It's hard to imagine that some people are just now, today, having their last day of school. But it's true - it was tweeted! It just makes me sad; they now have their entire summer just waiting to be enjoyed. And mine is close to being half over. I just can't stand it. Someone stop the clock!
I've seen so many summer bucket lists. And I said several weeks ago that I would write one, but the sangria was so tasty that I finished it instead. I have been formulating plans in my head - they've just never made it to paper. But today I think I will begin my list.
1. Finish C25K app. Definitely at the top of my list. And I'm getting close. Almost. I did w5d2 this morning. It was hard. My pace is slow. My toe hurts. I have found my hip flexors, and we don't get along. My toe hurts. My arm band irritates the underside of my arm. My toe hurts. But I'm on week 5. And today I ran with friends. It was still dark, and we ran down a little side road, but they saw me running. And we have plans to run again tomorrow morning. Never thought I'd be making running dates - and getting up at to run at 5:15.
2. Revamp dining room table. I ordered new chairs a week or so ago. I have half of them put together. I want to paint and distress my table. But it's not going to happen until after my next lake trip.
3. Go zip lining. We have plans to do this while we are at the lake. I. Can't. Wait. I'm terribly, terribly afraid of heights. But I have to do this.
4. Finish organizing my craft room. I started on it way back in the winter. I want it done. Soon.
5. Lake it up. I've been camping twice already but still have the longest trip to go. I leave in just a few days. Got to get busy packing.
6. Finish some "honey-do" projects around the house. There are two holes in the sheet rock that Gingy the boxer chewed the last time she was here for recovery. And it's been a while since they have had to recover here at the house. The back door in the kitchen was blown open in a storm two or three summers ago. The door facing was damaged. Lovey started working on the knob and lost an important part; it was never found. I bought a new knob, but it can't be installed until the facing is repaired. Several rooms need some painting updates. Whew, I'm getting tired just thinking of all that needs done.
7. Make "sisters day" at The Country Store. Every Wednesday my momma and several of her siblings meet for lunch. We call it "sisters day" even though a brother or two shows up each week. There are aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends each week, and I usually let the summer sneak by without making many visits.
8. Do some canning. I've made pickles, jam, and marmalade so far. I still want to can some jalapeno peppers. And maybe some tomato juice. Maybe.
9. Sew. I've got several projects planned. Just have to get that craft room organized so that I can get in there and sew. My niece asked about a project that I promised her but haven't finished yet. - and I hate to disappoint the nieces.
10. Float my day away. I plan on doing this at the lake. A full day of just floating. No boat rides. No projects. No school stuff. Just me and my floatie.
11. Pull an all nighter. Not the kind that yo may be thinking. A reading all nighter. I usually have several during the summer, but the running thing is messing that up. I'd rather run in the mornings - be done before 8:30, 9 at the latest - so I haven't let myself stay up past midnight too many times.
The list isn't too long yet. I'll add to it as the summer goes by. Honestly, this pretty much fills up my summer. I have to allow room for last minute activities. And things that can't be changed like VBS and professional development days. And pool days - gotta have some pool days.
I have a few days of PD this week. I'm helping my sister with a school project today. But hopefully I can get at least a small project finished before going back to the lake next week. After this trip the time just flies and the first day of work will sneak up on me. I think the planets line up in some strange formation and cause a time warp or something. July just goes by so fast. How will I have time to get it all in?
So what's on your summer bucket list?
Showing posts with label DIY projects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY projects. Show all posts
Monday, June 18, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
a graduate project
It seems as though my projects of late have taken an extremely long time to complete. It's not that they have been too difficult, but more that it is difficult to gather all of the needed materials. And today's project is another one of those.
This project is something that did take a bit to plan. The girls in my creative writing class have just been amazingly wonderful this year. And I wanted to do something special for the six seniors. And I knew that I wanted to use a piece that they had written for class. It took quite some time for me to decide just which project I would use. But when I read Ann Voskamp's post about where she was from, I knew that I had to have my girls mimic her style but write their own verses identifying their roots. There was no doubt in my mind that this piece would absolutely be a part of their senior gift.
