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Hometalk is where people share and help with everything home & garden

Susan S

Fredericksburg, VA
415 Followers 4.9KLikes 660 Shares
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  • 1) I scarffed this from my husband's side of the garage, initially thinking it would make a good cutting board.  NOT - it's pine and I figured it would ooze sap . . . .so it sat until this idea came along.
First step - a coating of tea
  • 2) Meanwhile, tea is drying and the vinegar & 0000 steel wool  mixture was aging. This is w/ a coat of the vinegar.
  • 3) Decided to add a second coat of vinegar.
  • 4) And this is how it turned out now that it's all dried. Now I just have to learn how to use my wood burning kit so I can make a really cool sign!!
  • See 1 more photo

TESTIMONIAL: AGING WOOD INSTANTLY!!

A couple of weeks ago Jeanette (Homa Style) posted how to instantly age new wood and turn it into beautiful aged grey barn wood look. Well, I tried it and it worked!!
Susan S
Susan S Fredericksburg, VA on Sep 04, 2012
37 Comments | Post Comment | 2608 Views
  • Vintage Headboards
    Vintage Headboards on Dec 16, 2012
    Apple cider vinegar will make some pines more vibrant and others it will age. I have used this ...»
    technique as well and love the results. It's important to not let it run because you will see those runs when it changes colors. I usually let it dry for a couple of days then the strong smell will dissipate. Nice work!

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  • DIY
  • flooring ideas
  • painting
  • Started out w/just a plain burlap window valance. 1
  • After looking at it for awhile I decided it needed some pfhzazz!
So, down it came and I taped off stripes and painted them a barn red.
  • Then I decided it STILL  needed something else.
THAT'S IT - I'll add a black stripe on each side of the red stripe.
  • Heat setting the paint. Don't forget to do this step. It keeps the paint from fading when it's washed!!
  • MY INSPIRATION - FARMERS MARKET SIGN
See why I painted the red stripes??  See Why I decided to add the black stripe??

I thought I was all done . . . Not Quite!!! (See the Mustard Stripe:) 1
  • So, I HAD to add one more stripe - THE MUSTARD!!
  • Of course I have to show the good, the bad and the Ugly. I had to have a piece of fabric for the rod pocket and all I had was an old sheet!  So what, right?  Whatever works!!
  • TA DA!!  IT'S FINISHED - IT'S UP - I'M DONE!!

Oh - the no sew part - Not one single stitch used on this baby. I used stitch witchery for every single thing that needed to be hemmed, attached or stuck on!! 2
  • See 5 more photos

BURLAP WINDOW VALANCE: NO SEW - BUT LOTS OF PAINT!!

Susan S
Susan S Fredericksburg, VA on Sep 23, 2012
82 Comments | Post Comment | 2586 Views
  • DiybyDesign Judy
    DiybyDesign Judy on Oct 04, 2012
    Love the valance. BTW I fixed the link on the pinch pleat drapes. Let me know if it works ...»
    for you. Thanks.

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  • For love of burlap
  • Burlap
  • Sew N Sew
  • HELLOOO KITTY  ;~)

REPURPOSING LITTLE GIRL'S BOOTS (and rubber kitchen gloves :)

Had hunny drill holes in bottom of boots for drainage. Stuffed toes w/plastic shopping bags, Cut the fingers off leaky kitchen gloves (glad I had PINK) Tied bottom of gloves w/cable tie. Filled w/potting soil and dug up a couple of Impatiens that came up all by themselves from last year's flowers & plunked them in the boots. (glad they were Pink too) WOH LAH!!
Susan S
Susan S Fredericksburg, VA on Jul 06, 2012
43 Comments | Post Comment | 3020 Views
  • Susan S
    Susan S on Nov 11, 2012
    Thank you Sharon B.
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  • Planters & Garde...
  • Out Doors
  • Think Pink!
  • See all the crackling and crazing in the rubber? 10
  • Assemble all necessary cleaning products:  Drink - yep!  Bleach, all purpose cleaner, rubber gloves etc.
  • Have resident "handyman"  aka my hunny pry off old rusty rim.  He says "piece of cake - BIG screwdriver should pop this loose!!
  • Grrrrrrunt . . . . .prrrrry and whack!!!
  • OK, time for the big boy toys  . . er tools!! Let's try a crowbar, that oughta do it!
FINAL SCORE:  Rusty Rim 1
Hunny & Tools  0
Time for Plan "B"
  • STEP II:  Paint entire tire - RIM INCLUDED  in your choice of base color.  Remember this pic - it made it's debut as a Plant Stand when I featured my Hydrangeas!!  Surely this tire has a more prestigious future - remember the crazing? 4
  • My helper using nut picker to dig dirt out of treads.  WHAT?? Just cuz it's a tire doesn't mean it should suffer w/unsightly treads!!  Just wait . . . . . .
  • Well of course I painted the treads.  I mean, just look @that pretty chevron design and besides . . . you didn't really think I'd pass up this tedious opportunity,  DID YOU??
  • TA DA!!! ;~)  The LEOPARD TIRE PLANTER - now you know WHY I was soooo obsessed w/the cracks & crazing.  It just SCREAMED make me something really special!!!
  • STEP III:  Prepping the planter.  Styrofoam peanuts for drainage and no added weight like gravel would do!! 1
  • Add soil & plants.  Hen & chicks plus the cutest lil cactus (cute, but it bites)
  • Dress it up with some pretty white granite gravel. 3
  • Perfect fit - right in the middle of our never used glass table on the deck - what a centerpiece!! 2
  • But . . . . . then I decided the front porch would be better if I didn't want to roast it so it ended up on an old milkcan!! 3
  • See 11 more photos

