"Harvest Gatherings" Slideshow!!!

Thank you to all who sent in pictures....Enjoy!!!

Tutorial Tuesday

Today's tutorial is a project that is very inexpensive but makes a great display piece! These are great for sitting inside cupboards, on a shelf, or among some greenery on a mantle. Hope you enjoy!

Painted Glass Plates

supplies:

*Clear Glass Dessert Plate (Walmart $1)

*Kilz 2 Primer

*Sea Sponge

*Paint Brush

*Craft Paints (I am using Black and Yellow Ochre)

*Stencil Brush

*Stencil of you choice

*Dark Walnut Stain

*Rubbing Alcohol

*Krylon Clear Satin Finishing Spray

Directions:

First, we are going to take and remove price tag. Now, take and clean your plate with your rubbing alcohol. This helps to remove any fingerprints or oils on the plate. Let dry.

Now, take your Sea Sponge and wet it with water. Squeeze all excess water out; you can also put into a washcloth and squeeze to help just make sponge slightly damp.

Take your plate and with your Sea Sponge apply Kilz 2 Primer to completley cover the front of your plate; let dry completly. Repeat again. Then repeat 2 layers onto the back of your plate.

Once this is dry, take your paint brush and basecoat your plate (one side at a time) with your black paint. You should only need one coat for each side; Let dry completely.

Next, paint your Plate (again one side at a time) with your Yellow Ochre.

Now, the fun part......Painting your plate! If you are a skilled painter, then you can just go right to the plate with a design. However, if not...then stencils will be great for this project!

I have chosen to just do some simple wording with a simple design. I used a small "Merry Christmas" stencil and stenciled it right in the middle of my plate. Then just stenciled 3 little stars below that. (I purchase 90% of my stencils from Homestead Stencil Co. Karen has wonderful designs and the best pricing out there! This stencil is from her small "skinnies" line.)

Next, I decided to add a checkered edge to my plate. I did this by just taking a flat paint brush and "stroking" small little checkers all around the edge.

Then just adding a second row above the first row, "inbetween" each checker. (sorry, I must have forgot to take that pix, but you can see how it is on the finished piece.

Lastly, once all the paint is dry. Take your Dark Walnut Stain and cover your plate (one side at a time) then immediately wipe off. This just helps to age the paint color by darkening it some. Finish with your Clear Satin Finishing Spray! Set on a plate holder & enjoy!

Makeover Monday

I have been "Making Over" alot of pieces that I within my home, since I am still making the transition from "shabby chic/farmhouse" style to "Primitive" style.

Well, here is a piece of furniture that I purchased several years ago from "Home Interiors". Do you recognize this piece? Or have it within your home somewhere stuffed away?! This was a piece that they carried in their "Country" line then. It was a natural wood color that I had painted a while back white.

But.......time to PRIM UP THAT PIECE! Hope you enjoy!

First, I wanted to show you how the box looks like from the underside too. The top lid kinda hung out overtop the bottom of the box.

Well, I decided first thing to do...was get rid of the that excess overhang. So, I just took my pencil and marked the over hanging wood...and cut it off with my jig saw!

I took and painted the whole box out then with Black Paint.

I also added a shelf inside. This was not there as it was just a large open box. Can you see what this is starting to become?!

Topcoated it with Barn Red Paint.

Next, I painted it with a Yellow Ochre Paint.

I decided to leave the inside of the cupboard Barn Red though.

Sanded, distressed it, and applied Dark Walnut Stain all over to "age" it. Added a wooden knob...and now I have the PERFECT PRIM CABINET!

So, I challenge you this week to look around your home and see what you can "transform" into something perfectly primitive!

Faux Cinnamon Raisin Buns

The newest edition of Create & Decorate is in stores now....and my "Faux Cinnamon Raisin Buns" are in there! So, head on out to your local store and pick one up! These make great displays for the holiday!

Here is the cover:

Here is page 26....My Faux Cinnamon Raisin Buns:

"Feast On!" Friday

Here is another great Amish recipe from one of my Amish Cookbooks. Hope you enjoy!