While they were reading the pieces, I was trying to decide the best way to use these in a project. I knew that I wanted to do the words on a board. And there were just too many words to paint. I thought about choosing a favorite few lines to put on each girls board but really wanted to use the entire piece. And then I saw this on pintrest and knew that I had my project!
On one of our wonderfully sunshiney days, I took the class out to the football field and snapped pictures of everyone. Little did the seniors know, but I was getting shots for my project. I then put their poems with their pictures and went to Staples to have engineer prints done. Problem #1. The first print came out of the machine with lines going all the way across the prints in several places. I questioned the lines, and the girl told me that it was supposed to be that way. Really? I left there and went to Lowes to get my plywood. I knew that the sheets would fit in my truck, but I would have to drive home with the back tied down. I needed six pieces of wood, so I asked them to cut three sheets in halves. Problem #2. After paying for the wood and paint, I went over to select the pieces of wood that weren't warped, and the guy told me that he couldn't cut that wood. After a discussion, it was decided that he could, after all, cut the wood. So then I only needed to make a trip to Little Rock to visit a Staples there and get my prints.
I decided that I wanted my shapes to be something like the shape in the pintrest picture but more fairy tale-ish and wonky.
I started with a basic shape and then added some curves and bumps. Until it looked just wonky enough.
I cut them out with a jug saw. Lovey cut two of the six. He's a very precise and proper former construction worker. My wonky shapes were not quite his taste.
The wood is very thin and will splinter easily. I think the splinters just add character. Notice that I didn't stay exactly on my cutting line - if I thought it was too smooth and matchy, I just ignored the line.
After I cut the shapes, I sanded the edges which rounded them a bit.
I painted each board a different color. The other girls in class helped me to decide which girl got what color. It was funny how much we agreed on the colors for the senior girls. While I was at Lowes getting the wood, I went to the paint department and selected colors. I had them mix my colors and got the sample sizes for less than $3.00 each.
After painting, the boards were ready for hangers. I carefully chose hangers for the thin wood. However, after putting the hangers on the first one, there was a problem.
Yep. That's the hanger poking through on the painted side. Redo. Lovey to the rescue! I held the tiny metal hangers, and he ground the ends with his electric grinder. Now believe me when I tell you that I wouldn't let just anybody get that close to me with an electric grinder. But I know that he is very precise, and I still have all of my fingernails.
I had to trim the prints. Then I used spray adhesive to put them on the boards. After that dried, I applied mod podge over the entire board and let it dry completely.
The paper did crinkle a bit when I put the mod podge on, but it smoothed out again as it dried.
It took a lot of mod podge! I had to make a trip to Walmart to get more so that I could finish the last three. Lovey painted the last board while I made my Walmart run. He is such a sweetie sometimes. I had these board all over my house all weekend. The prints were 2 X 3, and the boards are just a bit bigger. Finding room to lay them flat was a challenge.
But with each step, I could tell that I just loved them. And I hoped that the girls would too.
I started thinking that I would love to have these hanging in my classroom.
But this morning Lovey helped me to load them in my truck, and I took them to school. I lugged them into my classroom and lined them up in front of my white board. This afternoon the girls had to come for graduation practice. I had them to all come to my room. I think they were surprised. And I think they really liked them.
I've already told my friend Carrie to choose pictures of her kids. We have to make these for her.
Linking up with
six sisters
uncommonly yours
This project is something that did take a bit to plan. The girls in my creative writing class have just been amazingly wonderful this year. And I wanted to do something special for the six seniors. And I knew that I wanted to use a piece that they had written for class. It took quite some time for me to decide just which project I would use. But when I read Ann Voskamp's post about where she was from, I knew that I had to have my girls mimic her style but write their own verses identifying their roots. There was no doubt in my mind that this piece would absolutely be a part of their senior gift.
While they were reading the pieces, I was trying to decide the best way to use these in a project. I knew that I wanted to do the words on a board. And there were just too many words to paint. I thought about choosing a favorite few lines to put on each girls board but really wanted to use the entire piece. And then I saw this on pintrest and knew that I had my project!
