Blog Posts

"Welcome Spring!"
Here in the Missouri Ozarks!

Chalkboard art is easy, using these techniques.

***** Pictures below are from a previous blog*****
HERE

I print my quip with my printer on a 12" x 12" paper, only because that size fits perfectly on my chalkboard.

Turn your print over and use the chalk on its side and rub the chalk over each word.

Then place your print right side-up on the chalkboard, sorry no picture for this. I tape my print onto the chalkboard. Trace the outline of the letters with a pen onto the chalkboard. Remove your print and fill in the letters with chalk on the chalkboard.

Sharing my post with these AWESOME blogs!
StoneGable
Flamingo Toes

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Spring Topiaries

3/2/2016

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Easter is early this year, March 27th! Here in southwest Missouri the forecast is for warm weather, I am hoping that is true. I will take you on a little tour of my 2016 Front Porch here in the next couple of posts. The first post is these bright pink egg topiaries.

. . . . . . . . . .
The plastic eggs are a set of three eggs within each other from Hobby Lobby (the pink ones are the ones on the outside and the largest). The green egg is inside the blue ones which are inside the pink ones. I will use these extra eggs for Easter fun for the grandchildren.
. . . . . . . . . .

Directions:
The eggs have a hole drilled in the bottom with a spade bit. The 1 inch dowel rod was painted and distressed and then pushed through the hole to the top of the egg. The dowel rod/egg is then set in plaster paris which is poured into a coffee can. The can is then set into the urns and covered with colored grass.

I bought these urns years ago and continue to change the topiaries seasonally.

Here is a previous post of how I make the topiaries also:
http://www.shellknoblakegirl.com/milestones/fall-front-porch

Finally a cute rabbit that looks like he is praying and Toby, my Wheaten Terrier.

Sharing my post with these AWESOME blogs!
The Cottage Market - A Morning Cup of Joe
New House New Home

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Plastic Bag Holder Tutorial

3/1/2016

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A plastic bag holder you can make in a couple of hours out of nothing but stuff you probably have around your home.

Okay, be honest, is this how your storing your bags. Maybe one that has chili peppers on it that used to match your kitchen (10 years ago)! Yes, that was me. I've been going to replace it with something, but what?
I started looking on Pinterest, maybe an idea would come to me? I saw a really cute one from a man's shirt and that's where I started. I wanted mine to be a little edgy but with some bling or girly stuff though.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

The ring off of a koozie. You can still use the koozie this way for a larger drink bottle.

A man's shirt. Of note I couldn't find an old shirt that was the color I wanted, so I did by this size 2X shirt at Walmart. An old dress of mine that I used to make the flower and a piece of old lace is laying on top of the shirt and dress.

An old shirt that I cut the lace off of the collar, just like what is going down the front of the shirt.

Tutorial:
Cut one of the sleeves off of the shirt.
Cut from the underarm sleeve straight across. (Photo1)
Turn the top of the sleeve over onto the inside of the sleeve about 1/4" and using a zig-zag stich, stich the top of the sleeve. (Photo 2)
Place the ring of the koozie onto the top of the sleeve and hand stich the sleeve over the koozie ring. (Photo 3)
I used part of the bottom of the shirt hem to make the loop that is sewn onto the back of the sleeve. (Photo 4)

Optional at this point: (Photo 5 and 6)
I stitched on the lace from the white shirt onto the cuff of the sleeve and made two flowers (lots of tutorials on Pinterest on how to make flowers) a black/white flower and one from leftover black lace.
I did place a button on the sleeve placket.

Loving!!
......

Sharing my post with these AWESOME blogs!
Flamingo Toes
A Delightsome Life
Savvy Southern Style

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Exploring Historical Places

2/23/2016

The Oregon Trail in Kansas

Yes, I live in Missouri and love it but, I am a farm girl from Northwest Kansas, always have been and always will be. So don't tell me Kansas is flat and is just a fly over or drive through state. This post is a little different from my usual decorating or gardening posts. There are so many day trips in every state and any country that are fun and educational, it is sad we don't take advantage of these often free and wonderful places. Besides, it's good to get two of my grandkids off the electronics for awhile and out in the wide open spaces of nature. A beautiful warm day in February also helps. We were in for a great experience turning off the highway at that brown historical sign on Highway 24 between Manhattan and Topeka, Kansas.

