tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85920942456233013782024-03-05T17:03:48.238-04:00Black Copper DIYGail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-79105501601544967752011-10-03T23:59:00.001-03:002011-10-04T09:55:40.542-03:00Happy Birthday to NateMy older little guy turns 4 on Wednesday. Sniff. We invited both sets of grandparents and my sister and her family to our place on Sunday for a little celebration - nothing elaborate, no theme.<br />
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Nate told me he wanted a dinosaur cake - chocolate cake with chocolate icing. Chocolate cake with chocolate icing I can handle (or so I thought), but a cake decorator I am not and so I just bought two sets of three little plastic dinosaur figures from the dollar store.<br />
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At first, I attempted this <a href="http://www.themotherhuddle.com/company-chocolate-cake/">recipe</a>, but it was a colossal failure. I wish I'd had the presence of mind to snap a few pics before dumping it in the garbage can. The recipe seems to get rave reviews so I'm sure it probably had something to do with the fact that I baked it in a roaster oven instead of a regular oven. Our oven stopped working a few weeks ago and since we didn't use the oven much through the summer, it didn't seem like a big priority at the time and we still haven't arranged for a repairman to come and fix it.<br />
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The second cake I attempted was <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/bestrecipes/2010/03/easy-chocolate-cake.html">this</a>. It turned out much better (although it did fall a bit in the center upon cooling). I iced it quickly with chocolate buttercream. Nate helped me place the dinosaur figures on it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfThC760rHag2NWq4X_T5ZNm7Lal0Rja3c5AGHvGLYzrvmYgyWB-QIE5-eyo88tUnMyaRinXbVVxGO7YM-vZsWB4R3kbwsLrvZMSUhsalVbnTaqKcy0jGZfBa-krYaZ0tPzDCe7cPicQ/s1600/SAM_0817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfThC760rHag2NWq4X_T5ZNm7Lal0Rja3c5AGHvGLYzrvmYgyWB-QIE5-eyo88tUnMyaRinXbVVxGO7YM-vZsWB4R3kbwsLrvZMSUhsalVbnTaqKcy0jGZfBa-krYaZ0tPzDCe7cPicQ/s400/SAM_0817.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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No one would ever mistake it for a pro cake, but Nate liked it so that's all that matters.</div>
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He goes to daycare a couple of times a week and I decided to make a special little birthday treat to send with him to share with the other kids. I used this <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/birthday-cake-cookies/332726b8-d77c-4b70-8784-1b8570f8e083">recipe</a> and it went much better than my earlier experiences in baking cakes. I used a rainbow cake mix instead of a yellow cake mix with sprinkles stirred in. Here's the result:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KtnTN0mbthJ0k9smMk7k1efrAalEmJ_0AS_7HygsOXBDxxOYCep1Tazs9h-QdVnEGerugzFMJzpFBPoN9SlYHNAu_FQ7xa3zkop6BC5n0-MKmHx0AwOk88oqSN7KslfysV-K47fjJEc/s1600/SAM_0848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KtnTN0mbthJ0k9smMk7k1efrAalEmJ_0AS_7HygsOXBDxxOYCep1Tazs9h-QdVnEGerugzFMJzpFBPoN9SlYHNAu_FQ7xa3zkop6BC5n0-MKmHx0AwOk88oqSN7KslfysV-K47fjJEc/s400/SAM_0848.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hope the kids like them!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/95/C8572B153EC81925716A3D1093071C1F.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>
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Linky linky:</div>
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<a href="http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2011/10/take-look-tuesday.html"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sugar Bee Crafts ~ Take-A-Look Tuesday</span></em></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/weekly-link-party/">Today's Creative Blog ~ Get Your Craft On</a></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://mommybydaycrafterbynight.blogspot.com/2011/10/ta-da-tuesday-7.html">Mommy By Day...Crafter By Night ~ Ta-Da Tuesday</a></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2011/10/its-monday-night-what-does-that-mean-it.html">Confessions of a SAHM ~ Tuesday Confessional Link Party</a></span></em></div>
Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-32631933130142107372011-09-27T22:45:00.011-03:002011-09-29T07:22:23.881-03:00Hiatus-Ending Fall WreathIt's been a while! That was a rather long and certainly unplanned hiatus. A lot has happened in the 15 1/2 months or so since my last post. I'm now a mom of two! Isaac joined us on June 26th and, well, he's awesome. I'm feeling the need to get back in the blogging groove and so here I go...<br />
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I picked up a grapevine wreath at Michael's and some fall-ish stems at Walmart.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qMcz677nNZQUXUUlRQ8FAItPv01Khnb-34bu5ZxvLGL_frw3l_TK2RF39tSFVB11cZjbhcTCf2QYrWzWk3VdH65i6aVfEZJWAcQTBCafCLsz1BoOKJbJ4OGNECMFk6ClXwY7tzSO6EQ/s1600/before1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qMcz677nNZQUXUUlRQ8FAItPv01Khnb-34bu5ZxvLGL_frw3l_TK2RF39tSFVB11cZjbhcTCf2QYrWzWk3VdH65i6aVfEZJWAcQTBCafCLsz1BoOKJbJ4OGNECMFk6ClXwY7tzSO6EQ/s400/before1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I pulled the berries, leaves, and stuff off the stems and started placing them on the grapevine wreath. I dabbed a bit of hot glue on each little stem and then stuck it into the wreath.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGa6RL2gwUMISw0q_CJOO6E_j52BRrhb7qaEcDt1n8nKxcUrbnZKkxRNz_TtdREDiExfJDrI3ESQojcBByen9n19lPxjEw4f-LHVAIn8aWbsaiKC1JFjIG6rMUkDdf3wuZ_L1b_qM-dQ/s1600/after1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGa6RL2gwUMISw0q_CJOO6E_j52BRrhb7qaEcDt1n8nKxcUrbnZKkxRNz_TtdREDiExfJDrI3ESQojcBByen9n19lPxjEw4f-LHVAIn8aWbsaiKC1JFjIG6rMUkDdf3wuZ_L1b_qM-dQ/s400/after1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All that was left was to hang it on the door.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YOXqwOJvfCAu0wa_P4fN8muCf6APSta0_l_MEZZ_dwBREoYTXGKkMZgkV_pyeVZt6yFhBkw8NgCM9VQytHaABZe6IeGZbmOd83ufgnu6qpwrmpX8ntKErnZryP88nSZcbonnWuOX4Rs/s1600/after2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YOXqwOJvfCAu0wa_P4fN8muCf6APSta0_l_MEZZ_dwBREoYTXGKkMZgkV_pyeVZt6yFhBkw8NgCM9VQytHaABZe6IeGZbmOd83ufgnu6qpwrmpX8ntKErnZryP88nSZcbonnWuOX4Rs/s400/after2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wonder if I should add a burlap bow?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Linky Parties:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2011/09/take-look-tuesday_26.html">Take-A-Look Tuesday ~ Sugar Bee Crafts</a></span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/craft-ideas-2/">Get Your Craft On ~ Today's Creative Blog</a></span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2011/09/tuesday-confessional-link-party-time.html">Tuesday Confessional ~ Confessions of a SAHM</a></span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://mommybydaycrafterbynight.blogspot.com/search/label/Ta-Da%20Tuesday">Ta-Da Tuesday ~ Mommy by Day...Crafter by Night</a></span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2011/09/whatever-goes-wednesday-85.html">Whatever Goes Wednesday ~ Someday Crafts</a></span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/2011/09/create-and-share-features-too_27.html">Create and Share ~ The Trendy Treehouse</a></span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2011/09/wow-me-wednesday-18.html">{wow me} Wednesday ~ Ginger Snap Crafts</a></span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/2011/09/wicked-awesome-wednesday-31.html">Wicked Awesome Wednesday ~ Handy Man, Crafty Woman</a></span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://733blog.blogspot.com/2011/09/sugar-spice-78.html">Sugar & Spice ~ seven thirty three</a></span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/door-decor-fall-linky-party/">It's Fall Y'all: Door Decor ~ Southern Hospitality</a></span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/95/C8572B153EC81925716A3D1093071C1F.