Saturday, March 31, 2012

102 years of Celebration...

Hi Everyone!  Sorry I haven't been around the last couple of days.  My miter saw is still not working yet.  The parts should be here this week.  My dad thinks I need a new one...and he's probably right...but I want to see if this one can be fixed first before running out and getting a new one.  So I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  Which of course means I'm limited on projects.  I'm working on some signs....all of which you've seen before...for my fair at the end of this month. 

But onto the 102 years of celebration....Friday was my Grandmother's 102nd birthday.
 My family had a party for her.  They took her out for lunch and then back to the nursing home for the party.
 There she is with her birthday cake and flowers that my cousin Jill brought for her. 
Doesn't she look great for 102!  I wish I had gotten some of her genes....She had a great time at her party, surrounded by family and friends.  Happy Birthday Grandma!

Hopefully by the middle of the week I'll have some new projects to share with you.  Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Wanna Dance?...

Hi Everyone!  I hope your day is going well.  It's a nice day here, a bit windy so I don't think I'll be mowing unless the wind dies down.

I want to show you what I finished last night.  Well, it's almost finished.  I was going to make some nice chunky frames and paint them white, but I have sad news.  My compound miter saw is not working right.  It needs new brushes (I think).  So no miter cuts can be made right now to make the frames.  I have ordered the parts but they won't be here for at least a week.  So my projects will be somewhat limited.

I started out with these squares of luan.  I had a cut a sheet of luan down a few weeks ago into 12" x 12" squares.  I sanded them and then primed them with white.  Then I mixed up some light pink paint and painted them.  Then I sketched on the dancers and painted them black.




Won't they look a 100% better with those white chunky frames I had planned on making for them?  I like how they turned out despite the lack of frames.  And I think some little girl will like them too....once they have their frames.  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://www.pandoras-craftbox.com/2012/03/craft-party-tuesday.html 
http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/2012/03/tuesday-to-do-party-55.html 
http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/2012/03/uncommonly-yours-link-party-21.html 
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2012/03/wow-us-wednesdays-59-and-winner.html 
http://homehappyhome.blogspot.com/2012/03/whimsy-wednesday-features-and-link.html 
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2012/03/119th-power-of-paint-party-scallops.html 
http://www.thesasselife.com/2012/03/crafty-sasse-wednesday-link-party-31.html 
http://mrshinesclass.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/show-tell-no-16/ 
http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com/2012/03/its-party-47.html 
http://www.aturtleslifeforme.com/2012/03/share-wow-wednesday-come-link-up.html 
http://www.theartsygirlconnection.com/2012/03/pininspirational-thursday-27-linky.html 
http://www.52mantels.com/2012/03/thursdays-are-your-days-vol-12.html 
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2012/03/under-100-linky-party_28.html 
http://livelaughrowe.blogspot.com/2012/03/live-laugh-linky-thursday-3.html 
http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/2012/03/rock-n-share-22.html 
http://www.thenymelrosefamily.blogspot.com/2012/03/whimsy-wednesdays-4.html 
http://www.justalittlecreativity.com/2012/03/get-creative-linky-party-6-and-fabulous.html 
http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com/2012/03/creative-inspirations-linky-party-7.html 
http://thesepeastastefunny.blogspot.com/2012/03/link-it-up-thursday-13.html 
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2012/03/inspiration-friday-no-58-and-giveaway.html 
http://madeinaday.com/2012/03/29/made-u-look-linky-19/ 
http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2012/03/friday-feature-party-49-and-mes-preferes/ 
http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/shine-on-fridays-21-plus-features-and.html 
http://www.504main.com/2012/03/tickled-pink-no-92-yeah-yeahsame-old.html 
http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/2012/03/crafty-scrappy-happy-me-thursday-28.html 
http://www.craftionary.net/2012/03/friday-fun-party-and-features-13.html 
http://www.mysimplehomelife.com/2012/03/features-simply-creations-link-party-51.html 
http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/2012/03/catch-as-catch-can-67.html 
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/03/sat-nite-special-127-full-room-reveals.html 
http://too-much-time.com/2012/03/diy-crafts-recipes-link-party.html 

Monday, March 26, 2012

Spring....

