Summer came early for me this year as I started decorating for it in April. I’m learning that when one works as a freelance tutorial writer for magazines and home decor sites, the seasons get pretty muddled. It’s been a learning process and definitely a fun one.
My summer decorating ideas and tutorials are now available on HGTV.com.
I sold this at the Lucketts Antique Market in May.
This one was fun to figure out and would be great if you need a custom size.
This pillow is easy to make and will open up an entire world of fabrics to use on your porch, deck, patio or Lanai.
You can also read my tutorial on how to make a plastic planter look like concrete in the current issue (July 2011) of Cottages and Bungalows magazine.
Speaking of summer decor, my sponsor Janet Hopkins has a beautiful “Freedom Banner Kit” download that would be great for making some festive July 4th bunting.
Tomorrow, my boys and I are flying to Orlando, Florida to visit my parents and take a vacation while Daddy is busy with work. If you see a frazzled, possibly sobbing blonde with two little blonde boys getting off of an airplane in Orlando…yeah, that’s me. We did buy them each a new (used) Nintendo DS Lite, though, which will be my secret weapon while flying.
If you know of any great shopping spots (thrift stores, antique malls, flea markets, etc.) in the Orlando area, please let me know!
Oh, also! I am “guesting” today over at Home Stories A to Z. Beth is running a great series on How to Decorate that is definitely worth checking out!
35 Responses
Have a great time in Orlando visiting your parents! I love all your summer decorations! That shell mirror is to die for!!!
Thanks so much for the patriotic bunting directions!! I've been wanting some for several years but never could find exactly what I want. Have fun in Orlando!
Have so much fun in Orlando !!
I love all of your summer ideas too !
xoxo
Lori
Have fun in Orlando. Take some time to recharge (yeah right with two little ones!) as best you can and enjoy the time with your family.
Okay, Miss Mustard Seed, are you really two (or three) people?! How on earth do you get soooo much done! Your energy is inspirational, but I can't imagine how you find enough hours in the day to do all that you do. Just have to say, I am impressed! Not only do you get a lot done it is all fabulous! Please try to relax in Orlando — you deserve it.
Teresa
such amazing pictures! i love warm summer nights and sipping lemonade on the front porch. nothing better. i'm sure you'll have a fabulous time in florida!!
:)julie
Have an awesome vacation! Relax, read and enjoy yourself. You work so hard, you deserve this.
Susan
mt dora has great shops…and google renninger's…antiques, flea & farmers' market.
have fun!
Marian Congratulations I am so excited for you!! Not surprised though with your expertise!! I will check it out
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Come and enter my fashionable Giveaway!!
I'm checking out the faux concrete planter. Carol from: http://thepolkadotcloset.blogspot.com/ has an antique store in Orlando, you may want to see how close she is to where you are staying. I'm going to be visiting her in a few weeks when I take my daughter to UCF.
I welcome you to Florida! Hopefully our sun holds out for you, despite the past couple mornings when we've gotten some [desperately needed!] showers.
I look forward to any good finds you discover 'round these parts . . .
have a great time and try not to go through withdrawal by painting you little boys.
w.
Welcome to Orlando! have you been to the Rennigers fleamarket in Mt. Dora? Not sure how long you will be here for but once a month they have a big antique fair. You can view their website for the schedule. Other that that I don't know of any others around here. I think I saw an antique mall in WP once driving around but not sure where now, If I pass it in the next few days I'll let you know. Good luck flying alone with the boys! We just got back from our trip up north a few days ago.
Meg
Have a GREAT time in Orlando!! I always have unbelievable success in the Florida Goodwill and thrift shops when I visit my parents…unfortunately, they're tired of cramming furniture into their car when they drive home 😉
Welcome to Orlando, I have a booth in the Orange Tree Antiques Mall in Winter Park, (Right Next to Orlando) we have 93 vendors, Ask for The Polka Dot Closet Booth. We only have a couple of Antiques malls left in Orlando since the recession and we are the largest one left. Outside Orlando we have Renningers, which has extravaganzas a few times a year, but not in the summer….Are you ready for 200 degrees in the shade!!!LOL
Carol
Lady, you sure do have so many ideas swimming around in your head!!! Not sure how you do it all with two little boys!!! Amazing! I love the bunting idea and want to check it out to make for our stone house porch: my old ones are so worn out, they look like they were made when the house was built in 1850!
Anyhow, have a wonderful vacation!! You deserve it!!
All amazing! I love the concrete planter idea! Enjoy your vacation!
I LOVE that lamp! Gorgeous!
Some really great tutorials, thank you for sharing! I especially love the shell wreath, must check that out in further detail.
Have fun on your trip to Florida!
Best,
Kimberly
i have flown alone with my oldest when he was smaller, but never with the 2 of them. I wish you much luck, oh bravest mom i know!
Your table is lovely darling….and I LOVE the lemonade on the table with the mason jar glasses.
Have so much fun in Orlando. I'll be praying for safe and SANE travels.
Much Love.
Kelli@restore
Have a good time!!
And I used a shredded flag as a mantle cover…sorry ladies! But it looked great and it was in tattered condition. The new flag hangs proudly outside for all to see!
Hugs
SueAnn
Everything looks amazing as usual! Safe travels and enjoy your break you totally need and deserve it.
My daughter lives in Altamonte Springs—about 10 minutes from Orlando….Every few weeks I head down to shop. At the moment I am hooked on Winter Park–lots of great shopping plus a quaint little restaurant called The Briar Patch—its awesome. Then over in College Park (which is also right there minutes from Orlando) is a little shop called The French Nest. I LOVE it as well. Mount Dora isn't too far away and they have Renningers—-Eddie Ross has an article about it in the current issue of Southern Living. Have a safe, fabulous trip!
Love, love, love your site. 🙂
Have fun on your trip! I did a little summer makeover with an antique picnic bench come over and check it out!
I live in Mount Dora and there are a lot of antique shops and flea markets around here. Renniger's is one of the biggest and they're open every weekend.
Have a great time!
Marian,
Have a wonderful time in Orlando.Winter Park is a wonderful place to visit. Dade City has some really neat stores.(Did I just wright "neat") WOW ! Have a wonderful time.
Mary
Me again,promise I'm not stalking you. Just a thought on your counters,take a look at concrete.You can have it dyed.Black? It really looks great.
Mary
Not to be a kiss-up, but I nominated you for the Blue Ribbon Blogger Awards from Country Living magazine (as I'm sure lots of your other readers have…). Hope you win! You have a great blog and always inspire me!
I just moved from Orlando and love the French Nest on Edgewater drive (Marsha has a shop to die for, right up your alley); Halley's antique mall in Maitland off of 17-92 near Horatio (Kay is the owner. There are a few more if you would like more!! I love all your designs and am an army brat myself. Diane
Miss Mustard Seed, I used to live in Celebration {right next to Disney–have you been there? They have some great restaurants downtown} and I loved going to the Salvation Army at 105 West Vine Street in Kissimmee. It is directly 16 miles east of Disney. I recommend taking 417 E and then 17/92 S to get there a little quicker. Kissimmee downtown also had some affordable places.
Hope you enjoy your vacation. take care, Audrey
Have a safe and fun trip..
Janet
I love all your tutorials but especially the seashell mirror and twine lamp idea. Seeing the mirror almost makes me think you could use a mirror for each season–not enough space to do that but definitely a fun idea. Have fun in Florida–you definitely deserve a break!
I love the seashell mirror. Did it take you long to make it?
renningers! but i can see by other post youve already been told.
its hot down here and lately vey rainy, just lettin ya know.
LOVE the shell mirror!
have a great vacation.