Spring. Found.
I know. I’m forcing Spring this year. As you can tell from my recent projects, even if it’s not quite Spring outside, the inside of my house refuses to believe it, so here’s a little more…
My cafe shelves got their makeover for Spring the other day, and I love how it all came together. My inspiration was my new {old} window.
I had been eyeing old windows in antique stores and home decor shops for months, and I had found some cute ones, but none of them were exactly what I wanted. None of them spoke to me. And I know it sounds crazy, but I wanted one with a story. Maybe it’s because I’ve been watching too much American Pickers, but I wanted to really find one. And not just in a store.
So, one day when I had a few minutes to myself, I took a drive and started looking again. God knew I really wanted to find one and when I got the idea to go talk to a lady at one of my favorite shops, I knew the idea had come from Him. Sure enough, she knew where I could find a ton of old discarded windows.
So, I dug through this pile with my heeled boots sinking deeper and deeper into the mud, all the while hoping and praying that nothing live would come out and attack me.
Isn’t it funny how some of us look at this as hitting the jackpot and others would never give this stuff a second glance? I couldn’t help but think that that’s how God is with us. When people look at us and see nothing worth using, He digs us out of the heaps of discarded lives, then He brings us to Himself, cleans us up, and makes us a part of something beautiful.
The words on the glass are the words to a song I learned in children’s choir at church years ago. I’m amazed I still remembered them.
I wrote the words with my chalkboard markers just like I did on this project and this project.
I made this butterfly art by taking a thrift store frame and covering the insert with a piece of beige linen, then attaching the top of a giant butterfly pick with a little hot glue.
A tutorial for the bird and bunny topiary can be found here.
I hope this brings a little inspiration for Spring into your day today.
February 24, 2011 @ 11:16 pm
I really love your shelves from season to season. They have given me some great ideas.
February 24, 2011 @ 11:18 pm
Just dying to get my hands on an old window now!
February 24, 2011 @ 11:26 pm
I love it!
February 24, 2011 @ 11:45 pm
So beautiful & makes me long for spring!!
You are very creative & resourceful!
A while back, I was driving in an alley behind a glass/window design store & saw a frame with a beautiful bevel glass design (with only two glass sections missing). It was propped up against to trash dumpster. But not for long!!
Hope you have a very blessed spring!
In Him,
Malinda @ vintagehomesteademporium
February 25, 2011 @ 12:50 am
Beautiful! Is the bird cage from Michael's? I've been eyeing one there. đŸ™‚
February 25, 2011 @ 1:07 am
I am sooo anxious for spring! Maybe I should start inside too! I love the way your shelf display turned out! You've inspired me!
February 25, 2011 @ 1:16 am
beautiful!!! i absolutely love the butterfly!
February 25, 2011 @ 1:32 am
I love your lyrics – I have to jot them down! I'm looking so forward to spring this year more than any other (except the muddy paw prints that are sure to come!…worth it for a warm spring day.) Thanks for wonderful spring inspirations.
February 25, 2011 @ 3:15 am
Oh. My. Goodness.
I am LOVING this post. For that matter, I am loving your entire blog! You have a gift, and a new follower. Gorgeous!
February 25, 2011 @ 3:53 am
Your shelves look beautiful. I just love all your accessories.
February 25, 2011 @ 4:00 am
this looks great… i adore your transitional shelves… and am totally in LOVE with that window idea.
February 25, 2011 @ 7:11 am
Amazing!! I am an instant fan of your blog! Thank you for using your God given talents to brighten my day!
February 25, 2011 @ 8:37 am
You are so talented! I can definitely find old windows around here in a Russian village! Love your ideas, the song, and love to see some Spring since we are still very much in winter! Thanks for the boost!
February 25, 2011 @ 3:36 pm
I love it. You always have such great ideas. Makes me want Spring right now!
February 25, 2011 @ 4:35 pm
Very nice! I'll have to use those lyrics. Now I'll be singing them all day. But perfect for that window!!
February 25, 2011 @ 4:40 pm
I love your shelves and your touches of Spring.
February 25, 2011 @ 5:06 pm
I LOVE your spring shelves!! I wish spring would hurry and arrive! đŸ™‚
February 25, 2011 @ 5:24 pm
I am sooo ready for spring too!
February 25, 2011 @ 5:35 pm
Looks great. I love that butterfly. You did such a great job decorating your shelves. Love it'
February 25, 2011 @ 6:26 pm
WOW! That really came together! You always inspire me…thanks!
February 25, 2011 @ 10:08 pm
Really fresh and clean and lovely.
