New bench for our entry way

I have been so inspired by all the wonderful refurnishing blogs and all the wonderful things people do with old furniture that when I came across this bench for only $2.99 at the Goodwill Outlet I thought I'd give it a try for myself.

Now you may think I paid to much. But I sanded it down.

And added a few coats of creamy white (a quart of mistint I found at Lowes) paint.


Now we have a place to sit as we put our shoes on.



I love it! Clean and simple lines.

What do you think? Was it worth the $2.99?

Linking up to

A first for me

I have spent the last couple weeks getting ready for a local craft fair. I've joined up with a few friends to sell some of the items we make. I've never sold at a craft fair before and I'm so nervous. The craft fair is tomorrow, Dec 4th at the Silver Firs/Mill Creek YMCA in Everett. If you're in the area make sure you check us out from 9am to 3pm. I set up a practise table in my room to decide where I'm going to put everything. Here's some pictures. I'll take better ones tomorrow at the fair. I'm sharing my table with very talented Kim Holmes and Carol To. Kim is selling some of her amazing cards and Carol is selling a few beautifully done felted hats and knitted scarves.


Homemade Cards

Paper Flowers


Felted Flowers


Paper banners


I hope its a great show. Whatever is left at the end of the day I will put on my Etsy site. HomemadebyCarla.esty.com. It should be up and running by Monday - fingers crossed.

Have a wonderful day!
Carla

Happy Birthday Alexis! and Scrapbooking post.

My baby girl turned 7 today! I can't believe it. She is the perfect daughter, she loves shopping with me, she love scrapbooking with me and she love cuddling with me. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful little girl as a daughter.


I chose an old photo for the Glee contest going on at Dixie Pieces. We needed to use a Beatle's song title as our layout title. If you look closely you can see Alexis is holding Daddy's (Steve's) hand. So I chose the song "I want to hold your hand". -its funny how I can't just say this line, I sing it everytime. It was fun to work with this picture of her less than a year old as she turned 7 today. My layout is supposed to have a 60's Classic Rock feel. Not exactly sure if I acheived this or not, I used a color combo that makes me think 60's.


The other challenge this week was to make a card that had a sentiment that used atleast 1 word from our layout title. I decided to make a gift topper instead. Right now its held up by a wooden thread spool but it would also look nice laying atop a wedding gift. The leaves say "to have and to hold".




I hope you have a wonderful Alexis' birthday day - we're off to build-a-bear and a nice dinner.

Carla

Vintage find

Is this not the coolest thing you're seen in a really long time???? Since like 1962. I rescued this beautiful manual typewritter from a Goodwill Outlet (have you been yet?). It was in a bin with all the electronics. The ribbon had been taken out and was tangled with cords, the cover was in another bin altogether, unfortunately I did not find the bottom tray or the carrying case but nevermind. It is a lovely blue & ivory combo and I bought it for that reason. I decided that even if it didn't work it would still be a wonderful paperweight.


Well guess what! This beautiful typewritter actually works. It took a little adjusting and I have to press hard on the keys but it works. I can't wait to start using it with my scrapbook layouts.


Oh and the typewritter only cost me $7. Got to love that.

Carla

I'm going to link to a couple fun sites:
Coastal Charm

My Romantic Home




Southern Hospitality

Back to School Pictures

"Here we are again, Lord. Their backpacks are loaded and their faces are scrubbed and their lunch accounts are full. And I know you'll walk with them, Lord. You always do. But a mom still has to ask. Will You walk with them? Will You whisper to them what they need to hear, when I'm not there to whisper it? Will You please, oh please, cover their school with the protection only You can give, and will You keep harm far away? Will You make their minds strong and ready to learn? Will You help them understand that hard work honors the One who created them? Will You guide their teachers, giving them patience and wisdom and creativity and even more patience? Will You bless them for their efforts? Will You love all those children there, the ones whose lunch accounts aren't full, the ones who feel alone? Will You teach my children to be kind and unselfish and to love those who are different from them? Will You point them back toward home just as soon as you can? Lord, I give them to You today and everyday, trusting them to Your care. Amen." Author Unknown

Alexis, my baby girl, I can't believe you're starting first grade already. You've grown so fast.

Shayne, my handsome boy, 4th grade already??? I'm so proud of the young man you're becoming.

We've had a great start to the new school year. I pray that it continues this way. And I pray that each of you have a healthy and rewarding Fall.

Carla

Back to school teacher gifts

School has started and life is starting to fall into routine again. I love summer but I really enjoy life when there's a schedule to follow. I have quite a few updates and projects to share with you over the next few days. So don't go far...

The kids were so happy to go back to school. They had a count down that lasted 2 weeks. They both have great teachers this year and to welcome them back to school I made these fun pencil holders.

I found the cardboard containers and a couple packs of pencils at Micheals for $1each.

For Alexis' 1st grade teacher - the wonderful Mr Heaton. The papers & ribbon I had on hand - love Jillibean journaling sprouts.

For Shayne's 4th grade teacher - the awesome Mr Smith. My friend Kim recently passed on some of her scraps to me and thats where some of this paper came from. Thanks Kim!

The kids at the school's Meet & Greet (the day before school) ready to give their teachers their gifts.

I have lots more to share but it will have to wait until tomorrow. See you soon.

Carla

Just a couple things

I know its been a while. I don't really have any good excuses so here's some things I've been working on lately.

I haven't been scrapping too much lately. I did however have a crop at my house last month... I guess it was 2 months ago, right before school ended. We made these framed corkboards. I gave 2 of them to the kids' teachers.





I got turned on to knitting by my mom and may have a mild addiction now. Thankfully my mom has all the important tools so I haven't had to invest too much money... yet :) I've already made a few scarves. And I just finished my first felted bag. Which I am in love with. I'm going to make a few more, let me know if you want to buy one from me. Its a medium sized bag with a decorative flower.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer.