A Housewarming Gift Inspired by an Anthropologie Dishtowel

A couple of months ago, I posted on my blog about my friend Lisa's apartment suffering massive water damage.  Now, she and her daughter Sophie are  in the process of unpacking and getting settled in the  new home she purchased.  My family is very happy for them and wanted to celebrate by giving Lisa a housewarming gift from one her favorite stores...Anthropologie.

Lisa had mentioned her plans for her kitchen and I just remembered black and white while I shopped at Anthropolgie.  When I saw this "Sweetest Thing" dishtowel at the store, I immediately knew this was perfect for Lisa.  Why?  The cupcake!  Lisa is my cupcake friend, she loves cupcakes as does her daughter, my daughter and me.  When we go out on a girls days out, one of our stops is usually a cupcake store. 

 The creative side of me wanted to make a special "box" for this gift.  I found a paper mache house I've had a while (don't recall when or where I purchased it) but it just seemed like the perfect "box" to place the dishtowel in.  Recently, I have discovered how much I like working with mix-media so naturally this project took that direction.  Using scraps from this project, I created this card to go with the gift:

 I loved working with all these papers from numerous paper companies.  I basically chose the color palette to match the dishtowel.  Using decoupage medium, paint, numerous punches, bling, rub-ons, glitter, paper, chipboard windows/doors from Maya Road I went to work.  Actually, I just played because this was not work at all...it was just fun!  I even added a border of cupcakes to the bottom of the house.  Lisa referred to it as a cupcake picket fence!  Somehow butterflies always manage to get in my work, I suppose that is just my signature item now. 

 

                                            I added the tiara bling just for Sophie!

Lisa loved her gift and we loved giving her this gift. She and Sophie are dear to our family.  We are thankful for their friendship.

Our Mostly DIY Kitchen Remodel...almost done...90%?

Our kitchen remodel is ALMOST done.  We or I should say hubby (he will do the install) need to figure out the back-splash.  Initially, our plan was to use a faux bronze metal tiles but now, we are not sure sure.  We may just go with some sort of decorative tile.  

This has been huge project but so far we are happy with the results:  

 Here is a picture of our original kitchen cabinets.  The kitchen was definitely dated, dark and a little depressing when we moved in almost 5 years ago.   First, I added texture to the walls and added a golden yellow glaze.  Next, we hired someone to install our new granite counter-tops...it's black with speckles of bronze...a huge upgrade from the white Formica counter tops! All of our appliances are now black...we purchased a new black refrigerator.  Then, perhaps the most taxing on me...paint the kitchen cabinets....lots of cabinets!

After I cleaned the cabinets and removed all the hardware, I applied TWO coats of an oil base primer.  Then one coat of an oil base enamel paint...a cream color:

 The final step was to apply the glaze to the cabinets.  I used the same glaze I used on the walls.  It definitely gave the cabinets a more antique finish.   The glaze gives the cabinets a more golden yellow look, although the pictures came out lighter than they really are.  The first picture is a more accurate color of all the kitchen cabinets.

 Oh, we also purchased  new unfinished cabinets for the island with the nice pull out drawers.  The old island cabinet was placed where the old kitchen desk cabinet was (next to the refrigerator).  This gave me more storage space since the desk in the breakfast area was not effectively utilized. 

 The hardware...we found the style we wanted but not the color.  In this household, that is not be a problem.  I just painted them black then rubbed copper color to bring out the details of the hardware.  We are happy with the results.   Once the kitchen is completely done, I will post pictures but that may be a while.  I need a break from all this remodeling and the kids will be home from school in a week! Besides, it may take us a while to figure out what we will do with the back-splash and for hubby to install  the new black light fixtures.

Elk, Cafe con Leche Catering Food Truck & Mother's Day Card

Today was one of those days that will be special to our family.  We reflected on this today and realized it all happened because one thing led to another.  This Saturday started like any other in the spring...attending Alex's soccer game.  Today was actually his first game of the season.  On the way home, we saw something we have never seen in our neighborhood....ELK!  They were walking along the same path Alex and I take most afternoons on our way home from school.  Since we had come from Alex's soccer game, I had my camera (along with the zoom lens); otherwise, I would not of been able to capture these pictures.

