Grace Goods

New Crafting Venture, Old Birthday

2011-04-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

I missed posting this on the exact day, but I still want to acknowledge a birthday we had at our house. My best little friend, Belle, turned 16 years old last Wednesday. And I will admit, she was long over-due for a bath, so I gave her one, thinking I would get her looking spiffy for a few Birthday candid shots. Turned out, I only managed to make her look like a stray!!

Her hair is still wet and she is not too happy about it.

She doesn't jump on the sofa anymore, she can't hear at all nor see too well. When we have to get her attention, we wave our arms real big. Lord knows what the neighbors think of us!! But she is still a sweet gal. Hard to believe I've had her since she was 6 weeks old.

And I have finally started doing a crafting project that has been on my To Do List for a long time!! I finally picked up some beautiful colors of yarn, got my Mama's old crochet hook, and sat down for a weekend, playing.

Round and round we go

New use for an old basket

Really loving these colors together.

Have you started a new project? If not, it's Springtime, a great time to jump in!!

Milestone - 100th Sale in the Shop!!

2011-04-07T06:59:00.000-07:00

WOW - I didn't think I would ever get to this point, but I'm so excited! I have finally made my 100th sale at Grace Goods. I know that for some people, this would have happened a l-o-n-g time ago. I mean, the shop has been opened since July 2009!! But I will be honest, I didn't really give it 100%. Being a stay-at-home-mom, everyday chores, and all the moving we have done, I was always able to find an excuse to procrastinate doing it. But this year, I realized that my life was just fly by, and I wasn't participating in it like I wanted to.

So I made a decision that this year, I would really start working towards my dream.

And slowly, I am getting there. Baby steps, I remember reading, are the secrets to achieving any goal. So my next milestone will be my 100th sale - for THIS Year!!

These are the items for the 100th sale. And I would like to give a big shout out to Gretchen of Casa Cupcake for being the lucky person. She is a repeat customer at Grace Goods and we found out that we have some really awesome things in common. Thank You Gretchen. And thanks to each of you who have supported me and offered words of encouragement.

{{ H U G S }}

Still Missing You

2011-03-26T17:45:00.000-07:00

Grace Adell Robinson Nuckolls
November 6, 1913 - March 26, 2007

My Inspiration, My Mentor, My Grandmother

I miss you!

In Sickness and Test

2011-02-17T20:37:00.000-08:00

I am going to blame it all on the weather, the rash of sickness that has swept through our house. Not terrible, off-to-see-the-doctor sick, but just the irksome sniffling, sneezing, runny nose, I'm tired as hell-but-can't-sleep-lying-down kind of sickness that comes with having snow one week and 60 degree weather the next!

And in that context, Hubby and I are taking care of each other. Seems the kids are doing a little better than us old foggies. Which explains why the rest of the house is asleep and I'm awake, drinking a hot cup of Butterscotch Caramel Toffee tea and making a late-night blog post. But if I was needing to go anywhere, I can do so now, LEGALLY!!!

You see, long story short, I let my license expire. And once expired, you have to re-take your drivers examine. The written test AND the road test. Two weeks ago, I started this process. Seems that things still move pretty slow in Alabama. To begin with, no one took the time to notice that my licence was expired. By the time they noticed, it was too late in the day to take the road test. This was on a Thursday. I return on Friday for the road test ( I had been calling the office for about 2 hours with no answer) It was raining that day, so no road test would be performed. I was able to take the written ( had to take it twice, but made a 100 the second go-around). They did make an appointment for me to take the road test for this past Wednesday. And lucky enough, Hubby was off that day and drove me to the facility. After another long wait, I finally was in the car with my instructor. The first thing she asked was for me to put the car in drive, activate the emergency brake and release the foot brake. Background info: We paid $900 for this car. It's a 1998 Chevy Blazer, green. I have nicknamed it Gobi. Supposedly for Gobi, the Green Goblin. Bust after all the trouble it has caused us to get it running properly, it's now Gobi, the Green Gremlin! And wouldn't you know it, that car just keep on going once I released the foot brake!! FAILED!! However, she was really sweet and said we could either see about getting the emergency brake fixed or asking a friend the use of their vehicle. Luckily, Hubby is in the Automobile parts business and just so happens to be good friends with a repair shop around the corner. Off we went, the three of us, Hubby, me and Gracyn. We get tot he shop, they hop underneath the truck, turn a few wrenches and it works. Hop back into the truck and return for the road test. As we pull up to the facility, Gracyn looks out her window and says, "On no, not again!" Life should always be as simple as a Two-year-old sees it!
I passed. Had a few "rolling stops" and didn't get the parking along a curb on a hill, but I passed. So now I am legal. Again. And I was so glad Hubby went with me. Originally, he thought he was going to have to work that day and my neighbor was going to take me. But as luck would have it, he got to take me and we went out for yummy bad-for-your-health burgers and fries at 5 Guys. And is was SO GOOD!

So, even in sickness, and in test, I'm glad he's around! And I didn't tell you the good news yet. He just celebrated a birthday...on February 12 he turned the Big 40! Still a baby as far as I'm concerned. I'm a cradle-robber apparently, by about 3 years. Who really cares, age is just a silly number. You should enjoy each day to it's maximum potential, no matter what your age. But it does help when you have two kids under the age of 10 to keep a sunny outlook on life. I just hope I can always remember to look at things through their eyes.

Goodnight,

Dear Toothfairy

2011-01-27T06:09:00.000-08:00

Dane has finally lost both his top front teeth.

It's so bizarre looking at him now!

And I just loved this note to the tooth fairy.
He pointed out exactly where inside the envelope she might find the missing tooth!
Gosh, ya gotta love kids!

And never one to miss a photo opportunity, here is Gracyn. I was attempting to snap a picture of her lavishing kisses on this pink pony. But as soon as she realized what I was trying to do, she got shy all of a sudden. At least I received a pretty smile!

Thrifting Finds

2011-01-26T08:51:00.000-08:00

Time to share a few great finds that I happened upon the last few weeks.

I have been bitten by a red bug...meaning I seem to be attracted to anything within the red hue family. So imagine my delight when I saw these two beautiful bags at a little hole-in-the-wall thrift store.

The small bag is actually reversible with a black toile fabric on the inside. It is now my everyday purse. And the large red bag I'm using to carry around either library books or small goodies that need to be mailed. Love the chickens on the cover of the book. And another new decorating item - Magnolias! Think I might be giving a coat of paint to those gold frames though.

Also at same said thrift store, I found this awesome lamp! Still haven't decided if it will be going in the shop or staying home with me. The Mid-century coffee cups are listed in the shop. And the cool fabric...a beautiful ticking-style curtain from Ikea. I've been using it as a backdrop for some of my items in the shop.

And the Best Deal of the Week...this great vintage transferware bowl. Yeah, I know it has a small chip, but that just adds character as far as I'm concerned. Price::::::: $1.20!!!!!!!! Love it! This came from a new shop I've just found. Think I might be going back there REAL soon!!

So, any good deals for you this week? Love to hear about it!!

Crazy January Challenge - Day 8 - 15

2011-01-17T15:09:00.000-08:00

Here are the final projects for my Crazy January Challenge. Sorry that I don't have all of these started, I will be purchasing the patterns and fabric just as soon as I can. And I thought that being snowed in all week would offer more time to get things done, but seems that when kids and dogs can't go outside on a normal basis, Mamma gets stuck with alleviating the boredom.

Day 9

Need to order pattern and fabric

Day 10

Need to order pattern and fabric

Day 11

American Eagle

Day 12 & 13

Need to order fabrics for these two

Day 14

Not sure which one of these I'm going to do for my best friend...so it's still a little up in the air.

Day 15

A very old pattern that I have always adored, just need to purchase the fabric.

XoXo,
Kristal

Crazy January Challenge - Day 5, 6, 7 & 8

2011-01-10T14:03:00.000-08:00

Okay, I'm still running behind with my post. A few of my pieces are alive in spirit, but I am having to slowly get all the appropriate supplies for each piece.

Day 5

Red Tree by Markia Beliori

Day 6

Country Heart Sampler by Need'l Hearts
(waiting to purchase fabric for this piece)

Day 7

Boo Jack by PrimitiveBetty's

Day 8

I am going to work the Angelic Birth Announcement in this one for my grandson (still feels weird to say that!). But again, I'm searching for a copy to purchase and then will need to decide on fabric and will work in the colors that Krystin is using in the baby's room.

That's all I have pictures for now. Not sure if you heard, we got had almost 8 inches of snow dumped on us last night! So, no school, Snow Day!! We stayed outside until little fingers and toes turned red, then it was time to come in and take a warm bath!

XoXo,

We are Grandparents!

2011-01-07T06:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, January 6, 2011, Charlie's daughter Krystin had a precious baby boy.

Introducing:
John-Camdyn Alexander Martin

7 lbs., 12 ozs. 21 inches long

We are so happy! Charlie is one proud grandpa!

XoXo,

Crazy January Challenge - Day 4

2011-01-05T07:08:00.000-08:00

Day 4

Reindeer by Sharon Bennett
Yellow fabric - From my very, very old stash
Using a combination of 300 & another unknown brown color

Also, I would like to mention that I have some cross stitch patterns listed on the shop. If you see anything that you like, I would also be very happy to trade for some other cross stitch patterns that I don't have. I fell out of cross stitch for awhile and have just recently started up, so anything that you have that is a few years old I might be interested in. Some designers I like right now: Blackbird Designs, Birds of a Feather, By the Bay Needleart,Carriage House Samplings, Goode Huswife, Little House Needleworks, Plum Street Samplers, Prairie Schooler.

XoXo,

Crazy January Challenge - Day 2 & 3

2011-01-04T16:12:00.000-08:00

Oops, running a little behind.

Day 2

Sampler Winter by Marika Belfiori
14 ct fabric from my stash

Day 3

Christmas Deer by Woolensails.
18 count fabric, hand dyed by me.

Cheers!!
XoXo

Crazy January Challenge - Day 1

2011-01-02T08:52:00.000-08:00

Looks like I am going to be one day behind, as I usually blog very early in the morning and stitch afterwards. This was my stitching for yesterday, January 1st.

Birds of a Feather - Bitter Flower Sampler
14 ct fabric from my stash. Distressed by me

Let's Get This Party Started!

2011-01-01T05:10:00.000-08:00

WELCOME 2011!!

Wow, can you believe it? It's 2011!! That sounds so far-fetched. Like we should be flying around in space ships or something. Or having a little robot come bring me my morning coffee. I guess just wishful thinking on that one - HA!

