Let's Go Shopping - Anthropologie!

Look at the way they displayed bedspreads - cinched at the waist and lined up like ladies in gowns!



As Marzipan turned the corner, I heard her shout "Oh my gosh, Jen come here!" I looked up to see several paper mache animal heads (just like mine!) staring down at me! They painted some and others used paper mache made from book pages!



This ceiling art piece had such movement and looked so delicate!



Upon further inspection, I realized it was made from circles of different colored foils, screen, and bits of leather that were sewn into a garland and hung en masse. Just cut different sized circles and run them through your sewing machine, creating a long strand. Repeat 20 zillion times...



This teacup and saucer cake stand was so adorable! I would love to have this to serve mini-cupcakes for my next lunch. Rough up the surface and add a little Liquid Nails for glass and you could make this yourself!



These Vintage Silverware Garden Markers are so cute! You can find vintage flatware at nearly any antique shop or flea market and this Metal Stamp Set will make it easy to customize!



The piece-de-resistance was this lovely Fabric and Paper Gown displayed in the front window. It caused the same squealing reaction that the Newspaper Gown caused a few weeks before!



Just look at the amazing texture and movement up close.



Well, that is just a taste of our trip to Anthropologie. Next week I will detail some amazing book art decor we found there!

Feedback Friday Update!

Several of you have asked what dress I chose for the black tie dinner, and the winner was...



Thanks for your styling advice! I was the ONLY person at the event NOT in a black dress. That rocked.

And, work began on my Board in Question yesterday, watch and see the transformation!

Any clue?



It's taking shape!



Setting in place:



Ta da! It became a mantle as many of you guessed! It was so much more affordable to purchase the raw wood and let the carpenter cut and finish it on site.




There was enough left over to mount on the wall near the pool table so the rest of you who guessed a counter-top were also right!



Want to go shopping at Anthropologie with me tomorrow? Okay, come on back and we'll make it a day!

Remember to check out Tutorial Tuesday this week if you missed it - you have until Saturday to link up.

Tutorial Tuesday!

Welcome to Tutorial Tuesday - If you are new here, this party is to showcase your weekly tutorials. What counts as a tutorial? Anything to "teach me stuff" counts - a recipe, a kid's craft, a DIY project, how you got your baby to sleep through the night ... I'm not picky.

Check out my tutorial for this week to learn how to make a Faux Deer Head Decor.
Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog address) using your name and a the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!



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Faux Deer Head Project

I can't remember why, but I've been obsessed with looking at Carved Wooden Deer Heads online lately. I think it's because our basement renovation is taking on a rustic feeling and I love the look. I was especially inspired by this one:



Clearly, $625 was out of my price range. So, I sat on it for a bit.

Suddenly, at 9pm one night I dragged out some supplies:

Newspaper
Masking tape
Flour
Water
Cardboard
Rigid Wrap plaster cloth
Stain

I started out by drawing the shape of the antlers on a piece of brown kraft paper, then traced it onto the cardboard. To get a pair of antlers, you will need to trace the shape one way then flip the template and trace the second one backwards.

Then I started with a ball of newspaper that I began to shape with the help of masking tape. A general skull shape is just wider at the top and tapered at the snout. Square off the snout and hold everything in place with layers of tape.



Then I concocted paper mache using flour and water and stirred. It should be the consistency of pancake batter. Simply dip strips of newspaper and apply to the newspaper skull and cardboard antlers.



I knew I could paint the paper mache after it dried, but I wanted more of plaster look, so I found this Rigid Wrap brand plaster cloth at my local craft store. Bingo!



The plaster cloth is so easy to apply, simply cut the cloth into appropriately sized pieces and soak in warm water. Rub the cloth until creamy then apply to your project. Your skull will look like white plaster when you are finished:



I painted it with a white gloss acrylic paint then wiped on then wiped off a medium stain to antique it a bit.



So, eventually, it might find a home on my new basement fireplace - but since it looks like this right now:



I think I'll keep it up here for the time being.




Don't forget your opportunity to Teach Me Stuff is right around the corner. Come back tomorrow to link up for Tutorial Tuesday!

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Here We Go Steelers!!!

