Mom's Harley

My mom is getting up there in years. She'll be 79 in October.

Often times after she has made a trip to the local grocery, she'll comment about all the "old people" milling about. I remind her, she is one of those old people.

Over the years she has had her share of back pain (sciatic nerve issue), sore knees and just worn out wobbly stepping. She'll use an old cane she inherited from her dad when she goes out and about to run errands and when I take her to the doctor.

Walker taped up - wheels removed

A few years ago, when I was at a thrift store, I came across a collection of healthcare items. There must have been six or seven aluminum walkers - each with a person's name either written on the frame or a tag taped on. It's been nearly four years ago, so I'm not quite sure what I paid, but it wasn't over ten dollars. What a bargain!

I selected one of the walkers that looked nearly new and brought it home to begin a project for mom's 75th birthday.

Mom's sense of humor has resulted in her sketching herself and her now deceased cat, Bubba, riding off on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Even the cat has a helmet on his head. I can't locate her drawing, otherwise, I would post it here.

Harley walker

So, my project resulted from this vision in my mind of a black frame with Harley decals applied to it. Mom would get to have a Harley in a more subdued manner.

I began my online search to see about ordering HD decals and, of course, as I suspected, to purchase anything Harley-Davidson is expensive. I decided to just print out various Harley-Davidson logos instead.

Finsihed product - Mom's Harley 

It took a little over three weeks to get this project completed. I wanted to make sure it was well covered in black satin spray paint and had plenty of time to cure. I wanted it all covered, except the foam handle grips and the wheels, so I taped off the grips and removed the wheels before spraying. I wanted it well coated too; I used two cans of spray paint.

I cut out all my Harley-Davidson logos, held them up to see where they would fit best along the frame of the walker. I used Mod-Podge to apply the decals. Once I had all the decals applied, it didn't give me the look I was wanting. The decal colors were too bright against the black, so I dabbed on some antiquing glaze to dull the brightness. Afterall, it's an "old Harley" for an "old lady" - it needs to look ridden hard.

Gabby checking out Mom's Harley

I was pleased with the final outcome and couldn't wait to give it to mom. It would be difficult to wrap, even folded up. I had a huge flat cardboard box that I received something in at the office, so I used that, along with some duct tape to secure the cardboard folded around the walker. She wasn't quite sure what was in store inside this big clunky looking gift. I just sat it down in front her and stood back to watch her reaction when she finally got it opened.

She got a good laugh and actually loved it! She uses it often - at home. She hasn't ventured out with it yet, still using just her cane for easier mobilization in and out of her vehicle. But, the day is coming when she will likely need it when she stops driving and I'm taking her places. She'll have to leave her new cat, Gabby, at home though.

Curtain Charm

Entry to the dining area from the kitchen.

Curtains are secured and stay in place.

I recently replaced my faux suede drapes with some light-weight curtains I found in the discount bin at Big Lots. I was looking to add some excitement to the dining area window and decided these would probably do the trick - keeping with my color scheme.

They're light weight and thin, but still have a slight room darkening affect when closed and you can't see through them at night either.

Grandma's vintage brooch.

With the recent warmer weather, I've been able to enjoy opening the sliding window where these curtains hang. The problem is, they are so light weight that the slightest breeze whips these around like a sail on a sailboat.


I was going to add a safety pin to the back where the curtains join in the middle of the rod, but came up with this idea to use a large vintage brooch I had come across recently in my Grandmother's old jewelry box. It complements the design in the curtains and it secures the curtains in place. They haven't budged! ...even with the wind whipping the curtain like a billowing sail. I did have to use a rubber band to secure the curtain on the curtain hook.  

It's hard to detect if you aren't really looking. I know it's there, though and I think about my Grandma every time I look at it. 

Alice was her name.








































Joining the following Link Parties:

A Bowl Full of Lemons


Carrie This Home Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop


The Dedicated House


Elizabeth & Co.


