CRAFTY INSPIRATIONS

2011-08-22T20:50:00.001-07:00

Test post for uploading via phone

Eight years and counting

2011-04-02T21:10:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it has been eight years since my surgery which has really made my life so much more enjoyable. I think its time to really try to move forward and make a difference in this world. I am not sure exactly yet how to do that specifically but my heart is wanting to go that direction. I want to use this blog and other things to be more than just a family update screen but something that can bring people together in common interests. Of course family updates are the key to who I am, but expanding my own desires and expectations. Monday will be a day for me to set some small goals...I want to think about them through the weekend, formulate on Saturday....hey maybe even Pray about them on Sunday...and start my list on monday. I need a cool thing to call my list--not just a goal list because that sounds too pushy to me...too many expectations. But...I know I will come up with some funky name, I love funky names...

My first video tutorial....in photos but hey...who's counting

2011-03-30T14:51:00.000-07:00

From the Pioneer Woman Cooks sounds soo yummy!

2011-03-22T18:46:00.000-07:00

Recipe: Pistachio Cake
Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 1 Hour Difficulty: Easy Servings: 18
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/print-recipe/107538/#size3x5

Print Recipe 3"x5" Cards 4"x6" Cards Full Page
Ingredients
•1 box White Cake Mix
•1 package (4 Ounce) Pistachio Instant Pudding Mix
•½ cups Orange Juice
•½ cups Water
•½ cups Vegetable Oil
•4 whole Eggs
•¾ cups Chocolate Syrup (such As Hershey's)
Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour bundt pan.

Mix all ingredients but chocolate syrup and beat for two minutes on medium-high. Pour 3/4 of the batter into the bundt pan.

Add chocolate syrup to the remaining batter and mix well. Pour chocolate-laced batter on top of the pistachio batter.

Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Note: You can use a knife to swirl chocolate batter into the pistachio batter for more of a marbled design.

Variation: Coat cake with chocolate ganache!

Talented nephew part normal...

2011-03-20T19:18:00.001-07:00

Ok my nephew is very talented and this time he did an image for his pediatrician (who he has been to since he was a baby) as the man has images from many patients on his wall, so Thomas decided to give his wall some class.....the horse is amazing don't you think? He did this all by hand just amazes me...not sure what the face is but its also cool to me

My Talented Nephew

2011-03-15T13:35:00.000-07:00

I received my nephews first digital art projects. He is soooo talented I just couldn't help but want to show it off to you all. I know this is not everyone's cup of tea but look beyond the content to the artistry. I think he is amazing.

Come on in for a virtual visit

2011-02-21T16:45:00.000-08:00

I did a slideshow in picasa to make it seem like you are actually coming in and visiting the house on the day of the open house. I did this at the end of the party so it was a little darker, and jim was sleeping, just after taking these I took my own nap!

http://picasaweb.google.com/scrapbuddy2/Slideshow?authkey=Gv1sRgCOaK5frCtJjTeQ#slideshow/

Let me know what you think!

From slideshow

Limestone subjects

2011-02-13T20:39:00.001-08:00

There are some really really cool items to look at here. If you read my blog you will see this, if you don't check out this link...

http://www.brooklynlimestone.com/2011/01/junk-drawer-overhaul-jens-message.html

If you watch reader it will be in my shared items.

Sent to you by Tanya via Google Reader:

Limestone

via Todays Creative Blog by Kim on 2/13/11

Brooklyn Limestone

I have had Brooklyn Limestone in my FFF FOREVER! I've been watching, reading and drooling over her talent for a very long time. Her creative DIY home projects have me completely inspired, making lists, collecting ideas… Renovating this Limestone is a classic Cinderella story. Once you read their story, you'll understand why. Besides renovating, she will inspire you with her unique ways, her thrifty ways of decorating.

Pantry

Renovating the pantry can be simple as just painting the inside of the door with chalkboard paint. Seriously……is there anything cuter? Then if you really want to kick it up a notch, add a darling chandelier stenciled image.

Dictionary Art

This reminds me. I was going to order some of these prints a bit ago from a gal on Etsy. I must have seen something shiny. But now maybe I'll try it myself. Now on the lookout for old dictionary's. Loving how this looks. The perfect amount of charm, originality and COOLNESS!

Block Art

You know you have my vote (if that's worth anything) if you have something out of the ordinary on your walls. I mean anyone can buy wall decor at their local department or furniture store…….and fall into the "I'll have what she's having" decorating mentality. Mrs. Limestone is a girl who loves to travel. She even sells some of her photographs she's taken from many of her trips. This DIY wall decor is not only original, but it reflects the dwellers passions and personality. They remind me a bit of my Sid Dickens Memory blocks. I love those.

Silver Leaf

Why purchase an expensive bed side table when you can just jazz up one with a bit of Silver Leaf and a sharpie. You can't over think these things…….she proves that by using a jar lid to form that scalloped corner. Can I tell you how much I love brilliant decorators like Mrs. Limestone……..these woman blaze the trail!

Mail Center

We all that spot in the home that piles up with mail, papers, etc… And if you don't, then you're just not normal. True.

She searched high and low for the perfect small table, worked her magic one it and even cut off the back end. Using a few empty frames and some metal decorative grating, she created the most stylish DIY mail center.

Silhouette

I've said it many times before….Do we EVER get tired of a good Silhouette? She needed a dramatic wall piece to go above their bed. Why not a whimsical approach to the traditional silhouette? I believe she has since changed this wall, but I loved the way this looks and thought it was worth passing on to you.

Forks

Antique silverware is once again a sought after medium for decorating. I don't have it listed here, but you can see an amazing holiday wreath she made using a few spoons. These stamped fork napkin rings can be used year round.

Tutorial

She has a full tutorial showing you step by step on how she made these. You can pound away your frustrations. And there's that sharpie again. Who knew we'd need a sharpie for so many DIY projects?

In her spare time, she dabbles in a little graphic design. Invitations, announcements, menu's, etc….She helped her husband……actually I think her husband helped her…….with some bachelor party invites for a friend of his. Can you just imagine opening up a cool invite like this?

