Monday, January 18, 2021

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Valentine’s Day reminds me that home is really a wonderful place to be. It isn’t about the possessions on the walls or the collected treasures. However, some of those collected items from family and friends remind us of the love we have for them.

I don’t decorate for Valentine’s Day, but sometimes you see something that inspires you to create. When the skies are drab, the ground is frozen, or covered in snow, my mantra for getting through what feels like the longest season…“Get Creative.“

So, I found this posting by @vintagehome – Campsite about creating some DIY Yarn Wrapped Hearts. I thought her project fit my rustic and refound decor style so I followed the steps and viola, I made my own.

Just a DIY!

I used a neutral color jute twine and white yarn for my hearts because that’s what I had on hand, but it also fit my winter table scape decor.

My steps...

Step 1: To make these yarn wrapped hearts, you will need a piece of paper (to make the pattern), cardboard(I cut my cardboard shapes from a cardboard box), tape, scissors & yarn (jute) of your choice.

To begin, I folded my piece paper(ledger paper) in half & drew half of a heart shape near the fold of the paper.

I cut out the heart & traced it on to the cardboard. Then I cut out the cardboard heart shape.

Step 2: Begin wrapping your heart with the string. To secure the yarn, I taped the end of the yarn to the cardboard heart.
Now, you just start wrapping the string. Continue wrapping until you have completely covered the cardboard heart.

This is what your heart will look like when it is completely covered.

Step 3: When the heart shape is completely covered to your satisfaction, cut the string/yarn & wrap the string back through a wrap and tie a knot. You can use this side for the back. (Sorry, no photo for the tie off.)

That’s it folks! A fast & simple project!

I thought they turned out so cute to use for Valentine’s day decor. If you follow the steps at vintagehomedesigns.com she tells you how you can add some string/yarn to create a hanger so you can hang them up or add them to a garland.

I used my string hearts in this black dough bowl & added them to my winter table scape. I like how they complement my neutral decor & add another layer of texture.

I hope this inspires you to try this project and maybe to use some red, pink, and cream colored string or yarn.

I hope you enjoyed this winter project for ‘My wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.’

Thursday, January 14, 2021

A Foraged Vine and Berry Wreath

What about foraged vines? Not quite valued, but not quite worthless. My rustic design is of wild fielding clippings. A nature walk masterpiece. I started with gathering natural vines and loosely coiled them freely around in a circle and only secured the ends back into the vine itself. I then collected some interesting – dried flowers and red berries to weave in the vine. Just using what nature has to offer.

Completely organic in design.

I love building and creating with the old then adding the softness of the pretty brown silk ribbon – where rustic meets the refined. It adds to the cozy feeling and sort of warms things up, while adding texture and character to the space.

Winter often spurs me towards creativity. I often create with an edge, using decayed salvage. I’m intrigued with the texture of raw materials. You shouldn’t expect much less from me when designing such pieces. I layer with textures. Maybe I’m a builder with the decay and I deem it as art.;)

I don’t know… maybe it’s me being a bit sassy about winter decor. I like using natural elements. I love the clippings to use in my winter decor.

Tip: Forage your garden and yard to find dried elements that inspire you to create a gathered wreath.

This is a simple project that works well with my winter color scheme. A bit muted, calm, warm and natural. A neutral space for sure. Perfect for winter.

I love to bring out all those candles and enjoy that lovely warmth and ambiance they bring to the room. They truly do make everything feel more magical and add to the inspiration.

I hope this gives you some ideas for bringing in some soft, neutral & subtle tones as well as adding texture for the winter season. Just add some rustic decor!

Always sharing ‘my wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.’

Cheers to a Happy & Healthy 2021

Friday, January 8, 2021

Even though I’m a week into 2021, Happy New Year!

Just going to touch on our year in review. Wow! It’s been one hell of a ride. There has been some positive that came of 2020 for me, but not sure how to sum that year up. We all became hermits for a few months -staying home and only connecting with family and friends via social media. How sad is that! Good riddance!

Twenty – twenty-one, hasn’t started off quite so well either. What is to become of all this? With all the negativity going on, I thought would share a bit of of sunshine. With that said, please let me introduce to you … ‘The Susie’ wreath. She’s a ray of sunshine for the best mom!

Bring a part of the West into your home! This item is handmade, which means no two are can be exactly the same. Add a statement to your door with a one-of-kind rope wreath. What a way to say howdy or welcome with this beautiful rope wreath full of warmth and sunshine.

