They Send You Off To College, Try To Gain A Little Knowledge-- All You Want To Do Is....

Anybody know the Jimmy Buffett lyrics that follow?

Well, it doesn't really matter because this really isn't about Jimmy (sorry old friend).

Where am I going with this?
Oh right, sorry. Focus Laura!

Ok....

Well, I want off to college (several years ago... but whatever!) bought books, read a few of them, graduated, still had books... don't really read most of them anymore. So, what do you do with that book case full of big fat text books about Occupational Therapy for Children?? (I guess I should tell you that I would rather scoop hog poop than be the therapist for small children. I like children. I happen to love my sweet niece very much and can't wait for her sibling to arrive. I happen to think that somehow, JJ and I will be awesome parents, God will help us. But I like adult patients. That's it.)

Focus...

So, while touring homes for dressed up for Christmas, I saw some really cool books (where was my camera??). They were covered with scrapbook paper, similar to how the St. Andrews kids used to have to cover their text books in grade school. And it got me thinking...

I have always wanted a taller lamp at my entry way...but I like the bones of my old one...it just needs to be taller...

So, down to the bookcase I go and find these beauties!


I had this coordinating vintage-inspired print paper from another project I thought up a few years ago and never accomplished.


I busted out the Mod Podge and got to work!

I used a sponge paint brush to apply a coating of Mod Podge to the front of the book.

Those brown scrapers from Pampered Chef came in pretty handy to push out air bubbles.

Then, it was really a lot like wrapping a present...smooth out the paper, make sure all the edges are covered and rounded off and looking nice.

Here:

I cut the paper a little close but I think it is ok. I am not sure anal and if it gets to bugging me, I think I will just ink the edge to hide that blinding yellow.

I used these to boost my lamp by the front door so the mirror looks like it belongs rather than floating above everything else. :)


That waif-y looking stuff sticking out of the top book is waxed paper...waiting for the glue to dry. I guess I just couldn't wait any longer! :)

(Disclaimer: I took these photos awhile ago...I don't really still have out a pretty bowl full of old Christmas bulbs. Promise.)

Wrapped with Love

I made this little envelope type thing for JJ for his Valentine. I tucked 2 snack sized Snickers inside; his favorite (next to ice cream but that would be messy!)!



I thought we would keep Valentine's Day pretty low scale this year. We generally get whatever we want/need as it arises. Plus, we were both shamelessly spoiled at Christmas this year by each other as well as our family and friends. We are truly blessed!

Here's a close up of the tie. I just wrapped lace around the container and slid three hearts, cut with an old Sizzix die, on the lace.


I am super pleased with how this turned out! Good thing too because I have 70 more to make for favors at my Sister's bridal shower. I have 64 of them cut already now just to score, assemble and figure out how to decorate them! I really liked the wide lace but I don't think I have anymore (go figure) but let us remember, I am a ribbon hoarder. I am looking forward to peeling through a bunch of my stash!!

What would you do to decorate them? I thought flowers, both paper and Primatype, or just tying with wide ribbon (satin maybe) or lace. I don't know, what do you think?

CardMaker "Beat the Blues" Crop

Here are projects I completed for CardMaker Magazine's "Beat the Blues Crop". I had a blast completing these projects! Special thanks for CardMaker and Lora for a great event!!

Sketch Challenge called Follow My Lead:


Use song lyrics challenge called Song of Joy:

*This is the song JJ and I danced to our our wedding day. Can I get an "ahhh"!?

Use a specified recipe challenge called A Master Plan:

*I really like this card. I have to admit, it's not my usual color scheme but I really like it!

**The crop is still going on! Check it out!! I have some more projects done but that shall be another post!

Pamper Yourself!!!

Edited to include: Sugar scrub is an exfoliant for your skin.

I am hosting a challenge at CardMaker CardSwap message board called Pamper Yourself (go check it out!)

I fancied up a ketchup bottle to hold my beloved homemade sugar scrub! (Don't worry, it's not a secret recipe...keep reading.)

Here's the ketchup bottle all filled up with delish but looking awfully ugly:


I ripped off the lose flakes of wrapper (from washing it out) and covered it with paper.


I added some tinsel from Sister and a snowflake cut with my Cricut. Of course, Stickles was a must!!


SUGAR SCRUB RECIPE (gleaned from the internet many moons ago)
1 cup of sugar
1/2 cup oil (I have heard that you can use any oil including vegetable but I don't want to smell like a french fry so I use Grape Seed Oil...not too expensive, check out HyVee)
Essential oils (begin with a few drops, you can always ad)

A little bit on oils: I am so not an oils snob. I have used fancy stuff from a scent shop and I have also used the oils Yankee Candle sells; for this, I don't thin I can tell a bit of difference. The expensive oils take less but they cost significantly more so... I say, go with what you like to smell!

Enjoy!

Do You Have Rules About Which You Are Steadfast?

