~ haverford house ~

Conversation Questions

2012-01-30T11:36:00.004-06:00

Who doesn't like to have a good conversation? I thought this would be a fun

thing to have for a family or friends get together, when the kids are texting

or looking bored, or the men are talking business, sports, politics...

Start asking some questions to get everyone involved!

I got these labels from OfficeMax ~

they fit perfectly on the cards.

This next step was a personal choice, I didn't like the white labels

so I used a distressed background image from The Graphics Fairy.

Printed the distressed image first on the labels.

{White and Distressed}

Then, start coming up with your questions ~

I did make some up, and then did

a search for questions,

you can look

up by "ice breaker questions/conversation questions"

you'll find plenty.

Avery has templates to use

for the labels,

type your questions up

and print them out.

You can use an ordinary deck of cards...

I used these animal print cards ~

I found at Michael's

in the bargain bins

52 Questions to start a conversation!

For the cover

I used images found at The Graphics Fairy,

arranged them in Photoshop and printed it on satin photo paper.

Last, I used a 3 hole punch, positioned one of the punches

to the center - top of the card, and punched out all 52.

The ring, I found at Archiver's

For a little bit of time

and a little bit of money,

you can have great conversations!

Linking up to:

Brag Monday

Candle light

2012-01-23T15:29:00.000-06:00

Seems like lately I've been using flameless candles

instead of the real ones.

These are safe, but very boring, so I added a little scenery to this one ~

Here it is on

I printed this castle from The Graphics Fairy

on player piano sheet music.

I love how the light peeks through the perforations!

No horsing around here

2011-09-12T21:14:00.001-05:00

I almost passed this up...I was dropping off some bags of clothes at Goodwill

and thought I should drop in for a quick glance

It looks like it was handmade for "Heidi"

a solid rocking horse, no batteries, no plastic,

just a wooden rocking horse!

Cute paint job - if it was still the 1980's!

Now this is what I had envisioned...when I first saw her~

I sanded off all the old paint

and then two cans of spray paint later...

She's a beautiful white rocking horse!

I made the tail out of yarn from Michael's

Used my Cricut Expression to cut out the flowers

and my granddaughters name

I'm so happy I didn't pass this one up!

Nothing new, just a different way

2011-08-24T13:09:00.000-05:00

We all have fallen for images from The Graphics Fairy

adhered to a white painted pot...haven't we!

I hear you nodding yes!

Well I made some too, just a different way~

These two that I did are from Hobby Lobby, they were Terra cotta pots;

painted them white and then used a another way to affix the images!

I used Omni-Gel instead of the Mod Podge versions.

I have to admit, I tried this a long time ago with no success transferring an image,

then I re-read the instructions...and saw "laser copies"

thats where I went wrong...

trying to use the home injet copies.

It's easy and no need to reverse the images either. Just brush on

your laser copy image (read the instructions) and when it's dry,

soak in water and rub the paper off.

It comes out like a plastic sheet, trim it and you

can use Omni-Gel to adhere the image to your

object. You can find this in all the craft stores!

Just a different way!

Joining these link parties~

White Wednesday

Wow us Wednesday

They know what we want!

2011-08-22T09:59:00.000-05:00

Yes, Target sure does know that

we love grain sack images..even if it's a dish towel!

I picked these up at my local Target this weekend...$3.99/each!

These will not be used for dishes...I think I see some pillows or seat cushions here!

Run to your nearest store...before they're all gone!

Garden Gate

2011-08-14T12:53:00.000-05:00

We took the plunge this summer and fenced our yard,

this has been on my wish list for about seven years now.

Having two dogs, it's been wonderful letting them out now!

Of course, I needed to accessorize the gate

with some gate bling...{insert eye roll here from hubby}

The gate needed a heart shaped wreath, and one that could withstand the elements

and the wildlife!

I was all set to make a burlap wreath...then I happened to capture this little one...

I couldn't figure out why the banner was falling apart...

somewhere, there's a burlap birds nest or two.

Plan B, I got this punch and a roll of aluminum from Hobby Lobby

Punched out a swarm of fluttering butterflies ~

it was fun doing punch outs on aluminum,

folding the wings up and they hold their shape.

Glued them on a heart shaped wreath and sprayed it white.

A nice welcoming addition, to a boring gate {insert another hubby eye roll!}

Butterfly bling, and the birds can't make off with them!

I'll call her Betty Lou

2011-08-01T10:55:00.000-05:00

I've been searching for a dress form...

One I could dress up and name her!

I couldn't find one at a reasonable price, so I did something else!

I got some floral netting...

and I made one!

A lot of bending and shaping to give her the right curves!

My family thought I was making a rabbit pinata!

I layered her in strips of newspaper covered in

a flour and water mixture, and let her dry.

For her neck, I used these wood pieces that I glued together and

painted black...

then Mod Podged her with old sheet music.

Betty Lou, all dressed up for photos outside -

she's an inside girl really!

Look, no hands!

2011-05-13T19:11:00.006-05:00

I've been busy - the weather cooperated and I was able to get

a day to spray paint!....Finally!

My finished project! Since I love clocks so much,

I'm really loving this project.

I found this at my favorite thrift store, and I broke

my rule that I said I wouldn't ever do again...I saw this,

picked it up, put it down...and didn't buy it...and of course

I thought about it that night... I went back the next day...

there was a sign on the thrift store door "50% off one purchase today"...

Gulp, I hope that table is still there, I thought... it was...

normally I don't have this luck ~ and 50% off...hello $10.00 table!

The clock part wasn't doing it for me, I liked the numbers...just didn't

like the "Quartz" on the bottom of the face.

I scanned a clock face I had and printed it out on card stock,

spray adhesived it to the center of the clock face.

I have enough clocks around telling time, I didn't need

this to be a working clock...look, no hands!