**This is a custom order. Ordered by a sweet daughter for her wonderful – giving mother.

‘The Susie’ has a bold combination of yellow, red, and a pop of blue. She shows her real western heritage and cowboy values in the used quality of the rope. The red roses are a sign of love & pure passion setting her apart from the crowd right down to her chambray bow.

No two wreaths are ever alike. If it’s a custom order or just an inspiration on my part, the hondos will end or sit differently each time. Each rope wreath will not be exact, or duplicated. Each rope is different with individual lay, quality, & maker. The amount of use it was given will also add to it’s individualism. Some ropes will carry very dark marks on them from the dally to none at all. I will get as similar or as close as I can to your inspiration, but I can’t guarantee. If you have any questions, please reach out to me. If you wish for a dimension larger then 18″ please specify and be specific on your floral arrangement.

Cowboys from the ranch to the roping arena have used the ropes I use. Though not washed, they show the “used look”.

Rope wreaths can fit any reason, season, display, front door, back door, entry… they are so versatile… Choose to custom design your own rope decor into your shape, size, width, height, etc.!

Rope wreaths fit any room, indoor or outdoor. if you have an idea, it will be PERFECT!!!

‘The Susie’ looks great on any door.

I wanted this wreath to be big! You know the saying… “Go big or go home!” Well, that’s what I wanted for ‘The Susie.’ I think she says that. Big, bold, but not so big that you can’t see her western heritage.

I want to thank my lovely customer for ordering this custom wreath. It was a true pleasure to put it together, and I hope that her mother loves the design.

With that being said, I have great hopes and expectations for the new year and I’m hoping that ‘The Susie’ with it’s bold & vibrant color combos are a significance for what’s to come.

Sharing a bit of my wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.’

Friday, December 18, 2020

My Christmas centerpiece started with the white goose. It was given to me a few years back. I was told that the goose was vintage, hand carved. A long time friend told me the story that her grandfather had carved the goose. Unfortunately it had been broken and repaired, and since it had the broken marks and repairs, it didn’t look the same and she just didn’t know what to do with it. Since it had not sold at her garage sale, she was going to throw it away. I told her that I would take it and give it a new life. I had a vision of what I would do with it. My inspiration came from a Pinterest pin that I had seen some time back.

The goose had been packed away in my storage shed for the past several years. This year, I was inspired to use it as a Christmas display on my dining room table.

With a paint brush in hand and some white chalk paint I transformed the broken and repaired goose into my vintage holiday decor. I set it in a snow flocked wreath on my dining table. I think it has a farm house feel and the vintage-y decor vibes add character to the space. Vintage-y decor add character particularly during the holidays when our memories reign supreme.

With white candles, antique branding iron candle holders (always a favorite), & mercury glass candle holders, and the white goose set the table for a farm house Christmas display.

Candles! Always candles. I gathered up a bunch of my mercury glass candlesticks that add sparkle, the branding iron candle holders with the rustic metal, but then of course the actual candle, especially when lit, adds that perfect cozy glow.

Mercury glass has an ethereal , icy quality, evoking a classic holiday color scheme that compliments the white vintage find. The wreath helps add more texture and interest.

… And I think the goose steals the show!

This display easily came together. It was actually about creating that quick Christmas magic & ambiance. If you minus the years the goose was packed away, waiting for the inspiration, it all took very little time.

  I love my antique/vintage items & the charm that they add to our spaces.

Instead of hours of prepping for the perfect Christmas decor or making messes while decorating & you just want to create that Christmas magic in a hurry, grab some vintage or rustic decor. I hope that this has inspired you by showing you how quickly you can turn your antique finds into Christmas decor!

Thank you guys so much for stopping & checking out my Christmas table scape. I hope this look as always has inspired you in some way to do your own.

Once again… a rustic and refound.

A little wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin’.

Friday, December 11, 2020

Sometimes it’s something extra ordinary that inspires you.

Around the holidays we can’t wait to gather with family and friends.

We prepare pretty decor and plan and prep for the food.

Today, I was inspired to share a different approach to setting the table for guests.

Sharing my love of all things vintage, I repurposed an old wooden tool box as a buffet center piece to hold dishes and table linen on my kitchen island.

