Paint, Paper Flowers, and Oomph

Another weekend, another craftapalooza!

On a paper flower kick. Made coffee filter flowers sprayed with watered beige paint and edged with gold pen. 

Then made scrapbook paper flowers using double-side printed paper.

Grabbed a tall ceramic vase, painted the base tan, then slowly poured a variety of thinned acrylic paint around the top of the vase and let it drip down the side. Took awhile to get just the right color match but I'm happy with the outcome.  

Once dried, combined the book flowers from last weekend with the coffee filter roses and placed them in the makeover vase. Happy to say they worked together nicely.

Next project- extracted the legs from the broken potty chair, filled holes with joint compound, let it dry overnight, sanded then painted black. Grabbed one of my free dresser drawers, painted the sides and inside, then dripped different shades of paint onto the front drawer. Decided that wasn't working so grabbed a plastic bag and smooshed the wet paint so it wasn't so striped.  Let it dry, then nailed the legs to the base. Not quite finished but it holds a lot of potential.

All that crafting done, scrubbed my hands and nails, painted them with beige polish then added white tips using an acrylic paint pen.

Since working from home started letting my hair dry on its own to lessen the damage. Couple of years ago sis Luna introduced me to LUS products for wavy/curly/coily hair. They are fabulous but I've been out of them for a few months. Ended up purchasing the All in One curl style cream, which I so missed. It definitely enhances and encouages curly hair.

On that note, discovered a new tip. Oftentimes my longer bangs get in my face and/or the top of my head needs some more height and oomph.  During one of my Pinterest browsing sessions, ran across a tutorial showing an easy way to solve my problem.

You grab a portion of your hair as if you are making a small to medium ponytail, like a half-up style.  Clip your hair using a small claw then circle the tail portion around the pony part and clip it into the claw, making sure the ends are secured.  

You'll end up with a small bun with hair pushed to one side of the clip. Pull a portion of that hair over to the opposite side, concealing the clip. And there you have it! Like a baby bun giving you some sexy oomph with no sign of the clip.

Here's the link to a tutorial on this top-knot. 

https://m.facebook.com/thehaclife/videos/981689015772226/?extid=NS-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing

End result:

And that's it for the weekend!  

Haiku You

Haikufest has come and gone and I'm excited to report one of my poems received a Judge's Favorite award! 

It was published in the Columbia River Reader then yesterday I received a certificate noting it was a favorite. Nice! Third year I've participated so it's become a tradition.

Theme this year was Chinese Zodiac so based my haiku on my symbol - the Dragon. 

Health Insurance Vent

Tried to order equipment for my Cpap machine today. What a nightmare! 

Have new insurance coverage since 1/1/22 due to my company's merger with a larger company last year.  Have used the prescription benefits which worked out fine. Found out that the hospital, where I place my equipment order, does not contract with my new insurance company. WTH!  They told me to check with my carrier to verify that's the case.

Called member services and sat on hold for over 20 minutes. Hung up, went on line to the health help center chat room, sent a message, and waited over 30 minutes for a response. Nothing! It acknowledged my message and said a rep would be with me soon. Not sure what their definition of soon is but over 30 minutes does not fit the bill in my book! Exited from the site and I'll wait until tomorrow to try again!

There's been some grumbling about our new plan and now I see why!

Vent over....for now at least!

From Bathroom Cabinet to Table Topper

After work dug out the wooden medicine cabinet picked up yesterday from my rig.   Running low on paint, surprisingly, so mixed some dark teal, light blue, and fog grey to arrive at a light beachy aqua.  Had just enough to paint for two coats then added a watery white wash on top. Removed the duct tape, polished the mirror, then added it to the top of the wicker chest of drawers in the living room. 

Perfection!  Mirror blends in with the coffee and end glass tables. And there's even a hiding spot under the lid, although no idea what type of valuables or secrets I need to hide!

Fire, Fifty, and Future Fun

Friday met the Longview office team at Kyoto for lunch. Had never been there but it was akin to Benihana's. We all sat around a hibachi grill and were treated to quite the spectacular fire show as the barbecue master flipped and spun assorted veggies and meat into a tasty lunch. 

Was worried my eyebrows would be torched!

That evening met Janel and Sally to celebrate Janel's 50th birthday. Restaurant of choice was Teri's; along with a variety of martinis had a light dinner of sweet chili salmon and broccoli.  Janel loved the sunflower painted on wood birthday present from me. 

Happy 50 Janel!

Yesterday cleaned the house then sat for a few hours making flowers from old book pages. Arranged them in a metal planter I had distressed, painted, and stenciled. Love the vintage vibe.

On a break from work today, was perusing the Facebook Marketplace ads. Someone close by posted assorted dresser drawers, mirrored medicine cabinet, and shelf free for the taking curbside.  Hopped in my rig, scooted to the address, and snagged the majority of the items for future craft projects.

 Could be a planter box or bench

Look at all those drawers waiting to be recreated into something fun!

Drawer Ideas

Crafts Galore

 Crafting is great therapy!!

Must Be Spring

Friday received the compliment on my hair. Today my neighbor stopped by to see if I'd want to join him for pizza at his house as a "welcome to the neighborhood" gesture. He's a friendly older guy who walks by my house and we exchange good mornings and good afternoons.  Any other time I might have broken bread with him but for one I had just eaten a late lunch and for two I was in my sloppy sweats and tee, no bra, no makeup, and with hair shoved up because I had been cleaning and crafting all day. I took a raincheck.  He said he is Portugese and would make me an authentic dinner one day.  Interesting fella.

Better start taking a shower and primping every day because I guess you never know who else may be popping up at my door inviting me to dinner!

Lamp Crafting

Swapped out the lamps in my bedroom for the white lamps picked up for free in January.  Had originally painted the shades in two versions of teal; however, the coverage wasn't dark enough so it needed an additional coat.

Before

Decided to paint them a little more creatively so they were similar to the bedspread. Painted random shapes around the shade using four colors. Needed some softening so brushed a watered wash of white across the whole shade. Glued a starfish on each to finish the makeover. Loved the finished project!

Bedspread

Additional coats #1 and #2

After

Front Door Gnome

Just a little gnome created today!

Blue Skies Makin It Better

It's getting better. Today was the first day I didn't cry. The sun was out yesterday and today so that gave me a boost. Blue skies and sunshine can usually guarantee positivity.

Been doing a few crafting projects. This week glued toilet paper - yes, toilet paper - on a bottle for dimension then added curlicues with the glue gun before painting. Turned out okay but perhaps a little dark.

Last week painted several bottles in more of a beach theme.

Also went on a bell jar kick using 5-inch containers and snapshots of the boys and their friends. Even turned a vintage pic of my mom into a mermaid.

Today for Employee Appreciation Day HR sent out Sugar Snack gifts. You go on-line and pick out four of your favorite snacks, candy, coffee, or popcorn and they ship it to your home. I was estatic to see they had Dutch Mints available! I'm always searching for these but can never find in the stores. Remember fondly when Mom would take us to Import Plaza (pr perhaps it was called the Bazaar) and she would pick these up there along with the rice candy where you ate the inside wrapper. Those mints definitely went into my snack choices!

This morning woke up before 5am, took a shower, put on makeup and ran over to get gas before work. Was filling up my windshield washer fluid when a guy said "Hey lady - your hair is gorgeous!"  Nice compliment to start my day!  Was also rocking the leg warmers (gift from Erin years ago) which were pretty cute.

Have a great weekend my friends! ❤