Thursday, February 28, 2013

Painted panels...

Hi Everyone!  I've been waiting a long time to share this with you.  Back in January I started working on a project that was finally completed today when a package arrived on my front porch.  And I'm so excited to share this with you!
So most of you know that I make a lot of headboard benches each year to sale at fairs that I attend.  And I've always thought about making some pillows to go along with them.
I decided that the pillows needed to be really special.  So I painted them.
I hand painted 8 panels to coordinate with fabric that I use for the seat of the benches that I make.
 I wanted each pillow to be 16x16" when finished, so I cut the panels I painted on roughly 18x18" to allow plenty of fabric for the seams.
 The painted panels are either drop cloth material or cream duck fabric.  I washed all the material so there wouldn't be shrinking later on.  Then I ironed it all and got to work painting the panels.
 I tried to make sure that what I painted on each panel went with the fabric that was going on the back of the pillow and the pipping.
 When I finished painted on each panel, I set the paint by ironing it.    Then I asked the very sweet and talented Amy from While Wearing Heels if she was interested in making some pillows for me.  If you haven't seen Amy's blog, you really need to stop by and say hi.  She also has an Etsy shop that has some amazing things in it.  I knew by what I had seen on her blog and in her shop that she was the gal to turn my panels into pillows.  And I was right.
 I haven't had a chance to have a photo session with them as pillows yet because I just couldn't wait to share them with you.
 Each pillow has an envelope back so they can be carefully washed if need be.
 When I bought the welting for the piping I got a really thick welting so there would be plenty of the back material on the front to frame out the painted panel.  And I'm really happy with the way they turned out!  I can't wait to put the pillow inserts in them and then have a photo session with them.
I also asked Amy to make some pillows out of just the fabric, no painted panel to go along with some of the other benches.  Amy does amazing work and I'm just thrilled that she was willing to turn my vision into a reality.  Thank you so much Amy!  So that's just a little of what I've been up to.  Thanks for stopping by!

Linking to:
http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/2013/02/catch-as-catch-can-112.html
http://www.504main.com/2013/02/tickled-pink-135.html 
http://madeinaday.com/2013/02/28/made-u-look-linky-62/ 
http://www.oneartsymama.com/2013/02/shine-on-fridays-69.html 
http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2013/02/link-up-with-me-liz-marie-38/ 
http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2013/02/link-party-93-and-les-features 
http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/2013/02/rock-n-share-30.html 
http://www.mysimplehomelife.com/2013/03/simply-creations-link-party-features-90.html 
http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/2013/03/welcome-week-56-of-scoop-link-party.html 

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

A little peek...

Hi Everyone!  Yesterday was the start of a new blog year for me.  It's the start of my third year and I can't believe that two years are in the books.  It has been like the blink of any eye.  It seems like last month when I first clicked publish on my very first post.  And it still amazes me that anyone reads it but I'm so very thankful that you do!
So here's just a little peek of what I was working on yesterday.  I have so much to share with you and I promise that I will just as soon as I'm finished with it.  It's all I do to keep this to myself..... Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Two years already?...

Hi Everyone!  I want to start out by saying thank you for all your birthday well wishes.  I had a very happy birthday.  I didn't do anything exciting.  I painted.  Which is exactly what I wanted to do!


I promise to show you just as soon as I'm finished.
And today is my two year blog anniversary!  Can you believe it's been two years.  It feels like about a year.  I want to say thank you to everyone who stops by, reads and comments.  I am truly blessed and humbled to have "met" some really great people here.  Thanks for joining me on this journey. 

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Happy day...

