Sunday

Bliss Ranch Pick 'O The Litter Project Recap

This post starts the same way every year......

Another year over.

The days march on the same no matter if we would like them to speed up or to slow down.

In the world of blogging with a life of making projects, it's nice to be able to look back and see concrete evidence that I did in fact accomplish something on the to-do list.

So here are my top 8 "PICK 'O THE LITTER.  

The concrete evidence for 2015, which might be known only to me, as the project year of before and afters. 

2015 Project Before and Afters, Bliss-Ranch.com

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Sunday

Antiques & Collectibles Stencil From Funky Junk Interiors

I want to show you a quick like a bunny project, because a week before Christmas I have no time to move at my usual snails pace.

This sign has a simple surprise, but maybe instead of being quick like a bunny or moving slow like a snail, I'm actually killing two birds with one stone.

Are you one of those people who think you don't have any artistic ability?

Only about as much creative talent as your pinky finger can hold?

Stencils are your answer.

You can have vintage looking signs with even half a pinky finger's worth of creativity.

Funky Junk Stencils, Antiques Sign Bliss-Ranch.com


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Wednesday

Upcycled Wood Spool Christmas Tree

Hold on to your tinsel, 
this spool is full of Christmas cheer!
 My creation is an upcycled, recycled, junktastic project......
Wood Spool Christmas Tree Bliss-Ranch.com


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Sunday

Flocking The Tree Using A Pro Grade Flock

I'll get this out of the way right off the bat.... every time I typed the word flock for this post I either giggled at the way it sounded in the sentence or determined it sounded really bad and decided to rephrase it.

But the white stuff that goes on Christmas trees to make them look snowy is called flock, so if that word bothers you then think of it like a herd of sheep or a gaggle of geese flying over your house in their flock.

How to Flock a Tree with Pro Flocking, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Thursday

Santa Collector

I'm a Santa Collector.

Well I used to be anyhow.

But once people find that out, Mr. Kringle keeps arriving in some way shape or form. 

Santa Collector Display, Bliss-Ranch.com

I've got three mantels.


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Tuesday

Metal Sleigh of Greens

While I'm on this coppery kick I decided to paint Santa's reindeer sleigh.

As in the sleigh is shaped like a reindeer.

Actually as I look at it, it's not shaped like a reindeer, it's shaped like a sleigh with a deer head.

Now don't everyone get your tinsel in a twist that I painted this once silvery thing.

Matthew Mead Metallic Copper Paint, Sleigh Bliss-Ranch.com


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Sunday

Matthew Mead Studio Metallic Copper Ornament Redo

You've probably seen those long tubes of red and green ornaments that retailers have in the isles this time of year.

The tubes are filled with several shapes of red and green, sometimes other colors like silver and gold.

I picked up two large tubes of those ornaments, brand new, a couple years ago at a garage sale for a buck each.

Matthew Mead Studio Metallic Paint, Copper redo, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Thursday

Beam Ceiling Light

The house that #1 Son built is nearing completion.

But even before ground was broken, some things started to take shape.... a whole year ago.

Last year this time I stalked #1 Daughter-in-laws Pinterest board for something that Brawn could make them for Christmas. 

An inspiration light was discovered pinned and I crossed my fingers that it was something they would like, not just something pinned accidentally.

Then not one, but two faux beam lights were made.

Faux Beam Hanging Ceiling Light, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Tuesday

Tomato Cage Christmas Tree


Jingle Bell time is a swell time. 

How come every post I do about Christmas I feel like singing?  

Tomato Cage Junk Christmas Tree, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Thursday

Cake Tester Giveaway from One 30 One Design

I don't often do giveaways, but it's that time of year again where I raid my daughters pretty baubles and decide I should give a cake tester away, compliments of and unbeknownst to her.