I know some of you make resolutions, and some of you think they are for the birds. What's the difference between a resolution and a goal? I make goals. And I made 10 of them this year. Easy, so I can count them off on my fingers (thank goodness I still have all 10).

Three of thses I will mention today, since I have been anxiously awaiting the New Year to get them rolling!

First, the Crazy January Challenge. I found out about it through Siobhan, at Notes from Blue Hen Hollow. Even though we have never actually 'met' F2F, she has managed to get me into trouble, and I can only imagine the fun we would have if let loose on the town for 24 hours!!

Second, a reading challenge, Winter in the Shade. I honestly don't have plans to complete this, but I would like to see how far I can go. And since hubby got me this for my birthday, I can't wait to start reading on it! But that brings to another smaller goal I made for this year. To try, I mean Really TRY to read from books that I already own, so that I can purge some. Think I might even start selling some, maybe through Amazon?

And, third on the list for today, Grace Goods. I will be putting new items in the shop. Lots of new items. Lots and L-O-T-S of new items, throughout the year. So please stop by the shop and have a look around. My goal is to really get the shop full of wonderful yummy stuff! I'm still discovering my style but I do know that the things I have in the shop are things that I believe would be wonderful in any home. I'm hoping that by really working on inventory this year, I can start to gather items that really speak to me and help establish a central theme for Grace Goods.

Hope you are having a wonderful New Years Day, enjoying yourself and your loved ones.

We're having some bad weather and lightning strikes, so I'm going for now...

~♥~

White Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T05:18:00.000-08:00

Well, I had wanted to post a quick note to all my blogging friends and say 'Merry Christmas' but had no idea I would wake up to this!!

For some of you, this is probably no big deal, but for me, this is the Best Christmas E-V-E-R!!

I can't believe it, but I had snow on my birthday and now for Christmas.

I will take that as a good omen for things to come...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

~♥~

The Sunday Café - Corn Pudding

2010-12-05T14:00:00.000-08:00

CORN PUDDING

1 pound frozen corn, 16 ozs.
½ cup milk
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp sugar
3 eggs, separated

In a greased baking dish, mix corn, milk, butter, sugar & beaten egg yolks. Beat egg whites & fold into other mixture. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes.

*NOTE: You may substitute 8 lightly greased 8 oz ramekins and place on a baking sheet. Bake as above.

SOUTHWESTERN CORN PUDDING: Stir in 1 - 4.5 oz can chopped green chiles and ¼ tsp ground cumin.

~♥~

Monday Madness

2010-11-29T13:11:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday to All!! As usual, I had every intention to post first thing this morning, but my overwhelming list of chores seemed to just suck me right in, and now, hours later, when Dane is finally home from school, I'm sitting down to make a quick blog post. It has just started raining, make an already overcast Monday a little more dreary. Think we might be making a fire in the fireplace tonight!!

Have any of you ever seen these things? I saw them laying on the side of the road. The first time I was in the car with my neighbor. I made her stop so I could pick some up. Then I went back with Hubby and made him pull over on the side of the road, so I could grab some more. After doing a little research, I found out they are Osage oranges. They do have a sweet, citrus smell, something like combining lemons with oranges. But I just love the color! I am going to attempt to harvest some seeds. Since I don't have a permanent backyard, I might send some seeds to my Mamma and see if she can grow some. She is the family green-thumb anyway, so she might have better luck than me.

And while trying to get some Christmas decorating done on a limited budget, I pulled these two funny guys out of a bin that had been in an outside storage shed for two years. Dirty and possibly in need of a little paint update, their smiles are still in tact!!

I appreciate all the thoughts and well-wishes from my last post! You guys are so sweet! Things are better now, I guess I was having a "moment"!! We can have those, can't we?

Well, I've gone from housework to homework time. Dane has started reading "The Magic Tree House" series. We are on Book 2 - Knight at Dawn.

And I will say, his reading has improved. But he still has a ways to go to achieve his reading goal in class. He is required to read 80 words per minute and right now, he's at 65. But just last week, his school acquired a new 2nd grade teacher and he got in the new class, so I'm hoping this might be a good thing.

~♥~

It's Starting to Look Like...

2010-11-19T12:40:00.000-08:00

LEAVES!!

Everywhere

But at least they are a very pretty shade of yellowish gold.

I guess it's also the time to throw junk out.

So you know what I've been doing.

Rescuing said "junk" (can you hear the Hubby groan?)

Pink chair (notice how WELL it blends in with red carpet - LOL!)

One-legged rocking chair

A poor abandoned decoy. If it's any kind of animal, real or not, I'll be rescuing it.

And the one I'm most excited about, yet the one that I have no CLUE what I'm going to do with.

A cool wooden crate with a pallet-style bottom. There are two rows of sides and each side comes off and collapses. Cool!

And I just have to say a few personal words. Yeah, I know this is a blog and it's all mine and I can say pretty much anything I want, yet I know no one likes to hear (or read) about people's sad, boring lives. About their once-in-a-blue-moon personal little meltdowns. Well, you'll read about that now. Because I had one today. A meltdown. Not going to bore you with all the dirty little tid-bits, but it's wasn't fun. And I'm still trying to rise above it. And I would so love to talk to my Momma, yet she has a little to do with said depression. Because I haven't talked to her in almost a month. Because I'm too embarrassed to talk to her and tell her how much I screw up on something. See, I told you know one wants to hear all that.

So, I will end on a HAPPY note.

My son's Thanksgiving Project was to take an ordinary picture of a turkey and disguise him so that he wouldn't be eaten for dinner.
Dane's idea:

Chef Turkey-feathers

I loved it!

The Sunday Café - Manly Man Cheeseburger Pie

2010-11-14T16:15:00.001-08:00

CHEESEBURGER PIE

1 lb. ground beef

1 cup chopped onion

2 eggs

1 cup milk

4 slices cooked bacon

1/2 cup whole kernel frozen corn

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup buttermilk biscuit mix

Heat oven to 400°.

Grease 9" pie plate.

Cook beef and onion until beef is brown; drain.

Add bacon and corn, until thoroughly heated.

Spread in pie plate; sprinkle with cheese.

Stir remaining ingredients until blended.

Pour into pie plate.

Bake for 25 minutes.

~♥~

Veterns Day - 2010

2010-11-11T19:00:00.000-08:00

While I do not have anyone significant in my life that is in the Military at the present time, I do have a grandfather that served in WWII and a son that is very much interested in the art of warfare. I chose the vintage postcard below because of Dane's love of eagles (which reminds me, I can't WAIT to show you what I am stitching him for Christmas!)

But I do know that the life that we lead today could very well be a lot different than what it is. And it's all because of the Few, the Proud and the Brave. Thank you, each and everyone. And thanks to the families that support these heroes.

~♥~
Kristal

Halloween 2010

2010-11-02T10:26:00.000-07:00

Oh wow, it's been awhile!

But I've been a busy bee.

My Mama's birthday is in October, lucky girl.
I made a set of cross stitch pillows for her.

The design was from an old magazine, but I switched out the color combination's on both the witch's outfits and the cats.

My Mama's has blond hair and green eyes. Plus their mama cat, Alley, is a calico.

I guess this one was supposed to be me - reddish/brown hair and blue eyes.

And then brown hair and more blue eyes. And I just love all the cats!

Now for our Halloween!

Dane was a Swamp Monster, Gracyn was a witch and Charlie was a Kung Fu Instructor.

And yes, that's me in the Werewolf costume.

Our neighbors Brianna, Betsy and Chuck.

Spooky Nighttime

Hope you had a great time. Now it's time to start getting ready for the cold weather. And the Jolly Elf himself!

Grand Dead Dames

2010-10-20T11:37:00.000-07:00

Thought I would share a few things I've been working on for the shop.

It's my Grand Dead Dames.... a series of great ladies...that are Dead!!! I was inspired by my love of Historical Fiction and the t.v. series "1,000 Ways To Die".

I had lots of fun creating these.

Esmerelda Ozera

Gladys Oberbeck

* ♥ * SOLD * ♥ *

BORN: 12-28-1890
DIED: 12-24-1912

Happy that her birthday was just a few days away, Gladys had planned for an elaborate Christmas party, complete with old-fashioned candle lights on her magnificent fir tree. But with all the party preparations, Gladys had forgotten to water her fir tree regularly. So when she lighted all the candle lights, they soon started a small fire on the dried out tree, spreading faster than Gladys could say "Eggnog".

Poor Gladys, her Christmas dreams went up in smokes.

Desdemona Guler

* ♥ * SOLD * ♥ *

Born: 11-27-1847
Died: 5-25-1870

Desdemona loved to read. One day, while on her way to the weekly book club meeting, she happened to come across some late blooming summer flowers. When she placed her book bag down on the ground while she gathered some flowers to take with her to the meeting, she unknowingly disturbed a nest of African Killer bees. Sadly, Desdemona was unable to escape her attackers and she perished with her bookbag in hand. The bookclub selection was "Hamlet" and Desdemona was fond of the phrase "To be, or not to be..." she just never realized it would become her undoing.

You can all of the ones for sale here

Bad Junk Interiors #1

2010-10-15T16:06:00.000-07:00

Hi - Hello - Do you remember me? My name is Kristal and this is my little piece of blogland, but I seem to have vanished from it for awhile. Sorry about that. To say that things have been busy is an understatement. But I am putting my foot down and making things return to normal. Because I enjoy my blog and all the friends that I have made with and all the cool and interesting things that happen with it.

Just like now. Donna at Funky Junk is hosting a "Bad Junk Interiors" challenge on Facebook. How this woman knows that my house is a mess, I just don't know. But I could really use this type of encouragement.

So, are you ready to see a D-I-A-S-T-E-R

Okay, let me fill you in one one thing. One of the reasons I was gone so long was that we took a family vacation. My step-daughter is pregnant (I'm gonna be a grandmother!) and she was going to meet us in Mobile so that all of the family could see her before the big day gets here. While on this trip, I was loaded up with all sorts of goodies from just about every member of the family, hence all the assorted boxes and stuff in the living room. And add to that the fact that I'm still attempting to decorate for Halloween, and two kids, one being 2-years-old and a constant source of bundled up energy, well, it all combined to create this inferno.

Oh, and can I add in the two white/light colored dogs that are oozing hair everywhere...right into the lovely red carpet ( NOTE: If you have kids and dogs, don't E-V-E-R get red carpet!)

-*-*-*- And now after 24 hours -*-*-*-

As Gracie would say, "All Better"

Also, to let you know, Donna is hosting a fabulous giveaway on her blog. And I really do mean fabulous. Why I'm even telling you, I don''t know, because I really want to win something from her. So just forget you read that. LOL!!!

