Turning a Footboard into a Porch Swing

I have a beautiful handmade four-poster bed.

Unfortunately, the bedroom in this House with Potential

is pretty small and the big bed dwarfed it!

So, I took off the footboard and mounted the headboard to the wall.

The footboard I stored in the shed, figuring I would be able to use it

again in another house.

Over the last few years, I have decided I liked not

having a footboard, so I began to think about what

I could do with the one taking up space in my shed.

I decided on a porch swing.

Now, usually when I come up with an idea like this,

I assume it will be pretty easy; my husband, however,

assumes the opposite.

And he is usually right.

This time, I was right!

It really was pretty simple.

The first thing we did was take off the posts and
straighten out the sides.
We then added arms, made simply out of wood left
over from another project.

The seat was made from slats with 2x4s on the bottom
for added strength.

I thought it might be tricky to hang it, but it too was simple.

Just measure from the top to the arms and add about 10"

to compensate for the slight slant in the chain.

 It's now a favorite spot for the kids!

Wedding Quilt

My last child got married a few months ago.

My daughter, my middle child, my independent, strong-willed child.

Finally!

And just like her, the wedding was

elegant, fun, beautiful and intimate.

When my boys got married, I made a quilt for each bride,

featuring their wedding colors and incorporating blocks

that are personal or representative in some way.

 For instance, the wreath surrounding the house

is not only traditional for wedding quilts,

it is also reminiscent of the olive branches that covered the tables

at their reception.

 The blocks that surround the house and wreath represent

the building blocks for their life together,

such as love and faith and joy...

They chose to have all the children in their life,

the groom's son as well as their nieces and nephews,

participate in the ceremony, and pinwheel blocks always

make me think of children.

I also like to add a note on the back that explains

the symbolic nature of the quilt and gives the dates,

so the quilt will become a keepsake for generations.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Market...A Farmhouse Mantel

I bought this great cow picture over Christmas,

intending to resell it.

But a funny thing happened on the way to market.

 I was inspired to just try it out on the mantel.

 I added an antique milk pitcher,

and a milk crate for emphasis.

 An old window and farmhouse sign completed it.

A little antique milking stool is also a great addition.

I don't think this little cow is going anywhere

any time soon!