Welcome to MY STUFF ROOM - a space for my collection of STUFF ... STUFF GALORE ... GALORE-IOUS STUFF! ... INSPIRING STUFF I find online, and maybe even some STUFF I create myself. It's all Stuff that makes for a Creatively Galore-ious Day! ... Thanks to all who share their talents! I love to see it ... it truly inspires.

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Great Looks for the Great Outdoors

More looks from my paper file system ...
These looks are for the yard ... the great outdoors!


Here is a great path in the yard,
From Better Homes and Garden March 2010 magazine
 
 
 
Brick patio and lovely yard - there are many lovely things to look at here.
from Better Homes and Garden June 2010 magazine
 


Another great yard area - this one has a cute little house beside it's dining area, and the cute house has some cool flower boxes, and ..., just keep looking at this area, onto the second page too, to see all the great looks this has to offer. 
from Better Homes and Garden September 2009 magazine
 
 
 
 
Now for an apple tree fence line - awesome!
They "planted the trees on a trellis system [they] designed..., joined them like they were holding hands..., and pruned and trained them using a method called espalier, to grow horizontally as a fence shape, called a cordon."
from Better Homes and Gardens September 2009 magazine
 
 
 
I can see why I saved these looks - awesome huh! 

Friday, August 30, 2013

Celebrate September!

While cleaning my files I found a folder full of fun and silly reasons to make your day a special day ... things to celebrate ... every day ... any day. I remember having some fun with these years ago, using some of these ideas for a while before forgetting about them. I've found a few more and thought they'd be a fun addition to the blog. Some of these are quite ridiculous, but several are great for family fun, for preschool fun, for party fun, or just for fun!

Happy Celebrating!



September
 
 
Birthstone is Sapphire(meaning Clear Thinking)
Flower of the month is Forget-me-not, Morning Glory, Aster
 
- Nat'l Chicken Month
- Better Breakfast Month
- Classical Music Month
- Fall Hat Month
- Nat'l Courtesy Month
- Nat'l Piano Month
- Nat'l Preparedness Month
- Harvest Month
- Apple Month
- Whole Grains Month
 
- 1st week is Nat'l Waffle Week
 
- 1st Monday is Labor Day 
- 1st Sunday after Labor Day is Nat'l Grandparents Day
 
 
- Nat'l Hummingbird Day 
- Mary Had A Little Lamb Day (published in 1830)
 
2
 
3
- Skycraper Day 
 
4
- Eat an Extra Dessert Day
- Quaker Oats Day (trademark issued in 1877)
-National Macadamia Nut Day
 
5
- Cheese Pizza Day
 
6
- Fight Procrastination Day 
- Read a Book Day
 
7
- Raggedy Ann's Birthday (1915) 
 
8
- Nat'l Date Nut Bread Day
 
9
- Teddy Bear Day
 
10
- Sewing Machine Day
- Nat'l Swap Ideas Day
 
11
- Make Your Bed Day 
 
12
- Nat'l Chocolate Milkshake Day
 
13
- Positive Thinking Day
- Fortune Cookie Day
- Nat'l Peanut Day
 
14
- Nat'l Cream Filled Donut Day
 
15
- Make a Hat Day
 
16
- Nat'l Play Doh Day
- Collect Rocks Day
 
17
- Nat'l Apple Dumpling Day
- Citizenship Day
 
18
- Nat'l Cheeseburger Day
 
19
- International Talk Like a Pirate Day 
- Mickey Mouse's Birthday (1928)
- Nat'l Butterscotch Pudding Day
 
20
- Nat'l Punch Day
 
21
- Miniature Golf Day
 
22
- Elephant Appreciation Day
 
23
- Checkers Day
 
24
 
25
 
26
- Johnny Appleseed Day
 
27
- Nat'l Good Neighbor Day
 
28
 
29
- Confucius Day
 
30
- Chewing Gum Day

 

Thursday, August 29, 2013

A Tonka Truck and Some Spray Paint

I Love Tonka Trucks!
 
 
 
Our boys pushed these big trucks around during a lot of their play time when they were younger. They don't look so great anymore, but I can't get rid of them.

 
Maybe someday I'll figure out a great place for them, but for now they wait patiently.
 
I wanted to give our granddaughter a dump truck this year, and really wanted a pink Tonka truck for her, but Tonka doesn't make a pink one.


Years ago they made this pink Tonka truck that now rests above the window in our office, having once belonged to someone in our family when he was a young child many, many years ago.  This is definitely Vintage!  ;)

 
 
I think this is a cool truck, but I wanted a big pink dump truck.
So ...,
 
I repurposed a yellow truck -

this


 
became this
 
 
pink, with a bit of purple!
 
