I need a break from Spring Break!

One week just isn't long enough ~ I need a break from Spring Break! Today was grocery shopping (we still have to eat), and shopping for home stuff. I found this light fixture in a brushed nickel for our lower level bathroom. It's a tiny bath room, and not a lot of space between the mirror and the ceiling. We removed a 3 light hollywood bar light, and put in this updated one. It's the same amount of wattage and same number of bulbs as the old one, but it's brighter. I think because the lights are pointed in a downward direction. Now to paint the room. (can you see the stenciling that was there previously?) Not much wall space to paint, it's just going around the cabinets that will take some time. I also installed some new toilet seats and a new floor vent on the upstairs bathroom. I did take a break to watch American Idol. :-)

On Tuesday, this was Rachel before.

This is after. She now has braces (on the top, then add the bottoms later). She chose pink and purple bands. She's thrilled to start the process of straightening her teeth and correcting her bite. I can't wait to see what the end result will be!

~*~ Laura ~*~

Spring Break

It's spring break this week. I finished hooking this mini rug, but still need to bind it. I want to do a couple more, just to get use to getting all the loops even. I found some extra monks cloth pieces at a local shop, so that I have some background for small projects.

This week I want to tackle some household projects while the hubby is on a business trip. The upstairs bathroom really needs some work. The white tile floor had cracked/missing grout. I filled some in, but of course, the grout color didn't match. The old was just a cement color. I used some grout refresh to change the color of grout to white. Now that it's dried, it really looks nice! It did take 2 coats, but it really brightens the room.

Since I liked the results of the floor, I started on the shower tile. I used a wall paper steamer to steam clean the tile/grout. It took off the hard water/mineral stains that cleaners didn't remove. I used the same grout refresh to brighten the grout tiles. It's looking like a new room. I need to replace the vanity top/sink/faucets. I saw some wooden counters in photos with a drop in sink that looked really nice. I need to shop around to see if I can find something cut for me. Now to start the lower level bathroom.

My son, Matt, has been busy replacing the doorknobs in the house. I found a deal at Menards, and with a rebate, it came out to $2 per knob. Our old ones were worn, broken, and an ugly Mediterrean style. I'm now thinking of adding trim to the doors, and painting all the woodwork white this summer. Too many ideas, I just need more time/money! :-)

Tomorrow is the last day to use the discount code for Bella Michele Jewelry. Be sure to click on the link in the previous post to browse through her hand made necklaces and earrings. It makes nice gifts for Easter, Mother's Day, and graduations ~ especially since they can be personalized!

~*~ Laura ~*~

~*~ HaND STaMPeD JeWeLRy PaRTy ~*~

http://www.bellamichelejewelry.com/

Hello friends!

I am hosting a jewelry party through Bella Michele Jewelry. No need to leave your home for this party….it’s an online party and YOU get the savings!

Perfect for gift giving (better yet…spoil yourself!), Bella Michele Jewelry features hand stamped sterling pendants that are simple and classic and fun.

This party is EASY…here’s how it works:

1. Go to the Bella Michele Jewelry website at www.bellamichelejewelry.com.

2. Look around. Stay awhile. =0)

3. If you see something you like, purchase it using code: Party4Laura

4. You will receive 20% off your order.

5. Your order will be shipped directly to you.

6. Enjoy your new jewelry!

The dates of my party are from March 21^st – March 28^th, 2011. Any purchases you make during this time will help me earn store credit…thank you in advance!

Let me know if you have any question and Happy Shopping!

~*~ Laura ~*~

Michele is my very talented cousin who creates hand stamped jewelry.

Slurpees and stores

It's Slurpee time! I had taken James and his friend to the school book fair on Friday, but it had already closed up (the note had the incorrect ending time). So, the boys thought it would be a good idea to stop off at 7 Eleven on the way home for a Slurpee. Not a bad deal for them!

Keeping with the book theme, I took 2 of my other kids to the Borders that's closing. We went to see what was left. Nothing too exciting. We did buy a couple books and a water bottle (or in Rachel's case, a coffee bottle).

Today was a nice day outside, so I wanted to take a drive down the the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. I hadn't been there before, so was shocked to find the parking lot full. There is a flea market next door to the ReStore, so many of the cars were for that. I wasn't really looking for anything, but went to browse with many ideas.

I did mange to find this chandelier. It still had the sticker on it, so it's new. It's a very classic design, BUT in bright brass. It' wont' be staying bright brass for long, though. It's gonna be black. I already have the primer and spray paint. I just need my husband to leave on a business trip to paint and hang the light. (he doesn't like change, but once it's done, he should like it)

The chandelier will replace this old ceiling fan. The light fixture on the fan has a broken socket for one of the lights, so the new chandelier will provide more light. I can't wait to get rid of the victorian fan!

Be on the lookout for an online party/discount coming this week! I'm having a Bella Michele Jewelry party. That means a discount for YOU!

~*~ Laura ~*~

First sign of spring

I haven't gotten too far on my rug hooking project. I"m just working on the background now. The barn red house was a plaid wool. It was a bit thicker of wool fabric, so it's really heavy. But I like the bits of black that show through when hooked. It gives it a textured appearance. But, I found it's a lot easier to hook with the plain, overdyed wool, rather than a thicker plaid.

The cold bug that hit my kids hit me, and my husband this weekend. The dirty house is really bugging me, so that's a good sign that I'm feeling better. I just wish the house would dust itself so that I wouldn't have to take the time to do it! :-) I think I would rather be rug hooking. I also have a punch needle project that I drew up several weeks ago that needs to be done.


Saw the first sign of spring this past Sunday ~ our first hot air balloon! The Windy City Balloon Port is in the next town over. We regularly see the balloons during summer. It's nice to watch from the ground. (I admit, I wouldn't go up in one.)

Got the schedules for driver's ed this summer. All three of them have different time slots. Andrew and Matt do have the same class time, but behind the wheel are on different days. So, all of June will be spent driving back and forth to school. (ok, my kids said "they" will be driving back and forth~ I'll be the passenger. HELP!)

~*~ Laura ~*~

Busy Beaver

I spent this weekend working on some wool applique projects. I did a lot of stitching ~ working busily as a beaver! This one was from a graphic by Robin at Bird in the Hand Primitives. I added some wool tongues for a mini penny rug.

Now that I'm in the spring mindset, I made some wool applique candle mats. The green on the bunny one and the yellow on the chick one are some wool that I hand dyed. I"m hoping to get these on Ebay tomorrow.

While I was stitching, I finished the Valentine sheep penny runner. (ok, I haven't put away the Valentine stuff yet.) Right now it's on our living room coffee table, which is an antique cedar chest. (yep, it's covered in remotes and toys) I think I'll leave it out for a while to enjoy it, then put it away for next year.

I started on my next project ~ a small (8 x 13) hooked rug. For now, I'm using an Olfa cutter to cut the strips into 1/2", then cut then cut then by hand in half to create 1/4" strips. This rug is drawn on monk's cloth. The first one I did was on burlap, which didn't have a lot of give to the fabric. I'm finding the monk's cloth easier to work with. It's softer, plus, the fibers move and it's easy to slide the wool strips through the holes. Because I'm not fighting the tight burlap, the hooking is going quicker. :-)




I caught one squirrel this week. I took it for a drive, and it's been relocated to the other side of town in a conservation area. I'm hoping to get the other one, if it would cooperate and go after the peanut butter in the trap. Then I can clean out the next they were building, and repair the screens.

I'm off to cut more wool strips as I work on the rug!

~*~ Laura ~*~