The best part? They don't look horribly confusing or hard to make. I think these could also make great trophies for a baseball team……too bad my son doesn't play anymore. But maybe something like this for soccer? Hmmmm.

I hope you'll head over to Mrs. Limestone's blog and pay her a visit. I know she would LOVE a comment. Wouldn't you? It makes me so happy when my featured bloggers tell me what great readers I have and the nice comments they receive.

Also, don't forget to enter my monthly contest.

I think you'll LOVE these posts too.

Valentine Crafts

Whimsical Decor

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It is one of the most beautiful compensations in life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.

2011-02-12T14:50:00.001-08:00

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Naptime

2011-02-08T17:08:00.000-08:00

Naptime for the two sweeties in my house....

Donna's Recipe

2011-01-26T21:37:00.000-08:00

My friend Donna created this for her family this week and I forced her into making a printable recipe card. Thought more of you might want to try it out. She said everyone loved it.

Go....Learn.....Become....

2011-01-20T11:07:00.000-08:00

I thought about the upcoming year, and what has become popular is a "bucket list" idea instead of resolutions....or goals.... What is nice is there is no completion date on the bucket list other than when you "kick the bucket" lol.

I wasn't ready to make my own, so thought mabye I could get some good ideas online...so I found this website that showed over 500 ideas for a bucket list. I pasted the entire 500 into a wordle (which picks out the most typed words and makes them bigger than anything else) and this is what it showed up. Wow! Go....Learn.....Become.... and many more uplifting words, unspecific to any one thing so really would fit into almost anyone's life. What do you think?

2010 recap

2011-01-19T08:28:00.001-08:00

Did a chalkboard look of happenings this past year. Thought would be fun to remember all the things I experienced and enjoyed for the year.

Marley's Christmas Present

2011-01-15T08:29:00.000-08:00

Here is our first upload to YouTube, I promised this to Chris last night...this is Marleys favorite toy right now...her jungle Gym box (aka Coffee Pot Box... gift from her Aunt Kathy in CA) all of the junk on the floor are PIECES of the box...as well as the toys we used to play with her in the box. A long rubber band. A blue handle to a ice cream bucket...and this Feather toy I got for $1 at Walmart. The biggest problem with the feather toy is she grabs is to fast I lose it...and I have to get it back before she hides it under her and attacks my arm when I go to get it!

Anne's Rolls

2011-01-05T21:02:00.000-08:00

This is a recipe I got from my Mother-in-law
of some Rolls my husband LOVES.
He and his brother fight over them when
we visit, along with the homemade Jams
she has in her fridge.

I wanted to make myself a Recipe card
for future use, and thought you all might
be able to use it as well.

This should print 4x6 but if you have trouble
resizing let me know.

To simplify...

2011-01-02T20:53:00.001-08:00

I saw this on another blog, but had to search to see who originally said it...it amazes me how long ago this quote is from. Maybe you can get something out of it like I am...
As Hans Hofmann said nearly 100 years ago:

“To simplify, eliminate the unnecessary so the necessary can speak.”

Poem by Anne Felsheim

2011-01-01T20:58:00.000-08:00

My mother in law is a very talented and creative poetry writer. Almost every year for Christmas she takes time to write one to send to her family. Thought I would share this year's poem with you.

Who Knew?

Baby Jesus, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, in a manger lay.

Who knew His birth that very night would bring a brand-new day?

Who knew this infant, Jesus, sent by God above,

Would be the Savior of the world, proving God’s perfect love?

The ﬁrst to know was God Himself; it was His chosen plan.

He’d send His Son, His only one, for the salvation of Man.

The next was the angel Gabriel, he was the one God sent

To tell Mary the virgin her part in this world-changing event.

He told her about Jesus, that she would be His mother.

God trusted her to do this job and He would choose no other.

Joseph was betrothed to Mary, and Joseph also knew

And wondered, in his position, what now should he do?

An angel settled his dilemma, appearing in a dream,

And said to him, “Don’t worry, Joseph, things are not as they seem.“

This Child was conceived by the Holy Ghost; Jesus shall be His name.

“God is sending Him to heal the world, to rescue from sin and shame.”

The night of that wondrous birth, another angel came.

He spoke to shepherds in the ﬁeld; his message was the same:

“Fear not,” he said, “I bring to you glad tidings of great joy.

“Look in the manger yonder, and you’ll ﬁnd a baby boy;

“He’s the Savior—-Christ the Lord-~God’s gift to ALL mankind.”

He’s here for everyone: from elegant to unreﬁned.

The heavenly host, who also knew, burst forth in joyful singing,

“Glory to God in the highest!” their voices jubilantly ringing.

As the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds rushed to see

Joseph, Mary and Jesus, the holy family.

And they were so excited they spread the word around

Of all they had seen that night, and the baby they had found!

Those who heard their story marveled at what they saw,

The miracle of Jesus’ birth ﬁlling all hearts with awe.

Down through the ages, the story repeatedly was told,

The Good News of Jesus, touching the young and the old.

Today it still continues, wherever God’s people go,

Telling of Jesus, they ask themselves, “Who’l1 be the next to know?”

Luke 1:26-38; 2:1—2O; Matt.1:18-21

Anne Felsheim

Christmas 2010

Through A Cat's perspective....

2010-12-31T21:03:00.000-08:00

Through the eyes of an animal we can gain such great perspective on life...

What Is important

What inspires us

what we need in this life

And what we Want

and right now all Marley wants

IS TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN!!!!

Translated: Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow

Very loud, very piercing....

Updated house pictures

2010-12-22T18:47:00.000-08:00

As you can see the living room isn't done yet...missing some curtains, some plug covers, some other minor stuff...like the cove molding etc. But overall so far here it is...

Let us recall our former glory of a kitchen....nice roll around dishwasher. Nice torn up floor with squares peeling off of old linoleum, torn up knee wall... Lovely half painted walls, Ugly dark green laminate countertop that was peeling off...

Here is the kitchen as you first come into it. I stitched together some photos so the bar looks longer than it really is, but it is kind of the way it is....

Kitchen Panorama from the other side...can see how big the bar really is...

This shows the new cabinetry by the dining room. I really like the way it turned out.

