Monday, July 30, 2007

Illustration Friday ~ Moon

posted by "Maggie" at 6:00 AM 9 comments  

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Oh Happy Day!

Today is my birthday; I turn another year older and it occured to me that from now on I want my birthdays to move along at a snail's pace...really slow! Vintage queen of the escargot!

Labels: , , , ,

posted by "Maggie" at 11:21 PM 12 comments  

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Worth its Weight in Gold

Saturday- The Master Bathroom - gotta go!
How are you spending your weekend? I am multi-tasking, something I've been told I am very good at. I know this sounds strange but yesterday and today I am stripping wallpaper. I know, it's such a nice day but it's something I've wanted to tackle for some time.

A few weeks ago MM and I found the most perfect clock for our bathroom (we've been hunting for just the right one for about 2 years) and finally we found it (I'll post photos when the room is completed). When we moved from California to our new home here, our home was just 3 years old. In that time, the owners had wallpapered 5 of the rooms. Thankfully they only used border wallpaper but i't just not our style at all. We tackled two of the rooms right away by hand and hard work and it took FOREVER to get the paper and all the glue off.

Yesterday I started the project (the same way as before) and within 5 minutes I made an executive decision to buy a Wagner 705 Power Steamer which I picked up at my favorite Lowe's store.
A cool $53 but it was worth every penny! It took me no time at all to peel off the wallpaper and I don't mean the photo above. That was the easy part and the top layer. It was the second layer and all the glue that tested my patience. Because there is so much steam coming out the steamer, I closed the door, put the fan on and opened the windows. I also left the air conditioning running too. It left one heck of a mess though. Luckily I took everything out of the bathroom before I started. The only thing I didn't like about the steamer is that all the steam that built up in the paddle dripped from the corner as it had no where else to go. Down the walls and trim it went...and I had to be careful that it didn't drip on the light sockets. Other than that it was a breeze.

Sunday- The Guest bathroom wallpaper= double gotta go!
This paper was trickier to get off as the first layer was a vinyl and stretchy. I had to peel it off first which wasn't that easy before I could lift the bottom layer up with the steamer. I've such a great sense of accomplishment this weekend, just to get this out of the way. Only one more room to go and that is a big one which I will need MM to help me move all the furniture and do. When he came home and saw what I was doing, he was so tickled that I bought a "power tool" to get the job done!
As for mult-taksing, I am baking a casserole and working on a couple of side projects at the same time. Oh and now dinner is almost ready, I have to run!
Update: We'll be revamping the guest bathroom completely...one thing leads to another. :)

posted by "Maggie" at 5:52 PM 4 comments  

Keeping Cool

I love the weather we are having today. After several weeks of over 100 degree weather and high humidity, today it is 80 degrees with a nice wind from the East. It reminds me of summer days back in Michigan where I grew up on the Great Lakes...ah, sun, sand, swimming and sailing, there is just nothing like it!

A great way to stay cool is to eat ice cream. This week I made this Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert. I used two different toppings on the same recipe as some of my family like M & M's and some prefer Heath bars. It's great for entertaining and easy to make and I gaurantee the kids will love it and so will you!

Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert

1 Box ice cream sandwiches
1 large container Cool Whip Light
Chocolate Syrup
Caramel Syrup
Mini M & M's
Heath bar broken in bits

Layer the bottom of a square pyrex dish with the ice cream sandwiches. Cut to fit if necessary. Partially thaw Cool Whip and spread over the sandwich bars to about 1/2 to 1 inch thickness. Drizzle chocolate syrup, caramel syrup and sprinkle with mini M & M's and/or Heath bars. Now you can layer this twice (though you'll need more bars and Cool Whip) but if you are watching what you eat like me, you'll be satisfied with just a single layer. Freeze until time to serve.
I can promise you this won't last long~Enjoy!

Labels: , , , , , ,

posted by "Maggie" at 12:15 PM 6 comments  

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Thursday Flickr Favorites

I hope you enjoy these Mom C!
Originally uploaded by !a.k.a.Maggie!
As a highlight from today's Flickr post check out: Eye Candy. Jennifer has such sweet and lovely creations!

Labels:

posted by "Maggie" at 10:14 PM 3 comments  

Monday, July 09, 2007

The Paper Quilt Project- July 2007

I am thrilled to be a participating artist in the " Paper Quilt Project" for the month of July, 2007, organized by Dawbis who is also an artist/environmentalist. I've just completed my "quilt" and will be sending it off in the mail tomorrow. The papers below are most of what I was sent in order to complete the project entitled, "A Day in My Life." The rest of the papers have already been used in the piece above. Whatever I created with these papers was of my own choosing.
It is important to note that the paper layout is only 3.5 x 5". The scraps are also this size or smaller so one needs to work very small in order to complete the project.

I am fascinated by the Japanese and their culture and the stories of the Geisha. The most recent movie, "Memoires of a Geisha" comes to mind. Though I have never wanted to be one, I have tried to capture the essence of "Geisha-A Day in My Life" in my paper collage.

For more artist's works at the Paper Quilt Project and/or if you would like to be a part of the project visit Flickr.

Dawbis, I popped it in the mail today and it's on its way to you!

Labels: , , , , , ,

posted by "Maggie" at 9:41 PM 8 comments  

Saturday, July 07, 2007

It's been such a busy weekend for us and so very hot here. The temps hit 103 with high humidity. We are long overdue for some rain and are trying to keep everything green and living.

I just had to take a moment to post this beautiful vintage hat with lovely silk and velvet milinery flowers. I had the good fortune to come across it at a sale recently and was tickled pink! See the tiny vintage rhinestones, oh I love when I come across such wonderful finds.

Labels: , , , , , , ,

posted by "Maggie" at 11:26 PM 5 comments  

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Independence Day

I found the most fun and creative gal who has a talent with food and I just have to share it with you here, here and here. Wishing you a happy 4th of July! God Bless America and pray for the safety of our troops until they can return home.

Originally uploaded by !a.k.a.Maggie!

Labels: , , , , , ,

posted by "Maggie" at 8:00 AM 5 comments  

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Ladies Home Journal

What a find! I recently stopped by an estate sale and found this 1890's Ladies Home Journal filled with victorian illustrations and articles.

Labels: , , , ,

posted by "Maggie" at 9:55 AM 3 comments