Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS

I wanted to share with you a project that is very dear to me...

 My step-dad Rick Papineau (Pappy) is the Vice President of Scenic Elements for

FELD Entertainment.  He is the heart and soul behind all of the sets and props for Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, Disney Live, Nuclear Cowboyz and Monster Jam.. just to name a few.  He has a cool job and my kids get to enjoy the fruits of his labor each time there is a new show!  Ringling is hatching something BIG this time in the idea of a Dragon.  Not just any dragon, but one that is animated, 25ft long and almost that tall, breathes fire, flies and moves around the show! 

You can click on this video from You Tube to get a glimpse of what the FELD team has been up too!

In the mean time enjoy a few pictures he has taken during the year.

 (Did I mention he is an awesome photographer as well!)

What Pappy does is magical and I love that kids and adults alike are enjoying something he has worked so hard on.  I hope each and everyone of you gets the opportunity to visit one of the shows

 FELD Entertainment offers.  I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Thank you Pappy for all of the cool inspirations!  "The Crusty Nest" really appreciates you as well as the rest of the crusty family!

You are a special man for not only creating some really cool things, but for putting up with Lolo all the time! 

 I promise we will take good care of you later on and not put you up in a crusty home!

Silver in the past, present and future! Part 1

  I am going through a very Silver phase right now.  I cant' get enough of this shiny, yet full of patina glorious decor that silver offers.  I have trays galore in my kitchen, a new (very ornate) napkin holder, and lots of bowls, and serving pieces. It works in harmony with my ironstone and just makes me happy.
 Here is what I have been pinning lately..

There are so many more, but I don't want to bore you!

I found a few interesting sites that you might enjoy while doing some research on a few pieces I have.

The Silver Lining

Beverly Bremer, The Silver Shop

I loved this quote too!

Though we may lament that much old silver has been lost to the whims of fashion or the loss of fortune, we must also remember that the nineteenth century saw a taste for collecting antique silver: Pieces once melted and refashioned began to be collected for their aesthetic appeal. The same period saw a burgeoning spirit of inquiry and research, and as the 19th century gave way to the 20th, scholarly publications and exhibitions brought new information, and exciting pieces of silver, to light. Silver has a past, a present and a future, and, in many ways, it lives in all three.

Joseph P. Brady
Silver Historian, 2007


Tomorrow I will show you how i have used my silver..

2011 Year in Review

The year started off strong with my Pottery Barn Inspired Finials

 Visit here to see the Tutorial

My Chippy Old Tooolbox became old and chippy and a little french this year.

This was a fun project that really got me obsessed with making things old and distressed.

Molly's Pink and Black Bedroom made it reveal this year. 

This room is still fun to me and really reflects Molly's fun personality.

My Milk Can got a makeover!

I gave an ugly basket a Mossy Makeover

My very old Dresser got a new face!

This was my favorite to date. It may not look amazing to everyone but it looks brand new to me!

Sugar took over the show with a little glass etching!

Signs have taken up the most of my time.  I have been doing a whole bunch of painting!

The Gallery Wall Increased in Size

A Rustic Christmas Tree  finished up the year for me.

I can't wait to see what 2012 brings!  

I wish each one of my followers a very Happy New Year!

A very late Merry Christmas & updates!

I hope everyone had a great Holiday.  It has been non-stop and I just did not get all the decorating done as I had wanted to.  The poor kids didn't even get their trees up this time!  But we did have a great Christmas and that is all that matters. 

 My sweet Molly turned 10 in December!  Wow, she is becoming a pre-teen and quick.  How I wish I could slow it down!  We had a slumber party to celebrate and invited 12 friends to stay over.  What was I thinking??  We had lots of pizza, snacks, smores, hot chocolate and cake.  Did I mention the karaoke?  They slept in the living room on the floor, chair and couches.  It was a very loud and active night!

The girl loves pickles! (And her friends know it!)

Homemade ice-cream sandwich cake! YUM  

We have been running around like crazy and I am ready for 2012!

  I hope each one of you had a great Holiday.

I will post my favorite from 2011 tomorrow.

Updated Gallery Wall

I have been slowly adding to my gallery wall.  This is the way it originally started.  

 You can see the full post here. 

Ornate frames found at thrift stores and some ironstone plates have been added.

I put up some antlers that I have been working on today. 

 I will post how I transformed the ugly mount soon.

Obviously my child was super engrossed in his computer game to move!

Did you notice the new green lamps I got for my birthday in August?

I am in the middle of decorating for Christmas and the house is a mess.

I hope your decorating is coming along smoother than mine!  

I need some serious inspiration!

I am linking up with:

Savvy Southern Style for WOW us Wednesdays
No Minimalist Here for Open House Party
Between Naps on the Porch for Met. Mondays

The Rustic Porch Tree

My back porch is a work in progress.  

I have always imagined it would be somewhat country rustic,

 like a mountain retreat.  It has taken a long time to even get what I have now.

  It has not been a priority.  This year I decided I would put the porch tree up

 first to make sure it didn't get pushed aside.

I used burlap ribbon found at Michael's.  The pine cones and limbs came from my yard. 

 I robbed my hubby's stash of real deer antler sheds and racks.

My boys are in love with this tree!

The centerpiece is an old Coke crate with a lantern, Leland cypress & Magnolia cuttings, and a few more sheds.  I added a few red balls for a pop of color.

  All of these items were shopped from the house.

The Pleasure chest I have had for a while.  

The Purina feed sack pillows were found on Etsy.

I am still working on my main tree, living room and kitchen decor..

How's your Christmas decor coming??




While your here stick around and check out some other post!

I am linking up with:

Between Naps on the Porch for Met. Mondays

Dittle Dattle for Amaze Me MOndays
Savvy Southern Style for WOW Wednesdays
Ivy and Elephants for What is it Wednesdays
No Minimalist Here for Open House Party