Pumpkin Pecan Pie

Ingredients:

*4 eggs, slightly beaten

*2 c. canned or mashed, cooked pumpkin

*1 c. sugar

*1/2 c. dark corn syrup

*1/2 tsp. cinnamon

*1/4 tsp. salt

*1 tsp. vanilla

*1 c. chopped pecans

*1 unbaked 9" pie crust

***OPTIONAL: whipped topping

Directions:

Combine all ingredients, in a medium sized mixing bowl, except Pecans. Pour into pie shell. Top with the Pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until done. Let cool and serve with whipped topping.

Thursday's "Tip of the Day!"

Here are some great uses for white distilled vinegar.

Prevent lint from clinging to clothes by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the wash cycle.

To remove soap residue that makes black clothes look dull use white distilled vinegar in your final rinse.

Get stained white socks and dingy dishcloths white again. Add 1 cup white distilled vinegar to a large pot of water, bring it to a rolling boil and drop in the articles. Let soak overnight.

Some stains on clothing and linens can be soaked out using equal parts milk and white distilled vinegar.

Before washing a mustard stain, dab with white distilled vinegar.

Attack spaghetti, barbecue, or ketchup stains with a white distilled vinegar and water solution.

Remove perspiration odor and stains on clothing, as well as those left by deodorants, by spraying full-strength white distilled vinegar on underarm and collar areas before tossing them into the washing machine.

Forgot that you left wet laundry in the machine and it now smells moldy? Pour a few cups of white distilled vinegar in the machine and wash the clothes in hot water. Then run a normal cycle with detergent.

Remove smoky odors from clothes by filling the bathtub with very hot water and 1 cup white distilled vinegar. Hang the garments above the steaming water and shut the door so the steam can penetrate the fibers.

Keep the steam iron clean and in good working order by getting rid of mineral deposits in steam vents and spray nozzles. Fill the water chamber with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and distilled water. Set it in an upright position and let it steam for about 5 minutes. When the iron is cool, rinse the tank with water, refill and shake water through the vents onto an old cloth. Test before using.

Remove scorch marks from an iron by rubbing it with a warmed-up solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and salt. If that doesn’t work, use a cloth dampened with full-strength white distilled vinegar.

Remove musky smells from cotton clothes by sprinkling them lightly with white distilled vinegar and then pressing them.

Get water and salt stains off shoes and boots by wiping them down with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and water.

Give patent leather shoes and bags a better shine by wiping them down with white distilled vinegar.

Get cleaner laundry! Add about 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar to the last rinse. The acid in white distilled vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents. Besides removing soap, white distilled vinegar prevents yellowing, acts as a fabric softener and static cling reducer, and attacks mold and mildew.

Eliminate manufacturing chemicals from new clothes by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the water.

Remove soap scum and clean the hoses of your washing machine with white distilled vinegar. Periodically run the machine with only a cup of white distilled vinegar in it—nothing else added to the wash cycle.

Bring out bright colors by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Fluff up wool or acrylic sweaters (hand- or machine-washed) and rid them of soap smell with 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar in the last rinse water.

Get rid of the tiny holes left along the hemline when you take out the hem of any garment by moistening a cloth with white distilled vinegar, placing it under the fabric and ironing.

"Wood'n it be Nice"?! Wednesday

Here is a very easy & inexpensive project that I am certain you will enjoy! This cost me less than $6.00 for material, but sure makes a beautiful piece on my farmhouse table! Hope you enjoy!

Wooden Tabletop Bench/Server

Supplies:

(All boards are precut pine board from my local lumber store)

*1"x8"x4' board (cut 1 board 18" long & 2 boards 5" long)

*1"x3"x4' board (cut 2 boards 18" long)

*Craft paints of your choice

*Mimwax Dark Walnut Stain

*Sandpaper

*Ruler

*Wood glue

*OPTIONAL: jig saw

Directions:

All the boards needed for this project:

First, we are going to take your 1x3 boards and cut a little angle on them for a more eye catching look. You don't have to do this, but I like how it makes the bench look! You will need to take and on each end mark 1" inch in from the end, then 1" up from that same end; now connect the marks. You should have a triangle marked off at the end. (refer to photo) Now, cut off that triangle with your jig saw.

