Advent Bulletin Board Redo

This is the covered wooden board (linen) framed with ornaments attached....

We tapped the board to spray paint the frame

In blogville....I found a picture of a Pottery Barn bulletin board redo....that was the inspiration for my latest project.  Under the table dreaming by StephanieLynn see link at the bottom...not sure how to add it here....she was my inspiration for sure...check out her work....she is most incredible...

My poor husband has been badgered enough....but we ran out of time today before he had to go to work....so....I'll post the picture of the final product later....tomorrow??/ hopefully....

1. remove frame around old cork board. ( we used Lindsay's old high school board that was in her room....she's been married 3 years...)

2. place a layer of board behind the cork for stabilization....mdf or other material

3. cover with fabric....I sprayed an adhesive spray on the board. It took one and a half yards of linen fabric to cover this board that roughly is 35 X 47....If I had it to do over....I would have used drop cloth from Lowes paint dept. 2 for $14 which is cheaper than linen....$8 per yd.....and less hassle. I had ironed the piece perfectly....then my mother in law folded it up and placed it on a shelf.....iron over.... I USED LINEN>>>

4. Cut tags and numbers from Cricket Machine...or purchase at craft store. I used the 4.5" tag from George and Basic Shapes (upper case k) out of craft colored cardstock for the base tag. Then out of white card stock, the smaller tag is 3.5" tag from Christmas Cheer. ( lower case foundation key). The numbers are 2" from the Storybook cartridge, black card stock.

5. The molding is a plastic ...but looks like wood ...molding from the millwork(windows) area of Lowes. I took a picture so you could get the # from it if you want. Any molding will do.

6. Paint with Krylon Carmel Latte ..Walmart $2.97.....

7.Place tags and ornament on with upholstery tacks. 24 per pack from Walmart fabric section $1.27 per pack. Choose from black or gold.

8. Hang and enjoy(Thank your husband for his assistance!)

I am waiting on one piece of molding to be painted....dry....attached with whatever......measure the finished area....divide by 24....for even spacing......anyone good at math?????

Thanks for stopping by.....please leave a comment! You are special!

Finally....It looks ....professionally done?

Change it up.....use photos....but I liked the 25 days of Christmas look...

angel wings from Pier 1

a wooden wreath covered with small pine cones, acorns and leaves

an old angel ornament I made in the 1980's.....

My daughter had red hair....so Raggedy Anne was always a favorite...

Visit here for some more inspiration....you will love your visit with Stephanielynn!


Also linking up with a party about LINEN>>>>>BURLAP>>>>CANVAS>>>TWINE>>>>

Happy Birthday Beanie!

Facebook has been fun for reconnecting with friends and sharing photos. The "blog" world is different and unique. We have a lot in common....I think....love of home, family, recipes and sharing crafts! I love to read everyone else's blog to see how they are decorating....I think it is hilarious when I read something I did 36 years ago when we were first married, like spray paint pine cones or add them to a wreath....I am always looking for a new craft! I am still waiting on my husband to take down the cork board so I can "pottery barn" it properly....

Anyway this is a special blog of Christmas past. This one is dedicated to my sister who flew the coop...uh...state, many years ago because she is smart.....her husband was transferred to GEORGIA....I would be there or TN if I could....anyway she has a birthday this week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEANIE! or so she was called as a child. I scanned one of the first pictures I remember seeing of her. We had some teacher friends, (the Galloway family, that taught with Mom) that visited one evening, obviously after we had been bathed and had our p.j.'s on for this picture. Bottom left is me, blonde with red p.j.'s and a robe, sister Patsy in her candy cane p.j.'s and our Mother. Seated on the couch is Mrs. Galloway holding Sabrina born Dec. 23,rd, her daughter and my 3rd grade teacher Billie Galloway, and Patsy's first grade teacher & artist friend of mother's, Neil Asper. Sabrina is such a sweet Christmas gift! This first photo we took at her graduation last year. Happy Birthaversay Dr. May! ) Pictured here with her husband, and two gorgeous daughters. Our first Dr. in the family....my how we are proud of her AND her supportive family. love ya'll...

now don't ya just love this picture from 1959!

Puppies arrive 12-15-2010

Poor Dixie Doodle....had 4 puppies on Wed....one expired.....3 left....2 girls and a guy....then on Friday she had to have surgery....she had a torn bottom....10 stitches or so....this pic shows the IV in her right leg.... she had to be debrided...infection ...oh my! She is doing well and such an attentive mother! $400.00 Vet bill....worth every penny! (however...George was not happy)....ya gotta love the pups! Merry Christmas!

