Vintage Inspiration Party #189

Welcome to the Vintage Inspiration Party!

This is the place to share anything old, treasured, passed-down or tattered.  You can also share projects that were made to look old, including repurposed and upcycled creations.

vin-tage (adj.) 1.) used to describe something that is not new, but that is valued because of its good condition, attractive design, etc. 2.) used to describe something that has the best qualities or characteristics of the things made or done by a particular person, organization, etc.

Let's see what your party hosts have been up to......

Bliss @ Bliss Ranch - Playhouse Conversion: Phase 1 - Ceiling
Carlene @ Organized Clutter - New Patio Look
Betsy @ My Salvaged Treasures - Farmers Market Sign
Angie @ Knick of Time - DIY Barn Quilt

 

Have A Daily Cup Of Mrs. Olson shows us her interesting plant containers

q is for quandie has the vanilla mint project going on...on her vanity that is

Simply Vintageous is making art with the help of IKEA

Scavenger Chic upcycled shutters into a lamp, and then turned them into a lantern

Anne's Attic Design

This weeks featured shop is Thrift Store Addiction

If you were featured this week, we'd love it if you'd grab our button and share the news.

Now let's see what vintage-inspired decor you have to share this week!

Link Party Guidelines

– You are welcome to share anything vintage or vintage inspired. This includes yard sale finds, repurposed and upcycled creations, family heirlooms - including vintage Etsy & Ebay items you have for sale! If it’s been around awhile or just looks that way…share away!! No food links please.

– Pin away, but please be sure to pin directly from the original source, not from my blog. – Be sure to have a visible link to Bliss Ranch within your post (text link is fine).

- By linking up with the Vintage Inspiration Party you agree that your photos and links may be shared on Pinterest, Facebook, and other social media sites. You may be included in a round up to promote the party or individually with a link back to you. We love what you share and the extra exposure is a benefit to everyone. 

An InLinkz Link-up

Family Room Area Rug

Area rugs.

For me, those are in the same category as paint and couches.

I have trouble picking them, hate them when I get them home, and usually end up doing whatever it is at least twice and keeping one that is just "ok".

If we're talking about paint the agony mounts, and it wouldn't be out of the question for me to paint a room in the morning and by dinner it's another color that's better - but still not right.

Cedar Planked Playhouse Ceiling

What do you think of when you hear the words cedar planks?

Do you think of a cedar chest used to store treasures?

How about an aromatic closet or maybe the outside of a hot tub in the woods?

Vintage Inspiration Link Party

There's a new kid on the block, the link party block that is.


When one of the awesome hosts of the Vintage Inspiration Party found herself with just too large a serving of life on her plate, something had to go.

So she went to clear her plate and I arrived.

And I'm happy to be here.

All the instructions for what the Vintage Inspiration Party is can be found below,
 as well as the features from last week - it's a little bit country and a little bit rock-n-roll, or in home decorating terms, a little bit Farmhouse and a little bit Frenchy.
So read over the details, I know you've got a project that fits the bill, so link it up!

Weathered Gray Table With Fusion Mineral Paint & Giveway

There are a couple things going on in this post today.

A blog hop with projects from some awesome bloggers, a Fusion Mineral Paint giveaway for you to enter, and there is my project table that had a rough start when it entered the family.

Spoon Hooks

The other day I posted a coffee sign I made for some friends that was a combination sign and a place to hang their hat.

Or if you read that post, a place for me to hang my purse when I came over.

Served Daily: Coffee Sign

I like to make signs for my friends that serve a purpose that benefits me.

Selfish I know.

And I wanted a place to hang my coat or purse when I came over, so I made them a sign.

My Blog Critic

The Bliss Ranch blog has a new reader.

Not only is this reader a smart azz, he's a critic and comedian both, probably learned it from his parents.

The guy felt the need to send me an email pointing out some incorrect information I had written on a post last week about why the ranch and my life will be fuller this summer.

Laundry Room Utility Panel Cover

I've been working on a laundry room, all the live long day.

At least that's what it must seem like to #1 daughter who has been waiting since Christmas of 2013 for a laundry room makeover we gifted her with.

