Some girls dream of diamonds, I dream of galvanized metal

I got to my hairdresser's a little early the other day so with some time to spare I ventured out into the neighborhood to take a look around...

I grabbed myself a cup of tea and a Bhalla roll at a local deli and sat outside and enjoyed the sun for a bit, went into a terrific kitchen store and found a popover pan for the hubby that he'd been wanting and decided to stroll around the Tru-Value store across the street.

From the backside it didn't look like much but after I stepped in I realized I had died and gone to junk heaven!

I'll let you in on a secret, I LOVE METAL! GALVANIZED, NEW, OLD, RUSTY, CRIMPED, FLAT, STRAIGHT OR TWISTED they had it all right here in the gutter/roofing section. I began snapping pics of all sorts of metal and envisioning what it was telling me it wanted to become.

For instance, these gutter guards were whispering,

"Take me home, I'd be a great votive candle holder" and this one shouted to me, "What about us? You know you want to make mini lampshades out of us."

Then I went to the next aisle, there was rolls of metal, big and small. 

These said, "Buy us and we'll keep you busy for weeks with all the uses you can imagine!"

The aisles just kept talking to me...

The numbers - which I adore in so many different colors, sizes and fonts...

There was twine and rope, jute and nylon. Spool after spool all there in neat orderly fashion, baskets or shelves, rows and rows of wonderful raw materials just waiting to be taken home and loved!

Sorry for the wonky photos, I took these on my IPhone and the lighting and clarity are lacking (could it have been because of my hand shaking with pure joy?)

I think one of the reasons I loved the Tru-Value was the organization.  Everything had a place, accessible, labeled and categorized.  This is the bulk section... 

I was trying to figure out if I bought one of these nail dividers (below) what I would put into it.  The question is not what would I, the question would be what wouldn't I?  I had visions of using this in my closet (if I had one that big) and put all my clothes in each bin, twirling it around each morning to make my selection of the day... the upper level for undies, bras, socks and tights, middle sections for t-shirts, sweaters, jeans, pjs, and long-johns.  The bottom level would be terrific for holding my shoes, boots and flip-flops! 

I would love to have one of these nail scales at my house!

Then I realized there was another level...

Upstairs had so much more -

Had to skim this floor, it was time for my hair appointment so I quickly snapped these pics of some handles I loved (Sometimes I will include the price in the photo so I can compare selection and price from store to store.)

And their customer service was terrific!  I asked if they had a section for lighting, wiring and such and the salesman who helped me took me over to a little cabinet full of pieces to personalize any lighting whim I could ever dream of...

While some girls dream of diamonds, I dream of hardware!  

Where are some of your favorite places to search out wonderful finds?

Leave me a comment or a link of your "diamonds".

Be Blessed -

Bloggers I Admire...

Blogging is hard work my friends and I just wanted to give a big shout out to those of you who do it day in and day out consistently without fail! A BIG THANK YOU :0)

When I started my blog I simply wanted to share in the Linky Parties and get to connect with the wonderful bloggers I followed. As the projects have piled up and been completed I realized that having a blog is also about the writing, the editing, the taking of photos, editing said photos, figuring out HTML, finding Linky parties and sharing and a whole lot more.

And there is an accountability. I have a couple followers right now so the pressure to write, post and come up with creative content every day or when the time works for me is very low right now. But as it grows, as I am hoping it will, comes more challenges and opportunities and I have seen it with a couple of the blogs that I follow regularly.

Let me tell you there is an expectation as a follower and an excitement that comes from looking in my in-box every morning to see what is happening in those ladies' lives (Im following only ladies right now.) I feel connected and I care about what goes on with them although we have never formally met. I wonder if I am up for that kind of pressure, to open yourself up to EVERYONE, and to let them see into my life now as a fellow blogger.

I do a little virtual bow and curtsey to you ladies!!!

And I wanted to share with you (if you haven't already heard of them) who they are.
(This list is not inclusive - there are more and it continues to grow... daily)

Amy over at Mod Podge Rocks was the first blog I ever started following and the first contest that I entered and won! She is so fun and I love her honesty... over this last year especially, she has really had some life changing experiences and it has been awesome to see how she has pushed through and not only brought us along for the ride but she has empowered others to be creative and go for it too! Amy is also a published author, her book features some very cool projects and tutorials using Mod Podge and is a contributor to several other blogs including Babble.com
Check out Amy for yourself at Mod Podge Rocks!

Marian aka Ms. Mustard Seed was another that has introduced so many to her wonderful style. The other day she wrote about being patient while she figured her new milk-paint line all out and how she had missed her Friday Furniture Link party...
Check out Marian's post at Ms. Mustard Seed Interiors

And because Ms. Mustard Seed teamed up with Donna over at Funky Junk Interiors on her blog, I checked out Donna's blog and I have enjoyed her's photos, junky style, her posts about her son, her latest journey at the World's Longest Yard Sale, and of course, her SNS Linky Parties... I think she is on #147!!! Check her out at Funky Junk Interiors

More "Junk'in Chicks" I enjoy are:

Amanda aka One Girl In Pink shared today that her hubby reminded her that it had been over 30-days since she posted on her blog(wow, now that's support!)and shared a cute quick project she'd done...
Check her out here

Michelle aka Vintage Junky has a terrific blog, shoppe and etsy store where I got a sweet flour sack towel with my favorite image - a dress form on it (a b-day present from my sissy, Ann - Thank you very much!)
Check out her Etsy store here
And her blog here.

Heather at Post Road Vintage has another beautiful site I enjoy! Heather's style is terrific & she & her hubby are expecting a new little addition to their family in early September so she's taking a break for awhile but check out her website here - you wont regret it!

Last, but certainly NOT least is Jill at Sneaky Momma Blog Design
Her tips have helped me with this blog and I will continue to sing her praises!!!

It is my hope that I can do the same with my blog - continue to grow, learn, inspire and make a difference.

Tell me what blogs you like to follow and why... I'll check them out and feature them here.

Thanks for spending a minute with me today!


- Be Blessed -



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I have not been compensated in any way to promote any of the above mentioned ladies and their blogs. I just wished to share some inspiration and give good examples of the types of blogs that are out there.