Something's gotta give.......

Hiya Blogland!!

How is everyone doing this fine November day?? Looks like the Christmas frenzy is on my doorstop already!! So much to do and so little time, it seems.

I've been putting off this blog post for a while. I love blogs! I love visiting everyone's blogs and learning so many interesting things!!! So much eye candy to see!!! I get so inspired by the creativity y'all share. I've met so many wonderful people in Blogland. I am truly blessed.

But me blogging?? Not so much. I have really struggled back and forth with this the last couple of years since I've been blogging.  I don't enjoy it. It's like a chore to me..... I find myself putting it off because frankly, the time spent writing a post and getting photos together could be spent doing something else more creative-at least for me.

I'm one of those kind of people who never kept a diary as a teen. Journals? Forget it. Even art journels never got past 1 week of entries. Facebook??? I might post a status update every month or so.

The hubster offered to get me an Ipad2 or Droid type  thingy for Christmas so I could blog and get on Facebook  and Twitter more easily.  I turned him down. It would be a total waste for me--I really have no interest in being that "connected" anymore.

I'm kind of a private person-at least about myself. I've never felt a need to share my life out in the open. I'm kind of boring like that. I truly admire those of you that can be so expressive and interesting in your blogs. Plus the photography skillz!!!  I'm the first to admit I SUCK at photography. I'm usually completely done a project before it occurs to me to take pictures.

So...for now at least.....I'll be visiting ya'll as usual (I'd post more but sometimes Blogger won't recognize meor let me post) but as far as new posts go.....I'll be hanging up my keyborad for a bit. Everyone have a Happy Holiday!!! Thanks so much for all of your support, comments and encouragement!!!!

Hasta La Vista, Baby!!!

Tamera

Fixin' some tacky!

Hiya Blogland!!!

I wanted to share a quick and easy tutorial on how to spiff up something you might already have.

I found this nice little soap & lotion set at Marshalls for $4.99. I thought it would look nice in my guest bathroom as I entertain a bit. I see these alot at Christmas time in the gift aisle. They pop up at thrifts and yardsales, too. You can always put new lotion and soap in the containers.

Here they are. I had already painted the gold basket black to match other stuff I have in the bathroom. Those labels were just not cutting it. So TWO hours before I have a whole house full of guests for a surprise bridal shower I get an idea.  I'll take the labels off!

Well, that turned out to be impossible. Now they look like rats have been chewing them. I said I had an idea, never said it was a GOOD one...LOLOL.

Then I thought-I'll cover them!! It's not like I don't have enough paper to stock a craft store.



I chose this paper as it was subtle and matched other items in the room. but it needed SOMETHING!! So off to http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/  I went!! I found some black and white french labels I liked and downloaded them. I also chose a round frame.

I measured the size of the original labels. I imported the new graphics into my graphics program (I use PrintShop) and sized them to fit over the old labels. I also used the round frame I downloaded to make a little tag with an S or L in it. I was able to manipulate the frame into an oval.

I cut my paper to fit the printer and printed them off. I cut out the labels and frames with my deckle scissors. I distressed the edges with Distress Ink in Sepia.

Now mind you I am about 1 hour from the shower. Normally I would've sprayed with clear matte spray to seal and then Mod-Podge them on. I sprayed the clear but used spray glue to attach.

Here they are!! I know the "S" is a bit off center but I was RUSHING!!

In the holder.  MUCH BETTER!!

Here it is in the bathroom. I added the fall floral pick to dress it up. I plan on doing this for the different seasons. I can also refill them as needed. I had several compliments on how cute it was and where did I get it!!

I want to do another one for the Master Bath in a more "cottage" theme. Spray the holder Heritage White and distress with glaze. I think I'll print some of the gorgeous color labels the Graphics Fairy has and decorate the holder with some silk flowers and vintage ribbons.

While I was at http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/ looking for the labels I also printed a gorgeous purple frame I used to make the monogram medallion for the top of the cake I made. The Bride-to-be loved it!!

Hope you enjoyed this little tutorial!! Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Tamera

Many Thanks!!!!

Hiya Blogland!!!

 I cannot express my gratitude to everyone who sent their kind words and lifted prayers for our family during this time of my Dad's illness and passing. It meant so much and I am sending a hug to you all!!! I wish I had time to email each of you personally!

We are all getting back to normal (or whatever normal is for me..lol) He went so peacefully-it was a blessing. No more pain, no more suffering. My step-mom is doing good....I think she is almost a bit relieved. It was so hard for her to see him like he was at the end...helpless to do anything.

My Dad when he was serving as a town councilman in the late 80's

I was clearing out my vegetable garden this morning and got a bit teary-eyed. My dad was an avid gardener and I definitely got my love from him. He taught me a lot about gardening. I got my love of reading from him. He introduced me to James Michener when I was a teenager. His favorite Michener was "Chesapeake"--think I'll have to get that out of the library soon and re-read it in his memory.

Not much has been going on at The Stone Fence Cottage the last few weeks. I did manage to hit up a nice yard sale in my travels. A nice haul for $2!!

Cute little Santa planter!

Ceramic Mary &Joseph--this is gonna get the heritage white spraypaint & glaze treatment!

Country Santa for the Santa Colection.

Nice brown & cream crock

Cute green USA pitcher and some 70's plastic mushrooms.

GORGEOUS vintage picnic basket!! Someday I want to rughook a cover for it!

Lots to do this week-I am SO behind and Christmas is around the corner!! Thanks for stopping by and y'all have a wonderful weekend!

Tamera