Fusion Mineral Paint Grays

Fall is approaching, kids are back to school, and I told you that my fever for all things Fusion Mineral Paint wasn't going to end just because summer was coming to a close.

Today I'm showcasing two more bloggers and their Fusion painted projects.

My hot summer fever might be cooling off, but my temperature goes right back up when I see what my fellow painters create.

Tones For Tots Speckled Frog and Little Piggy

Not only do I have an end of summer fever for all the Fusion Mineral Paint projects I see, but in this 5th post I'm running extra hot for anything that uses colors from the Tones For Tots line.

Fusion Mineral Paint with My Salvaged Treasures and Team Sutton Designs

In the past three posts I've mentioned I've got this fever, and quite possibly this fever could last not just for the rest of summer but into Winter and beyond. 

It's Fusion Mineral Paint Fever and I've got it pretty good.

For the end of summer I'm introducing you to blogs who use Fusion Mineral paint just like I do.  These are non sponsored posts, and these gals aren't slackers like I've been this summer.

When it's cold and snowy outside I'm going to be wondering why I didn't paint more this summer while it felt good to be outside.

My friend Betsy from My Salvaged Treasures, has painted a project or two and inspired me countless times - COUNTLESS TIMES I tell 'ya twice because it's worth repeating.

Fusion Casement With Funky Junk and My Patch Of Blue Sky

Have you caught the fever yet?

This is the third installment of Fusion Fever.....

Fusion Mineral Paint fever that is.

Things are really heating up with two projects from Fusion Mineral Paint in Casement.

I've gone through my fair share of the neutral warm white that is Casement.  In fact it is such a go-to shade of mine that I panic if my jar starts to get low.

Little Piggy Pink With Q is for Quandie and I Restore Stuff

I'm back with some more high heat, I've still got my FEVER!  

Fusion Mineral Paint Fever.

Call it painting fever, call it a hot fever, call it a flushed face, whatever you want, but it's all about Fusion Mineral Paints and the ladies that share the same love of this paint brand that I do.

I mentioned in the first fever post with Homeroad and Orphans With Makeup, that these are not sponsored posts, I'm just burning to introduce you to some other blogs and their Fusion Mineral Paint projects.

My fever is real.

This post is all about the pig.

The oink.

And a couple Tones For Tots projects in Little Piggy.

Fusion Paint Projects By Homeroad and Orphans With Makeup

Go get a thermometer and take my temperature!

This post has Fusion Fever.

Fusion Mineral Paint Fever that is.

fever

noun fe·ver \ˈfē-vər\

: a state of excited emotion or activity

I am definitely in a state of *excited emotion* marveling at the pieces of painted perfections I'm going to share with you, all using Fusion Mineral Paint.

As the last bits of summer fade I'll be highlighting some Fusion paint projects each week and the bloggers who create them.

These are not sponsored posts, I'm just sharing the awesome works of my painting partners in crime who also happen to use Fusion, my paint of choice.

So while little 'ol me may have been slacking this summer, these ladies have been killing it with their paint brush.

Oh Hail!

This is a long post.

I'm not in the mood to do any two or three part'ers, in fact I might be downright cranky lately.

If you stopped in today to see the latest dresser I painted you will be disappointed.  My apologies to both you and my sponsors, but you'll have to get over it.  And if you don't want to read a few condensed real life chapters in the book of Bliss Ranch without pretty DIY photos, well then -  auf Wiedersehen, adiós, and sayonara.

Everyone knows that life comes with ups and downs, major and minor crisis's, and then there are the things that are really nothing more than an inconvenience and a pain in the butt.

This is a post about nothing more than inconveniences and pains in the butt.....and maybe a silver lining.

For those inconvenient things that are just more of an annoyance I am pretty able to see the humor and make a little lemonade.  Just not the kind of lemonade Beyonce makes. 

This is where I announce there is no need to leave pity comments like I'm soooo sorry you have to deal with this.  The truth is - no one is more annoyed than me that I have to deal with these messes - it's all gonna pass - and it's not a big deal in the overall picture of life, so lets laugh about this schmidt shall we? 

Reloved Mirrors, August Thrift Store Decor

I'm not sure how it's already time for August's Thrift Store Decor, but it is.

We're in the dog days of summer.

Why is August referred to that way anyhow?

Maybe it's because by August folks have grown weary of the heat and practice more of a dogs life just laying around doing a lot of nothing?

I can't say I've been doing a lot of nothing, but I sure haven't minded taking the easy route on a few things.

Like mirrors for the Jack & Jill bathroom remodel.

Hanging Laundry Hampers

There is a Jack & Jill bathroom shared by a certain five and eight year old, and 'ya know.... they wear clothes and those clothes need a resting place before the duds hit the suds.

