• Around home - Blog - Kitchen - Outdoors

    Sewing, gardening and painting

    August 17, 2012 - By 
    Not necessarily in that order.
    Or maybe I should have called this my
    late summer catch-up post.
    Regardless of title…
    I found a few fun garage sale deals this summer. Mostly storage items that had seen better days…such as a set of two copper canisters.
    Only one pictured.
    Not sure why,  other than laziness on my part.
    I soaked all the black paint off using my favorite product Sol-u-mel and a scrubby pad.
    After carefully taping the rims of the copper tin where the lid fits down over, I gave them new life.
    The color is “celery”. Not my first choice but what can a girl do when free is the price.
    Thank you County Reuse Center.
    The black I had on hand…although now I am out. Good colors like that don’t generally end up at the recycle center.
    Aside from painting the tins and a little bit of the lawn…oops…over-spray,
    I’ve been sewing a lot!!
    We’ve had a hot summer here in MN. Ways to stay cool are in high demand.
    If you may recall back at the 4th of July, I made a bunch of neck cooling wraps for the days festivities.
    I carry a zipper bag of them with me all the time now because you wouldn’t believe how often it has come up in conversation.
    People asking if I know where to get them.  Well yes, in fact, I do!  *grin*
    In addition, I’ve been gardening.
    My green beans have been a disappointment this year, especially if compared to last years bumper crop.
    My tomatoes are really starting to ripen and are oh so yummy.
    Labor Day is quickly approaching…the kids head off to school the next day.
    It’s bittersweet for me.
    I like the extra freedom I am allowed but I honestly miss them not being around.
    I won’t miss the bickering or tattling. Geesh, when will that end?!?!
    The homework, the early mornings and activities add a different layer that always takes a bit of adjustment as well. I’ve started my list of  “projects” to tackle once my time is mostly my own again.
    Until then…I’ll be around haphazardly….
    sometimes posting…sometimes silent.
    No worries…I haven’t gotten lost.
    Just soaking up the remainder of summer with the family.

  • Blog - Kitchen

    Inspired by Pinterest

    June 6, 2012 - By 
    It’s happened again…I just have to make some new things I’ve seen on Pinterest.
    Such as these Kale chips!
    OH YUM!
    Crispy, crunchy, healthy, yummy.
    Here’s a link to the the original post.
    Credit where credit is due….

    The second inspiration didn’t have any readable instructions…just a series of photos pinned. So, unfortunately, I can’t give credit to whom it’s due.

    Here’s the original “pin” (left) which summed itself up nicely.

     

    <—–
    I used an ugly canvas I picked up at a garage sale…gessoed and tissue papered it before painting it green.

     

    I thought the green left behind my leaves was a little boring so I went back with painted and retouched them.
    Looks pretty dumb on the shed door but I happened to have a nail there for the photo op.
    Have you been inspired lately?

     

  • Blog

    Postcard Challenge week 21

    May 26, 2012 - By 

     

    After weeks of absence from Darcy’s postcard challenge, I have finally found my characters.
    Apparently they had been spending some time together in the English countryside.
    Their relationship has definitely made some big changes.

    Maggie writes:

    Thadeus,
      The past few weeks have been like a dream. I pinched myself this morning just to make sure. I miss you already. I thought this painting would remind you of our week in the country. The stonewalls. The picnic. The inn.
    Hurry back to me….
               Always- Maggie



     

    Ah… the excitement of new love.
    This weeks page is pretty simple. Aged papers and doily scraps.