Painting with a Soda Bottle

Hello there! I hope you all had a great Memorial Day! We had a great weekend - got some planting done, hung out with family. We had a couple of nice days, but a little rain too. <br /><br />I was horrified that it might rain on my proverbial parade. Every Spring I do the same thing. I'm shocked and surprised when there's a rainy day. It's as if I have seasonal amnesia. <em>What? It's raining? Why is it raining? </em><br /><br />(I also have allergy amnesia -<em> Why is my nose running? Why do I have a headache? Am I sick?)</em><br /><em></em><br />Yeah. I know. It's Spring. Spring means rain. Rain means a forced break from the yard work. Therefore, with the clouds forming, and my nose running, I came up with something to do inside that I thought I'd share with you.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Sorry about the pictures, I didn't have my camera and had to use my phone.)</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />Here it is: <br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHO8taT4VOInwjvyZ52xdb9nYF_WrsI2i5VzbsTtm7Z7U1q6DnHr74jwirnIleUkc2hmnZgywYtZw_Ot_I5vrzfs8Qh6_v816GUIta2WhzoN2kV5KRayM-PeJwfbdQF43qdMzcCEiDCFE/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHO8taT4VOInwjvyZ52xdb9nYF_WrsI2i5VzbsTtm7Z7U1q6DnHr74jwirnIleUkc2hmnZgywYtZw_Ot_I5vrzfs8Qh6_v816GUIta2WhzoN2kV5KRayM-PeJwfbdQF43qdMzcCEiDCFE/s320/DSC_0369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Years ago, my grandfather made a frame to hold a cork board. He had it hanging in their cottage on the lake, pinned with photos of the family.  The original Pinterest.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">He passed away years ago, and I've wanted to do something with the frame for <em>EVER</em>. It's kinda cool and chunky looking. I just couldn't decide on anything special enough to use it for. At one point I painted the cork part yellow, but nothing else really came to me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile I'd seen this idea on Pinterest and thought I could make something similar...</div><img alt="" class="image pinImage" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/2b/e0/2e/2be02eafa00b57fc03ab828f26dd84f9.jpg" style="height: 460px; margin: 0px auto; padding: 40px 0px; width: 500px;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Because I was forced indoors, I decided to do someting for the frame, rather than wait for a better idea to come along. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">So I cut out a square of burlap. (You know how to get a straight line when you cut burlap? You pull one the strings of burlap where you want your cut to be. The material will scrunch up, and when the string is pulled out, it leaves a perfectly straight line that you can then cut along.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I then just pulled some of the strings along the edge to make a fray, like so: </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nRS2YE3ORt-iQa7K5LGhfY4JIiAC4BIlKCiOK2Xd4p3TrsVY0epgE3m86nUtPXULwx2iE_P4qUvyEcT3fsHVkObB9zNFdhOuANUTtJjjDGuLOwyUtaXpmQKTHOqN0YD_teb8h3pO_6s/s1600/may2013+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nRS2YE3ORt-iQa7K5LGhfY4JIiAC4BIlKCiOK2Xd4p3TrsVY0epgE3m86nUtPXULwx2iE_P4qUvyEcT3fsHVkObB9zNFdhOuANUTtJjjDGuLOwyUtaXpmQKTHOqN0YD_teb8h3pO_6s/s320/may2013+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Using the glue gun, I glued the square of burlap onto the cork board. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I drew a branch, while my two teenagers laughed at me for using my lil guy's paint brush. (You can see it below - the kind that comes with a coloring book.)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibos03vVJLtyP3Nk3zJBiC82Zh89S2dJIiW8PvbEFTcOl2CIixHACV8L6gxW_wcoSWc_s0kUynWbCDo4OaPhWlRrDcVAa4Q40OyrUPjofYNJ8AxoZPseIYFAeoNqEbjPhD5F0eaDLl8Yk/s1600/may2013+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibos03vVJLtyP3Nk3zJBiC82Zh89S2dJIiW8PvbEFTcOl2CIixHACV8L6gxW_wcoSWc_s0kUynWbCDo4OaPhWlRrDcVAa4Q40OyrUPjofYNJ8AxoZPseIYFAeoNqEbjPhD5F0eaDLl8Yk/s320/may2013+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For the flowers, I used an empty soda bottle - right up off of my elder son's bedroom floor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yeah, we're classy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just dip and press. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pXY24yDxdPee7KKY4INrKh-muJSBujgyEK4O07A2stUk33HYtVnZTo-joDuoE0m23rRzqxC54rnEBJLO4d_bgWRX6AYC3HUNVJ2CV6NpkyUTwWrYxGLt_FiuI0v6IrFjz-lpNUCqnHI/s320/may2013+036.JPG" width="320" /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4Sqzzu_jxm24g1etsiby8jc_zMv78L8udFws8ZteXx6fsRk2k8RAPeBM1h8y51lxLeOR1Ha9ZCwQYSn3cKnUd9WA7jJIwsvTUcLwtu7496ZTykea7NwmLLiZi0LyLwoF0_MChDB9PPM/s1600/may2013+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4Sqzzu_jxm24g1etsiby8jc_zMv78L8udFws8ZteXx6fsRk2k8RAPeBM1h8y51lxLeOR1Ha9ZCwQYSn3cKnUd9WA7jJIwsvTUcLwtu7496ZTykea7NwmLLiZi0LyLwoF0_MChDB9PPM/s320/may2013+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoQI0M7wvS-1TM5aLGMN57GmRmHALHjJKYkV4WjhEzl7FTrjjfKQYNjH-QDLM_PovFckGixkXmwszhT9dKVlgiu3BJGgtwKvim7xh8d-05Rk-bTh2-5f_vigkCDrRga8nun1SbYJ4Eik/s1600/may2013+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoQI0M7wvS-1TM5aLGMN57GmRmHALHjJKYkV4WjhEzl7FTrjjfKQYNjH-QDLM_PovFckGixkXmwszhT9dKVlgiu3BJGgtwKvim7xh8d-05Rk-bTh2-5f_vigkCDrRga8nun1SbYJ4Eik/s320/may2013+039.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoQI0M7wvS-1TM5aLGMN57GmRmHALHjJKYkV4WjhEzl7FTrjjfKQYNjH-QDLM_PovFckGixkXmwszhT9dKVlgiu3BJGgtwKvim7xh8d-05Rk-bTh2-5f_vigkCDrRga8nun1SbYJ4Eik/s1600/may2013+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoQI0M7wvS-1TM5aLGMN57GmRmHALHjJKYkV4WjhEzl7FTrjjfKQYNjH-QDLM_PovFckGixkXmwszhT9dKVlgiu3BJGgtwKvim7xh8d-05Rk-bTh2-5f_vigkCDrRga8nun1SbYJ4Eik/s1600/may2013+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoQI0M7wvS-1TM5aLGMN57GmRmHALHjJKYkV4WjhEzl7FTrjjfKQYNjH-QDLM_PovFckGixkXmwszhT9dKVlgiu3BJGgtwKvim7xh8d-05Rk-bTh2-5f_vigkCDrRga8nun1SbYJ4Eik/s1600/may2013+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;" unselectable="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoQI0M7wvS-1TM5aLGMN57GmRmHALHjJKYkV4WjhEzl7FTrjjfKQYNjH-QDLM_PovFckGixkXmwszhT9dKVlgiu3BJGgtwKvim7xh8d-05Rk-bTh2-5f_vigkCDrRga8nun1SbYJ4Eik/s1600/may2013+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoQI0M7wvS-1TM5aLGMN57GmRmHALHjJKYkV4WjhEzl7FTrjjfKQYNjH-QDLM_PovFckGixkXmwszhT9dKVlgiu3BJGgtwKvim7xh8d-05Rk-bTh2-5f_vigkCDrRga8nun1SbYJ4Eik/s1600/may2013+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT67LvBt7n6YpKT1Gdvk0EAKNe5tSF9s4Gk1PTNtTQg0uL5TjFeR5hl0M8gcElVChzfTB0Yh36rEojwI9UCq0RzIqbWJ_LQAtv6Ts25NjnZh6Zg8-Ryt2Ozd1hFVEC_xY7MWontQ6Lukk/s1600/may2013+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> And there you have it. Wall art from an old frame, a kids paint brush, and an empty soda bottle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfi96aDSvM-Yih_Fiq1eSQcU2B1WNgOxpBr7EUJIjz_5RKh0OtZq-BvAxU-8q-xTUnIc-0ottOKzRNcXEdf9Hlr8f-SlWaiXJYpw4cb1H7k4hK7amuGgpHaXUyVea2qlxIqrQFwveNs4/s1600/DSC_0374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfi96aDSvM-Yih_Fiq1eSQcU2B1WNgOxpBr7EUJIjz_5RKh0OtZq-BvAxU-8q-xTUnIc-0ottOKzRNcXEdf9Hlr8f-SlWaiXJYpw4cb1H7k4hK7amuGgpHaXUyVea2qlxIqrQFwveNs4/s320/DSC_0374.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlRZNJeM-CxLuHiYJFKg8JmvNkP2-URHUsbd4yAnJJW-NZBJtCnoAs_wqz0rg2pACbkFApwTbr3rceYNNGz6Hk67bD_uloU_KKcv1yCLzUSwiEHpEkWd6CwRLXUOTtMwww5H7WaKEyRA/s1600/DSC_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlRZNJeM-CxLuHiYJFKg8JmvNkP2-URHUsbd4yAnJJW-NZBJtCnoAs_wqz0rg2pACbkFApwTbr3rceYNNGz6Hk67bD_uloU_KKcv1yCLzUSwiEHpEkWd6CwRLXUOTtMwww5H7WaKEyRA/s320/DSC_0371.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like it. And I'm happy I'm able to use my grandfather's frame. </div><br />Want to PARTY???<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cedarhill-ranch.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch</span></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cupcakesandcrinoline.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Project Inspired{d}at Cupcakes and Crinoline</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kathewithane.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">You're Gonna Love It at Kathe with an E</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pjhdesignsoneofakind.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cozylittlehouse.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sugarbeecrafts.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Take a Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee Crafts</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://elizabethandco.