Wildcard Wednesday: Where Do I Store It All? Part 3

They last two Wednesday I shared where I hide store all of my dishes & linens.
{If you missed those posts, be sure to click here & here to see my dish-addiction collection.}

But now on to my third & final week of "Where Do I Store It All?"

You've seen my dishes & linens, but I haven't shown you where I keep those extra tablescape accessories.......you know, candles, vases, trays, etc.  So I'll show you a couple hiding places.

First, let's head back to the bathroom.  If you remember, last week I shared that the top shelf holds extra crystal & glass, as well as some china that once belonged to my grandma.  Well, the 2nd shelf holds a few goodies, too.


Cupcake holders, tiered holders {taken apart if possible to take up less space}, & a few tall candleholders fill the right side........

{It's hard to stack a "broken down" cupcake holder, so it looks a little messy!}

........while a few more lanterns & a stack of trays occupies the left.

Here's a look at the trays behind.

And just to prove this is really in the bathroom, here's a little shot that shows those towels on the 3rd shelf.

Okay, now on to the utility, where I'm lucky to have this row of cabinets......


Just for fun, here's a look at the decor above the cabinets.

I had planned on straightening the cabinets up a bit & adding some labels, but a crazy week, combined with not feeling well, changed those plans a little.  So here it is.....

As you can tell, the top shelf of the 2 left cabinets is filled with candles, while the 2nd shelf holds vases & a few medium size candle holders.
{Looks like those vases need a good cleaning!}

The basket on the 2nd shelf holds all of my bud vases......you might remember seeing those silver ones & the colorful bird ones in previous posts.

The bottom shelf has three baskets........two are filled with votive & tealight holders, while the smaller basket in the middle holds actual votive & tealight candles.

The cabinet on the far right houses a few more candles & candleholders on the top shelf & my jar candles on the bottom.

And because my husband thinks batteries & light bulbs are important for some reason :), I left a little room for those, too.  {The larger basket contains light bulbs, while the smaller holds the batteries. Obviously the light bulbs are overflowing, as you can see a few "outside" of the basket.}
 

As far as the rest of my seasonal & centerpiece decor, tub after tub fills our large attic.  {Sorry, you're not going to get a pic today.....maybe someday.}  My husband even put down some carpet so that I could comfortably sit as I "search  my tubs." 

But just to give you a visual, about 4-5 spring/summer tubs {holding garden, beach, & patriotic decor, as well as greenery}, about 3-4 fall tubs {holding faux pumpkins, gourds, acorns, & more greenery}, and more than 25 Christmas tubs - no that's not a typo - {holding ornaments, trees, & other decor} line the attic.  That doesn't include a tub of my collection of Lolita goblets, some metal beverage tubs & buckets, keepsake items, & old tax papers!  Let's just say that sometimes I'm worried that the attic floor is gonna cave..........but I am so thankful for the space!

Oh & one more little hiding space for today......remember that table in the entry way?

Well, there's a "secret" compartment.

 It holds several salad serving sets, cake & pie servers, ice scoops, & other serving utensils.

I realize it's hard to see because they're all in plastic bags, so I pulled one cake server out just for you. 

Don't you just love it?  I have one with a zebra print heel, too.

Okay, that's it for now.  See, this wasn't as bad fun as last week's storage, was it?

Hope you've enjoyed seeing all of my hiding spots!

Tutorial Tuesday: Dressing Up Diapers & Other Little Tidbits

This post is more of a tidbit & idea post than it is a tutorial {although I will share links to a couple of tutorials a little further down}, but I hope that it provides at least a little inspiration for someone out there in blogland.

I don't know about you, but when it comes to baby gifts, I often want to give something practical, but at the same time, I want it to be fun & cute.......something pleasing to the eye.  

A package of diapers, though extremely practical, is typically not very eye-catching........now you could just wrap it in cute paper or throw it in a gift sack & call it done, but you know me.......that would be too easy!  And if you've been following my blog for a little while, you've probably learned that I'm all about gift baskets! {Click here to see some of the gift baskets I've put together over the past few years}.

So how do you dress up diapers to make them a little cuter?

Well, one idea is to display them in a cute bucket or container.

This past week, when I was buying a gift for a co-worker's baby shower, I decided to put together this fun little bucket of diapers.

I began by purchasing a plain black metal bucket on clearance at Hobby Lobby, and then "dressed it up" using chalkboard paint, scrapbook paper, ribbon, & trim.

So how exactly did I "dress it up", you ask?  Well, back in February {before I had a single follower!}, one of the first posts I did was a tutorial on how to make these fun buckets.  So rather than repeating the instructions, feel free to click here to get the scoop.  It's really rather easy!

 

One of the benefits is that you can choose any theme or color scheme.  I chose pink, black, & white for this one to coordinate with the baby's nursery.  {Even the little piece of chalk is pink!}

But I've also done lavendar & green in the past.

You can also make it pretty much any size you want.

{You could even use a large beverage tub if you wanted!}

 The possibilities are endless!  You're only limited by your imagination!

 Once the bucket was complete, I simply took the diapers out of the package, rolled them up, secured them with coordinating ribbon, & filled the bucket.

Not only are the diapers practical, but the little bucket can be used for a variety of baby items later on!

Of course, you could fill it with other baby goodies, too!  It doesn't just have to be diapers.