Ivy & Elephants


Wake Up Wednesday Linky Party


The Weekday Mixer Social Media Link-up 

Greeting Cards - The Personal Kind

I've made a few cards over recent months for family, friends and coworkers.

Luckily, I've been able to generate a few unique creations with the cogs turning in my mind. I like it when I have plenty of time to create cards when I can layer things in 3-D effect. Unfortunately, time is a rare thing and making cards is even more limited. These are all computer made with faux layering looks in some instances.

Coworker birthday card - seek and find

The one I had the most fun making was the coworker's birthday card (above). It's a seek 'n find that I made with photos from a recent trip to England. She and her husband have been to England in the past, so she is familiar with most all the hidden pictures.

The castle ruins are from my family heritage. I had a lot of fun with this one.

Dear friend's birthday card - 91 years old

This card was for a February birthday of a dear friend who loves the cards I make for her. I'm always transposing her smiling face onto various celebrities. She gets such a kick out of them and she shows them off to everyone!

Mom's birthday card - a Duck Dynasty fan

This card I made for mom in October was obviously in keeping with the Duck Dynasty theme. It was a quick toss together. She enjoyed it - obviously she can be goofy herself as she is seen in this photo with the clown nose from an event years ago. She loves to have fun at 75.

Coworker farewell card

 A coworker in a neighboring office got a job in the Baltimore-Washington D.C. area. After chatting briefly with her about her praying about the direction to take, I had this idea. She thanked me for using her favorite piece of art.

Coworker farewell card

Another coworker in that same office left a month or so prior. It was a difficult departure since her position was being eliminated and it wasn't by choice. I added a Bible scripture on a separate piece of paper on the inside front cover.


Well, those are my most recent creations.

I have some upcoming birthdays that I've already been working on. They involve more detail and will be more elaborate in putting together. When I got the idea for these works in progress, I made sure I started early to allow for do-overs and tweaking. I'll post those when they are completed.

Enjoy this day!


Linky parties I've joined:

http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2014/03/anything-blue-friday-week-52.html

http://www.mamasblogcentral.com/t-g-i-f-linky-party/

http://www.waittilyourfathergetshome.com/

http://www.myturnforus.com/2014/03/freedom-fridays-with-all-my-bloggy_27.html

http://www.trulylovelyblog.com/

http://livelaughrowe.com/breakfast-is-served/

http://www.jannolson.blogspot.com/

http://www.artsyfartsymama.com/2014/03/artsy-corner-link-party-4.html#more

http://igottacreate.blogspot.com/2014/03/wildly-original-link-party-97.html#more

http://ahandfulofeverything.blogspot.com/

I'm not Irish, but . . .

I didn't wear green on St. Patrick's Day!

Roasted cabbage

I'm not Irish, but I do regard their heritage as being worthy of using the correct slang of ST. PADDY'S DAY and NOT St. Patty's Day. 

I saw a few commercials on TV referencing Patty and it made me cringe. I was embarrassed for them. I vowed I wouldn't shop at a store that couldn't get the terminology right. Of course, I'm not in the market for furniture anyway, so that was an easy boycott. 

I have friends who use the wrong reference too. I've tried to light-heartedly correct them and provided a link to information about the proper use. Most ignore it. 

Earlier this week I came across a recipe for roasted cabbage - well, not so much a recipe as a "how to." I tend to roast most vegetables these days, because they have a deeper, richer, and sometimes sweeter flavor.  

My husband didn't care too much for radishes. Not even the thinly sliced ones I added to our salads. Then one day I roasted some with a mixture of parsnips, turnips, carrots - and he was shocked! Radishes take on a whole different flavor when roasted - sweet bits of earthy flavor burst onto your tastebuds.

Corned beef and creamy mashed potatoes with roasted cabbage

The "how to" on most roasted veg is simple - cut root vegetables of your choosing into same size pieces - spritz with olive oil (toss in a bowl or brush on - your choice) - spread evenly on a baking tray - bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes (give or take an extra 5 minutes or so). You don't want them shriveled up and dried out, so keep an eye on them toward the end of the time. Oven temps vary it seems.