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Be Inspired at Elizabeth and Co</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://twelveoeight.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Pretty Things Link Party at twelveOeight</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Time to Shine at A Diamond in the Stuff</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Too Cute Tuesday at Funky Polkadot Giraffe</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://domestically-speaking.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">The Power of Paint Party at Domestically Speaking</span></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://therusticpig.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Creatively Tuesday at The Rustic Pig</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.notjustahousewife.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Show Me What You Got at Not Just a Housewife</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Share It Link Party at The Winthrop Chronicles</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://naptimecreations.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Tasteful Tuesday at Naptime Creations</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Savvy Southern Style</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"></span><a href="http://www.lovegrowswild.com/2013/04/time-to-sparkle-link-party-6.html#comment-form"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Love Grows Wild</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"></span><a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Coastal Charm</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"></span><a href="http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Adventures of a DIY Mom</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"></span><a href="http://romanceonadime.com/take-it-on-tuesday/take-it-on-tuesday-tiot-blog-hop-76/"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Take It On Tuesday</span></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"></span><a href="http://ifitsnotbaroquedesignblog.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">If It's Not Baroque</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-131/"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">My Uncommon Slice</span></a><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-131/"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"> of Suburbia</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=989053617&group=0&frame_type=a&blog=3245909&link=aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRwcm94eS5nb29nbGUuY29tL35yL1RoZVNoYWR5UG9yY2gvfjMveUx4WmdpY3cxVkUvcm9jay1uLXNoYXJlLXdlZG5lc2RheS0zOS5odG1s&frame=1&click=0&user=0"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-small;">Rock N Share at The Shady Porch</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogshe.net/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-scientist-and-ninjago.html"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-small;">Wordless Wednesday at Blog She</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://igottacreate.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Wildly Original Link Party at I Gotta Create</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://familyhomeandlife.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Wow Us Wednesday at Family Home and Life</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.smartschoolhouse.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Whimsy Wednesday at Smart School House</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.whitelightsonwednesday.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Wednesday Whatsits at White Lights on Wednesday</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.greenwillowpond.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">What We Accomplished Wednesday at Green Willow Pond</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Under $100 Linky Party at Beyond the Picket Fence</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.southernlovely.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Show and Share at Southern Lovely</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Wow Me Wednesday at Gingersnap Crafts</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thediydreamer.