Of course, we all do. One of my biggies is:

Thou shalt not deposit dirty dishes in thy sink.

What did I do last weekend:

Yep! All Me.

Why you ask? Because I wanted to take a nap with my JJ rather than unload the dishwasher so I could load it up again...

However, we had a blissful nap and the world did not end...

Yes, my coffee pot always sits on the counter...I cannot LIVE without it!
AND--some new stuff happened in the kitchen since I took these pictures...stay tuned!

Engagement Card

So, I told you that my sister is getting married in May.

I wanted to make her an engagement card (of course!).

I started out by playing along on a challenge at CardMaker to create a gatefold card. So, I was playing along, making a card with Rich Razzleberry and loving it!

Fast Forward >>> Card is done...can't find real camera...no problem...snap pictures with cell phone. Not the best, but not horrible. "Great" I say, "we will go with it". Get over to CardMaker...Picasa doesn't format the photos to a way CM message board will accept.

That was a couple of weeks ago I think and I guess you could say I have just been pouting every since! Well not really...just sort of busy (more on that later)!

(Note: The paperclip is not really part of the card...just holding it closed for the little photo shoot.)

So, Sister, Congratulations, I love you, you are going to make a beautiful bride and live happily ever after. BTW, I think I will make a dashing Matron of Honor (which certainly sounds better than a Maid) if I do say so myself! Here's to many belly laughs about who knows what!


And to Nathan: JJ is correct, my sister may seem as though she has gone completely mad as she goes on with preparing for your wedding. But I promise, the sun will rise on May 15 and the important things will have happened...you will be married...and stuck with JJ and I for the rest of our and your lives! (Ok, I am not so sure that the last part is all that important but whatever...).

Silhouette Give Away

I wish it was me giving away this cool machine (because that would mean the company had already given me one!!) but it's not, it is Traci over at Beneath My Heart. Check it out!! It's super easy to get entered into the drawing SEVERAL times!

Click here to find the post about the giveaway.

I am officially my High School Home Economics Teacher

I just spilled coffee on my charts. I would show you my mess but they are medical charts...and that iss confidential information so I leave you with this:

(Photo from Nocturnable)

Winter White

HUGE NEWS!!!

My sister got engaged this past weekend! Yeah Sister and Nathan!! So, their wedding date is May 14, 2011 (not a typo people, just over 5 months from now!). Moving quickly we must!!

She wants milk glass bud vases to use for the center pieces.
Her: So I got a couple of bud vases yesterday at the junk store in Syracuse. They are milk glass. I really like them but I need a ton more.
Me: How many is a ton?
Her: I don't know. Maybe 10. I want to use them for center pieces and stuff at my reception.
Me: 10 isn't going to cut it but I will help you.
Her: Really. Where are you going to find them.
Me: I don't know for sure but I saw some at Salvation Army and some more at a few other junk shops. Remember, I like junk shops.
Her: Oh right. Ok, you just find some then and keep track of how much money you spend.
Me: Sweet. JJ is going to die when he thinks I have a new "collection". But, give me a Friday off and this will be done!
Us: Laugh!

So! On my lunch yesterday, I found this beauty at the Salvation Army store in Sedalia:

Sorry for the kinda dark picture. I took it on my cell phone at my Mom's...more on that in a second.
$2 and I was happy!!

Then, Old Man Winter dumped a load on the Midwest:

This is what I saw while I was driving home to my parents because the roads were horrible! But, being the devote junk addict sister that I am, I stopped of at two more junk shops on my way home.

I found these beauties at a roadside shack on the East side of Sedalia. Funny, I always thought it was a nursing home...maybe it used to be...

The ice cream looking bowl on the left was marked $1.00 but half off so 50 cents, short skinny one in the front, middle was 50 cents, the islet edge bowl thing in the back was a splurge at $2.50. The shapely tall girl in the back was 50 cents I think, the one to her right was $1. I really love the little beauty at the far right. She's not really glass but... who cares right?!? At any rate, I only spent $5.92 in that shop.

Total so far: $7.92

A little more snow driving...
Would you believe that normally this is a major state highway??

And I got to the junk shop at the 4-way in Tipton (yeah, there's only one so if you see a light...you are there. Look south).

I found this little group of cuties:

The one on the left was $2. The two on the right were $1 together...so 50 cents. The shop keeper just gave me the one in left middle (good thing because I think it's kind of ugly).

Grand total... $11.92
Not bad for a snowy days work... after work. And... It's not even Friday yet!

(Disclaimer: Probably the total to Sister will not be $11.92. I just might have to keep a few of these beauties for my very own collection!! ;)

*Links*
I found a Treasures and Trinkets Linky Party over at My Cottage Charm.

House Keeping

Did you notice? I widened my reading column. I dare say, I am happy with the wider version! (Now, if I can have the opposite effect on my thighs!)

A shout out to John Deere Mom with her drippingly simple tutorial: How to widen your columns in Blogger.