Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The Key to Finding Your Own Inner Happiness

Ok, so I was trying to come up with a catchy or original title for todays post, that would relate to my key themed project that I'll be showing you. While it may not be original, it got me to thinking about happiness.
 The happiness that I'm talking about is the everyday little things.  Not the big, earth moving, life changing events, but the small day in and day out things that make us smile.  Some of the things that bring me happiness are:  sunshine, a good cup of coffeechocolate, puppies, cozying up on the couch at night with hubby and our cute little cocker spaniel, crafting, and blogging, of course!!  Sharing ideas and our lives with each other really makes me smile!!  Sure, climbing the Eiffel Tower makes me happy, so does payday!  But I know that I am happiest with the little things in life, and I have a suspicion that you would agree with me!!
 So enough of the deep thinking, already!!!  Here's what I wanted to share with you ladies today.  I was a bad blogger and forgot to take a before photo of this, but it basically was a very boring, dark brown picture frame when I discovered it last week.  I didn't know at the time what I would do with it, but I knew that inspiration would eventually strike!  That's another thing, by the way, that makes me happy:  taking someone elses castoffs, and turning them into something totally new and beautiful!  Now that really gives me a thrill!!
 So just because it started out life as a boring picture frame, doesn't mean that it has to stay that way!!
 So first off, I painted her a nice soft cream color (of course!), followed by distressing.  I really love the curves of the openings of the frame!!
 Then I took some pages from a vintage French book, and printed out a couple of key motifs that I found over at the Graphics Fairy.   (Thank you, Karen!!).  Along the way, I had a terrible printer jam, but that is another story entirely!  Apparently, a piece of tape that I had used to secure the vintage book page to the piece of printer paper got stuck on the inner workings of the printer.  Just trust me when I say it was not a pretty picture!!!  Then I found some neat rub ons at Hobby Lobby, and added crowns and fleur de lis . (No more printer drama!!!)
So I am thrilled with the way it turned out! 
Here's one more look.  Now, that makes me happy!!!
What makes you happy?!

10 comments:

Musings from Kim K. said...

That is just charming!! Sneaking in a few of my favorite blogs while at work makes me happy. Heck, leaving work is going to make me very very happy in about five minutes.

Tete said...

Girl, you make me happy! Every day.
I love this project. Sorry about the paper jam- hate those with a passion! But it was worth it.
In the first photo- there's my name! Right under the key.
It's always the little things that bring more joy than the big things. They are there whenever we need them when we know what to look for.
Hugs- Tete

NanaDiana said...

Well, being friends with YOU makes me happy! And...if you pop by my blog later (after 8:30 & American Idol) you will SEE how happy I am with you for a friend!

You are right- some of the big things weigh me down...but the little things are what makes me happy...the thoughtful little note from a co-worker, a patient that hugs me, the thrill on the little girls' faces when they check their hidey-holes when the arrive at my house, the promise in a piece of brand new cloth...all those things and more.

Now that we got THAT over with- I love your little picture frame...I bet that was lovely in brown about oh...1974? I love the off white and the lines of the piece...and OMGosh- I can't believe you put tape through your printer! lol

Have a wonderful night, Donna...and check back later-Smiles- Diana

Donna said...

I LIKE it...it's charming!!!

Karen said...

I'm happy reading blogs, among other things!

Your post title was intriguing....so it's the key? to happiness? Does it help with stress?

Thanks for the smile!

Oh, and I LOVE sunshine!

Hugs, Karen

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

It is the simple every day things that make me happy. Okay, your simple things were a lot nice then mine was today but still my trash made me happy!

The little frame turned out so cute. You have the best ideas for filling them up.

"Cottage By The Sea" said...

You're very clever and creative. That frame re-do makes me happy too. I love reusing things in a beautiful way and you have.

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh, this is just tooo adorable, Donna!!! I love it!!!
Your talent is endless...wow!
XO

Unknown said...

This is so creative and unique! Love it. I am your newest follower.
Roselle

Sandi said...

This turned out so cute Donna! Love it!!
Happy Valentines weekend!
Blessings~