Genius...or Not??

 So I am on the horns of a dilemma. Once again, plans have changed around here. Granddaughter #4-who is on her way back to UF for her second year of law school-decided that since the family had already helped her move her stuff from her old apartment to her new house (that she and some friends are renting) she really didn't need any other help this week. She knows that Gainesville will be CRAZY this weekend with all of the students returning so she decided that she and her roommates could cover this and then maybe her mom and I could go up in a few weeks to help with some "zhushing" after they see how things are functioning. And so, that means that I won't have house guests this weekend and that I could actually start my summer to autumn swap today. BUT, I was looking forward to spending a bit more time with my sunflowers and, after all, it is Fri-YAY which, for me, usually means a bit of a more laid back day.

And so, I came up with this brilliant idea...or, did I? LOL A few swaps ago I found myself taking out things a day or so before I began and having them all in a centralized spot instead of all over the house. I honestly don't remember why that happened but I do think it made the actual swap go easier. And so, when I was going through the pictures of last year's autumn and thinking about changes, I realized how far and wide my autumn decor is hidden  stored and I thought maybe I could still get in a bit of the swap today by just hitting up the rooms where some of the inside stuff is kept and digging it out today. Sometimes things are stored where I can just very easily grab them when decorating. Other times, things are stored under or behind many other things and a lot of my decorating time-not to mention energy-goes into getting them out on the day of the swap.

I discovered that the majority of that stuff is in the front bedroom-flowers in bins under the bed, dish towels, pillow covers and pot holders in one of the cabinets and the pillows and inserts themselves in the closet mixed in with the myriad other pillows housed there. There are also some things in my closet that need a step stool to reach so more time saved if I don't have to do that later. I ended up putting most of the stuff in the front bedroom so I will only have that one place to grab from-well, if you don't count the other bedrooms and the garage-but, never-the-less, I think this is going to save me a lot of time-maybe tomorrow? We shall see when I start the swap.

I also pulled the candles in the family room. That closet behind this stuff is FULL of all things candle and, even though I try to keep them separated by season/holiday, they get all mixed up over time and I do have to get down there for a bit to figure it all out. And, that bag of leaves is another fun thing to struggle with from the very back of the family room closet so I am glad it is now out and ready for me too.

 Now that that is done, I have the rest of the day ahead. I am off for some lunch and then I think I am going to see about making a sample of this pillow to show the girls when they come for our crafting weekend.

I'm thinking the drop cloth will work perfectly and then maybe paint on the stripes. I picked up some fabric the other day and I have actually done this technique before. It is called reverse applique and I remember learning it way back in 1968. It's funny that I can remember that but we were living in Gastonia, NC and our first daughter had just been born. I would feed her and put her down for her nap and then eat my lunch while watching "The Betty Feezer Show". She was a local "celebrity" and had a show that was kind of the precursor to "Martha Stewart Living". I learned so many thins from her and, if I'm not mistaken, for this lesson we made a rooster. I remember sewing many colors and then cutting back a lot of small sections. I loved it but I guess it has gone the way of so many other decor themes in this house. I don't think I could find any place for a rooster to fit in these days. Lol

This looks to be pretty basic and the girls and I could probably just wing it that day but I want to try it out to make sure I have everything we need and to figure out the steps and how long each might take so we can fit things in between other things. I also think we might want to "grungy" this guy up so I need to make sure that the drop cloth fabric will change in a coffee solution. I have discovered the hard way that not all fabrics will take to that "dye".

And then I have a boatload more veggies to get roasted so that if I do decide to start the swap tomorrow I won't have to cook for a few days. I'll let you know. Until them, stay safe and stay tuned. And, if you live anywhere near me, try to stay cool!!!

PHEW!

 It seems a bit ironic to me that I am sitting here in 105 degree feels like temperatures and making snowmen but that is where I am! I always like to get my ornament for the year done in summertime so I have more time to just enjoy the holiday as it gets here but, that being said, I am glad this one is done! Sometimes you find a craft that you just love doing and are sad when you get done...this wasn't the case this time. LOL

I knew when I started this one that there would be many steps. I only had a picture-no instructions- so maybe there was an easier way to do this than I came up with but, this was my way and I am done. I do think the original might have had the eyes and buttons attached through the back because that area looks more pulled in than mine-and, that would have made them a bit flatter which would probably have been better but I didn't want those knots showing on the backs so....

When last I posted about these cuties, I showed you all of the steps up to that point. Next I had to make some little hang tags. I think the inspiration piece may have used a larger tag because they fit on more "wordage" but I had these so I went the simple route. Luckily I have a lot of alphabet stamps left from scrapbooking days and had some small enough to get the tags made.

