It's A Wrap!

Quite a while ago (actually kind of embarrassing to admit how long ago), I started to build a Wrapping Station for my laundry room.  I found inspiration all over the internet:

Source: oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com via Linda on Pinterest

Source: pixiesdidit.com via Linda on Pinterest

Source: 33shadesofgreen.blogspot.com via Linda on Pinterest

Source: lizzyford.blogspot.com via Linda on Pinterest

I especially like the last one above, so last summer, with pegboard and burlap in hand, I set to work.



Since this was going to be hanging on the back of my laundry room door, I had to cut out the area that would fit around the door knob (actually, Ron did the cutting for me ).



I knew that I needed some sort of frame around the edges to hold the pegboard away from the door itself, so I made one out of scrap lumber and screwed it to the pegboard.



Then I wrapped the whole thing in burlap and stapled it in place on the back.



And then it sat . . . . .
And sat  . . . . .
And then Jordan hung it on the back of the laundry room door for me.
And it sat some more.  
Until today.
After a run to Big Lot's for curtain rods, I fastened them to the pegboard with the enclosed brackets.



Needing some way to store pens and a hole punch, I decided to use a little twine and a clean tin can and pegboard hooks for the accessories---which were things I already had on hand. I may decorate the can later, but now I kind of like it "as is".





I purchased some laundry bags (3 / pkg) and a package of shower rings at Dollar Tree.  I slipped gift bags in the laundry bag on the left and tissue paper in the one on the right.     





The shower curtain rings were perfect for securing the paper on the roll.  I hung the extra ones on the end of one of the rods, in case I need them later.  (that bottom roll of paper was extra wide, so the rings don't fit it)

I still want to add at least one more rod for paper, and then I'll be done!

Last weekend, Jana met Dan and I in Memphis, TN for a mini vacation!   We had such a good time.  After our long drive, and getting settled into our hotel,



the three of us went for a walk down on Beale Street, looking for a place for dinner.



We were immediately greeted by the Beale Street Flippers' introductory group--a couple of cute little guys who are training to entertain like their big brothers.  They were cute kids and oozed personality.


make an animated gif

As we made our way down Beale towards the Hard Rock Cafe' (Dan had never been to one before), we stopped to watch the older boys flipping





and to check out some of the hand prints on the Walk of Stars.



and take in all the interesting sights.









Dan had never been to a Hard Rock Cafe', so that seemed like the perfect meal for our first night in Memphis.  



We all enjoyed looking at the memorabilia displayed throughout.





After dinner, Beale Street was really beginning to come alive.



We stopped to watch a few street vendors and listen to the music coming from the "juke joints" before walking back to our hotel.

Sparklers

No broken bones this Fourth.
No fireworks either.
But there were some sparklers---just not your ordinary variety.
Yesterday morning, several of my friends joined me (and about 3,000 others) for the annual Firecracker Run, a 5k in our community.





It was fun, but by mid-course, we were definitely glistening!  Upon seeing this picture (snapped before the race began), someone dubbed us the "Noel Sparklers".   haha---perfect name   We don't sweat, we sparkle.



I even ran into an old friend from high school that I hadn't seen in 30 years!!  He recognized me and came over to give me a hug!  It took me a minute to realize who it was, but was so fun to spend a few minutes catching up!!

Last night, Ron and Carol and their daughters came over for dinner.





We grilled burgers and hot dogs and sat outside with Ron's huge fan cooling things off a bit for us.












We even made S'mores for dessert.

Summer Do

I got a new "do" today.  Yep after sporting a style with side flippy   things for several years

I grew it into a "bob" recently.

Bur, while my new hairdo was "okay", I jusr never really loved it on me.   So I went to the Beauty Shop (that's what we call it around here) with the goal of returning to those "side flippy things".    Wouldn't you know it though?  My hair was just not really long enough in the back yet.

SOOO, I came home with something completely different!!

SHORT!   And for now, I kinda' like it!

More Craftiness for the Wall

***Spoiler Alert for Valine:    If you don't want to see what I made for you, don't read any further!!



While I was deep into the crafty mood yesterday, I decided to make a canvas for Valine, too.  I know that she has been wanting a piece of art that is "Subway style", so I found a quote I liked and went to work.    First I cut out the lettering from vinyl with my Cricut, using Cricut Craft Room (a new free program for Cricut owners that allows you to use your computer to arrange and manipulate images for cutting).   Previously, this could only be done using the Design Studio, which was costly, but Cricut Classroom is free and works really well.    

After applying the vinyl to the canvas, I painted the entire thing and peeled off the letters after it was dry.



Using a diluted bit of brown acrylic paint, I wiped it over the entire piece, using a vertical stroke.



Once that was dry, I gave it a coat of Mod Podge to protect the surface.  )Don't worry, this time I made sure to use the Matte version).



I think it turned out pretty great!! Hope she likes it, too.