 I am a sucker for anything that wears original patina especially if it involves chipping, peeling, worn. shabby, old paint. This toolbox definitely has all of the above. Things that you brought home from yester-year inspire us for a change. I’m loving the look of the tool box… that definitely is showing it’s patina aged with time.

Kind of thinking outside the box… instead of a formal table setting I am using the toolbox as a buffet center on my kitchen island. Like The Little Engine That Could the story’s signature phrases such as “I think I can” I adapted to the little gray toolbox.

This little toolbox embraces cozy comfort and brings the outside in.

It’s nifty, thrifty, and handy!

Keeping plates and napkins gathered and within reach. I layered my napkins and plates.

Here I added canning jars to hold silverware. However, by rolling up the silverware in the napkins everything could be contained.

Handy for guests to grab dishes for buffet style dining or cute decor all by itself. I think I might like it to display some sentimental dinnerware that belonged to my grandmother.

Carving out more storage space in the kitchen doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Getting organized with super simple tricks (many using items we already have around the house). I love using vintage, eclectic and timeless treasures…repurposing and re-loving all things left in time and giving them new places to shine!

A little wild west stylin’ for some wild west livin’.

XXOOs ~Tammy

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Welcome to My addition of Western Wednesday!

I’m really not sure what’s been happening around here….
….but I’m pretty excited about Christmas this year.
Maybe it’s the thrill of hope…

Or a weary world rejoicing.

This year I’m all about decking the halls for Christmas, listening to my Christmas playlists and displaying my Santa mugs ready for hot cocoa.

However, While out shopping…

I discovered these deep red flowers (hydrangeas I presume… frosted with faux snow) at JoAnn’s. I loved their bold red. I knew that I wanted to incorporate them into some aspect of my decor. I’m not much for faux flowers, but these definitely caught my eye. The bold red, frosted with snow made me think Christmas or winter! I’m loving the texture that is added to the flowers from the faux snow.

For me, these flowers just fit the season.

I decided to add a little country Christmas cheer to my front door with a custom rope wreath using these bold red flowers.

Once again, I’m upcycling and reclaiming! This is another one of my rustic and refound, so to speak. Bringing my trash to treasure!

A Western Rope Wreath

No, this wasn’t one of my husbands ropes. This was one of my old ropes. For what ever reason it was tossed into the discard pile. I’m a saver don’t you know??? So still loving the look of it and the color, it became an upcycled Christmas decoration.

While making my rope wreath a little different…

I styled my coils a little on the loose or natural side with my hondo showing. I wanted more rope to show. Often the hondo will end or sit differently. With a more natural look the hondo will be on one side and the tail on the other side. Some folks like nice tight rope coils for a rope wreath.

I think that you can make a rope wreath to fit anyone’s taste.

Though not washed, it may show the “used look”. “The used look,” also gives a rough or old look and makes the rope wreath unique. It fits any reason or season and makes a great display on the front door, back door entry, wall… they are so versatile.

Loving to rope steers as I do, this wreath is fitting for my door!

To complete my ensemble, I added an assortment of greenery and a plaid bow.

I think that plaid fits that country look that I was going for.

Red is a great color for the Christmas season, but it matches lots of holidays.

I’m just bringing a little part of the west to my home.

Merry Christmas!

Sharing a little wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin’

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Just another simple autumn centerpiece.

This year has inspired me more than ever to create a home that inspires & surrounds us with warmth. Also it is important to stay close to home, so I like to keep the home decor a bit on the frugal side. As the fall/autumn weather & time changes, it always brings us indoors where we want to cozy up by a toasty fire, look for those chunky blankets, candles all aglow, and cups of cheer. I would say that this year, a cozy home is more important than ever!

A while back I was inspired by the changing season to create a salvaged centerpiece. If you read my posts you will know that “salvaged” is probably my favorite term.;) This all started with those white pumpkins and wanting to bring in those muted tones. Loving the muted tones, I still added that pop of color with orange pumpkins, brass candle sticks, and copper votives.

So today I’m sharing my dining room with a salvaged centerpiece, pumpkins, candles, with animal print table linens and china ready to give thanks.

And… I’m sharing a few tips for creating that same feeling in your own home.

Harvest Ready – A Gathering I will Go

I’m not sure that I’m qualified to give decorating advice, but when styling a room for the season, I like to keep my theme natural & a bit on the rustic and ‘re-find.’ Yep you read that right, Not only do I like the refound or vintage in items, but also like them on the beautiful side or the more ‘re-find‘ – A Rustic Elegance.

