tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51260867797012146982024-03-22T03:21:48.810-04:00a little something in the meantime . . .Keeping busy until my day job pans out.Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-79454813191280690192013-01-04T06:00:00.000-05:002013-04-01T18:00:00.263-04:002013 - aka Where’s Claire?<p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Hello and Happy 2013! </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">It’s been a while. </font></p> <p><font size="1" face="Century Gothic">(Ha! That’s an understatement)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">If you’re still reading my blog . . . thank you, thank you, thank you! </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">I came so close to writing 100 posts and then something happened. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Something good.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Way back in October we went to </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/06/back-to-reality.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">the cottage</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"> to close it up for the winter. While we are at the cottage my only contact with home is a bottom-of-the-line cell phone with limited reception and internet access. I refuse to have a cell phone contract.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">On a whim, I checked my email and found that a Kindergarten teacher had been trying to get hold of me for two days. Via text messages, </font><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">I landed myself a supply teaching job indefinitely. The following Tuesday I started teaching a Full-Day Kindergarten class with a fabulous Early Childhood Educator.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">28 little bodies in one room. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">But, <em>in the meantime</em>, my cousin’s wife, Laura, who teaches at the same school went on an early maternity leave. They had not interviewed anyone for her position at this point because she expected to teach until the end of October. However, the twins she was carrying had other plans! </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">I interviewed for her position (Grade 3/4) and heard nothing for a few days. Then, the day before Halloween the Principal approached me to tell me I had been recommended for the position and would switch over on November 1st. Eeek!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">So, after surviving Halloween in Kindergarten, I made my way down the hall to drop off my things in the classroom where I will be teaching until the end of the school year. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Two months later, I am still trying to strike a balance between teaching and “in the meantime.” </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Grade 3 and 4 are completely out of my comfort zone. I have been teaching for almost 7 years but all of my previous long-term positions have been in Kindergarten and Grade 1. I am not used to a curriculum that I have to teach myself before I can teach the class! And the split. I have <em>huge</em> respect for teachers of split grade classes. Oh, and I have to teach French since I have 6 Grade 4’s in my class. I haven’t taken French since University.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">November felt more like September as everyone got settled into new routines and December was a blur with holiday activities taking up more time than I could afford.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">I have to remind myself to take everything one day at a time. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">As overwhelmed as I feel at times, it is such a honour that my administrators saw my potential and chose me for the job.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">I hope January can be a fresh start for everyone. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">No matter what, this new teaching adventure would not be possible if it were not for these little ladies:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h9Ttvql8FSw/UVoDVgaM8nI/AAAAAAAADOY/PUOXN-Nffog/s1600-h/February%2525202013%252520050%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="February 2013 050" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="February 2013 050" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cDTQCJkEZKw/UVoDWNkurCI/AAAAAAAADOg/_XYr8ANPW_I/February%2525202013%252520050_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="399"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tR6kMRRIYI8/UVoDWlt1QlI/AAAAAAAADOo/hzBDfDBwl7A/s1600-h/February%2525202013%252520051%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img title="February 2013 051" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="February 2013 051" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SKzaA1bl_s0/UVoDXdHWinI/AAAAAAAADOw/z8pcI5vkg0I/February%2525202013%252520051_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="399"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><strong></strong></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><strong></strong></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><strong></strong></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><strong></strong></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><strong></strong></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><strong></strong></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><strong></strong></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><strong></strong></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><strong></strong></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><strong></strong></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><strong>Zoe and Lyla, born on December 28th, 2012</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font></strong> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Of course, I had to use my Silhouette to make a special card welcoming them to the world!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o7Z1vGmTpGQ/UOZI6g6xHdI/AAAAAAAADM8/9qB5An68giU/s1600-h/Twins%252520Baby%252520Card%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img title="A Little Something in the Meantime - Baby Card for Twins Using Silhouette Cameo" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="A Little Something in the Meantime - Baby Card for Twins Using Silhouette Cameo" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VFxUvoY2HmE/UOZI7YCACLI/AAAAAAAADNE/tQ3iN3ukoWg/Twins%252520Baby%252520Card%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="356"></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Handmade cards are one thing I can always make time for . . . unless you count Christmas cards. Sorry, they didn’t happen this year!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">For the first few days it was Lyla and “Baby B” so I had to wait until a second name was picked before I could send it on its way. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">As an added bonus, I got to take photos of my card with my new </font><a href="http://en.nikon.ca/Nikon-Products/Product/Digital-SLR-Cameras/25478/D5100.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">DSLR camera</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">! No editing, just cropping. Love it!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Proud parents Laura and Adam now have <em>4 little girls</em> – Claudia, Annabelle, Lyla and Zoe. I cannot even imagine! Oh, and they’re all under 4 years old!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q3ssyLoi51g/UOZI75ct9GI/AAAAAAAADNM/l1S6w6hllzk/s1600-h/Twins%252520Baby%252520Card%252520Angled%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img title="A Little Something in the Meantime - Baby Card for Twins Using Silhouette Cameo" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="A Little Something in the Meantime - Baby Card for Twins Using Silhouette Cameo" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hh0w20CzJv0/UOZI8c7cT7I/AAAAAAAADNU/IT3Z6kp8qEA/Twins%252520Baby%252520Card%252520Angled%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="478" height="359"></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">So, that’s where I’ve been. How about you? I hope things are well in your neck of the woods! </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Please know that even if I’m not commenting on your posts, I’m still reading your blog in my downtime. I don’t think I could give that up!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Have a great day/week/month! (let’s be realistic – it’s report card writing time)</font></p> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; position: relative; border-top-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-49710070085310468102012-10-09T06:00:00.000-04:002012-10-09T06:00:05.260-04:00How to Make a New “Old” Sign<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYpibmOxnjkddObg7Ues26G03XbfwOEljU_K50pQrS5IGIgvZtZ4qjH8lFYxiSKjH6Fe8qgoXsn6zgA_G7ADXLIS5YqqgvSSYap1hj5GxGpFOKiXSut9TLKlNUJMn6hBvHlsAaKyeACk/s1600-h/Tune%252520Up%252520Square%252520WM%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: How to Make a New Sign Look Old" border="0" alt="Tune Up Square WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rY7-xB_5cBY/UHORgCMia8I/AAAAAAAADJo/wp2tfhpsS2g/Tune%252520Up%252520Square%252520WM_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="310" height="315"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">If you’ve been a reader for a while you know how much I enjoy making something new look old. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">My favourite victim? Painted signs.</font></p> <p><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/04/stencilled-distressed-sign-tutorial.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Click to be taken to this post." border="0" alt="Stencilled and Distressed WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kiPmqRHyfNU/UHORgwGpk3I/AAAAAAAADJw/4aKO_k3cbwg/Stencilled%252520and%252520Distressed%252520WM%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="297"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/04/many-lives-of-30-cent-sign.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Click to be taken to this post." border="0" alt="Bloom Sign Before and After" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-C5XnPTsqBTY/UHORhq6KnPI/AAAAAAAADJ4/MHr4v2J56I8/Bloom%252520Sign%252520Before%252520and%252520After%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="258"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/03/pinterest-winter-challenge-vintage-look.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Click to be taken to this post." border="0" alt="Vintage Sign DIY" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VIweF2lrfIA/UHORid_WqaI/AAAAAAAADKA/ebJGSS3EhMo/Vintage%252520Sign%252520DIY%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="511" height="299"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I have an entire </font><a href="http://pinterest.com/MissArscott/diy-wall-art-sign-inspiration/" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Pinterest board</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> of sign inspiration which includes this lovely pair from a site called </font><a href="http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=627878" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">1stdibs</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">:</font></p> <p><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/206250857905545355/" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Pinterest Tune Up Sign" border="0" alt="Pinterest Tune Up Sign" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ANBYhYY9W-U/UHORizTmeQI/AAAAAAAADKI/UHk7DtMHCOg/Pinterest%252520Tune%252520Up%252520Sign%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="482" height="480"><nopin ="NOPIN"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Living with a mechanic, these would fit right in at our house. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Here’s my version of the second sign (which I promise I have no intention of selling since it is very, very similar).</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GgdOxLGmBwE/UHORjp6avlI/AAAAAAAADKQ/IvGAIgeuduw/s1600-h/Tune%252520Up%252520Sign%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: How to Make a New Sign Look Old" border="0" alt="Tune Up Sign WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ew0FUFZGZuQ/UHORkimteaI/AAAAAAAADKY/qjK1gtmP_fg/Tune%252520Up%252520Sign%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="511" height="320"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><strong><u>How to make a new “old” sign:</u></strong></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Paint board with blue acrylic paint.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Apply Contact paper stencil cut with Silhouette (Font = <a href="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/fonts/bebas-neue" target="_blank">Bebas Neue</a>) *everything blue was covered with Contact paper.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Paint over board and stencil with another coat of blue paint so that any colour that bleeds under the stencil is the base colour (totally worked!).</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Spray paint top coat in Heirloom White. <font size="2">Heirloom White, you never fail me!</font></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Peel off Contact paper stencil while still wet to reveal this:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nU9lPf8nw6Q/UHORlS69SvI/AAAAAAAADKg/PZ9yAVe0E9s/s1600-h/Tune%252520Up%252520Sign%252520No%252520Distressing%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: How to Make a New Sign Look Old" border="0" alt="Tune Up Sign No Distressing" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-w2Xtrl7JHQg/UHORmH-GvSI/AAAAAAAADKo/JqIvpCSEVCA/Tune%252520Up%252520Sign%252520No%252520Distressing_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="503" height="312"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Look at those crisp letters! This was my best stencilling job EVER!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">But, I wanted the sign to look old not new so I did the same thing as what I did with my </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/03/pinterest-winter-challenge-vintage-look.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">vintage-inspired grocery sign</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> – sand, sand and then sand some more!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">To make it look a little dirtier I inked some spots with Tim Holtz’ distress ink and then smudged it in/wiped it off. </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Dm70dXtig51ccxkvNZw_O6AnYRbtvHe6qRggsdwZRoOTdhnaYFJT7PrV0taaXKbBU2YU81JH0CAWM5dkpbnH8Mk5REFQmzqP34up-NAc4SNdICFFtPFUpHc7bKZqmd8v2SrYEkrItuQ/s1600-h/Tune%252520Up%252520Sign%252520on%252520Porch%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: How to Make a New Sign Look Old" border="0" alt="Tune Up Sign on Porch WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbeSqlrxmBXPx445gRTsBWiojvz30INQMc9V7E5M3XeJrEwcnvwgJ15mu2lPhcC6oER1A-8yf_QeJjQmSbVVEQTtGQ8iwBrxFzXvy9hBh_-ZHDGGbsL4Mn6gWTDuYD7qGetHMEZypoKE/?imgmax=800" width="507" height="387"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"><font size="3">Old-ish Canadian Tire tool box courtesy of Mr. Mechanic.</font> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">(I wanted to turn it into a fall planter filled with mums but that was vetoed)</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0HeX0E88pY4/UHORoT9opbI/AAAAAAAADLA/_MAlGG260Wc/s1600-h/Tune%252520Up%252520Sign%252520Oil%252520Can%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: How to Make a New Sign Look Old" border="0" alt="Tune Up Sign Oil Can WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wTnvPQhaXcE/UHORpA3u0rI/AAAAAAAADLI/wZ9fNrUATzA/Tune%252520Up%252520Sign%252520Oil%252520Can%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Oil funnel courtesy of the shed at the cottage. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">It belonged to Mr. Mechanic’s Grandpa.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n7CKiZ6TWcw/UHORqMKNO5I/AAAAAAAADLQ/JQvzCcjebOs/s1600-h/Tune%252520Up%252520Sign%2525201%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: How to Make a New Sign Look Old" border="0" alt="Tune Up Sign 1 WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjay29FHvutKBOQjwBDk66x0rQl5MfCRRJ2fK8y9TYmkTWqcATBOIMOSrL9bd29Xic5Qd2wjbbV57kCSqzdKDIz3qWjng9qBmRT5QP1BUogNz2a3JH_xlb1SWP9DHoSbQoKjJR7UFj3_88/?imgmax=800" width="521" height="354"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih01DaoI1RfBNd_UqbKkeVYSNomBi-B4AjxxgRV3bf3OHctKmD27tTiMdBIJJvhyDBVkMZfO4CuuhQ5rlnNZUfrAAUrKA1pbQ3e44XY0_fCdbOUTBjSrr58kJj-XmlIGqT3_BXgWvhO_Y/s1600-h/Tune%252520Up%252520Sign%252520in%252520Toolbox%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: How to Make a New Sign Look Old" border="0" alt="Tune Up Sign in Toolbox WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dp_vb9rgoaE/UHORs4WjmpI/AAAAAAAADLo/yK7nO6YKf-g/Tune%252520Up%252520Sign%252520in%252520Toolbox%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Before I made this I had already chosen the perfect spot to hang it: the wall across the bottom of the basement stairs. </font><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">By hanging it low on the wall, you can see it through the window in the back door and while standing on the landing inside. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The basement beyond the sign may be a work in progress, but the stairs have never looked better!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">What do you think of my latest new “old” sign?</font></p> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <div><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </div> <div><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. Is anyone getting a higher than normal number of spam Blogger comments recently? I don’t want to have to add Captcha to commenting but they’re driving me crazy!</font></div> <div><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font> </div> <div><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.P.S. Oh my goodness, 99 posts! Whew!</font></div> <hr> <font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I link up at: </font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow <hr> </font></a> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-62493092043715680162012-10-02T06:00:00.000-04:002012-10-02T06:00:04.433-04:00Pinspiration: Canning Lid Pumpkin<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Last week I said I would share another pumpkin project that looked great on my chippy chair. Unlike my </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/09/quick-and-easy-paint-chip-pumpkins.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">paint chip pumpkins</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">, I can take no credit for this DIY brilliance.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f3GFKSwiBHE/UGpMQGygqVI/AAAAAAAADHc/StX9AfL9VH8/s1600-h/Canning%252520Lid%252520Pumpkin%252520Square%252520Banner%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Canning Lid Pumpkin" border="0" alt="Canning Lid Pumpkin Square Banner WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3c634pJmPhzQcawOp_jZv9idJ0BRdu9dG72NdUFrL2prPJVaDRuZolXcA1dyksbpnHS5wi4PamD-ub3eXzDN3LEfySFzCiW-HehRRU_kYj9R_ovgaGVmjzMXU4rhozaaGYbUxy7QcxI/?imgmax=800" width="318" height="332"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">This pinspired pumpkin project (say that three times fast!) is thanks to Kristin of </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home’s</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> amazing “junkin’ pumpkin" that has been all over Pinterest and blogs lately. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When she originally posted </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/2012/09/canning-jar-lid-pumpkin.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">this pumpkin</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> I was so inspired that I dug out my zinc lids from the mason jars I rescued last summer and had my own canning jar lid pumpkin in less than 5 minutes. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Go visit her site to find out how you can make one, too!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DHQwzGmc7Gw/UGpMRzIWxZI/AAAAAAAADHs/lowBDbpYexQ/s1600-h/Canning%252520Lid%252520Pumpkin%252520On%252520Chair%2525201%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Canning Lid Pumpkin" border="0" alt="Canning Lid Pumpkin On Chair 1 WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LpwwPTk2dtQ/UGpMSmyuqJI/AAAAAAAADH0/A2QQq9On3FM/Canning%252520Lid%252520Pumpkin%252520On%252520Chair%2525201%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="480"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Canning jar lids + twine = perfection!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LbLgxAcLN9k/UGpMTvqK_QI/AAAAAAAADH8/HKrxA2_5hTQ/s1600-h/Canning%252520Lid%252520Pumpkin%252520Zoom%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Canning Lid Pumpkin" border="0" alt="Canning Lid Pumpkin Zoom WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ebkT5JUbfXQ/UGpMUW970KI/AAAAAAAADIE/_JY2RCrBcSk/Canning%252520Lid%252520Pumpkin%252520Zoom%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="510" height="389"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">To make the rustic stem I simply folded twine back and forth until it was thick enough and then wrapped the twine around it to hold it together. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m2LIEP2LA6s/UGpMVLWsGaI/AAAAAAAADIM/dOJo4R9e3Uw/s1600-h/Canning%252520Lid%252520Pumpkin%252520Tilted%252520WM%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Canning Lid Pumpkin" border="0" alt="Canning Lid Pumpkin Tilted WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L1-bvzpFJFw/UGpMWB9P6bI/AAAAAAAADIU/rvdRzoeZkWI/Canning%252520Lid%252520Pumpkin%252520Tilted%252520WM_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="507" height="411"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Then, I just tucked it into the space in the center and tweaked it to give it a bent stem shape.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P18VJPu5NpM/UGpMXAQHtsI/AAAAAAAADIc/orNmSN0-KsQ/s1600-h/Canning%252520Lid%252520Pumpkin%252520Above%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Canning Lid Pumpkin" border="0" alt="Canning Lid Pumpkin Above WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yLmKp_4Ydhs/UGpMX6Oz0_I/AAAAAAAADIk/Cc8736xXldY/Canning%252520Lid%252520Pumpkin%252520Above%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="505" height="385"></font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I told you it looked good on my chippy chair!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">{Thank you for the pinspiration, Kristin!}</font></p><br> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <div><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </div> <div><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. Are your canning lids gold coloured? You could always create a faux-zinc finish like </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/08/repost-faux-zinc-tray-tutorial.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">this one</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"> with acrylic paint! You’ll be seeing a sign that I made for the cottage using this finish soon!</font></div> <div><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font> </div><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> <font size="2">I link up at: </font></font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><font size="2">The Crafted Sparrow</font> <hr> </font></a> <div><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </div> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-55015283831542690792012-09-27T06:00:00.000-04:002012-09-27T06:00:07.088-04:00{Quick and Easy} Paint Chip Pumpkins<p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e0fMJuWKmJE/UGO90eznolI/AAAAAAAADEQ/LQFEMPy0tmA/s1600-h/Paint%252520Chip%252520Pumpkins%252520Banner%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Quick and Easy Paint Chip Pumpkins" border="0" alt="Paint Chip Pumpkins Banner WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kXKNESyVWV0/UGO904MmVFI/AAAAAAAADEY/SbZZxpUYS9E/Paint%252520Chip%252520Pumpkins%252520Banner%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="372"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Aren’t these adorable? </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">If you’re looking for an easy way to decorate for fall, you’re in the right place because these paint chip pumpkins are SO easy to make.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Two years ago I found </font><a href="http://kittycatsandairplanes.blogspot.ca/2010/09/paint-chip-pumpkins.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">this</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> tutorial for paint chip pumpkins and used it to make Thanksgiving decorations with my </font><a href="http://thepaperandthespark.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">sister-in-law</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The hot glue part was a bit tricky (and painful) and made it so that they took up a lot of space when stored. Then, last year I realized that I could eliminate the hot glue and create pumpkins that were collapsible for storage using the same method as my </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-favourite-way-to-use-paint-chips.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">paint chip balls</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">. </font></p> <p><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-favourite-way-to-use-paint-chips.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Paint Chip Balls" border="0" alt="Paint Chip Balls Project Gallery" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DYC0UXbhnno/UGO91g-9yNI/AAAAAAAADEg/3gfPW5m_ZMU/Paint%252520Chip%252520Balls%252520Project%252520Gallery%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Here’s the quick step-by-step:</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-miE_X_fTsk8KjJglW0t0bHlZFphtAtKsjn4aB06ZaCUig3bmoWpY_sRg0lLKdP7XuOhtARyumjoUQTD2msd4J6mSR_-1xpouny3r2K_3vt1LpZKCUenkT9D4aXypnAYMejnFoj_iSk/s1600-h/paint%252520chip%252520ball%252520tutorial%252520collage%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: How to Make a Paint Chip Ball" border="0" alt="paint chip ball tutorial collage" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1i5WpCCDtIuYOlpM7TcnDfJpYuLjd6o-WnNiOYY-ZNm1Io2jFQRQkG_GNxXNwwF8fz-PddK-RT7QhUH0EAtgEu2yHFHv-Ceik8kQxjlxCJDDdvEzJSQA0W4xJcAOsuckfk7qmKzjPaC4/?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The process for making pumpkins is the same as above with one extra step – hot glue a piece of a branch to the top to create the stem.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bUGdxDcete8/UGO932Lj6JI/AAAAAAAADE4/yAGh0yZiN2Q/s1600-h/Paint%252520Chip%252520Pumpkins%252520Stem%252520No%252520Stem%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Quick and Easy Paint Chip Pumpkins" border="0" alt="Paint Chip Pumpkins Stem No Stem" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EKv34Cf6_0s/UGO94S5vqjI/AAAAAAAADFA/-W8PyHf8Lzg/Paint%252520Chip%252520Pumpkins%252520Stem%252520No%252520Stem_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">{Quick Tip: Choose a flat brad like a square that will allow you to glue your stem almost flush with the top of the pumpkin}</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When it’s time to put them away, they will look like step 5 above except with a stem. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Nice and compact (and almost free).</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So . . . what’s stopping you from making paint chip pumpkins in every colour imaginable?