After I stamped them I grunged them a bit and started the assembly process! That included adding a hanger with red, white and green butcher's twine, tying on a piece of homespun for the scarf, adding the tag and then the little piece of pine bough. I know that doesn't sound difficult but it took FOREVER.

And they are done! Are they my favorite ornament so far? Definitely not but they are a bit different from any others and I think they will look cute hanging on the tree. That being said, I think I will be looking for another painted one next year. LOL

Thought I would share a sweet moment I had the other night. I had just sat down in my family room when my eyes caught a motion out on my pool deck and my attention was definitely drawn there. Much to my surprise, there were SEVEN young raccoons. When I first saw them it looked like they were drinking out of the pool near the steps but I have actually had some swimming in there so that may have been their next step. I got up and went to the door to see if I could snap a picture and they must have sensed me because before I could get a decent shot, they scampered off and over and under my fence into the neighbor's yard.

I have many acres of undeveloped land behind my house and I found a big hole under my fence at the other end of my yard so I'm guessing that is where they came from but wondering if our hot, dry weather is drawing them out. Daughter #3 encountered one crossing a downtown street the other day and daughter #2 had three in her back yard. They are so darn cute and I hope they are finding ways to make themselves comfortable in this heat-if that means swimming in my pool, I'm fine with that.

I'm still trying to figure out what is going on with my fountain so I'm on my way back out to that right now. I have discovered what it ISN'T so now I have to see if I can figure out what it IS. Lol Stay safe and stay tuned.

Eureka!!

Today was going to be a simple day-just a quick trip to the grocery store and that was it. But, as often happens around here, one thing after another popped up on my radar and, before I knew it, I was contemplating other stops.

I told you two of my granddaughters are coming for a Halloween crafting weekend so I am beginning to think about the crafts we might want to do. And, that sent me to the Hobby Lobby ad where I realized that some of the supplies that I need are on sale this week. That meant a trip in the opposite direction of where I had planned. And then, I thought about Walmart. We all know how I feel about that store and, since our kids just went back to school and the Walmart closest to my house was still loaded with school supplies, what were the chances that the one further out where I was now heading would be any different? But, the thought wouldn't leave my head and, as much as I didn't want to, I had a gut feeling...and so, off I went. I headed into that Walmart and saw most of the same stuff I saw at "my" Walmart until...I spied the beginnings of an autumn decor area and, right next to that, the much anticipated "My Texas House" Halloween arrivals. I think they had pretty much all of the newest drop and it is all wonderful and, if I didn't already have SO much Halloween decor, I probably would have gotten more but I grabbed the things I really wanted and truly couldn't believe my luck!

This stuff is much sought after and usually sells out soon after it hits the shelves. I think a lot of it is bought by people who keep it until it is sold out in the stores and online and there is still the demand and they can sell it on eBay for an inflated price.

In any case, the main thing I was wanting is the black garland. Many, many years ago I spent a fortune for one from Grandin Road. I loved it so much that I wanted another but they never had them again. It always went over the mirror in the living room like this:

Then when I added the shelf, I moved it over there but still always wished I could get another so the mirror still had one.

And, I always wanted one for the family room mantle as well instead of this:

With that in mind, here is what I came home with today from Walmart.

I bought two of the garlands but now I'm already thinking I might need two for the mantle and will still be one short. I also bought the dripping garland wreath. I have no idea where it is going to go but I think I can see it with the dummy board wreath I made nestled inside of it...maybe?

I also grabbed the gold metal spiderweb bowl in keeping with my new "gold" obsession and two of the small pumpkin cocottes which made me think of my autumn decorating. Normally that would not be until the last week of August but I will be having granddaughter #5 staying with me that week while my daughter and son-in-law head up to S.C. to do a total house install and there is no way I would inflict that total house decor swap chaos on her. And then, that weekend will be our crafting weekend so...it looks like I will be doing the swap out next week. That only leaves me a bit longer to enjoy the sunflowers but I am always ready for autumn!

I am running a bit behind this week as the tree guys ended up taking two days to get everything done, I had a hair appointment, I had a roofer come by for a bit and I'm getting ready for daughter #1 and my grand dog for the weekend. It seems like any time I have workers here, I can never accomplish anything else-especially tree guys because I am glued to the process the whole time. The last time I used a company that had that fancy new machine that did all of the work so no one had to climb up the trees. This time, my neighbor used a different company and I tagged on to that so some poor guy had to go up into those VERY TALL trees. It was too hot to sit outside and watch but I watched a lot from one of the guest room windows and when I saw this fall right here, it got my attention. This is literally just the top of one of my trees. If the whole tree ever decided to topple, it would definitely take out a good bit of that end of the house.