And of course the dining room again this time with furniture...Ok here is a funky panorama of the bathroom. Sure makes it look huge with it stitched like this but when the bathroom is so tiny hard to get much in one picture. but you can at least see the full combination of colors here....Here is over by the toilet area, shows the back part all except behind the door which isn't done yet.... this is a bit more realistic size wise....

Color is off here but you can see the view from the corner of the tub..

Merry Christmas from the Felsheims.....

2010-12-20T00:11:00.001-08:00

I Need a Silent Night Amy Grant

2010-12-19T23:53:00.000-08:00

The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. ~...

2010-12-18T20:51:00.001-08:00

I got quite a kick out of this one....

The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. ~~~ Albert Einstein

Only room done......

2010-12-10T21:00:00.003-08:00

Ok....Remember this???? This is one of the "before" pictures. This was our staging area. It was the LAST room to be tackled as it held all of the supplies for the rest of the rooms. Now the OTHER rooms hold the supplies and the dining room is Mostly done. Now here is the room with all but the laundry area doors done, and curtains, and FURNITURE....a few little touch up things but at leas it has an idea how it is going to look...The chandelier will have changes too but that is not as important as having the rest done...

2010-12-05T19:16:00.000-08:00

Ok....at least can show a few pictures of things that are done....the new tile floor in the bathroom I just love! I went with the 3 inch square tiles to make the smaller area look bigger....And the new tub surround made out of cultured marble picks up some of the colors in the tile as well....My new fixtures are all in the oil rubbed bronze look...

Black Friday ~ Silhouette Style!!

2010-11-26T18:20:00.001-08:00

Check out this silhouette giveaway!

Sent to you by Tanya via Google Reader:

Black Friday ~ Silhouette Style!!

via Shanty2Chic by Shanty 2 Chic on 11/25/10

Happy Thanksgiving!!

If you have not signed up for Shanty's great Silhouette Machine giveaway click HERE!!!

Just wanted to let all of you in on a FABULOUS sale Silhouette is running for our readers...

All you need to do is use the coupon code SHANTY in your cart at checkout!!

Starting Tomorrow through November 30th our readers can get their hands on this!!

~ Silhouette Machine ($299 value)

~ Home Decor CD ($55 value)

~ 1 Roll of Transfer Paper ($7.99 value)

~ 1 Roll of Vinyl ($7.99 value)

Shanty's readers can get ALL of this for $199 !!!

All you need to do is use the coupon code SHANTY in your cart at checkout!!

Click on the link below to take you there!!

We hope you all had a safe and awesome holiday!! We are so thankful for all of you and we will be back in the morning to announce another fun giveaway from one of our sponsors.

Don't forget to sign up for the Silhouette giveaway HERE!!

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Happy Thanksgiving - Stop Motion Video

2010-11-20T07:23:00.000-08:00

Thought this might get you in the mood for a wonderful holiday!

Update.....the Good...the Bad....and the Ugly

2010-11-15T06:05:00.001-08:00

Lets start with the good. Nice countertops (just the one set is done put in so I can finally have a sink! I have my new executive chef sink and oil rubbed bronze faucets. This almost hides the fact I have no door fronts, shelves or drawers....almost....
Same thing...different angle. the open cabinets are more in focus.

Can see the new window (not framed in yet) and the sink/faucet...also can see the flooring in here. The dishwasher is mising still but other than that not too bad...

Here is living room.....It has a floor....the trim isnt' done and no covers on the outlets etc...but beggars cannot be choosers!

Nother view of the flooring

Now for the bad....not too bad. unfinished hole in a wall...unfinished trim and dishwasher and cabinet in the living room...not so useful here...

Now for the ugly...cover your eyes if this is painful for you...

Here is dining room.....nicely staged don't you think?

And the bathroom...see my special lighting?

My staging area down the hallway...painted now, but dont' think so useable. Thru the door is all of my kitchen STUFF piled high...

Bedroom...such a nice floor! Love the concrete open look and the dust all over everything!

A few tidbits....

2010-11-15T05:38:00.000-08:00

Thought I would show a few before and after pictures of small items that have been done while waiting on the bigger items...

First was my kitchen window. Didn't realize how ugly these windows were until I got a new one installed. Told the contractor to take it back out because it made the rest of my old windows look TERRIBLE!

New window--can see out of it so nicely...the middle of the window has no slider to block the view, and the perimeter grid gives some style without being too over the top.Guess I should have taken a picture of this old door leading to the garage BEFORE it was taken out, but imagine a door as heavy as a human that swelled up in the winter to the point was so loud and had to push hard just to open!

This is my new door leading to the garage. First off I now have it opening into the GARAGE instead of my tiny dining room. 2nd it is a much fancier window door than I had requested due to a mistake at the home improvement place. They charged me the same amount for the door, but I didnt pay for the fancy build in blinds....now if they would make this mistake on a door that someone will actually SEE! hehe oh well..

My yucky old ceiling lights. I wasn't ready to spend the $$$ to install can lights so I had the electrician add a 2nd light in the living room (the first one was only on one side of the room) and I replaced the lights with something a little nicer and something that shouldn't get so many BUGS in it. I cleaned this thing out not that long ago! Well..ok been a few months...

New lights in living room....
The day the cabinets arrived (Last Tuesday not so late....about 2 months....here is kitchen before anything installed.....

Here is with the basic cabinets but no doors, drawers, or shelves. But at least it shows taking shape.

Another view of the installed cabinets...

Ok the chandelier picture didn't work...I'll try attaching it..

2010-11-09T05:07:00.001-08:00

Hoping and Hoping

2010-11-09T05:04:00.001-08:00

I might actually FINALLY get some cabinets today! They are supposed to arrive here at 6:30. Just the kitchen ones, but at least that means I might have somewhat of a house again this week! I at least should have a kitchen by the weekend! Without a kitchen for 2 months is more disheartening than I thought it would be. I have been told every week for 6 weeks the cabinets would be here so I would undo my temporary set up (simply a table) and move it out, only to move it back again when I was told "another week". In the meantime my brother has been coming and helping me paint walls and ceilings and trim. Man o man do we not like to have to paint trim, what a hassle! The old ugly trim was a dark green that took 3 coats even with a primer and we were only painting the trim white!

