Considering the high temps predicted, I wasn't keen on
scouting for yard sales, but I was persuaded.
I found about a half dozen online, in the
neighborhood, and scored most of my finds at
the first one down the street.
Several Norman Rockwell prints
Fraktur wedding certificate
Transparencies (2 full boxes; colored ones included!)
shredded paper (for adding color to my paper making)
sewing notions and lace trims,
several beads and wire in cupcake tin,
glass squares for mosaics,
and a lace ruffle (twin bed size)
Assorted books for mixed media projects,
folk art painting inspiration,
and one on Anderson's Fairy Tales.
Storage!
One can never have enough storage!
At least 4 feet tall, and solid.
The drawers are deep and roomy!
My bonus find!
Total cost $25.00 for EVERYTHING
Today I plan to plant my veggies
and try my first attempt at making
paper from recycled envelopes.
I'm using my new Arnold Grummar
deckle mold, purchased from Paper Alice.
She is the sweetest gal, and her video
is what convinced me to buy the mold.
I'm going to experiment with lavendar buds
colored shredded paper and glitter.
This hot weather will dry it quick.
(stay tuned!)
Happy Father's Day to all those
deserving dads!
Lupine
There's something about a field of flowers.
I couldn't resist pulling over to the side of the road.
Spots of color kept catching my eyes today.
My Lupine did not re-appear in my garden this year,
yet these are growing wild in all their splendor!
It was a cloudy day, but with more periods of sunshine
the further North I travelled.
This is my destination; Liberty Place,
and it's my friend's shop.
Filled with charm; a great place to visit.
This photo is deceiving, as this shop
is filled to the brim with great finds!
I loved the way the light was hitting across the street
at the Liberty Tool Company.
Something about items that are old and worn,
tugs at my heart.
I didn't have the time to explore today,
and I really need to curb my shopping sprees of late,
but I will be back soon.
Flowers surely add the right touch!
So it was 5 hours total in the car today,
and it was so worth seeing my best friend,
spending time with my mom, and
a fried scallop roll at Fat Joes!
I hope YOU had a great day!
Pink Lupine
I decided to use up some of my floss,
leftover from various projects,
to create little needlepunch toppers for these
paper mache boxes, also in my "stash".
I just quickly drew the image,
and picked whatever color I had.
It's a fun "don't-have-to-think" while
I'm doing it project, and more fun
to see the result.
Unfortunately the lighting isn't very
good, and these are the best shots I can
do for now.
Sunflower
I love trinket boxes, and these are fun to make.
My friend Polly asked if I was going to
finish putting brown around the petals.
NOPE.
Nature can be pretty random sometimes,
and so can I.
It's raining, and I'm sitting here with
wet funky hair in my nightgown, and
I'm going to be late for work AGAIN.
Don't know why a rainy day stirs my muse;
I just want to stay in my studio and play.
It's not going to happen.
Gotta run.....
When Tim says he's going fishing,
he ain't kiddin'!
We enjoy Cod and Haddock regularly,
and once in a while he'll catch a lobster or two.
Striped Bass isn't quite my favorite,
neither is Blue Fish.
But he's a happy camper, which keeps me happy too!
Tim's friend John (80+) is spry as ever.
He's charming and enjoys Tim's company.
Just say "fishing" around either of these guys,
a quick check to see which way the wind is blowin'
and their eyes are a twinklin' & a winkin'...and
they're packing ice and bait in a heartbeat!
Gotta love 'em.
I love snowmen, even in June.
He's one of my clay heads,
that I really enjoyed working on.
Added a ruffle, and I guess it came out ok,
for just winging it.
I decided I didn't like the shiny finish on the seat,
(see previous post)so I added some chenille fabric
with my new staple gun,
which I love, love, love (the gun and the fabric).
I'm putting some things in my friend's Polly's shop.
She sells antiques, collectibles, gifts, and cottage items.
Since her shop is in a town called Liberty,
I stenciled the word Liberty on these chairs.
She stopped by today, but her truck got pretty full.
So the chairs were left behind for the next trip.
Yes, her truck was very full!
She cracks me up, she's so good at packing it all in.
This was a fun weekend to work on projects.
Today the sun barely made it out
as it was a rainy day,
(yay for creating, boo for the garden!)
His jolly friends want to get dressed as well.
Wow those cheeks seem so bright in the photo!~
Oh well, time ran out.
I smell dinner cooking, so it's time wrap it up.
I created this journal page a couple months ago.
It echoes my feelings.
I want to squash that inner critic
that keeps me doubting my work.
So my Muse likes to tease me when I have
so much to do.
She knows I just want to paint!!!
Continue reading to see what I've been up to!
I decided to paint furniture...
Last summer I purchased 2 piano benches for 50 cents each.
Last weekend, I decided to refurbish them.
I forgot to snap a before-photo (darn it).
The seat can be removed to place sheet music inside.
I lined it with wall paper, and I'm pleased.
Now I'll finish it off with felt pads on the legs.
This stool was a little more challenging.
I removed one layer of fabric, and left the next layer.
I chose a strong fabric that would stand up to wear.
It's the first time using my staple gun and I LOVE IT!
Now I need to figure out how to secure a cute ruffle.
I started the hem last night, and think I'll insert an
elastic to fit it evenly,
and then I'll hammer/tack it into place.
Our new raised beds!
The chives, sage and thyme came back fine.
I only had 2 beds last year, and the weeds were awful.
So this year, we added 3 more beds, and laid down
carpet and mulch to try to keep the weeds down.
Well the "Hercules" is gone!
That means our floors are finally finished. YAY!
It was parked in our yard while our floors were
being installed. So we have been juggling parking spaces,
furniture and unfortunately, the cats!
(Notice the haze?
Last weekend we woke to the smell of smoke and
occasional smoke clouds that drifted all the way
from Canada. I was seriously ready to dial 911,
until my mom yelled out it was on the news.)
The smell was like being in a campground, with all
the sites with an active campe fire.
Amazing and scary!
Yes we have been displaced.
The treadmill was moved to the bathroom...
Tobey loved his perch on the mattress.
I think he liked the vantage point of
scheming his next act of mischievousness!
Max likes to pout on the other hand.
His poor achy bones keeps him on the ground,
and he really is annoyed.
My poor mom was also displaced.
She had to hang out at my place.
She was so tired from moving all her nick knacks
and collectibles. Poor thing, then when it came time
to put her furniture back when the floors were
finished, she came down with a violent bug.
So we had to wing it without her!
Here's a peek at the floor.
It's variegated, and makes our places look bigger.
I can't wait to replace the stove, fridge and dishwasher.
We want to bring either bring the luster back to the cabinets
or paint them.
In the living room, I'm going to paint over
the trim. The floorboard trim was painted white,
and has been nailed in place since this photo.
I'm going to paint he trim white, and the walls
will be a contrast light tan.
I'm going to paint some of the furniture
shabby-chic white as well.
Can somebody please answer this question for me?
I was advised at the paint store, to use an oil based primer
to seal the wood which has been stained and varnished.
I experimented with the stool and piano bench, and it seems
ok. But why wouldn't I use a water-based primer, if I'm
going to paint with water based paint?
He insisted this was the way to go.
I'm confused.
I don't like clean-up with the oil-based stuff.
But I really don't want the trim around the windows chipping.
Help!
