Family Rules

As much as I'd like to claim this idea as my own, I found this cute idea over at http://lindseycheney.blogspot.com/2009/09/family-rules-canvas.html

And while I didn't want to do a giant one, I picked up this frame from a garage sale for a song...just $2bucks so I made a miniature version.





It was a fun project to do with Jimmy.
He helped me and we decided on which rules would be best suited for our family. He even put them in the order he wanted to. I can't wait to see how the new family rules will play out.

HERE'S OUR FAMILY RULES
Always tell the truth
Ask first, No whining
Obey your parents
Bless your food, Be grateful
Keep your promises
Encourage your siblings
Never follow an apology with...but
Use your manners
Don't forget your homework
Do your best
Say I love you
Sing silly, dance crazy, hug often
Have fun
Practice forgiveness
Thank God for this family

I was thinking if I had more room I would have added:

No elbows on the table
Bodily functions should be done in private
Put the toilet seat down
No empty cartons in the refrigerator
Use a GLASS!
Pick up your socks
Try flushing
No tearing
No pulling the cat's tail
No chocolate for breakfast
Go to sleep!
Help your poor mom out
No talking back to Mom, that goes for Jimmy and Dad.

And I'm sure Jim would have liked me to add, NO Yelling Mom.
Yeah right. Like that's going to happen.

Happy Junking,

Our New Dining Experience

Ever wonder why you can always find a place to eat at the uncomfortable Bar at your favorite restaurant when the cozy booths and tables are always taken...

Bellying up to the bar is not what I had in mind for gathering my family for dinner; which is where we eat most of our meals together. And, it's too formal and complicated eating dinner at our long table in our formal dining room when it's just us.

I was tired of the disconnected feeling so I changed some things around and made good practical and functional use of a sitting area near our kitchen. Now we have a nook, with a round table we can gather around as a family and eat our meals together.

It just feels better being able to look straight across the table and hear about my son's day rather than try to lean forward to see him and pick up every other word or so.

Somethings we do for design. Somethings we do for function. This was a completely beat to hell and broken table I picked up for $45 at a yard sale. It had some great carvings on the base and some nice big chunky carved lion's claws. It sat in my garage for four years getting more and beat.I did my quick and usual black satin shabby finish and hit it with the sander...

"Tah-Da"

Instant Family Togetherness.

Happy Junking,

Before and After

From drab to fab:

Once an icky old oak mug rack from a kitchen...$1.00

'Tah-Dah "

Now a fresh and fancy shabby-chic'ed jewelry holder-

in the bathroom.

*************************************************************

A dated and sad frame...$3.00

Unleash the great detail with a little white paint and some sand paper. When the frame was brown, you couldn't see all the carving and the brown was too dark for the painting. Add a funky, dark and gothic antique oil painting of a San Francisco Victorian from a yard sale for just $5.00...

and...

"Tah-Da"

Instant Masterpiece!

Happy Junking,

For the Birds...Or Not.

"To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk".
-Thomas Edison

I love this funky antique bird cage stand and a serendipitous bird cage I found at a two different garage sales...I guess some things are meant to be.

Since we don't have a bird or any plans for one, I popped in a candle instead.

vintage stand: $9

black metal bird house: $3

candle: -0-

Entire cuteness just $12

"Tah-Da"

Quite the visionary I am.

Happy Junking,

Let Them Eat Cake

The easiest, cheapest most functional repurposing idea ever.Take one fabulous plate $1.00 and one candle holder $1.00---Glue plate on top of candle holder with some "Goop" clear adhesive---

"Tah-Da"

A brand new cake plate for just $2.00!

Words of a Feather

Flock together...



I love this website. You can create some really cool graphic images with Words that mean something to you here:

http://www.wordle.net/



Just type in words or names and hit GO and you will see some great layouts. To see more layouts, hit the random button until you see one you Love. You can also search their gallery and view other people's word-art creations.



I'm going to put one on my Doodle's blog too.



Happy Wording,

Problem Solved

To wallpaper or not wallpaper. That has been the question.

My friend Lisa, who happens to be a well known interior designer in Utah sent me a FABULOUS IDEA that she just did in her master bedroom. I will get the wallpaper look I'm after with a fraction of the cost and work required. Best part, if I get sick of it, it's not like I have to remove wallpaper from the entire room!

I'm loving this idea. Especially with the chandelier in the bedroom.

Sorry Jim.

Happy Junking,

My Vintage View

I've been trying to think about what I should do with some old vintage windows...God Bless the Internet for such great ideas.

"Tah Dah"

Happy Junking,

From Drab to Fab

I picked up this rustic pine console table at a garage sale for $50 awhile back. I went back and forth on whether or not to paint it or leave it. Instead, I opted to stencil the top of it with a French Prayer; not that I speak French...

"Tah-Dah"

Tag Sale Tuesday

Here's where I show you what I bought over the weekend at tag sales...slim pickings this weekend maybe because of the holiday.

I did what I could with my limited resources...

My favorite thing this weekend: This fabulous antique Underwood Typewriter: $20.00

Believe it or not, it inspires me to write.

A great silver patina lamp with multi colored stones: $5.00

(new lampshade from Ross for $5.99)
Gorgeous ornate silver box: $2.00
Basket of instant ancestors...old photos for my mixed media projects: $5.00
BEFORE

Old rattan and iron cafe chair: $1.00
AFTER

Old chair now in my garden...

"Tah-Dah"!!!

Already had the terra cotta pot and the flowers cost me $18.00.

Total price for garden chair project: $17.00

My damage from this weekend is just $54.99 (+tax).

Happy Junking,

Hersheys Did It Again

They have unwrapped the secret to easy baking...

Because I am too lazy to unwrap chocolate Kisses myself.

I refuse to diet on holidays; any day actually, and since today was a national holiday I made Peanut Butter Kiss cookies. It's a little comical that they give you a resealable sticky tab so that you can save the leftover Kisses and keep them fresh. Around our house, there is no need for such a frivolous contraption.

The Kisses are gone.

I'm looking forward to fall and cooler days that will allow me to turn my oven on and bake.

I love this recipe except I like to use chunky peanut butter and I'm too tired and busy to form the dough into perfect little balls
so I get a more rustic looking cookie.

Hershey's Peanut Butter Blossoms

48 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
1/2 cup shortening (I use real butter)
3/4 cup REESE'S Creamy Peanut Butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Granulated sugar

Directions:1.Heat oven to 375°F. Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.3. Shape dough into 48 balls (about 1-inch each). Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 3 to 4 minutes. Press chocolate kiss into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove cookies from sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.
48 cookies.

(I'll tell you right now this recipe does NOT make 48 cookies)

Happy Labor Day!

Visions of Bedrooms Are Dancing in My Head

Damn you Tori Spelling and your glamorous bedroom and fabulous custom upholstered headboard.

I've been a little obsessed with redoing our master bedroom and the ambitious side of me wants to get a bold pattered wall paper and go a little crazy but the realistic side of me is thinking it might not be that easy and I might get sick of it really fast. And, I'm trying to think ahead and remember how much I HATE removing wallpaper.

Also, in the name of fashion, I would love to put a giant sparkly and drippy chandelier in the center of our room but we have a fan in there now and it actually serves a purpose when it is stifling hot outside; plus which, I don't think I could convince my husband to scrap the fan. So I need a reality check.

So, for now I am still exploring bedrooms and possibilities and my right brain is talking with my left brain about whether I should be practical or just go for it. Right now our bedroom is painted Kelly Moore, Wise Owl which is a beige color. I have mostly pine furniture and robins egg blue and chocolate brown is my color theme on the bed and windows.

Hmmmm, she says.

I'm torn between two lovers feeling like a fool. Should I do an all white on white shabby chic room or a bold damask wall paper either in black and white or robins egg blue and brown (which I have going on) which would add some color to the walls?

When you have children and a husband that works in construction, white on white might not be my best choice. Another reality check. Chocolate brown hides dirt so much better.

Are you as confused as I am now?

Sweet Dreams,