Thanks so much for bearing with me in my absence. I promise to get caught up with all my wonderful friends and their blogs. And to make up for lost time with LOTS of blog post!!

~♥~

One Down...

2010-09-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been blogging very much lately, but I have been super busy, accomplishing one of my goals for 2010. I'm not going to bore you with the whole list, but one of the things was to work on my shop, Grace Goods.

I had read that it helps if you break a larger goal down into smaller baby steps.
For this one, my three steps were:

Add new items twice a week
Have at least 50 items in the shop
Order business cards

Well, as of today, I have achieved the first two! Currently I have 55 items listed in the shop ~ Whew!!!
The last thing is to order some business cards, and I have a friend who will be helping me design and order these once her hectic schedule slows down with art shows.

This seems to be my biggest seller right now.

And this is what one person is doing with them.

You should visit Whysper Fairy and look at all the yummy stuff she has for sale!

And finally, I would like to show you a picture of my two kids.

Being crushed by Grave Digger, with smiles on their faces.

There was an event at Charlie's store, with lots of things to do with the kids.

Big kids and little kids

Tattoos

And I just had to take a picture of this little boy. He had the dirtiest face I have ever seen. But a big smile minus two front teeth .

Toddles my dear friends

~♥~

Halloween Finds

2010-09-09T12:02:00.000-07:00

I honestly think I have the willpower to resist most non-needful things.

Except then it comes to Halloween

Take a look

The book is my current read.

I just adore these cups. And they are B-I-G

Can't wait to get started decorating.

~♥~

Bedroom Makeover

2010-09-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

I wanted a new bedroom. But that wasn't in the budget.

Sooooo, using the age-old maxim of using what you have (and hence the whole theory behind Donna and her inspiration at Funky Junk) I did just that ~ kinda. I bought a gallon of paint. And some sand paper. But I still have a lot of the paint left, for other projects.

So, won't you please come take a peek at this little project I'm as so excited about!

Above and Below are pictures BEFORE I started

Next are a few pictures of the main focus of this makeover. To paint my baby dresser that has traveled with me over the last 20 something years.

It is a well-made piece of furniture, but was in desperate need of some TLC.

Forgive me for jumping along, I just get so dang excited!

Dresser ( now known as Evelyn) has been sanded and painted and distressed.
Now time for some finessing.

Using some of my plethora of old books, I lined the drawers with wonderful old pages.

"One night of love" Starring Grace Moore ~ PERFECT!

Ready to start her new life, Evelyn is back where she belongs.

I also put this wonderful old mirror above her. I am going to ask Hubby to help me hang it as it is SUPER heavy.

As with any room, it's the little things that help make a house a home.
I have had this light switch cover for ages. I don't even remember where it came from.
It is metal though, very unique. But ugly!

And now...WOW!!

Closeup of my curtains. Hence the inspiration for the whole room! To me, these lovelies look like old-fashioned Southern Ball gowns. And then that might just be my wild imagination!

Beautiful mercury glass tie backs

I still have a list of little things that I want/need to do.
But for now, I smile when I walk into our bedroom. And that is the BEST feeling in the world!

Thanks for joining me for this month's edition of "Gitter Done". A huge Thank You to Donna for inspiring me to get some of these things done. Now to start thinking about next month ~ LOL!

~♥~

New Projects

2010-08-31T10:10:00.000-07:00

Wanted to share a few new projects I've been busy working on. I have another one, but you will have to wait until September 1st (or a few days later) to see it, as I'm using it for Gitter Done #4.

I have been collecting vintage books for a really long time and have started seeing so many things made from them. Had to try my hand at one of the wreaths.

I had so much fun making the first one, I made a second one for our bedroom.

Back during July when I was cross stitching a little piece for the holiday, Dane had picked out a piece that he really liked. I stored the information away and wanted to surprise him at Christmas with a handmade gift from me. So I purchased the fabric and some new thread colors for this piece. Since the original charted was written before any of the new colors came out, I decided to plan out my own color combo. I made an error with the greys. I purchased "Dolphin" and "Dove" but after holding them up with the others, I want to try again. They have too much blue in them for my taste. I'll need to place another order and try again. But I love the fabric ~ 28 count Relic Lugana!!

And finally, a little bounty from my one little tomato plant that is in a pot two sizes too small!

And I even have a few more blooms on it, hopefully I might get a few more fruit!

Hope your week is starting off good. Hard to believe tomorrow is a new month! Goodness, this year has certainly been flying along.

~♥~

For the Love of Old - Saturday Nite Special

2010-08-29T05:37:00.000-07:00

The theme for this week's SNS is "old". What a wonderful word! Not only for myself, since I am older than Hubby (and he loves to remind me of this quite often!) but in all sorts of things.

Old cars are fun...

This is about the only old things I can really get my husband excited about. But I'm still working on making him see the beauty in all old things!

For me, one of my favorite old things is the shelf I made. You can read all about how it came to be here.

I really had a hard time deciding where to hang this beauty!

I was so happy with the way it turned out, I wanted one in every room!

Finally deciding on my Studio, since I really needed the extra storage in there.

It did start collecting all sorts of bits and baubles, but I did a quick edit for a nice photo shoot.

Notice the little wooden dice? My grandfather, Papa made it! And notice the nails still in the wood? Gosh, you just can't buy this from the store! Love, love my shelf!

Many thanks to Donna for hosting these wonderful events to show off our stuff! And I can't wait to look at all the wonderful old things the rest of you have to share!

~♥~

Repurposed Platter

2010-08-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

Back in the day (like a million years ago) I was really into wearing earrings. Loved 'em. Was even know to wear two earrings in one ear hole! And of course, I had a pair for almost every outfit I owned. And every Holiday. But then, Life happened. Not exactly sure when, but most definitely after the birth of my first child, earrings and fashion were NOT in my Top List of Priorities.

But things have a way of coming Full Circle. Now, I'm wanting to become "Me" again. And I feel that by finding this person, I'll be a better "Me" for my kids and my great Husband. So, I've slowing be working on little things. And one of those is finding a style that suites me NOW. And I found out that I still love earrings. But I also have found out that if things are tucked into a box or in a drawer, they aren't going to get used.

Then the "Ah-ha" moment.

I have been slowing redecorating our Master Bedroom and trying to work in things that I love. I had this silver platter and had used it for various things, but nothing ever really fit.

Then I saw a post by one of my new blogging friends, Susanne, and it gave me the idea to figure out a way to make a hanger for the platter. Just taking some simple wire, I cut a piece and twisted it through the edges and made a hanger.

At first, I was just happy to hang it on the wall. But then the Best Idea Ever popped into my head!

The little grill-work was PERFECT for hanging earrings (or Earbobs, as my grandfather, Papa, calls them)!!

I love this now! It's right beside my closet and as soon as I get dressed, I can quickly look to my platter and pick out a matching pair of earring! Now, I just need to add more!

I have been thinking of a great way to hang up my necklaces.

I have some major plans for my chest of drawers. Hoping to have this project finished for Gitter Done #4.

Since this is my favorite project so far, I'm linking up with Donna at Funky Junk for her Saturday Nite Special! Yeah, my first one!!

Thanks for visiting!

~♥~

Source of Inspiration

2010-08-11T06:47:00.000-07:00

We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
~Aristotle

Inspiration. It can come from so many different places and in many different forms. I think some of my best ideas came for taking long, hot showers. Then there are the times that inspiration hits in the most unlikely place, where I can't find a piece of paper or pencil to jot it down. So I've taken to carrying my dayplanner with me everywhere. I know we live in an age where everything is going to electronic devices, but for me, nothing beats scribbling on a piece of paper with a pencil, some mighty idea that has just popped into my head.

I have recently been working on doing a makeover in our bedroom. Or maybe I should rephrase, finally Getting to our bedroom. With all the moving, sometimes it becomes quite depressing to spend so much energy in prettying things up, when you know that you will eventually move again one day. It could be 2 years from now, or it could be next month. But I've slowly come to realize, that with the right about of items, (not too many, not too few), you can carry most any ambiance with you anywhere you live. So I have embarked on creating the look and feel I wish my home to portray, and in the event that one day, I luck up and happen to live here:

we can move right in and feel at home!

So, where do you get your inspiration from? Other blogs, magazines, television, or some favorite artist or decorator? Maybe Mother Nature herself is your greatest form of inspiration. You must admit, she has a stunning array of colors to offer, her own private box of Crayons. And she has humor, however much we disagree with it sometimes.

Inspiration for me can come in many different places. From the crumbled up piece of paper to a leaf fluttering down from a tree. Trash is a good source of inspiration for me, just because it forces me to think outside the box and find a solution to the problem of "What in the world can I do with THIS?"

And Flickr. I just love looking at all the creativity and inspiration there. You can see some of my favorites here.

August so far has been full of inspiration. I am working on a few things right now, hoping to have some wonderful things to share with you soon. And I have been slowly adding new items to the shop, be sure to stop in a say "Hi".

And may you Be Inspired

~♥~

July Review

2010-08-02T15:45:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can not believe that July is over. That school starts next week. That this year is just flying by so fast!

Since I didn't seem to blog quite as much as I wanted for the month, I thought I would do a quick little review of the month.

4th of July

I actually never play with the settings on my camera. However, since we were sitting in the grass, waiting on the fireworks, I started playing around with a few of the on photo settings

I love this one with Dane's one eye-ball!!

We had a birthday in the family. On July 28, 2003, we adopted Indy from the Animal Shelter in Longview, Texas. And after numerous excursions and adventures, he's still around and a loved member of this family!

Dane's Sunflowers

Definitely want to save some seeds from this one.

And what's July without ICE CREAM??!!

Hope you had a Great July! Summer is almost over ...time to start thinking about Fall. (And with the temperatures in the 100's, I'm ready for some cooler weather!)

~♥~

Stitching The Month Away

2010-07-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

Wow, I just can't believe how fast this month has flown by! Where, oh where, did the time go? I guess I've been so busy with all my little projects, that I just didn't realize that the days were passing so quickly!

A few of the things I have been busy with this week:

Now that I have discovered my love of cross stitch one again, and this beautiful person's blog, I have started digging out old pieces that either were started and not finished or else just not started at all. I found these older pieces of Aida cloth (sorry again for no "before" pictures. I get so dang excited about doing something, I don't even think about taking pictures until after all is said and done).