Fuller House, The Bliss Ranch Way

Full House.

Fuller House.

Not THAT full/fuller house, MY full about to be fuller house.

Fuller yard is more accurate. 

The trees are just starting to leaf out, the grass is getting close to needing it's first mowing and the crapping quackers are getting neighbors.

Human neighbors.  A family of four to be exact.

Four Vintage Crates From One

Do you follow the Thistlewood Farms blog?

Last year about this time Karianne had a coffee crate in her attic waiting for a redo - and in her post she cut the thing in half to make two crates.

I thought, HEY that's pretty smart, that way both crate ends can be turned into something. 

So I tucked that idea in the back of my mind till it was time for me to do the same.

Playhouse Revival, The Clean Out

Winter is over, which for Minnesota in April all that really means is the snow is melted and Spring yard work can start.

Last year that wasn't possible till the middle of May, so I do feel a bit ahead of the game this spring.

Outdoor messes have to be cleaned up before tackling any other projects, because you know the saying - gotta make hay when the sun shines.  Or something like that.

Speaking of hay....these long packages arrived by my mudroom door last week.

Goodwill Target Nightstand Makeover

Today's post is all about nothing.

Nothing I made anyway.

I didn't make the project, stage the project or even take the project photos.

I didn't buy the small furniture piece either, but I did supply the paint.

#2 daughter announced she was going to Goodwill with one of her BFF's and I wasn't sure when she left if she was on the hunt or going along as an accomplice.

It was both.  She came home with this brand new Target nightstand thing.

Pizza Dog

I didn't think this hot dog idea up, someone else who needed a quick dinner did.

Or someone who likes hot dogs on their pizza..... which would not be me.

But this twist on the standard hot dog in a bun was too easy not to try, besides I usually forget to take photos of the actual great recipes I try and only remember when I'm putting the last fork in my mouth.

So I'm not going gourmet here folks.  Just like the recipe, this post was quick and easy.

After I watched the video and read all the snide or funny comments, I decided what the heck I'm gonna make pizza dog's for dinner and then tell you how they were.

Hidden Cat Food Area

We have a dog.

We have a cat.

About the only thing our dog likes about the cat is to eat her cat food.

Linda Kitty was here long before the dog.  7 years longer to be exact.

Linda (who is named after the lady we got her from) is coming up on 15 years of age and for 8 of her cat lives - the 8 that Mo the dog has lived here - her cat food has been banished to the folding counter in the laundry room.

A Birthday Giveaway

Imma gonna tell 'ya about a birthday giveaway today, but don't start sending me birthday greetings for turning another year old.

It's not my birthday, even though it felt like a special day for me.

Donna at Funky Junk Interiors is having herself a celebration of the yearly aging process.

And it just so happened that my package arrived on her birthday. 

So to celebrate I opened it up......

Paint Details on Pine Blanket Chest Redo

In my last post I got right to the nitty gritty and revealed an old pine chest that I updated with painted memories.  You can read about that {here}.

Today I'll give 'ya the details on the products I used.

I painted the pine box with Maison Blanche paint in chocolate so the letters would be dark.

Flynn & Malone Blanket Chest

This isn't a post about the process and products used for painting an old pine box and turning it into a blanket chest - if you want the how-to details about paint, wax and wood pieces to make one yourself, you'll have to stop back next time.

Nope, this post is about something more........

Once upon a time in sunny Southern California there were two Irish lassies.

Silver Mirror with Fusion Gilding Paste

I've decided never to buy anything new again.

Wait.... I decided that years ago, back when people looked at my creations sideways and probably rolled their eyes when I wasn't looking, as I hung yard junk on our walls.

I guess not everyone finds parts of a wrought iron fence or an old gate all that attractive.

Graphics Transfer With Citrasolv Spool Cabinet

Alrighty now.... for the past week I've been showing you how I transformed a pale yellow toy box into a fool the eye cabinet with fake drawers, and knobs made out of vintage wooden thread spools.

But I didn't show you the graphic that I put on the top.

Graphic from The Graphics Fairy

Spool Cabinet Redo - Fake Drawer Fronts

The front of the old toy box that I converted into a better looking front of the old toy box, started out as recessed panels and ended up looking like a vintage spool cabinet.

