Where have I been?

I am literally slapping this post up here!!  August has been a pretty crazy month!  Remember the days when we thought June was a rough one?!!

Anyway, I have been letting Mom and Laur down by not putting up some of the cool stuff they have been sending me....soooooo....I have loaded pix onto this laptop which Captain Butler has offered to take to Disney with us and  I am hoping to do some posting from there.  I think I can even play with the computer on the plane.

After the return from Disney there will be 2 whole days before Mr Junior Petticoat starts school and I drive Miss DePaul Freshman Petticoat to Chicago and leave her there!!  I can't even believe that is happening!!

Mom has retired from teaching the Decorative Painting classes at the local theatre, where she has helped 'bring the arts back' for many years.  She is still decorating the local bank for Christmas and preparing for the annual Christmas Craft show.  This year I get to be with her and try to create some Christmas themed scrapbooks and anything else we can think of!!! The bank decorating is always themed and includes lots of original paintings done by Mom....it is always a huge hit!!

Laur is still working on selling her beautiful home in Farmville, Virginia and finding a place to live in south east Pennsylvania.  Her daughter Samantha is looking for work in the new area and planning to attend graduate school for Chiropractics. Christopher, her eldest is currently staying with Mom and Dad in Laceyville, Pa where is working for a tree service company.  He is climbing and chopping to his heart's content!!

That is the status quo for just about all of us!!

We will be posting more soon, so, stay in touch!!

Gone to find my mouse ears,

Scarlett

Met Monday!

Downspout Strainer to Rustic Cloche!!

Disclaimer:  Mom saw this idea on another blog 

and was very excited to try it. 

 If you know who posted it let me know and we will give her credit!

First you take a metal downspout strainer, like the one pictured.

Next you have to give it a bell shape, while keeping the top pieces close to each other.  Something like this...

You can even use a cloche you may have as a mold to shape the wire around and get the look you want. Of course Mom did it all by hand...but, we aren't all that 'handy'!!!

Next you need to attach the edges.
Just like sewing with wire.
Have you noticed the wooden knob and wheel beside the wire shape?  The wheel (a wooden one from the craft store) goes inside the cloche and a screw joins it to the knob on top.  
This helps keep the metal edges contained.

Spray the whole creation with a little ORB (or a creamy white) and place it on a pedestal.

After that you have to experiment to find what you think will look best inside of it.  Here are some of Mom's idea's

Mom added a little chain with a key and a necklace charm hanging from the little wooden knob. Then she used some vintage 

doilies, a pin made by local (to her!) artist, Holly. 

Holly uses vintage pieces to create her one of a kind jewelry. With the addition of a crystal knob and lamp finial voila! 

For the next 'cloche experience'!  Mom placed a leather 

button top baby shoe

worn by her Grandmother next to a tiny porcelain vase.  

There is a little doily tucked into the shoe!

The pin is a bakelite F for Frances, her Mother's name.

The wooden pieces cost a total of 2.89.  The white 

dish was a yardsale find for .50!  The strainer was

just under 3.00.

At last Mom finds a look that makes her happy 

(for now!).  

A sunny yellow teacup!

Until the season's change!!  

 A last look...

Please visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch 

to see the other delightful Met Monday contributions!

Thank you for visiting!