My New Adirondack Chairs

For my birthday a couple of weeks ago, we went out and bought a pair of Adirondack chairs.  I'd been wanting them for years and was excited about finally getting some.  As the clerk gave me my receipt, she said, "Make sure you never leave them out in the rain, or they'll split."  Are you kidding me??  We get crazy weather here and yes, they will get wet!  The chairs sat unassembled in the boxes for a week.   I was concerned that they wouldn't even last a year.  My husband was thinking the same thing and researched building plans for them.  He had me return the chairs and immediately went out and got wood to get started.

I didn't take pictures of the mess from planing down all of the wood, but let's just say our trash was very full and very dusty for two weeks!

They are coming together nicely! 

He put cork plugs in all of the screw holes.  80 holes per chair! 

The piece that's missing is so he can reach the screw holes in the back of the chair.  He assures me that he will be attaching that piece before he is done.  :)

The corks have been sanded down and the final piece has been attached.

Done!  I am so happy!

(I do realize that a picture of this chair outside in the sun would be soooo much better, but since it's still snowing and yucky here, that picture will have to wait... )

 

Amazingly enough, these beauties ended up costing less than the cheap-o, don't-get-them-wet ones!

  I guarantee we will enjoy these much more and for a lot longer.  I love when I get homemade gifts and I will certainly treasure these!

Thanks for coming by!  I appreciate your visits and comments.

Pam

I am linking to the following parties:

Thrifty Decor Chick's Before & After Party

It's So Very Cheri's Party Time

Debbiedoo's Newbie Party

The DIY Show Off's Project Parade

Between Naps on the Porch Met Monday

Dittle Dattle's Amaze Me Monday

Centsational Girl's Spring Party

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia's Tuesday Treasures

Type A's Anything Goes Party

Savvy Southern Style's Wow us Wednesdays

No Minimalist Here's Open House

Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Friday

Elements Interior's Whassup Wednesday

I am Not a Fan of Crazy Spring Weather!

Two days ago I was outside in shorts--probably not a good look with how wintery-white my legs are right now--but it was beautiful outside!  I was able to cut back the perennials that I didn't get to this fall and do some general clean up in the yard.  I even saw this bird checking out the birdhouse for a potential new home.

My bulbs are slowly, slowly making their way up.  Good thing since none of the perennials are ready yet!

The weeping cherry is starting to get buds.  You can bet I'll do another post when this beauty is in full bloom!

And now today....

I know it's not a lot of snow, so I am not complaining too much (but still complaining!)

I did hear on the news last night that March, April and May are the wettest months in our area.  Darn it, why did I have to hear that??

I hope it's sunny and beautiful wherever you are today!  Please soak up some of the sun for me.  We're supposed to be stormy till next Wednesday....

Thank you so much for coming by.  I really appreciate your visits and comments!

Pam

I'm OK with this type of Scale

In honor of my Mom's birthday today, I wanted to show a collection that was inspired by her.  (But first, here's a picture of her along with me and my husband from a few years ago)  :)

When we were growing up, she had all sorts of great antiques, especially old scales.  She and I were shopping at the Portland Expo a few years ago and she found this one.  She was so excited to have found it in such good shape.

The couple she bought it from were so nice!  They invited us to their house later that night to see their extensive collection of scales, coke machines, general store memorabilia, etc.  It was the most fun ever!!  Not long after this trip, my Mom was diagnosed with cancer.  Eight months later, she lost her battle.  My Dad gave me this scale right after she died.  It absolutely means the world to me.  Every time I look at it, I remember how happy she was to find it and how much fun we had looking at the couple's collections!

I had been collecting my own scales via ebay, the Portland Expo, antique shows, etc.  Here are a few others that I love.

These are all fun as they are so tiny.  I'm always excited when I find them at antique shows. 

Most of my scales are candy or general store type scales, but some are scientific and postal scales.  The scientific scale on the middle shelf here was one of the first ones I bought.  I love the milk glass trays.

The burgundy Toledo scale is another of my Mom's that my Dad gave me.  Love, love, love it too!

Thanks for coming by.  I really appreciate your visits and comments!

Pam

p.s.   I would like to add a BIG THANK YOU to Lisa at Serendipity Chic Design  for sending me these salad tongs for winning her recent giveaway.  I love her blog and love these tongs!

I am linking to the following parties:

A Stroll Thru Life's Tabletop Tuesday

The Gypsy's Corner's Three or More Tuesday

Cute Graphics + Ikea = FAB Pillows!

I made some fun and easy pillows this weekend.  I think they turned out great.






I started with this pillow cover that I purchased at Ikea.

I used this graphic that I found on  The Graphics Fairy's blog.  I absolutely LOVE The Graphics Fairy's blog!!   I flipped the image so it would work correctly when I ironed it on the pillow.  You can flip an image in Picasa by pressing Control/Shift/H. 

I bought this package of Jolee's Easy Image Transfer Sheets for White Fabrics from Michael's.  I saw on The Mango Archive's Blog that she used iron on transfers on dishtowels.  I figured it'd work on pillows too.

I copied the graphic onto the transfer paper using my inkjet printer.