The pieces in the background were originally white, and the yellow pieces were very bright. Now, I just love the look of them. I'm thinking about stitching a Fall/Halloween piece on one of the yellows and maybe something patriotic for Dane on the blue piece.

The two smaller pieces were stitched in the corresponding years: 1994 & 1996. The piece in the background I just started a few weeks ago. I added the place that we are currently living and the current year. And that has sparked a whole new idea for me. More on that later ;0)

BTW, do you like the twine hanger on the ark one? Still debating if I like it, that's why I haven't stuffed it yet....Opinions please!

And finally, more patterns to stitch! I purchased the two in the back and Hannah Skinner from Kathy at Carriage House Samplings. The little angel was a snag off Ebay.
Kathy is closing the doors of Carriage House and I didn't want to be left without some of her amazing patterns!

So, how has your July been ~ Busy too? Hope your having fun!

~♥~

Artful Thursday ~ Week 26

2010-07-23T13:10:00.001-07:00

Ever have one of those weeks, where no matter what you do, your just BEHIND?

This is my week. But the good news is that I have got alot accomplished!

Some of it small and I won't bother you with but the big thing, what I'm going to use as my Artful Thursday Project (aka Project Under Construction) is the repainting of a little side table in our living room.

Started out life looking like this. Well, actually, it started out looking better than this, but 10 years, 12 moves, 2 kids and lots of drinking glasses later, this is the current condition.

Now it looks like this!!

Can you tell I've become obsessed with Turquoise? Polly at Make Mine Beautiful informed me that it is the HOT color for 2010. Not sure if that makes me "In Style" or not. Never was one fit into the crowd, I just know what I like.

Looking lots better!

I received another package from my Mama.

She made this cute little sundress for Pickle.
Love the huge piece of eyelet lace. And she sent her some new shoes.

So...do you like the new look on the blog? I did a little "face lift". Feels a little lighter, brighter, happier to me. And I took the music away. I do love to listen to music when I'm fluttering around the house and even when I'm working in the shop or creating a blog post, but I felt like it was maybe something not everyone was fond of .
So feedback please. Like the new look, something I can do better? Let me know!
Oh, and there are some new things in the shop. Actually have to run to the post office this week to mail some items.

~♥~

Happy...Sad...Very Happy

2010-07-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

I'm happy because two of my squash plants made it through the infestation and (hopefully) will produce some yummy squash.

I can't wait to make my grandmother's squash casserole with home-grown squash.

Hoping for some bell peppers too

And I'm sad...

A few days ago, a baby bird that literally hopped into Charlie's his store. Not know what to do with it, he brought it home.

A baby house wren

My Mama had raised a baby red bird, so I called her. We mashed up some old bananas and dog food and feed him. We really got attached to him.

But a few days later, he wasn't with us anymore. I was so sad. Charlie was heartbroken, he had gotten really attached to him.

Bye Bye Little Birdie

And to end on a Happy note

I couldn't wait to open this box

from LKFarnswoth

I'm SUPER Happy about these little beauties

Aren't they just gorgeous?!

Believe me, it was a hard decision to pick just one from her shop. I definitely will be picking up some more items from her!

Well, Charlie is home and we are having Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup...and Garlic Cheese Biscuits. Yum!

~♥~

It Came From the Trash

2010-07-13T13:58:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered Donna's blog, Funky Junk Interiors. And I have been SO inspired! Not only does she have some amazing projects, but after reading her post about how she got to where she is now, it was truly uplifting. So I really wanted to participate in her "Gitter Done" series.

I had these grand plans of getting Hubby to help, and together we would build an entertainment center for the big tv or even really cool bunk beds for the kids. Because he took the weekend off, so we had p-l-e-n-t-y of time...right?

Saturday was spent running around, touring places in Madison we have never been. And I will say, that is a blog post by itself.

But there was Sunday, right? Then he asked. Grown man, Husband, Bread Winner, asked me if he's friend in Birmingham drove down of Sunday, could they go play golf? What would YOU say? Of course, I said "Sure!" And re-planned my thinking.

"I can do this by myself", "There is a ton of smaller things I can do, but what can I do that would really make a BIG impact, and leave me feeling like I DID something?"

Then I saw it. The trash-turned-treasure coffetable that I found along side the road. I have another, beautiful iron coffetable, that has a glass top. Well, DID have a glass top. During one of our moves, it broke. So we have been without. And when I initially saw this piece of junk, I was really just wanting to take the legs (I have a think with wooden legs. There was another table on the same junk pile that I talked Hubby into attempting to take, but they were screwed in too tight) . Then I used it for awhile as a display table for my shop.

So when we moved into this house, the table made it's way in front of the sofa, and there it has sat, ugly as all get out but withstanding two kids playing on it, using is as a diving board, as a make-shift dinner table. And it never complained.

So I decided it was time to make it fit in.

And let me say one quick thing. This table is solid wood, it's heavy!!

After sanding down the few spots there were left of the finish, I perused my stash of leftover cans of paint. I really wasn't even sure what color I was going for, I was just using what I had!

( Insert picture of base coat, then a top coat, then another top coat, then some weird brushing with an old paint brush, all the while running back inside for this or that or to change a diaper or fix the munchkins something to eat, you get the picture!)

And Then....

it was done!

Back in it's spot in front of the sofa

And I honestly had no intention of this matching!
But I have had this little tin for a long time and
just LOVE the colors in it!
Oh, you don't know how happy I am
every time I see this now!

I would like to thank Donna for inspiring me to tackle this project. I am SO READY to tackle some more!!

You have been warned...LOL!!

And I would like to thank all of you who have stopped by my blog within the last few weeks. I have meet some really wonderful people...I don't get out of the house ( not having a car kinda puts a damper on getting outta the house!) Plus we have moved so much, it's sometimes hard to make good friends. So thanks to each of you that has become a new friend of mine. I really appreciate it :0)

~♥~

July Silver Sunday

2010-07-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my first Silver Sunday hosted by Beth at Gypsy Fish!

Please bear with me as we have recently moved into this rental home and I STILL have boxes of stuff unpacked. But a few of my favorite things are out and I thought I would share some of my pretties!

A vintage buffet that I have painted is in our bedroom, since there really is no room anywhere else in the house for it. But this allows me a nice spot to play with different vignettes.

I have been collecting vintage decanters for awhile now. This is just a few of the ones that I have. They are displayed on a old silver serving platter.

A silver gravy boat that I turned into a candle holder and a trophy bowl used as a base for my antique transferware jar. This jar belong to my great-great grandmother!

Well, I hope you enjoyed my Silver Sunday! Thanks so much for stopping by!

~♥~

(Not Too) Artful Thursday ~ Week 24

2010-07-08T16:58:00.000-07:00

I really don't have too much for this week. Well, actually, I have a lot "In Progress" but only one thing I can show that is completed. I know there are a lot of the Artful Thursday people who show lots of cool tutorials for great things to make,but I've just about made up my mind that I will use this weekly art session for my 100 & 1 million projects that are on my To Do List. I hope you will bear with me as I wander through my list this year, hoping to get some of these PUC's (Projects Under Construction) completed!

I've wanted to have a little cross stitched piece to go with each season, and with Independence day this past week, I finally got something completed for it.

I've always collected old pictures frames from yard sales and thrift stores. This one was a weird orange color

After a few coats of two different colors of red, and some matte clear spray, I was happy with the results.

And I was tickled with how my little piece turned out!

I think it made a wonderful addition to my entryway, along with my beautiful picture from my sweet friend Tracey.

And now for all the things that got started this week, but not finished:

Another cross stitch piece, think it might become a pillow

Still working on these pillows

And I had high hopes for some summer lesson plans with Dane,

This one took us 4 weeks to complete! (Bad Mama!)

And another secret project in the works....

Thanks for stopping by and looking at all my mess!!

~♥~

Summer Rain, Summer Pest

2010-07-03T09:46:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the fun of playing in the rain?

The thrill of get all your clothing soaking wet.

And rain in your eyes

Not having a care in the world

And wanting to spread the (wet) love!

Running for the shear fun of it

And watching life go by

Ah, Sweet Summertime!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Now for the PEST!

I was so proud of my squash this year

I recently purchased a little bell pepper plant to add to the mix

Things were going so well..

Then this

Look right below my finger...you will see a little hole

from this nasty guy. Larva for the Squash Vine Borer

And while I was investigating, I found these.

Mexican Bean Beetles larva

*sigh*
Keeping fingers crossed that I got to the second pot before too much damage was done. And since I'm the only one in the family that even EATS squash, it's not a national emergency. But still, those pots were looking SO pretty! I do love the pretty yellow of the squash blossom.

Hope you have a great weekend!

~♥~

Vintage 4th of July ~ 2010

2010-07-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled to be participating in this years
Vintage 4th of July party!
While I don't have as much vintage items as some people,
I have a few things.
But mostly, I just love the red, white and blue!

Enjoy~

I'm glad we have a mantle in this house, always comes in handy for decorating.

A vintage Uncle Sam, a vintage Elephant (he's a pencil sharpener!)

You might remember an earlier post for Artful Thursday where the kids & I made the tissue paper flowers. We almost painted the jars ( that was fun! )

The little wooden flags inside the red bottle were cut out by my Papa and I hand painted them...about 18 years ago!

My Papa almost made the cute little red birdhouse. See the little cherries hanging from the cup? Cute!

I've been stitching my little fingers off for the last week trying to get this little sampler finished in time. The design is by Birds of a Feather and entitled: Liberty.

I always grab picture frames from yard sales and thrift stores, you could say I have a "thing" for frames! This one was a hideous orangy color. I brushed on some different reds to give it a warmer feel.

A cute little vignette at the front door. The floral picture was hand painted by my friend Tracey.

And a vintage button bouquet along with all my vintage chickens!

My vintage Statue of Liberty and yes, that was MY little corvette...and I know it's at least 30 plus years old! I usually keep it on my desk.

Vintage red, silver and blue ornaments

Well, that's all I have for now.
I've really enjoyed seeing everyone's
Vintage Red, White & Blue.
I see I have a lot of catching up to do!
BIG thanks to Joan for hosting this.
I could go live at her house any day!

~♥~

Artful Thursday ~ Week 23

2010-07-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

Sorry I didn't get to post anything for last week's Artful Thursday, I was so tied up with attempting to get everything ready for The Mad Tea Jamboree! Thanks so all of you who stopped by and enjoyed some good food and entertainment. I'm STILL trying to make my way through the long-list of party-goers. There were so many wonderful parties to go to this year. And of course, the Queen herself, Ms Vanessa, truly out-did herself! She is an amazing woman with an endless supply of imagination!
Unfortunately, she is has had some very heart-breaking news and I do send her my most heart-felt condolences at this time....