February 25, 2011 @ 10:58 pm
LOVE LOVE LOVE the song that you put on the window. Now I am off to find me one!!!
February 26, 2011 @ 12:59 am
Great vignette! I love all the antiques and the color pallette is awesome. I did a vignette too but mine isn't really 'spring' themed, it's aqua and silver colors. Check it out! http://www.honeybearlane.com/2011/02/aqua-white-and-silver-vignette.html
Heidi
http://www.honeybearlane.com
February 26, 2011 @ 1:17 am
this is so beautiful! I love the way it looks! I am tooo hoping for spring! any day now!!!!!!!
February 26, 2011 @ 1:27 am
I like a forced spring and your shelves!
February 26, 2011 @ 2:33 am
Cute!! I'm so ready for spring.
February 26, 2011 @ 4:08 am
I love, love, love that window! I want to write on a window! Right now! Your shelves are so spring-wonderful. Sigh. I miss spring.
February 26, 2011 @ 4:46 am
I agree that the window is a treasure. Just love the whole look! Great ideas.
February 26, 2011 @ 7:21 am
Thanks for sharing, the shelves are so light and airy. Spring has sprung here in Vancouver.
Kristy @ 4 the love of WOOD
February 26, 2011 @ 8:54 am
Love how you grouped the items, and what a great find on the old window!
February 26, 2011 @ 2:32 pm
I just love your vignettes and the message! I'm your newest follower and hope you'll post this over on my linky party! Take care!
February 26, 2011 @ 2:57 pm
Those are some great ideas. Thank you for sharing. Don't forget to join the part Monday.
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com
February 26, 2011 @ 5:08 pm
I love it! The shelves are beautiful! Where did you get the butterfly? It is so pretty?
February 26, 2011 @ 7:31 pm
Visiting from Tater Tots and Jello. I shot coffee out of my nose when I saw your stash of windows! My entire family gives me a hard time for all the windows I have in my garage (used to be 15, not its only down to about 6), but your stash puts mine to shame! I love it! I'm glad I'm not the only one who just can't say no to a great window. -Kelsee
February 26, 2011 @ 7:34 pm
I love every little thing about this!!
Thanks for linking up!!! I featured your post on my wrap up! http://tidymom.net/2011/spring-decor-ideas/
February 26, 2011 @ 8:12 pm
Julie I love all of it, the birdcage is to die for. Saving this post for later lots of inspiration.
February 26, 2011 @ 9:38 pm
im inspired. I need to go find an old window ASAP!
February 27, 2011 @ 12:36 am
Very cute! Love it all!
February 27, 2011 @ 1:08 am
This is awesome! I love how you put a little God into it too đŸ™‚ As soon as I saw that, I clicked follow lol.
February 27, 2011 @ 5:18 am
I LOVE this whole set up! VERY cute. I hope you'll link them up to I Heart Nap Time
February 27, 2011 @ 5:38 am
The window is quite the treasure and your shelves are beautiful!
February 27, 2011 @ 2:29 pm
a great use for old windows….love the print behind the glass…thanks for sharing on fridays unfolded!
blessings,
alison
stuff and nonsense
February 27, 2011 @ 3:33 pm
Inspiring? Yes! It's lovely, every piece. đŸ™‚
February 27, 2011 @ 4:42 pm
I am so in love with your blog. What you have done with these shelves is beautiful. I also love what you said about God and what he thinks of us. I will think of that now every time I find an old window. Thanks for sharing this. xx Liz Marie
March 1, 2011 @ 6:54 am
I love your blog! So many cute ideas! I absolutely love old windows…looks to me like you hit a jackpot!
-emily
http://www.nestnestingnested.blogspot.com
March 1, 2011 @ 2:13 pm
Love this vignette! Especially the framed butterfly! Thank you for sharing, you have such great ideas!
Jodie
March 1, 2011 @ 7:13 pm
Love the butterfly!!! Please share where you found it!!!
[email protected]
March 4, 2011 @ 12:15 am
where did you get the butterfly?
March 4, 2011 @ 3:05 am
@jill marie barrett
That came from Michaels. Hope that helps you!
March 4, 2011 @ 4:33 am
Ok, now I am your newest follower. I love the windows. Where in the world did you find them? I also love how you related the old window us and God. That was wonderful.
April 1, 2011 @ 6:11 am
Wow, this looks lovely. Hope to see you at My Dream Canvas.
February 21, 2012 @ 7:18 pm
This is my first time on your blog. I love all your ideas, and I'll be back to keep up with your clever ideas.
March 17, 2013 @ 3:45 am
What is the paint color on the walls?
March 17, 2013 @ 11:26 am
That's Morning Sun by Sherwin Williams