Lets Chip It, Baby!

Hello Folks!

I hope you are having a great week!  I went to my aquatic aerobic class this morning and finished little odds-and-ins that needed to be taken care of like return phone calls, filing, and working on my “To Do” list.

Now, to what I have wanted to do for quite a while!  Since, Sophie, our exchange student, went home in June, it is time to tranform her bedroom back into a guest bedroom.  I do not want to go back to the "Grandma's Bedroom Room Look" in the guest bedroom. (even if I am ENVIOUS of all my friends who are Grandmas, now!)

Back in June, I purchased this striped quit to use in the room at TJ Maxx. The colors are totally different from the red and brown room I used before Sophie and the purple, teal and brown used during Sophie visit.

A couple of days later, I managed to go to a local fabric store and found this material to go with the quilt.

 

This material just cried out for me to take it home. I loved the graphic design print and the colors!  I thought with the curtains made in this print or at least trimmed in this print with a couple of accent pillows (also, made out of the same print) on the bed and the chair, the room (with the right paint color on the walls) just might pull together for a new contemporary lighter look.

Now, here it is August and I need to get moving on this room.  I thought about painting the bed, dresser, and chest-a-drawers.  Mr. C did not like that idea and I agree I can always go back and paint furniture. However, I do have this gold chair, I can paint and try my hand at upholstering. You can see where Diablo, the cat, has used the chair as a scratching board!  BAD CAT!

For those people who know me well, don’t you dare laugh at me for even thinking about upholstering this chair!  If I can try to do it! YOU CAN TOO!

Everyone has been going to Lets Chip it by Sherwin Williams, so I did.  I love it!  You just up load your photo and "Lets Chip It" will give several choices of paint to choose from and you can save it to your computer.

Here is what "Lets Chip It" offered on the quilt photo.

Then I laid the curtain material swatch on top of the quilt. Here are the choices "Lets Chip IT" gave for quilt and the curtain swatch, together.

 

I am Very Excited over this tool, Lets Chip It by Sherwin Williams!  Try it!  I think you will love it too!  It has given me several choices that I can paint on the walls and consider for the chair. Plus, you can chip colors from your kids art.  NOW, I need to shop for a coordinating fabric for the chair!

Are you getting ready to redo a room?  Paint the walls? Paint the furniture? Pick out new fabric or flooring?  It takes time and imagination to pull a room together.  Honestly, I do not think any of my rooms are pulled together.  Sometimes, I think I have too many different looks in one room (like a person's short attention span).
  
Which is me!

Wishing you a blessed week!  

Thank you for following my adventures! All of your comments on Face Book and on my blog means so much to me!  

Wanda

Stencil "C" Pillow

Hello Friends,

Earlier this week, I shared with you my three-year chair project that I finished last Saturday Morning.  Today, I would like to share with you how I made the initial "C" pillow to go on the chair. 

Also, I used Microsoft Windows Live Writer for the first time to write this post, (I know I am a little late to the game, but I liked it). I accidently published the post instead of moving it to blogger prior to it being finished.  If you saw the first post, ignore it, although I understand it is on the internet FOREVER!

Since the chair was going to Tom’s house, I had to make sure the pillow was masculine. Tom HATES decorative pillows!  So, the only thing I could thing of was a monogram “C” using the popular “Stencil” font . 

I decided I would use the pillow form from one of the old pillows I had purchased at “Target”. (I know all of you know how to pronounce “Tar-Zhay” the French Way.)

Pretty Darn Simple! Right? WRONG!  When I opened one side of the pillow to pull the form out, I realized the casing for the pillow stuffing was attached to the pillow.  (Maybe, all of you knew this, but not me!)

See! Then, I proceeded to open all four sides.  When I finally opened the pillow, this is what I found!

A little stuffing had been sewn into the seam line. I put aside all the stuffing and used the pillow as a pattern.  I used  painter drop cloth (left over from another project) for the pillow.

