Sheet music lampshade

Hey everyone.

If you're looking for my sheet music lampshade you have come to the right place. =0)

It's just, I have to start by saying

GO RANGERS!!!

Who would have ever, ever thought at the beginning of the season,

that the Rangers would be going to the World Series?

I used to watch baseball a lot as a kid,

back when Nolan Ryan was in the business of pitching instead of actually owning.

Eddie had to work during game 6,

but me, Haley and the pups

got into the spirit over here in our Rangers gear as best we could.

You might think Cooper is doing a dramatic yawn, but you're wrong.

He is actually cheering on Josh Hamilton.

Kallie is just happy to actually be in a picture. =0)

It was awesome to see the entire stadium packed with fans.

My brother and sister-in-law were actually there!

Lucky ducks!!!!

Here's Justin taking in a little piece of history.

I'm sure it was absolutely amazing!

Spirits are definitely high here in Texas.

=0)

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Well, in equally exciting news around here, I finally finished this lamp. =0)

I wish I had a before, before picture. This is a halfway picture.

I got this lamp from the Salvation Army for four bucks.

The base was a dingy white color.

I spray painted it with black semi-gloss, and called it good for a few months while

I figured out how I wanted to cover the lampshade,

and thought about what look I was going for.

Then, randomly, as most of my projects go, I saw some sheet music

from when I was a perfect young child,

and knew exactly what I could use it for.

It wasn't one of my favorite pieces, and I have lots of other music that I've kept,

so I didn't feel bad about cutting it up and gluing it to my lampshade.
=0)

I cut the sheet music a little larger than the lampshade,

then used Sobo to glue it on.

After the glue was completely dry,

I laid the lampshade down on a cutting board,

and used an X-acto knife to cut off the excess paper for a nice clean line at the top and bottom.

I also used glossy Mod Podge to give it a nice, finished look.

What do you think?

Notice the lamp isn't the only thing that's different.

Know what else is currently undergoing a makeover

in this Office/Craft room?

 

I am finally painting this room too!

Amazing all the things that can be accomplished when you simply

finish all the half-finished projects!

Genius!

=0)

Thanks for reading!

A look back

Last November I received my favorite issue ever of Country Living. I drooled over it all month long and many a blessed time since.

Thinking that maybe they saved their most beautifulest ever house tour of the year for this particular month, I couldn't wait to open up this November's issue.

And guess what.

It was excruciatingly and devastatingly disappointing.

Thumbs way, way, way down. Just not my style is all I guess. 

I'm over it now, (not really), but thought I'd share last years pictures with you so I can relive the moment. =0)

This is Caroline Scheeler. She is a good friend of mine who lives in Illinois.

Ok fine. Actually I don't know her at all. But look how happy she is looking out her dutch door. I'm sure we'd be great friends.

She probably isn't watching her two dogs take steaming monster dumps in the backyard first thing in the morning like I would be doing if I were to stare out my dutch door that I don't actually have in the first place. 

No, she is probably watching two beautiful prize stallions gallop around the track and practice for the Kentucky Derby. 

This is the photo that I always have in the back of my mind when I think of the perfect informal dining area.

Oh my gosh.

I love, love, love the dark brown charcoal color on the walls.

So rich and inviting.

I could go on forever about everything I

love in this dang room because there is absolutely nothing wrong with it!!!

Again, I love the dark brown wall here, paired with the beadboard.

So amazing.

And look. BLACK WALLS.

Isn't it gorgeous????

Oh if I had the nerve.

Another french sofa that Eddie would probably  have to get over because our marriage depends on it kill me on the spot if I ever came home with.

But let me tell you, I could totally curl up on that couch, with my leopard print faux fur throw, and be content for a long, long, looong time.

And I love the archway here and how they added all the molding. It helps define the spaces

and set them apart from each other I think.

Brown walls again, in tight spaces too, but it looks so clean and crisp against the white.

See. Prize stallion. What did I tell you?

I actually am in the middle of painting our office a charcoal brown color.

I probably wouldn't have had the nerve to do it had I not

found a gallon on sale for five bucks.

Hopefully it turns out looking as nice as Caroline Scheelers!

What do you think?

I know right? Country Living could me knocking on my door any day now!!!

I am so excited about this.

 =0)

one project down, 35 million to go

New goal: Before starting anything new, I am going to finish up all the projects I've already started.

So far it's working out pretty well. =0)

Haley needed some sort of shelving to put all of her worthless crap precious trinkets on.

One afternoon after dropping Haley off at her grandparents, I stopped in at Goodwill and found this for $4:

I had another picture somewhere that I took the day I brought it home but I can't find it...but this is after a coat of spray primer.

When I got it the paint was light beige and dingy looking.

I cleaned it, primed it, and then let it sit around for about 6 months.

I knew I wanted to do something to the back of the shelving but couldn't find a scrapbook paper that was a good color, and I didn't just want to paint the back of it either.

Then today I noticed some tissue paper in the office and realized it was just perfect.

(And by tissue paper I mean gift bag tissue paper! Not toilet paper or kleenex tissue!)

The color is Haley's favorite blue right now, and the pattern was just enough to pop but not too much to overpower all of the "valuables" that would be showcased there.

But it's tissue paper? Really?

Ok, I decided to give it a try.

So first, I painted everything a basic white color. Something I got awhile back in the oops section; $5 for the whole gallon!

