My Christmas Mantel

Merry Christmas!

 I can't believe it's here already! 

I swear it comes sooner every year!!

This year for my mantel I wanted a Nativity Scene. Problem was I didn't have one! The one I had for years had gotten broken, and I had never replaced it! 

Shame on me! 

Part of the reason for that was I could not find one that I really liked.

So...

I decided to make one!

This is one of the cheapest, easiest, and awesome crafts I have ever done!

I simply found a silhouette of one online...

printed it off...the size that I wanted it.

I didn't want it to be very tall...because I was leaving the mirror hanging, and I didn't want to see the reflection of it in the mirror, because it would be to busy! 

 I traced it onto plain ole' foam core board, cut it out with an exacto knife and then sprinkled it with fine white glitter. 

Made little foam core stands...

and wha la!

Just the sweetest depiction of what Christmas is all about!

I couldn't be happier with my Mantel this year!

Please remember the reason we celebrate!

How to make NEW wood look OLD

Hey Ya'll! 

Hope you're having a wonderful week! 

In my last post, where I revealed my new buffet

which you can read more about HERE and HERE

 I told you I'd be back to show you how I made my shelves look like old wood. This was a very quick, easy and fun project and a good way to work out some frustration...

not that I have any of course!

First, I picked out my wood, a couple of pieces of pine...

2" x 10" x 6'

Because I wanted them to look old and beat up...no need to look for the best pieces...in fact the more knots the better...the more beat up the better. I did want to make sure mine were not warped...

but actually that would add a lot of character also!

Now the fun part...and the "work out your frustration" part...

just beat them up!

I looked around our work room for anything and everything I could find that would help me...and here is what I came up with...now mind you...I am NOT a big tool user...leaving that to my husband more often than not...so I don't even know the proper names of most of the items...but pictures are worth 100 words...and I took many to show you the tools I used, and the damage beauty I created with them!

First I took a hammer and randomly hit the wood...making sure to NOT do so in any kind of pattern!

I also used a big heavy chain...

but for some reason did not get a picture of that.

I used this pick thing to make worm holes...and to gouge deep lines in the wood.

This chisel thingy...along with a good old fashioned screw driver...did some wonderful damage!

This scraper, or plainer or whatever it's called...against the grain...also worked wonderful!

I must have actually used the scraper first...since you can see the scraping in ever other picture!

A hatchet is a great stress re-leaser!

Once I felt I had them beat up enough...I used my palm sander...and sanded it all down...so all my damage wouldn't look so fresh, and to get all of the loose wood splinters removed. I also went around the edges to give them a more softer worn look.

Then choose your stain...and make sure to get it down in all of the gaps, dings, scrapes and holes.

Once you're done...you should have something like this...

Finally, they are put in place...

I am thrilled with how they turned out!

I really love how this edge turned out!

Pine is extremely soft, and this was very very easy! The oak top of the buffet would have been more difficult. I opted to leave mine alone and not distress it...somewhat for that very reason! lol!

Well, that's all for now! I hope you enjoyed this!

God Bless

Sharon

Linked to 
the curators collection

Beachy Dreams

I would love to spend a morning right here...

in my jammies...

with just a cup of coffee, my Bible and God...

Our New Buffet...Before and After!

Hey ya'll, Hope someone might be reading this! I'm sure I have lost every reader I had! A year+ is a long time to go with out writing a single blog post! I have missed it so much...but life has been really crazy! As you may know my dad passed in May of 2014 and at that time I had no plan of stopping the blog, but was just taking some time to try and get back to doing some of the projects I wanted to possibly blog about...when more of life's stumbling blocks got in the way. 

My daughter's husband left the marriage...2 short weeks after their 3rd child was born.  This came as a complete shock for all of us...and a very rough year for my daughter. She and her 3 children moved in with us. This is a big change for my husband and I...as we have been empty nesters since 2006! While this has been a very rough year for our daughter...we are so very proud of her! She had been a stay at home mom for the last 3 years of her marriage, however she has a psychology degree, and has now gone back to school to get her masters. The plan is for her to stay here while she does that, and we can help her with the kids. She is doing VERY well after all she has been through!!
That being said... I have managed to accomplish a little here and there.  So I thought I would get back to this ole blog, and give it another go round. It is something I really do enjoy!! I miss you!

If you were following me before, you might remember this cabinet...I came upon at a yard sale while visiting my son in Arkansas a couple of years ago...yes...a couple of years ago for a mere $35.00! You can read about it HERE  I did manage to get it done this last year and thought I would show you the before and after! I am so happy with the way that it turned out!
Again here is the before pic...and yes that is a vice attached to the top...the piece was being used in a Garage!

