Why I blog . . .

As we walked on the beach this morning, a neighbor (I featured his garden here) asked me why I write a blog.

I thought about my reasons as we continued our walk, as we kayaked in the ocean (finally a perfect sunny day) and as I worked in the garden.

I finally came up with the answer - I blog to be creative.

If I didn't have a blog to write, then I might just sit on the beach and read, but I need topics to write about so I paint furniture, tweak the house, sew . . .

Today I finished up several projects that I began earlier in the week.

After redoing my bedroom, the red lampshade was just not working so I looked on Pinterest  and Google images for lampshade ideas.

I found a lampshade I really liked at Cottage Charm Creations.

I went looking for material in the attic to try my hand at making a lampshade (something I have never attempted) and found one curtain panel.

I love the design on the curtain so I wrapped it around to see if it would work and it fit perfectly around the bottom edge.

It was a lot easier than I expected - 3 simple steps:

1.  paint the red lampshade white

2. sew the curtain together at the sides, cut it to size and hem the top to form a "dress"

3.  slip the dress over the lampshade, ruffle the top and secure it with a white ribbon

I always read the words "easy peasy" on blogs and this project definitely merits the adjectives.

With the lamp back on the table, I grabbed a white tray I found in the attic - yes, there is still stuff up there for projects!

I looked for ideas on Pinterest for painted trays, but I didn't want words or stripes.

I found something that I liked - a cute polka dot tray at Organize Your Stuff Now.

The tray became another "easy peasy" project.

I simply put sticky dots on the tray and painted the entire tray with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk.

We eat lunch in the garden almost every afternoon and today I was able to carry it out on my little tray - yes I ate more than just cherries.

The tray is sitting on the butcher block now waiting to be used for tomorrow's lunch.

In my search for tray ideas on Pinterest, I came across a great idea at Just A Smidgen.

An old drawer from my creative space, one of my mother's vintage tablecloths, flowers from the garden and "easy peasy" - a new centerpiece for the dining room table.

I am still trying to figure out what to do with the galvanized bucket - birdbath or planter?

Little projects - something to blog about.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

I am joining these fun parties

The Cottage Market - Junkin Joe

French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home - Home Sweet Home

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson - Share Your Cup

Lavender Garden Cottage - Cottage Style Party

My Romantic Home - Show and Tell 

Jennifer Rizzo - Fabulously Creative

Made in a Day - Made U Look 

Common Ground  - Be Inspired