I’m kicking off a new contributor gig at seven thirty three today with a tutorial for how to make gilded seashells.

Each month, I’ll be sharing a home-related tutorial on Kim’s fabulous blog, where creativity abounds. She has lots of great party ideas, free printables, kids crafts, sewing projects and so much more. She also hosts a weekly linky party exclusively for boy-related projects.

Be sure to stop by seven thirty three today for the my gilded seashell tutorial, where I actually share two techniques for transforming plain seashells into metallic beauties. I’m also sharing some ideas for decorating with seashells.

Don’t forget to link up to the new Home{work} Wednesday linky party I’m cohosting with Suzy of Worthing Court, Marty of Marty’s Musings and Barb of The Everyday Home. You can link up through Sunday, then be sure to visit our blogs again next Tuesday to see if your project made the grade. We’ll each be featuring our faves.

While you’re linking up, don’t forget to enter our party kickoff giveaway for a $100 Visa gift card.

Say the word “sale” and I’m like a hungry zombie on the hunt for his next meal.

Brains!

Bargain!

It can be a recipe for disaster. Many times, my judgment has been clouded by a good deal. And it’s not until I’m home that I realize that treasure was really trash.

But not this time.

When I spotted this buffet  before its transformation, it was wedged in an old barn with lots of junk. One leg was broken  – split almost clear through — and the others were caked in mud. One door was missing and the drawers were falling apart. It smelled like tobacco.

Oh, and the paint job, was horrible. It was a caked-on creamy color, layered over a goopy brown. To say it had been painted, though, is too generous. I’ve never seen such sloppy brush work. I’m thinking someone just dumped a can of paint over it.

Of course, I forgot to take a before photo. I must have been afraid it would have broken my camera!

But I saw something special in this piece, beyond the ridiculously cheap price tag. Like Mildred, the vintage secretary that transformed into a bombshell after a little milk paint makeover, I knew this piece of furniture could have a glorious second life.

And so, I got to work – gluing, stripping, sanding, painting, distressing and waxing.

You can read about that process here.

It took months of stops and starts, maybe because I was afraid of how much work this buffet would require.

But once I started painting, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I started with Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint in Tricycle Red first (with bonding agent added to ensure the paint would stick). Then, I followed with a layer of hemp oil, then a layer of Kitchen Scale milk paint to achieve that wonderful chippy  texture for which milk paint is famous. (You can learn more about how to use hemp oil to make milk paint chip here.)

A little distressing with a sanding block, a top coat of hemp oil, some new knobs from Hobby Lobby, and the buffet was finally finished.

We hauled it over to my booth at Golden Antiques in Summerfield, N.C., one Wednesday afternoon.

I did a little accessorizing and fluffing of my booth.

It stayed that way for a few days, long enough for the Hometalk N.C. Bloggers Meetup. Then, the very next day, I got a phone call that someone was interested in buying the buffet.

So, now I am in search of my next bargain, the next dusty, crusty, muddy, eyesore I can make over with my paintbrush.

Because where other people see junk, I see…

…brains!

The dog never ate my homework. I liked pop quizzes. I looked forward to report card day. I ruined the curve.

Yes, I was one of those kids.

Now, school is back in session, and I couldn’t be happier.

I’ve teamed up with three other teacher’s pets — I mean, bloggers! — to host a weekly linky party called Home{work} Wednesday. The party goes live every Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. EDT.

Now, it’s time for you to turn in your homework.

Link up your best home-related project here, and your post will appear automatically on all four blogs: Marty’s Musings, The Everyday Home, Worthing Court and Atta Girl Says.

Once the party closes each week, we’ll each get out our red pens and start grading projects — featuring our favorites on our blogs. We’ll also be sharing projects throughout the week on our social networking channels, including Pinterest, where we have more than 16,000 followers combined.

To kick off Home{work} Wednesday, we are giving away a $100 Visa gift card to one lucky person who links up to the party. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

Now, it’s time to turn in your homework!

Guidelines:

• Please link to a specific post on your blog, not your Blog’s URL.
• By linking up a project, you are giving the hosting blogs, listed above, the right to feature one or more of your photos on any of our blogs or social media outlets.
• No more than three projects, please.
• Take a few minutes to be inspired by the other links joining Home{work} Wednesday.
• If you are pinning a feature, please click through to the original source to give proper credit.