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">From Dream to Reality at The DIY Dreamer</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Its' a Party! at A Creative Princess</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Show Off Your Stuff Party at Fireflies and Jellybeans</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://creationsbykara.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Look What I Made Wednesday at Creations by Kara</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Create and Share at The Trendy Treehouse</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thelifeofjenniferdawn.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">A Little Bird Told Me Link Party at The Life of Jennifer Dawn</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://notdonegrowing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Oh What a Happy Day Link Party at Not Done Growing</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weliketolearnaswego.blogspot.com/2013/04/what-i-learned-wednesday-53.html?showComment=1366810746854#c8570136592418367828"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">What I Learned Wednesday</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Trendy Treehouse</span></a><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.whitelightsonwednesday.com/2013/04/wednesday-whatsits-57/#comment-3860"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Wednesday Whatsits</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/2013/04/wicked-awesome-wednesday-107.html"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">Wicked Awesome Wednesday</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thissillygirlslife.com/wp/2013/04/two-girls-and-a-party-linky-party-no-13/#comment-1366"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-small;">Two Girls and a Party</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-small;">Party Time at The 36th Avenue</span></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mysimplehomelife.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Simply Creations Link Party at My Simple Homelife</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://missmustardseed.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://redouxinteriors.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">What Have You Redone at Redoux Interiors</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty Groove</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Simple and Sweet Fridays at Rooted </span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Faunt It Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Show and Tell Friday at Romantic Home</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thecottagemarket.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Junkin' Joe Vintage and Thrifty Finds at The Cottage Market</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Weekend Wrap-Up Party at Tatertots and Jello</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Shabbilicious Friday Link Party at Shabby Art Boutique</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.504main.com/2013/03/tickled-pink-136.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Tickled Pink at 504 Main</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://homespunhappenings-tammy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Rustic Restorations Weekend Link Party at Homespun Happenings</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.funnypostpartumlady.org/2013/04/tgif-blog-hop-linky-party.html?m=1"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">TGIF Blog Hop</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></div>

Painting with a Soda Bottle

Hello there! I hope you all had a great Memorial Day! We had a great weekend - got some planting done, hung out with family. We had a couple...

Read more »

Giant Wall Art DIY

