Bread & Pastries…and Family!

This past weekend my family gathered for a niece’s wedding and a brief reunion.  As part of our reunions, we always have a family raffle.  Several people contribute items, and tickets are $1/each.  The proceeds go to help defray expenses for the next reunion.

This was my contribution this year.  I had seen a similar sign a couple of months ago, and I wanted to recreate it.

Most of my family members are AMAZING cooks—especially of homemade bread!  So it was perfect.

I used a recycled cupboard door for mine, with a little bit of a crackle finish and lots of distressing to make it look like it had been around since grandma was doing the baking!

This went home with another of my newly-wedded nieces!  It couldn’t have been more perfect—she and her new husband actually do love to bake together!

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This project was featured at Domestically Speaking, Elizabeth & Co., {aka} design, and at the All-Star Block Party.

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Linking up here:

Domestically Speaking	Elizabeth & Co.
Primitive & Proper	The CSI Project
Friday Remodelaholic	2805
My Simple Home Life’s Simple Creations Friday	Miss Mustard Seed’s Furniture Feature Friday
Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special	The DIY Show Off
Beyond the Picket Fence	Someday Crafts
Knick of Time	All-Star Block Party
Perfectly Imperfect	{Primp}
Simply Klassic Sundays	My Repurposed Life
From My Front Porch to Yours	It’s So Very Cheri
Cowgirl Up!	{aka} design Coastal Charm

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Coupon, Met a Blogger and more Winnings!

Hi all…for anyone coming to the Lititz Craft Show on August 11th
I hope to see you and also I’m offering this coupon worth 20% off your purchase!

As a reminder I’m in space D-54, in the 200 block of
Main Street by Sturgis Pretzel and Linden Hall School.

 

Right click, save and print out…then fill out the information needed.

Hope to see you there even it’s just to say HI !

So what did I do today….I met a fellow blogger.
You all know her as Primitives by Olde Lady Morgan
http://primitivesbyoldeladymorgan.blogspot.com/

I offered to take some of her gals/guys and some wonderful Fall prims to sell them at the Lititz show and we met up today so I could get them.
We had a wonderful lunch, visit and an exchange of gifts.
Marie is just as sweet and fun as her blog and her products are fantastic and fun.
We met half way for each of us in Crystal Lake, Il.
We decided on Applebee’s but I got a call from her at about the time we were to meet saying the Applebee’s was no longer there and luck had it that I was in the same mall parking lot as her and I saw a Chili’s and said meet me there….and it was a great choice because the food was perfect.
So after chatting a bit we both exchanged gifts and then the talking never stopped.  A great hour and a half and now I have a new wonderful blog friend!

Marie gave me an adorable Pumpkin with the cutest smile and in the bag was a beautiful tin candle sconce that hangs on a cupboard door and a battery candle (one with a timer!)

THERE SHE IS….MS. MARIE!
 

 

 

Could this Pumpkin be any more adorable?

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH MARIE…

Last week when I was visiting blogs I saw I won Carol from Buttermilk Creek Farm’s giveaway…am I a lucky gal or what…meeting blog friend and winning great things from another blog friend.
You can find her here:  http://buttermilkcreekfarm.blogspot.com/
You must visit Carol’s blog if you haven’t already.  She is one fantastic creator and I will honestly say she is way too modest about her work – CAROL….your work is wonderful.  If anyone has received any of her work you would be able to attest to that too.
Her work is so meticulous – all details so perfect.
I received my package on Saturday and was soooo in love with it all…it’s time to be envious guys!

 

In the box was a set of 3 Gingerbread men – all decked out with Red checked Gingham and a bell.
And the aroma so yummy – you could almost taste them!
And…a bag of vintage Candy Canes – oh they are so sweet!

Close-up

And then the ‘glory gift’ – a beautiful hand made Santa.
He’s sporting a pure wool coat and that is a real sheep’s wool beard.

Could I have had a better few days???  I think not!
Thanks so much Carol – I don’t want to put the Santa away ‘till Christmas.

Thanks for visiting and for all your wonderful comments.

And please, I hope some of you take advantage of my coupon or at least stop in to say hi…

Blessings
Karen

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Christmas in July—Addiction to Frames

Please welcome Pamela from From My Front Porch to Yours for Day 8 of Christmas in July!

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Hi my name is Pamela and I am from over at From My Front Porch To Yours. I was so honored when I was asked to participate in Christmas In July with all these fabulous ladies! I pondered for weeks what I was going to share and well after several treasure hunting trips it dawned on me!