Just some spray paint, no distressing

a little side table - my favorite things...clocks...and lamps!

the moral of this story is, when I picked the table up - I didn't

have my "spray paint" visionary goggles on to realize

what I could do with this, so I passed it up,

luckily it was still there...

it wasn't the price I was concerned about, it was...

at the moment, I'm not sure what I could do with it...

don't hesitate on purchasing something at a thrift store...

paint always makes it better!

Instant collection

2011-04-27T22:13:00.000-05:00

Here's my instant *old camera* collection...

and why I love thrift stores!

I've been on the search for old camera's ~

*ones that are pre-flash cube days...

I hit the jackpot thanks to my favorite thrift store!

@ the flea markets ~ old camera's go for no less than $25.00/each ~

not at the thrift stores

these were less than the price of a $5.00 foot long sandwich!

I love taking pictures ~ and my fascination with camera's inspired

me to start a collection - on a budget
~ ~ ~

All the *worth a thousand words* these camera's must have captured

I love the look of an old camera...I just wouldn't

want to take pictures with them, thank you modern technology!

If you've ever looked into the viewer to focus on one

of these, you'll understand how difficult it was

to take pictures...thank you again modern technology!

the cute volunteer lady at the thrift store tried

talking me into a newer *old* camera...saying

...they probably don't sell the film for these anymore...

...no thanks, no film necessary, I'll take these treasures...

and I'll be looking for more to add to my *instant* collection!

Bows Bows Bows

2011-04-21T11:18:00.000-05:00

My sweet little granddaughter is

seven months old!

She's slightly challenged in the hair department {meaning; lack of!}

So she always has a little hairband and bow on -

just so we don't get those awkward comments

"is it a boy"...when she's dressed head to toe in pink!

Here's my latest project to hold all those bows!

this was a thrift store find - a very ugly picture

in a great frame! I removed the glass and the picture

and sprayed the frame Ballet Pink.

then I covered foam core board with fabric and added the bright ribbons

now all her little bows are conveniently accessible

(this isn't all of them!)

Here's a gratuitous grandma picture....

I made her these little "pig tails" from

one of those hair pieces that we all

bought at the mall years ago...that

we never wore...or maybe wore just once!

She doesn't *likey* these too much...but

we get a good chuckle when we put these on her!

Thanks for stopping by!

Thrift store rehabbing

2011-04-18T11:21:00.001-05:00

I've been frequenting some of my favorite thrift stores

looking for treasures to "rehab"...

I've passed up some

things that I wanted to "think" about, only to go back and

find that someone else had snatched it up...

So no more thinking about things, I've learned my lesson!

Here the "after" picture of a recent treasure ...

I wanted to recreate this image from The Graphics Fairy.

Here's the "before" - getting ready to be spray painted

I didn't hesitate on purchasing this...

it wasn't very attractive,

a brown, wood, box...

but I thought it had potential!

I sprayed the top black and then cut out the

words in vinyl on my Cricuit Expression

Sprayed it with Heirloom White

At first, I wasn't pleased with the bubbly texture on top

but after some sanding ~ I'm liking the shabbiness!

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm linking up today to Brag Monday

Easter decorating

2011-04-11T10:44:00.000-05:00

A little Easter decorating going on here today ~

I painted some peat pots with acrylic paint

and picked the egg image from The Graphics Fairy

Mod Podged the image on and added a light sprinkling of glitter!

I've been growing winter wheat grass in baskets and pots ~ bringing some spring time inside!

If you can't find winter wheat grass seeds,

you can use cat nip seeds ~ you can find them at

pet supply stores...I've been told it's the same thing!

I'm joining The Graphics Fairy today for Brag Monday!

Thanks for stopping by!

Peepsi-crate

2011-04-04T11:05:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday...I've been absent from the blogging world lately

I seem to have lost my creative edge...

But, I think I've gotten it back!

All I needed was a visit to some

thrift stores and the flea market to get me out of my funk!

I found this Pepsi crate at the flea market - love the aged yellow and the graphics

it just needed something to fill in those little slots

It needed some Peeps!

Peepsi-crate

Nothing says spring time, like a crate full of Peeps!

I've got a lot more treasures to share...

I'll be back soon ~ I promise!

Piano rolls

2011-03-07T12:09:00.002-06:00

Recently, I came across a bunch of old player piano rolls...

and since I don't have a player piano, I needed to do something with them!

these are fragile and tear easy...

I folded them in sections and made a wreath ~

I'm such a clock fan, so I used two clock images from The Graphics Fairy.

loving all the perforations that once made music

Player piano rolls...a different type of sheet music!

Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!

I'm linking up today to:

Hello Yellow

2011-02-18T10:21:00.000-06:00

I've been a little MIA lately...

I'm in need of some sunshine,

some Yellow!

my mom gifted me with these funky yellow sunglasses

she found at a thrift store...

not exactly my style, but they are yellow and that makes me happy!

I've been making yellow pillows, this wool felt rose

was so easy and yellow

next, i made this one {seems to be a popular one these days}

Sunshine pillows

I'm going shopping for some yellow shoes today and

maybe I'll wear those yellow sunglasses too! Shoes + yellow = happy!

Have a great weekend...

have a Yellow weekend!

Union Flag love

2011-02-07T09:53:00.001-06:00

Seems the new pillow craze is the Union Flag,

so I hopped on that Union Flag pillow bandwagon too!

Some have made stencils or sewed trim to create their pillows ~

I took the easy way out and used the image from The Graphics Fairy!

I printed the image on 8.5 x 14 fabric (iron freezer paper to the back of fabric method)

~ sewed it on canvas and made it an envelope style pillow

~ stuffed with a 12 x 16 pillow form

Love the graphics and colors of the Union flag.

No stenciling, no measuring trim,

just print and a few stitches on the machine...easy!

Today I'm joining ~

Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy

WWDD...What Would Donna Do

2011-02-05T07:23:00.000-06:00

I'm joining the Copy Me Challenge over at Funky Junk Interiors!