I thought the pillow was too large for the chair.  So, I measured 1 1/2”  around and marked the casing to cut the casing for the smaller pillow. Then I used the smaller casing as a pattern and cut the drop cloth material (already cut out) smaller.  I sewed the casing and put all the stuffing inside and sewed up the casing.

Now, Finally, I had to figure out the size of the Stencil to go on the pillow.  I went to the “Word” program and opened a blank document.  I typed a capital ‘C” on the page.  Next I highlighted the “C” and chose the “Stencil Font”.  I clicked the the font increase size button to make the “C” as large as I needed and then printed the pattern out on the computer. (you can always take your chosen letter and increase the size with a copier, our copier is on the blink!)

I realized I was out of Freezer Paper.  Mr. C, being the sweet man that he is, went to the store and picked up freezer paper for me.

While Mr. C was at the store, I taped the "C" onto a card board box lid.  When he returned with the freezer paper, I taped the freezer paper (wax side down) on top of the "C".  (you can see my tape came undone.)

I used a mechanical pencil (you can use the old fashion type pencil) to trace the “C” on to the freezer paper. Guess where the cardboard box lid came from? (By the way, I am not being paid to promote “Office Depot”…it is what I had in the garage.

After tracing the “C”, I used an exacta knife to cut the stencil.

Now, here comes the fun part.  I ironed the stencil (wax side down) onto the front pillow side.  The wax side of the freezer paper really sticks to the cloth!

I pulled out my almost 20 year old black acrylic paint and started sponging on the paint.

I hung the stencil pillow front outside to dry. With our weather in Oklahoma, it dried pretty quick!  I sewed the front and back sides together, leaving an opening for the pillow form on one side.  I turned the pillow inside out, put the form inside the pillow, and hand-sewed the open end (you can use a sewing machine to close the pillow).

Here is the PILLOW sitting on the chair at Tom’s Front Porch.  The freezer paper kept the outline of the “C” crisp.

I had never used Freezer Paper for a stencil.  There are plenty of tutorials on stencil making in Blog land.  I just wanted to try this thrifty idea! This project would have been faster,  had I used the copy machine to increase the font size or ventured to Hobby Lobby to purchase a stencil, but then I would not have had as much fun as I did on Saturday!

Have you used any kind of stencil around your house?  I know wall Stencils are famous right now!

This week I am going to party at the following places:

Saturday Nite Special - Funky Junk Interiors

Saturday Spotlight - Crafty Envy

Weekend Wrap up Party - Tatertots and Jello

Show and Tell Saturday - Be Different Act Normal

Once again, I want to say a “BIG” Thank you for following my adventures!  I love LOVE your comments on the post directly and on Face book. 

Wishing you a great weekend!

Wanda

Painted Front Porch Chair

HI Y’all!

This past Saturday Morning, I was up and moving around by 6:15 am!  After days of HOT weather, the morning was beautiful outside.  I took my "Free Chair" which had been sitting in my garage waiting for attention for THREE YEARS!   Yes, this is the same chair that I mentioned back in 2011, that I was going to finish within the next month to share with you!  TIME FLIES is my only excuse for not finishing the chair earlier.

Here is how the chair looked in 2011

During this past school year, several times, I ventured out to the garage and spray painted the chair with “Valspar Gloss Exotic Sea” and sanded down the chair in different spots.
So, on Saturday Morning, I used a damp cloth to get all the dust off of the chair.

A closer look at the chair seat.  You can see a couple of sanded marks on the chair legs.

I wiped Ralph Lauren’s Tobacco Glaze all over the chair.

I still love this glaze.  I know most people are now using dark wax to enrich the color of furniture. It dries quickly and I already had it in the garage.
Later in the morning, the temperature was rising outside.  I brought the chair inside and placed it in on my kitchen island. I put two coats of Annie Sloan’s Clear soft wax on the chair.



Here is the finished chair on my front porch prior to carrying it to Tom’s House.  With his permission, of course.