The sky and the prairie seem to go on forever, while sitting on one of the park benches that are scattered throughout the park. I could sit here for hours and soak in the sun and think about those settlers walking and riding in covered wagons upon this ridge, looking out over this vast land.

Steps going up to the top of the ridge. Steep and a little treacherous and the trek down was worse than going up. A hike well worth it though!

Above: This is me at the top of the ridge. What an amazing site to find a lake!

The deepest lake in Kansas, WOW.

Notice the huge flock of Snow Geese on the lake! The sound of all the geese was awesome.
The coal plant is in the distance with a pile of coal and railroad cars on either side.

This is me and two of my grandchildren sitting in the little amphitheater here in the park. A little more history on this site is located here.

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Front Porch Winter 2015

12/16/2015

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Christmas on the way and just finally getting a post for Minnie's Milestones blog! Many ideas in my head, but with a vacation with family the second week in November, then a wonderful Thanksgiving and a tea at our church the first of December with a table to decorate, (I was painting plate chargers the night before) just can't seem to get it all together! I started a strength training class also along with walking three miles a day, excuses, I know and I do believe you make time for what is most important in your life.

I love the dramatic effect my huge poinsettia makes on my navy blue front door. If you shop at Hobby Lobby as I do, you probably have seen it in a bin standing up with its stalk attached. I took the stalk off and hot glued the green leaves back on and added a wire hanger.
Easy Peasy!

The topiaries are stacked Christmas boxes with bright green, huge bows sitting on urns.

Yes, the boxes are Hobby Lobby finds, also! Three different sizes, stacked together and ribbon wrapped around them.

The big green bows, I found there too!

Love this night view of the front porch.

Check out my 2014 Winter Front Porch HERE, for information about Santa
and the chair cushions.

Joined These Awesome Link Parties:
Our Southern Home
Stonegable
The Chicken Chick

January 17, 2016
After receiving questions regarding how I hung the poinsettia and how I removed the stalk from different social media sites, I realize I should have done a better job describing the process. Please see below.

The stalk is very tough to cut. I used a wire cutter to remove the stalk and good old fashion wrestling and pulling to remove the stalk. The wire hanger is really part of the wires that are in the stalk that will need cut from the flower. I just left one of the wires longer and used it has a hanger by just making a loop.

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Front Porch Fall 2015

10/7/2015

After an unplanned hiatus, hopefully my life will have some order now. The full story is here.
My porch last fall was extraordinary, I decided this year to tone it down and also save a little money. The only items that are really new are the Halloween pillows on the chairs (except for the flowers). I will be posting about the pillows later.
It's always fun to pull out some favorite decorations from years past.

I added this cute ghost that I have had for years...

I used the square wreath I had made last year and added some witches legs that were also in my Halloween stash. Of note I took this photo of the night - love the effects of making it look a little spooky.

I love pansies! These winter pansies are perfect in this old tea kettle.

And lastly, Toby checking out the fall decorations, or maybe guarding them.

So glad to be back and enjoying my new studio and publishing my website!

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Not Just A Weed Now!

6/11/2015

Okay, I am not sure what kind of weed this leaf came from, other than some people in the area say it is called a cotton weed. I just know it is huge and is beautiful!

The leaf came from this actual plant. The plant was growing in the corner of our local greenhouse. It received lots of fertilizer and the employees liked the pretty leaves, so thankfully didn't destroy the plant.

I made three concrete leaves from the plant. This is a picture of another one of the three. I did finish these leaves with lots of diluted paint and stain.

Of note: The first picture in the article and the above picture, was taken just a few minutes ago. The leaf has set in this exact place through the fall, winter and spring. I always have questions about leaving the leaves out through the winter. I always leave them out, as no matter what time of the year or weather conditions, they look beautiful!

Here is the post that went viral with the exact instructions of how I make my concrete leaves.
http://www.shellknoblakegirl.com/milestones/oak-hydrangea-leaf

Joined These Awesome Link Parties:
An Oregon Cottage
The DIY Dreamer

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A Chandelier For Our Porch

5/22/2015

First item of order: What is the difference between a porch, deck or patio. I needed to know this before I started this post.