</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jBZ8mb8wa_s/UGO95UqfydI/AAAAAAAADFI/_oPyWy2II58/s1600-h/Paint%252520Chip%252520Pumpkins%252520Basket%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Quick and Easy Paint Chip Pumpkins" border="0" alt="Paint Chip Pumpkins Basket" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7AAZCqVRoHU/UGO96WvqMaI/AAAAAAAADFQ/yxFviv8OkXY/Paint%252520Chip%252520Pumpkins%252520Basket_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="360"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> <font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Orange, cream, chartreuse.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Ombre.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VrPV7IJ4C9c/UGO97Ac38qI/AAAAAAAADFY/QatF-i5C_rI/s1600-h/Paint%252520Chip%252520Pumpkins%252520Basket%252520Zoom%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Quick and Easy Paint Chip Pumpkins" border="0" alt="Paint Chip Pumpkins Basket Zoom" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ghtfg25i_mY/UGO97kHuj6I/AAAAAAAADFg/HE5fAUu9SrE/Paint%252520Chip%252520Pumpkins%252520Basket%252520Zoom_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="483" height="368"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I <u>finally</u> found a chippy chair at a garage sale for $2.00. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6vwoQF6B1WU/UGO98tx3jkI/AAAAAAAADFo/WTiZbBvMilY/s1600-h/Chippy%252520Chair%252520With%252520Pumpkins%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Quick and Easy Paint Chip Pumpkins" border="0" alt="Chippy Chair With Pumpkins" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ep5cRWieGVw/UGO99S-3AuI/AAAAAAAADFw/-IHSItHU-aI/Chippy%252520Chair%252520With%252520Pumpkins_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="395"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It was the <em>perfect</em> backdrop for my photos!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sgCfcjcsQ-0/UGO9-G-8dII/AAAAAAAADF4/i350NywcMqg/s1600-h/Pumpkins%252520on%252520Chair%252520Vertical%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Quick and Easy Paint Chip Pumpkins" border="0" alt="Pumpkins on Chair Vertical" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IKpX58Z4u78/UGO9-nAVyYI/AAAAAAAADGA/tF-p7aB0oIM/Pumpkins%252520on%252520Chair%252520Vertical_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="480"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Swoon.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rdQCiVqeHbA/UGO-ASuJx8I/AAAAAAAADGI/2PO7Nk_XAEU/s1600-h/Paint%252520Chip%252520Pumpkins%252520On%252520Chair%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Paint Chip Pumpkins On Chair" border="0" alt="Paint Chip Pumpkins On Chair" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYbmorcGfynJPOOEHJwwrU5plyPvgQo5dfLImTFD6rJtEZkdHj3jMVe2BCbeAn2GmyPGeYzQlxsH1iESroGjdnYEkBofp9a0MvbsMSATTeY7a5Gd9jxvPHCxIWWzvQJRvRqsWSI5oB6M/?imgmax=800" width="502" height="383"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">In my next post I’ll be sharing a different pumpkin DIY that looks just as good on my chair.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Come back soon! </font></p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a><br> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </div> <div><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </div> <div align="left"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. FYI - Mr. Mechanic and I are far-too-regular customers at <em>many</em> home improvement stores!</font></div> <div><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font> </div> <div><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.P.S. Want to see more of my paint chip projects? </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/search/label/Paint%20Chips" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Here you go</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">!</font></div> <div><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font> </div> <div align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y1QLGIXHT7U/UGO-B9Tyj9I/AAAAAAAADGY/7wvufvG0QZk/s1600-h/Paint%252520Chip%252520Pumpkins%252520Square%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Quick and Easy Paint Chip Pumpkins" border="0" alt="Paint Chip Pumpkins Square WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpqJDwHDFlLQ8xwL_bAAmHB2P1DkwDYq7kq-J7EpZd7Xx7tuoOKBunR03MMIokwJz2Q9DABCftmS8HiEiE073XGad0Z3K-MSiwaLQpb7L7pKXnVaItW3WcnYlPOcjqyQuQQBpaFOSK90/?imgmax=800" width="262" height="266"></a></font></div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"></font> </div> <div align="center"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Psst - I’m linking up to Sarah’s Easy Fall Decor Linky Party!</font></div> <div><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="fall linky parties" border="0" alt="fall linky parties" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-89j6n6T-aoc/UC5D4gbcy8I/AAAAAAAAWdU/-YdCqqJLmds/Fall_Link_Party_Badge_2012_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="315"></div><font face="Century Gothic"> <hr> I link up at: </font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a> <hr> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-36456527373551449332012-09-25T06:00:00.000-04:002012-09-26T13:20:23.258-04:00My Fall Mantel: Pumpkin Edition<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Mr. Mechanic and I have a cat named </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/02/etched-glass-pet-bowl.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Pumpkin</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> so it’s safe to say that we enjoy all things fall. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">She’s gray not orange and her name was first a term of endearment when we decided to rename her after her adoption. She started out life as ‘Peppy’ but is definitely a Pumpkin. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I’m telling you this because Pumpkin was my inspiration for this year’s fall mantel. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I brought my tub of fall decorations upstairs, took out a frame wrapped in butcher paper and walked away for a minute. When I came back upstairs she was sitting right on top of it!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">As I unpacked my decor, a pumpkin patch started to grow!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lZlh5q-laBc/UGEnb9MWSgI/AAAAAAAAC-8/y_nTrAuqrg0/s1600-h/Pumpkin%252520Patch%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="My Pumpkin Patch" border="0" alt="Pumpkin Patch WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lJF2ldkVmkg/UGEncbvpX3I/AAAAAAAAC_E/8gTNFDiFc2s/Pumpkin%252520Patch%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="497" height="338"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Since it’s Thanksgiving in two weeks, I decorate for fall first and then add touches of Halloween later.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I was already working on a fall sign, so I decided to run with the pumpkin theme this year.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Here it is!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I90qV-H1ZE8/UGEndNTo_CI/AAAAAAAAC_M/rUb8q84QUKk/s1600-h/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Fall 2012 Mantel " border="0" alt="Fall 2012 Mantel - 1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GWHwlwe5QHo/UGEndtmhHNI/AAAAAAAAC_U/yeN9RyxAROQ/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="490" height="356"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAgPK9DK6G3A8uNce_KRDaHsRp8ZZ59VlMe4JaJqRC-v6WtQ9wiaLSHzTldyXq2h3xqirawAyXd1wWqxKKVAXoK3_g-kmr3ggru8CHstDXBYu7GQfLS5Ish0mmRJCGpWcHFRP8gfsBiM/s1600-h/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%252520Full%252520Length%2525201%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Fall 2012 Mantel " border="0" alt="Fall 2012 Mantel - Full Length 1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nX3AjJFpDZI/UGEnexrDl5I/AAAAAAAAC_k/ph6ZFX3xL4I/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%252520Full%252520Length%2525201_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">From Left to Right:</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R8L4DH5YyKE/UGEnfSSaffI/AAAAAAAAC_s/-CD4f6g49XM/s1600-h/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520%252520-%252520Vignette%252520Vertical%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Fall 2012 Mantel " border="0" alt="Fall 2012 Mantel - Vignette Vertical" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JsC6KitVfy4/UGEnf3iKayI/AAAAAAAAC_0/_4ooN0LNyzo/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520%252520-%252520Vignette%252520Vertical_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lp1AfdK8v6A/UGEngmSVDaI/AAAAAAAAC_8/FMUh4CTwPyg/s1600-h/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520Vignette%252520Chopped%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Fall 2012 Mantel " border="0" alt="Fall 2012 Mantel Vignette Chopped" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zL0nvgMMfY4/UGEnhOGHVDI/AAAAAAAADAE/xfFFGMEacO8/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520Vignette%252520Chopped_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="392"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I0--uBoyGPI/UGEniPF53CI/AAAAAAAADAM/IJ2voYPpwew/s1600-h/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%252520Left%252520Side%252520Pumpkins%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Fall 2012 Mantel " border="0" alt="Fall 2012 Mantel - Left Side Pumpkins 1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CvCk9VtLEWM/UGEnitreXcI/AAAAAAAADAU/QZGHFv-6x_c/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%252520Left%252520Side%252520Pumpkins%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="515" height="393"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_VTw4CZcsM8/UGEnjixApwI/AAAAAAAADAc/3l9SVohD4xM/s1600-h/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%252520Pumpkin%252520Sign%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Fall 2012 Mantel " border="0" alt="Fall 2012 Mantel - Pumpkin Sign 1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K2HRRiK8Boc/UGEnkFSOzqI/AAAAAAAADAk/m30wWyvoxD0/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%252520Pumpkin%252520Sign%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="392"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I used my Silhouette to create a stencil for my own sign after seeing </font><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/206250857905845609/" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">this</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> T.J. Maxx inspiration on the blog </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full of Lemons</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ukh32AnZL-k/UGEnk9fZ-bI/AAAAAAAADAs/-Y5u8AcPBMY/s1600-h/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%252520Pumpkin%252520Sign%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Fall 2012 Mantel " border="0" alt="Fall 2012 Mantel - Pumpkin Sign 2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lvyhbcDE6k4/UGEnlfDMLkI/AAAAAAAADA0/fXk2Tr5zZvI/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%252520Pumpkin%252520Sign%2525202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="507" height="345"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-92c5mStt2PM/UGEnl-ifIYI/AAAAAAAADA8/rQUT00S_Xv4/s1600-h/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%252520Right%252520Side%252520Pumpkins%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Fall 2012 Mantel " border="0" alt="Fall 2012 Mantel - Right Side Pumpkins" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_YreUaDoViU/UGEnmTSkDLI/AAAAAAAADBE/5VXAicqocLI/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%252520Right%252520Side%252520Pumpkins_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uvappsEQa7M/UGEnm4QvP1I/AAAAAAAADBM/m-uKadPBgBg/s1600-h/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520%252520-%252520Burlap%252520Banner%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Fall 2012 Mantel " border="0" alt="Fall 2012 Mantel - Burlap Banner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4lEb4UJGesM/UGEnnZaO2LI/AAAAAAAADBU/Pa1T7YcKzgE/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520%252520-%252520Burlap%252520Banner_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="496" height="345"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OhUdb74UggY/UGEnoHBL24I/AAAAAAAADBc/TiVEQiF1SvA/s1600-h/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%252520Floor%252520Level%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Fall 2012 Mantel " border="0" alt="Fall 2012 Mantel - Floor Level" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-waXGPKKAgRA/UGEnoxSqvmI/AAAAAAAADBk/xmBanXFbxjg/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%252520Floor%252520Level_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="495" height="385"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I even made a cameo appearance in my attempt to get a photo that was front and center. Peekaboo!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NOPp7TJasA0/UGEnpYbOZ6I/AAAAAAAADBs/W1m9c5NqaZQ/s1600-h/Fall%252520Mantel%252520Photo%252520Bomb%252520Arrow%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Fall Mantel Photo Bomb Arrow" border="0" alt="Fall Mantel Photo Bomb Arrow" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y49toFucUbk/UGEnp_4SIxI/AAAAAAAADB0/CXVLEFvf-mg/Fall%252520Mantel%252520Photo%252520Bomb%252520Arrow_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="507" height="345"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">This mantel is a great mix of old, new and a handful of D.I.Y. projects. Just the way I like it!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The two small bottles were </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/06/back-to-reality.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">cottage</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> finds (the little one is actually an old Buckley’s bottle) and the tall bottle came from Goodwill last year. The braided jute ring is a 50 cent napkin ring from Michaels that I thought looked rustic.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">My frame (which Pumpkin was sitting on) is a plastic Dollarama frame that I painted and glazed last fall to bring out the corner details. It is sitting on a book, also from Dollarama, which I wrapped with Kraft paper to cover the title. The edges of the pages have a fantastic texture to them!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The printable was created by Kristin at <a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/" target="_blank">Simply Klassic Home</a>. You can download your own copy of this beauty <a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/2011/09/my-favorite-things-about-fall-printable.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The glass acorn was a clearance Michaels find last year in the Thanksgiving decor. Are you noticing a pattern here?</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">All of the pumpkins and the sprig of bittersweet (thanks, <a href="http://queenbcreativeme.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Bronwyn</a>!) are from Dollarama, Walmart or Michaels. I painted some of them and left others their original colour. The little orange and yellow pumpkin on the right definitely needs to be a different colour. Any suggestions?</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I made the burlap fall banner last year after seeing them <u>everywhere</u>. Super easy. Just burlap, acrylic paint, letter stencils (pre-Silhouette!) and twine.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">My owls are from HomeSense (big: 2011, little: 2012) and the metal basket was my only splurge (HomeSense again) because I knew it would be a great way to display my birch logs. I scooped a big branch from my neighbours’ yard before the wood chipper got to it when the hydro company did their line maintenance last winter. Remember my </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/07/our-lemonade-garden.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">poor tree</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">?</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The pumpkin on top is a faux pumpkin from Michaels that I spray painted <a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/05/ive-been-spray-painting-feathery.html" target="_blank">Heirloom White</a>.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Finally, the white lantern on the floor was a summer 2011 purchase from HomeSense. I filled the base with strips of burlap, pinecones and mini pumpkins to give it a less summery look. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">(In case you’re wondering, that arrowhead plant in the pot lives on the mantel year-round because of how much it hangs so I just work around it. We re-potted it this summer and it loves its new digs!)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K10vzE2ervk/UGEo0PgI8RI/AAAAAAAADB8/FcqQ9sNCyzc/s1600-h/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%252520Full%252520Length%2525201%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Fall 2012 Mantel - Full Length 1" border="0" alt="Fall 2012 Mantel - Full Length 1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lU9ztOfexe4/UGEo0sgkwjI/AAAAAAAADCE/HbmX5ir-OyA/Fall%2525202012%252520Mantel%252520-%252520Full%252520Length%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Thank you so much for checking out my mantel! </font></p> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <div><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </div> <div><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. Want to know a ridiculously easy way to hang a banner? Check out my trick </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/05/hanging-banner-quick-tip.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">here</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">!</font></div> <div><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font> </div> <div><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.P.S. Did you see my </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-to-customize-pre-made-planter-for.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">fall planter</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">? The mums and asters are really starting to fill out now!</font></div> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2012/09/autumn-mantels-link-party/" target="_blank"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="fall mantel party centsational girl" border="0" alt="fall mantel party centsational girl" src="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/fall-mantel-party-centsational-girl.jpg?9d7bd4" width="188" height="224"></a></font></p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> <font size="2">I link up at: </font></font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow </font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> </font> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-27044101447373154672012-09-20T06:00:00.000-04:002012-09-20T22:27:22.739-04:00How To: Customize A Pre-Made Planter For Fall<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCva52sY-AkQk6hpHxAv4jGjzeJkk3bcs4e5xBgkqTRY1NlU4_qQNyb-z__-50sZBaCeK20wXrC6nuHIH93aEnqmglL3ri05ChIfGA6epzXrQrIzqBVBTGWkBQlKwLoBR1SosgCd5SwE/s1600-h/Planter%252520After%252520Square%252520WM%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Planter After Square WM" border="0" alt="Planter After Square WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wMN569AnXdc/UFqF9BMvFxI/AAAAAAAAC7E/4LR3pO0bjas/Planter%252520After%252520Square%252520WM_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="288"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">On the weekend we bought a 12 inch fall planter from Rona for $14.99. After looking at plants and planters for the last few weeks, I knew that I could not buy the plants that made up the planter for less than that price. The pre-made planter included an aster, a mum, a very large kale plant and a spike. Added bonus: the asters and mum will bloom again next year if I plant them in the garden afterwards.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I was a little thrown by the asymmetrical flower arrangement (in particular, the spike) but I knew that I could tweak it once I brought it home.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I tried it out in both of my urns and discovered that it wouldn’t fit in either one, so I tested it in my go-to fall planter, a wooden barrel that I bought a few years ago from the grocery store that has more than paid for itself. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Good, but not great. That’s where a few more plants come into play.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IyTU6EDjx6w/UFqIEqM-W9I/AAAAAAAAC98/MDfxvgZL47A/s1600-h/Fall%252520Planter%252520Before%252520Labels%252520WM%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Fall Planter Before Labels WM" border="0" alt="Fall Planter Before Labels WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1LEQ-iIdTFS7-nBEuXgGGnkWd1oI0pXg5pqR6TEpxRnolv5aXQjae9ik8oh7fPZPklUV2WmG3zAzkuEKreNZArBlHQM2q-SHCVvoBc3oD0eIzwoQT8TylHFbdKiJoAryt79MjDb7lnk/?imgmax=800" width="480" height="307"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Time to customize!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Since the barrel is wooden, I lined it with an industrial garbage bag to contain the moisture and cut several holes in the bottom of the bag for drainage This worked really well for my </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/06/my-window-boxes-i-must-be-doing.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">summer window boxes</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> that are still thriving today.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fPtqVo4n94s/UFqGAE04NAI/AAAAAAAAC7c/22X3q630_BE/s1600-h/Newspaper%252520and%252520Garbage%252520Bag%252520Trick%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Customize a Pre-Made Planter" border="0" alt="Newspaper and Garbage Bag Trick WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rUzXNGYqCas/UFqGAi91VyI/AAAAAAAAC7k/jVFqi5FU500/Newspaper%252520and%252520Garbage%252520Bag%252520Trick%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="472" height="360"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Then I used the newspaper trick from my </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/04/rain-boots-and-bucket-fun-garden.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">spring planters</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> to keep the weight down.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IrDpYRIWyLk/UFqGBV1TpiI/AAAAAAAAC7s/nnmEptWlsFo/s1600-h/Rain%252520boots%252520Labelled%252520Layers%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Newspaper Planter Trick" border="0" alt="Rain boots Labelled Layers" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9sbcrHMbMak/UFqGBwsIJPI/AAAAAAAAC70/wXDVO5SAlZE/Rain%252520boots%252520Labelled%252520Layers_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">From there it was just a matter of filling the planter with soil, carefully separating the plants that were in the pre-made planter and arranging everything the way I wanted it in the barrel.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Here’s what I ended up with:</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlTsk49XlwvSpeJIfTeHD2-SDYTGz59GcT3iFqUJ3EscWeBw5jQJ3TzhvSZomN7WiEt7cyG0osAkGsgrNXYcgcSMiojruIU-HUDmXyRRiQLR8ML0Ke-YRXwkwHEvHNAevvwThQgCqKT4/s1600-h/Planter%252520Above%252520Zoom%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Customize a Pre-Made Planter" border="0" alt="Planter Above Zoom WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OToTNMNTmiM/UFqGDhDFkLI/AAAAAAAAC8E/T8an-23SWuo/Planter%252520Above%252520Zoom%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">And this is what I used if you like what you see:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xkguqRzDJZE/UFqGEQEHdWI/AAAAAAAAC8M/RDCFh0mHEaw/s1600-h/Labels%252520on%252520Fall%252520Planter%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Customize a Pre-Made Planter" border="0" alt="Labels on Fall Planter" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uuU-xvDp7Hc/UFqGFJrH4_I/AAAAAAAAC8U/lLA3dTCYTM4/Labels%252520on%252520Fall%252520Planter_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I know it’s not officially fall until Saturday, but I just couldn’t bring myself to leave this hiding in the backyard!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b9W39R1ZmIE/UFqGFy2fTNI/AAAAAAAAC8c/1c8xTrgJqX0/s1600-h/Planter%252520After%2525202%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Customize a Pre-Made Planter" border="0" alt="Planter After 2 WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nXRDEzeBxws/UFqGGY9i8_I/AAAAAAAAC8k/ycoXWAtWuAI/Planter%252520After%2525202%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--CZThFNNwU4/UFqGH39JfAI/AAAAAAAAC8s/T-mBOWEiX5Y/s1600-h/Planter%252520After%252520Zoom%252520WM%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Customize a Pre-Made Planter" border="0" alt="Planter After Zoom WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8i51c1V0c1Q/UFqGIciitsI/AAAAAAAAC80/e49_0HXtKxo/Planter%252520After%252520Zoom%252520WM_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="487" height="379"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I can’t wait to see how it fills out!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><strong>How much did it cost?</strong></font></p> <ul> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Pre-made planter: $14.99</font></div> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Ornamental grass: $5.99</font></div> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Kale: $1.98 x 2 ($3.96)</font></div> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Soil: $4.94 (used for this + 3 other fall planters)</font></div> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Barrel: $0 (already owned)</font></div> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">____________________________</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Total: $30 + tax for an <em>enormous</em> custom planter!</font></p></li></ul> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wX7L3fDvh4Q/UFqGJYOELHI/AAAAAAAAC88/kFOFoYkJweM/s1600-h/Planter%252520After%252520Vertical%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Customize a Pre-Made Planter" border="0" alt="Planter After Vertical" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-asoZzWEgN5A/UFqGJ3xq6jI/AAAAAAAAC9E/OR3ZZbzmBEc/Planter%252520After%252520Vertical_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Our porch has never looked better than in 2012. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Please, take a peek at how it has evolved through the seasons:</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/04/rain-boots-and-bucket-fun-garden.html" target="_blank"><u><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Spring 2012</font></u></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s1DKw1i6Y88/UFqGKmfOwxI/AAAAAAAAC9M/kPMKMWvYHJk/s1600-h/Spring%2525202012%252520Front%252520Porch%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spring 2012 Front Porch" border="0" alt="Spring 2012 Front Porch" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m_fOFBrWg8g/UFqGLCz0zxI/AAAAAAAAC9U/GVVTJyVYDhk/Spring%2525202012%252520Front%252520Porch_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="492" height="321"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/front-porch-updates-summer-2012.html" target="_blank"><u><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Summer 2012</font></u></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--PEV2X3nb0g/UFqGMBXHNsI/AAAAAAAAC9c/riqdkcNhr30/s1600-h/Summer%252520Front%252520Porch%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Summer Front Porch WM" border="0" alt="Summer Front Porch WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aZSzQRL3MCY/UFqGMrq6--I/AAAAAAAAC9k/l2jmdGbIMrA/Summer%252520Front%252520Porch%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="497" height="361"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><u>Fall 2012</u></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Nz9Dw8UFdpI/UFqGNXWlbjI/AAAAAAAAC9s/TTgTvOj2F-A/s1600-h/Fall%252520Porch%252520Planter%2525202012%252520WM%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Fall Porch Planter 2012 WM" border="0" alt="Fall Porch Planter 2012 WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vkVBeFT_fqQ/UFqGOOTtBII/AAAAAAAAC90/41hLaXA3RTc/Fall%252520Porch%252520Planter%2525202012%252520WM_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="480"></font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">(so far . . . I’m just getting started!)