Giveaway

Nancy at www.stitchesnstrokes.blogspot.com is having a giveaway for an awesome snowman that she made. Go over and check it out. Until next time...

Happy Thanksgiving

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Please remember to say a prayer for those who are less fortunate and a special prayer for all the soldiers that cannot share Thanksgiving with their families because they are fighting for our freedom. Also remember to pray that God will bless their families this year as they spend Thanksgiving without their loved ones too. God Bless You All, Valerie

Ladder back Chair ladder tut

For those of you that follow my blog, you know that I have been remodeling my living room since back in the summer. I want a country/primitive decor. I have also been trying to decide on a grouping for my fireplace displaying some of my two daughter's memoires.

While searching blogs one night, I saw a ladder made out of 2 X 2's that I fell in love with. Sorry but I can't remember which blog is is or I would post a link. So I decided to make me one for my fireplace. Then it hit me that I have some old ladder back chairs that I bought at a rummage sale for $2.00 a piece. Some were completey in pieces and could not be put back together. So I decided to take the front legs and the support pieces and make me a ladder out of it. I just love the way it turned out so I decided to share a tut with everyone on how I did it. So here it is:

Materials needed

old ladderback chair

wood glue

sander

saw

paint of your choice

First take the support dowels out of your chair on one side. Then cut the one end of the supports off to the width that you want your ladder to be. On the end that you cut off, you will have to either sand that end down to be smaller so that it will fit in the chair hole or if you are lucky enough to have a lathe you can use this to narrow the end. This will leave three holes on two sides. One side of the holes have to be plugged so you will need to cut a dowel rod the length of the plug but do not put it in yet. I made the mistake of adding the plugs first and the supports would not go all the way in.

Next you sand the pieces smooth and paint them the color you want. Be sure and paint the plugs on one end to match your ladder. If you choose to leave it normal, skip this part. I chose to paint the first layer chocolate brown and this is what it looks like.

Next I painted it blue (this is to match my living room). Then sand the pieces down to give it that worn look. Then glue your supports into your ladder holes. After you have glued them in, glue your plugs into the remaining holes. Now take some oak stain and rub it on and then rub it right off to give it that darker look. After this dries, spray paint it with clear matte finish to protect it. This will be what your ladder looks like when finished.

Here it is on my fireplace. I haven't put my two daughters treasures on it yet but I will post a pic when I do. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. So what do you think of my ladder? Until next time...

IT"S HERE!

OH MY GOSH!!! I got my swap package from Linda Gates at country pickens Thurs. and I am still in shock! When I opened the box, all I could do was stand there saying, "OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH!"

I received the most adorable Snowman. He is huge and weighted so that he stands very sturdy. THANK YOU LINDA!!! And she sent me lots more. Believe me, the snowman was more than enough. I LOVE swaps.

The snowman has a real wool hat and scarf and a heart that has been grundged barn red.

She also sent a snowman ornament, 1 bag and 1 can of candy, a tin can with a chocolate chip cookie in it and a Nutcracker book with an adorable little book tote with a gingerbread man on it.

That's not all! I also got two placemats with snowmen on them and three ornaments, one with candy in it, a pinecone ornament with greenery on top and a red ornament with a ball in the center. Oh and I almost forgot, she sent me a cute little green tree that I just love. Isn't this swap AMAZING!! Thanks again Linda. I LOVE everything!

I just want to remind everyone that I still need pictures of your swaps so that I can make a slideshow to put on here with your name, blog or website. If you haven't sent them so far, please send them to me at valerie999@comcast.net Until next time...

Today's the Day!

Remember today is the day to ship your Christmas Surprise packages!
Please email me at valerie999@comcast.net and let me know if you have mailed your packages and please email your partner and let her know.
And remember when you get your surprise packages, please email me a pic of it and I am going to put a slideshow of the swap items with your name and blog or shop on the slideshow. I can't post the slideshow until you receive your packages because I don't want to spoil the surprise.LOL
I hope everyone has had as much fun with this swap as I have and I hope everyone is thrilled with what your partner sends. Please be sure and thank your partner. Have a great day! Until next time...

CPLG Blog Giveaway

CPLG is having a great giveaway for a Raggedy doll and cookie recipes. Go over and check it out. http://www.cplgblog.blogspot.com/

Go over to http://www.jnichelle.blogspot.com/ and enter her giveaway for an adorable Christmas tree.

Old Road Primitives is having a giveaway for a pair of her adorable Christmas Mice. Go over and enter to win.
www.oldroadprimitives.blogspot.com Until next time...

In Honor of our Soldiers

I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every soldier that has made the sacrifices necessary to insure our freedom. All soldiers are in my prayers every day but especially today THANK YOU!!
We should always remember the sacrifices that not only the soldiers have made but their families also. Those who have lost loved ones in the line of fire and those who have loved ones in war now. Their mothers, fathers, wives, children and close family members are all in my prayers and I am truly blessed to be an American.
Never forget the Veterans that have both physical and mental scars from serving their country.
I salute all soldiers! God Bless You!!!!

Christmas Swap

Hi, I just wanted to check in and see how everyone is coming along on the Surprise Christmas Swap. Just a reminder that the packages are to be mailed by Nov. 16. I wish everyone would send me a pic of what you make your partner and I will make a film and display it on my blog until Christmas. I can't wait to see what ideas everyone has come up with. Until next time...

OFG Giveaway

WOW! Check out this basket of goodies that OFG is giving away this month and then go over and enter to win.

http://www.oldfarmhousegathering.blogspot.com/ Until next time...

Aunt Manny's Giveaway

Aunt Manny's is having an awesome Christmas giveaway. Go over and enter and be sure to say I sent you! www.auntmannys.blogspot.com Until next time...