BATHROOM SIGNAGE

I hummed and hawed for the longest time what to write on my bathroom sign, so for the longest time it just hung there empty.  No one ever asked about it, why I had a blank sign hanging in the hallway outside my bathroom door which kind of puzzled me, but anyway I finally took a stab at it today.

 

  I can't say that I'm completely satisfied with it, but I'm picky that way, however, for my first try it's not too bad.  Besides I still have the other side to tinker around with a different more fun approach.

Here's how it all unfolded;

I picked up this great plant hanger for about $6. on clearance at Lowes last September.

The wood slab I got from Michaels, but if your brave enough with a chainsaw, I'm sure you could cut your own slices - probably many!

The black chain & eye hooks I had on hand, although I did have to spay paint the eye hooks black as they were a chrome colour to start with.  

The botttom of a good ol' Timmys coffee came in handy for that!

The Letters are vinyl sticky ones I got at Michaels as well.  I stuck them on and peeled them off several times until I was semi-satisfied with the look I wanted.

Then I traced the outline of the letters with a pencil, peeled them off and carefully coloured them in with a black Sharpie!

I let the Sharpie letters dry & soak into the wood for about 30 mins so they wouldn't smudge.  Then I dabbed on some Minwax Polyshade in a Traditional Oak colour.  I dabbed & very gently rubbed the Stain in, so as to not disturb the marker, I was afraid it might bleed & smudge somewhat.   I only did one coat since I achieved the colour I wanted.

AND TADAAA... FINITO!  

The great part is I still have a blank canvas on the other side of the board to do a completely different look with. Hmmmm, the possibilities are endless  The Loo, The Privey, Bath, Le Bain ....and on and on and on.

Today is my birthday?

FEBRUARY 18th, 2014

Yup, today is my birthday.  'Whaaaat", you say, "again?"  No, wait a minute maybe that's not you saying that, maybe that's those voices in my head speaking to me and asking: "how does this keep happening,  I swear I just had a birthday last year!"

My birthdays in the past were always a big deal...well for me they were anyway.  It was practically a month long event. but that's probably because I come from a split family so we celebrated no a couple different dates.

Today, was just like any other day.  I got the kids up, fed, dressed, lunches made, backpacks stuffed and off to meet the bus.  Then I shoveled the driveway, did dishes, vacuumed, laundry'd, tended to my little four year olds needs, wants and temper tantrums, or at least I tried to anyway, then by about 2 I as contemplating what to make for dinner and so on.  It was a typical day of endless chores, not fun at all, but it doesn't matter, because really there's no place I'd rather be. I have learned from the past too expect little and you will not be disappointed and even more importantly, too be grateful for all that you already do have!

It's a Tuesday, so my husband works a double shift today into tonight.  He flies in at about 4 then flies back out again after grabbing his dinner-to-go that I've made for, but on the way home he stopped into Sobeys to get me a little cake and a card which he and the kids all signed, then we sat down, he lit the cake, they all sang happy birthday.  And within seconds, I was back to feeding the kids and the dog dinner and he was flying out the door again off to his other job.

Now a days, I have so many other (more important) birthdays all around the same time as mine, that my day is not so much a big deal anymore.  That and the fact that my husband and I don't have spare dime to spend on presents for each other, so it's just cards and a little cake.

I do appreciate all the many Facebook wishes I get from people, it kind of makes me feel a little special - so thank you to all of you for taking the time to send a quick wish in my direction, its nice to be able to connect with so many of you - sort of like a Facebook birthday party!

MY BIRTHDAY CARDS

So cute!  Is someone trying to be funny....implying this is the only kitten
 I'm going to be getting? :(.

True sweetness!

My wee ones enjoying more cake & ice cream.

SLAINTE - CHEERS, TO MY FAMILY!

Awww, such is life.  I think we all love getting material presents, they are fun, little surprise's that people put thought into!  But for me the greatest gift of all is my family, my friends and having times spent together laughing, eating, drinking and having fun.  My birthday wish for them is that they continue to stay healthy and stress free.   I love my home and where we live and feel very blessed to have so much.  There is no place I'd rather be.

