Project Friday

This week I'm joining 'Project Friday' hosted by Sugarplum Cottage.

I don't know about you but I have a hard time finding designer tissue boxes that go with my decor. I have been wanting a box holder for awhile and happened to find this one for $2.50 at a household sale. I had never seen one like this.

I decided to paint it dark green to go in my bathroom. I lightly sanded it because it had a varnish on it. Then I painted it with 2 thin coats of acrylic paint. Remember 2 thin coats is always better than one thick one. Don't worry if the paint appears too bright. Sanding will soften the color.
When completely dry I sanded the edges with fine sandpaper. Since this piece was stained before, I just sanded to let the stain show thru.
This process also works with layers of color like in this tea box. You can see stained wood and a dark blue under the red.
This crayon box has a layer of dark green as an undercoat.

If your sanded wood doesn't have enough color or the final color isn't dark enough, cover the entire piece with a water base stain and wipe until you have the shades you want. This process will also darken the areas where the wood comes together to add a more antique look.

I added a star to cover the hole for hanging and a candle I got at a craft show last weekend. This whole process can be done in a very short time. The most important thing is to make sure the layers are dry before adding the next layer or sanding.
For more 'Project Friday' posts go visit Rosemarie at Sugarplum Cottage. She has shown you how to make a beautiful, quick and easy hydrangea wreath today.

Three Dollar Find!

Can you guess what this great find is going to become?It's certainly not good enough to refinish.
I'll show you after it gets a little TLC.

I love bargains on the stuff nobody wants on the last day of a sale.

It's Bloomin' Tuesday!

Welcome!We have been in summer this week! The temps have been in the high 70'2 and low 80's and there is no shade because the trees haven't leafed yet. We'll be back in spring mode soon and who knows, we could have a frost up thru the end of May!
I had to show you my Lenten Rose one more time. This is the prettiest it's ever been.

Some of the daffodils are still blooming. This one is huge!

I also have a few tulips open. I planted them in bunches but only a couple flower in each bunch. I do love the color of these.

My small forsythia is in full bloom. I transplanted this 2 years ago so it's just beginning to fill out. In a couple years it should be beautiful.

The forget-me-knots are all over. I just pull them out, after they bloom, where I don't want them.

The blooms on the Brunnera 'Jack Frost' are very similar to forget-me-knots but are a more intense blue. This is a favorite shade plant. The silvery leaves add real interest.

Laurie gave me this violet but this isn't where I planted it. They sprang up everywhere so I dug out a lot in the fall.

Even the lemon thyme is in bloom already.

I forgot I planted this Fritillaria. According to the package I planted 8.

I saw at least one other bud so far. Laurie had these and I just love the checks.

I hope you've enjoyed a spring walk thru my gardens. If you would like us to see your garden just add your name and permalink to Mr Linky below and add a link to this page on your blog. The Bloomin' Tuesday post is up no later than 10 PM on Monday night if mornings are hard for you. Everyone is welcome. Wouldn't it be fun to see gardens from every state? Enjoy the rest of our spring tour!

Gramma went shopping!

After the craft show Laurie and I did a little shopping. Jerzie didn't have any summer clothes that fit so I got her a couple outfits.The ones on the right are Paytons and the ones in the middle are Jerzies.
I went and picked up the girls in their pjs this morning because Mommy had been up sick since 2 am. This is the new outfit that Jerzie chose to wear today.

I'm not sure how Mommy and Daddy feel about dressing the girls alike but I found these outfits last week and couldn't resist.

I have bought Jerzie a patriotic outfit every year so I found one for them both. Jerzie liked the bling on the star.
Last week after I posted we made this pig finger puppet.

This was another dollar kit from AC Moore. They are great for her age and she loves making things.

We have spent most of the morning on the deck. I got the furniture out this weekend. Jerzie couldn't wait to blow bubbles and swing.

We hope you are having a great day!

Food for Thought

Be as a bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her, still she sings away all the same, knowing she has wings.

Show and Tell

I was going thru some boxes in my basement and I came across my Amish stuff. I decorated my upstairs bathroom with it a few years ago.These pieces are all made entirely of cast iron.

This teeter totter has always been a favorite.



I also love the boy swinging from the tree.

I don't know that I'll ever use these again but I'm just not ready to let them go.

For more Show and Tell go over to Kelli's House.

I love it!

I have always loved Cat's handwork, especially her crazy quilt pieces. I would see something on her blog and then check it out again in her shop. By the time I decided if the colors were right and where I could put it, it was gone. The other day I spotted this piece. You all know how much I like birds! The best part was I didn't have to worry about the color or the size.

It is the perfect tote! Heavy canvas with a nice long strap. I didn't give anyone else a chance to buy it while I thought about it. A couple clicks and it was mine! It will be perfect for the craft show Laurie and I are going to this weekend. I love it!

It's Bloomin' Tuesday!

First, I would like to say welcome to all the new bloggers that have joined us. Remember everyone is welcome even if you can only share once in awhile. It is so much fun to see what's bloomin' in all the different areas. Thanks for spreading the word and please, keep it up! I had Saturday and Sunday off at the store this week and the weather was great both days. I got a lot done but nothing real noticeable. I did get out a couple of my garden art items and I'm starting a new project that I'll tell you about when I get more done. Luckily, I took pictures because today it's windy, cold and rainy!
Does anyone have any idea what this is? It's probably just a weed but I've never noticed it before and I think it's quite pretty.
The stem seems to almost be woody and I noticed that it closed at night.

A couple more primroses are blooming this week. I really like this dark blue one.

These are the only 3 hyacinths that I have. I planted them a few years ago when I got it as an Easter gift. This is the best they have looked in awhile. They usually get snowed on at a critical time and they aren't as pretty. Of course the scent is wonderful! They are a little strong for me inside but I love them outside.

Even tho my daffodils aren't as plentiful this year I still have a few different types. I have no idea what any of them are.

I have white with a bright yellow short center blooming,

white with a larger pale center,

all yellow with a even longer center of the same color,

and my favorite, pale yellow with an orange center.

The Hellebore's (Lenten rose) are doing very well. I love the color but they are hard to photograph because they have a tendency to face down. I may need to move it as I had to take out the tree they were under. They like sun in the spring and shade in the summer.
I hope you're all ready to show us what's bloomin' this spring in your garden. Just add your name and permalink to Mr Linky and put a link to this post on your blog.

Happy Gardening!