tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62881036779248531372024-03-16T11:52:50.987-07:00Keen Inspirations<a href="http://www.example.com">www.example.com</a>Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.comBlogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-91244036667288230732013-10-22T19:19:00.000-07:002013-10-22T19:19:17.245-07:00"Old Fashioned" Pumpkin Cookies<br />
This post was inspired by a question asked over at one of my favorite blogs, <a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/" target="_blank">Heavenly Homemakers</a>. I have learned a lot from reading Laura's blog and today I learned that you can cook a pumpkin WHOLE! Yes whole, assuming that the pumpkin will fit in your oven. Basically you treat it like baking a gigantic potato, even stabbing it before baking. She shows you the process complete with pictures <a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/how-to-cook-a-whole-pumpkin-to-make-pumpkin-puree" target="_blank"> here.</a><br />
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Back to the question that was asked...One of her readers asked about a recipe for pumpkin cookies, specifically a recipe from <em>The Joy of Cooking</em>. It's an "older" cookbook, originally published in 1931.<br />
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<a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=BN2Y6rIzgQ6uCM&tbnid=errpOjZM7oRKSM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.static.mentalfloss.com%2Fblogs%2Farchives%2F44133.html&ei=hixnUuzDH4qa9gTZtYCwAQ&bvm=bv.55123115,d.eWU&psig=AFQjCNFYh14Up-QF8Mg0qV8umfOuYTwxPg&ust=1382579682670801" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Joy of Cooking" height="200" id="irc_mi" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQFCX1P73o8YE8bzEXBmqT9RYO2ZH1JCnx0VT2v99RP3ArFS1Sv" style="margin-top: 47px;" title="Joy of Cooking" width="133" /></a></div>
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My edition is from 1981 ...<br />
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<a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=dmPosgtUCZ6dGM&tbnid=oA5C8jO9w10THM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.examiner.com%2Farticle%2Fjoy-of-cooking-cookbook-celebrates-78th-birthday&ei=Qi1nUp-lMo-I9gTs04CoBA&bvm=bv.55123115,d.eWU&psig=AFQjCNFYh14Up-QF8Mg0qV8umfOuYTwxPg&ust=1382579682670801" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Joy of Cooking" height="200" id="irc_mi" src="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/ab/9f/ab9f286b37819cc8ec14f9c62b997b91.jpg?itok=zLH9lTmK" style="margin-top: 22px;" title="The Joy of Cooking" width="140" /></a></div>
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...and it has the recipe for pumpkin cookies! So Debb, here you go! </div>
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<span style="color: orange;">Pumpkin Cookies</span></h3>
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<span style="color: orange;">"A spicy cookie with a mealy, rather unusual texture"</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: black;">Preheat oven to 375.</span></div>
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<u>Cream together</u>:</div>
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1 cup butter or shortening</div>
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1 cup sugar</div>
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<u>Add and mix well:</u></div>
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1 cup cooked pumpkin</div>
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1 egg</div>
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1 teaspoon vanilla</div>
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<u>Sift together and add to above mixture:</u></div>
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2 cups sifted all-purpose flour</div>
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1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder</div>
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda</div>
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1/2 teaspoon salt</div>
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1 teaspoon cinnamon</div>
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1/2 teaspoon allspice</div>
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<u>Stir in:</u></div>
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1 cup chopped nuts</div>
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1 cup raisins</div>
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Drop cookies onto a well-greased baking sheet and bake about 15 minutes.</div>
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Debb, I'd love to know if you make them and what your thoughts are on "the unusual texture" mentioned in the cook book. </div>
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Enjoy!!</div>
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<span style="color: orange;"></span> </div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/93/0497B5C6E9351AE5F06BAAA2586D371F.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>
Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-33038443140681407992013-09-22T21:03:00.000-07:002013-09-29T19:51:28.874-07:00Happy Fall!! Free Fall Chalkboard PrintableI've thought of all the ways to start of this post, like "It's hard to believe it's been almost two years...", "Where has the time gone?"" I'm sorry..." and I've thought of all the explanations I can give and then I decided to just share what I have for now! <br />
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Fall is my favorite time of year! I love all the sights, smells and sounds and tastes of fall! I'm one who starts thinking about fall in the beginning of August! I've been studying Pinterest and looking for new ways to decorate this year and I've found a few things that I am excited to try. Chalkboards are still "in" I hope? I like them! Making a chalkboard printable on the computer is much easier than I thought and fun to make! I've finished my first fall chalkboard printable today and it's the first day of fall. I've have wanted to start sharing on my blog again for quite a while and the timing was too good to pass up! So here it is:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTcj3bsokeJkITIdP3l-0ZAF8Ou759GNx-P1lGG6i3cUsuGlKUhpc1-Ow3Cl0Lv4aBJuiKRgz_GA25H0IkxyR1OGARD5aIqCYh_QYYsPNFAUPg1MHtwsePz0mJBfmmJpI-hrudClpRTM/s1600/Fall+Chalkboard+Printable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTcj3bsokeJkITIdP3l-0ZAF8Ou759GNx-P1lGG6i3cUsuGlKUhpc1-Ow3Cl0Lv4aBJuiKRgz_GA25H0IkxyR1OGARD5aIqCYh_QYYsPNFAUPg1MHtwsePz0mJBfmmJpI-hrudClpRTM/s320/Fall+Chalkboard+Printable.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It seems that a few things have changed with blogger in the last two years, like clicking on a picture brings up a "gallery" type window? I was afraid this would prevent saving the picture. So, I right clicked on the picture and chose "open in a new window". When the new window opened, I clicked on the image which enlarged it to it's original size. That would be what you want to right click on and save to your computer for printing. If you know of a better way or what I should do to make sharing printables easier, please let me know in the comments. I have more that I would like to share! If you download leave me a comment and let me know how you are decorating for fall. <br />
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Whew! Posting after almost two years wasn't as hard as I thought! <br />
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Happy Fall!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/93/0497B5C6E9351AE5F06BAAA2586D371F.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>
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I'll be sharing my fall printable here:<br />
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<a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/"><img height="75" src="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/button2.jpg" width="175" /></a> <img alt="Tips & Tricks Linky Party" src="http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/heatherfillyawgraham/tipsamptricksbutton_zps52291502.jpg" title="Tips & Tricks Linky Party" /> <img alt="House on the Way" src="http://www.houseontheway.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/grab.png" title="House on the Way" /> a h<img alt="By Stephanie Lynn" src="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/theliebertfamily/website/bsl_sundayshowcase_zpsa4163b21.png" /> <br />
<!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=211573" type="text/javascript"></script><!-- end LinkyTools script --><br />Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-83174066466449386952011-12-16T06:28:00.001-08:002011-12-16T06:28:14.252-08:00In Loving Memory…<p align="center"><font size="4">of my granddaughter</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff80c0" size="6" face="dandelion in the spring"><strong>Chloe Anne Poffenberger</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff80c0" size="4" face="dandelion in the spring"><strong>December 16, 2008</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_AxNhc6XlPPk-hOB-VLyaD2laYKU9E-w7JCk2nrC0t6UNfkGmBKBsyG4TjVnUQOwpePCEkKpKMgQP8Nul0asxqrRbt4eO1tBHizt0bhjmduLiJdvF8aqRNVWoB2tI6qaPb5E2sqb1NE/s1600-h/Chloe%252520Flower%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Chloe Flower" border="0" alt="Chloe Flower" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7IZTjbm4Jz4/TutVfM9NB8I/AAAAAAAACKc/vFjdY4UToD8/Chloe%252520Flower_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="240"></a></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center">Although you came and couldn’t stay, you remain in our hearts forever.</p> <p align="center">Love, Gram</p> Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-28743307548711166212011-12-11T20:01:00.001-08:002011-12-11T21:13:10.198-08:00DIY Christmas Game Boards<p>There’s nothing like starting a BIG project, like tearing out a kitchen and then leaving everyone, including myself, hanging is there? Once again, it was not intentional. I L-O-V-E blogging and write blog posts all the time…in my head…while I’m driving, cooking, showering, anywhere but it front of the computer. We’ve had Thanksgiving, end of the semester homeschool co-op projects to finish, and then sickness to keep me away from the kitchen and the keyboard. That’s why my kitchen still looks like this:<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vN0aguBXYHc/TuV8QlT-VVI/AAAAAAAACGk/sBsHOgOO0uc/s1600-h/re-do%252520kitchen%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="re-do kitchen" border="0" alt="re-do kitchen" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D433GO2bXFo/TuV8Q3i8ubI/AAAAAAAACGs/1fNFzxtvn6A/re-do%252520kitchen_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="341" height="236"></a></p> <p>along one wall. The rest of it isn’t ready to show yet either but instead of getting back to the kitchen I decided to do a fun craft project. It’s one I hope will give the kids something “new” to do together. It would be one thing to say “Go play checkers with your brother/sister.” It’s quite another to say “Go play <em>Christmas</em> checkers with your brother/sister.” That request is new and different and catches the attention before anyone can say. “I don’t want to play checkers….” And who can resist a game of reindeer against snowmen? I planned this game in my head during one of my drives. I had a large game board with large pieces in mind so that my kids could also play with my grandsons when they come up for Christmas. Dollar Tree came to my rescue, having almost everything I needed except the red Duck tape that I found at Wal-mart. At the Dollar Tree, I found two sheets of green poster board,one red and one white foam board. I thought I might have a hard time finding something large enough to be my game pieces, but I was tickled to find these giant pennies in the party favor section.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f0K7v4S5az8/TuV8SDVOc0I/AAAAAAAACG0/TXjkeO3Htao/s1600-h/DSC_0110%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0110" border="0" alt="DSC_0110" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-63AkRL-1Sbk/TuV8Sj8KdZI/AAAAAAAACG8/h0bpdCBqybY/DSC_0110_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="390"></a>I got everything together, poster board, 2 sets of coins, glue, mod podge, spray paint and duck tape.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8yMhYOvYgpM/TuV8TpA1YUI/AAAAAAAACHE/9ZXWoUst8pE/s1600-h/Christmas%252520game%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Christmas game" border="0" alt="Christmas game" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0RSehCWpK58/TuV8UOw_H9I/AAAAAAAACHM/asg0U5st_34/Christmas%252520game_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="310"></a></p> <p align="left">No laughter here, but I thought I would be able to do this with strips but…uh-uh, I had to cut out the green in squares and lay them on the red poster board.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i0rfjindAjw/TuV8Ul8DrCI/AAAAAAAACHU/pq6X7IxUgck/s1600-h/diy%252520checkers%252520game%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="diy checkers game" border="0" alt="diy checkers game" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bRN8pv5-dbE/TuV8UyED8xI/AAAAAAAACHc/VjXGE-0A5Fw/diy%252520checkers%252520game_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" height="315"></a></p> <p align="left">Because this is such a big project I wanted to make my own mod podge. I’ve used it before when I made a <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011/01/faux-stone-arch-and-stove-back-splash.html">faux stone arch for my stove.</a> I found the <a href="http://sunnyslifeinrehab.blogspot.com/2010/08/homemade-decoupage-medium.html">super easy recipe at Life in Rehab</a>. All you need are glue, water and a container. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gEhEmYBaE-4/TuV8VS9B3OI/AAAAAAAACHk/rttXhfVd46Q/s1600-h/diy%252520mod%252520podge%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="diy mod podge" border="0" alt="diy mod podge" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JCF7_sZBOOjUikYf9HRQn6EfC5rNju3Ca2B7mthqW0qwYcgyT1QDpoy-lwuGAQv2tMkdGBI4XazFPwGvc9Qkr04kprD2AqV82z8xe_dd3VwxAIm8_VF_lhVEITHkll-u-0oZbNi9-Ds/?imgmax=800" width="318" height="232"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dgiet_0DCh8/TuV8XCC3U2I/AAAAAAAACH0/Q2osFTU9IyI/s1600-h/make%252520mod%252520podge%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="make mod podge" border="0" alt="make mod podge" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UlIRdAuJ3B0/TuV8XVQvfvI/AAAAAAAACH8/Ri1S1LNH9Cs/make%252520mod%252520podge_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="232"></a></p> <p align="left">And this stuff works too! I put it over my stove, which didn’t have any type of exhaust fan or anything, so it was constantly being hit with steam. When we started taking the kitchen apart, the “faux stone” was still harder to get off than real stone! It took me a while and a lot of scraping, but it’s off. I’m hoping it will protect the checker board from wear and tear the same way!</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F8tU9vlHHqg/TuV8XzfsOlI/AAAAAAAACIE/kUh-rCG6rQc/s1600-h/Modge%252520Podge%252520Works%252520%2525281%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Modge Podge Works (1)" border="0" alt="Modge Podge Works (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-katUL6swByU/TuV8YbMLO_I/AAAAAAAACIM/7k1Fv_Xx2Ow/Modge%252520Podge%252520Works%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="237"></a></p> <p align="left">I glued all the little squares down and coated the whole surface with the homemade mod podge. While it was drying, I cut the white foam board and the other green poster board down to 20’”x20” to match the checker board. I made a sandwich of the foam board in between the checker side and the green poster board. I stacked heavy books all over it while it dried. </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bDOxLxIFPgg/TuV8ZFc7tsI/AAAAAAAACIU/vcyANUOq1qE/s1600-h/make%252520a%252520checker%252520board%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="make a checker board" border="0" alt="make a checker board" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h7sY3amu_aI/TuV8ZkowZRI/AAAAAAAACIc/YEjME96tzs4/make%252520a%252520checker%252520board_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="477" height="338"></a></p> <p>To make the game pieces, I spray painted the coins white with Rustoleum spray paint for plastic. While they dried, I printed and cut out the snowmen and reindeer circles I made to go on the coins. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6Icj3vYTFYY/TuV8a7eOv1I/AAAAAAAACIk/0z5BijPJYR0/s1600-h/checkers%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="checkers" border="0" alt="checkers" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F6uu9_mzVdk/TuV8bSs_fxI/AAAAAAAACIs/ueCwv6luOm8/checkers_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="270"></a> To glue the cut outs onto the coins, I used “real’ Mod Podge, because it is thick and would fill in the bumpy spots on the coins. I left the front of the coins, with Abraham Lincoln’s head uncovered to be used as the “crown” when the checker makes it to the other side. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zAXrnkjZNhI/TuV8cSgFuUI/AAAAAAAACI0/aTZ36mA9Ci4/s1600-h/DIY%252520checkers%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DIY checkers" border="0" alt="DIY checkers" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LAA_ynRnGEI/TuV8ctJd04I/AAAAAAAACI8/LwhNyi0dIvw/DIY%252520checkers_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="274"></a></p> <p>When everything was dry, I lined them all up “Reindeer vs. Snowmen” Checkers!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIcomvj0cOkW9KSe9Z3-SInQohXRWHu4j7KCqN6-kD0LOaY9TXL_APcltnxnXOiezB54VTiPdACAHGNi0U2KvICBUa3USxaqwMZxVroOqianOh1k2tqlkTg_47aRF3fuMcDUItqbNnRE/s1600-h/homemade%252520checkers%252520game%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="homemade checkers game" border="0" alt="homemade checkers game" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1JiXT_CbUL8/TuV8etyeHZI/AAAAAAAACJM/dtzDQdST9RY/homemade%252520checkers%252520game_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" height="314"></a></p> <p>I almost forgot to mention that I used the red Duck tape to bind all the edges. You can see it along the bottom edge in the picture above. Here’s a close up of the pieces.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-txbI5HLl2-Y/TuV8fl7YkqI/AAAAAAAACJU/_g_JjeHqnHc/s1600-h/DSC_0155%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0155" border="0" alt="DSC_0155" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cE_h0vEewUI/TuV8gwVavmI/AAAAAAAACJc/tCtP4r0juaE/DSC_0155_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="325"></a></p> <p>When they are tired of playing checkers, they can flip the board over and play tic-tac-toe!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gNWsvHBXMbo/TuV8iGgMmUI/AAAAAAAACJk/rxYdArxm8yk/s1600-h/duck%252520tape%252520tic%252520tac%252520toe%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="duck tape tic tac toe" border="0" alt="duck tape tic tac toe" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Az6Pjyt4n-E/TuV8kKxT83I/AAAAAAAACJs/s7PIHD_6ZSM/duck%252520tape%252520tic%252520tac%252520toe_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="330"></a></p> <p align="center">I LOVE the red tape!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nAWdWBJQgvk/TuV8kjqZReI/AAAAAAAACJ0/RH2JcYw0sR0/s1600-h/tic%252520tac%252520toe%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="tic tac toe" border="0" alt="tic tac toe" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hs_iq-IPous/TuV8lJyWYwI/AAAAAAAACJ8/BynDzh-vxz4/tic%252520tac%252520toe_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="314"></a></p> <p>My youngest son already wants to play but I’m going to let everything “cure” overnight and let the anticipation build! About five dollars for some family fun isn’t too bad. I even had fun making it! </p> <p>A faster, easier version would be to make some Christmas-y checkers to use on a regular checker board. If you would like the reindeer/snowman circles, leave me a comment and I’ll see if I can get them to upload like my other printables. </p> <p>Have great week!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zwbs1pol_A4/TuV8lG5vGcI/AAAAAAAACKE/vv8mxHFSSsw/s1600-h/sig%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="sig" border="0" alt="sig" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kQFczovtqj4/TuV8mHr3V0I/AAAAAAAACKM/tYupmYxl14I/sig_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="120" height="63"></a></p> <p>Sharing this at these fun places:</p> <p><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="UndertheTableandDreaming" src="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/theliebertfamily/party.png"></a> <a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="The DIY Show Off" src="http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac195/Roeshel/DIYShowOffbuttonsmall.jpg"></a> <img border="5" alt="its so very cheri" src="http://itssoverycheri.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/partybutton.png" width="200"><br><a href="http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Keeping It Simple" src="http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad206/kaysinerwt/th_DSCF63832.jpg"></a> <a href="http://www.thegirlcreative.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="The Girl Creative" src="http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l639/thegirlcreative/tgc_jsiwu_grab_october2011.png"></a><a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Christmas" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="The DIY Show Off" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgbmM51vfjxiRh2KkFlD4y_U4VwDz9XPi7C9hkaVvQZ4-eUEgRcys1u3OThuc-D7J3jVbBN4eoZI6-RGfKt4ebfCR0PjJa5XV_WGN2Pk80l-vB8wn6Wfxs6I7QCX-VUZrtQCFy2MoCQI/s230/holidaybutton.jpg"></a><br><a href="http://madincrafts.blogspot.com/search/label/Mad%20Skills%20Party/"><img alt="BWS tips button" src="http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s186/jeslman/madskillsbutton.jpg" width="250" height="250"></a> Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-9308112942904068672011-11-14T08:57:00.001-08:002011-11-15T03:57:37.925-08:00“Coffee-ology” Re-make: Coffee Printables!My kitchen isn’t the only thing getting a remake lately! I received a sweet comment on my Coffee printables asking for a larger size. I read it in my email and when I went back to reply that I had been able to resize the prints, I couldn’t find the email. I must have accidentally deleted it. I can’t find the comment on my blog either, it wasn’t on the coffee printable post. I have given up searching and just hope that the requester sees that I’ve been able to resize them. Here they are resized to 12x12. Right click on the images below and then right click and choose “save as” to save the larger printable.<br />
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</div><div align="center"><strong><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Coffee Definition</span></u></strong></div><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J7nyT31ecFQ/TsFIgQaq_OI/AAAAAAAACFw/3pkXCCn9JX4/s1600-h/Coffee-Definition-Printable-Keen-Ins.jpg"><img alt="Coffee Definition Printable Keen Inspirations12" border="0" height="361" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OxnfL1LIljU/TsFIg-_L7-I/AAAAAAAACF4/wcBvkHKI9YE/Coffee-Definition-Printable-Keen-Ins%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Coffee Definition Printable Keen Inspirations12" width="354" /></a><br />