We would love for you to link back to at least ONE of the host blogs. You are welcome to use the party button above.

Please follow your party hosts on Facebook, Pinterest,Twitter and Google+  so you don’t miss a single featured project.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What happens when you bring 23 like-minded women together for a day of food, friendship and shopping?

Lots of fun, laughter, fellowship and crazy hats!

Home decor bloggers and readers came from across North Carolina to participate in the first-ever Hometalk N.C. Bloggers Meetup, From Downtown to Downton, held in Greensboro on May 11.

And we had a blast!

We started our day at The Farmer’s Wife, an antique store in downtown Greensboro, for breakfast and an hour of private shopping. (I can’t wait to share what I bought!)

Kirby of Kirb Appeal and Shirley of Housepitality Designs fuel up for our marathon shopping trip.

From there, we headed to Thrill of the Hunt for more shopping. Some ladies, including my event-planning partner in crime Suzy of Worthing Court, showed off their creativity and painted pretty floral canvases, a Pinterest-inspired project.

Then, we spent a couple of hours roaming the streets of downtown Greensboro, checking out the junk and treasures.

I’m surprised there were any old ceiling tins left at Mary’s Antiques after our group of upcyclers and repurposers was finished.

Next stop, Summerhouse for more shopping, eye candy and inspiration. There were lots of photos snapped (like Suzy taking a photo of me taking a picture of her) and lots of chatting. Wonder what Marty from Marty’s Musings and Kristen of Sophia’s are chatting about? One lucky lady even won a door prize from the store.

We also stopped by Rustic Romance, Me & E and other shops in Irving Park Plaza before heading to Golden Antiques & Treasures (where I have my booth and where I forgot to take any photos!) I’m hoping others who were at the event will share their favorite Golden moments on their blogs.

At Total Bliss, shop owner Nancy served us wine spritzers and virgin sangria.

Wonder which ones these ladies chose?

After we’d emptied our wallets, we headed to Deer Cottage, my friend’s lovely home, for a private Downton Abbey-inspired tea party.

Kathryn, Sarah of Create Studio and Allison donned hats worthy of the royal princesses.

Suzy and I dressed up as characters from Downtown Abbey and performed a little skit. Did you know Edith is starting a blog? Her granny, the Dowager, does not approve.

In fact, the Dowager thought Edith was interviewing for a new ladies maid when she saw the group assembled on the patio of Deer Cottage. But Edith told her granny that she’d met all these women on the Internet. The Dowager was worried they might pocket the spoons.

Holly of Storywood Designs and Danielle of 2 Little Superheroes had front-row seats for the Oscar-worthy performance. And there may soon be a video of said performance floating around YouTube soon.

What do you know, there’s the video. A few minutes of it, at least, all Holly could capture before he phone battery went kaput!

Robin created a beautiful tablescape for our event, and the food was fabulous. Even the Dowager approved! (If you interested in holding an event at Deer Cottage, please visit Robin’s website. Deer Cottage is her family’s home, so she only does a limited number of parties and teas.)

I think we need to go back to the days when women wore fancy hats. Even when you look ridiculous in a hat (and I’m talking about myself here), you still look stylish.

Speaking of hats, we gave Robin and two of her helpers the difficult task of picking the best hat. Patty of Always Something won the grand prize (and a trophy) for the fascinator she made herself.

There were door prizes, too. Danielle won this Union Jack Pillow, generously donated to us by Jill of Sew a Fine Seam. We also gave away a subscription to Our State magazine, a Downton Abbey script book and a tea set, courtesy of Deer Cottage.

In fact, no one left our event empty-handed.

These swag bags, donated by our sponsor Hometalk, were filled to the brim with goodies: Fish Foam, FrogTape, cute gift bags from Total Bliss, tea from TeaHugger, magazines from Our State,  grits from the Old Mill of Guilford, lemon-infused sugar cubes from Worthing Court and homemade tea soap and tea cup charms from Atta Girl Says.

I must say that this event was so worth all the time and effort Suzy and I put into it over the past few months. I had a grand time, stepped out of my comfort zone big time during that skit, and I connected in real life with some lovely North Carolina bloggers and readers, many of whom I’d never met before. I can’t wait to hang out with them again.

Hats off to all my North Carolina blogging friends, new and old?

Linking up to Creatively Tuesday at The Rustic Pig and Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style.

Looking for a different way to celebrate Mother’s Day?