I did a vignette of some of my "Funky Junk" that I think

would qualify me as a "copy cat" of Donna's style.

These are all mixed in throughout the house ~

I've been a "treasure" collector all my life!

Eight ~ my lucky number

this bowling pin set is one of my favorites

I just found this tripod at a thrift store and added the globe to it ~ they fit perfectly together

tin sifter - I love old kitchen gadgets

player piano rolls - for an upcoming project

I can never pass up these shoe forms, especially the child size ones

wooden pulley - it kinda looks "animal like" with the binoculars on top of it!

Horse shoes - you can never have too many!

Just a few of my funky treasures!

Thanks for stopping by!

Felt Rosy

2011-01-11T10:37:00.000-06:00

I'm into upcycling these days

I just "up'd" this purse....

I found these cute, little red felt roses at Hobby Lobby

got two packs of each size

{these were in the Valentine's Day section}

It would have taken forever to make these!

I had this dog purse - it's been

sitting nice in the back of the closet for awhile now.

Hobby Lobby has these reptile texture felt squares

Brace yourself, here's my tutorial for this project...

hot glue!

I glued the black felt square to cover the front of the purse

I thought it might pull off

but it worked perfectly.

then glued the flowers on - I'm kind of a symmetrical girl

My new purse ~ fun ~ whimsical & rosy

watch out Kate Spade, there's a new handbag designer in town!

*wink*

I'm joining today!

Finishing the unfinished

2011-01-05T22:55:00.002-06:00

Hello, I'm a project starter and stopper (I need a support group for this)

My goal for 2011 is to finish all my unfinished 2010 projects!

Here's my first finished project ~

I apologize, I thought I took a picture of it before, back 2010, but I didn't.

It was brown wood and not attractive at all.

It had all the carving/scroll details to make into a Trumeau Mirror.

I visited Miss Mustard Seed a few weeks ago

she had a brown mirror similar to my unfinished project...

I was going to paint mine all white ~ until I saw what she did

I loved the blue she used.

Miss Mustard Seed just posted how she did hers...

we seem to have the same steps...check out her great tutorial!

Here's what I did ~
* tape off the mirror - important!

* sand the wood - wipe down w/a tack cloth

* paint all white (left over latex white paint) {this is where I stopped in '10}

* paint in the blue (I used Folk Art Sky Blue)

*stain all the nooks and crannies (I used Folk Art Antiquing Medium)

This was so simple, and the stain is what pulled it all together

lightly sanded some of the high spots, to give it a little more age

I got this mirror last April at Big Lots

not sure if they still have them... if you're lucky, maybe

you can find one at a garage sale or Goodwill!

Fork, knife and spoon

2011-01-03T11:10:00.001-06:00

I spied...these placemats at Anthro...have you?

I did love them too, but I didn't get them...

I thought about it, then I thought, hmmmmm, I could probably make

my own!

I had some white, super heavyweight 9 x 12 construction paper

from Hobby Lobby ~ $1.77 for 50/sheets

Then I went to The Graphics Fairy and she had this and this

and made my own version of Fine Dining Placemats.

I couldn't find a dinner plate image

but, I do like the oval frame - it makes mine different than their's!

Anthro's paper placemats are 50 for $24.00

My version is 50 for $1.77!

I'm also thinking about personalizing the center ~

with Happy Birthday's, or some ones name..

for those fancy, Fine Dining occasions that happen so often here! *wink*

I'm joining these parties today!
Brag Monday
Amaze Me Monday

New Year's resolution

2010-12-31T10:34:00.000-06:00

A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other.

~Anonymous

I'm making my usual resolution list...

spend less, save more, lose weight, exercise,

use tote bags instead of getting plastic bags from the store...

etc. etc. etc.!

Wishing you a Happy and Safe New Year!

Bring on 2011!!!

Fun to wake up to...

2010-12-29T11:43:00.000-06:00

Hope you had a wonderful holiday

...doesn't it go by way too fast???

this is what i woke up to on Xmas morn...

my drunken Paperwhites bloomed!

i watered them with a mixture of water and a splash of Vodka...

and they are tiny ~ the tallest bloom is 7 inches...

kind of scary to think that Vodka stunts their height

guess that's why ~ only fully grown adults should drink it!

here's something else i woke up to on Xmas morn...

my handsome hubby surprised me with these clock plates from Pottery Barn!

a few hints were dropped...

cuz i really don't need another bathrobe and fuzzy slippers!

I hope you woke up to wonderful surprises too on Xmas morn!!!

~ ~ ~

~Retraction~

on my Random 100th post for 2010

i made the comment...some of my closest peeps do not read my blog

well, i got served some legal papers...and hit with a stiff penalty...i'm happy Susan

reads my blog...and more than happy to pay up!

Merry Christmas to all

2010-12-25T08:48:00.000-06:00

May your Holiday be filled with joy, happiness and love!

Random 100th

2010-12-21T10:49:00.000-06:00

This is my 100th post this year - and I have nothing...no projects...nothing

I'm not finished with Xmas shopping either.

I did panic, someone ate all the chocolates from the Advent Calendar

I thought it was Christmas Eve...

what a relief, I have a few days left to shop!

What I will share are some Random pictures

I started blogging, so friends and family could see

what I'm doing (they always ask me)

Some read my blog, some have never stopped by.

This is for all the people who do stop by my blog...
pics of the people who don't!