This week's Artful Thursday project is more of an Upcycled Project. I purchased this red and white striped tank top from the thrift store. I'm not a big tank wearer, but this was a long one that came well below my waist, and with the heat we've been having, I had already worn it a couple of times.

But it need something...

Using some chiffon I had leftover from making pettiskirts, I made about 2 dozen fabric flowers. You can see these, and these. For mine, I cut my stripes various lengths anywhere from 9 inches to 14 inches and as I was twisting them, I stitched them into place because I wasn't sure how well glue would hold up after a few washings. If you look close at the picture above, you can see the stitches on the flower.

Then I just started hand sewing the flowers onto the shirt. I will say that I started, didn't like my placement, ripped it out, started again, ripped it out and finally on the third try, I think I got it.

We went to a car show on Saturday and I wore it.
I enjoyed it, but I'm still wondering if I should add a few more flowers,

maybe hit the 3 dozen mark...or is this enough?

AND...if I was 20 years younger...and didn't think I would kill myself, I would love to wear these with it!

Thanks for visiting today!!

~♥~

The Sunday Café - One-Pan Potatoes & Pepper Steak

2010-06-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

One-Pan Potatoes & Pepper Steak

4 Medium potatoes, sliced ¼ inch thick, placed in bowl of water & microwaved for 6-10 minutes or until tender

1 lb. beef Top Round steak, thinly sliced

1 tsp. garlic pepper

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 green bell pepper, cut into thin strips

While potatoes cook in microwave, toss beef with garlic pepper and heat oil in large skillet over high heat.
Add beef and toss 3 minutes; remove
Add green pepper to skillet and toss 3 minutes.
Add potatoes; saute 5 minutes.
Add beef back to pan and toss all together until heated through.
Season to taste.

~♥~

Mad Country Jamboree Tea 2010

2010-06-26T04:47:00.000-07:00

WELCOME Y'ALL!!

Join us in our little Mad Jamboree...it's just a little small gathering of family and friends. But there will be lots of love, laughter and GOOD FOOD!!

The table of food (and yes, I took the curtains down from out bedroom and stapled them to the wall of the back porch. My terrify my husband with my industrial staple gun...you know what they say about women and hand tools ~ ( insert evil grin )

MENU:
D&D's Favorite Chicken Nuggets with Ranch Dressing
Corn on the Cob
Homemade Lemonade

DESSERT:
Chocolate Brownies
Purple Cows

Waiting on Mamma to take her "pictures"

"Hurry up Mama, I'm dyin' over here!"

...30 seconds later ...

And this was what was left of the lemonade. As you can tell, it was pretty darn yummy!

Handmade candle holders. I love the stripped one!

Like my utensil caddy?

Oh look who showed up...Holly Hobbie, Raggedy Anne and Vanie Mae! And their escort for the evening, Sock Monkey!

Still eating

Who doesn't love C-O-R-N on the cob?

"Mommmmm....."

Not a scrap was left

Ah, "That was delicious Mamma!"

And what's a Jamboree without a few BUGS?

I think they brought their own food, because I didn't make that!

Would you like to try some?

Time for dessert.
The brownies were gone before I got a picture, but I did get one of the Purple Cows!

Talk about something yummy on a hot afternoon...

Now time to sit and relax

Or wait for some leftovers...

Sasha is always smiling

I looked up into the sky and saw what looked to be rainclouds, but they keep on rolling by.

Dancing the night away ~ to a tune in her head!

We're so glad you stopped by for our little Mad Country Jamboree Tea. Hope you had a lovely time and enjoyed yourselves. And of course we can't forget to thank the Ever-Fabulous Vanessa for hosting this wonderful event! She is the hostess with the mostess.

I'm really glad to see you and hope that you come back again! I love to have people over! Even if it is only to chat on the computer.

Y'all come back now, y'all here?

~♥~

To Do List - Summer 2010

2010-06-22T16:26:00.000-07:00

I was thinking of some of the things I wanted to do this Summer, and since I'm such a list-maker, I thought I would make a little list of some fun, yet not too expense things I would like to get accomplished over the next few months.

Start making a quilt (Thank you Becka for the inspiration)
Make homemade ice cream (preferably pineapple!)

Let Dane get his first library card (and one for me too)

Go to the Space Museum

Make myself a skirt

Have a cookout on our back porch

Cross stitch something for the 4th of July

Start my Christmas list

Finish the pettiskirt I started for Gracyn

Learn to make G-O-O-D Margaritas!

What's on your list? I'd love to hear it!

~♥~

Where Bloggers Create II

2010-06-18T18:23:00.000-07:00

Greetings & Salutations!

Welcome to my little piece of the world.

I'm so glad you've stopped by. My studio/workspace might be a little more haphazard than most. We have recently had to move due to my husband getting a job transfer. As happy as I am that he does have a job, we've moved quite a few times in the last few years ( I'm really tired of moving boxes!) And you would think that a NORMAL person would have LESS belongings...mine seem to multiply each time we move!
We are renting, so I am a little limited to what my options are when it comes to decorating. But I do hope you enjoy your visit!!

The current light fixture in the room was a very cheap one. So cheap that only one of the light outlets worked for the above ceiling light. I got the idea to purchase some white paper lanterns. But it took me a little while to figure out how to hook them up without have extension cords running all along the walls. I found this cool device that screws into a light socket, making it a plug. So with that, I was able to plug both the lights into the ceiling fixture and can switch them on when I flip the wall switch. Voila!

Then to cover the ugly brass fixture ( there was no glass cover when we moved in) I made some pretty paper flowers to cover it up!!

I hung a beautiful vintage Japanese paper umbrella over the window

Unfortunately, I don't have a large work area in this room, I have to use the kitchen table for that. But I do have this cute little table that I can lay things out on and stack all my wonderful magazines underneath.

My Favorite Magazine of All Time! I was so sad to see it go...Mary, Please Come Back!!!

Okay, I like weird stuff!! Loved this mask I found in Gatlinburg, TN.

Some more inspiration on the shelf. And my very first 5 star book...Green Eggs & Ham!

It's time to Play

A little basket of goodies waiting to be made into something

I really don't want to hang too much stuff on the walls...so I used push pins to hang this wonderful poster. Someday, I really need to get this professionally framed. Love it

28 years worth of accumulated cross stitch thread! I found the storage box at an Antique Store in Mobile, Al. I'm so glad I purchased it.

Sewing area

And Yes, this is my chair!! (Excuse the mess, I didn't get to vacuum yet). This little guy came from Tallahassee, FL. Someone was throwing him away. My husband likes to work on cars, and at first I would sit in the garage with him while he was working. But when we moved into this house, my setting arrangement got mixed up somehow and I had nothing to sit on at the sewing machine. Let me just say, it works in a pinch ;0)

Meet Nina, my trusty sewing machine. She is as old as I am ( about 29.5!)

The Wall of Inspiration

The Peanut Gallery (sorry Holly Hobbie wasn't here today. She had an emergency with the hairdresser. She sends her love)

Italian storage for ribbon

The Ugly Part. Behind that beautiful cover are boxes full of projects and fabric.

I have attempted to purge some of my magazines, pulling out only this articles that inspire me. So now I have binders full of said articles. Not sure if this is decluttering or not...?

More fabric and projects

Well, I hope you enjoyed your visit! I would like to thank Karen for hosting this wonderful event and for being such a sweetheart. And I would like to thank YOU for stopping by and spending a few moments at Grace Goods. I would love for you to come back any time and get to know you better!

~♥~

Artful Thursday ~ Week 21

2010-06-17T15:46:00.000-07:00

Hello! And welcome to another week of Artful Thursday. Just a reminder to check out Julie's blog and all the other wonderful chicks who participate in this weekly event. I'm sure you'll find something to spark your imagination and get you creating!

This week, I wanted to make tissue pom poms. But I ended up with tissue flowers. But I'm still happy!

Because I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do, I purchased the large package of tissue paper - 100 sheets, assorted colors. After opening it up, I realized that some of the colors were graduated, so instead of using just one color of yellow...I got to use three shades. And I loved how it turned out!

Most of the instructions I found said to use 8 sheets...I used 6. Three of each shade.

I marked off 1.5 inches twice. This was just enough to get me folding. Start folding accordion style.

Another thing all the other instructions said to use was a bone folder. I don't have one, so I used a trusty old ruler. After every other fold, run the ruler down the fold to make it crisp.

Your tissue paper will end up looking like this.

Then find the middle ( my sheets were 20"X24", so my middle was 10")

For those of you that have kidd-os, you will know all about these silver twist ties that come with the toys. I always save them. Now they come in handy to tie off the center of the tissue paper. I also left enough to create a loop, for hanging.

Once you are done folding and tying off the middle, trim the ends into either a curved, petal shape or a pointed shape.

Then came the hardest part for me. Unfolding the sheets. I never did get mine to look like a circle, but then once I made the first one, I keep doing the same thing. I think if you fold half in one direction and the other half in the opposite, you will have a fuller pom pom.

Mine ended up looking more like giant flowers, and I loved it that way!!

I got a little happy making these!!

And because I taught my son well, he sees opportunities in everything.

He saw the leftovers from the ends...

and made this!!
Isn't he a clever Leaver!!

Hope you have enjoyed this week's project. I know I did ~ LOL!!

~♥~

Still the One

2010-06-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

June 13, 2002 - June 13, 2010

Sunday was mine & Charlie's 8th wedding anniversary. 8 years...and he's still the one!

You're still the one

I want to love forever.
You're still the one
I want to wake up with every morning
and snuggle with every night,
the one I want to share
my dreams with,
build castles in the air with,
the one whose hand
I want to hold when I'm afraid,
whose shoulder I want to lean on
when I need support.
You're still the one I want to
encourage to make
your own dreams come true,
the one I want to comfort
when you need a source of strength,
the one I want
to hold close always.
You're still the one,
the only one,
I want to love forever.
~Renee Duvall
(this was from the card I gave him)

Since our whole dating started with a kiss, I try to get a picture each year of us kissing. This year I left the photography job to Dane. He still has a little way to go...

We went out to eat at Tokyo, a Japanese & Sushi restaurant. And somehow, without us knowing it, Dane told our waitress that it was our wedding anniversary. After we were done with dinner, out comes a woman with a drum around her hips. She asks us how long we've been married and then starts banging on the drum, singing to us in Japanese!! Yeah, I was embarrassed!! And add to the fact that the place to super slow...so EVERYONE was looking at us!! But it was memorable, so I guess that was the whole point. Still can't get over that little stinker!

