Tag: projects

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Oyster shell crafts

I love doing crafts when I have spare time. My crafts are diverse and seldom do I make the same thing twice. I come up with an idea and then I’ll make it, and after I make one, I don’t make another. I think I do this just to see if I can make my idea work and then when I do, I move onto something else.

My dear friend Rhonda sent me a box of oyster shells that are really unique. They are a whole lot different than clam shells…a much rougher texture.  Inside, they look like there is abalone in them, so some of the colors are beautiful.

Now, I have to figure out what to make with them. I keep looking at them and I have a feeling I’m going to come up with something soon. I am tossing a few ideas around in my head that might work. It would be nice to send Rhonda a gift made out of them.

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Thanksgiving Shopping and A New Pantry

I’m a firm believer in lists. While going through my pantry, and listing what I have and what items I need to buy for Thanksgiving dinner as well as to basically stock up on, I realized that the pantry that I have is not roomy enough. I need more space. Yes indeed, I feel another project coming on. I haven’t decided yet as to why it is that I always have a mega need to do home improvements at the most inconvenient times. With the holidays coming and I’ll be in the kitchen for a good ten days, my mind is on the pantry project, I would indeed call this an inconvenient time.

Shopping today (while my mind was/is still on the pantry project) did not go as well as I thought it would. Normally I use coupons, but not to the extent a lot of my friends do. Today I forgot my coupons. Fail #1. While looking for 22 to 24 pound turkey who I just know will catch my fancy to the point I want to take him home, will show himself, was shy today. Fail #2. I did however get a good deal on giblets, necks and backs. Also some pretty good prices on spices I needed.

I’ve got a couple more days to power shop if I can get the building of a new pantry off my mind until after the Holiday season, I’ll be just fine and dandy!

 

 

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To dress or not to dress

Each year by this time, I would already have my Halloween dress at least started and yet I have no creative energy hitting me. With the kids darn near all grown, except my 16 yr. old son, dressing up isn’t what it used to be.

I have made a few costumes for some kids that acquaintances commissioned me to make, and they turned out well, but to make my own, I’m just not into the spirit much.

Hopefully as the time gets closer, I’ll kick out something that is Halloween and party worthy. I’m glad I can work well under pressure, since I think it’s going to go down to the wire with this project!

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And so school starts

In a way I wish I didn’t have to send my son to school today. We have had a great time “getting to know one another” in a whole new way. He is now a junior in high school and it seems like yesterday he took his first two steps.

All summer I have been picking up school supplies when I would see sales on the items he will need this year. Also we went shopping for some school clothes, but he generally only wears band Tshirts and jeans. I got a few flannel shirts for him and will get shoes and also some hoodies for him this coming week.

I have hit a lot of sales and in my shopping I kept an eye out for items I need to start my winter projects. Not quite sure what I’m going to remodel or make some home improvements to yet, but I’m sure I’ll find something to do to make winter go by faster. There always is something to fix or improve upon in old houses!

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Wallcovering Projects

Just a few posts ago, I believe that I said I didn’t want to start another indoors project, but I am very inconsistent when it comes to me sticking to home improvement. What I say and think I will carry thought with doesn’t apply in this case since checking out a site with Wall Covering Projects and loving the ideas! Now my mind is ticking again and the wheels are turning. I’m looking around my office and am thinking it needs something to really spruce the place up and show “me” in the room. I’d like to have a classy comfortable Tuscany feeling to it.

While looking through the Product Installation Gallery, I was rather in awe of the rooms set up and decorated with the accessories and furniture that can come along with the wall-covering. Very elegant but not overwhelming. For me however, I’d like to go with a wall covering that will catch my fancy, and then go shopping for the exact items I want to have furnishing the room. This gallery showed the possibilities of the room after the wall covering had been installed. There were some beautiful ideas also!

Now that I know there is another project that will be spinning in my head, I’ll just start browsing more and have a paper and pen handy for my lists. Yes, lists…more than one. Way more!