My hubby, he never stops by

this is the man of my dreams

we are saving up so he can visit a dentist

and a good eye doctor

my son, he likes having his picture taken with fake birds

he needs to learn how to shave

I'm going to buy him a razor for Xmas

he doesn't even know I have a blog.

me and my MIL

we were at a wedding

we had a few Chardonnays under our Spanx

I love Sue, she never reads my blog

Sue borrowed that dress I'm wearing

she wore it to her company holiday party

she said she looked better in it than I did

Sue is 65 years old!

here's my friend Susan

she wanted her picture taken at the flea market

this was a little abandoned teddy bear sitting by himself

I think she used this picture for her Xmas card this year

Susan never reads my blog.

here's my friend Patty

she's extremely overweight

she likes going to the beach

she reads my blog once-in-awhile

not all the time

so if this pic is removed

it's because she's served me with some legal papers.

last, my little angel,

my granddaughter Chloe

she doesn't read my blog either!

I took this picture of her

went to get copies made...

when they were ready to be picked-up

they wanted the photographers release form

~thank you photo processors

you made my day!

{they definitely do not read my blog}

~ ~ ~ ~

For those who stop by my blog ~

thank you, thank you, thank you!

Hopefully, I won't be ordered to

remove the contents of this 100th posting!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy Happy Holidays!

~Marcy

Artichoke Dip

2010-12-15T12:16:00.000-06:00

I'm getting ready to make & take my world famous artichoke dip!

It's a very simple recipe, I'm always asked to bring this one,

and asked for my world famous artichoke dip recipe

I'm always happy to share~

So, I made a permanent recipe for the hostess

I used a flour sack towel from Dollar Tree, typed up my recipe and added a artichoke image,

printed it out on a Wilton light fabric iron-on transfer (remembering to reverse the image!)

ironed it on the towel.

It's all ready to accompany my world famous dip!

A fun way to share your recipes!

White December

2010-12-03T11:49:00.001-06:00

I cannot believe it's December already!

i've only managed to do a little holiday decorating so far,

Simple and White is my theme

i found this lil' sled at the flea market and painted it white ~

i'm using stencils for decorations ~ backed with pages from

a Dollar Tree novel!

i got this 4ft white tree and now regret not just getting a taller one

i do decorate another tree in our family room ~

that will be the one Santa delivers too!

all decorated with the stencil ornaments, some others I made and

the rest are from Dollar Tree.

some shredded book pages - stuck in the trumpet!

i am in love with white tree's

Crown on top

a little white truck delivering some white Xmas trees!

my stairway is simple this year too ~ it's a clock face theme ~

Christmas Time!

i found some images from here and here

and did a Google search for the rest

a few small watch faces added in

i love clocks!

i had to make sure to leave some space at the bottom

so my little furry kids can rest during the day!

Brighton and Conan

the only time they care about is feeding time!

Linking to Sarah’s holiday party.

May the force be with you

2010-11-18T09:45:00.000-06:00

Okay, i'm a little corny here ~

i'm forcing bulbs...Paperwhites to be exact!

I always forget to get bulbs for forcing inside,
so I marked on my calendar for November...buy bulbs

if you try going in December or later
they're gone for the season

i stocked up too!
i plan to stagger them in stages
so i'll have them blooming for several weeks
this winter

plant them in a container with some little rocks and water them!

i'm trying this tip on how to keep
them from getting to tall and top heavy...a little vodka!
Drunken Paperwhites!

these bulbs were .60/each
a lot less costly, than one of those kits
that come with one bulb, rocks, and a ugly container

Paperwhites...a beautiful, sweet smelling
Spring reminder
in Winter!

Wish ticket

2010-11-15T12:03:00.002-06:00

I've starting doing some Xmas crafting

i'm giving myself a little challenge this year

i'm going to do a tree with things

that i already have,

or that i make,

or i buy at the dollar store,

or i buy at Michael's

{i keep bending my rules...

originally i wasn't going to buy anything...

that's okay it's my little contest i'm participating in!}

i'll give you a little ~sneak peak~ of what i have so far

i'm using one of The Graphics Fairy's images

for the ticket - and i used the Fontanesi font from dafont

to add WISH to the ticket

i got these glass ornaments at Michael's...

they're 50% off this week!

added some shredded sheet music, some glitter,

tinsel and a WISH...then added the silver key (already had!)

Next, this one was fun,

i used the Eiffel Tower from Papertoys.com

printed it on cardstock, cut it out, glued it together

then used Mod Podge and sprinkled glitter

added a little coffee filter rosette...

I've got many, many more to make, a lot of glitter to clean up

and

hoping I'll be done by Xmas!

New horizons

2010-11-12T08:08:00.002-06:00

I love taking pictures, and two years ago I got Photoshop Elements 7

(yep, the current version is Elements 9), installed it; however I couldn't figure it out...

I bought books, watched countless video's on You Tube

and I still couldn't figure it out.

Then, I happened upon Kim Klassen at her Kim Klassen Cafe and my life has changed!

I've been taking Kim's Skinny-Mini ecourse and the world of Photoshop has just opened up for me

Kim is so generous...this class is FREE!

Here's some of my completed homework projects...

yes, she's gives out homework assignments - but these are fun!

some textures i've been playing with...

compared to where i was a week ago -

i mean two years ago...

i've taken giant steps into the world of Photoshop!

pictures will never be the same for me now!

my before shots

If Photoshop is something you'd like

to gain some insight on,

or learn some hot new tips & tricks

pay Kim a visit, she'll open up a whole new world for you!

If Dorothy skated...

2010-11-09T12:01:00.002-06:00

She might have worn these!

i've been wanting to

*sparkle* up some ice skates for the holiday season...

i found these boy's figure skates at a sporting goods resale shop

it's best to buy them before the ice skating season starts...
they mark the prices up then!

these were $9.00

after some Cherry Red spray painting

i then used red glitter on the boot,

black glitter on the bottom and silver glitter on the blade

~brushed on Mod Podged then the glitter~

tied on some new laces (holiday ribbon)

added the marabou trim and pom-poms to the laces

Ruby Red Skates

perfect for the upcoming holiday season!

Map quest

2010-11-08T09:19:00.001-06:00

Who uses a map these days?

I do...well, sort of!