Puppy update...back to vet today....another bill, sore bottom and area that is not healing....more meds....hopefully all will be better by next scheduled appt. for suture removal 12-31...oh what a way to celebrate the New Year! But only 7 weeks to go and they will be ready for puppy shots then adoption.....we are looking for good homes....1 is spoken for....1 is pending.....1 is still up for purchase.....enjoy the pics of the rolly polly pups!

coffee table

1974....glass coffee table(triangle)supported by 3 green ceramic elephants ...2001...inherited coffee table with broken leg and marble top.....2010 Pottery Barn bargain from the FL. Mall! Sorry...I'm not sure I could even find a picture of our modest upstairs apartment in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and the glass top that had to be dusted daily was not my favorite thing. The 2nd table is too horrible to post pics of...although if I am brave enough....it is a fair dose of reality blogging I am not sure I want to share. The table had been taken over by my husband....tools, paperwork...to do lists....But now I finally have a place to place a glass and share a magazine...and maybe coffee....does anyone have the neighbors over for coffee? We are thrilled with this blessing! I am working on a pb bulletin board knock off.....will post if I can get my husband to staple the boards to the back...I already bought the linen fabric....things move too slow in the south....must be the heat...but......it is the season for miracles!

The Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas! Finally decorated the tree. It was up for 3 days before I found time....took the time to drag in the decorations. We went to Pottery Barn at the FL Mall yesterday and I added a burlap music note swag???Is it called a swag or something else? I'm not a decorator...so....I'll have to research the correct terms....perhaps a garland?I think of glittery....pom-pom do dads...or cranberry/popcorn strings for garland....anywho I am not finished with the top. Our old light up angel caught fire last year and I am not happy with her replacement....she needs a spray job of something....The boys took their mom to breakfast at Cracker Barrel for Christmas so I thought I'd post a pic....They are sweet, generous men that love their mom. How about those kitchen towels from CB...Is it too late to be good???/ha.......ya'll be good all week! Santa's coming!

fresh cut trees

We had a card class Fri. night. A few friends stopped by for a bowl of chili and forgotten cookies....recipe to follow.....we made a few cards...We had fun laughing at our creations....so tonight I thought I would give you some insight on how to make fresh cut trees. These of course remind me of the Charlie Brown trees of the late '60's....so here's the scoop....cut masking tape in manageable pieces about a foot long. Color with green sharpie and let dry. The ones I made first had two different sharpies and that gave the tape some depth. These are my fav so we will have to make another trip to wallyworld to get more variations....in the mean time, practice with what you have.If you use coloring markers it may take longer for the tape to dry....my fingers turned green....too impatient.....Instead of cutting the brown paper into 1/2" strips vary the trunk by tearing the brown paper to make it look more natural. Top with a star brad (tiny ones from Reflections)... bird punch....(Stampin'Up!), Santa hat is JOLEE'S... add buttons ...polka dots...jute.....the red base in made from the bottom of the Martha Steward cupcake punch @ Michaels...I am sending the "wonky tree" to my niece....she's the artist in the fam and will hopefully understand all things crooked ....it's just ART, right???? That's all folks! OOPs....I almost forgot to give you the recipe. This comes from my friend, Ruth, that makes them for us each year. Hers are better because if you don't S-L-O-W-L-Y add the sugar patiently....they come out grainy....

Forgotten Cookies:Preheat oven to 350* In the mixing bowl of a stand alone mixer.... Beat 2 egg whites (room temp) and a pinch of salt until stiff

Add 2/3 sup of sugar(1 tsp. at a time) gradually...slowly.....let standing mixer do the work...or your arm will fall off...Add 1 cup mini chocolate chips....and I mean the tiny ones....stir in 1 cup chopped nuts if you like them...I use pecans...drop by teaspoonful on foil lined pan.... sprayed w/Pam for an easy release. Place in oven and TURN THE OVEN OFF. Leave in oven at least 4 hrs or overnight. Make yourself a sign to take them out of the oven...you may forget or someone may turn the oven on for another reason and ruin the cookies....Merry Christmas Peeps!

PS>>>after thought today....punch small hole on each side of the top....run a small thread of jute though the hole and knot...now you have a holder for the tree to hang on your tree....instant ornament! (cut off the front side of the card, of course) or better yet....cut the card in half, write on the back....personal notes in real scribble are fun to decipher! Joyeux Noel! ? Did I spell that right? Need more instruction in French please....

