Orange Again!

I am continuing with the orange theme started last week.  I think it is such a great transitional color between summer and fall.  This was made out of some Goodwill finds.

These are some more of the finds from Goodwill.  I got them awhile back when they had a half off sale on their home goods.  I had sacks of great junk when I left that day.  I wanted to make a tall candlestick to go with a grouping in front of my fireplace.  I wanted something summery and light.
I used Gorilla Glue to put the parts together and painted it orange.

This is the finished grouping I made.  I have posted about the crosses that I make before.  The turquoise candle holders are made from vintage spindles.  This is the second set of these turquoise candle holders I have made and I still love them.

Hall Tree

 

 

I completed this hall tree a few months ago.  It has been waiting to be painted but I have decided I may leave it white and antique it up a bit.  This piece would never have gotten made if I had any knowledge of how hard it was going to be to attach the separate pieces before I started.  I think I have told you that I don't have many tools. I have and ancient saw (which I will not take a picture of because if I looked at the picture I might realize I should not be using it), a drill and glue.  If a project needs more than that it is not for me. I came across the main part of this project at a junk store in Galveston, Texas.  I think it had been a porch post, but was burned on one end so who knows what its first life was. The top section was from a bed post that came out of some ones trash.  I used the top part in another project that I blogged about earlier.  The original post that I got in Galveston was too short so I decided to add the bed post to it.  The problem was how to do this.  I went to Lowes.  The person I talked to first said very nicely, "No way!".  I think he wanted to ask why I was let out on the "home for the insane", but he was to kind to do that. The second person told me about double sided screws. 

The one he suggested was about 6 inches long.  He could not really tell me how to use it, but thought it would work.  I came home and googled and basically found out that I needed to drill two holes and then attach the screw to one piece of wood and then the other.  About two weeks later I finally did that.  It was harder that it sounded.  The hall tree was now the correct height and all it needed was a base and arms. 

The base was made out of three pieces of scrap wood that I bought at the Restore.  I glued and bolted them together.  I then attached the base using another double sided screw.  It turned out to be very sturdy.  The final step was to add the arms. The arms were made of scrap pieces of spindles left over from other projects.  Again I used double sided screws to attach them.  I used wooden drawer knobs on the end of the arms to add interest and cover up my bad cutting job. I wish I had taken pictures of the process but I never thought I would finish so, no photos.  I may add some decorative hooks and paint it later.  If I do I will post pictures.

This is  another of my favorite blogs!

Raspberries

One of the highlights of my trip to West Virginia is that we hiked to the edge of the woods and picked raspberries.  They were not huge commercial berries, but small wild raspberries. I had never picked berries "in the wild" before.  There were a lot of bugs, tall grass and things to make you itch.
We finally picked enough to make a pie.  In the olden days I might have starved to death.

 Before we went picking my host had made a raspberry pie from berries that had been picked earlier in the week. Maybe thinking about how good the pie was going to taste encouraged me to pick berries.

 She made the crust from scratch.  That is one talent I do not have.  The art of pastry has always eluded me.

The pie was a nice reward for picking berries.  The only thing that could have made it better was Blue Bell ice cream.  West Virginia is a wonderful place but could be better if the groceries sold Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream.

This is not my friends recipe, but one out of my collection.  I do not make the crust but let Betty Crocker do that for me.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup shortening
• 6 - 7 tablespoons water
• 3/4 - 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 5 cups raspberries
• 2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel
• Milk (optional)
• Sugar (optional)

 

1. In a mixing bowl combine the 2 cups flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until pieces are pea-size. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the water over part of mixture; gently toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to side of bowl. Repeat, using 1 tablespoon water at a time, until all the dough is moistened. Divide in half. Form each half into a ball.

2. On a lightly floured surface flatten one dough ball. Roll from center to edges into a 12-inch circle.

3. To transfer pastry, wrap it around the rolling pin; unroll into a 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into pie plate, being careful not to stretch pastry.

4. In a large mixing bowl combine the sugar and 1/3 cup flour. Stir in berries and lemon peel. Gently toss the berries until well coated. Transfer berry mixture to the pastry-lined pie plate.

