Funnel Light Makeover & Some More Junk

At the beginning of September we loaded the family (plus one extra) in the van and headed back to California to attend my youngest sister’s wedding. I squeezed in some junkin’ and shopping time in between traveling and visiting.

My first find was this wonderfully crusty oil funnel.

All it needed was a good wipe down and a hanging light cord…..

and voila….

It now hangs as a cool industrial light fixture over my desk!

For now. It will probably end up in  my room at Smitten. Eventually.

But it is so cute and so my style. I’m going to enjoy it for now.

Here’s a peek at some pickin’ my husband and I did the other evening. In the rain, no less.

All of these will end up in the shop. Some transformed. Some not.

Except the kiddo in the backseat. I’ll keep him.

Thanks for stopping by!

Partying here this week:

Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday

KISS Linky Party #3: The Hunger Games

Welcome to the third Keep It Simple Saturday linky party! I had a post all planned out to share with you all, but after I saw what my daughter had been working on, I just had to brag on her!

She and I are going to the movies tonight to see The Hunger Games. We usually only go watch a movie when it comes out in the theater if it’s one we really, really want to see. I’m just going to say, “If you haven’t read the books, you need to. Now.” I was hesitant at first and only started reading the first one because Laina asked me to, but then I was hooked! Anyways, onto the KISS project.

Laina created a very simple Hunger Games themed t-shirt, using a black t-shirt from Wal-Mart, some fabric paints from the thrift store, and a stencil she created. She printed out the Mockingjay symbol from the internet, cut it out, glued it to a  piece of cardboard and taped it to the shirt.

Sorry, I took the pictures after she had finished, so I had to recreate it.

Then she just painted around it.  She used the bright colors to represent Katniss, “the girl on fire.”

Doesn’t it look like she created an explosion in the background?

I think she did a great job!

On to the highlights from last week! If I featured you this week or last, please grab the KISS featured button from my sidebar.

Dolly from Hibiscus House shared her memories of her Grandpa and simple life in the country.

Joann from Life at 2810 shared a project that incorporated only found items and stuff she had on hand. Can’t get much simpler than that!

And finally, Bliss from Bliss Ranch shared how a simple flower keeps memories of her mom alive.

**3/24 8:11pm~party is up and going! Since there was a problem with Linky tools server, this week’s party will go on until midnight on Tuesday!**

Now it’s your turn!

If you choose to use my button in your post as the link back, please make sure you copy the button code and not just the picture.

Here’s the KISS party rules:

• Share your simple craft ideas, recipes, home decorating tips, organizing solutions, thrifty finds, finance tips, or any changes you’ve decided to make that will simplify your life. If it will simplify something…share it!
• Please follow my blog, either via Google Friends or Linky Followers before linking up. Also, feel free to like my Facebook page.
• Be sure to link back to your original post and not just your url (main blog address).
• Please grab the KISS button from my sidebar and post it somewhere on your blog.
• Include a visible link to the KISS party or my main blog address in or at the bottom of the post you’re linking up so others can find the party, too! Any post not linked back will be deleted.
• Visit another guest. Scroll through the other links and find a couple that interest you. Visit them and leave a comment letting them know how you found them. We all like comments!
• Please, please, please turn off word verification on comments!
• I will visit each link and highlight a few at the following week’s party.
• The party will run from sometime on Fridays until midnight on Monday nights.

By linking up to this party, you understand and agree that I may use your images on my blog, Facebook page or Pinterest board.

Final Bazaar Project

I’m pretty sure this will be my last post on the fundraiser bazaar projects! I don’t think I’ve shown you this one yet, and if I have, I apologize. It’s been hard to keep track of what I’ve shared already!

This little crate started life as one of those wooden cd holders.

I gave it a coat of white paint, then went over that with an antiquing medium.

Then I printed off the French advertising graphic from The Graphics Fairy, antiqued it and sanded it so it looked like it was peeling.

Then I adhered it to the crate with Mod Podge and sanded the entire thing to distress it.

Pretty cute.

