HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

I know to many of us Americans, Memorial Day symbolizes the first "official" day of Summer! But, please take the time to remember them that have served and are still serving our Country to keep us safe & Free!

HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EVERYONE!

"Wood'n it be Nice?!" Wednesday

Here is a little something that I made the other day for my new house's front porch. Actually it is not a "little" something, but 4 foot tall something! Hope you enjoy!

4 FOOT BIRDHOUSE

SUPPLIES:

*(2) 1"x8"x4' pine boards

*(2) 1"x6"x4' pine board

*(1) 1"x10"x4" pine board

*Star Template (I used a large Star Cookie Cutter)

*3 Masonary Nails (I rusted mine)

*Drill with a 1/4" drill bit

*Jigsaw

*Wood Glue

*1 1/4" finishing nails

DIRECTIONS:

First, we are going to start with one of your 1x8 boards. We are going to mark the "Star cutouts" area. You will need to find the center of your board (24") and mark it. Then mark 12" from the top of the board and 12" from the bottom of the board. This is where your Star cutouts will be.

Next, you will need to take your Star Template (aka: cookie cutter) and on your markings make your templates to cut out.

Now, with your drill bit, drill thru the middle of each star. This is where you are going to insert your Jigsaw blade and cut out your stars. Cut out all 3 Stars.

Next we are going to cut the "peak" of your birdhouse. You will need to measure across the top of your 1x8 boards to the center mark, which is 3-3/4". Now measure down each side 3-1/2" and make a mark. Now connect the marks, the middle to each side, with a line. Cut off them lines! You will now have formed the "Peak".

Now, lets assemble your Birdhouse! First, we are going to take your front board (the one with the Star cutouts) and attach it to one of your 1x6 boards. Apply a thin line of wood glue and nail securely from the front of your board into the side of your board.

Repeat this with the other 1x6 board.

Next, lets attach the back! Take your last 1x8 board and attach it to the back, using your wood glue and nails.

Now, lets cut the Roof for your Birdhouse. You will need to take your 1x10 board and cut 2 pieces, one at 9" and the other at 9-3/4". Now, attach them to the peak of your Birdhouse. The longer one will be the one all the way at the top.

Let's attach the Base now! First, we need to cut your 1x10 board Now, take and center your Birdhouse onto your base. Attach it with Glue & Nails all around to make sure it is nice and secure.

You are now done with the building! Finish your Birdhouse in your choice of stain or paint...or both like I have done! I stained the roof & base with Dark Walnut Mimwax stain, and painted the birdhouse in a Barn Red! Lastly, you will need to predrill 3 holes right underneath each star for your Masonary nails. You must predrill or your wood WILL split! Pound in each nail then.

Here it is all completed and waiting for its new home!

Summer Swap Mailing Deadline!

Today is the last day to send out your Summer Time Swap! Hope everyone has theirs completed, boxed and ready to ship out?! If you are going to be late....PLEASE EMAIL ME! Wishing everyone a wonderful Weekend!!!

Feast on! "Amish Dish Friday"

Well, Dessert season is officially here (atleast for me...lol)! So, the next few weeks I will be posting some wonderful, easy to make, delicious dessert recipes for all of you to use this Picnic Season! Hope you enjoy them!

APPLE CREAM PIE

Ingredients:

*2 medium apples, sliced

*1/2 c. brown sugar

*1/2 c. white sugar

*2 Tbsp. flour

*1 c. sweet cream

*1 egg

*pinch of salt

*1/2 c. chopped nuts

Directions:

Put apples in premade pie crust. Sprinkle with nuts. Mix remaining ingredients together in large bowl. Pour over top. Bake slowly on 325 degrees for approximately 30 minutes.

Silhouettes Trio

This is such a nice trio set of Silhouettes, 2 boys and a girl. They are in 6x8 oval frames and behind plastic (not glass). I don't think they are really old, but they are adorable! These would be great in a Colonial/Primitive Home! I am offering all three of them up for Sale! If you are interested...please drop me an email & I will invoice you thru paypal.

SILHOUETTE TRIO---SOLD!!!

