January 2014 | Vintage, Paint and more...

Friday, January 31, 2014

Drop Cloth and Lace Purse

Written by: Cathy Carroll


Today I have another drop cloth project for you.
If you have followed me for very long 
you have come to realize I am in love with drop cloths.
I mean - In Love...
They are so versatile and easy to work with
and
wear like iron.
I use them to make everything.
(I get mine at Lowe's Hardware for $10)
So, it should come as no surprise that I used a drop cloth 
when my granddaughter requested I make her a new purse.

Drop Cloth and Lace Purse - purse made from drop cloth fabric and embellished with a lace medallion


Thursday, January 23, 2014

How to Stencil a Plate

Written by: Cathy Carroll


I am taking advantage of this latest winter blast 
and
getting a few projects done.
I know, you are probably asking what winter blast - 
you live on the Southern East Coast.
Well, for us it has been cold.
We have been seeing temps in the 20's and 30's
which are quite cold when those damp sea breezes start blowing.
But, 
I have to say I am glad we are not in the temps 
with all the snow some of you are seeing.

Anyway lets get on to the project for the day:

How to Stencil a Plate - Dollar Tree plate stenciled with black sharpie marker

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Valentine Mantel

Written by: Cathy Carroll




Valentine Mantel - Mantel decorated with thrifted items and covered foam core letters.

I finally got the Christmas tree and all the decorations down and put away.  This is really late for me as I usually take them down January 1. But, this year we were traveling until the 5th.  Then when we finally made it home I really did not feel like tackling such a big job - so, it sat for a few more days - more like a week.
But, it's down and now the dilemma of what to do with the mantel.  I wanted to do a winter mantel and just fore go the Valentine thing this year but, I was silly enough to ask for Papa's input.  He, of course, wanted a Valentine mantel.  Since I had asked for his input I had to honor it so...   in honor of Papa we have a Valentine mantel.....

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Tissue Paper Valentine Wreath

Written by: Cathy Carroll


What about a hot pink tissue paper heart on a very black front door..... It definitely stands out....but, I like it.
So, today I am going to tell you how to make this really very simple bright heart wreath.

Tissue Paper Valentine Wreath - wreath made from torn tissue paper glued to foam core shape


Sunday, January 12, 2014

Weekly Routines and Goals



January - a new year, a new slate, a new beginning, a chance to start afresh.Like many of you this is how I feel and my thoughts go to making things fresh and new again. I try to come up with ways to make my life less cluttered, more simplified and yes, easier for me to navigate.  So, every year I try to come up with new ideas to make this come to be.  I lean toward organizing everything in my life but, alas, again like many of you it doesn't take long for me to fall back into the old way of doing things.  And, my life gets recluttered, more complicated and harder to deal with because of the clutter. But, this year is going to be different (how many times have you told yourself that? )  I have found a new way of doing things and it is working for me.  I have been using it for almost 6 months now and am ready to start using this method for all the areas of my life because it actually works for me.

How many of you have heard of the FlyLady?


 FlyLady cartoon    

She entered my life about 6 months ago  when my sister introduced her to me and I have to say my life has not been the same. Oh how she has changed the way I do things now.  My house is so much easier to keep up now and for the most part is company ready if someone decides to just drop in.  I don't have to worry that there is a sink overflowing with dishes, or that the bedroom door is shut because the bed is not made or that the bathroom is yucky with toothpaste splatters and less than presentable facilities.  This really does not happen anymore because she has taught me how to address these each morning in a very short time leaving me the rest of the day to do as I please with my time.  I. Love. It.  FlyLady is my heroine.

Computer, calendar, pen and coffee

FlyLady teaches you how to set routines to follow each morning and evening to keep the clutter at bay and under some semblance of control.  She teaches you how to declutter each room and area with baby steps doing each task in 15 minute increments.  It is totally amazing how much I can accomplish in 15 minutes.  I was totally blown away when I addressed a very messy desk.  I set my timer for 15 minutes and was absolutely stunned that I had time left over to do a drawer also.  But, oh my the feeling of elation after that mess was under control and I had a nice neat desk to go to.  Now, I just make sure I put everything away each day and that desk remains clutter free.  I. Love. It.

