H is for Humperdinck

Every blogger remembers the handful of blogs they first discovered.  HatingMartha was one of those for me and I'm honored that Janel is here doing a guest post.  All of us are looking for ideas right?  Well for me Janel not only makes things that I love, but that I could actually see myself copying making.  Like the letter H below.  I look at the alphabet every time I hit a craft store and wonder what could I do with one of those?  Thanks to HatingMartha, now I know!

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 I am so excited to be here today at Bliss Ranch! I feel young and free hanging out here where I can let it all hang out. Cause Bliss is just so cool that way! Pour yourself a glass of lemonade and lets get started!

I'm Janel and I blog over at Hating Martha. Now, before you get your panties in a bunch about me hating anybody... go read my about me page. You'll get it. My blog is full of crafts, DIY, sometimes cooking, sometimes just nonsense. It's always a good time, always believable, and always bordering ridiculous. Come over some time and plop your self down for a good read!

  

I have a love for old Industrial signs, letters, and such.

I really do. They make me sigh. 

But they are terribly expensive and out of my budget.

So when I saw this baby I had an aha moment.

The lightbulb glowed bright inside my little ol' brain.

A giant chipboard H. Yep, the things dreams are made of.

First thing was to paint all the edges and corners with silver metallic paint.

This was so that when I buffed some paint off the metallic would show through 

and give the illusion of sheet metal.

Next was to cover the whole letter with Valspar glossy orange paint.

I needed several coats. But, it dried fast.

 Covered in that pretty orange paint.

To give the look of sheet metal screws I used chrome upholstery tacks.

I just put them in on the edges.

Then I took some black paint and rubbed it all over the letter, rubbing it off right

away. Make sure to get it into those tacks. 

A light sanding on the edges for that metallic paint to show through.

I also put a bit of metallic paint on my finger and buffed it randomly in some places.

There you have it...

an Industrial Metal Sign.

From a chipboard letter.

Yippee!!

Thanks Janel for the great tutorial and for stopping over at the Ranch.  Your tutorial is understandable enough that I even think I can follow along.  I do plan to make one or two of these letters, so you can look for them in my future.

Slat Box Project & CeCe Caldwell Paint

I would love for everyone to stop over at the blog HatingMartha where I am doing a guest post today on my project below.  If you haven't already met Janel you will love her wit -  she's a hoot, and no she doesn't really hate Martha.  Snoop around on her site, she has great ideas you can copy.... err I mean that she's willing to "share".

The Project.....

I scouted around the house for an item to transform. Last summer I collected any size and shape wood container with the intention of painting or crafting.  There in my kitchen window was the subject just waiting to be transformed. Sitting empty hoping to be discovered.

I'm the type person who likes true crime.  I need to know who dun it?, so I read both sides and make up my own mind.  Now it's the same with paint.  When I found out there was another paint out there besides Annie Sloan's I thought hummm, I better try it.  It's a bit cheaper and they had a great brown color that caught my eye.  The name Hershey Brown might of also caught my taste buds. The paint is CeCe Caldwell.   It arrived in the middle of my Valentine's Day stomach flu, so in celebration as I painted, I munched on saltine crackers and not chocolate.  I'm also going to try my hand at making my own paint eventually too.

I grabbed this old sign from my junk bin that I've had for 30 years - thinking I'm gonna attach it to the side of the slats.

 I set up on the dining room table- no one was home to see once again I was too lazy to go to the garage.  The thought of getting caught out there in my Leopard print jammies toting a bucket and saltines seemed like an odd sight. The Caldwell paint is not as thick as ASCP, and the Hershey brown color was right on the money with a Hershey bar.  The paint was smooth and covered great on the first coat.

Dry Brushed Old White

 
I dry brushed on some Annie Sloan Old White, sanded, applied clear wax, applied dark wax, buffed it up, or something like that, I don't really remember the order I did that stuff, but I do remember not really knowing what I was doing.  I like how it turned out with the rustic worn look.

I would use the Caldwell paint again.  I don't know that I liked it any better or less than Annie Sloan's chalk paint, but it was every bit as good.  The cost savings isn't that substantial, so in the future I will probably pick the brand by the color.  I hope it wasn't some sort of sin to use Annies wax over CeCe's paint.  

