We just got home from NY yesterday.  While we were there I had an afternoon to browse and do some shopping.  I visited some primitive shops, some antique stores, and some junk shops as well.  While I was shopping I received some inspiration (which is always great!!).  I saw the cutest faux carmel apples, but they were way out of my price range soooo....I decided to make my own.  I visited the Dollar Store and I found these "beauties".  It's kinda hard to tell from the pic, but they were the most hideous color you ever saw.  So, I took my can of burgandy spray paint, and simply changed them.  So, here is the BEFORE....

 

and now the AFTER...

aren't they just the cutest things?  They make a great fall decoration for my island.  I spray painted the apples, watered down some glue and brushed it on the top.  The "nuts" is that stuff that you put on your carpet and sweep it up to freshen up your sweeper bag, the carmel is tinted wax melted and drizzled over them, and the sticks are literally a twig from my yard with some prim fabric ripped and tied around.

Also, while we were in NY, Paul's dad is cleaning out and he gave me a bunch of great antiques.  Things from his step-father.  He is going to be bringing most of the things to me when they come out for Christmas.  But, this treasure below is one that I decided that I would squeeze in no matter what.  It is a 1830 circa candy scale.  I could not wait to get it home and get it cleaned up.  And that is exactly what I did.  Here is the BEFORE:

This picture isn't the greates of it before, but it was bad.  I actually thought that the part where you put your candy to weigh it was copper.  However, after some brasso, barkeepers friend, and A LOT of elbow grease, this is what I got!  I love it!!! 

Got some other projects coming down the pike, but just had to share these.

Decorating Projects COMPLETE!!!

This summer I had several decorating projects that I wanted to get done before school starts again (kinda pushing it, school starts Monday). Anyway, I thought that I would share some of them with you. I've had fun. This is probably it for awhile. Gotta buckle down now and be a teacher!

First project was our kitchen table. We bought this table before we were married, so it's been around awhile. It is our main surface for doing school work, so it had lots or permanent marker (no, I didn't know they were permanent until I tried to clean them off). Anyway, I was ready for a "redo". I first sanded down the top, then took the top off, took the legs outside and painted them. I applied several coats of stain, and it just wasn't soaking in. Anyway, finally it got to a tint that I was happy with. Then I started applying polyurathane. After three coats of that, I realized that "this is not working". The polyurathane was all blotchy and uneven (even though I had sanded in between coats). So, haul the top outside and start striping the polyurathane off. YUCK! Long, long story. After all of that, I sanded it down AGAIN, and since I've never really refinished anything before, I sanded deeper in some spots than others. Stained it again, and then let it cure for several days. Finally, yesterday, I applied ONE coat of polyurathane

and this is what I got....a wonderful "farmhouse" table. I really love the way it turned out.

Next little project is this dresser that was FREE sitting out along the roadside. It is solid wood, but pretty beat up. And there was even

writing on the top. It was really, really dirty and it didn't smell the greatest, but hey, it was free. So I scrubbed and scrubbed, etc. and

This is the final result. Painted it, and then distressed the edges.

Some of the drawer pulls were missing and I really wanted to go with something that looked like glass drawer pulls. Do you know how much they want for those things? Anyway, my remedy was to go to the dollar tree, pick up a bag of these, glue two of them together with really strong glue, back to back, let them dry overnight, then glued them on the dresser today. Really like the look I got with them. Got eight drawer pulls for less than $1 because I have several left over! Wooo Hooo!

Next little thing I did, noting major, but I found this jar at GW. As you can see it was filty, covered with a film (cigarette smoke maybe), and filled with '70's plastic fruit, but I really liked the look of it, kinda like an apothocary jar. Brought it home, cleaned it up, and...

here it is "repurposed" in my entry. LOVE IT~~

Next project. Found this at GW too for $1. It was half price. Saw a gem in it too. Checked to see if the paint would scratch off, and it did, so brought it home, scrubbed it up. Glued the plate to a candleholder that I had floating around and...

this is the final result.

Added a sofa table to my living room. The table that I wanted to use here was too short. It was basically a side table. Anyway, I had an old kitchen table that I wasn't using, so I used the legs off of it and replaced them on this table, and it was perfect. Notice my basket from the "outlet" under the table. This is where I store extra throws that we use alot when the weather is cooler. I am really enjoying the warmth this addition has added to my living room.

Tried something new. Silicone dipped mini lights. Also made them "grungy" this time. They fit in really good in my "new" country bath (pictures of that coming up).

Here is a picture of the bathroom before. It was kinda a safari theme. Lions, etc. Been thinking about changing it to a country bath to fit in more with the majority of the rest of my house.

Picture #1
Jonathan help me with the "Country Bath" sign.

