Playing in the Hall

Hi, everyone!  I was 'playing around' with this shelving unit in our front hallway, and I thought I'd share what I came up with. (You can see the before look here.)

I now realize that my cow is a little off center...I'll have to fix that! :)

I recently found this 'Hams and Bacon' bin on the bottom shelf at an antique mall and I thought it was quirky and cool...just my thing!

I'm always redoing this vignette so I'm sure it won't stay this way for long, but I like the look for now!

Thanks for stopping by!  Stay tuned...I have some exciting news coming up!!  :)

Can You Say 'Impulse Purchase'?

I wanted to thank everyone who entered my giveaway!  Rafflecopter picked Pam at Moments Like These as the WINNER-congrats, Pam!!

I thought I'd show you a new, unexpected purchase that I recently made. 
My hubby Keith has always wanted a leather recliner.  We've occasionally looked at them in the past, but they've always been WAY more than we wanted to spend, especially for a 'want' not a 'need.'  Enter this baby...

My mom and I walked into TJ Maxx, and when I spotted this leather chair I ran over and gasped at the price tag...we're talking deep clearance!  My thoughts went like this:
Well, it can't be a recliner for this price, can it? Yep, it is! 
Well, it can't be that comfy for this price, can it?  (Sitting down) Oh, soo cushy and comfy! 
A scratch on the seat (hence the low price)...no problem, I can take care of that!
I quickly texted a picture to Keith with the price and he said 'Go for it!'

I figured that this would make a nice replacement for the chair that was in our office, which is now in the sunroom, which you can see here.  It adds a masculine element to this room, which is appropriate since Keith and I both use this room a lot.  I softened the look a bit by covering the seat with a grain sack, and voila, the scratch is 'gone'! 

Shortly after we brought the chair in, I found this vintage dresser at an antique shop.  I fell in love with its shape and size.

This replaced the shabby table that was here that is also now in the sunroom. 

The drawers are great storage for various papers, magazines, and office essentials.

Isn't it great when you least expect it to find something that you've always wanted, and at a bargain no less?  One of life's little pleasures!

Thanks for stopping by-have a fantastic day! :)

Welcome Angie from Knick of Time!

I have such a special treat for you today!  In celebration of my one year blogiversary (which was a little over a week ago) I invited Angie from Knick of Time to be my first ever 'guest blogger'.  Angie is one of those talented bloggers that you aspire to be like!  I'm sure that most of you know her and love her blog, her style, and her diy projects! 

 She is special to me because she was the first person to feature my blog, about only 2 weeks after I began blogging. She not only featured me but encouraged her readers to follow me, and she also helped me with some 'technical difficulties' that I was having. Her kindness and encouragement have meant the world to me, and I'll always be grateful to her for her faith in me right from the beginning of my blogging journey.  

It is with much admiration and appreciation that I introduce to you, Angie...

Hello, fellow Must Love Junk fans!   My name is Angie and I blog over at Knick of Time.  I live in rural Illinois with my husband and 4 kids (3 are college students).  I love chatting about antiques, repurposed junk and country life.  Each week, I host a vintage theme link party, and share printable antique graphics.  

I discovered Susan's wonderful new blog when she was a brand new blogger and felt like I'd discovered a star in the making.  She linked up at my vintage theme weekly party and I was so impressed with her home, photos and blog, that I selected her as one of my features for the party.  It's been a pleasure watching her blog grow by leaps and bounds.  I'm thrilled to be here today to share one of my latest recreations from old "junk".

Last year I picked up several beautiful antique head and foot boards at the auction.  The were filthy and I was the only bidder, so I got them for just a few dollars.  

I've been cleaning and clearing out some space to in my workshop, so I was finally able to pull out this headboard and work on it.

 I cut the posts off of the sides, then painted it bright white, then put a coat of homemade mustard yellow chalk paint (my recipe for it HERE) over that.  Once dry I painted the words and arrow in an antique white chalk paint.

I distressed the sides so that all three layers would show through and lightly distressed over the rest.  I also did a small border of antique white around the edge, to highlight the outer edge.

Congratulations on one year of blogging, Susan and thanks so much for inviting me to share with your readers today - it's been my pleasure!  I hope you'll drop in and visit me at Knick of Time.

Sleepy in the Sunroom

 (Thank you to Lavender Garden Cottage for featuring this post!)
Hi, everyone!  I hope that you've entered my blogiversary giveaway (you can win 4 great prizes!)  If not, there's still time!  Just go here-it's quick and easy to enter.
Last week I showed you the one side of my sunroom here that I've recently freshened up for spring. (Btw, Debra at Common Ground just graciously featured that post!)

Now here's the other side of the room...this couch is such a perfect spot for reading or a taking a nap.

This factory cart is the real deal-and it's extra special because it came out of the company that my dad worked at for 40+ years!