Vintage Thread Spools Turned Knobs

At the beginning of the week I posted {here} about a blah old toy box I turned into a cute spool cabinet that happens to hold toys.

Even though the drawers are faux fronts, they needed knobs to lend some authenticity to it.

Toy Box To Cool Spool Cabinet

This project was started about 20 years ago.

All in my head.

Sew What Did I Make?

I don't like to be a tease, but sometimes I just can't help myself.

If you're gonna get all bent out of shape because I don't tell you exactly what I'm working on, then quit reading right now and come back on Monday.

On Monday you will see how these pretty vintage spools of thread.......

Staining Pine Dark Espresso

I found a task I might dislike more than painting dining room chairs.

Staining twelve, six-paned grids and four bun feet.

Wood Spool Clock (s)

Ticktock.

Did you remember to Spring ahead and move your clock an hour into the future?

Or are you like me and still falling behind?

I've got a couple of clocks to show you that the time can't be missed due to their size.  You also have to have a wall big enough for hanging.

Baking With Bliss, German Chocolate Cake

I will start this post with my usual disclaimer * I am not a food blogger, I am a food eater*.

I cook.  I eat.  And I do plenty of both.

I do not enjoy taking photos of the steps involved to do either of those things, but sometimes when a recipe is worth passing along I've just gotta do it.

German Chocolate Cake

Not being a food blogger means several things.....

Fusion Paint Brush Cleaner

Scold me if you must, but I'm one of those lazy paint brush cleaner uppers and I don't take good care of my paint brushes.

On a good day I tend to just drop them in a tin can of water that contains other paint from other brushes.

And then I leave them.

Naughty paint brush owner.

If I ... think I might plan on possibly maybe some day eventually ... using the same brush with the same paint, I will stick it in a fold top sandwich bag.

For eternity.

Route 66 Stencils

Three years ago, and three months into my experience with blogging, there was this challenge over at Debbie-Doos blog called the Magazine Copycat Challenge.

I loved it.

The idea was to find something out of a magazine to be duplicated.

Tale of Two Playdough Recipes

I'm a playdough maker from way back.  31 years to be exact.

I've used the same recipe all 31 of those years, given to me by my BFF.

Over the years I tried a couple different ones, but always came back to the one she gave me - it was the best I tried and never failed me.

Where Are They Now... At The Ranch

This throw back Thursday I decided to write a "where are they now" post..... as in how are a few things from past posts fairing today or how is a new product I've received holding up.

I'll go two years back, one year ago, and one month ago.

First up is the oldie that I can't refer to as a goodie.  It's the one project I lay awake at night thinking about and not in a good way. 

Our vintage barber shop building that you can read about {here}.

So I Married A Creative ___?___.

It's a blog hop where 18 of us gave spouses the opportunity to spill their guts.

Ever wonder what the spouse behind the blogger has to say?
In my case he's the hands or feet in blog photos.

Some spouses might have clammed up when asked questions.

