OK - so I'm playing around with my blog and background.

I hope you will bear with me here!  I don't know what I am doing but I have been wanting to change my blog up a bit.   And now I (unintentionally) have.  Not satisfied yet with the look of it but, I love learning how to do this.   So, for the next few weeks there is no telling what it will look like from day to day.   :)

More Pinterest-Shades of Turquoise!

Well, I'm cruising pinterest again and seeing so many lovelies!  The ones in this post just happen to be Turquoise ('cause that's what catches my eye!)

Sweet and Cozy

beautiful bicycle baskets on the wall

love life pillow - I love Turquoise and Red

precious turquoise tutu (and baby girl)

Girling up My Toolbox!

A few weeks ago I received a quart of paint from Glidden.  I chose a color I haven't ever used before - Luscious Mango!  It's such a fun happy color for me.  Thank you Glidden!  And thanks for giving me the opportunity to try something NEW!

Well, as soon as it came in the mail I started looking at my thrift store purchases that were waiting for some action!  This drab old tool box  (that I think was last used as a planter) wanted some attention!  So, I started out  with some Kilz spray primer.  Then, I painted 2 coats of the Luscious Mango. 

I decided I wanted to do more.  You know how projects often evolve or take a big detour sometimes?   Originally, I was going to stencil some letters in a watermelon or berry color.  I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to use so BAM  I decided to paint an area with chalkboard paint. That way I could change it up whenever my little heart desired!   Oh yea!  Getting a little charged here

American Pickers and Pawn Stars ..

Any of you watching these shows on the History Channel?  Sort of a tough love Antique Roadshow   


All I can say tonight is that my youngest amazing talented 21 year old daughter CHOSE to watch American Pickers and Pawn Stars with me tonight  :)  How cool is that?

One proud Mom

I'm not one to brag too much but I have to say how proud I am of my youngest and her team mates for their amazing achievement! 

   2010-11 NCAA Division I All-American Scholars 

http://www.ecupirates.com/sports/w-golf/spec-rel/070811aab.html
You Go Girls!

So Happy with My Big Blue Shabby Candlestick!

I had so much FUN this weekend multitasking with projects! This candlestick was one of them.  It was one of those unusual projects that actually turned out better than I had hoped.  Score!
My previous post of my little Birdie planter was another and I hope to show you my Mango Toolbox next!  (I'm Girling up my toolbox people!)  Plus, I'm ashamed to say,  there are a few more almost finished projects just waiting in the wings.  :)   I know you understand!

First,  I found this tall sort of gangly candlestick holder for $2.00 at Goodwill!  Good lines and bones here  I am not disappointed!  You will see in later pictures that the proportions are off in this picture.  I was in a silly rush on the before photo and didn't get the proportions captured right  (Meaning, the base is not smaller than the top. Still learning Haha!)  And let me explain that I use and reuse an old shower curtain for spraying.  That's why there are often different colors in my pictures.  (Like the pink from my yet another unwritten post)

My Little Birdie Planter

I rediscovered a little birdie planter that I bought probably 10 years ago at Marshall's (or was it TJ'S?)   I love little birdies, they remind me of my sweet little grandmother we lovingly called Sissie.  In her younger days she was always darting around with her baking and sewing and knitting after she was finished with her farm chores and taking care of her four beautiful daughters!- she just always reminded me of a little Chickadee!  Sissy introduced me to so many crafts and will forever be my inspiration.  Oh how I wish she were still here so I could ask her for advice.  (She lived to be 100 years old! - Now that's real inspiration!)  But, she was such an amazing lady and I know you all have somebody in your life that has influenced and inspired you.  If you do then you know what I am talking about.  They are priceless.

Well, sorry for the short sentimental detour and on to the project.  Hang tight because there are a few twists!  Here (above) is a not great photo of the empty planter.  It had been hiding in a closet collecting dust.  I cleaned it up best I could.  

I wanted to try to change it up a bit with Annie Sloan Graphite paint and clear and dark wax. (Found the most wonderful shop in an old mill near me where I bought the paint and wax that I hope to share with you soon.)  I really enjoyed using this paint on the clay pots from my Pink Shutter post.  Beginning to think I like small projects over big ones.  I don't do complicated well.  :)

French Fry Love

I was going to choose my favorite FF picture here but I would rather let you choose>>>
http://pinterest.com/search/?q=french+fries
Just remember to add mustard :)

Pimento Cheese and Chicken? Oh Yea...

Shame on me!  I have been denying my food loving side.  So, I am hoping to start posting more food and baking posts!  

