My kid walks sideways!

Central Texas is ALL about FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL...you can feel the excitement in the air when school starts up...the footballs start to quiver, the high school team shirts start popping up - the "who's going to go to State this year" whispers start, the magic markers and poster paper starts missing off the shelves - the stock in bullhorns skyrockets (please, let me grab my ear plugs first!!!) - the stadium seats and blankets suddenly become scarce - it is indeed a RUSH to get all things necessary to THOROUGHLY enjoy the yelling, screaming and cheering that is required on Friday nights - let the rivalries begin! The beat of the drums, the smell of the pickles (I love those things...how come they only taste THAT good at football games?), the kids running back and forth (that translates into: running up and down those bright and shiny (slightly noisy) bleachers) - bright lights, a slight breeze (thank goodness...it's really really hot in Central Texas) - that poor car that just got bingo markered, the fans and cheerleaders, the football players pounding each other on the back - yet helping the guy they just knocked over back up (love it!) - the band...

The High School Band. They might not be big in number, but they are big in spirit... they are the beat that goes on...the cadence that gets EVERYONE up on their feet and cheering, the fight song playin' gurus that have you yelling at the top of your lungs when they are finished with it - the kids that walk sideways...

I am the PROUD mother of a GORGEOUS 14 year old (oops, sorry...fixing to be 15 (this must be clarified at all times)) that has to bend over to give me a hug (how did that happen? Am I shrinking? Already?). We've got the rolling of the eyes goin', the slamming of doors...the "no way are you smarter than I am" thought process - the whole nine yards. AUGH! There are many grays mixed in with my orange hairs - and there is no driving...yet. With that, of course, comes the "no way can I walk across that room without tripping over my own two feet" syndrome (large feet...did they EVER fit in those cute little baby shoes? Am I delusional?). Did he get it from me? You betcha' (not the foot size necessarily, but the in-ability to move those feet in the same direction).


First I got to watch my 6' clown in action...he is an entertainer with his friends. Me? I can't get more than a few sentences and some smirks - the occasional smile - out of him! I watched the girls all bat their eyes at him, the other boys all roll their eyes at him...the band director shoot a glare in his direction. My heart just overflowed with pride! You know those everyday wonders - the rainbow on the horizon, the flowering weed in the middle of the asphalt...mine today was my child (he is EVERY DAY, but today even more so!). He stood up straight and tall. Not a smirk on his face, but a true, heart-felt grin when he saw me. No slumping of the shoulders (have I mentioned I owe the band director for the rest of time for this?). He marched forward - no miss-step, no tripping. He marched backwards - no miss-step, no tripping. Then the kid went sideways! And he didn't trip! I leaned forward to a complete stranger and said "that's my kid!"! She may never get anywhere close to me at the next game - but that's okay 'cause she knows who that trombone player belongs too! Whoo hoo!!! My kid walks SIDEWAYS!!!


I'm not even sure if we won...I will have to get back to you on that. LOLOL Please, don't tell anyone around here that I was so busy watching my baby that I didn't have a clue what was going on during the game...I might get kicked out of the bleachers next week - and this is way too fun for a red.neck girl to miss (plus, you gotta love those pickles!)!!!

I just had to share my wonder for today - my pride in my sideways walkin' trombone player...what was your wonder for today? Each day holds that moment...did you find it?

Comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide...hee-hee

:-) robelyn

Spray Painting 101

…A class maybe I shouldn’t have skipped in order to find the perfect piece of furniture that needed a face-lift? I managed to make it to “dumpster diving 101”, I wouldn’t have missed “from trash to treasure 101”…so how did I get out of spray painting? Hmmmm… The crazy part is I am a spray paint DIVA! I love that stuff – NOTHING and I mean NOTHING is safe if it sits idle for long! I could possibly be on the quest to paint the world….red? purple? Apple Green? Sunshine yellow? Hot Pink or Blueberry Blue? I own them all and I am extremely trigger happy…

Here is what I have learnt m'self at the handles of a “freebie” dresser (don’t you just LOVE the furniture that others don’t?!!?)…

Preparation

Choose a well-ventilated area for spray painting such as an open garage or a yard. Protect the surrounding area with newspaper or drop cloths as spray paint may over spray and stain the floor, walls or even your grass. Try putting a large open box on its side and setting the items for spray painting inside to prevent over spray.

