The "Other" Mantel

Yes, the other fireplace mantel that's in the lower level family area...

I don't post about it often because it's hard to photograph, and really pretty rustic.

We've always wanted a weekend cabin at the lake. 

(We live just 30 minutes from the beautiful hills of Branson, and Table Rock Lake)

Woodsy, rustic, lodge-y, comfort.

But, I don't have one, so this area gets to be the stand-in. 

Things don't change around too much down here. But I do try to keep the fireplace mantel seasonally decorated and the faux flowers in my wicker basket changed out.

It's where we hang out to watch tv and spend our evenings. 

It's functional, cozy, and not "white".

It's also where the kids and grandpuppy lounge.

and did I mention that it's not white?

It's about the same as our fireplace in the living room, which is directly above it, except this room has built in bookshelves on each side instead of windows...and a massive tv and wall cabinet....also wood, which makes it darker. But so much better to curl up with a fire and a good movie. So I enjoy the rustic, lodge-y feel with Pendleton Blankets, a few leather pieces, and a deer mount or two. 

...but I did want to share my Spring-ified attempt 

down here with my Majolica pitchers and teapots.

...and my florist buckets filled with faux forsythia.

which brighten things up a little bit.

I found this old 40's framed print at the flea, and it's here most of the year. The subtle shades of muted earthy tones, and shabby gold frame blend in with the vintage feel.

those are a few cows in the distance.

...love me some cows and sheep in a landscape.

Are you feeling lazy?

Come on over,

and don't forget to bring your blankie.

Joining in for these parties:

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Knick of Time 

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy little House

Inspire Me at A Stroll Thru Life

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

xoxo,

Be Inspired #134: April Showers

Maybe I should change that title to "April Snow Showers" instead. Good grief, it's only 35 degrees here in SW Missouri as I type this morning! I'm not the weatherman, but I'm hoping that this cold Spring means that we won't be having a full summer of 100+ temps. yuck...I hate that kind of heat. OK, so enough complaining about the weather outside, when we can enjoy all the fun of Spring inside Mary's Potting Shed. Mary always wows me with her wonderful posts. I'd like to move right into that adorable potting shed of hers!

 Here are some fun links from last week's party.

 Thanks everyone, for coming by to bring the fun.

 Remember, Be Inspired is open for all your inspiration, not just vintage.

Chalking it Up~April Showers

from Mary at Home is Where the Boat Is

Rosemary from Ozma of Odds is an artistic genius in my book.
 Here, she has created a Romantic Paper Rose Sculpture.

Pretty Little Pillows and a Cake from

Ornate Splendor just scream Spring and make me think
of those wonderful lilacs that will be blooming soon!

She even made the cake to celebrate a friend's birthday.

Kim from My Domestic Bliss "colored herself happy"

with this wonderful room full of great color and pattern.
That bookcase really sets the mood.

I just love the color combo of the oranges and green-y blues.

and Julie from Tattered Tiques 

shared her oh-so-Springy flowering terrariums.

Judy from 20 North Ora 

is our Sponsor today for Be Inspired.

She has some new pocket pillows ready for Mother's Day.

Don't you love these?

Hope you'll run by Judy's Etsy Shop for some fun browsing.

Thanks Judy!

Hope you'll join in the party this week.

Please have a link within your post to be featured.

Please check to see if your word verification is off.

My old eyes and brain go bananas

when faced with squiggly letters and numbers!

(not trying to be bossy here, but if you're getting crazy spam comments, it's because you are allowing "anonymous" commenting. Most legit comments come from people who have a blog or blog profile, which I highly encourage. I'm not wanting to offend anyone, love you guys!)

and I hope you'll check out my Friday Party Gal Pals while your out.

Thanks for joining in, 

love you all!

 group hugs,

Be Inspired Showcase

Hi Everyone...Wednesday already!

Here are a few of the great links from last week's Be Inspired.

 Not only are they inspiring, but also top visited links:

Melissa from Daisy Mae Belle is working in the back yard 

and has some fun plans for this Spring.

love love love the Garden House!

