Primitive Tray Redo

I've wanted to purchase a tray for my toilet tank, but I just can't justify spending $45, no matter how nice they are.  I decided to make one myself! I've been keeping my eye out for something I thought might work and for $1.99 I found this at Good Will. Here's the before and after:

Before

After

 This works really well for me, no more stuff slipping off the oddly curved tank top. What do you think? Cool ha!

XoXo

Michelle / Simple Pleasures

Small Town Charm

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Simple Pleasures

Swap Goodies

I got a wonderful package in the mail the other day from Ellie of Ellie's Country Accents, she was my swap partner for the Liberty swap hosted by Amy from Bumble Bee Lane. Ellie knows my love for all things Amish and sent me so many Amish themed treasures! Look at all the lovely things I received:

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Michelle /  Simple Pleasures

Homemade Prim Soap

While looking at an old A Primitive Place Magazine I was intrigued with the Prim soap making instructions they had in the craft section. Well, I followed the simple directions and voila' super easy prim, grunge soap. I added oatmeal to the recipe and they sort of look like slices of old meatloaf.  lol
 My son was over for dinner and when he saw them in a bowl he stopped and looked at them and then looked up at me... The look on his face was priceless when I told him It was soap. I thought I would  post a picture.

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Michelle / Simple Pleasures

Thrift Store Finds Pottery

I love to find things that I can remake into treasures, so I thought I would do a weekly post on some projects I have completed.
I have seen pottery that I like and then notice that it has decorative painting on it. Don't worry it's not permanent! So after a warm soapy soak and a little elbow grease with a scouring pad, viola, much better. I have gotten several pieces like this.

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Michelle / Simple Pleasures

Garage Sale Treasures

Garage sale finds: 2 quilts $20 each and this awesome hand painted children's desk $7, Yipee!

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Michelle / Simple Pleasures

Indiana Amish Country

Just made my reservations to stay at this beautiful Bed & Breakfast, visit some friends, see these animals, shop and most importantly visit with the Amish! It's about a four hour drive from my house to the Amish areas in Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan etc. Here are some pictures of the Inn and the room I chose. 

 

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Michelle / Simple Pleasures

Magazine Rack Redo

I love to find things that I can remake into treasures, so I thought I would do a weekly post on some projects I have completed. I seem to gravitate toward painting everything black these days, since a few years ago everything in my house was white and shabby chic/cottage, lol.
This was a found treasure from the GW.

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Michelle / Simple Pleasures

Amish and Photographs

Time to share some adorable pictures with you of Amish children. Most Amish consider posing for pictures to be unacceptable act of pride and don't allow pictures of themselves. Although, some will allow pictures of their children. 

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Michelle / Simple Pleasure

Canning Jar Addiction

I love canning jars it's another Simple Pleasure! When I was in high  school, one of my friends mother had a clear Ball jar in her kitchen window filled with sea glass and I thought it was so pretty. In the past I have filled my jars with marbles, pine cones, sea glass, buttons and lace. I have heard some horror stories about pantry bugs in food so about 4 years ago I decided to start using them as food storage. I don't own any plastic storage containers and use jars for all my leftovers. I have never learned how to "can" or "put up" food but I have it on my someday list. I thought I would share some lovely images of these simple beauties with you.

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Oh, how I love this last image, It's quite possible I was born in the wrong generation!

XoXo

Michelle / Simple Pleasures

Prim Store Garage Sale

A few weekends ago I saw a garage sale a couple blocks from home and I wasn't going to stop, but I did and boy was I glad. The people used to have a prim/country store here in Batavia, (Red Geranium) and have a ton of stuff in storage and decided to have a sale every Friday and Saturday until they have sold it all. He's unloading a storage locker a little at a time. The best part is that they aren't advertising anywhere except a few signs. I went back again last weekend and got 2 throw size quilts for $20 each. Yes, $20, Score! Here is my first shopping trip, I bought all of this for $29. Sorry the pictures are foggy, I used my cell phone camera. I will have to take pictures of the other stuff I got. I got an awesome hand paint childrens desk for $7, that is serving as an end table in my Amish room. If any of you are in the area, please email me if you'd like the address. OLM, it's worth the trip! lol

XoXo

Michelle / Simple Pleasures

$3

$3

$1 each: placemats, crows, starts, pillow, jars etc.

$2.50 tall apothecaries, $1 small black

 

$3 simplify sign