And thought I would show off a new collection I want to start. Inspired by a post from my new friend, Beka, I want to start collecting letters. The letter "L" to be exact.

Found this one on Etsy, at this wonderful shop. And she is a sweetheart, too!!

I know, I know, I'll get it hung up soon...

~♥~

Mama's Have the Best Junk

2010-06-12T13:18:00.000-07:00

Wanted to show off a couple of great finds I snagged a few weeks ago at the Thrift Store. For the summer, they are having a sale on clothing-a shopping basket for $3. With that being the first thing on my mind, I almost missed these lucky finds because I was so focused on clothing. At the last minute, I decided to take a quick look by the sheets and stuff. And there, laying on the floor, was this great old quilt!!

I knew I was low on cash (this place doesn't take debit cards) and I was worried about the price. I was thinking in my head that it would be around $10 or such.

Now, this is not in the best of shape, some of the fabric has pulled apart, but the overall quilt is still intact.

When I finally got the checkout, the saleslady wanted to see the back of the quilt. Then she told me her price:
$1.50!!

Oh, I was so happy! I also picked up a little baby quilt. It is in a lot better condition.

And it was $1.00. Still a great find!

Then a few days ago, my Mama surprised me with a package in the mail. She sent two of my dolls.

Aren't Mama's the Best?

Meet Holly Hobbie and Vanie Mae (Vanie Mae said the most shockin' things!) That's what written on the tag attached to her underpants!!

Did you find any great things this week? I'd love to hear about it!

~♥~

Artful Thursday ~ Week 21

2010-06-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

Now that Dane is out of school for the Summer, I've been trying to come up with things to use for Artful Thursday Projects that he could help me with. And ideas that don't cost a fortune!!

Finding some inspiration here, I think I got an A+ with this one!

Using those pesky subscription cards that fall out of magazines,

we sat down at the kitchen table and started painting them.

Using some ordinary supplies (foam stamps, toilet paper tube, rock candy stick and the roll from cash register tape dispenser...

we started decorating.

Now, here I had a few thoughts. Depending on where and how you'll be using these, I chose to use some twine to hang these with since they were going in the Guest Bathroom and this fits the decor. But I am working on another set for my kitchen and will be using either ribbon or sewing them on the sewing machine. Whatever the case may be, Be Creative...

And here it is, hanging over the vintage wine crate I painted here.

Inside the box are vintage glass colored bottles,

a vintage Avon bottle, seashells, and these little cups.

I know I always say that each project was lots of fun, but I really mean it this week. I have two more banners in the making plus another one I'm starting today to make for my Mama! She has a dark mantel that she's always looking for something to hang around it to brighten it up. And having her grandkids helping is sure to be an extra special treat!

~♥~

When the Devil Beats His Wife

2010-06-07T12:20:00.000-07:00

This is how I've been feeling the last few days. This was my lunch for a few days. Tomato Soup and grilled cheese.

With lots of Hot Sauce in the soup :0)

We've had showers almost every afternoon. My squash plants are enjoying it.

On Sunday, we had more showers. At one point, looking at the rain falling, with the sunlight behind it, looked very magical. I pointed it out to Dane, and he remarked "Do you remember telling me about the Devil beating his Wife?" I smiled and said "Yes." He got a serious look on his face and then asked "But when is the Wife gonna beat the Devil?" OMG, gotta love it!!!

New Items in the Shop.

I'll be back tomorrow with some great Vintage Finds!

~♥~

Artful Thursday ~ Week 20

2010-06-03T18:27:00.000-07:00

I'm so happy!
I have finally made my first reconstructed outfit!!

It all started when I went to the thrift store last week. I saw a really cute tank top but the size tag was cut out. Glancing at it, it looked it might fit, so I threw it into my basket. However, once I got home, this baby wasn't gonna fit this Mamma!! But I just loved the eyelet fabric and lace and the color. Then, I got an Idea!! So I slipped it over Gracyn's head, and the beginnings of my first attempt at reconstruction began!!

I'll admit, there really wasn't a lot to do. Here is the tank, prior to reconstruction. I removed both shoulder straps and after adjusting it on Gracyn, I pinned the sides and sewed new seams. Then I trimmed away the extra fabric & zigzagged the edges.

Originally I had wanted to sew the two shoulder straps back where they were, but after taking a good long shower (where all my Best Ideas come from!) I decided to sew them side by side in the front and have them tie around the neck.

There is still a zipper along the back, but you can hardly tell.

And Sweet Girl has a new Summer Dress!

Next is to make a cute floppy hat to complete the outfit ( oh, and shoes...gotta have new shoes!)

Happy Thursday!!

~♥~

Grand Opening

2010-05-31T12:03:00.000-07:00

GRAND OPENING

of my

New Shop

RAG JUNQUIE

Stop by and take a look. And tell me what you think!!!

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day Weekend!

Artful Thursday ~ Week 19

2010-05-27T11:36:00.001-07:00

This is the last week of school and things have been quite busy. I'm hoping that after this week, I can dedicate more time to a more detailed project. But for time, Easy Things are the catch-phrase of the day!!!

I don't know about you, but this Pack Rat can always use more storage space!! So with that in mind, I started looking around the house for some items to hold things for my studio. And I came up with these. Wine crates that I got while I was still working at Sam's Club.

Tools: wine crate, paint, sponge brush and bowl of water.
I did a quick wash on these with the blue paint. Just dab the tip of your brush into the water and start spreading the paint. I wanted some of the wood to show through.

So easy, even a 7 year old can do it!!

Attached two hangers to the back

And then I changed my mind about where to hang one of these!!

But I'm very happy with the change in plans. This is our guest bathroom, and there was a big blank wall that I have been wondering what to do with. Now I know :0)

I put the other wine crate into the studio

And added a few of my favorite things. I think I might have to make a few more of these. Unfortunately, they are housing our DVD collection for now. But I want something else to fill that spot, and once I do, then I'll have some more crates!

Happy Artful Thursday
~♥~

The Sunday Café ~ Herb & Cheese Oven Fries

2010-05-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

Herb & Cheese Oven Fries

6 medium potatoes, cut into wedges
2-3 tablespoons Olive Oil
Shredded Italian Blend Cheese

Preheat oven to 500°
Place wedges on cookie sheet
Drizzle with enough oil to coat
Season with Italian seasoning OR Seasoning Blend (for added kick, I sometimes sprinkle a little Cajun seasoning on them)
Roast potatoes& turn after 15-20 minutes
Sprinkle cheese on potatoes & roast another 10 minutes
ENJOY!!

Where I'd Like To Be & Thrifting

2010-05-22T09:42:00.001-07:00

If I lived in Richmond, CA I would be here today.

And if I lived in Chicago, I would be here.

But unfortunately, I don't live in either one of those places. Just good old Alabama. But I did find some wonderful stuff this past week at the Thrift Store.

Okay, this is going to sound weird, but we don't have a kitchen table. It's a l-o-n-g story, but it has really been bothering me that we sit on the sofa and eat. I always wanted one of those old-fashioned round farmtables. But one has not appeared in my life yet. So, when this little vintage gem showed up, I still snagged it!

A cool 50's era kitchen table. Complete with chrome legs and sides. And extra leaf!!!

And at $20, I just couldn't pass it up. And I almost caused a scene while I was attempting to break in down to fit into the trunk of the Camaro. Seems as if another person was planning on purchasing it and got a little snooty about the fact that I had already paid for it since she had said she wanted it. Believe me, I have been on the other end SO many times, I could only smile, as I hauled it to the car!!

I found a cool vintage Camp blanket...for a buck!!

I recently read about Beacon blankets and think it would be fun to collect them. Not sure how to tell since there is no tag.

This one has a large hole towards the end. I'm thinking about just making a clean cut straight across and hemming the edge.

But after taking these photos, I noticed the hole looked somewhat like a heart ♥

A white vase and tiny saucer.

A finally two vintage folding chairs!!! Just in need of a good scrubbing. And some new fabric. Still pondering about the fabric. There are so many choices.

I love how this one shows where someone lovingly repaired it.

Hope you get to do something fun this weekend!

~♥~

Artful Thursday ~ Week 19

2010-05-20T20:33:00.001-07:00

Sorry I'm running a little late :0)

This week's Artful Thursday Project was so much fun! I have found a new hobby to add to my repertoire!

I have cross stitched for most of my life and for some reason, never attempted embroidery. Until now. I have been seeing some beautiful things being made, so I thought I would start as a beginner and see what happens. Well, I now have a new love ♥!

After searching for something simple to start with, a found a wonderful place that offers free embroidery patterns. So, I picked one & printed it out. Then came the fabric part. Since all I have is cross stitch, I found an old white dress shirt from Charlie (see, I told you Hubby's were good for something! JK) and cut out a piece of fabric big enough to cover the design. Now, let me state right here that I never NEVER learned how to cross stitch using a hoop. So, I did this piece without one too. And unless I did something wrong, it worked fine for me. I still might pick some up, as I go along.

I basted the fabric to the paper.

And started stitching. There are lots of different kinds of stitches, and I referred here quite often!

I think there are a total of 6 lessons, so make sure you look at all of them. It's very helpful.

Then came the part I was worried about. Removing the paper pattern from the fabric. I would highly recommend having a good pair of tweezers handy! Overall it came out fine, but I did have a few French Knots pull out. I just waited until I was finished and went back with my thread and reworked them.

I did play around with a few different techniques.

I love the two lovebirds!!

I've hooked now! I will be getting some better fabric to work with and can't wait to get started on my next embroidery piece!!!

~♥~
Kristal

A Day in the Life...

2010-05-18T15:28:00.000-07:00

In case you thought I wasn't busy during the day, here is a sample of "A Day in the Life Of.."

What happens when a 2 year old finds a black Sharpie?

She lovingly paints on her brother's face, of course!!!

And the pretty picture frame it was in.

And the stone fireplace :0(

With some rubbing alcohol, q-tips and good old elbow grease...

Gracyn has her Dane back!!!

(Note: I'm still working on the stone fireplace. The majority of it came out, but not all of it. I'm hoping that if I keep scrubbing once a week, I'll make it disappear!)

So, now you know. What goes on. Most of the day. Oh, and did I mention that I am now babysitting ANOTHER 2 year old on Fridays!!!!! Boy, am I going to be ready for a Margarita come Saturday ~ LOL!!

XoXo,
Kristal

Artful Thursday ~ Week 18

2010-05-13T16:30:00.001-07:00

Another week here, and I have a small little something to show for this week's Artful Thursday. I never did finish any of the other things I was working on last week, they are still awaiting their finishing touches.

