Posted by, Paulette
Have you ever thought out a project, got excited about it, and put it together and then realized that it wasn't just the perfect project that you envisioned? Yeah. That's this one.
When Dave and I were married we were given a lot of beans.
My mother-in-law meant well. The beans are for the food storage that we are all supposed to have, in case of an emergency. She had them for years, and the passed them on to her son. These beans were 50 years old. In order to get them soft enough for eating, they had to be cooked in a pressure cooker for an hour. So when we finally got to the bottom of a huge galvanized can of 50 year old beans, I was happy.
I decided to turn it into a rolling hamper. So on date night, Dave and I went to Lowes. The workers there were so bored. You could have heard crickets. I guess Lowes is just not the happenin' place on a Saturday night. Who knew?
After looking at the plethora of casters available, I decided to choose this one.
Easy peasy! One bolt and nut and I was done! I used a nail and hammer to punch a hole in the center of the trash can, and then used progressively larger drill bits until the hole was large enough for the bolt.
Once I flipped the can over, I realized that this project was not going to be "perfect." I should have gotten three or four of the individual casters and placed them closer to the edge.
"Why? " you ask. Because now it tips to one side.
Don't you just love all of that patina?
At least the next part of the project went well. I had a flat twin size sheet that I wasn't using. Because we all know that kids won't keep a flat sheet on the bed. They don't understand why they exist.
It was just the right width to fit around the top of the can. I measured the height of the can, and added five inches for the fold over. Then after I snipped and tore the sheet to the right length, I flipped the can over on top of the remaining fabric, and drew around it with a sharpie.
After cutting out the circle, I sewed it to the unfinished edge of the fabric, and then sewed up the side.
Put it into the can and you're done.
I know it's not perfect. It's industrial shabby chic. At least that's what I tell myself.
Posted by, Paulette
While looking on Pinterest today, my daughter Sophi saw a rainbow tutu, and asked if she could have it. Her birthday is next week, and I've been wondering what to make her.
So, off to Joann Fabrics we went, and about $16 and an hour and a half later, she had a new tutu and thigh high socks.
I used 10 yards of tulle. You can find tutorials on how to make these tutus all over the net, so I won't bother you with all of the details.
Her thigh high socks are made from ladies' knee highs. I cut off the heel and sewed it shut to make them into tube socks.
posted by, Paulette
I really shouldn't be eating this stuff because of my food allergies, but it's sooo gooood! I just can't pass up those lovely chili peppers and tomatillos at the produce market.
Salsa Verde
Ingredients
7 Medium tomatillos, husked and rinsed
1 garlic bulb
2 medium jalapenos (or pepper of choice)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Heat a cast iron skillet (or a pan that can take very high heat) on high.
Shuck and clean the tomatillos. Place into the heated pan.
Separate the garlic cloves from the bulb, leaving the skins intact and set aside.
Wash the jalapenos and place into the pan.
When the jalapenos and tomatillos are charred on one side, turn and add the garlic cloves.
Turn all of the ingredients, and cook until they are well charred. When they look like the above picture, they are ready to remove from the pan.
Place the garlic cloves into a paper towel and let them cool. Remove the stems from the jalapenos, and place them and the tomatillos into a blender with 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. Peel the garlic cloves. They should just slip easily from their skins, and place them into the blender. Blend until smooth, and enjoy with corn chips. The best kind? Homemade of course!
Sharing at Transformation Thursday
Posted by, Paulette
Halloween is my favorite holiday second only to Christmas. I love the cooler weather (if you can call the 90's being cooler), the costumes, the makeup, the spooky decorations, and of course the candy. My kids are already asking when we can pull out the skulls and spiders.
My addition to our decor this year is a banner to hang from the mantel.
It's the details that make this so much fun.
thanks to my friend Clarissa for the use of her Silhouette die cut machine. The spiderweb and cat, and letters were cut using it.
The witch's hat was cut freehand, and embellished with a buckle from one of my girl's cast off shoes. I love to save little things like that. It comes in handy with the doll making too.
If you have the time, check out the banner that Clarissa made too, at a little stone house.
What are you working on? Are you excited about Halloween and all of the great pumpkin themed foods?
Sharing at Transformation Thursday
Posted by, Paulette
As I drive down my street today, I notice that many people are flying the flag in remembrance of 9/11.
It's amazing to me that a piece of fabric can evoke so many emotions. As I pass by each flag, I have several thoughts pass through my mind.
The first is a feeling of pride, for my nation, and for family members who are veterans of previous wars.
Then sadness for those people who lost family and friends in the fall of the Twin Towers, and for those who have lost family and friends in the fight with terrorism.
And then comes the strange part. I think of all of the new security measures at the airport and I think of a movie that I saw years ago, called "Total Recall." In it Arnold Schwarzenegger runs through an x-ray machine at airport security. And I wonder how the makers of that film could have know that we would need those some day. Am I strange? Probably not. I think a lot of women think the way I do.
The last feeling I have to share is gratitude. I am grateful for our founding fathers. I am thankful for those who have gone before in the face of persecution and hardship to build our nation, and those who continue to build it. I am thankful that David (world's best husband) and Hyrum (my 12 year old son) got up extra early this morning to go place those flags in people's yards before going to school and work, and that I didn't have to go out into the rain and do it. I got to sleep in a whole extra 15 minutes.
Posted by, Paulette
I have been drooling over some beautiful baby pink roses for months now. They're calling my name every time I go to Hobby Lobby, and I'm just waiting for them to go on sale before I buy them.
I have visions like these:
The girls and their wonderful daddy bought me some while on vacation in Utah this summer. I adored them for all of the 5 days that I had them and then passed them on to my mother-in-law to enjoy. I want them to last forever!
Hobby Lobby has some gorgeous flowers that look so real! They're also kinda pricey, so I wait. And dream.
I watched an episode of Oprah once where she had a designer who told millions of viewers that you shouldn't use fake plants to decorate with. So phtttttttt ( that was a raspberry, in case you didn't catch it) to that. Real plants and flowers have a very short shelf life in my home. Five kids are worse than cats for that kind of thing.
Posted by, Paulette
Most of the items in this display were found at the thrift store and changed up a bit.The candlesticks, large and small were all painted, distressed and then glazed. The wreath was an old grapevine wreath that was filled in with 2 Autumn leaves garlands. I used bobby pins to attach them, that way, when I want to change it again, there's no icky glue residue to deal with.
The bird picture is printed from the internet onto photo paper and then glued to a thrift store plaque. The turquoise pumpkins were a project from last year. Dollar store pumpkins with a crackle affect. This year they're under glass. A cloche I made from a glass jar, and a wooden finial.
I love those candles. They smell wonderful. I think they're apple cider and gingerbread.
Only a few more weeks and I'll be changing it to Halloween decor.
Sharing at Transformation Thursday