Porch: A covered shelter projecting from the walls of the building.
Deck: Flat, usually roofless platform adjoining a house. A deck can be made out of wood, cement or stone.
Patio: A paved outdoor area adjoining a house, generally used for dining or recreation.
In the end - call it whatever you want. :-}

This porch is accessible from our bedroom and the sitting room. I have been waiting for the perfect chandelier (love chandeliers) to go on this porch, I found it a few weeks ago at The War Eagle Craft Show in Arkansas. Past posts on chandeliers here.

I was immediately drawn to this shabby chic booth by Bianca of Vichella. This is where I found my chandelier. Bianca has an Etsy shop also. She makes the most adorable little girl's dresses.

Morning sun in the above picture and afternoon sun in the picture to the right.

The chandelier and the comfy cushions on the Adirondack chairs, that my son made in shop class years ago, is perfect for the feel of my shabby chic porch! The trellis with a yellow climbing rose planted with a vine, brings the feel of a cottage garden near by. The rug is from Lowes.

The perfect place for a morning cup of coffee! Thanks Bianca.

Joined These Awesome Link Parties:
Oh My Heartsie Girl

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Amazing Room Dividers

5/5/2015

I think I fell in love with room dividers/screens the first time I saw an old movie with an actress dressing behind the screen. Usually she had an unmentionable slung across the top of the divider.

Room dividers are now used many places around the home. My large one is simply a backdrop to a room with lots of windows. It sort of grounds the room and is the perfect spot to display an antique cello. Check it out here. Room dividers/screens are not only used in the home but also in the garden too. A divider/screen can be made from old doors, shutters or even coat hangers, just use your imagination!
I am thrilled to be asked (for the third time) to curate a board of different room dividers/screens for Hometalk, that include two of my own.
I would love for you to check it out here or simply click on the graphic below.

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What Is Wrong With My Knockout Roses?

5/4/2015

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UPDATE
June 10, 2015
The disease continued to spread, so as to not expose the disease further the roses from this rose garden were removed.

YUCK!!!
I had noticed that our Knockout Roses had this unusual growth on a couple of the bushes, but being busy, never thought about it much more. THEN, friends were at our home and told me the dreaded news.

I usually write about happy things, décor, gardening and such, but I wanted to warn my readers about this disease. Search the internet for Rose Rosette Disease, it is not a happy prognosis. It is caused by a mite and the information is to lengthy to share here.

After all the time and expense of getting this rose garden to this point, we have decided to take a conservative stance. (I warn you though, this might not be the best way to take care of this disease.) We are cutting out the diseased part of the bushes, disinfecting the clippers, putting the disease cuttings in a plastic bag and burning the bag with the cuttings. We are then spraying with a chemical for mites. Yes, I hate using insecticides, but sometimes they are necessary. I will keep updates on the roses here on this post.

Joined These Awesome Link Parties:
An Oregon Cottage

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Extraordinary Puppy Gate

5/4/2015

Do you hate the look of the big box store child gates for use as a dog screen, gate or barrier? The nice wooden gates are pretty but pricey. So my answer is old barn wood, a few hinges and some white paint.

The knottier the wood the better and besides my old barn wood pile is getting to the bottom of the barrel.

Perfect for a smaller or medium size puppy like my Wheaten Terrier. It is also heavy enough, not to knock over easily and when not in use just sit it to the side.

Joined These Awesome Link Parties:
The Chicken Chick

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Spring 2015 Front Porch

4/15/2015

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I am loving Spring here in southwest Missouri! First the beautiful forsythia, then the redbuds followed shortly by the dogwoods.

I painted my front door navy blue (Valspar) and loving the color. If your like me when you saw the first rain boots used as décor you fell in love with the idea. I bought the tulips and left them in their pots and just put them in the boots, so perfect for Spring. I will cut the tops off of the bulbs and put in the refrigerator until Fall and plant them.

My old world urns were moved to the front of the porch and I added the ferns. Of note I don't replant the ferns, I just set the pot they came in, into the urns. They do just great and continue to grow larger.

Since the front door is now navy, I needed new chair cushions. Tutorial HERE.

