Another Wooden Photo Block

I loved this pic that Kevin sent home. It is the suit coats of the missionaries at a conference. I love that their name tags are visible. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with the pic....but I knew I wanted to display it somehow.
I also wanted to make something for my Dad. Not sure why really....he is not exactly the kind of guy that likes crafty things. But since I needed a project to fill part of my day off (so the entire day wasn't spent cleaning) I decided to work on it. I took another hunk of the 2x6 the guy at Home Depot cut for me and painted it black....and then rubbed it with bananas. No, I didn't. I am making banana bread at the same time....silly....
Then, I mod Podged the picture and some red paper to the wood.
After that had dried, I put a thick layer of Mod Podge on top of it all. Yes....I do use my library card for more than just checking out books!! It is very useful at getting those Mod Podge bubbles out!
After that had dried I took the sander to it. I roughed up the edges of the paper and the photo. I even ran the sander over the surface of the paper.
Then I took my Distress Ink pad and rubbed it all over the photo and red paper. Then I wiped it around with a paper towel. I also did the edges of the wood. It did a pretty god job of giving the wood a more "vintagey" feel and didn't stink up my house like wood stain does.
Then I used Heather's Cricut because Jim doesn't think I'll use one enough to justify the expense because I am saving up for my own....and I cut out some letters. I do wish the "Called" was more centered....but whatever!
Of course I didn't use ribbon on this project. I needed something a little more rugged....more manly....so I grabbed my jute twine and tied some on. I love the way it turned out. I am thinking about making a wire photo/card holder for the top of the block. What do you think?
I will be linking this to Met Monday (again). You'll have to head over there (on Monday) to look at all of the great ideas that bloggers are coming up with. You'll love it!

My Girl

It's been a tough week. Working in a classroom where the kids have behavior issues on top of their emotional issues....I'm exhausted. My sweet daughter, seeing me about at the end of my rope, offered to make some cookies. Of course...she is 16 so it was a conditional offer. She would make them if I would clean up the mess. I wasn't sure if I had enough energy to accomplish the task....but the lure of chocolate chip cookies was just too great. I'm weak....what can I say?
The cookies looked and smelled great....it's always a crap shoot an adventure with her in the kitchen. I was beginning to dread my clean-up responsibilities when I came upon this scene....
Score! I totally have the energy for this size of mess.
Slam dunk...and the kitchen is clean!
I love my Jo....she always seems to know what I need......She just doesn't always give it to me! Teenagers!

Pretty As A Picture

Today I was in a crafty type mood. Actually it started last week but I had to work....so it had to wait. I usually don't do many projects on the weekends because the Hubs is home and I try to spend my time adoring hanging out with him. But today I needed to get this done so I can get it in the mail. See...Valentines Day (a.k.a. the Dreaded Dark Day) is coming up....I try to have something nice to give my sisters....something that says "I love you, and I'm thinking about you". I try to start early in case I get over come with emotion too bummed out to function. I started this craft with a beautiful 2x6 that the lovely folks at Home Depot cut into 9" sections for me.
Then I painted them black, let them dry and sanded them.....all under the watchful eye of the Hubs, who couldn't believe that I didn't sand them first and then paint them.....amateur. Then I rubbed on some stain and wiped it off with a clean rag.
Then I cut some paper down to size and Mod Podged it to the board. After that I repeated the process with a photo collage that I ordered from Picnik. My sisters and I had some awesome pics taken this summer (by my BFF Heather). The pics were our first attempt to get some photos of us without Mom. It was hard and I think we used laughter to mask the wrongness of the whole situation.
More photos and more magic Mod Podge.
After the bottom layer had dried I gooped on a thick top layer. While I waited for it to dry Hubs and I went outside to enjoy the beautiful sunny 35* day. I needed that sunshine more that I can say.....plus the stain had stunk up the kitchen something fierce.
After the Mod Podge was mostly dry I cut some ribbon to cover the transition area. I could have left it blank or used some other material....but I am limited in my craft choices due to my lack of proximity to Hobby Lobby.
Cutesy embellishment on the ribbon....a daisy because they remind us of Mom....and it is finished. The text on the photos is hard to read....but I think it will make them smile.
I love crafting almost as much as I love my sisters. Someday, when I live closer to them, we will do lots of crafty things together. It's good to dream.
On Monday, I will link this to Metamorphosis Monday. There will be hundreds of great ideas to look at and be inspired by. You should go there....I'm just saying.
I am also linking with Something I Whipped Up.

