A unique dried flower/shutter centerpiece with shutter linkup!

 When my mom passed away a year ago, Marian aka Miss Mustard Seed and her lovely mom Kim sent me this gorgeous bouquet of roses.

Right before the roses bit the dust, I hung them upside down to preserve them and enjoyed them in this very spot for a long long time.

(how I preserve real flowers is HERE)

However, over time, they started to just get tired, so I took them down.  I placed them on my bedroom TV top instead.

And then they just got dusty and I felt perhaps it was the end of their time.

But their dried appearance stopped me. They really were still gorgeous in their own right. The roses took on a paper crepe texture, wearing the loveliest weathered hue and the leaves were beautifully shaped. So, I tried them out with a new look instead.

Remember the cute $5 mini shutter I found during my birthday junkin' day?

How sweet is this?

The shutter is just the cutest thing ever and created a perfect base/tray for this centerpiece.

Check out the faded charm to these rosebuds. So many soft blended tones!

The leaves are truly amazing. 

They are in perfect shape, super thick and held onto the most graceful curves.

The cute enamel jug is from my recent trip to Ikea. 

I meant to take a hammer to it to bang off some paint... maybe I still will. :)

Here is a bit more layering with a touch of galvanized metal. 

(I'm told it's a pizza pan!)

But I think I prefer it just like this the best.

Marian and Kim, I still love my flowers. Maybe even more now! 

Wonder what's next for them? :)





I'm linking this up to SNS's themed shutter linkup.  Have you checked it out lately? Just for fun, here's the shutter portion again. If you have any new shutter project to add, please do!

 
And be sure to check the master list from time to time to see what else you can add to the vault. :)
(themed linkup button is located on the sidebar)

SNS #53 brings you - shutters!

Update: Signs will be next weekend's themed link!

Welcome to Saturday Nite Special #53, the shutter edition!

If you're new here, join in! There are three categories to link to. Home Decor as well as Crafts, Sewing, Recipes, plus the 3rd themed link up. Check below for this weekend's theme.

Party starts Fri night and ends Sunday 11pm pacific, so you have all weekend to join!

I LOVE to highlight inspiring posts during the event on the sidebar, so make sure you check in several times over the weekend. You may be next. :)

~ This weekend's themed link up ~

shutters

What is it about vintage shutters us die-hard decorators love so much? I think it's not only a reflection of a different time, but also the simple graphic lines. Shutters just make very cool backdrops!

 My current favorite shutter placement in my own home is the one that resides behind my stove, against the board and batten backsplash. The added detail draws your eye into the center of this work station, blending right in with all the other woodsy whites.

 You've seen my kitchen windows before. The shutter in the one window is just... fun!

This idea isn't new, but it's cool all the same. Push the use of a shutter abit more by making it productive. It's the perfect little note holder accessory located beside the telephone.

 

How I did it:

Here's a really easy and changeable way to achieve this. I simply backed the shutter with a removable tape. I'd suggest a low tack shelf paper. I personally used what's called premask, the material you apply over cut decals. (found at sign shops) Change your mind? Just rip it off and redecorate!

Let's talk shutters. What draws you in about them?

The 3rd themed linkup is waiting for your own creative input!

~ SNS blah blah linkup rules ~

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1. Please link up your intended post, NOT your blog homepage url. (post, then click the title of your post, cut and paste that url) If your post has been deleted, please try again.

2. Please put a link in your post (button or text) that leads back to the party so others can see what's up!

 3. This party is geared for DIY type projects we can all attempt to make ourselves. Items for sale may be linked up IF your entry is posted on your blog and in tutorial style.

4. For Home Decor and Crafts, Sewing, Cooking, please link projects up that are new to SNS and within 1 month old.  This helps keep content fresh! The 3rd weekly themed link may have older posts and not brand new to SNS.

If you can't decide which category to enter yours in, please just pick ONE and go with it. It's all good!

Shutter Love

Last year I found an old shutter while doing a dumpster drive-by. Even though I had no clue what I would do with a tall, lone, beat-up shutter, I threw it in the garage until inspiration hit. Then it happened! I pulled out my trash find, cleaned, spray painted, and sanded until it had the perfect worn patina.
I added a knob where one was missing. I grabbed clips from my office supplies. And I began to hang and clip fun items onto the slats. Now I have the perfect memo/photo board for our guest room.

One Mantle Makeover

It's time for

another mantle makeover!I used many of the same elements I used on my Easter mantle---
faux flowers, electric candles, moss and shutters.
I added a mirror to reflect the light of the chandelier
and resemble a window between the shutters.
I like the feel of looking at
a window of spring from the inside.

I'm linking to Nester's mantle party.

How to build your own barnwood shutter

This is a really great solution if you have a little window that needs some extra love and you don't desire your traditional window treatments.

1. Trek off to your backyard wood pile.

Please tell me you have one of these. They are musts! I collect old fence boards, shake shingles etc. Just remember to remove the nails before storing it for safety's sake. This, my friends, is called STOCK.

2. Select the lucky chosen dream boards.
 
These are old fencing boards that I got from a neighbor out of their own backyard wood pile.


TIP: This wood is notched with tongue and groove so they can scooch up nice and tight.


3. Mark the measurement you desire on your wood.

Measure your window from top to bottom including your moldings, and also figure out a good width.



4. Just cut it.




5. Attach your Z on top of your base.
 
a) Look for more wood to create your Z frame. Start with a small piece that runs across the top. Screw it in. I like how that cross piece has a stamped word. Incorporating oddities like that simply makes your little shutter all the more uniquely yours.


b) Under that first cross piece, lay out your next piece on an angle. Loosely position your bottom cross piece but don't attach yet. Mark the angle for your angled piece and cut, upper and lower. Note how I figure out angles. No fancy whatevers here. Ruler on top, draw, done.


c) Attach the angle first, THEN your last piece so the fit is perfect.


6. Screw your cute little rustic shutter to the wall.
 
My cheat sheet method? I used really long screws, and when I screwed the shutter components together, I didn't go all the way. So once I held the shutter against the wall, I simply continued and screwed them right into the wall. No extra screws to litter up my lovely wood with! Add hardware too if you have it. I just had a little hook on hand but you can bet I'll be searching for more!



TIP: When I cut the wood to size, I ensured the cut pieces were on top so I could hold onto that natural wear right where you'll see it. And now the fun part...

Decorate!

What was once a poor sad lonely little window at the far end of a room...

.... now wears loads of charcter and rustic charm.

UPDATE!

I found some old fabulous hardware!

Perfect.

Have you done anything out of the norm for a window treatment? 

I'd love to hear about it!