Monday, March 30, 2009

~I Filled My Tote~

Good Monday Morning everyone! Just a quick little post for me today...unfortunately LOTS of laundry and housework is calling my name! :( We had Spring Break last week and our kids DID NOT want to get up this morning! But we got them up and got them off to school...yawns and all!


In a previous post I had talked about a mini tool box I painted that my daughter made in shop class. Well I got it filled and put on the counter in my bathroom. I found these soaps at the grocery store yesterday. One is a Lemon Verbena...one is a Honey Almond and I can't remember what kind the brown soap is but they all smell wonderful! I took cheesecloth and tied around one of the bars and tucked in some lavender (that I dried last summer) then I wrapped brown paper from one of my grocery bags (go green) around the other and tied on a little sweet annie with twine and the one in the back I just wrapped twine around and around in a thick layer. The candle stick I painted last night....first dark brown and then tan over that...sanded and covered the whole thing with a dark walnut stain. And does everyone else agree that the battery powered grubby tapers are wonderful! I love them! Now if my kiddos will just leave this little "display" alone.....I will have to explain to them.. "yes it is soap but you don't wash your hands with it"! :)



I hope you all have a wonderful day...The wind is howling here and it is chilly! "Spring Yoo Hoo where are you"?? I am going to try and work on my Salvation Army goodies today too...in between loads of laundry! I have become addicted to thrifting and painting! It is so fun taking something that someone threw out as "junk" and turning it into something that you can use! Enjoy your day...whatever you do! :) Until next time. Take care. ~Sarah~

Saturday, March 28, 2009

~A Fun Saturday~

Hello everyone! It was a fun Saturday for me! I started out at "The Mother Of All Garage Sales"! It was so fun walking around and taking it all in. I saw a basket for $10 I was going to go back and get it and a sheep mold...but when I went back to get the basket it was gone...and I totally forgot about the sheep mold...darn. BUT.....I did get this awesome old tote! It has a handle in the middle that spins completely around. I am assuming it was an old tool carrier. It has some writing on the front of it, I haven't been able to make out what it says yet. And the gal at the same booth was selling these wool eggs and miniature flower pillows for a $1.00 each!



I got this mold pan for $1.00 too!




I met up with a friend and our next stop was an amazing prim shop called Primitive Treasures. GREAT shop! I could have bought so much more but I had to make choices! I will be going back! This bunny was the first thing I saw when I walked in and he said "take me home"! I love the bowl and the paper mache eggs and the prim carrots! It was a fun stop!



Then it was off to The Salvation Army! I got all of these goodies for $5.00! More makeovers! :)




And I have to share this picture! This wonderful blue cloth you have been seeing in all of my pictures I got from Lisa! I ordered this wonderful Spring stitchery from her and she tucked the blue cloth in as a surprise! Thank you Lisa I love everything!




And I have a couple more makeovers to show. I got a wooden bowl at the Goodwill. It was painted mustard and under that someone painted a watermelon (seeds and all) I painted two coats of black and then scored it with a knife so it would look used and then coated it with a dark walnut stain.






And this was a project for a good friend of mine who brought a few pieces over that she asked me to makeover. This is a wall cabinet that will go in her kitchen. She wanted it a barn red color.

This is before~


And this is after~




That's about it for me! It's been a busy week and a busy weekend...and it isn't even over yet! Hope you all are enjoying your weekends as well! It was a chilly but dry and sunny day here! Until next time...take care! ~Sarah~

Friday, March 27, 2009

Pantry Cakes and A Mini Makeover

Happy Friday everyone! Not a whole lot planned for us and that is a good thing. I always look forward to weekends with no schedule. I am going to work on some painting projects that I am doing for a friend. One project down...two to go! Our weather has been so erratic lately. Last weekend was just beautiful...we were grilling out. The kids were riding their bikes and chalking on the sidewalk. We had tornado watches/warnings this last week and now it is COLD and windy and we might even get some snow! Ughhh! My boys have runny noses and coughs again....wonder why? I have a special friend in North Dakota....I want to offer out prayers to her and her family as well as prayers for all of the people that are fearing flooding. I hope everyone stays safe and that Mother Nature is kind.


