments when I walk up to the house!

(plastic ornaments from Walmart..cheap, colorful and no fear of broken glass!)

This peacock blue ribbon from Hobby Lobby 

got wrapped around lots of things,  

it added gorgeous color to some dreary winter days.

This is one of the cement orbs that my son made.

I bought this old cement urn on a junking trip with the girls

I hope the boxwood shrub survives

Then, on Pinterest,

 I saw what a creative soul did with some old, white, glass globes.

You know the ones, from grandma's old light fixtures.

(usually on hand at your local thrift store)

She tucked clear christmas lights inside and plugged them in.

They add such a cool glow to her garden!!

at night

during the day

So easy to do, So fun, So creative.

Check them out at:

http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/glowing-orbs/

You.Guessed.It.

I had some of these globes in my junk stash!

I topped an iron urn with a grinding stone to make a "table". Then I placed an evergreen wreath on top of that, stuffed my glass globe with lights and placed it in the center. ** I did wrap some twine around the base of the globe and tied it to the wreath…I also anchored the wreath to the grinding stone with wire so everything would be able to stand up to our North Dakota winter winds!

See how it glows at night?
I love it right outside my window!

Although winter is not really my favorite time of year,

* I am a beach girl at heart *

there are some things that can really make it glow…

like old glass globes, bright ornaments, colored ribbons

AND

 fun days shopping for warm hats...

with some of my FAVORITE PEOPLE ON EARTH!

Don't they make great hat models!?!

LOVE.THEM.TO.PIECES.

Have a LOVELY Day!

Happy Valentines Day Friends!

Fill it with hugs and kisses and
appreciation for ALL of the love-ly people in your life.
...and maybe just a smidgen of chocolate
:)

XOXO

Sharing the Stylings of a true Junk Queen!

Want some awesome ideas
for using your unique and junk-y finds? 
Just take a look at this FABULOUS bathroom remodel crafted by
 Donna from Funky Junk Interiors :

WOW!

There is no doubt that Donna has a love and passion and 
an absolute knack for transforming 
cast offs into FABULOUS DECOR…
 she also has a keen eye for editing!

When you are working with junk,
I really think that you have to be able to edit.
Donna is a master at this!
She really knows how to use her unique finds
in a way that still lets her room look
 CLEAN and PRISTINE.

*I think mixing the old with the new is the key*

The rusty license plates and old yardsticks look wonderful against the clean black paint of her brand new vanity and mirror.

The weathered patina on the ladder is a nice contrast to the
 fresh white towels and crisply painted wall
…as are the old hooks and game boards.

I love the contrasts of the old against the new and think that is why her bathroom design is a big "YES!" 

To see in detail how Donna created this clean and bright farmhouse look, click here:
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2014/01/salvaged-farmhouse-bathroom-makeover.html

*********
So, in September, 
when you are attending the 10th annual
 JUNKFEST and Flea Market 
  ;)
..and you see some rusty license plates,
a worn ladder,
or some other interesting treasure
 know that you CAN mix them into a modern home…
and, if you edit well,
 they will add character, without adding clutter.

When I remodeled my kitchen a few years ago,
I really wanted to add some architectural salvage to the mix.
I could have gone hog wild with that concept
as I had a storage building FULL of treasures!
SERIOUSLY! Hoarder territory.
But I decided to permanently attach just 2 pieces:

On a fun junking trip with the girls,
 I spied 2 old corbels that I just had to have.
I thought they would fit perfectly under my stove hood…

* I think they add a nice bit of character *

Especially their authentic, chipped patina
against the shiny new subway tile….
I just LOVE the contrast of old against new!

I singled out the corbels to attach permanently,
but I still like to add other funky and junky accents.

I have a serious love of statues of all kinds!
- I try to use restraint and only allow one in a room-

This guy had a broken base and couldn't stand up straight.
But, where there is a will, there is a way!
I had this adorable little drawer from an old sewing cabinet, I attached a vintage enamel number tag to the front, 
some old wooden knobs as feet on the bottom,
 and filled the drawer with plaster of paris to "cement" him in.
It worked!

Now that he can stand on his own,
 I think he's kinda awesome
and kind of unexpected in a kitchen.
LOVE THAT CONTRAST TOO:
Pots and pans and an artsy hunk o man!

;)

Time Flies!

                        

 Can you believe, theJunkFest girls
have been embracing rust

(and removing dust!)

since 2004??!

That's right, 2014 will mark our

 10 year Anniversary!!

so…

SAVE. THE. DATE.

'Cause we would love to share some

JUNK LOVE

with you on September 6, 2014!

A BIG THANK YOU to our
Wonderful Vendors
Awesome Shoppers
and
Loyal Followers!
We wouldn't have had 10 wonderful years
without you!!!