I got a travel size

Road Atlas at Dollar Tree

Nope, I'm not going anywhere

however, a map wreath was my destination!

I cut out each of the maps, rolled them up and

glued them all together.

and added the Air Mail graphic

from The Graphics Fairy

Something for those world travelers on

your list!

Today I'm joining

The Graphics Fairy ~ Brag Monday
Just Something I Whipped Up

Lavender bliss

2010-10-25T08:03:00.005-05:00

I recently bought some Lavender bliss...

sixteen ounces of Lavender bliss to be exact!

to make sachets...

i used a Holy Card image from The Graphics Fairy

printed them out on fabric

in black & white

sewed and filled with lavender

and added little

Fleur-de-lis charms

~Love~

this Madonna and Child
Holy Card image

I'm going to put these on Xmas gifts

for family & friends

yes, this lavender smells as beautiful as it looks ~ bliss!

i have a lot more sachets to make...

a few for me too!

Today.I'm.joining
The Graphics Fairy for Brag Monday

When Chloe sleeps...

2010-10-24T19:48:00.000-05:00

Before my little granddaughter Chloe arrived,

i visited this amazing blog

Mila's Daydreams

i loved how Adele captured her sweet baby girl's dream time!

when Chloe arrived, i was inspired to take a few pictures of her dream time!

i posted these on FB for all of Chloe's family

to enjoy...i promise, no more here after today!

~ Laundry on a bright and Sunny day ~

~ The Fairy Princess of Flower Land ~

~ Flying lessons ~

Thinking outside the white box

2010-10-22T12:26:00.000-05:00

Seems like lately all I've done is paint things white...till

I found these two ~~ugly~~ lovely pictures at my favorite thrift store for .99/each

i loved the ornate frames

so when it came time to re-purpose these...

i reached for the white spray can...

and then

decided to think outside the white box...

and go with Cherry Red!

White is my go-to-color

however, I thought these would look

great at Thanksgiving, Christmas and even 4th of July

if they were red.

I painted over the original ~~beautiful~~ floral picture

with chalkboard paint...

and used my Cricut to cut out the Give Thanks...

because my handwriting is atrocious

they are chalk ready for someone else to write on!

I'm a little bit done with all the Halloween decorations

I'm ready for Thanksgiving to be here

and Christmas will be here before we know it!

I am thinking of a white Christmas tree this year...

that's out-of-box thinking...right!

Linking up today with

DebbieDoos

My Romantic Home

White music

2010-10-20T08:45:00.000-05:00

This is one to cross off my treasure hunt list ~

i keep a list of treasures i hope to find...

and on my list is/was ~ a little violin

i found this little violin at the flea market a couple of weeks ago

the dealer asked if i was going to refinish it...

~me~

"oh yes, with white spray paint"

is there any other way to refinish something???

i don't think that was the answer

he wanted to hear!

I'm loving

my new found treasure!

do you keep of list of treasures to find?

I'm putting a winning lotto ticket

on my treasure hunt list

...i need to find one of those!

~ ~ ~

I'm joining the White Wednesday party today!

Sew I can...

2010-10-15T10:57:00.000-05:00

I can't speak a foreign language...

I can't sing a note (i do try)...

I can't dance either (i've been compared to Elaine from Seinfeld)...

what i can do is,

i can sew

people are amazed with my hidden talent

i usually get "youuuuuu can sew???"....

i think they feel this way because of that singing thingy

by no means would i consider myself a professional sewer

my specialty has always been making Halloween costumes...

no costumes this year...

Sew, this is what i did...

my new little granddaughter Chloe

is being Christened this weekend

and i made her dress!

i was browsing this site and fell in love with

their Christening gowns...

i knew i could make an heirloom gown just for Chloe

i spent this past week doing what i do best ~ sewing!

Chloe

modeling right after i finished

i was so fearful she wouldn't fit into it...

but it fit her perfectly!

all i have left to do is her

headband and bib...

the church gave the parents

a bib that will be put on the babies after they

are baptized...

this is the bib they gave out...

i don't think so...

i didn't spend the past week making a dress

to put a piece of cotton cut out with pinking shears

over that dress!

i can't dance and i can't sing...but i can sew!

Have a great weekend!

Halloween Easy

2010-10-10T19:52:00.002-05:00

This year

I'm going easy on Halloween...

yes, i'm a softy....

Not my usual Halloween creep-fest of

tombstones, scary creatures sitting in chairs,

skeleton's everywhere...

no faux blood dripping ...

or creepy music playing...all the fun stuff!

it's Halloween Fat Free (a.k.a. scary free)

nice and easy for Halloween 2010

just a simple, fall harvest display here ~

some fake mums and some real mums

i made orange & black banners for the banisters...

no cobwebs or giant spiders this year

just keeping it simple ~ pumpkins and gourds

a little red wagon I scored last weekend at the flea market...

oh, how I wanted to put a skeleton in it...

however, I resisted and did a bale of straw (hay)...

a nice fall vignette...

Okay, I did do two little scary things...

i added two little ~green~ glittered rats...

I had to have something scary!

I had to!

i 'm liking a simple Halloween this year

~or should I say~ Harvest Display

in past years...

we had a creepy, scary house on Halloween

little trick-or-treat or's didn't want to walk up to our door...

they'd scream and run....

okay,

it was the five and under crowd ~

not the older kids!

it's less scary here this year!

going easy on the little tricksters this year ~

I did see some houses in the neighborhood

who have their

graveyards, cobwebs and creepy stuff up...

i'm so jealous....

Next year ~ beware

I'll be back!

Thrift store finds...

2010-10-01T11:49:00.000-05:00

I've made numerous trips to my local Goodwill -

donating, not shopping.

I like donating there...

you drive up and they unload everything!

I won't shop there - because I don't want to see my stuff!

I do have a secret little thrift shop thatI like shopping at,

so I won't donate to them ~ but I do make purchases!

