First Effort

Okay, so I decided last fall after my father passed to plant this garlic that he had sitting in his garage.  It had been harvested, probably around now last year.  This garlic has been in our family for a very long time.  I remember the smell of it lingering around at my grandparent's house when I was a little kid.  So as soon as I happened upon it, those memories hit me like a brick!
In October I decided to plant it, and low and behold I grew a small crop of garlic.  But, there are lessons to be learned here.  I planted the cloves too close to each other and I should have planted a lot more.
However, as we approach the 1 year anniversary of my Dad's passing, I felt it was a perfect time to post this.  Every year, as long as I can keep the harvest going, it will serve as a reminder to me of years past when I was a child visiting with my grandparents and my Dad!

Aaaaahhhhhh....I can smell it!  And may I add, it tastes wonderful!  There is nothing like it.

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge/Water

Splashing in the surf at the jetty.  Spring Hill Beach, East Sandwich, MA...Cape Cod 2011 Summer Vacation

Enter your Face + Water photo over at I Heart Faces this week.

Do-over!!!

It is unusual that I post 2 projects in a day.  However, I had a few items lurking around that needed posted. A while back, I had a shell wreath that hung on my basement door.  One day someone decided to fling the door shut, down went the wreath and broke into a million pieces.  So I collected the shells and put them into a freezer bag and they sat there for about 6-8 months.  Over time I gathered a few more shells, real ones from the beach, and some store bought starfish and sanddollars.  I figured they would add a little something.  So here is the shell wreath do-over.  Enjoy!

Summer Wreath

This has been on my list of projects ever since I happened upon it.  Thanks to Burlap and Blue for the tutorial!

Goes perfect with my decor...makes me feel like I am still at the beach!

Got to get out of the funk!!!

Okay, I have a list of things to do, and no AMBITION!!!  Where did it go?  Anyone???  I need a swift kick in the ___!!!

Feeling Knotty

Haven't posted in a while.  I have been on vacation and cleaning.  Unfortunately, I haven't been crafting all that much.  But, just starting to get back in the swing!
We vacation in Cape Cod a couple times a year, and I absolutely love it there!  I love all things beach related.  Let me add, I don't like excessive heat.  So, not so much tropical beach related, but New England beach.  I love the rocky coast line, I love sailboats, starfish, sand dollars, and all things nautical.  I was inspired to decorate my house in this fashion.  But not cheesy beach,  more like Potterybarn beach decor.  I especially love the Nantucket style shingled houses and Hydrangea.  And everyone seems to have flower beds and hydrangea surrounding their homes.  So these are the things I use to decorate my house.  I bring a lot of ideas home with me each time!

My most recent craft actually took place before I left for vacation.  I used my love of nautical things to make these beach inspired bracelets and a braided rope necklace.  Hope you enjoy!











This morning I decided to try my hand at a nautical knot.  I am going to use this pattern to make a rug for my from door.  Not bad for a first timer!

Antique Buffs...please hide your eyes!!!

Soooo...I have been very, very busy with so many projects.  I actually started this one way back in the fall of 2010.  My Dad passed away in August 2010.  As I was going through his things, which I would not wish upon anyone, I found this desk.  It was a shabby looking thing, but he used it everyday.  On this desk were his bills, notes, reading glasses, lighters, lots of everyday things.  In the drawers were more of the same things plus pictures, spare keys, my cheer button from high school. (tear)...Okay, anyway, I wanted a way to preserve my Dad and at the same time make it fit into my house.  So I revisited blog after blog to learn how to paint furniture and make it distressed.  Here is the outcome.  I will give you the details in another post.

I refinished the chair that sat at the desk as well.  The mirror came from his kitchen, and the other things were mine.

This was a tiny lamp on my dresser, it matched perfect after I put coffee filters all over it!

A couple of frames I painted, backed in cardboard and put hooks in.

Drawers are now lined with matching fabric from the chair.

Aaannnnndddd........(drum roll)

This is what it looked like before.  Like I said, if you love Antiques, especially if you love keeping them as they were originally, you might want to turn away.