This week, I was bitten by the needlework bug. I just had to sit down and play with my thread and needles. I actually started two projects this week, but only one made it all the way to the end. Hopefully, I will get to the other one soon.

I am still in the yellow and green mood. And I recalled a cross stitch pattern in my stash that was in these colors.

After a bit of thought, I decided to make a "few" changes to the original design...

When I showed Charlie, he laughed and said "Yeah, that sounds like you!"

I chose to add my initials in place of the two birds in the original. And I played around with the colors, using a little of this and a little of that. It is stitched on a piece of hand-dyed Aida cloth.

I have a few fun ideas running through my head of how to frame this. I think that might be a whole other post!! But this was really fun to do and it was nice to have something finished.

XoXo,
Kristal

Artful Thursday ~ Week 17

2010-05-06T14:03:00.000-07:00

This has been an...unfinished week. I haven't felt 100%, so I cocooned, starting up the sewing machine and working on projects. And out of 5 (at last count) - only one is completed! And it wasn't even for me.

PROJECT NUMERO UNO
Pettiskirt

A pettiskirt that had brought me to tears today!

NUMERO DOS
Dyed Coffee Filters

This one was fun. I dyed some more coffee filters. So, now that reminds me, I guess you could have I have two projects completed. This week was Teacher Appreciation Week at Dane's school. Tuesday was Flower Day, so I had Dane ask his teacher what her favorite colors were. I was already planning on the yellow and green. Luckily she like pink and green, so that was easy enough. I made her a set of pink and green flowers, found on old olive oil glass, filled with shredded paper and set it to school...without a single picture! But it did turn out cute. But, I used the last three chenille stems, so I have to wait until Mr. Hubby is off, and drag him to the craft store. Which is another reason why project #3 & #4 could not be completed.

PROJECT NUMERO TRES
Patchwork Pillow #1

I really don't want to show too much of these. But they are pillows. And if things go right, I'm hoping they turn out good! My first attempt at making some pillows. Long overdue.

PROJECT NUMERO CUATRO
Patchwork Pillow #2

PROJECT NUMERO CINCO
Pincushions

Finally, a finished project!!

Remember all the fabric I acquired? Well, I finally had an idea for some of the smaller pieces of fabric.
And I made 6 of these boogers!

I embroidered the sides with lazy daisy stitches.
After talking with my friend that owns an Antique Store, she said she would love to have some of these in her shop, so after they were completed, off they went to Florida!

I promise, tomorrow I will edit this post and add in step-by-step instructions for making these. I still need to make one for my Mamma, she likes yellow and green (great minds think alike!). They are fairly simple, but my fingers were killing me from pushing the needle through the fabric so much! I don't have a thimble, so that would come in handy.

Well, I guess this means I will have lots to show you next week! But I have so many other things planned, I'm hoping I can get these polished off this weekend and have something new to show for next Artful Thursday!

XoXo,
Kristal

The Sunday Café ~ Green Beans & Bacon

2010-05-02T17:07:00.000-07:00

Green Beans and Bacon

6 slices bacon, cooked
1 - 16 oz bag frozen green beans
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt & pepper

Place green beans in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, salt & pepper. Place a paper towel over the bowl and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Top beans with crumbled bacon...YUM!!!

There is not a lot of vegetables my kids will eat, but they FIGHT over this one! I almost to the point, I have to cook two bowls, because I can eat it all by itself.

XoXo,
Kristal

Artful Thursday ~ Week 16

2010-04-29T09:48:00.000-07:00

This project was a few weeks in the works (well, actually a little more than that, but it was a project that is finally completed!)

Back when we lived in Florida, I was riding around one day and spotted a treasure aka: junk. See my previous post for my unique abilities! I snagged this cool piece of old wood and brought it home, much to my husband's great joy!!

We've moved twice since then and I carried this piece of wood with me each time. And this is a thick, heavy piece of wood. It takes both hands to pick it up. Then about a year ago, while visiting family in Mobile, I was in Hobby Lobby and found this iron brackets on the sale isle. They were white at the time. Before starting Artful Thursday, I had already painted them black. They still needed something 'more'.

Again, sorry for lack of pictures. But I decided they needed to be "aged" (kinda like me). So I went in search of how to rust items. Basically, salt and water. Let it dry and then do it all again. I know you can buy the paint that looks like rust, but when you are doing things on a budget, you tend to try to find cheap ways of doing things!

Yesterday, I got the wood out of the garage and gave it a good brushing and wiped it down with some warm water.

Of course, I had some help!!

After debating about exactly where to hang the shelf, I finally decided in my studio. I in real need of extra storage space, so this room won the prize. But I have a perfect place for another one, so I'll be keeping my eyes open for another piece of wood!

Checking to make sure Mamma is straight..

And it's done!!

Finally, a good close up of my RUST

There is actually fungus growing on the wood!!!

More rust

Love the old nails still in the wood

A little vignette (my green teapot that I couldn't bring myself to sell!)

Not sure how "Artful" this is, but I am totally happy with my accomplishment! I had put this off for a bit because at first I was going to have Hubby cut off the broken ends of the wood, but yesterday I decided that I loved it just the way it was. And thought I could tackle measuring and screwing the screws into the wall. And I did it! Oh, I'm ready for another one ~ LOL!!!

Please be sure to visit the other Artful Thursday chicks to see what they have been up to.
Happy Thursday!

Thrifting and Junking

2010-04-28T10:10:00.000-07:00

Within a few days of us moving into our new neighborhood, I happened to drive by a house with a large pile of trash at the curb. Since I was born with a trained eye to spot treasures in other peoples' junk, I saw a few things that caught my attention. This 'second sense' that I possess drives my Sweet Husband BATTY!!! But, I think he is finally getting an understanding of what makes me tick (you'd think after 10 years, this would have already been done, but he can be a little hardheaded sometimes, unlike me :0)

I really was only going to grab a few things...but as I started grabbing, more seemed to appear for nowhere...they were like the Tribbles from Star Trek...I finally stopped when I no longer had room in the trunk. Nor the backseat. Or the carseat. I had the kids' walk home. ( JUST KIDDING!)

But I did end up with a little over 30 fabric swatch books!!! Mostly upholstery fabric, but some nice stuff. Some from Schumacher.

Now I've been racking my brain for ideas as to what I can do with all this fabric. I did have a few ideas. But I want to show you the finished project, so give me a few more days. But even with that, I still will have loads more fabric. So if you have ever made anything using one of this books or know of something I could make using scraps, please let me know :0)

After that episode, we no long have a second car. So I can not go riding around the neighborhood looking at the trash, only the next-door neighbors. So on Charlies' last off day, I happened to use my Female Powers, and after a stop at the Home Improvement Store, we pulled into a local thrift store.

Some nice vintage sheets and pillow cases

The COOLest Vintage fabric!

Like I didn't already have enough, but this are nice, large pieces. Big enough for things like little girls' dresses or maybe even a cute little purse.

I love this one with the ironing board!

I got all of this, plus a beautiful white vase and little plate, for under $6. Not bad for a 10 minute shopping trip. Cause, even though Hubby drove me, he and Gracyn sat in the car. Which was fine with me, because Gracyn can be a bit of a handful, especially when my concentration is focused on other things. She goes 90 to nothing and then....

Night Night!!!!

The Sunday Café ~ Fried Dill Pickles

2010-04-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

Sunday is my Café day, the day I sit down and decide on my weekly menu plan, write out a grocery list and throw out all the science projects growing in the frig! I thought that today I would share a recipe with ya'll that we really enjoy. And the Corona is just an extra special touch ;0)

Fried Dill Pickles

1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup beer
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
3 drops hot sauce
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp ground red pepper
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic power
2 (16 oz) jars sliced dill pickles, drained
Vegetable oil

Whisk together first 5 ingredients.
Stir together 3 cups flour and next 4 ingredients. Dip pickle slices in egg mixture; dredge in flour mixture.
Pour oil to a depth of 3 inches into a Dutch oven; heat to 375°. Fry pickles in batches 30-60 seconds on each side or until browned. Drain on paper towels, and serve immediately or at room temperature.
* We love'em dipped in Ranch dressing!!

ENJOY!!

Artful Thursday ~ Week 15

2010-04-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

Okay, this week was a little crazy. At least I did get something done. It was more of a One-Thing-Leads-To-Another sort of project.

Recently, I discovered the Queen of Tarte. Love Her!!! And I fell in love with this color scheme:

I was thinking about using these colors on our mantel and had been searching around the house for anything that would fit it. Then with the up-coming Artful Thursday I tried to think of something I could make that would suffice for both purposes.

Awhile back I tried my hand at making some of these:
(following pictures were taken from the internet)

I had done the single stem flowers and was wanting to try the multiple-flower stems. I happened upon this great site:

Button Flower Tutorial

This is a better tutorial than I could ever give you. And considering I'm still a little unorganized right now, trust me on this!

I really didn't mean to do "flowers" again, but hey, it works!!

I stuffed the bottle with some pages from an old book. I have seen this used a lot lately, but don't own a paper shredder. So I used my trusty little paper cutter. A little time-consuming, but it works!

Full view of the mantel

Vintage Yellow Button flowers

I love my green Mercury Glass candleholders! Just need some yellow candles and I'll be all set!

My coffeefilter flowers from previous Artful Thursday. And my funny little gargoyle. Yeap, he's sticking his tongue out at'cha!

Decorating Lesson 501: When you don't have enough items to complete a color theme, use ANYTHING that will work (old champagne bottles!)

I wanted to take more pictures, but now that I have found my camera, the battery died. And I don't know where the charger is!! **sigh** Always something~LOL!!

Hope you enjoyed this weeks Artful Thursday. And Happy Earth Day!

Hard to Let Go

2010-04-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

Things have been so hectic the last few months, I haven't been posting all the wonderful things that have popped into my head that I want to share with you. So I thought I might take this week to do a little show and tell so I can let you in on some of the goodies going on around Grace Goods.

A few weeks before we planned to move, I made an effort to stop by a local thrift store in Gadsden (actually Rainbow City) America's Thrift Store. The place is huge and I made a hurried trip through the store. But look at the lovelies!

I fell in love with these green teapot, with it's wire handle. It's missing the top, but I could care less.

And this beautiful twin bed throw! Guess how much? Go ahead-GUESS!!!
-$10.00 - No
-$8.50 - Nope
-$5.00 Not!
-$2.48 - Yeap!!!

How can you pass that up? And I think it will make a wonderful throw over our big Papasan chair.

