Lost Has Been Found

I have been looking for the cord to download pics from my camera all week, finally found it (inside the empty cookie jar of all places).  Now I am absentminded a lot of the time, I think I had help with this one, but ya never know.

I have been busy this week visiting my local thrift stores and having so much fun looking at things in a different light. 

I have people tell me from time to time, you are so creative, but I actually feel like a fraud when they say that.  I am basically a good replicator!!!  Now I can think outside the box every now and then, but I usually just take a different spin on something I had seen somewhere else.  Blogland has re-opened my eyes to creating.  There are so many things out there, I'm like duh why didnt I think of that!!!  I grew up on a farm in Iowa.  It was a time when the economy was crappy for farmers in the 80s, necessitating my mother to improvise as many of us on a budget do.  I grew up with mom sewing and replicating like we all are doing now.  For many years I felt like the homemade clothes and repurposing things meant we had NO MONEY, but now with a family of my own, I totally get it.  Plus I had no idea it would be so much fun.  So I just need to get over it and have fun, right?  RIGHT.  Phew, got that off my chest.

I got my Ballard Designs catalog in the mail the other day.  It is always a good day when I get inspiration in the mail.  I noticed the monogram Christmas wreath and thought I will give it a try. 

My mom is the floral designer  in the family.   She can whip something up in no time.  I struggle with arranging flowers, dried, living, fake, all of them.  She has tried and tried to show me how to make a bow, I am bow challenged.  They are okay, but far from anything to brag about that is for sure.

So I took one of the many wire hangers we have floating around this house (my husband's work uniforms come on these hangers, so we have a plethora of wire hangers, you know the kind that get all tangled up like Christmas lights, arghh).  I bent it into an S shape with a pair of pliers.  I spent 4 dollars on greenery at Walmart that was bendable with wires already in it.  I just started twisting around the S shape and then used floral wire to attach it more securely.  At my last trip to Dollar Tree I snagged a bunch of Christmas picks and ornaments, gearing up for the holidays. 

I still think it needs something, just not quite sure.

In my little vignette here, all are thrift store finds. 
The cabinet was 30 smackaroos a couple of years ago, my first Ballard inspiration piece after their Piccola cabinet.  Liked my price way better than theirs.  My Shanty 2 Chic inspiration piece with the teal glass bowl and old lamp, and silver bowl for a buck and the jar for a buck, I am thinking it needs a tassel as there are so many fun tassels floating around blogland.  Back to my bow, I think it needs a bow, thought about using burlap, tried that didnt like it, bought some ribbon and afraid to post my bow, so for now am awaiting some further inspiration or hints from you all out there!!! 

Okay, I need to stay away from the thrift stores, I bought 3 lamps, 2 chairs, 4 shelves (varying sizes), 3 little mirrors.  Better get busy and do something huh? 

Glad you stopped by, come back again, maybe I will have some of these projects actually completed!!!!

I am linking up to Finding Fabulous for Frugalicious Friday, make sure and stop on over and check her out!!