I also made an envelope type pillow and added the grommets.

TUTORIAL BELOW

1. Cut material to fit your pillow - **Be sure and allow extra material to fold over.
2. Zig-zag raw edges.
3. Make your folds on both ends and stitch.
4. Stitch edges of the pillow and turn.
5. Put grommets on the outside fold.
6. Make ties and attach to inside fold and tie.

Joined These Awesome Link Parties:
Ivy & Elephants

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Chalkboard Art

4/3/2015

It has been awhile since I shared by chalkboard art. In the past I had used my cutting machine for a template. I have horrible penmanship, and I don't do freehand chalk-art. I also like to use different fonts. Of note is an Anemone from my garden in one of my apothecary jars next to the chalkboard.

I print my quip with my printer on a 12" x 12" paper, only because that size fits perfectly on my chalkboard.

Turn your print over and use the chalk on its side and rub the chalk over each word.

Then place your print right side-up on the chalkboard, sorry no picture for this. I tape my print onto the chalkboard. Trace the outline of the letters with a pen onto the chalkboard. Remove your print and fill in the letters with chalk on the chalkboard.

Joined These Awesome Link Parties:
artsy-fartsy mama
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

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Scrapbook Storage Resolution

3/28/2015

So do you have the same problem I (had) of finding a safe place to store your scrapbooks? A convenient place that kids or adults can get the books out to look through and put them back themselves? Do you have them stored in the back of a closet because it is the only safe place for them? After all it takes countless hours of love to make them and that doesn't include the cost of the pictures or supplies if you paper scrap! Maybe the scrapbooks are as large and thick as the scrapbook in this picture, heavy and bulky. Well I have found the perfect solution!

A LIVESTOCK TROUGH!

Yes, a livestock trough. The scrapbooks fit perfectly, children can get the scrapbooks out on their own and put them back when finished looking at themselves.

They don't take up much room, they are made sturdy and all I did was paint, distress and wax mine.

You can order from E-Bay for around $50.00 unassembled. The holes are predrilled and wood screws/pegs are provided and have been dado cut. Excellent quality, other than the wood was a little rough and I did sand down some.

I did not use the bottom piece that normally would be used if you were actually using the trough to feed animals. I don't like the corners of my scrapbooks getting dog-eared and this totally prevents this problem.

I loved my first trough so much after receiving it and the way the scrapbooks fit, you guessed it, I ordered another one.

Joined These Awesome Link Parties:
Funky Junk Interiors
Classy Clutter
Lou Lou Girls
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Canvas Art

3/13/2015

Let me show you my stab at canvas art. This is my third attempt at canvas art and I have some tips for added success.

First you can't use prints that are printed with an inkjet printer. I upload all my prints to Persnickety Prints. The prints are awesome, archival, returned in a few days and are packaged perfectly. The 5 x 7 canvas I used was from Michael's and they do have black canvas but it seems they are always sold out of the size I need. I painted the canvas black.

This step is very important (I think). For some reason prints are always a little bigger than the canvas, no matter who prints them. Trim the photo at this time and make sure it will fit on your canvas. I then distress the edge of the photo (do not use a water based paint, it will bleed) so it blends into the background of your canvas.

I use a foam brush and slater the canvas with Mod Podge. Mod Podge the back of your print and place on your canvas.

Brush Mod Podge on top of your photo and let it dry. You will now have a canvas art that you have done yourself and saved money also!

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Fairy Garden in Antique Wicker Basket

3/3/2015

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An antique wicker plant stand makes a perfect place for a fairy garden. Granddaughter Reagan loves to move the fairies and to my amazement there are a couple unrecognizable figurines in the garden! Let me show you a quick tutorial of the garden.

The basket interior is fairly deep, so looking around for something to fill the bottom, how about foam swimming noodles? Yes, they are light weight, won’t deteriorate and will take up that extra space.

Cover the bottom and sides with medium weight plastic liner and add good quality potting soil. It is time to decide what plants you would like to use and what fairy garden supplies you would like to use. I purchased a mini-peace lily, a sedum and a small cactus.

