Getting ready for May BUNCO- The Redneck LUAU

I'm cohosting Bunco in May with Kathy.  She lives too far away for all of us to drive. The only way I can host 5 tables (20 ladies) is to clear out the neighbors 1/2 of the garage and clean up both halves to host it in the garage.

Turns out, this is a really good way for me to have a deadline to get the garage cleaned up, stuff put away, and hopefully (fingers crossed) some projects done!

Luckily, I have tons of luau stuff/Hawaiian stuff from over the years. A good use for the yards of hawaiian fabric I have.  And I've been wanting to make some photos I have from Hawaii larger prints. Ideally, I'd be made of money and be able to afford large canvas' from a professional printer.  NOT.

So, I learned a new trick to print out my photos, reversed on a laser printer (using heat and toner to print the images).  Then tape them face down to a pc of wood and IRON them on HIGH! the reheating "melts" the ink and the print is transferred to the wood!

There's a software program out there called block posters (www.blockposters.com).  I used them with 5 photos I took in Hawaii.  The program creates multi page pdf files to be printed and taped together. COOL.

Here's the photos I want to make into large format:

Punaluu beach, i took the photo, but not sure when/which trip.

Tiki at the top of Haunama Bay 2001ish

I took this photo, then used www.fotoflexer.com to add Tiki in. At Kapiolani Park, Honolulu.

I took this photo, and like above, added Tiki in.  At Waikiki beach.

This is Monk, the seal.  A professional photographer took the photo--they were both swimming with me in Honaunau Bay , Big Island.  He was FANTASTIC, that seal!

I have not yet taken any "in progress photos" of the garage, i'll get to that so I can share my pain.

Meanwhile, Hershey the Aussie Cat, he's not doing well. He stopped eating 2 days ago. THe vet did bloodwork couple weeks ago, his creatnine is at 8, normal is 0.4-1.4.  And his Phosphorus is really high.  He had a course of antibiotics for a tooth infection. But has since decided food does not taste good.  He's End Stage Renal Disease (Stage 4 in humans) if not stage 5.  He decided last night he should be drinking my Mango Guava juice.  So this am I set up a kitty buffet for him: dish of milk, dish of mango guava juice, plate of $1/can gooey cat food, outdoor water (because tap water is not good). 

Each night I should spend hours in the garage working on getting it into shape.  Instead, I just take a nap with my cat curled up next to me.  :D it's the better choice!

KrisTiki

The lion foot sofa

 I've been plotting to recover this sofa, and replace my wearing out expensive leather sofa.  I can't believe it's only lasted 2 years!  Don't buy furniture at Ashley home furnishings! it falls apart!

I wanted a sofa that was sort of short (I'm only 5'4"), I could lay down and extend my legs, didn't look heavy, did look eccentric or different/old, had some air between the bottom and the floor--airvents and ability to stick a vacuum under it, and that would be easy to cover.

Bingo. Craigslist surprise, and inexpensive too!  THe lady did think it was late 1800's.  Somehow I think it's 1960's or something.  The wood is in too good a condition, the carving is too regular...and the style looks more 70's tacky to me.
It's very comfy, even with the bowed cushions.  The back sits too straight, but when I cut the back cushion off, I'll reassemble for toss pillows.  That should make it look softer, anyway.

Very square in back.

The lion/eagle foot

Then when I redo the seat cushions, I'll tighten up the springs, and make the cushion go from the front to the actual back (beyond where the cushion goes now).  That will make it deep enough to prop up on pillows, lay down and watch tv or cuddle up with the cat for a long tv watching nap.

Sofa overall, dirty beige velvet covering with attached back cusion.

Considering the wood color is a bit 'red', i'm very much considering painting it. Krylon makes a Nichol mettalic spray paint.  Wow...that sounds REALLY tacky, now that I'm reading it in words!  But it's a pretty color.

Very neutral, and could be sanded thru or antiqued to show the detail.

Front on, need to replace or repad the cushions. Will make the back loose cusions, to make it look softer and less square.

The blend between the upholstery and the Nichol paint would be nice and light.  then I could put my teal pillows against it!  And look! Basset hound pillow's match already.  Eddi would look REally good on the new upholstery!!!  Where is spring and the nice weather!!! I can't wait to get started!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New fabric laying against dog sofa fabric, neutral...nice and neutral

Has a square repeated pattern.  Any curvy pattern or texture does NOT look right against the squareness of the frame.  This also came in an apple green and navy blue--I almost opted for that.  But thought--no stay neutral, I can put bright pillows and blanket s on it.

