Organized Clutter

My mom and both of my grandmas were button collectors. Besides inheriting some of their buttons, I have purchased my own cards and jars of buttons. Over the last 10+ years, I have used buttons for both decorating and crafting.  Take a look.

My mom found this old hand mirror while thrifting several years ago. I added the "Messy Hair Don't Care" stenciling about 3 years ago, when I retired from my day job. The stencil was from Hobby Lobby.  Today, I decided I was sick of the saying, and gave the mirror a makeover.

This Lantana topiary was one of my April purchases in the Twin Cities. It was not cheap.  At one greenhouse, the Lantana topiaries were $89, but I was able to find this one for $49. I planned my front side patio plantings around the colors in this topiary and deer resistance!  I have added links to more info on all my plant choices below.

 I love old crates! I use them all the time in my decor inside and out, every day and holidays. See 20+ ideas here. Coca-Cola Crate on the Rustic Christmas Mantel

BEFORE: Back in May, I shared this cute little galvanized pot wreath given to me by my Aunt. It is planted with Cape Primrose.  Details on this post can be found  HERE. AFTER: The wreath with Cape Primrose is doing very well on my covered patio in late July! They have at least doubled in size, and have bloomed continuously. BEFORE: In early June, I repurposed a primitive wooden box as a planter  HERE. AFTER: My ferns have thrived on the covered patio. BEFORE: Planted here along the shed, is a bucket of red verbena and lobelia, red seed geraniums in the window box, yellow lantana in a small bucket and purple fountain grass in a large kettle. AFTER: The plantings in late July. BEFORE: The succulents on the left all overwintered from my gardens last year.  The coffeepot is planted with red petunia and lobelia. AFTER: The plants are all doing well. BEFORE: Foundation plantings on the side o...

 Over Christmas, I purchased this 1980's wooden lap desk from a Goodwill store in the Twin Cities.  I paid $3.99. These little lap desks were quite popular for letter writing before email.

 A friend of mine gave me two serving trays that she no longer used. This square wood and tile tray is one of them.

 Don't you love to find old drawers?  I sure do. This one is from a garage sale and cost me a whole 75 cents!

I picked up this vintage fruit crate for $5. The Daisy California Fruit Label is still in pretty good shape.  I scrubbed the inside and outside of the crate, except for the label.

   I made a pretty good haul at the first garage sale of 2018. These two primitive country plates/platters were among my purchases.

I found this pallet sign at the thrift shop in March of 2018.   I purchased it with the intention of giving it a makeover.

I thought this was a fun find when I purchased it for $5.49 at an antique shop. Pieces were missing, but it was at one time a commercial large paper roll holder.

I found this tray at the Bemidji, Minnesota, Goodwill on a recent trip. Of course this tray could be used for serving, but I also like trays to contain a vignette, and/or add interest/height.

  I just love vintage kitchen utensils and kitchen wares.  You would think that  I love to cook and bake , but that is not the case. I really just like to collect them, and display them.  Like this plain wooden rolling pin. (The paint brush and paint can were placed there to keep the rolling pin from rolling .)

I found these two vintage trays at the thrift shop last week. I up-cycled one of the trays, and used it in a container vignette.

 I saw this round wooden snowman face at one of the thrift shops last week. Unless you are an artist, snowman faces, signs, etc. are a No-No.  I'm not an artist, but I am creative, and I saw the possibilities with this piece and paint and STENCILS.  I paid $1.29 for the snowman face.

 I have cut down on Christmas decorating quite a bit in the last few years.  None of my children live in town anymore, and while they still come back home for Christmas, it's just for a few days.

I purchased this fishing sign at a church rummage sale a couple of years ago. I first tried to resell it at my booth, but it didn't sell before I closed my booth. See how I worked this sign into my garden decor.

In June, my junk is very visible in my front yard border.  But, as the flowers fill in, they take center stage as the stars, and the junk pieces become supporting actors. Even though I have flowers and junk in other spots in my yard, my front yard garden border is the most loved and most notable area in my yard.

I have a couple rusty lanterns in my junk stash that have no glass globe. But, just because they are missing their glass doesn't mean that they have lost their decorative value!