<br /><div align="center">Hello and Happy Wednesday! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Here is a</div><div align="center">HUGE </div><div align="center">FREE </div><div align="center">WALL ART </div><div align="center">DIY </div><div align="center">project I made yesterday. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Mine measures 5 feet across, but you could make yours any size to fit any wall.  </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxdua10MA20YM6HJ90FN6XSxj_Pcc_m7GJBwmj4WKGkYbt0RhJH6XfEADS8mchiiSNmkdkqxw-CYXLLkI1fAgxTOt4237tvs5YKc_fNpQzZHhIpLKYlrXw1C6KZOX16ulE57GikHa7kw/s1600/5-1-13+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxdua10MA20YM6HJ90FN6XSxj_Pcc_m7GJBwmj4WKGkYbt0RhJH6XfEADS8mchiiSNmkdkqxw-CYXLLkI1fAgxTOt4237tvs5YKc_fNpQzZHhIpLKYlrXw1C6KZOX16ulE57GikHa7kw/s320/5-1-13+007.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmJnYjNALjz9Ihm5HhjDb5a0uB5Is1l2GbgS6-QdYdJ7D7hfx0IErXe5XrYrOTi_171iYzv9GhwMuC_paXlCnECSzw6GRmK7uNxZtswNIOkHKXUyjiaOxfcqnv9xQP5t1N8H01YUyuE8/s1600/5-1-13+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">This week the temperatures have been in the mid-60's, the flowers are blooming, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and the buds are bursting. You know what that means? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yard work. Hard work. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here in CNY (or at least at my house) Spring brings the <strike>disappointment</strike>  <em>wonderful surprise</em> of everything the snow has been hiding all winter. In our case, it was sticks, sticks, and more sticks. And leaves, leaves and, yep, more leaves - all covered by the snow, before we had a chance to rake them, and now pressed together to the consistency of cement. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweet! (And by "sweet" I mean another "S" word. No, it's not "Surprise!")</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the thing. I HATE raking. My back hates raking. My kids hate raking. My hubby hates raking.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> This year our yard was so bad, to save my sanity, I decided it was a mind over matter situation. To get through it, I told myself I LOVE raking. I love the exercise (my back is screaming), I love the fresh air (my nose is streaming), I love the wildlife (mangling worms and tearing them in half)... LOVE IT! </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway, with the help of the troops, I got through it, and we have the yard cleared up - ready for mulch and planting. I suppose it is somewhat satisfying. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">And then I had a thought. I might as well get something out of this - satisfaction? Nah. Not good enough. I want something I can touch and see. Like wall art, of course. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I gathered up the nicer looking sticks and kinda formed a plan in my head. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCLteeZ4G9kQoK8anej-816jxGyYHVf8BIAxRHuizaFwo1OhJbLCGVib9flmV8wHPwGJlzuFVrtYyYvxX27sdJOndnCT7Bx0eQnv5sqkZx7jEko4xJE-YZM1r8ir0McklM1aRZ3-MgZ0/s1600/5-1-13+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa5lak4XHg1717CW9XvRyeawJU0AmfZhJk028exTLMku07lUk7ny7zXTw6ZGA4FMdeXfAQoLSGNKhx4NqO4Dr-IteOz4GTBMvh7aewXUU5atQyywT_sRQgx3hjxpp3Y3EpDpALS32UZY/s1600/5-1-13+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa5lak4XHg1717CW9XvRyeawJU0AmfZhJk028exTLMku07lUk7ny7zXTw6ZGA4FMdeXfAQoLSGNKhx4NqO4Dr-IteOz4GTBMvh7aewXUU5atQyywT_sRQgx3hjxpp3Y3EpDpALS32UZY/s320/5-1-13+004.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have a large archway from our kitchen to the hall, which requires something large. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, I made a 5 foot sunburst, using some of those sticks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First, I cut out a 6" circle of card board, and covered it in burlap. I used this as a base for the sunburst. It is the center where I glued all of the sticks. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpwJR56bzymwXJYZ8-RQ9sQSmGFTQCJT0F6Zsbs9mGnCod4VDpT29QzvwR_qbhM2z7JKX5tn0RxtXy0uHGyeSLynqgTPKOauc6GetW77Pv1b0cmIyqjUfaFgEbeLZ2sJGGAKJwgyOYxM/s1600/5-1-13+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpwJR56bzymwXJYZ8-RQ9sQSmGFTQCJT0F6Zsbs9mGnCod4VDpT29QzvwR_qbhM2z7JKX5tn0RxtXy0uHGyeSLynqgTPKOauc6GetW77Pv1b0cmIyqjUfaFgEbeLZ2sJGGAKJwgyOYxM/s320/5-1-13+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, I cut the sticks to two different lengths. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCLteeZ4G9kQoK8anej-816jxGyYHVf8BIAxRHuizaFwo1OhJbLCGVib9flmV8wHPwGJlzuFVrtYyYvxX27sdJOndnCT7Bx0eQnv5sqkZx7jEko4xJE-YZM1r8ir0McklM1aRZ3-MgZ0/s1600/5-1-13+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCLteeZ4G9kQoK8anej-816jxGyYHVf8BIAxRHuizaFwo1OhJbLCGVib9flmV8wHPwGJlzuFVrtYyYvxX27sdJOndnCT7Bx0eQnv5sqkZx7jEko4xJE-YZM1r8ir0McklM1aRZ3-MgZ0/s320/5-1-13+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center">(I couldn't find my pruners, so I just used needle nose pliers with a cutter. </div><div align="center">Where there's a will, there's a way.)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Being a highly technical person, I then used my eyeballing method to place the sticks. </div><div align="center">For a little more detail on such method, and making sunbursts, go <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/2013/04/diy-sunburst-mirror-under-8.html">HERE</a>! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I used my glue gun to glue all of the sticks symmetrically on the piece of cardboard. </div><div align="center">I had this cool plate that used to belong to my grandparents, and I thought that would make the perfect center for my sunburst. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilicZuoK30LGM2eGdsnhnDX41YHzBI9ZJfIznWe5iYwXx7YCCWvq2PMhfQhfFuCPhH6gD1hFcc8FCk-jCFOjIpt6H_aKtmGrq5AhNWlWh-W3Pa0BsShuX3wHQ3W9RS9Te5o-LXJ1tkwRw/s1600/5-1-13+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilicZuoK30LGM2eGdsnhnDX41YHzBI9ZJfIznWe5iYwXx7YCCWvq2PMhfQhfFuCPhH6gD1hFcc8FCk-jCFOjIpt6H_aKtmGrq5AhNWlWh-W3Pa0BsShuX3wHQ3W9RS9Te5o-LXJ1tkwRw/s320/5-1-13+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">And here it is.  </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmJnYjNALjz9Ihm5HhjDb5a0uB5Is1l2GbgS6-QdYdJ7D7hfx0IErXe5XrYrOTi_171iYzv9GhwMuC_paXlCnECSzw6GRmK7uNxZtswNIOkHKXUyjiaOxfcqnv9xQP5t1N8H01YUyuE8/s320/5-1-13+008.JPG" width="212" /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxdua10MA20YM6HJ90FN6XSxj_Pcc_m7GJBwmj4WKGkYbt0RhJH6XfEADS8mchiiSNmkdkqxw-CYXLLkI1fAgxTOt4237tvs5YKc_fNpQzZHhIpLKYlrXw1C6KZOX16ulE57GikHa7kw/s1600/5-1-13+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxdua10MA20YM6HJ90FN6XSxj_Pcc_m7GJBwmj4WKGkYbt0RhJH6XfEADS8mchiiSNmkdkqxw-CYXLLkI1fAgxTOt4237tvs5YKc_fNpQzZHhIpLKYlrXw1C6KZOX16ulE57GikHa7kw/s320/5-1-13+007.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br />This is what it looks like through the arch from the kitchen to the hall wall where it resides. (It was difficult to get a good angle for taking this photo, but it does look large and impressive). <br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSLHq6vauWTtJq0kJikUafRs_1CDJjuYhkl9z08OFrTQCf0uLsXE7LImFDOnJEjy7ZHwEbv4EzIbjmom5McWsAAcg5QxbWan_JsNuCw4aE6sbPeQTHT40xM2vc6LwhXi-u2Alfm_Ek-Q/s1600/5-1-13+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSLHq6vauWTtJq0kJikUafRs_1CDJjuYhkl9z08OFrTQCf0uLsXE7LImFDOnJEjy7ZHwEbv4EzIbjmom5McWsAAcg5QxbWan_JsNuCw4aE6sbPeQTHT40xM2vc6LwhXi-u2Alfm_Ek-Q/s320/5-1-13+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4zy1Qhkl6XRj4TI2vF42fik53PC-Zqru1q_cZeovGwMBae68Dehj0Cwnn5E83VYiP9Dt9aEhPPXEZf1PIwLOmHXNGNzsAbStRf6_GQDvRrfnEg9_EowckpWMtm1lU368tCd_j2GgzUU/s1600/5-1-13+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4zy1Qhkl6XRj4TI2vF42fik53PC-Zqru1q_cZeovGwMBae68Dehj0Cwnn5E83VYiP9Dt9aEhPPXEZf1PIwLOmHXNGNzsAbStRf6_GQDvRrfnEg9_EowckpWMtm1lU368tCd_j2GgzUU/s320/5-1-13+011.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;">My teen-aged daughter saw the finished product and claimed that she loved it. However, as she walked by it she said, with a hint of suspicion and doubt, "I hope you used <em>quality</em> sticks". </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, yeah, they're quality sticks. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">So, at the risk of sounding repetitive, I made this huge wall hanging for free. Some quality sticks were sacrificed, and a few worms lost their lives, but otherwise it was free. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilicZuoK30LGM2eGdsnhnDX41YHzBI9ZJfIznWe5iYwXx7YCCWvq2PMhfQhfFuCPhH6gD1hFcc8FCk-jCFOjIpt6H_aKtmGrq5AhNWlWh-W3Pa0BsShuX3wHQ3W9RS9Te5o-LXJ1tkwRw/s1600/5-1-13+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><div align="center">So what do you think? Have you used anything from your yard to make a wall hanging? </div></div>

Giant Wall Art DIY

Hello and Happy Wednesday!   Here is a HUGE FREE WALL ART DIY project I made yesterday.   Mine measures 5 feet across, but you could make yo...

Read more »