After it dried I used a sponge brush to evenly apply Sobo glue to the back of the shelf, and laid the tissue paper on very carefully.

Because tissue paper is sensitive.

Especially when wet with glue.

Here it is drying.

I love it against the brown.

Then in Haley's room after I hung it.

I probably spent more time looking for all of the tools than actually working on anything.

Other new goal: Have set spot for most-used tools. =0)

All dry and lookin' fine. 

Since the tissue paper is so thin, it actually blends perfectly in with the painted wood, and almost looks like a stencil.

If you get up close though, there are a few spots where it wrinkled up a little.

Haley had fun accessorizing/accesorizing/exercising? it. =0)

All of her Webkinz. Except for the spotted dog.

That was mine way back in the day!

Here it is half done. She spent the whole night trying to get it just right.

The monster-ish thing is something she made in art with clay.

She did a really good job with it.

Meanwhile, Cooper enjoyed laying on Haley's freshly washed comforter when he knows darn well I am trying to make the bed.

I know he knows because he is avoiding all eye contact.

See. He won't look at me. 

Stubborn. Stubborn. Stubborn.

And 3 hours later. Except I managed to get the pillowcase on. =0)

Please check out all the parties I link to here.

Thanks for reading!!

Catalog living

Ever wonder who lives in the decor pictures we drool over in magazines like Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, and Country Living?

No? Ok, well neither did I now that I think about it. =0)

But this lady did and writes a blog about it.  

Recognize her?

Yep, Sonic. No comment on the guy next to her.

Anyways, you can find it here.

Be prepared to laugh because some of them are just hilarious.

She is a comedian, after all.

Here's a few recent faves of mine:

Me time...

Play ball!

Packing on the pounds

Use your big boy furniture

Have fun!

One way to keep painting interesting

An elephant. (Duh.)

And we decided this is a pig/bull??   .........sneezing.

And Cooper!



Aw! What a sweetie he is. =0)

Today was a big day for Haley. And me too, actually.

Because on this beautiful fall day, Haley learned to do this:

all by herself.

We practiced a little at a time for the past few weeks, and today, right away, everything clicked.

It was exciting and rewarding for both of us, because she would get super frustrated when she couldn't get the hang of it...

And I would have an aching back the next day from holding the back of her seat and trying to keep her 65 pound body from falling over either way.

But she did fall. Over and over again.

We managed to not have any bloody knees or elbows though.

We went to the park where there was plenty of sidewalk space and she went super fast, and I ran beside her.

I got a workout in and cheered her on.

I tried to work in a few life lessons about not giving up.

Thought of a few for myself also.

I am so proud of her. 

Daddy was proud too.

As if that wasn't enough excitement for one day, she also lost her other front tooth.

She was hoping that it wouldn't come out until school tomorrow because then she will be "popular" that day.

She's only in second grade.

This is scary. =0)

When she talks it looks adorable though.

She wanted Cooper to see her missing tooth, but he was more interested in being on camera.

I love being a mom. =0)

The tale of two wreaths

Sorry I couldn't think of a better title, but at least it's obvious what this post is about, even if there really is no tale. =0)

After getting this magazine in the mail last week I got to work making a halloween wreath. And please forgive the photos...I think Haley was messing with my camera and smudged up the lens. I didn't notice it until I loaded these so hopefully I can clean it without scratching the lens...it would be a shame to have to get a shiny brand new camera now wouldn't it? A crying shame actually. ;o)

Wreath #1

All it takes is a Dollar Store foam wreath, crepe paper, and a hot glue gun. I had everything except for the black crepe paper.

The wreath in the magazine is a little crisper and formal looking; very cute, but this wreath is for Haley's door and I wanted it to be something we could both do together.

First I wrapped the entire wreath in one long strip of crepe paper so that any bare spots wouldn't be as noticeable.

Then, instead of folding each piece of crepe paper and pinning it like the instructions said, we just crumpled them up into flower-like shapes and hot glued the little bundles onto the wreath. I think it turned out ok. Plus if it gets smashed in the box while in storage it shouldn't be too hard to fluff it right back up.

It's not perfect, but it's cute enough right?!

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Wreath #2

Last year I wanted a fall wreath very badly. But even at half-off they were either more than I wanted to spend, or smushed, or just plain hideous.

So this year I got a big Willow wreath from the Dollar Tree, and two fall leaf garlands from Hobby Lobby. The garlands were $5 each. I got two different kinds so that it wouldn't look too uniform.

I spray painted it black because that's the only dark spray paint I had, and then just wrapped the garland around the wreath. I didn't use any glue because I tucked in the ends into the branches on the wreath, and just worked with it until it looked how I wanted. It's big and fluffy, and it was only 11 bucks!

Well, it looks bigger AND fluffier in real life. Promise! I would not lie to you!

 I might tweak it a little bit...I'd like to add some cream in there somewhere.

Dang it for not looking fluffy on camera!!!

And now I kind of want to paint the door. It's looks so brown and boring! Maybe a shiny black? Or a grayish blue? Hmmm, something to think about.

Next up is the first sign I've ever painted! Hopefully I will write about that in the next few days.

Between working and everything that comes with having a family, I only have time to write once or twice a week. But as always, thanks for stopping by and taking time to read!

Have a great week!


Linking to these parties!!