</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">More fall projects are on the way soon!</font></p> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></div> <div><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </div> <div><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. Thank you so much for all your sweet comments about </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/09/saying-goodbyebeverage-tub-makeover.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Maggie.</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"> It meant so much to me.</font></div> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.P.S. Check out how to quickly update your mailbox with a vinyl monogram </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/07/front-porch-updates-summer-2012.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">here</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/kick-off-your-fall-fun-outdoor-decor/" target="_blank"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Fall_Link_Party_Rhoda_zpsbc6c4049" alt="" src="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Fall_Link_Party_Rhoda_zpsbc6c4049.jpg" width="250" height="300"></a></p> <p> <hr> <font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I link up at: </font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow <hr> </p></font></a> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-53789974382017683252012-09-18T06:00:00.000-04:002012-09-19T23:06:55.815-04:00Saying Goodbye/Beverage Tub Makeover<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Today, blogs and blogging provided me with a much needed diversion on a hard day for my family. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We had to say goodbye to this little lady. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S-suOVU15is/UFflBTcbV1I/AAAAAAAAC5Q/qsmJ1bG6hhM/s1600-h/Maggie%25255B3%25255D.png"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Maggie" border="0" alt="Maggie" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jzWCf2HiWD4/UFflCmCcacI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/OT9Dys8QejA/Maggie_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="441" height="345"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Maggie turned 13 in August but had a rapid decline in her health starting around March of this year. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Prior to this Maggie was a cat who stayed kitten-sized and acted like one as well. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">She always had a daredevil streak to her which may have stemmed from the fact that when we adopted her as a kitten from the Humane Society she had already fallen from a 14th floor balcony into a snow bank. She loved to be up high and would spend her time watching you from the top of the kitchen cupboards or her scratching post tower. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Even though I no longer live at home, I still think of Maggie and Buddy (my parents’ other cat) as my pets because I was there with them from the beginning. I will always remember Maggie being so small that her entire body would vibrate when she purred.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I have never met another cat like her and I’m sure I never will.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When I had my final visit with Maggie on Sunday night, I knew my parents had made the right decision and that her time had come. I’m relieved that she is no longer suffering, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">To quote my Mom, “Maggie had a happy life and a peaceful end, and we will love her forever.”</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We miss you, Maggie!</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font><font face="Century Gothic"></p><font size="4"> <hr> </font></font><font size="4"><font face="Century Gothic">Now for what I had originally planned to share before life threw me a curveball . . . </font><font face="Century Gothic"> <hr> </font></font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Throughout the summer I kept tabs on the price of this metal beverage tub from Lowe’s knowing that I could use it for . . . something. The outside looks like white enamel and the inside is galvanized metal.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mUGhmacTTaM/UFflDBCkSJI/AAAAAAAAC5g/8EiQ_rhklIM/s1600-h/Laundry%252520Bucket%252520Before%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Beverage Tub Turned Laundry Basket Using Vinyl" border="0" alt="Laundry Bucket Before WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLDPMxdTkAcSXeaqtJd1YxBYhEHyxaXsSfdZiDKkbLhElfCuNsBM9qbumW5FgOrOSVZHIhyphenhyphenJ5kxQB4ONetRjR6mpUB5b8r5selHV0R1gjkMlCKVzMZsGMWzMPelo_GZZs9Yj1IGJQPis/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When it finally reached a clearance price of around $7, I pounced after striking a deal with Mr. Mechanic that I would clean up the Laundry Room if we bought it.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The Laundry Room is still a disaster (shh!) but my tub looks adorable thanks to a quick and easy vinyl makeover.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fYgR244kI7U/UFflEC8Z6jI/AAAAAAAAC5w/CbFdeFeIGs8/s1600-h/Laundry%252520Bucket%252520Symbols%252520Zoom%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Beverage Tub Turned Laundry Basket With Vinyl" border="0" alt="Laundry Bucket Symbols Zoom" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LlqYHft-zC4/UFflEgk6EzI/AAAAAAAAC54/aibToN7jpyo/Laundry%252520Bucket%252520Symbols%252520Zoom_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="452" height="307"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I learned from </font><a href="http://www.writeclickscrapbook.com/write_click_scrapbook/2011/04/getting-organized.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">this post</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> that there is a free font {SL Wash} made up completely of laundry symbols.</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4">You can download <strong>SL Wash </strong></font></font><a href="http://www.fontspace.com/su-lucas/sl-wash" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">here</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> or by clicking on the image below.</font></p> <p><a href="http://www.fontspace.com/su-lucas/sl-wash" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Character Set For SL Wash" alt="Character Set For SL Wash" src="http://www.fontspace.com/preview/charmap/5020b9b89e84c04df24a4c4ee2852822.png" width="482" height="135"></font></a></p> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4">I typed the letters that corresponded with wash, dry and iron in Silhouette Studio and resized them until they were all the same height. Then I cut them out of black vinyl with my </font><a href="http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/" target="_blank"><font size="4">Silhouette</font></a><font size="4">.</font></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Finally, I used a combination of transfer and painter’s tape to place the symbols on my tub. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I’m not going to lie, it was a pain in the butt to try to align them on a curved surface, but it was worth the aggravation in the end!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Wouldn’t you agree?</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Guv2LS5r4sU/UFflFJyfRJI/AAAAAAAAC6A/oUWl82PND_E/s1600-h/Laundry%252520Bucket%252520After%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Beverage Tub Turned Laundry Basket Using Vinyl" border="0" alt="Laundry Bucket After WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wtMGHR6LDWg/UFflF2Noz-I/AAAAAAAAC6I/rBhujV5BV2E/Laundry%252520Bucket%252520After%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">While the rest of the Laundry Room is still nothing worth sharing thanks to an on-going basement renovation, my kitchen towels and rags have a cute place to hang out until I accumulate enough to justify a load of laundry.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Thanks for sticking with me today!</font></p> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">P.S. Don’t even ask about that chair. It’s a DIY Chalk Paint experiment that went terribly wrong. I’m starting to realize that painting furniture is <strong>not </strong>my thing.</font></p> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="2">P.P.S. If you like fonts you should check out </font><a href="http://pinterest.com/MissArscott/fonts/" target="_blank"><font size="2">my board</font></a><font size="2"> on Pinterest for some great suggestions!</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> <font size="2">I link up at: </font></font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-46695278398665819702012-09-13T06:00:00.000-04:002012-09-13T06:00:00.615-04:00Golden Wedding Anniversary Sign<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Last month my parents received an invitation for a 50th wedding anniversary celebration.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The invitation specified: no gifts, just well wishes. Being crafty, I suggested that I make a family name sign to commemorate the occasion knowing that the materials would cost about the same as a card.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Here is what I came up with:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hzKrR_zx6ko/UFFNcrzomzI/AAAAAAAAC3U/BoOfKt8N-uM/s1600-h/Dixon-Family-Name-Sign-Zoom4.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Golden Wedding Anniversary Family Name Sign" border="0" alt="Dixon Family Name Sign Zoom" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bkL0M-HdagA/UFFNdAix9DI/AAAAAAAAC3c/j8_zXIBIq3g/Dixon-Family-Name-Sign-Zoom_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="505" height="385"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The lettering is done in gold (my Mom’s great idea – apple doesn’t fall far from the tree) and provides the perfect contrast against the black paint.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VzZhi95025E/UFFNd1hWcXI/AAAAAAAAC3k/hF8pCfYJ0mM/s1600-h/Gold-Stencil-Zoom4.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Golden Wedding Anniversary Family Name Sign" border="0" alt="Gold Stencil Zoom" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wBQNdwbiaB0/UFFNeXVLz0I/AAAAAAAAC3s/6vk1joW7dSc/Gold-Stencil-Zoom_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="390"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I started with a pine board from Home Depot that I cut to size. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I painted the board (the second time . . . keep reading) with two layers of white (in case I decided to distress it later on) and then two layers of black Martha Stewart acrylic paint (my favourite brand for coverage and quality).</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I designed the sign and then cut a contact paper stencil using my Silhouette. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I added a box around my text so that the cut stencil matched the dimensions of my pine board to make the spacing and alignment easier.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I used my new Scotch Blue Delicate Surfaces tape to transfer the stencil to my board. So easy and inexpensive compared to transfer tape!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k2FznUUKdPI/UFFNe8kt9EI/AAAAAAAAC30/wTTF6IRhxgM/s1600-h/Contact-Paper-Stencil4.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Golden Wedding Anniversary Family Name Sign" border="0" alt="Contact Paper Stencil" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i112ESBx6L4/UFFNfeqUE4I/AAAAAAAAC38/Kz2WAIAi-zQ/Contact-Paper-Stencil_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="509" height="381"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Using a Martha Stewart stencil brush I pounced on gold acrylic paint and learned that it is important to read the drying instructions when you are using metallic paint! It said to wait 1 hour between coats.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I first tried this with a different brand and stencilled too much too soon. It peeled off in pieces (like gold leaf, I assume) when I removed the contact paper. I had to start all over again.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Lesson learned!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I touched up the gold paint that bled under the stencil with a fine-tipped brush. I used the positive space of the stencil to cover the necessary letters and numbers and then painted around the edges. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">After showing a photo of the painted and stencilled board to my parents via email, my Dad suggested that I add something to the corners. I searched the Silhouette store and couldn’t find anything I liked so I went with the next best thing, stripes!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I used </font><a href="http://www.thistlewoodfarms.com/painted-striped-front-porch-steps" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">this trick</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> from KariAnne of Thistlewood Farm (see step #4) to create easy no-measure stripes using pin striping painter’s tape (since we already established that I don’t like to measure stripes </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/09/diy-painted-foam-mat.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">here</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">) and then stencilled them with one coat of gold paint.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I left the top and bottom edges of the board black but painted the sides with gold to make the gold of the stripes wrap around the board.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yCu5kGmmoOc/UFFNf23Y-hI/AAAAAAAAC4E/kUfxBNTQwPs/s1600-h/Dixon%252520Sign%252520Rocking%252520Chair%252520Vertical%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Golden Wedding Anniversary Family Name Sign" border="0" alt="Dixon Sign Rocking Chair Vertical" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XfMS0SkbHBU/UFFNgY6QVsI/AAAAAAAAC4M/DUkMl5tYcOw/Dixon%252520Sign%252520Rocking%252520Chair%252520Vertical_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="310" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Isn’t this a great personalized gift for a milestone anniversary? Silver, gold, platinum . . .</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dLMoysdZsMA/UFFNg_o2LUI/AAAAAAAAC4U/lAh-lHaQLJg/s1600-h/Dixon-Sign-Mantel-Orton-WM6.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Golden Wedding Anniversary Family Name Sign" border="0" alt="Dixon Sign Mantel Orton WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejMANcxUo-uOeD976tw2XH7Z8EjfRUleJQin1kL5x9achTqwOQgcfe170-f8mQ3k5Gg6zedYcNRFN5E34UI1X4l8WiASZersi4uVOwLXDg9P5oN32oA-s3BNL7WDEiUi2CRXLr6bzwKw/?imgmax=800" width="462" height="352"></font></a></p><br> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. You can see the rest of my front porch </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/07/front-porch-updates-summer-2012.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">here</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">. I’m looking forward to switching it up for fall!</font></p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> <font size="2">I link up at: </font></font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">,and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a> <hr> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-14693357933493318432012-09-10T06:00:00.000-04:002012-09-12T23:07:12.798-04:00DIY Painted Foam Mat<p><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">[I know I promised I would share this last week, but coming home from the cottage on Tuesday put me a day behind with everything, and I don’t generally post on the weekend . . . perhaps this will be the return of me blogging a bit more consistently]</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dxnTyrq2y7jbz5XENF8zCWCOGi7zBKvVJdBAYR6HpZ_MsIbpZE3PmzUSje4yI7MniB98yOsoLEUkKsg_i-Uf3O2MokLa6ZCZIzGzDPFB94YtulMjHPxqLEyU_i375KZ7sqoLR-Cu-Kk/s1600-h/Rug%252520Horizonal%252520Cropped%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: DIY Painted Foam Mat Tutorial" border="0" alt="Rug Horizonal Cropped WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3KTYTKor2UI/UE1a8OXH5mI/AAAAAAAAC08/PmkkXF5o5es/Rug%252520Horizonal%252520Cropped%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="306"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I have come across several fabulous tutorials for DIYing mats using the interlocking foam squares but I want you to know that you have even more options. You know those foam kitchen mats that are squishy like memory foam but covered in a tacky pattern? </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-alp9Is6KvQI/UE1a9a7I7tI/AAAAAAAAC1E/kPCfDU7DmR4/s1600-h/Rug%252520Before%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Foam Kitchen Mat Before - Yikes!" border="0" alt="Rug Before" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q525JV1IM4k/UE1a9kVcv7I/AAAAAAAAC1M/KaEpW2J_cGM/Rug%252520Before_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="313"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">You can take that eye sore – I found mine for under $10 at Costco – and doctor it with latex paint in whatever colour and pattern that your heart desires.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The power of paint strikes again!</font></p> <p align="center"><strong><u><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">How To Transform Your Foam Mat</font></u></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The key to success? Primer.</font></strong></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Since the foam is porous, it <em>really</em> soaks up a lot of paint. I was running very low on Zinsser primer so I was only able to do 2 coats but I know what a difference even just two coats made to the process.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Keep painting it with primer until you can no longer see the original design on the mat. Make sure you look at it from multiple angles – even when it looked covered, I could still see the raised edges of the design.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I used a roller to apply my primer, alternating the direction with each coat. Once I ran out of primer, I used a tester of what I <em>thought</em> would be my base colour to paint several more coats. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Too light. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Next, I switched to the green paint tester that I used to transform my </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/03/shelving-transformationpainted-wooden.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">wooden boxes</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">. </font></p> <p><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/03/shelving-transformationpainted-wooden.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Painted Wooden Boxes" border="0" alt="Painted Wooden Boxes 1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1qq9ZeYV78c/UE1a-Fstn4I/AAAAAAAAC1U/eT1zDoE-Nes/Painted-Wooden-Boxes-15.jpg?imgmax=800" width="493" height="300"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">My thinking was that the green storage cubes in my </font><a href="http://www.homedepot.ca/product/white-storage-bench-with-seat-and-cubbie-storage/922825" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Martha Stewart storage bench</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> were the colour closest to the floor so the mat should have this colour running through it as well.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MoV_x10O-ds/UE1a-hIPR6I/AAAAAAAAC1c/-jLyRhhNjFM/s1600-h/Kitchen-Bench-WM3.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Kitchen Bench" border="0" alt="Kitchen Bench WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RKHrOL_txL4/UE1a_L99C1I/AAAAAAAAC1k/MynSeCT6C_k/Kitchen-Bench-WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It was the perfect choice!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I painted several coats of green as well as around the edges of the mat and it looked a million times better just as a blank canvas.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">With the olive oil bottles officially banished, I had to decide on a pattern. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Easier said than done.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I looked at MANY rugs on Pinterest and eventually came to the realization that I didn’t want to have to measure anything or use a stencil.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The solution? Random stripes.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RA7dtnR0-IA/UE1a_lrjefI/AAAAAAAAC1s/VUGLraV97AI/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520Rug%252520Supplies%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Kitchen Mat Supplies" border="0" alt="Kitchen Rug Supplies" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0c2jAuTW6_w/UE1bACH7kVI/AAAAAAAAC10/Jmx_aWKPU5s/Kitchen%252520Rug%252520Supplies_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I remembered reading about Scotch Blue Delicate Surfaces Tape on </font><a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2012/07/diy-stenciled-storage-boxes.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">House of Smiths</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> and decided to try it for my first time painting stripes. The lighter adhesive was perfect for creating stripes without waiting forever for the green to dry.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Once the base colour was dry to the touch I laid out my stripes and then labelled the tape with the colour I would use for each section.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I used a foam brush, alternating green (no painting required), teal, and a custom mix of teal and sea foam blue. Two coats and it was time for the big reveal.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The tape peeled off without any damage to the paint. I removed it while the paint was still wet. I have since used it for a few Silhouette projects as an alternative to transfer tape and officially love it!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">After leaving it to dry for the afternoon, the last step was to spray the mat with several coats of acrylic protectant since it would be used in front of the sink. Again, I used what I had on hand – Krylon’s </font><a href="http://www.krylon.com/products/acrylic_crystal_clear/" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Crystal Clear</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I am able to wipe the mat without worrying about the paint finish. I have scrubbed it a few times without any cracking or discolouration. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8vlMLnpc7ns/UE1bAscLt5I/AAAAAAAAC18/cfRGN1bsvDk/s1600-h/Rug%252520Vertical%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: DIY Painted Foam Mat Tutorial" border="0" alt="Rug Vertical WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYc9kMw_v32hqUaNqGaAksp9cXVxya4KxiVrXryCl4K6RLQbhUUIOslcdxjnF5rEhMgfrA1lZWq2NC88ikCSFCaGm21y8zvxVgn-amj77T9wFx3YRS0eInKb0T649KyhRzi5DOZ6UBnxw/?imgmax=800" width="343" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It wasn’t until I loaded the dishwasher that I discovered there may have been a subliminal influence on my colour choices. The design on my </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/05/jonathan-adler-dishwasher-tab-storage.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">dishwasher tab storage container</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> is almost an identical colour palette.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jtXEeItsVwk/UE1bBa9XmxI/AAAAAAAAC2M/4lYApSDYnhk/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520Rug%252520Inspiration%252520Colours%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Kitchen Mat Inspiration Colours" border="0" alt="Kitchen Rug Inspiration Colours" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZVZsLJBW3uM/UE1bB2biWUI/AAAAAAAAC2U/QlXpk0QLsSY/Kitchen%252520Rug%252520Inspiration%252520Colours_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">This mat was the missing piece in our kitchen decor. </font></p> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4">Now <strike>we</strike> I finally have something comfortable to stand on while doing dishes that does not swallow everything that falls on the floor. Lesson learned with a cheap shag carpet. </font></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It ties the colour scheme together and adds a pop of fun to our tired cabinets and flooring. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6syuKDiedNU/UE1bCfCNIVI/AAAAAAAAC2c/4cyOipUEG1U/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520Rug%252520After%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: DIY Painted Foam Mat Tutorial" border="0" alt="Kitchen Rug After WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eOZko_ljaQk/UE1bC0Q_SNI/AAAAAAAAC2k/_29rS5MQXAs/Kitchen%252520Rug%252520After%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" height="324"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Work with what you’ve got, right?</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Thanks for sticking with me during my “hiatus”! I took lots of photos this weekend so I hope to be back with another project later this week!</font></p> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. Does anyone know what classifies something a mat versus a rug?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.P.S. Check out a round-up of many of my green and teal kitchen DIY projects </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/03/kitchen-shelving-transformation.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">here</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"><font size="3">.</font> <hr> </font><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I link up at: </font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">,and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-76400883025999184452012-08-31T06:00:00.000-04:002012-08-31T06:00:06.864-04:00A Little Teaser For The Long Weekend<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We’re off to the </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/06/back-to-reality.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">cottage</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> again for the weekend but, <em>in the meantime</em> (ha!), here’s a little teaser of my newest project for freshening up the kitchen. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FPoxi-l70Mi2iKcef8LfpPjsL-91HWEzXBlYLvGdxs_43v07yQ1eUGTuUzJ1Yt-UrtYR0dayph1pYWXmjx7pDBHCGewD-Shs4NzqNg6ESPeujVBt4X4H1TOzK-5tniF-S54FDfGe4gE/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520Rug%252520Collage%252520WM%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Kitchen Rug Collage WM" border="0" alt="Kitchen Rug Collage WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF4WENB7JsWHjcVkfmhJFnxL671pb2fWz4WygyxBjF10-RqcPWc7rC82kDTcZb6M5lhd71Oqt8OFkgM7IEpff2xBLLdOQbEeTfDbLhDIlQDkhspOriFhS44oAp0HnyEQ2euYHBNxILDQ/?imgmax=800" width="344" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The best part? I already owned everything I needed for this project . . . except the rug. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I’ll be sharing the details on how to make over your own rug next week!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Have a great {long} weekend and happy back to school on Tuesday to all my Canadian readers! </font></p> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-8421545780917944922012-08-30T06:00:00.000-04:002012-08-30T06:00:09.318-04:00Faux Zinc Tray Tutorial<p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">In case you missed it, here’s a re-post of my latest ‘Pinspiration’ project that I originally shared on Heather’s blog, <a href="http://settingforfour.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Setting for Four</a>.</font></p> <hr> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ylw8RiVW7fk/UB89UibRHtI/AAAAAAAACgY/3iYk1jSs5bI/s1600-h/Faux-Zinc-Tray-Banner-WM7.jpg"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Zinc Tray Tutorial" border="0" alt="Faux Zinc Tray Banner WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NGUdiysTFPU/UB89VSRO33I/AAAAAAAACgg/_kQmpSpV5zU/Faux-Zinc-Tray-Banner-WM_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="329"></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">I have seen many tutorials on how to make paper mache letters look like zinc, but I was especially intrigued by </font><a href="http://housestuffworks.blogspot.ca/2012/07/how-to-easy-faux-zinc-letters.html?showComment=1341279852575" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">this post</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"> that claimed you could easily create a zinc finish with just two paint colours.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UzJkOXaE0vM/UB89VrISkVI/AAAAAAAACgo/EJWgnI3WM70/s1600-h/Easy%252520Faux%252520Zinc%252520Letters%252520from%252520House%252520Stuff%252520Works%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Easy Faux Zinc Letters from House Stuff Works" border="0" alt="Easy Faux Zinc Letters from House Stuff Works" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVoogxAMjP63JZ3IN5Cr2Rpw0zJPUaSMldWAcFURd2UJKEyLjXHbxIo_kBNtqBsKlaoxh_bMI_hDQqx63aEH4ywFEsxl3Bnh6tFX6NM_2FMpCa8cRQGB3QN5-9AhGGo30lolONmZP89E/?imgmax=800" width="454" height="319" nopin="nopin"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Source: </font><a href="http://housestuffworks.blogspot.ca/2012/07/how-to-easy-faux-zinc-letters.html?showComment=1341279852575" target="_blank"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House Stuff Works</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> via </font><a href="http://pinterest.com/MissArscott/" target="_blank"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Claire</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> on </font><a href="www.pinterest.com" target="_blank"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Pinterest</font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">I’ve tested it out and I’m thrilled to tell you that yes, it really <em>is</em> that simple!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">I started with a wooden tray from Goodwill that was just waiting for its next life. I bought it at the same time as </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/03/goodwill-tray-makeover.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">this</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"> tray that already received a “Cinderella makeover.” </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRNMm6aEuuDK5lkEYxyeaxCHChmoCbBSLu6wtNQ4pkJTI3Vz9DHz5LKAw5JqQTgvpXIGyuRSsBBLzuCU2TP8eiYfU1UGZAzxucdydWTp3R8nXb-put7xLgmCU9GcIwRvKlk1qiGIbaww/s1600-h/Faux-Zinc-Tray-Before-WM4.jpg"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Zinc Tray Tutorial" border="0" alt="Faux Zinc Tray Before WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiJa2D3KJIvWlHXmkbqcHj9BXtoOvKtUYeOWgTacvEm1Fw-g8W95qLVg4WRHNDm4UeESegrUXIWu5cQW_5c1C-YJEm-nUJlPOq82wKTkb-zPrDeIefRGFQo8AYeDBkBZ5-t3b7i_igOg/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="343"></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Since the tray was originally green I decided to spray paint it with gray primer before giving it the faux zinc treatment.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ar-w4enRYnk/UB89YeyMheI/AAAAAAAAChI/eqVJx7G3zb0/s1600-h/Faux-Zinc-Tray-Primer-WM3.jpg"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Zinc Tray Tutorial" border="0" alt="Faux Zinc Tray Primer WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M_JzOR9tBpQ/UB89Y4pqXAI/AAAAAAAAChQ/JirFREIRkNk/Faux-Zinc-Tray-Primer-WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">(Looking better already!)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Once the primer dried (one of the good things about our crazy hot weather this summer), I painted the tray with one coat of black acrylic paint.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8ewubLy811s/UB89ZayJB-I/AAAAAAAAChY/ERu55Ysd0YU/s1600-h/Faux-Zinc-Tray-Black-Paint-WM3.jpg"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Zinc Tray Tutorial" border="0" alt="Faux Zinc Tray Black Paint WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qqbgW9wG-Yk/UB89Z5NMCII/AAAAAAAAChg/KffB77a3BDU/Faux-Zinc-Tray-Black-Paint-WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Then, it was time for the magic!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zoxJ78TfdT4/UB89afOYCxI/AAAAAAAACho/Aj_iIhkU0Rw/s1600-h/Magic%252520Paint%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Zinc Tray Tutorial" border="0" alt="Magic Paint WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-osW2OqCvbc0/UB89a8_vYWI/AAAAAAAAChw/OtuOOqWXVE4/Magic%252520Paint%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">With an old paintbrush, I dry-brushed on white pearl paint. FYI: I bought this paint at Michaels with a 40% off coupon but I have also seen it at Walmart.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">While painting, I concentrated more paint on the edges and corners and applied the paint in long strokes. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Once I was happy with the coverage, I went back and added more paint in different directions to the center of the tray.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-luKlyqTVoUw/UB89bbqivrI/AAAAAAAACh4/ly7iP15xIqA/s1600-h/Faux-Zinc-Tray-3-WM3.jpg"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Zinc Tray Tutorial" border="0" alt="Faux Zinc Tray 3 WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xxGrjPz89rQ/UB89b8koqrI/AAAAAAAACiA/EBliT76X-Z0/Faux-Zinc-Tray-3-WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="503" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Rather than add too much, I decided to stop here and live with it for a while. I can always add more in the future.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hyZ5k-FKqPY/UB89cbftxTI/AAAAAAAACiI/KMYN-sJmd3Q/s1600-h/Faux-Zinc-Tray-2-WM4.jpg"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Zinc Tray Tutorial" border="0" alt="Faux Zinc Tray 2 WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-awtHDfMvdaA/UB89cyl4xdI/AAAAAAAACiQ/morjDJPerLQ/Faux-Zinc-Tray-2-WM_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="505" height="285"></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">The amount of black paint left showing is completely up to you and how you want your piece to look.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Two steps and two bottles of paint! That’s it!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">My finished tray will make a cute home for my smallest </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/07/summer-pinterest-challenge-tea-tin.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">tea tin succulent planter</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"> . . .</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RZ5Qs3Yphpg/UB89f_aik2I/AAAAAAAACiY/kK039ux5c5k/s1600-h/Faux-Zinc-Tray-4-WM4.jpg"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Zinc Tray Tutorial" border="0" alt="Faux Zinc Tray 4 WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCw7_yh2A_K1x6TArXAMVAylMduufAuBI04oghTjJukxqsEpU5E5TfXbyU83Q64x3ADIxG3S86LyekUIK1Tc__9sYeVCNR2v0zT11zpAEcFFUxjv5mWEAnScitqee2KcpxDb6eg2VfLs0/?imgmax=800" width="515" height="393"></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">or a lovely turquoise trio borrowed from my </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/04/my-spring-mantel.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">mantel</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8Nc5e0wJg7c/UB89gxo02UI/AAAAAAAACio/_hSf_NLV1vo/s1600-h/Faux-Zinc-Tray-5-WM3.jpg"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Zinc Tray Tutorial" border="0" alt="Faux Zinc Tray 5 WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y2ifpwFdDOs/UB89hSYXHoI/AAAAAAAACiw/zYHHIuMAp3Y/Faux-Zinc-Tray-5-WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">See that ribbed bottle? It’s an upcycled soya sauce bottle! I poured acrylic paint into it and swirled it around until the sides were covered. The streaky finish was a <em>complete fluke</em> and I love it!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a17dY381KJk/UB89iBQfk9I/AAAAAAAACi4/ieTHRZwEVKE/s1600-h/Faux-Zinc-Tray-1-WM4.jpg"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Zinc Tray Tutorial" border="0" alt="Faux Zinc Tray 1 WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n3NdSWCAn7E/UB89iUKy09I/AAAAAAAACjA/J454yC4zCKc/Faux-Zinc-Tray-1-WM_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="515" height="446"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">{Black paint + white pearl paint = faux zinc}</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z4C7z0gH344/UB89jG-q4vI/AAAAAAAACjI/5UEfVwJrVl8/s1600-h/Faux%252520Zinc%252520Tray%252520Banner%252520WM%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Zinc Tray Tutorial" border="0" alt="Faux Zinc Tray Banner WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X6apRRmX7VM/UB89jhu_12I/AAAAAAAACjQ/Jy2PuCsKrQ8/Faux%252520Zinc%252520Tray%252520Banner%252520WM_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="260"></font></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">If you liked that, I’d<em> love</em> for you to check out some more of my Pinterest-inspired creations. </font><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Here are three more ‘Pinspiration’ projects to get you started!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/summer-pinterest-challenge-tea-tin.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/summer-pinterest-challenge-tea-tin.html" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Tea Tin Planters" border="0" alt="Tea Tin Planters Banner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QXaFvV4atOk/UD7Ybpt5OrI/AAAAAAAACzM/j8ANCGqcVy0/Tea%252520Tin%252520Planters%252520Banner.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="260"></a></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/bit-of-pinspiration-painted-bathroom.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Vintage-Inspired Bathroom Art" border="0" alt="Pinspiration Bathroom Artwork WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qU1U4my-0cE/UB89kvUbh6I/AAAAAAAACjg/zEwEI25IWeU/Pinspiration%252520Bathroom%252520Artwork%252520WM%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="260"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/05/bit-of-pinspiration-mason-jar-planter.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Shanty 2 Chic Inspired Mason Jar Planter Box" border="0" alt="Pinspiration Banner Mason Jar WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mBIOMVkvPdg/UB89lGBkzWI/AAAAAAAACjo/ii0adWiWMXk/Pinspiration%252520Banner%252520Mason%252520Jar%252520WM%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="260"></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Thanks for reading (or, if you already checked this out on <a href="http://settingforfour.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Setting For Four</a> and you’re still with me, re-reading!) and have a great day!</font><font size="3"><font face="Century Gothic"><br> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></a></div> <hr> </font></font><font face="Century Gothic">I link up at: </font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.twindragonflydesigns.com"><font face="Century Gothic">Dragonfly Designs</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.everycreativeendeavor.com"><font face="Century Gothic">Every Creative Endeavor</font></a><font face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-75943504056377150102012-08-21T06:00:00.000-04:002012-08-25T23:25:45.869-04:00How To Customize A Lysol No-Touch Kitchen Soap Dispenser<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t6PHoBGmCUg/UDMAXLf7mEI/AAAAAAAACws/LUnMhFKuFLk/s1600-h/Lysol%252520No%252520Touch%252520Square%252520Banner%252520WM%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Customize Your Lysol No-Touch Dish Soap Dispenser" border="0" alt="Lysol No Touch Square Banner WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlKQgT_5rvpW4w43KTPAAhaGY5Kf_8RHzTSm4qXnwlRnc1ya07jOeBn56KdQ80vigOIjbF-bUIYh_w9miSXkMasXJv4WZiFvOi_6SSkKXxTsPbLejBov1VA9QOMR0NmTuvpN7o9PMvc8/?imgmax=800" width="295" height="305"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">My kitchen has been the target of most of my organizing and tweaking for the last few weeks. The </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/08/kitchen-update-coffee-station.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">coffee station</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> started the ball rolling and it has felt like a different space ever since.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Over the weekend I decided it was time to make over some of the boring but necessary accessories with spray paint. I painted the paper towel holder and knife block and then spotted my sticking-out-like-a-sore-thumb </font><a href="http://www.lysol.com/cleaning-products/kitchen-soap/no-touch-kitchen-system" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Lysol No-Touch Kitchen Soap Dispenser</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">. </font></p> <p><a href="http://www.lysol.com/cleaning-products/kitchen-soap/no-touch-kitchen-system" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="no-touch-kitchen-1-md" border="0" alt="no-touch-kitchen-1-md" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rXcXHC_CgMI/UDMAZGzIzkI/AAAAAAAACw8/PfPxowi_NtM/no-touch-kitchen-1-md%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="187"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I love it and just used </font><a href="http://quietube2.com/v.php/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-sTyjZ_NMQ" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">this video</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> to very easily refill it with a different (and much less expensive) dish soap (Lysol is probably not going to like that but I’m in no way affiliated with them!). However, it’s not the prettiest gadget to have beside the sink.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The perfect candidate for my next </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/07/spray-paint-makeover-brass-floor-lamp.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">spray paint makeover</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I’m familiar with the infamous </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/" target="_blank"><u><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths’</font></u></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> painted </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2010/03/28/the-great-soap-makeover/" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">soap pump</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">, but I couldn’t find anything related to the Lysol dispenser so this might actually be an original idea!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I turned off the switch so that I could inspect it without getting soaped and then tried to figure how I could paint the unit without affecting the sensor. There is a sensor at the top by the soap nozzle, but I believe the teardrop shaped window on the front does something, too.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I was about to give up when I noticed that the silver face plate was a completely separate piece. It comes right off – no tools required!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Time to customize!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The hardest part was choosing a spray paint colour. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">In the end, the winner was Catalina Mist. It didn’t disappoint!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1K9bKIjNU64/UDMAZ03sUNI/AAAAAAAACxE/imPO--yndmk/s1600-h/Lysol%252520No%252520Touch%252520Square%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Customize Your Lysol No-Touch Dish Soap Dispenser" border="0" alt="Lysol No Touch Square WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fVajwd21ZIg/UDMAaHw4MxI/AAAAAAAACxM/piJkHbksFvY/Lysol%252520No%252520Touch%252520Square%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="240"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Since it was SO easy, here’s the very, <em>very </em>condensed how-to:</font></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Turn off batteries.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Remove face plate, prime, spray paint with chosen colour, replace face plate.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Turn on batteries.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Done!</font></strong></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9e4EejIa8KjvjGKBNNiSV81gk5IWEyPMsLEQgqCvPX0diZaMl2KDp66IO-KVYDxMkbrz2xAz4HJBqXHkRQ2w344W2OfE2pBvRC0febxKPtloAho5JhiAzSSHloyK0seIKZ2BDsEjWKoA/s1600-h/Lysol%252520No%252520Touch%252520Face%252520Plate%252520Spray%252520Painted%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Customize Your Lysol No-Touch Dish Soap Dispenser" border="0" alt="Lysol No Touch Face Plate Spray Painted WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y1eH5SoZoE4/UDMAbeVdbYI/AAAAAAAACxc/N3BV4D3NvFE/Lysol%252520No%252520Touch%252520Face%252520Plate%252520Spray%252520Painted%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CndaYZgjgU4/UDMAcC_LvnI/AAAAAAAACxk/mKiv1OqQK4I/s1600-h/Spray%252520Painted%252520Face%252520Plate%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Customize Your Lysol No-Touch Dish Soap Dispenser" border="0" alt="Spray Painted Face Plate WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gFcpLtea62M/UDMAc1yiXAI/AAAAAAAACxs/FwrzjyaPApg/Spray%252520Painted%252520Face%252520Plate%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="341"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3-U4I6SE4Bw/UDMAdihHtGI/AAAAAAAACx0/yY3uvXp1fok/s1600-h/Lysol%252520No%252520Touch%252520Face%252520Plate%252520Spray%252520Painted%252520Reattach%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Customize Your Lysol No-Touch Dish Soap Dispenser" border="0" alt="Lysol No Touch Face Plate Spray Painted Reattach WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCq_SyC3ei6H_zo5ngnhVdA4dwcbBH4K7U0GfG4bZKdrJZe7Wm8vwmNtTYcRYjoqUdbqEqewXBe7TUbnWoZyp5XCtkHQIYYTShAeT1DmHNNoPHT-gsNFLtRI7hJdClXHY6wlRUkt-0gk/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-htYUrc-I4VE/UDMAeghjsnI/AAAAAAAACyE/AJaCiO0GD94/s1600-h/Finished%252520No%252520Touch%252520Dispenser%252520Spray%252520Paint%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Customize Your Lysol No-Touch Dish Soap Dispenser" border="0" alt="Finished No Touch Dispenser Spray Paint WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p6sOCdssDL0/UDMAfTxwxuI/AAAAAAAACyM/A_NdZ6a_9II/Finished%252520No%252520Touch%252520Dispenser%252520Spray%252520Paint%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_Sw29mVzg60/UDMAgE37KzI/AAAAAAAACyU/7IQ6O5go-jE/s1600-h/Finished%252520Lysol%252520No%252520Touch%2525201%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Customize Your Lysol No-Touch Dish Soap Dispenser" border="0" alt="Finished Lysol No Touch 1 WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-2GIRaB2pxNl0e0WK9mD_ujQakp1q-dbMwZbg_Lr3GVE_IGDVk7BbWCdPnJHwqfsin-gZk-gEX7O2kxN4ErgaKiyDFb8fczGxzY02KJ6EwMqavqrz1IQrKHaAPvk5THR9ZkSCbLf65E/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Do you have one of these wonderful dispensers in your kitchen? </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I really like being able to wash my hands when I’m cooking or baking without contaminating everything else. I had a </font><a href="http://www.lysol.com/cleaning-products/hand-soap/no-touch-hand-soap-system" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">No-Touch soap dispenser</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> in my classroom when I taught Grade 1 and it was great because it actually made my students WANT to wash their hands! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I’d love to see what colour (or colours) you use to customize yours!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Thanks for checking out my latest project!</font></p> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <div><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. Since the hand soap version doesn’t have a removable face plate, there’s no reason why you couldn’t refill the bottle of the kitchen dispenser with hand soap instead and then use this in your bathroom, too!</font></div><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> <font size="2">I link up at: </font></font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.twindragonflydesigns.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Dragonfly Designs</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, <a href="http://www.everycreativeendeavor.com" target="_blank">Every Creative Endeavor</a> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> </font> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-44586812921789546232012-08-17T06:00:00.000-04:002012-08-17T06:00:01.886-04:00Organize Receipts {Or Anything Else} With Custom Dividers<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QrbgxOqHMw0/UC22qOqnPCI/AAAAAAAACtY/Ln1_CBCRJwk/s1600-h/Organize%252520Receipts%252520Square%252520Banner%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Organize Receipts with Customized Dividers " border="0" alt="Organize Receipts Square Banner WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MW5zcXHcrJ0/UC22qvYbPZI/AAAAAAAACtg/Q32dfkuKWkY/Organize%252520Receipts%252520Square%252520Banner%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="404"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I spotted this box at HomeSense last year and it was love at first sight.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--q7j_N_4_YM/UC22rgoXQVI/AAAAAAAACto/pJrVzyBVqQk/s1600-h/Receipt%252520Box%252520Before%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Receipt Box Before Vinyl" border="0" alt="Receipt Box Before WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2DDrrLQEPAI/UC22sVJdfXI/AAAAAAAACts/qCzvMPAJzRQ/Receipt%252520Box%252520Before%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="373"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The pictures don’t do it justice.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It is a lovely, glossy yellow and white box with hinges. The yellow is the perfect shade that goes wonderfully with all of the other yellow accents in my office. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">If we actually had some sunshine that lasted until the afternoon I would be able to show you my beautiful office because now, after a big organizing blitz, it truly is beautiful. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I’m <em>so</em> proud of it. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Everything has a home.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Correction. Everything has a <em>pretty</em> home.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Including my receipts.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I have struggled to maintain a system for storing my necessary receipts for years. I start off well, and then I develop piles. I’ve tried binder clips, accordion files, baskets, file folders etc. but nothing has ever stuck. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I even used this box at one point. . . I just didn’t use it the right way.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">A little while ago, I had a receipt organizing epiphany. I do pretty well with maintaining a filing system for everything else, so why not create something that allows me to file my receipts in the same way</font><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">? </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Instead of clipping them together into piles, I needed to be able to flip through my receipts quickly to find what I need.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Also, I wanted a system where I could sort my receipts by the store where I bought something, not by a category.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">My first thought was to use a photo storage box from Michaels. They come with dividers, but I wanted the receipts to span the length of the box so I made my own dividers using my Silhouette.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mRPpOOVK_pE/UC22tI0GcVI/AAAAAAAACt4/CqzBUCA8LLc/s1600-h/Photo%252520Box%252520Receipt%252520Organizer%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Photo Box Receipt Organizer" border="0" alt="Photo Box Receipt Organizer" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZqUioI4ZXKmgwnUjU2zgxAjzQU9iN5lNEOXczpVcDquqfKuTEf18md1lXaBf8wV1VggB6dLn9dWhmJAhvmwNEhf14C9WBebJDjLzhrSRuN9qHZVYL7Kq-4FRUx7JdYFiLdU3tqzip58/?imgmax=800" width="501" height="382"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I labelled everything and filled it up with all my receipts. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Definitely an improvement, but to access it I have to pull it out from underneath my desk (I’ll show you that another time). Not very efficient. I saw more piles accumulating in my future.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So, I moved onto Plan B – the yellow box that had sat on my desk for a year without a real purpose.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">First, it got a vinyl label to clearly identify its job.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The collage below shows how I planned the placement of my vinyl using painter’s tape and a combination square from Mr. Mechanic’s well-stocked workshop. The combination square is a great way to make sure that your spacing is consistent when transferring an image.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SInbLjzWKiY/UC22uldMnFI/AAAAAAAACuI/Da5BKfjF3Yk/s1600-h/Receipt-Box-Vinyl-Collage-WM4.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Receipt Box Vinyl Collage " border="0" alt="Receipt Box Vinyl Collage WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpmB6Vd4x6w5PLJJ_bnV2cqBwGqHxjpv2xnyBoOC-0xjtp_ZbgKoCtjScsGswXMX6JLB0hsOL6ZJId-13oNL_-G83LBlY0B3C1PU8sGU3gLra5mHTZZ3AJzvPmLmbLQmsER0vpWv0wqk/?imgmax=800" width="356" height="768"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">After I peeled off the transfer tape, it looked like this!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SIsSyd81Pq4/UC22wYPme5I/AAAAAAAACuY/4IJNWNJkrhE/s1600-h/Labelled%252520Receipt%252520Box%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Organize Receipts with Customized Dividers" border="0" alt="Labelled Receipt Box" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnwj1Mo98bRHZrJ26g8UP-jrVlzk5_hD2tsim8hz4NJfwtQOe07bjHhEL_1QGBeW-GpsxNFaIYA7WlM50Mo-p3_FqAPK43o6PX1XPfbmcGYIKE48LtEKphT3M_ZWbR3pC3z1VT55wfdw/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Now that the outside of the box was finished, it was time to make some custom dividers!