Fantastic 14: Day 12: Liz Makes

Today I am featuring the fresh new blogging talent, Liz of Liz Makes. This invigorating blog focuses on frequent DIY projects that are fun and funky, giving us all hope that we may someday harness a small piece of this dynamic blogger's energy and transform it into a successful project of our own.

Here are a few of my favorite Liz creations:

Liz Makes a Flower Hair Accessory

Liz Makes an Instagram Pillow

Liz Makes a Mario Mushroom Keychain

Liz Makes a Craft Organizing Board

You'll be inspired by the quantity and quality of fun, simple, realistic projects 

that Liz shares with her followers!

I invite you to check out the Liz Makes blog, and while you're at it please follow her on Facebook and Pinterest. Happy reading!

Fantastic 14: Day 8: Pinstrosity

I am fairly confident in saying that everyone has at least heard of Pinterest by this point. Many of us will readily admit to spending FAR too much time "pinning"; happily perusing amazing pictures of projects, decor, fashion, beauty, and everything in between.

 Pinstrosity is a blog where readers can submit their Pinterest project "wins" and "fails". I look forward to their Monday through Friday posts and tips. 

If you do choose to submit a project, remember to rate it with the Pinstrosity GCT Fail Scale, which gives a surprisingly accurate level of success/fail.

There are two girls behind this hilarious and educational site (they have dubbed themselves "Pinstrositeers"). The introduction from their website says, " Emilee and Marquette have been inseparable partners-in-crime since the summer of 2006,but this is not where the adventures  began. Before this time their families had been connected for years ensuring that these two girls would grow up in the same town, go to the same church, and enjoy the same family activities, including, but not limited to, their mothers crafting lifestyle (it runs in the family, these ladies are cousins along with being best friends). After a stint of being roommates, the two have continued to embark on escapades of epic proportions. Together they have been to the beaches of San Diego, the Enchanting Land of New Mexico, and the Deserts of Arizona, ranging from mountainous camping trips, American history tours and any and all sort of girlish silliness. A day out with Marquette and Em can include anything from Jane Austen-esque movies and nail polish, to perusing the hidden depths of the Antique Mall, to oohing over anything orange, or even inner-tubing down a river of mud." 

Sounds like my kind of girls.

Here are just a few of my favorite posts:

The Droopy Earring Holder

Hangover Cookies

Cloth Mannequin/Jewelry Holder

There are some wins, some fails, and a lot of fun! 

Make sure you follow the Pinstrosity Blog, check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and of course Pinterest. Happy reading!

Fantastic 14: Day 7: The Cottage Market

Have you been to The Cottage Market?

If not, heed this advice:

Go there. Now. RIGHT NOW. Bookmark it. Read every word of it.

What you will find is an amazing array of DIY ideas, free (!!!!) graphics and downloads, decorating tips, and overall gorgeous-ness for the heart and home.

Andrea, the blog's author, shares this simple statement:

"Hi there!  My name is Andrea and I welcome you to The Cottage Market.
In life I am wear many hats...Mom, Wife, Friend, Daughter, Friend, Fur Baby Mom, Doxie Rescuer :)  and oh so many others.  The Cottage Market is a little extension of me where I share fabulous finds...fun craft projects...vegetarian and baked recipes...vintage treasures...simple decorating and organizing tips and so much more.  I hope you drop by...just know that the door is always open for you and if you want to chat or have a question for me you can always find me at TheCottageMarket@gmail.com I love hearing from you."

 The Cottage Market shares adorable graphics gratis on a daily basis, making this blog a must-follow for anyone with even the tiniest interest in ephemera.

Hungry? Visit The Cottage Market's impressive gallery of recipes for inspiration and ideas to last you the rest of your meal-making days.

I invite you to follow The Cottage Market blog, and while you're in the visiting mood make sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Happy reading!

Fantastic 14: Day 6: Miss Mustard Seed

Oh, how overjoyed I was when I came across this amazingly beautiful site. Miss Mustard Seed's blog is an impressive collection of vintage, new, DIY, home, and life experiences.  

According to the page's About section, "Mustard Seed Interiors LLC is a small business that was born out of a love for antiques, decorating on a budget, and giving old pieces of furniture new life. While the primary focus of the retail business is painted and refinished furniture, MSI also carries upholstered pieces, found objects, vintage-inspired painted signs and handmade accessories for the home." All I know is that I wish I lived closer to this little slice of heaven!

Meet Marian, the "real life" gal behind the Miss Mustard Seed brand. She is truly a wonder: wife, mother, blogger, decorator, and creator are just a few of the many hats she wears. Take a peek at her impressive list of tasks, and you'll quickly realize that this is one girl you want to keep your eye on.

Need to fancy up your bedroom? Check. 