 Throughout the afternoon, we wondered what became of the Elk.  So, David and the kids made a point to watch the 5:00 p.m. local news in case these Elk made the news....they did not.  However, something else did.

My family loves to watch many shows on the Food Network.  Among them is The Great Food Truck Race ...we faithfully watched the first season and said, "if the food trucks ever come to Denver, we should try out their food."  My family is pretty adventurous when it comes to food, so we knew we would try just about anything.

Our local news reported Food Network was in town....filming The Great Food Truck Race!!  Fifteen minutes later, we were on our way to downtown Denver.  We were aware that we could get to the location and the food truck would be gone, but we had to try...just had to.  The food truck was there and we were greeted by a very friendly lady who took our order for some delicious Cuban cuisine.    She was very appreciative we came to her food truck after we had seen the report on our local news.  Laura was interviewed as the Food Network filmed (I signed some waivers...we will have to wait to see if Laura's interview makes it on the show).


This was very exciting for all of us!  Once we got our food, we walked a few block to the South Platte River bank and enjoyed an impromptu family picnic.  It was certainly a memorable Saturday evening.   So, soccer game led to sighting of Elk, which led to    Cafe con Leche's Catering  (Coffee with Milk) Food Truck.

This past week, I made some Mother's Day cards (for my mom and my mother in law) and  I finally finished painting the kitchen cabinets; however, I will post a picture next week since my hubby needs to add the hardware and attach the cabinet doors.    The greeting for my mom's card is in Spanish...she received her card today and loved it!

The dress-forms remind me of my mom because my mom is an amazing seamstress.  While I was growing up, my mom created wonderful wedding and formal (prom) dresses.  Brides would come to her with a picture from the bridal magazines requesting a certain dress...my mom would only take measurements of the girls/ladies then  just cut the fabric (without a pattern), hand-sew beads/pearls/sequence onto lace.  The wedding dresses my mom created were made with love and attention to every detail.  I remember the joy my mom's work gave to so many women whose wedding dress she created...including many of my friends, cousins, my sister and myself.

Painting and Classes

It has been a few weeks of much progress!  I have resumed painting my outdated kitchen cabinets.  I am changing old dark kitchen cabinets into light yellow/cream color ( with a glazed for antiquing).  One more week and I hope to be completely done with the kitchen cabinets!  When they are done, I will post a before and after picture....

The downside of all this progress is that I have not been able to spend time and visit with my friends...near (Staci & Lisa) and far(June)!  As if painting kitchen cabinets isn't enough to keep me extremely busy during the day, I am trying to keep up with two on-line classes.  When I signed up I wanted to participate by doing the "classwork."  Well, I am behind but I have managed to participate to some degree.  I love to paint, but painting kitchen cabinets is really not fun for me. Now, painting on canvas is fun!  I have given up many hours of sleep to complete my first assignment for the She Art Workshop....but I think it was worth it.  I love that class!

I also love all things vintage and how to use old things in creative ways.  As an early Mother's Day gift, my gift is to take an on-line class with Jenni Bowlin.  Big Picture Scrapbooking provides many on-line classes with many great teachers.  Jenni Bowlin's class is Re-purpose, Re-think, Re-invent; it's a 12 week course.  For the first week, the assignment was to create an inspiration board.  With each passing week, we are asked to post a new inspiration item.  Below is a picture of my inspiration board and the items that inspire me.  First week - mother of pearl vintage buttons (& button card). Second week - vintage postcard (found in Roundtop TX) with roses which remind me of my mom who inspires me to be creative.  Third week - felted wool butterfly...I love to work with felted wool from old wool sweaters and as most people who know me well know, I LOVE butterflies!  Last week I created a scrapbook layout using vintage milk caps using pictures from our recent tour of Blue Bell Ice Cream Creamery in Brenham, TX.    I am learning so much...it's great.  And, yes, I have done my assignments late at night, but again....well worth it!

After reading about the She Art Workshop in Rachel Carlson's blog, I realized this course was perfect for me!  It's a mix media class that combines all my favorites....paint, paper (vintage, tissue, scrapbook, etc), various mediums (like texture paste), stamps, rub-ons, lace, ribbon....just about anything that can create layers and textures.