Lampwork Glass Bead Cake Tester Bliss=Ranch.com

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Tuesday

Updating Brass Ceiling Fans With Paint and Light

Last week there was a real cliffhanger here at the Ranch when I left the story hanging on what lights I picked from Parrot Uncle (you can read about that here).

Ceiling Fan Updated with Paint & Lights, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Friday

Lagunitas Brewery, Petaluma California

Lagunitas Brewery isn't just a brewery, it calls itself a beer sanctuary, and if you have the opportunity to visit, do it. 

Lagunitas Brewery Logo
The Petaluma operation is quite the personality filled place in more ways than one.


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Wednesday

Thrift Store Decor Hard Working Not Lazy Susan

I've scored a few thrifty things over the years, and some of those things are due for a redo.

One item that needed some TLC was a $3.00 thrift store lazy Susan.

She's a big girl, 20 inches across.

Thrift Store Decor Lazy Susan Makeover, Bliss-Ranch.com
Here she is a couple years ago on the day I brought her home.  She wasn't very groovy.

Rather than thrift this back to the store for someone else to give it new decor, I decided to update it myself for the November Thrift Store Decor Team makeovers.


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Monday

Picking Out Lights From Parrot Uncle

Recently I was contacted by a lighting company with an offer to review a light from their web site.

The company boasts discount lighting and cheap lamps for sale, and I've got a few spots I wouldn't mind updating with a new light style, particularly with inexpensive vintage lights.

Parrot Uncle Lighting, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Thursday

Pipe Leg Dog Feeder, Mo's Diner

Using pipe in decor is nothing new.

At least not to me.

Pipe Feet Dog Feeder, Bliss-Ranch.com

15 years ago we made galvanized pipe shelving, two twin pipe beds, and a pipe nightstand for the room our two youngest sons shared.


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Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Party

Welcome back to the VIP! We have some wonderful upcycled, repurposed and vintage decor features this week we know you'll love!

Take a look at what your hosts have been up to recently!


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Saturday

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, California

I like the ocean, and I like Pigeon Point Lighthouse in California.

You know those fill in the blank questions that go around and say things like 'beach or mountains'?

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Bliss-Ranch.com

Well guess which I pick.


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Thursday

Visiting Half Moon Bay California

In October Brawn and I went to visit friends in beautiful Northern California.  

While the purpose for the trip wasn't necessarily to tour the sights, a person can't hardly help but see a few landmarks along the way.

Visiting Half Moon Bay California, Bliss-Ranch.com

So armed with my trusty cell phone camera I snapped some places worth mentioning.  

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Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Party

Welcome back to the VIP! We have some wonderful upcycled, repurposed and vintage decor features this week we know you'll love!
Vintage Inspiration Party
Take a look at what your hosts have been up to recently!


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Monday

Hinged Beach Sign

I wrote a post over summer about a beach sign I made as a gift, and last month I gave the sign an upgrade for it's trip to the ocean.

The gift was for 2014.  The original post was in 2015. 

I worried the gift would never make it to it's intended home on the California coast since it was still in my possession almost a year later.

I think I have mentioned before, that if I gift you with something you may not get it until months later.  Daughter #1's laundry room makeover comes immediately to mind.

But this beach sign made it in less than a year, top speed for my normal.

Beach Sign Hinged In 3 Pieces, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Wednesday

Thrift Store Decor October

It's the end of October and the goblins will be heading out at dusk in a couple days.

The fallen leaves will blow into November, and hopefully out of my yard.

It's also October's Thrift Store Decor, where our team of thrifty DIY'ers transform something on the cheap.

Thrift Store Decor Team, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Sunday

#1 Son Monthly New House Update

The next monthly update on #1 sons house that I give you, will no doubt be the one where #1 son and his family no longer live across the driveway from us.

I have mixed feelings about that.

Grapevine Fall Wreath, Bliss-Ranch.com

When they move I suppose a recent birthday girl will still notice all the black construction paper crows I place around the house like finding Where's Waldo.

Just not right away.