I hardly ever look at the lingerie section in these stores, but a usual, things just seem to jump out at me. And this little sweet was calling-(screaming!) my name. After being married for 8 years and having two kids, things like this don't usually make much difference to me, but I just fell in love with this one. I thought that if I was way off, at least I could sell it in the shop. Well, she was made for me. And Sweet Hubby likes it too!!

And the hanger...swoon! Ft Myers Beach, Florida!! I have always wanted to start collecting these, so here starts my collection. I only need two more to make it official, right?

Photo shoot for the green teapot. I actually listed it in the shop.

And after having a dream about it, I removed the listing the very next day!! So much for a shopping trip for the shop!!! I'm wondering for those of you who have shops and resale items, do you ever have situations like this when you had intentions of purchasing something to resale but then can't seem to bring yourself to let go of the item or is it just me?!? Please tell me it's not just me :0)

XoXo,
Kristal

I'm Back!!

2010-04-14T05:52:00.000-07:00

FINALLY!!! I'm back in business...so to speak!
We have moved into our new home (for now), until the next job transfer. I was thinking about all of our moves. Over the last 10 years, we have moved a total of 11 times to four different states!!! And No, it has nothing to do with the military!!! And you would think that a normal person would have less and less items to move each time, but mine just keep growing and growing...although I did suffer a few casualties this time. Thinking I might need to take up mosaics since I am starting to acquire a collection of broken dishes :0) **sigh** Oh well...
I did miss last weeks Artful Thursday and am scrambling around for something for this week. And to add to the chaos, I can't remember what box I threw my camera into!! I'll be digging through more boxes today, looking for it. Dear Hubby is off today and we have a few to-do's on the list today. The whole hanging rack in our closet fell down (no, I don't have that many clothes, it's just a cheap set up) then last night, after lying to bed sweating to death thinking I was having an early hot flash, we discovered that the air conditioner had frozen up. I need to buy a toilet paper dispenser for the Master bath (there is none!). The joys of a rental home... but we'll manage. Oh, and did I mention the carpet?!?!?!?! This is going to be a nightmare...the carpet is Maroon...MAROON!! And we have 3 WHITE dogs...are you seeing the dilemma? I've already given one a haircut and am working on the other one. I think I need to invest in a pair of sheep shears between the two.

Just want to let you know that I've missed all of you!!! So much so, I'm thinking once I get somewhat settled I'll be gathering some goodies together for a little giveaway. Sound good? I've got lots of ideas about some new creations I want to start working on. I'm really excited about it! And one good thing happened while I was without internet, I read 4 books!! I'll post about those a little later, all 4 were very good. A few new ones and a few older one.

Off to do work on the doggie haircut and some more unpacking. Enjoy your day!!

XoXo,
Kristal

Artful Thursday ~ Week 13

2010-04-01T05:47:00.000-07:00

(Shhhh...I'm supposed to be packing up the house while my hubby is out mowing the grass, so I will have to make this week's project quick. :0)

Coffee Filter Flowers

I actually have a lot of pictures this time, hope that helps. I have been seeing these beautiful tissue-type flowers and weren't sure if they were made from actual tissue paper or coffee filters. Since I happened upon a bunch of coffee filters, that turned into my medium of choice.

I had a few different sizes...

Then I dipped them into my coffee-tea mixture. Then I started laying them out on the countertop and realized that it would take them forever to dry. Since I'm an impatient person anyway and I was in a rush to get this done quickly, I did want any person would do...stuck the wet filters into the microwave!!! They were dry in about 12 seconds!!

Next came some experimenting. I have packed up a lot of my crafting supplies, so I was limited to what I had to work with. I did find an old stylus and used that to poke holes in the center of each filter.

Then started layering...

An old bread twist-tie worked as a stamen.

I did one using a cotton bloom that I had picked up earlier in the year on a fieldtrip with Dane. I loved how it turned out and will be searching for some more to make a whole bouquet!

Ironically, I was purging some magazine and torn out this beautiful layout. Wouldn't a bunch of these flowers look lovely in this room? Love this look!

Just an FYI -I plan on making a dustruffle for a future Artful Thursday project :0 ) That will be fun!!
Happy Thursday! And wish us luck with this move. We are moving TOMORROW!!!!! So, sadly no Easter for us :0 ( But things will be better in our lives, so it's worth the sacrifice.

XoXo,
Kristal

Artful Thursday ~ Week 12

2010-03-25T12:35:00.000-07:00

I had to do a quick project this week, but I am happy to announce that I did complete 2-two-dos items off my monumental PUC List (Projects Under Construction). And tomorrow, both of these items will be for sale at Grace Goods.

I have had both of these for years, and I mean y-e-a-r-s! Longer than I've been married, and that will be 8 years this June. :0) Both are vintage chalk ware items.
The first one is of the Madonna and Child. I had the camera on an inside setting, so forgive the picture. It was a gold color, but not appealing at all.

The second one is a chalk ware shelf, and again, a gold color that did nothing for the beautiful design of the shelf.

At least this one gives you a better idea of the color.

And again, I apologize for 1) lack of steps during this process and 2) the wrong setting on my camera. Just be glad I got something done, okay? LOL!!

I used a primer to cover the old gold color and then gave the whole piece a nice coat of white. I believe the color is "Fine White" by Martha Stewart from K-Mart. Again, something else I have had around for forever.

Once I got the base coat put on, I got to play! This was all the supplies I used: Two different bottles of craft paint: a white and a creamy beige color. A rag, two paint brushes and some leftover color glaze in Mocha. I just started dry brushing the two shades of white and then when almost dry applying the glazed. Then I would rub off any excess until I got a look I liked. It was simple but time consuming.

Finished results

I'm very happy with the results! So happy, that I'm tempted to maybe, just maybe, keep one...or both. But no, I've already had to take one item out of the shop this week due to buyers remorse. So, these two little beauties will be up for sale tomorrow. And this also completes my Artful Thursday project for the week.

Happy Thursday!

XoXo,
Kristal

Still Searching....

2010-03-23T10:55:00.000-07:00

We are still on the search of a home to call ours in the new town. It can be SO Frustrating! But I keep telling myself that the right thing will come along...and trying to believe it!! I did find this one:

Property Description

LUSH ROLLING PASTURES. Master bedroom + 2 Bedrooms on main floor. Upstairs rec room with pool table & theater system to remain. Kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Large screened back porch with hot tub. Pond and 3 stall barn. Public water-integrated system and security system. Additional 11 acres available. $525,000.

Does anyone have 523K I can borrow? I think we can swing the other 2K!! I'll give you the email address to my Paypal account if anyone would like to make a donation...LOL!!! Could you IMAGINE?

Sorry, lost in a daydream there for a minute...

Thought I would share some of the things we did this past week during Spring Break. Next time, I will put my order in early for nice, warm weather during Spring Break instead of the wintry, cold, wet weather that we had.

A few years back I got on the Paint-By-Number kick and my Mamma bought a few new kits for me to do. Now that I am participating in the Artful Thursday Project, I thought I would pull some out and play with them. I had helpers.

I think he is trying to paint while eating a chocolate Poptart!

Needless to say, the enthusiasm lasted for a short while. This thing is HARD!!! The areas are so tiny ! I'm still working on it a little each day, but I think the next time I can get to the craft store, I'm gonna cheat and buy some nice, felt-tipped markers!!!

And while Big Brother and I played with paints, someone else was playing also.

See the cabinet...

Open the door...

And there is Gracyn!!!

She can definitely keep herself occupied with the darndest things.

I have some new items in the shop. Drop in and take a gander. I finally looks like we might have a nice day after all. I have a few more painting projects I need to get finished today. I think my time tomorrow will be spent house-searching, so as the old saying goes, Make hay while the sun shines!!!!

XoXo,
Kristal

Artful Thursday ~ Week 11

2010-03-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

Before I begin today's project, I do have an little announcement to make. I know some of you are new to my blog, but a few of you have been know me since my old blog and have seen the following statement before:

We are moving...A-G-A-I-N!!! We are moving to Huntsville, Alabama. It's about 2 hours north of where we are now. I haven't said anything on here, but we have spent the last two weeks looking for a new home to live in. And like usual, there are always little small things that happen that just make me want to pull my hair out, but I am learning in my latter years, that no matter how upset I get or worried I become, it will not change what was meant to be. And as I am typing this, the one house we had our hopes on to rent fell through. So, looks like we'll be driving back again, looking for a place to live. But my sweet hubby is already working there, driving 4 hours each day, so it's imperative that we find a house quick. And that brings to the other part, the packing part. I hate packing!! LOL!!! I have So Much Stuff, a pack-rat extraordinaire. I've been trying to do a little each day. But today I knew I must finish my Artful Thursday project and with an early day with some important matters to take care of, I quickly started in on my project. I want to apologize in advance for the lack of pictures between Before and After. I was a little distracted day, having lots on my mind. But I'm happy with the results :0 )

I purchased this a few years ago at an After-Easter sale for just a few dollars.

It's obvious the purple foil wasn't a look I was going for...

I wanted to repaint the little bunny & had a number of ideas in mind to but chose these two items as my inspiration.

Again, sorry there were no in-process pictures but here are some peaks at the final project.

He little basket...

his little tail...

Ta Da!!!

Introducing __________.
(Sorry, a name escapes me at the moment)

Here he is presiding over his prized eggs.

All ready for some Easter Fun!!

And enjoying some nice Spring weather

I will really miss views like this **sigh**

Happy Thursday!!!!

XoXo,
Kristal

Gatlinburg

2010-03-14T06:11:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm posting pictures from our weekend in Gatlinburg.

It was a wet, snowy weekend, so we didn't do a lot outside. We did take the kids to Wonderworks. Wish I had gotten a picture of the giant piano. Gracyn loved running across the keys!

I was so proud of Dane for attempting this! He didn't make it to the top, but he got a good few feet off the ground.

Going into Gatlinburg

left to right: Julie, my sister-in-law, Me, Dane, Bill, my brother-in-law, and Gracyn.

Did I tell you it was C-O-L-D!!!

We drove up to Ober Gatlinburg. It was a very icy, curvy road.

We rode the Ober Gatlinburg Tram down the mountain. Hubby doesn't do well with heights, so this was the only picture he took. The rest of the time, I was holding the camera and the baby!

All of these were taken from the tram.

And this was my favorite picture of the whole weekend! We stayed at some cabins behind Dollywood. It was a small, single lane road winding through the woods to get there. And you passed old farmhouses, pastures and THIS!!

Hope everyone has a good weekend!