Tuesday's Task

Our apologies for not getting anything posted yesterday. We were busy "purging" out "stuff" at our house. By the time we were finished for the night, the blogs had to go undone. Today we are reposting a shortened version of Decorating on the "Cheep" from the previous Fabulous Friday. Some of the easiest and most economical decorating for Spring is provided by our feathered friends, the birds. Discoveries produced by a later winter/early spring walk help us create an atmosphere of timeless elegance within our homes. The exercise can't hurt us either. While strolling through the yard, be on the lookout for abandoned nests from last season. Feathers can also be used as accents here and there so gather them as well. After returning from the walk, place the nests and feathers in a plastic bag, one of those many, many plastic bags that accumulate will be perfect for this. Place the bag in the freezer for at least two weeks. Freezing the nests and feathers will eliminate any pests that may be hiding inside. Once the natural treasures have gotten the cold treatment, they can be placed anywhere a little touch of spring is needed. They can also be embellished in any way desired. What a treat for the eyes to spy a nest peeking out of the branches of a houseplant. When placed atop a cake pedestal and covered with a clear dome, the humble bird's nest takes on a simple elegance. Not only does the nest provide us with springtime embellishments for our home, but eggs do too. Whether you pick up a 25 cent package of very real looking artificial eggs or blow out eggs from the grocery store, nothing says spring quite like an egg. One hint to remember if blowing the inside of the egg out is to make sure that you rinse/wash out the inside of the remaining shell well. Otherwise a most unpleasant odor can occur. If the pastel colors of spring beckon, try coloring the egg before blowing it out. Food coloring can be used and most boxes have the recipe on the back. To achieve a more natural look, try dying white eggs in tea or coffee. The speckles that occur in some eggs can be achieved by spattering a dyed egg with a toothbrush dipped in furniture stain. A wire basket of eggs sitting in just the right place might be almost perfect. Another inexpensive decoration that shouts: "Spring is here!" is grass. Yes, grass, real live growing grass. This is so much fun, yet it can also be very contemporary and uptown. It all depends on the style of container chosen to grow the grass in. Choose a container, line it with plastic, place large pebbles in the bottom, top with potting soil, sprinkle on the grass seeds, and lightly water. In a few days grass will be seen peeking out. How cute would some eggs look hiding in the grass? The grass is living so it will require some watering and may need an occasional trim. Once the grass has outgrown its container, it can be transplanted outside. Children love helping with this project, especially the trimming part. All of the ideas contained in this post are just jumping off points for your own imagination and creativity. No one else knows the individual style of your home as well as you. The reason that we love these ideas so much is because they are some of the most versatile we have found. Anyone can take these ideas and adapt them to fit their own situation and space. For instance, a primitive wooden cheese box of grass would be right at home in a country kitchen. Take that same grass idea, use a sleek, contemporary metal container and presto! an entirely different look for the same idea. Maybe you don't have the room or longing for more "things to sit around". Springtime decorating is still an option. Raid your stash of picture frames. You do have a stash, don't you? Find some patterned paper or fabric that you enjoy and adhere some feathers to it. Slip the paper/fabric into the frame for almost instant artwork. Another picture option would be to create a silhouette of a springtime object on a solid paper that complements the background paper/fabric. Adhere the silhouette to the background and then slip inside the frame of choice. Or...when you are out scavenging through garage sales and second hand shops, keep an eye out for older bird books. Often these books will contain pictures of birds or plants that are very nice. After making sure the book isn't a rare edition, gently remove the chosen pictures using a straightedge and craft knife. Inserted in a frame, these book pages create beautiful art. A feather inserted along the side or bottom between the matting and glass provide an added bit of texture and interest as well. The cozy, snuggly days of winter have almost passed. Spring's crisp, freshness is about to waft its way here. Let's allow some of that freshness to sweep through our homes. Spreading the newness of spring throughout our spaces will help waken our senses from their winter slumber. Having our senses refreshed, we will be more prepared for summer's warmth and work. Springs colors will remind us of the flowers that will soon grow and open. I can almost smell their aroma. Can you? Until tomorrow...Blessed Mama