Day 10 Cinnamon Honey Butter and Toffee Popcorn
Bonus Tutorials:
DIY
Confessions of a lyrics lover
I’m fanatical about words. I DO believe that it’s my favorite way to make my space my own. That’s probably why I like chalk boards so much.
Then there’s song lyrics. I’m giddy like a school girl for poetic, passionate lyrics.
Whiiiich probably explains my love for poetry. And books. And signs. And big giant letters.
My nerdy bookclub (as opposed to the wine-drinking, what was the name of the book? bookclub:)) is reading poetry this semester. Which makes me happy. We met this past Friday and discussed After Great Pain by Emily Dickinson. We also read this one, which the girlies and I will most definitely memorize. I have one thing to say about my nerdy bookclub friends: they are S-M-A-R-T with a capital tee. You would love them all.
But I digress.
Now, back to Bob Dylan, whom I love with all my heart. He wrote this song which serendipitously became OUR song. Stevie played it for me on a cassette tape in 1999. Yes, he did.
And now it is forever memorialized in the hallowed halls of Lake Cottage’s guest room.
I chose these lines because change is painful and beautiful and inevitable and is apparently trying to do me in.
So take that, change. You ain’t seen nothin’ like me yet.
and from the same room, the letter-loving continues
Just to refresh your memory, here’s the tutorial for the text art sign.
And here’s Adele, covering our song.
So were you able to squeeze in any projects this weekend?
Project Pillow
So, remember I told you about my Home Ec class over at the Freckled Nest? Well, I’m just loving it. I haven’t made every single project but I’ve made most of them.
This is by far my favorite.
{And I know that pesky thread is driving you crazy. Don’t you just want to reach through the computer and snip it? Yeah, me too.}
I used some Anna Marie Horner fabric that I had left over from last year. And then I used this technique (just scroll down) to make the felt flower. And now I want to make twenty more. Wouldn’t they be the perfect Christmas gift? I mean, I would love to have a pillow for Christmas. Wouldn’t you?
It took about an hour. What an amazing gift from an hours’ work.
There is something magical about creating. It’s our Father’s fingerprint on us.
And it goes just perfect in the queen chair. Which is still in the kitchen. (fingers crossed).
Oh and thank you for your lovely words about the kitchen. I’m so glad you like it too. I’ve been dying to show you.
Today’s project: laptop case! Score!
Queen Chair Before/After and a Fair Little Brunch
I’ve been wanting to re-upholster this chair since I first bought it on clearance at T.J.Maxx. There was a rip in the upholstery which I disguised for 5 years with a throw. Finally, I painted it (a bright yellow from Valspar, whose name I’ve currently forgotten) and sent it to be recovered with a darling little fabric I found on sale online (bought quite a while back from I’m not sure where). I’ve had it in the bedroom and living room and kitchen. Currently it’s in the kitchen (which unfortunately may never be done) and provides the perfect respite when the coffee is taking too long. I’ll probably move it back to the bedroom but either way, I love it’s new look.
I should also confess to you that I’m taking an online sewing class at the Freckled Nest. I blame this all on Ruthanne, whose life and interests are so like my own. She’s such an overachiever and made eighteen napkins for the first project. Show-off. I’ve made a measly four so far. They extended the sign up until tomorrow so if you feel like you could add one more thing to your life, I highly recommend it. So far, I’ve made a few cloth napkins and a library bag. The girls want to follow along on some of the projects so they’ve made napkins and plan to make bags today.
And one more thing, I’m having a little open house next Friday (kitchen complete or not) which will be combined with a brunch and a CABi party and a bookclub organization party. It’ll be at my house from 10-12 and if you live in the area and can convince me you’re not an axe-murderer, you’re welcome to come. Email me for details.
If all goes as planned, I hope to do a little video tour for you internet lovelies who can’t make it.
Now, you have a happy weekend!
Post Edit: I listened to this segment of Issues Etc on church music and thought you might find it interesting too. Is church music just a matter of personal preference? Hmmmm…. this guy makes me rethink that.
Before/After: Painted Furniture
I’ve had this piece of furniture since the beginning of time and why on earth I haven’t painted it before now, I do not know. You probably have this piece of furniture too, don’t you? Or at least a side table or armoire like it?
Well, something told me it was time. Time to give it a little painted love.
So while these four cousins choreographed a hip hop dance and took the American girl dolls on a much needed family vacation, I painted.
I sanded it twice and then used the Behr paint plus primer paint {color to be disclosed soon but it was a shade of black from the Benjamin Moore fandeck} and applied two coats. I used a brush to apply the paint and then went back over it with a sponge roller–so that the brush marks weren’t visible. That paint-plus-primer has changed my life. It’s like buttah. It’s like painting with silky velvet. I love it.
And I added the pulls, which I ordered nearly a year ago from I don’t know where. And then I spray painted my flea market elephant with biscuit-colored appliance paint and then I cut down half a tree and put it in my lemonade server.
And that’s how I got this.
Now, I’m at my sisters’ with JamieKnoxville singing helping her get ready for her son Corey’s 16th birthday.
And by helping I mean laughing until I almost can’t stand up while Jamie and I quote Slingblade and Coal Miner’s Daughter and sing Mama Tried to Corey as an early birthday present. Now, I really must go and try to be of some real service since she’s invited waayyyy too many people to this party (95); although entertaining other people as they work should not be discounted.
Chalk Walls and Quirky
I was over at Nester’s today, visiting like I always do(virtually, of course), and she’s talking about chalk boards. I wasn’t even gonna post today but how can a woman who has 3 chalk WALLS in her house not post about them? I may have an inner 8 year old doodler in me that refused to grow up but what’s not to love about chalk walls? Chalk walls are inspiring and beckon you to sit and write a while. I have a hallway of chalk walls between my kitchen and dining room….
and an entire chalk wall in my craft room. It’s perfect because when the littles grow weary of crafting, they can craft on the chalk wall instead. And for teens, it’s the perfect place to smatter graffiti. The chalk walls in my house are well used. And I’m gonna go ahead and blame my dust problem on chalk. I’m sure the surfaces in my house would be completely spic and span were it not for all the chalk dust flying around. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.
{oh and by the way, my friend Jessica sent me the most wonderful L-O-V-E banner a while back and now it hangs on the craft room chalk wall. Isn’t it perfect?]
And all that got me to thinking about whether or not I’m quirky. People have called me quirky before. I’m sure I’ve called myself quirky. So I went on a little jaunt around my house looking for oddities. For things that would make people call a person quirky. You might be interested in what I found.
Exhibit A:
My kitchen cabinets are turquoise. The most wonderful cheerful joyous shade of bluish green that I’ve ever seen. I painted them one year ago and I love them today more than ever. I’m certain that my cooking has taken a more joyful turn.
Exhibit B:
After attending to thirteen years of post graduate education , I quit my job and homeschool my children in my garage. {Everytime I say that it reminds of Chris Farley and his ‘living in a van down by the river’ motivational speech.} Granted, it’s painted and cozy and inspiring but it’s still a garage. Irony of all ironies: I feel very unqualified to be doing this.
Exhibit C:
And oddly enough, in aforementioned schoolroom, there is no chalkboard or chalk wall. There is however, a sofa.
Exhibit D
My friend Shawna pointed out to me when she was here this summer for Taylor’s Graduation Party that I have dressers everywhere…….
except in the bedrooms.
I guess I’m gonna have to go ahead and plead guilty to quirky.
Visit Nester for more chalk surfaces than you ever seen in one place.