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-22918671585219519462010-06-10T23:33:00.001-03:002010-06-10T23:36:17.158-03:00A new camera!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm back! I'm back! Life has been soooo busy AND my old camera died. Well, it didn't die, but it did start casting a vibrant pink hue over all of the photos and occassionally it wouldn't focus AT ALL - every subject would turn out as a big blurry blob. So I got a new one! Yeehaw! It's a Samsung WB600 (or HZ30W) and it has 15x optical zoom!!! Eeeeek! Our old one only had 3x. The new one will cover focal lengths from 24 mm to 360 mm - </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm not entirely sure what that means, but I think it's good. It's not a DSLR or anything, but that's fine because I wouldn't have the first clue how to operate a DSLR. It's a point-and-shoot with great zoom in a compact body and it's my new baby. Here it is:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieewlGkEwyqTNeGa4Va9iw_SVO4rHN4-XKKkqgtTfs24ZlB-zx-djmfcMZ7fDH5dVF4Sq7Z3vqTJw2FauVrvgtZrh5bNu4o1h1coc0H3fG2lyczYtysLpu9zIcrnfqtiTtBL1AT8955oI/s1600/samsunghz30w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieewlGkEwyqTNeGa4Va9iw_SVO4rHN4-XKKkqgtTfs24ZlB-zx-djmfcMZ7fDH5dVF4Sq7Z3vqTJw2FauVrvgtZrh5bNu4o1h1coc0H3fG2lyczYtysLpu9zIcrnfqtiTtBL1AT8955oI/s400/samsunghz30w.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'd give photo credit, but I don't remember where I snagged the pic. Oops!</span></em>)</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've been playing around with it a little bit. Here's the memo board I made a few months ago. I hung it on a pre-existing nail and it partially covers the switchplate. I've been meaning to move it ...</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyDzT74xQC1hYiOeT3WNklGBo93SDJNeQPf2Q-4rJ7Bvei8Vh8hdx9XaSG01yVrhIZ8TIG6okBmKfHu-FO0r0QY5ScmgvkkM8_aJfpy8ffaCh4CFYQJS-lIp6mZWzRQFRvZnroJsphCk/s1600/SAM_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyDzT74xQC1hYiOeT3WNklGBo93SDJNeQPf2Q-4rJ7Bvei8Vh8hdx9XaSG01yVrhIZ8TIG6okBmKfHu-FO0r0QY5ScmgvkkM8_aJfpy8ffaCh4CFYQJS-lIp6mZWzRQFRvZnroJsphCk/s400/SAM_0014.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These are quilts. I HEART quilts. The top one is quite old - made by my great-grandmother. The lower one is newer - made by my grandmother. Lots of sentimental value!</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIr2U6yklHfUASlg-Ssgq1FrPV7Y4aXSxDmDbfXjwDVBXM_IsFTpLvNcGWLp91TW3u-T4yKTVoMOTGCv3T-AQLR7_7D0GnZ1ynABUXvWq_6vwrF8a8FSZtPLBlDXHBqzBpfvhKwwzRZeY/s1600/SAM_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIr2U6yklHfUASlg-Ssgq1FrPV7Y4aXSxDmDbfXjwDVBXM_IsFTpLvNcGWLp91TW3u-T4yKTVoMOTGCv3T-AQLR7_7D0GnZ1ynABUXvWq_6vwrF8a8FSZtPLBlDXHBqzBpfvhKwwzRZeY/s400/SAM_0021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These are some old books. That front one is dated 1811 and belonged to an ancestor on my father's side.</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioX1iMJXeN5loPH0u2LVY1iElFAQNX9Zc_hbNl5vZg_W0JivHk2r90p6iPH5OC1-YchzAq3ashXmFw5hjoYt_O9cFiQp1ErU6SVikAXHQOJT-ukb4gzFl_dT9XYcfG6w41W3GbzIlxxZc/s1600/SAM_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioX1iMJXeN5loPH0u2LVY1iElFAQNX9Zc_hbNl5vZg_W0JivHk2r90p6iPH5OC1-YchzAq3ashXmFw5hjoYt_O9cFiQp1ErU6SVikAXHQOJT-ukb4gzFl_dT9XYcfG6w41W3GbzIlxxZc/s400/SAM_0020.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Only 19 more days until Summer Break, but who's counting?</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/95/C8572B153EC81925716A3D1093071C1F.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-49053292595724898192010-04-10T23:03:00.002-03:002010-04-11T22:05:53.502-03:00I'm still here! And I have curtains!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm still here! We've had a tearful few weeks with the loss of my Nan-in-law after a battle with cancer and the diagnosis of cancer in my Dad. Blogging has fallen by the way-side, but I thought I'd pop in tonight with an update on the dining/kitchen window. It's finally dressed!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtR7x5_N8C0jyhJPeJLMp-gbCxf9rhoeK4N6_lRqjV4zn0KgFmxqhM_W3FObyzCWfEuBac7MFrZTepTzFsXBE6DVUvOX7LeECFmXLwGTrWuqEJHQZSfBxjH1zve4LfBaFxdme2arhwUA/s1600/curtains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtR7x5_N8C0jyhJPeJLMp-gbCxf9rhoeK4N6_lRqjV4zn0KgFmxqhM_W3FObyzCWfEuBac7MFrZTepTzFsXBE6DVUvOX7LeECFmXLwGTrWuqEJHQZSfBxjH1zve4LfBaFxdme2arhwUA/s400/curtains.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I used a piece of burlap 36"x54", cut in half lengthwise to get two pieces 18"x54", and then sewed end to end to get one piece roughly 18"x108" (1.5'x9'). The rod pocket band at the top is made of ribbon that I found at Walmart. It was wire-edged ribbon and so I had to remove the wire - kind of tedious, but actually not as difficult as I thought it might be. I used hem tape for the first time on the side hems, but sewed the rest. The curtain rod was a real score - on sale at Zellers for $4.97!</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have some other projects in mind, but I'm not sure when I'll get around to them. Hold your loved ones tight!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Linky Parties:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Funky Junk Interiors ~ <a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/04/sns-25-brings-you-whacky-winner-and.html">Saturday Nite Special</a></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A Vision to Remember ~ <a href="http://iamonly1woman.blogspot.com/2010/04/check-me-out-saturday-week-11.html">Check Me Out Saturday</a></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cottage Instincts ~ <a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/2010/04/make-it-for-monday-20-for-real.html">Make it for Monday</a></i></span> </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/95/C8572B153EC81925716A3D1093071C1F.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-3431836465576142572010-03-14T22:53:00.002-03:002010-03-14T23:01:58.393-03:00Kicking my Butt in Gear<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm about to administer a swift kick to my own rear-end...figuratively, not literally. There are a few projects that I've had floating around in my head for a while now since seeing them around blogland. I'm going to list them here and then commit to checking them off the list. Soon. Very soon. Of course, I'll take pics and blog about them as I get them done.</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1. A framed monogram like Jessica's @ <a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/">This Blessed Life</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvS0a6MgKMuaPPdsgR9QKAAWPj8VxptyM_cWX1IwWbwzz77kk4dvFWN26aL2ttplAf5GMKIp9uKGeBv7b7X5wB_6xj-1KeZIyO3VuIDMBA7dcPXzFcix_xzyfA87egtrn0IY1IP4VTd0/s1600/march+2010+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvS0a6MgKMuaPPdsgR9QKAAWPj8VxptyM_cWX1IwWbwzz77kk4dvFWN26aL2ttplAf5GMKIp9uKGeBv7b7X5wB_6xj-1KeZIyO3VuIDMBA7dcPXzFcix_xzyfA87egtrn0IY1IP4VTd0/s400/march+2010+021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(photo from www.thisblessedlife.net/2010/03/easy-framed-monogram-project.html)</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i> </span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Don't you love it? I picked up a truly hideous gold plastic picture frame from the dollar store...I'm hoping I can transform it with some paint. Anyone know if you can paint plastic frames? I guess I'll find out...</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2. A burlap valance for the dining window like Vanessa's @ <a href="http://vanillalavender.blogspot.com/">Vanilla Lavender</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5V_iel5tUig2CMwepIAVCTxBRQZct-ZyKvhaGMm0gWWIgTv0_uFjCXC1vin5edH_qUMuGWGWMoNBD2MWkNtmMNZfOECKc_9KoiJvBEX0ji6fphxrsEMHV2IgWaTmK4HUw34RRjvveIYw/s1600-h/100_2833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5V_iel5tUig2CMwepIAVCTxBRQZct-ZyKvhaGMm0gWWIgTv0_uFjCXC1vin5edH_qUMuGWGWMoNBD2MWkNtmMNZfOECKc_9KoiJvBEX0ji6fphxrsEMHV2IgWaTmK4HUw34RRjvveIYw/s400/100_2833.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(photo from </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">vanillalavender.blogspot.com/2009/06/no-sew-window-valance-featuring-burlap.html)</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">I bought a curtain rod on Friday and I've had the burlap and some accent ribbon for a while now...just have to fire up the sewing machine.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">3. A family name sign from an old cabinet door.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WK0NYIZWNTw7eE1TY1nRyP644g-QAygKvZntfZt9IcQI7D_0vOu6FessmTisRTnxea2CdDGp6xUgMVhB4j6ysIlwtCnSwvfz7Q4s74A8DMa5i2B5dt-tpeJife3d7SwzirHZts2FHz0/s1600-h/famest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WK0NYIZWNTw7eE1TY1nRyP644g-QAygKvZntfZt9IcQI7D_0vOu6FessmTisRTnxea2CdDGp6xUgMVhB4j6ysIlwtCnSwvfz7Q4s74A8DMa5i2B5dt-tpeJife3d7SwzirHZts2FHz0/s400/famest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(photo from www.americanwoodcrafts.com/PersonalizedFamilyEstablishedSignMonogram-idv-481-4.html)</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">I've seen a few versions at various blog linky parties. There's one in particular that I quite liked, but I didn't bookmark it and I can't seem to find it again. Sigh...when will I learn?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">Wish me luck!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/95/C8572B153EC81925716A3D1093071C1F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-52599667960531750572010-03-01T08:41:00.016-04:002010-03-12T09:29:17.993-04:00Sponge-Painting Begone!<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We all wish we had more storage in the bathroom, don't we? Our bathroom needs some major updating, but for the short-term, a little extra storage space would be lovely! </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YTWGaYMZMm5K_Q1nv8tes_vvF0FUrs0IIYTiqRA5gwzkE_xXs1xgq6fT3T2zynZtH73k96IoKmWAMhRsoPu_pGrB5MCUpqLARfsoAWes2K2ULHbg8vYzgmaIUowUofKDdwiQhMbyfWU/s1600-h/stand+after+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YTWGaYMZMm5K_Q1nv8tes_vvF0FUrs0IIYTiqRA5gwzkE_xXs1xgq6fT3T2zynZtH73k96IoKmWAMhRsoPu_pGrB5MCUpqLARfsoAWes2K2ULHbg8vYzgmaIUowUofKDdwiQhMbyfWU/s400/stand+after+1.jpg" width="383" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I took this pic at midnight...bad lighting...sorry.)</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Quite a while ago, my mother-in-law did a complete makeover on one of her spare bedrooms. She changed it from an adult-type guest room into a kid-friendly sleepover room for grandchildren. Primary colours and bunk beds are now the name of the game.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the transition, we fell heir to an old nightstand. It's not very big and that's ideal because it fits perfectly in our bathroom. It has a drawer -- another added bonus since we only have one drawer in our bathroom vanity. It's just made of particle board, but...uuummm...it was FREE, so who cares? Then there's the paint job -- white and periwinkle blue -- some solid white, some solid blue, and some white with blue sponged on top. If you're thinking that my mother-in-law must be stuck in a time warp, I assure you this is not her current style. I'm sure it was all the rage in it's heyday (early 90's?), but I felt it needed a little facelift and my mother-in-law gave her blessing.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here's the "before" in all her sponge-painted glory:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgCn0IQCVlO5oGvvWVSkydXSCWiY7mg0eZQaXGKgA3a6dOTbK6xpj9JjSEKC0HQVIs1UOzJ2imqnn9x9VrNP3F6WLxe1NGTbEqRLZW7dqQji4AbOWVukWpNEGl3TWskntCf9Z8kMZcjI/s1600-h/stand+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgCn0IQCVlO5oGvvWVSkydXSCWiY7mg0eZQaXGKgA3a6dOTbK6xpj9JjSEKC0HQVIs1UOzJ2imqnn9x9VrNP3F6WLxe1NGTbEqRLZW7dqQji4AbOWVukWpNEGl3TWskntCf9Z8kMZcjI/s400/stand+before.jpg" width="327" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What I did:</span></div><ol><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cut a bigger opening at the base of the apron so that the bathroom scale would slide underneath. Okay, okay, my dad did that part. It was my idea, though, AND I drew the line for him to cut along. That counts for something, right?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Removed the drawer pull and filled the screw holes with spackle.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sanded and painted the whole thing -- Pittsburgh's "delicate white" in semi-gloss. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Drilled holes for the new drawer pull and attached it. I love the patina on the cup pull. I got it at Re-Store (Habitat for Humanity's thrift shop) for 50 cents!!!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Added a cute little lined basket and took pics! </span></li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What I didn't do (yet):</span></div><ol style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>Sand the edges for a distressed look. I'm undecided.</li>
<li>Apply glaze for an aged look. I'm undecided.</li>
<li>Paint a third and final coat. I will do this later today, but I was anxious to take pics and blog about it so I skipped ahead. Do you do that, too?</li>
</ol><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The "after" shots:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEa2I1qTS7TZe7k4sqrkd7SKjhSTZJlYGebzbUgn8pGo09U9qFcwG6Y3yDLxvFHRuASUurxP5AOIeOfKOWb8iFqU_ZbNHC6u6-QVKsSGRsNAfSr-9E_gdSpmbAnYdMeZH_JuEPSZO5hPE/s1600-h/stand+after+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEa2I1qTS7TZe7k4sqrkd7SKjhSTZJlYGebzbUgn8pGo09U9qFcwG6Y3yDLxvFHRuASUurxP5AOIeOfKOWb8iFqU_ZbNHC6u6-QVKsSGRsNAfSr-9E_gdSpmbAnYdMeZH_JuEPSZO5hPE/s400/stand+after+2.jpg" width="307" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Another midnight photo...bad lighting...sorry.)</span></i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXMPYgsb9M07kCCN09VjX76HIR7vSrlDuBvTkTpnrw4hqFYWqT11X7ps_3PGbMrbzfzZzMjH1vsan-suBUWaJkoGJO5hr8oyMycI2l4Vx8DWdBJ7a07Up1Jlwxj7KW4aHDxLQogT2wVc/s1600-h/stand+after+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXMPYgsb9M07kCCN09VjX76HIR7vSrlDuBvTkTpnrw4hqFYWqT11X7ps_3PGbMrbzfzZzMjH1vsan-suBUWaJkoGJO5hr8oyMycI2l4Vx8DWdBJ7a07Up1Jlwxj7KW4aHDxLQogT2wVc/s400/stand+after+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(Yet another midnight photo...this one with flash...hence the blinding white.)</i></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I either mis-calculated or mis-measured because the cup pull is not positioned where I wanted it. It'll stay for now. I'll add it to my to-do list...</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Linky linky! Check out all the awesomeness at these parties:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Remodelaholic ~ <a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/2010/03/remodelaholics-anonymous-meeting-10.html">RA Meeting</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thrifty Decor Chick ~ <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/03/before-and-after-party-drape-redo.html">Before and After Party</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Between Naps on the Porch ~ <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/02/welcome-to-59th-metamorphosis-monday.html">Metamorphosis Monday</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Cottage Instincts ~ <a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/2010/02/make-it-for-monday-14.html">Make it for Monday</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Making the World Cuter ~ <a href="http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/2010/03/making-world-cuter-monday-few-show-offs.html">Mondays</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The DIY Show Off ~ <a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2010/02/diy-project-parade.html">Project Parade</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Girl Creative ~ <a href="http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/2010/02/just-something-i-whipped-up_28.html">Just Something I Whipped Up</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Persimmon Porch ~ <a href="http://thepersimmonperch.blogspot.com/2010/02/made-it-monday-22810.html">Made it Mondays</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A Soft Place to Land ~ <a href="http://asoftplace.net/2010/03/diy-day-with-my-design-guide/">DIY Day</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Today's Creative Blog ~ <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/get-your-craft-on.html">Get Your Craft On</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Domestically Speaking ~ <a href="http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2010/03/9th-power-of-paint-party-kiddos-art.html">Power of Paint Party</a> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/51/9BD5B651BB01661D45DA061297DB1318.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" />Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-7160601775372210092010-02-16T22:35:00.010-04:002010-02-18T06:47:04.260-04:00DIY Curtain Rod & Brackets<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">I've been making plans to transform my son's room into a "big boy" room. I like the idea of a rustic lodge theme for his room. There's always good inspiration to be found at "Rate My Space":<br />
<a href="http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Boys-Rooms/Kaisons-big-boy-room/detail.esi?oid=530876">Kaison's big boy room</a><br />
<a href="http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Boys-Rooms/JACKS-BEDROOM-BEFORE--AFTER/detail.esi?oid=465785">Jack's Bedroom: Before & After</a><br />
<a href="http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Boys-Rooms/Rustic-Fishing/detail.esi?oid=502918">Rustic Fishing</a><br />
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I was browsing Dollarama one day when I saw a collection of rustic-looking walking sticks standing in an open box. I immediately thought that two of them connected together would make a great (and frugal) curtain rod. Each one was 36" long. I sweet-talked Hubby into cutting about 5" of each one and drilling a hole into the end of each one. At first, I tried connecting them with a piece of 1/4 " wood dowel, but it wasn't strong enough and so I ended up using a piece of threaded 5/16" metal rod instead.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXG8pv6kHwbL82vV4iGOaGPoyMRiNKGA4JThgrFn7TzkSNOQBU0qLXVPxPeT7AGo9aaFxc85TNvlMQR21EcZEsuZ67XwZWk8_EanZtAnw0wFO1hPJpYewl3rdj965Pw62whd8Sg5zeYA/s1600-h/curtains1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXG8pv6kHwbL82vV4iGOaGPoyMRiNKGA4JThgrFn7TzkSNOQBU0qLXVPxPeT7AGo9aaFxc85TNvlMQR21EcZEsuZ67XwZWk8_EanZtAnw0wFO1hPJpYewl3rdj965Pw62whd8Sg5zeYA/s400/curtains1.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; text-align: left;">Then I had to come up with a way of making brackets for the curtain rod. I picked up a package of two ugly brass coat hooks from Dollarama. I cut a couple of small wooden blocks and painted them and the hooks black. I found some screws that were longer than the ones that came with the hooks. I wanted the screws to be long enough to go throught the wooden block and into the wall beyond. If the hooks were mounted directly on the wall, the curtain rod would have been too close to the wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfJmGISQX8-cX5r5hXyuhG-nKiu-7ctRx1X1U86qWeN4HfaL-qJGFkpgR_FPpkexlbCPdRu9-TmWOBQ9C0sR-tOa8d24NfyrQxR-ZlXpNPomzEYKX7nRgsfVRVonuQ4XAQtFFmFYRvoc/s1600-h/curtains2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfJmGISQX8-cX5r5hXyuhG-nKiu-7ctRx1X1U86qWeN4HfaL-qJGFkpgR_FPpkexlbCPdRu9-TmWOBQ9C0sR-tOa8d24NfyrQxR-ZlXpNPomzEYKX7nRgsfVRVonuQ4XAQtFFmFYRvoc/s400/curtains2.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; text-align: left;">The "handle" on each walking stick, makes a perfect finial. I spent $3.75 on the two walking sticks and the one package of coat hooks. I already had the black paint and the curtain rings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_Trad2NFKggbKZnfd_GjVJi4x-DP5l0PvDzzH-exmNnkeXmDwtzZsYOJQnNQ2yxzsBQ5oAmpVQYKNwraWDa4CUQEry68HR90FzkqmFICbfz_Sls6-0hJADgN82x18u1tHihqnTq6AiU/s1600-h/curtains3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_Trad2NFKggbKZnfd_GjVJi4x-DP5l0PvDzzH-exmNnkeXmDwtzZsYOJQnNQ2yxzsBQ5oAmpVQYKNwraWDa4CUQEry68HR90FzkqmFICbfz_Sls6-0hJADgN82x18u1tHihqnTq6AiU/s400/curtains3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Partying at:</b></i></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Domestically Speaking ~ </span><a href="http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2010/02/7th-power-of-paint-party.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">Power of Paint Party</a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Blue Cricket Design ~ </span><a href="http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2010/02/show-and-tell-with-dot-and-line-home.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">Show and Tell</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b> </b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My Backyard Eden ~ <a href="http://mybackyardeden.blogspot.com/2010/02/make-it-yours-day_17.html">Make it Yours Day</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We Are THAT Family ~ <a href="http://www.wearethatfamily.com/2010/02/wfmw-tips-for-raising-strong-willed.html">Works-For-Me Wednesday</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The Thrifty Home ~ <a href="http://www.thethriftyhome.com/2010/02/21st-penny-pinching-party.html">Penny Pinching Party</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Someday Crafts ~ <a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2010/02/first-whatever-goes-wednesday.html?">Whatever Goes Wednesday</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The Shabby Chic Cottage ~ <a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2010/02/score-switch.html">Transformation Thursday</a> </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/51/9BD5B651BB01661D45DA061297DB1318.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none;" /></a>Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-83368253924654722392010-01-30T23:30:00.014-04:002010-03-12T09:24:32.508-04:00Ooh La La!