Doesn’t EVERYONE have matte metallic grass? I could have sworn that wasn’t a locally grown commodity…

Put on protective eye wear to prevent paint from getting in your eyes.

Okay, I have donned my gorilla mask from last Halloween with my snoopy goggles…(not really, but you got a mental picture didn’t you…)

Wear old clothes that you don't mind getting paint on.

What? Me? A messy painter? I think that was directed towards the poor neighbor’s that could potentially get in my spray path…or the four legged furry creature that has to check things out and assist…

Cover glass and remove exposed hardware. In fact, consider replacing handles, knobs and pulls to give your piece a unique look.

Done. Did you see those? I (of course) saved them for future use on something else (maybe…) but they aren’t going back on my masterpiece! By my calculations the free chest deserves some gorgeous accessories!

To prepare the surface of the furniture you plan to spray paint, clean it with a rag and the appropriate cleaner. For shiny surfaces, lightly sand the furniture to obtain a surface that the paint can adhere to.

Okay, since I am a red.neck, there’s no sanding in my future! This is where I pulled out the can of liquid sand and went to town! That is the best stuff ever invented as far as I’m concerned! It takes the glossy finish right off and it’s perfect for a hot summers’ afternoon when even the thought of working a palm sander makes you shudder and want to jump in the closest lake! (however, that action is not recommended if you have an electric power sander in your hand…just a safety tip)

Before using a can of spray paint, shake the can well. Make sure to do a test spray on a scrap of wood or paper before you begin spraying your furniture.

Oh…oops…

Even Coats

Spray paint furniture with thin, even coats. Hold your spray paint can about a foot away from the furniture and make quick passes from side to side. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying another coat. Follow the directions on the can for allotted dry time between coats. To prevent drips from ruining your project, never hold a spray paint can upside down or angled too far to the side. Also, keep the can moving as you paint to prevent too much paint from building up in one location.

Now. This is where I had to learn myself somethin’ new! I LOVE spray paint – however! This was my first piece of FURNITURE to hit with my paint can! I am used to short bursts – I can paint a candle holder or a pair of antlers faster than you can say “spray paint”! But, the short bursts leave spots of un-imaginable proportions on freebie dressers – THAT can’t be good! After staring in a silent, frown line between the eyes - slightly traumatized – kind of way at my masterpiece, I walked away and grabbed up a drawer…I tried the continuous spray from side-to-side. Nope, that didn’t work too well, so then I tried from top to bottom (running off of the piece entirely before releasing the nozzle) and it was the beginning of my “ah ha!” moment! (Don’t you love those moments – I have them often…and I like to say "ah ha!")

After a few hours of dry time – putting the new pulls on (shooing the furry assistant off for the thousandeth time) I am now the proud owner of a gorgeous “Sesame Shimmer” (GORGEOUS GORGEOUS metallic!!!) chest-of-drawers! It is going to be insanely BE-U-TI-FUL in my bedroom that is still a work-in-progress (no worries, I’ll keep you updated!)! I can’t wait to get it hauled in, the walls painted, the lighting changed, the bedspread made, the, the, the…AUGH! What am I doing on here? I should be re.decorating!!! What are you doing today? I have an extra paint roller….

So – Cliff Notes for Spray Painting 101:

1. Dis-assemble the piece of furniture you rescued from certain destruction

2. Unless you are into coloring your landscaping (as I seem to be) set the thankful-to-be-saved piece of furniture on either a tarp or a very large piece of cardboard

3. Shoo off the fat fuzz ball that thinks he needs to help

4. Liquid sand all of the surfaces so that your paint has a good foundation to adhere too (wear gloves – that stuff likes to sand off your skin as well!)

5. Pick your favorite paint (have you seen the “sesame shimmer”? *sigh*/*drool*

6. Don your painting attire and some safety goggles (there is permanent make-up, then there’s PERMANENT make-up)

7. Put your finger on the nozzle and get busy! (but remember – continuous spray about 10 – 12” away from your masterpiece – don’t let off of that gas pedal ‘til you are OFF of the appointed spray target!)