On one of our wonderfully sunshiney days, I took the class out to the football field and snapped pictures of everyone. Little did the seniors know, but I was getting shots for my project. I then put their poems with their pictures and went to Staples to have engineer prints done. Problem #1. The first print came out of the machine with lines going all the way across the prints in several places. I questioned the lines, and the girl told me that it was supposed to be that way. Really? I left there and went to Lowes to get my plywood. I knew that the sheets would fit in my truck, but I would have to drive home with the back tied down. I needed six pieces of wood, so I asked them to cut three sheets in halves. Problem #2. After paying for the wood and paint, I went over to select the pieces of wood that weren't warped, and the guy told me that he couldn't cut that wood. After a discussion, it was decided that he could, after all, cut the wood. So then I only needed to make a trip to Little Rock to visit a Staples there and get my prints.
 |
| These sheets of underlayment are about $11.00. This one has been cut in half already. |
I decided that I wanted my shapes to be something like the shape in the pintrest picture but more fairy tale-ish and wonky.
I started with a basic shape and then added some curves and bumps. Until it looked just wonky enough.
I cut them out with a jug saw. Lovey cut two of the six. He's a very precise and proper former construction worker. My wonky shapes were not quite his taste.
The wood is very thin and will splinter easily. I think the splinters just add character. Notice that I didn't stay exactly on my cutting line - if I thought it was too smooth and matchy, I just ignored the line.
After I cut the shapes, I sanded the edges which rounded them a bit.
I painted each board a different color. The other girls in class helped me to decide which girl got what color. It was funny how much we agreed on the colors for the senior girls. While I was at Lowes getting the wood, I went to the paint department and selected colors. I had them mix my colors and got the sample sizes for less than $3.00 each.
After painting, the boards were ready for hangers. I carefully chose hangers for the thin wood. However, after putting the hangers on the first one, there was a problem.
Yep. That's the hanger poking through on the painted side. Redo. Lovey to the rescue! I held the tiny metal hangers, and he ground the ends with his electric grinder. Now believe me when I tell you that I wouldn't let just anybody get that close to me with an electric grinder. But I know that he is very precise, and I still have all of my fingernails.
I had to trim the prints. Then I used spray adhesive to put them on the boards. After that dried, I applied mod podge over the entire board and let it dry completely.
The paper did crinkle a bit when I put the mod podge on, but it smoothed out again as it dried.
It took a lot of mod podge! I had to make a trip to Walmart to get more so that I could finish the last three. Lovey painted the last board while I made my Walmart run. He is such a sweetie sometimes. I had these board all over my house all weekend. The prints were 2 X 3, and the boards are just a bit bigger. Finding room to lay them flat was a challenge.
But with each step, I could tell that I just loved them. And I hoped that the girls would too.
I started thinking that I would love to have these hanging in my classroom.
But this morning Lovey helped me to load them in my truck, and I took them to school. I lugged them into my classroom and lined them up in front of my white board. This afternoon the girls had to come for graduation practice. I had them to all come to my room. I think they were surprised. And I think they really liked them.
I've already told my friend Carrie to choose pictures of her kids. We have to make these for her.
Linking up with
six sisters
uncommonly yours
Saturday, May 5, 2012
the 15 minute project...
...that took me 2 months to complete.
Or maybe longer. Seriously. Many, many weeks ago I was watching HGTV - I think. It was that show where they feature a beautiful designer room that costs a bazillion dollars, show it to a normal couple and let them fall in love with it, then copy the design for something like $19.99 plus tax. You know the one? Anyway, that day the designer room was a dining room, and just like that poor, unsuspecting couple, I fell in love with that room. Which is even more sad for me, because I don't have a dining room to decorate at all. I loved the lighting for the room. I loved the table and chairs. I loved the mirror on a side wall. But I knew I couldn't have any of those things. And I loved, loved, loved the terrariums as a centerpiece for the dining room table. Terrariums. Like from the '70's. Now THAT I could do.
A few weeks later I went to Little Rock and was able to find a large round container and two apothecary jars. I was so excited to make the project. And then I couldn't find plants for terrariums. So for several weeks the jars just rode around in the back of my truck. I have no idea how they didn't get broken.
