tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36673868881897099852025-02-18T00:50:03.344-08:00A Day in the Life of CindyI love to write about funny and interesting things. My kids crack me up! We have started an online shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/DeerwoodCreekGifts Please feel free to check it out. The kids and I work very hard making things that we know you will love!Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-10478606835960909552019-02-01T20:27:00.000-08:002019-02-01T20:27:02.019-08:00Wow, so it has been over four years since I last posted. A lot has happened. Neil the Tortoise ended up on TV several times, had his own calendar, and has over 5000 Facebook friends. Not too shabby for a cute little Russian Tortoise! We have moved a few times and changed jobs - all for the better. I hope all is well with you! If you want to follow Neil the Tortoise, he is on Facebook, Instagram, Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-80013146309182388642014-12-29T20:58:00.000-08:002014-12-29T20:58:08.262-08:00The Best Week Ever!!!
Let me tell you about the BEST WEEK EVER! It started Saturday, December 20, 2014, which happened to be my birthday. That also happened to be the day that our Russian Tortoise, Neil the Tortoise, appeared on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. Let me repeat that, the WALL STREET JOURNAL!
I know I posted about this before, but it is the biggest thing to ever happen to me, andCindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-82485542450780395482014-12-20T22:35:00.000-08:002014-12-20T22:35:25.161-08:00Neil the Tortoise on the cover of the Wall Street Journal!
Neil the Tortoise was on the the FRONT PAGE OF THE WALL STREET JOURNAL!!!! This has been such a great day - one I will never forget.
When I was contacted by the Wall Street Journal a few weeks ago, I had no idea when/if it would really run. I hoped it would, but I wasn't sure. When I saw it on-line yesterday, I was surprised it was on the webpage. Today, when I went to buy Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-18372034756829996622014-12-19T23:03:00.000-08:002014-12-19T23:04:59.941-08:00Neil the Tortoise is in the Wall Street Journal! I have to share!!! My son has a Russian Tortoise named Neil. I was contacted by a reporter, Ellen Byron, from the Wall Street Journal a few weeks ago. I make "tortoise hats" that I sell in my Etsy on-line shop. The WSJ thought they were cute and wanted to add Neil to their story about people dressing up their pets for Christmas. So, with that said, here is the on-line story. It will be in the Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-92229553174832585942014-12-03T21:57:00.001-08:002014-12-03T22:03:53.607-08:00Happy Holidays from Neil!
Hi all,
Back again for a few more pictures. Had to show some of Neil's new hats. Happy Holidays!
Cindy Breninger
Deerwood Creek Gifts
The end. ;)Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-90179011015484237322014-12-03T21:53:00.001-08:002014-12-03T21:59:37.190-08:00A Quick Update
Hi all,
I didn't realize it had been so long since I last posted so I will give you a quick update. During the last eight months, I have had some changes. First of all, we moved. This was a good move as we are close to school, work, and I love the new place. But...we moved to an apartment and I can't do any of the woodwork that I love doing. It was a pretty hard adjustment at first, and I Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-8248579445438544432014-04-27T10:42:00.001-07:002014-04-27T10:44:19.532-07:00Hats - It is all about the hats.