Hi Everyone!  I hope you had a great weekend.  I spent Sunday outside getting the mower ready, picking up sticks and 2 1/2 hours mowing the yard.
 It already needs to be mowed again.  I had to mow it on a really high setting because parts of it had grown so much it would have clogged the mower.  If we avoid the rain that's in the forecast, then I'll be out mowing it again tomorrow to get it down to the level it should be at.
 I still can't believe it's March and we're mowing.  It was in the 80's today, so not heard of for this part of the country at this time of year.  Last year it was cool/cold until almost June.  My nephew was here helping me build last June and we were in the shop in sweatshirts with the furnace running.
I put this bird house condo out and took down the other one that is normally here.  It needs repainted.  So I will do that and then put it back up where this one normally resides.
My early tulips are almost done.
 The day lilies are growing.
And so are the vinca vines.  They are not perennials in this part of the country, but they are in this flower bed.  I planted them once and they have come back every year.  It's in a bed right up by the house and I think they hibernate up under the siding and take warmth from the house.
I even managed to get a sunburn.  I did laundry and put them out on the clothes line to dry.  I love putting clothes on the line to dry.  They smell so fresh and save on electricity.
I did manage to get one project done.
 I made this little fence.  And my mom gave me the little bird.  I couldn't decide what color to paint him, so I left him natural.
 Isn't he cute!
I added the dowel pieces so it would stand by itself. 
I like how it turned out but I think it needs something else.  Maybe some bunting that says welcome or spring or a birdhouse.  But I didn't have time yesterday and I had to work today.  Maybe tomorrow.  Well, now I must get to working on some projects.  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/2012/03/making-monday-marvelous-99.html 

http://www.cherishedbliss.com/2012/03/craft-and-tell_26.html 
http://blah2beautiful.blogspot.com/2012/03/tell-it-to-me-tuesday-13-features-and.html 
http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/2012/03/welcome-to-week-8-of-cowgirl-up-link.html 
http://athomewithk.blogspot.com/2012/03/terrific-under-ten-tuesday-56.html 
http://www.thekurtzcorner.com/2012/03/tuesday-tutorials-link-party-no-29.html 
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2012/03/show-me-what-ya-got-67.html 
http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/2012/03/time-to-shine-party-no-62.html 
http://www.thecottagemarket.com/2012/03/its-cinch-linky-party-come-and-join-in.html 
http://www.pandoras-craftbox.com/2012/03/craft-party-tuesday.html 
http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/2012/03/uncommonly-yours-link-party-21.html 
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2012/03/wow-us-wednesdays-59-and-winner.html 
http://www.52mantels.com/2012/03/thursdays-are-your-days-vol-12.html 
http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/2012/03/rock-n-share-22.html 
http://thesepeastastefunny.blogspot.com/2012/03/link-it-up-thursday-13.html 
http://mom4realky.blogspot.com/2012/03/4-real-friday-link-party-7.html 
http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/2012/03/show-me-what-you-got-linky-party-7.html 
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/03/sat-nite-special-127-full-room-reveals.html 

Friday, March 23, 2012

Play on the Midway....

Hi Everyone!  I want to show you one of the things I started working on, but have not finished yet.  I started with a scrap piece of luan and painted it sky blue.
 You can see in this picture that I sanded the paint away from the edges.
 Then I started working on painting a Ferris Wheel.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Random things....

Hi Everyone!  Normally I spend each evening working on projects to add to my inventory.  Last night I did not.  I got caught up on a few things, read some blogs and pulled together supplies for the projects I would work on tonight, so I have no new projects to share with you.  I have some finished things that I could hurry up and write a post for, but I've decided to wait and do those this weekend.  Instead, I'm going to show you one of the things my mother got for me while they were away.  And I'm going to show you a couple of things I'm currently working on.
 