I made some pantry cakes! And it was FUN! I also dyed cheesecloth last night and let me tell you girls....(maybe you already know this) but drying out cheesecloth in the microwave for 30 seconds works like a charm! Just another tip from Char over at the Pickled Pepper Patch! She is FULL of great ideas and tips and she is always so willing to share! Thanks Char! Here's how they turned out....and notice the breadboard they are on! It was in a previous post of mine. Made by my good friend Lisa I just love it! Thanks again Lisa...you are so talented! :)



My other little project was a mini makeover. My daughter made a little toolbox in shop class. She did a great job! She got an A! :) Anyway, it wasn't being used so she gave me permission to prim it up! It is going to go on the counter in my upstairs bathroom....what's going to go in it you ask?.....I'm not sure yet. But I will post a picture when it is in it's new home.

Here is the before~



And here is the after~




I did a black undercoat and a tan over that. It turned out this blue/gray color. You just never know what you are going to get! But I am happy with the results! I finished it off with a dark walnut stain.

Oh yea...one more thing before I go....I stopped by Goodwill! Here are the goodies I got! I found a wooden bowl...someone painted it mustard and underneath that someone painted a watermelon on it ..seeds and all. I hope I can make something out of it! I thought the wooden crate was great and with Easter right around the corner I thought I could give it a makeover and do something with it! I LOVE all the molds...and I will make some larger pantry cakes after I perfect my smaller ones! Look at the bunny mold! Too fun! And I just couldn't pass up the mini "Ball" jars. Now I just need some mini prim labels for them! :)


I hope whatever your weekend plans are you all enjoy them! Take care. Until next time. ~Sarah~

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

~Time For Some Rearranging~

Happy Tuesday everyone! We had some wild weather in Nebraska yesterday. Nothing too serious where we live. There were watches and warnings and we had sirens! Our basketball hoop blew over and our garage door was a victim of the wind but luckily nothing too major.

I was busy inside working on a couple painting projects for a friend. And doing some rearranging. I found what I think is the perfect place for the gameboard I bought from Kindra. This is in my upstairs bathroom...I know I know.....maybe a gameboard would look better in a living room...but it goes so well with the colors in there and I thought it looked good right above my towel rack from Goodwill that I made over~






Here is a little nail rack that I hung in there too. My hubby didn't want me to hang it there (he thought it looked too crowded in that corner) but as you can all see it IS hung there and I love it! Now that it's hung he likes it too! Wink Wink! :) The lighting in these three pictures makes my paint color look different in every one. The paint color is most true in the first picture.



The other little thing I did was change out my doughboard. I was just ready for a new look!


That's about it for today. I am off to get some housework done. And work on my painting projects. I feel like making another trip to Goodwill soon too....Hmmmmm? Have a great day everyone! Until next time. Take care. ~Sarah~


Saturday, March 21, 2009

~Meeting New Friends and Two Very Special Sisters~

Hello everyone! It was a great day for me! My sister and I made it to the craft show today! And I met Kindra! So fun! She had so many wonderful things in her booth...I have to pace myself! My sister took a picture of us! Look at all the neat prims in the background, Kindra and her Mom do amazing work!



Kindra made me this great gameboard~


And this paper towel rack too...saw it...had to have it~


And I got a set of Kindra's Spring Blocks~I will be needing the Summer blocks too and Fall (I have the Winter already) LoL! :)


On top of that Kindra told us about a great prim shop called Plum Creek soooo...of course we had to stop by there. Great store! I just got a few little fun things, a bunny candle mat, a little prim egg and two bags of "grubby nubby" candles (I have plans for these little guys) It was a fun stop~




We also stopped at Gordmans and I picked up this Sampler (had a coupon) Woo Hoo....I LOVE my coupons! Love is Patient Love is Kind..........



Needless to say it was a GREAT day! We came home and made the most of a beautiful Spring day in Nebraska. We grilled burgers and had ice cream sundaes for dessert! I wanted to share a picture of two VERY special people in my life. My sisters, I love them more than anything and I love it when we get to spend time together! It was just a fun and special weekend all around!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Mine was a blast!! Until next time. Take care. ~Sarah~


Thursday, March 19, 2009

Some Things To Blog About!

Hello everybody! It's almost Friday! :) Lots to blog about this time! First and foremost! I WON Pam's GIVEAWAY at BasketnPrims! I couldn't believe it~honestly I NEVER win anything! I won one of Pam's handmade onion baskets with Willard The Bunny, some grungy carrots and an egg inside! I love him and here he is in my living room! I still have some tweaking to do on my shelf but I just couldn't wait to show him to all of you! Thanks again Pam!

Here's a close~up! I just LOVE his ears! :)



Next, I got out and got to Goodwill. Found some fun goodies! ALL of this was $20. Not too bad~



Close up~ The labels were already on the jars! I am going to switch out the fabric on top!



Here is the small towel rack after~


And here is the larger towel rack after~not sure if it is staying this color. It's kind of a whitewash finish. I might go all black. What do you all think?

And here is the handled trencher and wooden spoons after~



I have come to the realization that I can't possibly keep/use all of these makeovers I am doing! My hubby is feeling...well...crowded by my thrift store/antique finds. I may have to store some and bring different things out from time to time. I DO NOT want the cluttered look! The one thing I do know is that I am not going to stop doing them....it's fun and relaxing for me!


And last but not least we are shopping for laminate wood flooring for our kitchen! Took a couple of pictures and thought if any of you had time you could give me your opinions! They would be much appreciated! And remember....this is just two samples. What we are really struggling with is light or dark? I want the distressed "handscraped" look. So here is the first one. It's called Golden Nugget~

This sample is called Dried Tobacco~



Both of these pictures were taken with the flash off so they both appear just a little bit "brighter" in person. I even thought of going with black laminate wood...but I have heard that the dust is a nightmare. I figure whatever color I choose the "Swiffer" will become my best friend! Personally I like the Dried Tobacco~I think it compliments are black appliances really well. Let me know girls! Suggestions are always welcome!


Whew! Hey I had a lot to blog about today! Yay! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! My sisters are coming for a visit AND I am meeting Kindra on Saturday! So needless to say I am looking forward to the weekend...even more so than usual! Until next time. Take care. ~Sarah~

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy St. Patricks Day!


Just poppin on quick to say Happy St. Patricks Day everyone! Not a bit of Irish in our house! But I found this picture and thought it was so pretty! I don't drink beer...green or otherwise...and after my recent experience with food poisoning please don't even mention corned beef and cabbage. I'm still drinking Sprite and eating Saltines! LoL! I have gotten so behind lately with everything ... NONE of my kiddos wore green today, in fact...on the way to school I said "Hey it's St. Patricks Day and none of you are wearing green". To which they replied...."Today is St. Patricks Day"?! Hmmmmm?

I do have a fond memory of four leaf clovers though. My Mom is THE BEST four leaf clover hunter in the world! She always manages to find them. Last year she found enough to press between glass, frame and give to her Mother, her sisters and a couple close cousins. I would always look for them with her....and never find one. And she would just say..."Ah here's another one"! Then she would hold the stem of them in her mouth and keep looking. Brings back some neat memories of just Mom and me. When we lived in the same town we always went looking for clovers, walking in the rain or walking in the snow. VERY fond memories. <3

Wishing you all a wonderful St. Pattys Day. Until next time. Take care. ~Sarah~

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Well....My Weekend...Change Of Plans~

Hello everyone! Hope you all had a good weekend! I myself.....had big plans that never happened. This Saturday I was looking forward to meeting Kindra at her Spring craft show here in Lincoln. Well my hubby and I went out for dinner Friday night and I am assuming now that it was food poisoning. :( I was so miserable all weekend. Still definitely not feeling 100%. Needless to say our dinner out changed my whole weekend. On top of meeting Kindra we had so many things around the house we wanted to get done and some other fun plans scheduled for Saturday night. Instead I was in bed. I guess you just never know and you have to make the best of any situation. The good news is I will be meeting Kindra this coming weekend at her next show! :) I am really looking forward to it!

I did manage to draw this little pineapple and get it stitched up while I was resting~




Here is a close up~I got the frame painted, sanded and stained today~


My other project was one that I have been wanting to get done for a while now. My Dad made me this six drawer chest quite a few years ago. It has always been stained and the drawers on it at different times have been mauve, country blue and brick red. It has been up in the attic in our garage and I am so excited to have gotten it done and have it out again. Here is a before picture~

Here is the after~I added new wood knobs~




Well that is about it for me, It's funny I really didn't feel like working on any projects but yet i did...does that make sense? On Saturday I had no choice but to stay in bed (my body said so) but on Sunday I just didn't want to do NOTHING! Glad I got these two little projects done but it is off to bed for me. Zzzzzzz! Hope you all have a wonderful Monday. Until next time. Take care. ~Sarah~

Sunday, March 8, 2009

~A Fun Weekend~

Hello all! Happy Monday! Just a quick little post tonight! My weekend was so fun! A little shopping~lunch out with a friend~ and supper out with a friend. It doesn't get any better! We all need a "girls day out" every once in a while! Had some good laughs and had some great luck shopping! I had been looking for a fly screen and I FOUND ONE! It is a little mini one! I have never seen one this size. It's about 7" around, really old and I love it! I am going to be rearranging my doughboard but I plopped it on there with a little pantry cake under it for a quick picture~



I will post pictures of my other new treasures when I get them all placed in their "new homes". It was a good day!