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</div><div align="center"><strong><u><span style="font-size: medium;">“Coffee-ology”</span></u></strong></div><strong><u><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></u></strong> <br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-phZgWM-AY60/TsFIh3UoB_I/AAAAAAAACGA/KpH11l8mCoA/s1600-h/Coffeeology-Printable-Keen-Inspirati.jpg"><img alt="Coffeeology Printable Keen Inspirations12" border="0" height="347" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KMpCtR9Zsm8/TsFIic5ElaI/AAAAAAAACGI/G2fgsigcZ00/Coffeeology-Printable-Keen-Inspirati%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Coffeeology Printable Keen Inspirations12" width="340" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left">You can see my original post with the <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011/03/coffee-printables-starbucks-winner-and.html">smaller printables and what I did with mine here.</a> These could be printed and applied to tiles or canvas and would make a great gift for a coffee lover! If you are the one who requested the larger size, please let me know that you see this….I’m so sorry that I lost your email!</div><div align="left">Happy Monday!</div><div align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jpz6P1vXRD8/TsFIiorK6kI/AAAAAAAACGQ/QAa1R709T5I/s1600-h/sig%25255B3%25255D.png"><img alt="sig" border="0" height="63" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NePpIGlj0RA/TsFIjNe083I/AAAAAAAACGY/BeLh8QzZ5j4/sig_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="sig" width="120" /></a></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Sharing my printables here this week:</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><a border="0" href="http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrosOxPNO-l4pBog1B2etZMu0LnKU9bFgzXE19F0WSSo5RmpHFmj1K0lZe8q8rJbXFuJJujSwt2eBRCk59jeooCH8O4t5KOnMDs66YXl8NzUbdEzmxBGYzol_0VnPpb_fyP-io9_cUd3GM/s800/takealookbutton.png" /></a> <a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/c2afwife/aditsmain.gif" /></a> <a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="The DIY Show Off"><img alt="image name" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkB4ULnSoErZmQG9fUa_lBtyxz8I7sN9LVccpjlNhsfAqOoS2LLCAALBYjhJtMIcoisQZWKcIKcKxVpuMSyU_FyZInCZiSTjxTjTwZX44SiGcuHoq4p8daPJa9xU3i9FLw7GL4W3MuHE/s990-r/DIY+Featured+Button.jpg" width="75" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/search/label/Just%20Something%20I%20Whipped%20Up/" target="_blank" title="The Girl Creative"><img alt="image name" height="75" src="http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq286/happielife32/TGC_linkyparty.png" width="75" /></a>Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-49552209763007976212011-11-13T18:25:00.001-08:002011-11-13T18:25:10.059-08:00My Re-use, Re-cycle Kitchen Re-do!!<p>Well, it’s taken me a few days to get back here, but I am really excited about my kitchen plan!! After we got started last week, my kitchen project came to a standstill. I have discovered a sure way to bring in work for my self-employed husband. Start him on a project at home! As an electrical contractor, things have been a <strike>little,</strike> well a lot, slow. As soon as we start tearing the kitchen apart he gets work! Not complaining though. We lost a few days because there were things I needed him to do but as soon as he was free we got started again. I figured I’d work while he was available and blog about it later. </p> <p> Before I lay out my “Re-use, Recycle and Re-do the Kitchen Plan”, I want to give you some background. My kitchen has had the refrigerator and stove on one wall and the dishwasher and sink on others. It was very spread out with a table in the middle of it all. The biggest drawback of the layout is that the outside door and doorway into my utility room/pantry were on the same side as my stove and fridge, with the fridge coming out into the doorway of the utility room. We didn’t start taking pictures ‘til the refrigerator was already moved, but you can see the space where it was. To the left of the ladder is the white doorway to the utility room. You can see that if you walked straight out of the utility room, you would hit the refrigerator. You had to go in and out of there on an angle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BkTP270YFAA/TsB75njxnaI/AAAAAAAACEo/Zz3K9w3c770/s1600-h/106_44995.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="106_4499" border="0" alt="106_4499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8rlWfuENyqJ-bP0k6-n3oILrt_QWfEPbCeRPpU6hxL3H9g6HRzo3DVKxONQjx5UnqAkL944eFxADBw-QT2Na85xVvONbtvd0mFNTAgvpzr2olQswtQlk0_YLyLHCOA8coKrQUNCuhug/?imgmax=800" width="388" height="299"></a></p> <p>So why did we start with the refrigerator? Because I have a special friend who knew we were using a refrigerator that was so old that it is “almond” and has definitely seen better days! </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AI6xFlo-R7Y/TsB79Kkq_PI/AAAAAAAACE4/AkHjhAyEwxU/s1600-h/141_5527%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="141_5527" border="0" alt="141_5527" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QfbPAFf1dYI/TsB79TQuuGI/AAAAAAAACFA/feWHR-EMULc/141_5527_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="188" height="315"></a></p> <p>She shared an extra one she has had with us! It’s bigger, white and not falling apart, see it has both top and bottom handles! It went directly to it’s new spot in the kitchen.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJshGfg4G1n3bDfiNXd7_efKcvE7gjUWSbyd-rkTvJr3SlX95xzQDGGSG71ek8q2S_a-qBPQCtYgNI28TBIcemTsKwFIhwUZANOf39vpS-XnLjd2b4rp2kS4E93X5wJ0Ywd2WLMKoF3pw/s1600-h/remodel%252520kitchen%252520before%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="remodel kitchen before" border="0" alt="remodel kitchen before" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VdF11uD2sxE/TsB8AA5k-aI/AAAAAAAACFQ/0qufpAob87Y/remodel%252520kitchen%252520before_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="262"></a></p> <p>Thank you special friend! I figured that if we were going to be moving the refrigerator anyway, that it would be a great time to start my kitchen project even if it was the beginning of November! The only obstacle would be getting hubby on board. I began by explaining why I wanted to move everything off of the stove/refrigerator wall and gave reasons he would agree with, like everything on that wall is basically in the pathway of the outside door to the utility room door. That made it hard when we brought in firewood. Then I followed with the idea that things would flow better with all the appliances close and on the same side. He liked both reasons, but still didn’t realize how easy this was going to be because our cabinets were mostly in sections already. We had put them together to work for us when we first got them. Not only that, but the cabinet sections were going to fit without ANY cutting! I had already measured. Hubby had to measure for himself. After measuring and re-measuring to be sure, he said “hey, this is going to be pretty easy!” Uh-huh, I already knew that! Glad to have you aboard honey! Then I laid out the plan for him in full:</p> <p>1. Move refrigerator and stove almost directly across the kitchen to opposite wall. </p> <p>2. Take out the cabinets that were on the opposite wall and replace them with the cabinets that fit from the other wall.</p> <p>3. Re-paint cabinets black and walls beige. Buy new knobs for cabinets.</p> <p>4.Put open shelving on the now empty wall. May have some cost here….</p> <p>5. Re-do bakers rack and put it on the empty wall. May need more black spray paint.</p> <p>6.Lay new tile on floor. Will need glue and grout.</p> <p>7.Tile over formica countertops. Biggest expense is here for the tile, more glue and more grout.</p> <p> 8. Find a trim color and paint the trim….another expense, unless I win another contest and more free paint! <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qm1ZdRo-frc/TsB8ASDscKI/AAAAAAAACFY/FWoGNI_R_Kw/wlEmoticon-smile2.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p>Should be pretty fast and easy, right? Well, the fridge is moved…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yP3Fyo9oLsE/TsB8AsvowaI/AAAAAAAACFg/Fx2-caABkUk/s1600-h/sig%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="sig" border="0" alt="sig" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-stc7tXseZok/TsB8Aty7KqI/AAAAAAAACFo/k7bt_eASUJI/sig_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="120" height="63"></a></p> Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-71202045841877636092011-11-07T06:28:00.001-08:002011-11-07T06:28:18.081-08:00Who tears their kitchen apart the first week in November?!?!?!?<p>ME!!! It seems that our family always starts a project right before the holidays, like we need more pressure?!?!? Last year it was the utility room and bathroom. Those projects never made it to the blog, mostly because they aren’t/weren’t completely finished. The kitchen WILL be different! I’m sooo excited about it!! It’s been something that I’ve wanted to do for quite a while, so let me take you back to the beginning…</p> <p>As I’ve mentioned before, we live in our basement, building “up” without taking out a loan. It’s been a MUCH longer process than we had ever anticipated. The economy going south hasn’t helped at all either. Anyway, we started out with a “this is only temporary” mentality and we didn’t put much thought into looks, only functionality. The longer we are down here, the more I want something that looks good! The kitchen started out with salmon-y pink, formica cabinets, which were given to us. Now, this was almost 10 years ago, so no one was sharing how to paint formica on their DIY blog, so we worked with what we had and I put up some hideous wall paper to coordinate. Several years later, we had to rebuild the cabinets around the sink because of a moisture problem. <strike>Unfortunately</strike>, we couldn’t match the old salmon-y counter top and had to get something new. Could have been a great opportunity….</p> <p>However, Hubby decided to “surprise me” and bring home new counter tops! Yeah…trouble is we have different tastes. Since they were already cut and couldn’t go back, I again worked with what I had and went from “salmony-pink” to “grey-green”! </p> <p>I look back know and call this my “what was I thinking phase?” At the time I did it I must have been happy but now I keep wondering, “what was I thinkin’?!?!?”. This is what I’ve had for the last 5 or 6 years….</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XKO-KxZszRU/Trfq9oQVXqI/AAAAAAAACDw/D5uarRYbJRU/s1600-h/141_5529%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="141_5529" border="0" alt="141_5529" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ueOk5DaZAdM/Trfq-PNT-HI/AAAAAAAACD4/T4NEDVlrcJI/141_5529_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="350"></a></p> <p>So, last spring, when my <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-solar-street-lamp.html">DIY solar street lamp</a> won at the <a href="http://thediyclub.com/2011/03/march-2011-diy-monthly-project-winner/">DIY Club for March</a>, part of the prize was 2 gallons of paint from <a href="http://www.mythicpaint.com/">Mythic Paint</a>. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them…paint the kitchen and get rid of all that green! I had been toying with painting the cabinets black to coordinate with the counter tops and possibly repainting the walls a beige with gray undertones instead of yellow. These are the colors that I chose.</p> <p> Cloud Burst Almond Biscotti</p> <p><img alt="Cloud Burst 133-6" src="http://www.mythicpaint.com/siteAdmin/Upload/ColorPaletteImages/72e97bc7-7797-4e20-9431-a5db666a6093_Cloud Burst133-6.png" width="197" height="191"> <img alt=" " src="http://www.mythicpaint.com/siteAdmin/Upload/ColorPaletteImages/87a8a6ec-d27c-4d7c-b2b3-d81e9365c965_165-2.png" width="194" height="188"></p> <p> </p> <p>Then due to life happening over the summer and the thought that we might have to tear the sink cabinets out AGAIN, the painting the project went on hold. While googling black cabinets recently I found this picture :</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TTtuJ1JG_pg/Trfq-TTLpQI/AAAAAAAACEA/zeUXvdTVtz0/s1600-h/black-kitchen-cabinets-2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="black-kitchen-cabinets-2" border="0" alt="black-kitchen-cabinets-2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QjtWZopuH-U/Trfq-mog_fI/AAAAAAAACEI/JvBpiBZjNJA/black-kitchen-cabinets-2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="421" height="291"></a></p> <p>and my project idea was re-born! This is <a href="http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2009/03/16/dare-you-to-paint-your-cabinets-black/">Emily’s kitchen</a> from <a href="http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2009/03/16/dare-you-to-paint-your-cabinets-black/">Chatting at the Sky</a>. I haven’t told her yet that I’ve had a picture of her kitchen on my laptop for my background screen for inspiration, but I will. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TItVtKKH6wU/Trfq_TseZbI/AAAAAAAACEQ/CHQZnRJUZFI/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p>Well after finding her kitchen and falling in love, the project went from a simple painting the cabinets to a full blown “re-model” in my mind. The only problem? No money…. the more I thought about it the more I knew I could make it work, creatively, of course! I will be working with what I have, what I have been given or bartered for but will still have to buy some things. My original goal was to keep this under $100 out of pocket cash, but since I have decided on some tile and don’t want to give in on that, it will probably be more like $200. I am really excited about sharing my ideas on how to make this work so cheaply, but I’m also looking forward to getting some input! I hope you’ll follow along with me on this project, I’m sure I’ll need some encouragement as well as help! Like, what color trim paint would you use with the paint colors I’ve chosen? NOT “white”, we have basic white now and it doesn’t work for basement living…shows EVERYTHING! </p> <p>I know I have some questions to answer and some comments to return, I’m not ignoring anyone, my laptop went down week before last and had to have everything re-installed. I’m still trying to get caught up!</p> <p>If you’ve done a kitchen remodel and have any “what not to do” advice, I’d love to hear it! Tomorrow I will be sharing “The Plan”.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8A5V9LDiVV4/Trfq_lmPkQI/AAAAAAAACEU/0-uK12iMRJ4/s1600-h/sig%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="sig" border="0" alt="sig" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LF4SMK8i4HM/TrfrAAHuEgI/AAAAAAAACEg/5zMUI_MFPAE/sig_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="120" height="84"></a></p> Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-62467110210909770092011-10-23T20:16:00.001-07:002011-10-26T19:42:59.030-07:00Yes, I made a pumpkin out of a…thrift store light globe!!!! I saw this <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wmnUiu5Nhmw/TqTYf6gyNeI/AAAAAAAACBg/O2PfZehUapU/s1600-h/Pumpkin%252520Light%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pumpkin Light" border="0" height="309" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sYJd496jS7Y/TqTYgakCSAI/AAAAAAAACBo/ffSe8zImrig/Pumpkin%252520Light_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pumpkin Light" width="400" /></a><br />
sitting on a shelf at the thrift store several weeks ago. My first thought was “pumpkin!” but I had to quickly remind myself of my commitment to really being sure of a project before I brought it home. So I stood there and looked at it for a few seconds asking myself “Will I really get this done? How will I use it? and Uh-oh…How will I make the pumpkin stem?” On the stem idea I figured I’d better wait, ‘cause if I couldn’t come up with a fairly easy stem, I knew it would end up upstairs in the “pile”. I confidently walked away knowing I had done the right thing. Then a day or so later, I saw these while I was checking out Dollar Store Crafts.<br />
<a href="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/paper-bag-trees.jpg"><img alt="" height="383" src="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/paper-bag-trees-580x383.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="paper-bag-trees" width="580" /></a><br />
Now I knew how I could make a pumpkin stem! Modge Podge and brown paper! Back to the thrift store I went and there was my light globe patiently waiting for me. A whole Twenty-five cents later, I was on my way to a pumpkin!<br />
I brought it home and gave it a good bath, it had definitely been sitting a while. After it dried, I sprayed it with a light coat of Valspar Plastic Primer. It really gives a nice surface to glass as well as plastic, so the paint can grab on and stay! Since I’m not a big fan of traditional “pumpkin orange” I used Valspar Satin La Fonda Copper. It’s a little deeper orange. One coat did the job! <br />
To make the stem, I cut a small piece of brown kraft paper (a paper bag would also work) and spread some Mod Podge on it. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUngwUPiun7wvnELeb_GRCyGI6Iafn045hoMKwEQ79H6K8E-3mtC6qelxSKs3OhVr1PNnq856KJroIbPDm51Z9bJVc_2rNBML-4_wYjdHoXz5KGTYyGefzBah_LzJfrvRmHRIAcK_labU/s1600-h/Mod%252520Podge%252520Pumpkin%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Mod Podge Pumpkin" border="0" height="358" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ebI5Av7GTkg/TqTYhy0CaGI/AAAAAAAACB4/k0vkJZPkfOc/Mod%252520Podge%252520Pumpkin_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mod Podge Pumpkin" width="463" /></a><br />
I folded it and added more Mod Podge until I had it down to about twice the height I wanted for the stem. Then I folded it in half and twisted it. When it looked about right I stuck it to the top of the pumpkin with some Mod Podge for glue. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ey2Ioz1tAu8CbvVIm_e3VOsDoH1fCvwaDFtsTNvcGIjo4NzhrCQ_FTvvFYIaJnVNy8C4mU2pDABjLbIrzPq-RvVs5EEJ01nDpoCNgLdvXH3Pj49zCNMyd4Jp-2AsZw1CoEQgidvxmAM/s1600-h/stem%252520Keen%252520Inspriations%252520%2525281%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="stem Keen Inspriations (1)" border="0" height="312" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oRqVVI7BXn8/TqTYjLjbcgI/AAAAAAAACCI/UiXv6oTA6tw/stem%252520Keen%252520Inspriations%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="stem Keen Inspriations (1)" width="449" /></a><br />
I gave the stem a final coat all over and set it by the heater to dry. While it was drying, I went looking for something to put it on. These days most pumpkins end up on a pedestal or urn anyway, right? I had a candle holder from Dollar Tree in my closet and it was just the right size for the base.<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jIgFU-ptRJ8/TqTYjyexyRI/AAAAAAAACCQ/eNUP-jmdnok/s1600-h/dollar%252520store%252520candle%252520%2525281%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dollar store candle (1)" border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4VOSt8CdtrX1gIVsuw_ceQvQH1OYIIPyBlaPHdVAaX_ycoBhMisTJfeTfybRx7UMPv35_A7qT7p374UtQJop7kxEf7R3Eyit7uERnGPsJZn1P_RF2aM1JGm4-FMcLhE1qnfL36Da0ws/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="dollar store candle (1)" width="456" /></a><br />
Next to the holder was an LED tea light and that got me to thinking…How would the pumpkin look with a light inside?<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6YB1tlHfrOA/TqTYlMolfOI/AAAAAAAACCg/etHpsL2-WOU/s1600-h/dollar%252520store%252520candle%252520%2525282%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dollar store candle (2)" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sQuWqG20bEQ/TqTYljJhBII/AAAAAAAACCo/3TTeQs-a9Wg/dollar%252520store%252520candle%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="dollar store candle (2)" width="438" /></a><br />
Here it is in the dark:<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9xiZYItTykk/TqTYmJwk1OI/AAAAAAAACCw/pV3UVtLj_18/s1600-h/stem%252520Keen%252520Inspriations%252520%2525282%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="stem Keen Inspriations (2)" border="0" height="495" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WMkgG9Qm6mc/TqTYmfzoDQI/AAAAAAAACC4/115pXheMbW4/stem%252520Keen%252520Inspriations%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="stem Keen Inspriations (2)" width="393" /></a><br />
I love the way the variations in the paint coverage look when it’s lit up! Looks more “natural”!<br />
Here it is in the daylight:<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gMFbOLF0gxw/TqTYnJzHpbI/AAAAAAAACDA/XO4SVrMTQiI/s1600-h/pumpkin%252520craft%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pumpkin craft" border="0" height="384" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wI2JikwZOm4/TqTYnfhndUI/AAAAAAAACDI/o41qcT3Mdc8/pumpkin%252520craft_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="pumpkin craft" width="299" /></a><br />
Looks pretty good next to my Welcome Fall tile too:<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Xxmagyc4xXw/TqTYoUDK0bI/AAAAAAAACDQ/pvQP8R3f2i4/s1600-h/pumpkin%252520craft%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pumpkin craft" border="0" height="306" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ib6gAN8taSA/TqTYoulI1wI/AAAAAAAACDY/0LmwBtEUaE0/pumpkin%252520craft_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="pumpkin craft" width="441" /></a><br />
I think I’m finally on a roll with the fall decorating. Better late than never! Have you made a pumpkin out of something unique or unusual? I’d love to see it! Just leave me a comment with at link!<br />
Have a wonder"fall” week!<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O0OZsDgjNiE/TqTYpK8MuSI/AAAAAAAACDg/mYhFAKRThMg/s1600-h/sig%25255B3%25255D.png"><img alt="sig" border="0" height="63" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DoR1OMJ_OtA/TqTYpcxTu7I/AAAAAAAACDo/xdlozd--b0Q/sig_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="sig" width="120" /></a><br />
<br />
Sharing my pumpkin at these fine parties~<br />
<a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="The DIY Show Off"><img alt="image name" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkB4ULnSoErZmQG9fUa_lBtyxz8I7sN9LVccpjlNhsfAqOoS2LLCAALBYjhJtMIcoisQZWKcIKcKxVpuMSyU_FyZInCZiSTjxTjTwZX44SiGcuHoq4p8daPJa9xU3i9FLw7GL4W3MuHE/s990-r/DIY+Featured+Button.jpg" width="75" /></a> <a href="http://creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/"><img alt="mmm button" height="75" src="http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac167/serendipity629/gray_zigzag-2.png" width="75" /></a> <a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/"><img height="75" src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/butterflygirlms/Request/CraftomaniacMondayButton.png" width="75" /></a> <a href="http://www.dittledattle.blogspot.com/"><img border="o" height="75" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af320/oproot/Blog-Party-000-Page-1.jpg" width="75" /></a> <a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><img alt="UndertheTableandDreaming" border="0" height="75" src="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/theliebertfamily/party.png" width="75" /></a> <img alt="its so very cheri" border="5" src="http://itssoverycheri.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/beachisvc1a.gif" width="150" /><a href="http://itssoverycheri.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/"><img height="75" src="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/button2.jpg" width="175" /></a><a href="http://www.thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Girl Creative" src="http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l639/thegirlcreative/tgc_jsiwu_grab_october2011.png" /></a><a href="http://madincrafts.blogspot.com/search/label/Mad%20Skills%20Party/"><img alt="BWS tips button" height="250" src="http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s186/jeslman/madskillsbutton2.jpg" width="250" /></a> <img alt="all crafts Homemade Projects ~ Add Yours {10/24}" height="150" src="http://www.tipjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/TipMeTuesdayButton1.png" title="TipMeTuesdayButton" width="150" /> <a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/category/weekly-link-up-party/" target="_blank"><img alt="HookingupwithHoH" src="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/HookinupwithHoHnew2.png" /></a> <a href="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/theliebertfamily/blog2/c073799b.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" closure_uid_z3p435="3" src="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/theliebertfamily/blog2/c073799b.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 250px; width: 250px;" /></a><br />
<img alt="" height="75" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/ScrapToMyLu/TCBnew_125.gif" width="75" /> <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/">Today's Creative Blog</a>Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-59681701924291580272011-10-22T17:10:00.001-07:002011-10-26T19:43:45.172-07:00So How Hard Can it Be…To just write a post and stick it out there? No long explanations to catch everyone up on why I haven’t blogged all summer. Is it really necessary to go into all the details or just start posting and share what I’ve got? Hmmmm…??? I’m a “fill you in on all the details kind of gal”, so it IS kind of hard for me. I’ve written many, MANY blog posts in my head over the last months. I’ve even done some projects and remembered to take a few pics! But it’s time for me to get going again, I’ve truly missed blogging, sharing and chatting with all of you. I know if I wait ‘til I have time for all the details and excuses, I’ll never get back at it. How about I just jump in with what I’ve been working on and throw in a few details to catch everyone up along the way? <br />