Finally, I found some plants at Lowes. But I forgot to pick up some rocks. So the plants have been sitting on my kitchen bar for weeks. And quite honestly, I got so busy with the prom stuff at school that I just couldn't worry about terrariums. (I did consider making them to use as centerpieces for the food table - a genuine '70's vibe.) I have several projects that have backed up because of that darn prom. I was so busy the few weeks before and so tired the week after, that absolutely nothing else got done.
But tonight, I decided that I wanted those terrariums done! So I dug around in several of my stashes and found some rocks. I found an old screen that the cats had ruined and cut it to use. And I had everything else ready to go.
First, carefully add rocks to the container. I was so worried that I would carelessly bang the side and crack it.
After the rocks were in place, I cut the screen to fit. This will hopefully help to contain the dirt.
Next I added the plants. There was no plan. I just put them in where I thought they would fit.
Then I added more dirt to fill the area.
I carefully watered them, and they were done. Seriously about 15 minutes and they were done.
I'm in love.
Do they make my living room look like the bazillion dollar designer room?
Maybe not. But I do think I'm getting closer to the $19.99 bargain room.
Or maybe longer. Seriously. Many, many weeks ago I was watching HGTV - I think. It was that show where they feature a beautiful designer room that costs a bazillion dollars, show it to a normal couple and let them fall in love with it, then copy the design for something like $19.99 plus tax. You know the one? Anyway, that day the designer room was a dining room, and just like that poor, unsuspecting couple, I fell in love with that room. Which is even more sad for me, because I don't have a dining room to decorate at all. I loved the lighting for the room. I loved the table and chairs. I loved the mirror on a side wall. But I knew I couldn't have any of those things. And I loved, loved, loved the terrariums as a centerpiece for the dining room table. Terrariums. Like from the '70's. Now THAT I could do.
A few weeks later I went to Little Rock and was able to find a large round container and two apothecary jars. I was so excited to make the project. And then I couldn't find plants for terrariums. So for several weeks the jars just rode around in the back of my truck. I have no idea how they didn't get broken.
Finally, I found some plants at Lowes. But I forgot to pick up some rocks. So the plants have been sitting on my kitchen bar for weeks. And quite honestly, I got so busy with the prom stuff at school that I just couldn't worry about terrariums. (I did consider making them to use as centerpieces for the food table - a genuine '70's vibe.) I have several projects that have backed up because of that darn prom. I was so busy the few weeks before and so tired the week after, that absolutely nothing else got done.
But tonight, I decided that I wanted those terrariums done! So I dug around in several of my stashes and found some rocks. I found an old screen that the cats had ruined and cut it to use. And I had everything else ready to go.
First, carefully add rocks to the container. I was so worried that I would carelessly bang the side and crack it.
After the rocks were in place, I cut the screen to fit. This will hopefully help to contain the dirt.
Next I added the plants. There was no plan. I just put them in where I thought they would fit.
Then I added more dirt to fill the area.
I carefully watered them, and they were done. Seriously about 15 minutes and they were done.
I'm in love.
Do they make my living room look like the bazillion dollar designer room?
Maybe not. But I do think I'm getting closer to the $19.99 bargain room.
 |
| see the laundry basket reflection? i stayed up tonight to get some laundry done but this project was more fun than laundry
I'm linking up with
|
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
oh heavenly sleep
In case you've missed it, for the last few days I have whined (and whined) about my lack of sleep. Well last night I decided to do something about it. About an hour before bed, I stirred up a big margarita. After drinking that I slept great. And guess what? As I'm typing this post, I'm having another. I love good sleep.
A few minutes ago my niece tweeted something about melatonins and good sleep. Really? Melatonins? How does she know this stuff? She's too smart.
I read that tweet in the middle of my hair coloring. If you follow me on twitter (@mer_ish) then you may know that I do my own coloring. I'm just too cheap to pay someone to do it. I do know that professional hair people could do a fantastic job - but I do an okay job and that's good enough for me. That said, tonight I was a little worried. I use John Freida - the foamy stuff. And tonight that foam was looking really, really orange. I thought maybe Ronald McDonald would have to give me his job. But after drying, I think it will be fine. I'm not positive because I noticed that I have three lightbulbs out in the bathroom. How did I not notice this before? Tomorrow I'll probably be out in the sun during the afternoon, so we'll know then.
