calm after the storm...

well the tropical storm is long gone. today is absolutely beautiful; the temp is perfect, the sun is shining and i am feeling creative! school starts today. my classes this semester are online so i'm grateful that i don't have to commute this semester. after i am done playing i need to get busy finding out about my classes :)

anyway...i am already looking forward to the holidays and made an excellent Halloween centerpiece for our kitchen table. i really like how it came out...you like?

i also needed something for my paintbrush and doodads so i put together a quick jute wrapped pen cup.

okay, i gotta run; so much to do and so little time :)

Ruffles...

let me start by tooting my own horn... I love this pillow. i think it is so cute from its ruffles to its pretty pink and maroon ribbon. the cover is removable and held together with the ribbon through button holes.

i was anxious to try my hand at ruffles and actually found it harder than it looks. isn't that always the way? anyway, i think these came out cute so i'll be doing some more ruffle projects in the future.

hope you like it!

summer fun...

i haven't checked in for a little while, so here i am! i have been busy with lots of things lately. i am getting ready to head back to school next week. i've had my amazing granddaughter hanging out with us...this includes lots of outdoor fun; slip 'n slide, kiddie pool, sprinkler. she's so fun!

we have also had lots of company. hubby and i love to entertain. this time of year our entertaining always includes a bbq. hubby likes to cook for an army so i have been trying to reimagine new ways to use up those left over burger patties, pork loin and the like. last night we had a delicious homemade pizza with left over bell peppers and chopped jalapeno/cheddar burgers. it was so so good.

i have also been thinking that i need to get back to writing that novel i started back in the spring. i had a goal to finish it by end of summer, but it looks like i will have to push that deadline out a little more.

i do want to get back to my pile of pallets, but i desperately need a chop saw. all i have been working with is a handsaw, ughhh. my hubby's power tools were all stolen so we have to start over :( i did put together a really ugly rustic step stool so the baby can reach the bathroom sink to wash her sweet little hands. it isn't post worthy so i'm not sharing the pic! it will absolutely do the trick though and i'm happy with that :)

i'm off to an appointment so enjoy your monday!

new project...

i was recently given a shoebox full of various wine corks and i was super excited. i love wine corks; not sure why, just do. so, i grabbed a couple handfuls and started thinking about what to make. i though of a mat to go in front of the kitchen sink, a bulletin board, then coasters.

i grabbed a knife and cutting board and started cutting. i used hot glue to attach the corks to some cork board that i picked up at walmart.

i really like them; and...i sold a pair of them this morning ~ yay!

saturday afternoon quickie...

okay, another pallet wood project to share. i've been wanting a nice big chunky shelf for quite awhile and the newest pallet cache proved to be a gold mine!

i wanted to distress the finish, but i guess i messed up by priming the box white before painting it red. when i started to scuff it up with the sandpaper, i obviously duh unfortunately could see the white instead of the bare wood. i love the color though so its all good.

happy saturday!

pallet bench

I was featured at Funky Junk Interiors!

okay, i started today feeling really down. i had a tough time motivating myself off the couch, but i did and i feel much better now! i went out back and started to dismantle the pallets i had left. then hubby came and saw what i was up to and offered his stronger hands...thank goodness.

i saw a bench recently at funky junk interiors and thought it would be awesome in my yard so that was my inspiration.

the first step (after dismantling) was to build the frame

the only wood we used was directly from the pallets so we approximated the measurements and used screws to hold it together. also, the only tool we have at the moment is an antique had saw, so we were sweating up a storm!

the next step was putting on the back. once the slats for the back were cut the only thing left was the slats for the seat and the arms.

i think it came out super cute and added two more seats to our yard which has been desperately needed. lately we have been dragging kitchen chairs out when we have company!!

linking to:

Blah

I want to create, I really do. I am sitting on the sofa looking around at all the things I should/could be doing bit I can't seem to motivate myself. I'm in a funk plain and simple. I'm letting my troubles get the best of me. I'm really needing some major encouragement. I hate feeling like this...

i love pallets!

here was a super easy project that i had seen at a couple other blogs. i asked my son to bring me home some pallets from work. He is so awesome that he brought them that afternoon! i immediately got to work saw up what i needed to make the two shelves. i used pallet word to fill the bottom of the shelves so my books wouldn't fall through and knock out the cat :)

when i hung them i made sure to screw into studs because they are kinda heavy. they are getting a good response so far!