I know I am making too much noise here for my husband (our house is very small and every floor board creaks to high heaven) but i have to get things moved if they are coming at 6:30! My brother is coming to help so I have to be up, DRESSED, and have things moved that I don't want broken by men who are bulls in china cabinets.

I bought a chandelier yesterday for over the sink. I think I is going to look really great. I know its fancy but I need a little fancy in my world don't I?

Mark Twain

2010-11-08T06:06:00.001-08:00

Read this today and it seemed so appropriate! Just really touched a part of my heart

Mark Twain

via Motivational Quotes of the Day on 11/7/10

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."

My actual colors

2010-10-31T09:53:00.000-07:00

I could not find the exact color of the pecanwood online but this is basketweave that I have altered a little to try to make it closer to the clor I used. All of these have white trim against it so I surrounded the colors with white so you could see how they look. I think the antique is warmer than I can see on my screen but should be similar.

Created a new post card

2010-10-30T17:28:00.000-07:00

I got an email from the gal in town that I have been doing some postcards for, she suddenly realized it was only a week before her Winter Open house and hadn't asked me to make the cards yet! I went by there on Thursday and took some photos, then had her approve the photo and the writing, and today I took them to staples to have them printed out for her. She went home before I could get them back to her so she might have to make another trip into town to pick them up so she can stamp and address them. I work on Monday so cannot get them to her that day. Here is the final card and wording....

Marley and the Convertible...

2010-10-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

My husband has a miata which is a convertible and when it is wet in the AM he puts the cover over the main part of the car for the night. This morning Marley decided she wanted to discover what this top thing was all about and set about to walk over it and see if it held her up

Here she is finding out this isn't as sturdy as thought it was...afte rall its only fabric and Jim had already loosened the one side....
well at least the fall wasn't very far! only down to the stairs....

Then of course she has to be petted. She jumps up into your hand when you go to pet her...

And finds anything she can to scratch herself againsts....

Now looks like she is ready to go for a ride....don't believe it she takes off like a you know what when the car starts...

Now its my turn...I can hear her saying...

TANYA PUT DOWN THAT CAMERA AND PET ME ALREADY!

Moving Day

2010-10-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

Last week a sad event happened in our neighborhood. My neighbor across the street had lost her house due to foreclosure. She has lived across the street from us for almost 15 years. We were not close buddy buddy but we would get together and chat on occasion. She and her husband were about our age.

The worked so hard to get the house all ready to give back to the lender as they get a bonus if they do, and on last monday she was waiting for the lender's representative to come and get it all over with.

I ended up having to help her do some final nit picky stuff they required to help her get out of the house, but it was worth it to help such a good family.

Her husband had lost his long time job over 2 years before and just had started back to work about 2 months before this but by that time were way too far behind to catch up. The husband could not take any time off to help cuz he was so new on his job, so they would work late at night till midnight sometimes to get all done.

I decided that morning to make her a quickbread cinnamon swirl loaf (betty crocker box or something like that) so early on Monday I set out to make it. Oh how fun to work in a kitchen that is scattered! The oil was in the back bedroom...the pan in the garage, as well as the pam spray. The eggs in the fridge and of course had to get measured water from the BATHROOM!

I decided I wanted it to be more decorative than just a plain loaf (with the yummy frosting of course) so added these silly candy corn to the top. Then covered in color wrap and gave to her. She ate some with her sister for breakfast and said was delicious. She only cried 2 or 3 times during the day so I am glad I was able to add some cheer.

So long Debbie and Ron and kids, I sure hope I get to see you on occasion! I have your email but we'll see if it comes back again like it did the first time!

New Wall color

2010-10-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

Ok...we painted the living room. See my before picture??? There was a huge cabinet in the corner that I could not move by myself and I should have kept after my husband to help me move it so I could finish painting...so what did I do instead? I covered it with a tall curtain and nobody has ever been the wiser, hehe. Well I am discovered! Don't ask me how many years ago I painted this wall. Later when I moved the cabinet I wanted to go back but by then the paint was bad....you know the excuses. Oh well.....another confession...

This is what it looks like now...Can't hardly see the color I know, I wanted a soft color as the living room can get so dark didn't want a strong one. Its hard to see that its other than white here but the next picture will show you the color against white to get a better idea.

Here is the contrast from white to my living room color. I really like it will match the countertops I picked out so well. There will be more color in other rooms but for now, this is good enough for me. There will be white trim around top and bottom of the room, and around the windows which should give me the white against Antique that I love.

Can't roller skate in a buffalo herd...

2010-10-19T16:54:00.000-07:00

The other day when I was driving and listening to a local Radio station (it plays older music but I like the local news and talk shows) they played this song my dad used to always play....You can't roller skate in a buffalo herd. Not sure if I really listened to the words before, some are you can't change film with a kid on your back, you can't drive around with a tiger in your car...

the chorus says all you gotta do is put your mind to it, buckle down, buckle down, do it, do it do it...

Well I decided I many not be able to roller skate in a buffalo herd but I am surviving with washing dishes in a bathroom sink....the big pans I have to use the tub!

Minimalist?

2010-10-19T15:01:00.001-07:00

I've been reading these minimalist websites recently and I KNOW I will never be considered a true minimalist...I'm just trying to not me a Maximalist (aka Hoarder). Every time I have redone things I have cleaned out places but have a hard time letting go of things that are perfectly good. I INTEND to go back and sort through the stuff, instead they end up in different storage places in the house.

Since I am redoing the kitchen and bathroom thought it would be a good time to find all the hidden places I have kept my cleaning supplies....Ok I need to go to cleaning products hoarders anonymous! I did get rid of several things, gave some to my mom (who is as bad as me but didn't want me to get rid of anything that was still good hehe) until I only had one of each type of product.

There is still alot. There are bathroom cleaners, furniture cleaners, car cleaners, laundry cleaners, leather cleaners, silverware cleaners, stove top cleaners, oven cleaners, etc etc etc! Here is my stash BEFORE I sorted...this is part of my confession...

Fwd: Remodel.pics

2010-09-28T17:52:00.000-07:00

rest of pictures, can only do so many at a time!

Fwd: Remodel.pics

2010-09-28T17:51:00.001-07:00

Pictures from our recent remodel taken with Jim's cell phone...cannot do with my current laptop but when I get a new compact flash reader I will be able to.

Found an even earlier one!

2010-09-22T13:34:00.001-07:00

I found this scrapbook layout I made of the house in its original condition. Some may like the colors but I hated them. Peach with green trim YUCK. But this does show no cover on the back porch, shows the old dead tree, and the main way the yard ORIGINALLY was.

Yard...even if hard to see it is very pretty..I am proud of it

2010-09-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

Ok...this is to show you the far right where there is no front flower bed. The rest of the property in the very front hasn't changed so much but this is the closest I could get to showing nothing there. Back yard, No door, no flower beds, no walk way, no arbor, no flagstone, no patio, etc...

Shows the other side. We did add the little top over the back patio after we moved in and took out a tree that would have blocked this view (it died) but this at least shows it before we did much.

Back far corner....mess and mounds....moved dirt from the front back here. See the short fence? We have replaced 3/4 of the fence and added bamboo to the last 1/4

This is an after....This is that front yard that was empty in the very first picture....added a "few" items...

This is a better picture of the most recent patio pavers we added under the bistro table set to give it some style...

Course this is my junkpile...Adding things all the time but its at least not the only thing to look at anymore....

View from the junkpile to the back corner of the yard....

Remember the piles in the back corner that was all dirt and mess? This is what I did with it...hard to see will show more close up next....

New small flowerbed between the back sides of the house....right in the center of the back of the house...

This is now the back patio, before all that had been improved was the top over the patio, we added walkways, flagstone, and a shade garden in the back corner...

Better close up of the back patio and flagstone. We used the flagstone to extend the patio just a little to make it not see so crowded...this door goes to our bedroom. The lawnmower is only TEMPORARILY here until I get the door fixed on the back shed!

UNFINISHED INSIDE

2010-09-22T07:03:00.001-07:00

My sister in law asked for some pictures of the destruction of my house...so I thought I would accommodate her with these few I took so far...

Cabinets without the doors, before I tore them down........cabinets after being torn down...whew! That wasn't easy! Each piece was separate and had a million nails in them and tore up the back. They weren't a box but separate individual shelves. Here is what is under the vinyl floor tiles we took up. The contractor will look and see what else we need to do. Since we are doing a floating floor its not as important as things like tile to get perfect, but still has to be pretty smooth. the ugly brown carpet in the rest of the hallway will be replaced along with the first part of the hallway with the wood flooring.

Here are the tiles I pulled up by the front door. Funny how they simply lifted up! Nothing was left holding them down at all. A few were broken but took very little effort to pull all this up...took about 10 min

Well that didn't work

2010-09-21T14:18:00.001-07:00

image didn't work...wonder what happens if I attach the image...

The Bench fit for a king....or queen...or kitty kat

2010-09-10T17:59:00.000-07:00

Ok Mike...let me know just which one you'll need....I'll bring it to you...that one? Nope, ok this one? ok, got it...Here ya go Mike, sure glad I'm here to help you! What that yellow thing do?

OOOOOO Its a scratching tool! Yes scratch scratch scratch...works great

Thanks for bring this for me Mike...

What???? What???? I'm working Here! Gotta help Mike ya know???

Ok, here is what Mike and I did (ok joe helped a little) But mostly he needed my
special Kitty knowledge to help him build hiding places and places to scratch

Before, During and After Shelves

2010-09-05T15:58:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is where we started.........

What a mess! Where in the world did I get all this junk?

The garage becomes the catch all for everything

but unuseable for anything

My brother, Mike, designed and built me some new shelves

we hired our friend Joe to help him

Here is Mike and Joe workign furiously to get this done

It went up relatively quickly

Ran out of nails but other than that Mike

had figured almost perfectly what was going to be needed

to build this up front.

Had one small piece of 2x4 left over and some very small pieces of

the shelf topping left over

and here is the finished shelves!

No this is not all of the stuff that was on the others...

but I was able to fit all of the junk that

sat in front of the other shelves onto these

but these were the only things that looked organized enough to take

a decent picture for posting!

Now to tackle the REST of the room!

Mike is going to build us a workbench and

some shelves over and under that

plus leave a section at the end for some of the taller stuff we have to store...

pretty nice huh?

Mike says these things could hold hundreds of pounds...

Hopefully I won't have to find out their limits...

though with MY JUNK

I probably could!

thanks mike.

Solar attic fan...and the contractors helpers...

2010-09-03T12:50:00.000-07:00

So the cats decide they will help with installing the new attic fan....here they are listening up to the contractor to see what they need to do....

And now its their time to check out the unit....make sure its up to snuff for their adopted family's house
Now making sure nothing is left in the box...took about an hour to flop the box around and roll around in it...and attack anyone who put their arm in it....Nope nothing left in the box...think I'll go check some more...

Here is the installed attic fan...took less than an hour to put it up...now just to see if it really works....Temps in the upper 90s to 100 and not sure how effective yet...

Found this picture

2010-09-02T19:37:00.001-07:00

This from an online blog and

has very similar feel to

what I want in colors

and in the beadboard!

Guess I'm not very original

but dont' matter...

I still like it!

Different take on similar colors...

2010-09-02T09:08:00.001-07:00

Another idea...hmmmm can you see the difference?

I think these might be my colors...

2010-09-02T06:40:00.000-07:00

For the walls....the white will be for the beadboard and trim, the khaki for the living room and the blue for the bathroom and dining room and kitchen...not positive but its a start. Now to find paint that matches hehe

Temporary entry

2010-08-29T06:53:00.000-07:00

Because I am redoing the downspouts around different parts of my house, I had to move a bunch of stuff I had outside to give room to work. I moved some stuff to right next to my front door and decided to make a temporary entry spot that could look good while it awaited its final resting place....I think its pretty cute for now, as those who have a keen eye like to point out to me "its not level" I can usually counter "its not permanent and I only had a few hours" so they back off for now....smart huh?