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After the kiddo was tucked in bed last night, I dug out some black paint, brown kraft paper, burlap, ribbon, and my trusty glue gun to turn a $3 thrift store find into a much more appealing French memo board. Ooh la la!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Here's the result:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMKn9xdBLcFImjzhnZL4Ju4YdLMyKJ8T58qzXeTRlP4XJ3TwflsoaGCacIGMxtBsJ1nXGKYPOe1uet-exwDGmltmqS0uCHIOKaTCoIfnByIC4X5UwfI6xGInLRcIaPeBpVz5BBhUcfF8/s1600-h/after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMKn9xdBLcFImjzhnZL4Ju4YdLMyKJ8T58qzXeTRlP4XJ3TwflsoaGCacIGMxtBsJ1nXGKYPOe1uet-exwDGmltmqS0uCHIOKaTCoIfnByIC4X5UwfI6xGInLRcIaPeBpVz5BBhUcfF8/s400/after.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"></div><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And here's how it started out:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4OB9SlEk7MgvUTkkPEV349YspwLyMHH6jC3qJ_aHYXzpzKk2C1-b3Bl2krR-rJCtoZOtRAbUAhspcICbnXBJl2pfQhytWvNlsM8JXF3x4uC6RqXLILUP-VgfumVEqNJGoDE3mE2dFDc/s1600-h/before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4OB9SlEk7MgvUTkkPEV349YspwLyMHH6jC3qJ_aHYXzpzKk2C1-b3Bl2krR-rJCtoZOtRAbUAhspcICbnXBJl2pfQhytWvNlsM8JXF3x4uC6RqXLILUP-VgfumVEqNJGoDE3mE2dFDc/s400/before.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I started by removing the canvas panel from the frame. Then I sanded the frame a bit, wiped it down, and gave it a coat of black paint. While the frame was drying, I covered the canvas panel with brown kraft paper and then burlap. I added criss-crossing ribbon and secured the "intersection points" (that's the math teacher in me coming out) with pushpins. Popped it all back into the frame and it was done!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9zD_2WEHCWEReohLi0ayYRBow3VY1Em3oSdq7_d4z8qemM3gMzz7hUKQEGNx7Y2xuMSqeUVy4-LWYSCggjYuTML38_sFwU6fAd__4FFEy39Uq1Nm1g4rbrnGIBTcLx3Bw2Ca9GzGnL8/s1600-h/beforeafter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9zD_2WEHCWEReohLi0ayYRBow3VY1Em3oSdq7_d4z8qemM3gMzz7hUKQEGNx7Y2xuMSqeUVy4-LWYSCggjYuTML38_sFwU6fAd__4FFEy39Uq1Nm1g4rbrnGIBTcLx3Bw2Ca9GzGnL8/s400/beforeafter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I think the "after" is much better than the "before".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><b><i>Partyin' it up at:</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Remodelaholic ~ <a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/2010/03/remodelaholics-anonymous-meeting-10.html">RA Meeting</a><b><i> </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Funky Junk Interiors ~ <a href="http://blackcopperdiy.blogspot.com/2010/01/ooh-la-la.html">Saturday Nite Special</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Thrifty Decor Chick ~ <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/01/before-and-after-party-tv-cabinet-redo.html">Before and After Party</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Between Naps on the Porch ~ <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/01/welcome-to-55th-metamorphosis-monday.html">Metamorphosis Monday</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">A Soft Place to Land ~ <a href="http://asoftplace.net/2010/02/diy-day-with-the-rusted-chain/">DIY Day</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The Girl Creative ~ <a href="http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/2010/02/just-something-i-whipped-up-and.html">Just Something I Whipped Up</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The Twice Remembered Cottage ~ <a href="http://twiceremembered.blogspot.com/2010/01/make-your-monday-week-11-add-your-link.html">Make Your Monday</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Reinvented ~ <a href="http://www.reinventedkb.com/2010/02/trash-to-treasure-tuesday.html">Trash to Treasure Tuesday</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My Frugal Family ~ <a href="http://theherberfamily.blogspot.com/2010/02/talented-tuesday.html">Talented Tuesday</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Silly Little Sparrow ~ <a href="http://www.sillylittlesparrow.com/2010/02/toot-your-horn-tuesday-paint-snow.html">Toot your Horn Tuesday</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Today's Creative Blog ~ <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/get-your-craft-on.html">Get Your Craft On</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Domestically Speaking ~ <a href="http://domestically-speaking.blogspot.com/2010/02/power-of-paint-party-5-pretty-painted.html">Power of Paint Party</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The Shabby Chic Cottage ~ <a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2010/02/transformation-thursday-guest-post.html">Transformation Thursday</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Finding Fabulous ~ <a href="http://decormamma.blogspot.com/2010/02/frugalicious-friday-giveawaysodderbug.html">Frugalicious Friday</a> </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/51/9BD5B651BB01661D45DA061297DB1318.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></a>Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-742082856464070032010-01-24T23:33:00.001-04:002010-01-24T23:35:06.587-04:00Blog Browsing Highlights<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We need a new kitchen table. The little 4-seater that I've had since my days as a single gal is simply not big enough. I have been thinking that I'd love an old farmhouse-type table and six mismatched chairs - natural wood for the table and black paint for the chairs.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_Az2PLAq1mWbk66RXkfu9YuJAvH8oRr26039_9Tkxd6iYx6J80pn8MH5r0-qgkI7oQ7zCZFA1JTrcRel56906cLkkSFDMdoxHYSkaNXmNKWlTzCqkBkbZxMYkaeRMGYuUBm5jqnH1l8/s1600-h/1-table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_Az2PLAq1mWbk66RXkfu9YuJAvH8oRr26039_9Tkxd6iYx6J80pn8MH5r0-qgkI7oQ7zCZFA1JTrcRel56906cLkkSFDMdoxHYSkaNXmNKWlTzCqkBkbZxMYkaeRMGYuUBm5jqnH1l8/s400/1-table.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When I saw this on <a href="http://thedecoratingdiaries.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-favorite-find.html">The Decorating Diaries</a>, I fell in love. Her chairs are white and they look divine! I still think I'd go black for my kitchen, though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rita at <a href="http://curbsidecreations.blogspot.com/2010/01/baskets-for-shelf.html">Curbside Creations</a> dressed up some lined baskets with ribbon. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG14VEQtdJfaUBa-8c6hXfhIcUXaUjs9ONdyWG7U__ttxzbzv7Uz2pL0-oe38a5raLC2CtZTVQzLF11MdZZV1tt3B7kyOMHw-Aev_lH-rmUReV-OeQSlFEfW-zabuRa83XUuNAbd8cJ8/s1600-h/2-baskets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG14VEQtdJfaUBa-8c6hXfhIcUXaUjs9ONdyWG7U__ttxzbzv7Uz2pL0-oe38a5raLC2CtZTVQzLF11MdZZV1tt3B7kyOMHw-Aev_lH-rmUReV-OeQSlFEfW-zabuRa83XUuNAbd8cJ8/s400/2-baskets.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Such a simple thing to do and so so cute! I have some lined baskets on a stand in my bathroom and I've been thinking they look a bit plain. This could be a perfect solution! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Nicole at <a href="http://kickingitinthesuburbs.blogspot.com/2009/12/yeah-for-new-bath.html">Kicking it in the Suburbs</a> has made an amazing transformation in her bathroom.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C8VmI9W9s9DWraLPZ6jvENfymK-weKXBlMsPZYX_0-HoWwtq7d08sEVevNElECQ8dChL5pL3BtXxYsFuwCYjV-BahweHNsUG_XFXatGAnxACtlKe7XXtnwfXjdUp5DnnK1YxIk0gwgg/s1600-h/3-bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C8VmI9W9s9DWraLPZ6jvENfymK-weKXBlMsPZYX_0-HoWwtq7d08sEVevNElECQ8dChL5pL3BtXxYsFuwCYjV-BahweHNsUG_XFXatGAnxACtlKe7XXtnwfXjdUp5DnnK1YxIk0gwgg/s400/3-bathroom.