Trees galore.

I have a very special friend who blogs almost daily.  I am amazed at how easily she can produce an interesting "read" with no real effort.  Most of her blogs are from her wonderful memories of her childhood, her parents and the beautiful area where she grew up.  Each and every one is filled with so many interesting tidbits, recipes accompanied by photos, especially if she had just baked using her mother's tried and proved favourite recipes.  Ah, I do envy her ability to bring all this to life on a regular basis.  I wish I had half her talent and could blog as often but that is not the case.

This blog of mine is to show you what I have been up to since the last time we came together and to be honest, there really isn't too much to show you.  I have been commissioned by two separate ladies to create button trees.

The first lady had purchased one of my trees and liked it so much that she wanted me to paint one for her, in red and black, to give to a friend who was coming to Canada for a visit.  So, this beauty will end up in Ireland.  I hope it makes it in one piece.

This one wasn't too difficult to create, afterall, I have made about eight others in different colours, but the next commission was a little more scarey.  I lady I had recently met, who seemed to like a lot of my "creations" and had purchased quite a few in one visit to my Boutique, asked me if I would like to take on a project..... to create two larger canvases with trees and, wait for it, antique buttons.  She had quite a large amount of gorgeous buttons which she had saved over the years and after purchasing two of my smaller button trees, she thought it would be an unique idea if I could put her precious buttons to good use and create two larger button trees.  Afterall, what good was it to have all these beauties if you couldn't see them and admire them.

Well, I sure was honoured that she would make that request of me but also quite nervous because I normally don't take on requests.  Anyway, she brought over her buttons and left it up to me how I would do this.  After some research and trial runs, these are what I ended up with....

Gave the canvases a wash of different colours

in the hope that they would fit on any

wall, no matter what colour.

Sketched in the trees and then sponge painted

the foliage so that some of the green would

show through once the buttons were placed.

Painted the trunks,  trying to give them some texture.

Then placed and glued the buttons on the canvases,

being very careful to balance the colours and styles

of the buttons between the two canvases.

I must say that I was very pleased with the final

outcome.  I just hope she will be too.

I found a cute little telephone table and changed it from this...

To this....

It sold immediately.

How about a little loonie piggy bank?  From this....

To this....

Just one more item, a very simple item really but fun to do.....

A kitchen paper towel holder from this...

To this...

That's about if, apart from recycling old picture frames to give them a new lease on life.

Well, that's it for now.  Please stay healthy and happy and I'll catch up with you again soon.  A couple of photos of my darling grands.

Hugs, 

Mostly Renos

A few more medical appointments under my belt and both have positive outcomes, thank the Lord.  Last week I had a Cat Scan on my chest because the previous one showed something of concern and this one showed no change, so that was good news.  The other appointment was at the Eye Specialist to monitor my eyes as I have been on a medication for Lupus which could severely damage sight.  Also good news, even though my sight is not very good, due to age, etc. the testing showed that my eyes are healthy and haven't been damaged by the meds (which I now have stopped taking because they weren't good for long term use and really didn't help anyway).  The specialist told me that he could see the beginning of cataracts which I should monitor with a check-up in about a year, but not with him as he is retiring.

I made myself these slippers with wool that dear friend Laurie gave me, not bad for my first pair.....

plus two more scarves for my Boutique....

I just love turning something tossed away into something that can have an extended life after a little tender loving care.  I get so excited when I can find something in the thrift shops and paint it up and make it pretty again.  I found these little wooden blocks which looked the worse for wear and gave them an uplift.  Someone might like them for a mantle decoration for Christmas....

I found this delightful little telephone table which really wasn't in too bad shape, but boring.  This is what I turned it into, from plain to cute......

It turned out so cute that I wanted to keep it but don't have any room for it - too bad!!!

I did this little table too, but as usual, forgot to take a before picture....

Another item I forgot to take a before pic of......

Found this little box and after giving it a coat of paint came up with the idea of turning it into a camouflage box for a little boy or even a big boy who's into that kind of thing, LOL

Two more chalkboards....

And last but not least, a medium sized sewing box which needed some attention.  I didn't want to paint it, but treated it with the oil and vinegar technique and ... it turned out almost good as new....

As usual, I will say goodbye with a few photos of my darling grandkids.

 

That's it for today.  Be healthy and happy.

Hugs, 

Everthing has come to a HALT

For a couple of weeks, it was go, go, go with Craft Shows, out to dinner with friends and now it has come to a halt, nothing much happening now and no plans for anything either, except for a couple of lunch dates this week, to which I am looking forward, so I will have to fill you in regarding what I have been doing lately.

I found this little beauty in one of my favourite stores, "The Queen's Cupboard", but it was ucky looking, painted in pinks and blues and didn't seem to belong anywhere.  I painted it, yes, you guessed, cream and put it above my doorway.  I think it looks so posh there.............

This one without the flash

I bought a lovely white Christmas cactus from our local Florist, "My Maries" - I have always wanted a white one.  My pink one is flourishing and must be in it's fourth bloom this year.  Here's a peek at the white one......................

Just imagine what this is going to look like when it is in full bloom.

Remember I told you about my footstool reno?  Well, here are a few pictures from beginning to end.

I was going to re-upholster the seat of it but decided that it looked rather nice as it was, so for now it will stay like this.

My dear friend Laurie, who lives down the hall, not down the lane like Mary Jane, surpised me the other day with a delightful snowman.  She knows how much I love anything "cream" coloured and she spotted this in one of our local gift stores and bought it for me......................

He/she is adorable and is made out of cream felt and adorned with some bling - looks just like me all dollied up for a night on the town, LOL  Thanks again buddy.

After running around this afternoon picking up a few things, like stamps to mail some cards, which I should have done a week or so ago, I settled down to make some delicious home-made chicken/vegetable soup.  My soup is more like a stew.  It has everything in it except for the kitchen sink, and I'm not too sure about that either sometimes.  I get so carried away and half the time I couldn't tell you what I put in it, but it sure tastes great...................

Laurie, the genteel one, said "Put it in a pretty bowl and set the table with your best napkins and tableware" and I said, "Phooey, I'll just take a picture of it in the pot" and so I did and here it is, LOL

Well, to finish off for this evening I thought you might like to see a few photos of my place all ready for Christmas, remembering that it is just an apartment and I am kind of restricted when it comes to space and I wouldn't want to overdo it and have the place look Tinseltown, so here goes...................

Last but not least, I am sure looking forward to one of my sons coming home for Christmas.  He hasn't been home in a couple of years and this visit I have a spare room all set up ready and waiting.  Safe trip home son.