Chalkboard side cupboard

Notice the little hands that like to help. 

      I finally got around to putting a chalkboard canvas with some cool wooden rope trim up on the end side of my kitchen cupboards last week. 

Today I decided to add a little fall decor to it.

Ta Daaaa

Waiting for the school bus

Waiting for the school bus this morning was picturesque.  I couldn't help but take the camera out with us and get some shots of the kidlits (and Shamrock)waiting.
          

                                                                          

Fall coloured mason jars

      I often see a great deal of different uses for mason jars whilst surfing Pinterest and since I love painting so much I thought I'd give this little craft a try. 

We are in the midst of some gorgeous autumn weather here, so I was of course influenced by the beautiful fall colours.

I had a bunch of left over different size mason jars on hand from some previous artsy crafts I made so I was go to go with those.

I picked up about 5 of those inexpensive little paint colours from a couple of different local stores each bottle only costing about $2.00. But wow, are there a lot of colours to choose from!

• Using some of my kids paint brushes and some I picked up at the dollar store, I gave each bottle a few coats of paint letting them dry for about an hour between coats.
• 
  
• Then thoroughly let them dry for several hours or even better overnight before sanding down the words and pictures on the glass as well as a few spots here in there to give them a somewhat aged look.
• 
  
• I used 100 grit sandpaper, but could have even used an emery board.
• 
  
• Then I slapped on a  couple coats of  Modpodge in a matte finish.  Letting it dry about 20 - 30 mins. between coats.
• 
  
• Lastly I wrapped several layers of twine around the top.

So easy peasy and fun they were, that I have now started working on some Christmas colours.

DRIFTWOOD LAMP

I saw a similar lamp in a magazine once whilst at mother in laws for a visit.  It was the exact same IKEA lamp I already had so I was immediately inspired to make one myself.

BEFORE     &    AFTER

First I spray painted the metal base white.
Then I went to my bag of driftwood odds & ends and glue gunned them on, which was a little tricky  getting the placement just right.
After that I gave the branches a whitewash of paint a couple of times.
Then decided the lampshade needed a bit of rustic flair so I glued on some rope.
And voila!

I'm still not really sure how I feel about it as I think the one in the magazine looks nicer, but anyhoodles, I gave it shot.

HOME MADE ART

I had these three Ikea art frames with prints in it, but the prints were too small and never looked right.  So I got some inspiration to make some new artwork from a few sprigs of nature, some white bristol board, a can of low tac spray adhesive and a can of spray paint for Home Hardware.

1) Find some natural inspiration - I used ferns, tall grass & a pine tree branch.
2) Cut the bristal board to the size of the frame
3) Centre that matt board on the bristal board and lightly trace the inside with a pencil then remove matt.
4) Spray the back side of the fern (for example) and stick it lightly to the bristol board so it doesn't fly off when your spray painting it.
5) Centre the fern & arrange it in the inside square of the matte to your liking and then spray paint lightly to get the outline.
6) After drying put the matt board and print back into frame. 
Stand back, look and be proud of your artwork.

And voila... kind neat wouldn't ya say?...or maybe nay?

Question for ya'll:  See those lamps there?  Would you spray paint the bases a kind of wrought iron black colour or leave them as is?

FROM TABLE CLOTH TO CURTAINS

You just never know.

I LOVE this table cloth I found at Winners but when I put it on the table it just was't getting the ewww & ahhhh factor that it so deserved.  So, I decided perhaps it might look better hanging as curtains  - and that it did!  Although you can't really tell from this photo.

OLD RATTAN ROCKER ROCKS!!

GREAT CURBSIDE FIND...



 

BEFORE



AFTER



 Kieran and I were out for a walk one day and discovered this old rattan rocker on the next street over laid out by the road side headed for you know where.  At first we left it there and went home but then like a dog with bone I couldn't let it go and just had to go back get it. 

  

So back Kieran and I went and awkwardly,  lugged it home.

I hand sanded  down all the chipped varnish and rough spots then got out a can of (well a few cans) Rust-oleum's Painters Touch Ultra Cover 2x in Satin Heirloom White.