Now hers won't get confused with her brothers.
 
The trickiest part was deciding where and how to paint it. It's pretty tricky to get around all those tight places.
 
My mind thought I could paint the bottom of the bucket purple and the inside pink.  Then I looked at the truck.
I couldn't find a good start and finish point for the two colors to meet up.
 
So ...,
 
I did the next best ..., easiest thing!


 
Spray paint worked fast and easy and this truck is ready for our little sweetie to push it around. 
 
Maybe we'll find jewels, food, or a doll getting a ride in it someday. 
Maybe my granddaughter will even get a ride in it!
 
It can happen!
It has many times before with gramma's dump truck.


Now, just as a side note - I googled pink Tonka dump trucks and found a bit of info - somebody out their might paint one for you.  


And another side note - I just saw this and had to come back and post about it  here, since this is about dump trucks -

Product Details
image found on amazon

I saw this in the window of the John Deere equipment store in a nearby town (Quincy) and decided that's what I want for Christmas! (The truck I saw in the window looked less plastic than this one, and really cool.)

I didn't go into the store, but I did tell Santa when he came out of the store.  Ya, but I don't think I'm gonna get it. 
 
And it has nothing to do with whether I've been bad or good!

 

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Tis the Season!

Tis the Season!
 
No - not the Christmas season - I'm really not ready for that to be here.
 
Tis the season for garden produce ... 
 
These lovely lemon cucumbers and tomatoes came from our garden, and the summer squash came from our son's garden. 
 
 
Tis also the season for yummy orchard produce ...,
and for preserving that yummy orchard produce (like these juicy peaches). (Pears are up next!)

 
Ummm Good!
 
I love to hear the lids pop as they begin to cool down after removing them from the hot water bath.
It is a joyous sound ...,
 
Tis the season 
for popping corn lids.
 
Those pops are a sound of accomplishment ...,
it reminds us of the deliciousness available in the several months to come.
 
Those pops bring a smile to my heart and soul.
 
Ah, the simple pleasures in life!
 
 

Monday, August 26, 2013

My Mainbath - part 4 - In Progress

What have I been doing?

I first posted about redoing our main bath on July 15th (Part 1 - Before)
I shared this lovely photo on Part 1



My second post was only a few days later on July 18th (Part 2 - Color),
and then
my To Do list for my bathroom was posted on July 22nd (Part 3 - To Do).

Posting those three posts so closely together might have led one to believe that I was on a roll and going to complete this task in a matter of days. 

Instead, it's over a month later and I'm sure viewers are thinking I have forgotten what I was doing.  
I assure you I have not.  I walk past that room many times daily and see my "slower goer" status staring back at me. (I'll spare you the list of things that I have been doing instead of working in the bathroom.  I will admit however, that I spent a few days just looking at the paint color we put on the walls and wondering if I really liked it.  It took me some time to make a decision on that.)

I have been working on it when I can, and you'll see in this post that I have accomplished a few things (remember that post 3 had just three things crossed off, and today you'll see a few more crossed off, unfortunately you'll also see a few things added).

Just to prove my progress, I have included a couple unfinished or "in progress" photos.  
 
 
TO DO:
 
- stronger ceiling fan,
- paint cover

remove wallpaper, (see this post)
- clean and repair ceiling

- paint ceiling,
(I'm liking the ceiling color - it's Valspar Spring Parade/Glossy) I do still need to work on the area above the shower.  I thought we would tile it so I left it, and then changed my mind to just repairing and repainting it. (purchased orange peel spray)

- paint walls,
(We used Valspar Playful Petal in a Gloss on most of the walls, but didn't care for the high gloss look, so the second coat was the same color in a Satin gloss, and we liked it much better. It looks less pink. Two accent walls were painted with Valspar Purple Hills, in a Gloss finish - it's a pretty color!) 

These photos don't really show the true color (it's hard to capture on camera), but there are three colors in the photos = ceiling (Spring Parade), main walls (Playful Petal), and darker accent walls (Purple Hills).
 




- paint baseboard and window frame,

- paint sink cupboard white(ish),
(in progress, using Valspar Hotel St. Francis Clay Angel, Satin gloss finish)

- finish wax cupboard,
- put handles on drawers and doors of cabinet,
 
paint the mirror changed to remove and replace mirror,
(purchased, waiting for sink to be completed first)
 
- remove old sink, replace sink and replace faucet,
(each purchased)
 
- replace back splash changed to replace countertop,
(purchased)
 
- tall stand beside sink  (if using stand from entrance, paint the outside a deep purple color and the inside a lighter color, and consider replacing wire in the cabinet doors with some glass, possibly pieces from frames.)
 
