If you read my blog long enough, you will notice that I love painted clothes pins. They are such a simple old fashioned thing that I like to dress up a bit.

You really can paint them very quickly...let dry and then go back with another color to add dots or swirls. I really use these quite a bit around the house. I often use them on a bag of bread or a partially used bag of rice....they are good for keeping things closed.

I use them a lot in my studio to display things I have made or am working on....

I think they would make a cute little gift. Be sure to add some of the twine for hanging...clothesline style.

All you need is some of this...

and some of these. Quick and easy. And fun.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Shell Project

Every summer I pick up lots of jingle shells on the beach in North Carolina. I love their shimmer...they always catch my eye as I walk along the beach. Their shades are so pretty...pale yellows, oranges and white. I finally decided to do something with them and this project couldn't be easier. It involves a coffee can painted white, the shells and a glue gun. Simply glue them on, overlapping as you go. The arrangement is totally up to you! I glued smaller ones around the top to cover the rim of the can and added some scallops for a little interest. This took less that an hour! Just a little thing to do with all those shells we end up with after a beach vacation...now I can't wait to go look for more!

We had a great 4th of July weekend and enjoyed some beautiful weather. One of the things we did was take care of our friends' chickens while they were away in the Adirondack Mountains.

It was fun going to their peaceful property each morning to feed them, collect the eggs and make sure all was OK. I love everything they have going on in their garden.

Here we spied a mother bug and her babies...they are pink!

The girl chickens are sweet and lay the most beautiful pale blue eggs. The rooster...well he is another story. He chased me clear across the yard..with me screaming all the way. My kids thought this was totally hilarious.

Our friends live on a very quiet dirt road...very little traffic and lots of wildlife.

They are surrounded by state parkland...

It is just gorgeous...country goodness.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th to you and your family from all of us at Firefly Hill!

I made a few decorations using simple things around the house...cheap and easy!

We are hoping it does not rain...we have had so much rain lately!

Painted jars, seashells, twine and daisies from the field...nothing could be easier. A simple centerpiece.

I hope you all enjoy this long weekend!

Annie

Our Summer So Far....

Rainbow watching....

seeing daddy/husband play at his gig at the fireworks festival...(he is on the left-white shirt)

...a trip to The Met in NYC to see arms and armor (this is how you get a 9 year old boy intertested in going to The Met!)

...also at The Met...

and this...

We have been doing some splashing...

...and pony riding...

....and making blueberry turnovers... How is your summer?

Fawns

The mother deer have been a little shy this year about bringing their babies to see us...

but yesterday they finally did.

And there were two of them!

Lovely sweet little things...

They don't stay too long so you have to take your pictures quick! These rare sightings make them all the more special.

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

Country Drinks Tray

I found this old metal corn dryer at a sale and could not pass it up. I thought it would make a neat tray for a party...very vintagy.

I had to ask the man selling it "what exactly is a corn dryer?" Well you put water in the bottom through the hole in one corner. Then you put shelled corn on the top and put it on a stove...the boiling water heats the metal which dries the corn.

I just don't need any dried corn...and it is almost as big as my stove so that wont work. But lined with burlap it makes a perfect country tray. By adding a country ice bucket, glasses and old fashioned sodas it will give our 4th of July a vintage feel...

What are your plans for the 4th?