Now, this is another optional cut too. I took both my 5" boards and cut an arch in them. I did this just by taking a glass and used that as a semi-circle template, then cut it out with my jigsaw. These are the legs.

We are now ready to assemble our bench! First, take your 1x3 board and lay it flush to each end of your 1x8 top, and mark off with a line. This is just giving you perfect lines for your leg placement.

Now, take an fasten each of your 5" leg boards to your bench where you just marked them to be. Remember to put a bead of wood glue on each leg before nailing, this just helps to secure it nicely.

Next, take your 1x3 boards and nail them to the sides; making sure they are flush at the top and each end.

Your bench is actually completed! Now, just paint or stain your bench and enjoy! I have given mine a black undercoat with a Barn Red Top Coat. Lightly sanded and distressed it, apply dark walnut stain all over and wipe off immediately, then spray with a Satin finishing spray. Here it is with a few Fall items.

Swap Partners Sent

I emailed everyone their Tart Swap Partners last night. So, those of you who are participating in this swap, check your emails! If you didn't recieve the email, please let me know and I will resend it. Have fun ladies!

Mason Jar Monday

Here is a wonderful Mocha that you can cuddle up with during those cooler Fall nights! Hope you enjoy!

Spiced Mocha Mix

Ingredients:

*1 pint sized Mason Jar

*1 cup cocoa

*1 cup sugar

*1/2 cup non-dairy powdered creamer

*1/4 cup instant coffee

*1 tsp ground cinnamon

*1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and store in pint sized Mason Jar. Use approximately 1/4 cup mix per 1 cup hot water. Enjoy!

Harvest Gatherings Pictures

I am extending this deadline for the rest of this week! Although I have quite a few pictures already sent in...I know Fall is just beginning in alot of areas. So, I am extending this until Saturday, Sept 26th.

My Harvest Swap Goodies

Lookie, Lookie, Lookie what Kimberly, from My Brown Bag Studio, sent me for my Harvest Swap Goodies! She was one of my partners for the Harvest Swap that I hosted. Oh, how fun this swap was! Thank you Kimberly!!!

A mini scrapbook album, Sunflower Candles, & Leaf Bowlfillers

A handmade purse, a handmade stitchery & her own card

"Feast On!" Friday

Here is a great Amish Recipe! It is Super Easy and very Yummy!

Pumpkin Loaf

Ingredients:
*1 c. vegetable oil
*2 c. sugar
*3 c. flour
*1 tsp. nutmeg
*1/2 tsp. crushed cloves
*1/2 tsp. ginger
*2 tsp. cinnamon
*1 tsp. allspice
*2 tsp. baking soda
*1 tsp. salt
*2 c. Pumpkin or 1 (16 oz.) can
*4 eggs

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together. Bake in loaf pan at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Makes 3 loaf pans.

Thursday's "Tip of the Day!"

Like painted candles?! Like to paint some words on some yourself?! Well, all you need is this easy trick for you paint to stick!

Painted Candles

Do you like them votive & pillar candles that you see, in all the Primitive Magazines, painted with words on them and would like to do them yourself? Well, all you need to do is grab a thin liner paint brush, craft paint & dish detergent!

The trick to making the paint stick to your candle is easy.....just add a drop or two of DISH DETERGENT to a small puddle of paint and mix with a craft stick ! Simple ole dish detergent has an agent in it that helps your paint stick to them slick candles! Neat-huh?! Now head out to your local dollar store and grab up some candles and paint them up for the holidays!

Tutorial Tuesday

Today's tutorial is a fun Fall project.....Pumpkins!!!! Not fabric Pumpkins, but Pumpkins that can be weathered, can sit outside, or grace your front porch...because they are from Wolmanized Wood!!!