Barbara from 21 Rosemary Lane 

has freshened up her Kitchen Dining Area for Spring

with paint and new fabric for the chair seats.

Pam from White Ironstone Cottage asks the fun decorating question:

Does it pass the "KISS" test?

And Christy from Confessions of a Serial DIY'er

has posts from her Front and Backyard amazing transformations.

Thanks everyone for joining in...

See you all tomorrow morning for Be Inspired!

xoxo,

Make Your Own Vintage Seed Box

Vintage garden goods have always been a favorite of mine. Give me some old hand tools, a wicker floral basket, flower pots, and some vintage seed packets, and I'm a happy girl.

If you're into vintage at all, you likely know and share my love for vintage Seed Boxes. Even if you're not a gardener, the wonderful graphics that advertise the individual Seed Manufacturers will grab you, and soon you'll be on the hunt for these prized collectibles.

And that brings me to my post today...

where to find these treasures and then...

finding them at affordable prices.

I mentioned making our own Seed Boxes several weeks ago, but with all the out-of-town Ear Specialist visits for my hubby, anything DIY had to be put on the back burner. When I put this Easter display together my boxes were setting nearby; they've been waiting patiently for their makeovers.

In the past, many products came housed in a wooden box. Cigars, teas, and a number of other items could be purchased in bulk, contained in amazingly well crafted wooden displays. I think the boxes I found for this project might all be cigar boxes from the late 1800's, to the 1940's, but each one under $12. Much less than any Seed Box out there...

Authentic Seed Display Boxes run anywhere from $100 to $400 depending on their condition, rarity, and inside graphics. I have two vintage ones that I treasure and use from Spring to Fall in my vignettes, but they are getting harder and harder to find. Even ones in poor condition with no color graphics will set you back a pretty penny. Here's where we can come up with an almost exact "look" for literally a few dollars.

I'm a paper hoarder, and sometimes wonder why I keep all the stuff that I do. If it's antique or vintage ephemera, or even looks like it, it will go into my stash. I love calenders and for the last several years I've purchased ones that are reproduction images of Seed Catalogues. So I chose to use these reproduction images for my Seed Display Box makeovers.

As you can see the dimensions weren't quite large enough, so I decided to add on to the sides to give it more of a complete look.

I cut out pages of a reproduction ledger journal for the months of March and April. I have some old ledgers, but wanted a heavier stock of paper.

So here it is after I Mod Podged it all on the back.

Such a beautiful day on the sunporch.

Gotta show the helpers...

 Why is it that cats want to lay directly ON your project?

OK, back to work, now on a smaller box...

The outer lid of this one was pretty scratched up, so I used some "Old English" furniture polish on it and it cleaned up pretty well. I thought of painting it, but the original seed boxes were all wood, not painted. 

Since I had flowers on the larger one, I wanted veggies for this smaller one.

I used the calender graphics, but if you do a search on Etsy you can find tons of old Seed Box and Seed Packet images that can be used. The Graphics Fairy is another site where you can download your own, just make sure you have a heavier paper stock.

This is the third one I wanted to transform, but I wanted something with more ""Fall-ish" colors, so I could use it with Bittersweet and pumpkins later in the season.

Isn't this little garden-girl adorable?

I wish I could have used more of her image,

 but I wanted the "Burpee's" name to show.

Now you're ready to style your boxes and vignettes...

Have fun with this.

 I'd love for you to let me know

 if you try making your own "Vintage" Seed Boxes.

I think I might have started another "obsession"...

Also, don't forget that The Marketplace is live all week, so check back in to see new items being listed. Just scroll down to the previous post.

 Joining in on these parties this week:

Debbie's Pin Party at Debbie-doos
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
TTT at Stone Gable
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Treasure Hunt at From My Front Porch to Yours
The Charm of Home
French Country Cottage

Redoux Interiors
Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush
Romantic Home Show and Tell
Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life
Between Naps on the Porch

xoxo,