A Closer Look at Ottoman

Before & After (Squirrel 2)

I found this next squirrel at a recent rummage sale. It was $2...it should have been free, but after the last post, you can see I sort of have a thing about these plaster squirrels. So, I bought it, knowing I would paint it along with the other.

Oh, the nostrils! Whoa!

This guy's got a ton of texture. It took over a can of spray paint to cover the two squirrels (though it didn't help that a breeze came along each time I went to put on a coat).

He's ready to play!

I guess white for a squirrel isn't too uncommon in nature:

More on this little albino squirrel here.

Before & After (Squirrel 1)

I have a couple of plaster outdoor squirrels that needed a bit of a makeover.

The first is one that I have sort-of co-owned with my grandmother for the last 10 or so years. It's a long story (that first involved stealing it from her house and painting it purple among other things), but this squirrel is a long-standing joke with my grandmother where whenever I would visit, I would hide it somewhere in her house and she'd get all worked up about not being able to find "that stupid squirrel." After I got back to Oregon, she would find it (sometimes months later), she'd put it back on the porch and I would have to try to sneak it back into the house (on my next visit) when she wasn't looking and hide it again. My grandfather was my co-conspirator. Well, I think at nearly 85, I shouldn't be causing that much stress on my grandmother any more (even though it's been a fun stress the last 10 years). So, I stole it (don't worry, she knows) and I decided that if I was going to have it inside, I should pay it a little respect - haha! Now, I just need to figure out how to tease her long-distance...maybe involving photography...maybe with the squirrel doing different funny things, like pumping gas. She'd probably get a kick out of that...yeah!

 

Shiny white seems to be a good neutral since I have two and I'm not sure where they are going to go.

Not bad! 

Up next, Squirrel 2

A Walk in the Woods

It's always exciting to see oneself on the front page...here's a lovely one inspired by a walk in the woods:

Thank you EnchantingStamps!

Along the same lines...I've listed a couple of vintage pieces in my shop that is nature-related:

Beautiful Oregon - Deluxe Souvenir Folder

I think that this souvenir folder would be wonderful to pin on the wall, use as a backdrop to your next miniature stop-motion film, or to send to someone special.

Floral Folder

This folder has brads to hold notebook paper, but would be just a lovely to use as a home decor item on your desk.

Happy Sunday!

New in the Shop (sort of)

I sold my last Lichen Bobby Pin, so I decided to re-work my Lichen Barrettes into Lichen Bobby Pins.

The bobby pins have always been more popular than the barrettes, so I figured that since I'm not planning on making them any longer (new ideas, sore wrist)...this fit the bill!

Also, I like the idea of a lower price-point so you can buy just a little something.

Besides, they would work so wonderfully for bride's maids hair at a wedding!

And, since I'm not making them any longer, they are half price!

Be sure to look below the price to see how many are in stock at the time for that particular listing.

These little guys are in the clearance section in my shop.

Ooh, and later this week, we'll be visiting family, so be sure to check my shop for the latest....I'll either bring some stock with me or ship when I get back!

I hope your Saturday is treating you well, dear readers!

Blend-in Bench

I just got this link from Jenny. A clever bench made from gabions:

"Quite simple: stones, wire mesh baskets and strong oak planks are put together to make a bench that will gradually harmonize with the surrounding landscape. It consists of:


- Gabions: these are containers filled with stones of the type often used by landscape gardeners, for example as noise-reducing screens (the ones we use are of 4-mm. thick wire: extra strong);
- heavy, galvanized steel brackets to fit the oak planks to the stone-filled gabions,
- the planks themselves."

A perfect summertime project!

Gopher Friend

Last Saturday, Jeff and Boo had a father/son day while I did something church-related. They went to a car show and I uploaded the pictures on the computer yesterday. Apparently, they made a gopher friend:

Oh, my goodness....I chuckle every time I look at him, he's so cute!

Funny thing is, Jeff went to another car show on Memorial Day weekend (while I was home with a sick Boo...Jeff was already committed), and he made a gopher friend there too (who really liked peanuts).

the shadow club

Pssssst! Jessica aka Miniature Rhino aka little is the new big just opened a new shop: the shadow club. Be part of an amazing collaborative project!

Old Time Etsy Team

I recently joined the newly formed Old Time Etsy Team...and I just pulled up Etsy and lookie who made the front page...us old timers!

Happy Friday!

Three Potato Four

I really shouldn't go clicking around at Three Potato Four, I just end up wanting it all. Like this:

Mexican Wooden Sugar Cone Molds (vintage)

And this:

Numbered Tea Sample Tins (vintage)

Sigh. And this:

Property of Russell Baking Co. Wooden Crate (vintage)

Oh, the eye candy!

Homemade Butter

Last week was Boo's final week of school for the summer and I've been trying to find some things for us to do. Coincidently, last week, Jenny and I were talking about homemade popsicles, ice cream, and butter...AND I had leftover whipping cream from a recipe. So, I decided to make some homemade butter with Boo using a jar (and you just shake, shake, shake). You can also burn off the calories you are about to consume with this method.

I have lots of empty peanut butter jars that I save and wash to use for bulk items such as raisins, this one came in handy.

I didn't have much whipping cream left, but you need some space whilst shaking the heck out of the cream.

It takes, I don't know, 15 or 20 minutes or so of shaking, so it's best to have someone to relieve you now and again. I did most of the shaking with Boo helping out here and there. You'll get to the point where it doesn't make any noise while your shaking...like there's nothing in there; that means you're close to having butter. This is when it's ready (above), when the butter separates from the buttermilk.

So, I poured out the buttermilk (which tastes just like milk with small pieces of butter. The buttermilk in the store is cultured and sour....Boo drank this right up) and put the butter chunks in a bowl and sprinkled a little salt on it and mashed it around with a spoon - butter!

Oh, I just got that measuring cup at a rummage sale. It's Fire King and pressed glass, I love the raised measurements!

I hope your weekend is going well! Thank you for reading!