Upcycled Belle Jardin ReStore Vase

Lately I've been striking out at the Corning ReStore. I think it's one of those weird times in between all the clearing out people do in January and before garage sales....so I haven't found any of the normal things I'm looking for. I decided to dig a little deeper and bring home something they have quite a lot of for a make over. I opted to go with a glass vase. Specifically I was looking for something that was colored glass & already filled with flowers that I actually liked. Must optimize the $3 I spent!

You can see the light blue the vase was previously. I treated it to some Mirror Spray paint and metallic gold after first spraying it with vinegar, which is what is in that perfect pearls bottle. I never bothered to rinse it due to lazyness so a little orange shimmer remains. ;-)

I was going for a gold mercury glass look that I paired up with a vintage French image. I just printed it out on my printer and modge podged it on. Since I wasn't using a laser printed image, it ran a little, but it works with that vintage look, I think. I also sprayed a little bit of the gold on the outside near the top and over the print out. I always like a gold rim.

I'm pleased with the vase. I think I'll enjoy it for a while and then pass it back to the Restore for sale. Betcha they mark it up! I'm waiting for the lilacs to bloom so I can enjoy both of them together and you can see by the state of our outdoors we have a few weeks to go! I think this vase would look awesome with a few pieces of my white lilac!

Happy Hump Day and here's to more finds at the ReStore and blooming lilacs!

Thinking of you Heart Chick Card

When you order from the Funkie Junkie Boutique, you get a little baggie full of goodies that is tied with a little crinkle ribbon bow. I wanted to make my friend Debbie a card to cheer her up and decided I was going to dress this little digi bird up with a tie, hat, and Sherlock homes pipe.

The bird is a digital down load from Ppinkydolls on Etsy that I printed on photo paper and then water colored. I really enjoyed added sparkles to the middle of the heart. The beak and the legs I just used a sharpie since I didn't trust my detail water coloring skills. ;-)

I tried to use up EVERYTHING in the little baggie, which included a die cut tie that I covered with washi, that Sherlock Holmes pipe, the bowler hat, the ribbon, and the metal & button clocks. Even the bag is tucked in behind the bird. I was pretty proud of myself!

It's winging it's way over to Debbie now by way of the United States Postal Service in a bright orange envelope. Hopefully it scares all the bills out of her mailbox and puts a smile on her face!

Happy Tuesday!

When Life Gives You Lemons...make angels: Memorandum Monday

I always thought that quote was a bit silly. Who doesn't like lemons?

Anyhow, my point being is that I have quite a bit of free time on my hands at the given moment. One can only job hunt so much. Last week I sourced a bunch of spindles, ironed & cut vintage hankies, and cut & glittered wings. Since I'm terrible at relaxing and being bored, I figured I'd work for myself a bit.

On Sunday, Luke and I stopped into a store on Market Street called The Source. The owner is awesomeness. I met her before when I needed a basket put together. Part coffee shop, part gift shop with arts & crafts from locals, it's a fun place to hang around. I had been toying with the idea of opening an etsy store but then thought maybe someone will take my stuff locally and save me the trouble. She said they had put a call out for new artists just last week on Facebook so she'd be happy to accept my angels. My son always starts twitching when I asked randomly odd questions to folks, but I have leaned in life if you don't ask, you can't possibly find out the answer!

I'm planning on using spindles for some and perhaps have the angel hold something like a key or other vintage trinket. In this case I'm trying to portray "key to my heart" with what she's holding. In general, with the exception of the flowers, a large portion of each angel will be upcycled.

This one has a light bulb head. The light bulb was headed for the garbage can until I decided to paint it and mount it on a dowel. The nice part about these angels that each one is different so I don't get bored. ;-)

Waving a glittered wing over at Sian who is our official host for Memorandum Monday! Wish me luck!

Mrs. W's 8th Grade Art Class

To say Mrs. W is special is quite an understatement. Last year in school was a hard for Lexi. We thought the move would be more difficult on the youngest, but as usual, what you think will happen and what actually happens are two completely different things.

Anyhow, Lexi's sanctuary was Mrs. W's Art class. Mrs. W was completely supportive of Lexi's interest in digital art and in fact helped get her into volunteering at CMOG. It's with great pleasure I bring you some of Mrs. W's student's work and her own!

Her piece above is pretty awesome. I have looked at it a couple times and the more I look, the more I see. I am guessing that is her little one peeking in from the corner at us. Love that this is on a slice of wood!

So I recently hung out with Mrs. W at her house (love those dogs) and told her I'd write a blog post if she wanted. I always like talking about someone else once in a while! Here is what the assignment was, using Mrs. W's words. (oh my, I like how that sounds...)

We created a digital image in photoshop focusing on how an image can convey a message focusing on songs and how the music can be displayed with images.  We printed the pictures on a laser jet printer (this process does not work with ink jet printers unfortunately). We then applied a thick layer of acrylic polymer to the wood and put the printed picture on top face down.  When it was dry, we sprayed the paper with water and gently rubbed off the paper backing.  The ink absorbs into the wood and the image is left.  We then added various materials to finish off these mixed media pieces.  I was very pleased with my students work :-)  Please do not feel obligated at all to use any of this, just passing it on in case this process works for you.  I have done it on balsa wood which is light and thin.  You could totally use that in your scrap book stuff.  

This one might be my favorite. I am guessing it's a Beatles Song...Blackbird? Those little things sprinkled around are shell casings so it has to be some kind of powerful song.

Ok, so maybe THIS one is my favorite. No idea on the song, I just love the castle and the splotches near the top. Oh and that washi...

I'll have to ask Lexi if she has any ideas for me....she has a pretty good handle on popular songs...although a quick shout out to the dude (dudette?) that clearly created a piece about Guns N' Roses. I know this because they used WORDS and ROSES and OMG what a good band....thanks for the quick flash back to being a teenager and a G N' R song at a dance....oh the angst!

Happy Thursday Peeps! We are heading full speed to the weekend! Maybe I'll get a chance to give this a try!

You Are So Lovely My Friend: Drawers for THE CUTTING CAFE

So, yesterday I added a bit of GREEN to my Treat Layout for Another Freaking Scrappy. Today, I show you a project for THE CUTTING CAFE based on that color! Everyone is getting into the St. Patty's Day spirit! The Dresser Box (doubled) cutting file allowed me to construct this lovely chest of drawers set.

Of course I had a little help from the hardware fairy. Those itty bitty knobs were purchased from Wood N What-Knots of Character Etsy store and the Petaloo flowers, feet & drawer handles are from The Funkie Junkie Boutique. The paper was embossed with my Big Shot after I cut the pieces with my Silhoutte.

A while ago I pinned a tutorial on ink embossing that I used to color the cut pieces. I used a couple of different colors and not a brayer as I wanted a mottled look. So I just ran several different green/blue ink pads over the embossing folder. The top four drawers open. A cool spot for stuffing a treat for a friend!

Totally digging the faux mirror I made. I cut that with my Big Shot too, out of a piece of cardboard that I covered with aluminum tape. Added a sticker affirmation title. So, my friends, YOU ARE SO LOVELY! ;-)

Happiest of Hump Days to you Lovely PEEPS!

Treat Layout for Another Freaking Scrappy

This page is pretty CAS for me. I honestly had a couple of big chunks of paper left from a kit and I was determined to put them together for a page. Anne over at Another Freaking Scrappy asked that we add some green to our layout.







































It didn't take much green to bring out the green in the lime in my mixed drink! A little sparkly washi tape, some green glittered hand drawn lines across the top, side, and bottom, and that cool little scallop vellum card. Of course I also journalled in green!

I do think those cherries that were a gift from Yvonne over at Do More with Less are really the rock star of the page. They were super yummy just like my mixed drink! THE MAN and I went out to the Outback Steakhouse (supposed to be Aussie food, but I think they just make it sound that way on the menu) for our Anniversary! Thanks for the gift card Mom!

Happy Tuesday and first of the month to you!

Nesting and Hatching: Memorandum Monday

It's Eastering around here. It's always a pleasure to pull out stuff you made in years passed and enjoy it all over again! The little cloche & scallopy glass bowl are past ReStore finds and got paired together to show off these disco ball eggs. I made some similar but with flowers and nests for my friend Lisa over at You Made Me Ink ages and ages ago. Maybe we'll luck out and she'll show us her Easter Tree at some point.

To be honest most of the weekend involved a hot date with the couch, lots of tea & a box of tissues. I am thinking it's allergies early due to the lack of real winter, but I can't honestly say having gotten a degree in rocks vs. one that involves one in doctoring. I did my best to binge watch Nurse Jackie though to make up for lack of a medical degree....somehow I don't feel smarter, just well rested!

Due to the funk, I was less than motivated to do much. THE MAN continued digging the hole I started Friday. We are trying to locate the laundry room pipe that we believe is undersized and replace it. It's not glamorous work, so we'll skip photos of that. Needless to say we learned that the pipe wasn't where we thought it would be, so it's on to Plan B. More on all of that later as it will morph into the laundry room & half bath redos. I am not allowing to get myself excited about all that at this point in time because the yucky part is first. And when I say redos, it will mainly mean new paint and hopefully a vintage metal sink in the laundry room. Fun times!

Thanks for having us, Miss Sian over at From High in the Sky, for Memorandum Monday!

Upcycled Layout for Teri

I got texted the cutest picture of a little upcycled milk container the other day. At least I think it's a milk container. It's overwhelmingly cute, kinda like these two little people who belong to my friend Teri! I asked for photos so I could make her a page!

I printed one photo on plain white paper and then made a huge die cut! Love how it's like a mini me! Then I framed out the other photo with a ton of pretty things like those paper roses and some hearts...

Can you see the little tiny silver star there on the heart? Yeah, they are those pretty stars we used to get on our papers in elementary school...snagged those at the Restore the other day! I have a whole box I can hoard...now I'm in search of the gold ones...and those scratch and sniff stickers...

Love this layout! Can't wait to get this in the hands of my friend!

Happy Hump Day!

Vintage Sewing Drawer Organzier

I mentally pounced and squealed when I found this sewing drawer at the Corning Restore for $4. I loved the little vintage curved front and fancy woodwork. Of course it got a nice fancy glass handle when I got home. At the time, I hadn't a clue what I was going it use it for, but it was MINE!

Turns out it's perfect for holding those Scraptastic Kits I've been working through, a few projects waiting in the wings, and my favorite stamp!

Totally dig it! In fact, I have my eyes out for a second one...Wish me luck!

Panda Pocket Letter & Killing a Kit

I have subscribed to Scraptastic Club for like forever. Since I tend to be a paper hoarder and 'cause I'm not working, I actually stopped my subscription for next month. This of course doesn't mean I will stop creating. You should see my paper stash...It's some what out of control at the moment! I am hoping the free time & lack of a monthly kit will help get the stash busted a bit.

I do try to use every little bit of the kit and in the same month I get them. With the holidays, I'm behind. One kit mainly contained scraps and one entire whole piece of paper. Usually I like most everything, but this particular piece of paper didn't make me happy. So I cut it into little cards and used it up! With little bits peeking out behind washi tape, splatters, and those pretty white titles that come in the kit, I'm in love!

Totally dig it when you can cut something and it fits across two differet pieces yet looks pretty on it's own...that World Traveler tag fits the bill! That came from Singapore & Yvonne and since this Pocket Letter may just be flying out of the US to a friend in another country...it makes even more sense.

You will have to indulge me on one last peek at all of the little cards on my tray...against the snow. So pretty!

Happy Tuesday!

Memorandum Monday: With a Little Help from My Friends

I made french toast this weekend for the kids for dinner. THE MAN was away at Poker Weekend in Pennsylvania so it was just us chickens. Remember that from last year? I just enjoyed looking at the layout all over again while writing this post...

I was a big hero making breakfast for dinner. It reminded me though of the last Sayre breakfast that I attended. Our Senior Engineer made french toast. Mine was cold since nobody bothered to tell me it started at 7 vs 8. I assumed they "accidentally" forgot to tell me so they would have more bacon. Jack asses.

Don't miss Sayre or my old job. The office manager always reminded me of a monkey with a hand grenade. Since you never knew when he would pull the pin out, going there always made me slightly anxious. Thankfully I didn't get to see the explosion as lack of work laid me off. I reread a couple of posts I had written about work. The one on mice was funny, the one on my boobs not so much. Like I said, don't miss it.

Since THE MAN and I are planners and I knew work was getting slow, we have Option A, B, C, and D. Looking forward to seeing what actually unfolds and where I end up. I am right where I need to be, I just have to be patent and be open to reinventing myself. It would be easier if the industry I am in hadn't taken a down turn, but when life hands you lemons? Make a layout on lemonaide?

I told myself the last time I got laid off (had a kid in my belly then so 13 plus years ago) that I'd do a way better job at being unemployed and actually enjoy it. I have been enjoying it. I've had lots of adventures so far. Figured out who were friends and who weren't. Have had a lot of lunches out with friends and potential new bosses. In the scheme of doing something hard, this is on the easier end of things. It's not like I have to mourn losing a spouse or a sister like several ladies I know, or move my family to a new country, or even lose a pet.  The other day we had a nice little storm with freezing rain and I jumped on the tractor and figured out how to clean my own driveway.

I felt all kinds of empowered.

In a weird twist of how things work in my world, I have added my blog on one of my resumes. I'm interested in a more creative job this time 'round if I can pull it off. Wouldn't it be cool that something I've been doing on my own for me for the last five or so years helps me get my next gig?

And you my friends are also keeping me sane. Your fun little comments on my blog make my email ding and then make me smile. I started my blog up North so I'd stay creative and it's become a huge part of who I am and what makes me happy!

Hugs and Happiest of Mondays to you! Wish me luck!

And many thanks Sian for hosting Memorandum Monday so I have an excuse to write more, which is also something I totally love!

Mixed Media Seam Binding Flower for THE CUTTING CAFE

Lexi passed along a lovely purple flower which I trimmed down for this mixed media piece. I used a cutting/digital file from THE CUTTING CAFE called Sentiments and Stems. I really liked printing right on the water color and on the green vintage seam binding cardboard! Huge thanks Lexi for hooking me up with an awesome background!

To print on the cardboard, I first ran a sheet of regular paper through the printer with the flower. Then I lightly adhered the cardboard to the paper and ran it through again. Worked great! Check out those cute little leaves! They come in the same file and you just cut them out!

Loved using up some scrap paper and some washi. Love that gold shimmer!

THE CUTTING CAFE file Sentiments and Stems comes with a lot of different options! I only picked one but wanted to make them all! Hope you get a chance to check it out!

Happy Thursday!