Inspiration Cafe IC

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Hanging Bookshelves - A Few Miner Adjustments

How to Make Hanging Book Shelves

(Made by my dad)

My dad is a master wood worker. It's true. He would probably say otherwise, but he's just modest.

He converted his garage into a wood shop years ago

and when he isn't at the golf course you can usually find him in there.

He has made breathtaking pieces of furniture and we are lucky enough to own some ourselves.

Kinda feels like we won the lottery... yeah, free furniture!

Anyway, a few weeks ago dad was cutting some wood on the table saw.

After 22 years of doing this, it was just another ordinary day of woodworking.

But that day ended differently. very. differently.

Although the blade of the saw is only just visible above the table, for some reason,

as he pushed the wood through his thumb got in the way.

What?!? His thumb?!? NO!!!

He cut his thumb {felt the blade moving back and forth too...blech}, but don't worry.

It is functioning and still attached to his hand.

This is a blessed moment of luck, I believe. A warning to us all...power tools do not discriminate.

So what does this have to do with these book shelves, you might be asking?

Nothing. Nothing at all. But let's face it...having hanging book shelves are way better than a hanging thumb.

Now hold onto your fingers!

Here's how to make the book shelves...

Thanks for making these, Dad!

We give this project....two thumbs up!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

FURNITURE FASHIONISTA'S....Tina from What We Keep!

Hi, I'm Tina and my blog is What We Keep.

I'm so pleased to be here today!

My blog is filled with completely random posts about home decor, sewing, embroidery, painting, etc.

I guess I'm kind of a blog mutt...a mix of everything.

One of my long time hobbies is painting furniture.

Back in the day it was so labor intensive that I didn't have the time or the inclination to do many pieces.

It's a whole new world now!

You might have seen a post in my first days of blogging that featured this piece.

I'm thinking of repainting it soon,

so I thought I'd take the opportunity to share it here at the Inspiration Cafe.

Thanks for having me ladies!

This hall tree was found at an estate sale and was pretty dismal looking.

I started with Annie Sloan Old Ochre and topped that with Antibes Green.

A clear coat of AS wax and some rough handling and she was ready.

Antibes Green is cheerful and fun.

It's the "in yo face!" green and great for this high traffic and constantly grubby space.

This sits at my side door entrance to the porte cochere that is also adjacent to the back stairs.

It's so narrow that it's difficult to photograph.

I used a small palm sander to beat the poor thing up pretty bad, but I wanted that look.

I can see a few things that I would have done differently now that

I have more experience with Chalk Paint.

It will be a breeze to repaint- right over the waxing-slap it on and wax again.

One of my favorite things about painting furniture with AS is that I can repaint on a whim

and with no sanding or prep work.

Thank you, Annie....a million times, thank you.

I started using Chalk Paint over two years ago and I am still madly in love.

There are many different brands of "chalk like" paint now and a wide array of colors.

If you haven't tried painting furniture yet...what are you waiting for?

Grab that old chair that Uncle Fester left to you and make it pretty again.

Kick the dogs off and start painting.

Just start.

I promise, you'll be hooked.

Yes, that's the same chair.

Ready to grab that brush and get after it?

I hope you will!

Thanks for reading and I'd love for you to visit me over at What We Keep.

Thank you, thank you to the inspirational ladies here...keep inspiring us.

We love seeing new and inventive ways to craft and decorate.

The recipes are great, too.

Danni, are those Downton bells in production yet??? ;)

I'd like to order 15 and have them by the time the new season begins...

you'll whip those up pronto, m'kay?

Have a great week and be sure to come back for the

September feature of Furniture Fashionistas

here at the Inspiration Cafe.

You'll love it!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Kidding Around Series ~ Awesome Ice Cream Toppings from the Pantry

Hi Everyone! It's Mary from Sweet Little Bluebird! It's my turn to share for our 'Kidding Around' series.

With school starting on Monday for my girls and summer quickly coming to an end, I thought I'd share some fun toppings for ice cream to celebrate the last few days of summer.

Next time you go for a bowl of ice cream, check out what cereal you have in your pantry, sprinkle some on top...you and your family may find a few new favorite toppings!

Here are a few of our favorites...

Cereals to try for toppings: Cocoa Krispies, Rice Krispies Treats Cereal, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Reese's Puffs, Cookie Crisp, Apple Jacks, Captain Crunch - Berries & PB, Frosted Flakes, Grape Nuts, Fruit Loops, Trix, Granola...and so many more.

Like maple? Pour a little maple syrup on top of vanilla ice cream, sprinkle some pecans or macadamia nuts! Oh...my...word........so good!!!

Like Fried Ice Cream? Make some Cheater Fried Ice Cream! So simple to make! Head over to Sweet Little Bluebird for the easy recipe.

If you have some unique fun toppings you and your family like to pour on top of your ice cream, please share!

Don't forget to join us next week for more fun shares for our 'Kidding Around' series. Be sure to join us for our Link Party....

Thanks so much for stopping by!
I hope everyone has a wonderful week!
Cheers!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Saturday Weekly Wrap Up 31

Happy Saturday Everyone,

We hope you've all had a wonderful week. Ours have been pretty busy, pop over and see what we've been up to ....

Natalie at NorthShore Days

Summer Garden Statement Necklace

Mary at Sweet Little Bluebird

Chicken And Buttermilk Chive Dumplings

Heather at The Beating Hearth

Just beet it....beet it...no one wants to be...Pickled Red Beets

Mason Jar Paper-Pieced Quilt Block

Danni at Silo Hill Farm

Painted Buffet
Some Fun For A Friday Morning

Mel at Mellywood's Mansion

Fleece Ruffle Scarf
The Bling Ring
Vinyl iPad Cover

WYPW (Wet Your Pants Wednesday) is back...

And Mel has a new LINK PARTY running on a Friday - quickly head on over and link up - so much fun!!!!

We launched our new Kidding Around Series this week ...

Natalie kicked it off with,

A Quick and Easy Swim Bag

Have a great weekend

xxx

Nat, Mary, Heather, Danni and Mel

Inspiration Cafe is looking for guest posters and contributors. If you would like to guest please let us know, we would love to have you. If you would prefer a feature instead, feel free to drop us a line. New or old posts welcome.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

How to Make Decorative Bows - Grace Grits and Gardening

Talya is here today from Grace Grits and Gardening...

The next time you wrap a gift, why not make your own bow? This creative process is a simple way to recycle magazines, newspapers and scrap paper.

For my two examples, I used scrapbook paper and a magazine page.

Cut the magazine page into nine strips, ¾ inch wide. Leave three of the strips the length of the magazine page (about 9.5 inches long). Cut one inch from the top of the next three strips. Cut two inches from the next two strips. Cut the last strip three inches long.

magazine page

The same method is used for any type of paper. Measurements do not have to be perfect. I guestimated.

scrapbook paper

Loop each strip and staple through the center or secure with tape or glue.

The smallest strip will make a single loop for the center of the bow.

Stack and layer the pieces, adhering with tape or a staple through the center.

Easy and personalized!

talya

Grace Grits and Gardening

Monday, August 12, 2013

Kidding Around Series - Girls' Swim Bag

Woohoo our new series "Kidding Around" kicks off today - so exciting!!!

Today I'm going to share the easiest and quickest project ever! Okay maybe not "ever".. but pretty close!

This project was a great collaboration between my 5 year old and myself.

She desperately needed a new swim bag as her old plastic Dora one was literally held together by a few threads. And the fact that she is nearly 6 and Dora is sooooo 3 years ago, she wanted to choose something more her own style.

A trip to Spotlight was in order and she chose all the components (I had another idea in my head but this time I let her have artistic reign).

What you need for your very own bag:

Stencil, fabric pens and a bag

(we chose a calico craft bag for approx $6)

The whole project cost about $17.