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Thursday

Zuri Pfister Faucet

Until 2010 Pfister Faucets were known as Price Pfister Faucets.  

I have some Price Pfister faucets that are 15 years old and they look and work as good as the day they were installed.  

The faucet selection on the Pfister website is vast, and Pfister has all the popular finishes.

Pfister Kitchen Faucet, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Party


Welcome back to the VIP! We have some wonderful upcycled, repurposed and vintage decor features this week we know you'll love!


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Sunday

Haunted Portraits

My absolute favorite Halloween project that I have made are Haunted Portraits that I spied from Tracy at CrowsFeetChic.

I re-post them every year at this time because I love them.

Haunted Portraits Bliss-Ranch.com
The Eyes Have It
I've made two versions of these.


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Thursday

October Is For The Birds

This post is for the birds if you like decorating in October for Halloween.

Or live in Bodega Bay.

You know those black birds and ravens that you can pick up at the store this time of year?

They can be a little pricey unless your dollar store happens to have some.

Mine doesn't.

So what's a bird lover to do?

Spray Paint Birds for Halloween, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Party

Welcome back to the VIP! We have some wonderful upcycled, repurposed and vintage decor features this week we know you'll love!

Take a look at what your hosts have been up to recently!


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Thursday

The Ugly Dresser Redo

Have you ever moved into a place and inherited something the previous occupants left?

Well that happens to be the case of this dresser.

Ugly Dresser Redo, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Party

Welcome back to the VIP! We have some wonderful upcycled, repurposed and vintage decor features this week we know you'll love!

Take a look at what your hosts have been up to recently!


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Friday

Fusion Mineral Paint

Fusion Mineral Paint.

Ever hear of it?

I know many of you have because I get emails asking me about it every time I paint a project in a Fusion color.


So readers.... this post's for you.


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Wednesday

Thrift Store Decor September

The butcher, the baker, the candlestick painter.

Sometimes I see something for cheap, that I have no desire to own, but gosh darnnit if that fifty cent price tag doesn't tempt me anyway.

Such is the case with this candlestick.

Thrift Store Decor Candlestick Makeover, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Party

Welcome back to the VIP! We have some wonderful upcycled, repurposed and vintage decor features this week we know you'll love!
Vintage Inspiration Party
Take a look at what your hosts have been up to recently!

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Sunday

DIY Spindle Mattress

What's that you say, a DIY mattress?

Isn't DIY the initialism for "do it yourself"? 

So you want to know if there is such a thing as a DIY mattress, what is it, and why?

Well let the wise old owl just tell you.....

Spindle Mattress Bliss-Ranch.com


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Thursday

Rock And Roll Coochie Coo

Last weekend I attended a baby shower for one of my nieces.

Rock and Roll Coochie Coo Baby Sign, Bliss-Ranch.com

When you forget someone isn't a 10 year old anymore it's strange when you realize they are now old enough to procreate.

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Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Party


Welcome back to the VIP!
We have some wonderful upcycled, repurposed and vintage decor features this week we know you'll love!
Vintage Inspiration Party
Take a look at what your hosts have been up to recently!


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Wednesday

Two Groovey Side Tables

Earlier this year I redid a garage sale coffee table that only a few months prior had been given a makeover.

Fusion Mineral Paint Coffee Table Redo, Bliss-Ranch.com

That coffee table had two side table friends living in close proximity who also had been given a previous makeover, so then they needed to receive a makeover on top of a makeover.

Confused?  Don't be.


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Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Party



Welcome back to the VIP!
We have some wonderful upcycled, repurposed and vintage decor features this week we know you'll love!
Vintage Inspiration Party
Take a look at what your hosts have been up to recently!


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Saturday

Cucumber Salsa

Here I am doing it again... posting a recipe. 

Yes I know they are few and far between, and if you've been reading here a while and paying attention, they are few and far between because I hate doing recipe posts.

I just like to do eating posts.