Hi Everyone!  Today the plan is to finish up some painting.  But since I'm not ready to show you what I've been up to, I thought I'd share the flowers I picked up for myself yesterday.
I am not a girlie girl...more of a tomboy...but I love cut flowers. 
 I went to town yesterday to pick up some flowers but they'd only let me have a couple of daisy bunches.  Because of the snow storm, they didn't get their flower shipment and they had a bunch of funerals.  I wanted to get the green and purple poms, but they couldn't spare any of them.
 Then when I stopped by Wal-Mart, I saw the yellow roses and just had to get them.  So that's how I ended up with this combination of flowers.  But I really do love them!
They are very fragrant and brighten up the house.  And every girl needs some flowers once in a while, especially on her birthday.  Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, February 22, 2013

New fallen snow...

Hi Everyone!  This is what I awoke to this morning.  It was such a pretty sight.....
...the dogs loved playing in it this morning....
...it was cold but not terrible...the wind wasn't blowing too bad (yet)...
...and then I looked to the north...to the implement shed where the truck is parked....
...and there was a snowdrift that went up to my knees right behind the truck....
...which I shoveled out of the way...you can see the new pile of snow that I created so I could get the truck out and go to work today....I was only an hour and a half late...but I made it.  And then when I got home my dear sweet neighbor had come with the tractor and cleaned the drive out for me!  You've got to love a farmer willing to help a gal out!  Thanks Bear!  Thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

A little peek..

Hi Everyone!  I just thought I'd show you a little peek at one of the things I've been busy doing....and what I'll be doing throughout the snowstorm that we're expecting here.
I have plenty of projects planned and ready to go just in case we do get the expected 8 to 10 inches of snow.  Because there is nothing worse than being snowed in without projects to do.  I have enough ready to last me through Sunday night...or longer.  So I'm all set for the snow.  Be safe everyone!  Thanks for stopping by.

Friday, February 15, 2013

The box is full...

Hi Everyone!  Just stopping in to show you a little peek at one of the things that happened here this past week.
Now I'm off to work...Have a Happy Friday!  Thanks for stopping by.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine's Day....

Hi Everyone!  Happy Valentine's Day!  I love cut flowers.  I love the aroma.  I love how they make me smile....
...I normally don't get flowers on Valentine's Day...but look what was delivered to me at work today.
...I love the green daisy's....
...and the yellow ones with green center the best...
...and is this not the cutest vase...
Thanks Mom and Dad for caring enough about me to send me flowers today!
...and Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!  Thanks for always stopping by.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Changes are happening...

Hi Everyone!  I hope you all having a great week.  I was busy working on a bunch of things the last couple of weeks, things I'm not ready to share yet, but I promise, I'll be sharing them soon.

I spent Saturday out in the garage that hasn't housed a vehicle in it since I moved here.  I've been using it as storage.   And Saturday I began cleaning and organizing it.
Sunday was super windy, cold and rainy so I worked inside.  I decided after using my studio for about six months, that I needed more storage.  I drew up some plans on storage to build and then decided to move a large armoire into the space, reconfigure it for my needs and paint it.  I haven't painted it yet, but I did get it moved but I had to remove part of the trim from the side of the top.  It's very large and very heavy.  For a few minutes I thought it wasn't going to win the battle, but I managed to muscle it into place.
And of course moving this means several other pieces of furniture (a table and rolling cart) had to be moved.  I also had to move the antique hanging scale in the studio to the west window since the armoire is now where the scale had been.
I dismantled the couch that I built about five or six years ago.  I needed a couch so I built it.  But since moving the living room to the smaller room and setting up the studio in the large addition, I no longer had a need or room for the couch.  I've been planning to dismantle it for a while, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it, until Saturday night.  It came apart a lot faster than it went together.  But I recycled every piece of it (minus the fabric and batting) for use in other projects.
I also removed my grandparents old stereo.  I forgot to take a picture of it.  It was a very large piece of furniture that was really heavy.  When I first moved into the farmhouse after my grandparents passed away, I wanted to keep as much of their things around and incorporate as much of it as I could into my decor.  But as time has passed, I've been slowly removing most of it except for things that hold a lot of meaning to me.

There are other changes happening here and I promise to share them with you just as soon as I can.  Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

All Star Block Party Features...

