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Relieving Bulletin Board-dom

Mar 19th, 2010 by jamie

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Need a weekend, finish-in-an-hour project? One that will help with organization? Try this pretty, but functional, bulletin board…

Fabric-covered bulletin board made with stuff I already had (except the frame!)

Supplies:

  • cork (either a roll or tiles)
  • frame (Please do not buy at full price! Hobby Lobby sells nice ones at 50% off every other week. Or hit a garage sale and ditch the “art”. Or don’t bother with the frame! You can finish the edges with trim.)
  • backer board cut to fit inside frame (Use what you have on hand. I had some left-over pegboard. Thin plywood or luan would work fine.)
  • pretty fabric that fits your room and is about 2 inches wider and longer than your frame
  • hot glue gun
  • staple gun or duct tape

Steps:

  1. Hot glue cork or cork tiles onto backer board. You don’t need to overdo this–perimeter and a cross or X will hold it snugly.
  2. Place the cork side on top of the pretty fabric (back side of fabric.)
  3. Staple fabric edges to the backer board. Put one staple in the middle of the top, first. Then, pull fabric at the bottom, gently but firmly. Staple middle of the bottom. Do the same on the sides. Then, staple freely around the rest of the perimeter. The staples are on the back side of the bulletin board and should not show. Fabric should be smooth.
  4. Place frame face down on flat surface.
  5. Place bulletin board face down into frame. If your board was cut to fit, the bulletin board should fit fairly snuggly into the frame.

    Back side of bulletin board. If you are paying attention, you will see that I apparently wrapped the fabric around the cork before applying it to the backer board. This is not a good idea, and I'm not sure why I did it. Do as I say; don't do as I did.

  6. Secure the board to the frame. I used the staple gun, but duct tape will also work…Just use it freely around all edges.
  7. Attach hanging hardware. I used eye screws and wire since I already had those, but the jagged edge hangers will work, too.
  8. You could be finished here. Or you can use some sort of tassel fringe, gimp, rope, or ribbon to go around the front of the bulletin board, just inside the frame. I was feeling sassy this day, so I used some extra tassel fringe that I had leftover from a sewing project.
  9. Hang in just the perfect spot, and use to display important stuff.

    10. The Perfect Spot for Me

***I used a looser weave fabric so pushpin holes would not show. Most cottons should work well but test it out before you go crazy with your staple gun.

***They also make pretty pushpins now, if you want a more decorated look. For my mudroom, the old-fashioned kind works just fine.

***Periodically, clean up your bulletin board. I found coupons from 2008 on mine!

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Posted in Crafty Stuff, Organization | 6 Comments »

Made By Hand

Mar 18th, 2010 by jamie

Embroidered Shirt from the 70s

Maybe you are not old enough to remember the stitched denim shirt. This shirt was completed by me as a teenager in the 70s. I made it for my younger sister, and she uncovered it as we have been sorting through our parents’ home. (They recently downsized and relocated–and counted on their five children to pare down a lifetime of collections and stuff!)

Close-Up of Embroidery. Sorry for the blur.

I had forgotten all about this shirt, but I vaguely remember making it for her after I had made one for myself. (Wish I had it now!) The design is not original. I believe there was a transfer kit:  You ironed on a design and went to work with whatever embroidery stitch you could do. It obviously lasted a long time! (And I’m pretty sure she wore and washed this shirt more than a few times.)

Front Stitching. Quite southwestern!

Dog on Cuff

My 15-year-old daughter is a crafter (and artist.) She learned to knit a few years ago and has made many scarves and hats over time. She has always loved doing things with her hands and finds it relaxing–just as I did (and do.) Makes me think hand crafts are somewhat genetic. Or maybe we just see what those around us enjoy doing and want to try it ourselves. My mom was a knitter (never a sew-er!),  I remember seeing her knit and make beautiful projects. My favorite was a knitted green coat.

We get such a good feeling when we complete something. I think this is because in real life, many projects/tasks are cyclical–like laundry. It is never completed! But a hand craft can be. Whether you quilt, knit, embroider, make cards, scrapbook, or whittle, it can give you great feeling of satisfaction to finish something. Also, a craft is a wonderful creative outlet that can bring some much-needed relaxation.

