~Folk Magazine Giveaway~

I love a good giveaway and here's another one I'm entering.  Junk Exchange is giving a way a one year's subscription to Folk magazine.  Check it out!

~A Little Bit of Glitz~

Hi there, remember me?  I've had a few ideas floating around in my mind about some posts I've been wanting to do and have been working my way through them but a day goes by, then three, and now here it is a week later and I haven't gotten a single one of them completely done or posted!!  Well, I'm taking care of that right now.   Aren't you glad?

A few weeks ago, I went in our local thrift store and found this little lamp.  I was needing wanting a spindle type lamp for my sewing area to provide better lighting and this one was only five bucks.  Other than being a bit dirty and fairly plain, it was in pretty good condition and it worked!

All I needed to do was apply a little paint and fancy up the lampshade some.  I had some leftover toile fabric from the shower curtain in the bathroom that I wanted to use, so all I needed was some trim.  I was at Hobby Lobby and spotted this pretty pale pink glass bead trim.  I'm not normally a fan of this type of trim but I'm wanting to add a few feminine touches to my sewing/craft room and this works well with the cream. sage green and light pink colors there.  And I also bought some dark sage green braided trim as a backup.  Plus, they both were on sale.  Woohoo!!

 I finally got to a place where I could set aside some time yesterday to transform this little beauty!  The lamp spindle was a flat white and I wanted to add a bit of color.  So, I pulled out my acrylic paints...Antique White and Snow White.  Once painted with that blend, I wanted to 'stain' it a bit with the antiquing medium in Apple Betty Brown but had to apply an acrylic sealer first.

Once that all dried, I applied another coat of sealer.  Kind of a "smudgy" type finish.  If I had to do it over again, I probably would have just stuck with the snow white not adding the antique white and going with something like a walnut color with the antiquing stuff.  It turned out to be a bit more brown than what I was wanting, but I like it.  I can always change it later, right?

 Now on to the lampshade!  I gave it a little bit of scrubbing to get the dust off.  It was kind of stained but I was going to cover it, so it didn't matter.  I didn't include the braid trim in this picture because I wasn't sure whether I was going to use it or not.  I wanted to use something that made the the entire fabric stick to the shade, so I pulled out the spray adhesive, which I had never used before.

 First, I had to make a pattern.  Grocery sacks make great pattern pieces and keep plenty of them on hand.  Laying the shade on its side, I used my trusty pen for drawing as I rolled the shade around in a semi-circle creating a pattern.

 I cut the fabric on the fold because the pattern went in one direction but ended up cutting it in two pieces anyway because it didn't turn out exactly like I thought it would.

Working my way around, I sprayed a bit then pressed and smoothed out the fabric a bit.  I really loved using the spray adhesive as it allowed me the freedom to reposition the fabric when necessary.  Can you see the ribbed edges of the frame?  Well, I didn't like the way it looked, so I decided to cover them with the braided trim as well as along the top and bottom, which I am really glad I bought.

 I decided to use hot glue for the braided trim slowly working my way with each piece, putting a little glue and then pressing down making sure I got it lined up right cuz once that sucker dries, it's done!

This project became an adhesive menagerie because I used double-sided adhesive tape for the glass beads.  The spray adhesive is a bit messy and, with the dangling beads and ribbon, I could see a catastrophe waiting to happen.  The hot glue wouldn't have allowed me to be able to reposition if I needed to.  So, it was on to the adhesive tape.  In fact, once I got it all on the first time, I didn't like the way it looked so I took it off and did it again.  It is a permanent tape but it takes a bit for it to set up.  By the way, use the scrapbooking kind or craft type, but not the Scotch brand type.  Something on a roll is easier to work with when you're working on a long piece like this.

Ignore the totes in the background.  Those are Christmas decorations that need to go in the attic (door on the left) but I need to put my shelving unit in there first.  Anyway....there you have it.  My little thrift store lamp with just a little bit of glitzy feminine touch.  What do you think?

Now I need to finish the next project/post I've got going on.  But I think I'll go get the massage I've got scheduled this afternoon first. :)

Hope you have a blessed day today, my friend~

            

TIP:  If the double-sided adhesive tape you are using is a bit too wide for your project, just fold the excess back so it's not exposed or in the way.  It's an easy fix without having to buy different widths of tape.

Partying at these blogs:

            

~My Dotty Swap Project~

Finally, I am able to share with you the items that I made for my part of the Dotty Swap party held by Cutie Pie Cottage!

 The requirements were three items and, of course, dots!  Jenny's favorite colors are red, pink and aqua.

 Jenny has a fur baby named Cody and so I made him a "bony" wall plaque to hold his leash.

 Large, oversized pocket potholders (big enough that her hubby could use!).  I forgot to take a picture of the contrasting fabric on the back, which happens to be stripes.  You know, in all my years of sewing I have never made potholders!  It was fun and I plan to make more.

And, lastly, the polka-dot cupcake liners wrapped with polka dot ribbon.   I had never really noticed before but there are so many cute ones out there and it was definitely hard to choose which ones I wanted.

I'm glad to say that Jenny loved the items that I gave her and that is the best part of all.

Now I'm off to do some grocery shopping...in the rain.  Sigh...but at least our pantry will be full again!

Have a happy day~
       

Going to these blog parties:
Cozy Home Party at Cozy Home Scenes
Country Homemaker Hop at My Simple Country Living
Cowgirl Up at Cedar Hill Ranch
Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do

~Jumping on the Bandwagon~

In the blogging community, we all know of the latest buzz concerning Google Friend Connect.  A wonderful followers tool that many, many bloggers and blog readers use to keep track of not only the blogs that we read but also as a tool to know who and how many followers we have.

All I knew was that Google Friend Connect affected non-Google blog platforms, like Wordpress, and that it was going away for them soon.  So, I really didn't give it much attention.  Then I read that rumors were going around that "someday" Google Friend Connect was going to be phased out completely.  Then I thought....hmmm, maybe I need to give this some closer attention but had no idea where to start.

Lately, I began seeing "Linky Followers"boxes on several of my favorite blogs and wanted to know what this new tool was all about.  The other day, I found two posts done by Heather and Vanessa's blog, At the Picket Fence, about this very subject.  The first post is about how and why Linky Followers started.  By the way, by the very same person who created Linky Tools. :)  The second post is a good explanation of not only the pros and cons of Linky Followers and all the advantages of using this wonderful tool, but also a very detailed step-by-step tutorial on how to get started and how to use it.  I was very impressed.  I encourage you to read their posts and decide for yourself about Linky Followers.

At any rate, ...I have decided to jump on the bandwagon and am following in the footsteps of some of my favorite blogs. You can find my Linky Followers box right below the Google Friends Connect box.   Hope to see you there!

Have a happy day today!~

         

~I Got Mail~

Well, actually better than mail.  I got a package!  The other day I told you about my being part of a dotty swap at Cutie Pie Cottage.  The package came from my partner in crime, sorry Jenny ;),   Wanna see what I got?

In my box were these three little gifts wrapped in dotty paper and a note to boot!!

Aloe infused socks.  I put these babies on right away!  I have extremely dry feet and, with my fibromyalgia, these definitely give one an aahhhh feeling.  Oh my.  I'm in heaven.

A pinkeep or more commonly known as a pincushion.  More about this in just a minute.

And then dotty note cards.  Handwritten notes are quickly becoming a thing of the past, aren't they?  But with something this cute, writing a quick note is a joy.  I think everyone needs to not only start a collection but use them, too!  Don't you think?

Jenny made this cute little pinkeep (or pincushion).  She used a dainty little bowl, dotty fabric and flower trim.  It is filled with some batting and so it is more for decorative purposes rather than for using.  I have a small collection of pinkeeps in my sewing/craft room so this one is going on the shelf with the others.

Thank you Jenny!  I so appreciate the gifts that you sent me.

I got my gifts to Jenny in the mail yesterday and, once I know she has them in hand, I'll show you what I sent her. ;)

This was so much fun.  I hope to get involved in some more swap parties in the future.

Have a wonderful weekend my friends~

~Swap Parties~

I have noticed that some bloggers are having swap parties.  I think they would be so much fun and a way to get to know other bloggers but, up until recently, the only ones that I read about involved card and tag making.  I love these tags but I don't have the time to add another craft to my already batch of bulging craft projects.

                                    
A few weeks ago, I read that Holly at Cutie Pie Cottage was having a dotty swap party.  Finally, my chance to get in on a fun party!  So, I threw my name in the hat and got paired up with Jenny at Jenny's Heart.

After learning about her likes, interests, hobbies and family, I was able to come up with three different items with a dotty theme...the requirements.  It was fun trying to come up with some things that I thought she would enjoy...almost like Christmas!  I am going to get them in the mail today once I get the final details done.  I want to show them to you but I don't want to ruin the surprise.  Once I know she has them in hand, I'll do the big reveal.

My question is...do you get involved in swap parties?  Do you have your own swap party?  If you have, what was the most fun one that you participated in?  Does anyone have swap parties on a regular basis?  I'd love your thoughts about them and, of course, any recommendations.

I think this is a fun idea and something I would love to get involved with every now and then.  But I need something other than card/tag making. :)

Now, I've got to get to crafting!