Just a few things I recently acquired~

I found a 'chippy' shutter,

black dress form,

a white Rosary

and this round black marble piece that is laser etched with the

Blessed Virgin Mary

I was very intrigued by this, and not sure why someone would donate this or what it's purpose was.

The manager at the store said it came from

a headstone maker and this was a sample of what he etches on the headstones...

I had to have it then!

I found the Rosary too, I've never seen Rosaries in a thrift store,

these items seemed to be some sort of a sign from above!

The metal crown was rust colored and of course - i sprayed it white!

They all seemed to fit together like they were meant to be!

Tomorrow is the Kane County Flea Market and I can't wait!

I hope to find some new treasures ~ things that are meant to be!

I linking up today with

Debbiedoos and her Garage Salen Party!

Trying to get my Fall on

2010-09-23T10:20:00.000-05:00

Summer is officially over

I've been in a Fall mood for over a month now

i so L.O.V.E fall colors

I've only gotten a few things out -

all the Fall/Halloween stuff will be hauled out this weekend!

I've managed to add a little color outside

you see, we've been busy inside

purging...you know getting rid of stuff...

donating...donating...donating

I've made so many trips to Good Will

they know me by name now!

hubby has been helping too with donating...

except...he put his old cowboy boots in

the donate box...

and I took them out...

he thought I lost my marbles over this one...

but hey, how can you resist not using an old

boot in your Fall decor!

he did say he has some

old golf shoes he wants to get rid of...

hmmmmm...

Our new gift from God~

2010-09-14T08:59:00.000-05:00

Please meet my new granddaughter ~ Chloe Elizabeth!

Chloe arrived on Labor Day - September 6, 2010

9 lbs. 4 oz ~ yes, she's a big, healthy girl!

She's a precious bundle of pink joy!

We love her SO much!!!

It's amazing how she's changed

since these pictures.

These pictures are what they

took in the hospital ~

much better than

the ones taken

20 something years ago!

This grandma can't wait to start spoiling her...

I've already found plans to build

her a Victorian play house in

our backyard!

Lamp makeover

2010-08-31T15:20:00.000-05:00

I'm such a fan of a can of spray paint...what would I do without it!

I'm liking (ok...loving) this lamp again!

Here's how it looked before - it didn't fit my color scheme any longer

however, I didn't want to put it in the donate box...so it got a spray makeover

I sprayed it all metallic silver (except the socket and the cord)

I removed the fabric from the shade

(then sprayed it silver too)

I'm lovin' the look of shades with grosgrain ribbon tied to them

(i've discovered that husbands aren't to fond of this look)

added a little bling and the makeovers complete!

Potato Sack Cork Board

2010-08-26T11:51:00.003-05:00

Earlier this summer I found some potato sacks at the flea market -

they were too big to make into pillows so I made one into a Cork Board.

here's the potato sack when I brought it home

I love the graphics on this one

I found this canvas style cork board at Joann's

and stapled the potato sack to the back of it.

now I can add little reminder notes!

If you don't have a potato sack -

burlap and stenciling would look great too.

These are the pins I'm using to hold notes

~they're floral pins and I added beads

and used a crimping bead on the end.

~ Link Parties ~

Shameless copying

2010-08-18T10:56:00.000-05:00

I so loved the leopard pumpkins Tracy made at Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures ~

however...

I couldn't find leopard tissue paper ~ not anywhere

If I had found some, I would have made some

leopard pumpkins and gone on my crafting way

and never posted about it!

Ahem...I'm here posting because...

I found this...

and it's super simple to make a leopard pumpkin!

I wrapped up some faux pumpkins and gourds

and didn't have to bother with Mod Podge!

Thanks to Tracy for her inspiration on this project!

Oh, and the Spotted Leopard Duck tape

~ i found it at Walmart!

Glass Garden Towers

2010-08-14T11:07:00.002-05:00

Glass Garden Towers are the new hot item!

I saw some at the flea market and like any good crafter would say

"i can make that"

I collected some of my own glass odds and end's ~

hit the thrift stores and dollar stores

got some E600 glue

{ I first tried a silicone adhesive - that didn't work at all}

an old Avon perfume bottle for the top

It's been extremely hot and humid here and

the glue does not want to dry...

glue these in steps (i did two at a time) -

or you might get a topple over (i did)

Use a bud vase for the bottom - the piece that goes onto the stake

I haven't glued the vases on these yet - I hear Monday

the humidity will break and I'm waiting till then to finish

If you didn't want to put these on a stake -

you could set them in a spot in your garden

or ~ keep them in the house ~ maybe a nice sunny window location!

It's been fun searching for the right colors and pieces

to match up ~

I hope these inspire you to make one too!

Happy gluing!

Link Parties

It's nice to be winner!

2010-08-11T16:28:00.000-05:00

Look what I won!

This beautiful fleece blanket and a Starbucks gift card (it's tucked away in my purse)!

Alix from Shadywood Chic had this great giveaway!

Alix and her family host a cheering event for

the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walkers in Chicago!

They also have a site specific for their fundraising The Pair Tree Foundation

Thanks Alix for these great prizes!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-04T12:21:00.000-05:00

Cuckoo time

2010-08-02T18:13:00.001-05:00

I've always loved cuckoo clocks!

I got one about twenty years ago,

I'm not allowed to run it here...

nobody else appreciates the cuckoo every half hour!

Yesterday, I was at the flea market and found

a cuckoo clock...

One that doesn't work,

thats okay...

and has some pieces missing from it...thats okay

All I wanted to do to it was...

spray paint it white!

I added the wood appliques to cover

the areas missing pieces.

My silent cuckoo clock...

My family is happy for that!