Alrighty then, here goes! Fall is my favorite time of year! I have always loved decorating for fall, even more than for Christmas. But, like my blog, my seasonal decorating is waaaayyyy behind. I’m actually just getting started for fall. I have been working on several things and can’t wait to share them over the next week. I’m going to start with a fall and Halloween project since Halloween is so close. Some of you may remember my <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011/02/happy-valentines-day-family-printable.html">Family Word Art Printable from Valentines Day.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011/02/happy-valentines-day-family-printable.html"><img alt="Family copy" border="0" height="368" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TVk4fcIgbxI/AAAAAAAABqY/4EebpTxq1R8/Family%20copy_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Family copy" width="368" /></a><br />
Ever since I have done that project, I’ve wondered what else could be Mod Podged to a tile in the name of “art”? Well, I’ve done <em>many</em> such projects “in my mind” and a couple with my hands. Here is the first one. <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mfRlilwQ3iE/TqNbUgtwtzI/AAAAAAAAB-g/CUCFr1ePCTA/s1600-h/Tile%252520craft%252520%2525282%252529%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tile craft (2)" border="0" height="376" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iPVd6OTr6fk/TqNbUzeCTSI/AAAAAAAAB-o/hlkF4Jf-i3U/Tile%252520craft%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tile craft (2)" width="321" /></a><br />
I found the artwork at <a href="http://www.teafortwoscraps.com/search/label/fall">Tea for Two Scraps</a>. There are some great digital scrapbooking freebies there! Many of them would look good on a tile! I chose this one<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.teafortwoscraps.com/2010/09/welcome-in-fall-3.html"><img alt="" border="0" height="378" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4IJiSUDel78/TKykXTKmDJI/AAAAAAAAAc0/O3Ae9ouYprM/s200/Welcome+in+Fall+7.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div align="left">and added “Welcome Fall” to the bottom using Photoshop Elements. Then, I used the tissue paper printing technique that so many folks are using to print for canvases. I printed the image out on tissue paper, using an inkjet printer. In order to get the tissue to go through the printer, you have to first tape it to a piece of cardstock or thick paper.</div><div align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y3idPj5h77k/TqNbVxkEZEI/AAAAAAAAB-w/zWrmDQJe5Zg/s1600-h/print%252520on%252520tissue%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="print on tissue" border="0" height="292" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-w8TSvMoIQOg/TqNbWa2ljJI/AAAAAAAAB-4/FoZp_cwsP_I/print%252520on%252520tissue_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="print on tissue" width="378" /></a></div><div align="left">I’ve also used glue sticks and that works great too! Print it on “general everyday” printing mode so that you don’t saturate the tissue. Oh, you want to print on the NON-shiny side! After printing, remove the tissue from the cardstock and cut out the picture.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e9WRSn69kS8/TqNbXU9HghI/AAAAAAAAB_A/uB5KOOFtJ6k/s1600-h/welcome%252520fall%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="welcome fall" border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAcws-0TlNNyD2tMY3dKxZlyV9hfjHDX1Oog9_6tbZ04h1BMEX782cQVHMqwGYrtUEiYBX3mP4q6WGD6Lf5Rb_-HZfV8_1ETeq3BRC2qBpItJuA2Kcva3X5ry-7med-tkohyphenhyphenl1XvDLtw/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="welcome fall" width="408" /></a></div>Next apply a layer of Mod Podge to your tile. I found a 6x6 at a thrift store that had cut edges. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m89KWQeMkpo/TqNbY1leVoI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/kG8QXREt_8w/s1600-h/tile%252520craft%252520%2525282%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="tile craft (2)" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTzaZ0iJsdbiX3ojyvk5oOdlFVnA46SsTMN-PrG5_Tp_fkQwSybQWbXKIIH3CesJmefa0H3u3WBS3dNUIrOcIxpnP-d7gimYc3qUdoKfzM_D7HejNEXEG0YfLxBZRNMAMv4PMaaLCzZM/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="tile craft (2)" width="389" /></a><br />
The colors were also perfect for the print! When you lay your tissue down over the tile, be sure that you have it centered. The tissue doesn’t come up too easily for repositioning…smooth outward as you go. No need to weight the image down, the tissue almost immediately “fades” into the tile!<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-219t2VkBuXg/TqNbaCKn09I/AAAAAAAAB_g/fz9oDb-eBPQ/s1600-h/mod%252520podge%252520on%252520tile%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="mod podge on tile" border="0" height="469" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SKd64KKJmE0/TqNbal7bm-I/AAAAAAAAB_o/-TqUy31DmFE/mod%252520podge%252520on%252520tile_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="mod podge on tile" width="341" /></a> After it has dried a little, but not too much, I use my fingernail to tear away the edge of the image.This helps add to the appearance that the image is actually painted on the tile. <br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOM5zPvkFlpiil7aOwyJ3znj6suRrlelkyiiWPs5-9bYlRTLLCqaPWzEkLJ6PvwBEOtDMYuaC2U2LGfBzoILtvqxMSGFjl3rIreiJwkFgXtOiuYlQ_O6a8Cjc76ro_aO0sfLxX7DLOkb4/s1600-h/Tile%252520craft%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tile craft" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ywqj8hzgr68/TqNbcCCfj3I/AAAAAAAAB_4/u4d_uVI_3y4/Tile%252520craft_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tile craft" width="386" /></a></div>Let this dry. I sometimes put it in a warm spot to speed this step up! When it’s dry, brush another layer of Mod Podge on the top, brushing in one direction. After this layer dries, you will brush the second coat on in the other direction. As it dries, it will take on a canvas effect! While it the final coat is drying, I spray painted a little stand that I had picked up earlier today at a thrift store. <br />
I had first hoped that the tile would work too, but it had too much gray in it. So I had to use one from a previous thrift store trip! Price was the same…a whopping 25 cents!<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0IKkx3D7O2I/TqNbdW31vYI/AAAAAAAACAA/blTrv08Qs_o/s1600-h/thrift%252520store%252520find%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="thrift store find" border="0" height="285" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BoqFSjrBzak/TqNbd649dGI/AAAAAAAACAI/zaJFXk0vp0A/thrift%252520store%252520find_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="thrift store find" width="369" /></a><br />
I used oil Rubbed Bronze on the stand.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2bNL5DntIn0/TqNbelaky6I/AAAAAAAACAQ/b7BTWb6cPGY/s1600-h/Keen%252520Inspirations%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Keen Inspirations" border="0" height="343" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hhkfjs7pk10/TqNbfYXfx_I/AAAAAAAACAY/8MvDPJEbxCI/Keen%252520Inspirations_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Keen Inspirations" width="253" /></a><br />
It is the perfect size for the tile and even has leaves on it! Don’t you just love it when a project comes together? You can’t beat a finished project for about a dollar either! <br />
Here are two more images that I think would look great on tile or canvas…if you like spooky stuff! :<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lUF_fL8cfWk/TqNbf8EBV3I/AAAAAAAACAg/_GhGVcLPd4U/s1600-h/spooky%252520witch%252520copy2%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spooky witch copy2" border="0" height="343" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SjsN7yF4jjE/TqNbgTFiLYI/AAAAAAAACAo/9boBXaCutV0/spooky%252520witch%252520copy2_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="spooky witch copy2" width="399" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--Kqv6-BrdO0/TqNbhbr1XII/AAAAAAAACAw/qIGVUbpDrWI/s1600-h/Spooky%252520cat%252520copy%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Spooky cat copy" border="0" height="331" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N10OGXP3owE/TqNbhyTyJwI/AAAAAAAACA4/IuJJLe0FpJ8/Spooky%252520cat%252520copy_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Spooky cat copy" width="402" /></a><br />
Even though I am not “artistic” and can’t draw a straight line or paint, I <em>can </em>get a little creative with Photoshop and I made these! I started with some photos that my 13 year old son had taken. Now, those of you who know me, know that our family doesn’t celebrate Halloween but these pictures got me thinking about my niece, Melissa, who does!<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KuzKHoKGwc0/TqNbjMgccLI/AAAAAAAACBA/ZS9oRPIp7T8/s1600-h/100_3662%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="100_3662" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOmqk00l05oU2j2Vp6JVvtTrTsqZtscN8WBO4hOIitngdD2Y-ZJx3ttBMwzrCK_L95XKqIXsk5bKw_08SXqgRQLQtK3ytsslXLtrPEfe2TQBk6FlLziqQNVBtxqLcy-ESNss18rSA2ZQ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="100_3662" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RB1LMLMFDrI/TqNbkBnuwsI/AAAAAAAACBQ/__v23c9Mffk/s1600-h/100_3687%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="100_3687" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r2clPMZ3Tww/TqNbkYmWJ0I/AAAAAAAACBY/I7fwzgI2egc/100_3687_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="100_3687" width="244" /></a><br />
They really were just asking to be made into something “spooky”. I plopped them into Photoshop and went looking for some Halloween images. I found the witch at <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2011/08/vintage-halloween-clip-art-witch-with.html">The Graphics Fairy</a> and the cat and bats via google image search. I had to edit the witch a bit, then I played around with them until I was happy…<br />
So Melissa, these are for you! I hope you aren’t all decorated for your party yet…and I hope you don’t mind me sharing them! If you would like to download them, click on the image and the full size image will open in a new window. Right click again and “save image as…”. I would love to know how you would use them! <br />
Happy to be back at it!<br />
<br />
Partying at these fun spots! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="The DIY Show Off"><img alt="image name" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkB4ULnSoErZmQG9fUa_lBtyxz8I7sN9LVccpjlNhsfAqOoS2LLCAALBYjhJtMIcoisQZWKcIKcKxVpuMSyU_FyZInCZiSTjxTjTwZX44SiGcuHoq4p8daPJa9xU3i9FLw7GL4W3MuHE/s990-r/DIY+Featured+Button.jpg" width="75" /></a> <a href="http://creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/"><img alt="mmm button" height="75" src="http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac167/serendipity629/gray_zigzag-2.png" width="75" /></a> <a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/"><img height="75" src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/butterflygirlms/Request/CraftomaniacMondayButton.png" width="75" /></a> <a href="http://www.dittledattle.blogspot.com/"><img border="o" height="75" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af320/oproot/Blog-Party-000-Page-1.jpg" width="75" /></a> <a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><img alt="UndertheTableandDreaming" border="0" height="75" src="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/theliebertfamily/party.png" width="75" /></a> <img alt="its so very cheri" border="5" src="http://itssoverycheri.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/beachisvc1a.gif" width="150" /><a href="http://itssoverycheri.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Girl Creative" src="http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l639/thegirlcreative/tgc_jsiwu_grab_october2011.png" /></a><a href="http://madincrafts.blogspot.com/search/label/Mad%20Skills%20Party/"><img alt="BWS tips button" height="250" src="http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s186/jeslman/madskillsbutton2.jpg" width="250" /></a> <a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/category/weekly-link-up-party/" target="_blank"><img alt="HookingupwithHoH" src="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/HookinupwithHoHnew2.png" /></a> <img alt="" height="75" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/ScrapToMyLu/TCBnew_125.gif" width="75" /> <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/">Today's Creative Blog</a>Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-80877237770797892392011-05-09T20:03:00.000-07:002011-05-09T20:03:00.327-07:00Guest Post for Gail<p>I am so excited and honored to be guest posting for Gail while she is attending  her daughter’s wedding! Gail has been such an inspiration to me! I have  adopted her as my “blog mentor”! As busy as she is with her own awesome blog and projects, she always has time and patience for my questions! I love Gail’s style of repurposing! I have several of her projects on my “to-do” list to try myself!</p> <p>Today, I would like to share one of my own repurpose  projects.  It was fast and easy and turned out looking as good as I had pictured it in my mind! That doesn’t always happen for me.:(  I’ve had this small roll top desk for years.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fOt3-_yI/AAAAAAAAB6A/tRrrhC6dpQA/s1600-h/SDC112275.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="SDC11227" border="0" alt="SDC11227" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fPNC6NBI/AAAAAAAAB6E/PnOyXgZKR-E/SDC11227_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="342" /></a> I found it at a thrift store and it kept begging to come home with me. I finally gave in even though the drawers on the side were missing. I figured I could put some luan in the space to form a shelf and pop in a basket for a “drawer”. Over the years, I have had it in the kitchen, dining room and finally the living room. It hasn’t had any real function except to collect junk and dust. I even considered retiring it, but there was just something that wouldn’t let me. Then the other day, I looked at it with a new vision and knew that it had finally found it’s purpose! Have you read any of the many posts around blogland for creating a “command center”  for your home? I have needed and wanted one for while, but I don’t have (or didn’t think I have) the typical space in my home for one. I really just needed to look at things with a fresh perspective. After staring at the desk for a few minutes, I realized that I could transform it into the base for my very own <strong>kitchen command center!</strong> Before I moved it to the living room, it was  in my kitchen, doing nothing. Now I’m moving it back to the same spot and it will have a job to do! There is a small wall between two doorways and it is perfect for a kitchen command center! There is even a magnetic chalkboard,<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fPhCXTgI/AAAAAAAAB6I/2XBJIYj_L4E/s1600-h/132_10824.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="132_1082" border="0" alt="132_1082" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fQKYT7jI/AAAAAAAAB6M/JKgrTrffTqU/132_1082_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="258" /></a> also in need of a makeover, on the wall already!</p> <p>To start the transformation, I sanded the whole thing with a palm sander. I found that the cubbies inside the desk were actually removable YAY! The cubbie section</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fQZ-xvmI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/39SvGwQXsCY/s1600-h/SDC112324.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="SDC11232" border="0" alt="SDC11232" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fQnscBZI/AAAAAAAAB6U/hvD-f6ewyzY/SDC11232_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="233" /></a></p> <p>is one of the things that has kept me from using this for much. They are too small to really hold anything and they took up valuable space inside, so out it came! It made the sanding and painting much easier too!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fRJL1uzI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/jYBtXE9E3Nw/s1600-h/132_10764.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="132_1076" border="0" alt="132_1076" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fRXgClsI/AAAAAAAAB6c/uWkSqyE-PW8/132_1076_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="232" /></a>   Next, I gave the whole thing, except for the roll top, a coat of gray primer (forgot to take a picture!) and I used spray paint primer! It covered well and  didn’t run. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqQ3zAcl-XCg76pvdkarorXt4Z_Y22xrSszWcEeC0usJWSWEyqkGPz5BVILjmKHfkG-W7-DJwcXe5-W8oWZCdNnVo_sZkCD_LuwLR11Y4ZaiUmNdm-3tlW2ZqXCh0e3L30RJ4in5dsA0/s1600-h/SDC112293.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="SDC11229" border="0" alt="SDC11229" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fSZFD1tI/AAAAAAAAB6k/tX_8yBn3QO8/SDC11229_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a> I kept the roll top covered in newspaper and painters tape and sprayed the desk with Krylon’s satin black spray paint…easy! Two coats and I was done. It dried <em>fast</em>!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fS2INSOI/AAAAAAAAB6o/b_dCKgOWj6Y/s1600-h/132_10883.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="132_1088" border="0" alt="132_1088" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fTS5xs9I/AAAAAAAAB6s/q8ic1u7AV6A/132_1088_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="224" /></a></p> <p>   </p> <p>   For the roll top, I  wiped on two coats Minwax stain in cherry.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fT7W2mZI/AAAAAAAAB6w/h9VejgWEiOY/s1600-h/132_10933.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="132_1093" border="0" alt="132_1093" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fUIx1H6I/AAAAAAAAB60/bFU4JaUYaTE/132_1093_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240" /></a> I’m trying to decide if I want to put clear satin poly over it.  The black paint and  rich wood tone together was exactly what I was hoping for!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fUZm_dCI/AAAAAAAAB64/_7ES1x-gU3E/s1600-h/132_10725.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="132_1072" border="0" alt="132_1072" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fUpz-xYI/AAAAAAAAB68/ipJI8quIdEQ/132_1072_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="247" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fVNKLVMI/AAAAAAAAB7A/urUM2CbvTRQ/s1600-h/132_10754.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="132_1075" border="0" alt="132_1075" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fVoD0gkI/AAAAAAAAB7E/ebjuacaY_zY/132_1075_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="246" /></a> Next, I wiped the baskets down with the same cherry stain. They were pale and needed a little warming up before I put them back in the slots.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fWIxf6eI/AAAAAAAAB7I/0OUpfNEgrgo/s1600-h/SDC112314.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="SDC11231" border="0" alt="SDC11231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2qjXcZ5vNsdTKqj6DwgC9nGvihfEN9lXBC8HJp1i670HMuzMxBRxZS2lFG37fpZBIgNzGInOWzf4XE_J21f8XckO9ADYt3IbsWAhMSNDAsV5sdMDyW535Iv-puc0Lr_e9j_b3tyKiYo/?imgmax=800" width="290" height="220" /></a></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fWui0MoI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/qqydtgU5w7A/s1600-h/132_10804.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="132_1080" border="0" alt="132_1080" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fW0Xk4AI/AAAAAAAAB7U/37IKRbqXwHs/132_1080_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" height="348" /></a> </p> <p>While I was waiting for them to dry, I  cut and nailed a “shelf”  from another piece of luan, where the chair would normally slide under the desk. The larger basket will fit here and be a great place for my cooking magazines!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fXbr5Z8I/AAAAAAAAB7Y/BmXgBdMXik8/s1600-h/132_10774.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="132_1077" border="0" alt="132_1077" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fXiRuSXI/AAAAAAAAB7c/b0ev2UQR2w4/132_1077_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="365" height="277" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fYIqjwXI/AAAAAAAAB7g/JPe4kdBttL4/s1600-h/132_10784.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="132_1078" border="0" alt="132_1078" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fYj7Q1jI/AAAAAAAAB7k/7HZbzBShcIY/132_1078_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="270" /></a>  </p> <p>Everything came together fast and easy, just the way I like it! I now have the start of my kitchen command center and the motivation to keep going with it!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fY-tJX1I/AAAAAAAAB7o/7nb34VHZUew/s1600-h/132_10834.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="132_1083" border="0" alt="132_1083" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fZAP6HiI/AAAAAAAAB7s/iKwgMJsSz_g/132_1083_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="295" height="389" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fZQ9vtLI/AAAAAAAAB7w/0fN5dhLgrZM/s1600-h/132_10875.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="132_1087" border="0" alt="132_1087" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/Ta-fZlmQtiI/AAAAAAAAB70/AUItA9Ry0k8/132_1087_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="360" /></a> Thank you Gail for having me today! I want you to know that I did all my own sawing and nailing on this project! With hubby out of town, I had no choice. ;-) It wasn’t to bad actually, I’m looking forward doing some more!</p> <p>If any of you would like to come visit me at <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/">Keen Inspirations</a>, I’d love to have you stop by. I’ve got some thrifty, repurpose projects like my kitchen chandelier turned <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html">solar street lamp</a>:</p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (10)" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (10)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIr3HMku-9yOqsoYgJhFApZLLYPHl6EbXk92Gps-JN4sBewmJrY6O6BsnCF4S8dqul6agpuRdyEBY1URxCTjdI02SA4Tt8_mg8mCbRndm_39HFIWQH_lsAzpAYH_FN5FJDsw9zvcV6Zmo/?imgmax=800" width="155" height="278" /></p> <p> </p> <p>I’m very proud to say that it  won first place at the <a href="http://thediyclub.com/2011/03/march-2011-diy-monthly-project-winner">DIY Club March Contest</a>! I made some <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011/03/outdoor-basket-light-dollar-store-style.html">dollar store solar basket lights</a> too. Another fast and easy project!</p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="SDC10816" border="0" alt="SDC10816" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0h1jUp2mI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/pdU_VBIB0k8/SDC10816_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="267" /></p> <p>How about some <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011/02/happy-valentines-day-family-printable.html">printable word art</a>?</p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Family copy" border="0" alt="Family copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TVk4fcIgbxI/AAAAAAAABqY/4EebpTxq1R8/Family%20copy_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="242" /></p> <p>As they say in the here in the North Georgia Mountains, “Ya’ll come see me!” Hopefully I’ll have some more done on my Kitchen Command Center!Thanks again Gail, for allowing me to be your guest!</p> Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-816426373925726962011-05-02T12:50:00.001-07:002011-05-02T12:50:57.037-07:00ummm….Hello???