Bored with the floor? Miss Mustard Seed has your back.

Do you just need some inspiration and a few good laughs? This is the answer!

As if all of that wasn't enough (you can pause here for a sip of coffee if you're exhausted...), 

Marian (Miss Mustard Seed herself) is also a freelance contributor for 

HGTV.com, Countryliving.com, and Cottages and Bungalows Magazine.

Oh, and one more thing:

The Milk Paint.

Are you familiar with it? If not, you simply MUST take a look. 

Here's my two cents: this is a magic potion to make anything you own perfectly antiquey-finshed, expertly chippy, and overall loved. I want to cover every surface of my furniture with it. I would probably consider it for my car...but I don't think Subaru would recommend it.

(nor would Miss Mustard Seed).

In short, I am in love and I'm sure you will be too. 

Please make sure to follow Miss Mustard Seed's blog and check her out on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube, and Twitter. Happy reading!

Fantastic 14: Day 2: Eclectically Vintage

It's a great day when I wake up, check my email, and see 

a new post from Kelly at Eclectically Vintage!

Kelly introduces herself on her blog by saying, "When I’m not sharing my love of all things vintage, cool collections, decorating, mixing old and new, flea markets, estate sales, junk and unique art, you might find my feet sticking out of a dumpster, scouring the neighborhood for curbside castoffs, or perusing the thrift shop aisles." 

 
A New Jersey native, Kelly finds inspiration and creative outlet in renovating her 100+ year old home, which she shares with her husband and twin daughters. Her blog posts are funny, inspiring, creative, and overall enthralling; she shares pictures of amazing finds and ideas for simple, attractive DIY ideas. 

Aside from being the beautiful brains behind Eclectically Vintage, Kelly also manages to be a major contributor to the FOLK Magazine Blog (which I also highly recommend...), sharing her wealth of inspiring knowledge with all of the follwers of FOLK's country-loving nation. 

I invite you to visit Eclectically Vintage online, "like" her on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Twitter, Google +, and Hometalk. You'll be glad you did!

Fantastic 14: Day 1: At The Picket Fence

Meet two of my favorite bloggers: Heather and Vanessa from At The Picket Fence!

I had the distinct honor of meeting Heather at the Country Living Fair in Atlanta, GA in October 2012. I immediately felt a fast connection with her, and since then she has been one of my favorite blog friends. Heather is the kind of girl that immediately makes you feel comfortable and happy...like you are long lost sisters.

While I have not had the opportunity to meet Vanessa in person, she is definitely at the top of my list of most beloved"online/blog" friends. I am hoping that we can meet up at the Fair this year 

(hint hint...)!

Heather and Vanessa describe At The Picket Fence as "A lifestyle blog where two sisters share their DIY projects, crafts, recipes, tips, tricks and our faith as we strive to turn our houses into homes!"

The sisters offer a sneak peek into their amazing homes...

I think my favorites are Vanessa's buttery warm living room

...and Heather's gorgeous country kitchen 

(which you may have seen in Better Homes and Gardens' October 2012 issue!)

When you visit At The Picket Fence, you will immediately see why 

these two lovely ladies are so popular.  

Aside from having dream-worthy homes, you will find a slew of recipes,

DIY projects,

party ideas,

 

 and just overall fantastically clever ideas that will make you feel

 like you and your craft supplies can take on the world.

I could go on and on about how much I love everything these two talented women do, but the best way for you to get a true impression is to visit their blog, subscribe as a follower, and be glad that you are now in the company of two of the most wonderful women in the "blogosphere". 

Happy reading!

31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful: January 12: Flea Markets

"My name is Lucy, and I am a Flea Market Addict. Nice to meet you."

That would be my line at a support group if there were some sort of 12-step program for people like me. I am truly, madly, deeply in love with junk. Not junk junk, but good junk. There IS a difference.

This is what  I love about a good flea market...GOOD junk!

Recently, I traveled to Orlando, Florida to visit with my brother for the New Year holiday. What was by REAL objective? To go to Renninger's flea market in Mt Dora, where I also hit up my fave antique shops. And, thanks to a loving brother and his patient girlfriend, my objective was successfully met.

My best bud Jeanne and I

My friend Jeanne of juNxtaposition has, like me, made an entire business out of junk. She's older than I am so I will graciously concede to her the title of Queen of the Flea, but I proudly take the role as Princess of the Flea, immediate heiress to the throne.

Jeanne and I share a common bond: we are addicted to the thrill of the hunt. Scoring great deals at the flea market is a rush that, in my experience, by far goes unmatched. Here are some of my very best finds:

"At a flea market I always head for the junk jewelry table first." -Ethel Merman

We'd love to hear about some of YOUR fave flea market finds!