Why not invite your mom — or your friends who are moms — over for a casual outdoor garden party?

The whole idea is to give the moms in your life (and maybe that includes you) the gift of relaxation.

In my live Google+ hangout last week, sponsored by DecoArt, I explained how easily you can throw together a party to honor mom.

If you missed the hangout, watch the replay here, then read on for some simple crafts, recipes and favors you can make for your own Mother’s Day Garden Party.

I was able to create a pretty, yet simple, table for my garden party using mismatched china, pretty cloth napkins, metal chargers and faux Italian tile outdoor coasters, which I handpainted using DecoArt’s weather-resistant Patio Paint. This stuff is fabulous. It can be used on metal, wood, concrete, terracotta and so many other surfaces.

I found some images of Italian glass tile and used them as inspiration.

Then I painted my coasters on square and round wooden plaques from the craft stores.

I tried a variety of different techniques to create my coasters. I stenciled some, added a monogram to one, and freehand painted others.

I wanted these to look handmade and handpainted, like real tiles.

Some of my fellow Crafty Hangouts bloggers used DecoArt paints and markets to create some other decorative items that I think would be perfect for a Mother’s Day Garden party. (If you want to pin any of these great ideas, please click over to their blogs and pin from the original source.)

Like these Chalkboard Label Bottles from Leslie at House on the Way. She used them as vases.

Jessica from Mom4Real used Mason jars, stencils and Patio Paint to create hanging votive jar lanterns.

Here’s another great decor idea, something you can hang in your trees for your garden party and beyond. Flower pot windchimes, crafted by Rhonda of Mrs. Greene.

Shannon, from Madigan Made, used her Patio Paint to make Blooming Flower Pot Gift Card Holders. I think these would make great party favors.

Speaking of party favors, I’d party guests would love a bar of this homemade rosemary citrus goat’s milk soap. My pal Barb shares the recipe at her blog, The Everyday Home.

My scrap fabric rolled flower flip-flops would make a great party Mother’s Day gift and party favor, too.

There’s no need for a fancy menu at your Mother’s Day garden party. Just whip up a few tasty finger foods and girly drinks.

You can’t go wrong with pimento cheese. You can go fancy and serve a gourmet three-cheese pimento cheese…

…or simple and serve Southern style pimento cheese.

These white chocolate and cranberry muffins are delightfully delicious.

For a beverage, I recommend my homemade Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade copycat recipe.

If you take your tea sweet, why not add some lemon-infused sugar cubes, which you can make yourself using this recipe from my friend, Suzy, of Worthing Court.

I’m in crazy-busy mode getting reading for Saturday’s Hometalk N.C. Bloggers Meetup, From Downtown to Downton.

But my co-host, Suzy of the blog Worthing Court, definitely wanted to give a big shoutout to all the companies that are sponsoring this event and providing swag and prizes for the participants.

Thank you to Hometalk, which is providing our swag bags for the event — plus lots of guidance as we’ve been planning things.

If you’re not familiar with Hometalk, then you definitely have to check the site out for great inspiration and answers to your home and garden related-questions. Hometalk is a site where homeowners, renters, bloggers and home professionals share tips and projects. Hometalk is the best kind of social network because there’s a great give-and-take among the members. It’s a place to share your projects, get inspiration, and ask questions, like “What color should I paint this?”

Special thanks to fellow blogger Jill of Sew of Fine Seam who created a custom Union Jack pillow specifically for our event. And one lucky ticketholder will win it!

Fish Foam, my favorite window and mirror cleaner, is one of our swag bag sponsors.

So is FrogTape. (As a painter, I love this stuff!)

At our tea party, we are pleased to be serving tea from TeaHugger, a local company. And they’ve also kindly created a little gift for all our participants.

Speaking of gifts, you’ll also have something to unwrap from Total Bliss, one of the shops we’ll be visiting on our shopping tour.

Our pal Barb, from the blog The Everyday Home, is bringing goodies from her online shop, Farmhouse Decor.

Our State, the magazine of North Carolina, is a sponsor, too!

We also can’t forget about The Farmer’s Wife, which is opening early for our group and hosting our breakfast, so we will be fueled for a fully day of shopping.

Or Robin at Deer Cottage, who is opening her home to us and hosting the wonderful Downton Abbey-inspired tea party at the end of our shopping day.