I start by putting the higher items to the back and in this case including one side of the basket. I then made a pond with blue rocks and a sidewalk with white rocks. Don’t worry if you want to change things several times, which I do usually. Notice how I have moved the pond in the next picture.

I then use moss to cover the bare spots of dirt. To finish the edges, cut the liner to within 3-4 inches of the edge and tuck into the basket. Make sure not to tuck the liner down to low, it is better to cover the liner edge with moss.

Tip: Keep the moss misted weekly and the garden will stay fresh looking longer. Enjoy!

Joined These Awesome Link Parties
An Oregon Cottage
Songbird

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Toby Tin

2/18/2015

Why did I pitch all those Christmas popcorn tins through the years? This idea has been floating around social media for awhile, but I decided to change things up a bit, see below . . .

Most of the repurposed tins I have seen were spray painted. I was worried about the paint chipping easily, though any paint on tin has a tendency to do this. Besides, I have a quart of black chalkboard paint in my paint stash. I used a foam brush and after several coats of paint I was satisfied with the coverage. Applying Annie Sloan black wax next and letting that cure for a day I was ready to add the vinyl lettering. I used my cutting machine to cut out the lettering, but any method of decoration at this point is possible.

Vinyl lettering can be fickle, especially on something that is used often and will eventually start to raise. Also, again paint on metal can chip, so I decided to brush on two coats of Mod Podge. Hopefully, that will seal the paint and vinyl lettering. We will see!

If you are wondering who Toby might be, well here is Toby. He has been on the blog before, and received attention galore! He is a Softcoated-Wheaten Terrier. I will be using the tin for his toys.

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Second Chance To Dream

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Outside Studio Tour - Day 3

2/2/2015

The definition of studio: workplace. My studio is definitely that, I paint here, hence the paint on the floor, it is my potting shed and so much more. Sometimes I relax here, which I admit isn't often enough.

I asked my family to drag up from the lake, a well weathered, dead tree trunk, not without some protest though. I turned it upside down and placed it in the corner, and left the vine that had grown on it intack. In the summer I have Carolina Wrens nesting and in the winter Cardinals roost in the top.

On to my potting bench . . . . .

It is made from salvaged barn wood and the sink was salvaged from a farm dump. The faux faucets are actually knobs purchased from Hobby Lobby. I love the look of the vintage apron.

Above the potting bench/sink is an old gate with various items hanging on it.

The porch swing was made by my son, I change the color almost every year. I made the cushion, as you can see on the end of the cushion, I use buttons for easy laundering. This is actually the view from where I sit at my computer.

I am not a neat painter, I was looking at the floor of the studio one day and the paint splatters reminded me of a floor mat. So I decided to make it look more like a floor mat by painting the word LOVE inside the splatters.

And finally, my garden angel keeping watch.

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Outside Studio Tour (Part Two)

1/25/2015

Construction always goes through the ugly stage, and this is the ugly stage!
The screen door was salvaged, rescreened and painted pink. I cut templates and painted my studio name, a vine and a bird on the screen.
We (hubby and me) painted the 1" x 4" lumber and then framed the boards for the screen door and wall.

I should mention that the open studio is below and upper deck and my inside studio opens onto the outside studio on the lower deck. This made it easier to construct the frame. A repurposed daybed rail was added to the top of the frame and hung with hooks from the top deck.
The white picket boards were nailed onto the frame.

Then for the illusion or feel of walls for the other two sides? A little eccentric, but I love the way these mason jars look. I painted the inside of the jars, make sure you let them dry completely. Poked a hole in the lids, put barbed wire into the hole with a knot in the end and then sealed them with caulking. They are all hanging at different lengths and now almost a year later, are still looking beautiful.

A beautiful outdoor room!
This picture was taken in July (2014). The room still gets a breeze, shade and the enjoyment of being outside.
The perfect place to teach my granddaughters mixed media art.

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Outside Studio Tour

1/23/2015

I have been wanting to share my favorite place. A place where I spend time painting, potting, dreaming and spending time with family. My outside studio. It actually is a patio off my indoor studio. I will be opening that old screen door in the coming weeks and show you what is inside. A lot of DIY, vintage finds and more!

Let me start with the urns outside my studio. You can't see them in the first picture, but the beautiful ferns are sitting in the urns. Yes, sitting, I buy my ferns, usually at Lowe's and just sit the pot they come in, in the urns.