5. On lightly floured surface roll remaining dough into a 12-inch circle. For a lattice crust, trim bottom pastry to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate. Cut rolled pastry into 1/2-inch strips and weave strips over filling. Fold bottom crust over strip ends; trimming strips as necessary. For a 2-crust pie, trim bottom pastry to edge of pie plate. Cut slits in top crust for escape of steam; place on filling and fold edge under bottom pastry. Flute edge as desired.

6. If desired, brush pastry top with a little milk and sprinkle with additional sugar.

7. To prevent overbrowning, cover edge of pie with foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 25 to 30 minutes more or until top is golden. Cool on wire rack. Makes 8 servings.

                   

Orange Bowl

This is a pedestal bowl that I made today.  Today was my second day at home.  I have been out of school for three weeks have been traveling.  For the last two days I have been home alone and feeling very creative.  Last night when I bought lemons it inspired me to make an orange bowl.  The reason I chose orange is that it will be good with summer colors but will transition so well into fall.

 

The pedestal came from a chair that I pulled out of the trash across the street.  I had it hidden in the attic for awhile because the garage was so full of junk.  I just knew I would use it when I was out of school and had more time.
I cut a piece of the leg and glued it to a base.  Then I searched until I found a wooden bowl I bought in March at Goodwill.
The bowl was a fifty cent find that I had been wanting to use.

Next came my two favorite things: my drill and glue.

 

Now I am ready for some afternoon lemonade. 

 

 

 

Red Chest

I recently went to see friends in Huntington, WV where I lived for 6 wonderful years.  When my friend showed me the bedroom where I would be staying I saw this wonderful red chest(footlocker).  It had been her fathers and she had repainted it red in the 1970s.  It was red, chippy, and perfect.  It had that wonderful aged look that did not come from some new technique on Pinterest but from many moves and five children (all boys)!  I jokingly tried to talk her into putting legs on it.  I love chests with legs, but she declined the offer.  It was so perfect that I wanted the world to see it.  I will be posting more pics of my amazing stay in WV.

My friend lives in the country and one of the best parts of my visit is that we did not rush to start our days but lingered over breakfast and talked and talked and talked.  We had a year to catch up on.  Another thing that made the mornings special were this deer and her twins.  We saw them twice and it was amazing how beautiful they were.

 

At The Beach!

                                                    This is the latest thing to pop into my
                                                     head.  Last week we met friends at the
                                                     beach and I wanted to make something
                                                     for my friend Jan for her birthday.

                                          It started with this cute tray that I found at Goodwill
                                          for only twenty five cents.  I originally was going to
                                          paint it and put it on a pedestal (6inches or so). I thought
                                          it would be cute with fruit in it.  But then I saw a beach
                                          table at Academy and completely changed my mind.

                                                   I screwed a piece of wood onto a spindle
                                                   from the Dallas Restore. Then I glued and
                                                   screwed the tray to the base I had made.
                                                   Originally it was going to be green but
                                                    ended up a different color. 

                                                   We sunk it in the sand and it was used
                                                     all day.  I think Jan was impressed when
                                                     someone came by and wanted to buy it.

                                         HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this link party! You should check it out I have gotten so much inspiration from the posts I have seen there. Definitely worth your time.
 


                                     

Another Drawer Redo

 This is the first drawer I bought at a Restore.  I have finished several drawer redos but this one I could not get the vision of what it wanted to be.  After a 3am Pinterest search I found some inspiration.

 

These beauties were the inspiration for what I finally did.  I am a true beginner and these were out of my comfort zone.  Maybe with some more experience I can create a masterpiece like these two.

I had a really difficult time getting the shelf level.  I measured, and measured and measured some more.  I finally got it level and attached.  I glued it in and then added small screws from each side.  That shelf is not moving.  I had originally planned on dividing each shelf perpendicularly.  I have to be honest I probably need some more practice before that happens.  I did not like how unfinished it looked at this point.

                                           It needed something else and since cubbies were
                                           out of my skill I added some trim.

                                         This is after the trim was added.  I like it much better now.
                                         I painted it white and then want to add a little extra color.
                                         The orange and white paper that is behind the shelves in the
                                         picture is just paper wrapped around foam board.  I like the
                                         look so much that I am thinking about making it permanent.
                                         I am going to hang it on the wall in the kitchen.  When I get it hung
                                         I will post more pictures.