Ladyfingers Side Patio Makeover Part II

My projects always seem to grow hair.  What started out as just tidying up the concrete turned in to a full grown inspiration.  The very day I started the painting portion of the patio, I hit upon an Estate Sale in my neighborhood.  I lucked out and found these two metal patio rocking chairs for a mere $40.  They were a little 'tired' looking, but I had a vision and went to work on them right away.  I bought some spray paint and some fabric and went to town.

 

Nothing like a fresh coat of paint to bring out the life in something.  My grass suffered in the transition, but....it will grow back.

 

Here's a before/after photo after I painted one of the chairs.

Next I ripped off the old fabric/padding of the seat cushion and replaced it with some wonderful fabric I found that was originally $125 per yard, but I got it for a mere $22 to cover both chairs.

This fabric is hand-woven in the rural areas of India where there is no electricity.  The villagers weave the base cloth called 'dosuti', typically a hand loomed cotton duck, on pedal operated looms.  It's woven in to 25 yard lengths or less and then dyed and processed in the villages.  Aretisans then prick the desired design on to the fabric with a needle to create perforations. Once the goods are marked, the artisans embroider the lengths using a hook needle called an Aari.  It takes about 3 months to complete a 25 yard bolt.  There is no electricity so the finished lengths are washed by hand in the rivers and then folded and bailed.  There's actually some sand from the river that you see if you shake out the fabric.

 

Because the fabric was going to be exposed to the elements, I decided to put a vinyl waterproof barrier over the fabric to protect it outdoors. Here's the outcome of the chairs. 

I promised the rug makeover this time, but I really needed to show the chairs first.  It's all a work in progress, and I want to give each step due justice.  I love how the chairs turned out and can't wait to show you how far I've come with the patio.

I still have lots more ideas spinning around in my head.

Ladyfingers Side Patio Makeover Part 1

I promised photos of my latest Ladyfingers project and I'll have to post them in various stages since I have so many photos and different phases of the project.

The side patio is just outside our master bedroom  For years we thought about putting in a jacuzzi, or enlarging the master bathroom, or building me a closet. We never decided what to do so I just made a decision to make it in to a little wine patio for happy hour in the evenings.

First I cleaned the concrete with a special concrete cleaner and a stiff brush. 

After the concrete dried completely (didn't take long with this Texas heat!) I measured and marked a dotted line 18" away from the wall and then put down 3/4" masking tape along the line I drew.

I laid each piece of tape first before I measured for the next 'tile'.  I measured 18" from the outside edge of the previous tape, marked a line and then laid another piece of tape until I had gone all the way across the length and the width of the patio.

After it was all taped off, I applied the concrete paint using a roller and a paint that closely matched the brick.

I let the paint dry over night, and first thing the next morning, I went out and peeled up the tape.  That's the fun part!

Here's how Phase One turned out.

 

Next post I'll show you the old rug that I touched up.  I was ready to toss it when I came up with a great idea.  Stay tuned...

 

 

Really Cool Dress/Funky Shoes

I've worn the heck out of this very light, floral, colorful sundress.  It's my favorite so far from Charming Charlies.  I love the fullness of dress with the baby-doll bodice. It is so comfy and cool with this unbelievable Texas heat.  I saw 104 degrees on my rear-view mirror thermometer this afternoon.

 

Look closely at the retro-shoes.  These are actually Liz Claiborne shoes I purchased a couple of weeks ago at Goodwill for $1.99.  Guess no one was looking for hot pink pumps to go with something in their wardrobe like I was. (grin).  They are actually VERY comfortable despite the pointy toe and they go with the dress perfectly.  I'm wearing them to dinner tonight.

and last, but not least, is the matching necklace and earrings.  Gotta have matching jewelry if your going to go to the trouble of having matching shoes!

I've been out today looking for 'stuff' for my side patio.  I promise I'll start posting photos when I get a couple of more steps along.  It's turning out to be a really fun project. I can't wait to finish it.

I'm working on a project, but not quite finished. Here's a little peek at what's to come...I have a little plain-jane side patio that I've been wanting to spruce up for some time, but only just now got inspired. Lots of work ahead...stay tuned. :)

Goodwill Grill for Cheap Frills

I don't get inspired to cook very often, (ask my husband), but while I was at Lowe's looking at project books, this cookbook was on the same rack as 'repairing toilets' books.  I've always loved Southern Living cookbooks, if not to cook, just to read through and look at the photos.  Everything looks so yummy and they don't call for weird ingredients. I had never seen this cook book before so I bought it immediately to add to my collection.

I found several easy recipes that I wanted to try immediately because they looked so easy and quick to prepare.  I wasn't disappointed. 

I have to show you something I purchased at my favorite thrift store, Goodwill. Not only do they have a great selection of clothing and jewelry, you would not believe all the fun household items they have too.  I had heard so much about the George Foreman grill, and this one happened to be on the shelf for $3.  It looked brand new, so I was a little skeptical as to why someone donated it.  I took it to the service desk and plugged it in and it worked perfectly, so I bought it.

It's the little baby grill, but for a family of two, it's the perfect size.  Here is what I prepared from the Southern Living cookbook. 