THE LEOPARD TIRE PLANTER

STEP I. Find yourself an old tire - preferrably w/o the rim!!
Susan S
Susan S Fredericksburg, VA on Jul 01, 2012
72 Comments | Post Comment | 18238 Views
  • Becky
    Becky on Apr 26, 2013
    You're welcome Melody.
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  • Best of Hometalk
  • DIY and Recicle
  • Re-use Out Doors Stuff
  • 2005 Edition - Summer Grape Vine Wreath
Pastels
  • 2012 Editon - Summer Wreath Re-do
BRIGHT & BOLD
  • HIDDEN TREASURERS - look closely, there are lots of teeny tiny miniture bird houses.  YES, I did hand paint every last squiggle, polka dot, & curvy line on these babies!!   ;~) 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • MOMMA BIRD incubating her eggs. Wait!  What is that funny looking one?  (Well, my granddaughter made that one - 'nuff said) 1
  • Poppa bird waiting on a branch.  I'll bet he's got a juicy worm for Momma!
  • OF COURSE THERE'S GOING TO BE A CURIOUS HUMMER CHECKING OUT ALL THE FLOWERS!! 1
  • See 7 more photos

SUMMER GRAPE VINE WREATH - One of my Summer decorations on MY FRONT PORCH ;~)

#1) Wreath from 2005 - Pastels

#2) 2012 Wreath Re-Do. ...»

After 7 years this wreath was starting to look a little bedraggled so she got all new flowers & a new 2 tone ribbon. But this time she wasn't feeling shy & demur. Noooo, NOT this lady!! She was ready to strut her stuff so she came out BRIGHT & BOLD!!

Susan S
Susan S Fredericksburg, VA on Jul 07, 2012
30 Comments | Post Comment | 893 Views
  • Susan S
    Susan S on Sep 20, 2012
    Sherrie - yeah but I'm sure it's such a distant memory!!
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  • Before & After
  • Nothing says spring has sprung like a pretty bouquet of forsythia & pussy willow!! Is it faux or mother nature at her best?
Don't have vase that looks springy - decoupage tissue paper on one of the clear run-of-the-mill types we all have - add a coordinated ribbon. 3
  • Oh Look!! I think the Easter Bunny is coming to our house.  Meet Peter &
Petunia Rabbit   ; ~ )
  • . . . . .hoppin' down the bunny trail!!  An old plastic fence worked just fine for this display. I NEVER throw out old silk flowers when re-doing wreaths or floral designs. No matter how faded or bedraggeled they may seem, they can always be reused somehow!!
  • Small table top display - Mini Easter Tree w/ teeny tiny ornaments!  More bunnies and colorful egg candles.
  • Mini bird house on fence post in Peter & Petunia's garden.
  • Mini bird house - Mama & Papa birds have set up house!
  • My grand daughter's mini Easter Village. A Mirror is used to create a pond effect. Some cling wrap was used to simulate ripples in the water (sort of)
  • Kitchen table all ready for Easter brunch.
  • There are 3 votive cups in Peter & Petunia's garden. I sank tea lights into sand for "safety" Did you know you can dye sand to match your color theme? Of course these are only lit when grown ups are in the room!!!
  • See 6 more photos

SPRING HAS SPRUNG . . . .and EASTER IS ALMOST HERE!!

Just thought I'd share a few ideas for Spring & Easter. Right next to Christmas this is my grand daughter's favorite time of year so I wanted to share some of her favorite Easter decorations.

Susan S
Susan S Fredericksburg, VA on Apr 04, 2012
5 Comments | Post Comment | 485 Views
  • Donna McCrummen
    Donna McCrummen on Apr 06, 2012
    So cute.
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  • Easter Ideas
  • Everything Easter
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  • and all through the house
  • not a creature was stirring
  • not even a mouse!! 2

Turn a mouse trap into a Christmas accessory!