Below is an armoire in our bedroom.  It's been with us for 23 years.  It is an Amish piece and the maker dated it with his initials, which makes it a piece of furniture that I would not paint.  It was made in August of 1988, the month and year my 3rd child was born, so I guess this piece will be his someday.  It's a catch all for anything I can set on it as I pass by.

Complete with mess

Dated by the Amish creator.

First but not final arrangement

I cleaned off the top (just made piles on the floor and considered putting it back up after the photo) and took the flowers outside and beat them on the side of the house to dust them.  The bin was fine, but wasn't quite right.  So I went down to the depths of Hades-the under stairs storage room-to retrieve a couple suitcases.  How cool is that airplane, I love it.

I piled the two suitcases on top of each other and stacked the bin on top.  I'm not sure that's how it will stay, but for now I'm not moving it.  The junk I took off the top is still in a pile on the floor.  Maybe I should open a suitcase and toss it in?  Hmmm......

Why did I have these cool suitcases under my stairs?  Don't I know it's fashionable to display them?

I have some more suitcases out in the shed that were my parents.  Before I ever thought about painting them or using them, I set some other ones (avocado green) out at the end of the driveway for someone to take.  And they did.  Was it YOU??

Linking Up The Slat's to:
Debbies Doos Newbie Party
The Gunny Sack
Knick of Time 
At Home With K Terrific Under $10 
Show n Tell @ TheDelectableHome 
Ivy & Elephants What's It Wednesday 
Hooking up with HOH 
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage 
Country Momma Cooks Link Party

Hating Martha

Janel over at HatingMartha tagged me and she doesn't really like playing tag.  So I'll humor her because I'm fun like that.  I won't pass the questions on, but I think it's a hoot to answer 'em.   So if you are a follower and want to answer have at it!   I think they come with the S&M award, (snarky & meaningful - what were YOU thinking!). Pop over and check out Janel's blog, she's got projects you can copy!



1. What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
(After the bathroom of course)
Feed the dog, make coffee and sprint to the computer (my exercise routine).
2. Do you follow the speed limit?
 More often than not I do, but I'm not known for my reserve.
3. What chore do you leave for someone else to do because you hate it?
When we were married our vows contained that I did toilets and Brawn picked up dog doo.  Now you know the secret to a long happy marriage.
4. What's your greatest accomplishment?
The same as everyone - raising honest God fearing productive members of society..... my kids.  (If you know nothing else about me, please know all kids are my passion).
5. Glue gun or Mod Podge? 
Mod Podge and I met about 1972 when 'podging music lyrics on wood plaques was the popular thing to do.
6. What is your favorite outdoor activity?
Sex under the stars.  (Seeing who's paying attention, and pity me if Brawn reads that).  2nd would be family/friends around a bonfire, but I don't combine my two answers. 
7. If you could be a fly on a wall in any house...who's would it be?
Why is this a hard question? Maybe because I never wanted to be a fly?
8. If your personality had a song what would it be?
Another hard question, it has way too many possibilities for me to answer.
9. What do other people's kids do that is most annoying? (of course our's don't do that)
I'm not usually annoyed by kids, it's the adults that accompany them that annoy me.
10. What word do you constantly misspell?
Supercalifragalisticxpaladocious.
11. What is your favorite thing about my blog HatingMartha?
The humor most definetely.  Definitely is most definitely the word I spell wrong all the time so you can move that answer to #10.

Red Velvet Cake Pops (insert mad laughter here)

This post should be titled the cute little cake pops that weren't, or "cake flops" instead of pops.

I have this list going of recipes to make from the blogs I follow. 

Stuff that sounds easy and yummy with a dose of cute.  So when Nicole over at Thrifty Decorating put up a tutorial on her blog saying she's not a baker at ALL and could successfully make these,  I thought 'WELL then I should be able to do those noooooo problem'.

Nicole is a better woman than I.

The Mystery Blob from the Cabinet

Some  of you wanted to know what the mystery item from my junk cabinet post was...... it belongs to...... ME!  My 12th grader made it at school, no not recently.  I have no recollection of this item, but that explains why it never got thrown out.  He claims it's some sort of a seed ball thing.  He wasn't even sure himself, his memory was probably better 10 years ago too.  He said he thinks I was suppose to plant it and flowers would grow, or to be more precise he said "you never planted it?".  Do I go dig in the trash for it?  He made it for meeee.  His widdle bitty hands all those years ago.  