Finally!!

Finally! A craft project! It feels like ages since I finished a project. I had a friend ask me a while ago if I had seen any clipboard projects. At that point I had not....but while visiting at a different friend's house I noticed that she had a cute clipboard hanging on her wall. It was all done up for cuteness and I had to have one liked it very much. I have 2 friends nearby that rock the scrapbook world like to scrapbook. I didn't know the world made such a thing as a 12x12 clipboard....but it does exist (sort of). My friends and I usually make 12x12 scrapbook pages and using a hanging clipboard would be a cute way to display a page that you didn't screw up that you were particularly fond of. As you can see....I started this project a while ago....hated it....and put it away. But now that I had a minute to think about it....here goes.
The clipboard isn't 12x12....it is a pesky 12.674 x 13ish. Not great if you were planning on covering the entire thing with paper. Hence the fit throwing and pause in the project.
I got out my trusty cutter and some paper that I had been saving for "just the perfect project". Let me just tell you....don't wait. The perfect project is the one you are working right now. I cut some plain paper strips to go down the sides. Now that I look at it, I'm not sure this step was necessary. I'll show you why in a minute.
Then I decided how big to cut the top paper and then the bottom paper. Having made 3 of these now....I can tell you....Mod Podge the top paper down first. You will have to rearrange it less often and create fewer bubbles. Trust me....top first. After you have the top and bottom papers cemented down you need to cut a strip of paper for the top....above the clippy thing. I just traced around it an hoped for the best. That is usually how I roll.
I used ribbon to cover the transition between papers. I almost used jute...but I didn't....but you could...I'm just saying.
Then I took my distressing ink and went around the edges. Remember the strips of paper I used first. You probably don't need them if you are distressing the edges.. See the waves in the orange dots.....do the top paper first. If you use really light layers of Mod Podge it won't bubble so bad.
I did the top first on this one....not so many bubbles. sheesh.....I can never make just one craft. I have to make 3 or 4 to get the plan down just right.
This is the first one I started. It had the lumpy flower paper on it already. I like it. I just have some finishing touches on the other 2....like little initial dots....and then they will be finished.
I do hope my friends like them.....and if they don't.....they'd better not tell me!! haha

I am linking up with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Run over there and get your craft on!!

((Editor's note))
I'm also linking to Life as Lori (love the name) for her party. Check it out HERE!

A Hero Lost

When Jim was born, he had a Mom and a Dad. Parents who loved him and cared for him and provided for him the necessities of life. Jim loved his young parents in return, but there was another man who had a prominent place in Jim's heart as well. Howard Baker Fitzpatrick. Jim's maternal grandfather became one of the people most beloved by this cherubic red-head. They were buddies, pals....and were practically inseparable. Where ever Grandpa went....the golf course, fishing, the store, the bank, the back yard....there was little Jimmy. As Jim grew their relationship grew. Howard became Jim's mentor in all things financial. Howard was a banker (among other things...as most men of his generation are) and he would talk to Jim about saving his money, investing it wisely and preparing for retirement. Since Jim was, shall we say....an old soul....he took careful mental notes.
But his Grandpa (along with Blanche, Howard's beautiful wife) taught him more than just money. They taught him of family and of unconditional love. I have never heard Jim say anything negative about his Grandpa (or his Grandma for that matter). He just has very fond memories of time spent with him.
Jim's Mom and Dad did a great job of using trips to bond their little family together. Often those trips would include a visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Jim loved to visit his Grandpa at their place in Mackay, ID. They would fish together and just enjoy each others company. As Jim got older, Grandpa became a fixture in the lives of his own children. Grandpa would even let them flip him with his own suspenders. They loved to see this man....the man who would share his stale (because that's the way he liked them) fig newtons, his prunes (why my kids thought this was a huge treat, I'll never know) and his love.
Unfortunately, as happens to all great men, Howard passed away yesterday. He was living in Arizona, not far from Jim's parents. He died as he lived.....on his own terms. We will all miss this wonderful man. His is a great example of a life well lived. We should all be so lucky.