That's all I've got for today. I'm waiting for grandson #2 to come by with his magic impact drill to help me put some more of the fence back together. It looks like the tree guys might have hit the post between the two gates trying to get their backhoe into the back yard and have knocked a good portion of the fence off of the posts so that neither of the gates-the regular one and the one for equipment-any longer close. It's always something but I'm happy he has a few days before he heads to UF and can do this for me. Stay safe and stay tuned.

P.S. I still haven't finished the ornaments either...maybe tomorrow.

  

Summertime!

 I never fail to amaze myself at how busy I can stay even when I don't really think there is anything to do. Lol The last week has been like that. Except for granddaughter #5's birthday party on Tuesday, I really didn't have any other concrete plans but, looking back on the rest of that week, I realize that I didn't have a "lazy" minute.

Our weather is kind of back into our usual summer rain pattern of dry mornings and stormy afternoons so I made use of that by finally finishing up ALL of the things on my outside chore list in the mornings and then catching up on inside in the afternoons...and, of course, that included getting started on this year's Christmas ornament.

This is usually the time of year where I hit Pinterest to come up with this year's ornament idea...and, I thought I had done that with a manger painted on a wood round. I am not a painter by any means but I found a simple design that I knew I could replicate. But then I remembered the last two Christmases.

Both of those years I did a painted round of wood so I decided that this year I would go in another direction and I gave you a sneak peek with this.

I found a snowman who was cute and, since I had made MANY white felt mitten shapes years ago but never finished them as ornaments, I was happy to see that if I drew the pattern to the correct size, I could cut the snowmen from what I already had with no waste. I know the shapes kind of look like bowling pins but I am hoping when all is said and done, that will no longer be the case.

Usually when I am doing something that will be done in large numbers, I make a sample first but, this time that didn't happen. I did kind of try one, didn't like the way it was turning out, changed my pattern and went to town. I will say that this is not my favorite kind of craft just because I get super bored before I have them all completed but, our rainy afternoons helped a lot and I found myself setting up shop in my bedroom with all of the supplies spread out and a makeshift desk on my lap so I could craft and watch a movie or two at the same time. I simply cut the shapes, stitched on a nose, used VERY small glass beads for eyes. They were so small that I only had one needle thin enough for the bead to slide through and boy was it fun to try to thread! These were the smallest black buttons I could find. I thought about painting some smaller white buttons black but decided to forget that idea and embrace the larger size.

Once the hand sewing was done, I stitched them up , stuffed them and sewed them together.

Once they were all stitched up, I used a mixture of Elmer's glue and water to paint on the bodies and glitter up with clear sparkle. I did both sides.

And while they are drying, I started to gather up the embellishments. I am using a small checked homespun for the scarf and then I can't believe how lucky I got when it came to the greenery. I have the "pine look pipe cleaners" but I really wanted a more authentic pine look. I know I have TONS of these picks somewhere but, because I have so much for Christmas, there is no way I could even guess where they might be without pulling out many wrong bins before I just might hit the correct one...BUT, for whatever reason, when I pulled out the pipe cleaners-from where I did know they were stored, I found what might just be the exact right number of pine boughs to finish these up. I guess I had them pulled for some other idea that I never got to. I guess sometimes it might just be good to procrastinate! Lol

 And so now I wait for them to get nice and dry. And, while I wait, this is happening:

Those trees were very tall. They have already taken away one huge truck full of trunks and branches. You really never truly realize just how big these things are until you see them on the ground. Guess it's better they be on the ground than on one of our houses.

My neighbor decided-with my blessings-to take down four VERY tall trees between our houses that were starting to look like they might be an issue if we get hit by any large storms this year. I had two very large trees taken down a few years ago but there are now a few more out back that worry me so I went out to talk with the tree guys to see what they had to say. They agreed with me but also with my solution. They are going to top both of those trees so that they will still look like a tree but no longer be threats to the property. The plan is to hopefully get to them today as well but we shall see. These guys aren't the fastest tree guys I have ever seen but, then again, these are some TALL trees and I'm not the one having to climb up them, cut them up and get them out of here so I am not complaining. I will say that taking down trees makes me sad. Those trees have been next to my driveway since this house was built 53 years ago and I am so used to seeing them there. It is already strange to look out and see most of them gone. And, it looks like this company won't be doing the stump grinding so I will really not like that the view for awhile! Lol

I'm off for now. I have a fountain out back that needs my attention-or an outlet. Not sure how this will play out but then I will hope to come back and finish the ornaments if they are dry enough. I will be back to show you the final result once I have that. And, granddaughters #1and 3 have asked if they can come spend the last weekend of the month here to do some Halloween crafting like we did when they were younger. Their plan is for them to think up one craft and come with all of the supplies for us to do together and then for me to think up another. I am going to check my Pinterest Halloween board once again but I already have four really cute ideas. Since they both have homes of their own now, I'm not sure where their decor tastes lie but I think I am going to have all of the supplies for all of them here and then they can do as many as they like.

