Wall mount Galvanized Chicken Feeder upcycle out door Begonia planter

I found a chicken feeder at a great yard sale and could not pass it up.

It was slightly aged and I though cool.  I held on to it till spring.

After drilling a few drainage holes in the bottom (it was solid) it was ready to go.  I hung it on a somewhat shady exterior wall on the storage shed and packed it with begonias and it is very happy!

To make watering easier we ran a drip line to it and I saturate it every other day to keep the soil moist and soft and the flowers happy.  Osmocote pelleted  fertilizer was also added to keep a steady feed through the spring and summer heat.  

Happy spring!

Sheryl

 

Shabby End Table, Dixie belle chalk paint and vintage wall paper to shabby chic Cute!

 Sometimes you just cannot pass up a good deal, this was one of those times!  

Great little table love the bow front and sweet drawer.  

The top has seen better days.

I started this project with sanding. A 220 grit sand paper to start with a finished it up with 400 to 600 and a final rub down with steel wool.

My go to tools are Ryobi orbital and detail sanders.   Battery powered and I am amazed at how long these batteries last!

I choose Dixie Bell Sand Bar because it matched the colors in the wall paper well.

This was a super easy project.  It tool 3 thin smooth coats and I sanded lightly between each coat with 0000 steel wool. This sanding step between coats will make your finished texter smooth as glass.  I top coated with Min Wax finishing paste in natural.  I put two coats on the top buffing to a hard finish and lightly sanding with steel wool.  It feels like glass.!

The interior of the drawer I hit with a little bit of left over blue grey primer, sanded with steel wool and waxed it with Min Wax finishing paste wax in natural.  

I cut the wall paper to fit in the back and sides on the bottom.  I modge podged only the back of the paper , placed it in to the recessed back and sides , smoothed out as may bubbles as I could and let it dry.  Done, wall paper does not require a top coat.

This is not a perfect piece of furniture but sure is cute.  Perfect as a bed side table in a little girls room or a side table in the 4 season room.  

Blessings to you and Happy Mothers day!

Sheryl

Shabby side table upcycle rub ons, dark wax and and milk paint

 This little table was too cute and well "cheaply Priced" to not take a chance on.  I cold see the potential if you like shabby French style.  The little table had clearly stood the test of time well worn with a few more years still left in it.  I started by just cleaning it well and giving it a light sanding.  

I mixed a small amount of Miss Mustard Seed type writer black milk paint applied it then rubbed it back. It sat and dried over night.  I did not paint the card board back I have a plan for it.

After it was completely dry I applied a combination of clear or natural Min wax with Annie Sloan dark wax.  

Here is a tip that works for little shabby projects that perfection is not a must.  I put a chunk of clear wax in my dark wax container. 

This makes mixing very easy.  I find that dark wax mixed with clear is a lot easier to blend.  If I do not want a lot of dark I just load my wax brush from the clear island.  

This technique came in very handy to finish the brown paper backing I put on the bottom back of this piece.  

Simple application with modge podge on the back and a brayer to smooth out the bubbles.  When it completely dried (overnight)  I applied waxes and the paper feels like leather and will accept rub ons.  

Perfectly imperfect!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Sheryl

Furniture refinish with Dixie belle Collard Greens

 I found this little chest of drawers for a great price at a local antique store, Vintage Collections,   in Camden, SC.  

It is the prefect size for my hallway and is much needed storage.  It did have some damage on the top and was the wrong color.  I went to my paint stash and found Dixie belle Collard Greens.  It is a dark rich green.  I wanted a dark color just not black.  This did the trick!

After cleaning the piece well , removing the hardware and sanding the gouges out of it I applied my first coat of paint.  I used the spray bottle technique to assure my paint would level well and not leave brush strokes.  I either finely mist the furniture before applying paint or I spray a little water in the top of the paint jar and as I dip my brush I pick of paint and water.  This works well on trim and small areas that are difficult to mist.   

This was a a half a day project.  Dixie belle paint dries quickly and is easy to top coat.  I chose Minwax paste finishing wax in natural .  Minwax buffs immediately and protects beautifully and it is economical.  I did wax the top twice for extra protection.  I finished the hardware with a light application of Antique Gold Rub and Buff.

I had 30 1/4 inches of wall and this chest measured 30 inches a perfect fit.  I love this color!

Great Storage!

Hope you find that jewel in the rough and Dixie Belle just may be what you need to make you love it more!

Sheryl

Iron Orchid Designs IOD rub on transfers and old door knobs

 

Material you will need:

Old Door knobs preferably ones that are not attached to the door mounting hardware.