We replaced a Green Bay flag in our neighborhood with a Steelers flag this week! We left a ransom note, so I sure hope we win!

Stuff I Learned!

This Wire Tote is so clever!



I love the Forest of Trees Michelle created in her master bedroom!



This little Book Clutch is such a fun surprise!



Come on, you know you clicked on the Slow Cooker Bacon Jam out of curiosity!

In my quest to NOT gain 10 pounds this month I will NOT be making the following recipes...maybe...

Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Nut Bars

Chocolate Nutella Fudge with Sea Salt

Or maybe if I make Simple and Irresistible Baked Chicken for dinner I can splurge on dessert?

Finally, I'm a cornbread girl, and this Fresh Baked Cornbread looks divine!

Click Picks (most clicked tutorials this week):

#1 Organized Work Space

#2 Ruffle Cardigan

#3 Be Mine Burlap Sign

Basement Update and a Question - Feedback Friday

So, the last time I mentioned my basement renovation was way back at the beginning of January. Remember what it looked like then?

Well, shortly after that photo was taken the doors and trim were installed:



Then we came home after a weekend away and our fireplace was stoned (not THAT kind of stoned)!



A few weeks later, the whole place was stacked with these boxes:



And inside them were cabinets!





Now, here is my question...

Yesterday, the Big Guy and I drove our truck to the local lumber yard to buy a board that I fell in love with. Is it normal to fall in love with a board???

Ahhh, just look at her...



It's Feedback Friday...

What are my plans for this beautiful cherry board?

What would you do with it?

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3 Girls in a Pickup Truck!

You know how Joy and I love to haunt our local building material reuse center - Construction Junction. You either love this kind of stuff or you don't! Remember our last trip?

One of my favorite projects has been the Artwork I Created for my Bedroom using an old rusty ceiling tile!

Well, we added another girl to the truck and Marzipan joined us for the first time this week as we sniffed through loads of junk to find a few new treasures.

Let's browse, shall we?

Just look at this amazing round window! They have the stained glass inserts and would only sell this whole, but I would love to have this section of naturally distressed wood mounted on the wall!



I don't know what in the world these pillars are, maybe part of a church? I would paint them all different colors and group them together in a corner.



These cedar panels were just begging for a cool project, maybe two side by side on some saw horses for a desk?



I'm always looking for wrought iron fence to hang on the wall...they wouldn't sell sections of this one.



Check out the amazing condition of this giant double front door. These would even look fantastic leaning against a wall.



This huge industrial sink was calling to me! Only $350 and it appeared to be made from copper sheeting - the natural patina was gorgeous! Just remember this sink when I take you to Anthropologie next week, you will see something very familiar!



Have you found any trash treasures lately?

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Leftover Popcorn? Why don't you, Wednesday

I have this weird thing about saving popcorn. Somehow my movie theater talked me into buying this big bucket that I can refill each trip for $3.50. Bargain right?

Well, I can't eat that much popcorn! I come home with about this much after each ladies night:



Cold popcorn is not too great. I drizzle white chocolate over it then sprinkle with nuts, chocolate chips, M&M's...whatever I can find!



Then we have a sweet and salty treat the next day.



Try it, you'll like it!

Scroll down to join this week's Tutorial Tuesday fun!

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Tutorial Tuesday

Welcome to Tutorial Tuesday - If you are new here, this party is to showcase your weekly tutorials. What counts as a tutorial? Anything to "teach me stuff" counts - a recipe, a kid's craft, a DIY project, how you got your baby to sleep through the night ... I'm not picky.

Check out my tutorial for this week: Cure for a Drafty Fireplace

Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog address) using your name and a the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!



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Cure for a Drafty Fireplace

Our fireplace is a wood burner that was converted to gas shortly after we moved in. We have a full flue and code required that a spacer be put in the damper to allow the release of gas in case of a malfunction. This spacer doesn't allow the damper to close all the way to let gas out...but it also lets cold air in!

Can you see my secret in the photo above?

What about now?



A little closer...You can see a piece of Plexiglas we had cut to size at our local home improvement store. It slides between the fireplace and the screen for a nearly invisible block for the cold drafts. Easy peasy!



Come on back tomorrow for Tutorial Tuesday to link up and teach me something!

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