So what about for boys? 

Just skip the ribbon & trim and use boy scrapbook paper, or you could forgo the scrapbook paper altogether, & simply paint a little chalkboard in the center!

You could even make one as a wedding or birthday present.  Just adjust the colors & content as appropriate!
And while you're at it, make one for yourself, too!
***************************************************

Another idea of dressing up diapers is to make a diaper cake.

{Click here for a tutorial}.

 


Again, you can decide on the theme, colors, & size!

What other baby gift ideas do you have?  I'd love to hear them!

I'm linking with the following parties:
Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle
Craft-O-Maniac Monday @ Craftomaniac
Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo’s Sweet Stuff
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogie Board Cottage
Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style
What's Up Wednesday @ Sew Woodsy
Hoo’s Got Talent @ Night Owl Crafting
Make It Yours @ My Back Yard Eden
Show & Share @ Just A Girl
Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts
Thrilling Thursday @ Paisley Passions
Friday Favorites @ Simply Sweet Home
Pink Saturday @ How Sweet The Sound
Newbie Party @ DebbieDoos
What I Made Wednesday @ Sweet Peas & Bumble Bees
It's a Party @ A Creative Princess

 

Scripture Sunday: Bloom Where You're Planted

Joseph found favor in his [Potiphar's] eyes and became his attendant.  Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.......with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

Genesis 39: 4, 6 (NIV)

But while Joesph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; He showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.  So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.

Genesis 39: 20-22 (NIV)

If you have never read the story of Joseph in Genesis, I encourage you to do so, as it is an amazing story of how God used terrible circumstances to bring Joseph to the place he wanted him to be.  Last week I shared a little about how God works for the good of those who love Him & seek to honor Him.....that He has a plan for each of us.  Sometimes however, in the journey, it might feel as though we've been abandoned.  We might not understand why God is allowing us to be in the situation we're in, or better yet, we might not like the situation we're in. 

Joseph sets a great example of what to do in those situations.  You see, Joseph continued to honor God, even when it seemed as though his family & God had abandoned him.......even if he felt discouraged (which I'm sure at times he did!).  When sold by his brothers into slavery & taken to Egypt, he still worked with all of his might.......he put forth all of his effort.........he BLOOMED WHERE HE WAS PLANTED.  In return, God showed him favor.  I'm sure at that time, he was feeling a little better about things, but then something happened.........Potiphar's wife wrongly accused Joseph and he was sent to prison!  Talk about another blow!  But even in prison, Joseph continued to honor God, and in return, he was given a position of authority in prison.  Eventually, Joseph was released from prison and made 2nd in command in all of Egypt!

You may be in a discouraging situation........you might be feeling abandoned...........or perhaps you just feel kinda lost, unsure of what your purpose is.................but just like with Joseph, if we will make the most of the situation by continuing to honor God in all we do, by BLOOMING WHERE WE'RE PLANTED, God will honor us in return and will continue to work out His plan and purpose for us.

A couple more scripture to leave you with:

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might........

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV)

 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.....
Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

Tablescape Thursday: No Greater Love {A Memorial Day Table}

There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.

John 15:13 (NLT)

In honor of all of those who have served or are serving, I put together a table this past weekend. 



Since I only had a small amount of time to spend on it, it's pretty simple, but it's my little tribute to those who have served & sacrificed for you & me.

{As you might can tell, it was a pretty windy day!}


A stars & stripes tablecloth sets the mood......

......while a stack of mixed & matched red, white, & blue dinnerware continue the theme.

A silver charger is topped with square blue & white plates {one turned diagonally to give it a little more interest} & round red plates, alternating back & forth .

 
The notched edge of the red plates adds to the nautical feel, while the blue plates, peeking out, add some interest.

A white boat bowl with blue trim finishes it off......paying tribute to the Coast Guard & Navy.




A mason jar {which can later be used for an ice-cold beverage on this hot, windy day} is filled with a red, white, & blue plaid napkin, red & blue flatware, a red & white striped straw, & of course, the American flag.
{Just a little tip: The napkins are actually tea towels!  I often use tea towels for napkins when I can't find the right color/design of napkins.}
 




Two silver airplanes act as a centerpiece........honoring the Air Force {including my sweet dad, who retired from the Air Force Reserves in April}.




Thank you to all who have served our country.......

 ........Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corp, Navy........

 .......for all the sacrifices both you & your families have made........

......and especially to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.......

......for our freedom!

God bless you all!

And God bless the USA!

 

Stars & Stripes Tablecloth - Kohls

Silver Chargers - Hobby Lobby
Blue Plates - "Tacey" by Roscher/TJ Maxx
Red Plates - "Kick It Up a Notch" by Emeril/Dillards
Boat Bowls - Pottery Barn
Plaid "Napkins" - Tuesday Morning
Colorful Flatware - Kohls
Airplanes - TJ Maxx/Hobby Lobby {borrowed from my dad}
{Click on the the links above to see other tablescapes using the same items.}


I'll be joining the following parties this week:

Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally

Rednesday @ It’s a Very Cherry World

Outdoor Wednesdays @ A Southern Daydreamer

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Friday Favorites @ Simply Sweet Home
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogie Board Cottage

Newbie Party @ DebbieDoos

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Show & Share @ Just A Girl