gallery wall complete and with a story

I could have done my gallery wall with just pics of my kids, but I already have pictures of my them in pretty much every room. :) Nate Berkus always says to have your house tell your story. I actually have always thought that as well. I mean, not in those exact words, but I have always thought your home should be a reflection of who you are and your personality. So, here we go..... Each frame is from a flea market or thrift store, excluding the bottom right one. I already had that one. This first pic I found was in my parents basement. When my grandfather was superintendant at the Naval Academy, this was the Navy football team and they presented him this photo. Actually, former quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, Roger Staubach is number 12 in this photo. It was just sitting in the basement along with a million other pictures of my grandparents. I asked my dad if I could have it because it seems silly that these amazing pictures are just sitting in a stack where no one can enjoy them. I bought the frame at a antique store for hardly anything and I spray painted it white. Then of course there is my "G" to represent our last name. :)

Here is our little family. It's my favorite family picture so far and it just had to be hung.

My husband and I have a heart for the children along the amazon in Brazil. He and I both have gone on seperate trips and I am going again in June. I cannot wait. When my husband, Brad was there this past January, he absolutely adored these 2 little ones. As soon as he got home, he told me all about them and how he wanted to pack them in his suitcase and take them home with him. I printed out this picture to remind brad of these two and the amazing trip that he had. The frame was $6 at my local thrift store and I painted it a dark gray. I mean, really, can these little guys be any cuter?

An old picture of my grandmother. Beautiful. I love looking at it.

Here is the final wall. The bottom left is one of my parent's wedding pictures. Although, I think I may have to switch that frame out for something a little bigger. I'm not feeling it. Where that pic is, I think it needs to be something round or a bigger rectangle frame. We'll see. So, all I need is a few pics of my husband's side of the family and we'll be good. (mother in law......hint hint. I need pics!)

Itchin' To Get Outside

Here I go again wishin' for spring again. LOL

It's cold outside. Sigh...

I got many outside projects planned for this year. Our yard, deck and house need a little sprucing up. So I'm eagerly waiting for the warmer weather to stay so I can tackle my to-do list.

In the meantime, here's some wonderful outdoor eye candy that I can enjoy.

Source: Country Living

On my list is to add black shutters our front windows. Love this window box. I have a perfect window to do this to. Now if I can only keep the flowers alive...I have a terrible green thumb.

Adding more seating areas pretty like this is a must also!

Finding thrifty/rusty finds to decorate the outdoors is also on my list. Love this chair.

Our deck needs repainting. I'm thinking a white or light blue/gray color for the floor.

Total dream land space for my yard but still loved this photo!

Other things on my list:

Spring clean our landscaping with cutting down bushes and ornamental grasses

Paint trim on house

Freshen up outdoor decor with paint

Power wash house

Fix up dead patches of grass

Fertilize

Weed prevent our landscaping

Patch and paint retaining wall

Paint front and side doors

Oh and so much more...

Who wants to come over to help? I'll provide some yummy food and drinks!

What do you have on your sprucing up the outdoor list this year?

Fabulous Felting!

We really are very lucky to have such a talented bunch of creative Halfpenny Home friends, one of whom is Rachel, who has agreed to do some felting workshops at the studio over the coming months. Rachel brought in some of her work to show us and we were so taken with it we thought we should share it with you!

I particularly love the felted flowers, including this beautiful poppy, which can't fail to cheer up even the dullest day!

These colourful felted mats are just gorgeous and are what Rachel will be teaching at her first workshop at Halfpenny Home.

I love the pretty spring colours in this one.

On subsequent workshops Rachel will be showing us how to make one of these beautiful felted lariats.

This lily lariat is my absolute favourite and Rachel has even embellished it with pretty little bronze seed beads.

And what better way to keep your teapot nice and toasty!

Don't need much excuse for a cuppa! Now I just have one more reason......

As luck would have it, the new issue of Oh Comely has recently arrived - perfect to go with that cuppa!

I'll be putting the latest copy of Oh Comely on the website over the next few days. Meanwhile, I had to share with you a shot of the back cover, which I think is just lovely!

Do get in touch if you'd like further details of Rachel's felting classes at Halfpenny Home. The first one is on 30th April and you need to do the first one before moving onto the other projects.

Jacqui x