There are some amazingly talented people out there in the blogosphere. They are  sharing some of their gifts with the rest of us. They introduce, teach, and inspire us to make something. To be creative. You could spend all day surfing and discovering new things, but here is a good place to start:  One Pretty Thing. And, of course, explore Etsy. Many sellers at Etsy will also link to their blogs. Again, allow plenty of time!

Feeling inspired? I am. I think I might pull out one of my many incomplete projects and get going with it! Or maybe I’ll try to learn something new…

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Posted in Crafty Stuff, Recommendations | 2 Comments »

Mini Front Door Perk-Up for Spring

Mar 12th, 2010 by jamie

It’s been a long winter. And it shows around here. Especially on my front door. Gray. Barren. Not so welcoming.

Blah. Blah. Blah.

But finally, the piles of snow are gone. (Fingers are crossed that we are done with that.) I am really looking forward to spring! This week, we actually saw some sunshine. That always seems to give me a burst of decorating energy. I had the burst of energy–but little time and money. I looked around the internet and came up with some inspiration.

This is from Just a Girl‘s March 2 post…And this is just the door from her garage into her house! Doesn’t it look wonderful? I am stealing this idea as soon as I have time…Except I might go red.

j-a-girl.blogspot.com

from j-a-girl.blogspot.com

I love the simple but friendly look of this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gideonstrauss/2480910923/

photo by Gideon Strauss

Then, I looked around my house and found a wreath with the beautiful spring green that I love and some raffia.

Some Spring Green

I flipped the Welcome mat around, (snow shoveling had caused us to welcome ourselves), swept a bit, and ta-da! A perkier, slightly more welcoming front door. (I’m going to have to do something about that gray color if we don’t replace the whole thing before long…)

Mini Make-Over with a Berry Wreath

Notice the lovely green magnet? I cannot get it off! Beware of super strong magnets…Ah, well. At least, it adds a little color. :)

Wreath from Inside, Looking Out

Front Door--Slightly More Welcoming--Pots of Pansies to Come!

Hope your coffee and your day are delicious! Thanks, Rachel Anne, for hosting through www.homesanctuary.typepad.com.

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Posted in Easy Fixes, Little Things | 13 Comments »

Faucet Fix or How to Give Your Sink a Face Lift

Mar 5th, 2010 by jamie

Ugly faucet before the face lift...Pay no attention to the rust and ick. I promise it was hiding underneath the cover plate!

I confess to hating my kitchen sink. Stainless can be nice, but I believe my stainless sink is the lowest grade the builder could buy. After we developed a leak around the equally ugly faucet, I began to plan my kitchen re-do. (Of course, that ain’t happenin’.) It just didn’t fit into the budget. But a new faucet did! (Caveat:  Measure the old faucet before buying the new one. When in doubt, just take the old one with you for the purchase.)

Replacing a faucet is a fairly easy DIY project–if you have the right tools or some ingenuity. Here is a quick how to:

Supplies:

  • wrenches (try to use a basin wrench. It is designed for this occasion, though we didn’t have success. ***See below.)
  • WD40 (maybe)
  • pliers (our faucet came with its own tool for tightening the new faucet)
  • bucket (just in case)
  • old towels
  1. The most crucial step is to turn off the water under the sink. Do not forget to do this. Forgetting could ruin your day. While you are down there, empty the contents and clean the cabinet on the inside. This is a great time to invest in a bin to hold items. Then, everything can be easily removed should you ever have need. (I hope you don’t!)

    See the valves in the back? These will shut off or turn on your water for the sink. Remember: Righty Tighty (Close); Lefty Loosey (Open)

  2. Disconnect the water hoses from the old faucet. Have the bucket handy to catch any residual water in these hoses. If the water flows freely, you have a problem. See MOST CRUCIAL STEP, above.
  3. Loosen the nut that connects the old faucet to the sink. ***Try the basin wrench. Try spraying the nut with WD40. Be sure the children are out of ear-shot. Try for two days. When all else fails (here’s the ingenuity part), use your handy, dandy Dremel to cut through the nut. Voila! Easy as pie.