I soaked a huge chunk of salmon in just lite soy sauce and brown sugar for a couple of hours, drained it, then grilled it for about 8 minutes.  So easy and fast....not to mention healthy.

I also made this fabulous bread out of two frozen bread dough loaves.  Recipe is in the cookbook. Super easy and wonderful and QUICK. All you do is smash the loaves nearly flat, put some dimples in the top with your knuckles, spread olive oil on top, put some thin slices of red onion rings, sprinkle evenly with some fresh rosemary, freshly grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, course salt, freshly ground pepper, and then bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.   

Along with the salmon, there was a recipe for Orange-Ginger Couscous. It too was super easy and delicious.  Here's the recipe.

This whole meal probably took a total of 40 minutes from start to finish and it was wonderful.  I had to take a photo of it all together. 

I don't usually prepare desserts, but one of my best friends served this wonderful lemon sorbet.  It is very light and refreshing with just a little kick of Amaretto Liqueur. YUM!!  Thanks Sidney!

Just scoop some lemon sorbet in to a dish, throw in some fresh berries and fresh mint, then douse with the Amaretto.

You never know when I'll be inspired to cook, but when I do, I make sure it's easy and tasty.  Check out this cookbook.  There are lots of great looking recipes.

Have a nice weekend!

Estate Sale Lucky Finds!!

Yesterday as I was coming home from the Home Depot (my favorite store in the whole world for my Lady Finger projects) there was a sign at the neighborhood entrance announcing an estate sale.  Instead of heading home to start on my new project (which I will post as soon as it's completed) I headed straight to the sale.  Lucky for me, most of the signs had been taken up since the neighborhood does not allow signs, but I found my way there.  It was almost noon when I got there and there were still lots of items available and just a few cars out front.  Everything had already been marked 25% off, and by 1pm they were going to mark it all down to 50%.  There were a couple of patio chairs that I knew would not make it to 1pm so I went ahead and purchased them. I'm not going to post them yet, because that's another project I'm looking forward to. 

Here are a couple of beautiful wine carriers I found that I just had to have. The first one is bamboo with a rose painted on it.  The inside is fully lined and the latch is brass.  Isn't it beautiful?

 

 

The other wine carrier holds two bottles of wine.  It has a metal scrolled facing and also a brass hook latch.  I love the handle on the top and the wood finish.  I love both these pieces.  I purchased each for less than $10.00.

(check out the photo of me and my twin sister when we were about 5 years old. I remember vividly the day it was taken.  I cried, and cried, and cried up to the moment the photographer put a yellow duck on top of his head to make me laugh.  It worked!  I'm the one on the right)

Knowing that everything was going to be marked down 50%, I decided to go home first, start my Lady Fingers project and then head back.  The estate sale people were going to run everybody off for about 30 minutes anyway, so I thought I'd make some good use of my time.  When I went back, I scavenged through the jewelery that was just thrown in a cardboard box, each piece in a Ziplock baggy. By this time it was a little more crowded, but I knew where to head first since I had already scouted the place, and went straight to the jewelry.  Here are the beautiful pieces I snagged.

'Sabrina' is my model for the jewelry.

 

I also snagged this majolica (not real) pitcher and 3 fruit plates in the sale as well.

 

And last but not least, I bought this baby trampoline for $3 to go in my exercise room.  I've already bounced on it quite a bit and have discovered that not only is it a good aerobic workout, my calves are killing me! 

We're all settled in to watch a movie called 'Fracture'.  Have a great week everyone.

UPDATE...just finished movie.  LOVE IT.  Sir Anthony Hopkins is fabulous as usual.  Very suspenseful.  Check it out.

I Saved Three Lives Today!!!

Yep!  I donated a pint of blood at work today.  The Carter Blood Care unit comes to my office every 8 weeks, and each time they come, I sign up.  To date I've donated 2 gallons plus 5 pints that have been accounted for, so I guess that means I've really saved 63 lives if I've done the math correctly.  I didn't start tracking until a few years ago, so I know it's really more than that.  Seriously, it only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, and the procedure is totally painless.  The worst part is getting the little finger prick to check the iron levels.  The rest is a breeze!  At the end, you get water, cookies (as many as you want) and a cool blood donor t- shirt.  I sweet-talked the technicians in to photographing the process and they had a blast.  Here are a few photos.

Don't look if you can't stand the sight of blood.  (grin)

Here's the sterilization process

Just a little sting when the needle goes in.  (I just can't watch though)

 

Initial blood goes in to little baggy for other samples.

I chug-a-lug about 3 bottles of water during the process so I feel really good when it's all done.  I really think this helps.

Almost 16 ounces...

Taking the needle out

Apply Pressure for a minute...

DONE!!!

Treat- I had two packages of Oreos!!

One of the technicians got camera happy and we went outside of the donation station and I struck a pose like the photo on the side of the bus.  It really is a painless procedure and I encourage each of you to give it a try.  I actually feel energized afterward.  Who knows, one of you might have a really rare blood type that they need desperately.  I happen to be O positive, which is the universal blood type.

Next time you have an opportunity to give blood, remember that it takes so little time and the need is so great. 

See you next time...