Sunday, June 27, 2010

Puppy Love

Don't hate me for saying that I have never been a pet person.  I am sorry, I just haven't.  Not sure if it is my strong sense of smell or what.  We had a cat that died in March--I gave her to my hubby one year as a gift of love because he is a cat guy.  And then last week my daughter happened upon some free puppies, pleaded for one and I said, "Ya, sure, what the heck, let's get a puppy!"   I have completely fallen in love with this sweet little mutt (puggle and miniature pinscher) we named Tika.
In honor of her, thought I'd share a few dog projects from the archives:
A dog bed, made from a doll bed.  I took off the one side and cut it down to lower it,
and another doll bed made into a pet dish holder.
And they call it puppy love...

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Under $100 Linky Party!

Thanks all for linking up last week.  Our party was small, but well worth it still.  Here are some ideas from last week.
Chalkboards aren't new, but I love what 6 Inches of Ribbon used to make these:
I've always been a little nervous to drill through teacups, but The Thriftress made it look easy.
All Things Home found a way to elevate a lowly ladder.
Here is a beautiful idea from Domestically Speaking of what to do with those shells you may be collecting this summer.
and finally Yum! from Santa's Gift Shoppe.
I look forward to your creativity each week!

Under $100 Linky Guidelines:
1.  Please link to the specific post, not your blog!
2.  Please only post ideas that cost $100 or less--it would be great if you share the cost of your project, but not necessary.
3.  Please include a brief description in link up.
4.  Grab my Under $100 button on the sidebar and include it in your post or a link to Beyond the Picket Fence so people can ind you and more great ideas.
5.  Please check and make sure your link works.  If it doesn't you can delete it and try again :)

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Benchmarks

I found an old children's metal headboard a while back at the thrift store.  I made it into a bench, painted it a soft yellow, and decoupaged a page from 1953 book.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Truth or Dare

Which did you choose when you were a kid, Truth or Dare?  I found this fun magnetic dart Truth or Dare board at at thrift store for $1.50.  I made a base out of 2x4's, painted it using the peeling paint technique and ended up with a fun and quick table that has sold already.
Find more ideas at:
C.R.A.F.T.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Sunshine!

Amazing what a little sun can do for one's disposition.  We have had rain, rain, rain, and more rain, but today the sun made an appearance.  I decided to paint some sunny flowers on this washtub and great little camping stool.
Wishing you all a sun-filled day!
Find more great ideas at:
Funky Junk Interiors

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Under $100 Linky Party!

Oops--running a bit behind, sorry!  Thank you all for your kind words on my post below.  I hope my simple words helped a few of you.
Some super links, as always, last week--thank you for sharing your talent with us.
Did you see this headboard from Redberry Barn?  I love the quote on it.
Need garden markers?  Here is a cute idea from Scraps and Scribbles.
Loved how Tina at The Artful Life transformed this clock!
These little furniture silhouette pictures from The Diary of Dave's Wife are simple and adorable.
And I can't wait to copy this idea from Prim and Proper!


I look forward to your creativity each week!

Under $100 Linky Guidelines:
1.  Please link to the specific post, not your blog!
2.  Please only post ideas that cost $100 or less--it would be great if you share the cost of your project, but not necessary.
3.  Please include a brief description in link up.
4.  Grab my Under $100 button on the sidebar and include it in your post or a link to Beyond the Picket Fence so people can ind you and more great ideas.
5.  Please check and make sure your link works.  If it doesn't you can delete it and try again :).

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Why?

Last week would have been my son's 10th birthday.  On Tuesday my teen will be attending the funeral of a classmate who rolled his car while heading fishing with a buddy.  Another classmate is now in a wheelchair after a wrestling warm-up in December and his family is deep in the battle with insurance companies.  A friend's marriage is falling apart.  Why?
Why?--It is a question I have often asked--friends, family, pastors, God.  And I am afraid I do not have an answer.  I do not know why one child dies and another is saved.  I do not know why a person walks away from an accident while the other person dies.  I do not know why marriage is so hard sometimes.  But, I have learned a few things and have wanted to share them, in case anyone needs to hear it.

First it is okay to ask why.  God can handle it, He is a big God and can handle your anger and your questions.  But know, that you may not get the answer in this lifetime and that is okay too.  When I finally accepted that I wouldn't know why, I was able to move on.  Secondly, sometimes life and circumstances can really suck (sorry for the terminology, but it is the truth!).   Telling yourself, "This is going to be bad" helps-- it prepares you even when you are blindsided by tragedy.

Next,  you have to take a deep breath, put on your big girl panties, and start walking, walking through the pain and the hurt.  You can't hide from it or deny it, you have to go through it.  Remembering to have a sense of humor and finding things to be grateful for every day, no matter what helped me tremendously.  And yes, even on the day my son died I can list things I was grateful--caring nurses, a dear friend who took care of my other kids, being able to hold my son.

Finally, know that you can survive, even the thing that you think you cannot.  And know that you will never be the same, but that is okay too, you can be better, stronger and if you allow the horrible thing to work in you, to change you, you may even be able to say one day that even though you don't know why you had to go through something so bad or why it happened, you are grateful for having done so.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Under $100 Linky Party!!

Thanks so much for linking up, what great links you all shared.  Here are a few that stuck in my craw:
Loved this no sew window treatment from Impatiently Praying for Patience--the details make the difference!
I drooled over this chippy mirror from Brambleberry Cottage.
Sweet nursery ideas from A Little Lovely caught my eye,
As well as this great entry update from Creating Comfort.
Here is a fresh idea for book decor from Mich L. in L.A.
And finally a great how to on painting a flag from Mural Maker and More.
I look forward to what you have to show this week!

Under $100 Linky Guidelines:
1.  Please link to the specific post, not your blog!
2.  Please only post ideas that cost $100 or less--it would be great if you share the cost of your project, but not necessary.
3.  Please include a brief description in link up.
4.  Grab my Under $100 button on the sidebar and include it in your post or a link to Beyond the Picket Fence so people can ind you and more great ideas.
5.  Please check and make sure your link works.  If it doesn't you can delete it and try again :).

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Sunflower Chairs

I had a special order for a sunflower chair, something I have made before.  I decided to give her 2 choices for chair styles--it really doesn't take that much longer to paint a 2nd chair.
I started with these--this picture is after I had hosed them down, frightening, eh?  I picked up the pale yellow folding chair in Oregon--it had been used on the beach for campfires.
And here is chair #1,
sunflower chairs http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2010/06/sunflower-chairs.html
and chair #2.  These are not my style for my home, but are fun and easy to paint and what the customer wanted.
sunflower chairs http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2010/06/sunflower-chairs.html


Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Under $100 Linky Party!!

Here we are again--but I will have something new to show you on Friday.  Linky lesson learned--host it late, and not many will come, but thanks to those of you who did!
Bargain Shopping Paradise shared a plethora of DIY Projects:
Creative Ambitions tractor wheel project is wonderfully creative and cool!
And isn't this pillowcase halter top from Those Northern Skies so sweet?
This Present Life shared a bit if a different twist on subway art.
And what is there to say about these from Babblings From Brooke but YUMMY!
I look forward to what you have to show this week!

Under $100 Linky Guidelines:
1.  Please link to the specific post, not your blog!
2.  Please only post ideas that cost $100 or less--it would be great if you share the cost of your project, but not necessary.
3.  Please include a brief description in link up.
4.  Grab my Under $100 button on the sidebar and include it in your post or a link to Beyond the Picket Fence so people can ind you and more great ideas.
5.  Please check and make sure your link works.  If it doesn't you can delete it and try again :).