…<p>Is anyone still around? Not that I expect there to be…I’ve been gone a while with no explanation. How rude of me…I didn’t intend to be, I just thought that “tomorrow, I will surely be able to write…” In a nutshell, I have been gone more than home. With hubby on the road and two boys playing baseball on separate teams,many dental appointments and then throw in life in general and it doesn’t leave alot of time for much, sometimes not even enough for the cookin’ and cleanin’. Whatever made me think that I would have more time to blog with my hubby working out of town??? </p> <p>All that to say, that I have actually completed some projects and am working on some more. One of my them is over on Gail’s blog <a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/2011/05/guest-post-repurposed-desk-by-keen.html">My Re-purposed Life</a>. I had agreed to guest post for her while she is away at her daughter’s wedding. I did get that done and written up! So I haven’t been a total slacker, just mostly a slacker! :-) Go check out what I’ve been working on, it’s the beginning of a much larger project! </p> <p>Keeping this short and sweet so I actually post it! I will be back tomorrow…or maybe later tonight, I know that I have some catching up to do…I think there is even a giveaway that I need to wrap up….yeah, I’m bad…</p> <p>Until later…</p> Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-60365930430882477712011-04-01T20:54:00.001-07:002011-04-01T20:54:10.076-07:00My Big News!!!<p>Wow! Three posts in three days…I’m on a roll! As excited as I was to share my news, it’s been a busy day! Hubby has been working out of town all week and I’ve been doing all of the boys baseball practices as well as getting my other kids where they need to be! Everyone is finally settled in and I’m able to share my exciting news!</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#008080" size="5">I Am A contestant on Season 4 of Win Lose or Blog!!</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://winloseorblog.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac335/winloseorblog/wlbbutton.jpg" /></a></p> <p>I am so excited about this!! It’s “The Biggest Loser” …blog style! There are eight contestants and they have set each of us up with our own WLB Blog to share and track our progress. You can <a href="http://winloseorblog.blogspot.com/p/contestants.html">meet all the contestants here</a>. You can read my introductory post…<a href="http://winloseorblog-sharon.blogspot.com/">complete with picture here</a> ….but you won’t find my weight listed anywhere! ;-) I will be laying out my goals and plans and then tracking my progress there several times each week. I’d love to have you visit and help to keep my motivated and encouraged with your comments. There will be prizes for comments left on contestant’s WLB blogs as well as the main WLB blog and giveaways at the main WLB blog! </p> <p>I know that this challenge is just what I need to help get me on a healthy track for eating and exercising and I’m ready to get started! Come with me and <a href="http://winloseorblog-sharon.blogspot.com/">check it out</a>!</p> <p>Let’s inspire each other to a healthier lifestyle!</p> <a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/122/256110CC32C080B94E8271A8DA396F39.png" /></a> Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-26516999202513380142011-03-31T18:34:00.001-07:002011-03-31T18:34:04.781-07:00I WON!…and the “Fun Friends” Giveaway<p>See, I told you that I would be back today! :) A little late maybe, but I’m here.  Well, after finding out only yesterday that I had made the Top Ten over at the <a href="http://thediyclub.com/2011/03/march-2011-diy-project-party-top-10">DIY Club,</a> today I found out that I WON for March!!! Woo-Hoo!!! It was for my Solar Street Lamp:</p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrENI7FFqI/AAAAAAAABwM/lkheddmGxtw/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght9_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="324" /></p> <p>I get a DIY Charm:</p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="charm-diy-contest-winner-2011" alt="" src="http://thediyclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/charm-diy-contest-winner-20113.png" width="300" height="300" />And an <a href="http://thediyclub.com/2011/02/march-project-party-gift-package/">amazing prize package</a> from the DIY Club Sponors! I  can’t wait til it gets here so I can show  it to you all!! If you can’t wait (I couldn’t! lol) click on the link above and check out all the goodies! Thank you for the honor DIY Club!!</p> <p>Get your projects ready to enter for April!</p> <p><a href="http://thediyclub.com/2011/03/march-2011-diy-project-party-link-up-now//"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="monthlydiyprojectparty-button-300x300" src="http://thediyclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/monthlydiyprojectparty-button-300x300.png" width="250" height="250" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I celebrated my one year “blogiversary” with a coffee theme. If you are wondering  “why coffee?” and even if you aren’t , I’m going to tell you. I LOVE coffee!!! I love to drink it alone but I especially enjoy a good cup of coffee with friends! I thought it would be a great way to celebrate with my blog friends but since we couldn’t get together for a cup of coffee, I did the next best thing and gave away the Starbucks card! I also made <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011/03/coffee-printables-starbucks-winner-and.html">some coffee printables</a>.  To celebrate reaching over 400 friends, I figured I would carry on the coffee theme and add a friend printable.   My super creative friend Bretta created this cute coffee cozy from cashmere that she felted herself! Keep your coffee hot and your hands comfortable in this adorable cup cozy! Works with tea too! :-)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZUreSLxhrI/AAAAAAAAB2g/KHvLimkXQb8/s1600-h/SDC110469.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="SDC11046" border="0" alt="SDC11046" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZUresg2scI/AAAAAAAAB2k/_QXNSPaVeWg/SDC11046_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="380" /></a></p> <p>I’ve been seeing these cute knitted headbands all over the internet! Now you can have one of your own, complete with a coordinating ceramic flower button.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZUrfPZRgxI/AAAAAAAAB2o/bJ5290QoFzo/s1600-h/SDC110494.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="SDC11049" border="0" alt="SDC11049" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZUrfaSgzsI/AAAAAAAAB2s/cK6wtDPUTso/SDC11049_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="271" /></a></p> <p>You’ll look fashionable when you go out for coffee!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZUrf0yEfbI/AAAAAAAAB2w/_7xVLDuxnE4/s1600-h/SDC110577.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="SDC11057" border="0" alt="SDC11057" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZUrgI1xuJI/AAAAAAAAB20/uby7ow6MHG8/SDC11057_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="280" height="369" /></a> Bretta made this too…told you she’s creative!</p> <p>My other friend Nichole, wants to share some of her K-cups in 3 delicious flavors! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZUrg8wlLLI/AAAAAAAAB24/e51hWHkk_9E/s1600-h/SDC110484.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="SDC11048" border="0" alt="SDC11048" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZUrhK5vhzI/AAAAAAAAB28/sOoNucVbzGA/SDC11048_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="296" /></a></p> <p>Green Mountain Coffee’s Hazlenut, Kahlua’s original Kahlua flavor and Tully’s French Roast. These are intended for a Keurig one cup brewer, but could possibly be used in other machines…or open the cups, pour into your coffee pot and enjoy! How about a box of 24?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZUrh_HiKQI/AAAAAAAAB3A/FqiBlMRNMVQ/s1600-h/SDC110474.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="SDC11047" border="0" alt="SDC11047" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZUrieWOKTI/AAAAAAAAB3E/2FRimZhwaAs/SDC11047_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Bretta and Nichole, thank you  for helping us celebrate with these  wonderful gifts and thank you for being such sweet, generous and encouraging friends!</p> <p>I have little something to share too. It’s my way of saying thank you to all of my blog friends for your support and encouragement.  I did the definition of friend:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZUrivtZ3CI/AAAAAAAAB3I/dDZlE3gl9Kc/s1600-h/FriendDefinitioncopy3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Friend Definition copy" border="0" alt="Friend Definition copy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZUri7KAKeI/AAAAAAAAB3M/uutTe_S2iAo/FriendDefinitioncopy_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="240" /></a> It is about 5.5”x5.5” so that it can fit on one of those 6” tiles I seem to be putting everything on these days! The definition is downloadable by clicking and then right clicking to save on the larger image. If you want a different size, email me and let me know. I should be able to adjust it.  If you download, please let me know by leaving a comment. That’s all you have to do to enter the giveaway as well. Just leave a comment! Easy enough??</p> <p>Tomorrow I have another BIG announcement!!! I can’t wait to share it!!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Stay Inspired!</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/122/256110CC32C080B94E8271A8DA396F39.png" /></a></p> Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-90032458831024123312011-03-30T08:07:00.001-07:002011-03-30T13:49:01.271-07:00Winners, Giveway, Apologies and Exciting News!!!Just because I’ve been silent here doesn’t mean that I haven’t had anything going on! ;-) There has been so<em> much</em> going on that two days of not blogging has turned into two weeks?!?!? Just how does that happen??? I have so much to say and to share that I hardly know where to start! I am going to try to do something that is extremely difficult for me…I’m going to get right to the point on a few things and not share every little detail….So here goes:<br />
<strong>1. <u>Why I’ve Been “Blog Silent”-</u></strong> First, we had some sickness in the family, followed by work for me (yay!) and then an exciting work opportunity for hubby! Throw in the start of baseball season for two boys, orthodontist appointments and other appointments and that doesn’t leave much time or energy to write! It has been doubly hard because I have had things going on behind the scenes that I really <em>want</em> to write about! Look for lots of posts in the upcoming weeks! Hubby’s new opportunity is taking him out of town and so I hope to fill my “spare time” sharing here! :-)<br />
<strong>2. <u>Apologies to Make-</u></strong> I owe a few apologies for dropping the ball. The first one is to Michelle, the winner of my Starbucks GC! <br />
<img height="156" src="http://www.bargainblessings.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/starbucks-gift-card1.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="206" /><br />
Michelle, thank you for your patience with me. Your card is going out in tomorrow’s mail. I am so sorry for the delay. It is not intentional but I’m sorry I let it get pushed down my list of “to-do’s”. I also have two items to mail out to two other bloggers (you know who you are) and they are going out tomorrow as well. I didn’t want your addresses for stalking purposes! Really!! :-)<br />
Secondly I want to apologize to all who entered my Pampered Chef Giveaway. I have had a winner drawn and saved with a snap shot of random.org’s pick. I just haven’t posted for the same reasons I haven’t done anything else here! You have all been very patient, thank you! Sooooo, without any further delay, the winner is comment # 47 left by Taleah!<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZNHIFQ5EgI/AAAAAAAAB1w/egod59bk4cI/s1600-h/PCWinner3.jpg"><img alt="PC Winner" border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4iD-RFlsZGIBMswKIOcdTWHpCePnBwQRC-p5Ad8Axk2Di8e68zgNVOqjJy-sKW89-GXX4kcD6A_VlpiwVrTAO1jCUm0Lzl-acEMpOwjGfR_h8e1-vI1cm5oeQtpLdNWRZosY-A1M-iU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="PC Winner" width="175" /></a><br />
Taleah said:<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZNHIir9peI/AAAAAAAAB14/e1ErrMQrJ6k/s1600-h/image4.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="92" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZNHJF4RtgI/AAAAAAAAB18/_GGGMiHFnjU/image_thumb2.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="image" width="402" /></a>Congratulations Taleah!! I will be sending your information to Kim!<br />
And last, but not least, I dropped the ball big time with this one! Amy from <a href="http://alattewithotta.blogspot.com/">A Latte with Ott A</a>. invited my to participate in her Iron Chef blogging challenges. So far, she has had a challenge for cooking with duck, lamb and March’s theme was tomatoes and the sponsor was Red Gold Tomatoes. I missed the linky party deadline to get my recipe in! :( Amy, I am so sorry! I completely let the time get away from me. I was actually very excited about this challenge too! I had a recipe picked out right from the beginning of the whole challenge. It is a family favorite, thrifty and easy to prepare! I will be cooking it tonight and sharing the recipe here. My apologies also to <a href="http://www.redgold.com/redgold/tomatoes_tomato_country.aspx">Red Gold</a>. They are amazing sponsors! I received this huge box in the mail <em>stuffed</em> with goodies!!! I couldn’t wait to blog about the goodie box and then one day turned into another…and here I am. :( <a href="http://www.redgold.com/redgold/tomatoes_tomato_country.aspx">Thank you Red Gold</a> for sponsoring the challenge! You can check out <a href="http://www.redgold.com/redgold/tomatoes_tomato_country.aspx">Red Gold</a> on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/RedGold">facebook</a> and<a href="http://twitter.com/RedGoldTomatoes"> twitter</a> for lots of other great tips and recipes. Click on the badge below to check out all of the delicious recipes that entered the challenge! <br />
<a href="http://s965.photobucket.com/albums/ae135/eizinger_2010/?action=view&current=Doc1-1-1.gif"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae135/eizinger_2010/Doc1-1-1.gif" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a> <br />
I don’t think the winner has been announced yet! April’s challenge will be baking powder, sponsored by Clabber Girl! Don’t miss it! ;-)<br />
<strong>3. Exciting News!-</strong> First, my <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-solar-street-lamp.html">DIY Solar Street Light</a><br />
<a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-solar-street-lamp.html"><img alt="" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIr3HMku-9yOqsoYgJhFApZLLYPHl6EbXk92Gps-JN4sBewmJrY6O6BsnCF4S8dqul6agpuRdyEBY1URxCTjdI02SA4Tt8_mg8mCbRndm_39HFIWQH_lsAzpAYH_FN5FJDsw9zvcV6Zmo/?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="340" /></a><br />
<div align="center">made the <a href="http://thediyclub.com/2011/03/march-2011-diy-project-party-top-10/">Top Ten at The DIY Club!</a></div><a href="http://www.thediyclub.com/" target="_blank"><img border="5" height="178" src="http://thediyclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/charm-diy-club-top-10-2011-w-chain2.png" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="103" /></a> <br />
And I almost missed it!!! I wasn’t writing on my blog and I also wasn’t really <em>reading</em> much either! They announce the finalist tomorrow! You bet I’ll be reading then!!!!<br />
<div align="left">I’ve reached (and passed) and awesome milestone…while I AWOL!!!! It’s amazing! I knew that I was getting close to 400 Friends/Followers before I went AWOL. I was very excited and planning a special fun giveaway from some of my real life friends to my online friends. I noticed that I had reached the <strong>BIG 400</strong> and took a snapshot of it:</div><div align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZNHJaI8RWI/AAAAAAAAB2A/GqnP5MA4cw4/s1600-h/Followers4.jpg"><img alt="Followers" border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyux-KH5-IpzyLUR0w3XwYOT1LYgfdChZIELpF0_Eu2i-hFVxI2JtRgr67gJd-hjtQ-5hyrSiHmQqWm2qKO0d3_wlUEBI7uxV9QOD234LMeVGpTDRhFgAyhmdZ1ScnCfAr0omJ_-AMF98/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Followers" width="223" /></a>I was sooo excited!! I was all set to try and squeeze in time to post about this and when I logged back in later I had 399 followers?!?!? Made no sense at the time, but since I no longer had 400 followers, I couldn’t celebrate 400 could I??? So I went AWOL and when I came back, look what I found:</div><div align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZNHJzoHZZI/AAAAAAAAB2I/rkSYNgsu2mw/s1600-h/image10.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="354" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TZNHKpSHyuI/AAAAAAAAB2M/VGnLZkTrUZ4/image_thumb6.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="image" width="263" /></a><strong> WOW!</strong> How’s that for a reason to celebrate?!?!? So, in honor of my milestone, tomorrow (yes, I will back tomorrow) I will be having a simple and fun, easy to enter giveaway! </div><div align="left">Last but certainly <em>NOT</em> least….I am very excited to announce that I have been accepted as a contestant in a very exciting blog and lifestyle challenge!!! I’m not sure that I can announce the specifics yet, as it hasn’t been announced on the host blog, but it is probably one of the most exciting things that I have been able to participate in since I started blogging! I can’t wait to share all the details as soon as I get the go ahead!!! </div><div align="left">That’s all for now, but look forward to much more to come!</div>Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-46036002521012271802011-03-26T17:01:00.001-07:002011-03-30T13:46:33.441-07:00Spring Is Here!!<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This post brought to you by <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/disclosure_clicks?oid=1993292" rel="nofollow">Pier 1</a>. All opinions are 100% mine.<br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;">I have been so ready for spring this year. It officially arrived on March 20th!! Spring has also arrived at <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=5252&oid=1993292" rel="nofollow">Pier 1</a>! I love <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=5252&oid=1993292" rel="nofollow">Pier 1</a> for affordable indoor and outdoor decor! Right now they are helping us take advantage of the longer sunny days with some gorgeous outdoor furniture! After working in the garden you can relax and get cozy with someone special in the <a href="http://www.pier1.com/catalog/browse/0300.furniture/tabid/519/CategoryID/983/List/0/catpageindex/3/Level/a/ProductID/3110/ProductName/Coco-Cove-Outdoor-Wicker-Settee/Default.aspx">Coco Cove Outdoor Wicker Settee! </a></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><a href="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2340692.jpg" rel="lytebox[detailimage]" title=""><img src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2340692.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;">I usually like to start cooking and eating outside as soon as possible. I'd love to have this bright Hammered Metal Beverage Server keep my drinks ice cold and ready to drink!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Catalog/Dining/tabid/493/List/0/CategoryID/893/level/a/ProductID/29567/ProductName/Hammered-Beverage-Serveruu/Default.aspx" id="dnn_ctr1349_ProductPage_lstProducts_ctl06_hyplistmoreinfo" title="Hammered Beverage Server..."><img src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2491831.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;">Since our house, and indoor rooms aren't finished yet, I can't start on the outdoor room that I plan to have some day but I can create a temporary room with an umbrella and table</span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><a href="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2433330.jpg" rel="lytebox[detailimage]" title=""><img src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2433330.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" /></a></span><br />
<span _fck_bookmark="1" style="display: none;"> </span><span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><img src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2424809.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;">Over a gorgeous <a href="http://www.pier1.com/catalog/browse/0600.rugs-pillows-windows/tabid/514/CategoryID/957/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/29368/Default.aspx?ProductName=Indoor/Outdoor-Flatweave-Rug">indoor/oudoor rug!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><img src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2517411.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;">Living in our basement, I could use one of these inside too! I could have durability without sacrificing style!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;">Mention Pier 1 and almost immediately the image of a Papasan Chair comes to mind. They have been selling these awesome chairs since they opened their business in 1962. The Papasan has come alooong way over the last 49 years! The Papasan of today is "not your mama's Papasan!" You can now get an indoor/outdoor Papasan for your porch, deck or pool area crafted out of iron:<span _fck_bookmark="1" style="display: none;"> </span> <a href="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2440266.jpg" rel="lytebox[detailimage]" title=""><img src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2440266.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" /></a></span><br />
<span _fck_bookmark="1" style="display: none;"> </span><span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;">and them customize them to your fit your decor with some of the many cushion choices available. How about "fuzzy chocolate"? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><img src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2423598.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;">Sounds good to me!! Or maybe something a little brighter?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><a href="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2508542.jpg" rel="lytebox[detailimage]" title=""><span _fck_bookmark="1" style="display: none;"> </span><img src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2508542.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" /></a></span><br />
Or something a little more grown up and stylish?<br />
<img src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2413670.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" /><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;"> There are choices for many decorating styles! Check the out the <a href="http://www.pier1.com/SearchResults/tabid/37/List/0/catpageindex/1/Default.aspx?txtSearch=papasan+cushions">choices here.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;">I love a more natural, earthy look in my decorating both inside and out, so I've always struggled a little with Easter Decor being a little to bright and plastic looking. This problem was solved when I found <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=5252&oid=1993292" rel="nofollow">Pier </a>'s Easter Decor! Its colorful and yet true to nature! I fell in love with this<a href="http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Seasonal/tabid/467/List/0/CategoryID/92/level/a/ProductID/29216/ProductName/Speckled-Eggs-Easter-Wreathuu/Default.aspx"> wreath </a>immediately!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Catalog/Seasonal/tabid/467/List/0/CategoryID/92/level/a/ProductID/29216/ProductName/Speckled-Eggs-Easter-Wreathuu/Default.aspx" id="dnn_ctr1349_ProductPage_lstProducts_ctl00_hyplistmoreinfo" title="Speckled Eggs Easter Wreath..."><span _fck_bookmark="1" style="display: none;"> </span><img src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/th_2503095.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" width="120" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;">The<a href="http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Seasonal/tabid/467/List/0/CategoryID/92/level/a/ProductID/29217/ProductName/Speckled-Eggs-Easter-Basketuu/Default.aspx"> matching basket </a>would look great on table as a center piece.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><a href="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2503104.jpg" rel="lytebox[detailimage]" title=""><img src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/productimages/2503104.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;">There is a lot more to see, so check out <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=5252&oid=1993292" rel="nofollow">Pier </a>'s online catalog here:</span><br />
