less stress, more simplicity

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Well, the front trim is done!

Finally all of the windows in the front got their new Basin Blue (from Valspar) paint! Of course, all of the white had to be repainted also, but it didn't make as much of a difference. I also painted that horrible looking porch swing and found a cushion for it. Lastly, we found a great deal on a white rocking chair from Lowe's. I just never got around to posting pictures, but with the snow in March I couldn't resist!

We will get the side windows done this coming summer, but overall I am happy with the way it turned out!

Saturday, July 12, 2014

I just wanted to paint the house . . .

Seriously, I just wanted to paint the trim on the house. We knew when we bought the house 18 months ago that it would have to be done, but last summer was too busy. So, June arrived and I had time off, but it rained almost every single day! This meant painting in small steps instead of just getting the project over in a day or two.

First and foremost, I had to pick a color. I did not like the rusty red the previous owner had chosen, so off to Pintrest to look at color combinations. The light blue vinyl siding was not changing, so I decided to go with a really dark blue. We purchased color samples from Lowe's and painted small swatches on the back porch.

Basin Blue from Valspar got 2 of the 3 votes!

Also, I wanted a POP! of color for the front door. I think the Shadow Valley from Valspar was exactly the right touch!

After!

Before

Of course the old hardware looked terrible now, so a new handle and programmable deadbolt completed the door makeover!

Wow! That swing looks bad! Maybe tomorrow!

I'm not going to stress about the fact that this is all taking longer than expected! And as long as the neighbors don't complain I will keep on completing small parts at a time! less stress . . .

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Getting ready for a Minion Birthday Party!

Craft Stick Minions

Aren't we cute!

Quick and Easy Minions

Large craft sticks
Yellow marker (I used a highlighter)
Black marker
Blue paper (You could also use a marker, but the paper seemed simpler since I didn't need to draw a straight line!)
Goggly eye
Glue (I used Elmer's school glue because that's what I had handy!)
Optional: paper scraps for embellishment

Color about an inch of one end of the craft stick with the marker. Cut a blue rectangle and glue on the "overalls". Draw a black stripe for the goggle band and glue an eye (or two) on it. Draw on the mouth and hair with the black marker. That's it!

I did make one mouth with black paper and white paper teeth. And I added "O" to the overalls because these are Olivia's Minions!

Water Bottle Minions

$1.49 Yellow plastic water bottle from Michael's
$1.00 Blue microfiber cloth from the hardware/automotive section at Dollar Tree
$1.00 Swim goggles from Dollar Tree (two pair)
Black permanent marker
Glue

These were assembled by a nine-year-old!

We cut the microfiber into four strips. She wrapped them around the bottles and glued only the fabric so that they can come off for washing.

I took the goggles apart and cut the strap into two pieces. I glued one side of the strap and left the other side held on with the clip that was intended for that purpose. The goggles can be removed for washing the bottle.

She glued an eye to the goggle, drew one mouths and "G" for Gru, and wrote each friends name on the lid.

We made Ba-na-na Splits (Minion-sized using 1 cup glass bowls and a small cookie dough scoop!)

Candy-dipped spoons & Cheese doodles to go with our hot dogs.

Dave the pinata from Wal-Mart!