Fab Fall Mantle

October has already gotten away from me . . . it's half over and I'm still getting out my decorations!  I guess my birthday celebration in Round Top last week was a bigger bump in the road than I anticipated - but oh so worth the trip!  Can't wait to share with you all of my "fall haul," but this quick mantle I put together last week will have to do for today! 

I made the burlap wreath last year for my door outside, but I've also got an awesome Halloween wreath as well, so I decided not to wait and use it on the mantle now.

It will carry me through to December it looks so great! 

For instructions on how to make your own burlap awesomeness, go here!

I like to add seasonal pictures of the kids.  These two are some of my favorite from Halloweens past.

Sheep in a sheep costume - How CUTE is that?!

 

 

On the other side I added some candy corn in my hurricane glass for color and placed on a stack of old books for some variation in height.

The books came from Round Top (Warrenton actually) at my friend Winnie's, who always has rooms full of vintage to comb through.  most of these I bought just for the color of the covers since I was doing a fall mantle, though I must admit 'Man Alive: You're Half Dead!' seemed apropos for Halloween!

Finished off with a few small pumpkins and . . .  I think I like it!

And I hope you find some inspiration from it too!

 

Take a good look at this mantle though, because that big, bulky (weird) chunk of wood you see hanging over my fireplace won't be there much longer . . . . yippee!

Sharing this sassy project at Mop it Up Mondays, Debbie Doo's Newbie Party, Take-A-Look Tuesday, Wow Us Wednesdays, Cowgirl Up, Whimsy Wednesdays, Show and Share, Overflowing with Creativity, Creative Me, Made You Look

Easy Bookshelf . . . Literally!

 

It's a book!  It's a shelf!  It's a Book-Shelf!

As Sheep would say, "Get it?" . . . Sometimes I crack myself UP!!

My best friend and I ran across this clever idea at Winnie's Antiques in Warrenton, during the best antiques show in Texas!!  Incidentally, it's going to be here again in just a few short weeks and you can read all about it AND our adventure here!  Anyway, my bestie is truly a 'get 'er done' kind of gal, so she headed back to Big D and whipped one up almost as soon as she walked in the door!

All you need is a metal bookend and some screws to attach it to the wall.

Bend the inner support done so that it's parallel with the bottom and slide on your largest book, positioning the inner support in between the pages so that it's hidden.

 

 

Stack a few more books on top (but don't make it too heavy), add a snapshot or other small memento (that's her and her daddy by the way) and voila!

Doesn't it look great as part of her antique sewing table vignette?!!

I think it's a unique and interesting way to showcase your antique or other special books, and this idea is so simple, you could probably get it done before the bus gets here.  Oh wait, that's me!

 

Make it a great one y'all!

 

Sharing this sassy idea at It's Overflowing, Mop it Up Monday, Wow Us Wednesdays, Cowgirl Up!, Whimsy Wednesdays, Debbie Doo's

Round Top Round Up!

Well, it's taken me a week to recover from my little escape, and figure out how I could even begin to share all the amazing finds with you!!  A trip to Round Top during Antiques Week is like nothing you've ever experienced - the truth is, it's completely indescribable . . . . but I'm gonna try!

We headed out on a Thursday afternoon, with high hopes of squeezing in a little shopping before we sasheed over to the Junk-O-Rama Prom, but by the time we found our charming little cabin up the road in Carmine and met up with my bestie from Dallas, the sun was heading down and the 'shops' were rolling up the sidewalks until tomorrow.  So we headed into town for a cold one instead {smile}!  And ate some of the best Chicken Fried Steak you've ever tasted at J.W.'s Steak House - worth the wait for sure!

Afterwards, we headed back to the cabin to get 'all dolled up' for The Prom, which is not to be missed.  Live music!!

Libations!!

And LOTS to gawk LOOK at under the big tent!!

For the complete scoop on prom, head to the Junk Gypsy Co. Blog and check out this post from Cactus Creek Daily on the definition of  'Shag Carpet Couture!'  This is something you won't want to miss!

In the mean time, here's what we came up with!

Needless to say, a good time was had by all!

We headed back to the cabin (well after midnight) for a few hours of beauty sleep before our big day of 'extreme shopping' and were greeted by the most glorious sunrise the next morning!

Our cabin was so cozy, nestled into a grove of trees and only a short distance from a small lake, that it was a shame we hadn't budgeted more time to soak up the scenery . . . but the siren's call of Antiques Weekend beckoned!

We didn't even make it out of the St. John's Church parking lot before making our first purchase!  Vendors literally come from around the corner, the state, the country, even from other coutries, to sell their fabulous finds to ME and YOU!!!  These topiaries were made in Alabama and sold to us by a man from Idaho!

The inside circles measure approximately 9 inches, which is the perfect fit for a salad plate, so I plan on using mine in a tablescape sometime soon!  My friend's daughter is getting hitched this summer, so hers just might show up at the gift table to help keep track of cards for the newlyweds - awesome find!

So much to see, it's truly sensory overload, but here's a sample of some things that caught my eye!

Some of them even made their way home with me!  Like this perfect pair of pink cowgirl boots!

And this lampshade that I've got a couple of ideas for already!

Some things didn't fit - and I suggest you bring a full-sized tape measure with you when you go.  Otherwise you'll be stuck planking in your BFF's SUV to figure all this out!

The Adventures of . . . .

Super Shopper!

We managed to get everything in the trucks, only to discover a flat tire when it was time to leave (boo).