~ Link Parties ~

Thrifty fun finds

2010-07-31T10:28:00.000-05:00

I rescued these treasures a few weeks ago,

at an antique mall when I went to visit my BFF ~ Elizabeth in Peoria, IL

these printing stamps

were in a box marked $5.00

I had to have this crimped milk glass bowl

I love this old wooden level

~ it still has the bubble

the wood and brass

is what caught my eye

they had several of these

and I'm kicking myself for

not getting more

I'm thinking of making it into a shelf -

I'll always know if its level!

Last, I found these little golf clubs at a local thrift store,

they're probably from one of those "executive desk games"

I'm thinking they would make fun drink stirrers ~

for hubby and his golfing buddies

when they stop by here for the 19th hole!

This weekend is my favorite flea market ~

so I'm off to rescue some new treasures!

~Have a great weekend~

Paper Roses

2010-07-30T12:49:00.000-05:00

The Baby Shower is now history, the day was beautiful and everything turned out great!

The most talked about decoration I had were these paper roses!

I promised everyone if they would check out my blog,

I would post instructions on how to make them!

These are made with white coffee filters (not the cone type)

I dyed them in neon pink food coloring for 10 minutes.

Then I let them sit out in the sun for about 2 hours to dry,

you could put them in the oven on a baking sheet too,

I decided to let Mother Nature do the baking for me!

Here's everything I used

(and a pair of scissors)

Now to start making them ~ fold in half

Then fold again

and then fold a third time.

cut the top to look like a flower petal.

I used scrap booking tape to secure each filter

when I wrapped them.

the flower stems are from Michael's bridal section
I used 5 filters for each rose

Pink Paper Roses

and they're so easy to make!

Turtle Burgers

2010-07-21T15:23:00.001-05:00

It's getting close to baby shower day here ~ Sunday...yikes...

and I'm running around like a chicken with its head cut off!

I haven't blogged, but I've been keeping up on emails.

I got this cute one below and when the dust settles here after the shower ~

I'm going to try this!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bacon Cheese Turtle Burger

Mmmmmmm bacon...

Handmade ground beef patties, topped with sharp cheddar cheese, wrapped in a bacon weave.

Then the next step, add hot dogs as the heads, legs and tail.

Place on an oven rack, covered loosely with foil and baked for 20-30 minutes at 400 degrees.

A little crispy, not too crunchy...just how a turtle should be, no?

Imagine peoples faces when they get a Turtle Burger on their plate!

Pink Fest!

2010-07-14T10:01:00.001-05:00

Hi blog friends, I've been absent from blog world lately,

trust me, I haven't been lounging at the pool or anything.

I've been getting ready for Pink Fest a.k.a. the Baby Shower!

My baby granddaughter Chloe is about to make her debut in this big world,

they just upped her due date from September 3rd to August 30th!

I'm hosting the baby shower next Sunday -

and I've been busier than a bee!

these are rose's I made from coffee filters - I dyed them pink!

It's going to be a Girly event!

I've made a lot of these tissue flowers too...I think I'm in a paper phase now!

I rescued the cradle from my neighbors trash several months ago...I painted it white.

No, it's not going to be used by baby Chloe - It's only a decoration for the shower!

just a sample of my decorations!

this was my Christening gown!

I found this little baby carriage at Home Goods and I added the lace and trim!

baby shoes I found at the flea market and sprayed them pink!

I even painted a little truck pink too!

It's holding Chloe's ultrasound picture of

her cute little feet!

I'm going to do a candy bar...

so far, this is the only pink candy I can find...

I'm on a mission to find more pink candy!

If you have any suggestions, please let me know!

So, if you can't tell - I'm tickled pink

and can't wait for baby Chloe to arrive!

For now, Think Pink!

800 little cupcakes that weren't meant to be....

2010-06-28T13:11:00.000-05:00

I had this lamp from Ikea and thought it needed something....

800 cupcake liners to be exact...

I got the idea from the wreaths made with punched pages from books.

I wasn't up to punching - and cupcake liners popped into my head!

I got two packs of these and it wasn't enough, I had to get another pack of 100

You use one of these handy craft tools ~

place the cupcake liner on top~

fold it over the pencil {craft tool}~

about 800 times!

then hot glue, hot glue, hot glue!

I love how it looks lit ~ a nice glow ~ kinda 'jelly fish' looking!

people are drawn to it and have the urge to touch it!

it took many, many nights to complete this,

but if you have a TV in front of you

the folding and gluing goes by fast!

I'm sorry about the 800 cupcakes that weren't meant to be!

I've been etching to do this...

2010-06-22T13:21:00.001-05:00

some Faux etching...

I spotted this Fleurs vase at Ballards and thought I could do the same using

clear Contact Paper and my Cricut

{this does say 'Fleurs' you can't see the S}

Contact Paper does have an etched glass product,

however, it has a diamond pattern

I think the clear looks more like etching

this was a lot easier than using the etching process ~

and if I change my mind,

I'll peel it off and put something else on!

If you don't have a Cricut - find a friend who has one!

it's so easy to personalize something

you can hand wash these

and the Contact Paper doesn't come off

Update here! Sorry, I thought everyone knew about the

Cricut Expression machine! They make good Xmas or Bday presents

when you drop hints to your hubby!

Envelope Pillows

2010-06-18T14:11:00.001-05:00

My other flea market grain sacks are now pillows

I washed and dried the grain sacks and then used the entire sack to make each pillow.

I did them envelope style - which is sooooo simple!

If you can sew two seams - one on each side - you can do it!

To stuff them, I used down pillow inserts from Ikea.

Here's a You Tube tutorial on how to make envelope pillows.

These two took 10 minutes to make!

That includes getting my sewing machine out,

plugging it in,

pinning the sides,

sewing,

and stuffing the pillows into the sacks!

Easy Peasy!

Toy Truck Plant Holder

2010-06-14T08:31:00.001-05:00

I've been searching garage sales and thrift stores for some old toy trucks -

and coming up empty handed.

I was at Hobby Lobby on Saturday and found this replica of a toy truck in the 66% clearance aisle.

I want to use old toy trucks as plant holders!

I'm not to picky about the condition they are in

since I want to spray them all one color.

Just out of the body shop with a new coat of paint ~

a couple of coats of Krylon Ocean Blue

the perfect parking spot now

loaded a little Dahlia to the bed of the truck

I'm still on the search for old trucks

hoping to add more to my fleet~

a rainbow of toy trucks!

Otto~man

2010-06-12T10:09:00.000-05:00

My latest project was recovering an ottoman that was well used and very unattractive -

I don't think it ever was attractive - just functional!

I'll show you the after first!

It looks a little bit puckery in the pictures

but not in real life!

I used one of the grain sacks that I got at the flea market last weekend.

I like the "minimum weight 80 lbs"!

pigs do fly!

Here's the before - it had been in hiding for about 4 years.

I used a heavy canvas fabric - pinned it inside out

and then sewed it all together.

then I made this pleated ruffle to go on the bottom.

a lot of pinning!

and last, I top stitched the grain sack to the top.

Now, anyone who weighs at least 80 lbs can sit on this ottoman!

My White Wednesday

2010-06-09T09:14:00.002-05:00

This is the last of our blooming trees...our Chinese Lilac

the flowers are amazing

this tree blooms every other year

view is from a window on our second floor

I couldn't resist taking these birds eye pictures

a picture of it the other morning in the fog

the blooms are all fading - and a lot of sweeping!

An Unexpected Stencil

2010-06-07T16:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to

Hotel

~Paris-Liege ~

i found this box at Hobby Lobby in their 66% clearance aisle

love this ~ however, looking at the metal sign

all I thought of using it for was a stencil!

i removed it and it works great as an unexpected stencil!

i sprayed a wood plaque from Michaels

then taped it on the plaque and used stencil paint

{craft paint bleeds through...trust me!}

did a little sanding and distressing

i can't wait to try this on fabric next!

Plenty of sacks

2010-06-06T08:11:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I ventured out to the Kane County Flea Market

rain and humidity couldn't keep me away~

it was a sack day for me

i hit the jackpot!

i hope Froedtert Malt

won't take it back since it says "property of"

love these sacks -

i'm thinking of making pillows and recovering an ottoman

the pheasant and two dogs are what had me!

some Bingo cards

and this primary card - that i had to have!

flea market fun!

Rib Fest

2010-05-29T15:11:00.000-05:00

Memorial Day weekend is here and our favorite thing to grill is Ribs!!!

So I thought I'd share with you my recipe for the best ever Ribs - I promise!

Pork Loin Ribs

Barbeque Sauce

Salt & Pepper

and

Reynolds Oven bags ~ Turkey Size

Salt & Pepper the ribs or use any seasonings you prefer

Put just a little bbq sauce on the ribs - you'll use the rest when you grill them

Put them in the Oven bag(s) 2 slabs fit in one turkey size bag

Close bag - poke the recommended holes in the bag and then put them on a cookie sheet

and bake at 350 for 90 minutes...(they will be so tender)

Take them out and flash them on the grill

with bbq sauce for 7 minutes (or depending on how browned you like them)

I promise you will have the most tender, delicious ribs ever!

Have a Happy and Safe Memorial Day!

2.4.3.5

2010-05-26T07:23:00.000-05:00

It's been horribly hot here the past three days

~i'm not one to complain~

{okay, i am complaining now}

but, we haven't had spring yet

and now we have August weather...

So, i did a little retail therapy!

i stopped at TJ Maxx

and found these buckets with numbers!

Oh, how i love numbers!

these made my day finding them!

2 ~ 4 ~ 3 ~ 5 {not sure why I had them in this order}

before the heat wave, we had rain and cold...

so i stayed in and sewed and sewed...

I made these pillows for the deck

I've made six - and need to make

about six more...

if the heat wave continues

i may make a total of sixty!

I didn't only make pillows...

I embellished canvas sacks too~

these will impress those baggers!

Weather man says today is the last day of our heat wave!

Then i'll be outside planting flowers!

My bucket list ~ a Canned Ham!

2010-05-20T08:41:00.002-05:00

I was at Jo-Anns and found this bird house~

which is something that is on my bucket list!

I went in to buy this fabric to make pillows for outside and

found this Canned Ham Camper!

I want one of these so bad! I want to fix it up really cute (girly)

inside and out, and then hit the open road!

These were pictures that I Googled

And then I want to join the Sisters On The Fly on their Cowgirl Caravan!!

This is from their website:

WHO ARE "SISTERS ON THE FLY''

We are a group of women who challenge ourselves in all that we set our minds to do. We have no age or color. We represent no religion or political group. We welcome all women who want to share the adventures of "sisterhood".

In the summer of 1999, my sister Becky and myself (Maurrie) sat on a drift boat in Montana fly-fishing. We were happily drinking a glass of wine in celebration of catching an 8 lb. Brown Trout. Our Fly- Fishing Outfitter and Guide (www.seaandstreamflyfishing.com), Austin, (also my son) congratulated our good job. Of course, we won't tell you which one of us caught it… It's a fish-tale you know!

From that moment on we invited friends to share in our adventures. Our “Sisterhood” has grown into almost 1,400 women. It is all about the participating in outdoor adventures with women of the same mindset.

“WE HAVE MORE FUN THAN ANYONE”

You are encouraged to join us on one of our trips and let yourselves be spoiled rotten PLUS learn to fish, learn to be a real Western Cowgirl, run rivers, go on adventures that are just pure highway traveling fun. The best part is gathering new sisters you didn't know you had. We range in age from 88 to 21 with most in between.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Check out their website and all the great pictures!

I'm sure you'll be adding this adventure to your bucket list too!

For now, this is my inspiration ~

hopefully soon I'll be joining the Sisters On The Fly

in my own Canned Ham!