The finished shelves

here they are! 

I think they are pretty funky!

My sister in law, Rachel, introduced me to an artist named Jim Shore. He makes all sorts of figurines, and he has a group called 'minis'. I bought a mini bluejay at Hallmark a few months ago. 

 I think I will start getting a few more of the bird minis to keep my little bluejay company. 

Overall, I am pretty pleased with my guest room. Who wants to come visit?? 

Fence Post Shelves

I had some leftover fence boards and right away pictured 2 shelves for the guest room to go with the new headboard.  Here are the steps I took to make them....

This is how much we had left, so Fred cut the boards about 13in. 

Then, he cut the fence in half. I also took an extra board and cut the 'shelf' part from it. 

This time, I thought I would reverse the colors. I painted white on first. 

Then I applied the crackle... then painted the black.

After the black dried, I wasn't sure I liked it. 

I guess it was such a drastic difference than when the white is on top... 

So I decided to leave the 'shelf' part white to break up the black a little.

Once it was all dry, I put on the back the hanger 'thingys'... 

don't know what the real term is for them! haha

Now, I need to get Fred to help me hang them before he leaves town for a week! 

The boards on the shelves aren't exactly even, but through the whole process, I kept reminding myself that it's imperfections is part of the 'charm'.  :)

God is IN the small stuff

I have had a very busy weekend. My mom has been living in a very tiny apt. since last year. The complex she is in let her apply for a bigger apartment, and 3 weeks ago, we were told there was one available. We got the call last Thursday that is was ready, so let the moving begin!

Mom is not very healthy, so I need to do most/all of the work. (with her SUPERVISING, of course! haha)
Anyway, we got the keys to the new place Friday morning and I started moving some small stuff right away. On Saturday, Fred used his handy-dandy trailer, and with the help of a wonderful couple from church, Michael & Jennifer Tosh, we moved the rest of mom's things. I tell you, I am SO grateful for their help, because Fred and I aren't as young as we used to be! And mom has a motorized bed that is a BEAR to move!

After getting all the stuff in, I worked on getting mom's kitchen organized, and her bed made. That way, she can be settled somewhat until we tackle the rest of the boxes. So, Saturday was a full day. Today, I needed to go clean her OLD apartment. I got all my supplies ready last night, but when I got to the apt., I realized I forgot my mop and bucket. That was annoying!  Oh well, I started on the cleaning.

After getting the kitchen done, I tackled the bathroom. When I went to her bedroom, I happened to look out the back porch door, and saw a bucket! I said 'cool!' and opened the door to get it. Then I saw the mop hanging on the fence!  I actually left it back there a couple of months ago when we were dealing with a busted pipe. I guess I never brought it in.  But I gave it all to the Lord!  I thanked him for the mop and bucket so my job would be easier and I could do it all today!

I have been really tired, and with that comes moments of 'pity party'.  But it was that mop and bucket that reminded me God is always looking out for me. I don't need to worry about whether life is fair or not. I just need to be faithful to what I am supposed to do, and He will take care of the details, like getting me the mop and bucket when I needed it! :)

Headboard Project part 2

I started to work on the fence part of the headboard, and Fred's sander broke! We knew it was on its last leg, I was just hoping it would last till I finished! haha

No biggie, Fred wanted to get a new one,  and we resumed work! 

 So, I started with this....

It was too tall, so we cut 13in from the bottom, and 1in from the board on both sides

Then, I painted it black, let it dry overnight. 

I had to get more black, and I believe it was just a shade different. 

No biggie, since it's the under color.

This morning, I put on the crackle solution, waited 3 hours, then painted it white.

Again, the crackle started showing right away. I have learned I need to be quick with the painting. If I try to go over an area a 2nd time, I loose the crackle effect and instead get a kind of 'smear' look.

But, for the most part, it came out really good!

Now, once it was completely dry, it was time to put it together!

When we cut the 1in from each side, we left the support beam alone. 

There, Fred was able to screw the posts to the fence. 

(Ingenious idea, if I say so myself!)

Baby was keeping an eye on our work!

Here, the left post top is not on, we had to get a screw to put it on...

Next, we (really, Fred) connected the headboard to the bed frame.

And.... ta da!!!! 

We have a beautiful headboard!

This was such a neat experience!  I absolutely love it! 

Fred is pretty happy with it too. Of course, he is now saying, 

"you could make a bunch of these and sell them at craft shows". haha

Don't know about that, but I am extremely pleased the project. 

Now.... we have the left over fence that is going to make 2 great shelves!  

Will keep you posted!  :)