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I love the artwork on the wall - closeups of old-fashioned cross faucet handles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jen at <a href="http://jvanoort.blogspot.com/2010/01/50-entryway-remodel.html">Notes from the Heartland</a> has been busy sprucing up her entryway.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnsqBuDdIiuPpnNeKhbSt6ahrWRi6o7qtBF5dGL6_pqAw5GjKAvbYpmXuIZQbdUM8_KRIAncxv44oNYEjOFAtGRQU-0zgVjltchL_8UJgceMUaTbR1Qdjyqa_PFpZzp_Wzy50fOhO5ho/s1600-h/4-entryway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnsqBuDdIiuPpnNeKhbSt6ahrWRi6o7qtBF5dGL6_pqAw5GjKAvbYpmXuIZQbdUM8_KRIAncxv44oNYEjOFAtGRQU-0zgVjltchL_8UJgceMUaTbR1Qdjyqa_PFpZzp_Wzy50fOhO5ho/s400/4-entryway.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What a radical change! Truly remarkable! Any adjective I can think of seems an inadequate description.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Kim at <a href="http://starshinechic.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-to-make-your-own-letter-art.html">Starshine Chic</a> gives a tutorial on creating letter art.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTBPKnC6yNbOEDrJ8X7YEXrDRMqHYf6FZD2cflcQfZdAc8WcMTGaF2jVzuoTqcbb648ej65mSbPxuQE4zXulhbq6pjQC9h-kBI-KBwJqq85UjqYWlPZ6qOg9dqM39q82XBc4i6Cs4u28/s1600-h/5-letterart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTBPKnC6yNbOEDrJ8X7YEXrDRMqHYf6FZD2cflcQfZdAc8WcMTGaF2jVzuoTqcbb648ej65mSbPxuQE4zXulhbq6pjQC9h-kBI-KBwJqq85UjqYWlPZ6qOg9dqM39q82XBc4i6Cs4u28/s400/5-letterart.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So fun! I have to try this! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm a sucker for quilts and this one at <a href="http://sugarnspicecreations.blogspot.com/2010/01/first-quilt-of-new-year.html">Brown Paper Packages</a> is just so darned cute.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtckccXP3vjOqWt-Gw-jFs9XXRImEsr_yDPwNPtrUfluEasyaKpijWeM2I9E3fomhVHbwAZTL9_RctYvBBsmiZ6YzttWWRJR8GD6nWwteORLbySrOhC5KWlRR7QsmetVDkkad74-BlzM/s1600-h/6-quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtckccXP3vjOqWt-Gw-jFs9XXRImEsr_yDPwNPtrUfluEasyaKpijWeM2I9E3fomhVHbwAZTL9_RctYvBBsmiZ6YzttWWRJR8GD6nWwteORLbySrOhC5KWlRR7QsmetVDkkad74-BlzM/s400/6-quilt.jpg" width="350" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I love the colours! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Okay. Enough procrastinating...tomorrow is the first day of exam week...work,work,work!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/51/9BD5B651BB01661D45DA061297DB1318.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-61577849996407353042010-01-12T21:54:00.002-04:002010-01-17T22:15:03.068-04:00Signage<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thenester.com/">The Nester</a> is featuring Danielson Studio Designs and offering a giveaway. I tried out the design studio and had a ball playing around with all of the different options. I made myself stop before I got completely sucked in and ended up wasting an inordinate amount of time. Here are a couple I came up with.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8P7p6IcKbPsxSL6G1d8FtMlVXwLd39zZhSX9QYrcRs-4pel3qF86-IYtHC-3vIbbqUssvbbVq47QEnChE-Y43iBhZ-uSSuwH9YMBfDZgDjCbDP4dNbPakNjTPC-qXYD22g_RARp4BcCQ/s1600-h/sign2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8P7p6IcKbPsxSL6G1d8FtMlVXwLd39zZhSX9QYrcRs-4pel3qF86-IYtHC-3vIbbqUssvbbVq47QEnChE-Y43iBhZ-uSSuwH9YMBfDZgDjCbDP4dNbPakNjTPC-qXYD22g_RARp4BcCQ/s400/sign2.PNG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircDbyR6CwnKNqYITpf5FI5NRTykQlnyO6SXQuHEPlUpwGHUZ0BUrlIeBPq7VHEZIcLq49U1N9monmqTGVkphnSXlDGwcrTqBNB9K7TG8VpelDbdHuvjlcFFJ0vEE0KoHus5A6EaY2iVQ/s1600-h/sign1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircDbyR6CwnKNqYITpf5FI5NRTykQlnyO6SXQuHEPlUpwGHUZ0BUrlIeBPq7VHEZIcLq49U1N9monmqTGVkphnSXlDGwcrTqBNB9K7TG8VpelDbdHuvjlcFFJ0vEE0KoHus5A6EaY2iVQ/s400/sign1.PNG" /></a><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> I think I like the second one better...but the first one is nice, too...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hop over to the <a href="http://www.thenester.com/">Nesting Place</a> and check it out for yourself! </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/51/9BD5B651BB01661D45DA061297DB1318.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a>Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-65292461067862968872010-01-07T22:05:00.010-04:002010-01-12T13:03:41.186-04:00Out with the Old and in with the New (window treatments)<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For over a year now, the windows in our basement family room have been sporting these beauties:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUavOiIWjcEFK5pyNUj9kwLEiLmHSpstbWGH2JbcUXTcBMh0oJp_VfHYft-qBBnDBuAmb0a8wjwdHL524EZLei7ulls-1mHk6GtB1NvkFx9zJUcn8FAUBM0Zfxy412TYwOwHJNYpdCp0/s1600-h/old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUavOiIWjcEFK5pyNUj9kwLEiLmHSpstbWGH2JbcUXTcBMh0oJp_VfHYft-qBBnDBuAmb0a8wjwdHL524EZLei7ulls-1mHk6GtB1NvkFx9zJUcn8FAUBM0Zfxy412TYwOwHJNYpdCp0/s400/old.jpg" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/01/sns-12-brings-all-chance-to-win-no-diy.html"></a></span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">They were kindly left to us by the previous owners, but, well, they just weren't our style. Y'know? So I went fabric shopping and a few months later I finally got around to sewing. It was then that I realized I didn't have enough fabric for all three windows so I had to scrap my original plan. I ended up settling for one single panel for each window -- just big </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">enough to fit inside the casing.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHOo6_vXMKwOFzvuWd58Tmtd5sBV-_OtIG3QlpNzO9hBCTqtDYexHKW5p9IOKola8QyXdAWEhC78rrTd6zL6GHIEBGekq7tYV7JuggNMb8-hcLa-Hi6JW5TX7bU1mscyZ-UCwW_zll0c/s1600-h/new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHOo6_vXMKwOFzvuWd58Tmtd5sBV-_OtIG3QlpNzO9hBCTqtDYexHKW5p9IOKola8QyXdAWEhC78rrTd6zL6GHIEBGekq7tYV7JuggNMb8-hcLa-Hi6JW5TX7bU1mscyZ-UCwW_zll0c/s400/new.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I wanted an easy way to gather the panel up in the middle so I finally came up with a jute twine loop and a button. It works perfectly. We can drop it and let the panel hang down if we want to block out light from that window and when we want to raise it again, it's as easy as placing a loop over a button. No fussy tying. No obsessing over the bow.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPul042aNT8dQ6fkR5yTYbRYDBp5ksT6CsOytRbEPVXG4-bI_iJPmVLL43PbmnTF0n1z7aB8lPNyg_6hHMrPuhymuhY3NIfSUtdT8HqWG08_8Mf6HeydGkipBWDgirpU55Cy6fRwxx14k/s1600-h/newclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPul042aNT8dQ6fkR5yTYbRYDBp5ksT6CsOytRbEPVXG4-bI_iJPmVLL43PbmnTF0n1z7aB8lPNyg_6hHMrPuhymuhY3NIfSUtdT8HqWG08_8Mf6HeydGkipBWDgirpU55Cy6fRwxx14k/s400/newclose.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Please note, these pictures were taken at night and I had to use the dreaded flash. The paint colour on the walls is not really powder blue! And yes, I know I still have to remove the brackets from the old curtain rod...</span><br />
