Lovely Lilacs

Here in my mountain town, it is lilac time! WE have more blooms this year than ever

 thanks to an abundance of snow and rain WE received.  

They are so prolific, just walking near the bushes is a treat for the senses...scent and colors 

delight. What a gift from Mother Nature! All WE have to do is cut off the 

pretty flowers. I brought in handfuls this morning and had fun selecting containers of all sorts.

I love to use my milk glass collection whenever possible and it adds a feminine touch with the ruffles.

For a more modern touch, use a piece of mercury glass. My little pixie is fun (and a bit naughty).

Tin containers add a simple country look. They are especially fun in a kitchen. Set one near your sink, so you can enjoy the scent while you work. The candle is here when the blooms fade.

 I just love this look! I bought a few different flower cup and saucers at a yard sale for tea

 parties with our grand-angels. Perfect for a flower display as well. 

Our newest birdie and nest is sweeter with lilacs.

What container would you choose from your own collections for yard flowers?

Do you say li-lack or li-lock? I love li-lacks!

Melin

xoxo

Summer Lovin'

WE just had a ball at the water park with some of our family.

 

I thought I would share a few pictures of our

 tanned and smiling faces.

 



There is nothing like family and cool water to make

 a perfect summer day!

 



 

What do you like to do on a HOT summer's day?

Melin



Fabulous & Free Summer Fun

 

I love the Today Show and watched the most fun segment, with Elizabeth Mayhew, this morning.

She told us how to "Beat the heat and have some fun with these 8 summer freebies"!

Written with all the links for you plus the video on Today's show. You can watch the video here, http://www.today.com/video/today/55503074 

or see the written list,

http://www.today.com/money/free-fun-brutal-summer-days-1D79841732.

 

 

I searched the web for you and found even more fun and free projects for you and your kids.

 Here are a few websites to check out. Most offer both online projects for free and in-store

 classes for free or  a fee. Hobby Lobby seems to only have online fare.

Check them out at http://www.hobbylobby.com/projects.

 

Joann Fabrics has both in-store and online projects at http://www.joann.com/projects/. With most of

 these links, you put in your zip code and check out the details of their in-store Events.

What fun party decor ideas!

 

Michael's offers both project types for free, plus they offer a unique type of child sitting service. While you shop, your kid can make a project. It is a 30 minute class and is just $2 per child.

  It is a win, win! Go to http://www.michaels.com/find-a-project/holiday-and-seasonal/815811865

 for a list of their projects, like these glittered jar candles, and to search local Events.

 

I love books and stories and Barnes and Noble is a great family adventure destination.

 They have Events and classes for free! Find your local store and Event list at http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/. You can also have your little one read to by the author online at

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/online-storytime-books-toys/379003588. We all love to be read to.

 

The projects shown are for the Fourth of July but most of the links  have projects for all types of

 fun, crafts, cooking, holidays, seasons, skill levels and time to complete.

Please feel free to add any freebie that you know about in the comments section here

on my blog. Sign up to an email links to my new blog posts.

Happy crafting and Happy summer!

Melin

First Peony, First Day of Summer!

I love peonies and my first bloom of the year is this sweet white one. Since it is the first

day of summer, I thought I would use a few of my shells to make it special.

I even used one as a vase.

 



 

What are you doing to celebrate this lovely summer weekend?

Enjoy, Melin 

Just Beachy!

The Fourth of July is past, now what do we feature in our decorating? I say, "Let's go beachy". I use these little shelves in my hall for the current decorating themes. I just took down my Independence Day decor and put up beachy things.

Most of us have shells from a trip or purchased, start with those. We also have pictures of our families on the beach. The little one shown is of my father, as a boy, on top his grand-father's shoulders with his younger brother on the right. This photo was taken on Muscle Beach, CA. I love the retro suits of the by-standers.

The rest of the goodies can be purchased at my store, www.wrenelizabethgifts.com. Check around your home and see what you can find hidden away to bring a beachy warmth to your home.

Please share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comment section and subscribe to my Blog.

Melin

Fourth of July Tree

What a fun way to show your red, white and blue colors! I started with a moda Liberty tablecloth and topped with a wrought iron tree. A tree in any of the colors of the fourth would do. I wrapped the tree with battery operated star lights and wrapped the bottom of the tree with a dishtowel of the season from TAG.
I decorated the tree with ornaments of the season and even used "firework pics" from Target's dollar section. I have to admit, I love these! The laterns are from a set from TAG and the figure is Star Spangle Sam from ESC.
You can find these and other holiday delights at my store, www.wrenelizabethgifts.com.
Have fun making your Fourth of July tree and enjoy your holiday!