Now Where Will I Keep My 45's?

I have a bunch of these old 45 album cases.  I think I must own about ten of them.  But I own no records.  Weird.  So, I've started painting them to hold other things.

Ok, so I've painted one to hold other things.  If it sells, well, then I'll paint more.  It is available on Etsy for $45.00.  

I also just finished these little magnets.  They are tiny little chalkboards---I KNOW---how cute are they? You could use them for gift tags too.  They are available on Etsy for $10.00.   

So that's what I've been up to.  How are you?  Keeping warm?  Good-good.  Talk at you later!

Smiles from the farm,
Lisa

Goat Coat

Because Dottie is mostly white, she gets cold easily.  It has been below zero for the last few days and her old coat was so 2010.  No respectable goat would be seen in it.  So I made her a new one.

We had to add a few inches to this years coat.  Don't feel bad Dottie, that middle-age spread gets us all.

Smiles from the farm,
Lisa

Painting the Roses Pink...

I just finished painting roses on  these little chalkboard plaques.  I wasn't sure what they were going to be...gift tags, refrigerator magnets, door hangers???  So I decided to just leave them as they were.  Now they can be anything...

  

They are all available in my Etsy shop...

Smiles,
Lisa

Normal animals...

Yeah, I don't quite know what to say either.  I'm thinking of filing some sort of trick advertising claim.  Well at least he's low maintenance (Three types of anti-allergy medications for skin issues twice a day),  sweet and gentle (tries to eat delivery people and well....anyone else), clean (nope), laid back (hahahahahaha), loyal (only because he knows if he eats us, no one will feed him anymore), non-sheddding (see response to laid back).

At least he doesn't find some weird sort of satisfaction and joy in sitting in things.  Just sitting there with one eyebrow cocked waiting for someone to say something.  Daring them to take his picture and question his motives.  Yeah, because who would do that?

Weirdos.

I think my craft bone is broken...

Have you ever had one of those days where something that you are normally pretty proficient at, just seems to have gone away?  I just can't seem to create anything without crumpling it up and throwing it away lately.  It's frustrating.

I did manage to make this little rose painting.  It took me way too long for the quality and size but I was at least somewhat satisfied with it.  I don't know...I think it must be like speaking another language.  If you don't use it, you lose it.

Things have been pretty hectic here and although they are not slowing down, I think I am assimilating to the stress.  I am down to my last two goats.   Someone came to look at them this weekend and the whole time I was praying that she wouldn't want them.  She said she needed time to think about it, which probably means she doesn't.  But just in case I am going to email her this week and say that I've changed my mind.  I just can't picture myself without goats at this point.  Besides, it's Dottie and her daughter, Betty.  They need to stay here.

Wow, that post was a lot of whining.  Thanks for listening.  Here's some more Christmas decorating pictures to make up for it. (or add to it, what do I know?)

I think I need more ornaments!  There's a bare branch down there on the right.  We can't have that!

Smiles from the farm,
Lisa

Decking the halls...

I am seeing a lot of Scandinavian influence in decorating lately.  Colorless and simple.  It's a very pleasing aesthetic.  I was thinking of incorporating some of the trend into my Christmas decor.

Yeah, no...I don't think so.  This year I've decided my theme is to use ALL of the decorations.

Even creepy-eyed Santa.

Life's too short for black and white.  So how's your decorating coming?

To all that have served...

Thank you.  

This is a postcard sent to my great-grandmother from my grandfather on May 7, 1943.  It reads:

How is the weather up there now it must be starting to warm up a little by now.  Has the ice gone out of the lake yet.  Have you heard where Elwood went and what about (?) has he gone.  Hope you are all well.  I am o.k.  

PFC Tyler Curtis

My grandfather, Tyler Curtis-taken in 1943

I am grateful for my grandfather's sacrifice in WWII and for that of my stepfather in Vietnam, my baby brother in Afghanistan and for all of our soldiers.  Again, thank you.

Well That Escalated Quickly...

Yesterday it was autumn.  The sting of winter was in the air, but some of the leaves were still hanging on.  They were looking a little worse for the wear, but still there.  The grass was green.  Well I suppose it still is, underneath.

Winter might not actually be here, but she sent her luggage ahead so we'd be aware that she's coming.

Because, believe it or not, we forget.  The New England summer is a big stupid liar and we are just dumb enough to believe that this will be the year that winter doesn't come.

But it will.  So we will bow down and offer up the sacrificial hot chocolate, wet mittens, heavy boots and soft skin because we are ever reminded of how cruel weather can be.

Stay warm, dry and well moisturized.  She'll be here soon.

Smiles from the farm,
Lisa

The Dancing Clown

This year I ran out of time to put up my Halloween decorations.  Thankfully it only took a minute to find a picture of Pennywise to download and use for my husband and childrens' holiday morning enjoyment.  Yes, I am a caring wife and mother.

Have a safe and happy Halloween and remember...

WE ALL FLOAT DOWN HERE...

Muahahhahahaha,

Lisa

Flour Sack Foot Stool

Say that ten times fast.

It's been a while since I have done a before and after.  This footstool was ummmm, gross.  I mean GROSS.  The fabric was an orange and green tweed.  Lovely.  Fortunately it was also stained and stinky, YEAH.

I liked the feet though.  I could see the possibilities!  First I stenciled a piece of linen-like fabric to mimic a French flour-sack.  Then I ripped all of the upholstery fabric off and tore the foam out and threw it all away.  Then I sprayed the webbing and wood with a diluted bleach mixture to get rid of the musty smell.  It worked quite well.  Then I replaced the padding and recovered it and am quite happy with the results.

Coming up soon......

Can you believe my husband thought these should have stayed at the dump!  Preposterous!  I mean...yes the foam has undergone some sort of chemical reaction that has rendered it to a Cheeto-like powder and there may or may not have been some extra mouse-like dead bodies inside...but I mean really!  Can't you see the possibilities?

No?

Just wait.

Smiles from the farm,
Lisa