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</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm linking up to</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/01/sns-12-brings-all-chance-to-win-no-diy.html">Saturday Nite Special</a></span>,<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <a href="http://decormamma.blogspot.com/2010/01/frugalicious-fridaythrifty-mudroom.html">Frugalicious Friday</a>, <a href="http://asoftplace.net/2010/01/diy-day-with-youcanmakethis-com/">DIY Day</a>, and <a href="http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/2010/01/just-something-i-whipped-up-monday-and.html">Just Something I Whipped Up Monday</a>.</span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span>Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-85577055463202738152010-01-01T23:51:00.005-04:002010-01-02T04:31:20.948-04:00My Top 10 Picks from Blogland 2009<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Okay, so since I just started this blog a few weeks ago and since I don't even have a grand total of 10 posts under my belt, I can't possibly list 10 of my own highlights from 2009. Instead, I've chosen 10 of my favourites from out there in Blogland.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="border: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The list is in no particular <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">order. Well, that's not exactly true. It's not in order of rank/preference, but it is in alphabetical order. I'm just a tad too anal to type the list all willy-nilly with no order at all.</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PsP4vzERU-QPlvxyy4DbPgBRbYnAEFOw5bqji3pYI9RbymN0e-VgBGeDzNSOTs6nKtuIT2X6JhdDytMurIQ_MsS-sZVSFyhBwgrjLnoDNGfGlSPdAVQJltQUdWV0aeYlOIMphxHfOCI/s1600-h/blogbutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PsP4vzERU-QPlvxyy4DbPgBRbYnAEFOw5bqji3pYI9RbymN0e-VgBGeDzNSOTs6nKtuIT2X6JhdDytMurIQ_MsS-sZVSFyhBwgrjLnoDNGfGlSPdAVQJltQUdWV0aeYlOIMphxHfOCI/s400/blogbutton.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border: medium none; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>320 * Sycamore</b> <br />
<a href="http://granvillehouse.blogspot.com/2009/11/before-and-after-entryway.html">before and after: entryway</a><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l7tdCaW39J9LkEgPm7wGd_goJi1lcjrMfFCV4W4fdemdJfxdBGXYEc1H7DQbagteF0hEmB0M6uaHuYY6cOqOP5nhd2igTwvek93IprgIWpsqCnI_aO7t64UA9qRW261hZSFHL3uEujg/s1600-h/kimbabutton.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l7tdCaW39J9LkEgPm7wGd_goJi1lcjrMfFCV4W4fdemdJfxdBGXYEc1H7DQbagteF0hEmB0M6uaHuYY6cOqOP5nhd2igTwvek93IprgIWpsqCnI_aO7t64UA9qRW261hZSFHL3uEujg/s320/kimbabutton.png" /></a><b>A Soft Place to Land</b> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://asoftplace.net/2009/08/the-door-coffee-table/">The Door Coffee Table</a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3fl1Skr1rMTyL6r66fUnPJWoNo970SlBsW1E1-qk569zSBN0K8xfN_sE2XXGWahAnDoilYhIrRPzBHrUjv7P0qk9poS199pL5lOzQxKzz3j8Mk2gxpSoC0mkpIlnBBqQJUQU13RwIm0/s1600-h/fji150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3fl1Skr1rMTyL6r66fUnPJWoNo970SlBsW1E1-qk569zSBN0K8xfN_sE2XXGWahAnDoilYhIrRPzBHrUjv7P0qk9poS199pL5lOzQxKzz3j8Mk2gxpSoC0mkpIlnBBqQJUQU13RwIm0/s320/fji150.jpg" /></a><b>Funky Junk Interiors</b> <a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2009/10/layering-your-vignettes-101.html"><br />
Layering your vignettes 101</a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhBUr9ceRm8ZDetsDZNIfXm4sOXzerklcj4v0CLAMO-bHfgJdO8eFWNMPrVLFaCe3kNd3-9q5BstgJtTKj_mg6Beh81z-ySHw7HDTWkmGVAZ_UsxX_KrzPwd7z9iHbmFVZ1MsLIM6sjU/s1600-h/littlethings.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhBUr9ceRm8ZDetsDZNIfXm4sOXzerklcj4v0CLAMO-bHfgJdO8eFWNMPrVLFaCe3kNd3-9q5BstgJtTKj_mg6Beh81z-ySHw7HDTWkmGVAZ_UsxX_KrzPwd7z9iHbmFVZ1MsLIM6sjU/s200/littlethings.bmp" /></a><b>It's the Little Things that make a House a Home</b><br />
</div><a href="http://itsthelittlethingsthatmakeahouseahome.blogspot.com/2009/09/hello-storage.html">Hello, Storage...</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThwH-vXByjJyfoML6npI6hcesNTSIQp2JCObPncbknDeEaISjdXlwq2uapztmCSNBT6NV31Rb3idM4zb7uZtGjp0EH-bm_PQGlJPof1u55xckz3oqNDd_k0yZopbLScQrvQwNgTVnpQM/s1600-h/Just-Beachy-Button.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThwH-vXByjJyfoML6npI6hcesNTSIQp2JCObPncbknDeEaISjdXlwq2uapztmCSNBT6NV31Rb3idM4zb7uZtGjp0EH-bm_PQGlJPof1u55xckz3oqNDd_k0yZopbLScQrvQwNgTVnpQM/s320/Just-Beachy-Button.png" /></a><b>Just Beachy</b><br />
</div><a href="http://chriskauffman.blogspot.com/2009/10/quick-and-easy-trim-upgrade.html">Quick and easy trim upgrade</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsvDBfol8c5JPoUIvyoHjyq80lwE0UAOygtOXAx7K-OOYqVIM3K-wJbhpIZQ2R0eqeCij3pcXsy0wgVG0SgxRj_XFqFFD9eMYd5Kb0gQT3mWLBqU5dF8x7LHk4SBisOYI0Cbw7x9WcwQ/s1600-h/suburbancottage8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsvDBfol8c5JPoUIvyoHjyq80lwE0UAOygtOXAx7K-OOYqVIM3K-wJbhpIZQ2R0eqeCij3pcXsy0wgVG0SgxRj_XFqFFD9eMYd5Kb0gQT3mWLBqU5dF8x7LHk4SBisOYI0Cbw7x9WcwQ/s320/suburbancottage8.jpg" /></a><b>Our Suburban Cottage</b><br />
</div><a href="http://oursuburbancottage.blogspot.com/2009/12/master-bath-redo-post-2-framing-mirror.html">Framing a Mirror</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><b>Resolved 2 Worship</b><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="http://resolved2worship.xanga.com/692143080/kitchen-make-over/">Kitchen Make-Over</a><br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sJ2QD3w4j_tCBzrb3_JWcsGa3-F1NynkfmGoniAONyZ4MFJrzGi6BKaTKL5i0aA5LZ7Kpwt4pTQacnn2Pcqj9y_CpXXUr3DSBhMdZvFFghTCPSoqAHM8u3WlP67qyjzNfF-NCi_aJgk/s1600-h/LogoSouthern%2520Hospitality.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sJ2QD3w4j_tCBzrb3_JWcsGa3-F1NynkfmGoniAONyZ4MFJrzGi6BKaTKL5i0aA5LZ7Kpwt4pTQacnn2Pcqj9y_CpXXUr3DSBhMdZvFFghTCPSoqAHM8u3WlP67qyjzNfF-NCi_aJgk/s320/LogoSouthern%2520Hospitality.jpg" /></a><b>Southern Hospitality</b><br />
</div><a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/before-after-brass-to-bronze-light-fixture/">Before and After: Brass to Bronze Light Fixture</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1giKYdIlQJReOkCw9xTd4Pkw-Gk-udKqKk3qWBwsbphqGRzdyb646WhojQq66jjvAwwcZ2l7olcZVipnX6zAI282204s5vnMCTTp0sCtdvKkvu1dg8pNwGmqQ0K5x40QcMkA1m1bAKs/s1600-h/Lettered_Cottage_Icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1giKYdIlQJReOkCw9xTd4Pkw-Gk-udKqKk3qWBwsbphqGRzdyb646WhojQq66jjvAwwcZ2l7olcZVipnX6zAI282204s5vnMCTTp0sCtdvKkvu1dg8pNwGmqQ0K5x40QcMkA1m1bAKs/s200/Lettered_Cottage_Icon.jpg" /></a><b>The Lettered Cottage</b><br />
</div><a href="http://www.theletteredcottage.net/2009/04/my-82-fireplace-makeover.html">My $82 Fireplace Makeover</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPxyEwlDlvG-Mru7sy8JIdDjrqf9mwM3HmjGjnS20mEGTTBbgclEg9actA9Wtlmdh69zIgXEDgBFFT0yV03HOF3IfjCuc0EkNgCWuSDqULJ-FiEdUBrXOiHquKX-dcamzTtBiLz25eQM/s1600-h/TDCbutton.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPxyEwlDlvG-Mru7sy8JIdDjrqf9mwM3HmjGjnS20mEGTTBbgclEg9actA9Wtlmdh69zIgXEDgBFFT0yV03HOF3IfjCuc0EkNgCWuSDqULJ-FiEdUBrXOiHquKX-dcamzTtBiLz25eQM/s320/TDCbutton.gif" /></a><b>Thrifty Decor Chick</b><br />
</div><a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-dining-room-centerpiece.html">A New Dining Room Centerpiece</a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION!</span><br />
</div>Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-75966394245193609872009-12-29T21:39:00.009-04:002010-01-11T15:16:38.180-04:00Making Over the Cave<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So we have this room in the basement. We've hardly touched it since we bought the house over a year ago. Of all the rooms in the house, it's the one most in need of a makeover -- even more than the kitchen with its yellow flowered countertops (I kid you not). This basement room houses a couch, a recliner, and a 42" flat screen TV -- hubby calls it the man cave.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Shortly after moving in, we ripped up the old vinyl flooring and put down new laminate flooring. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We also primed the 70's faux wood panelling on the walls. In fact, there were two different types on different walls. Here you can see some unprimed bits and the new laminate:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The old window treatments have to go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I've finally bought fabric for new window treatments.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The furniture is tan, so using the fabric for inspiration, it seemed to make sense to go with the grey-blue colour for the walls. I ended up picking Pittsburgh's "quicksilver". I just hope it's not too dark/grey -- don't want the "man cave" to actually look like a cave!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Right now, hubby is just finishing up the first coat. The paint is covering really well and, at this point, it seems like a second coat may not even be necessary. Ugh! I wish I'd known that before I bought TWO gallons. Oh, well. Live and learn...<br />
</span>Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-14951864425054767572009-12-22T22:15:00.002-04:002010-01-02T03:46:08.239-04:00Finally!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The tree is finally up AND I have batteries in the camera.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Be2gQJdJEMI_scLY0oENEKjskvkmeU5Laz-Yxt_tGKgkBCWVqBvcD9AbJy01NpnQvZdEz0zBzCEepoLMpVK_vCbGMdzfj4zoJlPq3CsBksTUdxpKx_wGdRgpEXAPkFiymGV_Oi_k17s/s1600-h/post3-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Be2gQJdJEMI_scLY0oENEKjskvkmeU5Laz-Yxt_tGKgkBCWVqBvcD9AbJy01NpnQvZdEz0zBzCEepoLMpVK_vCbGMdzfj4zoJlPq3CsBksTUdxpKx_wGdRgpEXAPkFiymGV_Oi_k17s/s400/post3-3.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfbcQCaJZNinjD-k15tp-jPbHk4H8uhXuyPUJa2dZOeRz66QtSDxmF9b5Edtv5uGcIwiqb1ybB3WnjxUXQvv6BFDVWxjD449YNbN5hnRQ_qKy5zhZTdiympfTet58U7U72sqUX2_YdF4/s1600-h/post3-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfbcQCaJZNinjD-k15tp-jPbHk4H8uhXuyPUJa2dZOeRz66QtSDxmF9b5Edtv5uGcIwiqb1ybB3WnjxUXQvv6BFDVWxjD449YNbN5hnRQ_qKy5zhZTdiympfTet58U7U72sqUX2_YdF4/s400/post3-2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimqmQYWhOVuN2Z9kNDN9_gmJVJryk5WDBZEpCh52sWEjiPqWmYsJMNu3fwfmA3NGdH6jt5dhojVhyphenhyphenkIah1Fl7AsoGIigZnh6K8Zuzkpl3j0e2hm80AgXoRLf8_LqUKCftxUNYTqSapvk/s1600-h/post3-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimqmQYWhOVuN2Z9kNDN9_gmJVJryk5WDBZEpCh52sWEjiPqWmYsJMNu3fwfmA3NGdH6jt5dhojVhyphenhyphenkIah1Fl7AsoGIigZnh6K8Zuzkpl3j0e2hm80AgXoRLf8_LqUKCftxUNYTqSapvk/s400/post3-1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I meant to cut strips of burlap to use as garland, but I had over half of the ornaments on the tree before I remembered. I couldn't talk myself into removing them in order to add garland and then putting them all back on again. So our tree is garland-less this year. I kind of like it, actually!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Is it completely apalling that I haven't yet decorated the fireplace mantel? Does it make it more acceptable if I only just finished work on Friday and I've been caring for a sick two-year-old? </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The shopping is all done, so now on to wrapping, wrapping, and more wrapping. Baking, baking, and more baking. And some last-minute decorating...</span><br />
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</div>Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-36484500998163857582009-12-21T11:56:00.001-04:002009-12-21T11:57:29.534-04:00Simple Tree Ornaments<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My orange slices are dried. I used three different ribbons to make loops for hanging: light olive satin with picot edging, burgundy satin with picot edging, and white "metallic" (sort of opalescent) with straight edging. My apple slices are dried, too. I used three other different ribbons: ivory satin with picot edging, red satin with picot edging, and apple green with picot edging. Here they are ready to hang:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I also made cinnamon applesauce ornaments. I used a full pouch of cheap cinnamon (about 1 3/8 cup), about 1 1/8 cup of cheap unsweetened applesauce, and about 2 tablespoons of regular white glue. I mixed the glue and applesauce first, then added the cinnamon. Once it was all well-mixed, I decided to add some ground ginger and allspice for extra fragrance. It would have been much easier if I had added the extra spices to the cinnamon BEFORE mixing it all together with the glue/applesauce. I managed, but please note that I highly recommend wearing latex or rubber gloves. I needed to knead the "dough" and the glue makes it particularly sticky. Without gloves, your hands will smell lovely, but the brown difficult-to-clean gunk under your fingernails will be most unattractive. I dried them in the oven at about 175 degrees for a few hours.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To glam them up a bit, I followed Emily's lead from <a href="http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2009/11/23/diy-holiday-shimmer-candles/">Remodeling This Life</a>. I didn't have any Mod Podge, but noticed some Multi Podge at the dollar store and bought it to use. It didn't dry clear! I was disappointed, but not ambitious enough to start again from scratch - so they'll suffice. I used sisal twine and jute twine for hanging loops. Here they are:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I finished decorating the tree last night at about 1:30am. The batteries in the camera have died, though, so no pictures of the tree yet. Sigh...</span>Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592094245623301378.post-83506643248386908602009-12-16T23:13:00.001-04:002009-12-17T11:44:34.142-04:00Copper Pennies & Orange Slices<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Remember when pennies were actually made of copper? The more they aged, the darker and darker they became until, eventually, they were almost black. Nannie, my paternal grandmother, used to call those one cent coins "black coppers". </span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm starting this blog to chronicle the cost-effective DIY projects that I have planned for updating our humble abode. "Black Copper DIY" seemed a fitting name.</span><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We'll be putting our Christmas tree up this weekend, and with a two-year-old son, I can't help but wonder/worry about the tree decorations. I think I'll leave most of the "real" decorations packed away this year. I've sliced apples and oranges to dry and I plan to make cinnamon applesauce "cookie" ornaments.</span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Here are the freshly sliced oranges:</span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykkHpmrvhZvYFSBErbyS0AIjNIlnkmrQDPUXIbBADsvgd8lKrMk_TKHeDSqIZ0nEglVyRef3yH4KKF6tZEPSuGpnF6FLC8Qj4P4uGIRMNPCL-YmCOAOo6Te7fs0Ag1H4GkKnOckuuB-8/s1600-h/IMG_3310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykkHpmrvhZvYFSBErbyS0AIjNIlnkmrQDPUXIbBADsvgd8lKrMk_TKHeDSqIZ0nEglVyRef3yH4KKF6tZEPSuGpnF6FLC8Qj4P4uGIRMNPCL-YmCOAOo6Te7fs0Ag1H4GkKnOckuuB-8/s640/IMG_3310.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'll be sure to post the final product once they're dried, loops are added, and they're hung on the tree. I'm not sure whether to use ribbon or jute twine for loops. Hmmmm...maybe some of each!</span><br />
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</div>Gail @ Black Copper DIYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284798151454298300noreply@blogger.com1