I threw it away.  Bad mommy.  

Looking at it again, with his explanation.  I still don't know what the he!! it is!

(The brown paper bag contained remnants from an aquarium and now...the IV tubing I saved).

Junk Cabinet.... not the kind you paint & Display

One of the first blogs that caught my eye was  Uncluttered Lifestyle.  I need to unclutter. The name alone spoke to me (and then a sandwich under recipes spoke louder).    My clutter has gotten out of hand the past few years, my Feng Shui is all off.   Mostly my Shui, my Feng seems ok.

But keeping up with Ms. Uncluttered on this uncluttering stuff is hard work!  I first climbed on board when Iesha did her pantry and I followed right along (even though you have not seen those photos) then this week she blogged on doing another cabinet.  Darn her.  And to make matters worse, Joy over at Joy2Journey was doing a whole storage room clean.  Wait you guys, I'm the one with the clutter.  Gotta keep up with Joy too, she's in my state.  I kept stopping to go read blogs so it took me all day for one stinking cabinet!  Anyway WalMart provided some bins.  Did you know they have plastic "shoe" bins for .96¢...a bin for under a buck-I was pleased.  With a lid. So I got 3, and some others for the pantry.... and some canning jar rings & lids for the cute jars of stuff I'm going to have (soooo not happening).

Bliss Ranch Label Maker

 This is my high tech labeling system; exacto knife, clear package tape and the empty box.  

If I had a label maker I swear I would label the world, so it's better that I don't.

I started pulling the junk out of the junk cabinet.  I have several junk cabinets, but this one is the least used to store stuff we need to get at.  Don't read any further if you are looking for an amazing cabinet transformation.  There are no cute labels, or cool glass jars, or really anything more than tossing old crap out of the junk cabinet.  Also keep in mind I adore cute labels and cool glass jars, I just don't have any and I'm as disappointed as you are.  I'll try to keep this post entertaining to compensate, there has to be some reward if you are bothering to read it.  Honestly I'm kind'a wondering why I'm bothering to write it!  Probably because I didn't make any cool project or paint something last week.

Rogue Supplies

The target cabinet is below the junk drawers, and above the recycling.  I toss extras in there and anything I want off the counter in a hurry.  And leave it there.  Apparently forever.  I did find some items that fell down the back from the overcrowded junk drawers.  When I couldn't find that stuff I probably blamed Brawn for not putting it away when he was done.  I know all of you have husbands who always put stuff back after they use it.

Hmmmm, a fur fighter.  Never been opened.  Looks like a more recent purchase. Did I actually think that little thing was gonna help me pull fur off a couch?  I need one the size of a 3 foot squeegee but I'll keep it just in case I decide to try it.   

?

And that thing.. what is it?  Seriously what the he!! is it?  It was in the cabinet.  I can't ask anyone now what it is because I threw it away.  What if they wanted it?  I hope it wasn't important.

 I have a brand new bottle of Cook Top cleaner.  Why?  I have never owned a glass cook top.  NnnEeeeVeeeEeeeRrrrr.  Could I have bought this to clean something else?  What else is it good for - does anyone know that tip?  Whatever it is, mine must still be dirty.

 Toad Stool.  Bet you don't have that in your cabinet.  It looks sort of familiar.  

I pulled the cork and took a wiff, just in case it was a neon flavor of Schnapps.  It wasn't.  

I kept it, I'll put it in the bathroom around Halloween.

Yes those are IV supplies.  Our vet had us nurse our dog back to health after kidney failure... 4 years ago.  'I think he's gonna make it doc'.  Did I believe I was going to randomly need to give someone an IV?  Why would I save that stuff?  Why?  There is no explanation so please don't offer one. 

"Hey Bliss, do we still have that IV?  I'm feeling a little dehydrated".

BPB

OH GOD NO.... a B.rown P.aper B.ag shoved in the corner.  That can't be good.  

What is in there?  I'm afraid to look.  It might be green and hairy like stuff from the fridge.
Maybe the toads that go with the stool?