Now, each Sunday I write down my goals and routines to follow for the coming week.   This way I have my much needed to do list so I can cross off each task and visually see what I have accomplished.  I may or may not accomplish all my goals; as I tend to over load myself at times but, one thing for sure I am making headway on that very long to do list.  And, no matter how much or how little I accomplish my family is blessed with a home that is cleaner and less cluttered than it was last week.  

If you are having trouble keeping up with your home, as I was; problems with clutter and being embarrassed by what others may see if they visit you may want to stop by here each Sunday.  I am going to be sharing more about my goals - what I hope to accomplish and what I have accomplished, and some routines that I use to keep my home fairly clutter free.  Now understand, my home is not perfect but, it is comfortable for us to live in and presentable should someone stop in unexpectedly.  We don't have to move papers to sit on the couch anymore, or kick shoes out of the pathway to walk, or wash a cup to have some coffee - you know the drill...And, I have the FlyLady's routines to thank for that.

I will list my goals for each week and tell you what area I am working in.  I will also explain some of my routines as I do them but, I encourage you to visit FlyLady and read all she has there - it is amazing what she has done to help so many ladies get free of all the clutter that has built up in their lives.

This week's goals are:

I am working in the kitchen - trying to finish it up to move on to another area.  In November we painted it but, with the holidays I was stalled and nothing else was done.  I am cleaning, organizing and making some art for the walls.

House:
1.  Clean the ceiling light
2.  Clean the microwave, glass stove top and oven
3. De lime the coffee pot
4.  Make an organized communication center to keep us on point here.
5. Some art work for the walls
This past week I was able to organize the pantry and clean out the refrigerator. I also took down the Christmas tree ( finally) and all the Christmas decorations.  Did a Valentine mantel that I will be posting later and a Valentine wreath.  Unpacked all the suitcases and put away everything.  Then I did 16 loads of laundry that had accumulated - some family members stayed home and couldn't find the washer - hmmmm. Cleaned out all the candy and cookies, etc from the holidays... donated to the grand kids....

Blog Plans
1. Start working on scheduling all social media posts and comments - social media is my downfall.
            My presence is almost nonexistent so I am going to work on scheduling my comments and
            see if it helps me a little
2.  Organize Linky Party lists - there are so many.  There are new ones and ones that no longer 
            exist - I want to update them and get them so I can use them more easily
3.  Start posting three times per week
This past week I have written several posts and put them in draft form at this time.  I also joined HootSuite to start my social media scheduling and read quite a bit about social media scheduling tips.  I updated myself on the new Facebook "antics" and found LikeAlyzer to analyze my Facebook posts.  Found some very interesting things there.  Made some of my blog plans and goals for the year.  Read a lot and then read some more - so much to learn about this blogging stuff.  But, still feel like I don't know anything at times.  I also played with a new design site called Canva that is still in beta form but is really fantastic.  My granddaughter did the illustrations for a children's book for her creative writing class on this program.  Very simple to use and so much fun.

Personal
I am working on making a healthier lifestyle for me and my family this year. So I am going to list my goals for this area each week as it may help some others that are on the same path.
1.  Drink more water- you should half your weight and drink that amount in ounces each day.
2. Start core strengthening exercises. -  these are exercises given to my by my chiropractor; you can use 
             your own from strength training to stretching but just moving is the most important aspect of this.
3.  Add two vegetable to dinner each evening.  We are mainly a carb eating family and this is going to be a 
             biggie for us but, I am determined to start eating more veggies to displace so many carbs.
4.  Start reading "The Love Revolution" by Joyce Meyer
This past week I  read the book "Only Believe" by Danny and Diane McDaniels - the story of their beginnings with Advocare. Quite an interesting read proving that if you have a dream and pursue it with all you have you will eventually see it come to be.