I have only had time to watch all the videos for week 1 but I was so inspired, I had to create the image in my head.  My first She Art had to have purple and butterflies!  Even when I am tired after a long day, sometimes I will find the energy to be creative late into the night.  I worked on her for two nights (until 1 a.m.) but I am so glad I did.  Here is my first She Art project:

 Here is the link to Christy Tomlinson blog where you can get all the details on her classes.  I can't say enough how much I love this class!

Round Top and Warrenton Texas Antiques!

We are now back home to Littleton Colorado!  We had a great trip to Texas.  We are so lucky to have spent time with our friends and family.  On Friday, April 1st, June and I were able to spend an entire day together.  Since we no longer live in the same city, spending time with her is really special to me.  First, we got to spend time on our car ride from San Antonio TX to Round Top TX.  Once we got there, we started out at the Big Red Barn.  You can find more details about  Round Top Antiques here.  I spent a lot of time at one booth, it had more buttons than I had ever seen in one place....it was wonderful!  The ladies were friendly and let me take lots of photos of their booth...Dusty's Vintage Tablecloth & Buttons.  I found they have a page on Facebook and sadly, only sell their buttons at shows. 

 

Dusty's Vintage Tablecloths & Buttons

LOVED THESE...Dusty's Vintage Tablecloths & Buttons

Dusty's Vintage Tablecloths & Buttons

Dusty's Vintage Tablecloths & Buttons

Dusty's Vintage Tablecloths & Buttons

Dusty's Vintage Tablecloths & Buttons

 

Dusty's Vintage Tablecloths & Buttons

After shopping at the Big Red Barn, June and I enjoyed a nice lunch at the Big Red Barn.  We wished we could spend the entire day here but we could not so it was time to decide our next stop.  Like two peas in a pod that we are, we decided to go to Warrenton TX ( a few miles) in search of antique bargains.

If you were to look for Roundtop or Warrenton TX on a map, you will see they are very small rural towns.  However, you might think you were in the middle of a major city when you realize how much time you sit in traffic, going from one place to another during these antique days!

We drove past tents and buildings (acres & acres) of vintage vendors...again, it would take days to properly see all the booths.  June and I parked across this sign and shopped...to give you perspective, we were able to only visit a fraction of the booths available in Warrenton.  It's overwhelming but fantastic at the same time.

I actually planned on taking lots and lots of photos but actually did not take as many as I thought I would.  I kinda forgot, I found I was just enjoying the show so much I forgot to take photos!  Afterwards, June drove me  to Austin, TX  (where my family was now at) and she returned home to San Antonio, TX.  It was a FANTASTIC DAY...thanks June!

Here are some of my favorite photos from Warrenton Antique Show:

 

 

Texas - Time with Friends, Blue Bell Creamery, Bluebonnets and the Beach

We are staying on a Hotel by the Beach in Galveston, Texas as I write this blog posting!  We arrived in Texas on Friday and have had a great time.  We spent the weekend with our friends, the Heddens Family.  We had a great time bowling, at the drive-in movie, and the Houston Zoo.  On Monday, we drove to Brenham, Texas to tour the Blue Bell Creamery.  Our friend Charlie joined us at the tour and lunch.  It was great to see him.  Afterwards, thanks to a tip from our Blue Bell Creamery Tour Guide, we found a nice area with Bluebonnets!   Monday night, we spent time with the Wilson family.  We got to see Moira during her track meet.  Tuesday morning, we drove to Galveston, TX.  Among other things, we spent time touring a WWII Destroyer Escort and submarine, at the beach building sand castles, shopped on the Strand and  collected sea shells! 

Tomorrow, we plan on driving to San Antonio Texas to spend time with  June and Cindy.  By the weekend, we will all be in Austin, TX to spend time with David's parents and brother (his family). So far, it's been a great trip and are looking forward to spending time with our family and friends in the coming days!

Blue Bell Creamery, Brenham TX -- Alex



Texas Bluebonnets





Stewart Beach in Galveston, TX -- Laura & Alex