I LOVE frames! I am addicted to frames and use them all around my house.

I can always manage to work a frame in some where!:)

One project I do every year is to make frames as gifts for teachers or whomever. I shop for frames at HobLob when they are 50% off. I stock up thru out the year. Also at the end of the holiday season I always take part in Michaels clearance. I can find so many beautiful ribbons, stickers, chip boards, and embellishments on sale that I have to tell my self to stop and not put another thing in my cart!;) You will also need ModgePodge, craft glue and a hot glue gun plus whatever else you can imagine!

I always make such a huge mess. Most of the time the kitchen table is out of commission for two days once I get started. My boys don't mind because that means picnic time in the living room!:)

I never really now what I am going to end up with.

Most of the time I can find the little mini gold frames in the Michaels bargain section. I love these frames because you can do so many things with them. I have even made fridge magnets with them.

I loved this chip board box so much and hated the thought of throwing it away so instead I used it to create a layered shadowbox of sorts.

I used a white paint pen and covered up the wording at the top of the box and made it look like more snow. Then I used a vintage scene from a card I had to make it look like you are peering thru the window at Santa. Then I used some chip board pieces to cover up the other areas on the box that needed covering. This frame is one of my favorites.

I know it is only July but for me it is never to early to get a jump start on decorating and crafting for the holidays! It will be here before we know it and I hope that I was able to inspire a few projects out there.

Thanx for stopping by!

Be sure to stop by all these fabulous ladies if you missed any of the projects shared this past week!
Amanda-The Ivy Cottage Blog
Korrie-Red Hen Home
Anita-Cedarhill Ranch
Debbie-Confessions of a Plate Addict
Samantha-Crafty Texas Gals
Missy-Lookie What I Did
Linsey-The Farmhouse Porch

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Christmas in July—Old World Christmas

Please welcome Linsey from The Farmhouse Porch for Day 7 of Christmas in July!

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Howdy gals! Linsey here from The Farmhouse Porch. My project for "Christmas in July" is sort of a hodge podge mix of  crafting/art/home decor. You guys know that aging things and giving them patina is my thing. Buying all new is so sterile, buying only old stuff can look stale. But when you mix the two it looks great. The problem with buying old stuff is that sometimes the real deal is really, really expensive. Take religious antiques for example. If you were to try to purchase this antique 24 inch oil painting of St. Jerome here, expect to pay...



$2,500.00


whoa.


The reason I bring up religious antiques is because I love the look of an old world, European church at Christmas. I happened upon a little saint picture at the dollar store and bought it in the hopes that I could age it to get that "religious artifact" feel. I also set up some simple displays around the picture on my entry table to get the entire look going.


Supplies
dollar store candles

Liquin or other glazing medium, this is what I use to thin my oil paint. I like oil paints rather than acrylic because they just look more "aged" in color and patina to me. Raw umber works well for aging, but adding layers of different browns gives the best patina.
Here is the little 10x12" picture I found at the dollar store.

Before

The colors are too bright and flat.

Here is the picture after one application of glaze plus paint. I am holding it up to the light of the window so that you can see it better. I started by applying it with a balled up paper towel.

Here it is after applying more and more glaze/paint, try to use a few different brushes (like the one with bristles in a fan shape). This will add more layers of brushstrokes. It sounds like lots of work but honestly this all took about 10 minutes.

Here it is after. Another cool thing about liquin is that it makes the oil paint dry VERY fast.

I had purchased this old little beat up frame at an antique shop for about $4 a month ago. At first I was trying to hang it on my mirrors in the background and then I had a lightbulb moment...it's perfect for the little "painting"!!!

To add to the old European church look, I filled a galvanized bucket with dirt.Well actually, I filled it with sand first- from the backyard. Then I smelled something that made me gag. Need I continue the story folks? You guessed it...yellow sand from my pup (I can't believe I'm telling you this. I told myself it was my little secret)! So I chucked the sand, washed profusely, and filled the bucket with CLEAN dirt (is that an oxymoron?).

In the end I think it turned out very pretty though...

This is sort of an understated Christmas look. I love the glitz and glam and glitter of Christmas, but a rustic, natural look can be a striking way to celebrate the "holy days" as well.
-Linsey

Please visit these other beautiful blogs for Christmas inspiration...