Right now I am thinking of this like I made last year:

I'm also thinking of a canvas or one of the frames left over from my granddaughter's birthday party decor using this image I just found-or, any other that they want. They're both "geniuses" with the computer" so I know they can conjure up any image they choose.

And then I'm thinking of a pillow cover. I have lots of that drop cloth fabric left and I think it would lend itself well to something like this.

I have a hair appointment tomorrow so I might just head to HL afterwards to see what supplies I can find and maybe another idea or two.

That's it for me today but I'll be back. Until then, stay safe and stay tuned.

Eternal Optimist!

 I don't make a secret of the fact that I much prefer Target over Walmart...in fact, I really don't care for Walmart at all...except for certain seasonal things. I do like "My Texas House" decor items which are available only at Walmart. And so, I try to hit the store about the time I think those items will be hitting the shelves. I totally lucked out for the 4th of July and was able to grab some things that sold out immediately after! And, that was my hope for today. I have seen a number of bloggers post their new Halloween decor in their stores and I saw a few things that were absolutely speaking to me. And so, I crossed my fingers and headed out. Of course, my hopes were quickly dashed when I saw the MASSIVE back-to-school displays-aisles and aisles of it! Our kids go back to school next week and I should have remembered that...unfortunately, I didn't.

But, since I was there, I also had a list of small home repair things I needed and then I hit the autumn decor. My store didn't have everything I have seen available there either but I did grab a few things just to make the trip worthwhile. Lol

I have actually been looking at the gold tray for a bit so today was the day. And, I like the pitcher. I am using it right now and then it will stay through autumn and probably come back for Thanksgiving. And who doesn't need an air-fryer silicon basket for "more even cooking"? LOL Darn those endcap displays!

My basil plants had pretty much faded over my use of them and the summer heat so I got a few replacements at Publix as well as the magazine so I can sit and dream about what is to come.

My weekend was pretty quiet as I still had grand dogs here but they went home yesterday morning and then I went over to daughter #3's yesterday afternoon to help celebrate granddaughter #5's 17th birthday. Since they had just returned home from their trip and the whole gang is only going to be here for a few days before they head in other directions again, a very impromptu party and dinner was planned and any of the family who could make it was here.

For whatever reason, my picture taking was few and far between. The kids had friends there and I didn't want to interrupt their time together but I did get my obligatory Nana photo. I think I get shorter in every picture we take.

 I NEVER take videos but, somehow every now and then, I inadvertently must hit the video button. And, of course, I know there is a way to get a still picture from the video but I'm not truly sure how so, after much button pressing, this is what I have and I will just go with it...the birthday girl with her presents and her cake.

I've got one more little peek for you of my latest project. Let's just say it is not going as I had planned-or hoped-so it is on hold for another day. I'll fill you in on all of it when I get back to it.

Luckily, that's all I have for you today because we have a MASSIVE thunder and lightning storm hanging over us right now. It has been pouring for about 30 minutes and the lights are continuing to flicker so I'm guessing it won't be long until we are in the dark! Guess I better go grab the flashlights and a book. I'll be back-hopefully-lol. Until then, stay safe and stay tuned.

Let's Wrap It Up

 Happy Fri-YAY! It's kind of a gloomy morning and I have my two grand dogs right under my feet and not much else on the front burner so I thought maybe we should try to finish up our late summer decor tour. We'll start with the porch. I have been waiting on that in hopes that the plants would bloom a bit more but so far only one is looking happy.

Let's head into the guest bath. I will actually have a lot of people using this bath during this decor theme so I try not to clutter things up too much so that things can still function easily and there is room for essentials on the counter.

And, of course, our nod to the theme in the primary bath.

I did a little bit of swapping in the bedroom bay window area but I left some of the stuff that was there just because I like it so much.

So that finishes up our late summer decor tour for this year even though this decor will be out about three more weeks. I have started to gather up some new things for the next swap which will be "autumn"-mostly pumpkins and autumn leaves but I still don't have any new craft ideas on the docket. Granddaughter #1 asked me if we could do a Halloween crafting weekend at my house in late August or early September so I know I will need to get cracking on ideas for that soon. Until then, I will leave you with a sneak peek at what I hope to get started on in the next week or so:

I have most of the supplies that I will need so I need to make a prototype first to see how that goes. If it passes the test, I will share more. Daughter #2 and her hubby arrive tomorrow so I am looking forward to a fun visit. Fingers crossed that Mother Nature co-operates. Until then, stay safe and stay tuned.