What's New?

Been working my tail off...which doesn't allow much time for blogging or decorating but I have squeeeeeezed in a few projects over the last couple of weeks. I like to play a little game with my husband...it's called "Let's see how long it takes him to notice". I buy or create something new and weeks later he'll comment on it. My 10 year old and I have a conversation something like this: "How long do you think it will take Dad to notice that?" and I say something like, "2.5 weeks" and then the fun begins...


Here's what's new at my house:

5 fabulous rustic pine chairs to go around my black shabby chic table - purchased at a garage sale for $20 each. Added some sparkle to our Great Room with some crystals on the Chandelier. $26.
A $5.00 shelf, painted barn red and shabby-chic-ed to perfection.

Ahhhhh. More surface room for more knick knacks for the Queen.I know, I know, the picture is a little off center but I wanted to put the architectural salvage angel on the shelf and I had to do it this way. Not sure that I love it. But I'm living with it. Do you love my $10 Framed Rooster Oil Painting?

Oh. And I went to a 2 day scrapbooking fundraising retreat. I cranked out 17 pages (12x12) for my kids albums. It was a productive way to remember I must tap into my creative spirit or I will DIE.

I'll try not to stay away so long next time. I've missed you guys!

Happy Junking,

Great Pumpkins

Getting ready to hit the pumpkin patch with the kiddos and thought I would pass on some creative inspiration in the form of pumpkins.

Happy Pumpkin Patching,

Photos courtesy of Country Living, BHG, Parents Magazines

Useful Space

5 years ago When we designed our house there was no plans at that time for a baby. And then a baby came and there was no bedroom for him, just an upstairs office/play loft. So in order to give my now 3 year old his own room, we had to put up a wall and build a closet which left my office a small disfuntional and awkward space. I had a closet crafters company come in and design some much needed storage space and a desk. In my custom designed cabinets I have my art and scrapbooking supplies nicely organized for the very first time which leaves me plenty of space to work at the computer. If the loft area wasn't open to downstairs with valted ceiligns, it would be stifling and crowded. But, it is actually the perfect amount of space for one person to work.

I made a framed bulletin board this weekend for just $3.00. The frame was a dated old brown obstruction, but rather large with nice detail. I did my signature black shabby chic paint treatment on it. The corkboard was from a dumpster dive...literally. Yes, my feet were sticking out of a very large and icky dirty disgusting dumpster. So it was FREE, my favorite kind. And the fabric I already had which was left over from another project.

I purchased some letters half off at Kohls to spell TO DO, no not TAH-DA, although that would have been cute too. "Tah-Da"
So my work and crafting space is slowly coming together. I also have a large project table/desk up there with a light so I can spread out when needed and CREATE.

Happy Crafting,

Bake Someone Happy

Doesn't the crisp fall air make you want to bake something? Fire up your oven and serve these with some cinnamon butter and coffee. Now that's what I'm talkin' about.

Easy Country Pumpkin Muffins


INGREDIENTS
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin
1/2 cup water
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups raisins or NOT
1 cup chopped walnuts or NOT

DIRECTIONS
In a large mixing bowl, beat sugar, oil, eggs, pumpkin and water. Combine flour, baking powder, soda, spices and salt. Add to pumpkin mixture; blend well. Fold in raisins and walnuts. Spoon into greased muffin tins, filling 3/4 full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes.


Happy Baking,

It's the Thought and the Do-Dads that Count

I took my first crack at a piece of Mixed Media Art and it was fun. I don't know what I've been so scared of all these years since I'm a scrapbooker at heart and spend hours scrapping my brains out. Maybe it was the creepy doll heads and things I've seen used in other people's mixed media art--but I kept mine PG with no bug specimens or viles of poison.

It's my bosses birthday on Monday so I had her boyfriend discreetly send me a couple of her baby pictures. And since she is in the business of Making People's Dreams Come True...naturally her picture is holding a metal tag with a tiny ribbon that says DREAM...Kind of my reoccurring theme.

"Tah-Da"

It's a 9" x 12" canvas and oh yes that is a crown at the top and oh yes she does have glittery angel wings. How Caaauuuuute is that?

I hope she likes it. You Either love mixed media art or hate it. I don't think there is much in between.

Happy Junking,