2017 February
Company is Here and the Weather is Beautiful!
2/23/2017
That title sounds like a Jimmy Buffett song! Oh my! Can you believe the weather around here? And it's only February!! My bushes out front are getting ready to bloom and I'm hoping that the weather at least stays warm enough for us to enjoy them before we get hit with another cold snap!!
My sister, Tracy and her husband John planned a week of vacation here with us and had requested warm weather for their visit. They're from Paradise, Michigan... just about the farthest point north - and the coldest, I think - in Michigan that you can get. Remember my Uber ride to Paradise from Detroit? Check that trip out in the A Surprise Vacation blog from Last July.
Now, I know that I didn't arrange this beautiful weather for John and Tracy, but I'm so thankful that they could enjoy it!
We had a great time together.
We pulled out the bed benches that I had made for us from the beds that belonged to our grandmothers and started the painting process.
We spent the morning priming them and once that was dried, we started the fun of selecting colors and painting the tedious parts.
Tracy and John moved right along on with theirs and now they only need to decide what fabric to use for the cushion.
I'm still working on mine (below left) and plan to add a row of beads along the front when it's finished.
I am going to try and take the bright look of this bench and age it a little so it looks beachy but not childish.
We will see what happens.
Being one that doesn't care for cooking, I stress a little on fixing meals that I hope everyone will eat. Jeff and I have gotten in a routine of eating healthier and as I have told you before, I only cook simple stuff. One of the things that I like to cook is a Zucchini bread. It's not necessarily healthy LOL, but oh so good...
FREE Download: Leslie's Favorite Zucchini Bread
It's easy to bake, a nice moist bread, and can be made either in one big loaf pan or 3 small ones. It's perfect for company, and John loved it! We went through the first batch and made a second. Score!! The bread also freezes great so you're able to prepare ahead of time.
Next we headed to the outdoor studio to work in the fused glass.
I was using some of my old work to give John some directions and samples for different ways to use glass and firing temperatures in the creative process. His piece is in the kiln as we speak.
John does beautiful stained glass work at their home in Michigan, and so this was a new twist on glass work for him. He was a natural.
With the outdoor studio almost ready, I'm thinking this would be a great class to teach in that space.
When we closed the store, I pulled a big box of jewelry tools for Tracy because the weather was making her stir crazy and she was ready to play with something new.
Like me, (must be a family thing) she didn't jump right in because of a million other things to do. So... while we were in the mood to play I gave Tracy and Patty a crash course on what these supplies could do.
Now I expect her to send us pictures of what she makes! Michigan still has a lot of winter time for her to play indoors.
Next on the agenda is a custom ottoman and a stole for a friend of mine. That should keep me plenty busy when the company is gone.
4 Comments
Jayn Lando - What a fun time with family!
Leslie - It was great fun!! We get to see each other so seldom and we made the most of our time! Hope all is good with you!
Cheri Simpson - I love the benches! What kind of paint and brushes do you use for painting furniture?
Leslie - We picked colors at Lowes and had several of their samples mixed. I just use my small art brushes. Make sure and use some kind of Liquid Sander to to tacky up the finish on your furniture before you start the painting process. (There is a link in a previous blog post on what I use). Have fun and share pictures!!
Creative Love...
2/16/2017
What do we do first when we are going to design centerpieces for a wedding? No, we don't call a florist. We don't do what 'normal' people do, for sure! We go to Home Depot where we get a big bag of concrete, some conduit pipe and some PVC "wood", and we were ready to go. Now, the catch is, we don't want to share our creations until the wedding so you will just have to wait for a later post. Oh!... the suspense!
I was so excited to look around the kid's house and realize that the mess wasn't just mine this time. We had bags from Michaels which had great votive holders for the trees, Dollar Tree, which has a great deal on battery operated votives, and Home Depot, that had all the rest of the supplies, spread all over. We also had these beautiful roses from a local florist - A business that will NOT have our business because of their attitude.
We were able to take the ideas that Brent and Natalie had come up with and create a great cohesive plan we should be able to pull off without too much trouble, and lots of fun!
I was glad to have time to go see the venue for the wedding. The Addison of Boca Raton has lots of personality and character, and I love the Banyan trees! Seeing the space in person makes it easier to think about how I can help with ideas for decorations.
