Still Alive, Sort Of

See that pile of fun stuff in the post below that I got to use for fall decorating? It sits as is. I have been fighting a nasty cold that has wiped me out. I think if I could sleep for the next 3 days I would feel better. But real life doesn't allow that. So, I am barely functioning, doing the minimum to get by until I get better. Hubby has it too, which definitely doesn't help. Hope to show you some fall junk soon! Thanks for being patient--

Here is last year's fall centerpiece-- a cheap wood bowl painted shabby with some fall goodies inside.

Fall Junk and I Need Your Ideas!

I am getting ready to decorate for fall. I know, I am way behind some of you. It has been 90 degrees here this week, so fall has not been on my brain. Here are some things I picked up to get me started. The spray paint and fake orange weedy things did not come from the thrift store, the rest of the stuff did. I will show you the transformations in a day or two. I may not use all of it, but do have a few ideas.


This wine rack I picked up for $5 at the thrift store (I know, my wine collection is extensive). It was gold, I spray painted it with the oiled bronze spray paint. The little rectangular pieces on the front of each "basket" said Kendall Jackson. I need your ideas as to what to put on there. I have thought of scrapbook paper or vinyl words, but what should it say? Help!

Out of The Mouths of Babes

I feel a little more on top of things and ready for my week. I started teaching preschool last week, had 2 open house nights, and I was wiped out. On my first day of preschool one of my sweet little girl's first sentence to me was, "I farted at home." The second day, one girl, donning the Cinderella dress-up gown, came up to me and whispered in my ear, "Who will be my prince?" I told her I wasn't sure, but that she didn't need a prince to be a princess. Oh, they are cute, busy, but adorable!


So hopefully this week I will get some junkin', projects done. Until then, here is a view from our friend's cabin we stayed at last weekend at Hebgen Lake, located 8 miles from West Yellowstone. I must say, I at times unfortunately become oblivious to the natural beauty that surrounds me. Taking pictures helps me to realize how amazing it really is!

Hope you all are well. Thanks for taking the time to comment. The comments brighten the crazy days.

What's Green and White and Black All Over?

No time for words--off to the lake for the weekend. Sold these things today at the Farmer's Market.

What Am I Up To?

Thought I'd show you a few things I am working on:

Sanded and primed some things,

Built a bench,

Decoupaged this (it still needs hooks).

I forgot how busy school becomes--homework, back-to-school nights, meetings, football for 2 boys, soccer for the daughter. Oh well, that is okay.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

First, things first. I did not do a very good job of highlighting Sara's great blog. I didn't know how to get pictures from her blog to mine, but please, if you haven't, go visit her. You will be glad you did.

The table and chairs have been delivered, I have been paid, the stress has eased! I think she really liked it. Here is a sort of picture--all the others were fuzzy.

This is another special order I have been working on, a great cabinet that the customer wanted flowers painted on. It has been a nice change of pace from the black.

Got Inspiration?

Where do you find inspiration when the well is running dry? I find it everywhere! It is a matter of training your brain to look for it. Here are some things around my house that might inspire me:
a rug,

a favorite skirt,

a fake daisy (the only fake plant I have).

Your blogs are also a major source of inspiration. Before I head out to my garage most days, I check out some of your blogs for some brain stimulation. Sara's Art House is one of my favorites. Her paintings and colors make me smile. I don't copy, I don't think, " I am going to paint something just like she did," I just look and appreciate the creativity. It jump starts my creativity. So, if you are not already a fan of Sara's, check her out today. And thanks for the inspiration!

Redesign

I had a few things that I haven't sold at my antique booth that I decided to add a little embellishment to. I will take these to Farmer's Market tomorrow.
Swirls, yes, more swirls, but a little leafy twig in there too for a change.

I added a great picture from an old reader to this child's chair.

And remember this dresser?

I lightly sanded it, and used 2 coats of walnut gel stain. I loved it too much to part with it, so it is in my entry area now. I need artwork to go beside it. I think I will make something.
I am off to back to school spirit night for the high school. Get to watch eldest child scrimmage in football and go to a BBQ. Always a fun, community event.

Frustrating

I have had a frustrating day. First, I thought hubby was going to be home today, but informed me last night that he had a school in-service all day. I was hoping for his help with the children who need some space from each other (7 more days until school starts!). Grounded 1 of them today--too much fighting!

I am working on a special order that is taking me much longer than I had hoped--6 chairs and a dining room table with 6, yes 6, leaves. I am painting it black and distressing it. Which distresses me. I've done it plenty, but it just seems to be having issues. First, I used tinted primer, which I never do. The darkest they could tint it was a blue gray, which when I sanded, you could see and the stain wouldn't cover. So after a trip to get darker stain, and doing some touch up to cover some of the gray , some praying, it turned out like I wanted. My sandpaper is gumming up much more than usual, I don't know why, but I bought more so I can change it frequently.

I am getting up at 6:30 AM to work on it--I want it done. I quoted a fairly high price for doing this because I knew the chairs alone would take time. I told my husband before I even did the job, that I was earmarking the money for a new chair for the living room. I keep saying to myself, "This is worth a new chair."

We went for a 5 or so mile hike this evening, which completely helped to clear my head and attitude.

I hope to show you more fun things in a day or two--this painting is just plain boring! But, it is worth a new chair, really it is.

Thank You

Thank you so much for all of the truly wonderful comments on my SITS day. I felt very loved. The highest compliment that I can be paid is to hear that I inspired many of you to try a project. That means so much to me, as that is my hope, to inspire others to see something in a different way, to see new life in something old. I am also excited that so many of you signed up to follow my blog.

To answer a few questions. Yes, I do sell my things, at the Farmer's Market in the summer and at a local antique place. I have a few other irons in the fire as well and am thinking of doing an etsy shop. Here is a picture of my daughter, selling some of her paintings this past week with me.


I do build things out of junk as well as painting on them. I built the potting table I showed, and lots of other things that you can find in past posts. I actually really love the building part. I paint my pieces free-hand and I am self-taught. Trial and error is a big part of it.

Here are a few chalkboards I did for last week's market. The one is an oceany blue color, hard to tell with the flash. It was so cold at the market, 45 degrees, but I did well, as did my daughter Ü.


PS--Someone wanted to link to my blog, that is great. I can't get your blog information from your post and it saidd you didn't share your blogger information.