I am still using up some of my wood scraps that I have collected (or should I say that I have had my husband save...lol) and have been sitting in the garage. My hubby actually had done some landscaping this Summer for a lady, well when I seen these scraps that he was going to throw away....I HAD TO HAVE THEM! So, he brought them home and tucked them away in the garage til I was ready to use them. That is today's project! Hope you enjoy!

Wooden Outdoor Pumpkins

Supplies:

*6x6 Wolmanized Wood Post Pieces

*Black Paint

*Orange Paint

*Dark Walnut Stain

*Tree Stick or Dial Rod for Stems

*Spanish Moss

*Silk Autumn Colored Leaves

*Rusty Bed Spring

*Hot Glue Gun

*Old Rag

*Wire Cutters

*Small drill bit

*Electric Sander or Sand Paper

*Jig Saw

Directions:

First, I took my Wolmanized Post and cut it into 3 different sizes...8", 12", and 16". This is the smallest one that I will using for this tutorial. However, I am NOT including a pix of each step, as this is very easy.

Then with each one I "trimmed" the edges. I wanted to make these look less square so I just used my Jig Saw to soften the harsh "squared" edges. I did this by simply taking my Jig Saw and just randomly sawing away portions of each of the edges. (this is a pix of how the edges look)

Now, take your Black Paint and completely paint your new "Pumpkins"; let dry completely.

Next, take your Orange Paint and completely paint your Pumpkins; let dry completely.

Time to distress them some! I just take my Electric Sander and run it all over my Pumpkins. This will help to show some of the black paint underneath, and the rounded edges too! This definately adds character to them!

Now, take your Dark Walnut Stain and cover your pumpkins with it. Immediately wipe it all back off with an old rag. This just darkens your Paint and ages your Pumpkins some.

Next, lets add the "Stem"! I used an old dowel rod and just cut it down some, but you can use a stick. Just take and hot glue it to the top!

Time for the "Curly Vine"! I took an old rusty bedspring and cut off the edges with my wire cutters. I then took a drill and drilled a small hole and inserted the Rusty Spring into it; filling the hole first with hot glue.

Next, I just took some Fall colored leaves and hot glued them on top the Spanish Moss. Just so that it looks like the leaves have fallen on top of them! What do you think?! And to think, this wood was heading to dump!

Makeover Monday!

Here is a the cutest little rocking horse that I found at my local goodwill this Summer. It was previously painted with a bunch of polka dots, but I knew it had lots of potential!



I am have been redoing my bedroom in a theme (yes, I hate themed rooms...but, I am loving this one!).....CHILDHOOD MEMORIES!



I have been adding objects like primitive baby shoes, dresses, childhood toys, games, well loved childhood dolls, tc. So, when I spotted this Rocking Horse...I knew a little paint & distressing it would make the perfect addition to my bedroom!

Before:

First, I sanded the whole horse some, to help remove some of the polka dots, as some of them were thick and raised. Then, I basecoated it with a flat black paint. Next, I top coated it with a gray blue, a buttermilk cream, and a nutmeg brown paint. Then, I sanded it down to distress it and applied dark walnut stain over top and immediately wiped it off (this helps to age the paint look). Here it is now....What you think?!

After:

I accidently broke the back leg off when I was sanding...so, what's a girl to do....Hot glue it back together, then patch it with rusty tin! This just adds to the vintage charm!

***I would like to add: I have been searching for older silver (or silver plated) rattles, cups, christening gown, teddies or baby church outfits. If you have any (or anything that might be interesting) and would love to do a swap with me, please email me, I am certain we can work something out!

New "Tarts by the Dozen" Swap!

Well, with Fall almost in full swing, I know that this is the time of year that we all seem to start burning Candles & Tarts. So, I was thinking...how about having a swap?! This time it being just for Tarts! I thought that this would be a fairly easy swap for everyone and if you happen to be one who makes & sales these....this would be a great way to advertise your goodies! But, for those of you who don't make your own Candles, this would be an easy purchase (buy a few extra when you purchase some for your home) then all you need to do is ship them out!