I already have my return ticket made for March, and an appointment to meet at a possible venue for the rehearsal dinner. We're finding that having our event during the week opens up a lot more options and possibilities for the kids, and it sure makes it easier for planning a June wedding.
In case you all haven't heard or seen what's going in the old Making Ends Meet building, check out the new AWAKE MINISTRIES Facebook page and be sure to 'Like' them and welcome them to their new facilities.
They are doing a great work for the community and can use all of our support.
Today was the first creative PLAY DAY that I have had in what seems like a long time. We spent the day making journals that we're going to use as devotions using Praying in Color. I love the different styles and color combinations each of us used for the covers.
Here are some pages from my first art journal... several years ago. Art journaling can be so much fun, and can use lots of papers, ticket stubs, trash and mementos that would normally go into the trash. There's no end to creativity and imagination...
Check out my latest creation, the new Berry Explosion Art Journal that's now on my ETSY site.
This journal would be great for you to try art journaling like I did in my first journal. Give it a try! It's a great way to experiment and there are no wrong answers.
I hope you all had a great Valentines day. Jeff surprised me with this beautiful plant with Carnations, and I have just the corner in the house for it. I feel so blessed to have such a sweet, hard working man to spend my days with!!
I have all day tomorrow to work in the studio after I've finished my workout at Planet Fitness.
I'm so excited to have a full day just to play!
0 Comments
It SOLD!!!
2/9/2017
It is FINAL. PERIOD. THE END. And new beginnings are taking place. I received a phone call on January 31 that things were in place and the group looking at my building was ready to close. The very next text said it would close at 11:00am February 1st. Wow! How's that for a quick turn around??
I wasn't sure how I would feel when it was all final. It felt like so much of who I was for so long was tied up in that building... and the memories. The excitement from the new owners just makes me smile and I know that it's all good. Watch for details on what is coming next week!!
OUT WITH THE OLD & IN WITH THE NEW!
The sink was finished this week!. No more stained small bathroom sink and struggling to clean brushes and dye fabrics. It took a little finagling to get the new stainless kitchen sink to fit right and work in this small bathroom, but it will be so worth it when I'm able to do some ice dying without getting dye everywhere! Thanks Sherman and Terry for your hard work! And thanks to my husband, Jeff... what a great birthday present this was!
And thanks to Sherman King and Terry Murphy for all your hard work getting the sink in and running properly! Sherman is my new plumber and you can find him on Facebook at King's Plumbing, and Terry has been doing construction work for me for... years upon years! You can find his contact information at The Carpenter's Hand unofficial FB page.
So I've joined all of you who set your goals for getting in shape at the beginning of the year. I actually joined a gym.
Shelbyville has many great options for working out but I chose to join PLANET FITNESS. This was purely based on the fact that I travel a lot and can visit one of their gyms no matter where I am.
I'm really enjoying the exercise and find myself up and out the door by 6:30 - 7:00am to get an hour work out done before the day begins. It really does make me feel better... and makes me not feel so bad about treating myself to a Dr. Pepper and chocolate chip cookies for breakfast!! LOL!
I was invited to an art showing, The Heart of the Matter, the other night by an artist with the Louisville Art group, NoNaMe. It was held at Consider Boutique on Bayly Avenue in Louisville.
What a talented group of folks!
The artwork was so colorful and creative, and the boutique, which is just off of Frankfort Avenue, is a little hidden treasure full of one of a kind artwork of many different mediums.
They told me as I left, that the artwork that was still available was going to stay up for a little while. Stop by if you get a chance! I love to support our local artists!
The studio was cleaned and ready for our OPEN HOUSE. Thanks for all who stopped by to see us. We will schedule another day come spring. In the meantime the studio is clean and I'm ready to dig in and mess it up as soon as I get back from my next trip. I have new paints, mediums and stencils by Stencil Girl that I'm anxious to play with next week.
Yes. I'm Florida bound again! But who's counting... Headed out Friday, weather permitting, to spend time with Brent and Natalie and talk wedding plans!
It doesn't hurt that it's warm and sunny there!! Oh so exciting!!
All I know so far is that the wedding will be held at The Addison of Boca Raton and that it will be a small intimate wedding with family and friends like family. Such a beautiful event center. I look forward to seeing it in person.