Picture #2
Made a wreath to match the border.

Picture #3
Put up a shower curtain. Didn't have one before. This is one of my "outlet" finds. The rod is an old oak handle from a broken hoe we had.
Cut it to fit, smeared some Old English on it, and it's perfect.



Picture #4
Old, CLEAN chamber pot for holding extra toilet paper.

In my other bathroom, I did some Shabby Chic updates. My neighbor gave me one of her husband's old tool boxes. I took the handle off, turned it on it's side, and it makes a perfect little shelf for my bathroom.

Another one of my "outlet" finds. An old door knob. Didn't know at the time what I would do with it, but got it because I loved it. It found the perfect spot on this shelf.

Jar from Hobby Lobby on Clearance $2 something.

And another GW find for cheeeaaappp!!!

Thanks for looking! Hope you've enjoyed the tutorial.

Little Bride

The other day DaNae dressed Makayla up in her "dress up", did her hair and then took her out and shot some photos. I have done some slight editing, but I thought that they turned out really well. She did an awesome job for a 12 year old. Someday when Makayla really is a bride, it will be fun to look back at these and smile.

Enjoy!~

More Kid Pictures

Today I took some more pictures of the kids. Some of Jeffrey, Jeffrey and Makayla together, and Makayla looking in the mirror again. Hope you enjoy them.

Here's my big 7 year old.

Hugs and snuggles

Kisses...

Kisses...

and more Kisses!!!

Two cuties!

Makayla looking in the mirror...again. This time in color.

Love this one!

Have a great day!

New Pictures of (some of the) Kids!!!!

We recently bought a new camera and I've been experimenting with it. Trying some new things. Thought I would post some of the pictures here. Still have to take some of Jeffrey, but here are some of the others.

Makayla...she's 2 now, can hardly believe it. Growing, growing, growing, sooo fast.

She's laughing at herself in the mirror.

DaNae is growing up on me. Soon to be 10.

And then there's Jonathan. He's growing into such a wonderful young man. I can't believe he'll be a teenager next year. And he's already wearing a size 12 men's shoe!!!! Love this picture of him.

Hope you enjoy these experiments. I'm having fun.

PUBLISHED!!!!!

Let me just say from the get-go that this is going to be a brag session about my husband. If you're not interested, don't read it. But if you are, here's the way it goes.

A few months ago Paul realized a need for a custom surgical prep tray for the surgery department where he works. He began working on this project, customizing it, as well as implementing a new prep solution in the prep tray. The details are many and I don't know them all, however, through this customized prep tray that he designed, he has been able to save St. Vincent 29% over their previous tray cost, lowering the price by $2.78 per tray. This saving is significant. His work has not gone unnoticed by those around him. This month, in a national magazine published by Medline Industries, Inc., they published a two-page spread article about what he has done. They have a web-site, but you cannot access the article unless you subscribe. However, if you click on this link you will see the cover of the magazine in which this article is published. And if you click on the little link in the lower left corner of the screen where it says "OR Issues", you will see that this article is one listed there: "Great Ideas from Your Peers: Surgical Skin Prep Soultions". http://www.medline.com/orc/default.asp

Here are a couple of pictures of the two page spread that I just scanned into my computer.

The name of the article is: "Great Ideas from Your Peers", and you can see his picture at the bottom of the second picture. Let me just say, I believe that Paul is one of the best in his field. This is not just my opinion, it is the opinion of his peers and his boss as well. A couple of weeks ago he had his annual performance review. Here are some of the exact words from his boss on this evaluation:

"Paul provides safe, quality care for his patients. His excellent assessment skills, years of experience, including ED and technical skills have resulted in quick critical thinking skills that have saved patient lives." (On more than one occasion, I might add.)

"Paul’s ability to circulate or scrub provides increased staffing flexibility to meet patient or surgeon needs. Paul also seeks opportunities to develop himself as well as others. Paul is truly an asset to the Surgery Department and organization."

Not only did she say these things, she also backed it up by giving him the highest possible rating on his evaluation: 4.0! On this same evaluation one of his peers said: "He is genuine...he is very motivated".

Honey, I'm so proud of you, and I love you so. You truly have earned a standing ovation! You are awesome at what you do, and you deserve to be recognized and congratulated!!! Please help me congratulate him by posting your comments. I will certainly pass them on to him!

Side note: About three years ago he designed a special helmet for surgery. The engineers came and met with him, and took down his prototype. The engineers went back and made one, brought it back for him to "tweak". It is being marketed by Stryker, and is set for national distribution soon. Unfortunately, he didn't hire an attorney, and he won't be receiving any type of kick-back. We live and learn!!!! Next time there WILL be an attorney!