This Swap will be a One-on-One Swap with a Dozen Tarts in 4 different Fragrances! I think this will be fun and give everyone a chance to try some new fragrances that you might not have in your local area! Please read the Rules carefully before deciding to join!

"Tart's by the Dozen" Swap Rules:

~You MUST have posted with me atleast 5 times or more! (I will check too if I don't recognize your name, but I know most of my commenters anyways!) Just making sure I am familiar with you.

~You MUST have a blog of your own. This is blog land and I know that some of you like to just leave comments from your email accounts, but I prefer you have a blog for swapping. That just shows commitment to blogging.

~YOU MUST COMMIT TO SENDING 12 TARTS (ONE DOZEN) IN YOUR PACKAGE, WITH THEM BEING IN ATLEAST 4 DIFFERENCE FRAGRANCES. YOU CAN DO ALL DIFFERENT FRAGRANCES IF YOU CHOOSE, I JUST WANT US ALL TO HAVE SOME VARIETY! These could be Soy or ParrafinTarts.

~This is a FRAGRANCE SWAP...so, please contact your assigned partner atleast once to see if there is something that they do NOT prefer. (just incase they are allergic to something specific or just don't like!...as I know most don't like "sweet" scents and prefer only "Bakery" or "Holiday" type scents.)

~I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO SEND DOLLAR STORE OR WALMART TARTS!!! THESE DO NOT HAVE A GOOD SCENT THROW! PLEASE THINK YANKEE CANDLES, MCCALLS, PRIM SHOPPES, ETC. FOR THIS SWAP...SOMETHING OF A HIGHER QUALITY TART!

~You MUST be on time! Sorry, I HATE late packages! Just a pet peeve of mine! Nothing like anxiously awaiting a package to find it shows up 2 months late! I know all you swappers will agree with me if you ever had to wait! So, don't wait til the last minute to start your swap!

~You MUST thank your partner when you receive your goodies! I HATE ungratefulness!!! I know we are all busy, but we all make time to check our emails & read them Blogs-don't we?! So, thank your partner for your package!

~You MUST get a Delivery Confirmation # when your package has been sent out! You MUST email me that number too! That if there is any lost packages, we can hopefully track them done, and know for sure that you sent it & on time too!

~You MUST have your Info to me by September 19th. I will get the Swap names out to everyone on September 21st.

~You MUST mail out your package by October 23rd! This gives everyone a month to gather up their tarts and send out their swap!

~Lastly, but MOST IMPORTANT: GIVE AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECIEVE!!! I always say, "I wouldn't give a package to someone, if I would not want to recieve it!" So, that is why I usually always make exactly the same thing for myself as I make for all of you! LOL

~This will be a "One on One" Swap. So, once I gather all the names, I will email everyone their partners!

~This is open to USA & Canadian Residents only (or anyone with a U.S. or Canadian Mailing addy). Sorry, the Postal Service is killing us with Shipping anymore! I hope you International swappers still love us!

Now, I will trust that everyone who wants to play is willing to play by the rules! But, just in case there are those of you that end up not (this has happened already once here!), as I tell my children: There are consequences to every action; Good or bad? You decide! So, If you don't play by the Rules, you WILL be blocked from my Blog!!!

Sorry, I know life happens, that is why I say, "Don't wait til the last minute to start your swap!"Remember, Blog land is a Huge Arena we play in....but, it runs in very SMALL circles! I know we all like to leave good impressions on our SMALL circle of friends!

Okay, I know that all seemed so very harsh with Rules & Regulations...but, they are really just Swapping Courtesy I think! Just want to make sure this Swap turns out a "Good One not Gone Bad"!

