I'm no Clay Artist...

 Let me begin this post by saying, "This scares the heck out of me!" I am sharing a project today. The reason it scares me is, I'm not sure if it's any good. The old confidence level can be a little low sometimes. Good or bad here goes!
 I have a stubborn streak. (wow ,giving away all my secrets, aren't I.) When I want something bad enough I will figure out a way to get it. I fell in love with Roe deer antler mounts about a year or two ago. They are a little pricey for my decor budget. I  took it as a challenge! So I decided to sculpt some out of bakeable clay. I know, "GASP" what was I thinking!? After the first 62 tries I was thinking, "You are definitely not a clay artist!!" Remember that stubborn streak, well, I didn't give up. Finally, the attempts started looking a little less like a kindergartener's craft time project. Note* I have nothing against kindergarteners or their artwork, but I'm in my forties so not as cute.*
 I finally got the skull and antlers somewhat believable. Now I only had to make the lovely additions to the plaque I was mounting them on. Oak leaves, acorns, branches, and a shield. Today I finished these elements! Waiting for the paint to dry was torture. Then disaster struck!! I dropped the skull and it cracked. No way I was going to wait. (patience isn't a strong point either) I decided to finish adding the elements to the plaque so I could share. Air dry clay is on my next Hobby Lobby run list. I think I can use it to fix the crack in the skull.So without further delay...my kinder-craft, I mean clay craft project.

 If you like it great! If not, that's okay too. I did enjoy working with the clay and want to do more projects with it. Who knows what I'll come up with next!


                                          Thanks for letting me share,
                                                                          
                                                                                 Kathleen

I'm linking up here-  My Romantic Home: Show and Tell Fiday

Pillowpalooza...

    Hello everyone. Today I am happy to be linking up to a fabulous party! Linda at It all started with paint, Kari at Thistlewood farms, and Andrea at The cottage market are cohosting Pillowpalooza. Everyone will be linking up all sorts of pillows.Fun times I tell ya, fun times.
    Let me start by saying,"My name is Kathleen, and I am addicted to pillows!" I like to make them, buy them, drool over them on Pinterest, and in catalogs, and other blogs. I have so many pillows it can get ridiculous when it's time to make the bed, or when the family wants to hang on the couch. My addiction outweighs the work though.
    Pillows can be one of the easiest and cheapest ways to give some new interest to a room. I like to change my pillows with the seasons. I am slowly turning my decor to a more neutral pallet so pillows are a great way to add pops of color or texture. Well, enough of the chatty Kathy, time for some pictures!

I made these for my bedroom. The ruffled pillows were made by tearing strips of sheets, gathering them, and sewing them onto the body of the pillow cover, also made from sheets.

Of course, I had to sew this interpretation of the British flag pillow.

This pillow was two dresser doilies. I loved the lace edge. I just sewed them together and then stuffed it with polyfil. Now I have a true original.

I didn't make any of these, but I love them just as much.

These were aquired slowly from Tuesday Morning, thrifting, and Hobby Lobby.

If I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be the zebra print lurking in the background. He's a little shy.;)

There he is, smile honey!

    I must confess, this is the tip of the iceberg. I have a feeling I am not alone. I can't wait to check out all the pillows!  WHOO HOO Partay!!

                                                                 Join the fun!

I am joining in here- It all started with paint "Pillowpalooza"

Fabulous Giveaway!!

My good blogger friend Peggy, of PJH Designs is having a giveaway ! She is near the completion of her kitchen remodel. To celebrate she is giving away a $25 Home Depot gift card. You have to check out her kitchen remodel it is fabulous!! Peggy also does furniture makeovers. She is quite talented! Check it out here-PJH Designs One of A Kind Vintage & Antique Furniture & Home Decor
Good luck, Thanks for letting me share,
         
                                                Kathleen

Edited to add: Giveaway now closed. Thanks.

Happy Easter...

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend!

Kathleen

A little Spring in my Vignette

Happy  Friday everyone! My post today is all about my Spring vignette. I shifted some furniture around and placed this drop leaf table in front of my stairs. My chippy old birdcage usually stays on my screened porch.  Here in the South it is pollen season. I'm not talking about the bees having fuzzy yellow legs. This stuff coats every surface!! The flowers are beautiful, so to me, it's a pretty good trade off.    Cleaning the porch will wait a couple weeks. Moving the table here has allowed me to enjoy my birdcage a little earlier.

 

 Along with the birdcage, I added a real bird nest under my cloche. Sadly, it was blown out of a tree during a storm.

 

The rest of the items are favorites I like to have on display.

 

The above photo could be clearer. I apologize for that. I had to share it anyway because it is so sweet. I'm a sucker for antique photos of little girls with bows in their hair.

This is a bouquet of french script stamped roses I made.

One of a few pairs of reproduction Staffordshire dogs I collect. They are so ugly they are cute!

I  think I've overloaded you with pics!:) I will enjoy my birdcage until Summer moves in. This is my little touch of Spring. Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

                                 Thanks for letting me share.

                                                                             Kathleen

I'll be joining in at-  My Romantic Home: Show and Tell Friday

Hi ya' doll...

Hello everyone! I'm back. I won't bore you with the details, lets just say life, health issues, and well life, got in the way for a while. I'm pushing through and things are starting to get back to normal.
 I am here to share a project with you. A few months ago, I purchased a life size doll at the thrift store. I had a special project in mind when I purchased her. While working on this special project (details of this will be finished soon) I had an AHA moment!

There she is Miss Dishtowel America! Great look I know. She needed to be decent for photos so out came the dishtowel. I think she's workin' it! Little does she know, she is about to be disassembled.   I needed her parts you see. Remember the special project. As I was looking at the parts it hit me, Santos hands!!!!
 I cut her hands off, (This post sounds horribly macabre) and painted them with acrylic paints.

                                                                      Before painting.



 It wasn't complicated. I chose browns for a base so the hands would look like wood. then I mixed a taupey (is that a word?) flesh tone. Then I covered it all with watered down grey paint that I wiped off with a damp towel. It was a simple project. Now I just need to figure out how to make a Santos doll. Hmmmmm!

Here they are displayed with some lovely creamy roses Mr. 10*4 (the hubby) gave me, just because. And my Valentines gift. An antique rosary from Italy. Yeah, he's a keeper!!;)

 

 Note- Nothing  with actual feelings was harmed during the making of this project. This doll has helped many projects with it's generous donation. :)

                                Thanks for letting me share. Kathleen
                                                                 
I'll be joining in at -  Between Naps on the Porch Met Monday
                              Wow us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
                              it all started with paint: it's a cinch link party

Give a little blog love...

   Hello everyone! My creative side has been lacking lately. I have been sick. Feeling much better today though. I have more projects in the works, and will show them to you real soon.
   Today, I wanted to tell you about a new blog. For all you die hard DIYers , this will be a treat. It's called My Ugly Farmhouse. Debbie and her husband, are remodeling a farmhouse, from the ground up!

                                        My Ugly Farmhouse


   This isn't their first remodel. They remodeled the suburban home, they currently live in. I can't wait to see how this turns out!
   Go over and visit . Show them some blog love :).
   Thanks for letting me share,
                               Kathleen