Book Page Bottle

Have you seen all the book page projects out there? I've seen wreath's, pumpkin's, pom's and more. So I of course had to try my own book page project. I decided to make a book page wine bottle to go with my Autumn decor (I'll share more of that later.)

This was such an easy project, I didn't have to buy a thing! Those are the best kind of projects, don't you agree? I've had a pale blue wine bottle saved for months now but hadn't decided on anything to do with it until the other day. I went out to my newly organized cabinet in the garage and my craft closet and found everything I needed.

First I sprayed my wine bottle with a light coat of Krylon White Primer spray paint. It didn't have to be a real thick coat, I just needed it to "roughen up" the smooth surface of the bottle.

Next I took a few pages from an old book and tore them into long strips. I tried not to be too consistent with the width. Applying the Mod Podge and paper is a little tricky at times. I applied just enough Mod Podge for one strip of paper, applied it, smoothed it out and let it dry before I applied another piece. This step is a little time consuming but it's worth it.
Once the bottom layer of Mod Podge had dried all over and the paper is smoothed out I applied one final coat of Mod Podge. Here is my final product.

This isn't the best picture of the bottle but it will do. I'll have more pictures to show when I share the rest of my Autumn decorations.

Blessings.

Monogram Cupboard Sign

I bought a vinyl monogram M and est. date as a gift for my sister-in-law and her husband about a year ago and just got around to making it. Successfully that is. I bought a cupboard door from Habitat and the monogram from a friend who sold Uppercase Living. Originally this was going to be a Christmas present but it didn't turn out the first time.

I had lightly sanded the cupboard door to remove the glossy finish. Then painted it a barely off white color. So far so good. Loved the color and ready to apply the monogram. I followed the instructions for applying the vinyl but when I went to pull the backing off I also pulled off the paint. AAACCKK!!! It was peeling off, which also brought the vinyl with

it! What now?!?!

I called my friend and she explained to me that some of the newer paints are pretty tacky and if they haven't set for... like.. forever they can pull off with the backing. Especially when it's something with a super smooth finish.

Luckily my friend was nice enough to order me a new M free of charge. Thanks so much! Christmas had passed by the time I got it because I of course was putting the original gift together on like December 22nd. Oops.

The happy couple's anniversary is in June so I decided to make it an anniversary gift this year. But I went about it a different way. I pulled all the paint off and re-sanded the whole thing. Then painted just the outer frame of the door. For the center I decided to Mod Podge some scrapbook paper on it.

Of course this is just how these things work... I like it SOOO much more with the patterned paper behind the vinyl! Here is how it turned out!

What do you think? I think I need to make one for my home just like it. Love it!

Blessings.

Linking to: Just A Girl, Centsational Girl

I LOVE Autumn!!!

I absolutely LOVE this time of year. We are entering my favorite season, autumn. Which is funny because I am definitely not a fan of Halloween. I don't do creepy, gore, spooky or anything of that sort. However I do do (flashback to the Friends episode... Chandler says "you said do do" LOL!)... Anyway, I do do every other day of this season. There is something about the green of the grass, the blue of the sky, the many brilliant colors decorating our trees. I love the food, drinks, sports, smells. I love the brisk autumn air, the smell of fall, the jeans and cozy socks, the pumpkins, the apple cider and pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice lattes, I love it ALL!

We do fun things this time of year that we don't normally do. We take an hour long drive out to an amazing farm and orchard community. There's a group of probably twenty different farms that always have something irresistible growing. Apples, pumpkins, peaches, cherries, Christmas trees. They've got a little bit of everything. One particular farm has a Fall Apple Festival, complete with wagon rides, corn maze, tractor rides, vendors, music, everything you need for a fun family day.

Because I love this season so much I have several pictures I've taken, crafts I've done or been inspired by, etc.. I would like to share with you from time to time some of these things. I hope you don't mind and find some inspiration also.

Country Living

Centsational Girl

Country Living

Best Design Options

Blessings.

A Day at the Fair

Every September for as long as I can remember I have gone to the fair with my Dad and his "very-long time, practically step-mom" girlfriend. When I was a child I would take a friend sometimes. For the last eight years my husband and our growing family has gotten to tag along.

This last Sunday was our day at the fair. We had the best weather we've ever had on fair day. It was in the upper 70's, not a cloud in the sky and an occasional breeze. Practically perfect with the exception of a few bees. We were also joined by my sister, her beautiful little girl and their friend.

Our girls got to feed the llamas, pet mules and sheep, ride a few rides and feel the different textures of rice and lentils in the Agriculture building. Every year we get a photo button. One of Tall Man, myself and our little chicks and another with my dad and his "very-long time, practically step-mom" girlfriend. And of course no trip to the fair is complete without a special treat to end the day. I have to get an elephant ear, every year! They're just so yummy and I can't resist.

Here are some pictures of the day.

My oldest daughter and I checking out the home grown veggies in the Ag building.

My sister and her daughter.

Her favorite part of the fair... a coloring station in the Ag Building.

My niece and Tall Man the Seahawks fan.

Our littlest chick on her first ride all by herself!

Feeding the llama's.

Our oldest chick petting a mule.

Sharing an elephant ear with my biggest chick.

My middle chick was multi-tasking here. Eating a caramel apple and loosening her front tooth.

Maybe this was her favorite part of the day. She got bubble gum ice cream with Grandpa.

Well, that was our day at the fair. Did you go to a fair in your area this year? What is your favorite part?

Blessings.

Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?

It's been nine years since that dreadful Tuesday morning and I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing.

I was home with my ten week old baby girl. I had been out that morning looking for a new apartment to move to. My sweet girl was asleep in her infant car seat and I flipped on the television. All I saw was smoke, thinking it was a weird movie I changed the channel but the picture didn't change. Every channel showed horrifying footage of our country being attacked.

I remember a couple specific thoughts that ran through my mind. "What kind of world did I just bring this child into?" I also was immediately concerned about a high school friend who had enlisted in the army and was stationed in Washington D.C.. Thank God this friend was okay, he did spend the next months protecting the White House. My first thought still runs through my mind from time to time with all three of my little chicks.

Since that day I get teary eyed when I hear the National Anthem before a sporting event or a Veterans Day assembly at my daughter's school. Below are the lyrics to Alan Jackson's song "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning" and video of Lee Greenwoods "God Bless the USA". Two songs that remind me of what that day was like for our country and just how blessed we still are to live here.

Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning by Alan Jackson

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Out in the yard with your wife and children

Working on some stage in LA

Did you stand there in shock at the site of

That black smoke rising against that blue sky

Did you shout out in anger

In fear for your neighbor

Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children

Who lost their dear loved ones

And pray for the ones who don't know

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble

And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride

For the red white and blue

The heroes who died just doing what they do

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Teaching a class full of innocent children

Driving down some cold interstate

Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor

In a crowded room did you feel alone

Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her

Did you dust off that bible at home

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened

Close your eyes and not go to sleep

Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages

Speak with some stranger on the street

Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow

Go out and buy you a gun

Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching

And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger

Stand in line and give your own blood

Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family

Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

The greatest is love

The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Do you remember where you were that Tuesday morning? What are you doing this September 11th? I will be playing in a church league softball tournament. I will be doing this because many men and women have fought for my right to do so. Today I thank each and everyone one of you for fighting and I remember those who lost their lives doing so.

Blessings.