wallpaper

Sunday, August 31, 2014

World Bird Sanctuary

Been meaning to get out to this place, the World Bird Sanctuary, for months.  Well, a friend of mine and I finally made it.  It sits at the entrance of Lone Elk Park.  We enjoyed walking and viewing the variety of birds, some in cages and others strapped but out in the open.  If you are looking for a day trip with the kids, this would be great.  I don't remember what all of them were called.

Great Horned Owl

 
 
Hawk

 
 
Bald Eagle

 



Golden Eagle
 
 
Pelican

 
Peregrine Falcon

 

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

DIY-Painted Glass Jars

 
I found a use for those cute little Frappuccino bottles.  I've been craving these drinks all summer! 
 
 
 
This is so easy and you have quick little accent pieces in no time.  I applied two coats of chalk paint and sanded lightly with a sanding sponge.  And, of course, some pretty embellishments....

WaaLaa!

 Waiting on a lavender chalk paint to come in to finish the third bottle.


 



My room is slowly coming together.  I've been working on a make-over for my daughter's old bedroom.  It's going to stay a bedroom, but be a combo room for me to enjoy as well.  The room is going to be light and bright...a perfect area to work on drawings or my blog!  :o) I still need to paint the walls, which I plan to make a really soft off-white with hint of lavender.  When I eventually get it together, I'll post pics.  Can't wait!

 
 

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

DIY-Painted Frame

I picked up this cheapy frame from a local thrift store.  It caught my eye because of the texture.  I was finally able to get some Vintage Market & Design chalk paint that I’ve been dying to try from a local shop.. I used the off-white to paint the frame, sanded very gently to remove a little of the paint and applied two coats of clear wax.


 
It turned out really pretty and I have the perfect photo to use!

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Evening Boat Ride

There's not much more relaxing than an evening ride on the lake at dusk.  Ari and I made a trip home to Ohio and were able to spend some time at the in-laws lake.  It was a gorgeous evening the night we went out.  I could easily imagine spending my whole life near the water. 
















Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Stay-at-Home Mom

My daughter said one of the most amazing things to me yesterday.  It was just one of those moments you wish you could freeze in time. 
When I made the decision not to work after my girls were born, I never really knew what impact that would have on them.  I wanted to be fully available to them without the stress of working and being tired.  I know it's not for everyone and I don't at all object to those moms who do work.  This was a very personal decision and I consider it a blessing that I was able to do this.  I may not have been paid in monetary ways, but I reaped benefits that made being home so worth it.

Anyways, Beki's talking to me about her future and her career and then tells me that "the best thing that ever happened to her was that I was home, that I was there for her."  It's a beautiful thing to see your grown children growing and changing and beginning to see the world...to see them begin to appreciate the things you've done or sacrificed for them. 

I am truly blessed with two beautiful, smart, amazing girls who are becoming wonderful women. 
 
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.  Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Side Table Refurb

I know I've been MIA for a while, but this has been a crazy spring and summer.  Hoping to get back to normal here soon. 

While browsing the antique mall this past week with my sister, who was visiting, I found this little side table.  I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.  It started out like this...


 
I gave it a quick sanding to remove some of the reddish stain on the edges, then painted it with chalk paint.  I had to apply 2 coats of paint in order to cover that dark stain.  Found a beautiful French typography over at The Graphics Fairy website.  To get the transfer onto the top, I printed a flipped image on my ink jet printer.  I used 3M sticker paper by removing the stickers and printing onto the smooth finish where the stickers had been.  Because the ink stays wet, I carefully laid the image onto the top of the table and transferred it using a plastic scrapper.  The ink is not waterproof so in order to apply the water based wax, I first sprayed the image with a matte sealant.  After that was good and dry, I applied 2 coats of the cream wax.  Went to look for a drawer pull and was pleasantly surprised at what I found at Hobby Lobby!  They have a great collection.  I also found the burlap liner in the scrapbook paper section. :o)
 

 


I Love It!

 

The Gift

  Delivered this week, a gift I never expected arrived in the mail.  This story begins, it seems a lifetime ago, when I worked at Owens Comm...