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I originally made dividers using a shape that I bought and modified, but I was not happy with the final layout of the tabs. This week’s </font><a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/v2/viewShape.aspx?id=31063" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">free shape</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> could not have come at a better time! It made the process so much easier.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Basically, I copied the tab overlay from this week’s </font><a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/v2/viewShape.aspx?id=31063" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">free shape</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> and pasted it into a new file. Then, I drew a rectangle and sized it to the dimensions of my receipt box (9.5” by 4”). I selected both shapes and aligned them on the left so that when I welded them together the first tab would start at the very edge. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Before welding the tab and rectangle shapes together I duplicated the tab five times to the right and then used the ‘space horizontally’ function to have them overlap slightly across the width of my 9 inch rectangle. The last step was to duplicate the rectangle 5 times. One-by-one I would align the rectangle with the edge of the last tab on the right. Working from left to right, I moved the next tab down slightly to overlap the shapes and then welded the two shapes together.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I did this five times but then I realized that you only have to do it three times! If you look at the image below, I have labelled and colour-coded the dividers to show that when you cut the same shape twice on double-sided paper, you can just flip over divider 1 to create what would be divider 5 and divider 2 becomes divider 4. Make sense? </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-45lhpfV_2NA/UC22y4_MIII/AAAAAAAACuo/FtMPQdJnuIw/s1600-h/Receipt%252520Box%252520Dividers%252520Screenshot%252520With%252520Text%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Receipt Box Dividers Screenshot " border="0" alt="Receipt Box Dividers Screenshot With Text" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NOvno-O9qnU/UC22zk-scFI/AAAAAAAACuw/HtDGs7rh028/Receipt%252520Box%252520Dividers%252520Screenshot%252520With%252520Text_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="527" height="402"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I chose coordinating scrapbook paper with a postcard/travel theme for my dividers.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">In a perfect world, I would have had lots of different yellow patterned paper on hand, but since I didn’t, I opted for a theme instead.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y2dd_zeFk1w/UC220QXc76I/AAAAAAAACu4/m46tjjT7Mqo/s1600-h/Receipt-Box-Papers-1-WM4.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Receipt Box Divider Papers" border="0" alt="Receipt Box Papers 1 WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IQ-qvnCnK-Y/UC221jqjotI/AAAAAAAACvA/Wi6_Nv9bxC4/Receipt-Box-Papers-1-WM_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="518" height="377"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">{Does anyone else find it hard to cut up a brand new piece of scrapbook paper?}</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VqFCwD8q_5A/UC222-UAEyI/AAAAAAAACvI/1MlL3b-ZVHE/s1600-h/Receipt-Box-1-WM4.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Organize Receipts with Customized Dividers" border="0" alt="Receipt Box 1 WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6QHKVhifMe0/UC223nRopUI/AAAAAAAACvQ/QTA8kP90tEI/Receipt-Box-1-WM_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="517" height="394"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I cut three sets of 5 dividers and now I just need to label them and transfer my receipts from the photo box that I gussied up before I realized that this box would be better suited for the job.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I suppose you could also use your sketch pens to label the tabs if you were more patient than me!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsEuIzJ-ZZdeRqsoULLcssVyzAUtl4NW3qGcV7i3DQ2LY4WoO4MG99b_M9VEUgdR7CIJijUSJqT-fsN_PmhzoDPwZCdKXTeHFQ0RSnl9nMk1FfvVfcVqvxJxSj8ncRjG6jrgelWWm5Q4/s1600-h/Receipt-Box-2-WM3.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Organize Receipts with Customized Dividers" border="0" alt="Receipt Box 2 WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAQSfsAlK-ZuIvQADTajaZWUmmP00uAoa5Cf-3yYoFBa4M6sJzKmO2DD_tE_oDA5d04bgSu7SA1kHc1_jr0NT_NwS2UgcRaOLYlgPbbZHSsIKU8npnXskz2N6SB6OKGtIUyfALVsM5Yo/?imgmax=800" width="343" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/---qY_q-GH34/UC226CjjCrI/AAAAAAAACvo/HuFzEiqeChU/s1600-h/Receipt-Box-3-WM4.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Organize Receipts with Customized Dividers" border="0" alt="Receipt Box 3 WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Do9hyd6ikdM/UC226_IsHjI/AAAAAAAACvw/vDKtXHOXGs0/Receipt-Box-3-WM_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="378"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><strong>If you don’t have a cutting machine, no problem! You could trace or cut down store-bought dividers to make your own filing system to fit any container size.</strong></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QHe-KqjYvNk/UC2276Vw3mI/AAAAAAAACv4/wn148KadSp4/s1600-h/Custom%252520Dividers%252520Banner%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Organize Anything with Customized Dividers" border="0" alt="Custom Dividers Banner" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aOL0PTetUNc/UC2280YiOFI/AAAAAAAACwA/0prnbjSuhGs/Custom%252520Dividers%252520Banner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Is it weird how pleased I am to have a pretty container for filing my receipts? (If your answer is yes . . . don’t answer that!)</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> <a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></a></p> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></a></div> <div> </div> <div><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. Since I’m linking up to the Silhouette Organizing Link Party why not also check out my great tip for </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-i-use-photo-storage-cases.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">storing extra die cuts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"><font size="3">?</font> </font></div> <div><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> </div> <div> <hr> </div> <div>I link up at: </font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.twindragonflydesigns.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Dragonfly Designs</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> </div> <div> <hr> </div></font> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-84970637514181600022012-08-14T06:00:00.000-04:002012-08-14T06:00:00.848-04:00Kitchen Update: Coffee Station<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">You’ve all heard about the power of paint to transform a space but what about the power of a basket?</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">In this case, a yellow paper basket.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vytbcZCMCz0/UCnJk9437sI/AAAAAAAACqg/68vpcrCBIoI/s1600-h/Coffee%252520Station%252520Basket%252520Before%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Coffee Station Basket" border="0" alt="Coffee Station Basket Before 2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0F7ABxiNF5Q/UCnJldYIgEI/AAAAAAAACqo/a8TWLEqNQgo/Coffee%252520Station%252520Basket%252520Before%2525202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="464" height="315"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">This basket was originally home to my hair dryer and other bathroom essentials. It had lots of storage capacity which ultimately ended up being its downfall. I kept adding more stuff!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">One day, after learning about Krylon’s Oil-Rubbed Bronze spray paint from my friend </font><a href="http://threechicksoneegg.blogspot.ca/2012/05/lamp-refinish.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Wendy</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">, I decided that this basket would be a good test project for a new colour. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The result was so lovely that a ripple effect took place in my kitchen.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">First, the microwave moved, which meant that this . . . </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8yyz6PcZzL0/UCnJmKOGWxI/AAAAAAAACqw/oDG4geiCt8g/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520Left%252520Side%252520Before%252520Switch%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Kitchen Left Side Before Switch WM" border="0" alt="Kitchen Left Side Before Switch WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcRqs0c1ilS913WhYy-XAD9rDifOYED20Rl-CdOauw6_4bYv8vjFfFzYKpxE6mOrUtRuk8R17x7O18NOQl0sVHvY0iIftCQKHhJ9esTz5EdgSyJ0aBFTNozZPG6WKigYDWKREfcMnrnw/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">became this . . .</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m4VdxULKfmE/UCnJn3QwJLI/AAAAAAAACrA/mHbfFbJAvPs/s1600-h/Coffee%252520Station%252520Switcheroo%2525201%252520WM%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Kitchen Left Side After Coffee Station Switch" border="0" alt="Coffee Station Switcheroo 1 WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L1-Og53Gbdc/UCnJoUqZ7AI/AAAAAAAACrI/owBqeoq2Tzk/Coffee%252520Station%252520Switcheroo%2525201%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It’s not pretty but it’s a much better spot for an appliance that we do not use on a daily basis.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The microwave previously occupied a small countertop beside the fridge. The countertop was barely deep enough to house the microwave as well as a basket of frequently accessed snacks and cereal.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Now, that same countertop serves as a coffee station for our relocated coffee maker (a morning essential for Tim Horton’s addicted Mr. Mechanic) which is perfect because it sits directly below this . . .</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lG068McVRUc/UCnJpKZCbiI/AAAAAAAACrQ/lyrvYS1nhJQ/s1600-h/Coffee%252520Station%252520Burlap%252520Corkboard%252520WM%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Coffee Station Burlap Coffee Sack Corkboard" border="0" alt="Coffee Station Burlap Corkboard WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JsXFk7PoDtg/UCnJpUBtz0I/AAAAAAAACrY/RRsOdH80jw8/Coffee%252520Station%252520Burlap%252520Corkboard%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">My </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/06/diy-coffee-sack-cork-board.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">coffee sack cork board</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kHb0cM3EAYQ/UCnJqMKLC-I/AAAAAAAACrg/DtDtQnePwjI/s1600-h/Coffee%252520Station%2525201%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Coffee Station Basket" border="0" alt="Coffee Station 1 WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8y8FS6l5gK7MS77l3IUyfIDmViiit3QG_ae6IxIXZkdJVY8HntNQpywHV9nIDSZyJjQ7GakAQzDkuxsVB8_FdcAZYR5WnBj0cewCb8Qwq0sSq7AKzJYkLZNlkuEOGiIanWIH28U2kW0/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The basket keeps all of our coffee-making essentials in one place, frees up space in the cupboard and makes it look like we have more counter space in the kitchen – something that has always been an issue for us with the kitchen layout.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hti1FdSZD_A/UCnJraWJAQI/AAAAAAAACrw/SlpnHmniXvE/s1600-h/Coffee%252520Station%252520Essentials%2525201%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Coffee Station Essentials" border="0" alt="Coffee Station Essentials 1 WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dKO5UZvUJ5E/UCnJrzqBcMI/AAAAAAAACr4/t3BMgY5GZqA/Coffee%252520Station%252520Essentials%2525201%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="518" height="352"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">There’s a reason why you see that messy cord in the photo. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Not only does this made over basket house everything needed for brewing a hot coffee, it also holds my Magic Bullet.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The basket handle means that I can leave my Magic Bullet plugged in along with the coffee maker. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IF5GsflbVEA/UCnJsrHLkKI/AAAAAAAACsA/Mwcl0256ENw/s1600-h/Cord%252520through%252520handle%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Cord through handle trick" border="0" alt="Cord through handle WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zEdiUrIyAOE/UCnJtFf8yWI/AAAAAAAACsI/DfbD7t12qmI/Cord%252520through%252520handle%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="526" height="401"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When I want to make an </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/05/iced-cappuccino-protein-smoothie-recipe.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">iced cappuccino protein smoothie</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">, I just pull it out of the basket letting the extra cord feed through the handle.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MAQcda_dwgk/UCnKQ3R4jxI/AAAAAAAACso/Y5f0nOOcSNA/s1600-h/Coffee-Station-Countertop-WM3.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MAQcda_dwgk/UCnKQ3R4jxI/AAAAAAAACsw/0-fTcLESDBw/s1600-h/Coffee-Station-Countertop-WM5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Coffee Station Basket" border="0" alt="Coffee Station Countertop WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QmlDJtNdMRw/UCnJvbHCrOI/AAAAAAAACsc/0LX64JUgl0A/Coffee%252520Station%252520Countertop%252520WM_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="503" height="466"></a></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Isn’t it amazing what a basket can do?</font></p> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. Want another idea for how to make over a basket with spray paint? How about a </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/04/watch-out-catalina-mist.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">two-toned effect</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">?</font></p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> <font size="2">I link up at: </font></font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.twindragonflydesigns.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Dragonfly Designs</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> </font> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-19028265203801540532012-08-10T06:00:00.000-04:002012-08-10T06:00:11.068-04:00Before Blogging: Faux Coral Necklace<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It’s Friday, so technically I should be sharing Five Things on Friday but it feels like it has been <em>such</em> a long time since I’ve shared a DIY project that is not cottage-related on here! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I must be on a faux kick since I shared a </font><a href="http://settingforfour.blogspot.ca/2012/08/guest-post-claire-from-little-something.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">faux zinc tray</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> yesterday at </font><a href="http://settingforfour.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Setting For Four</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguujvS04EKD7JJbCfXre0-u6ctowFDo0GHe_nKvts0PXyzfn1uU5lND6U4Er5gLRy0xVTRPOHdsAsdYf8CrfZrxkQzPjpQnmaTYQt5kArrLU3JLI0GOdfoADyLKZEwvy-G7jk8pSRlbDo/s1600-h/Faux%252520Coral%252520Banner%252520WM%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Coral Necklace" border="0" alt="Faux Coral Banner WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4BeaPZNBHXw/UCR85k7rD2I/AAAAAAAACoI/ycbcxuwnc_Q/Faux%252520Coral%252520Banner%252520WM_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="316" height="328"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">This necklace is several years old . . . in fact, I can remember wearing it when I taught my first Kindergarten class, so it’s at least six years old. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I thought it was innovative back then, and I still feel that way now!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I teased you with a photo of this necklace WAY back in April when I shared my </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/04/have-you-tried-ipiccy.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">iPiccy watermarking tutorial</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpaHwfbKYPV5Kon1NBJpyMn4Rb8yz75K0ydoOnSo7LJTG-NJKAcr02yux_QpGM6Oh8gp5Jlz9gdVG31peslnzKoA7Fj9X22jsVs-kjJgMGZenzH-eXL5nltnfCTVcId8bBmpkKhLcsik/s1600-h/iPiccy%252520Screenshot%2525202%25255B3%25255D.png"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="iPiccy Screenshot 2" border="0" alt="iPiccy Screenshot 2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z5j3f6JTJkg/UCR88Oc0jdI/AAAAAAAACoY/G07zyX7GGh4/iPiccy%252520Screenshot%2525202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="503" height="289"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> <font size="4" face="Century Gothic">My jewelry making techniques have definitely evolved since I made this necklace. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I used the clear beads to make the necklace the proper length to rest on my collarbone. I did this because if I had used two more stones it would have been too long.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0PTuh-Cn4I8/UCR88vQWbOI/AAAAAAAACog/b-ti6tfV0ZA/s1600-h/Coiled%252520Coral%252520Necklace%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Coral Necklace" border="0" alt="Coiled Coral Necklace WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rs3mmntU2mg/UCR89EWYriI/AAAAAAAACoo/v0tSwokZtU0/Coiled%252520Coral%252520Necklace%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NfWPucFos9g/UCR89yjpfhI/AAAAAAAACow/wmaG2qC1kzc/s1600-h/Faux%252520Coral%252520Anthony%252520Effect%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Coral Necklace" border="0" alt="Faux Coral Anthony Effect WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e_mmss1hIOk/UCR8-RySzaI/AAAAAAAACo4/ZA1u6OXJuXU/Faux%252520Coral%252520Anthony%252520Effect%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cSHZXpvIzow/UCR8-1PIy7I/AAAAAAAACpA/HjO_Yu97KTc/s1600-h/Necklace%252520and%252520Stones%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Coral Necklace" border="0" alt="Necklace and Stones WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KGTsCngPRUg/UCR8_TbGY6I/AAAAAAAACpI/6Yeb3pQ9EKA/Necklace%252520and%252520Stones%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Did you spy the photobombing ant? I guess it comes with the territory when you take your photos outside!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EDIb2KJVQz8/UCR9ARvBMCI/AAAAAAAACpQ/3llbhosJJVU/s1600-h/Necklace%252520and%252520Stones%2525202%252520Anthony%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Coral Necklace" border="0" alt="Necklace and Stones 2 Anthony WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xrCi7i0JnRw/UCR9Ayhbp6I/AAAAAAAACpY/P1ih2jJS8wk/Necklace%252520and%252520Stones%2525202%252520Anthony%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="376"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> <font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So, you’ve seen the finished necklace and the faux coral stones, but what<em> are</em> they?</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiEQDQ0ey95BV8KoRGFVJv6P_w9l8IMQGkj1GH0sYM9dSHVUlRhN26ji0LbOHc9JO2OfKm72D3qCJidE7xjiP7dt8yOFMmobn9Z2QNWgVWmkq4PD-3FvE92qpd3LlgEsNh3Luvj9WCQk/s1600-h/Stones%252520Zoom%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Coral Necklace" border="0" alt="Stones Zoom WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jrVt0i-RRbE/UCR9CNpWX0I/AAAAAAAACpo/iQFIII37xic/Stones%252520Zoom%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="487" height="331"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Plastic stones from Dollarama! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I’m sure they were supposed to be a vase filler, but when I spotted them on the shelf (many moons ago) coral jewelry was just gaining in popularity and I thought it had a striking resemblance to coral. Even back then I was a Dollar Store upcycler!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Once I had my necklace plan devised, my Dad helped me to drill holes through the center of each stone so that I could string them on a cord. I can remember they got very hot! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">After I had cleaned up the holes’ edges, I strung the stones onto clear fishing line, adding a Mother-of-Pearl pendant on a jump ring to the center. For simplicity, I used a toggle clasp which makes it very easy to put on and take off.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">That’s it!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">6 years later, it’s still my go-to necklace when I want to make a statement with my jewelry. It looks great with a simple tank top or my favourite summer dress.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WF6uKY7-84s/UCR9CnlSkdI/AAAAAAAACpw/mkJY_QaIXB4/s1600-h/Faux%252520Coral%252520Square%2525201%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Faux Coral Necklace" border="0" alt="Faux Coral Square 1 WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7w6LhnY_erU/UCR9DSDMzFI/AAAAAAAACp4/f_vdKNLRi6c/Faux%252520Coral%252520Square%2525201%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Have you done any upcycling lately? </font><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Perhaps you will this weekend! No matter what, I hope it’s a great one!</font></p> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. Check out another repurposed Dollar Store jewelry project </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/06/neon-necklace-from-repurposed-dollar.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">here</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">! I still have lots more of these up my sleeve!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.P.S. My photos that have a retro look to them were created using the Anthony effect in <a href="http://ipiccy.com" target="_blank">iPiccy</a>!</font></p> <p> <hr> <font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I link up at: </font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.twindragonflydesigns.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Dragonfly Designs</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> </font> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-74780531825656659172012-08-09T06:00:00.000-04:002012-08-09T06:00:03.009-04:00Me . . . Elsewhere – Guest Posting at Setting For Four<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Hi Everyone!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Today is a milestone day! I’m sharing my first guest post over at my lovely friend Heather’s blog, </font><a href="http://settingforfour.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Setting For Four</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">. </font></p> <center><a href="http://www.settingforfour.blogspot.com/"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><a href="http://www.settingforfour.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh620/settingforfour/GrabButton12012.jpg"></a></font></a></center> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Heather is a fellow Canadian who actually grew up not far from where I’ve lived my whole life. She even lived and worked in my city at one point in time. Such a small world! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Heather is the creator of all of these beautiful projects and <u>many</u> more!</font></p> <center><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" allowNetworking="all" allowFullscreen="true" src="http://w1254.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http%3A%2F%2Fw1254.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh620%2Fsettingforfour%2FSetting for Four blog slideshow 2012%2Fe5df0ba0.pbw" height="120" width="400"><P></P></embed></center> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I hope you’ll stop by Heather’s </font><a href="http://settingforfour.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">blog</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> and check out my latest </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/search/label/Pinspiration" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Pinspiration</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> project! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Thanks!</font></p><br> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">P.S. If you want a great tutorial on how to actually submit a guest post, <a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/2012/04/how-to-submit-guest-post-blogger-series.html" target="_blank">this one</a> saved my butt! Thanks, Kelley!</font></p> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-68586020906221247632012-08-07T06:00:00.000-04:002012-08-07T16:37:37.067-04:00Cottage Update: The Bathroom<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It’s time to head back to the cottage for another update.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AXMtIYFkyyM/UCCQKgx9hRI/AAAAAAAACkM/4VET15mHahY/s1600-h/View%252520From%252520Lake%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Cottage View From Lake" border="0" alt="View From Lake" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqb1f-_harEk-77KMWkGsMFDUI8FITcuCXjUVmf3-Ri8F3rpvoOKrUPCrL-a4SqeciX_9xOrnWXAeNEfCJ5bqYW-34NJqij4U2-wPzrOYpe3QDoRpNbrRlDogHHrs4jRhzX8pkhvoxQDw/?imgmax=800" width="451" height="305"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Here’s what we started with last year.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6EM437sPPZY/UCCQLrjsAkI/AAAAAAAACkc/DC26-C2vEY0/s1600-h/Bathroom%252520Before%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Cottage Bathroom Makeover" border="0" alt="Bathroom Before WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y4Si8QZaSVw/UCCQLz8SVRI/AAAAAAAACkk/tCs4_RCk3eE/Bathroom%252520Before%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Yes, the toilet, tub and sink <em>are</em> a retro seafoam colour!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It’s hard to tell from the photo, but the bathroom walls are floor-to-ceiling paneling, including behind the bathtub. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When we went up to the cottage in </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/06/back-to-reality.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">June</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">, Mr. Mechanic’s sisters primed everything with the same </font><a href="http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=222" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">primer</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> as the rest of the cottage and the grooves between the panels were filled with drywall mud.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Since there was nothing that we could do to change the colour of the bathroom fixtures, we had to work with what we had!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The trim, ceiling and doors were painted white for another instant update (just like the </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/08/cottage-update-kitchen.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">kitchen cabinets</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">). Then, what used to be dingy paneling was painted a very subtle seafoam-ish colour that was chosen to work with chocolate brown as a future accent colour. I know that they used a paint & primer-in-one formulation but I don’t know the name (sorry).