<div style="margin: 3px 0px 20px 15px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 3px 0px 20px 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/TopMenu/ExploreMerch/Catalog/CatalogUSMainland/tabid/194/Default.aspx"><img alt="View Our Catalog" border="0" height="100" src="http://media.pier1.com/img/pier1com/categories/mailer/march2011_mailer.jpg" width="67" /></a></span></div><div style="margin: 3px 0px 20px 15px;"><span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;">If you are in the Atlanta or NYC area, then you have a special opportunity with <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=5902&oid=1993292" rel="nofollow">Pier 1 Tweetups</a>! Check out the link for details and dates.</span></div><div style="margin: 3px 0px 20px 15px;"><span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;">You can also sign up for the <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=5892&oid=1993202" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #2288bb;">Pier 1 Outdoor newsletter</span></a> here.</span></div><div style="margin: 3px 0px 20px 15px;"><span style="font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;">Have fun and Happy Spring!!</span></div><br />
<a href="http://app.socialspark.com/disclosure_clicks?oid=1993292" rel="nofollow"><img alt="Visit Sponsor&apos;s Site" border="0" src="http://app.socialspark.com/views?oid=1993292" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /> </a></div>Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-26920822895243502692011-03-14T20:45:00.001-07:002011-03-14T20:50:23.922-07:00Look What Came in the Mail…This…<br />
<br />
<div align="left"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_s6kKReKQyVjcjwTvlSBo5Z99vKgJrpCM9Pm7qabsQ3u_zxiFdOUe4B5DJuDfQf1XoGcJTMG-jRqNRHirQ5OMB9CduvJl25umA0aX8ODprpxGWkKNs2pWokp9XrEGNgxqztzr1RT0ks/s1600/SDC10817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_s6kKReKQyVjcjwTvlSBo5Z99vKgJrpCM9Pm7qabsQ3u_zxiFdOUe4B5DJuDfQf1XoGcJTMG-jRqNRHirQ5OMB9CduvJl25umA0aX8ODprpxGWkKNs2pWokp9XrEGNgxqztzr1RT0ks/s320/SDC10817.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>and this…<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX7gtXy-qgI/AAAAAAAAB04/McW3ToyiaFg/s1600-h/SDC108187.jpg"><img alt="SDC10818" border="0" height="367" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX7gt5DX-ZI/AAAAAAAAB08/gPjslNKNHzk/SDC10818_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SDC10818" width="401" /></a> <br />
Woo Hoo! My stuff from <a href="http://www.csnstores.com/">CSN stores!!</a> I won a $75 CSN Stores Gift Card from <a href="http://myrepurposedlife.blogspot.com/">Gail over at My Repurposed Life!</a> Thank you Gail and thank you CSN Stores! I had entered a few CSN giveaways over the last month or so in the hopes of getting a new crock pot. Specifically one with a lid that would lock on and seal tight! I’m tired of chili and baked beans spilling over in my van. Ever had that happen? We attend a lot of family get togethers and church functions where food is involved and I really needed a new crockpot!!! This one is so sleek and shiny! I’m not even going to show the old one, yes, it’s that bad. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX7guOd8XHI/AAAAAAAAB1A/Hq_zIwvNtds/s1600-h/SDC108217.jpg"><img alt="SDC10821" border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHICkWFxF-0bi_BCdotC7N853qwFMD2LdBNfyO-CCI_-Jlm-U8qB03OSjkO9lQ-LtiO639NKhxHiqxGPQtY27qohPMVZr7F6dJMxXAHrtjwuQf-_vFGedalcNbqhrY_q4CNIqxPb5HvM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SDC10821" width="297" /></a><br />
I love the book plate label! Not the most important part of a crock pot but it looks good! :-)<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX7gu57x2oI/AAAAAAAAB1I/qAIFPx4UWhM/s1600-h/SDC108204.jpg"><img alt="SDC10820" border="0" height="265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX7gvNOMkSI/AAAAAAAAB1M/mKjNJ-zly4s/SDC10820_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SDC10820" width="350" /></a> <br />
After picking out my crock pot, I still had money to spend! So I shopped for some flatware. <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX7gsivDYiI/AAAAAAAAB1g/q6XOhkIm5Mo/s1600-h/SDC108176.jpg"><img alt="SDC10817" border="0" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWUSjuRUX5GSL-OMLKlErP3tBS6p7lvHjc9n2TPIckB9QJAK4mIR3dDDBt-EVE1CBgqjDj8Eoz-3pKIlCmJzDmP1qD7XmtROazMNPYv1M2hsNVKMsTaUTvh0Q5AHryGkwJg7PD8lhYlY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SDC10817" width="353" /></a> Forks and spoons have a way of walking away from here when no one’s looking. I’d love to know where they all end up! Probably the same place all the socks go when they disappear from the washer….<br />
I’m looking forward to trying these out, but first I want to take a minute and brag about CSN Stores. I’ve worked with them on the giveaway end several times and my contact, Alexandra, has always been professional but friendly and very helpful. This is the first time I’ve been on the receiving end and I am SUPER impressed! I checked out their prices and they were some of the lowest that I found on the same items at other places. Shipping was FREE!! Can’t beat that! Shipping was also extremely fast!! Like less than four days from order to arrival! I know that I will be using them again! <br />
Oh, this was my opinion, given freely…no compensation involved unless you count winning Gail’s giveaway! ;-)<br />
So go check them out!<br />
<a href="http://www.csnstores.com/"><img alt="CSN Stores" src="http://common.csnimages.com/lf/logo/hash/p11/49~ffffff/1/CSN_Stores_Logo.gif" /></a><br />
<a href=""><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/93/0497B5C6E9351AE5F06BAAA2586D371F.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-5007740466325580342011-03-13T12:58:00.001-07:002011-03-17T21:22:29.968-07:00Outdoor Basket Light, Dollar Store Style!I had a lot of fun making my <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-solar-street-lamp.html">Solar Street Lamp</a> <br />
<div align="center"><img alt="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (9)" border="0" height="276" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrENI7FFqI/AAAAAAAABwM/lkheddmGxtw/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght9_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" title="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (9)" width="288" /></div>and I’m glad to have the light when I pull up in the evenings! I’ve got plans for making more big ones and some small ones for the garden. Part of the reason I was inspired to “go solar” with my light is that I am married to an electrician and am experiencing the whole “shoemaker’s children go barefoot” thing! I don’t have any outside outlets or underground wiring for anything to be hooked up away from the house. So solar is the way to go for me! It’s easy…it goes on and off all by itself, no wires and it doesn’t cost me anything extra on my light bill! :) <br />
When I saw <a href="http://itssoverycheri.com/2011/02/16/basket-and-cage-lighting">Cheri’s post on basket and cage lighting</a>, I was hooked! I’m not so much into the industrial look, but I like the basket style, especially the repurposed look with the antique and metal basket type. Like this <br />
<img alt="" src="http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/wire-lighting-by-deadgood-6.jpg" width="400" /> <br />
and this <br />
<img alt="" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.170368963.jpg" width="400" /> <br />
and these. <br />
<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwCsiKNJ93sn-1SSYBsIr6pZLcNsuIKuiz-pYffHc5yw-_Gp_dRNEhGGOOqSEf4FGRVdDMZk1U7YvsN2EHriG9i9c19-jimSG9AsFt6BbhQPthvginVgBIFyWFfQ4AY7Q6L5XP5uQZ36h/s640/wire+basket+lighting+2+designspongeonline.com" width="400" /> <br />
I would prefer this style of lighting on a porch or deck rather than inside my house and the only way for me to get it outside would be with more solar lights! So I started thinking of how to make solar lights work with a basket and was rewarded with a little inspiration after a trip to the Dollar Tree! <br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Baskets!</span></div><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0hq1zimhI/AAAAAAAABzM/Ib-P_FKpk7Q/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsBasketLight4.jpg"><img alt="Keen Inspirations Basket Light" border="0" height="296" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0hreFyFEI/AAAAAAAABzQ/XKXsepH2WvY/KeenInspirationsBasketLight_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Keen Inspirations Basket Light" width="390" /></a> <br />
<div align="center">and <span style="font-size: large;">Solar Lights!</span></div><div align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0hr6WE0DI/AAAAAAAABzU/hYsM-ASON2M/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsSolarLight5.jpg"><img alt="Keen Inspirations Solar Light" border="0" height="305" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0hsSHRifI/AAAAAAAABzY/7du2j2m-zxM/KeenInspirationsSolarLight_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Keen Inspirations Solar Light" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: medium;">That are the same color and just happen to fit together <em>almost</em> perfectly!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0hs3xhVkI/AAAAAAAABzc/ZedKcqc7jKM/s1600-h/KeenInspirations3.jpg"><img alt="Keen Inspirations" border="0" height="313" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0htX2bq1I/AAAAAAAABzg/9Rih6cF73j4/KeenInspirations_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Keen Inspirations" width="412" /></a> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Let’s make it a <em>perfect</em> fit! </span></div>I started by taking the chain off and reattaching it to the “bottom” of the basket…which is now the “top”. <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0ht2IH5KI/AAAAAAAABzk/0Ttq0a6xg-s/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsBasketLight27.jpg"><img alt="Keen Inspirations Basket Light (2)" border="0" height="398" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0hus-r_SI/AAAAAAAABzo/7yTEqKgx8CI/KeenInspirationsBasketLight2_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Keen Inspirations Basket Light (2)" width="302" /></a> <br />
Then I took the solar light apart and used a hack saw to saw the small end of the plastic globe off. It took away the <br />
“where’s the rest of the light?” look. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0hvIPLy2I/AAAAAAAABzs/xlkfU-OAO4E/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsSolarLight24.jpg"><img alt="Keen Inspirations Solar Light (2)" border="0" height="264" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0hv5nnFxI/AAAAAAAABzw/IeMNcoa5zMQ/KeenInspirationsSolarLight2_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Keen Inspirations Solar Light (2)" width="348" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0hw3dUl7I/AAAAAAAABz0/pMWd72ea_uY/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsDIY6.jpg"><img alt="Keen Inspirations DIY" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0hxFHs3mI/AAAAAAAABz4/Op-m-hVXVLM/KeenInspirationsDIY_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Keen Inspirations DIY" width="349" /></a> <br />
Then I wrapped some Gorilla tape around the upper edge of the solar light so that it would fit snugly inside the hole in the basket. I ended up trimming the tape so that only a half an inch of the light was covered. <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0hx483VHI/AAAAAAAABz8/ACvkgUw_z-w/s1600-h/SDC108034.jpg"><img alt="SDC10803" border="0" height="280" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0hyCMMgHI/AAAAAAAAB0A/t4JV6YqDsIQ/SDC10803_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SDC10803" width="369" /></a> <br />
I added Gorilla Glue between the taped edge and the wire edges that poked into the tape to make it a permanent fit. <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0hyn-KMGI/AAAAAAAAB0E/Omdl60P4MEM/s1600-h/SDC108092.jpg"><img alt="SDC10809" border="0" height="259" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0hy1RXN-I/AAAAAAAAB0I/4QV33umsaOM/SDC10809_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SDC10809" width="342" /></a> <br />
<div align="center">And that’s really all there is to it! <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0hz5uITaI/AAAAAAAAB0M/MuUZXEVZWNM/s1600-h/SDC108167.jpg"></a></div><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0h0S3orLI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/TeLNiSF2Xpo/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsBasketLight37.jpg"><img alt="Keen Inspirations Basket Light (3)" border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlRWn0yM579_hc4omItPuQ3YLpo91PNGhH7rUICWLGzNB_3KouoxLMOSjvXQ5lYDues8eAKpBO6ZYlDCxheXnnlGw17KSSpGoN3oMPeL8c-GXEtrnDx9X9n07HdFjW8E84nW1TcUvHyI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Keen Inspirations Basket Light (3)" width="273" /></a> <br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>DIY Solar Basket Light…Dollar Store Style!</strong></span></div><img alt="SDC10816" border="0" height="371" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0h1jUp2mI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/pdU_VBIB0k8/SDC10816_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SDC10816" width="281" /> <br />
<div align="center">A close up:<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0h2soSiCI/AAAAAAAAB0c/pAtLgan0WGE/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsHangingBasketLight4.jpg"><img alt="Keen Inspirations Hanging Basket Light" border="0" height="230" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0h2_FuHQI/AAAAAAAAB0g/-1ZSa1_SiLE/KeenInspirationsHangingBasketLight_t.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Keen Inspirations Hanging Basket Light" width="303" /></a></div><div align="center">Working:</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0h3bIMhSI/AAAAAAAAB0k/sBmPC4L8zPI/s1600-h/SDC108225.jpg"><img alt="SDC10822" border="0" height="293" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0h3lUmpII/AAAAAAAAB0o/BZpjDtT1Ngw/SDC10822_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="SDC10822" width="315" /></a> </div><div align="left">My “smart” camera kept lighting everything up so I couldn’t get a good shot of it lit up…and those little white things?… snow flurries!!!! I guess spring isn’t here just yet.</div><div align="left">As I look at the pictures, I see the little “eyes” where the chain used to attach to the basket. Another basket could be turned “up” and attached here to make a “ball” style light or if you are the blingy type, all kinds of things could be wound through or hung from them. Lots of possibilities to dress this up! </div><div align="left">This the second easiest project that I’ve ever done…second to my <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2010/04/easiest-stone-planter-ever.html">“stone look” planter”.</a></div><div align="left"><a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2010/04/easiest-stone-planter-ever.html"><img alt="Keen Inspirations Faux Stone Planter" border="0" height="368" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TX0h4E0aahI/AAAAAAAAB0s/pqM4XA_0FJU/KeenInspirationsFauxStonePlanter5.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Keen Inspirations Faux Stone Planter" width="286" /></a> This light took about 10 minutes to put together not including glue drying time! How’s that for a fast and easy project?!?!? Oh, I almost for got thrifty! If you’ve got glue and tape on hand, the total out-of-pocket cost for this…a whopping $2.00!!!!If you have any ideas for dressing this up/changing it up, I’d love to see them! </div><div align="left">My Solar Street Lamp received several features this week! I am so proud! :-)</div><div align="left"><a border="0" href="http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab68/The_Hammonds/Jamie%20Blog/IMG_4770-4.jpg" /></a><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA_6K7ea4aE/TEjlAFre3nI/AAAAAAAAD5c/PlBySEBf_NU/s320/sdc_featured.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Boogieboard Cottage" src="http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy117/jacquesfamily52/Boogieboardcottagehtmlbagde-6-1-2.jpg" /></a><a href="http://megardengal.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Please Take My New Button!" height="125" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9pcIXf2uduA/TLtQTER3ukI/AAAAAAAAD7U/X4w93aY3Hgk/S187/MM+button.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="http://s940.photobucket.com/albums/ad249/MyRepurposedLife/?action=view&current=i-was-caught-SLOW.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/ad249/MyRepurposedLife/i-was-caught-SLOW.gif" /></a> </a></div><div align="left">My <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011/02/happy-valentines-day-family-printable.html">Family Definition Printable</a> was “caught” by Gail<a href="http://s940.photobucket.com/albums/ad249/MyRepurposedLife/?action=view&current=i-was-caught-SLOW.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/ad249/MyRepurposedLife/i-was-caught-SLOW.gif" /></a></div><div align="left">And my <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-door-re-store.html">Door Restore</a> was featured at</div><a href="http://frugalfabulousdesign.com/"><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/JulieBriggs1968/150_1-1.jpg" /></a> <br />
It was an exciting week! The Pampered Chef giveaway will be up til Wednesday night as will the opportunity for the FREE shipping and cookbook! <br />
Looking forward to an awesome but busy week again this week! <br />
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Linking up to some of these amazing parties! <br />
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<div align="center"><strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"></span></u></strong></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz148/womenwhodoitall/JillTsharing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz148/womenwhodoitall/JillTsharing.png" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><img alt="lil luna link party button" height="125" src="http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/ac129/kristynmerkley/LinkinwithLilLuna.jpg" width="125" /></a><a ?="?" href="http://somewhatsimple.blogspot.com%20/" target="”_blank"" title=" giveaways "><img height="75" src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a342/stephd757/1SYS125.jpg" width="75" /></a><a ?="?" href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/" target="”_blank"" title=" giveaways "><img height="75" src="http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb119/tightwadtips/blog%20design/transformation-thursday-button2.png" width="75" /></a><a ?="?" href="http://www.everythingetsy.com%20/" target="”_blank"" title=" I made it "><img height="75" src="http://www.everythingetsy.com/images/imadeit125pix.png" width="75" /></a><a ?="?" href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com%20/" target="”_blank"" title=" HookingupwithHoH "><img height="75" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4545157282_7bf5af9ed5_m.jpg" width="75" /></a><a ?="?" href="http://lbratina.blogspot.com//" target="”_blank"" title=" Thrifty Thursday"><img height="75" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy358/Keeninspirations/Blog%20Buttons/BlogButtoncopy-1.jpg" width="75" /></a><a ?="?" href="http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/" target="”_blank"" title=" Beyond The Picket Fence "><img height="75" src="http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq266/bec8257/button2.jpg" width="75" /></a><a ?="?" href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party%20/" target="”_blank"" title=" ShowOffYourStuff"><img height="75" src="http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/fjnorm/ShowOffYourStuffPartyButton2.jpg" width="75" /></a><a ?="?" href="http://terelauritsen.blogspot.com/" target="”_blank" title=" it’s party time"><img height="75" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy358/Keeninspirations/Blog%20Buttons/mermaid_with_a_pearl_bags-d14908-8.gif" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="75" src="http://a.imageshack.us/img714/2521/floralthursbutton.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="http://alliemakes.blogspot.com/search/label/Making%20It%20With%20Allie"><img alt="Party Button" border="0" height="75" src="http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz279/alliemakes/Photo-Frame.png" width="75" /></a><img alt="Black Kats Design" border="0" height="75" src="http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx201/kr60201/cheapthrills10.png" width="75" /> <br />
;<a href="http://christinasadventures2010.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img height="75" img="" src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff371/christinahibbs/20below.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div align="center"><strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Fridays</span></u></strong></div><br />
<div align="center"><strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"></span></u></strong></div><br />
<a ?="?" href="http://www.lovinmylovebugs.blogspot.com/" target="”_blank" title=" FFF "><img height="75" src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z78/mikerin3/Rachelle%20Czuk/featureyourselffridaybuttoncopy.png" width="75" /></a><a ?="?" href="http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/" target="”_blank" title="csn"><img height="75" src="http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/ae163/kstrieg/Blog%20Components/COAS-Party-Pick-up-Button2.png" width="75" /></a><a ?="?" href="http://frugalfabulousdesign.com/" target="”_blank" title=" fabfriday"><img height="75" src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/JulieBriggs1968/150_2.jpg" width="75" /></a><a ?="?" href="http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/" target="”_blank" title=" homeandfamilyfriday"><img height="75" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/beccaross_photos/Blog%20Buttons/HomeAndFamily.jpg" width="75" /></a><a ?="?" href="http://ourjourneytoasimplerlife.blogspot.com/" target="”_blank" title=" craftyfriday"><img height="75" src="http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/TomorrowFarm/craftyfriday.jpg" width="75" /></a><a ?="?" href="http://www.tootsietime.com/" target="”_blank" title=" fertilizer friday"><img height="75" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy358/Keeninspirations/Blog%20Buttons/Copy_of_001.png" width="75" /></a><a ?="?" href="http://www.naturalsuburbia.blogspot.com//" target="”_blank" title="creative friday friday"><img height="75" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy358/Keeninspirations/Blog%20Buttons/NaturalSuburbia1.jpg" width="75" /></a> <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qWG0-qvKd6s/TXBY2TX2eKI/AAAAAAAAGWI/cWUyeesEeMI/s1600/Frugaliciou%2524+Friday+button.jpg"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qWG0-qvKd6s/TXBY2TX2eKI/AAAAAAAAGWI/cWUyeesEeMI/s1600/Frugaliciou%2524+Friday+button.jpg" width="75" /></a><img alt="Fantabulous Friday!" border="0" height="75" src="http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy186/mommaskindacrafty/mkc_fantabulousfriday_png.png" width="75" /><a href="http://punkinseedproductions.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Punkin Seed Productions" height="75" src="http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy268/egghead9657/party.jpg" width="75" /></a> <a href="http://s940.photobucket.com/albums/ad249/MyRepurposedLife/?action=view&current=catchascatchcan_1502.gif"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="75" src="http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/ad249/MyRepurposedLife/catchascatchcan_1502.gif" width="75" /></a><a href="http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/"><img height="75" src="http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz222/baileytouchton/client%20blogs/gay%20vaughn/hodgepodge-friday2.png" width="75" /></a> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.504main.com/"><img alt="504 Main" height="75" src="http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac35/Holly7081/Grab_button_150.jpg" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/" style="line-height: 22px;" target="_blank" title="Remodelaholics Anonymous"><img alt="Remodelaholic" height="75" src="http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab229/remodelaholic/RemodelaholicPartyFriday.jpg" /></a></span></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://sassysites.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="75" src="http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx93/SaSites/10545197890_Lq7W4.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.3meadowlakecottage.com/"><img border="0" height="75" src="http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab258/ezacharda/afterpartybuttonjpeg.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="75" src="http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd202/jmrammell/shabbynestbutton.png" width="75" /></a><a ?="?" href="http://funtocraft.blogspot.com/" target="”_blank" title=" Look at me, I am SO Crafty! @ Fun to Craft! "><img height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2S7t1ap7V0ABqFD05rvTOP5_fhGqSW_zcJIVF3rsuhSnQF34hbex3ciTMapIBIv2_FFEPAgPmOVl542b0RGx5FNSV1hIQXT4P5e9mTySwFgbQ1sosnaAdcJ2ILGeny3EvLmbOVtnIwM/s400/Look+at+Me.jpg" width="75" /></a><a border="0" href="http://danajeanward.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab145/DanaJeanWard/Buttons/SMStrutYourStuff.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.thegirlcreative.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Girl Creative" src="http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l639/thegirlcreative/tgc_bloghop_button_png.png" /></a><br />
