Desperation

 I am back out of sheer desperation! Now, don't get me wrong-I love being here with you. But, I prefer to be here when I have something I think you will really enjoy seeing or hearing about. Seems like my life has been anything but lately.

We have had the most beautiful weather of late-yes, maybe a bit too warm for this time of year for my liking but, definitely weather where I would prefer being out in the garden. But, just as I was about to cave and head out to start cutting back all of the uglies left from the frosts, I caught the most recent forecast. And yes, our temps are going down again soon. None of them are looking like they're going frost level again but, still, I don't know what is coming after that so I am struggling with myself once again to stay out of the gardens no matter how much they are calling to me.

And, the other voice in my head is saying that it is time to get rid of the RED! Those of you who are here a lot know that red is just not a favorite color of mine. I will tolerate it for Christmas, 4th of July and Valentine's Day because how else can you celebrate those days-remember, I'm also not a big fan of neutrals-although I do seem to be veering slightly more in that direction these days-what is happening? LOL

In any case, I am over the red of Valentine's Day but, me being me, I can not take it down until I have celebrated the holiday-which for this year will mean by myself because my daughter and grand daughter will be in Orlando at a lacrosse game while my son-in-law and grandson will be over near St. Augustine for their lacrosse game. And, since they're the only ones here, I will be celebrating alone but, I am just a big enough holiday fanatic that I will have no trouble doing that. Lol

And so, since I couldn't get into the gardens or start my swap out here in the house, I needed to do something yesterday. I did get to spend all of Monday with an old friend and make some of my favorite soup yesterday but then time began to drag and I looked for something to do.

I really didn't have a clue but then I caught a bit of an inspiration and this happened.

I love using my old fence slats for craft projects. Believe it or not, this is the last piece I have so time to start replacing some more of the old slats again. I love that the slat is weathered but I wanted a bit of a darker color for this project so I watered down some antique wax and gave it a once over.

Before I did that I taped some copy paper together and made a bunny pattern. I prefer doing a pattern instead of just drawing on the board because it gives me opportunities to trim down or add to as I see fit.

Once I got him where I wanted, I traced the pattern on to the board and filled it in with white Waverly chalk paint.

 

I wanted him a bit distressed so I used my sandpaper and tried to knock off some off the white paint but, honestly, the board was so soft that it was taking off the bottom stained color as well. I compromised and landed here.

Then, I grabbed some of the flowers that I had picked up at $Tree the other day. I will say, they were not up to the quality that some of their more recent faux flowers have been so I kind of used them as my base and then added other flowers from Paper Studio that I got in the scrapbooking section of HL. They're a lot more expensive but so much prettier.

Of course, as usual, since this was a "desperation" craft, I really have no idea where he will end up. I wanted to rethink the family room's "carrot" theme last year but never got to it because of the rush between St. Pat's and Easter decor so maybe this year I can address that and this guy will end up in there...we shall see.

And then, for whatever reason, I did another tweak for Valentine's. I was in my bedroom and spied this cute little marble and gold ring holder thingy that daughter #3 gave me and it hit me-gold! And so, if even just for 3 days, here is where it landed for now. After the holiday, it will be back on my dresser I'm sure.

And to keep me busy a bit longer, I'm off to do this:

I'm putting together a basket for my daughter and her family for Valentine's Day and these triple chocolate cookies just have to be in there. Tomorrow I will make the Red Hot Popcorn that is also a must and then get that and the other goodies to them before they head out of town on Friday. 

I think by the time I get those cookies baked and bagged up, the temptation to head outside will be over-for today. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Lol Stay safe and stay tuned.