Ain't We Cute?

2010-08-26T17:14:00.000-07:00

This was probably taken around Christmas time 1965

so I would have been 3 and my brother 4

We are such different coloring and features

almost night and day....

we still are kind of night and day

leave it up to your imagination

who is who...

Now this is cool!

2010-08-18T21:24:00.001-07:00

A microwave flower press! I think this is pretty awesome... This is from their blog...

Supervisor Marley and a girl's right

2010-08-11T17:08:00.001-07:00

So nice of the neighbors cat

to supervise Jim's job of

putting oil in his car.....

Yes...Marley, He is watching carefully.....

Ok, I am a girl so its my right to change my mind right?
I have decided to go darker for my floor.
The one on the left is the one I ordered
its called Vintage Pecan.
The one on the right was too red for me...
called Sierra Hickory
but these both look
so much more like real wood and are just beautiful
hand scraped look...will look like its been
there for a long time....

Ok...now do you believe?

2010-08-03T06:34:00.000-07:00

Ok now do you believe that the last gift was not a gift at all but a warning? See another gift I was given???? Pretty scary stuff, have the tough Maffia kitten in my yard...(in her sultry salty meow says) "hey you dame, if ya don't pay attention to me, you know whatsa comin"

Cabinets

2010-08-02T19:04:00.000-07:00

My cabinets will be something like this, though no glass above the window...

2010-08-02T19:03:00.000-07:00

My Countertops will be something like this

2010-08-02T18:59:00.000-07:00

I think I have chosen the laminate flooring I want to put in my house... called "spalted maple" and i think it has such a pretty pattern to it...

Display of memories

2010-08-02T09:00:00.001-07:00

Display of memories, originally uploaded by Tanya (Scrapbuddy2).

I just loved this window display... the end of July our town does a "back to the 50s" theme and many of the antique stores have some great displays. This had some great colors in it but the Black and white was better I think on this one.

Better closer pictures of the beautiful cake

2010-08-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

Here are some better closer pictures of the beautiful cake my sister in law made. It is an oval shape which was so hard for my sis in law to find the right pieces for. She had to cut them and make them fit just right. My mom had chosen this style and it wasn't currently available so my sister in law set out on a detective hunt to find just the right stuff to make this.

Each cake was a different flavor. There was a separate cake with each of the kids names on them, and the center cake was to represent the marriage.

The flavors were Chocolate with hazelnut filling, Chocolate with Berry filling, Peanut Butter with chocolate filling, Lemon with Lemon filling, and French Vanilla with Berry filling. All were scrumptious. I think the most popular was the Lemon...it was devoured in no time.

antique framed flowers

2010-07-31T15:47:00.001-07:00

antique framed flowers, originally uploaded by Tanya (Scrapbuddy2).

Took this picture of flowers off a yucca bush. I do not like yuccas except for their flowers. They stand out mighty against the desert looking plant. Thought it worked well as an old photo

Rememberance

2010-07-30T07:55:00.001-07:00

Rememberance, originally uploaded by Tanya (Scrapbuddy2) barely back.

Took this current day photo but it had so much feeling to it reminded me of someone who sits alone remember her life.

Market heads

2010-07-28T15:55:00.001-07:00

Market heads, originally uploaded by Tanya (Scrapbuddy2) barely back.

Saw these heads by a vendor at the Saturday market and they just cracked me up! Loved them.

These were taking during the local photowalk we did last saturday.

2010-07-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

Before..... about 2 years ago...

butterfly bush...gone

dead tree....gone

cobblestone path.....gone

During

Newly planted grass...not fully filled yet

daylillies planted, but no bark and edging yet

far side under tree not cleaned up or

bark added yet....

After

Just before the party,

filled in grass,

More flowers added, bark added

edging added

Under tree on far side, all barked and

weeded...will show from both sides...

A gift from our Friend...

2010-07-20T18:08:00.001-07:00

We do not have a cat because of Jim's allergies, however we love cats. Our neighbors cats have adopted us as their 2nd home.

There is one cat in particular, Marley,

that seems to think she owns us,

and the last few days I have been working

so haven't been at her beck and call to pet her and hold her and play with her.

Today when we came home, we found this outside of our patio door

(where the cat is usually sitting).

We have decided it is either a peace offering

cuz she thinks she did something wrong

(which she has using our flower beds as her litter box)

or maybe it could be a warning

if we don't step up to our responsibilities

we know what is in store...hehe

Miscellaneous images from the weekend....

2010-07-13T16:48:00.000-07:00

A family never before together....

2010-07-13T16:36:00.001-07:00

We got a chance to meet a new/old cousin this weekend. Cindy (the first on the left) was separated from the family before she was born and most of us have never met her. These photos are of her, her younger sisters and brother...one with them and my grandmother...then neices and a nephew thrown in.

I told Cindy she would have test whent the weekend was over but she wasn't going for it, she probably met over 50 new family members!

Camping....swimming.....sitting...darts....campfire

2010-07-12T18:41:00.000-07:00

The final pictures before the party

2010-07-12T18:29:00.001-07:00

My artistic husband

2010-07-12T17:45:00.001-07:00

Here is my husband carving--I love to see him work, love the little shavings that he carves off of the board....Took him several days in the garage (in awful heat) to finish this up....We decided to use Cedar because it would weather well, BUT the grain was harder to work with and we found a split in the board, which Jim had to glue together...then he got some sort of problem with his lungs from the glue fumes! I hope he feels it was all worth it.

Here is what the sign looked like before my brother scraped off the old finish that was peeling...and the old sign. Can you read it? Used to say "harvey falls" for a guy who once lived in the home

Here is the sign Jim finished for the anniversary. I think it is beautiful and he got several comments on it. He normally doesn't do this sort of carving but I think he did a great job.

Well the party is over...

2010-07-11T07:56:00.001-07:00

I will post a few quick photos. I really didn't take a lot because I was so busy running around and doing things. I can at least show the beautiful cake my sister in law made, and the food we put out, enough to feed about 3 times as many people as was there hehe.

Tiny Rosebud

2010-06-27T18:05:00.001-07:00

Tiny Rosebud, originally uploaded by Tanya (Scrapbuddy2).

Thought I'd get some decent pictures of my roses while they look halfway decent...

2010-06-27T07:59:00.000-07:00

Again so far to go! Top one is by my front door, took out almost all of the plants as they all needed more sun like the peonies, roses, daylillies, and also took out the hostas to go into the backyard new shade garden we are working on. Looks pretty barren so placed some junk here for now...

This is the other side of my front door...without the hose out it looks pretty nice...

Along the front of the house, the honeysuckle is crazy this year, the daylillies are starting to bloom and the roses are really pretty...

Here is my front cottage garden path....from the sidewalk above, from the house side below...

Well thats all for now folks....da da da da...hahahahahahah (woody woodpecker?)

My yard

2010-06-27T07:02:00.000-07:00

I am sooo far from done but did some panorama's of the yard to at least show how far I have come, I have my junk pile, and the yard from 2 different perspectives... then just the back corner

Little rose potting shed

2010-06-24T10:43:00.001-07:00

Little rose potting shed, originally uploaded by Tanya (Scrapbuddy2).

Here is an image of the little potting shed at Apple Rose cottage she wanted made for a postcard. I like this one better but I did a different one posted earlier that she liked better.

Life sometimes grows in odd places making them beautiful

2010-06-13T14:48:00.001-07:00

Life sometimes grows in odd places making them beautiful, originally uploaded by Tanya (Scrapbuddy2).

This is an image I took at my now favorite store in the Valley (well its a close tie with Mulberry Tree) and this one I processed to look old...Hope you like it

Wow where did the time go????

2010-06-12T13:07:00.000-07:00

Was it just yesterday my nephew attended my wedding at 6 months old and wore his FIRST suit?

(This is my wedding color by the way, the color of this text tourquoise and puple)

And Now 17 years later here he is on his way to prom....(Thomas is 14...wasn't around for the wedding....)

And its amazing see how he and his father have changed places in height? (kept this in black in honor of their handsome suits and beautiful faces)

Quite the handsome family!

Working on a post card

2010-06-11T18:24:00.000-07:00

I added sky and covered some of the junk pile, and warmed up the sidewalk a bit...

For the lady at the apple rose cottage....she has a mini cottage she calls a potting shed and wants me to make a post card of it for her...so I will print out a couple ideas and take back to her. She gave me discounts on my junk i bought for doing it lol...

What a difference a day makes....

2010-06-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

From this.........

To this

Can you believe how different it can look so fast?

Any changes?

2010-06-01T18:59:00.001-07:00

Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary Invitation

2010-06-01T18:52:00.000-07:00

Building a shady flowerbed

2010-06-01T18:50:00.000-07:00

Jim has been wanting us to make this back corner into a nice garden for his hostas so I and my hired worker put this together to set everything up for him....we put rocks around then granite around that with noxall to keep the weeds out the walkway...

Is it finally done????

2010-05-13T18:35:00.000-07:00

Its almost a let down now that my folks are home meaning we are done with their "surprise". Doesn't mean I am done helping them but from now on there is no big rush to get it all done. I got up this morning at 5:45 and left about 6:30 to pick up the worker who was helping us with the final leg of the journey. I think we went a tad bit over budget (about 3x) but this will last for a long time! I learned a lot doing this, and getting it all put together.

Now, lets see the greenhouse........Here is the picture from the outside to start. My little brother thought my chauchkies were silly (he is such a BOY) but I had to make it somewhat presentable. I had the bowls of flowers at my house from a sale a week ago, the two stools I got at a yard sale for $2.50 ea, the other stuff was things she had around the yard or garage or deck. The worker says it "cheapens it" another BOY! I dont' care.....I like it. Oh and the chairs are ones that they had taken down because when you sit on them your bum turns black but nobody will sit out here anyway it was just for the silly picture!

and here is my mom entering the place

And Voila!

Here is some inside pictures....

Ok I showed my brother a picture of something to do for the side tables, and he thunk all of this up in his head, figured the supplies we needed, I drove to the store yesterday, bought the supplies, and when I came back he and our Hired helper, Joe, cranked these out in just over 2 hours! Amazing huh?

Now we can do a more close up with the path. You have seen the pictures but not finished with all the little doodads, the edges cleaned well, new bark dust brought in, new rocks around the pond, new gravel put all around the outside edge of the front part of the yard, have views from the driveway and from the deck....

From the driveway above, from the garage below

From the deck

And our last little surprise, Mike and helper slammed this out today, cleaning my dad's garage. No before pictures here but lets say it was getting a bit cluttered and now its all cleaned up.

Ok, I think it all went over ok....whew I am dirty, and tired, and sore and GLAD we did this. Is it really over? Is it finally done?????

Myabe its all just been a dream.

Softly pink (Explored!)

2010-05-10T18:48:00.001-07:00

Softly pink (Explored!), originally uploaded by Tanya (Scrapbuddy2).

I got another of my images into the "explored" category. I was reallyl happy with this one! Click on the image to enlarge.

2010-05-09T17:40:00.000-07:00

Ok, we tore out a huge lilac bush, cut down a dead tree and pulled it with the pickup (was about 25 feet tall!) pulled out this bush that was 3/4 dead, tilled the soil, put the edging in around the outside, put gravel up to the edging, and about 3 feet inside the edging we spread grass seed and raked it in. The outer 3 feet my mom wanted a flower bed so we will later put down weed cloth, and something to separate it from the grass. The part up by the house is an old flower bed that not sure what she wanted done with it.

This is the green house about 9/10 done. Still need to fix the plastic on the back and sweep off the stone pathway in the front, put the door on and the fan in but here is a more interim image...

2010-05-06T17:20:00.000-07:00

First the next step of the green house (see last post to see where we were a few days ago...

Now we started working on the front pathway I have some old pictures showing the pathway if you can see it, was these old concrete looking cobblestones someone poured right into the dirt and they have all come loose and people trip on them, some have sunk down and some have moved up. It was kind of cute but its the main pathway to our house and anyone who isn't sure footed has tripped and gotten hurt on them.

Ok so now you get to see the pathway my brother and our hired man and I have been doing (I dont' get to do much being a woman and a sissy...)

Greenhouse in waiting

2010-05-01T20:25:00.000-07:00

Today worked on my mom's greenhouse while she is away on her trip. Hope to have it done when she gets home....Still looking pretty not done but if you saw how it started you would be impressed I promise! We had to dig out about 4 inches of grass and rock and dirt first. Haul all of that to another place on the property then we dug out the center down about 5 inches to add the gravel. Now we will add sand then pavers in the center only. On the outside we will put down weed cloth around the edges and cover in gravel.

Happy Sweet Easter

2010-03-28T19:41:00.001-07:00

Sweet Easter, originally uploaded by Tanya (Scrapbuddy2).

Aww doesn't this make you smile????

Face Rock-Bandon oregon

2010-03-28T19:23:00.001-07:00

Face Rock-Bandon oregon, originally uploaded by Tanya (Scrapbuddy2).

This is an interesting story thought you might enjoy

Tea anyone?

2010-03-28T19:22:00.001-07:00

Tea anyone?, originally uploaded by Tanya (Scrapbuddy2).

Thought I'd invite ya all to tea. Anyone wanna come? I have enough for one teapot each...

How beautiful are the feet of them....

2010-02-01T10:59:00.001-08:00

How beautiful are the feet of them....
Originally uploaded by Tanya (Scrapbuddy2)

Images from other flickr members showing off their creativity of children in their manner of dress...just lovely

Funny Video...

2009-12-30T08:16:00.001-08:00

Creating the bandana technique digitally

2009-12-09T17:04:00.000-08:00

Saw this technique shown on a lot of traditional scrapbooking and mixed media sites called the bandana technique. Its pretty cool check out these sites.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GTn_xtdv6MA/SD-O33LjNQI/AAAAAAAAAZM/R081N5Pp0aw/s1600-h/scan0072a.jpg

http://lynnuroberts.blogspot.com/2008/05/playing-with-bandanna-technique.html

It amounts to a pretty background, black stamps of the image, and then a white opaque pin over the top.

I tried to create this digitally

2009-12-01T15:16:00.000-08:00

Here is a final result I acheived that is very simple and wanted to encourage you to let your creativity flow and use images for mixed media purposes.

First I started with a pretty boring image I took at my folks house a couple years ago. I will post a full size image of it in the group for you to download if you would like to follow along. I liked to use this image as it gave me some good space for the sky to show through, and just enough of a home feel to the windmill.

Then I found this texture on the flickr texture commons files here...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nancee_art/4000232561/

I will also post this texture in the group files for you to obtain.

First open the windmill picture in your version of photoshop

File>open>img 4034 (wherever you downloaded it to--some just download to the desktop for easy retrieval)

That is the first huge step! Now....again, we're going to go to file>place>texture image (whatever number it downloads as and wherever you download it to)

It will come up with an X across the center, this allows you to adjust it right away, rt click on the little handles, then hold and drag up until it covers the whole image. Do the same thing with the bottom.

In elements now you will see a little green check mark in the lower left corner, in PSCS you just hit enter to commit the size.

Now we will go over to the layers palette on the bottom right of your screen in Elements, and in the middle of the screen many times in the middle right of your screen. Just above the palette there is a drop down menu will say "normal" you will want to click on the down arrow here. I always then scroll through each of the layer blend mode options to find one you like.

This time I liked how it looked with the layer blend mode at Hard light to achieve the effect I got here.

That's it! The idea with this type of thing is to create a mood and feel with multiple images layered with textures and objects, a similar feel to other mixed media.

New digital painting

2009-11-21T11:21:00.000-08:00

Thought some of you might enjoy seeing my latest digital painting...

2009-11-03T18:47:00.000-08:00

An image of some stuff on my table was a challenge at The latest trends, so I took it, grunged it and added color.

Then I made this card template and decorated it with an image I painted and an image from Crissy's wedding. This is the right size for putting a gift card the size of a credit card.

Spending time with a Kindred Spirit

2009-10-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I got a chance to go out and spend time with Denise King in her "design Studio" which of course doubles as her dining room for about 5 minutes a year or so. I walked in and the scrumptious aroma of a roast cooking in the slow cooker made us both a little heady.

I so much admired how Denise had a plan in her head to create something and went right to it. I spent more time reading her books, pulling out my JUNK, playing a little with her alcohol inks and trying to find something I had that she didn't....ok I did find 2 things. I had a bind it all...and I have this really cool bag of small brass and metal charms.

I have to say though that more than anything we talked. She is so knowlegeable about things I am interested in, and we shared family stories (which oddly enough are eerily similar) and life experiences. I forced myself to leave about 45 minutes after we had decided to stop since I knew her husband was as much wanting to get at that roast as I was! He kindly was staying away. He did take the photo of us at the top of this post. I tried to do one with holding the camera out from us but only managed to get the upper inside of our noses...

Happy Birthday cards

2009-09-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

I always struggle to figure out a birthday card to buy for my nephews and after awhile they just all seem the same. So today I decided to create some simple ones of my own from wordle. Steven is my brother's son and Adam is Jim's brother's son.

New friends....old friends.....

2009-08-18T07:57:00.000-07:00

I went to the Oregon Coast and attended a wonderful church called "Harvest of Faith Family Church" in Coos Bay. Was so great to see the excitement and work God is doing in their church and community. I took some pictures of those involved....

Here is Pastors David and Brigette Whinery...and beautiful daughter Elizabeth....

And then sister Michelle and her husband and family...They assist the pastors at the church down to the son!

Here is mom and dad Hale....along with the two sisters who waited around long enough for me to take a picture after lunch!

This is the only picture I got of the younger (not youngest) sister Denese and her beautiful daughter Isabell...and more family along with a man who has been a part of the Hale's life for about 30 years!

Table and chair set

2009-08-11T19:16:00.000-07:00

I went to the thrift stores just looking for nothing really and found this table and chair set. It has 8 chairs (waaay too many) and the table. The seats are dirty but I think I can cleean them but I liked the lines of it and have ideas for redoing the top....only $200! It is made from maple I think...