6 Comments
Mary - Congratulations! Onward!
Leslie - Thanks Mary!! I AM ready to move onward!!
Gaye - I couldn't be happier for you. Hope to make your next open house.
Leslie - Gaye, Thanks! I am pretty excited! Sure hope you can come to the open house in the spring. I have also uncovered the display lady that you wanted. Let's talk when I get back in town to arrange a time for you to get her!!
Katie - Leslie, we recently downsized into a new build and when I saw your new sink solution, I thought, "Gee, why didn't I think of that!". Now, I think I'll see what I can do with mine. Such a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Jayn - Very excited for you for this next season of your life!!
2/23/2017
That title sounds like a Jimmy Buffett song! Oh my! Can you believe the weather around here? And it's only February!! My bushes out front are getting ready to bloom and I'm hoping that the weather at least stays warm enough for us to enjoy them before we get hit with another cold snap!!
My sister, Tracy and her husband John planned a week of vacation here with us and had requested warm weather for their visit. They're from Paradise, Michigan... just about the farthest point north - and the coldest, I think - in Michigan that you can get. Remember my Uber ride to Paradise from Detroit? Check that trip out in the A Surprise Vacation blog from Last July.
Now, I know that I didn't arrange this beautiful weather for John and Tracy, but I'm so thankful that they could enjoy it!
We had a great time together.
We pulled out the bed benches that I had made for us from the beds that belonged to our grandmothers and started the painting process.
Tracy and John moved right along on with theirs and now they only need to decide what fabric to use for the cushion.
I'm still working on mine (below left) and plan to add a row of beads along the front when it's finished.
I am going to try and take the bright look of this bench and age it a little so it looks beachy but not childish.
We will see what happens.
FREE Download: Leslie's Favorite Zucchini Bread
It's easy to bake, a nice moist bread, and can be made either in one big loaf pan or 3 small ones. It's perfect for company, and John loved it! We went through the first batch and made a second. Score!! The bread also freezes great so you're able to prepare ahead of time.
Next we headed to the outdoor studio to work in the fused glass.
I was using some of my old work to give John some directions and samples for different ways to use glass and firing temperatures in the creative process. His piece is in the kiln as we speak.
John does beautiful stained glass work at their home in Michigan, and so this was a new twist on glass work for him. He was a natural.
With the outdoor studio almost ready, I'm thinking this would be a great class to teach in that space.
Like me, (must be a family thing) she didn't jump right in because of a million other things to do. So... while we were in the mood to play I gave Tracy and Patty a crash course on what these supplies could do.
Now I expect her to send us pictures of what she makes! Michigan still has a lot of winter time for her to play indoors.
Next on the agenda is a custom ottoman and a stole for a friend of mine. That should keep me plenty busy when the company is gone.
4 Comments
Jayn Lando - What a fun time with family!
Leslie - It was great fun!! We get to see each other so seldom and we made the most of our time! Hope all is good with you!
Cheri Simpson - I love the benches! What kind of paint and brushes do you use for painting furniture?
Leslie - We picked colors at Lowes and had several of their samples mixed. I just use my small art brushes. Make sure and use some kind of Liquid Sander to to tacky up the finish on your furniture before you start the painting process. (There is a link in a previous blog post on what I use). Have fun and share pictures!!
Creative Love...
2/16/2017
What do we do first when we are going to design centerpieces for a wedding? No, we don't call a florist. We don't do what 'normal' people do, for sure! We go to Home Depot where we get a big bag of concrete, some conduit pipe and some PVC "wood", and we were ready to go. Now, the catch is, we don't want to share our creations until the wedding so you will just have to wait for a later post. Oh!... the suspense!
We were able to take the ideas that Brent and Natalie had come up with and create a great cohesive plan we should be able to pull off without too much trouble, and lots of fun!
I was glad to have time to go see the venue for the wedding. The Addison of Boca Raton has lots of personality and character, and I love the Banyan trees! Seeing the space in person makes it easier to think about how I can help with ideas for decorations.
I already have my return ticket made for March, and an appointment to meet at a possible venue for the rehearsal dinner. We're finding that having our event during the week opens up a lot more options and possibilities for the kids, and it sure makes it easier for planning a June wedding.