 

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More changes and improvement

Being somewhat satisfied that the inside improvements are coming along on the house until fall, I’ve moved onto my projects for the outside. I have lots of ideas, but don’t want something that can’t be finished in a short amount of time. I’ve considered a walk way in the back yard to the pool instead of walking through the yard. It’s a pain in the you know when the grass has just been cut and even though it’s raked we still get bits of grass in the pool. Yes, despite of a foot bath bucket to dip feet in before going into the pool. (This still isn’t the best way to go).

I saw a really awesome walkway while browsing the inter net yesterday.  It was on a timeline, and I thought it was really beautiful. A lot of planning and work, but still unique and a work of art in it’s self. I also collect rocks and stones. I have even when I was young. This project I would have had to start as soon as it got warm enough outside though. And since I just found this photo, I may have to wait for this one. But I do want a walk way so perhaps after we get a plain one down, I’ll at least have a base of sorts.

 

 

 

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Flip flops and T-shirts to heavy duty winter coats

One extreme than another. Yesterday while I was wandering garden sections in stores, wearing flip flops and a french cut shirt with jeans, made me feel like I NEEDED to plant something, do a spring project. I felt literally released from the winter blues. Then… Whamo! The temps dropped, it rained and froze and then out came the long johns and Carhearts again.”We will survive…” and all that.

With little “bugs” that make one miserable hanging on and on, this needs some watching and attention. I have been hit twice, so please have those so called colds checked out.  I just got a taste of spring though, so now Ladies and Gents, it’s time to start making plans for your yard, home and garden! I’m so exited for spring to begin, but in the mean time, I’m glad for my long johns and big time heavy duty coats!

I don’t know what I would do without the snow gear type coats and leggings, also full suits. I hate the cold and snow. At least I’m somewhat warm enough for me to venture out, so it says it all. Ya’ll keep warm and safe.

 

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Laminate counters from Kitchen Magic

Since I am in the process of starting some home improvement projects for the winter months, I took a good hard look at my kitchen counters and then started looking on the internet where I found Kitchen Magic. I am quite impressed with what this company has to offer. I love the durability of laminate counters and it seems while everyone else is choosing wood, or stone at exorbitant prices, I wanted to go for not only beauty, but something that would handle the wear and tear of a regular household and be affordable.

With laminate counters, there is no dangerous fumes that a sealant could be released, nor is there any worry about radon that can also be released into the air. I don’t think people think of these things while buying counter tops. To me this would be very much of a concern, since food is of course prepared on counter tops and one can never be too cautious about these things.

With Kitchen Magic counter tops, I found that I could get counters that look like real stone or wood, without any worry about ruining the surface if they were accidentally cut or something hot was put on them. I’m leaning to getting these counter tops for my kitchen and I really can’t wait to get started on my next projects!

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Fall projects

Now that fall is nearly up on us, it’s time for me to start making my list on what I’m going to do not only has home improvement, but also a project for me around the house. Paint, new carpet and new furniture.

A lot of people don’t paint in the winter because of ventilation, but I do and I want to paint my office/den, even though I’m not really quite sure what color I want yet. I have been actually leaning toward paneling, but I’m just not sure if I want to go through that hassle.

Looking at the carpet in this room, makes me want new carpet also. I figure if I’m going to change this room’s appearance, I may as well go all the way with it and the project will keep me busy until I go on to another room!

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Bamboo fencing and outdoor fountians theme

While looking for various theme ideas for the section of my back yard that I would like to make in to my own personal outdoor space, I came across bamboo fencing. I had never even thought to look at that type of fencing before, and I really like how it looks. I’ve always wanted a sort of tropical look in my gardens, and when I decided to make my own sitting area to meditate, read and just be alone, I wanted to fence it in, but none of the fencing I looked at was what I wanted.

Once I fence in my area, I’ll start putting in plants that look tropical, but can be grown in our area. I also have always wanted a couple of outdoor fountains, because the sound of the water makes for a really relaxing setting. I’d love to have moss as my ground cover also, but that is a project I have to work on and see if I can grow it. I’ve been looking at various fountains and I’d love to have matching ones, that have a flat back so I can put one on two sides of my fenced in area.

I’m really looking forward to this project, now that I’ve found the perfect fencing for it to come together. I know it’s going to take time, and will no doubt cost quite a few dollars to get perfect, but for serenity and relaxation, it will be well worth it.