Fall Garland

I have a wystria tree in my front yard, and every year, we trim it, and every year, I try to figure out what to do with it's gnarly branches. This year, I decided I would use it and make a garland. So up it went, and it is adorned with things from around the house, that I could find that said " fall" to me. 

If you look real close, you will see some rubber snakes, I put into it, to give it a little Halloween touch, then out they go, and it will stay up untill I get up the Christmas garland. 

There is no wire or glue involved, if you cut it and make it, you just need to twist it! 

Chore chart

This " chore chart" really is more of a reminder chart. Even older kids and adults, need a little help with the remembering to do something. As a parent to two boys, we are busy. I cannot rewrite a list everyday to remind my 11 year old, all his responsibilities, and my expectations for his school work. All he wants to do is run outside and play with friends. So now at a glance I can tell which things he still needs to do, and the hope is he will establish habits, he lacks currently. 

This chart is made from plastic window screen. I wanted a transparent look. I sewed pockets on, but I realized during this, I could have used ribbon and a glue gun. I used index cards and put dots on front and back. Orange means need to do. When u flip them, other side represents green means it was done  some of his cards include read 20, put soccer uniform on ( this is to hopefully prevent the rushing around, right before practice starts) and clean his guinea pigs cage. 

On the back there is an extra pocket for things that don't happen daily, like study for history test, math test etc. 

This chart will benefit me as well, I am hoping it is helpful for me to stay consistent in checking on him. 

Playing around with chalk paint

I've been very busy, with painting projects lately. Besides items that I consign, I also do custom for people. 

If your not familiar with this paint, it is made to give your piece an " aged" look. They dry very quickly, and can be used in the house. You use a wax or waxes to give it a hard finish. The plus side of these products, is that you can use them on laminet furniture. 

I do believe their is an art to using these paints. I've read many things about these paints, one of the things that makes this technique work is the sanding or wet sponging after you paint, to give it a distress. Looking at some pieces, I've seen done, some people randomly put " wear" spots, that make little sense of the placement of this type of wear. So, if you decide to try to chalk paint, make sure your not random, think about the piece, what it might have been used for, then decide where it would have gotten worn by love. 

These chalk paints were both Van Gogh paints.