Misc:
Finish at least 10 pages in present scrapbook project.
This week I learned the new Windows 8.0 and 8.1 on my new laptop.  In some ways quite different but still the same as Windows 7.  I had been using Windows Vista on my desktop.  I am still learning it but, at least I feel more comfortable with it now.  

So there you have it.  What I did all last week - plus re-cooperating from the long trip.  I did accomplish quite a lot and feel good about that.  Now to pursue the goals for this week.  Too much?  We will see.

Do you think you will check FlyLady out?  How do you tackle your weeks and "to do lists"?  What are your plans for the week?


You can follow me through BloglovinGoogle+Facebook
and
Leave me a comment - I love to hear from each and every one of you.

Until next time
have fun creating something you love....





I will be linking up to the following linky parties.  Try to visit them and check out all the great creative 
projects found there.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Drop Cloth Owl Pillow

Written by: Cathy Carroll, Vintage Paint and more...

I have been working with drop cloth fabric a lot
and
have found I am totally in love with the final look -
Much like rustic linen.
It has so much texture and when combined with lace is beautiful.
I was working on a couple of projects
and
decided to make an owl pillow for one of my granddaughters.
Owl pillows are all the rage right now
and
one made of drop cloth just seemed to make sense to me.

Drop Cloth Owl Pillow - owl made from drop cloth fabric with lace embellishement and big black button eyes.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

New Years Goals

Written by Cathy Carroll for Vintage, Paint and more... 
It is so hard for me to believe it is January 8 already.
We have been traveling throughout this holiday
and
are finally home.
But, as always happens time did not stand still here
and
there is so much to do.
We were in the Midwest this past couple weeks
and
while we were there for this

we were able to leave before the big snows hit
and
the sub zero temperatures.
Albeit, we did have single digit temps here at the beach.
Unusual but, not unheard of.
So, I have been hibernating as I really don't care for anything
below about 60 degrees.

 My Christmas tree is still up and most of my decorations
but,
instead of worrying about them
I decided to sit down and think about the coming year.

I am not a person who is able to set resolutions
and keep them. 
In fact, I hate resolutions.
Instead - I set goals for myself.
But, I do it differently than most people do.
I set my goals by month, week and day.


I am also a person that is still caught in the pre- tech days
and
love to write everything down with pen and paper.
I love to make lists just so I can cross off each item
as I finish it.
This act gives me such a feeling of accomplishment - to look at
a list with lots of cross offs.
So, I have been making lists and scheduling the items in my planner.


I actually make several lists with goals for the year.
They are divided into categories:
personal goals
house goals
blog goals
and
misc. goals.

I then take each goal and assign it to a month - I usually only do 3 months at a time.
If I try to do the whole year and I get behind it frustrates me.

For example - I am in the process of redoing our kitchen.
I actually started this before Thanksgiving.
I still have several projects to finish for it, along with the reorganization of some
of the areas.
So, for January I have made the kitchen my house goal.
I then took each thing that had to be done to finish it
and
assigned it a day in January to do.
That way I should be done by the end of January and be able to
show the big reveal of our newly redecorated kitchen.
I follow this same procedure with all my goals.

My January  goals are as follows:
House - finish all projects and organization of the kitchen
Personal - start a healthy eating program ( you will hear more about that later)
and a walking program
Blog - actually set up a posting schedule along with social media scheduling
and
Misc - finish my oldest granddaughters scrapbook.

Stick with me as I take you through all the projects I have planned for our
"new" kitchen
and
begin my new healthy lifestyle changes.
I think you will find something enjoyable and fun to try.

You can follow me through Bloglovin, Google+, Facebook
and
Leave me a comment - I love to hear from each and every one of you.

Until next time
have fun creating something you love....


Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.
Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there....








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