 Don't you just those this little metal truck?  I do.  Although I wish it was full size!  I can just see myself heading down the road in this.  Thanks Mom!
 Here's a door I'm working on.  It's an antique door to a cupboard that was in one of Aunt Barb's rental houses.  She wanted me to have the whole cupboard but it was too big and too heavy for them to move so instead I got the two doors.  I've painted in ASCP in Old White.  And I have sanded it....but now I'm not sure what direction to go with it.  I can turn it into a sign, but what do I put on it.  Any thoughts?
This is a piece of antique baseboard.  I filled some nail holes and sanded it.  I painted it with white acrylic paint and have sanded it.  But again, that's where I got stuck.  I'm just not sure where to go from here.  I can put pegs on it or I can turn it into a sign.  It's just not speaking to me.  Again, any thoughts?
Or maybe we should just go for a ride in the truck.  Thanks for stopping by!

Linking to:
http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/03/knick-of-time-tuesday-27-vintage-style.html 

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Free jars...

Hi Everyone!  I hope you are having a good day.  It rained most of the evening last night and most of the afternoon today.  But we definitely needed the moisture!  My mother dropped off some goodies that one of her dear friends gave to me...for free!  What a very sweet lady Maryann is!  Thanks so much!
Don't they look good all lined up?  I still need to clean them up but I couldn't wait to show them to you!
There are 9 quart jars and 8 half gallon jars.  And one little pint.
Isn't it darling!
This one is a pink Fruit Jar.  Isn't it sweet!
And this one is really light blue!

I can't wait to get them all cleaned up!  I'm just the luckiest person around that people are so nice to give me things for free.  How blessed am I.  Thanks again Maryann.  And thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/03/knick-of-time-tuesday-27-vintage-style.html 

11 Questions....

Hi Everyone! Have you seen the blogger tag that's been going on called 11 Questions?  Well,  I was tagged by Korrie at Red Hen Home.  Thanks Korrie!  So here the questions and answers for my 11 questions.
If you were an animal, what would you be?

I would want to be one of my dogs.  Because they are so loved and cared for.  Now that would be the life.

What event in your life would you consider to be your “10 minutes of fame”?

I don't think I've had it yet.


What is a favorite tradition from your childhood that you want to pass on?

There isn't just one tradition.  I would just want to pass on my entire childhood.  It was wonderful.

What superpower do you wish you possessed?

I wish I could fly.  I love to watch birds flying.

What is your least favorite household chore?
 I hate to dust....and clean the toilet.


What would be a dream find for you at an antique store/thrift store/flea market/garage sale (you get the idea) ?
I would love to find an antique dough bowl, the trencher kind that had wonderful patina to it.

What is something TRUE about yourself that no one would believe?
I love to drive the tractor.  One of my favorite things to do is to pick up hay bales and line them all up in a row and piled one on top of the other.  It's so much fun!

What’s your favorite dessert?
I love cheesecake.  All kinds.  It's my weakness.

What is one of your favorite books?
Anything by Nora Roberts.

What would your dream vacation be?
A European vacation with my entire family.  I'd love to see it all - all the museums and the history.  All the places I've read about but never thought I'd get the chance to see.  I have a minor in history and would love to see that all come to life by being "there."

Why do you blog?
I originally started my blog to showcase things from my business so that potential clients had some where to go to see some of the things I've made.  But now I blog because of all the connections I've made with people who like to do the same things I do.  And I love it!
I'm tagging the following bloggers but there's no pressure to play along.  It's totally up to you.

Bliss @ Bliss Ranch
Carri @ Simply Done Wright
Fiona @ Just Paint It White
Candy @ Pickin and Paintin
Susan @ A Vintage Farmwife
Karin @ Art Is Beauty
Vicky@ Sleeping In An Unmade Bed 

So if you're willing to participate, here are your questions.
  1. What was the last book that you read?
  2. What is your favorite meal?
  3. What is your greatest accomplishment?
  4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
  5. What is your favorite childhood memory?
  6. If you won the lottery what would you do with the winnings?
  7. Name one thing that you would like to learn to do and why.
  8. What is your favorite movie?
  9. If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and why?
  10. What have you learned about yourself since you began blogging?
  11. Why do you blog?
 I can't wait to see your answers.  But again, no pressure to participate.  Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Love birds....

Hi Everyone!  I hope you had a great day.  It has been raining here all day.  It's a nice light rain and it's necessary.  I spent the morning at my parent's home.  It's so nice to have them home.  They gave me some gifts for taking care of their home, etc. while they were gone.  I'll do a separate post and show you the goodies later.

Do you remember the hand painted coasters I made?  If not, you can check them out here.  I liked them so well that I painted them as a set like I did on the silhouette blocks.  The only difference is that I turned the blocks on their side (they look like they are square but they aren't).




In these pictures I haven't added the antique medium to them yet.  The black paint was still a bit wet but I couldn't wait to take their pictures.  If you look closely, you can tell that the black paint isn't dry  yet.  I might decide not to add the antique medium.  What do you think?  Would you leave them this way or would you antique them?

I just can't seem to get enough of birds.  I promise to get back to building things soon.  The pressure is starting to build to get four benches built by the last week of April.  That's when my first fair of the season is.  I still have some time.  Thanks for stopping by.

 Update:
So I went ahead an antiqued them and I think they look much better.
 So what do you think?

Linking to:
http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com/2012/03/its-party-46.html 
http://lollyjaneboutique.blogspot.com/2012/03/teeny-tiny-shoes-giveaway-wgw-57.html 
http://too-much-time.com/2012/03/get-schooled-saturday-15-dont-stop-the-party.html 
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/03/sat-nite-special-link-party-126-unique.html 
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/2012/03/welcome-to-65th-masterpiece-monday.html 
http://petitehermine.blogspot.com/2012/03/sunday-linky-party-56-goodies.html 
http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2012/03/saturday-seven-party-no-19.html 
http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2012/03/overflowing-with-creativity-14.html 
http://www.apinchofjoy.com/2012/03/busy-monday-25-03-12/ 
http://my1929charmerblog.com/sundays-best-24-par-tay/ 
http://www.serendipityandspice.com/2012/03/manic-monday-linky-party-11.html 
http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/2012/03/welcome-to-week-8-of-cowgirl-up-link.html 

Monday, March 19, 2012

Footstool remake....

Hi Everyone!  Happy Monday!  I hope your week is off to a great start.  My parents arrived home last night.  Yeah!  They are tired and have lots to catch up on.  While they were gone, I remade my dad's footstool.  But I thought I'd better wait to share it with you until after he had a chance to see it.

Do you remember the footstool I made for my mom?  In case you missed it, you can check it out here.
It looked like this.
 This little footstool used to be my mom's but my dad took it over (that's why I had to make a new one for my mom).  Nothing wrong with it really, except that my dad ripped the seam on the top.
 It's hard to tell in this picture but the seam running from top to bottom is ripped and the button is missing it's cover.  So I decided while they were gone to fix it for them.  I started by removing the cushion from the base.  Then I mixed up some chalk paint to make black and painted the base.  Sorry I couldn't find the pictures I took of this step.  Then I removed the cushion using the leftover fabric from my mom's footstool.  So no new money spent on this redo.
 Then I reattached the top to the base.  And here it is sitting in my parent's living room, just waiting to be used.
My parents noticed it right away when they got home.  Now the pair of footstools look like they belong together.  They aren't exactly the same but they do look good together...just like my parents.  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://missmustardseed.com/2012/03/furniture-feature-friday-feature-link-party/ 

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Time to paint the fence....