Today I helped my sister load a middle school newsletter to her TeacherspayTeachers site. She did it for a middle school graduate class that she is taking. And it is really good. I posted it on my educational blog, finishtheessay, too. I haven't written much there. I think I'll try to add a few things before school gets out. Anyway, the newsletter is really good. If you have middle schoolers, or teach middle schoolers, or will have middle schoolers, you should read it. And you can find the link here.
Last night's good sleep helped with today's projects. Better get to bed so that I can think straight tomorrow.
Do you color you hair or do you pay to have it done? Or are you luckiy enough to have your original color?
A few minutes ago my niece tweeted something about melatonins and good sleep. Really? Melatonins? How does she know this stuff? She's too smart.
I read that tweet in the middle of my hair coloring. If you follow me on twitter (@mer_ish) then you may know that I do my own coloring. I'm just too cheap to pay someone to do it. I do know that professional hair people could do a fantastic job - but I do an okay job and that's good enough for me. That said, tonight I was a little worried. I use John Freida - the foamy stuff. And tonight that foam was looking really, really orange. I thought maybe Ronald McDonald would have to give me his job. But after drying, I think it will be fine. I'm not positive because I noticed that I have three lightbulbs out in the bathroom. How did I not notice this before? Tomorrow I'll probably be out in the sun during the afternoon, so we'll know then.
Today I helped my sister load a middle school newsletter to her TeacherspayTeachers site. She did it for a middle school graduate class that she is taking. And it is really good. I posted it on my educational blog, finishtheessay, too. I haven't written much there. I think I'll try to add a few things before school gets out. Anyway, the newsletter is really good. If you have middle schoolers, or teach middle schoolers, or will have middle schoolers, you should read it. And you can find the link here.
Last night's good sleep helped with today's projects. Better get to bed so that I can think straight tomorrow.
Do you color you hair or do you pay to have it done? Or are you luckiy enough to have your original color?
Saturday, April 21, 2012
behind the scenes look at making the prom
I know that what I've been busy doing this week may seem trivial to some of you. But to about 90 teenagers, it was anything but trivial. Prom is an important part of of most teenagers' school careers, and I am happy to have been a part of helping to build great memories for the students of WHS.
I dubbed it my marathon week, and last night was the finish line. But I want to show you some of the decorations that we pulled together.
First a look at what we started with.
A huge cave. A black hole with basketball goals. And bleachers.
Earlier in the year the junior class chose a disco style and later chose the theme I Love the Nightlife. I knew that it could be a fun prom, but it took me a while to form a plan. One of the things I had to do was come up with some choices for t-shirt designs so that the students could vote for their favorite. The winning design turned out great - it's one of my favorites of all time.
Another big decision was what to use as a photo area. Of course, it needed to fit the theme. I also wanted it to be interesting and fun. After a few weeks of thinking, it magically came to me one afternoon. Then we had to build it.
Painting the photo background was one of the first things we did.
The day we needed to paint outside was very windy. This may have been an omen for our weather luck all week.
A little rainbow paint.
A few old records picked up at a junk store for a few bucks.
I thought it would be easy to let the boys put the hinges on. I was wrong. But they finally got it together. We added an old turntable, a lava lamp, and a disco ball to finish the picture area.
And every good disco had a VIP Lounge. I had to find a way to include one in our disco. One day I was in the library discussing the decorations with my friend Robin (the librarian), and I was moaning and groaning that I wanted a lounge area. I just wasn't sure where I could find the seating area we would need. And then it dawned on me, the library had three couches. They weren't attractive, but we could temporarily alter that .
Thursday morning we moved three not-so-attractive and definitely not-vip-material couches from the library to the gym and started the plan.
A large amount of disco fabric and a few staples later.
What an amazing difference.
But the VIP lounge would also need a backdrop. The Beta sponsor was great and offered the backdrop from this year's convention skit.
Again, just a little paint to transform the backdrop, a water feature, a few disco balls, and we had a fantastic lounge area.
And here's a few VIP's enjoy their lounge. These beautiful girls are members of the Lady Bears softball team.
We used those same rotating disco balls as the centerpieces for the tables.
