My Crazy UK Flag Chair And Other Things...

 I know the first day of Fall isn't until September 22nd, but as we all know in retail it starts much, much earlier. In my mind August is when I like to start transitioning over to Fall...at the booth, mind you, not here at home...so I've been working on several projects for just that reason. I'll take pictures at the booth too, once everything gets in place.

 With Fall being my favorite time of year, it bothers me none to play with brown hydrangeas, rusty metals, dark stained doors and ummm...my weird British Flag chair.

 Yep, it's a deconstructed chair of sorts that I picked up at a yard sale this Spring and painstakingly painted the British flag on the seat. I put it in the back yard for a few days to get some weather and break up the freshly painted look of the flag....well, I forgot about my chair in the weather and discovered it just the other day once again. Whoops. 

 It had certainly aged, don't you think? I actually love what the weather did to it and I sealed it with some polyurethane to stop the paint from chipping any further. The chair didn't have a back and I thought it would be easy to cut a primitive back of sorts fairly easy when the time came.

 But then I had another idea. Wouldn't it be sorta cool if there was a basket in place of the back? I know that's rendering it completely useless to sit on (although, not completely), but it would render it into a really interesting display for a deck or porch. I imagine geraniums or potted ferns in the basket-wouldn't that look cool?
Just for the record: Justin does NOT think it's cool. He doesn't like the chippy paint or the basket idea....but I just reminded myself of what Eleanor Roosevelt said. Do what you feel in your heart to be right-for you'll be criticized anyway.  That can apply to painted chairs right? ;)

 I went to Hobby Lobby and found a basket about the same size as the backing space and tied it on with some jute twine-completely temporary. I might cut a back for it, but for now, it's a cooky flower-basket-UK-flag-chair-thing. The Queen can thank me later.

 Also going to the booth, a beautifully aged Texaco bucket. Nice and rusted to perfection, with no help from me.

I thought to myself, what else does my booth need for Fall 2013? A ginormous painted sign is what myself came up with.

 Actually, it's a scrap piece of backer board that I had from another project (more on that later). I framed it out using tomato stakes of all things and went to town painting.

 You guys have seen all my small versions of hand-painted signs, so I'm not going into the logistics and how-to's now, but this puppy is BIG and I'm hoping it will draw people in my booth.

 Surprisingly, it didn't even take me that long to paint, the hand lettering part is the most time consuming. Not that I'm anti-stencil or con Silhouette machine, I just prefer hand lettering...just me a pencil, ruler and an eraser. If you'd like to see the tutorials click HERE and HERE.

 I can't wait to get everything in place at the booth and of course can't wait to show you. I've got some smalls going in too and of course Flowers!!

I'll talk to you soon!

Houston, We Have A Problem...

I'm learning very quickly that cancer trials are unpredictable. I was not prepared for that. Plain and simple. I am coming off of consistent chemotherapy for a year and 3 months....when I went to MD Anderson to see if I was eligible for this trial-I thought I'd be rolling on into the the next phase of trying to beat this thing. I haven't had chemo in 4 months and I'm a little scared. Just what are those tumors doing in there? I can feel the effects on most days as I've shared before...but I don't want to fade away while waiting for this trial to begin. I guess I am a little frustrated that the trip that I was to go on this week didn't work out. 

There was an oral chemo drug that I took daily (11 pills!) that has to be completely out of my system before the trial can begin and long story short...it isn't. So there has been hang ups on their end and I guess on my end too. 

Justin and I were to leave on Tuesday and I was completely miserable at the thought of missing the kids first day of school. I'll just say it: stage 4 cancer makes you not.want.to.miss.a.thing....

So on Monday, I took the boys out to lunch to get some time in together before I was suppose to leave-thank you guys for suggesting that! Via Instagram, here we are, bellies full:

(Can you tell Keegan is just tolerating me? Ha) sweetsomethingdesign if you'd like to join me over on the gram.

The week before school, we ran up to Carthage to Precious Moments Chapel. I took some pictures of the boys and meandered through the chapel and grounds. It really is peaceful out there.

But guys. I didn't miss the first day of school. That is what good came out of the appointment falling through. I might of cried a little. My boys are growing so fast! I had the Houston trip on my mind so much that I've been a picture taking fool (not that I'm not anyway). I figured, why stress myself out just getting pictures on "the first day of school"....I'm dedicating the whole week to getting pictures. I'm just glad I'm here.

I want to get some good photos of Keegan, probably this weekend. Right after school is football practice so I haven't been able to get him where he's not too exhausted for pictures. 