Before I put anything back I took inventory.  

4 cans of Scotchguard type sprays.  I can't tell you the last time I Scotchguarded anything, and I think I have another can where I keep my regular cleaning supplies.

4 different brands of Stainless Steel Cleaner.  At least I know why I have those- I was trying to find something that actually worked so bought every kind I ever saw.  After trying more like 10 stainless steel products, I now consider myself an expert.  Sheila Shine.  It's the only stuff that works, and it's excellent.  Two thumbs up, I promise you will love it.  It also lasts a long time.  I could be their spokesperson.

I found out I need therapy for hoarding chair leg pads and Hot Hands (things for inside gloves on cold days).  I guess I have a fear of running out of those.  In my past life I must of slid a chair across a wood floor and had to stand outside in the cold without my gloves.  I will die at 92 and still have some of both left.  Silk Plant cleaner.  Seriously WTH?  I only remember squirting dust off fake plants with the hose and all that time I had a cleaner for it?  And I don't remember having any silk plants for what, like 10 years.  Have I never cleaned out this cabinet???

All the more reason not to look in the brown bag.

There was a Huggies baby wipe container in there.  My baby is 12.

These were the only treasures I found.  I can use the glass for something, right?, and those brass wall-sconces, what should I do with those?  Save them to paint and fasten on to some amazing piece of repurposed furniture like you all make?

The lids for those shoe bins.... I should just get rid of them, I DON'T NEED THE LIDS, but I tucked them in the corner next to the mystery brown bag.

After

My hope is that Iesha won't be tackling her bedroom closet anytime soon.

A Little Bit of June

June was my mom.  The woman couldn't get her Christmas cactus to bloom all my days living at home.  I never saw it, sort of didn't believe it could.  Might be because the cactus lived in California and I hear tell they need a cold snap to bloom.

 When I moved my mom to Minnesota 19 years ago I took the smaller of her cactus and put it in the back of her car and my BFF and I drove across country so my mom's car would be here when she arrived.  We stayed the night in some frozen place in Colorado.  That was the first "cold snap" the plant received.   

I thought I killed it, everything turned to goo and fell off, and I arrived home with a pot of dirt.  But I didn't give up, I thought by some chance the roots might come back.  They did, but it still never bloomed for her.  It lived with my mom in Minnesota till she left the earth - and left me her cactus.  It never bloomed that is - till a few months after she died!  It still doesn't bloom when it's suppose too, like around Christmas, and it surprises me every year with the month, but it always blooms between November and April, once it bloomed twice; one half then a month later the other.  I like to tell myself June makes sure it blooms some time in Winter to remind me that spring is on the way...... and that she's here with me.

Christmas Party @ FourMarsandOneVenus

Old Bench

Brawn made this bench about 23 years ago or more.  He made it back when we only had tiny mittens for two little kids to put in it.  Now we have bins and baskets and cubbies and the bench holds the stuff no one wears.  It's been in the same spot in our mudroom for 19 years and at some point I rubbed it with a black stain.  Why I don't know, it pretty much looked like crap since then.  Brawn's furniture building skills have improved in 23 years, but the bench is part of us now so it's not going anywhere. Those rectangle spots are from velcro, why did I rub it black and put on velcro?

Enter my recent new found love of painting.  Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha....NOT!  Enter my newly purchased Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  I've got it, so I'm gonna use it.  And I promised my family this would be the last time I used their home as my paint booth.

I had a sample pot of Old Ochre and chose that for the bench.  By the time I was done waxing, the Old Ochre didn't look all that different than Old White when it's antiqued.  I didn't mind painting the bench near as much as the high chair here since there was less nooks and crannies and I really didn't care all that much how this turned out - I could of spit on it and it would of looked better.

 I think I am going to re-pad it, and cover it in an old quilt that I have only parts of.  I want to jazz it up, but for now the old pillows and fabric stay.  People kick shoes under it,  they forget they have cubbies, so the ruffle stays or I have to look at shoes.

I have to say my favorite part of painting is distressing it after.

I linked the 'ol boy up to:
 Saturday Nite Special "Benches" @ FunkyJunkInteriors

Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style 
White Wednesday @ Faded Charm 
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage