Wednesday, January 13, 2010

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

28 comments:

Kim said...

Hi Leigh! I just love your idea about the blank canvases. I thought about doing that myself, but letting the kids make something is 10 times better. Thanks! Hey, did you see American Idol last nite? I thought of you as I watched it. Are you gonna have a recap again this season? I hope so!
Kim

Kendall@ Finesse Your Nest said...

Thanks for all the great art ideas! I hate buying art too! And Sam's rocks for enlarging, turning color into B/W, FOR CHEAP! I use them all the time!

Jane said...

Hi Leigh,
You gave some great ideas for artwork. I still love the idea of the enlarged framed envelope. I haven't copied the idea yet but I know I will someday...I love the look.
Things have been a little hectic but I hope to link up to the party.
Jane

Mama Byrd said...

I'm all over creating my own art and have a whole wall of nothing but baby pics and shelves upon shelves of picture frames with all kinds of pictures and just recently started framing pictures of flowers and fabric LOVE IT

Mari said...

I love the barn with the sign on the roof. I also love your idea of having your kids paint you pictures. You need to show them sometime!

Heidi said...

Hi Leigh,
I love your idea of creating personalized art for the walls. I agree that it is the way to go if you can't affor to buy originals. The photos you took are great and must look terrific framed!
BTW - Is it only me or are the pics of the blue and white tablescape missing? I'll come back and check again later! I hope you have a great weekend.
XO
Heidi - Heart and Home

4thelove! said...

do you have pictures of the canvas work you all did?

Treasia Stepp said...

Wonderful ideas for artwork. I can add one more depending on how her house is decorated. Frame vintage doilies against a bright background for pop. They look so pretty.

Is it just me or did I somehow miss the tablescape pictures?

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Love you ideas for wall art. Most everything hanging on my walls I created myself. Feels more personal that way.
Molly

Bama Belle said...

ADORE the picture idea! Very cool. Still have trouble with my comp crashing when I visit you and Libby sometimes, don't know why. I have to read in google reader so if I ever don't comment just know I did read that day!

Sherri@lavenderfields said...

You're site is great! I have had lurking around looking at everyones posts! I will be back when I have something to share! (hopefully soon!) Sherri

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Love the blue and white ~ Fabulous! Thanks for hosting!

Linda said...

Leigh, you've come up with some wonderful ideas for your friend's home. Maybe you can photograph what she comes up with and share them with us. I too love the idea of framing things that are meaningful and out of the ordinary. It truly makes a home very warm and welcoming.

I'm going to join in today with Thrifty Thursday but my story this week is a little unusual. Hopefully I'll have pictures to share soon!

Unknown said...

Love the blue and whites.
Sandy

Lisa@Pickles and Cheese said...

Hi Leigh, That idea of having your kids paint a canvas is just too good and oh how I wish I would have thought of something like that when they were younger!! I love seeing personal art and photos in the house and hope to include more in my home this year.
Is there a post on your blog about the photo on your side bar of you and your girlfriends all making those art canvas' with the trees on them? I would love to know the story!

Unknown said...

I'm all for that and do make my own things! Love that!

Shannon said...

What great ideas. I really like the tree painting!
I love pieces (of anything.. letters, chairs, shirts) that have history. The envelope that you have is absolutely priceless.

Unknown said...

Leigh I have so many frames and no pictures - this is a resolution of mine - put pictures of family and friends in those frames - look for the post! I love the barn-photograohing trip idea - can't wait to see the pics!

susan said...

Leigh- I would LOVE to see all three pieces of art done by your children. I do love personal art, but I certainly don't paint! I am posting a personal art project that I did for my daughter in a couple of weeks--gotta wait til after she gets it :) Love that blue and white!

Pat Harris said...

I love your canvass idea, too. I also look for original art at yard sales. It's amazing what you can find out there.

Anita@Theycallmejammi said...

Great idea on the artwork. I remember your post on the envelope enlargement and had put it in my idea folder to use for a letter from my Granny to her brother. I have not gotten to it yet, but totally remember how yours looked when you posted. Thanks for the inspiration.

Cass @ That Old House said...

Leigh, your idea of creating art for the walls is SO right on! I really believe in doing that -- and now must kick myself in the tushie so I will actually DO it and not just think about it. My daughter Anne has promised me some sketches -- I need to light a fire under her.

LOVE LOVE LOVE those blue dishes. They make me SWOON. and that is not just the cold medicine talking.

Cass

Dreams of Perfection said...

What a great blog! How could I have not known about your blog sooner?! I think framing meaningful photos is a great idea, always have.

GardenOfDaisies said...

I Love your blank canvas idea. :-)
And I really like the blue and white dishes!

Kate said...

Hey Leigh! I hope all is well with you! Great ideas for artwork. I also love personal touches in a home. There are so many family photos in my house, I don't know what to do with them all! Hopefully I'll be back to posting regularly and participating in Thrifty Thursday soon!

Dawn said...

Great ideas Leigh, especially love the travel photos from Epcot!
Hugs,
Dawn

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Great art ideas and I do love those dishes too -- they would make a beautiful tablescape! Thanks for your sweet words.

Marigene said...

Gorgeous blue and white china...love that particular shade of blue! I will be back posting on Thrifty Thursday, next week hopefully.