A quick look at the backside of the Chair.

Here is the chair on Tom’s front porch.  See the pillow?  I made it Saturday afternoon.  I plan on sharing how I did that later this week.

One more photo to show the final project completed.

What do you think?  Notice the little planter on the porch.  That was a garage sale find!

I am going to the following Link Parties!

Savvy Southern Style

The Trendy Tree House

Organize & Decorate Everything

This is what I did on Saturday!  What did you do on Saturday?  Did you finish any projects that has been hanging around your house for a couple of years like me?

Thank you for your comments and following me on my adventures!  Wishing you a great week!

Wanda

Mackinac Island Thrifty Shopping

Hello.
Can you believe it?  Yes, the title is correct! YOU can go THRIFT shopping on the Mackinac Island.


See!

We stayed at the Grand Hotel on the Island for two nights.  Very Pretty! 


ANY HOO!  While we were walking around with our two new BFF from Maine.  Peggy, from Maine, wanted to go to the Grand Hotel Attic Shop.  This shop is located in an area of little shops directly below the hotel.  When the four of us walked in, lo and behold, there were two more women from our tour, who were also shopping!


Here is a photo of our crowd (except myself and Jane) looking around in the shop.

You can see there are a lot of goodies to view!

Here are a few shots of the merchandise available.  (Lucky you... to get to see it, because the sales lady wanted to know why would I be taking photos....No, I did not explain about the blog... only  that I was practicing with my new "used" camera). I can see how it would be scary wondering why I was taken pictures, you never know what people have on their mind.

I like the plant pots, and they were reasonable priced.  Sorry, I can't remember how much.  I remember thinking if I buy the two green ones, I will have to shipped them home.

Table cloths from the Grand Hotel. 

Sheets were available, along with comfort tops. 

I liked these candle holders.  I can think of so many ways to use these throughout the year.

The shop had various items for sale such as magazines, plates, glasses, placemats, lamp, etc. at different price points.

Sooo, remember when you go to the Macinac Island, you can go thrift shopping at the Grand Hotel Attic.

Once again, thank you for following my adventures!  I know several of you like to thrift shop when vacationing!! Please share any of your great finds you have purchased while on vacation.

Wishing you a great day!

Wanda

Container Gardens

Hello Friends,


It is always sooo nice to get away and it is always sooo nice to return home! This year my Aunt Carolyn and I traveled on the Collette Vacations Mackinac Island Tour.  The tour started in the Windy City, Chicago Illinois.  Our hotel was a short block from Michigan Avenue, the famous Magnificent Mile of shopping.


While we were walking along Michigan Avenue, it was very HOT and HUMID! I was inspired by the beautiful container gardens along the way which seemed to reflect coolness in temperature and looks.


What is the definition of a container garden?  Well, I (brilliant me) looked it up. According to Dictionary.com, it is a noun and "a collection of pots or other receptacles containing soil for growing plants out of doors".  Well "other receptacles" sure do describe the lovely sites I saw on our walk.  I am inspired to do something with my shade area under a cluster of trees in my back yard.


In my mind's eye, I see container gardening not only small but large as the following examples will show.

I love the green grass surrounding the colored flowers and the round containers within the larger container.

I like how the vines drape over the concrete container with the tall plants mixed with the different colored flowers.

Look how lush the red plants are surrounded by the soothing greenery and the pink petal flowers blanket.

I think kids would love to see the dragon on the Mile!

This is my favorite!  I love the total layout of the garden with the brilliant colors, the elephant ear plants, with the small blue container with the pop of yellow.  I want this under the cluster of trees in my back yard!


Thank you for following my adventure, today.  Hope you were inspired as much as I was by the LARGE container gardens as I was.  Do you have a container garden?  Is it located in the sun or shade?


Have a great week!


Wanda

Chicago!

Hi Everyone,
My annual tour with my Aunt Carolyn has started in the Windy City!  Here is a brief look at a few sights we have visited. 

What a great place to eat!  You can write all over the walls!  I wrote a special message to Mr. C. on the wall near our booth.

Love the bean!

Sue is beautiful!

What a beautiful skyline!

More details to follow when I return home.  I am taking photos with my new camera.  I wish I could tell you my learning curve with the camera is going smoothly.  NOT! Today, we are heading to Wisconsin.

The tour bus will be here soon.

Love your comments!  Thank you for following my adventures!

Wanda

My Favorite Five Top Tips From Haven Conference

WOW, I had the most wonderful time traveling with my neighbor, Allison Griffith, owner of Refunk My Junk to the Haven Conference in Atlanta, Georgia in June.  She was a great roomie!


We met the most interesting women and men from all over the nation, we took great classes, and we returned home with a wealth of information.  The problem for me is where to start implementing all the information.


These Ladies worked really hard to give us a great time with quality information!



(L to R) Kate, Sarah, Beth, Rhoda, Traci, Chris, Marion
(Photo from Rhoda's blog)



Kristi
(Photo from the Haven Conference Site)

The first evening at the conference reception, we all had a great time meeting each other.  I am sending out a Big Thank You to Cindy Miller for sharing her photo showing several of us standing with Rhoda.  Cindy has a wonderful blog and is owner of Bliss Designs, please check out her website and blog by clicking on her link.

I am the one holding the green fan standing by Rhoda.

.

I missed the Keynote Speakers, John and Sherry of Young House Love the next morning, because I was finishing a real estate offer for an adorable couple I am working with.  I completed my work before the Keynote Speakers had finished and I had an opportunity to meet Mr. Goodwill Hunting

 He is so wonderful! His personality in his session shines!

Yes, the photo was taken with my iPhone.

Also, I met Donna from Texas of Doozies Corner and her fantastic husband, Wesley. She and Allison are retailers for the CeCe Cardwells Paints and both of them will be retailers for the Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint. They met while at a CeCe Cardwells' painting workshop.  I had a great time with these two wonderful women.  Donna's husband,Wesley, was our chauffeur around town.


Here we are having dinner on Friday night.

(L to R)  Wesley, Donna, Myself, and Allison

On Friday night, I was a guest at the CeCe Retailer's dinner.  It was a wonderful dinner and I met the owner of  CeCe Cardwells Paints. What an exciting business opportunity for the CeCe Cardwells' Retailers.

I can not make Allison's iPhone Photo larger. (too grainy)

The owner of CeCe Cardwells paint has her face covered.  She prefers to have the retailers out front.


There really was Sooo Much More that happened, however I want to get to my Favorite Five Top Tips.


Drum Roll Please:


My Favorite Five Top Tips from The Haven Conference are:


#1. BLOG CONTENT!

Content is king!  It drives people and advertisers to your blogs. People want a reason to read your blog.  As my minister, Mitch Miller, says each Sunday, "Oh, its just that easy and it will be just that hard".


#2. BLOG CONSISTENCY!


It does not matter how many times you blog, whether everyday, three times a week, or twice a week, Consistency is big because the readers and advertisers will learn your blogging schedule and know when to expect something from you!


#3. BLOG LAYOUT!


Readers read left to right!  Duh, how does this help?  Keeps the contents of the blog, the advertisers and sponsors out front to the readers/friends.


#4. LAYERING ADVERTISING!


Oh, my! I had no idea!  {Silly Me!}

I am trying to figure this one out, and what steps to take first. I think blogging consistently would be a great first step for me.  This is not a game, you must love sharing your life!




#5. LIGHT IS EVERYTHING IN PHOTOGRAPHY!