Minnesota Tough

Now that we have a fabulous snow blower, we don't shovel so much any more. Jo's responsibilities have been whittled down to keeping the deck cleared. There wasn't a lot of snow on the 17th of December....so when she was sent outside she didn't plan on being out there very long. (Sorry about the photos. I had to take them on the sly)
I asked her if she was sure that is what she wanted to wear. Wouldn't she be warmer in...oh, I don't know.....pants? She said she would be fine. Didn't I know she is Minnesota tough?
Apparently I didn't know. Off she went and all was well...until....the meter reader rounded the corner!! I wish I'd had my camera out at that point. I missed the priceless expression on his face and the devil-may-care look on hers. He asked her if she was cold....she looked almost offended when she answered no.(Obviously he didn't get the "Jo is Minnesota tough" memo either!) I just love this kid. She marches not just to her own drummer but she has her own stinking rock band following her around.

My Inheritance

I have become a raving lunatic somewhat obsessive over things that belonged to my Mom. I have a big box (I do wish it was bigger now) of some of my Mom's clothes. I had planned on cutting them up and making lap quilts for myself and my siblings.....and maybe Dad.....But when I pulled them out to begin the cutting and disassembling.....I couldn't do it. No, I froze. These were her things. Does she need them now...? No. Will she be sad if I make them into something we all can cling to...? No. So why can't I cut them? Because I'm crazy, that's why.
Owls...not usually my thing...not even really my Mom's thing. But she had a necklace that my Dad gave her as a gift early on in their marriage. It is a silver and onyx owl. I have seen it around my Mom's neck for as long as I can remember. Did she wear it constantly? No. Did she have jewelry she liked more? Yes. But this wise old bird just reminds me of her. So now what do I do?I buy owl stuff. Lots of it. Mostly at thrift shops and then I paint it....but even my new address book has owls on it.
Earlier this year my Dad gave each of us kids some money that my Mom had been saving to give us....sort of an inheritance, if you will. As far as inheritance sums go....it wasn't a huge chunk of change.....but it wasn't anything to sneeze at that is for sure. I have been saving some of each paycheck I get for subbing. Not a lot....but it has added up. I have been looking for something to spend it on. I thought maybe I'd put granite counter tops in my kitchen here. I had it all picked out. I was ready. But then the thought came to me.....if I move.....part of my Mom (not really but this was the thought...ok) will have to stay behind in this house. ((Remember....crazy)) The money belonged to my Mother....my Mom. How could I leave a part of her in this house in Minnesota. As irrational as that sounds here, out in the open, that was my line of thinking. That money came from my Mom.....I just couldn't spend it on granite. I decided that liposuction was my next option. But...I'm not quite at the fitness level I want to be at (you know....so it doesn't go to waste!!)....so that had to wait. Then it hit me. Braces. I have always wanted to have straight teeth. We didn't have a lot of money when I was growing up and my parents chose to get braces for the child who had the most jacked up teeth. Unfortunately, that child didn't continue to wear his retainer and thus his teeth didn't stay where they were supposed to. Oh well......My sister Kim and I have this one tooth that is crazy. Really, if the angle is right, most people can't see why we hate the smile thing so much. But on the inside....we can feel it and we don't like what it looks like in our minds. So I started the process a few weeks ago. I have a friend of a friend for my awesome orthodontist. She is brilliant, and kind, and just fabulous. She presented 2 treatment options. Plan one involves about 4 years worth of time. Seriously....I'm 37.....I have my man....I don't need to be in braces for 4 years. Plan two....much less invasive. Plan two should wrap up within 7 months....but she is shooting for closer to 5. I have clear brackets on my top teeth and they will be shaving a little off the sides of the big gopher teeth 4 front teeth to make them all fit together nicely. So far...the pain is minimal. I think I was expecting it to be much worse. I just remember my poor kids and how much pain they were in. Maybe age and perspective and the fact that I really want this makes it more bearable. As I was paying the nice lady behind the desk....I felt like I was in the Geico commercial. Paid in full......discount. Paid with cash....discount....Lucky day....discount!! It came to about $400 less that the original price with all my discounts and the surprise "lucky day" discount. My insurance did cover some of the x-ray costs. So I walked out with all the money I got for Christmas in tact. WOOHOO!! Now all I need is a feather boa and I could be Josie Gellar. I look totally rufus!!