- remove cupboard at shower wall and set a cupboard/shelving unit there to store towels and misc,
 
- place a small unit under the window,

- change ceiling light,
(tried one and it wasn't what we wanted, so returned it and purchased another)
 
- change light over mirror,


 
- remove towel rack,
 
- purchase something like a quilt stand rack for the towels,
 
- put trim on floor in front of tub to help hold flooring in place,
 
- new floor mats,
 
- new shower and tub curtains,
 
- new window covering,
 
- replace electrical switches and outlets (and covers) with white,
 
Found these great looking covers at Lowes
FYI - The color of this wall is Playful Petal, and is the same wall as the light fixture shown above. This photo shows it a bit more true to actual paint color.
 
 
 
- accessorize!
 
 
That's what I have been doing! Well, some of what I have been doing.
And to be more truthful, hubby did the electrical work, after I did the shopping.
I do however, get to claim all of the paint work.  That is why it is taking so long. ;) 


 
It is a work still In Progress!


I have set no deadline, but hope to have it done soon. 
Let's see what this week brings. 
 
 

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Cost of High Living


 (From The Costco Connection July 2013)

--


"What some people mistake for the high cost of living is really the cost of high living."
- Doug Larson


---


 "... avoid the philosophy that yesterday’s luxuries have become today’s necessities. They aren’t necessities unless we make them so. Many enter into long-term debt only to find that changes occur: people become ill or incapacitated, companies fail or downsize, jobs are lost, natural disasters befall us. For many reasons, payments on large amounts of debt can no longer be made. Our debt becomes as a Damocles sword hanging over our heads and threatening to destroy us.
I urge you to live within your means. One cannot spend more than one earns and remain solvent. I promise you that you will then be happier than you would be if you were constantly worrying about how to make the next payment on nonessential debt."
- Thomas S. Monson, complete message HERE

Saturday, August 24, 2013

dyed paper doilies

I have spray painted paper doilies, but never dyed them.  For a variety of colors this might be the way to go.
 
Charlotte's Fancy is no longer posting on her site, but she previously shared where she found the doilies and how she dyed them.
 
dyed doilies
 
Pretty things!
 

Friday, August 23, 2013

Glutten-Free Baking

 
I just found this place - The Art of Gluten-Free Baking - and thought I'd share the find.
 
There seem to be some great recipes and info about gluten-free baking, including this
Ingredient Substitutions, which looks like it could be very useful.
 
 
I am not personally a gluten-free person, nor is anyone in my household, so this site isn't something necessary for me, but it was intriguing and I thought it was worthy of note just incase I do need something some day.
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Lunch Boxes

Fun Stuff - Just something I had in my paper files -

 Wouldn't it be fun to serve a picnic or party lunch to guests in these old style lunch boxes?  Just think of the great assortment that could be collected.   So Fun!
 
 

 
and now days we can even buy this lunch box - too easy huh!


Product Details
image found on Amazon

Boxed lunches are a fun thing right now.  I have collected a few boxed lunch looks in my Picnics and Outdoor Dining Pinterest Board

(Someday maybe I'll change the board to Boxed Lunches, but for now, it remains with my Picnics and Outdoor Dining - even though boxed lunches can be used inside too.)


 

Monday, August 19, 2013

Bulletin Board Bear

Several years ago when I was teaching preschool I saved this look - the cute bear on a bulletin board -to use someday on my own board. 
It comes from the front of a Lollipops Sept./Oct. 1995 magazine
 
Today it's a fun reminder of past years and a great Welcome Back to School look.
 

Our household is not ready for back to school yet...,
Oh Bother!

 

Sunday, August 18, 2013

... look beyond the imperfections ...




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image from here


Heavenly Father is not expecting you to become completely perfect in this life. He knew His children would make mistakes as they learned from experience in mortality. But “God so loved the world” 18 that His plan of happiness provided a merciful Savior.
 



If I were to ask which of the Lord’s commandments is most difficult to keep, many of us might cite Matt. 5:48: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” 1
Keeping this commandment can be a concern because each of us is far from perfect, both spiritually and temporally. Reminders come repeatedly. We may lock keys inside the car, or even forget where the car is parked. And not infrequently we walk intently from one part of the house to another, only to forget the reason for the errand.
 
Link to the complete message - Perfection Pending by Russell M. Nelson


Saturday, August 17, 2013

furniture finishes

Just in case the look of pallet wood on the back of a bookshelf is something I wanna see again ...
 