Blessings~

        

~Bar-B-Q Beef Sandwiches~

We had a family get-together over the weekend for the big game.  Like most football games, we had alot of finger type foods and I wanted to try a new recipe.  I didn't want to spend alot of time in the kitchen, of course, and so the crock pot was going to be put to good use.

I have quite a collection of cookbooks and showed you quite a few of them in my post about My Farmhouse Vignette and also about "wanting one of these" for my cookbooks, which happens to be a chicken feeder.  Oh, and I haven't had a chance to look for the feeder yet but when I do, I'll let you know. ;)

Anyway....in my collection of cookbooks I have one specifically for slow cookers...Gooseberry Patch Slow-Cooker Recipes.  It's got some great recipes in it.  (Gooseberry doesn't know me from Adam by the way).

I found this recipe called Bar-B-Q Steak Sandwiches.  The main ingredient is beef round steak but I wanted to use chuck roast.  With that in mind, I couldn't call them "steak" sandwiches so I changed it to "beef" sandwiches.  Pretty clever, huh?  Yeah, I thought so, too. ;)  It also called for hot pepper sauce, which I don't keep on hand since we don't really care for it.  So my version is minus the pepper sauce.

I didn't get pictures on Sunday of the big batch it made but, thankfully, there was plenty left over for last night.  This is just a small part of it.  Enough for me since Mr. Bill wasn't going to be home for supper.  Doesn't it look yummy?

Look at all that juicy goodness!  Like so many leftovers, it tastes just as good the second and even third time around!  Look closely and you can see the chopped onions and celery.  My daughter added several bouilion cubes to the sauce to make it a bit richer as it seemed a bit watery.

Piled high on whole wheat hamburger buns and some chips and dip on the side.  Yum!  And I had a side dish of fresh fruit from the fruit tray I bought for Sunday and forgot to put out with everything else!  Geez...I can't believe how forgetful I get these days!!

Yes, I ate both of these little babies!  They really aren't that big.  You can tell by the size of my plate.  Are you ready for the recipe?  Okey dokey...I've created my version in a printable recipe for you below.

I hope you enjoy this as much as we did~
                     

Time for a blog party or two:

Cowgirl Up at Cedar Hill Ranch

Your Cozy Home at Cozy Home Scenes

~I'm Going to be a Grandma Again!~

Yesterday, we had a family get-together to celebrate one of my sons-in-law birthday AND to watch the Super Bowl game.  While we were getting ready to chow down on our wonderful game day buffet, our youngest wasn't joining in and, very subtly, said that she wasn't feeling good because she has been having morning sickness.  The little bugger has a wonderful way of surprising us with this type of news. :)

Can you imagine my jaw dropping and squeals of delight??  Trust me..it was happening.  Even though we knew that they were wanting to have more children, we didn't know that they were actually 'trying' just yet.  We love each and every one of our five precious grandchildren so adding another one to our little brood brings us such great joy.

I couldn't wait to share the news with you.  I get rather nostalgic about my family and wanted to also share with you the happenings in my youngest's life over the last few years.  Wanna join me?

Her wedding day a little over five years ago.

Little Tater Tot came into the world in 1998  oops...2008!! duh!

 Learning how to multitask at an early age

My precious little Tater Tot.  This last one was used for her first birthday party invitation.

A few months later comes a little brother lovingly known as Bubba.

Oh goodness.,  How can you not love that cute little smile?  I just want to gobble him up!

 Oklahoma winds do not get in the way of family pics at Easter.

 Spending quality time with her little brother.

 This one-year-old LOVES tractors and trucks.  Can you tell?

Just one of many faces of this silly little girl.

Look at those cute dimples...I can't stand it!

 Move outta my way people, I'm comin' through!

 Taking it all in at the Ranch Rodeo in the big city.

And here we are just a few months ago.

I am so thankful that my daughter uploads all her photos in a family digest in Shutterfly as does my daughter-in-law. I highly recommend it as I can see all the pictures that are taken and allows us to see what goes on day to day.  I can pick and choose which ones I want to save to put in my digital scrapbook albums. I can also choose to have photos printed for traditional scrapbooking and to put in frames around the house.  This daughter is like me about taking pictures and has thousands in the her family album.  Yes, it was hard to choose which ones to share with you today.  I hope you don't mind me being sharing so many as I look back over the last few years.

Mr. Bill and I have been so blessed with our children.  We are thankful for who they have become, for the spouses they have chosen and for the beautiful children that God has blessed them with.  They bring us great joy and I am proud to share my family with you.

So, how did your weekend go?  Anything as exciting as mine?~