The veg comes out tender and moist. If you find it looks a bit dry - just spritz it with some olive oil. A little salt and pepper and you're good to go.

I decided to try the cabbage this week, because I purchased a package of corned beef last weekend. All the talk of St. Paddy's Day got me in the mood for corned beef and cabbage. I typically would have sautéed the cabbage in a skillet, but roasting is definitely the way to go for me.

As it roasted in the oven, the aroma of cabbage was filling the house - corned beef was already done in the crockpot. Even though we have cut way back on carbohydrate consumption, I decided some creamy mashed potatoes would be just the thing to add to this meal.

Oh! How good it is!

Fidgety Fingers

In the evenings, after a long day at work and chores around the house, on weekends, I find sitting to watch TV without occupying my hands with SOMETHING to do is . . . a bit unnatural.

Seems I need to be fidgeting with something, turning pages of a magazine, cutting intricate graphics for some project, clipping coupons, knitting or crocheting . . . obviously, my favorite is crocheting.

And

frankly, sometimes string just doesn't want be string!

… individuality ...

Different, yet similar ...

Some grew bigger than others ...

Some wanted to be taller than others ...

Frolicking among the crocheted flowers ...

Some orderly positioning ...

Playing with the natural light ...

details ...

variety ...

Up close, and personal ...

Stacked and toppled ...

I may be linking with the following linky parties - click on these links and share the love!


Cupcakes and Crinoline

More the Merrier Monday at DIY Home Sweet Home

Creating my way to Success: A Round Tuit

pinkapotamus

All Things Fee

An Original Belle

The Dedicated House

Home Coming

Ladybug Blessings

Sugar Bee Crafts

One Project At a Time with A Bowl Full of Lemons

a to Zebra Celebrations

Ivy and Elephants

Sweet Haute

The Brambleberry Cottage

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson: Share Your Cup Thursday

Stone Gable

Freedom Fridays with My Turn for Us

Bookmark Boo!

Halloween is really not an event I get too excited about.  I certainly don't decorate for it and can't recall the last time I bought a pumpkin for carving. No trick-or-treaters venture out to my neighborhood on a busy road front.


Years ago I lived in an area better suited to trick-or-treaters and it was always fun to see the little ones dressed in their costumes  -  more so the original costumes that parents help devise.


Even further back in the day when I helped create a costume for a trick-or-treater - about 30 minutes before the start of it - I came up with a mummy costume.  It started with white sweatpants and sweatshirt  - on top of that I loosely wrapped rolled gauze - several rolls - tearing some bits to hang in shreds . . . added some red and black makeup on a gauze wrapped face and head and there you had it.


These days, I'm content to just be inspired to create a few bookmarks I give to my friends, family - just as a fun token of being in the spooky-fun spirit.


I created these layered-graphic bookmarks with all the Halloween offerings from - The Graphics Fairy - one of my favorite places for graphics.

I'll add a black ribbon on some and leave some without - the backs of the bookmarks have a wood-look  where I can write - Happy Halloween! - or other messages specific to the recipient.





I may be participating in the following link parties:

The Graphics Fairy

Cherished Handmade Treasures

All Things Fee

Skip to my Lou

Not JUST a Housewife

My Turn For Us: Freedom Fridays #75

Goodwill Black to Tiffany Blue

Backstory: I was trying to find a small bottle of pillow spritzer a few weeks ago. After several weeks of restless sleep where the slightest thing became a huge factor in why I couldn’t fall back to sleep, I thought perhaps having my pillow scented with lavender would help.

I could not find the bottle of spritzer.

 

My poor attempt at organizing my dresser top

My dresser top is a mess. I thought having these canvass bins would help me keep things less cluttered on my dresser. Problem is – I can’t see what’s in them unless I’m digging through them. I drug out the two most used items – my deodorant and a bottle of perfume – and set them on the dresser for quick access. Other things just get shoved in the bins and mostly forgotten.

Recent: I have been thinking about having a nicer looking display – perhaps a mirrored tray with my glass bottles of perfume lined up. I gave some thought to what I might have around the house to repurpose. Nothing came to mind that was practical.

So, I gave myself a reason to head to our local Goodwill on a recent Saturday morning. Our local Goodwill is not a great treasure trove. I’ve purchased the occasional useful item there, but for the most part not much luck on great finds overall.

This day, though, I thought it would be okay to settle for a nice rectangular glass relish tray or a small mirrored "something."  I found two square relish trays and was willing to settle for those. They were in my shopping cart as I continued on looking at the opposite shelf.  

Surprise!

 

After a couple coats of spray paint

I found a long (16”) rectangular metal tray with a removable tempered glass insert.  It was black and boring.  I knew I could spruce it up with something from my growing collection of spray paint.

I kept looking through the clutter of items on the Goodwill shelf and found another treasure that would work for my plan to organize my dresser top.  This find was a small wire basket with a removable glass insert – again it was black and boring. However the glass insert was decorative with a design.

Tiffany blue tray

Once home, I cleaned both pieces – prepped my outdoor workspace on the deck and chose my color – Rust-oleum’s American Accent in Aqua. I chose this color because it reminds me of the blue Tiffany & Co. box – not that I have ever had one. This fresh blue color just seems appropriate for a staging area for bottles of perfume.

Tiffany blue tray and basket for the dresser

I was overly anxious to get started painting, so no before pictures – I often read that on blogs and now I understand how it is so easy to skip that step.

It took three light coats to get the coverage I wanted. I am well pleased with the results.

Now, I’ve started conjuring up other paint projects to use this color on – a few metal tins, a heavy cardboard box and glass bottles.

Even the Mister thinks my dresser top looks much better.

 

No more canvass bins

The blue and white runner is one woven years ago by my late grandmother, Ollie Frances. She died at the age of 45, before I was born, so I never knew her. My grandfather, J.C. died in December 2011, at the age of 103. 

He had this runner on a desk in his house. It’s one of the mementos I was given after the house was cleared out. The runner is quite faded from years of being on the desk in front of a window where the sun shone in, but the reverse – which is how I have it displayed on my dresser – is still rich in color and sentiment.



I may be linking here:

A Stroll Thru Life

Jennifer Rizzo

My Romantic Home

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

My Turn For Us: Freedom Fridays

Bearcat Bound

The grandson of one of my girlfriends is graduating high school next weekend. There is a graduation party to celebrate his accomplishments - of which he has many. 

Kaleb's high school activities have been shared by his grandmother over the years and she is very proud of him, rightfully so. As a senior, he attained high ranking on his bowling team - frightfully skilled in his sport. It wouldn't surprise me to hear of him competing in pro-bowling leagues in the future - in between his medical work of course. 

I believe this strapping young man is aiming for a degree as a medical technician. He will be attending the University of Cincinnati this fall.

My husband and I will not be able to attend the graduation party. So, I've made my gift - hurriedly, I might add - to give to her ahead of time so it can be added to the gift table.

Kaleb's Graduation Gift

I mentioned hurriedly because I only came across this idea on Pinterest late Friday. This meant I needed to make a trip to the Goodwill on Saturday to find a suitable picture frame and of course there's never a guarantee you'll find exactly what you need. Luckily, I did.

This little craft project had to be worked in with yard mowing, laundry, cleaning, running yet another errand. It's certainly not one of my best projects, but the concept carried out pretty well.

The frame is black metal - perfect, because I planned to add some cutouts of the UC Bearcat. 

I printed out the text "IN CASE OF EMERGENCY BREAK GLASS" - in Stencil Font; situated that in the top frame, then printed out a UC collage of logos as a background for the bottom frame and folded up the paper money to fit visibly. That all worked out well.

Then time started getting on. I had cut out the UC pennants and the Bearcat mascot pics and applied them to the frame with Mod Podge. It was going to take several coats to even out the ridges left behind by my strokes with my sponge brush. Back and forth I went - when I remembered - to apply another coating of Mod Podge. At one point my sponge brush with the Mod Podge was getting tack and pull off what was already a bit tacky on the frame.