DSC 0074 Pallet Backed Bookshelf
 
--

Check out Lily & Thistle to find out how to touch up your old furniture with Canola or Olive Oil and Vinegar.


 
 --

Read Five Furniture Finishes Tips at Popular Woodworking

--






 

Paint a Wall


This in an interesting idea, but would work best if there was crown molding at the ceiling to cover up the corner that the roller won't get.  More info here.
 

 
 

Friday, August 16, 2013

Guest Book Alternative

The Offbeat Bride shares another guest signing option -
 
guestbook
 
The Guests Sign Postcards!
These cartoon cards are not my style, but there are many styles of postcards that could be used.
 
Fun idea huh!

Imagine using this idea for a birthday party or an anniversary party - so fun! 
Keep the theme going!
 
 

Monday, August 12, 2013

Food Finds


French Toast Kabobs from Martha Stewart

French Toast Kebabs

--

Caramel Apples?  - nop! - Caramel Grapes!
from The Kitchen Life of a Navy Wife



--
Dole Whip from Magical Recipes


--
Pineapple Whip from The Detoxinista

SONY DSC

--

Now, how about some s'mores?
these Frosty S'more Cups from Easy Baked look delicious



--
S'more Kisses from Doughmesstic


Doughmesstic also has a post with s'more S'mores - with s'more recipes you won't wanna miss it.

--
S'more Cookie Bars from Baked Perfection



--
Maybe you'll want to give some of these yummy foods away to friends & neighbors - well, put them on these prettied up plates from Make and Takes

Ribbon Wreath Craft Plates

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Happiness is a Rainbow?


 

You'll never find a rainbow if you're looking down”

 
 
Note: Image is a photo our son took  (June 29th 2013) with his phone, of the pot of gold (our house) at the end of the rainbow.  Did you notice two rainbows?
 
And I wanted to say; "sorry about the weeds, and that we don't have shutters up on the windows right now, and that ...."  
But then I remembered this quote found here;
 
 
We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as
a result of getting something we don't have,
but rather of recognizing and
appreciating what we do have.      ~Frederick Keonig 
 
 
Oh, yes!  I do love and appreciate my home,
even without those things completed yet.... 
 
 
So, the rainbow isn't the happiness - what you have is!
 
Which brings me to another quote;
(It's actually the title of a book by Mary Ellen Edmunds, about The Quest for Contentment.)
 
You Can Never Get Enough of What
You Don't Need
 
 
 Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier.  The way it actually works is the reverse.  You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.  ~Margaret Young / from here
 




image from here

 
"... we can develop positive attitudes and see the beautiful in life and the good, the strong, the decent, and the virtuous in people, which brings joy and happiness. It is a matter of attitude."
 
 
"We can choose what our attitude will be, and it makes all the difference. Cultivating a positive attitude can make our lives happier, not only for ourselves, but for those around us."
 


So, Go out and be positively happy today!
 

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Berry Baskets/Boxes

I have seen and love the look of berry boxes used for lunch boxes.
Berry boxes are great for berries, of course.
This look comes from Easy

1 Dozen Berry Baskets - Pint Sized - Strawberry basket

They look great with cookies too, from here.



They are great for salads - info can be found in a previous post here,




I have a few purple berry boxes from several years ago - purchased with fruit in them, but I don't remember anything more than that.


They have some berry stains  and are a bit faded around the rim, but I love the color of these purple berry boxes.  I could spray paint them to clean them up, or wrap a ribbon around the part that is stained.  
Check out the painted boxes and the ceramic and plastic boxes I shared about in a previous post here.
I have searched for these berry baskets/boxes (online) and have found a few sites that sell them.  I'm sharing what I  have learned; from where they can be purchased and what the prices are.
(shipping is not included in any of the prices listed here) 
(This info is as of August 2013 - of course all this may change)
I haven't seen purple in my search for berry boxes (except for some ceramic here and here), so these are all the green or turquoise color. 

Bake It Pretty - 6 pint size for $3.75.

The Party Studio - 5 pint size for $4.00.
Kara's Party Ideas - 10 for $4.40.
Shop Sweet Lulu - 10 pint size for $5.00.

Rose Paper Products - 600 1/2 pint size for $49.03, 420 pint size for $35.90.
Zurchers - 10 (looks like pint size) for $4.47.
Amazon - 420 pint size for $33.95, 250 quart size for $33.95.
I'm sure there are more sites out there, but this is what I found - send me a comment or email if you have found a great deal some where else.

 ---

update:
Look what I just found -
A Tutorial for Fabric Berry Boxes at Noodlehead



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