Not that I know a thing or two about dirty clothes - although there were at least a few of my six kids that did actually make it a habit to wear clean ones.

Desserts From Pinterest - Two Winners

Like I do every time I start a post about food I must once again announce....

If you are just joining me here at Bliss Ranch, what that means is I've cooked and baked more than my fair share, but when the food is done I want to get right to the tasting, and while you won't usually find me taking pretty photos of my grub, it doesn't mean I don't know how to cook.

Refreshed And Updated Front Porch Walkway

Over the years our front porch steps and walkway have seen a lot of use.

Everything from little kids chalking on hopscotch squares and spilling their bubble blowing soap mixture, to bikes and foot traffic.

And then there were those couple years of duck doo from the crapping quackers.

The walkway and porch started out getting a fresh coat of sealer seasonally - usually in the Spring -  and in it's first years of life it looked wonderful, but 20 years later not so much.

From time to time the exposed aggregate also received an acid wash to clean things off, like rust stains from hard water dripping when the hose was left leaking.

But when repeated rough winters caused a long crack in the walkway and some sinking, it was time to give the walk an affordable fix that would revive it.

How To Sew An Envelope Pillow

I know what you're thinking after reading the post heading.... no way, Bliss didn't make a pillow, she can't sew!

You're right.  I have something special for you in more ways than one.

The person is special.  The fact that she is guest posting is special.

I put out a call for some guest posts - long time readers know I do quite a few of those myself - and when I need a hand I know just who to ask.

But first I've gotta fill 'ya in on the state of affairs around the Ranch.......

You see we have company coming in a couple weeks and it's time to get serious about some things around here.

Like painting that Jack & Jill bathroom remodel we started months ago.  Or sealing the grout on the awesome South Cypress subway shower tile so people can actually shower in it.

Also sealing the poured concrete counter tops.  Washing the rest of the haze off the floor tiles.... hanging mirrors, electrical for lights, finish the plumbing, you get the idea - the list goes on and on.

Don't Toss Your Worn Out Welcome Mat

Welcome to July's

And boy do I really mean the welcome part this month, in fact, I'm putting out the whole welcome mat for you!

Farmhouse Cement Plank Patio Table, Part 2

Our family is growing.  I'm not getting any older of course.

What started out as a couple of young newlyweds building a life, turned into a large family of eight.  Six kids - four boys and a couple girls.

The oldest two flew the nest, and then the family grew by a daughter and son in law, and eventually two grand kids arrived.

This August another little peanut will debut as #1 Daughter and that son in law I mentioned start their family.

Cement Plank Farmhouse Patio Table

Math fact - most patio tables will not seat the amount of people that my family needs to seat for a meal outdoors.

Which actually means most tables won't do that for a price I'm willing to pay.

And then there is the fact that if something I desire can be made by the man with the power tools, basically that adds up to I won't be making a purchase of the item even if I found an affordable one I liked.

Painted Pond Fish

I get a lot of my ideas from fellow bloggers. 

You know how someone can look at something and see it in a new light, update it, and the next thing you know you're looking at something similar that you own and thinking, hey I can do that!

That was the case with this old scaly chipping fish decoration that I had setting next to our pond for ten years, and I'm going to show you how easy it is to update something with a fresh coat of paint.

!!Sweepovac Winners!!

Thank you to everyone who entered to win the in wall vacuum from Sweepovac USA.

The two winners are:

Powder Coated Steel Pond Bridge....From A Garage Sale

On a recent outing with daughter #2, cruising around at some city wide garage sales in I don't even remember what town, there was nothing extraordinary going on even though we did have two large furniture pieces stuffed into the back of my vehicle.

One for me, one for her.

We came to a house that had a mattress set and a sea of pink kids clothes in the yard, and as I hit the gas to keep on going I saw it....  

is that a pond bridge sitting among-est their sale items? 

Before I even got out of the car I decided the odds were against me finding the one thing we really could use, at of all places... someones garage sale.

Mini Dessert Banners

When I host a party I usually gather all these great ideas that I want to incorporate into the event.

Trouble is many of those ideas have to be assembled or carried out at the last minute while I'm running around making sure my hors 'd oeuvres don't burn, as guests arrive early and my hair is still in a towel, so lets just say it's not unusual for a great idea to be forgotten.

Sweepovac USA Giveaway

It's time to enter a

 GIVEAWAY here at Bliss Ranch

Don't know what a Sweepovac is?

Well first let me just say you want one.

Sweepovac is an in wall vacuum unit that has helped me keep up with all the dog hair  and dust on the floor around here.

I've ditched the dustpan and I'm pretty tickled about that.

From the Sweepovac web site:

"Sweepovac is a revolutionary kitchen vacuum that eliminates that pesky dirt-line often left behind by using a dustpan! It is easily placed in any kitchen by installing it in the bottom of the cabinets and does not require a central vac system. Its strong suction, removes dirt in seconds and its sleek design allows for no loss of space".

Sweepovac In Wall Dust Vacuum

Last week I showed you a bunch of dog photos and told you about my life as the dog whisperer, how I host a few doggie guests at a time that sleep in my mudroom while their owners go on vacation.

I also told you I would show you one of the coolest products to pass through the Bliss Ranch doggie door and I think you will understand why it's so great to have it around here.

My mudroom is a good size, it's also where I have a computer so I can spend time with the dogs when they come inside to nap.

Kreg Jig Winner - Me!

There's a group of six ladies who host a weekly link party titled "Creativity Unleashed", and they also host giveaways.

Who doesn't like to win a prize right?  I know I do.

So when time is on both Mick Jagger's side and on mine, I cruise around to my favorite blogs.  If it happens to be a day I've got a project to link I will include it, and if there is a giveaway I'll follow the rules and enter.

For sure I can't win if I don't enter, so why not throw my name in the hat since I'm already there.

Paper Lunch Bag Star Decorations

A week or so ago I ran across a time lapse video of how to make paper bag stars inexpensively, for decorating if you have any events like baby showers, bridal showers, kids birthday parties, etc.

I didn't think of this idea on my own, although I did have flashbacks of making paper snowflakes when I was a kid.  If you Google the idea you will find more than one video.

The stars looked fun to make, and were certainly simple enough if you had a glue gun and a sharp pair of scissors.

Not everything I make from the internet turns out, and not everything is as simple as it seems in a video.

These paper bag stars were, and they get a two thumbs up.

How I Tamed My Wild Hair, Part 1

I got a wild hair to write this post, and that hair is on my floor in case you were wondering where it was at.

You're used to stopping in here and seeing DIY, with furniture painting, wood re-purposing, sheetrock-mud slinging, and tidbits on how to take junk and make something useful from it.

But outside of those topics believe it or not I have a regular-irregular normal-abnormal life that I don't blog about.

Inspirational Sign For A Certain Boy

When I started blogging a certain little boy was just barely 4 years old.

He's aged a bit and lost those chubby preschool cheeks.

Now he swings a bat, rides anything with wheels, and plays with his little sister, but mostly he likes to hang out with his Grandpa.

I made a positive inspiration sign a couple years ago for his sister.

The kind of sign I hope she reads from time to time, especially as a teenager, and takes the words to heart.

So it makes sense that the certain eight year old should have a sign too, with words I would want him to read as he gets older, and to put into practice.

The sign started out as a smooth piece of MDF and I sponged a coat of Fusion Mineral Paint in Ash as the background.

Letters were cut and placed on the wood, (twice because I messed up but we won't go there) then another coat of Ash was applied to help with bleed under the vinyl before the top color goes on.

For the background color I chose Little Lamb Gray from the new Tones For Tots line of Fusion Mineral Paints.

Little Lamb is a soft gray, the paint goes on excellent, and sadly my jar of it is empty.

A rustic barn wood frame was whipped up by the grandfather.

The quote is said to be an old Indian saying, I didn't come up with it.

How many eight year old's do you know who has their grandfather as their best friend, and how many men do you know who can say they are their sons and their grandsons best friend? 

I hope you can answer "many" to that question.

I can.

The grandfather is still his own four sons best friend.

That is quite an accomplishment to have the people that know you the best, think you are worthy of the title.

It didn't happen by accident.

I believe it's because of the way that man has lived his life, which happens to be relevant to the words on the sign.

So for that certain eight year old boy, the grandfather is a wonderful example of the good wolf.

And that man - the father and grandfather - who continues to make a difference in the lives of his own sons, now has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the grand kids he loves.

Because he only feeds the good wolf.

Simple Dresser Top To Hold Changing Pad For Baby

I think that's the longest post title I've ever had.  Probably unnecessary, but who cares.

I could have just called it Dresser Pad Holder.  Or Diaper Changer Pad Frame.

Whatever, it's the simple pine frame Brawn built to hold a foam diaper changer from moving around on top of a baby dresser that I redid for daughter #1 who's adding on to her family.

And that was a long sentence to match the long post title.

Decorative Suitcase Thrift Store Decor

Summer is here and so is Thrift Store Decor for June.

The once a month get together of jazzed up thrifted items brought to you by the Thrift Store Decor team of bloggers.

Now grab your travel brochure, because I'm packing your stuff for a quick trip.

There is this chick from Minnesota who knows her way around a paint brush.

Gentleman's Dresser For Baby

The thing about birthing six kids is that inevitably, one by one, they grow up.

Blink, and a couple are feathering their own nests with a mister or missus.

Blink again and you are converting a vintage gentleman's dresser into a diaper station for the new little man that one is preparing to welcome.

I'm pretty tickled about this, just not tickled pink.

I'm tickled Little Gray Lamb.

Cement and Concrete Projects

A couple weeks ago I did a post about This That and The Other Thing, which basically was a stall because I didn't have time to write a new post while we were working on outside projects.

Well guess what?  This is another stall, but with some photos of project progress.

Summer season doesn't really get started in Minnesota till June anyhow, and now that the wet leaves are cleaned up and winter washed away from everything, we can have at projects that seem to move from the to-do list year after year.

New Kitchen Hardware

Once upon a time there was this IKEA Rast hack contest.

Instructions; Hack a plain, unfinished pine IKEA dresser into something that could win votes, and if you placed in the top three you would receive a hardware makeover prize  for a room of your choice from Hickory Hardware.

Life's Ruff Dog Bed

It's a dogs life isn't it? 

Sleep when you want, someone brings you your food, and it's ok not to shave your legs.

Now I'm not claiming for one second I came up with the idea of turning a headboard into a dog bed.  If you look on Pinterest you can find a gazillion of 'em to use as inspiration.

Not only do I not claim stake to the idea, I didn't make this one either.

My ever increasingly talented #2 daughter got out the saws and used her skillz.

She trekked out for a day of garage sales with me and came home with this five dollar twin headboard, which was exactly what she was on the hunt for.

The Dirt On The Potting Bench Sign

If you go through our gate with the watch out for dog-doo sign hanging on it, walk straight toward a shed with a barn cupola on top, take a left, go past the patio with the rock pond, the play ground and the deck, across from the pool, on the far side of the yard at the edge of the woods, wedged between the empty squirrel feeder and some wood for the fire pit ....... you will arrive at the final resting place of my potting bench.

I can get dirty there and it doesn't matter.

This, That, and The Other Thing...

Inevitably when I don't have a DIY project to post for a week, emails start to arrive asking if everything is ok.

I happen to think it's really sweet that my readers, who don't even know me, take time out of their day to drop a note to check in on me.

Just so you know, if I have died, I won't answer the emails.

And I'm fine, but thanks for asking.

I could write a rambling post about nothing, but I've chosen to discuss this that and the other thing.  But really it's a rambling post about nothing.

This time of year we are just so happy for no snow and sunshine, we spend a lot of time doing yard work and removing the snow scum from everything.  Project #2. 

Smith-Victor Light Bar Box Thrift Store Decor May

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

These days with technology the computer holds the majority of photographs that have been downloaded to it, so are the days of sitting around the kitchen table thumbing through a shoe box filled with photos gone?

Not at my house.

How I Found My Style Sundays

Have you ever visited Pamela at the blog From My Front Porch To Yours?  Pamela is quite the popular gal, probably because she has quite the popular style sense, so if you have never stopped in to see what she is decorating in the Southern way, you should.

A couple of years ago when she asked me if I would like to share my style on her feature 'How I Found My Style Sundays', my first thought was "me... style"?. 

Then I thought about how it takes all sorts of tastes to make the decorating world go round and that somewhere there is probably someone who thinks this mismatched collage of stuff I've put together in my home, is stylish, and maybe I could inspire them. 

So I agreed to do a post about my style and today for Throw Back Thursday, while the grass is green and the trees start to bloom for Spring, I'm re-posting it here on my own blog.

Family Contributions to Filling #1 Sons Walls

I wasn't sure what to title this post.

First I had "My Art At #1 Sons House".  But I just make stuff, I wouldn't call it art.

So I changed the title to Stuff I've Made.  But I didn't like that either, it's not all about me.

So as I type this, I'm not sure what the post title will end up being.  Maybe I'll call it Purple Monkey Dishwasher.

It's a thing.  I didn't know that till writing this post.  I thought purple monkey dishwasher was just something my kids said when they were young, wrong again mom.

Ebook Review, Furniture Flipper

Recently I was offered the opportunity to review an ebook on starting a furniture flipping business written by Melanie Alexander from Lost & Found, titled Furniture Flipper.

Since I know many of my readers are curious about what it takes to dip their brush into the furniture flipping bucket I signed up to receive a copy for review.

It's an easy read, forty pages that focuses on the basics of what is needed to take on the task of flipping furniture for anyone who has painted a few pieces of furniture and would like to earn some cash from that hobby.

Dollhouse Move In Day

It's move in day, or what is suppose to be room reveal #1 of Dollhouse Therapy with Cassie from Primitive & Proper.

But just like in real life, moving into a new house doesn't always go as planned, and the dollhouse closing date got delayed.

That's code for the radio house conversion is having some trouble with contractors.