</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-trhpN5hebnA/UCCQMllpdqI/AAAAAAAACks/5DqdAhRarDQ/s1600-h/Bathroom%252520Progress%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Cottage Bathroom Makeover" border="0" alt="Bathroom Progress WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Jjq0olslpqE/UCCQM-em0DI/AAAAAAAACk0/qi1a-NtFS9Y/Bathroom%252520Progress%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="348"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The paneling behind the shower was purposely left unpainted because there were plans for that space. </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQL0c3I6mnrM6ujBrO0VYLJD8quT9dy1BjJ3ZqlxzegSWi6tAGLvsFRZnLBFt7g4E1FHtNhurB4-NM1cE_ZzUbz_kfPk1GJdDj5Yd4E72fI8mBP6hv0SX0XnKJ7M3ql991Tkjctdw_Eg/s1600-h/Tub%252520Surround%252520Home%252520Depot%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Tub Surround Home Depot" border="0" alt="Tub Surround Home Depot" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ebgk87zyr7s/UCCQNo0RuNI/AAAAAAAAClE/ravUHSznwUo/Tub%252520Surround%252520Home%252520Depot_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="400"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">A </font><a href="http://www.homedepot.ca/product/59-alabama-tub-wall-kit/901542"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">$104 tub surround from Home Depot</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">! (BTW- I just read the 1 star review for this on the website and it gave me a good laugh!)</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We had the honour of packing this into our car for the four hour drive up North in July. Fortunately, Mr. Mechanic can pack a car like he’s playing Tetris!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">With some creative trimming, tub surround adhesive and two handy men, the shower got a total facelift! (That’s the condensed version – it wasn’t quite that straight-forward, but it wasn’t as difficult as they anticipated). </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k4-cAesNxu4/UCCQOEwFUTI/AAAAAAAAClM/HB6hSat8pVA/s1600-h/Bathroom%252520Tub%252520Surround%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Cottage Bathroom Makeover" border="0" alt="Bathroom Tub Surround WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RokG1BrXeMQ/UCCQOnFEWDI/AAAAAAAAClU/MpZEHUgCCeg/Bathroom%252520Tub%252520Surround%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Once this was installed and all the caulking was dry, everyone was <em>thrilled</em> with the makeover but something was still bugging Mr. M’s older sister . . . </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_rWfCiFlZ3I/UCCQPP-ppWI/AAAAAAAAClc/RwJLymehXmw/s1600-h/Bathroom%252520Before%252520Floor%252520WM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Cottage Bathroom Makeover" border="0" alt="Bathroom Before Floor WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7orvMf2dKUA/UCCQPrCJcYI/AAAAAAAAClk/icyvQ1-44qI/Bathroom%252520Before%252520Floor%252520WM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="494" height="334"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Everything else now looked so fresh and new . . . and then there was the floor.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So, she did this!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-doPW373tVWk/UCCQQfr5QkI/AAAAAAAACls/3nUD-JMtDXI/s1600-h/Bathroom%252520Floor%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Cottage Bathroom Makeover" border="0" alt="Bathroom Floor WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Xnqab7B1gio/UCCQRweY_xI/AAAAAAAACl0/fH0EcQpBAbU/Bathroom%252520Floor%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">What did she use?</font></p> <p><a href="http://www.homedepot.ca/product/allure-tile-sedona-flooring-sample-4-inch-x-8-inch/984889" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Peel & stick tiles</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">! She stuck them on top of the existing floor and made sure they were well adhered using an old rolling pin! It was time-consuming and tedious, but it really finishes the space.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nhYOiQFJx1I/UCCQSth9vbI/AAAAAAAACl8/NVfwr5sgOT8/s1600-h/Bathroom%252520Tub%252520%252526%252520Floor%252520WM%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Cottage Bathroom Makeover" border="0" alt="Bathroom Tub & Floor WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-40uLOEowoBU/UCCQTP6NY9I/AAAAAAAACmE/tOFqVPo9DSs/Bathroom%252520Tub%252520%252526%252520Floor%252520WM_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="387"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">She could have done just the bathroom floor but instead she kept going and added the same floor tiles to the bottom of the linen closet and inside the vanity cupboard . . . and under the kitchen sink . . . and in the broom closet! </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zFNz40c5Qeo/UCCQTrm-EyI/AAAAAAAACmM/DKox4o1ZOBg/s1600-h/Bathroom%252520Full%252520View%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Cottage Bathroom Makeover" border="0" alt="Bathroom Full View WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D1VI1uI8IKI/UCCQT7ENr0I/AAAAAAAACmU/stjjcjMknoQ/Bathroom%252520Full%252520View%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The bathroom hardware was spray painted with the same Rust-oleum hammered brown as the </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/07/spray-paint-makeover-brass-floor-lamp.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">brass floor lamp</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> and an inexpensive mini-blind was hung for privacy.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Now that the major repairs are done, we get to accessorize!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So, to put it in perspective, here we have August 2011, June 2012, July 2012.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JpuTYX3Oj4g/UCF8h6_DKnI/AAAAAAAACnU/DZpy2TrR3m8/s1600-h/Cottage-Bathroom-Collage-WM3.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JpuTYX3Oj4g/UCF8h6_DKnI/AAAAAAAACnc/6n2dXZ4ZEkI/s1600-h/Cottage-Bathroom-Collage-WM4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Cottage Bathroom Makeover" border="0" alt="Cottage Bathroom Collage WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--1DnWgUmMyg/UCCQV9w1LSI/AAAAAAAACmo/IUjdP3dQnqI/Cottage%252520Bathroom%252520Collage%252520WM_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="266"></a></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I told you it was a good makeover!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We have a pretty hideous main floor bathroom in our house, so I’m curious to know the final breakdown for the cosmetic updates to this space. We definitely got a lot of bang for our buck!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">All week I’ve been working away at a few small projects that have been on my to-do list for a while. I’m looking forward to sharing what I’ve been up to since we got back!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Thanks for checking out another cottage update!</font></p> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. We may not have a beautiful bathroom, but we finally have some </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/07/bit-of-pinspiration-painted-bathroom.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">awesome wall art</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.P.S. I just realized that the seafoam bathroom fixtures are similar in colour to one of my favourite spray paint colours: <a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/03/kitchen-shelving-transformation-ombre.html" target="_blank">Catalina Mist</a>.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> <font size="2">I link up at: </font></font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.twindragonflydesigns.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Dragonfly Designs</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><font size="2"> </font> <hr> </font> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-57099248252581473342012-08-03T06:00:00.000-04:002012-08-03T06:00:02.750-04:00Five Things on Friday: Recipes I’ve Tried<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tSjF0lxvGnI/UBtOUVWdmQI/AAAAAAAACew/pfYDRO3U85w/s1600-h/Five%252520Things%252520on%252520Friday%252520Banner%25255B5%25255D.png"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Five Things on Friday Banner" border="0" alt="Five Things on Friday Banner" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGvxeZCwIWEI1Vgs1wzwknlXtvCc2cxATyF2wMLSZ-PesYByztk60I_fGuToaqamVLP6HrO5QUfvDjxkCWSW8HP7MMLvK6YeHb5Y6XCcqSeZeSau3Z5PA3_-3TTWueJqcSuVlgDyNNTQ/?imgmax=800" width="240" height="236"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I have a </font><a href="http://pinterest.com/MissArscott/recipes/" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Pinterest board</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> filled with delicious looking recipes. Today I wanted to share five recipes that I have actually made and enjoyed (there have been a few that did not live up to my expectations).</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><em>If you are interested in any of these recipes, please <strong>click on the image</strong> and <strong>pin from the original source</strong>.</em></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><strong>1. BLT Pinwheels</strong></font></p> <p><a href="http://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2012/07/blt-pinwheels.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BLT Pinwheels" border="0" alt="BLT Pinwheels" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mqWsxY0lKtJqPUePuazUYW_mTmIXrHknMOCqzTFqVxDKiG6DcBff_A4VW9uIsUP_oktriJ6igHSW5tpv7c6E5v-AktvDxzBbNQ3QmM5g3C2yloR4pZRZ91IumP4wKu3FQw9lDF6MCw4/?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">{</font><a href="http://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2012/07/blt-pinwheels.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Source</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">}</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">These are delicious! We have eaten them three times since I pinned this recipe with two modifications – no sun-dried tomatoes (but the wrap is already tomato-basil) and full pieces of bacon instead of bacon bits. I never would have thought that cream cheese and mayonnaise would be so great together.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><strong>2. Three Ingredient Berry Cobbler</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://livingachangedlife.blogspot.ca/2011/04/recipe-review-berry-cobbler.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Three Ingredient Berry Cobbler" border="0" alt="Three Ingredient Berry Cobbler" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tzP3gxy6Wio/UBtOWo6qcvI/AAAAAAAACfI/Wxoo-7mnZQU/Three%252520Ingredient%252520Berry%252520Cobbler%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="448" height="342"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">{</font><a href="http://livingachangedlife.blogspot.ca/2011/04/recipe-review-berry-cobbler.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Source</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">}</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I have tested out a few of these dump cake recipes with varying success. I didn’t pick this recipe for the diet factor but because it had been repinned quite a bit.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I made this for Canada Day dessert using several bags of frozen fruit and one and a half cans of 7-Up. We don’t drink a lot of pop here but ended up with four cans from a pizza order. </font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">If you make this, be sure to cover all of the cake mix with the pop (that’s where the extra half can came into play) and expect it to cook for at least twice as long as they say!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><strong>3. Brown Sugar & Dijon Glazed Pork Loin</strong> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.nlrockrecipes.com/2009/10/easy-brown-sugar-and-dijon-glazed-pork.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Loin" border="0" alt="Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Loin" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDfCSccvTFATXzS8wm6KV0BeXPaHyi1zLbWau7a3Pz5yXfu8zSeyrEjJFRkM8raYxzFsBzT_H__u3JXrlaji74XgZhPD2ElStfboHJ_bgSaNvcds1WuW5iYrn2AxdxFKZ3m3jUuIh6Vg/?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">{</font><a href="http://www.nlrockrecipes.com/2009/10/easy-brown-sugar-and-dijon-glazed-pork.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Source</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">}</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Probably the easiest non-crock pot pork dinner we have ever cooked. Juicy, flavourful . . . mmm. I can’t wait for pork loin to go on sale so that we can have this again!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><strong>4. Toffee Poke Cake</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Toffee-Poke-Cake" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Toffee Poke Cake" border="0" alt="Toffee Poke Cake" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gZDiJGpYtSc/UBtOXvEqmKI/AAAAAAAACfY/3U4pEBRh-yI/Toffee%252520Poke%252520Cake%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">{</font><a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Toffee-Poke-Cake" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Source</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">}</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">This was an early Father’s Day dessert to be shared by 5 people. There were lots of leftovers for everyone, even with seconds. Incredibly easy to make and just as delectable as it looks. I look forward to trying it with other “poke” flavours.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><strong>5. Peanut Butter Confetti Cake</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.aprettylifeinthesuburbs.com/2011/04/peanut-butter-confetti-cake.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Peanut Butter Confetti Cake" border="0" alt="Peanut Butter Confetti Cake" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-i_v0cfyPy5s/UBtOYIytjYI/AAAAAAAACfg/YL5wmGsQuwE/Peanut%252520Butter%252520Confetti%252520Cake%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="422" height="480"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">{</font><a href="http://www.aprettylifeinthesuburbs.com/2011/04/peanut-butter-confetti-cake.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Source</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">}</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Loosen your belt and undo your top button. These are SO decadent. </font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Mr. Mechanic’s Mom always adds these to her baking care packages and they don’t last long. I thought they would be much harder to make than they are. </font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Follow Jo-Anna’s advice – let the mixture cool a bit before adding your marshmallows. My advice? Use a 9 x 13 pan instead of an 8 x 8. A little square goes a long way!</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So, now you’ve got some options for your weekend meals! Have you found any great recipes via <a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>?</font></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></p> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. Check out two recipes of my own that I have shared – an</font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/05/iced-cappuccino-protein-smoothie-recipe.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"> Iced Cappuccino Protein Smoothie</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/06/recipe-tuna-pasta-salad.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Tuna Pasta Salad</font></a></p> <hr> <font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I link up at: </font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.twindragonflydesigns.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Dragonfly Designs</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a> <hr> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-17805893939440220232012-08-02T11:29:00.001-04:002012-08-03T00:09:49.619-04:00Cottage Update: The Kitchen<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Last night I edited photos while we watched a<em> terrible</em> movie. Technically, I sat on the couch with it on the screen in front of me and Mr. Mechanic “watched” the movie. I won’t even name the movie because you might judge me for allowing it to be on my PVR.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">There are really only 5 rooms to the cottage – Kitchen, Living Room, Bathroom and two bedrooms. Today I’m sharing photos of the Kitchen and how far it has come in one year with paint, a lot of manpower and multiple deep cleanings.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Here is how it looked in August 2011:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9q__mhYjcKA/UBqckBN9p2I/AAAAAAAACbY/FZc3BXFWV8E/s1600-h/Cottage%252520Kitchen%252520Before%2525201%252520WM%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Cottage Kitchen Before 1 WM" border="0" alt="Cottage Kitchen Before 1 WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--2PrMayoMOo/UBqckt3BzdI/AAAAAAAACbg/pViCjoeL4ac/Cottage%252520Kitchen%252520Before%2525201%252520WM_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The cupboards were a peachy colour and the countertop was orange. The walls were a similar shade to the pink floor. There was also a border around the top that was promptly removed.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">After our </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/06/back-to-reality.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">first trip up in June</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> it started out looking like this . . .</font><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WPoLx5ZAFjA/UBqcm66ZOXI/AAAAAAAACbo/cCt8YNlyuvI/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520Collage%252520Before%252520Painting%252520WM%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Kitchen Collage Before Painting WM" border="0" alt="Kitchen Collage Before Painting WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2n3a4KaYqs8/UBqcnV-YDII/AAAAAAAACbw/JKfK4JZrjDw/Kitchen%252520Collage%252520Before%252520Painting%252520WM_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="741"></font></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">*** I once again have to say that I take<em> no credit</em> for any of the painting progress in the cottage. I did some of the taping, helped to remove hardware and painted the primer in a few places, but the majority of his huge overhaul was done by Mr. Mechanic’s sisters and his parents. They are amazing!!!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">But, see that shelf through the doorway? There are four of those – two at each end of the entryway and I painted every little bit of them. I was even painting them while the power was out for half a day after a storm! </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><u>The Makeover Breakdown</u></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Everything except the floor and countertops was painted with two coats of </font><a href="http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=222" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Zinsser Cover Stain</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> (which made Mr. M’s sisters very light-headed!). This was the biggest paint expense but it was worth every penny for its incredible coverage on multiple surfaces including wood paneling and ceiling tiles.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The walls were painted with CIL/Glidden’s Fossil Grey.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-78G36FZKxiE/UBqcn6jWftI/AAAAAAAACb4/RtYcsQb2KYg/s1600-h/Fossil%252520Grey%252520Colour%252520Swatch%25255B7%25255D.png"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Fossil Grey Colour Swatch" border="0" alt="Fossil Grey Colour Swatch" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0z85D5gHH5M/UBqcoc4FmkI/AAAAAAAACcA/qOvs574wYc0/Fossil%252520Grey%252520Colour%252520Swatch_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The trim and cupboard doors were painted with a white off-the-shelf Trim and Doors paint by CIL.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The only addition to the Kitchen was the light fixture that we originally bought two of from Costco for our own basement. It uses GU24 light bulbs and they are a royal pain to track down!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So, after all that, the kitchen looked like this:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iKyTq6ouTfE/UBqco8_pdHI/AAAAAAAACcI/ibgtj-9VsX0/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520Painted%252520June%2525202012%252520WM%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Kitchen Painted June 2012 WM" border="0" alt="Kitchen Painted June 2012 WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-W7p2E0POj3I/UBqcpSwl-lI/AAAAAAAACcQ/u-sAhddPNnY/Kitchen%252520Painted%252520June%2525202012%252520WM_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="349"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Once everything had cured, the hardware was reattached, a wooden table was brought upstairs and the kitchen became the hub of the cottage.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The next set of photos was taken on my camera with limited lighting . . . sorry.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DiE-y0NsSpY/UBqcpzrHYWI/AAAAAAAACcY/UGId5N1wvXI/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520Left%252520of%252520Window%252520WM%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Kitchen Left of Window WM" border="0" alt="Kitchen Left of Window WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sHWn6JgrcTQ/UBqcqagZK7I/AAAAAAAACcg/t9xjJgQNCBw/Kitchen%252520Left%252520of%252520Window%252520WM_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">A coffee maker was the first priority since the closest Tim Horton’s is at least 30 minutes away!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lWl1c2tEhfM/UBqcq0Vp3dI/AAAAAAAACco/jHH_pnyxTmo/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520Window%252520WM%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Kitchen Window WM" border="0" alt="Kitchen Window WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1KJI50MNgcw/UBqcrSjigmI/AAAAAAAACcw/CauutU-Dhrw/Kitchen%252520Window%252520WM_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">On our most recent trip the faucet had to be replaced. Fortunately it was a quick and inexpensive repair.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0NlWEn56_eo/UBqcr7EQQxI/AAAAAAAACc0/8HBD-Kd5QJw/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520Right%252520Side%252520WM%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Kitchen Right Side WM" border="0" alt="Kitchen Right Side WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bQXxyJxFzoY/UBqcsczVMoI/AAAAAAAACc8/EStmvEOm_Kk/Kitchen%252520Right%252520Side%252520WM_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="528" height="403"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Anyone else have a frog beside their sink? We have a green one at home!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzPlHdFw2F7I5tsnvAFsLHVbMUWOex_bWK24FpZGSOyXqqzc3Seufk7EquAaKeOS5yEQAJkkme3a0m_XU5l3oC6icnWKVJSYBfN-PS-cH9mtMDe2qFpcJYWZVSqKwfH94-W6tNf_XF8E/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520Right%252520of%252520Window%252520WM%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Kitchen Right of Window WM" border="0" alt="Kitchen Right of Window WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NCxM4E077UI/UBqcts4aB9I/AAAAAAAACdQ/b9WluFLg3cA/Kitchen%252520Right%252520of%252520Window%252520WM_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQv88JelmWtiPcrMuL1cWMybxpX1a8-y8l4pi7Rzy6aeDmWz4eWYCHfw7lwZo46oBSGT3ObZjlnN0nts_a6_E9L4q4aOb_ivhb5maZQBSZZSrbKfJdumhAtoOTv2BrwlcImi1rAlHo1M/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520From%252520Entryway%252520WM%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Kitchen From Entryway WM" border="0" alt="Kitchen From Entryway WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4xIlYoZ335Y/UBqcujWgYiI/AAAAAAAACdg/qPeuZA8O-V8/Kitchen%252520From%252520Entryway%252520WM_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="519" height="396"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s8VJHxlRcd4/UBqcvF6pY5I/AAAAAAAACdo/KiukuarhOZQ/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520Table%252520WM%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Kitchen Table WM" border="0" alt="Kitchen Table WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIsyXzcWd3YqxDl5JcAmNy0JDSN2URRxliwe1meZPJEgcba0vY6HakMFCAMBfZSuGLvAEegX5oj3K7az_jqeykPu8u0LCHagC-dd0g5yDi48puyRtOHUgRpV_4DFegqDVj0NXsVGOCZo/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">That microwave cart has been used by my family for as long as I can remember. My Mom was amazed to hear that it will have yet another life in the cottage.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Why two microwaves? The oven is fairly small and had we had a second one given to us. Who knows if we will ever use two at the same time . . . or if the cottage wiring will support it!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So, once again, we went from this:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1SEt8ozL3AU/UBqcwFhKOHI/AAAAAAAACd4/QyOdaqS9_tY/s1600-h/Cottage%252520Kitchen%252520Before%2525201%252520WM%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Cottage Kitchen Before 1 WM" border="0" alt="Cottage Kitchen Before 1 WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7YwysLC3neg/UBqcwkxuo0I/AAAAAAAACeA/iMzfNeaV2Ts/Cottage%252520Kitchen%252520Before%2525201%252520WM_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">to this!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Xbn97ShCdFQ/UBqcxGpeM2I/AAAAAAAACeI/CqT6J7fe7uA/s1600-h/Kitchen%252520Right%252520of%252520Window%252520WM%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Kitchen Right of Window WM" border="0" alt="Kitchen Right of Window WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jmXEXf3QOAU/UBqcxv2vBdI/AAAAAAAACeQ/qDjn_EuWjsQ/Kitchen%252520Right%252520of%252520Window%252520WM_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Just seeing the difference that white paint made on the cupboards makes us want to paint our cupboards here at home, too. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So, that’s the cottage kitchen! Next time I’ll share the bathroom transformation. It’s a good one!</font></p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">’Til next time . . .<br></font> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. Check out </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/03/kitchen-shelving-transformation.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">this post</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"> to see some of the fun projects I did to update a poorly used space in my own kitchen!</font></p><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> I link up at: </font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.twindragonflydesigns.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Dragonfly Designs</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> </font> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-7925194233369645662012-07-31T06:00:00.000-04:002012-08-03T00:09:49.627-04:00Spray Paint Makeover: Brass Floor Lamp Edition<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We were at </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/06/back-to-reality.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">the cottage</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> again last week – did you miss me? </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">There are still some repairs and updates to be done, but most of the major projects have been tackled. We actually stayed there overnight for the first time on Friday and Saturday so that is great progress.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">In addition to more plumbing repairs, this trip involved several cosmetic updates – including multiple makeovers courtesy of two cans of </font><a href="http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=180" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Rust-Oleum Universal Hammered</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> spray paint in Brown Hammered.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I have to say, even though I was not a fan of the way that the nozzle sprayed (my hands were all speckled!) or the smell, the way that it so easily covered a variety of surfaces won me over.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We used less than two cans to transform all of the bathroom hardware (towel rail, hooks, handles), curtain rod finials and this brass-coloured floor lamp.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M04FwTPvHnQ/UBdTZrq14-I/AAAAAAAACY8/ys8JpGyG42c/s1600-h/Lamp%252520Before%2525202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Spray Painted Floor Lamp" border="0" alt="Lamp Before 2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hHTZOlqfZeE/UBdTaKJdj8I/AAAAAAAACZE/hms-a0_0En0/Lamp%252520Before%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It originally had a pleated lamp shade that did not make it into the before photos.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDliNQUTOpYBHxzMqhvJ4dmvknRdewEeBdlIgjvlUe8nMucWVOxVAYGVGs2GfUuUExLNGdV9mS8rHH-3FFO6dpT0wHR-G7-lMjHCG2YtPNJ0_vVkPTmpM_dGQcp-MwkR9whV8HjwkFxI/s1600-h/Lamp%252520Before%2525201%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Spray Painted Floor Lamp" border="0" alt="Lamp Before 1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ldgpqdq01uM/UBdTbNxHsvI/AAAAAAAACZU/oUzW0jvJCfs/Lamp%252520Before%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">After taping off the light socket and the power cord, we scuffed up the surface with a Scotch-Brite pad (Mr. Mechanic’s favourite way to prep just about everything for spray paint). The paint can said that no primer was necessary, but this was a quick step to make sure we got the best coverage.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Even on this! </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uodLF_RCV14/UBdTbjqbkgI/AAAAAAAACZc/R537Gv6nCbY/s1600-h/Lamp%252520Before%252520Square%252520%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Spray Painted Floor Lamp" border="0" alt="Lamp Before Square " src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NZ_xAQ1HnKI/UBdTcIl5jYI/AAAAAAAACZk/FwB61VXq4DU/Lamp%252520Before%252520Square%252520_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="240"></font></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic">(As I write this I realize that I can find something very similar on my parents’ bed frame . . .)</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Several coats of spray paint and a $15 drum shade from Walmart later (home decor options were limited up North!), we had a new-to-us lamp, ready for the freshly painted Living Room.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ppOpWgPr-H0/UBdTcqE3mKI/AAAAAAAACZs/k4AI_hCgTEc/s1600-h/Lamp%252520After%2525201%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Spray Painted Floor Lamp" border="0" alt="Lamp After 1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--4V8kKurvTE/UBdTc1-qoMI/AAAAAAAACZ0/rzk4VmZqCdA/Lamp%252520After%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wlhkyFdcbyE/UBdTdQUILgI/AAAAAAAACZ8/aHPp-TIHA7k/s1600-h/Lamp%252520After%2525202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Spray Painted Floor Lamp" border="0" alt="Lamp After 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2j_yD-BBYiWIdbpOlHNwpgHrx59XAQ3FL8o1XzknZv-O_oTrRttWBEIk8W4nA_gOD5_qJjcatL32UNMbUh7r2RQHCFmXRmgh5OGGKe7YGkzB79o-yy3t3qeTyXRxXa2df0ehWF3VV0j0/?imgmax=800" width="343" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I would like to add some sort of decorative trim to the shade in the future.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ttDKHG-aOF0/UBdTe2BC9VI/AAAAAAAACaM/DfSwtYllxs8/s1600-h/Lamp%252520After%2525204%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Spray Painted Floor Lamp" border="0" alt="Lamp After 4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX99QDgk6uxHfZUvoZOnvOhq8N5-hbhDlK7ycpw8JgHtPWLM-dUJ905jNEM-RNKkIjx-7on4i2XZkYvHij7KTrrTnnB6AC48byeeCP2OSoZT76wixjA3VYT_uwDZxIzAg1RcZViddLhQU/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Replacing the flooring in the Living Room is not in the budget this year so it will look like this for a while.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">A few of you have asked for photos, so here’s a trio to show you the amazing power of paint.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VuBpHHqom1o/UBdTgN98J3I/AAAAAAAACac/hSUegm2QW9s/s1600-h/Living%252520Room%252520Before%252520WM%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Cottage Makeover Progress" border="0" alt="Living Room Before 2 WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P7BnbGTu9bQ/UBdTgo8VPHI/AAAAAAAACak/W_4QwCRt_pM/Living%252520Room%252520Before%2525202%252520WM_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="511" height="346"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><font face="Arial"></font></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><font face="Arial"></font><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Cottage Makeover Progress" border="0" alt="Living Room Before WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HUqMJj4P0KY/UBdThOXM3BI/AAAAAAAACas/NMOzb1yd7vM/Living%252520Room%252520Before%252520WM_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="509" height="344"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The Living Room, Kitchen and Entryway are all painted this grey. Prior to painting the final colour, everything was covered with two coats of barrier paint to block the smoke smell and stains. This room has paneling on the walls with fairly shallow grooves. Two missing pieces were replaced.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YN92VgEevl4/UBdTiNY8uxI/AAAAAAAACa0/SLer7dryyj8/s1600-h/Living%252520Room%252520Progress%252520WM%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Cottage Makeover Progress" border="0" alt="Living Room Progress WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nVcr1YaAM6Q/UBdTig7cvXI/AAAAAAAACa8/LlnyztocbqY/Living%252520Room%252520Progress%252520WM_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="510" height="345"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><em> <strong>Big</strong></em> difference, right?</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">If I had a camera like Mr. Mechanic Senior that could capture the whole room in one shot I would be able to show you how the Living Room looked when we left on Sunday morning. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Unfortunately, I don’t and the lighting was poor when we left on Sunday morning. I have a lot of photo editing to do before I can share the after (for now) photos! I promise I’ll share them eventually.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Thanks for coming back to visit!</font></p> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. I love a quick makeover. You can find two more of my spray paint transformations </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/05/ive-been-spray-painting-feathery.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">here</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/04/watch-out-catalina-mist.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">here</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> <font size="2">I link up at: </font></font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.twindragonflydesigns.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Dragonfly Designs</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> </font> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-36901281558581667442012-07-23T06:00:00.000-04:002012-07-23T11:50:48.530-04:00Link Parties: A Blogging Tip<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N-2afgftRkw/UAt7QTkeOdI/AAAAAAAACWc/cT7ijFA7sBc/s1600-h/Link%252520Parties%252520Blogging%252520Tip%252520Banner%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Link Parties Blogging Tip " border="0" alt="Link Parties Blogging Tip Banner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LnmN8PXn0zk/UAt7QkCXUeI/AAAAAAAACWk/1fPG-rMjqyI/Link%252520Parties%252520Blogging%252520Tip%252520Banner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="240"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Do you link up your posts to link parties? When I’m feeling ambitious, I link up to several each day. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">A while ago I figured out something that makes the process <em><u>so</u></em> much faster. I’m sure I’m not the first person to think of this, but I hope it will make someone’s life a little easier!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When you add your post to a link party you are prompted to select an image that will serve as the thumbnail for your submission. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Thumbnail images are square.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Photos are typically rectangular.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When you link up a rectangular photo you have to either crop your image or leave it up to the link party tool used by the party host.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">As an example, here’s a photo of my </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/04/rain-boots-and-bucket-fun-garden.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">spring porch planters</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7tHRH2J_UDg/UAt7RQLiv7I/AAAAAAAACWs/RZaGN2e0MUE/s1600-h/Fun%252520Garden%252520Planters%252520WM%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Fun Garden Planters" border="0" alt="Fun Garden Planters WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-31CnYSg6jug/UAt7R-wvuVI/AAAAAAAACW0/8lgJ3do1AWM/Fun%252520Garden%252520Planters%252520WM_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">If I don’t choose to crop my photo myself, my picture could potentially end up cropped like this: </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8VIUAO_jI1g/UAt7SWQ7j3I/AAAAAAAACW8/HO39iw0iPCM/s1600-h/Fun%252520Garden%252520Planters%252520Crop%252520Example%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Fun Garden Planters Crop Example" border="0" alt="Fun Garden Planters Crop Example" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dEGlAjaPFRs/UAt7SycxnUI/AAAAAAAACXE/HFKrNfBNwBc/Fun%252520Garden%252520Planters%252520Crop%252520Example_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="240"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Where did the boots and bucket go? </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Here’s how I<em> want</em> my thumbnail to look when I link up to a party.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V_BZMgqVz3A/UAt7Ti2a8kI/AAAAAAAACXM/-ei4h57Ux3o/s1600-h/Fun%252520Garden%252520Planters%252520Square%252520Crop%252520Example%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Fun Garden Planters Square Crop Example" border="0" alt="Fun Garden Planters Square Crop Example" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpt2qWkBAMQpcWvAaop9JnOUb8H5AJSSWNq9go53mDFmaVGh3sFyjwDK_Zd-i5O5UL1gmrSkcbIT5VfS01Br4vBJcnRITd2SGOUMA0jmi_E7oMxw3MFiLa2QTudL1YTd_9mYOAVKVOTJ4/?imgmax=800" width="240" height="240"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Or, I can take it a step further and include text to identify my project as well. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hD3ZWyZmVAk/UAt7UgmZVUI/AAAAAAAACXc/9WsSV653yxQ/s1600-h/Fun%252520Garden%252520Planters%252520WM%252520Square%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Fun Garden Planters" border="0" alt="Fun Garden Planters WM Square" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cOU_3bnqgXk/UAt7VMJVCMI/AAAAAAAACXk/XU--sX0dTQ0/Fun%252520Garden%252520Planters%252520WM%252520Square_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="240"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When faced with multiple thumbnail project images, which one would you be most inclined to click on?</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IousOh7s8ms/UAt7VwkYiCI/AAAAAAAACXs/YC41dAeB0ME/s1600-h/Fun%252520Garden%252520Planters%252520Crop%252520Example%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Fun Garden Planters Crop Example" border="0" alt="Fun Garden Planters Crop Example" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zd0cjn02QS4/UAt7WYon2fI/AAAAAAAACX0/qLb1xed5LQ8/Fun%252520Garden%252520Planters%252520Crop%252520Example_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="150" height="150"></font></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_ftpG0Q19Y0/UAt7Xt7FyJI/AAAAAAAACX8/6OcXRY6dWn4/s1600-h/Fun%252520Garden%252520Planters%252520Square%252520Crop%252520Example%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Fun Garden Planters Square Crop Example" border="0" alt="Fun Garden Planters Square Crop Example" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRjDy_JVBLOlI5RP_pRQlF8rXjmX_-d6i4M48wnNs4Wi9_NPDYUrLu-BoQdgi3cG37qdg71zHV0VoM3wv7bfKi7f7LnivbGyboy67gVVE3Eu87bukX2NNWGcYJM8KGZjWC089DJhIrpg/?imgmax=800" width="150" height="150"></font></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lm792bjsUMQ/UAt7YxAICQI/AAAAAAAACYM/FsG6m8c2G3M/s1600-h/Fun%252520Garden%252520Planters%252520WM%252520Square%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Fun Garden Planters WM Square" border="0" alt="Fun Garden Planters WM Square" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K4nXRNqYYZ4/UAt7ZMUElAI/AAAAAAAACYU/_o6FSJ7hcsI/Fun%252520Garden%252520Planters%252520WM%252520Square_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="150" height="150"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Definitely not the first thumbnail! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So, what’s the trick?</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When you’re editing your photos, take a photo that you want to use to showcase your project and crop it so that it works as a square image.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Remember to include a watermark that identifies your blog in this photo as well.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">You can include it in your blog post or you can simply save it somewhere on your computer. I have a file folder that includes a square image for each project/post that I have done since I figured out this trick.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Here’s another example of some creative cropping – my <a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/06/neon-necklace-from-repurposed-dollar.html" target="_blank">Neon Dollar Store Necklace</a>.</font></p> <p><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/06/neon-necklace-from-repurposed-dollar.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Neon Necklace from Dollar Store Jewelry" border="0" alt="Neon Necklace Banner WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hwZK5WfrS6I/UAt7ZmYfsCI/AAAAAAAACYc/gIhkmFr5-8c/Neon%252520Necklace%252520Banner%252520WM%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/06/neon-necklace-from-repurposed-dollar.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/06/neon-necklace-from-repurposed-dollar.html" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Neon Necklace from Dollar Store Jewelry" border="0" alt="Neon Necklace Banner Square WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02XzxP7nRB6A9nHS0MP5XBzqueqQTtx-yXQhfZWJhOKe27OfE97HvZU760ymZZsDAXP24SF4DV_kMk3-GoH_DYABjs0YujFhtmL1zVB7y5OIy9uW9NpuqZrn2adqeOaWnHerf5Vqcmfg/?imgmax=800" width="240" height="240"></a></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">If you want to really take advantage of this trick, use the square image at the start of your blog post so that it is the first image that comes up when you add your post to a link party! As a bonus, this will also be one of the first images that comes up if someone wants to pin your project.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Now, when you link up one of your great ideas, you’ll have more control over what the thumbnail image looks like in a link party. As long as the dimensions of your image are square, you will lose very little of your image in the event that you do still need to crop it further.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Easy, right?</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Happy linking!</font></p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></p> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. Want to know how to quickly watermark your photos? Check out another blogging tip </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/04/have-you-tried-ipiccy.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">here</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> <font size="2">I link up at: </font></font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.twindragonflydesigns.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Dragonfly Designs</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a> <font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> </font> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-7407668843849990172012-07-20T10:48:00.001-04:002012-08-03T00:09:01.992-04:00A Little Something New: 5 Things on Friday<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eomvZJ7ST00/UAlvqkUmO2I/AAAAAAAACWI/KMjvi_JeVbw/s1600-h/Five%252520Things%252520on%252520Friday%252520Banner%25255B3%25255D.png"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Five Things on Friday Banner" border="0" alt="Five Things on Friday Banner" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3MrJAagGN4k/UAlvq4Lvr0I/AAAAAAAACWQ/IJgixDZkJGo/Five%252520Things%252520on%252520Friday%252520Banner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="240" height="236"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It has been a light week for me and blogging so I thought I would start something new today. A quick post about 5 random things. Sometimes there will be a theme, sometimes it will just be a complete mish mash. I love when other blogs that I read do this (especially </font><a href="http://eighteen25.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Eighteen25</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> – I’ve found some great new songs this way), so why not join the masses?</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">This week’s theme . . .</font></p> <p align="center"><strong><u><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">5 THINGS YOU {PROBABLY} DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME</font></u></strong></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Here we go!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><strong>1.</strong> I was in </font><a href="http://www.canadianliving.com/" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Canadian Living</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> magazine. Twice. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When I was little, my Dad won a photo contest in Canadian Living magazine. He took a hilarious photo of me and my brother with clear water balloons squished against our faces as they were resting on the deck of the pool (they were heavy!). The result is a completely disfigured, magnified face. Not my best look, but a great shot! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Throughout my life people have come across this photo in back issues of the magazine on more than one occasion. Once, it was while my classmates were flipping through magazines searching for collage pictures in a Family Studies class!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We were also on the Letters to the Editor page with an accompanying photo a few years ago when Canadian Living had an anniversary issue. My brother and I (reluctantly) posed holding the original issue in our hands. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Let me tell you, it’s a very strange experience to stand in line at the grocery store and know that you could tell someone “I’m in that magazine.”</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><strong>2.</strong> I have never had a tan in my life. In fact, I don’t think my skin is capable of tanning. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When I was in Grade 8, I tried self-tanner for the first time. I applied it three days in a row and absolutely no colour showed up!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Thank goodness pale skin is gaining in popularity! I even bought a t-shirt like this a few years ago :) </font></p> <div style="position: relative"> <div style="margin: 0px auto; width: 600px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/local_celebrity_shirt/thing.outbound?.embedder=0&.svc=copypaste&id=2807193"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Local Celebrity t shirt" border="0" alt="Local Celebrity t shirt" src="http://embed.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/y/tid/2807193.jpg" width="424" height="424"></font></a></div></div> <div><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/local_celebrity_shirt/thing.outbound?.embedder=0&.svc=copypaste&id=2807193"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Local Celebrity t shirt</font></a></div> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><strong>3.</strong> The one thing I could not live without is music. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Music makes even the most mundane task more enjoyable. Fortunately, I live with someone who shares this opinion and we have a great stereo set-up on both floors of our house. Mr. Mechanic even built his own speakers and subwoofer!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We have digital cable, so when I’m home during the day I am almost always listening to </font><a href="http://www.galaxie.ca/en_CA/channels/Hit+List" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Galaxie Hit List</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><strong>4.</strong> My favourite colour is <font color="#400040">purple</font> which explains my flower choices this year for our </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-window-boxes-i-must-be-doing.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">window boxes</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/07/front-porch-updates-summer-2012.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">front porch</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">. I love the way purple looks with red brick and red hair alike!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Runner up = chartreuse and/or olive green. Perfection.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><strong>5.</strong> Speaking of hair, it has been almost seven and a half weeks since I last got my hair cut and I am going crazy! I don’t think I can last until September when my hairdresser comes back from a very brief maternity leave. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Have a great weekend! </font></p> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. I would <strong>love</strong> for you to tell me one thing I don’t already know about you!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.P.S. An awesome reader solved the mystery – the succulent in my </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-garage-sale-vignette.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">Garage Sale Vignette</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"> is a pencil cactus! What a perfect plant for this teacher!</font></p> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-5725842570902275302012-07-17T10:57:00.001-04:002012-07-17T10:59:21.919-04:00Front Porch Updates: Summer 2012<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Yesterday, I teased you with this <em>very</em> subtle makeover. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_UUcE4gUcUA/UAV8-_x96bI/AAAAAAAACS0/TfNkgzoWVbw/s1600-h/Mailbox-Before-and-After-WM5.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Mailbox Monogram" border="0" alt="Mailbox Before and After WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zFtacqxRnbs/UAV8_Rw0plI/AAAAAAAACS8/5GmcTtoeueE/Mailbox-Before-and-After-WM_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="212"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Today, I’m back as promised with the details and a full front porch reveal.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">If you didn’t figure it out, I used my Silhouette and some black vinyl to add a simple monogram to our mailbox. I could have used white vinyl, but I wanted it to camouflage with the mailbox when you look at our house from the street. Mission accomplished.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I designed my monogram in Silhouette Studio and then sent it to cut.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The letters C and M were created using the font </font><a href="http://fontzone.net/font-details/DilleniaUPC/" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Dillenia UPC</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> and the ampersand is Arial.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The frame was created using </font><a href="http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/v2/viewShape.aspx?id=23365" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">this</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> shape and the offset tool.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f9nejObO3uE/UAV8_08VNWI/AAAAAAAACTE/GiYXQDwsijs/s1600-h/Silhouette-Mailbox-Vinyl-WM7.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Mailbox Monogram" border="0" alt="Silhouette Mailbox Vinyl WM" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q6s5aME_ipc/UAV9AfointI/AAAAAAAACTM/SHlrPyD-vvQ/Silhouette-Mailbox-Vinyl-WM_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="515" height="418"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">After it was cut, I peeled off the surrounding vinyl and covered it with transfer tape. I usually use other less expensive materials (like Glad Press ‘N Seal) to do this step, but I wanted to make sure the vinyl adhered on the first attempt.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1kiRmI2MvLc/UAV9Be1BvnI/AAAAAAAACTU/3iEZqf1o3PM/s1600-h/Vinyl-With-Transfer-Tape-WM6.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Mailbox Monogram" border="0" alt="Vinyl With Transfer Tape WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XoM1xu1U6G4/UAV9Bw-PIsI/AAAAAAAACTc/PzsIgphDP7Q/Vinyl-With-Transfer-Tape-WM_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="515" height="393"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Here’s the mailbox before I added the monogram (I wiped the dust off and dried it). </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p2gGV7spTCk/UAV9Cdb9p9I/AAAAAAAACTk/6ufosFPIWEw/s1600-h/Mailbox-Makeover-Before-Vinyl-WM5.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Mailbox Makeover Before Vinyl WM" border="0" alt="Mailbox Makeover Before Vinyl WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HnOgoQgcfaE/UAV9C9BVDII/AAAAAAAACTs/6v0tnQTUhfs/Mailbox-Makeover-Before-Vinyl-WM_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Our mailbox was actually one of my first experiences customizing decor with spray paint. After we had a new front door installed, we searched everywhere for a reasonably priced mailbox that would suit the style of our door and couldn’t find anything in the right colour. So, we bought one that was brown and then Mr. Mechanic used spray paint in a hammered finish to paint the body black and the top a gunmetal colour. We chose the two-toned look to go with our door hardware.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Sorry, back to the step-by-step.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Using a ruler, I tried my best to center the vinyl on the body of the mailbox. I purposely adhered it closer to the top.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dV1j6k8z6b4/UAV9DRKDvaI/AAAAAAAACT0/Ab99mYiGZ7w/s1600-h/Vinyl-Mailbox-Makeover-WM5.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Mailbox Monogram" border="0" alt="Vinyl Mailbox Makeover WM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N-lFHA9rnnE/UAV9DzmrQTI/AAAAAAAACT8/m3M5erbQ5zk/Vinyl-Mailbox-Makeover-WM_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="425" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The metallic finish of the mailbox means that the black vinyl blends right in the with rest of my front porch . . . until you’re almost to the door. Then, surprise! Welcome to the home of Claire and Mr. Mechanic (AKA, Matt).</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">As you’re walking up to the door, here’s what else you will see!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZrKPJoUdPPgGqgoPiGaDgkOp3bX7S5AtmwDEuZzU-byc-HE8PMx7P97LMTm3Gq6WECHFm7lobKR8aG6nZVHdAGSXGcL6yVpG2GMzXQJPwGv6fJB5AUGDj7mp5VYW_y7puFX3J_dJ508/s1600-h/Porch%252520Planter%252520Zoom%252520WM%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Summer Front Porch " border="0" alt="Porch Planter Zoom WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xW58Rn5MAqA/UAV9FQMgfiI/AAAAAAAACUM/VWl6sa7FWfs/Porch%252520Planter%252520Zoom%252520WM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">My beautiful planter that is overflowing with purple heart and calibrachoa.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ucf8z7nvFaY/UAV9GNC4rvI/AAAAAAAACUU/Zf5wNaddCsM/s1600-h/Porch%252520Planter%252520July%2525202012%252520WM%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Summer Front Porch " border="0" alt="Porch Planter July 2012 WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SIsL9OKCmos/UAV9GtA2ZUI/AAAAAAAACUc/7RTktD37NSI/Porch%252520Planter%252520July%2525202012%252520WM_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">A chippy rocking chair that once lived on my parents’ front porch. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wm1cykPdjDY/UAV9H2j6jYI/AAAAAAAACUk/vBwiVo8lmXU/s1600-h/Chippy%252520Chair%252520WM%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Summer Front Porch " border="0" alt="Chippy Chair WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4Ro_KCb3_lX72L9QgjmhdE8_LClWulaQ90PDJN1XzAw6SvxoLVtRbKrUdwpkk_i0UTos_VNh3GUQcGA4lf-tyjw885Bi9MeZyZEsp0Rg9Tqhi7EK7UPDfRa2dKHsLReC2vHW-Qfaloo/?imgmax=800" width="517" height="394"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Mr. Mechanic painted it black 4 years ago but winters outside without a protective sealant have left it looking a little weathered.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kw_THxV7vxc/UAV9JB51XrI/AAAAAAAACU0/Rpog0GsZ3jw/s1600-h/Porch-Right-Side-WM6.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Summer Front Porch " border="0" alt="Porch Right Side WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEajfSskFW5KTj-EAEWQpvpd9kRGr9Tmv6xIY4sAHQG_5HO1lW8FXSYWSqCmpwzLpWipt45BEl3Lu0CMNXcM7A2hmuFRRF6vY5Mof0At0e-bXphAKqgNLJwq44d2_01f_lTflY19Gyx0U/?imgmax=800" width="514" height="392"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The chippy goodness is accented by an outdoor cushion from Walmart and my Dollarama </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/04/rain-boots-and-bucket-fun-garden.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">chalkboard bucket</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> filled with clearance annuals. I wanted to stretch my potting soil for both porch planters so I used the newspaper trick again.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WL2x9Yt1Xbk/UAV9KaIH3sI/AAAAAAAACVE/xc0hCjxlses/s1600-h/Chippy-Chair--Bucket-Planter-WM5.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Summer Front Porch " border="0" alt="Chippy Chair & Bucket Planter WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VL21onlZuCg/UAV9K_uhxbI/AAAAAAAACVM/Ujj3YnoSonM/Chippy-Chair--Bucket-Planter-WM_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">And here’s the full Summer 2012 view. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qVMkExJq284/UAV9MLAyy9I/AAAAAAAACVU/KggiCaJVFoo/s1600-h/Summer-Front-Porch-WM13.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Summer Front Porch " border="0" alt="Summer Front Porch WM" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C894-qTgdFE/UAV9MhvKCiI/AAAAAAAACVY/rge2Ukd9yv4/Summer-Front-Porch-WM_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="381"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Until last summer, we didn’t even know that decorative brickwork existed because it was hidden behind two almost dead bushes. More on the landscaping overhaul another time!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I <em>love</em> our front door, and I love it even more when I’m reminded of how it looked when we moved in. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RNL2OAPI5Jw/UAV9NWFA5TI/AAAAAAAACVk/x7kxzVfBed8/s1600-h/2009%252520Front%252520Porch%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2009 Front Porch" border="0" alt="2009 Front Porch" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGm0yxCBmNLD8kqCxbISJt6Wks9xx32Ox0hERQe3AEaNVZzJ3QjksWkZj39DIN1RnQbOaIj9kckF97AluBPsajn8gHhHMTR94tcT867g4f5vLmTNN-aPL2ZvSPGj9HKoCi7GJcLaHYZA/?imgmax=800" width="512" height="331"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">This is the beaten up original wooden door (our house is about 60 years old) that had been painted many times in its life. It had a mail slot that would flap open on windy days and let in a huge draft during the winter.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When we first moved in, the only way to lock this door was from the outside. Sounds safe, right? We had to install a deadbolt to correct that, but we would never enter the house from the front door. The blur to the right of the door is where our house number hangs.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It took us a while to decide on the type of door to install, and this was one of the few home repairs that Mr. Mechanic did not take on himself. The decorative trim on both sides of the door posed a challenge so he left it to the professionals. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I don’t think I’m being conceited when I say that we have one of the nicest front doors on our street. I wish that I could show you the door that has a giant peacock on it made out of swirled metal . . .</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">And, for a walk down blog memory lane, here’s what the porch looked like in May when I planted pansies in my </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/04/rain-boots-and-bucket-fun-garden.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">rain boots</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">. Remember those? They are probably my most popular blog project so far!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GuEuqY4HKOo/UAV9Onh99gI/AAAAAAAACV0/UUVToqUfJ0Q/s1600-h/Front-Porch-WM6.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Front Porch WM" border="0" alt="Front Porch WM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vPtwoD_aZsU/UAV9QgV_y3I/AAAAAAAACV8/tFNI3rXUAG0/Front-Porch-WM_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="527" height="343"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">This year is definitely my favourite year in our gardens. The grass may be brown and crunchy but the gardens are lush and in full bloom. I’ll show you the rest, soon!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Have a great day and thanks for reading!</font></p> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. Did you see our </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/07/our-lemonade-garden.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">newest garden</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">? It’s a bit too hot to sit out there today!</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> I link up at: </font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.twindragonflydesigns.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Dragonfly Designs</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> </font> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-2144733147036122702012-07-16T06:00:00.000-04:002012-07-16T06:00:00.752-04:00A Very Subtle Makeover<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Hi everyone!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We had company on Sunday evening so I just have a quick before and after to share this morning (yes, the secret’s out . . . I’m still writing my posts the day/night before I post them). </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I was sneaky with this makeover. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It is <em>incredibly</em> subtle until you are pretty much standing in front of it, but I think it adds just the right touch of something to our mailbox. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Do you see it?</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5sOE6kMYwCI/UAONukUtsJI/AAAAAAAACSg/d75C2Q7ylN8/s1600-h/Mailbox%252520Before%252520and%252520After%252520WM%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Mailbox Before and After WM" border="0" alt="Mailbox Before and After WM" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpygEpCre-rqs2QtFGjJniXpd3vJfxkgpewSnTIOvU3LF-lFnpi1sRF5S9tIBmTllywvGiiE7EWqYCL60y1Ss9wlpUZhaA2JpywNy7IEuqqmv5CORIc6A6gg1L8OmRLN_RdYsRrji3QPU/?imgmax=800" width="531" height="215"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Look closely. It’s there!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I’ll give you a hint . . . it involved my Silhouette.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Any guesses?</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I promise I’ll tell you more about it later and I will also show you the rest of my front porch.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It rained today for the first time in a few weeks and I swear my gardens were cheering! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I hope you had a great weekend!</font></p> <div style="padding-left: 10px" width="400"><span style="font-size: smaller"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></span></div> <div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></div> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <div><font face="Century Gothic"></font> </div> <div><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">P.S. My Canada Day mantel decor is now put away and the </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/04/easy-sheet-moss-banner.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Century Gothic">sheet moss banner</font></a><font size="3" face="Century Gothic"> is back – I loved it in April and I still love it in July!</font></div> <div><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font> </div> <p><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> I link up at: </font><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Serenity Now</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I {Heart} Naptime</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Under The Table And Dreaming</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.niftythriftythings.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Nifty Thrifty Things</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Simply Klassic Home</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Home Stories A to Z</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Craftomaniac</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Skip To My Lou</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://notjustahousewife.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Not JUST A Housewife</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Bowl Full Of Lemons</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Alderberry Hill</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">I Should Be Mopping The Floor</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">A Diamond In The Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.ca/2012/07/www.creativelylivingblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Creatively Living</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Winthrop Chronicles</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Clean & Scentsible</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Oopsey Daisy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lil’ Luna</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Someday Crafts</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Live.Laugh.Rowe</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The 36th Avenue</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://akadesign.ca"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">aka design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">House of Hepworths</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.52mantels.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">52 Mantels</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Thrifty Decorating</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Crafty Scrappy Happy</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://howtonestforless.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">How To Nest For Less</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Tatertots & Jello</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.thegrantlife.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Grant Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">It’s Overflowing</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lollyjane.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Lolly Jane</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://too-much-time.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Too Much Time</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Six Sisters’ Stuff</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Positively Splendid</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">My {Re}purposed Life</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://unrefinedbydesign.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Unrefined By Design</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.twindragonflydesigns.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Dragonfly Designs</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://www.justusfourblog.com"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Just Us Four</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">, </font><a href="http://lizmarieblog.com" target="_blank"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">Liz Marie Blog</font></a><font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> and </font><a href="http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.ca/"><font size="2" face="Century Gothic">The Crafted Sparrow</font></a> <font size="2" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> </font> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5126086779701214698.post-34179453557902984212012-07-13T12:27:00.001-04:002012-07-13T12:38:23.711-04:00A Little Something in the Meantime: Getting Personal<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Happy Friday the 13th! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Since every post needs a photo, here’s a bit of beautiful that bloomed in my garden this morning.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-08NF7w-h3ok/UABMgXqqsbI/AAAAAAAACR0/dMhPch_fxQU/s1600-h/July%25252013th%252520Rose%252520Edit%25255B4%25255D.png"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="A Little Something in the Meantime: Friday the 13th Rose" border="0" alt="July 13th Rose Edit" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9vPcokZ3Zvs/UABMiMA7dxI/AAAAAAAACR8/SBu2Vj_RVlg/July%25252013th%252520Rose%252520Edit_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">If I remember correctly, it’s a rose variety called “True Love” that was given to me as a year-end gift by one of my lovely students, Cadyn, a few years ago. Such a sweet gift idea.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I’m a bit behind on editing photos for a few projects so today you get a little inside scoop on something that has been keeping me preoccupied for the last few weeks.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><em>Warning: Get comfortable!</em></font></p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">On Tuesday, July 10th, I crossed my second biggest ‘personal to-do’ off my list – <strong>I finally got my G License</strong>. Woohoo! (BTW, first = get a teaching contract).</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">This accomplishment has been <em>a long time in the making </em>and it has truly <em>taken a village</em>.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I have been driving by myself for almost 10 years, but now I won’t have to take another driving test until I’m 80! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">In Ontario, we have something called Graduated Licensing which requires that you pass three tests to complete your driver training. The first is the written test to get your G1 which is equivalent to a learner’s permit, the second is an in-car city driving test (G2) after a minimum of 9 months driver training or 1 year if you don’t do some sort of Driver’s Ed. Passing your G2 means that you can drive on your own, with certain restrictions. The third test is the G test and it can be taken 1 year after passing your G2. This test has both a city and a highway driving component to it. Once you get your G, there are no restrictions on your license.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Whew! Complicated right?</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So, here’s the story of my journey to<strong> finally getting my G</strong>.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Driving has to be the most difficult thing I’ve ever learned to do. Nothing about it came naturally to me and I found that very discouraging. I didn’t even pass the written test on the first try (you could get 4 wrong, I had 5 wrong). Eventually I realized that it had a lot to do with my learning style. I could read the driver’s manual and watch someone else driving but it didn’t translate into me mastering the steps easily.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Many people were involved in teaching me to drive and I am truly grateful for all the time they committed to this less-than-ideal task. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When I first got my G1, I would go driving with my Dad and my older brother. My Dad will drive anywhere, anytime. My brother would sit in the garage pretending to drive before he was 16 and never looked back once he got his license. One day, something happened on a drive with my Dad and I refused to go with him anymore (I can’t remember what, but I know we had a strong difference of opinion on one of my driving manoeuvers!). </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">My brother continued to take me driving (with frequent stops to pee at the side of the road due to nerves!) and my Mom stepped in to take my Dad’s place. My Mom was very patient and would encourage me to practice backing into that parking space as many times as necessary to get my confidence up.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">In addition to driving with family members, I completed driver training with </font><a href="https://www.yd.com/default.aspx" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Young Drivers of Canada</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">. My instructor was fantastic and put in a lot of extra time to help me feel more confident about my driving. He had to completely change his teaching style for my lessons and would always be on the lookout for tips and tricks that would help me to succeed.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When I finally took my G2 test, I was incredibly nervous and felt like I was taking it more because everyone else expected me to than because I was ready. At one point I was so focussed on the left turn that I would be making that I ran out of lane on a road that merged. Needless to say, I didn’t pass.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I don’t do well with failure. I stopped driving for quite a while and had a very poor attitude about it. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Not my finest moment.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I’m pretty sure that I took the test again almost a year later without passing . . . but I’m not positive. They all kind of blend together!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Then, Mr. Mechanic entered the picture. We started dating when I was in my last year of high school and he was in his first year of college. He lived in an apartment on the other side of the city and it was a very long bus ride to go back and forth between our homes. He had a car, but it couldn’t be driven in the winter. Eventually, my Mom started offering him the use of her car on the weekends (thank you, Mom!). </font><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Out of necessity, my driving practice resumed. With my Mom and Mr. Mechanic’s help, I was able to re-gain my confidence as a driver. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When I took my test again, the examiner felt the need to walk me through all of the driving skills like backing into a space and parallel parking (I can still hear him saying “walking feet, walking feet” as he reminded me to slow right down when backing up). It was more like a lesson than a test. It didn’t look good. So, when he told me that I had passed, I said “thank you, sir!” (I don’t say sir) and got out of the car and into the MTO to be processed as fast as possible before he had a chance to change his mind!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I drove with my G2 for several years and eventually had a car of my own to drive to and from supply jobs. When my license was up for renewal, I found a loophole and took the G2 test again instead of the G test because I had not driven on a highway since my only highway driving lesson. I needed a license to get to work and didn’t want to chance not passing. I definitely made the right call.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When I passed, Mr. Mechanic said to me “next time, you’re taking your G and you’re not leaving it to the very last minute.” My license expires on August 26th. My test was on July 10th. I was cutting it close!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">After procrastinating for a few weeks, I finally booked the test in April and started to wrap my head around highway driving. I would make myself feel sick just thinking about it. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Mr. Mechanic’s older sister volunteered to be the first person to take me highway driving and she was an incredible help to me. Having recently completed the driving test process herself, she completely understood my fear and had a lot of tips and tricks to share. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Our first trip of the year to </font><a href="http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/06/back-to-reality.html" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">the cottage</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> was another opportunity for some highway driving. I wasn’t about to drive with Muskoka cottage traffic, but farther North the highway sees much less traffic. I did the back and forth drive on Home Depot runs a few times while we were up there.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Then, July arrived and I had to enter full-on driving test cram mode. We would go out on evenings and weekends but I was still very nervous. Mr. Mechanic suggested that I look into taking some refresher lessons from a driving school. I contacted Young Drivers and arranged for two lessons – a 45 minute city drive and a 90 minute highway drive.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Worth. Every. Penny.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Scott, my instructor, managed to teach me how to successfully parallel park and back into a space in under 20 minutes. He also told me that I wouldn’t have to back in for the test because too many people were hitting other people’s cars on the test! Phew!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The next day we did the highway driving lesson and after 3 practice loops, I knew exactly what to expect for the test, had driven on the 401 for the first (and second) time ever, and felt confident enough to move on to more city practice. Scott showed me the typical test route and I continued to practice this with Mr. Mechanic as I got ready for the test.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">On Monday night, I slept. This was a good sign. On Tuesday morning, I woke up, got ready and did a test-run of the route before pulling into the examination center. It was my first time driving on the highway by myself. I had to merge onto the highway behind a construction vehicle that wasn’t even doing 70 km/h, but I did it. On July 10th, 2012 I felt like I was truly ready for my test.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">As I waited for my turn, I was even relaxed enough to be a sociologist. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I watched all the teenage drivers as they apprehensively circled the parking lot with their instructor and backed into their spot. I’m not going to lie, there were several times I was worried for the safety of my car! I observed a few success stories, and one entertaining stomping hissy fit thrown by a teenage boy who I’m sure didn’t pass.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">When my examiner arrived, I was relieved to find that it was the same friendly woman who had taken my information when I registered. She told me to take a deep breath and head off to the left (after reading the rules – which included a reminder that I could not answer any sort of mobile device while taking the test!).</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I was calm, I took my time and I did everything to the best of my ability. I rocked it!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It is such a great feeling to know that I passed the biggest, hardest test the first time. I feel completely different when I drive.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Some people have their G license by the time they’re 18. I got mine at 31 and I’m still very proud of that.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Now, with that out of the way, my summer vacation can officially begin!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> <hr> </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">If you’re still with me, thank you! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I hope to have a crafty weekend now that I don’t have to spend copious amounts of time driving aimlessly around my city :) </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">What are you up to this weekend?</font></p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img style="position: relative; border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/81/981D8DA98669A88E7403E39FA42AA9A6.png"></font></a></p> <div><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img class="aligncenter" alt="Pin It" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></font></a></div> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">P.S. <font size="4" face="Century Gothic">How old were you when you got your license? Scott told me that the oldest student he ever had was 74, and she passed both her G2 and G tests!</font></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">P.P.S. I was not endorsed in any way by Young Drivers, I just think they’re awesome!</font></p> Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/08440971588327414093noreply@blogger.com6