It's Ornamental! Easy Christmas Decorations

I collect antique apothecary jars and display them on my mantel.  At Christmas I like to change them up by taking out the candy and putting glass ornaments in them.  It's a great way to bring Christmas color to the mantel and most importantly, I don't have to find a place to store the jars during the holidays.

 

 

A few years ago when I was changing out the jars, I decided to also change out the things on my candy scales.  I love them in there too.

 

This picture doesn't do the shininess of the ornaments justice.  They really pop in here.

 

 

 

 

Well, I was on a roll with the ornaments this year and decided to add them to an old canning jar.  I'm really happy with this look too. 

 

 

So there you have it.  A super-easy, super-inexpensive way to bring in some Christmas color.

 

 

 

Thanks so much for your visit and comments!

 

Pam

 

I am linking to the following parties:

 

Debbiedoo's Newbie Party with a Twist

 

 

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Recent Fun Finds

Since I started working full time at the beginning of the year, my shopping/blogging/redecorating time has been cut significantly...  I was off the other day  and was able to hit a few of my favorite stores and even had some time to peruse ebay.  

I found a couple of old scales.

 

I found this cupcake stand and cloche and think the bird looks cute in there.

 These seed packets are so colorful.

I plan to put some chalkboard stickers on these canisters.  I think they'll look really cute.

What fun things have you found lately?

Thanks for your visit!

Pam

Simple Country Christmas Touches

I've finally finished decorating for Christmas.  I waited on most things this year until my daughter came home from college, as she loves to decorate.  I like to add Christmas touches to the things I already have on display. 

I added some ornaments to the scale that I inherited from my Mom, and a bow to a topiary I made last summer. 

 I added ornaments to a set of antique apothecary jars on my mantel.

And in some more apothecary jars that are sitting on an old radio.

I learned how to make a bow from  Maple and Magnolia's Blog and added a wreath to the mirror on the mantel.

I hope decorating your home and celebrating the season are going well!

Thanks for your visit!

Pam




I am linking to the following parties:


French Country Cottage's Feathered Nest Friday
2805's Potpourri Party 

On a "Scale" of 1 to 10, Hubby's Skills are a 10

I purchased this scale on ebay a few months ago, mainly to get the tray.  It ended up that I wasn't able to use the tray for my original intent, so my husband did a refurb on the whole thing.

Here's what it looked like in all its glory who would paint it yellow and orange? to start with:

I believe whoever painted the scale might have also been in charge of painting this fire hydrant by our house!  U.G.L.Y.!!!

He took everything apart and removed all of the paint using Citrastrip, then a wire brush attachment on the grinder.

He shined up the brass.

He then spent a ton of time recreating the labels that should have been on there.  I am in awe of his patience!

He primed all of the parts.

He painted everything except the tray holder Cherry Red.  (He didn't want to draw attention to the tray holder, so he painted it black)

Can you believe the details on this??

 I think he did an outstanding job!

Thank you for visiting!

Pam


I am linking to the following parties:

 Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesdays

Hand Me Downs from Friends are the Best

In my last blog post, I wrote about visiting a friend in the Palm Springs area last week.  I've known her since I was nine years old, so I guess our friendship is almost considered 'antique'.  :)

She moved into a new house and had some things that either didn't work in the house or she was just tired of.  Well, I was very happy to be the lucky recipient of her generosity!

I collect old scales and was so happy to get this one!

She told me that this was the first decorative item she purchased from Pottery Barn many, many years ago.  I love all of the details of it, especially that it's painted in my favorite color blue and has chicken wire on the door.

These miniatures are right up my alley--birdhouses, apothecary jars, crocks, flower seeds and an old cash register.  I'm going to see if it's possible to add lights to the inside of this so everything shows up even better when the door is closed.

This cast iron horse door stop is definitely a fave!

 I love this old frame she gave me.  I put my baby bird picture in it and have it hung right over my computer so I can look at it often.

 Here's the bird cloche that I won a few weeks ago from Martina at Northern Nesting.    A fun thing happened regarding the cloche.  When we were shopping in Palm Desert, we found the same cloche at the store there.  My friend ended up buying one for herself.  Now we both have them in our homes to enjoy. 

I copied the lavender in the peat pot from Becky at Junk to Joy.  What an fun project!  Thank you Martina and Becky!

Thank you so much for visiting!

Pam 


I am linking to the following parties:

Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesdays

A "Weigh" Cool Refurbishment

We had this old scale that was so neat, but in pretty ragged shape.  With many antiques, it takes away the value if they are touched, but we decided that it was worth it to us to redo it and enjoy it. 

It's a REALLY heavy piece! 

We took it out to the garage where my husband started disassembling it.   (At this point, my work was done!)  :)

He took every single piece apart.  There were lots and lots of pieces! (Lots more that didn't make this picture too.)

 

To remove the paint, he sanded, then used Citrastrip and the paint came off pretty easily.

He then filled in any dings with filler since he was going to paint it glossy and the dings would show.

He sanded the filler down and painted it with Automotive paint.

After getting it all painted, he wasn't happy with the finish on one of the pieces, so removed the paint and repainted it.  (He is much more patient than I am!)

He buffed out all of the brass pieces, which turned out so nice and bright.

He brought all of the parts into the basement to dry.  He then reassembled it.

And here it is finished!  I think it's absolutely beautiful and am SO proud of how incredibly talented he is!!

 I will add more pictures when we get the tray and weights added.

Thanks so much for coming by!

Pam

I am linking to the following parties:

Between Naps on the Porch's Met Monday

Funky Junk Interior's Saturday Night Special

No Minimalist Here's Open House

Pink Postcard's Transformations and Treasures

Savvy Southern Style's Wow us Wednesday

French Country Cottage's Feathered Nest Friday

At the Picket Fence's Inspiration Friday

The Charm of Home's Home Sweet Home Party

My Romantic Home's Show and Tell Friday

Remodelaholic's Anonymous Party

The DIY Show Off's Project Parade

Thrifty Decor Chick's Before and After Party