IOD Rub On Transfers or transfer of your choice

or decoupage medium ie napkins rice paper and glue.

rubbing tool popsicle stick or bone folder

Scissors

glass cleaner ( a cleaner with out oils)

320 or higher sand paper

soft cloth

Clear sealer (I used spray glaze)

a box if using spay sealer

First thing clean the knobs with a non oily cleaner.  Glass cleaner or rubbing alcohol.  If they have rust stains or heavy dirt use the 320 or finer sand paper to buff them smooth and clean.   A clean oil free surface will make your IOD transfers easier to use.  

 

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Super easy project !  A new purpose for a classic house hold item.  

I hope that you are finding the time to be creative and decompress!  

Sheryl 

 

 

Spring is my favorite time of the year

 

Lady Banks Rose

Spring is my favorite time of the year and I am sure that I am not alone in that sentiment.  Every thing is awakening from a cold slumber.  The grass and trees are turning green and the flowers are starting the show of the seasons.  There is newness in the air and plans for summer are present at many dinner table conversations.  

Spring destinations are in full throttle; flea markets, famers markets, Baseball, yard sales, and Public parks. 

Weigelia and Iris

Seed have been tucked into the green house for weeks just waiting for the season to to take root and hold on .  The nights are no longer dipping in to the 30's and we can pack the heat mats up.  

Birds are busy building , mating,  feeding and sun bathing.

Female Cardinal 

Male Eastern Blue Bird

Male Cardinals

Thrush

Blue Jay

White Throated Sparrow


How ever you in vision the possibilities of spring I hope it is everything you hoped it would be!
Sheryl

Home Hemodialysis Red alarm number 10 nightmare

 

At the end of January this year we made the decision to do Joes dialysis at home.  He was not doing that well at the clinic.  Complications from only dialyzing three days a week were leaving too many toxins in his blood stream and making it difficult to balance his seizure medications .  The rebound high blood pressures sent us to the ER and a few days in the ICU to straighten out.  I learned a lot about myself , my husband and both of my boys.   I think even the dogs had to adjust.  We are roughly a five and a half months in and still trying to adjust to our new normal. Our morning conversations are not about vacations, pending projects or what's for dinner.  Our morning conversation are mostly about  dialysis.  We are trying to figure out where we come in.  How do we balance this new normal? How do we find home again, What goes undone, what interests do not matter any more?  How long will this instapot last and how much more weight am I gaining back?  

I hear parents say they are giving things up for their children. They Sacrificed!  I have give nothing up nor have I sacrificed myself to being a parent.   I am a mother.  I have less time, I have less freedom, I get less sleep and  have more medical knowledge then I ever wanted.   I have been a mother for almost 30  years and still learning.  This part of the journey has been exceptionally hard.  There were a lot of hurdles to jump to become proficient at Hemo Home Dialysis and we are still jumping.  Working this into an already busy schedule has not been easy.  This part of the journey has definitely defined what is really important on the list of things to do.  I mean seriously, one morning I was getting in Joe's first BP for the day , at 7:00, and could not remember when was the last time I brushed my teeth or my hair or bathed.? When was  the last time I got an PT/INR?  When was the last time I actually relaxed?  If you are a hands on primary care giver then you understand the demands of meeting the needs of a individual that finds daily selfcare challenging.  If you are a primary caregiver that is also the medical support then you are really TIRED.  I am proficient at doing blood draws off a central line (permacath)  located in the subclavian vein in left chest cavity on my son.  My husband and I both are trained to do this as well as use this central line to perform dialysis on my son 5 days a week.  I am underqualified but have been called to do this.  

A red alarm number 10 "air in the line" started playing out the night mare I had hoped we would avoid.  We have to find the air remove it in under 3 minutes if not the blood will begin to clot and we cannot return what is in the access lines back to his body.  We started treatment at 9:02 with out any issues as usual.  At 10: 30 a red alarm number 10.  It took a while to locate it and remove it.  Luckily the cycler was still slowly moving the blood.  We won !  At 11:48 with 17 min left to run Red alarm number 10.  We had to call the training clinic they could not get the machine out of the alarm mode and it was not cycling.  He lost all that blood in the lines to the cycler and the blood in the filter awaiting cleaning.  We lost!  The stress is so great we cannot breathe at times.  The clinic did inform me that they had sent him iron for me to give him three times a week after treatment.  It was to be administered in the venous line 100cc and given slowly in 2-5 mins. and only if the BP systolic is over 120. I  am going to have a real moment and say 'I Do Not Want To Do This Anymore!"   Five days a week we get up and do something we do not want to do.  Its not Work, its not cleaning out the garage or even going to the dentist.  It is dialysis for our son ,so there is no NOT doing it.  Another real moment:  If I had wanted to be in the medical field I would have perused a degree and been a lot more educated and prepared than I am now.  Tomorrow we are off.  No dialysis performed on Tuesdays.   We are numb and stunned and the PTSD on Wednesday when we have to start back up again will be almost unbearable.  We will do it and pray for the best! 

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