Thrifty Thursday # 48, plus a Tablescape

Hi! It's Thrifty Thursday! I am your host, Leigh. Thank you so much for stopping by and additional thanks to those who also participate in Thrifty Thursday! I am most delighted to have you join in..for it's YOU who makes it a "show and tell party". I also participate in Tablescape Thursday the host of that fun carnival is the Hostess with the Mostess...Susan of Between Naps on the Backporch. That's no lie or exaggeration, each week I visit Susan's porch and just long to be a guest at any of her tablescapes...especially those held on the porch.

(You can click on any pictures for a closer view)

*Thrifty Thursday takes place each Thursday and is hosted here at Tales from Bloggeritaville, but the party is a progressive one, visit the links to see all the Thrifty Thursday links to see the thrifty treasures participating bloggers have to share.

*Don't forget to copy and paste the Thrifty Thursday logo button to your computer so you can add it to your side bar and your Thrifty Thursday post. That way visitors will know that your are participating in Thrifty Thursday.

For Thrifty Thursday I thought I would share a thrifty tip. My friend, High Mae and I had lunch earlier this week and were chatting up our home decor. She moved into a new home a little over a year ago and mentioned that she still lacks artwork on her walls. "Mae!", I told her, "Don't buy artwork-create it!"

I love things in a home that personalize a space. So many people will walk into Kirklands or such and purchase artwork. Don't get me wrong, I love Kirklands, but I also love a space that isn't "cookie cutter".
My favorite thing in a home,is the family photographs on the walls!!! I recommended to Mae (who is a budding photographer, see here) to pick photographs and have them enlarged. Sams Club and Staples are just two of many businesses that enlarge prints very inexpensively. It will most likely cost less than "cookie cutter" artwork.

Pull out old vacation photos from places you have traveled. These photographs will not only be beautiful and customize a home, but also conjure up fond memories of the vacation.
This photo below was  from a trip to the Mediterranean (LOL) by way of Epcot in Orlando! So you need not travel to exotic lands for some stunning photography. Think outside the box.

Take a roadtrip! My friends and I have a scheduled roadtrip and girls weekend in the very near future to a cabin the woods. Along the way, we will be making stops to photograph old barns, mountain views and working farms along the way...perfect to enlarge for cutom art work.
I took the photograph below on previous trip the cabin. I have always admired the cabin each time I pass. This trip, I pulled over and photographed her rustic beauty so that I could enjoy it's beauty from afar too!
IE: my sofa!

One Christmas my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told him that I wanted to buy 3 blank canvases at Michaels and give them,  along with paints that would coordinate well with our home decor and allow our three children to create artwork that I would forever treasure. He did....and I now have three (signed by the artist) pieces of orginal artwork that even Picasso, himself might envy.

And finally, you might remember the Music Book I framed and hung in my hallway
or
The photocopied and enlarged envelope that came from coorespondance between my grandfather and grandmother when they were courting.

The ideas are endless. And I know, because I read your blogs, I know how creative and crafty you all are! So before you purchase a piece of artwork where in three or four years you might outgrow it's taste, take time and personalize your space with "art" you will never grow tired of!

Now, onto to Tablescape Thursday, which is hosted by Susan of Between Naps on the Porch.

These tablescape photos are a cheat. I took them while shopping at an antique store. I loved the beautiful blue and white dishes and thought what a gorgeous tablescape they made.

I just adore blue and white dishes! Classic style!

What is a tablescape without the food? I invite you to stop by my food blog, PLATES & PLACES, tomorrow for Foodie Friday!

Thanks to all of you for stopping by and participating in today's Thrifty Thursday. Please use Mr. Linky below to link up your blog.I encourage you all to spread the love and visit the other thrifty Thursday participants, for that's what half the fun is. Aside from seeing a cool treasure it's making friends!
Thank you, all, FRIENDS! I appreciate YOU!

Before I go, I wanted to say...my heart goes out to our Haitian friends in light of the terrbile earthquake.  There is so much we can do to help. I challenge you to find a way you can help. Be it financial, travel to assist in aid, or through prayer.
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:9