  The directions on the transfer paper say not to use directly on an ironing board, so I used our old bread board with an old pillow case over it. Then I put the bread board and old pillowcase INSIDE the new pillow cover.   I didn't want the graphic to somehow get heated to both sides.  (not sure that it would have, but didn't want to find out.)

I ironed the pillow a little, so the major wrinkles were out, but didn't go crazy getting it perfect.

I then cut the transfer paper.  But please note--cut closer to the image than I did here!  This was my first attempt and the transfer paper does show up around the edges. You need a little bit of an edge--about 1/2" is probably good.  

I placed the transfer paper on the pillow cover and made sure it was centered pretty well.

I used an iron without steam set on COTTON.   I put the iron on one spot and held it for 20 seconds.  I would then lift the iron up and set it down on another spot for 20 seconds.  I made sure all of the areas were ironed, especially the edges.  I probably set the iron down at least in ten different places to make sure I got everything.

I peeled the paper backing off carefully and the image stuck to the pillow.

On this one, you can see where I messed up and didn't cut close enough to the image, so you can see the transfer paper.  I did cut the paper closer in pillows I made after this one and they all look great.  Even though the edges show up on this first one, it is not nearly as noticeable once the pillow insert is put in. 

Here's another one I made.  I collect old scales and love this image too! 

I am so happy with my new pillows.  I even made some for birthday gifts. 

Here's the breakdown in cost:  (if you're one of my friends who received this as a gift, you can quit reading now!)  :)

Pillow cover:  $6.00 Ikea

Pillow Insert:  $6.99 Ikea

Transfer paper: $0.60 each Michael's.  (a pack of 10 was $6 after coupon)

Total per pillow: $13.59!

Thanks so much for coming by.  I appreciate your visits and comments.

Pam

Please check out these parties that I've linked to:

The Graphics Fairy's Brag Monday

Between Naps on the Porch Met Monday

Someday Craft's Whatever Goes Wednesday

No Minimalist Here's Thursday Open House

Tales from Bloggeritaville's Thrifty Thursday

Hooking up with House of Hepworth

Somewhat Simple's Strut Your Stuff Party

My Romantic Home's Show and Tell Friday

French Country Cottage's Feathered Nest Friday

Bargain Hunting with Laurie's Favorite Things Saturday

Tatertots and Jello's Weekend Wrap Up

Funky Junk Interiors SNS#73

Debbiedoo's Newbie Party

Dittle Dattle's Amaze Me Mondays

The Stories of A to Z's Tips and Tutorials

I Heart my Crafty Cutter's Party

The Lettered Cottage's Tuesday Tutorial

Organizing the Other Side of the Closet

My husband is very good about putting his clothes back in the closet, but his side always looked messy!  We even put a coat rack in the corner so he could hang his sweatshirts from it.  Truthfully, it always looked terrible!

So, being the one who is overly anal about loves organization, I convinced him that we should add some shelves. 

Since all of the other shelves are painted in here, I got to painting....

Here is the new and improved, clean, organized closet! 

Yes, I am the one who color coordinates all of his shirts.  He used to complain that he didn't have this color shirt or that color shirt.  Now as soon as I get them home from the cleaners (or in the case of the polos, as soon as I've ironed them), I put them away by color.  This has completely eliminated his complaints about his shirt selection.  :) 

The whole project cost only $26. 

Since I try to finish my posts by giving full disclosure--here it is.  My husband couldn't care less about whether he has a bar, coat rack or shelves.  He puts his stuff wherever there is an open spot.  :)  But, I am in the closet several times a day and am a bit of a neat freak. I love that it is now neat and organized.  And we did save the rod so if we ever want to rehang it, we can. 

Thanks for coming by.  I appreciate your visits and comments!

Pam

I am linking to:

Between Naps on the Porch's Met Monday

A Cute Easter Gift from a Blogger Friend!

The other day Vicki at The Tapestry of Life let me know I'd won a giveaway from her blog.

Yesterday this cute Easter decoration came! 

Thanks so much Vicki!  I love it!

Pam

This Dining Room is for the Birds!

In the few weeks since I've been blogging, it's probably become apparent that I love anything to do with birds--little bird figurines, birdhouses, birdcages, eggs, etc.  You probably guessed that I love blue and white too!  My dining room decor is no exception.

I've never posted a tablescape before, but thought it might be fun to try one.

My good friend, Cindy, bought me the dishes.  I think they are so cute and I am so fortunate to have such a generous friend!

I found these ceramic bird napkin rings on ebay.

My husband made the dining table for me for Christmas many years ago. 

The cloche and the wooden birdcage were both bought from the BarnHouse boys.  Boy, do I miss their sales since we left Oregon!

Our plan with this room is to build a wall of cabinets where this pine cabinet is now.  Ellen, from Nouveau Stitch has some beautiful ones HERE and has given me the dimensions.  I cannot wait for my husband to start on them!

We have these pretty french doors.  Full disclosure here--the doors must be kept closed if the table is set.  Our cat thinks this room is for his enjoyment only....  :)

Thanks so much for coming by!  I really appreciate your visits and your comments!

Pam

I am linking to the following parties:
Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday
A Stroll Thru Life's Cloche Party  (yes, I know I only have one cloche in here, but it's my favorite)  :)
Happy to Design's Sunday Favorites
Under the Table and Dreaming's Sunday Showcase
Debbiedoo's Newbie Party