Other than my girls day out it was a pretty quiet weekend Sunday evening I worked on couple little projects. I found these cutting boards on sale at Bed Bath & Beyond. Kind of boring~

Here they are all painted, distressed and stained~



It was a fun quick project! Well, I am going to say Goodnight. I am working out tomorrow morning @ 6:00 a.m. I am a night owl but when I KNOW I have to get up that early in the morning I have to MAKE myself go to bed! I am NOT a morning person at all, but I have a doctor's appointment mid-morning and some other things going on too....and I have to fit that workout in! Hope you all have a wonderful Monday. Until next time. Take care. ~Sarah~

Thursday, March 5, 2009

A Simple Stitchery & More Makeover Fun

Hello....Almost at the end of the week! I have an exciting Saturday planned. A little "ME" time is in order. I am going with a couple of friends to the Log Cabin Prim store and another little antique store.....last time we tried to go to the antique store it was closed! :( We are hoping they are open this weekend! We will have some lunch out! Looking forward to it! And then Saturday evening out with another friend that I used to work with.....haven't seen each other in a while! Sooooo now you can see why I am so excited!

Just thought I would share a couple of projects that I worked on this week. I drew this little stitchery ALL BY MY LITTLE SELF! I know I know .... it's such a simple and easy pattern but hey.....I did it~



And I worked on another makeover. I got this little 7 drawer chest at the antique mall for $19.00 (not a steal of a deal) BUT I have shopped around and the little spice drawer cubbies that I have been looking at are SO expensive! I am pretty sure this used to be a jewlery box. But I thought why couldn't it be a little spice cubby? Here is the before picture~

And here is the after picture~
Not sure where it will go yet. But I am sure I will find a spot somewhere. Well, I guess that's about it for me. Today was a beautiful day! It was 74 degrees, the little boys got to play in the backyard and run off some energy! I had the windows and doors open...felt so good! I hope you all have a great weekend! Until next time. Take care. ~Sarah~


Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Who knew what blogging would bring?

Hello everyone. Happy Tuesday! I have been rearranging my kitchen today making room for some wonderful new goodies that I received from my great blog friend Lisa we did a sweet little swap and oh what a fun swap it was! This is what she sent me....I am one happy camper! She made me this amazing doughboard which also doubles as a "hide and seek" it covers up my white outlet (on my red wall) that is right by my sink~



Here is a close up~ I love all the character the wood has, the knots and the wood grain are fabulous~



In my little "prim toolbox" she made the large doughboard in the back and the black and mustard cutting boards too~



Close up~



I am so happy with everything. Lisa does amazing work. And what's more amazing is what blogging has brought to me. I never dreamed in a million years when I started blogging that I would meet such wonderful people! There are so many kind hearts out there. And in a world that is so uncertain right now it gives me hope that there are people out there that genuinely care for other people. They offer their talents and their advice. This has been the start of a wonderful journey for me. It would be hard to mention everyone, you have all been so wonderful with your kind comments on my blog and my projects etc. This might sound a little bit like an Emmy award winning acceptance speech but~ I have to thank Lisa for always being so sweet, helping me to get started with my backstitching, she shared her talents and tips with me. She is always there to answer my questions. I have to thank Linda for helping me too, I appreciate your painting tips so that I could give my doughboard just the right finish. And I took those instructions and carried them into my other painting projects. And Kindra who I found through Linda...great story. I asked Linda where she got a set of blocks that I admired in her home, she shared where she had gotten them with me. Come to find out Kindra is practically my backdoor neighbor! I contacted her via email and ordered two sets of her wonderful blocks....two sets were dropped off at my house before Christmas! Kindra has been a wonderful new friend and I look forward to meeting her IN PERSON at a craft fair in the upcoming weeks! What a small small world! Those are just a few stories about some of the gracious people I have met since I started blogging. Thank you ALL for visiting, I appreciate it so much...you all have a special place in my heart. Making new friends is the best...can't wait to make more! Until next time. Take care. ~Sarah~