This is the type of inexpensive fabric I got originally to cover, it might be the coordinating fabric, but looks better with a slight pattern.

Random Spring Projects, Love of Edison, and Chicken Eggs!

Howdy, Randomly working on things right now.

It's spring, but doesn't feel like it yet. I want it to warm up so I can open the garage door and do stuff downstairs in the garage...but alas, not warm enough yet!

On the Halloween front...literally. I've filled the channels for the old Mirror housing that will become the Fortune Teller front for the Trunk or Treat set up. Have drawn up some visio plans so I know what to decorate and build between now and then. It's going to be COOL! :D

 I got this globe for free, and had some chaulkboard paint from a garage sale for 50cents. I've seen where others have painted the old globes and used as a chalkboard. Seems wrong--some teacher somewhere is going to yell at me....which made it all that more appealing to try it!




 

after 1 coat of chalkboard paint

Someone elses': mine will look like this.

I've got an idea for Anya, I'm going to make her do a project for her mom for Mother's day. :D poor child. I think she'll have fun, she gets to play with color and it will be pretty, just NO GLITTER. (as Cindy may read this, I'm not going to elaborate!)

Being pulled up the hill!!!

Sarah at Snoqualmie falls

Ready...set ....GO!

Sarah, Zack's fiance came for a visit in Feb. We had a blast. We went Tubing on the sled runs at Snoqualmie, heard the avalanche sirens.

Explored Seattle for 2 days straight, did her dress fitting at the designers studio--it was fabulous. Beautiful dress--and we love the same colors.

So I've been playing with deco's for her wedding. She's making her own flowers--from coffee filters. I got some coffee filters to cut for her. Unfortunately, i did not read the directions and cut a bunch of the wrong filters.

SO i turned those ruffled coffee filters into 10" dyed balls...will upload a photo when I take them!

And just last night actually cut my first flower and assembled. Have not photographed it yet...it's just coffee filter white. Will do on the next update.

Meanwhile, I did find some old ornate frames and have been having fun (getting high) spray painting them in the garage. Much to Hershey's and my dismay, our return air vent must be down there....our house smelled like spray paint for 24 hours. ICKY.





But I am really happy with the layered color. Jade, High Seas blue, and Ivy leaf.








 
The last thing to start, which I'm waiting for some bias tape to come in before jumping onto the "Bunting Band Wagon" is to use my ton of fabric stash in Sarah's colors to create a long pc of bunting for her. Not sure how she's going to use it. But I'm imagining a photo with Zack wrapped in it and Sarah dragging him to the alter. Or vice versa...:D It would be fun to tie Mike to a chair for his photos with the bridal party with it...:D Poor Mike! We'll have a ton of it, for sure. The girls have agreed to have a 'bunting cutting party' with me. So hopefully that will take the monoteny (sp?) from cutting tons of triangles. I had a 1/4" plexiglass pattern made a couple weeks ago, much easier on the hands/cutter to use that!

part of my fabric stash, in the right colors!

bunting layout...playing

Waiting for photos: will write about it, and repost about coffee filter flowers and map/book hearts, and screwed up ruffle coffee filter balls.

Next update I'll be sure to include: Adventures in photo transfer to wood--Lots of artwork needs to go onto that Fortune Teller front! I think i can do it with laser printer and an iron....exciting, eh?

Edison Forhan Wheeler

Almost forgot the BEST thing in February! (besides the visit from Sarah) was the Dog-sitting my NEW BOY, EDISON Forhan! I refer to his "former family" who he is currently living with...and his "Other Mother", Malin. :D I LOVE EDDY! He's sweet, loving, protective, has a great sense of humor..and walks over to me from across the house, just to belch in my face, so I don't miss it. And he actually laughed when I did that to him (revenge). If I could date Eddy I would! :D He's FABULOUS! (and amazingly, not a basset hound!) He's part Italian something Hound, and part Punk Rocker--he has a mohawk...or an angry couple cows licked him up the back the wrong way. :D Eddie's "former kids" were really sweet, they brought me back Harry Potter Every flavor jelly beans (i refuse to eat "earthworm"). And they brought me back a Voldemort wand...so don't mess with me--I'm EVIL! :D I put it on my wall next to my Turkey photos...THANKS guys!

