March 19, 2015

Baskets, Baskets, Baskets


What do you do with those holiday gift baskets when the celebrating is over?
I couldn't bring myself to throw them away.
They weren't what I would call the best quality, but still could be useful in some way.
I decided on a a few 5 minute projects to reuse them.

A painted wood finial from a curtain rod was added to this basket after a quick paint job
with Maison Blanche La Bonne Terre.
The finial screwed into the wood bottom of the basket easily.
I'm planning on using it in my laundry room to hide my battery chargers.

The next basket is pretty flimsy, but was still useable after the fruit was gone.


With a quick coat of paint and a bulldog knob,
I made a plate cover to hide the JackMonkey's food, treats and meds.

Out of sight, out of mind.
I hope.


 The little stinker climbed a shelf on one side of my kitchen island 
to help himself to treats and toys.
He knocked a few other things off into the floor.

I'm telling you...he's 25% puppy and 75% monkey.


I drilled a hole thru the basket bottom and added the bulldog knob.
The knob came from Hobby Lobby.


This one is the bottom of a wooden basket that I use for Christmas oranges.
I added the "fresh oranges" transfer a few years ago but thought 
I could use the basket in other ways, too.
I had vinyl numbers on the table, so on they went-
  the most popular phone number ever for us 80's ladies.
Jenny, Jenny...
And according to my sons, a great number to give out to an annoying person
who won't stop asking for your number.
Add your own area code and it's a done deal.
Very easy to slip by their generation. ;)
I simply added the numbers and dry brushed some ASCP mixed paints over them.
It was dry in minutes, so all I had to do was pull off the vinyl and it was finished.


Here it is from Christmas.
I wish I had a gingerbread man right now.


The last two involve an old laundry basket.
They are painted with Maison Blanche Sugar Cane.
With the lid, I made a simple wreath for the side door.


I like the coated chicken wire ribbon.
You can find it @ Hobby Lobby.
My door is painted in ASCP Napoleonic Blue.


Yes, I have more cow knobs...
Like, more cow bell?
More cow knobs!


The basket sits over a lamp to soften the light.
This room has all the natural light it needs, but in the evenings this adds a little glow to the room without turning on the chandy or the can lights in the kitchen.
The basket is almost 2 ft. tall to give you an idea of scale.

So there you have it-
the things I create on rainy days!

As always, I'm so glad you visited me here at What We Keep.
I'm hoping to have new things added to The Keeping Room by the end of the month.
The puppy/monkey has me a bit behind.
No complaints, though.
Loving on that little velvet head makes for a happy day.


Go, Jack, Go.
No, Jack, No!






March 12, 2015

The JackMonkey


Spring rains bring new life to the yard.
 And as the fresh green leaves reach toward the sun,


 a puppy runs madly across the wet landscape.


 The society garlic is wounded.


 Bark is chewed from the stumps.
Succulents must be removed from the pool edge.


 The yard donk is no watchman.


Silly puppy is now called "the JackMonkey".


Big brother Bruce has been contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

This is his "Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?" face.


Dirty deeds.


Anyone remember what Bruce did when he was a puppy?






And wedelia.


Mama's Boy is always forgiven.


The JackMonkey will be, too.
Dirty deeds and all.
Who can resist that tiny pink licker???


March 1, 2015

Painted Bread Board


 I started collecting old bread boards about 14 years ago.
The first splurge was from Inessa Stewart in Dallas.
I bought two large round boards and I was beyond thrilled to have them.
Some of them hung up the back staircase for years.
Some of them I have used for my artistic pursuits.


We all know that the itchy twitchy paint brush can't be denied.


This morning I felt like making something.
Magoo and the pups were snoozing away and I hopefully had a few hours of 
semi clear thinking before the chaos descended upon me.
I brushed on a mixture of several ASCP colors.
I had mixed the color when I had a small amount left in the cans, 
so I'm sorry that I can't give you a very accurate way to reproduce the color.
I'm guessing that it's Louis or Aubusson with some Graphite.
I watered it down to get the muted look I wanted.

I created a reverse transfer on PicMonkey and applied it with CitruSolve,
let it dry and then waxed it with MMS clear wax.


I used a sweet brown cow cabinet knob as the hanger,
(from Hobby Lobby)
and hung some small dried hydrangeas that I found hanging in the garage.


I am quite pleased.

I'm off to make dinner and finish the laundry now, 
but I did something for myself today and it feels good.
I've had a few weeks of "MOM! Can you help me?" from the manchildren,
and new puppy takes up a lot of my time.
Jack Henry is an escape artist...more monkey than puppy.


He seems to dislike Bruce's wardrobe.


Bruce must retire to his favorite chair for a nap and hope that 
the tiny monkey doesn't escape from the kitchen.


It's tough work being a big brother.


I hope you find the time to make something pretty this week!

Sharing at:

The Scoop