It's Fall Y'all

It seems like I always get a little more motivated to do some freshening up in the fall.  I was EXTRA motivated a couple of weeks ago because I had just returned from Oregon and needed to get the place in shape for a birthday party. I only had a few days so I my sprucing up would have to be some quick projects that have big impact and little time. I thought I would share a few of them with you.  It's always nice to have a quick project in your back pocket. These were so quick I did them in one afternoon.

First things first Is the appearance of your home when you pull up the drive... don't you think?  Well My existing "Summer" flowers were pretty sad because I had been gone and my husband didn't get them watered.  I replaced them with some fresh new fall mums.  I just plopped them in place where the old flowers were and spruced it up immediately. Then I just took some burlap ribbon and tied it around the containers.  The even left the plan below in the original container and the burlap covered up the writing on the pot.  Another hint- and something I've done many times too, if you want to just use the same plastic pot they came in, I have just spray painted it to cover the wording on the pot and it looks great as well.

I also did a quick project on my picnic table.  I found this idea on Pinterest but it comes from an awesome blog called Vintagerevivals.com.  

Our party was outside so I wanted to freshen up our picnic table that had turned gray from the weather.  This was super easy and quick.  Although, I have to admit I skipped one fairly important step because time was an issue.  I skipped the "SANDING" step.  It would have made a big difference in the outcome.  However, considering the small amount of time I invested in this project, I am very happy with the way it came out.  

First I taped off the design on the table. Make sure you press the tape down really well so the stain doesn't bleed underneath the tape.  Next just paint or smear on the stain using an old rag.  I used Minwax Jacobean.  Once the stain dried I removed the tape to reveal the design. Next you will want to protect it.  I used one coat of  Minwax Helmsman Polyurethane, as it was the one recommended for outside use.

I think I may sand mine down in the Spring and redo this project for even better results because I LOVE LOVE The way her table turned out below. Don't You?!

 Here's the picture from her blog.  It's so pretty.  Click on the link above if you would like to see how she did hers.  She has provided a good step-by-step process.

Well I have gotten my run in, and now it's time to clean up and do a little grocery shopping. I hope everyone has a great day!

Teen Birthday Card using Copic Markers

First I have to say that I am still having problems with my blog. For some reason only my subscribers with Gmail are getting my posts. Or at least I know my subscribers with Yahoo are NOT getting them.  If anyone who might be reading this, and knows how this issue can be resolved, I would love to hear your comments.

Last weekend we celebrated my grandson's 12th birthday. TWELVE!! Holy Cow I'm old.  He loves video games, got the new PS 4 for his birthday as a matter of fact.  I thought this image was perfect for him. 

 

I used a digital image called Video Boy from Mo's Digital Pencil.  You know I love their images.  You can find them HERE.  I colored this image with my Copics.  I used a LOT of markers for this image.  I had them written down but I can't seem to find the list. Talk about unorganized.  Here are some of the combo's I feel (somewhat) certain that I used.

Shirt R000, R24, R27, R29(R39 & N8 for shadowing); Skin E000, E00, E11, Jeans, B93, B95, B97, B000; Shoes T3, T5, T7, T1. Sorry I cannot remember which hair combo I used. 

 I did the shadowing with gray chalk and the gray I used on the labels was actually using my Tim Holtz Distress Ink pad in Pumice Stone. I used some star eyelets and sewed around the image with my sewing machine using black thread.

 

Isn't he handsome.  Poor guy spilled ketchup on his brand new Jersey right before the pic but still had this big smile on his face.  Like I said yesterday, I am truly blessed and feel so grateful for such a wonderful family.

I hope you have a great day.

Fiskars Sure Cut Paper Trimmer

Today I thought I would share my opinion of the Fiskars Sure Cut paper trimmer.

 

I purchased this trimmer a couple of months ago.   I have 3 paper trimmers in my arsenal already.  Do I have a problem.......... well yes, several problems,  but lets stick to the one at hand.  You see I didn't REALLY want to purchase, yet another to add to my collection but none of the past purchases really seemed to fit the bill.  And not to sound like a re-run of the Three Bears story but I have one that is too heavy for taking to crops, I have one that is too small and I have one that simply cuts the paper crooked.   

The Fiskars Sure Cut trimmer is light weight AND it cuts up to 12" but the thing that I love most about it is a small wire that is in the arm of the trimmer.  This wire shows you exactly where the cut will be made.  Maybe you don't struggle with this but boy I sure do.  I can't tell you how many times I have made the wrong cut with my old trimmers, which is frustrating to say the least. 

UH OH..... then it happened............I was so disappointed.  I wasn't getting a clean cut.  Oh no, not again.   So I take a look at it and the little wire was frayed, causing the problem.  I called Fiskars to find out about replacement wires.  The Customer Service Department tells me that they have corrected this problem with the wire and they are sending me a replacement arm for my trimmer at NO COST-- NO QUESTIONS ASKED.  She was so polite and accommodating.  I LOVE LOVE a company with great Customer Service!  This is of course my own personal opinion but I would recommend this trimmer to anyone.  I don't get paid or receive merchandise for giving them a good review, I just simply love to pass on a good item when I find it.

Have a great day!

First Birthday Penguin Card

Hi All!  Today I wanted to do a quick post of the card I recently made for my grandson Miles' 1st Birthday. 

I created the card using a digi image from 2 Cute Ink. The image is called Celebration Penguin. 

 

I colored the image with my Copic markers.  For the emblem, I used a chipboard number and covered it with some Martha Stewart fine glitter.  I pasted it to a circle shape that I cut out using one of my Spellbinder dies.  I used Stickles to create little confetti dots all around the image and then cut the little flags by hand and pasted them on some bakers twine I had.  

I really like the easel cards,  as you may know from some of my previous posts.  I did this card as an easel as well and put three little rhinestones to hold it in a "standing" position.  I find on these Easel cards, if you put something down for the front of the card to rest on, it will stand up a lot better for you and not want to fall over quite as easily.

Oh my garsh he is so handsome!!  I love this little guy. It's hard to believe a year has passed.  I am truly blessed with my children and grandchildren. 
September is a busy birthday month for us and I have several posts lined up to get out.  I know this will be hard for you to believe because I am terrible at getting my posts out (hey I am a busy lady!  haha)---But anywho, I do have several things lined up so stay tuned.

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having.  Have a great day!