Holiday Pics

This was last year's (2011) Holiday photo. As you can tell, I jumped on the mustache trend for this one.

 While visiting my sister's place this past week, I noticed she had a collage of family photos from our childhood. I was reminded of how our  pictures were either black n white, an orang-ish tinge, or the infamous Polaroid.  So with that, came the idea of retro pics for this year's Holiday photo..

Wonder what next year will bring?  This has started an annual tradition....meez thinks...

Random Projects

In the past few weeks I have been going a little crazy with trying to finish small projects here 'n there. I painted this 'jump in the lake' sign for the Hope Haus:

At the house in Noxon, MT, I had the ole hubs jigsaw a heart shape into a piece of bark.  I then inserted a glass hurricane within the bark along with a candle....ooolala.  It'll look awesome at night..

Keep checking back for more project/craft updates.  I think I will be working on how to add a touch of Holiday without going overboard :)

I'm a Pepper, You're a Pepper, Wouldn't You Like a Salt Shaker Too?

Purchased a wooden set of salt n pepper mills at Goodwill for .99 cents.

Cleaned them up with rubbing alcohol and sanded them down.  Taped 'em off so I could spray paint white gloss paint on only specific areas. Remember to first take them apart :)

After that I decided to paint some blue accents and of course polka dots! I used the tip of a pencil eraser for the dots. Finished off with a clear gloss coat.

What do you think?

Der Window Boxes

Started with the window box that the hubs built.  We added a cut out heart to match the spindle/boards on the balcony.  I used the Austrian plate as inspiration; found it for $2 at my local Goodwill!  My family is from both Bavaria and Switzerland, so the chalet/folk painting is very similar. 

The man installing 'em.  We still want to add more wood, board n batten on the lower half of the house, but I couldn't wait to see what they looked like.  Good thing you can't see his expression... let's just say he was less than thrilled to install the boxes in 90 degree weather :/

Of course they still need flowers added, but there they are, in all their glory... Yodel-ay-hee-hoo!

Even the deer took notice.

Hope Haus

Working on adding little German touches to the house in Hope, The Hope Haus.  We added pavers to the courtyard, which was previously bark, placed a chiminea among some seating.... soon we will plant hops.

Our little 'Biergarten'..

Also in progress is the application of wood boards to the front of the house.  We completed the garage.

Eventually we would like to wrap the wood around the whole bottom half of the house to give it more of a chalet look.  I have wood flower boxes in the works... so check back:) Auf Wiedersehen!

Holy Cow! Time is flying by.... It's the start of our Summer Break and as far as weather goes, I believe I need to sharpen up my Arc making skills. It has rained non stop for days! If you're still following me, I thank you.... I need to pull up my motivational panties and get in gear! I have many new and exciting projects to share ;) Stay tuned..

Can Anyone Relate?

I have been wanting to post new house pics for the 'House Tour' tab, but came to the realization that my rooms are always in progress.  In progress meaning I keep changing things around or adding different elements.  Hubs and the boy are getting to the point that when I say, lets rearrange, they scatter...more like run.  Can anyone else relate to this problem?

An example being the living room:

9/19/2010

1/23/2011

5/2/2011

3/25/12

These are examples of just one room, I don't even want to show the other rooms!  I counted four, four different coffee tables...whew, I have issues.





Sliding Door

We added a sliding door to the bathroom side to separate the bath from the 'dressing area'.

View from the Loo

We decided to use a closet track system as opposed to the barn door hardware I was drooling over.  The price difference made sense at this point.  We still need to 'hide' the hardware with a wood board, maybe a distressed barn board.

Little alcove between the bath and closet.  Planning on making a curtain for the window.

View into the closet area..

View from the closet into the bath.  On the right are the mirrored closet doors... As you can see we still need to finish the moulding, where the closet meets the ceiling, and finish the door frame.

The master plan (eventually) will be to tile the entire area, add a clawfoot tub, a new vanity or vanities.... whew, a lot still to do! 

Wine, err Coat Rack

Wanted to get this fun project out there for you to see. Excuse the bad picture, I used my iPad to take the photo... As you can see we made a coat rack out of wine barrel staves, and the metal rings that keep the barrels together... And you know I use the word 'we' loosely ;)

Cabin Fever

I can't believe it's been since before Christmas that I posted anything. I seem to always find myself in a funk around this time of year. Winter=Cabin Fever.. And instead of taking this time to create, I get unmotivated and depressed. But no more! I have a bunch of projects I have planned... and I'm excited to share them with you soon;) So come on Mr. Sunshine, I know you're right around the corner..