I knew light was very important, however not HOW IMPORTANT to use light to the best advantage with your photos to get the desire look you want to achieve.  The right light can be perfected by being outside or with the shutter speed and the aggregator on the camera. A DSLR camera can be purchased at a reasonable price with a set of beginner lenses.  After attending Haven, I purchased my camera at a Pawn Shop.  Yes I repeat P-A-W-N S-H-O-P! (no need to break the bank)


Now, if you visit with any of the attendees at the conference, each one will have their own favorite five top tips from the conference.  There truely was so much information, that there is no way you could leave without learning something either from the classes or the attendees.  I think meeting new friends at the conference was the best!


Yes, I am planning on attending the Haven Conference in 2013, and I encourage You to attend, too.


Once again, thank you for following my adventures!  Saturday, I am leaving on a trip, andI plan to share my trip with you as I travel (wish me luck attempting to share my adventure with my new "used" camera from hotels).

I love your comments on Facebook and on the blog post! I would love to have you follow me on my adventures!


 Have a great week!

Wanda

Visiting the OKC Junk Hippie Roadshow

My friend, Marie, and I headed to the "Junk Hippie Roadshow" at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds last Saturday.  I took my new "used" camera to see how it would work.

The show started at 9:00 am and lasted til 6:00 pm.  Marie and I arrived around 10:00 am and we did not know quite where to go, so we started following different women, who were walking with a clear sense of purpose.   While walking to a building, a lady walking behind us, asked us if we knew where we were going?  We informed her "no, we were just following the other women."

Once we reached the building, (the other woman led us to it) this sign greeted us at the door.  Cute!  Don't you think?

The "Junk Hippy Roadshow" highlights local small businesses and their inventory. 

My neighbor, Allison, who was my roommate at the Haven Conference in Atlanta, owns "Refunk My Junk" and was one of the vendors. 

Here is a photo of Allison and her mother, Carla.

Allison is a retailer for CeCe Cardwell's paint and will soon be a retailer for Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in the Oklahoma City Area.

Alison is quite busy with booths at two different locations  in Oklahomc City, one at the Feathered Nest Market and at the Showplace Market.  Also, She offers painting workshops at the Edmond Art Institute, too.  Allison is one very busy woman!

Here is a wine cork plague she had for sale, at Junk Hippie Roadshow.

Another vendor created this adorable "Time Out" chair!  Who knew being in trouble could be sooo stylish for a beautiful Princess!

I loved these oversized embellished cloths pins! Any style or design was available! (My favorite is the one with the"peace" sign)

The clothes pins were designed by Debi Gorman and Rachelle O'Brien of AmoreDecor.

I fell in love with this chest! I could see this chest in a lake house that I want to go with Mr. C's new boat and truck that he wants to buy.  The chest was created by Heather Brady with Vintage Betty.

I thought this was a great eclectic collection.

 RED is my favorite color!!! This chair and its mate, almost made it to my house.

Then my eyes went to this beautiful girl and her bow! This vendor offered all varities of bows!

 I am an OKC Thunder basketball team fan

and love James Hardin, our "Fear the Beard"  player. How could I not resist taking a picture of this pillow! The Beard pillow was being sold by Brittini Flowers of "Oh Honey Child".

Finally, I loved this concrete "&". Plus the table caught my eye, too! Tim and Kara will soon be offering DIY Conrete Classes. You can find out more regarding Tim and Kara on her wonderful blog by checking out Kara Paslay Designs.

These are only a few samples of the great items available from the Junk Hippy Roadshow.

After walking the show, my friend Marie took a brief break, while I took a few more photos. 

After the Junk Hippie Roadshow, Marie and I headed to another shopping gallery with a variety of booths.

We had lunch and called it a day!

As for my camera and photos, I am on a steep learning curve, however for a first day out with the camera and my limited photography skills, I think I did okay.  My photos appeared to be better than they were with my old authomatic camera or my iPHONE.  Hopefully, My photography skills will improve with more practice.  You know what they say, "Practice makes Perfect".  Ha!

I love sharing my adventures with you!  Thank you for all your comments on Facebook and here at Wandaful Wonders!  Enjoy your week!

Wanda