Saturday, June 30, 2012

My hand painted tan checked tray

This tray is priced at $325.00 at MacKenzie-Childs - yikes, that's a lot of money for a tray!

While I was roaming thru Hobby Lobby yesterday, I spied this plastic-laminate 18" long tray and my "wheels were spinning":


I "proudly" paid @2.00 for the tray:

Leave it to me to find the only thing that AS Chalk Paint doesn't want to adhere to!

But I will not be beaten by a $2.00 tray....

....so I sprayed some primer over the ASCP:

And "copied" the parchment check design:

My husband didn't get it - but I figure I saved $323.00 on this tray!

Sharing this with:

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch

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Retirement Roses

My thoughtful husband surprised me with a dozen white roses to celebrate my retirement:
White and yellow roses have always been my favorite and in over 32 years he always remembers one or the other for all of our special occasions !

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Friday, June 29, 2012

Chex Funfetti Cake Batter Buddies

This is a sweet treat to make quickly and easily - Funfetti Buddies:
I found this over at Mar and Peej
Chex Funfetti Cake Batter Buddies
Adapted from: So Very Blessed

Ingredients:
5 cups Chex cereal (I used Rice Chex, but Corn Chex would work great!)
10 oz (5 squares) vanilla flavored Almond Bark
1 1/2 cups Funfetti cake mix (any kind of cake mix would work)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vegetable shortening

Directions:
1. Melt Almond Bark according to the package directions, adding vegetable shortening to thin (I heard that you can make it without the shortening, but it worked great for me to use it).
2. Pour the cereal into a large bowl and drizzle the melted Almond Bark over the cereal. Mix gently with a large spoon or spatula.
3. Dump the cake mix and powdered sugar onto the cereal and mix gently with large spoon until all the cereal is evenly coated.
4. Enjoy!! It's so good! :)


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Thursday, June 28, 2012

Another cheap find...

I found this little coffee pot at the thrift shop for $.69 the other day:
I am having friends over for brunch and wanted a different and unique vase for a fresh flower centerpiece. A little black and white paint gave it a new look! Stay tuned to see how it looked on the table!
Sharing with :
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest
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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Anthropologie Planters

I was recently in the Anthropologie Store in Rochester, NY and saw some clever planters hanging from the ceiling:
They are simply made from soda bottles, cut in half, with 2 grommets on opposite sides and suspended with rope!
Their display team has the greatest ideas!

Sharing with:
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
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Funfetti Brownies

These are so simple to prepare and easier to eat!!!:
Cake Batter Brownies!

Ingredients:
1 15.25 oz box yellow cake mix
1/4 cup oil
1 egg
1/4 c milk
1/2 c sprinkles
1/2 c white chocolate chips

Instructions
350' Oven
Combine 1st 4 ingredients
Add milk slowly, batter will be dense
Add sprinkle and choc chips
Pour into 7"x11" greased pan and bake 25-30 minutes, until edges are golden brown.
Allow to cool for 30 minutes before cutting

I adapted this recipe from one found over at Sally's Baking Addiction

Can't you just imagine these with red, white and blue sprinkles for the 4th of July?

Sharing with:
Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
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Thursday, June 21, 2012

Sunroom - MacKenzie-Childs and the Barn Sale 2012


UPDATE:

You already know that I am a fan of Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs. A few years ago their son-in-law gave me a private tour of their home. At the time it was a Bed & Breakfast. This was, by far, my favorite room:
I could imagine myself on that lovely bench with a good book!
Just look at the floor! Each tile is different, some were the original templates for the MacKenzie-Childs dishes. Who wouldn't want this sunroom?

To see more of their home on Cayuga Lake, click HERE; it is on the market for only $1,100,000.00!

To see where they currently live, watch this video:

They are so unconventional and full of whimsy!

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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Cowboy Caviar

Do you need a quick side salad idea for a picnic or barbeque?

Try this recipe for Cowboy Caviar:
Ingredients:
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained
1 can black eyed peas, drained
1/2 green pepper, diced
1/2 red pepper, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 large tomato, diced
1/2 red onion diced
Toss with 8oz Italian dressing and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
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Sunday, June 17, 2012

DemiLune Table Makeover


I recently bought this old demilune end table at the thrift shop:
I decided to try to make my own chalk paint.
After lots of research from numerous blogs, I decided to mix 1 c. of latex paint with 2 1/2T. of Plaster of Paris with 1T. water:
The paint went on very easily and smooth. After 2 coats of paint, this is what I had - NO sanding - No priming. It was quick and easy!
I printed (in reverse) a graphic from The Graphics Fairy and placed the ink side to the wood and scribbled with a pencil so that the ink would leave an imprint on the paint:

I also printed a graphic so that I could follow the design if it didn't rub through clearly:
I painted stripes of black and white (of course) around the edges and also a little black on the legs:
I trimmed the edges in gold and waxed the table to protect it:
And here is the finished table:
So, is the home made version of chalk paint much different from ASCP? Yes, mine was. It is not as "chalky-feeling", but it covered just as well! Will I do it again - FOR SURE!

Sharing this with:
Making The World Cuter @ Making The World Cuter
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Turning the Daunting into the Do-Able @ Project Queen
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Saturday, June 16, 2012

I have retired!

I began my teaching career in Massachusetts in 1975 and continued to teach in NY when I moved here in 1979. Throughout my career I have taught Fashion Design, Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology, Nutrition and Health, International Foods, Independent Living, Home Interiors and Decorating, Intro to Occupations, English and Home and Careers. My favorite courses to teach were in Fashion and Textiles.
I have decided to retire and move on to something new - but I haven't decided what that will be yet!


My Retirement Happy Hour was yesterday - and Happy Hour lasted about 8 hours!
Time to turn education over to these young teachers who are energetic, enthusiastic and fun-loving - Thanks for the fun time!!
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