It was almost like someone didn't want us to go (big grin)!!  All three of us knew how to change a tire, but lug nuts are NOT always easy to remove!  Luckily, with a little Aggie ingenuity (yes, that's me jumping on the socket wrench to loosen the lug nuts!) and a whole lotta GIRL power (and that's me again - changing a flat in 'unapproved' footwear.  Do NOT tell Speed!), we changed the tire and were on the road again!

We made a quick stop at the most darling store in Carmine - Texas Trash and Treasure - where we each bought something so we could spin the wheel!  You could win $100 worth of free stuff!!  Now how cool is that?!?!

All together, I came home with:

1 8' wooden table

1 7' primitive wooden bench

1 3' enale tabletop

1 pair of pink cowgirl boots

1 lampshade

1 necklace

1 pair of earrings

1 distressed metal topiary

1 wooden initial (for Sheep)

1 wooden measure instrument of unknown origin and purpose - ha!

1small metal plaque with a scripture verse

1 milk glass juicer

1 wooden tote box

1 flying pig

Enough projects to keep me busy well into summer and . . .

Enough memories to keep me laughing until Antiques Week rolls around again this Fall!

Who's in?!

Sharing this sassy story at It's Overflowing, Savvy Southern Style, Cowgirl Up!,  Apron Thrift Girl, Debbie Doos, Sew Chatty, Sew Can Do, Randee's Organized Chaos

Sassy Sunday Blog Hop #10

He is not here, for He has risen.  Just as He said. ~ Matthew 28:6

Happy Easter everyone!  By the way, did you know that the Easter 'Octave' actually lasts eight weeks?!  So, even though we took a week off last week, it's not too late to wish you all a Happy Easter!  Last week, I decided to take the WHOLE week off and celebrate Easter (and a wedding - so fun!) with my family.  Good fellowship (and GREAT music) in church, followed by good food, a GREAT time with family and more Easter egg hunting than I can remember!  We are truly blessed!

Last week's party was full of great Easter and Spring decorating ideas, so I hope everyone took a few minutes to look around and leave a comment or two for your fellow crafty party goers.  I know I love hearing from others and I'm sure you do too!  In honor of the NEW life we have been given in Christ, I wanted to introduce you to three newcomers to our Sassy (Sleepy) Sunday Blog Hop and thank ALL of you for sharing your ideas with us!

First, check out this cute, quick cabinet redo from Bee @ Beez Rental Designs!  Her site is dedicated to crafty decorating solutions for those living in space that's not their own (aka: rental property).  What a great idea!!

Second, look at this table runner from Fifi @ About Blogging Time!  Can you say Fab-u-lous?!?!  I love it!!

And last, but not least, this darling Easter Cloche from Marisa @ Marisa's Pieces Online.  I too am a fan of Ballet Slipper Pink (wink, wink) and this project is super cute!!

At the last party, a SURPRISE giveaway was up for grabs to the crafty gal with the most views who also linked back to one or both the hostesses sites and I am happy to announce that Kate @ A Creative Cookie is our winner with her adorable sock bunnies!!!

And here's what she's won!!

What is it you ask?!  Well, that's a very good question.  It's obviously very old and used to measure things, but what exactly it is . . . . well, I'm not really sure!  It has an adjustable piece with brass inlays to help keep it accurate over time and a tiny metal pin on one end that makes me think of a compass, but I don't think that's what it is.  I have asked a few people, including a carpenter and an architect, if perhaps they had any ideas, but so far I haven't come up with anything definitive yet. 

Would, love, love, love if anyone knows anything to let the rest of know so we can all learn something new about this little piece of history I found in Round Top!  I look forward to sharing all my 'Friday Finds' from Round Top this week, as well as a couple of of projects I am finishing up for the kids' room!  In the mean time, you know the rules . . . .!

Everybody's gotta get away sometime . . . .

 . . . and that sometime is TOMORROW!!! 

I can't wait!! 

I am soooo ready to get the  {bleeep} outta dodge and there's nothing like a little change in latitude to really relax my attitude!  A little drinkin', a little dancin' and a whole bunch a junkin'!!  I have been so wrapped up in doing for others these last few months, that doing for myself has really taken a backseat.  And if you don't believe me, just ask my scale - I've got the pounds to prove it - though I have lost 2 this week in preparation for my 'Soul Vacation.'  Yay me!!  Not as much as I 'd hoped, but at least it's movement in the right direction.

Part of my preparation also included making some knock-off cowboy hats that I saw at the livestock show that were retailing for an un-BEE-lievable $75!!!!  Captive audience I guess!

Anyway, my $10 hat from Walgreen's (you never know what you're gonna find there!), a $5 pendant from Hobby Lobby (purchased with the ever-lovin' 40% off coupon of course!) and some scrap fabric was all it took to make this little beauty and shopping must have for Round Top!  After all, the Texas sun gets pretty hot!  And it's pretty stinkin' cute if you ask me!  Maybe even cuter than the inspiration!

I've rounded up a few other 'essentials' for the road as well.  Notice, there are no diapers or wipies in this picture - AMAZING!!  Oh, I know I'm gonna miss that squeezy, little guy and his 'sissy' while I'm gone, but right now I'm even looking forward to that!

So here's a little music for the road!  Carry on!!!

Sharing this sassy project at Randee's Organized Chaos, School House Scraps, Savvy Southern Style, The NY Melrose Family, Cowgirl Up!,