    Ugly Faucet Before--Yep. That's it. The dreaded nut, cemented by rust. WAY up between the two basins, in the very back, where you have to contort your body to see--much less to loosen. That easy as pie comment? Sarcasm.

  4. Remove old faucet. Gag. Clean sink thoroughly. If it is stainless, try Barkeeper’s Friend. Otherwise, use the recommended cleaner for your type of sink.

    Out with the Old...

    Pure Ick--Ugly Sink. Time for Barkeeper's Friend.

    Final Farewell to Ugly, Sad, Leaky Faucet

  5. Prepare new faucet for installation, according to its package directions. Don’t forget the water hoses. Be careful when tightening! Now is not the time to over-do it. Stripped nuts do not go well with plumbing. Or any project, for that matter.

    New, Shiny, Non-Leaky Faucet--Still the same old sink, yet somehow, it doesn't bother me as much!

  6. Turn back on water at the shut off valves, and check carefully for leaks.

    Not-So-Glamorous View of New Faucet

  7. Return neatly organized bin of stuff under the sink.

    Under Sink Storage Bin

    Yes. It is the InSinkErator. Best disposal EVER. Also, kind of pricey. I think around $300, but it was money well spent about three years earlier.

  8. Enjoy the new look! It does not change your sink, but it might make it more tolerable until a new one is in the budget.

Isn't it wonderful? My sink feels years younger!

One tip:  Cover the drains with cardboard or tape or something. That way you don’t have to worry about aforementioned ick, nuts, or tools ending up in the drain.

This might seem daunting, but it really is relatively easy to do (OK…My husband did the hard, dismantling part. After the initial encounter with the rusty nut did not go well, he refused to quit until the deed was done…I was perfectly fine with that :) .)

I love the new faucet. I don’t hate my sink, anymore–at least, not quite as much.

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Posted in Toolbox | 17 Comments »

Inspired By Others

Feb 25th, 2010 by jamie

When I first started this blog, I did not have a clue what I was doing. I am not sure much has changed. But I am a big believer that, if you can read and follow directions, you can do anything (from starting a blog to decorating a home).

I have had my eyes opened to an amazing world of intelligent, talented, inspiring women. Total strangers who somehow know what I like and what I desire for my home. How do they do that, and (while I’m at it) how do they do all that they do?

I keep a blog roll that I update from time to time, but I would like to occasionally spotlight one or two blogs or websites. (Not much difference in blog and website…I gather that a blog has continuous new material…Plus, it seems a little friendlier than “website”. :) )

First, check out A Charmed Wife. This blog belongs to a twenty-something, self-professed housewife. She makes me proud of my domestic side! Did I mention I won a leather travel clutch from a drawing she hosted? Yeah, sounds shady, I know, but I got addicted to her blog even before winning. I promise. Great ideas. Great writing. Lots of quality information.

www.acharmedwife.com

Second, go explore Miss Mustard Seed’s Creative Blog. She is a decorative painter (according to her blog) who generously shares the how tos as well as lots of inspiring photos and ideas about home decorating. Again, an amazing amount of quality information.

Miss Mustard Seed's Creative Blog

Have fun surfing these two blogs! Hope you find some decorating inspiration today.

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Posted in Recommendations | No Comments »

French Toast Friday

Feb 19th, 2010 by jamie

Welcome!

Easy French Toast

Mmmm...French Toast makes me feel like a real cook!

Perhaps you are a real cook. If so, good for you. (And I admit to being a wee bit jealous.) Someday, I might be a real cook–if any of my mother’s gift finds its way, finally, into my DNA. (A retroactive cooking gene? I can only hope.)

In the mean time, I do what I can.

I decided to take a risk and share a [gasp] recipe with you. If you are a real cook, stop reading now. I would hate for you to choke on your coffee, laughing. If you are a cooking-gene-deficient busy woman, maybe you have forgotten this simple, nutritious breakfast. Or maybe you think it sounds fancy, and, therefore, complicated. Let me assure you…It isn’t.

I make a lot–because I have one BIG-breakfast-eating 16-year-old son (and a 15-year-daughter who isn’t a big breakfast eater but will usually eat two pieces of this!) who loves any hot breakfast. It’s his favorite meal! (Throw in some sausage or bacon, and he’ll do almost anything without complaining…I have a wicked streak, and I am not above bribery.) :)

Ingredients:

  • Bread, 10-12 slices (I just use regular sandwich bread but fancier is good, too)
  • 5 eggs
  • 1/2-3/4 cup milk (or til it looks right!)
  • shallow bowl (pie plate works well)

Egg and Milk for French Toast

Egg and Milk Mixture--These eggs probably could have used a little more beating...oh, well. It tasted just fine.

Warm skillet or griddle to about 375 degrees. (You can get an electric griddle for about $20. It’s a wonderful investment!) Beat eggs thoroughly. Add milk and mix together well. Pour into shallow bowl. Spray griddle with cooking spray (if you are feeling decadent, use butter). Place a piece of bread in the mixture, flipping to coat both sides. Put immediately onto griddle. (Too much soaking=bread that falls apart. Just be sure to cover the surface of the bread.) Fill the griddle with 6-8 pieces. Watch carefully. Peek in a couple of minutes. When the bottom side is a beautiful golden brown, flip. The second side seems to cook faster–just like pancakes.

If you really want to impress, sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with syrup. Yum! Also, it seems to keep for a night in the fridge. Just toast the second day in a hot oven.

French Toast on the Griddle

French Toast Up-Close

Prepare for the showering of praises and hugs!

Happy Friday! Happy Weekend!

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Posted in Parenting and Family, Recipes | 21 Comments »

Where’s My Soapbox? Shhh…Just Listen (Sometimes)

Feb 17th, 2010 by jamie

This is something I wrote last year…It is something I struggle with. Don’t all parents? Finding the delicate balance between talking and listening to our children is an art–one that I have yet to master, but I am working on it!

From the start, we listen for a cry or whimper. We love the first belly laugh. When the words start coming, we grab the video camera. We can’t wait to hear what they will say next.

But the newness wears off, or the sassiness starts–not sure which–and we start listening less. As the child grows and starts to have a life outside of us, we seem to get so fearful of losing our place in the sun that we spend much of our “together time” yammering away with the wisdom we so desperately need to impart. Our intentions are good, and of course, talking, teaching, and telling with words is a vital part of parenting.

The thing about talking, though, is that it only shows what the speaker is. Our talking doesn’t tell us one thing about the kid behind the ears. In order to know that kid, we eventually have to be quiet and give him or her a chance to get a word in edgewise.

Once the door has been opened, parents have to remember to actually hear what the child has to say. Give me a little credit here…I’m not talking about a kid having carte blanche to say anything, no matter how rude or disrespectful. I’m talking about listening to her when she says she doesn’t like Mrs. Distant, the art teacher. Letting her express her feelings and reasons–especially at the kitchen table–and not telling her she shouldn’t feel that way. A few thoughtful questions might not be a bad idea. Just take care not to drive the conversation always in the direction you want to go.

Sometimes I hear things from my children that just make me cringe. Sometimes I can’t hold my tongue. But I have found that the more I listen, the more they talk. This wasn’t such an issue at four and five, but it becomes more so as they grow older. If you want your kids to talk to you when they are teenagers, start listening to them today. Find out who they are and how they think. Show them, by listening, that you love them unconditionally and will always be interested in who they are and who they become.

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Posted in Parenting and Family | 1 Comment »

The Great Throw Debate

Feb 16th, 2010 by jamie

Are you a folder? A draper? A wadder-upper? This question has been tops in my mind for many years. (Actually, I only think of it when I walk by the couch and see a balled-up mini-blanket.:))

Wadded-up Throw

Daughter's Method--The Wadded-up Throw

My family is a mixture. I am a folder-draper (not a neat stack, but rather, folded then draped longways over the end of the couch.) The son is a definite folder (when he has “time”!) The daughter is the notorious wadder-upper. (She apparently never has time!) My husband just would like for the throws to be clean (perhaps the most important attribute). He really doesn’t ask for much.