Amanda @ The Ivy Cottage Blog
Korrie @ Red Hen Home
Anita @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Debbie @ Confessions of a Plate Addict
Samantha @ Crafty Texas Girls
Missy @ Lookie What I Did
Linsey @ The Farmhouse Porch
Pamela @ From My Porch to Yours

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Keeper of the Money…and Where did that come from!

Did you ever hear the term before?  It’s a biblical term about ‘Judas’ “Keeper Of The Money Bag”…well in my son/dil’s house it’s their dog KEEPER…he decided to feast on my grandson’s coin stash – yep…he ate 66 coins the other night and after surgery and a 2 day hospital stay he’s doing well.
It was a combination of meds he’s on that was causing him to act different and eat very different things…one being cardboard and well, the coins too.

Here’s what they got from him…the vet was very concerned after the x-ray and saw there were several pennies which can be lethal to an animal – so a quick surgery was done.  There were even some Silver Dollars in there!
 

 

On Friday we had Aidan here for the day – he has been begging to come here so Darren dropped him off and we had such a fun day.
He does keep us busy though – he’s non-stop and doesn’t stay with one thing too long so it’s go-go-go!

He did have to help with making his lunch – he wanted a knife to cut off the grapes – didn’t get too far and then gave up (no surprise).

In the afternoon he wanted to help grandpa water the plants.
Normally we don’t do it in the heat of the day but he wanted to so thought it wouldn’t hurt just once.
 

Bike riding…or crashing…

Then it was playtime in the house…he’s trying to get a toy out of a basket that he tossed in the air.
 

Playing horsy with gramps!

Then quiet time…getting close to ‘baby’ – who has just recently allowed him to pet her.
 
 

Time for an ice cream break.
 

Looks like he’s zoning out!!!  Guess he played his little heart out!

 

We visited Darren and MaryAnn when Miranda was a week old…she changed in just such a short time. She’s 3 weeks old already!

Such a little scrunchy face – she must have been tensing up
 

Well I guess that’s enough about ‘family’ – sorry it went on so long!

 

On the 10th I celebrated another birthday and a friend from Florida sent me a wonderful package…she’s always so thoughtful.
There was a set of ‘old’ Pewter wine goblets, some wonderful scented soap and even a toy for the kitties…sweet!
THANK YOU LINDA AND BEN!
 

 

They say you are never to old to learn but here’s one I thought I knew…since I was very little I have use this particular term when you refer to something that is diagonal from something…the term myself, my family and EVERYONE I know has used it this way…’KITTY CORNER or CATTY CORNER…well that’s not right.
Just found out a while ago (from a book Doug is reading) that the word is CATERCORNER.
As American’s we changed it to Kitty or Catty corner….

I get so tickled when I find out something new …but I’ll still use the term I grew up with!

Here’s something else I found out –(later in life)- I always thought the actor ALDO RAY was pronounced Al DORAY…did not know that the ‘do’ went with ‘al’ – Doug set me straight on this one.

And…if that’s not enough I also found out that when I was a teenager and dating Doug – I had always thought the verse in the song ‘Barbara Ann’ was Bob-Bob-Bob-Bob-Bob Maran.
Being it’s what I thought I never thought to challenge it. Funny what our ears hear isn’t it?

 

Getting ready for my Aug. 11th show has been a challenge along with keeping up with ‘life’.
I cut out many, many circles out of wool for my ‘traditional Penny Rugs’
I have 3 sewn so far and have to cut more!

Yesterday I painted 15 Mache boxes and what a job that was.
First I painted, then had to sand off some areas to make them look old.
Didn’t ever do this before so had no idea how to get it done.  Tried sand paper…nope – wouldn’t budge the paint so I got the idea to wet down the boxes and used a scrubby and WALLA…it worked!
I was a happy camper but oh my goodness what a mess - good thing I had plastic on the table.
And then last night I priced what merchandise I have finished.

Now ask me if I’m ready….NOPE…close, but not totally.

 

Thanks for hanging in there through this long post…but that’s what happens when I don’t get on for 3 weeks!

Please don’t forget to check out my shows…you can find the information on my ‘tab page’:
http://mycolonialhome.blogspot.com/p/shows-you-can-find-me-at.html

WATCH FOR A COUPON FOR 20% OFF YOUR PURCHASE
FOR ANYONE COMING TO MY SHOWS
IT WILL BE PRINTABLE!

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ALL YOUR WONDERFUL COMMENTS AND TO ALL MY FOLLOWERS AND NEW FOLLOWERS
WITHOUT YOU I WOULD NOT BE DOING THIS BLOG….THANK YOU AGAIN.

Karen

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