Hi Everyone!  If you're here looking for the All Star Block Party, I'm sorry to say the party has ended.  As it turns out, last week was the last party.  I didn't know it at the time or else I would have given you some notice.
So here at my favorites from our last party!  

I love the way this stand turned out!  That green is so fresh and spring-like!  And the knobs are wonderful.  Lisa did a great job on it.
Lisa @ Create inspire me






I adore this pallet art of Texas.  It turned out great.  I love how Rachelle put a heart where Houston would be.
Rachelle @ Adventures In Creating
I adore what Denise did with everyday common items found at your hardware store.  It's a perfect gift on Valentine's Day!
Denise @ Denise...On A Whim

Be sure to stop by and say hi.  It will definitely be worth it.  And if you've been featured, please grab a featured button.
Full Circle Creations
<div align="center"><a href="http://fullcirclecreations.blogspot.com/" title="Full Circle Creations"><img src="http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i402/fullcirclecre8/allstar.jpg" alt="Full Circle Creations" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Well, it's certainly been fun.  I'm going to miss these weekly parties.  And as always, thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

All Star Block Party #35 and Features....

Hi Everyone!  Welcome to the All Star Block Party!  Thank you so much for making our 34th party a great success.  You guys have been busy and I loved checking out what you've been up to.  So on to last week's features....

I adore this Empire Dresser.  Susan did an amazing job on it.  It has just the right amount of distressing and the two green knobs at the top are a nice touch.
Susan @ Sunflower Hugs

Catherine did an amazing job transforming this from a dresser into a bench!  I just love how this turned out!
paint and dark wax
Catherine @ Freddy and Petunia

I love this fleece and denim blanket that Crystelle made for her son.  And Crystelle has a great tutorial that I think I could even follow and I don't sew very much!
Picture
Crystelle @ Crystelle Boutique 

 I love these button sugar cookies.  How fun would they be to receive on Valentine's Day...or any day!
Jody and Stan @ Rooted in Thyme

  Be sure to stop by and say hi.  It will definitely be worth it.  And if you've been featured, please grab a featured button.
Full Circle Creations
<div align="center"><a href="http://fullcirclecreations.blogspot.com/" title="Full Circle Creations"><img src="http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i402/fullcirclecre8/allstar.jpg" alt="Full Circle Creations" style="border:none;" /></a></div>


 Now the business part of the party....We ask that you be a follower to participate. 
Link back to the blog that you linked up to.
Keep your links family friendly.
Only submit projects made by you.
No business pages, giveaways or link parties allowed.
We reserve the right to delete any link that does not follow these rules.
   
My co-hosts.....Shasta @ In The Old Road,  Heather @ New House, New Home, New Life, Meg @ Nutmeg Place and I invite you to link up any of YOUR creations, old or new.  It can be crafts, remodels, woodworking, artwork, recipes, gardening, sewing projects...you get the idea.  We want to see what YOU'VE been working on Make sure that your link  is to your specific post and not your blog's main URL.  Be sure to visit some of your fellow blogger's link ups.  Then leave them some comment love.
 

 So grab a button and show us what you've been up to.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Wedding dress...

 Hi Everyone!  I hope you are all enjoying your weekend.  I want to show you one of things I was working on over the last couple weeks.  I finally finished it last night.
 I started it a few weeks ago and then set it a side to work on orders that I had gotten and finally had time on Wednesday on my snow day.  And last night I was able to get the frame completed.
 Have you seen the movie "The Holiday" that stars Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz?  Do you remember the large painting of the dress in the LA house?  That was my inspiration for this.  The movie was playing on TV one day and I happened to flip to it right at that scene and I decided right then that I needed to paint.
 I knew I wanted the ribbon and bow when I first started painting but I wasn't sure about the color and just went with it.  And I'm really happy that I did.  It's a bold pop of color.  I wasn't sure what color to paint the frame so I picked a distressed black because I wanted the frame to disappear and the dress to be the focus.