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<div align="center"><strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Weekends</span></u></strong></div><br />
<div align="left"><img border="0" height="75" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad29/retrolove80/AVisiontoRememberMcklinkyButton.png" width="75" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2beOE3VoRe1AWzPoEy36CDJzeGpi30DsBKEuxEfLOVLTaVpIStb4BG3i7bRE2UbICB0xZDimOidNfbjN3KvCQVPBOrbzDA2XAAUCimzhXkOZ12Hoq4U03DQrGhw3OGKvks0BdRZnpGYI/s1600/newparty.jpg"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2beOE3VoRe1AWzPoEy36CDJzeGpi30DsBKEuxEfLOVLTaVpIStb4BG3i7bRE2UbICB0xZDimOidNfbjN3KvCQVPBOrbzDA2XAAUCimzhXkOZ12Hoq4U03DQrGhw3OGKvks0BdRZnpGYI/s1600/newparty.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/"><img height="75" src="http://hadfield.smugmug.com/photos/978446890_7b2ZN-O.png" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties"><img alt="UndertheTableandDreaming" border="0" height="75" src="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/theliebertfamily/party.png" width="75" /></a></div><a border="0" href="http://nv-craftenvy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4812186467_7c4547652c_o.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.lovelycraftyhome.com/"> <img alt="Lovely Crafty Home" height="100" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e87/Froggy9682/LCWatLCHButton.jpg" width="100" /></a><br />
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Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com82tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-12257394696097427192011-03-11T08:25:00.001-08:002011-03-17T10:47:35.257-07:00Coffee Printables, Starbucks Winner and Pampered Chef Giveaway Reminder!Happy Friday! Isn’t Friday a great day to “start” your week?? I think so! I’ve been quiet all week…but busy…and thinking and learning! I will be sharing some of that next week! I am encouraged and excited!!! I have seen articles with titles dealing with what to do when you don’t know what to blog about…and I just couldn’t imagine not having something to say, either in real life or on my blog…I totally have the <em>opposite</em> problem! I typically don’t know when to be quiet! ;-) So I have have lots to share, I just don’t know what to share first!! <br />
Today, lets start with the winner of the Starbucks GC. Thank you for all the “Happy Blogiversary” wishes and the sweet and encouraging comments for the upcoming year! I am really looking forward to another year of inspiring and being inspired by friends new (386 of you??!?!?) and not so new…I’ve learned not to say “old”…Who wants to be “old”?!?! You only have to correct me once! lol<br />
<div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #8080c0; font-size: large;">And the winner is:</span></strong></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbo0-9gU36x6guh0hMR0U-3WD4tiGWNvAu2ae_iW26QmmWG5AjlsTs7BmzKv6BCAAvhjbZwQTAM_GRyTq0tIpS07cS6nQXBMTq_WGNPg8sTjy3EP3Y5kKmLs8AwdWeBc_2erHWiLPCBs/s1600-h/image3.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhcEsk8iUilHdDqX9AKcp_yu0b4V10NRUj4IwkYUhkQ2z5Hm1gQT-NEFOYS2pWgG5seWNcsS-5Tb83fBN7DFxGmozUjQzuniqdnzlHm2VfQ0wXCNrNMMjrjoPhs8po4pgl4TDwEwUZ2o/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="image" width="184" /></a> </div><div align="center"><span style="color: #8080c0; font-size: large;">#43 New Friend, Michelle!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: green; font-size: large;"></span><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM2mi8VdI/AAAAAAAABx0/-gNbWgwS9vw/s1600-h/image11.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="72" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM2vUgU_I/AAAAAAAABx4/iSu2N3-rJ7k/image_thumb5.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="image" width="312" /></a> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #8080c0;">Congratulations Michelle! I’ve sent you an email!!</span></strong></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;">I told you I would have coffee printables coming up and they are finally ready to share. Sometimes it takes a little <em>extra tweaking </em>to make me happy with my word art! The first one is a coffee definition:</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM3QBAOjI/AAAAAAAABx8/2Nyw_PTlvI4/s1600-h/CoffeeDefinitionPrintableKeenInspira.jpg"><img alt="Coffee Definition Printable Keen Inspirations" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM3uYrcGI/AAAAAAAAByA/GKllGdi4uQc/CoffeeDefinitionPrintableKeenInspira%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Coffee Definition Printable Keen Inspirations" width="240" /></a></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;">It is 5.75x5.75 inches so that it will fit nicely on a 6 x6 ceramic tile. Click to the image to open the larger image an then right click to save. It should be resizable in your photo editing software. If you need a different size and can’t get it…email me! The second one is subway style word art with some coffee sayings that I saw hanging in a coffee shop years ago. I can’t find the exact sayings all together anywhere now…not even with Google! So I went with what I remembered! This is the one that has taken me so long:</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black;"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM4K2tnEI/AAAAAAAAByE/p4hBV1jDlPU/s1600-h/CoffeeologyPrintableKeenInspirations%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="Coffeeology Printable Keen Inspirations" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM4V6l3_I/AAAAAAAAByI/j7pAPt_f-Hg/CoffeeologyPrintableKeenInspirations%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Coffeeology Printable Keen Inspirations" width="240" /></a> </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;">It is the same size as the definition above. Here is what I did with mine. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM4wnv7zI/AAAAAAAAByM/ixyMKEHhfLo/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsCoffeeDefiniton8.jpg"><img alt="Keen Inspirations Coffee Definiton" border="0" height="407" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM5ab3KVI/AAAAAAAAByQ/3jGWFjrCd2E/KeenInspirationsCoffeeDefiniton_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Keen Inspirations Coffee Definiton" width="311" /></a> </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;">I wanted color this time and I wanted the warm, brown, burlap feel. I wasn’t ready to try my printer on fabric yet, so I went to the next best thing…burlap look scrapbook paper! I don’t know where we would be without all the choices in scrapbook paper! </span></div><div align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM6BQFm_I/AAAAAAAAByU/CPDkna8XQ9c/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsscrapbookpaper4.jpg"><img alt="Keen Inspirations scrapbook paper" border="0" height="308" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM6nhPCJI/AAAAAAAAByY/bmEXNbpa_lI/KeenInspirationsscrapbookpaper_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Keen Inspirations scrapbook paper" width="406" /></a> </div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;">These tiles are only available in white or “biscuit”…no black, so I created black edges on mine with a little craft paint. It went into the sides well, because they are so porous. The front accepted the paint but would scratch off fairly easy until covered in several coats of Mod Podge.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM647YLzI/AAAAAAAAByc/jiyDroMBjHE/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsTile4.jpg"><img alt="Keen Inspirations Tile" border="0" height="295" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM7Ig5ZHI/AAAAAAAAByg/K2kIDNFw4jo/KeenInspirationsTile_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Keen Inspirations Tile" width="389" /></a> </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;">On the definition tile, I only painted the 1/4 inch or so that would be showing outside of the burlap paper. I printed the definition out, Mod Podged it down and covered it with a heavy book til dry. This keeps the paper from bubbling up. When it was dry, I brushed the Mod Podge over the top going in one direction. After it was dry, I “inked the edges” with a little more black craft paint.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tyPLvWbzkMp9gueQindJ205UXPDEtpStCWHAbaOjEPOPrY0zE6_-0-oobABcuWqs_gqhoHY5LEqWL-cxW30hJ3NQKHKAQEdQzgGTsR7_6r0j4qFAZPlrOaoKibFYSkBxvFQlQCCg-Lo/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsCoffeeDefinition4.jpg"><img alt="Keen Inspirations Coffee Definition" border="0" height="302" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM8MSNYKI/AAAAAAAAByo/QqhRdHzo29s/KeenInspirationsCoffeeDefinition_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Keen Inspirations Coffee Definition" width="399" /></a> </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;">Having one coat of Mod Podge on allowed the paint to smear and wipe easily. I put on a final coat of the Mod Podge going in the other direction. I don’t know if it is the matte formula or the type of paper, but I didn’t get the <em>canvas</em> look from the brush this time. I did leave a smudge by the C in coffee, but decided to leave it for effect, k?</span></div><div align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM87RPY0I/AAAAAAAABys/iqHURg5HAvE/s1600-h/KeenInspirationscoffeeDefiniton25.jpg"><img alt="Keen Inspirations coffee Definiton (2)" border="0" height="325" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM9dqS2QI/AAAAAAAAByw/6u5hZya7AFc/KeenInspirationscoffeeDefiniton2_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Keen Inspirations coffee Definiton (2)" width="324" /></a> </div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;">For Coffeeology, after I painted the edges black, I cut a piece of coffee bean scrapbook paper to fit the tile and Mod Podged it down. I printed the word art out on a coordinating textured cardstock and glued it on top of the coffee paper allowing the edges to show. After it sat for a while under a heavy book and dried, I coated the top and sides of the tile with several coats of the matte Mod Podge.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM9wxrn2I/AAAAAAAABy0/ysn3td3jeVI/s1600-h/keenInspirationsCoffeeology6.jpg"><img alt="keen Inspirations Coffeeology" border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGb7tFTWQRmeqSGZHLWjNetk9VFDMHFFbYA9e5y9KVKOk0zzdJBOTbFcM58NOgN1heA76QG_4aASFEM_XQ6aUN0o0H9BSuSNu8gplpgy1eWYvi86_t02mdpIX854lT-Yv-IXXaXq8aHY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="keen Inspirations Coffeeology" width="328" /></a> </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;">I have a plate rack that I thought I would use to display these, but I’m not sure if the tiles are too small. What do you think? Also, if I use the rack, I need something for the middle….a picture maybe? more word art? What do you think??</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM-narnoI/AAAAAAAABy8/G8wxmYeeOfo/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsCoffeeWordArt8.jpg"><img alt="Keen Inspirations Coffee Word Art" border="0" height="492" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXpM-85SnWI/AAAAAAAABzA/1sAmhGo15b0/KeenInspirationsCoffeeWordArt_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Keen Inspirations Coffee Word Art" width="243" /></a> </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;">I am having so much fun with these tiles! It started with my <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011/02/happy-valentines-day-family-printable.html">Family Definition Tile</a>,</span></div><div align="center"><img alt="Keen Inspriations Family definition Printable" border="0" height="332" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWHrxF-S05I/AAAAAAAABro/amEHCePO1-M/Keen%20Inspriations%20Family%20definition%20Printable_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" title="Keen Inspriations Family definition Printable" width="438" /></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black;">and now I want to Mod Podge everything to a tile! :-) The possibilities are endless and what great, customizeable (is that a word?) gifts!!!</span></div><div align="left">Don’t forget to enter the <a href="http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com/2011/03/more-blogiversary-celebrationa-giveaway.html">Pampered Chef giveaway here!</a></div><div align="left"> <img border="0" height="139" src="http://www.pamperedchef.com/images/product/resized/2585_enlarge.jpg" width="139" /> <img alt="PChef Logo Signature" border="0" height="100" src="http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy358/Keeninspirations/PChefLogoSignature.jpg" title="PChef Logo Signature" width="178" /></div><div align="left">You can also take advantage of <a href="http://www.pamperedchef.biz/4kim?page=products-main">Kim’s free shipping and bonus offers here!</a> Don’t forget to tell me what your thoughts on my tiles on the rack, please!</div><div align="left">Off to “work” again today! </div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/93/0497B5C6E9351AE5F06BAAA2586D371F.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/TipMeTuesdayButton1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="all crafts Handmade Projects ~ Add Yours!" border="0" class="size-full wp-image-4620 aligncenter" height="150" src="http://www.tipjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/TipMeTuesdayButton1.png" title="TipMeTuesdayButton" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoj1bM2ANS-aWrbfA5aOCWUjdnNH_I7qZ3lvTSRRjhFYN8v6Df27chUgczAb22mJRn2tDl5Y24omUJlaR5eusaZjKFa3wH-EmADshjlQqQSUp8QYzVZp4rZdKpE_DaRgKRln55SvDV64/s1600/subway+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoj1bM2ANS-aWrbfA5aOCWUjdnNH_I7qZ3lvTSRRjhFYN8v6Df27chUgczAb22mJRn2tDl5Y24omUJlaR5eusaZjKFa3wH-EmADshjlQqQSUp8QYzVZp4rZdKpE_DaRgKRln55SvDV64/s320/subway+party.jpg" /></a></div>Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-84018028927290030932011-03-06T14:35:00.001-08:002011-03-13T20:39:45.845-07:00More Blogiversary Celebration…A Giveaway with Pampered Chef!<p>So have you been wondering when we’d get the party going again??? :-) Well, I’m back in the land of the living…for now. I’m on antibiotics and pain meds and waiting til next Friday to have the dental work done. It seems that you you don’t “get numb” if there is swelling, which I had <em>plenty</em> of  and believe me I want to be <em>very numb</em> when I have dental work done!! The swelling is almost gone and I’m <em>mostly</em> off the pain meds. So let’s get the party back on track! Oh, and thank you for all the prayers and well wishes! They are much appreciated!! </p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#008000" size="5">On to the giveaway…</font></strong></p> <p align="left">My friend and fellow homeschooling Mom, Kim Madren is an Independent Director and Consultant with Pampered Chef and she is going to help us celebrate my one year blogiversary with a giveaway! Kim would like a reader of Keen Inspirations to have one of Pampered Chef’s most popular kitchen tools….</p> <p align="center"><strong><u><font color="#008000" size="4">The  Food Chopper</font></u></strong></p> <p align="left"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://www.pamperedchef.com/images/product/resized/2585_enlarge.jpg" width="317" height="317" /></p> <p align="left"> <br />We’ve had one of these for <em>years</em> and  have used it to prepare the toppings for our Friday night homemade pizza. My kids would fuss over who got to chop the olives…they let <em>me</em> chop the onions! :-) It is just the right size to chop what we need and we don’t have to drag out the big food processor!</p> <p align="left">We don’t make homemade pizza <em>every</em> Friday anymore….but we do make pizza…either fresh from the store or frozen if there’s a great deal with a coupon! We still cut it with the same Pampered Chef Pizza Cutter! We’ve probably had this about 8 years and it’s still going strong!  Here it is after a busy Friday Pizza Night! </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXQMIZPz1dI/AAAAAAAABxk/v5cJCnQtl08/s1600-h/SDC10768%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="SDC10768" border="0" alt="SDC10768" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXQMIwq_YGI/AAAAAAAABxo/O6xwhm18pJw/SDC10768_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="339" height="257" /></a></p> <p align="center">Here’s the new updated version…isn’t it sleek looking????</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://www.pamperedchef.biz/"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.pamperedchef.com/images/product/resized/1302_product.jpg" /></a></p> <p align="left">I do realize that my  Friday Night Pizza was <em>not</em> on a Pampered Chef Stone…:( I’ve never trusted my family with one living in a basement with concrete floors. Since they are all a little older now, that is something I may have to reconsider! Hmmmm…</p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="5">The new spring products just came out this week!</font></p> <p align="center"><img border="0" alt="Veggie Wedger: Cut veggies and citrus fruits into wedges using one quick motion." src="http://www.pamperedchef.biz/images/en_US/emailtemplates/contactsLeads/general/template(111)/images/spring_cce_pic1.jpg" width="214" height="265" /></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font><a href="http://www.pamperedchef.biz/4kim?page=products-category&categoryId=22"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="Look what's new! Check out some of our new spring products." src="http://www.pamperedchef.biz/images/en_US/emailtemplates/contactsLeads/general/template(111)/images/spring_cce_head.gif" width="419" height="57" /></a></p> <p align="left">If you’d like to enter the giveaway for the Food Chopper, you will need to go <a href="http://www.pamperedchef.biz/4kim?page=products-category&categoryId=22">here and check out the new Pampered Chef  products!</a> Then, come back and tell me which one is your favorite! I posted a picture of mine above! That is all that is required! Of course I always give opportunities for extra entries! :) Here ya go:</p> <p align="left">1. <strong>Required entry</strong>: Visit Kim’s site and check out the new products. Come back and tell me in a comment which is your favorite.</p> <p align="left">2. Extra entries: Blog, FB  and or Tweet about the giveaway and come back here and tell me in a separate comment for each way you shared.</p> <p align="left">3. As always if you are a follower or become one, give yourself an extra entry by telling me so! </p> <p align="left">Besides wanting a pizza stone, I’ve also fallen in love with this:</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://www.pamperedchef.biz/"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.pamperedchef.com/images/product/resized/1089_product.jpg" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The Crinkle Cutter! I have to admit that there was a time when I thought that this is something I would never use….then I was at my friend Lisa’s for dinner and she made homemade french fries with this! They were awesome! She also used it for cutting up fresh veggies for a veggie tray and they looked so dressed up! And it was super easy to use!! I was SOLD! </p> <p>Sooo, if you are like me and have a few things on your Pampered Chef “wish list”, Kim is offering</p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#008000" size="4">Free Shipping</font></strong> <font color="#008000"> <strong>AND</strong> <strong><font size="4">a Free - Season's Best Cookbook </font></strong></font></p> <p><a href="http://www.pamperedchef.biz/"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.pamperedchef.com/images/product/resized/1932_product.jpg" /></a></p> <p><font color="#ff0000"><font color="#000000">as a blogiversary bonus</font> </font><font color="#000000">to all of my readers!! Thank you Kim!! </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">To take advantage of this  special offer, you will need to </font><a href="http://www.pamperedchef.biz/4kim?page=products-main"><font color="#000000"><font color="#008000">click here to go directly to Kim’s website</font>.</font></a><font color="#000000"> Once you are on her site, click on <font color="#008000">“shop online”.</font> When prompted, type in <font color="#008000">Keen Inspirations as “Host”</font> and you will then receive the </font><font color="#008000">free shipping and cookbook!</font></p> <p>Kim also has some awesome specials going on this month!!When customers spend $60 in product amount they will receive their choice of any two <font color="#008000">RUBS</font> (from page 44 of the catalog - $4.50 value each) of their choice. <font color="#008000">YUM!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.pamperedchef.biz/"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="" align="left" src="http://www.pamperedchef.com/images/product/resized/9704_en_us_product.jpg" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><img border="0" src="http://www.pamperedchef.com/images/product/resized/9748_en_us_enlarge.jpg" width="238" height="238" /></p> <p>When they spend $150+ in product amount, they will also receive their choice of any 1 - new SPRING 2011 product at 60% off AND a 10% discount for an entire year! The specials can be combined with Kim’s free shipping bonus…YAY! :-)</p> <p> <font color="#000000">Because of my delays in getting this up and running I will be leaving this giveaway open until next Saturday, March 12th at 11:59pm est. Kim’s blogiversary bonus for ordering will also be open until then! </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.pamperedchef.biz/4kim?page=products-category&categoryId=22"><strong><font color="#008000" size="4">New Items Can be Seen Here!</font></strong></a></p> <p align="center">Please remember to comment on which <font color="#008000"><strong>NEW</strong></font> item is your favorite, <strong>after visiting</strong> Kim’s site above!</p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000">and </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="4"><strong>The </strong></font><a href="http://www.pamperedchef.biz/4kim?page=2ways-order-products"><font color="#008000" size="4"><strong>blogiversary bonus link is here!</strong></font></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>*****UPDATE*****</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>I’ve had some of you write and say that you have put “Keen Inspirations” in as host and nothing is found. I tried it and found that you must put Keen in the first box and Inspirations in the second.</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>Sorry for the confusion!</strong></p> <p align="left">I’m finishing up my printables to share tomorrow…and then some more goodies to giveaway later in the week…so let’s keep the party rollin’!</p> <a><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/93/0497B5C6E9351AE5F06BAAA2586D371F.png" /></a> Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com76tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-4375152780779594072011-03-03T05:45:00.001-08:002011-03-03T05:45:04.911-08:00We Interrupt This Blog, Blog Anniversary and Life In General …<p>to deal with an abscessed tooth! :( Anything and everything that was going to go on this week to celebrate my blogiversary will  continue a little later than planned when I can think again….