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,

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,