Folded Throws

Son's Style--The Folded Throw

There is even the faction out there that actually throws the throw. But that is a little too literal for me.

We have a few different types of throws in this house. Fleece, cotton store-bought, chenille, and raggy flannel (my favorite!)

Folded/Draped Throw

My Style--Folded/Draped Raggy Flannel Throw

I leave most of them out year-round. (I get cold even in the summer–thanks to a family who has much thicker blood than I.)

No matter what kind of throw you have, keep it clean. Wash often, and it will be much more enjoyable to snuggle under! That distasteful what-is-that-smell smell that comes with kids and animals (and adults, if we are being honest) can taint a perfect cozy evening at home…Yes. I speak from experience.

Tide + Febreze

Tide plus febreze--Great Product!

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Posted in Little Things, Soft Touch | 2 Comments »

Dish Addict

Feb 12th, 2010 by jamie

I have a problem. If I’m being honest, I have to blame my grandmother Pearl. Even as a very small child, I was aware of her Fiesta and my unnatural desire to have the rose plate while visiting.

Fiesta Cup and Saucer

Then, when my husband and I got married, his boss gave us this:

Blue Bow by Royal Worcester

I just loved it! Still do.

These dishes (Pfaltzgraff–Heritage) were given to us for a wedding gift from friends at the school where I taught in Indiana. Eight full place settings plus canisters and serving pieces! I continue to use them and think fondly of the folks who helped us start married life with a classic everyday china, instead of what we both were using.

Pfaltzgraff Heritage

Several years later, I fell victim to Gerald Henn. I do not have many of these. (They were a bit pricey, and I began to feel guilty choosing between food for my children and a new plate. :) ) Recently, I have discovered these on eBay, however, and might just add some blue spongeware mugs and plates to my set. 

Gerald Henn blue spongeware pitcher

Gerald Henn cranberry spongeware plates

Gerald Henn cranberry spongeware plates

FYI:  This is the very best coffee mug around!

Gerald Henn cranberry spongeware mug

Gerald Henn cranberry spongeware mug

[Gulp.] I just realized that this combines my two biggest vices and only two addictions…I suppose it could be worse.

And now, I know:  I have a problem, but I just can’t seem to stop. Twelve place settings later…

Fiesta by Homer Laughlin

Fiesta Dishes by Homer Laughlin

(I am pretty sure that I need just a couple more!)

Fiesta Gusto Bowls

Fiesta Gusto Bowls

Fiesta dishes

Fiesta cups and bowls

Happy Friday! If you are joining in the coffee at Home Sanctuary, I hope your coffee is hot and your mug is a perfect fit for you.

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Posted in Collections | 26 Comments »

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Feb 6th, 2010 by jamie

Sorry for the constant theme switching! I am trying to be happy with the freebies, but none of them offers everything I want. Anyone without LOTS of coding knowledge try Thesis? Is it easy for a DIYer?–Now, on to my Cozy Book of the Week:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Long title. Charming book. The authors, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (aunt and niece), tell the story of  writer who travels to Guernsey, an English Channel island, immediately after its German occupation in WWII ends.

While there to research for an article, she falls in love with some quirky lovable characters, and they, with her. The authors tell the story through the use of letters, all written by different characters. Some are amusing, some brutally honest, but all are entirely real in giving us glimpses into people and what makes them tick.

Juliet, the main character and writer, is a delight. She has intelligence and wit that draw the reader in and just will not let go. I’ve never been enthralled with the 40s, but after reading TGLAPPPS, I find that I would love to have lived in those simpler, yet modern, times–for a few days, at least.

Mary Ann Shaffer wrote the book’s first draft but then became ill and could not do the important rewrites. She asked her niece, fellow author Annie Barrows, to complete the work. Sadly, Shaffer did not live to see the final, published book–and its #1 status.

An insightful, quick read! Hope you enjoy.

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Posted in Cozy Up With a Good Book | 4 Comments »

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