Decoupage 101

So today I was cleaning out the closet....wrapping gifts....came across a bag from Marshall's in Daytona...now I remember why I bought those beverage napkins...off to the craft table to decoupage??Did I spell it correctly? Please don't grade me on my English! So with 20 beverage napkins I covered the top and bottom of:

1. An empty food container   (Moose Munch)

2. A large peanut container  (nuts, not Jeff Dunham's peanut)

3. A rectangular container w/handles..(watch it ...the open ovals for your hands are tricky...)

4. A Eukanuba dog food treat container w/plastic lid. I did not cover the inside or bottom of the peanut container...but was surprised when 20 small napkins covered all 4 containers well.

I began by removing the white layers of the napkin....there are TWO. Unless you want to cover a container's writing (you can podge a white layer first)....I usually throw away the white layer and just use the thin tissue with the decoration. I think it looks cool with some letters peeking through the tissue. I turned the container bottom up first and began covering small areas at a time. First with Modge Podge...then the tissue. It helps to separate the tissue in small and large pieces first. The napkin was divided in half so I could place the picture right side up. I just tore it in half...when your fingers get sticky you will need to wash your hands or the tissue will stick to you instead of the container...lol..My dog, Dixie curled up in my seat....that's what I get for leaving the table..

Isn't Dixie just a darling! Yorkies are my favorite!
...After it dries you may want to follow the instructions...which usually states to spray with an acrylic sealer and let dry.....Happy Podging....

The one on the left is the Eukenuba Dog Treat container....right one is Moose Munch by Harry and David...YUM.....

Upcycle peanut containers, etc.......Now you will become a paper napkin collector....yikes!

check out Tuesday Morning for napkins....Hallmark stores have some great ones too!

Lynda

PLEASE....leave a comment if you have time! What have you podged lately????

Thanksgiving Day 2010

On Thanksgiving Day we gather for a time of fellowship and sharing new receipes(and old ones)....then it's off to a special "green background" area of the landscape to take pictures for our annual Christmas greeting card. This year I found a scarf for the girls to wear. We decided to wear black. My husband is always in shorts. It was at least 80* outside so we were a bit warm...An orange tree down the road from my sister's home was the perfect backdrop for the family group photo.
I wish I had taken photos of the second half of Thanksgiving. The dinner gathering began around 7 P.M. as Douglas, my son-in-law's smoked turkey was finally done. It was an exceptional bird! I shared the macaroni and cheese receipe with my daughter-in-law, Mandi and made an extra dish for her to take to her gathering on Friday. We were joined by Douglas's two sisters, their friend, Amanda, George's brother Bob and Mandi's family. We were blessed to enjoy their company.

the report card

You will notice on Mom's report card....circa 1934 she made B's and C's in Writing....those who actually saw Mom's writing on the board know she must have practiced enough to become an "A" student. I wonder why the 6th month was "incomplete".....perhaps an illness? Have you practiced your writing today?

black Friday

Well, there you have it....old age creeping in and the first black Friday I am not out shopping....I over did it this week cleaning the porch and "flared up" the lupus.....so it's on the couch blogging and reading other blogs today recuperating from the wonderful Thanksgiving Day we enjoyed yesterday.

We have a great deal to be thankful for.....Salvation thanks to the cross...family, friends and the joy of forming new friendships. How about a great home....even though mine is still under construction (remodeling)....when we are finished....what a party I will throw! I was thinking yesterday how thankful I was to be home. Working many thanksgivings as a nurse in the hospital( so I could have Christmas or Christmas Eve off) made me appreciate yesterday's time with family. How wonderful it is to have a job that pays you when you are home a week at Thanksgiving...and two at Christmas....don't forget Spring Break and some of the summer off! Thanks to all those EMT's, Dr.'s and nurses that work all those shifts so our family can be taken care of in the event of an emergency

Movie time yesterday @ the Johnson's home was especially delightful as we enjoyed a movie Michelle picked up entitled " An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving". Set in the 1800's ....life was so very different.....most young folks under 10 don't realize how difficult life was 200 years ago. No cell phones, computers....but Sam and I talked about the correspondence and letter writing that was so appreciated. Some of the writings in our 8th grade workbooks are not even 2 complete sentences....and the penmanship .....or lack of..... Perhaps that is why today some of the art work I enjoy looking at uses old letters as background in the artwork...I am afraid it is a lost art that needs to be revitalized.