Marquee lights obsession

I loves me some marquee lights!

Even more than marquee lights, I’ve got a thing for &.

(Yes, I have started a slight ampersand collection…)

I decided I needed a remote-controlled, battery-operated marquee ampersand above my kitchen cupboards. (Didn’t want wires or plugs showing & being 12+ feet from the floor, the ability to turn on remotely was a must.)

Couldn’t find one. Even if I found one, I’m sure that would be more $$ than I could justify spending.

So, I bought a papier-mâché one from my favorite Joann store.

I carefully removed the top with a craft knife.

…and it sat like that for months while I looked for components to complete my project!

After I decided on my lights, it was time to paint. I wanted my & to look weathered & rusty. I used Mod Podge to give it a sheen as if it were painted metal. I used white tape to bundle the little lights by twos, and small ornaments for the “globes”.

I love the way it looks when lit.

Unfortunately, I found a replacement & while waiting for this project to be complete…

 

Above the Pantry Door

I made a sign for my husband:It fits him…(Actually, it should read “half & half” and “stevia”…

Things I'm Loving

Again I'm "copy-catting" Paisley Jade, because she so rightly says,  "I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is."

So -- here are a couple snapshots of my week:

I ♥ it when I can see some Easter treasure from the past... 

I ♥ it when my husband says he prefers my ground mustard over the name brand. 


I ♥ it when my decor starts being cohesive...

I ♥ it when a friend gives me a box of wooden spools she doesn't want!

I ♥ it when boys make good breakfast choices on their own.

(He's got raw sunflower seeds, almond slivers, & rolled oats along with his milk & Craisins...)



I'll be linking to

Golden Oldie "Moldy"

I do believe I'm the only crafter in blog-land who's not up-cycled our bathroom mirrors with gorgeous crown molding & such. There's a very good explanation for that: my husband & oldest son are 5'19" (do the math...) and would like to see their mugs in said bathroom mirrors.

I'm also probably the only one who hasn't "crown-molded-up" all available walls/ceilings. There's also a logical excuse for that: the architecture of our house has dust catchers plant shelves & angled/vaulted ceilings in every room of the house. (with the exception of the hall bath & master w.c.) That's way too much mitring/math calculations for me!

What's a girl to do with her in-bred pent-up desire to beautify her home with molding?

About 9 years ago I had a cobalt dilemma. I was running out of display space for some of my beautiful bottles. I also needed to craft a valance to cover my roll-up shade for the huge window over my garden tub.





I wanted it to look like an antique I just framed out...

Armed with an old board, some molding, some brackets, some DecoArt® decorating paste, some paint, a stencil & a little antiquing -- I was able to kill a couple birds in one swoop, so to speak...


(tried to get an angle to show the texture)





(And you thought I was joking about the ceilings/angles/walls...)









I'd like to think that now, after 9 years, I could do a better job with the newer tools & materials that are out there. But, I like the way it looks...