Downtown Greensboro and the Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau have also been supportive.

And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the great shops that are hosting our group, including Thrill of the Hunt, Summerhouse, Me & E, Coco Larose, Rustic Romance, Golden Antiques & Treasures and Total Bliss.

If you don’t have a ticket yet for our event, there’s still time — but only just a bit.

We’re closing ticket sales today.

To purchase a ticket for the Hometalk N.C. Bloggers Meetup, From Downtown to Downton, visit our Eventbrite page or use the widget below. Space is VERY  limited at this point.

What’s not to love about a place called Thrill of the Hunt?

Located in downtown Greensboro, N.C., Thrill of the Hunt is an artist’s co-op that carries funky antiques, painted furniture, garden and patio decor, upcycled art, frames and mats, and handmade & vintage jewelry with a focus on quirky vintage finds, repurposed items and gently used unusual decorative pieces.

It’s also one of the stops for our upcoming Hometalk N.C. Bloggers Meetup, From Downtown to Downton, happening this Saturday, May 11, in Greensboro, N.C.

Carol Poling opened Thrill of the Hunt 10 years ago after leaving the corporate world following a bout with cancer. She’s been feeding her creativity ever since. She has created a place where other upcycle artists can sell their wares and where customers can find great finished pieces or salvage for their own upcycle projects.

We will be stopping by Thrill of the Hunt first thing Saturday morning, after we have breakfast and shop at the Farmer’s Wife, to kick of our day of thrift and antique shopping with our group of N.C.-based home decor bloggers and readers.

In fact, Carol and her team, have a little upcycling project planned for our group. For a nominal charge, you’ll be able to create a handstamped canvas, using bottles and other unique objects, to paint flowers. I promise you it will be very cool — well worth $10 for original art created by you!

Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to shop Thrill of the Hunt after we do our hands-on project.

Be sure to poke around in the back room in the workshop space where you’ll find great found objects for your own upcycle projects.

And cool architectural salvage, too.

Thrill of the Hunt also carries gorgeous handpainted furniture to suit any style.

This handpainted willow stool is a favorite of mine.

And I love this coffee table Carol created from an old door and two wrought iron window grates.

Raise your hand if  you’re ready to go shopping at Thrill of the Hunt!

If you join us on Saturday, you’ll get the VIP treatment, for sure.

Stay tuned for more this week on Atta Girl Says and Worthing Court about the Hometalk N.C. Bloggers Meetup, From Downtown to Downton. If you’ve already purchased a ticket for the event, you will be receiving an email this week with a full itinerary and directions and addresses for all the stops on our shopping tour.

Be sure to check out our posts about other stops on the tour, including Summerhouse, Total Bliss and Deer Cottage.

And if you haven’t bought your ticket, what are you waiting for?

We’re very close to selling out the event, which runs all day May 11, but there are a few spots left. You can purchase your ticket below or through Eventbrite.

Feeling a little deja vu?

I was all set to go live on Google+ for this hangout last week when I got a call that I needed to pick my son up early from school.

So, I had to postpone the live Mother’s Day Hangout on Air. But barring any last-minute mothering emergencies, I’ll be live today at 2 p.m. EDT sharing garden party gift ideas for Mother’s Day, featuring products from DecoArt.

Most of the other crafters did their hangouts last week, and you can view all their great ideas and demos online at Crafty Hangouts.

My friend, Jessica, at Mom4Real has a hangout scheduled today, as well. She’ll be sharing more Mother’s Day crafting ideas at 1 p.m. EDT.

We’re showcasing DecoArt’s fabulous glass paint markers, patio paint and glass chalkboard paint. You can view all of the crafting demos at Crafty Hangouts, where you can watch live or catch the replay.

You can tune into my live hangout on Google+ or at Crafty Hangouts.

Watch the hangout here:

Just nine more days until the big Hometalk N.C. Bloggers Meetup, From Downtown to Downton.

I am so ready to go shopping and to meet some wonderful North Carolina-based home decor bloggers and readers. Suzy and I have planned a fabulous itinerary, if I do say so myself. We’ve rounded up some great swag and prizes, and we even have a few surprises planned.

Won’t you join us?

Today, I want to take you on a tour of one Total Bliss, one of of the wonderful shops we’ll be visiting during our meetup.

Total Bliss in Summerfield, N.C., is just a few minutes from my house, which is a very dangerous thing.

