Christmas Projects

For Christmas this year, I did some painting and decoupaging. I had a small oak table and chairs that my children used when they were little.  My husband sanded all the paint off of it down to the natural oak.  I then did a light wash on the table with white acrylic paint.  I used a damp rag to dip into the gallon of paint then rubbed it onto the table.  I used the same technique to paint the chairs, however, I mixed red with the white for a nice pink.  The grain of the wood shows through the light washes of paint.  When the table was dry, I painted pink stripes on the apron of the table and a square design and flower on the table top.  My husband then sprayed a light coat of acrylic clear coat on it.  It made a very nice gift.

My grandson of the same family, is six years old.  He recently inherited his father's childhood, bedroom furniture which is painted black.  I found a small bookshelf at a garage sale for $2 and bought it.  My husband and I painted it black with the same paint as the bedroom furniture.  Then I used Modge Podge to decoupage some Star Wars characters onto the sides of the bookshelf.  He loved it.  :)  

I enjoy creating things for my family that have a more lasting value than just purchasing them pre-made.

Blue Desk

Although I don't post very often, I really am busy doing projects.  Many times they are for other family or friends.  Here is a recent project that I completed for my daughter-in-law.  I had given her an old, antique desk several years ago and we decided to paint it.  I used blue, latex paint that we had painted one of her accent walls with.  I brushed it on and then wiped it off, using it like a stain.  I think it looks beautiful.  :)

Studio

Here is a photo of my studio. I am still looking for one more box for the bottom shelf of the rolling cart.

Conviction

Lately, I have been feeling rather convicted about all of the crafts and craft supplies that I have accumulated over the years.  They sit and sit, and nothing happens with them.  I go thrift shopping and add to my pile.  Well, this has got to stop!  I have decided to go through my 'stuff' and make a list of what creations are there for the making.  I thought of trying, like many others, to make one creation a day.  However, being gone frequently on the weekends, I have decided it might be wiser to attempt just four creations a week.  My intention is to use up the supplies that I have before buying any more! 

My son just recently bought a home and I gave him the furniture that was his when he was a boy.  The problem that created was that I no longer had any furniture in my studio.  Everything was in boxes that used to be in chests and dressers.  No desk to use either.  So, I hit the garage sales with my husband, and we found two large, matching desks for $5 each.  They are more like work desks, they have no drawers.  We also found a white hutch which sits perfectly on top of one of the desks in the corner of the room.  My husband added a shelf to it below the doors.  We found a rolling cart at a thrift store that he built three shelves in for me.  I then found boxes that fit each shelf and covered them with fabric.  Now I have drawers again.  My supplies are all cleaned up and put in their proper places.  I am ready to begin my challenge.  Stay tuned for what I hope will be frequent updates! 

Crafting for Christmas

I am beginning to think about and organize for
Christmas.  Today, I made a few gifts for one of my granddaughters.  She is young and is learning to sew.  I had some old sewing supplies lying around and decided to spruce up a few of them for her.


I picked three wallpapers that looked nice together.  I cut them to fit over the items neatly.  I covered each piece of paper with packing tape while it was still flat.  Then I formed them around the items and taped them again.  I cut designs and initials as well. 


The pinking sheers were my mother's, so they will be a great keepsake for her as she grows up.  The small thimble was mine as a child. 






It was a fun craft and hopefully, she will enjoy these for years to come.

Missing Spencer

Spencer has been gone for six months now.  Our yard has become over-run with lizards, large, fat lizards.  I don't mind lizards, but he kept them in check.  This means the mice are probably growing in population as well and that brings critters I don't like.  Snakes.  My neighbor's dog was bitten by a rattlesnake last weekend.  Just sayin', I think we need another cat!  BUT, then there's the issue of critters that love cats, for dinner that is.  What to do, what to do...

Loving It

Still washing my hair with baking soda and loving it.  I found a container at the thrift store with a screw on lid. My husband drilled holes in the lid for me.  I use it for applying the baking soda more evenly to my hair.  Before, I was using a plastic water bottle, but the water came out too fast.  Now, it pours on at just the right rate.  I open the lid and add about a cup of water then replace the lid and swirl it around to mix in some of the baking soda.  Then apply it directly to my wet hair in the shower.  It works wonderfully. When the baking soda gets low in the bottle, I refill it to about 2/3 full.  You need to leave space at the top for the water to mix and stir-up some of the soda.  You can experiment and see what works best for you.