Then added the cushion, which is actually from our chaise lounger just folder under at the end. 

TA DA - It works perfectly and looks lovely!





http://www.rustoleum.ca/CBGProduct.asp?pid=208





WASAGA BEACH SUMMERS

The end of January always seems like a good time to think of the warm summer to come which also leads me to reminisce of some of the best parts of summers gone by...

WEDDING BOUND

Fifteen years ago Chris and I started planning for our wedding and I had a very long list of all the people I wanted to invite.  Unfortunately there comes a point when reality sets in and a financial budget starts to dictate just how many people one (or rather two in the case of wedding planning) can actually invite so sadly the list starts to get dwindled down.  I still feel really bad about having to leave some people off our invite list.

Next weekend we are attending a wedding for Chris' cousin.  I love weddings and anytime I/we have received an invitation to a wedding, I always feel so incredibly honored to have been selected to be on the invite list and delighted to be able to share in the couples happy day!

BUT, it's amazing how things sure change when you become parents of three little ones and move over an hour north of the city. Since receiving our invitation to the upcoming wedding I've been completely overwhelmed by all the things that need to be done, bought and taken care of in order to make it even remotely possible for us to attend!

For example...

• First thing was to find an overnight sitter for the kids and dog (thank you a million to my cousins Liz & Bob and my mother for coming up).
• Then there was the financial aspect of it all...can we afford it? (nooo, we had to borrow money...thank you to a certain saint, that has come to our rescue...yet again).   
• Both of us need haircuts & "fixing up" (finding the time to do this is the trickiest). 
• I need to purchase a dress (that fits and is wedding appropriate) and shoes.  Once again finding the time to do this is very limited, difficult and exhausting because I am unable to go anywhere without the kids and husband.  Dragging them to the malls and having them hang around outside the change rooms while I try on a million outfits is seriously torturous for all of us. 
• Chris' suit needs to be dry cleaned ...will he remember to do this in enough time to get it back?
• A wedding card and a monetary gift are needed of course. 
• Overnight accommodations need to be made since Chris understandably  doesn't want to drive home ( I on the other hand, prefer to come home, but that's just because I'm such a home-body). 
• Organization at home for the kids & dog while were away needs to be thought out and taken care of or made and food will have to be made ...(and for Liz's sake too so she doesn't loose her mind)
• Lastly...energy...do I have the energy for all this?  Hmmm, I don't have the energy to do much of anything these days, so how am I really going to swing all this?

So the shopping began.  I had to return some bed sheets to Winners on the way home from work last week so I decided to quickly look and see what they had for dresses and shoes.  Well as luck would have it I found both!   And because I've only gone to the one store so far rather than shopping around to see what else is out there, I am still undecided about them and they may still may go back.  Kind of like buying a house, you want to shop around before buying or jumping at the first one you kind of like.



'THEE' SHOES THUS FAR
As much as I loved, loved, LOVED these shoes I continued to browse and shop around to see what other shoes were out there...just in case.  Guess what, there is a whole lotta beeeeutiful shoes out there and I ended up with 5 pairs trying to figure out which to keep & wear! 

On the way down to the wedding I stopped into Winners for something
and saw these little numbers.
Needless to say I grabbed them and they ended up being THEE shoes!

Where the wedding bells rang.

After all was said and done The wedding was lovely, the couple looked beautiful and the reception was fun with oodles of great food. 

All in all we had a wonderful time, thank you so much to Andrea and Michael for including us in your very special day.

...and just to note, about a week after the wedding ALL the shoes were returned to their rightful stores, where once they lived.

I just love the peacefulness and beauty of old churches

Me and the hubs.



The hubs with his siblings and mom.



Stop in at The Village Idiot
for bevies in between the ceremony & reception time.



Hubby is loving the Beer Menu at The Villiage Idiot!

Myself and sista-in-law at The Idiot.

Bodega Restraunt - where the reception was being held.

My mother in law Joanne
across from her bro Jack & his wife Molly. 





                                         

    



 

 

THE BEAUTIFUL HAPPY COUPLE, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH! XO