We wanted more privacy from a close neighbor, so these room dividers/screens are my solution.

One of my favorite finds is this old set of lockers-a portion of my huge collection of decor magazines are stashed away in here!

At the front of the room is some extra seating, along with a heavy wooden drawer unit.

I just added this tray and some goodies to the top.

Well, it looks like I'm not the only one that enjoys taking a 'catnap' in this room! :)

Until next time...have a fantastic day!
I'm linking up to these great parties:   The Farm Blog Hop 
                                                      Rooted in Thyme
                                                      i should be mopping the floor
                                                      Knick of Time
                                                      Lavender Garden Cottage 

Blogiversary Giveaway!

Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day Weekend!
In celebration of my 1 year blog anniversary, I'm having an extra special giveaway, with some prizes that I'm really excited about!
My friend Melissa recently gifted me with this adorable redwork charm that she made-isn't it the cutest?  If you win, you'll receive one of these with the initial(s) of your choice!  She just opened a new Etsy shop Recycled Chick, where you can order this, along with many other of her fun creations!

This sweet little bottle was made by a talented local artist named Tina.  It has a dandelion in the tiny jar to make a wish on-love this!  If you win, this will be yours!

You can order her fabulous decorated bottles through her Facebook Page, TABAS Designs.  (Check out this gorgeous 'blinged out' one that my mom got me!)

I've also thrown in the new Summer issue of Cottage Journal magazine for your reading pleasure...

...and a set of 5 little stamped butterfly tags.

So to recap...if you win this giveaway you'll get a redwork initial charm, a decorated 'wish' bottle, a magazine, and a set of tags...I hope you're as excited about all these fun gifts as I am!

This will be open for 1 week, and to U.S. residents only (sorry to all my friends in Canada and elsewhere!)  I hope you'll share this-good luck and have a wonderful day! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy 1 Year of Must Love Junk!

One year ago a girl with a small dream sat down at her computer, logged into Blogspot, wrote a few words and added one (yes, one!) picture, called it 'must love junk' and hit publish.

I had been stalking many decorating blogs for awhile before I had the nerve to start one myself.  Although I had many doubts and insecurities, finally my overwhelming desire to share my home, my style, and my life prompted me to ask myself  "If they can do it, why can't I?"  I had zero computer skills (even now they're marginal at best) but one day I just sat down on a whim, muddled through the mechanics of setting up a blog and jumped right in. It happened so fast that I didn't really have a chance to second guess myself or my decision-I had committed.
I didn't really think many people would find me or care what I had to say; I just hoped that someone might enjoy pictures of my home and 'get' me and my love of junk.  And I figured that I would just teach myself along the way and have fun with it.

Then something extraordinary happened-people did find me and they were interested in what I had to say!  As I reached out to others and invited them into my home, my family, and my life, they reached back and kindly welcomed me into blog land.
I have been amazed and overwhelmed by the support of fellow bloggers! I've 'met' so many inspirational women who have been through so many challenges in their lives, yet take the time to stop by my blog and leave a kind word.  Some bloggers this past year have even asked me to guest post or have featured my blog and my home, and I am so humbled by this!
Whether you have a blog or not, I am so grateful to you who follow along and keep on coming back to my little corner of the world. 

I cannot believe that a whole year has gone by since I first embarked on this blogging journey!  It has been such a year of change and growth.  I have learned SO much, and continue to learn all the time.  Blogging has opened the door to some great opportunities, and more exciting things are on the horizon!  I feel incredibly blessed and I hope that you will continue on this journey with me.
Please stay tuned for a fun giveaway and more surprises that I have coming up!  :)

Sunroom and Silver

(A BIG thank you to Debra at Common Ground for featuring this post! :)
Hello, everyone!  I'm so happy that it's FINALLY getting warmer out so that I can spend time in one of my favorite rooms again-our sunroom!  Every winter all of the furniture gets pushed aside or brought in, and the room is used to store firewood.  When I can finally give the room a good cleaning and put it back together again, that says 'Spring' to me!

 I decided to showcase some of my favorite silver pieces on a gorgeous silver tray that I just purchased.

Even though I'm into cows lately, not sheep, I just couldn't resist this little wreath-he's too cute! (It seems that farm animals are taking over my house-yikes!)

I moved the table and chair from the office back in here. (I'll be showing you what I've done in there eventually!)  I just feel like they fill the space better than anything else I've tried so far.

A narrow bookcase is the perfect fit for this small back wall.

I'll be sharing more of the sunroom later.
Hope you're getting some sunshine your way!  Have a wonderful day :)

I'm linking to these fun parties:  Rooted in Thyme
                                              Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen 
                                              i should be mopping the floor 
                                              Knick of Time
                                              Lavender Garden Cottage
                                              Common Ground