Just 5 days after my last post about our sprouting vines...we have baby clumps of soon-to-be grapes!! It was such a great sight to come home after researching Juice bottling instructions all day and see these little guys poking out of the vines. Check it out!! 3 months to go before I juice and bottle some sweet, organic concord grape juice!

I think it's time to get started on the labels...

The vines are growing!

Inspired by a friends amazing backyard vineyard adventure blog,  I thought I would share the beginning stages of our grape vine progress!

Spring came and the vines have started sprouting like crazy!! Come August we'll be harvesting and making organic grape jam...

I can't wait for that crazy adventure...Jen, if you're reading this, I think your house has some inspiring creative spirit that you've left behind and it's infectious!

Check out these other inspiring blogs mentioned in this post! 

Willow Vines backyard vineyard, nestled in the heart of Orange County!

Divine finds in western NC - a blog about fresh, organic, free-range, artisan and small scale western NC local producers.

Apple Crate Bookshelves

So here's the scenario...
((dream sequence begin))
Imagine designers running to and fro, multiple trips to home depot for PVC piping and metallic silver spray paint, epoxy gel mishaps, giant silver glitter ornaments hanging from mannequin arms, and over 40 genuine apple crates shipped directly from a little apple orchard in Vermont.

Then comes the news... "Holiday Concept is cancelled."
((dream sequence fade out))

I know...it's heart breaking right!? All that hard work and stress for nothing...
So, after a long run of scheduling snafus at work, my team was left with over 40 apple crates that had no where to go! Now what type of a person would I be if I didn't do my best to find at least a few of these little guys a good, loving home? So, without further ado...meet the newest additions to our family!

With a quick run to our local Ace Hardware store and only a few dollars spent on 3-1/2"x1-3/8" Wide Mending Braces...6 unfinished wooden apple crates became a great bookshelf addition to our flourishing guest room. In total it took about 20 minutes to build. Not bad! Check it out..

It's so amazing to me what you can do when you turn a problem into an opportunity!

DIY Vintage Fabric Bulletin Board

Starting with an old picture frame found in our garage (20"x16")

This is where the idea for a bulletin board began!

After discarding the glass and cardboard, I washed and lightly sanded the frame before painting.

I purchased this vintage dress from American Vintage for just $5 at the Rose Bowl Mart

For just $2 dollars I purchased and had cut to size, at Home Depot, a white board...similar to dry wall. 

You can use cork board or anything firm, yet soft enough to pin.

These little guys were found at the same vintage mart for just $4. The woman selling them said that she purchased them in Paris 25 years ago! 

They add a simplistic, sweet touch with a simple hot glue gun. I also sewed on a pocket cut from the same dress to hold pens and other loose items you don't want going missing!

Set your custom fabric bulletin board with your freshly painted frame, secure in place with a staple gun,

and hang in your office or kitchen for an organized,  revived interior!

The great thing about this project is most of the supplies can be pulled out of your closet, garage, and near by art or hardware store. It is inexpensive and easy for anyone to do! Remember, if you don't have a large enough frame laying around your garage, check your near by Goodwill store where you can score a great frame to refurbish for under $6 bucks! And don't forget about your friendly neighbors either...so many of my frames come from local garage sales for just $1.

The same goes for the fabric. Old blankets, dresses, and trims can be found all over the house and add sentimental value and personal touch to your already existing decor.

Here we go...

After much deliberation, procrastination and mighty triumph...I have finally found my inner child and channeled her mighty creativity toward something constructive and rewarding! In recent months I have become increasingly fascinated with the simple pleasures of vintage mart shopping, garage sale browsing and Goodwill hunting.

I suppose this can be credited to a move from a tiny 1 bedroom apartment to a large 3 bedroom house...which has left me with many blank walls and open floor space! I am so grateful to finally have the room to work and be free to create. The day Etsy.com and I were introduced...was the day I became a doer and not simply a starter (aka non-finisher). Stick around for the soon-to-be-launched Splendid Living etsy store!

That being said...I'm here to share with friends and family, inspire others and hopefully contribute ideas to your own DIY home decor!