Also, my sweet potato vine is massive! It has completely taken over the walk way and swallowed up even the birdbath. I love it though and we've just been walking around it on a small little strip of walkway. The green is SO bright and fresh.

I want to say a few things too, since this post is completely wishy-washy and sporadic anyway. I get emails often asking questions about projects here and there, how I did this or that and I answer....but then I get another email apologizing that they read further about the cancer and all....don't be sorry! I can still answer questions and help as much as I can. Now when I was going through chemo and in bed for days at a time, that was different-but I'm not bed ridden or anything I still do laundry and dishes (ugh), I can answer your questions. I just wanted to say that. If I feel like  I can't blog/answer emails at all, I'll just say so. Having said that, I know I don't post very often any more and when I do it's usually updates on my health...so thank you all for sticking around. Do I miss decorating, tablescapes and projects-YES! But this is what it is right now so I'm dealing. I appreciate the prayers and encouragement, you all help me so, so much. Know that.

A couple of Trays...

 I was out and about the other day and found these dated, yet useful looking trays. I thought with a little bit of work, I could sell them in my booth.

 They've got nice handles, quite sizable, but came with a...I'm guessing 90's...quilted fabric lining.

 Once I decided to update the fabric, I realized that the wooden bottom would take chalkboard paint very well. With a small brush I carefully went around the edge...

 ...then rolled in the rest of the bottom

 For the "new" fabric, I used a couple of napkins that I've had for a while from Target.

 I used the lining as a pattern and cut the napkin. I sewed the new fabric to the old lining (I don't trust my sewing skills to make a completely new lining), threw them in the wash hoping to make it look like a rag quilt (after snipping all the way around).

 It didn't quite fray like I wanted, but I think a couple more washing will do the trick.

While I had the chalkboard paint out, I painted an old vase and let Logan draw whatever he wanted on it. Are you like me, once the chalkboard paint is out, you're on the hunt to see what all can be painted like a mad dog?

 He drew every family member, which I thought was really cute.

 So with or without the lining, I think they are definitely updated. I could see them hung on the wall with the dinner menu too! A twofer!

***

 I'm suppose to be going back to Houston for 3 days next week to start the trial. I am excited, but really upset that it happens to fall on the same day school starts. So I won't see my baby's first day of second grade or watch Keegan drive off to start his Junior year. No pictures or hugs which I insist on every year. Even last year, even though I had chemo, at least we got pictures. Is that dumb that I'm bummed about this? Probably. I'm to start a drug that could potentially save my life, but I will miss the kids first day of school....I know, I'm a nut case.

 I'll let you know how it goes when I get back. Talk to you later.

DIY Junk Sign

 Man, It's been a while since I've done a project! I felt pretty good this past couple of days and decided to make this little sign as a gift for a dear friend (don't we all need a reminder to keep dreaming??) I've always admired the 'altered' signs, I just think they look really cool...and it was really easy once I gathered everything I needed. Lucky for me, we went to the Joplin Vintage Market this past weekend and there was a fantastic vendor that had practically anything you could need in salvaged goods (most of them did). Letters, old license plates, chandy crystals, marquee signs, toys, books....all sorts of things. I spent some time picking out letters to spell 'Dream'. The 'D' is not old, I picked it up at Hobby Lobby to mix it up even more and add a little dimension.

So a few things you'll need...although you can completely customize and change it to fit what you find, or the word you chose.

-A mix of letters spelling your choice of word

-A piece of pallet wood or salvaged wood that is big enough for your word

-2 New or old knobs (optional)

-Jute twine (optional)

-E6000 (or your choice of glue)

 

 Letters:

 Pallet wood:

 Place the letters fairly centered  and straight on the board (or slanted would be neat too) and glue them in place.

 The license plate letter I picked out was a little too big, but a a pair of pliers bent it around the board and it worked out pretty good.

 I found the glass knobs at Hobby Lobby and used them as a means to hang the sign. This is completely up to you though, a saw tooth hanger on the back works just as well. Measure enough jute twine to hang the sign and tie around the knobs.

 Was that easy or what? :)

 I think the only thing that would present a challenge is finding a variety of letters.

 I hope she likes it.

 ***

 I want to thank you all for the love and support in light of my recent news...as far as how I've been feeling, I've had some good days and bad days (don't we all?!). Shortness of breath and general abdomen pain is a constant...but that is where the tumors are, so it's to be expected. The trial at MD Anderson will hopefully be starting soon. I learned last week that they have temporarily put it on hold, but I'm praying whatever problems they are having that it works out before I am suppose to go back. Again, thanks for the thoughts and prayers, it means a lot to me.