</p> <p>There will still be a Pampered Chef giveaway, and printables and coffee related giveaways!</p> <p>I’m off to the dentist…thoughts and prayers appreciated!</p> <a><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/93/0497B5C6E9351AE5F06BAAA2586D371F.png" /></a> Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-44534886830491249682011-03-01T04:54:00.001-08:002011-03-13T20:41:34.712-07:00Happy Blogiversary to Me!!!!<p>Good Morning! It’s my one year “blogiversary”!! I cannot believe that it’s been a year already! I am so thankful for the friends that I’ve made through blogging…I am surprised and humbled at my number of <strike>followers</strike> blog friends that I have. Please don’t “follow” me lol…I’m sure to lead you astray! But you are welcome to be my friend anytime!!!! As I’ve said, putting myself out there has never been easy, but I’ve noticed that I am only 10 followers, I mean friends away from 365…that’s one for every day of my first year!!! So, if you are a <strike>stalker,</strike> reader who hasn’t officially “followed” I’d love for you to do so! You don’t have to have a blog follow…or even a picture! Help me celebrate and give it a try!! I love little associations like that…365 for 365! :-)</p> <p>To kick of the celebration, my gift to  you is a $20 Starbucks Gift Card!!! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWztpH6ZMGI/AAAAAAAABwo/Ci7haXLlBiI/s1600-h/starbucks%20giveaway%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="starbucks giveaway" border="0" alt="starbucks giveaway" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWztpb1hizI/AAAAAAAABws/6Jz6K8cF9lw/starbucks%20giveaway_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a> </p> <p>I appreciate your friendships, encouraging comments, inquiries when I would disappear…and your willingness to wait for me to come back! I’ve been humbled and honored this year! This is my way of saying “I appreciate you!” I wish it could be one for each of you…but we’ll have to do a drawing….sorry…</p> <p>To enter the giveaway, please just leave me a “Happy Blogiversay” comment! If you really want this card because you are as much of a coffee <strike>fiend</strike> connoisseur as I am and want some extra entries, tweet for one extra, share on FB for another, share on your blog for a fourth and if you are a friend,(new or old) as always give yourself an extra entry for sticking with me! Please leave a separate comment for each entry! I’ve slowly started some of the changes I said that I am going to make…I have numbered comments now!…and that wasn’t even on my to do list! :-) By the end of the week, I am determined to “fix” my profile as suggested! Then you will actually be able to tell who is really responsible for all the confusion around here! </p> <p>We are off to Tuesday co-op, one of the high points of my week! Love my friends there too! I’ll be back later tonight with some more goodies to share!</p> <p>Happy Blogiversary to Me…and Thank YOU!! to all of you! You’ve made this last year and my blogging a very encouraging experience for me! Looking forward to the next 365 with you!!</p> <a><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/93/0497B5C6E9351AE5F06BAAA2586D371F.png" /></a> Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com93tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-59171824735836540692011-02-27T13:38:00.001-08:002011-03-13T20:40:05.283-07:00My DIY Solar Street LampToday is the first day of my “Blogiversary Week”!!!! Yes, I’m going to streeettcch it out all week! :-) Kind of like when your birthday falls on a Wednesday, but you won’t actually be celebrating til Saturday and then  friends take you to lunch on another day…so you celebrate all week! :-) I LOVE birthdays like that! So I want to celebrate my blog birthday the same way. I have two giveaways that will start Tuesday and Wednesday and then go all week. I will be putting up some printables too. I also have a couple of special projects that I want to share this week. <br />Have you ever had a project in your mind, but have to wait to put it together? Well, I’ve been waiting since late last summer to make a solar “street lamp” for my yard. It was worth the wait though! It turned out as good as I had envisioned it…even a little better! Last summer I made this small solar light for a table in my garden <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEANi8i0I/AAAAAAAABtw/lCEQbNG8aJ0/s1600-h/KeenInspirationssolarlight4.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations solar light" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations solar light" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEAuxy_aI/AAAAAAAABt0/-6jUBc-UuHc/KeenInspirationssolarlight_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="351" /></a> and knew I wanted to make more. I don’t like the plain straight “stick” solar lights…to me they don’t blend in with anything. I have wanted to make some  of these with different size lights, bases and globes. Last year I got to thinking that if I could put these in a globe for a table, why couldn’t I do something like this: <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEA10fNkI/AAAAAAAABt4/ccHbF25euqw/s1600-h/streetlamp3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="street lamp" border="0" alt="street lamp" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEBOvXMAI/AAAAAAAABt8/C93jg6f-Vbo/streetlamp_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="189" height="289" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEBTxeYTI/AAAAAAAABuA/oFhZTwzk8is/s1600-h/streetlamp22.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="street lamp2" border="0" alt="street lamp2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEBm75NnI/AAAAAAAABuE/25dqtxTcT8U/streetlamp2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="181" /></a> using solar lights instead of electric??? Well, I’ve had all winter to think about it and to collect  fixtures and globes. When it warmed up last week, I got started! <br />I found these two lovely brass light fixtures at the thrift store…different times, different stores. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCFN1HbNK_RJhx8NBNmqBu5uwpVjedO-Tz9dkg68f0ADs2mT-QOjFC5lu1cyzo1TP9GpUJT3YClgT8MusU9ixKIK33QmFQy5fT8Af_olAL57ph1nC1H5KlwtbUPH7n4HXIiZCz54H5I0/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsLights3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations Lights" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Lights" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSTBNJSK7NMM7A9rH18oEQC6jwflpB3zIZoAHug4ZGyc3eAXUXN8iy3Z6TeTtSIsbZjRl2lRoIGSceHRA8_bMoTDt9sEJzjz21BS6vw_TAovDiyNGNuYX0WMcyWVlE3IhnvZM9sf5hDA/?imgmax=800" width="419" height="319" /></a>The one on the left I bought to be the top of the street lamp. the one on the right I needed for parts and  globes. There were three globes  when I bought it…but  I <em><strong>broke two of them</strong></em>!!! I did find some more though….whew!  I started out by stripping them of all electrical stuff, right down to the metal. I pulled all the wires out and ended up with this: <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrECwVGvTI/AAAAAAAABuQ/UyiX8bHrwCw/s1600-h/SDC148154.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="SDC14815" border="0" alt="SDC14815" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEDDFm31I/AAAAAAAABuU/sD5tp9q4JgU/SDC14815_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="306" /></a> <br />Then I loosened the screws and  turned the arms of the light fixture up, so the globes would be sitting on top. From this: <br /> <div align="center">Down<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrED0eZFDI/AAAAAAAABuY/ueC5DAEbImA/s1600-h/KeenInspirations4.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Down" border="0" alt="Down" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEECTyqWI/AAAAAAAABuc/a0Wpxr_81-I/KeenInspirations_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="271" /></a> To This:</div> <div align="center">Up<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEEfHKn_I/AAAAAAAABug/4C97hoB2UmM/s1600-h/KeenInspirationssolarlight51.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations solar light" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations solar light" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEEktXoSI/AAAAAAAABuk/IPH2Uvbcs1Q/KeenInspirationssolarlight_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="281" /></a>The “cups” that hold the globes in on the chandelier were smaller than the  bases of the glass globes, but the “cups” that were on the ceiling light came off, so I took the small ones off and and put the big ones on..but forgot to take the  pic of the switch.</div> <div align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEFBx2t8I/AAAAAAAABuo/GbjY6cFc1CA/s1600-h/KeenInspiratonsSolarLightCups4.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="<SAMSUNG DIGITAL CAMERA>" border="0" alt="<SAMSUNG DIGITAL CAMERA>" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEFXXxmSI/AAAAAAAABus/5g5qmWn7W2Y/KeenInspiratonsSolarLightCups_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="271" /></a> </div> <div align="left">I lightly sanded and rubbed away the shine and pit marks. Then everything got a coat of Krylon primer followed by Krylon Satin Black.</div> <div align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEFyJJURI/AAAAAAAABuw/1KSxiuDnI4Q/s1600-h/KeenInspirationssolarlight10.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations solar light" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations solar light" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEGNcsafI/AAAAAAAABu0/qO2KTu_ZCIo/KeenInspirationssolarlight_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="273" /></a> </div> <div align="center">Large cups now on the fixture.</div> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEG2w6QbI/AAAAAAAABu4/pSmTm7m3v_4/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght24.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (2)" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (2)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEHCNCyII/AAAAAAAABu8/BUcZUSa9PDc/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght2_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="277" /></a> <br />I bought several of these solar lights at Walmart last summer. I took the stake off of the light.  <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEHWMIYCI/AAAAAAAABvA/bmsNurVUZmk/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght75.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (7)" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (7)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEHqViS2I/AAAAAAAABvI/Udt5O06fvoA/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght7_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="283" /></a> <br />and used Gorilla Glue to hold them into the light fixture. The plastic fit right down over the nut in the light fixture. <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEIGznMNI/AAAAAAAABvM/YKr9m3qrP1M/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght54.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (5)" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (5)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEIS6V7dI/AAAAAAAABvQ/C3cAgZx6mW4/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght5_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="216" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEIi0k_TI/AAAAAAAABvU/VB57T5fJIT4/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght47.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (4)" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (4)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEI5im4jI/AAAAAAAABvY/sOQVwwvftM8/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght4_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="252" height="333" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEJURXYrI/AAAAAAAABvc/rxV5saqytF4/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght34.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (3)" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (3)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEJsIqw8I/AAAAAAAABvg/7Aopm1mT6gU/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght3_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="284" /></a> <br />Meanwhile I had hubby working on the pole for me. He cut the pvc to the right size.  I used one piece of narrower pipe (2.5 inches) and one piece of 4” pipe for the base.  <img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations (3)" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations (3)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEJ1x-WpI/AAAAAAAABvk/YdDNRig5UIM/KeenInspirations3_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="382" /> <br />I started out with a 4 foot piece of 3” and and a 30” piece of 4” of pipe and bought an adapter to put to them together. When we held the light fixture over the pipe, the pipe seemed a little wide for it, kind of swallowed it up, so I used a 2.5” piece  instead. Hubby wrapped Gorilla tape to make it fit snugly. Once he had them glued together with regular pvc glue, he cut the tape down even with the top of the adapter. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEKAW3GKI/AAAAAAAABvo/Xu1s2f7adLE/s1600-h/KeenInspirations2copy5.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="<SAMSUNG DIGITAL CAMERA>" border="0" alt="<SAMSUNG DIGITAL CAMERA>" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEKcpMmLI/AAAAAAAABvs/I2CQZrvRbyM/KeenInspirations2copy_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" height="372" /></a>Hubby was really gettin’ into my project and even offered to make me a base out of a scrap of avantec plywood.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEK4oszZI/AAAAAAAABvw/2h5_4Wsum84/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght157.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (15)" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (15)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrELR3CLsI/AAAAAAAABv0/176apj90a-Q/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght15_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="371" /></a> He also glued a piece of pvc pipe up into the fixture so that it would slide in and out of the pole for easy change of the solar lights when necessary. <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrELlEIXDI/AAAAAAAABv4/xcXxRvPxUds/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght67.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (6)" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (6)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggRnL7z994-mGwdbnZtgv3XodkZ8rfWkjtu_ai14Dq3V0TQiwKiRptSiXAAb1tO9Yczkg-baCmB8m62U5jyivNz0tIh8CCkZiqIPhAmRrhNvRiukJSHQXisor7lLYM6FFqjp6V4jGk7Q/?imgmax=800" width="271" height="358" /></a> <br />When all the pipes were put together to make the pole, I painted them with a coat of Valspar Plastic Primer and then Krylon Satin Black. I gave the wooden base a coat of Kilz 2 primer and then sprayed it black. When it was all dry, hubby put the lights in. <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEMWV4U_I/AAAAAAAABwA/mQVo59VFP5Q/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght88.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (8)" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (8)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEMlgDUMI/AAAAAAAABwE/bMz2GEP4o6A/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght8_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="325" /></a> <br /> <div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrENMYhcsI/AAAAAAAABwI/PzVmvLhIWpA/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght95.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (9)" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (9)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrENI7FFqI/AAAAAAAABwM/lkheddmGxtw/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght9_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="276" /></a><span style="font-size: large"><strong></strong></span></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: large">And here it is finished! </span></div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size: medium"></span><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrENt5VI9I/AAAAAAAABwQ/XnzHt2ZFwKY/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght108.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (10)" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (10)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIr3HMku-9yOqsoYgJhFApZLLYPHl6EbXk92Gps-JN4sBewmJrY6O6BsnCF4S8dqul6agpuRdyEBY1URxCTjdI02SA4Tt8_mg8mCbRndm_39HFIWQH_lsAzpAYH_FN5FJDsw9zvcV6Zmo/?imgmax=800" width="236" height="431" /></a>I’m thrilled with the way it turned out! Even better than I had pictured it in my head! </div> <div align="center">Here it is  at night</div> <div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEOECdkFI/AAAAAAAABwY/WRO_DfvFC_Y/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght124.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (12)" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (12)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEOUFxQYI/AAAAAAAABwc/aYUpiPYGmXI/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght12_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="241" /></a></div> <div align="left">Up close you can see the design made by the solar light inside the globe! </div> <div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEOl-E7qI/AAAAAAAABwg/TT4nreHNwN0/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght114.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (11)" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Solar LIght (11)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWrEOyc8WqI/AAAAAAAABwk/A7P8Mc2-Udk/KeenInspirationsSolarLIght11_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="311" height="236" /></a>   </div> <div align="left">I have it at the beginning of the path where we park and then walk in. It’s nice to have this on when I pull up and not have to worry about turning something on and then off again. We live in the woods…no street lights or neighbors lights to help light our path! </div> <div align="left">I am so excited about how this turned out that I can’t wait to make  more…with different types of fixtures on top! Like these…</div> <div align="left"><img src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRbml-wbZzvc9zev7wsGrJ3U94BvaG0w_kszPsC4TVT9KPsCZaXFQ" width="225" height="225" /> <img src="http://img03.static-nextag.com/image/Heath-Zenith-New-England/1/000/005/097/382/509738271.jpg" width="100" height="100" /><img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS_xq80T4rt1k106HPsRN93WTeOQhGWS3or3AFE7X94XCHJhqUT" width="140" height="140" /></div> <div align="left">… and more! I plan to use these to light my yard and my garden. I’ll have another one ready later in the week! </div> <div align="left">Remember that Tuesday is the start of the Starbucks giveaway!See you tomorrow with some printables!</div> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/93/0497B5C6E9351AE5F06BAAA2586D371F.png" /> </a> <br />I am participating in <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/02/playing-on-porch-welcome-to-110th.html">Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch</a> and these other parties and many of the parties listed in my sidebar! Come check out some of the awesome projects! I’ve also entered this in the <a href="http://thediyclub.com/">DIY Club monthly contest!</a> <br /><a href="http://www.thediyclub.com/" target="_blank"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="5" align="left" src="http://thediyclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/charm-diy-club-follower-w-chain3.png" width="91" height="157" /></a> <br /><a href="http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" border="0"><img src="http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab68/The_Hammonds/MoretheMerrierButton.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/butterflygirlms/Request/CraftomaniacMondayButton.png" /></a> <br /><a href="http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Boogieboard Cottage" src="http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy117/jacquesfamily52/Boogieboardcottagehtmlbagde-4-2-1.jpg" /></a>><a href="http://www.hopestudios.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss202/hopestudios/2-2.jpg" /></a><a href="http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="HOG" src="http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv204/bonniejane03/HOUSEOFGRACEBUTTON-1-2.jpg" /></a>><a href="http://www.dittledattle.blogspot.com/"><img border="o" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af320/oproot/Blog-Party-000-Page-1.jpg" /></a><img title="get-your-craft-on" alt="Craft Link parties" src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/get-your-craft-on-300x84.gif" width="300" height="84" /> <br /><img title="TipMeTuesdayButton" alt="all crafts Handmade Projects ~ Add Yours!" src="http://www.tipjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/TipMeTuesdayButton1.png" width="150" height="150" />><a href="http://amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p32/Amysb1975/7393129504_TCNCj.jpg" /></a><a style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; cssfloat: left" href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party" target="_blank" border="0"><img src="http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/fjnorm/ShowOffYourStuffPartyButton2.jpg" /></a> <br /><a href="http://frugalfabulousdesign.com/"><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/JulieBriggs1968/150_2.jpg" /></a> <br /><a title="Mommaskindacrafty" href="http://www.mommaskindacrafty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> <br /><img border="0" alt="Fantabulous Friday!" src="http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy186/mommaskindacrafty/mkc_fantabulousfriday_png.png" /></a>><a href="http://alliemakes.blogspot.com/search/label/Making%20It%20With%20Allie" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Party Button" src="http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz279/alliemakes/Photo-Frame.png" /></a><a href="http://sassysites.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" border="0"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx93/SaSites/10545197890_Lq7W4.jpg" /></a>><a href="http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd202/jmrammell/shabbynestbutton.png" /></a> <br /> <br /><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://hadfield.smugmug.com/photos/978446890_7b2ZN-O.png" /></a><a href="http://www.3meadowlakecottage.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab258/ezacharda/afterpartybuttonjpeg.jpg" /></a><img alt="Lovely Crafty Home" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e87/Froggy9682/LCWatLCHButton.jpg" width="200" height="200" /> <br /><a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground5.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="UndertheTableandDreaming" src="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/theliebertfamily/party.png" /></a> Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com123tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-25156206288278883502011-02-24T10:32:00.001-08:002011-03-05T20:24:44.258-08:00Giveaways,Features, Blogiversary…and Stuff….<p>Okay, first off….next Tuesday is the first anniversary of Keen Inspirations!!! My “Blogiversary”! I can hardly believe it’s been a year already! What’s harder for me to believe is that I’ve stuck with it this long…;-) I have had a few down times and I appreciate everyone sticking with me! I have truly received so much encouragement and joy from all of your comments that I don’t see myself giving this up! I’ve made some new friends this year…and yes, I think blog friends ARE real friends! :-) Sooo…to say thank you and to celebrate one year, I have a couple of giveaways lined up!! I’ll also have some more printables from me and a project (that I’m really excited about) reveal! </p> <p align="center"><u><font color="#1d84b6" size="5"><strong>Giveaways!</strong></font></u></p> <p>First up, will be a giveaway from my friend and fellow homeschool mom, Kim Poteete Madren, Director and Independent Consultant with Pampered Chef! </p> <p><a href="http://www.pamperedchef.biz/4Kim"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="PChef Logo Signature" border="0" alt="PChef Logo Signature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TXMMi1lPfqI/AAAAAAAABxg/sUZ8hlSFWNM/PChef%20Logo%20Signature.png?imgmax=800" width="178" height="100" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I’ll also have a coffee gift bag of goodies complete with a Starbucks gift Card!