Looking to nature – I went out to my flowers & clipped dried lambs ear, my field for dried golden grasses, dried leaves and branches from my trees, and several dried & faded white roses that I had lying around. I foraged all of natures bounty, collected and arranged it in a simple glass gallon jar.

I love how this arrangement picks up the tones of the season!

While I wanted that muted side of autumn on the table, I felt it needed pops of color. So bold orange pumpkins, copper votives, orange candles with brass candle sticks, and leopard print napkins were my go to.

And who doesn’t love leopard print???

They say that leopard goes with everything and never goes out of style. How can you miss? All of this accompanied simple white stoneware china.

I might add that the gold rimmed stem ware and teacups and saucers were thrifted. While they are not an exact match to the dinner ware they compliment each other beautifully.

Folks, while my styling tips are simple, and from here you can arrange a table scape for your Thanksgiving on a modest budget. Most of what I used was foraged from my yard, field, and cabinets. The pumpkins were purchased, modestly. The napkins were a purchase from LOREC Ranch while on a National Finals Rodeo excursion a few years back.

A little wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.’

While I write this, I’m reminded of the blessings that I do have.

While my followers may be few, but appreciated, I wish a very Happy Thanks Giving to all!

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

When it comes to decorting for autumn…I love pumpkins and maybe. Everywhere!

This table scape was so simple. Just a few fairytale looking pumpkins marching down the center of the table with white baby boos, candles, found amber/brown bottles, wild grass clippings and wood slices… and maybe a couple of sets of candle holders.;)

Folks, I’m all about simple decorating.

This is natural, subtle, and fresh.

For a touch of autumn color without too much orange-

I love pink and like to use it in my decor as much as I can. So when I found these more on the pink – to salmon pink side pumpkins, I knew I wanted to put them in a table scape with my found amber brown bottles.

I loved incorporating some of those soft colors that are found in  faded grasses/natural wheat and those Cinderella pumpkins.

Down the center of the table, layered on a silver tray with a few baby boos and candles or just by themselves. Anyway you style them, these pumpkins make a statement. 

All in all- a simple rustic table scape fit for a harvest party.

A little wild west stylin’ for some wild west livin’

Happy November folks!

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Halloween has officially arrived over here!

As the nights get longer and cooler, one thing settles on my mind is – Halloween and Halloween decor. This time of year is lovely for the fall cornucopias, corn stalks, and other fall decor, but Halloween decorations bring out the spooky fun!

I had a good time mixing and mingling a few fall touches with some spooky Halloween. Yes, I’m young at heart and a Halloween enthusiast! So, I’m thrilled to share my Halloween look this year. I had way too much fun styling this little area & nook near the front foyer of my house. With not a lot of locations to style Halloween … I used a small table and an antique chair that I painted black and recovered in brown cowhide.

I started with some pumpkins, a candle stick, and a vase filled with some dried branches. I think that the pumpkins added a rich pop of color to the vignette.

Since I love the moody, dark, spooky Halloween vibes, I layered on the Halloween accents – The more the merrier when it came to the accent pieces (skulls, a bony hand, crows, and books for potions) and other fall decor including some twinkling lights. I loaded up my space with Halloween just to get those spooky Halloween vibes.

My final layer was adding in the candles, like a black candle with a drippy look. I used a single black candle in a empty wine bottle and several mercury votives for the spooky ambiance. I feel like the candles brought the whole look together and finished up my spooky Halloween.

Witches Corner – Come sit for a spell.

With a little extra time, my Halloween vignette has evolved with some extra inspiration from my witches feet.

For this witch’s corner I imagined what a witch might have in her front foyer. I felt this little area needed a bit more of a moody vibe so I added a large ornate, black framed mirror, a witches broom, and a witches hat. Like, this is where a witch might leave her outdoor riding gear.

I came up with a broom, books for spells, a chair in a nook, a blanket, pumpkins, a layering of skulls, candles, & of course her pointy shoes among her decor & things like we all love.

I would like to think that they key to having a great Halloween look is layering. The layering of different items and the glow from candles and twinkle lights adds to to the great spooky vibe.

This was so much fun for me to create and think outside of my normal comfort zone.

I loved dressing up my home with wicked, whimsical touches and spooky settings.

“When Black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam, may luck be yours on Halloween.”

A little wild west stylin’ for some wild west livin.’

Happy Halloween!