My first new food post is a recipe we all wanted to try   We've been on a Pimento Cheese kick here lately so when I saw this recipe it was a no brainer! Found it online at Cooking Light and the recipe can be found here

Forgot to take a photo of our version because - once I thought about taking a pix the dish looked like the Tasmanian Devil had visited.  It was so good! 
I'm hoping my southern food loving little brother in San Francisco will maybe fry this up at his next Southern Food Party !  

These Link Parties are Priceless!

TUESDAY

Sugar Bee Crafts - Take a Look Tuesday

Nothing But Country - Creative Creations

Rook No.17 -  A Little Birdie Told Me

Ladybug Blessings - Handmade Tuesdays

WEDNESDAY

Handy Man, Crafty Woman-Wicked Awesome Wednesday

Lady Behind the Curtain - Cast Party Wednesday

seven thirty three - Sugar & Spice and Everythihg Else

Sister's Stuff - Link Up Wednesday

Pink Postcard - Transformations and Treasures

Polka Dots on Parade - Wow Me Wednesday

A Little Tipsy - DIY Under $5 

THURSDAY

Momnivore's Dilemma - Creative Juice Thursday

Somewhat Simple - Strut Your Stuff

The Shabby Chic Cottage - Transformation Thursday

Saved by Love Creations - Thrifty Thursday

THURSDAY

Somewhat Simple - Strut Your Stuff

The Shabby Chic Cottage - Transformation Thursday

A Little Knick Knack- Everything but the Kitchen Sink

A Creative Princess - It's a Party!
Saved by Love Creations - Thrifty Thursday

House of Hepworths - Hookin Up with HoH

FRIDAY

delicate CONSTRUCTION - Delicately Constructed Fridays

My Romantic Home- Show and Tell Friday 

The Thrifty Groove - Thrifty Things Friday

Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hypo - Party Mindie Style

504 Main - Tickled Pink

Chic on a Shoestring-Flaunt It Friday

Fingerprints on the Fridge - Feature Yourself Friday

The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday 

Whipperberry - Friday Flair

Remodelaholic - Friday

Serenity Now - Weekend Bloggy Reading

Just a Girl - Show and Share Day

Sassy Sites - Free For All Friday

Mommaskindacrafty   - Fantabulous Friday 

Todays Creative Blog - Get Your Craft On

It's a Hodge Podge Life - Friday

Just a Coaster

My oldest son's first house is slowly coming along.  He is starting pretty much from scratch.  His old college apartment stuff just isn't making the grade.  And if you have ever been inside a bunch of college guys apartments you know what I'm talking about.  Sooo - he is very sweet to let me make a thing or two for his new house.  I'm working and struggling with a $25 table from Salvation Army.  Using Annie Sloan Graphite and both clear and dark wax.  It has been a BEAR  (table - not the paint) and I will share that adventure later.  
But I have a really quick easy project I made today. 

He mentioned he needed some coasters.  

I had already made some geeky circuit board ones a while back from some leftover stuff at my hubs plant.  He likes those but I wanted to make something a little different and more personal.  I had several 4" ceramic tiles that I had purchased for 15 cents each (for another project that just didn't happen)  There are many fun ways you can cover them!   I've been seeing some wonderful projects using maps and thought that might be fun.  I love maps and am starting to collect them - old and new, especially nautical ones.  

I had an old Atlas on hand so I went to the North Carolina page.  For the first one I cut out the area around Wilmington.  Cut it large enough to cover the tile and wrap it over the sides.  

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Fourth to All!!

HAPPY HAPPY FOURTH TO ALL

Fireworks Tomorrow!

What a wonderful special amazing country we have!  Please take a moment to thank our Forefathers and all the amazing service men and women that have sacrificed so much for us and our country.  And the amazing troops that continue to sacrifice for us everyday in every way   God Bless them and please keep them safe from harm's way

 

I had an extra chalk painted pot leftover from a previous post.  I added some blue fish tank gravel and some Dollar Tree stars!  

Sharing some Linky Love

SUNDAY
I Heart Naptime - Sundae Scoop

It's So Very Cheri - Party Time and Blog Hop

Sisters of the Wild West - Sister Sunday Link Part

MONDAY

DebbieDoos - DebbieDoos Newbie Party

The DIY Showoff - DIY Project Parade
Skip to my Lou-Made by You Mondays

Keeping it Simple - Motivate Me Monday

Polly Want a Crafter - Party Mondays 

The Girl Creative - Just Something I whipped Up

DIY Home Sweet Home Project -  More the Merrier Monday

Making the World Cuter-Making the World Cuter Monday

Embellishing Life - Craft Catwalk

Homemaker on a Dime -  Creative Bloggers Party and Hop

Creating my way to Success - A Round Tuit

Dittle Dattle - Amaze Me Monday