Another important part of a successful party is the food. The stand for the disco ball cake pops didn't workout, and at the last minute I had to make something else work. It's not pretty, but it held the cake pops.
We had cheese dip, chips, and salsa; cheeese and crackers; summer sausage; chicken... there was more. And raspberry lemonade and sweet tea. It was all good.
These rainbow fruit skewers were really pretty.
The juniors choose prom servers from the sophomore class. These kids worked hard to help make the prom a success. And their costumes were perfect.
The boys even added some surprise hair to their costumes - it was too funny.
After just a few dances, I was walking around snapping a few pictures and saw this. It's one of my favorite pictures of the night.
We had some great lighting. In fact, it was so great that when the DJ got all of his equipment plugged in, we flipped the breakers. It was something we battled all night.
Some of the staff got together for a group picture.
And here's some of my creative writing girls - love them.
The night ended with the crowning of the prom king and queen. Well, actually it ended with cleaning, but you know what I mean.
Today a few of us worked for about 5 hours to transform our disco back into a PE building - it wasn't nearly as much fun.
I'm linking up with:
bonnie and trish and uncommonly yours
six sisters' strut your stuff saturday
I dubbed it my marathon week, and last night was the finish line. But I want to show you some of the decorations that we pulled together.
First a look at what we started with.
A huge cave. A black hole with basketball goals. And bleachers.
Earlier in the year the junior class chose a disco style and later chose the theme I Love the Nightlife. I knew that it could be a fun prom, but it took me a while to form a plan. One of the things I had to do was come up with some choices for t-shirt designs so that the students could vote for their favorite. The winning design turned out great - it's one of my favorites of all time.
Another big decision was what to use as a photo area. Of course, it needed to fit the theme. I also wanted it to be interesting and fun. After a few weeks of thinking, it magically came to me one afternoon. Then we had to build it.
Painting the photo background was one of the first things we did.
The day we needed to paint outside was very windy. This may have been an omen for our weather luck all week.
A little rainbow paint.
A few old records picked up at a junk store for a few bucks.
I thought it would be easy to let the boys put the hinges on. I was wrong. But they finally got it together. We added an old turntable, a lava lamp, and a disco ball to finish the picture area.
And every good disco had a VIP Lounge. I had to find a way to include one in our disco. One day I was in the library discussing the decorations with my friend Robin (the librarian), and I was moaning and groaning that I wanted a lounge area. I just wasn't sure where I could find the seating area we would need. And then it dawned on me, the library had three couches. They weren't attractive, but we could temporarily alter that .
Thursday morning we moved three not-so-attractive and definitely not-vip-material couches from the library to the gym and started the plan.
A large amount of disco fabric and a few staples later.
What an amazing difference.
But the VIP lounge would also need a backdrop. The Beta sponsor was great and offered the backdrop from this year's convention skit.
Again, just a little paint to transform the backdrop, a water feature, a few disco balls, and we had a fantastic lounge area.
And here's a few VIP's enjoy their lounge. These beautiful girls are members of the Lady Bears softball team.
We used those same rotating disco balls as the centerpieces for the tables.
Another important part of a successful party is the food. The stand for the disco ball cake pops didn't workout, and at the last minute I had to make something else work. It's not pretty, but it held the cake pops.
We had cheese dip, chips, and salsa; cheeese and crackers; summer sausage; chicken... there was more. And raspberry lemonade and sweet tea. It was all good.
These rainbow fruit skewers were really pretty.
The juniors choose prom servers from the sophomore class. These kids worked hard to help make the prom a success. And their costumes were perfect.
The boys even added some surprise hair to their costumes - it was too funny.
After just a few dances, I was walking around snapping a few pictures and saw this. It's one of my favorite pictures of the night.
We had some great lighting. In fact, it was so great that when the DJ got all of his equipment plugged in, we flipped the breakers. It was something we battled all night.
Some of the staff got together for a group picture.
And here's some of my creative writing girls - love them.
The night ended with the crowning of the prom king and queen. Well, actually it ended with cleaning, but you know what I mean.
Today a few of us worked for about 5 hours to transform our disco back into a PE building - it wasn't nearly as much fun.
I'm linking up with:
bonnie and trish and uncommonly yours
six sisters' strut your stuff saturday
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