...and here it is today...

My husband has admitted to me, that he was wrong..and that this piece was worth bringing home from Arkansas! The entire piece is solid oak...except for the 2 door panels where I have replaced the metal pieces that were in there when I found it, with wood. He did an amazing job, fixing the top piece...sanding it down to the bare wood, and doing some other repair work...filling the holes that were left from the big bolts used to secure the vice, etc.  I then stained it with this stain:

The base paint is Valspar, and the color is Stoney Point. I distressed it just a little bit...and then again used the same stain to antique it. I used contact paper on the inside shelves and drawers...and replaced the handles on the drawers...and painted the 2 original on the doors to match. The indside I left in it's original condition, I love how you can really see the age on the inside walls. The shelves I covered with contact paper in the pretty gray and white chevron pattern.

 Last but not least a picture to show you...as it stands here today in my kitchen.

If you have an interest in the shelves...I plan on doing a post in a few days about them...with close up pictures...so you can see how old they look, and how I achieved the look with brand new wood. Hope you come back and visit again. I am so happy to be back at blogging!

God Bless

Sharon


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miss mustard seed

bless'er house

Our Life in a Click

Stonegable

Karen's up o the Hill

My Dad...

It has been a long time since I have been able to post anything...my last post was during a snow storm...today the humidity is so bad that I walked out to take a photo last night...and my camera fogged up immediately...making for a neat picture though.

If you have been following along on this blog...you know that my parents have both been doing badly, and I have spent a lot of time going back and forth. I wanted to let you know that my dad did pass away...one month ago today.  I was able to spend the last several days with him...and was there for his last breath...and then have been able to spend much time with my mom since. Which has been a blessing for me!

This eulogy, written about him...captures him so well...I wanted to share here on my blog.

1923-2014

There are many traits one could draw upon to describe Eugene, but the one that HE would probably pick and would want to be most known for go back to his roots as a simple "farm boy." Born and raised in the rural heartland of Arkansas, it is there that Eugene learned the definition of a "hard day's work,"…and formed the ethics that would follow him throughout life. With all his hard work and the responsibilities of the family farm, it wasn't until later in life that he would meet and marry his beloved, Mary, his bride of 62 years. They shared their vows in 1952 and would go on to build a home together, raise a family, and grow deeper in love with each passing day. It was just prior to that momentous event that Eugene followed Mary and her family as they trekked northward to Michigan in search of work in the automotive world. Eugene, too, would eventually land a position with General Motors where he extended the utmost in dedicated and loyal service for over 30 years until his retirement.

When he wasn't working, some of Eugene's favorite pastimes often involved enjoying a sunny day on the golf course,…perhaps the combination of friendship & fun at the bowling alley,…or a rousing game of cards, with his mastery being that of Pinochle and Rook. And though he didn't do it often, deep within this man resided the heart of a dancer. He could cut-a-rug with the best of them, and was smooth on his feet.

But to those who knew Eugene well, they'll happily attest to his most devout pastime being what he produced through his skills in gardening. The old adage states; "You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy,"…and this couldn't have been more true or applicable than in the man he was in his garden at home. He may have traded a plow for a hoe, but the end result showed his talents for the farm boy within. Whether for his vegetables or the gorgeous flowers he nurtured, his family and neighbors were the wonderful benefactors of a yard that he poured his heart and soul into,…and it showed. Perhaps most beautiful are his pride & joy, the rose bushes that adorn the rear of his yard which have multiplied into something worthy of a spread in House & Garden magazine.

Yet of all the aforementioned traits, perhaps most notable and revered would have to be the Christian principles he adhered to and the devout faith that guided his life. He was the spiritual leader of his family and brought them up in the path of Godliness. He was devoted to his church, and many will forever remember him for his place in the choir. His faith kept him grounded, and it also produced a man that many had come to know and love. To quote his family, "he knew everybody, and everybody knew him,…and he never met a stranger." Perhaps it's because he was always happy, always sharing a joke or two, or telling one of the countless stories that all had come to enjoy. Whatever the case, there's no doubting that Eugene made a huge impact on a lot of hearts and lives, and truly did his part in fulfilling the Great Commission.

And this was never more evident than through his place at home. He was considered a great provider for his family, and nurtured the bonds of love with humility and reverence. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will forever be remembered for the example he set, the faith he lived out, and the blessing God made him to be. From the beauty of his yard to the beauty in his soul, to God be the glory. He will truly be missed,…and loved. Go Rest High, Dear Brother.