$20.00 (includes shipping to U.S. residents only)

(These are NOT spotted, that is just the glare from my camera.)

SUMMER SWAP REMINDER!

Just a friendly Reminder to all those that participated in my "Summer Swap", you have 4 more days til your package should be postal to your partner!!!

Always Remember.....

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

TGIF & a Wooden Candle Keep!

I love Fridays!!! This is the ONLY day that I get to sleep in...well, atleast til 8:30 am! I work Midnite shift Sunday-Wednesday evenings, so I don't get to sleep in my bed that often. Usually it is a couch that I, let's call it "sleep" on all week. So, when Thursday nite comes & I am home....I let everyone know....DON'T WAKE ME UNLESS IT IS AN ABSOLUTE EMERGENCY!!! And, I do have to reassure the kids that "being out of bread, butter or milk does NOT constitute an emergency in my book!" LOL

Well, yesterday afternoon I actually had about a 1/2 hour "free time"! So, I have been trying to use up lots of my "scrap" wood that I have in my garage. Believe me...I NEVER throw any wood away that is more then atleast 6" long!!! I am a different kind of Hoarder....A WOOD HOARDER! Yep, I am buried alive in my own dead forest!

So, with that said....I found something to make, and it took less than 20 minutes total!

"WOODEN CANDLE KEEP"

Supplies:

*2"x2" pine wood cut 20" long

*1"x2" pine wood cut 20" long (you will need 2 of these)

*1 1/2" Drywall Screws (you will need 4 of these)

*Drill Bit (just large enough so you can feed thru your Twine)

*Mimwax Dark Walnut Stain

*Sander

*Various hanging candles

Directions:

First, you will need to have all your wood precut.

This next step is OPTIONAL. I just didn't want to have a "blunt" boxy top to mine. So, when I cut my wood with my "chop" saw, I just cut down on the sides to form a "peak". You don't have to do this step though if you don't want to.

Now, take your drill bit and drill a hole near the top and thread a nice long piece of Twine thru it for hanging. You could also use chain if you have it, I didn't so I used what I had on hand. But, I might change this out later on if I remember to buy some. LOL

Now, this is important! You will want to really sand all your edges really good!!! You want them to be more rounded and worn like this has been hanging around for centuries!

Well, somehow I lost my next picture? But you will want to mark your 1x2 piece right in the middle (which is 10"). Now, take this first piece and with 2 screws attach this to your 2x2 on the bottom. Make sure your screws are really "sunken" in or your bottom piece won't sit well. You can pre-drill your piece if you are worried about your wood splitting...but, I didn't and mine was fine.

Lastly, take and mark the center again of your 1x2. Now attach this "center" right underneath your first attached 1x2. You will need to put the last 2 screws into this. Make sure you put the screws in the opposite way the others went or you will be running right into the other screws!

Here it is! I just finished it up by Staining it with Mimwax Dark Walnut Stain and placed some candles over the arms! That's it! I have lots more candles that I packed away and I sure can't wait to fill this up with all the different colors I have! Hope you enjoy!

Blue Monday

Happy 1st Monday of May!!!! Hope you enjoy the Monday Blues! These are just some Images that I found while surfing online.

I love to collect Oil Lanterns! I do have quite a few of them....but, I am still searching for a BLUE one! Love this one! Maybe someday I will run across one and make it mine!

Love Firkins!

Love Blue baskets!

I love pretty blue flowers!

Love this Basket Quilt!

Love, love, love this basket!

Love this lantern!!! Think I might have to paint one of my lanterns a blue!

Love Enamelware!

Love this chair!

Hope you enjoyed Blue Monday!

Happy May Day! & Swap reminder!

Happy May Day! This is a picture of "May Day 1911". This was when the traditional May Pole was wrapped with colorful ribbon by ladies. Wonder when that custom stopped?! Strange how we change our traditions as time goes on! I hope the month of May will bring you many joys & wonderful memories with family & friends!



SWAP REMINDER
Just wanted to remind everyone in my "Summer time Swap" that there are only 2 more weeks til mail out date! So, I hope everyone is just about finishing up with their swaps! Can't wait to see pictures of all those wonderful goodies!