Vintage Mailbox Towel Holder

For throw back Thursday I'm revisiting a post about my boys bathroom.  I guess I am going to need to do an update too, because the signs have all been taken down and a blank wall awaits me to make something new.

~~~~~~

I'm going to boldly go where no woman should go - my boys bathroom -  so I can show you the vintage mailbox I turned into a towel holder.

16 years ago.

I thought I was being so stylish and unique.

I'm pretty sure everyone who saw it thought I was odd hanging an old mailbox anywhere, let alone in a bathroom.

Mayo Haters Coleslaw

I'm not a fan of mayo. 

I'm president of the I Hate Mayonnaise Club.  At least I thought I was till I Googled it and found out there is a real club for mayo haters with someone who says they are the prez, so I'm not alone.

There is like a whole underground of mayo haters out there.

Corn-hole Game #2

When I made a beanbag toss game last summer for our yard I also got a great idea.

Make some as gifts for family.

That sounds easy and doable in July, but by the time December rolled around I could tell with all the other projects we were working on that those weren't going to happen.

So instead I took the pair that my son in law uses and built years ago, and gave them a make over.

This is how they started......

Throw Back Thursday Valentines Copy Cat Vignette

I'm going on my own little trip down blogging memory lane.  

Since it's Throw Back Thursday, as well as the day before Valentines Day, I decided to revisit one of my first posts.

New York New York Hotel Las Vegas

While I'm giving reviews of Las Vegas I thought I'd stick one in of where we stayed, in case someone wanders by looking for an opinion on it.

The New York New York hotel is on the far end of the Las Vegas strip over by the airport, but we didn't hear any air traffic. 

These theme resorts are huge and take up a lot of property.

800 Degrees Pizza

I'm no food critic, I just like what I like.

And I like pizza.  A lot.

Pizza is the kind of food that even when it's bad, it's still pretty good.

Basically I've never had a pizza I didn't find palatable.

Fiona at Just Paint It White

Fiona.

Isn't that a pretty name?

No I don't have a bun in the oven and I'm not naming a new pet.  Although the name would be fitting for either.

Old Neon Sign Museum

Ever hear of the Neon Museum? 

Well to me it's like the museum king of rusty chippy old signs, and I'm gonna take you there to see some of the coolest vintage signs ever. 

Romantic Faucet from Build.com

It happens over time.

The romance fades.

The faucet that has been purchased for a new home gets old or wears out from use.

Maison Blanche Pewter Organza Topped Table

Summer of 2013 I picked up this scratched table for $7.50.

Before Christmas I put it in place in all it's beat up glory to see if I was going to like the size.

I did.

I brought this garage sale table home for a few reasons, one of which being it wasn't gonna break the bank.  

Paint Like Me Givewaway Winner

Winner Winner!

I'm out of town without access to post the details of who won all the goodies above,  SO..... 

hop over to Fox Hollow Cottage  

and read the announcement from Shannon.

Good luck, I truly hope it is one of my readers.

Vegas Baby!

No I don't have a Vegas trip to giveaway in addition to yesterdays Maison Blanche giveaway, which you have all week to enter {here}, and no I'm not going on a trip where I will gamble my life savings and leave my children penniless.

I'm smarter than that. 

Wait, we don't have any life savings, we've been spending it all.  Hmmm.....

But yes I am heading to Las Vegas this month, so it's story time at the Ranch about previous visits as I prep you for the reviews to come when I get back.

This post won't have any DIY photos - I DO do things other than projects you know!

Vegas and I are no strangers.  Growing up in the Los Angeles suburbs of the San Fernando Valley, my first trip there was when I was 16.

Paint Like Me Giveaway

Who likes to win stuff raise your hand? 

Brushes, and sprayers, and paints oh my!

Spotlight Feature at Junk Chic Cottage

Kris from Junk Chic Cottage and Susan from Must Love Junk have a regular feature on their blogs called Saturday Spotlight, The Real Life Behind The Blogger.

I tell 'ya they have had some blogging power players in their spotlight.  I enjoy reading about every guest, and I'm always inspired by something I've seen on both blogs as well as those of their guests.

Kris's Dining Room

A Big Old Heavy Sander

What possess someone to write a post dedicated to a power tool?

Ours is not some slick shiny new contraption that I'm like overly proud of or anything.

Nope, it's rather a dirty old rusty beast the size of Alaska.

And heavy!  If I used this more I'd probably qualify as a weight lifter.

Pine Coffee Table Makeover

The year 2013.

The date, December 24th, yes Christmas Eve.

I was working on a gift project and had a fail.  It was a dresser with a photo transfer that I messed up.

So I went to plan B which was to paint all the pertinent information on the dresser front, of the couple it was being gifted too.

Positive Affirmation Sign

A few weeks ago I made a sign for a certain 4 year old who is beautiful inside and out, and while I normally would piece together my own words or sayings - at which I've been known to spend hours doing - I didn't have hours in December.

And as it turns out I didn't need hours after I saw this free printable perfect for a little girl of great worth who can do hard things and make good choices.

Lego Table Nightstand Upcycle

The first project of 2015 was actually one of the last projects of 2014.

Made in the dark of night like most of the end of the year gifts created here, and right down to the wire with time.