For all I know everyone else in the world has seen cucumber salsa and this is old news. 

I'd never heard of it till #1 daughter wrote the recipe down, handed it to me, and said "don't pay attention to the weird ingredients, just make it".

cucumber salsa, bliss-ranch.com


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Thursday

Building Update For #1 Son

Another summer has come and gone.

Kids are back in school and the evenings are a bit cooler.

We've had the neighbors I told you about a while back living across the yard now for four months.  It makes me sad to think they won't be there next summer, but excited for them to move in to their new home.

When you're building a house and doing much of the finishing work yourself, each day sort of holds the same routine. 

Get up, get the kids to school, go to work, come home, work on house.  Repeat. 

The weekends are particularly busy, you get to work on the house all day plus do all the stuff you needed to do during the week but didn't have time to get to.

Such is the life of #1 son and his wife right now.

But their house is starting to take on a personality, and some of the things that add their style are in place.

Tile is going up in the kids bathroom.

Building progress, subway tile, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Party



Welcome back to the VIP!
We have some wonderful upcycled, repurposed and vintage decor features this week we know you'll love!
Vintage Inspiration Party
Take a look at what your hosts have been up to recently!


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Saturday

Trash To Treasure Nightstand

Yesterday I showed you the free trash to treasure dresser that Eddie the friend of #2 son left behind when he moved, and today I have what is now the matching nightstand.

Trash To Treasure Dresser Nightstand, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Thursday

Vote Apothecary Cabinet IKEA Hack

Almost two weeks ago I created an Apothecary cabinet for a contest I was asked to enter along with eight other bloggers.  (Click the link if you would like to take a peek at the build details).
IKEA Hack, Apothecary Cabinet, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Wednesday

Trash To Treasure Dresser

One mans trash is another mans treasure.

The first time I heard that line I was about 8 years old.  My mom said it as we walked to the house across the street from my aunt and uncles place where there was a yard sale.

I was mortified, I didn't know what a yard sale was, I thought those people were just cleaning out their garage.

Sorry mom.  Knowing me, I probably pitched a fit in the middle of the street.  Times have changed.

Coffee Sack Painted Dresser, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Party

Welcome back to the VIP!
We have some wonderful upcycled, repurposed and vintage decor features this week we think you'll love!
repurposed and upcycled


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Friday

JORD Wood Watch

I've got this son.

Well actually I have four of those I guess.  But one of those, well he likes the finer things in life.

Wait.... they all like the finer things in life, maybe he's just better at saving his money when he needs to, so as to acquire those finer things.

His name happens to start with a J, the same as the maker of one of those F.T.'s in life.

And J likes watches.  His new favorites are JORD Wood Watches.

JORD Wood Watch, Bliss-Ranch.com #jordwatch


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Wednesday

Thrift Store Decor, Lampshade

It's the last Wednesday of the month and that means a quick redo of a cast off treasure someone else didn't want, but I did.
Thrift Store Decor, Citra-Solv Lampshade Transfer, Bliss-Ranch.com

Last month I redid an old clock, and for August I'm giving a pottery urn turned pottery urn lamp a new shade. 


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Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Party

Welcome back to the Vintage Inspiration Party. We're so glad you are here!
The VIP is the place to share anything old, treasured, passed-down or tattered.
You can also share projects that were made to look old,
including repurposed and upcycled creations.

repurposed and upcycled


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Sunday

Bagel Make'n

Oh Bliss, if you hate blogging about food stuff so much how come you keep doing it?

How come you are talking to yourself too?

The answer to both those questions is... I don't know!

Easy New York Style Bagels, Bliss-Ranch.com


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Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Party #202

Welcome back to the Vintage Inspiration Party. We are so glad you're here!
The VIP is the place to share anything old, treasured, passed-down or tattered.
You can also share projects that were made to look old,
including repurposed and upcycled creations. 

repurposed and upcycled
Take a look at what your hosts have been up to recently!


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