In case you all haven't heard or seen what's going in the old Making Ends Meet building, check out the new AWAKE MINISTRIES Facebook page and be sure to 'Like' them and welcome them to their new facilities.
They are doing a great work for the community and can use all of our support.
Today was the first creative PLAY DAY that I have had in what seems like a long time. We spent the day making journals that we're going to use as devotions using Praying in Color. I love the different styles and color combinations each of us used for the covers.
Here are some pages from my first art journal... several years ago. Art journaling can be so much fun, and can use lots of papers, ticket stubs, trash and mementos that would normally go into the trash. There's no end to creativity and imagination...
Check out my latest creation, the new Berry Explosion Art Journal that's now on my ETSY site.
This journal would be great for you to try art journaling like I did in my first journal. Give it a try! It's a great way to experiment and there are no wrong answers.
I hope you all had a great Valentines day. Jeff surprised me with this beautiful plant with Carnations, and I have just the corner in the house for it. I feel so blessed to have such a sweet, hard working man to spend my days with!!
I have all day tomorrow to work in the studio after I've finished my workout at Planet Fitness.
I'm so excited to have a full day just to play!
0 Comments
It SOLD!!!
2/9/2017
I wasn't sure how I would feel when it was all final. It felt like so much of who I was for so long was tied up in that building... and the memories. The excitement from the new owners just makes me smile and I know that it's all good. Watch for details on what is coming next week!!
OUT WITH THE OLD & IN WITH THE NEW!
The sink was finished this week!. No more stained small bathroom sink and struggling to clean brushes and dye fabrics. It took a little finagling to get the new stainless kitchen sink to fit right and work in this small bathroom, but it will be so worth it when I'm able to do some ice dying without getting dye everywhere! Thanks Sherman and Terry for your hard work! And thanks to my husband, Jeff... what a great birthday present this was!
And thanks to Sherman King and Terry Murphy for all your hard work getting the sink in and running properly! Sherman is my new plumber and you can find him on Facebook at King's Plumbing, and Terry has been doing construction work for me for... years upon years! You can find his contact information at The Carpenter's Hand unofficial FB page.
So I've joined all of you who set your goals for getting in shape at the beginning of the year. I actually joined a gym.
Shelbyville has many great options for working out but I chose to join PLANET FITNESS. This was purely based on the fact that I travel a lot and can visit one of their gyms no matter where I am.
I'm really enjoying the exercise and find myself up and out the door by 6:30 - 7:00am to get an hour work out done before the day begins. It really does make me feel better... and makes me not feel so bad about treating myself to a Dr. Pepper and chocolate chip cookies for breakfast!! LOL!
What a talented group of folks!
The artwork was so colorful and creative, and the boutique, which is just off of Frankfort Avenue, is a little hidden treasure full of one of a kind artwork of many different mediums.
They told me as I left, that the artwork that was still available was going to stay up for a little while. Stop by if you get a chance! I love to support our local artists!
The studio was cleaned and ready for our OPEN HOUSE. Thanks for all who stopped by to see us. We will schedule another day come spring. In the meantime the studio is clean and I'm ready to dig in and mess it up as soon as I get back from my next trip. I have new paints, mediums and stencils by Stencil Girl that I'm anxious to play with next week.
Yes. I'm Florida bound again! But who's counting... Headed out Friday, weather permitting, to spend time with Brent and Natalie and talk wedding plans!
It doesn't hurt that it's warm and sunny there!! Oh so exciting!!
All I know so far is that the wedding will be held at The Addison of Boca Raton and that it will be a small intimate wedding with family and friends like family. Such a beautiful event center. I look forward to seeing it in person.
Mary - Congratulations! Onward!
Leslie - Thanks Mary!! I AM ready to move onward!!
Gaye - I couldn't be happier for you. Hope to make your next open house.
Leslie - Gaye, Thanks! I am pretty excited! Sure hope you can come to the open house in the spring. I have also uncovered the display lady that you wanted. Let's talk when I get back in town to arrange a time for you to get her!!
Katie - Leslie, we recently downsized into a new build and when I saw your new sink solution, I thought, "Gee, why didn't I think of that!". Now, I think I'll see what I can do with mine. Such a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Jayn - Very excited for you for this next season of your life!!
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