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWakIAP6HTI/AAAAAAAABtY/blPrIgMreXU/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsStarbucksGiveaway5.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations Starbucks Giveaway" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Starbucks Giveaway" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWakIlpd8uI/AAAAAAAABtc/aysdU9HouFQ/KeenInspirationsStarbucksGiveaway_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="177" height="182" /></a></p> <p>I’ll have a coffee-themed printable and a new definition to print! I’ll keep the details coming as I get them! The giveaways start next Tuesday, March 1, 2011! Stop by and help me celebrate!</p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#1d84b6" size="5"><u>Features</u></font></strong></p> <p>I’m honored to have had my Family Definition and 1 Corinthians 13 word art featured at these awesome blogs! </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="FeaturedonCreateWithTlc_TlcCreations" border="0" alt="FeaturedonCreateWithTlc_TlcCreations" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFxszmecBhpWXm0T5EHYrfFNZR059F9eLHGBKs3Qwwv1uAnZV-eCqR2wamXb6SiYTjFR7S8WHwUI9f1Ny0HYA8m4oLEX4CqMMY3Q8k-ZelPdHfIudIX-ctqBg42wI8PPXzLlESeMSb1I/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="210" /> </p> <p>          <a href="http://dollarstorecrafts.com" target="_blank" mce_href="http://dollarstorecrafts.com"><img border="0" src="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/featuredon.gif" mce_src="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/featuredon.gif" /></a><a href="http://itssoverycheri.com/" target="_blank"><img border="5" src="http://itssoverycheri.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/isvcbeachfeatured.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA_6K7ea4aE/TEjlAFre3nI/AAAAAAAAD5c/PlBySEBf_NU/s320/sdc_featured.jpg" /></a><a href="http://todaystoptwenty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="Today's Top 20" src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx33/lindsayintx/TOPTWENTY-BUTTON.jpg" /></a></p> <a href="http://kraftykat76.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="WWFB" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb370/kroady76/WWFB.jpg " /></a> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#000000">Thank you for the feature  ladies!</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><font color="#1d84b6" size="5"><strong><u>Some stuff…</u></strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000">I posted a while back about having problems with getting  comments to post. After reading the comments left for me, I’m not the only one experiencing this! I’ve kept an eye on when it happens and here is what I’ve discovered:</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000">It <strong><em>is</em></strong> a log in issue…when I restart my computer in the morning and read my blogs with a cup of coffee, the <em><strong>first </strong></em>comment I try to leave puts me through this cycle of taking me to the top of the blog I’m trying to comment on…this happens several times before it finally posts…but it never actually asks me to log in! I guess somehow that process logs me in?!?!?!? So, I’ve noticed that when you leave a comment that “posts” you stay at the bottom of the page and can see your comment. If you are taken to the top of the page, <em>scroll down, your comment most likely didn’t post!</em> This also happens sometimes throughout the day, but so far I haven’t found any rhyme or reason to it. I don’t ever “log out” so, I don’t have a clue why it happens later! So, check to be sure you’ve actually “posted”!</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#1d84b6" size="4"><strong><u>Meet “The Tina’s”</u></strong></font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWakJUlaA-I/AAAAAAAABtk/VEDzTzlxdi8/s1600-h/KeenInspiratonsTinasTieDye18.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Keen Inspiratons Tina's Tie Dye" border="0" alt="Keen Inspiratons Tina's Tie Dye" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWakJvN0-FI/AAAAAAAABto/t61VukxC2qE/KeenInspiratonsTinasTieDye_thumb20.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="351" /></a> </p> <p align="left">On the left is Tina of <a href="http://tinastiedye.com/">Tina’s Tie Dye</a> and on the right is the “other” Tina :-), the winner of the Tie Dyed Tote!</p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p align="center"><strong><u><font color="#1d84b6">Some more{good} stuff…</font></u></strong></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000">Want to own one of these? <a href="http://myrepurposedlife.blogspot.com/2011/02/silhouette-sd-giveaway.html">Click here to enter Gail’s Giveaway at My Repurposed Life.</a></font></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://myrepurposedlife.blogspot.com/2011/02/silhouette-sd-giveaway.html"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_TrDKdmiRg0Q/TWR3gBbwlbI/AAAAAAAAMpg/PTQInZ1C8ME/image%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="333" height="145" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#386dc7">There are also these specials going on:</font></strong></p> <p>Remember that you can get your own Silhouette SD bundle, a great package for $225.00 (retail value 375+)    use the code REPURPOSED at checkout</p> <p>Silhouette SD <br />1 roll black premium vinyl <br />1 roll frosted vinyl <br />1 roll transfer paper <br />Home Décor CD</p> <p>If you already own a Silhouette SD, and you are in need of some Premium Vinyl, you can get that at a great discount of 25% off by using the code REPURPOSED at checkout.</p> <p>That’s it for now! I’m off to order some of that frosted vinyl that <a href="http://myrepurposedlife.blogspot.com/2011/02/frosted-vinyl-monogram-silhouette-sd.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/PgMj+(My+Repurposed+Life)">Gail</a> showed today!</p> <p><a><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/93/0497B5C6E9351AE5F06BAAA2586D371F.png" /></a></p> Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288103677924853137.post-57931007762622430542011-02-21T09:04:00.001-08:002011-02-25T18:20:45.110-08:00My Door Re-Store<p>Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had weather as nice as ours over the weekend. The winds we had definitely were howling “Spring!!!”. I was able to get my cold frame started and work on a special outside project that I hope to reveal soon.</p> <p>We actually did this door project the  week before Thanksgiving. The Keen Family tradition for the holidays is to wait until the week before company arrives and then try to do all the maintenance and makeover projects we should have done throughout the year. This past year was no exception! I finished my utility room (haven’t posted that yet), started my bathroom (nope haven’t posted one either…) and did some touch up trim painting. I’ve learned the hard way that white trim is definitely NOT the way to go in a basement full of people! As we were working we noticed that the more we did, the more we saw that really needed doing. Like our basement door… and no, as usual there are no true, outside “before” pics for two reasons. One, my kids kept saying, “Mom, the door looks SOOO BAD! You can’t put that on your BLOG!”  and then once we decided to go for it, hubby jumps in with both feet and waits on no camera!</p> <p>So, ten years ago the door looked like this</p> <p><a href="http://www.busybeaver.com/images/subdepartments/550x550/9-Lite-Door-w_jam.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=546031281180&id=1932b4ca600502ca4b5692ac251606b2" width="301" height="301" /></a><a href="http://www.busybeaver.com/images/subdepartments/550x550/9-Lite-Door-w_jam.jpg"></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>all shiny and new! Then, thinking we would be using this shade of greed for our trim, I painted the door this color:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKa88Ldh5I/AAAAAAAABr8/OqKYuLHS-yg/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsrepaintdoorfauxfinis%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations repaint door faux finish" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations repaint door faux finish" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKa9eo6NZI/AAAAAAAABsA/h9D_JhoGX00/KeenInspirationsrepaintdoorfauxfinis%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="280" height="370" /></a></p> <p>Okay,so now you see why my kids didn’t want this posted, right? Even though the test paint stripes weren’t there and we did have glass in the door, it looked horrible!!! Special thanks goes to the dogs that think scratching the door to pieces will earn them a ticket inside! :(  We’ve known for a while that we desperately needed a new door. I didn’t want to spend any money on that when there were other things that seemed more important. The door didn’t get any better with time…so while we were getting ready for out company, hubby <em>really </em>noticed the door for the first time.You know how when you see something everyday and get sort of used to it, that you really don’t see it for what (or how bad) it is? He says to me, “Hey, why don’t we just paint it?” I already knew what he was thinking …just grab a of spray paint and go for, anything would be an improvement…and before I could say “It just isn’t worth it!” I remembered this awesome door redo from Jan at <a href="http://www.bobbypinsboardwalk.com/2009/09/tutorial-turn-your-painted-entry-door.html">bobbypinsboardwalk!</a></p> <p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QtyCS3CA_Hk/SrZz3vC9N6I/AAAAAAAAARA/TF6fo4P0x84/s1600-h/art+studio+031.JPG"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QtyCS3CA_Hk/SrZz3vC9N6I/AAAAAAAAARA/TF6fo4P0x84/s320/art+studio+031.JPG" /></a></p> <p></p> <p>Can you believe this is NOT a wood door? I  loved it from the minute I saw it!! I hope to use Jan’s technique on my loving room walls for wainscoting, but haven’t gotten that far yet. At that moment I knew I would be trying it on my door…hubby couldn’t get over me agreeing so <em>fast!!!</em> I have <em>hated</em> it and wanted it <em>gone</em> for a looong time! So using Jan’s tutorial, this is what we did and please remember that hubby doesn’t remember to wait til I get a picture before going on to the next step! </p> <p>You’ve already seen the outside…here is the inside:<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKa9itEOPI/AAAAAAAABsE/00jy33ZKDAA/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsrepaintdoorfauxfinis%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations repaint door faux finish (2)" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations repaint door faux finish (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKa-J0pWGI/AAAAAAAABsI/Z313vUlUN_8/KeenInspirationsrepaintdoorfauxfinis.jpg?imgmax=800" width="286" height="377" /></a></p> <p>Yes, the door was red on the inside…but not as <font color="#ff0000">red</font> as it looks in this picture! We left the door hanging, and removed the glass. Hubby cut out the plastic grid too.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKa-T8GCJI/AAAAAAAABsM/Zz47dqxLTr4/s1600-h/SDC195949.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="SDC19594" border="0" alt="SDC19594" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKa-iAUbwI/AAAAAAAABsQ/yD1irHnKQn4/SDC19594_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="233" height="308" /></a> To paint the door, start with a good primer. I used Kilz 2. Then I mixed my base coat with some paint I had on hand. Jan did alot of mixing to get her colors and she even used craft paint. I figured that if it worked for her, It’d work for me! :-)  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKa_PposnI/AAAAAAAABsU/bpC05U_2MWw/s1600-h/KeenInspriations7.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspriations" border="0" alt="Keen Inspriations" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKa_WHjXgI/AAAAAAAABsY/WQsiM2vYbbE/KeenInspriations_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="282" height="372" /></a>  I made the mistake of using a “pink” based brown…not a good idea. Reddish orange would have better to get a shade more like Jan’s. After the primer dried, ( I didn’t wait over night…we had company coming!! ) I did sand after it dried and wiped the door down. Then  I applied the basecoat with a 2’ brush. At this point…please go read <a href="http://www.bobbypinsboardwalk.com/2009/09/tutorial-turn-your-painted-entry-door.html">Jan’s Tutorial</a>! She does an excellent job of explaining the brushing technique! </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKa_5z5h0I/AAAAAAAABsc/y-n9kXJuRYg/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsdoorredo8.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations door redo" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations door redo" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKbAU_TfPI/AAAAAAAABsg/-TJjShNVjOc/KeenInspirationsdoorredo_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="411" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_GqNTY3cm7au5ubZcLkzmWhf6mdrp2ZcXfhqgH6vvbtM87XwU4NCAGdNKjdIUJSW2UrXICd5kEkhmxC3bAvguHN9a9rRyN9OVei0Kv_43DMgpOYz2LHQoAUWn-cUzJvqfvaiAFFdcuc/s1600-h/keenInspirationsdoorstain15.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="keen Inspirations door stain" border="0" alt="keen Inspirations door stain" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKbA7RwTCI/AAAAAAAABso/lFlYDqKQKqw/keenInspirationsdoorstain_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" height="293" /></a>   <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKbBB1kEhI/AAAAAAAABss/V6j3LrkXNXY/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsdoorrefinishglaze12.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Keen Inspirations door refinish glaze" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations door refinish glaze" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKbBdnJhBI/AAAAAAAABsw/ZI3qNC4VVwY/KeenInspirationsdoorrefinishglaze_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="225" height="295" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>  The one thing I learned from this, is to go with longer strokes to get the wood grain look. I started with short and choppy and it wasn’t as effective. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLqRo9LECLcluv4Grm_MAWKRO3I-WCGF5XklHq5Hs6GzwQRphsbQZmqGR76_XB9HvzZErLNn-qWMxgaXc6kBViBxVxFdP40fFpaYn79paaJhnVL9blZ5nFeVgfHc0wQMz6iYaZo8kBO8/s1600-h/KeenInspiriatons4.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspiriatons" border="0" alt="Keen Inspiriatons" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKbCGkXmSI/AAAAAAAABs4/NEsR45utKH4/KeenInspiriatons_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="282" /></a> The trim around the window (minus the grid) was sprayed with Valspar Plastic Primer and the I just used the darker glazed paint on it. The “grain” was already in the plastic. We put it all back together and I took pictures! Why they are deleted and others still on the camera…???? I’m not sure except that I do share cameras and cards with other photographers in my house…So here is a picture from today, 3 months later. It’s holding up well to our significant amount of traffic including loads of firewood being wheeled in. The dogs have taken a little toll on the finish, yes there are a few scratches. Considering one of the dogs is a lab that weighs almost 100 pounds, I’m thankful it’s not worse!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKbCduFOHI/AAAAAAAABs8/zeVL3ciCpN0/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsFinishedDoor8.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations Finished Door" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Finished Door" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKbCoWyKII/AAAAAAAABtA/7odbnflcM9E/KeenInspirationsFinishedDoor_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="321" height="515" /></a></p> <p>Inside view, with sheet being held up outside to minimize glare…not sure it really helped.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKbC4ksCrI/AAAAAAAABtE/6zO-LSMIjcY/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsInsidedoor7.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations Inside door" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations Inside door" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8Ek6GWlqncCSlkZY4vrEBTdPtGajKyQCncZ2RrvNyC1eliHc-6TTQHjCda3phg4oFeFjft56e1XW22WP7BTHDOrfTVfBcrO0aIV8bnXRu36UIcfIwDbReWolgF_whsmcEpGmWp_MrI/?imgmax=800" width="268" height="353" /></a>  It will definitely do until we get something “new”. I enjoyed showing it off during the holidays.  Oh, the door handle and deadbolt were not a set…we needed a new handle, and I painted the lock with Oil Rubbed Bronze and now they are a matched set!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKbD4Zh1EI/AAAAAAAABtM/E-1mCzBaxuE/s1600-h/KeenInspirationsdoorhandle7.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Keen Inspirations door handle" border="0" alt="Keen Inspirations door handle" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TWKbELTf9TI/AAAAAAAABtQ/aIzLpB5Xp6I/KeenInspirationsdoorhandle_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="415" /></a> So, I hope to try this on my living and dining area walls this spring! I just had a thought…I wonder how this might work on some furniture?!?!!? Has anyone else tried something like this?</p> <a><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/93/0497B5C6E9351AE5F06BAAA2586D371F.png" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Making" src="http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo119/tiffhewlett/plain-button.png" /></a><a href="http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/"><img alt="image name" src="http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad206/kaysinerwt/th_DSCF63832.jpg" width="75" height="75" /></a><a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/"><img alt="image name" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkB4ULnSoErZmQG9fUa_lBtyxz8I7sN9LVccpjlNhsfAqOoS2LLCAALBYjhJtMIcoisQZWKcIKcKxVpuMSyU_FyZInCZiSTjxTjTwZX44SiGcuHoq4p8daPJa9xU3i9FLw7GL4W3MuHE/s990-r/DIY+Featured+Button.jpg" width="75" height="75" /></a><a href="http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/"><img alt="image name" src="http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee180/juliewuliee/Headers%202/sumo/marketyourselfcopy-1.png" width="75" height="75" /></a><a title="Today's Creative Blog" href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/"><img style="border-bottom-style: none; 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Using Random.org, I drew comment #15. Which is </p> <p></p> <dt>“Tina said... <p></p> </dt><dd> <p>All of Tina's Tie Dye items are top quality and make you smile! My son's bright swirl shirt has been hanging in the laundry room for a week, I hesitate to move it because the colors brighten my day! For myself, I would pick the pink heart or the tie-dye cross shirts. Thank you for the giveaway... <br />Tina “</p> <p>And I thought “hmmm…Tina? and no contact info?…what to do? So I contacted the tie dying Tina and asked her if she knew who this might be. It turns out that it is a Mom from co-op and she actually helps me teach in my lapbooking class! Shame on my for not thinking of it myself! Sooo…</p> <p align="center">CONGRATULATIONS “Other Tina!!!” :-) You are the winner of </p> <p align="center">The Tie Dye Tote</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://tinastiedye.com/"><img title="Bag with Bandana" border="0" alt="Bag with Bandana" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_M2gjD5WASpU/TVIP5jUZQ2I/AAAAAAAABnQ/WEzYo29t2nQ/BagwithBandana_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="394" /></a></p> <p align="center">From <a href="http://tinastiedye.com/">Tina’s Tie Dye!</a></p> <p>Why no handy little snapshot of the random.org number generator? Well, while waiting to hear from Tina #1, someone closed my window!!!! GRrrrr…So you’ll just have to trust me! ;-)</p> </dd><dd> <p>And Tina #2, Tina #1 will be bringing your tote to you on Tuesday! :-)</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#ff00ff">Check out Tina’s Facebook contest:</font></strong></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlULZdQXCzdcuMeklI1yak3ZFVrDtF1V2EnUiZPXinwsx0oBBA_wPARaqbgK4njq5Di7CDLij4bvxM0ibDRW6XhjnbptgoWhZHfv1lk6kbUjZwTK2pnuL8nD88HkwO9Frj6XWIcGOrVbk/s1600/Contest.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlULZdQXCzdcuMeklI1yak3ZFVrDtF1V2EnUiZPXinwsx0oBBA_wPARaqbgK4njq5Di7CDLij4bvxM0ibDRW6XhjnbptgoWhZHfv1lk6kbUjZwTK2pnuL8nD88HkwO9Frj6XWIcGOrVbk/s400/Contest.jpg" width="352" height="517" /></a></p> </dd><dd> <p align="left">Tina is offering FREE SHIPPING for the next week if you will email her directly with your order! </p> </dd><dd> <p align="left">I was also a major winner this week! I won Gail’s $75 CSN Stores giveaway! YAY! </p> <p align="left"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="csn 75 feb 2011" border="0" alt="csn 75 feb 2011" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_TrDKdmiRg0Q/TVygigDjxbI/AAAAAAAAMnQ/s6P44XgbRZw/csn%2075%20feb%202011%5B14%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="283" /></p> <p></p> <p align="center">I guess nobody closed Gail’s window on her! :-) I was #10!!</p> <p>Thanks Gail! I hope to do my “shopping” this weekend! Check out Gail’s Blog: <a href="http://myrepurposedlife.blogspot.com/">My Repurposed Life</a>. She has some of the most creative “repurposes” that I have seen and she is also one of the friendliest and most helpful bloggers that I have come across! She’s never to busy to help a blogging newbie! Thanks again Gail! Oh, she also has another giveaway from <a href="http://www.uprinting.com/brochure-printing.html">UPrinting.com</a> going on. Check it out…I’ve decided not to enter, so you all have a chance! ;-) I’ve been on such a winning streak lately that I’m scaring myself!</p> </dd><dd> <p>When I participated in the blog review, one of the questions that I asked was “How do you feel about giveaways?” At the time, it didn’t seem like I was getting many entries for my CSN giveaway and I was linking it up to giveaway directories! I was afraid that we were all getting saturated with giveaways! I was wrong! I received comments and emails that  you all like giveaways and think they are fun. Many, including myself, don’t like to “jump thru hoops” to enter. I also ended up with quite a few entries for my CSN giveaway! So, I will continue to offer them. </p> <p>I had someone ask me last week, “What is the purpose of doing a giveaway?” Well, for me it has several purposes. After seeing a post on a “big blog” that she was receiving so many requests to do giveaways and reviews, that she was having to turn them down, I thought, well maybe having giveaways from <br />etsy shops and smaller businesses on my blog would be something I could do. I would feature the blog/etsy shop and list the giveaway and then link the giveaway up to the many giveaway linky directories out there. I may not have the followers that some of the more established blogs do, but the increase in traffic that I receive when I link up the giveaways to the directories  shows that people are definitely checking them out!!! To enter the giveaway, I send folks to the sponsor’s shop or site and that sends traffic their way. Tina’s husband said that their new site, went from a hit or a few a day to over a hundred or so a day! If that’s not right Tina, please correct me! So,my first goal is to give exposure to the giveaway sponsor! As I said, in doing that, my blog also receives more exposure. I hope that people will find me and stay around as a friend, that may not have found me otherwise. So that is definitely a benefit for me! Growing my blog is also one of my goals! Thirdly, making things fun for my readers is also a goal, so as long as you all think giveaways are fun, I’ll keep offering them! :-) I actually have a few in the works and I am very excited about them! I hope to have the next one up on Wednesday! Off to work on coordinating them!</p> </dd><dd> <p>Then I’m going to work on my cold frame and try to usher Spring in as early as possible1</p> <p>Have a wonderful weekend!</p> </dd><dd> <p><a><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/93/0497B5C6E9351AE5F06BAAA2586D371F.png" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> </dd> Sharon@Keen Inspirationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12689939575426225607noreply@blogger.com0