Hi Everyone!  I hope your Sunday has been a good one.  I was out in one of the grain bins today looking for something when I came across this picket fence and birdhouse that I had made pre-blog.  (So no building photos).   In fact I had made several of them for one of my first craft fairs and this is the only one that's left.  So I decided to do a little remake on it and take it to my upcoming fair.
This is what it looked like before I started this morning.
 I cleaned it up and gave it a quick sanding.
 Then I painted it in ASCP in Old White.
 I haven't sanded it yet or applied wax in these first pictures.
 I repainted the birdhouse because the red and blue of the flag were a little faded.  I painted it in ASCP in Louis Blue.
 And here it is after sanding and wax.

It looks so much better after the little makeover.  Now it's all freshened up and ready for spring and summer.  One more before picture.
There really wasn't anything wrong with it, just a difference in style and taste.
I do like it much better this way.  Maybe I'll have to keep it and find a place for it.  Or I can enjoy it for the next month or so and take it to the fair.  If it doesn't sell than I know I need to keep it!  Maybe I should cut out a little bird and attach it to the fence.  What do you think?  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://my1929charmerblog.com/sundays-best-23-par-tay/ 
http://www.serendipityandspice.com/2012/03/manic-monday-linky-party-10.html
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2012/03/creative-bloggers-party-hop-031812.html 
http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2012/03/mix-it-up-monday_18.html 
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/2012/03/craft-o-maniac-monday-link-party.html 
http://alderberryhill.blogspot.com/2012/03/make-scene-monday-17.html 
http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/2012/03/making-monday-marvelous-98.html 
 http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/2012/03/welcome-to-64th-masterpiece-monday.html
http://romanceonadime.com/take-it-on-tuesday/take-it-on-tuesday-blog-hop-21-sneak-peak/ 
http://www.pandoras-craftbox.com/2012/03/new-linky-party-tuesday.html 
http://www.thesasselife.com/2012/03/crafty-sasse-wednesday-link-party-30.html 
http://natural-nester.blogspot.com/2012/03/yay-naturally-nifty-linky-party-is-up.html 
http://homehappyhome.blogspot.com/2012/03/whimsy-wednesday-link-party-4.html 
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2012/03/wow-us-wednesdays-58.html 
http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/2012/03/uncommonly-yours-link-party-20.html 
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2012/03/118th-power-of-paint-party-spring-bottle.html 
http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/2012/03/rock-n-share-21.html 
http://mrshinesclass.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/show-tell-no-15/ 
http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com/2012/03/its-party-46.html 
http://www.aturtleslifeforme.com/2012/03/share-wow-wednesday_21.html 
http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/2012/03/crafty-scrappy-happy-me-thursday-27-and.html 
http://www.the36thavenue.com/2012/03/show-me-extraordinary-47.html 
http://www.52mantels.com/2012/03/thursdays-are-your-days-vol-11.html 
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2012/03/welcome-to-inspiration-friday-no-57.html 
http://mom4realky.blogspot.com/2012/03/4-real-friday-linky-party-6.html 
http://madeinaday.com/2012/03/22/made-u-look-linky-18/ 
http://www.mysimplehomelife.com/2012/03/features-simply-creations-link-party-50.html 
http://www.504main.com/2012/03/tickled-pink-no-91ish-again.html 
http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/2012/03/catch-as-catch-can-66.html 
http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/shine-on-fridays-20-and-some-news.html 
 http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2012/03/friday-feature-party-48-and-mes-preferes/
http://www.craftionary.net/2012/03/friday-fun-party-and-features-12.html 
http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/2012/03/anything-goes-linky-42.html 
http://www.nutmegplace.com/2012/03/show-off-saturday-7.html 
http://too-much-time.com/2012/03/get-schooled-saturday-15-dont-stop-the-party.html 
 http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/03/sat-nite-special-link-party-126-unique.html
http://lollyjaneboutique.blogspot.com/2012/03/teeny-tiny-shoes-giveaway-wgw-57.html