Sunday, June 24, 2012

Garden Globe

   Hello paper lovers here I am with another post, this time I want to share my outdoor craft. Concrete Garden Delights. I always say I need another hobby about as much as I need a hole in my head but I just can't seem to stop myself. In the spring of 2011 I wanted a concrete garden bench so the search began, not finding one that I liked or could afford I turned to the Internet and found quite a few bench molds to make one. I purchased  a bench and leg molds from History Stones a company based in Washington state. After making a few for myself and my sister (Marvin's other daughter : ) I listed some on Craigslist and now my benches are scattered all over town. Some of my more notable sales were 5 benches to greet members at the local Lion's club and a family from Grass Valley that bought 8 benches in Sept. 2011 to finish off their new patio. The most meaningful sales were to my friends who had me make benches for loved ones!! Of course one concrete product led to another and soon I had molds for a planter, decorative stepping stones and molds for 2 different size globes. I have molds for a 12" globe and a 7" globe. Below is the 7".  


I have painted some of the globes I've made, but I really wanted to cover one with tiles.So off to Home Depot I went, I picked up these small square tiles for this project.


  I kinda winged it on the tile design but I like the way it turned out. I glue gunned the tiles on the concrete globe first, then I applied the grout. I know a glue gun is not used in traditional tile work but it worked great for this project holding the tiles in place on a round surface. I made this for a dear childhood friend who came to visit me, she shares my absolute love of all crafty projects! Check out her crafty business Finish Your Crafts 
In the photo below the globe is on a plant stand.

Even though you can still see a bit of grout on the tiles I posted this close up anyway. : )

                                                                                     
    I am going to get to work on another one today, I want to make one for me to keep, one for my sister and some for friends. I am full of ideas to make each one unique and special just like all the people I love. Now if I can just find the tiles and colors I am imagining.
Below are the molds I use. I brush some vegetable oil in the molds to act as a release agent. Then just pour in the concrete.


             In the photo below is a black bench I made earlier this year. A family near Topaz lake bought this one to use as a memorial bench in honor of a loved one.
Below the newest bench in my collection : ) is this Terra Cotta colored bench. Definitely one of my favorites. I use a liquid concrete dye from Lowe's that you mix with water then pour into the cement. It does take a bit of extra mixing up to make sure the color is even throughout.
Of course I have a few stepping stone molds, everyone needs well rounded garden decor . This extra large butterfly is my favorite. Check out my other garden delights at ConcreteBenches
  Now for something yummy and let me just say these were really yummy!!!!! I saw this recipe on Pinterest and knew I would be eating one soon : )!! I love going to the local farmers market, I knew I would find some sweet blackberries there for this recipe of Old fashioned blackberry pudding and I did. This yummy concoction is from http://oneperfectbite.blogspot.com/ and I used her suggestion of making them in glass cups. They looked as good as they tasted. Next time I will use less batter on top, to make room for a scoop of Vanilla Bean ice cream.
A sprinkle of powder sugar on top and we were ready to dig in. These were easy to make and fun to eat, great for entertaining, good presentation.

And one quick photo of Dexter our puppy saying come on!! let's go for our morning walk!!! What's a picture anyway???? He really is giving me the glare in this photo.
   I have lots of paper projects in the works. I will get back on track with my paper crafts, I just wanted to share my outdoor hobby. I always have the urge to create...indoors and out!! Thank you so much for stopping by.  Please leave a comment I would love to hear from you!    
 Have a great day, Lori 



Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Baby Banner

Hello paper lovers today I have a baby girl banner to show you. This banner is for a sweet baby girl due to be born in a few weeks. Her name is Mackenzie, love it!! Like I have said before any chance I have to make a "girl" project, I am ready!! I knew right away I wanted to make a banner using some pink paper, some polka dots and some cute fluffy ball trim.
The baby room colors are black, white, pink and polka dot so I hope this matches.
I cut out the letters with the Silhouette die cut machine. Cutting 3 of each letter then stacking and gluing them together to make a thick sturdy letter. Next I rubbed some Versamark Ink on the letters sprinkled some black glitter embossing powder on them and then used my heat gun to set the embossing powder.

I used my scoring board from Martha Stewart to make the pinwheels. That board sure makes it easy to get precision folds. Before I scored the paper I used a punch along one side of the paper to make the decorative outer edge of the pinwheels.
I am still struggling with photographing banners, as you can see, but everyone needs a craft challenge, this one is mine. If you click on the picture below I think the banner looks a bit better in a larger size on your screen.
All the paper and ribbon for this project was purchased at Paper Daisies one of my absolute favorite places to shop at. Don't you love going into a store where everyone is pleasant and and the store is well stocked? I know I do!


I loved making this project and I love thinking about all the sweet memories this family has ahead of them. Two boys and a baby girl.....I predict that there is most likely not going to be much sleep in their near future.  Us mamas with older children know that while the kids are young it seems like forever but passes oh so very quickly. Now I have time to make things like baby banners haha. Congrats and best wishes to Corrie and family.
 Here is a picture of sweet Mackenzie enjoying her banner. A cuter baby cannot be found!!


A couple of pictures of our puppy Dexter, he is three and a half months old now and seems to have one purpose in life....chewing!!
Today Dexter thought it was a good idea to chew the TV, Internet and phone cable in half.  My husband did not agree. Dexter is in the dog house, here at our house. Aren't dogs funny when they know they were naughty? I can feel this way because the cable man came right over and fixed everything for free. Apparently we are not the only family with this story to tell.
Below a picture of Dexter in his natural state of chewing. He has a wonderful selection of chew toys, bones everything they make for a dog to chew on, and of course he prefers sticks! 
 Thank you so much for stopping by and please leave a comment I would love to hear from you.    Have a great day, Lori
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Sunday, June 3, 2012

Checker Duck Tape

    Hey paper lovers today I have some decorating ideas using.....checker duck tape!!
  These photos are of my dear friend Paula's house. A more cheerful home you will not find!!! Her decor is amazingly unique, and today I am going to highlight her original use of checker duck tape. Check out the above photo where she framed the entry to her kitchen with the tape. In the photo below the closet door got the tape treatment.
Below edging up the fireplace mantle is more tape and she jazzed up the candles with some checkered paper and ribbon. (hey I did get some paper ideas into this post!)

 Checker book bindings add clever detail.
 Even the frig gets some new life!!
 The planter gets a new 'tude with some tape to edge the top of it. Who would have thought that duck tape could add so much to an already detailed decor.
Now in the photos below we will switch to some checker fabric decor. Paula's sister Darby shared some love by making a new tablecloth with a checker top layer. What a gorgeous inviting table!!
 Every girl needs a ruffled apron too.....could it be any cuter?
 More love from Darby, this ruffled lampshade below is absolutely adorable!!! I hope my picture does it justice!
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 I am sure you can find this duck tape at several different stores, Paula purchased hers at Walmart.com

A quick couple of pictures of my new flower box my husband......finally built for me!!! I love it even more after waiting for it!
 I think the pansies love it too!
A huge thank you to Paula for so graciously opening up her home to me. Isn't this one of the most cheerful homes you have ever seen? I love visiting her, it seems like I find something new every time I am over. She also has some unbelievable window treatments that I intend to blog about soon. Check out the very first picture at the top of the blog, you can see her kitchen window, see, that's a pretty fabulous window treatment! Thank you so much for stopping by, please leave a comment I would love to hear from you!   Have a great day, Lori