So, if you are interested in doing this swap....click on the "email me" icon on my right side toolbar. I will need your BLOG NAME, NAME & MAILING ADDY. Also, I DO respond to every swap email and let you know I "added" you. So, if you don't get my email within a day, make sure you email me again as I probably didn't recieve it the first time! I hope I didn't scare anyone away! I would love for you to come and play!

Freebie Friday!

Here is a fun lamp that is fairly easy to make! This one I did as a Snowman, but you can simply just make a Jack-O-Lantern with this one too. Just change out the paint color and paint on a Jack-O-Lantern face!



I have it for you in my Freebie Box to the right, just download and save to your computer. Hope you enjoy!

Here it is as a Snowman, just change it out to become a Jack-O-Lantern:

Thursday's "Tip of the Day!"

Tired of your garbage bags always falling into your trash can the moment they start getting full or heavy?! Well, here is a great tip to stop that!

If you are tired of your garbage bags falling into your trash can the moment they start getting full, then all you need this simple solution!

Head out to your local Staples or Office Max and buy yourself 4 large binder clips! Clip them (over your garbage bag) to each of the four sides of your trash can....and this will hold your garbage bag securely in your trash can!

"Wood'n it be Nice?!" Wednesday

I just love Candy Corn this time of year! So, that got me thinking..."why not make some Wooden Candy Corn to display?!" Well, to the wood pile I went! Got a bunch of 2x4 scraps and here they are!

Wooden Candy Corn

Supplies:

*Scrap pieces of 2x4 wood

*Craft paints: Orange, white, yellow & black

*Masking tape (or you can just freehand)

*Mimwax Dark Walnut Stain

*Foam Brush

*Old Rag

This a very simple project, that I don't have pictures for. I made these for a swap, and didn't think about gathering pictures for this project. Just follow the directions, these are very easy to make...trust me!

First, take your 2x4 scrap and draw an simple triangle on it. Cut that out with your jigsaw. I cut 3 of them to group together.

Now, take and sand down all the corners to just "round them out" some.

Now, basecoat your entire piece with your black paint; let dry completely.

Now, tape off the bottom half and paint yellow; let dry completely.

Tape off the middle section and paint it orange; let dry completely.

Next, tape off the top of the Candy corn and paint white; let dry completely.

Lastly, sand over your Candy Corn lightly to just "distress" it some.

Apply your Dark Walnut Stain all over your Candy Corn with your foam brush. Wipe off completely with an old rag. You are done!

Here are my finished pieces....Hope you enjoy!

JUST A QUICK NOTE......I AM STILL LOOKING FOR THEM "HARVEST GATHERING" PICTURES! SO, LETS GET THEM GATHERINGS TOGETHER & EMAIL ME THEM PHOTOS! I HAVE TO SAY, THE ONES I HAVE RECEIVED SO FAR ARE WONDERFUL!

Makeover Monday!

Well, I have been searching all Summer for just the "perfect" Spoon/Bowl Rack at my local Thrift Shoppes. However, I haven't found any! So, what's a girl to do?! MAKE ONE, OF COURSE!!!



This is actually a combination of 3 different items from my "goodies" stash. I "married" them all together and the perfect Spoon/Bowl Rack have become One!!!

Here are the 3 pieces that are about to become One:

This is a broken baby photo box I picked up for 25 cents:

An Old Sign that I no longer hang in my kitchen anymore:

A piece of drilled wood that came from inside a tool tote, it was where the screwdrivers were held:

First, I took the broken photo box and discarded the top portion, as I am only needing the bottom box. I sprayed it with flat black paint.

Next, I took the drilled piece of wood and spray painted it with flat black paint too.

Then, I took the old sign, sanded it down some and cut out a colonial design (that I just drew onto the board) with my jigsaw. Then, sprayed it with flat black paint as well.

Securely attached the photo box to the bottom of my board.

Glued the drilled piece of wood towards the top of my board.

Sanded the edges & corners lightly, applied a flat finishing spray, and I have myself the PERFECT SPOON/BOWL RACK! Now, to just fill it with some wooden bowls & spoons!