T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS . . . . .
Susan S
Susan S Fredericksburg, VA on Dec 14, 2012
13 Comments | Post Comment | 372 Views
  • TaniaC
    TaniaC on Dec 17, 2012
    AWWWWWWE!!!!! I wuv You Douglas ♥ You are the Bomb!!!!!!
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  • MOMMA & 2 BABIES.  PRETTY DULL HUH? 
I also discovered I had two of this statue but, since I got carried away with their makeover I forgot to take a pic so this one is a stand in. I'll get around to it later.
  • See the hole in the shell of the middle turtle?  After gathering everyone up I realized how brittle and fragile they had become after years of being outside.
  • Adding lots of color - This whimsical family of turtles had such sweet expressions on their faces - they just begged to be BOLD!! 3
  • You can see the sunflower petals have broken on the back from years of exposure.

I think all of these have earned a place of honor & safety on my deck. No more garden dirt for them.
  • ARE THESE CUTE OR WHAT???  Just look at those faces!!!
Who said I have to be anatomically correct?? 1
  • Again, some damage from being outside for years. 
I JUST HAD TO MAKE THEE GUYS DIFFERENT! 1
  • LAST BUT NOT LEAST - this was the first of the turtles I repainted. He's probably the most realistic - but who cares,
  • YEP - turtles & bunnies - gotta luv 'em!! 1
  • See 5 more photos

PART 2: GARDEN FIGURINE MAKEOVER

THE TURTLES
Susan S
Susan S Fredericksburg, VA on Sep 19, 2012
79 Comments | Post Comment | 1318 Views
  • Laurie B
    Laurie B on Oct 01, 2012
    Yes Sharron, it is just the breed, purchased him from a breeder in Fla, Leida glad you enjoyed ...»
    the pic's and Tania, yes, I know it is extremely gruesome but they are definately fierce creatures not one of my favorites for sure, but I wouldn't want any harm done to them unless I had small pets or children living in their setting.

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Carol S Jeanette S Donna R TaniaC
  • Poor Bunny - she has no color at all!  Looks pretty blah!
  • Fresh new paint livened her up a bit don't you think?
Now you can actually read her sign.
  • . . . .  and her backside!
  • Sweet Baby Bunny - isn't she adorable?
(Yes, I forgot her before pic but she had NO color whatsoever!!
  • And her other side!
  • See 2 more photos

PART 1: MAJOR MAKEOVER FOR GARDEN CRITTERS

BUNNIES & TURTLES

I've had these adorable figurines sitting in various parts of my backyard flower gardens ...»

for years. I suddenly realized about mid summer how drab & scraggly they were looking and needed a makeover.

Susan S
Susan S Fredericksburg, VA on Sep 19, 2012
20 Comments | Post Comment | 352 Views
  • Susan S
    Susan S on Sep 21, 2012
    Thank you Tania - I know . . . . who can resist cute, cuddly fuzzy bunnies?? And, these guys ...»
    are totally maintenance free and non-allergenic!!

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Leida R Jeanette S Donna R Beckie @ Infarrantly Creative
  • THEN IT DAWNED ON ME!!  I DON'T have a mantle - well, I sorta have a mantle I just don't have a fireplace - that's another story. So, I did the next best thing and made it into a table runner. It was already fringed on the ends!!
  • The Modge Podge drys clear - yeah!  I added veining on the leaves and then used stitch witchery to attach the leaves. In retro spect, I should have just stamped them onto the runner. Remember, this WAS going to be a mantle scarf!

ANOTHER BURLAP TABLE RUNNER

I've had 2 pieces of burlap for so long that I'm surprised it hadn't dry rotted!

With thanks to Colleen Jorgensen on her "How to make a fall mantle scarf from burlap" ...»

9-4-12, I finally thought Ah Ha!! So I set out to try her idea. . . . . .

I used my rubber stamps and made my leaves and went around the edges w/Modge Podge (just like she said) so it wouldn't ravel. Then I meticulously cut 'n cut 'n cut lotsa leaves. Oh, and I hand painted the veins too!

Susan S
Susan S Fredericksburg, VA on Sep 19, 2012
17 Comments | Post Comment | 374 Views
  • Sharon B
    Sharon B on Nov 11, 2012
    I c u like the burlap, I use to make Xmas baskets with it.....cut a circle of burlap, use a ...»
    stencil to put Welcome on it and bring it up into a basket and fill with pine cones, homemade gingerbread men, dried, berries and a candle with greens......I sold 28 for a Xmas buffet dinner, their tables...oh and added sticks too.......I put twine through them to gather them up and red ribbon to hide it......wish I had a pic, some place I do.....haha but wanted to share ......some I put candy canes in as well

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