8. I suggest a couple of coats (remove the assistant once more before applying additional coats of paint)

9. If you are truly energetic and want to preserve your artwork a layer or two of clear finish is a great preservation tool

10. Remove the fuzzy assistant (check all four paws for paint)

11. Screw on your new hardware (SO many options – make sure and explore them all!!!)

And last but not least – place your new masterpiece center stage (removing the fat fuzzy assistant once more…)

Have you ever learned something new in the middle of a project? Do you have any more tips for me? I have a rocking chair that is just screaming for a new outfit…

Comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide...hee-hee

:-) robelyn

Searching for Inspiration...

To design something classic and timeless...

To design something new for fall...

To design something fun and interesting...

(or to at least get off of my tail feathers and clean my sewing room...)

Who or What inspires YOU?

Comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide...hee-hee

:-) robelyn

And We Have A Winner!

Happy Friday!!!

I want to Thank You ALL for coming to my tea party!!! It was so much fun to sit and chat with each of you - and to hear your stories!!! Welders (Jill, I have some things to bring over that you can practice using that on!!!) and Easy Bake Ovens (Karyn, (my soul sista') do you think you could teach me how to cook WITHOUT using fire extinguishers?) and Grandchildren (Marge - I think it's wonderful that you are such a young and hip Grandmother!)! Laughter and Memories (Maggie, hold your memories dear and you will certainly smile at the wonderful things!) and Tears and Hugs...It was Great! Sue (with her Sons and Sister that throw her Surprise parties - HOW FUN!) and Ann, Midge, Jo, Jan , Handmedowntreasures and Kim all came to visit (I'm moving into Kim's house under the guise of helping her remodel, but I really want to get into her junk piles and see what I find - she cooks mac & cheese...I'll convince her to add some pineapple upside-down cake to that menu), Linda came to visit (I'll host more parties for you AND your back to come visit (no ironing necessary))! Then from the Junk Revolution I had Greta stop by (now she sets one FIERCE tea party table...think she'll come help me with mine next time around?) and Rosie (We'll find a fairy God-Mother to waive her wand and get that pumpkin!) and Lisa - isn't that dress incredible (Happy Birthday to your dear Hubby!!!)? There are so so so many more at Timeless Vixen it was INCREDIBLY hard to decide which to choose!!! And Leveta - she's so much fun (You REALLY have to jump on Junk Revolution to see what she's CONSTANTLY up too...and she almost ALWAYS sends you into giggles!)!

Thank You ALL so much for coming to visit - let's DEFINITELY party together again SOON!!! But in the mean time...I filled the tea pot up with each of my guests names and my wonderful Son (who is STILL shaking his head and wondering what the heck a blog party is!) drew out...

How exciting!!! I love to send my bags to various places (Jill, uh...could I get your address please?!) LOL This "e.liz.a.beth" bag (Yep! It's named after Grammy and my niece both!) is made using fused plastic (I'm certain there is a junk store bag in the layers somewhere!) topped off with a silver bag from my favorite fabric haunt in Dallas, TX! The sides of Miss "e.liz.a.beth" are up cycled upholstery vinyl - the handles and up cycled belt! Add some sparkly beaded ribbon and a vintage shoe clip and Jill now has the perfect "tea party" bag! I know she's going to a good home!!!

Now, for one last story...

"I'm a little tea pot, short and stout
Here is my handle, here is my spout.
When I get all steamed up
Hear me shout
Tip me over and pour me out!!!" (You know you're going to be singing that song in your head for the rest of the day...haha!)

This cherry red little tea pot was my Great-Grandmother's on my Dad's side! He loved it (and her!) so much that she willed it to him! He just grinned when he thought about it a couple of months ago - then looked totally shocked when he said "that thing is over 100 years old!"! I love it!!! Oh, the stories it could tell!!!

'til the next time!!! I hope you have a wonderful week-end - and THANK YOU for celebrating my August birthday's with me!!!

Comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide...hee-hee

:-) robelyn