In kitchen news, the cabinets are all purchased and Justin will be putting them in soon and then I'll be painting them....it's going slower than expected, but that's ok. 

I've also started thinking about Fall for my booth space and really excited about the plans I've got scheming! It is crazy to be thinking of Fall in 90+ degree weather, but I absolutely have to plan ahead. I found a book shelf (about 5' high) that I can't decide whether to paint or not and I'm revamping the armoire that  use to be in Logan's room when he was a baby. Lots of little things happening all at once, some things never change.

Update

 

Let's start with a pretty picture, shall we (taken on my trip home)? It's been over a month since I've sat down to type, but I felt today was a good day to write, so here I am. I think the last time I left you I was due for my next chemo treatment....We'll start from there. 

Along with chemo I was to see the doctor to find out the results of my latest CT scan. I saw the doctor first and I will just blurt it out, the cancer has spread and gotten larger, especially on my lungs. The chemotherapy is just not working. So I didn't even get chemo that day...what for? It's not doing it's job so why go through the process? Since this regimen was the last line of treatment (and it won't be continued), this is basically it and at the rate of growth, the doctor gives me less than a year to live. 

You can imagine that I wasn't very happy, I'm not happy, in fact like a blubbering mess. Since the oncologist here can't do anything further, he referred me to MD Anderson which is a cancer center in Houston Texas. Have you heard of it? I never had. It's a world class teaching hospital that has lots of trials. I had my records and scans sent over to Houston and within 2 weeks, my MIL and I drove to Houston to see these new doctors. I should mention that the trial I was waiting for at NIH ended! SO MD Anderson became front and center. 

I saw the doctors and they think I am perfect for a trial that is starting almost immediately. It is just a pill, but it's never been tested on humans so basically no one knows how I will react or tolerate the pill...but I've got to try something. Unlike the doctor here, they didn't want to put a "time" on my life expectancy. What I'm trying to focus on is that this pill is for my type of cancer and maybe it will work.

I am also working very hard on giving this burden to God. He can certainly handle it better than I can, but as soon as the "less than a year to live" came out it suddenly became very hard. Isn't that strange? I guess when I take my eyes off Him, my weaknesses/sickness become VERY obvious and it's hard to remember that he is strong and this is an opportunity to show His strength. Not in me, not in the doctors, not in a little pill but what He can do.

So I go back to Houston in less than a month once a week for a month, then every other week for a month, then finally once a month. I don't know how long it will last, I suppose it will be based on how the cancer reacts and I tolerate this mysterious pill. Between now and then and I am just going to enjoy the summer, work on the kitchen project (which is going VERY slow, BTW ;) and maybe devote some time to wreaths. Whatever I can do. I don't plan on this much time elapsing between writings either, but I'm sure you guys understand. I will talk to you soon. Thanks for being here.

DIY Starfish Art

Since Summer is quickly approaching, this project would be a great way to add a beachy feel to your decor. A really easy technique that can be accomplished with any variety of starfish and of course any size frame. Also, I chose burlap for the background, but you could use any cloth you like.

This frame was a steal at the thrift store and I grabbed it up because 1.) It is a great size, 2.) Came with matting, and 3.) Has a great paintable frame in a style I like.

I found this bad of starfish at TJ Maxx and I grabbed it up thinking I would use them for bowl fillers, but then this art project came to mind-luckily, they was enough left over to do both.

First, I spray painted the frame in a glossy black, then proceeded to do a dry run with the starfish. Keep in mind to use starfish close in size for a nice uniform look.

I decided to use burlap in the background, so after finding the perfect starfish, I used Mod Podge to adhere the burlap to the foam core that came with the frame. You can also use spray adhesive......

...just remember to cut your cloth bigger than the matting.

Finally, with a glue gun, glue down the starfish. It will depend on the size frame you find or have, but 6 is what I used and it wasn't too crowded. I tucked a couple of vintage postcards under the matting, but you can use pictures, or leave it without...since the glass isn't there, why not stick some extra memorabilia in there! Completely optional.

I figure I will use the glass in a different project, the glass that came in the frame isn't used with this project-unless you use a shadow box style frame, which would look great too.

Such an easy project! You can have this done under an hour...depending on the spray paint you use. ;)

I am getting chemo this morning, so I will talk to you much later. Hope you will give this project a try! Happy Summer!