This might be the last bazaar project I share, but it definitely won’t be the last project I’m working on! I’m starting now to focus on items for my Spring In-Home Sale, so I’ll be showing off some of those soon!

Happy Spring!

Linking to:

Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday Vintage Style Party

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Tuesday’s Treasures

Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesdays

Faded Charm White Wednesday

From My Front Porch to Yours

No Minimalist Here Open House Party

The Vintage Farmhouse Creative Things Thursday

At the Picket Fence Inspiration Friday

Redoux What Have You Redone Friday

2805 Potpourri Friday

Too Much Time on My Hands Get Schooled Saturday

It Overflowing Overflowing With Creativity

My Bazaar Life

That’s what life feels like right now. A little bizarre~or shall I say bazaar~as I’m trying to get projects completed with just a little over two weeks to go until the fundraiser.

I thought I’d get y’all up to date on what I’ve gotten done.

A little cardboard tray that I covered with old dictionary pages. Believe me, it was not pretty before. I think it turned out pretty cute after.

An old wooden calendar base turned into a chalkboard menu.

Chipboard letters and rub ons.

This iron shelf was spray painted and the wood insert decoupaged with old hymn music sheets.

And finally, this planter started out hot pink and gold. Ugh. A coat of silver spray paint and a little chandelier stencil makes it totally new.

Now I’m off to see what else is hiding in the pile for me to redo!

Linking to:

Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday Vintage Style Link Party

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Tuesdays Treasures

Cedar Hill Ranch Cowgirl Up Party

Faded Charm White Wednesdays

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesdays

No Minimalist Here Open House Party

The Vintage Farmhouse Creative Things Thursday

That’s the Ticket Blog Hop Party

At the Picket Fence Inspiration Friday

Stuff and Nonsense Fridays Unfolded

Common Ground Vintage Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

Redoux What Have You Redone Friday

2805 Potpourri Friday

Rooted in Thyme Sweet & Simple Fridays

Too Much Time on My Hands Get Schooled Saturday

Keep It Simple Saturdays #1, a Tip and a Giveaway!

Welcome to my first ever linky party!

Keep It Simple Saturdays, KISS for short, came to fruition after I chose simplify for my word of the year. Since I had declared to blog land that I was going to simplify, I wanted to have a weekly spot where I could share how I’m implementing that in my life, and allow others a platform to showcase any tips, tricks or ideas they have for simplifying.

This week I wanted to share an easy peasy way to clean drains. Maybe you know this, maybe you don’t. But if you don’t, prepare to be amazed….

Yep, baking soda and vinegar. The same stuff I had my boys use to erupt their volcano. It doesn’t matter what brand you choose. Since I’m cheap, I just buy the off-brand.

First, remove the stopper from the drain and clean out any hair, grime, buildup and yuk from it. Then pour baking soda down it, followed by the vinegar. It will “erupt”, breaking up the gunk. Run hot water down the drain, and repeat the process until there’s no more crud backing up and water runs down the drain easily.

I unstopped my guest bathroom sink and my bathtub last week by doing this. I was going to post pictures, but I didn’t want to gross anyone out!

How does this simplify my life? I didn’t have to run to the store and purchase an expensive, chemical laden, caustic drain cleaner. I saved gas, money and time by using something I had on hand. Plus, it’s a safer and more natural alternative to use. And I could unclog the drain myself, instead of being frustrated with the backups because I needed to wait to have my husband take care of it. It simplified his life because he’s a busy guy and I hate to add small stuff to his list if I can solve it. There you have it.

And now it’s your turn!