Don't ya just want to rub those ears, and silky soft.....

Mohawk...:D  You can even scratch it the wrong direction (for most avg dogs!)

And look how compact he can fold those legs up, he's such a GOOD BOY!

Thanks Katie and Ben for my Voldemort Wand! See where I put it!

Happy March... I'm house sitting (in my house) a scaredy cat of one of the bunco families. Cindy volunteered me. She's a pretty kitty, hopefully Hershey won't disown me!

PS. I finally found someone that has fresh chicken eggs for sale! yeahhhh. I'm going to get a dozen or so this week.

Can't wait!

Valentine's Day with Anya

Cindy told me, in a dreaded way....Anya's Vday box has to have 3 moving parts. To which we agreed is more of a challenge for adults than the kids! Of course, creative KrisTiki to the rescue...Springs! inexpensive, and they move.

I had a 2L bottle sitting around since xmas, I've been waiting to use it. But thought we should combine our glittering skills with Valentines day and coat the inside of the bottle with Glitter...Anya likes to do that anyway!

So we cut the bottle in half, used one side for a dog rearend, and the top of the bottle for a nose. I had the idea that it should be a basset hound in a dog house, the dog house of course holding the valentines. The springs would snap into the dog for the ears and tail. Technically 3 moving parts.

But at the trip to the dollar store I took, I got to roaming thru the kid section and party section. Found some party favors, those type you blow into and the little roll up paper/plastic unrolls and sometimes makes a "thhhpptt" sound. Hmmm..it's red, would make a great dog TONGUE! how to activate it though..hmmm....

Then i spotted a clown flower that squirts water when the clown squeezes the pump bulb. (I hate clowns!) But the air in the pump would be enough to make the tongue stick out!

Hence the dog house has a large ladybug on the roof--if you squeeze it, his tongue shoots out! :D Even the lunch ladies came in to see her box!!!

She did not win the contest in her class, which I think is good. As Anya did not come up with any of hte moving parts or design. She just decorated. This summer I'm going to task Anya with DESIGN tasks...Here's the pictures!

Skip ahead to CHRISTMAS....

I'm not a big decorator for Christmas...but Cindy is! However, due to timing...I missed the Chirstmas tree this year.

Olekszyks got the tree the weekend I was getting ready to go back to Missouri.
IT was decorated sometime after I left on the 24th...She likes to cut it close to Santa's arrival, I guess.
And by the time I returned on the 2nd...that was the night Stau (the NEW PUPPY) decided to pull the entire tree down! :)

So enjoy the photos of my trip...
Around the farm with the puppies...
Brekky with the girls from Highschool! (they are all so pretty!)
Family meet up in Columbia, so happy to see everyone in 1 place!!
and--LOOK how Cute the new PUPPY Is!!!!!!!!!!!

Stockings hung up with care at the Farm for: Mom & Dad (red in the middle) and
Kristi, Bug, Bea, Thump, Willie, Dora, Val, Gibb, PC (us kid, dogs, &cats)

Bea: "I'm asleep...WHAT DO YOU WANT? WHERE"S MY PILLOW?"

PC, she's something like 22...what is that in cat years???

Val outside...

(Hope I've got these labled right!)
Stacey...She's so pretty! :) Cheers!

Kaelyn (sp??) Yep...Keep smiling...I'll get the camera started at some point!

Amy...Did it take???

Enough of these serious smiling photos...everyone do something GOOFY!
Amy: "IS everyone else doing goofy? I can't see!"

Riley and Grace

Watch it, that Granny steals baby toes!

Memphis Vegas and Mom (martha)

Uncle Ken, Jami, Uncle Robert and a little of Martha and the boys

Look, it's Swindells! Stop talking Granny so we can take a picture! Sandy, Ken, Granny, Robert

Jami Marty and Kristi

I loved this picture because everyone is laughing and it seems to be I am too! all my photos of you guys are really really SHAKEY!

Ahh...Stau's first xmas with a bow on the head.

Anya holding cute baby Stau....

Stau: "you think THIS is cute?"

PAPER!!!!!!!!

And Auntie Kristi made these stockings for us this year!

Happy NEw YEAR!!!!!!!!!!
KLW