These are huge cement urns. Lowe's had just these two at the end of the season, sitting out front for less than $20.00 each. I watched them like a hawk, until my husband had gone into the store and paid for them and we loaded them into our vehicle. I love bargains!

Distressing:
1. Start by drilling a hole through the bottom of the urn.
2. Paint with dark brown oil enamel.
3. Paint with white paint. Spray with water while painting and brush, brush, brush.
4. Random gold leaf.
5. Turquoise patina (I make my patina by mixing paint and deluding with water). Spray with water while painting and brush, brush, brush.
6. I used a strong tea stain next.
7. Spray with varnish.

Joined These Awesome Link Parties
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The Chicken Chick
Flamingo Toes

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HUGS AND KISSES - XOXO

1/13/2015

A little bling for winter and upcoming Valentine's Day.

I had bought these wooden letters last season and decided now was the time to get them decorated. They are sitting on my antique mantle with my faux fireplace. I love the way they turned out and they would be great sitting just about anyplace in your home.

I used a white acrylic paint on the white letters and then I dried them with a heat gun until the paint bubbled. I love the look and texture it gave them. I then put stick-on pink rhinestones around the edges of the letters. I finished all of the letters with a heavy coat of mod podge.

I used templates and a heavy coat of paint on the x's and heart/leaves on these letters. I think they look so very pretty!

Joined These Awesome Link Parties
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Ivy and Elephants
Songbird
Our Mini Family
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Gingerly Made

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Not Just a Flyover State - Kansas Winter Beauty

1/10/2015

Moon Halo Over Church - Barton County Historical Society Grounds (12/31/14)

I am proud to say I am from Kansas. Yep, born and raised there!
I live in Missouri now, right on the shores of Table Rock Lake and love it here, my heart will always belong in Kansas though. Yes, Kansas has wind, drought and tumbleweeds higher than fence rows (mostly in western Kansas) but the stark beauty is breathtaking.

Kansas is beautifully captured by Rob Graham, Graham Photography, who actually grew up down the street from where we lived in Burdett, Kansas. Rob lives in Great Bend, Kansas now, and I have been impressed by the photos he has taken of Kansas. The photos show the stark beauty of Kansas, and I am so inspired by his gift, I wanted to feature him here on my blog. Rob's photographs have appeared in numerous calendars by the National Natural Landmarks Program, which is part of the National Park Service.

Sunset - Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands near Great Bend, Kansas. 1/6/15

Snow Geese - Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands near Great Bend, Kansas. 12/4/14

My favorite, a close-up of a leaf with ice around the edges and a spectacular ice crystal, with
a beautiful Kansas blue sky on a cold December day.
Kansas isn't just a flyover state!

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Tables of Barn Wood

1/8/2015

My first post of the new year on a very cold day here Missouri.

Happy New Year!!!

I like the surprise I get when I see that unique piece in any setting that you think shouldn't be there, but somehow it is and looks great. I get that look when friends, guests and family see what I have added or changed in my home or my garden. Or, maybe they just think/understand or know I am crazy!

A sofa table made from barn wood and a couple of very neglected pillar posts creates that ultimate surprise. A little bit of cottage, vintage, shabby chic and maybe a little French décor?

Or a three-legged table in the foyer?

After several coats of semi-gloss paint the barn wood planks were attached to the legs.

The graphics from Fairy Graphics were applied after the tables were painted. I used my tutorial here for applying the graphics. The graphic below has the opacity and texture of a real doily. Love it!

The two antique pillars actually made legs for three tables. I am showing two of the tables here. My oh so handy hubby then used a sawtooth bit to make the circles, then used a wood chisel to scrap out enough of the wood to put on a square metal plate and then attached them onto the painted barn wood planks.
(Of note- the legs were painted after attaching the barn wood planks.)

Check out this previous post (Room Divider w/Grit & Grace) that now matches my sofa and foyer tables!

Joined These Awesome Link Parties
Ivy and Elephants
Shabby Art Boutique
From My Front Porch To Yours
A Stroll Through Life
Miss Mustard Seeds

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15 Magical Fairy Gardens

12/28/2014