There are so many gorgeous things to buy and to be inspired by.

Total Bliss is a collection of beautiful home accessories, custom silk florals, unique gifts, and endless ideas for making your home relaxing, functional and beautiful. Owners Nancy and Tom McKee have created such an inviting and welcoming place, an attitude that’s expressed as much by their friendly manners as by the ambience they’ve created in the store. I usually spend as much time chatting as I do shopping whenever I visit Total Bliss.

Nancy  has been in the retail business for nine years, and before that she had a 14-year career in furniture design. Nancy, who studied furniture marketing and interior design at High Point University, is also a talented floral designer. Her wreaths and arrangements are amazing. (And you know how much I love wreaths!)

 I think Nancy must share my love for birds. I always find little birdies and nests that I must have.

The gals (and guy — can’t forget Nancy’s hubby Tom) at Total Bliss share our bloggers’ passion for all things vintage and upcycled.

I love that old wooden sign, and I can’t wait to see the after of this settee. Is that burlap I spy draped over the seat?

Total Bliss is the local stockist for Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, and my sources tell me that the talented MJ Taylor, Total Bliss’s chalk paint goddess extraordinaire, has a painting demo planned for our event.

Here’s Nancy & MJ at holiday open house at Total Bliss.

I promise you’ll find lots of painted furniture inspiration at Total Bliss, and you may find a piece that you have to take home with you. (I’m sitting on a Total Bliss purchase right now — a gorgeous French chair with a caned back.)

I dare you to resist the wonderful scented candles at Total Bliss.

I have a trio of these hyacinth-scented ones in my house, and they fill my room with the fragrance of spring — even when they’re not lit. When the seasons change, I always stop by Nancy’s store to buy new seasonal candles. Pumpkin Giving for fall is my favorite scent. I stockpile those candles!

Since she is a floral designer, Nancy always stocks the most beautiful faux florals and ribbons in her shop. (A trip to Total Bliss at Christmas is very dangerous — and glittery.)

I have it on good authority that Nancy will have some pretty florals and ribbons available to anyone who is participating in our Downton Abbey hat contest, to be held at the private tea party culminating our event.

I really hope you’ll be able to join Suzy and me at the N.C. Bloggers Meetup event. We’re very close to selling out the event, which runs all day May 11, but there are a few spots left. You can purchase your ticket below or through Eventbrite.

I hope you enjoyed the first part of the tour of the Adamsleigh mansion in the Sedgefield neighborhood in Greensboro, N.C.

The house was truly amazing — everything from the architecture to the decor was stunning.

The Greensboro Junior League, Traditional Home magazine and the designers they chose for the project really transformed the house because it had been vacant for years and had not been updated. A few years ago, a friend of mine who works in the furniture business scouted the house as a possible photo shoot location, and he told me he cannot believe the transformation — from ramshackle ruin to showhouse.

Today, we’re touring the house’s second story, mostly bedrooms and bathrooms and private quarters of the owners and their guests.

I was quite taken by the daughter’s bedroom, designed by Greensboro’s Kara Cox Interiors.

I loved all the feminine touches in the room, and I’m even working on a craft project that was inspired by some artwork in the room.

Wouldn’t it have been fun to be a flapper? (I now must go see The Great Gatsby; I’m so taken by the style of the period.)

The owner’s sitting room, designed by Lisa Kahn-Allen of Kahn Design Group, was another highlight of the showhouse. I love all the luxurious touches in this room.

The artwork was beautiful, and I love the sconces and candlesticks, too, though I was tempted to straighten that wall shelf on the left.

I believe this was the hers dressing room; my notes aren’t clear. I thought the his bedroom was more feminine than the hers, but both were pretty.

What do you think of this bathroom?

I think I definitely need to get me some French opera glasses.

I wouldn’t turn down an invitation to stay at Adamsleigh.

Luxurious accommodations and a sink full of Veuve Clicquot. I would never leave!

This opulent guest bedroom reminded my friend, Barb from The Everyday Home, of her trips to England, and it stole her heart.

While I’ve shown you a lot of photos from Adamsleigh today and last week, there are several rooms that I didn’t photograph.

Be sure to check out my blogging friends’ sites, as they will also be sharing photos from their tour of Adamsleigh: Worthing Court; Savvy Southern Style, Sophia’s, Southern Hospitality, The Everyday Home and Housepitality Designs.