Here’s the KISS party rules:

• Share your simple craft ideas, recipes, home decorating tips, organizing solutions, thrifty finds, finance tips, or any changes you’ve decided to make that will simplify your life. If it will simplify something…share it!
• Please follow my blog, either via Google Friends or Linky Followers before linking up. Also, feel free to like my Facebook page.
• Be sure to link back to your original post and not just your url (main blog address).
• Please grab the KISS button from my sidebar and post it somewhere on your blog.
• Include a visible link to the KISS party or my main blog address in or at the bottom of the post you’re linking up so others can find the party, too! Any post not linked back will be deleted.
• Visit another guest. Scroll through the other links and find a couple that interest you. Visit them and leave a comment letting them know how you found them. We all like comments!
• Please, please, please turn off word verification on comments!
• I will visit each link and highlight a few at the following week’s party.
• The party will run from sometime on Fridays until midnight on Sunday nights.

By linking up to this party, you understand and agree that I may use your images on my blog, Facebook page or Pinterest board.

But wait, before you link up, there’s also a giveaway! What am I giving away??? This barbed wire wreath, which is both rusty and redone.

The rules for the giveaway are simple.

1. Become a follower of my blog, either through Google Friends or Linky Followers and leave me a comment that you did so. Be sure to leave an email address where I can contact you. That’s it!

If you want to enter more than once, here are optional ways to earn three more entries:

1. Like my Facebook page and comment that you did.
2. Blog about the giveaway or share on Facebook and comment that you did.
3. Grab the giveaway button and link back to the giveaway page and comment that you did.

I will pick a winner randomly sometime on Monday, March 12 and email that person.

And don’t forget~next Friday, the 16th, there will be two, count ‘em, two parties to join up with!

She’s Gonna Blow!

Connor received a volcano kit last November for his birthday and I’ve been terrible about getting it out for him to experiment with. We had a couple of beautiful days here, so his big brother Blake, having experience with the volcano thing, volunteered to help him set it up and erupt it.

First, they had to mix up Plaster of Paris and pour it into the volcano mold. Without properly thinking, I gave them permission to use a mixing bowl. They chose my pancake bowl!

Not to fear, we got it clean.

They only managed to plaster some of the gravel.

After the mold was dry, they mixed up the lava.

Only it kind of fizzled out.

So, I did what any good homeschooling mama would do. I said, “I have something better!”

Baking soda and vinegar. We all know what those two do when they get together!

The boys added red food coloring to make it more “authentic” looking. I think it looks like it’s foaming blood; but whatever makes them happy.

And thar’ she blows.

They repeated it until they ran out of baking soda in the box I gave them.

This definitely made for two good afternoons of fun!

Thanks, Grandma!

Also, please check out this fun slideshow put together by Karen from A Collective Journal featuring Industrial Vintage Etsy items. My little rusty pair of wheels are included in it! How cool is that?

Customize an ecard

Queen of the Nest

Here is another project I’ve completed for the Spring Fling Fundraiser Bazaar that will be held on March 31, here in Fredericksburg. I still have a pile of stuff to work on, but am so excited when I get a project completed!

I have a really bad habit of forgetting to take “before” pictures. The “nest” for this little birdie was a neon lime green candle holder. Now, Ms. Birdie presides ever so elegantly over her white embellished nest.

It’s a little difficult to see, but she is ready for tea, with her cup full of pearls.

Ha, that rhymes!

I simply painted the candle holder with white acrylic paint and added some crystal looking beads, vintage lace, trim, sequins and some pieces of jewelry. She is sitting on top of a cushion made from stuffed burlap. Her “crown” is a little heart charm.

Looks like this gal’s got fancy taste when feathering her nest.

Don’t forget to grab the Linky party buttons for the That’s the Ticket blog hop and for my KISS Linky party. And be ready to join in the fun!

Linking to:

Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Tuesday’s Treasures

Cedar Hill Ranch Cowgirl Up

Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Faded Charm White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesdays

From My Front Porch to Yours Treasure Hunt Thursday

No Minimalist Here Open House Thursday

The Vintage Farmhouse Creative Things Thursday

At the Picket Fence Inspiration Friday

Common Ground Vintage Inspiration Friday

Rooted in Thyme Sweet & Simple Fridays

French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

Redoux What Have You Redone Friday

2805 Potpourri Friday

Too Much Time on My Hands Get Schooled Saturday

Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Night Special

It’s Overflowing-Overflowing With Creativity