Wednesday, June 12, 2013

I've got the blues....

... and the pinks and purples.
 I am obsessed with the hydrangeas in the Atlanta area this year.
We had a wonky Spring, as did most of the US, but it must have been just what the hydrangeas needed.



My bushes are loaded with blooms. 
 


In every shade of blue, pink and purple. 
 


And happily, the blooms just keep coming.
 
 
 


I can see hydrangea blooms every direction I look from the screened porch.


Even this little rooted, first year bush is putting on a show.

These two popped into town to go to a Rascal Flatts concert at Lakewood in Atlanta last week and we took a few, quick, pre-concert photos.
They were silly but the hydrangeas looked amazing!!

I can tell you right now that I am inspired to paint some hydrangeas this weekend!

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Summer Colors and the $15.00 Patio Makeover!

I'm having a colorful start to Summer. Painting everything like crazy.
On my "list" for a while has been this sign in our backyard. We call it our "M.A.S.H." sign. Remember the show with Alan Alda? It was a family favorite - we still watch it and laugh. They had a sign in the middle of the compound with places and mileage and I always loved the show and the sign. About 10 years ago - maybe longer- we made one for the backyard with all of the beaches we have visited as a family.


Well, 10 years of Atlanta weather has taken its toll and I needed to add some beaches, so it is getting a major overhaul. The signs are spread out all over the table on the screened porch and are getting fresh coats of delicious Summer colored paint.
Also, on the agenda is a little project for College Girl's new place. Yes, she is on the move again. Seriously. Last Summer it was in to the Sorority House. This Summer it is into a super cute townhouse with two of her Chi O sisters. One will graduate next May but College Girl and the other sister have vowed to stay in this place for 2 years.... I'll believe it when I see it. Five moves in 3 years of college makes me doubtful :)
We moved her in an absolute monsoon - what an experience. All I can say is thank Heaven for a certain Kappa Sig and his truck, muscles and patience.
But now the fun part - settling in. As always, it is a low budget proposition.
While all the great paint colors were out I grabbed a square scrap of exterior plywood and gave it a coat of oil-based primer and then started painting.
 

Base coat in a great turquoise blue. Outline in SW Urbane Bronze.

 

Puffy white Summer clouds.


Adding the "fun" colors. Quick, messy brushstrokes with colors all blended together on the palette.
 
 


More color.
 
 

Whooo's a colorful guy?


More boards. More summery colors. I love those samples from
 Sherwin Williams and Lowe's.

I loaded up the finished painting of the Chi O owl, a little garden table we had (and used at a place she lived year before last), a string of colorful outdoor lights that we had in a storage box, a metal Ikea lantern that I used at Christmas and my pruning shears.

I headed to college Girl's new place and...
 

... after pruning overgrown bushes, cleaning off the little patio (thank you previous tenants for a bag of trash and the largest guy's tennis shoes I've ever seen ! ) and putting everything in place we had a sweet little spot to have a meal or sit and talk with friends. All I bought was the red patio umbrella for $14.99. Instant atmosphere for less than 15 dollars.

Hopefully I'll have "after" pics of the "M.A.S.H." sign soon.

Linking up:
mop it up mondays