I was just in too big of a hurry. I managed to fix the flaw - with the help of a black marker. 

It didn't really turn out perfectly smooth - but I figured in the end he was really only going to be excited about the money. If by chance he decides to reuse the frame to hold pictures of his girlfriend, friends or family it will suffice. After four years, it will surely have served its purpose.

Best wishes, Kaleb! Great things lie ahead for you.

Larder Renovation

Okay, I call it a pantry - Mr. Brit calls it a larder. In either terminology it's an ill-designed storage facility and it's been that way since we moved in four years ago.  When I first started stocking it, I thought I could put up with it until we had the time to renovate it properly with full-length shelves and proper lighting.

Fast-forward four years - and those years have gone fast - I'm still storing tins here and there in no orderly manner on these shelves that are just can-width around the perimeter of this "closet." I added a clear-pocket shoe organizer on the inside of the door for soft packages, like rice, beans, nuts and dried-fruits. But as far as the dead space in the center - I tried various, shelf, cart and bin options in here and nothing has worked too well. Plain and simple, it always ends up a mess.

I have seen dreamy pantry renovations on Pinterest - dreams, just dreams. 

Each time I open my pantry to retrieve a tin of something - I just growl - sometimes aloud.

Overtime I have added two larger metal wire shelving units in the kitchen for storage of various things - large bowls to hold my potatoes and onions, cookbooks, baskets of fruit, a basket for napkins, etc. So, I started giving thought to buying one to fit inside the pantry. If I bought one the right size to fit inside the pantry that should take care of any actual construction. Mr. Brit isn't exactly into constructing - he's more into deconstructing.


One of the other issues with this ill-designed pantry - the lighting. There is a small table lamp, hung upside down on the ceiling with the electric cord hanging down - a couple of staples to hold the cord against the back wall.  A few occasions Mr. Brit has been searching for something inside the larder and forgotten to turn off the lamp.

As Mr. Brit began sizing up the deconstruction, he discovered that every bit of the shelving was constructed with nails - small thin silver nails, small finishing nails - larger finishing nails - a bazillion nails! Not a single wood screw was used in the construction of the mismatched wood shelving.

WHO designed this pantry?

I finally had enough with this pantry - it was becoming more and more useless.

I ordered a 24"x24" chrome wire shelving unit with 5 shelves from The Shelving Store. Mr. Brit and I assembled it and added some unused casters from a previous shelving unit. This would be beneficial for rolling the shelves in and out of the pantry for the occasional floor cleaning, etc.


My angst came with the placement of the first shelf - the bottom one - when Mr. Brit wanted to know how low I wanted it. I didn't want it close to the floor. I wanted a bit of space to allow storage of a box of ... something, a jug of ...something, a bin of  ...something. 

Once fully assembled, I thought to myself - hmmm - is this right? But, I didn't say a word. I figured I would make this work. Anything had to be better than before.

Next step, transfer all the canned goods from the pantry onto the shelf unit. hammered, sledged and pried those boards until they slowing started coming apart. Some of the boards looked like porcupines as he took them out one-by-one.

Mr. Brit thought perhaps, just perhaps, one section of the wooden shelving could remain - just for some additional storage along the wall. He attempted to roll the chrome wire shelving unit into the larder - but realized it wasn't going to work. 

That last remaining shelf unit would have to come out. And so it did.

In went the stocked chrome wire shelving unit with space to spare.

It's taking some adjustment - locating items in the newly organized areas, but it certainly is much tidier and looks so much better.

I may add some fold up shelves on the left to store a few things like my Dyson hand-held vac - the electrical outlet on the back wall is nice to keep it charged.

I'll have to figure out some lighting source - be it a new, more practical ceiling light, one with a clamp that clips onto the shelf or just those push-on LED lights.

Now onto the rest of the mess that seems to keep visiting my kitchen - even though I have made it clear it's not welcome.

Remember! Sunday's coming!