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Showing posts from February, 2014

Wrapping it Up

How long does it take to wrap a gift for a baby shower?  I guess if you only have 15 minutes to get it done on time, anyone could do it.     It might even go more quickly if it is a small book and a box of blocks. I thought I might like some letters on the outside of the package. I had these stamps that I bought on clearance and have never used and it seemed like the right opportunity to break them open. I decided to stamp them onto pages of a book.  I don't do much with stamps so my ink pads are a little dry.  I really wanted the ink around just the edges of the letters. But given the ink pads I was using, I had to be satisfied with what I got. I mounted the book page paper onto a sheet of black paper for firmness and to keep the glue from wrinkling the paper. After I cut them out, I had to figure out how to use them.  Originally I was going to punch a hole in each and dangle them from a small ribbon but that plan changed as things progr

From Clock Cabinet to Grotto

   When I bought something similar, I just thought it was a niche. I liked it so I bought it. Someone noticed it in my studio and asked if it was an old clock cabinet?  I knew it probably was not going to be what ever it used to be, but at least now I had a clue as to what that was.   Traditionally they looked more like this. I guess mine might have had a door at one time. They came in various styles. Mine needed a little wood filler here and there. The short sides on the base had fallen off so my nephew reattached them for me. (Actually, they were fine when I bought it but it sat so long in my studio, the glue gave out.) I had an idea for this piece that involved painting it first.  I have been wanting to try the formula for making chalk paint and this seemed like the right opportunity.  I mixed 2 Tbsp. of  a free sample paint from Valspar with 1 Tbsp. of Plaster of Paris and 1 Tbsp. of hot water.  This was enough to paint the entire piece,

Food for Dreams

It is my turn to host the dream group this month and since it is still Valentine weekend, I thought a little red was in order.  I'm talking about the food and one of my favorites, cranberries! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it tastes ok. I tested it at the suggested 45 minute mark and decided it needed a little longer in the over. Just then my nephew appeared at my door and we started talking.  You know how this ends, right? It definitely baked longer than it should have before I came back to the task at hand.   Since it was made with love, they will forgive me if it's a little dry.     Unfortunately I'm on a "no sugar, no flour" program right now so I won't be the judge.   I'll just have to make it again when I can taste it.     I am sure it will all disappear before I am tempted.  If you are tempted you will find the recipe on my pinterest board under Recipes for Special Occasions. Or just click h

Mural at Cafe Mochi

I slipped away from personal projects for a few weeks and haven't posted anything for awhile.  No, I did not take flight to a southern destination.  I have been right here with the rest of you, dealing with pitifully low wind chills, and more wintery forms of precipitation than I care to discuss. But onto more pleasant topics.  A while back a friend added a room onto his existing restaurant.  And because I helped him with the original building, as well as it's expansion, he again enlisted me to deal with the cosmetics of this project. The room provides another 525 sq.feet.  The right hand side of the back wall, where there are no studs, is actually an opening to stairs leading down to the kitchen. Here you can see that wall in green that leads to the stairs and the kitchen.  The servers counter is to be installed along the above blank wall. All those patio lovers needed to have somewhere to go during this very long winter. In fact, winter came so early, the p