Hats - it is all about the hats! I have always loved watching the Kentucky Derby and seeing the wonderful hats. Same with watching the Royals - I love their hats. Now, I realize that I have a very slim chance of ever going to the Kentucky Derby, and an even slimmer chance of ever becoming a Royal, but that won't stop me from making hats as if I were going to the Derby or wanting to make Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-35685168066481562132014-03-15T12:35:00.001-07:002014-03-15T12:43:33.581-07:00Starting Over.The last two years have been quite a journey. I never thought I would use a power tool, let alone own several, and then become pretty skilled with them. Never did I imagine I would be able to tell the difference between almond, oak, or olive logs. Never did I imagine I would be out in my garage working and sweating in the summer, or freezing in the winter - all to make Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-78418050127571159952014-02-24T09:36:00.001-08:002014-02-24T09:36:18.014-08:00My Workshop - Deerwood Creek Gifts
A customer asked me what my "workshop" looked like. My workshop? I had to think for a minute as my workshop is in an overcrowded one-car garage. The customer thought I had a fabulous workshop where I made my orders. I think she was imagining Santa's workshop where it was clean and sparkly. (I wish!) Well, I wouldn't exactly call this fabulous, clean, or sparkly,&Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-78100391632527041742014-02-23T22:10:00.002-08:002014-02-23T22:10:36.825-08:00How To Make A Bookshelf for Around $25.00
Several months ago I was looking to buy a bookshelf. I must have looked at hundreds and found that most were either too big, too small, or too expensive - not what I was looking for. My teenage son said he bet he could make one that was just the right size - and he could make it for around $25.
Challenge accepted.
Materials ListFive 12" by 48" boards
36 Bricks
My son and I Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-39513150402586033412014-02-01T22:03:00.002-08:002014-02-01T22:13:14.380-08:00How to Make A Yule Log
Hi! Today let's talk yule logs. I have been by asked by a few people how I make them. They are pretty easy to make and if you have a saw, a drill, a sander, and a dremel, you can make them too.
***Please note: I do not have a drill press. I normally drill by placing the logs in a vice and then drilling by hand. For the yule logs, I have found it is easier for me to keep the logs on the Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-14266136183948306902013-11-08T13:20:00.002-08:002013-11-08T13:31:04.210-08:00Don't hate me, but....
...we put up our Christmas tree last night.
But....we didn't put it near a window, so hopefully the neighbors won't see it and egg our house. I know how some of you it's-too-early-you-should-wait-until-after-Thanksgiving types can be. ;)
We have a fake tree as I am allergic to the real ones. Yes, I really am - never had a real tree in my life. One thing I can say for us fake tree Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-3395960290317355432013-10-29T23:48:00.000-07:002013-10-29T23:48:39.822-07:00HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Happy Halloween!
After working on a bunch of log orders, I was pretty happy to get an order for a concrete zombie hand.
These are fun and easy to make, so I was happy to do that. I love working with the logs, but it is nice to change it up every once in a while.
Speaking of witch, er, which, I am still learning to sew - I love it. I was taking our Russian Tortoise, Neil, Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-35914561419056960772013-10-22T23:31:00.002-07:002013-10-22T23:31:58.225-07:00Hypertufa Update
Hypertufa update. I am still making it and still loving making it. :) Here are a few things I have been working on. Enjoy! Oh, here is a new picture of me working with the logs. Have a great day!
Cindy
Hypertufa update. I am still making it and still loving making it. :) Here are a few things I have been working on. Enjoy!
Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-38499712686215886402013-10-22T23:23:00.002-07:002013-10-22T23:23:56.947-07:00Neil the Tortoise gets his first Halloween costume
I made Neil the Tortoise his first Halloween costume. He is thrilled. Have a great day and I will leave you with this: What do you get if you cross a tortoise and a porcupine?A slow poke.
Cindy
Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-39500188865382513132013-04-17T14:38:00.003-07:002013-04-17T14:58:24.074-07:00Hypertufa. Hyper-wha-ta???
HYPERTUFA. (Hyper-toofa). Until a few days ago, I had never heard of hypertufa. A lady wrote me through my Etsy shop and asked if I could make a hypertufa pot. A hyper-wha-ta???
After doing a google search and watching a few how-to videos, I knew this was something I had to look into. And by look into, I mean something I had to try right away.
Hypertufa is like concrete, but not. It is made Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-77012706323499427432013-04-02T15:02:00.001-07:002013-04-02T15:02:14.106-07:00How to Make a Log Toothbrush/Pen/Pencil Holder
Hi! Today I am going to show you how I make a log toothbrush/pen/pencil holder. These are pretty easy to make with the right tools - I know you will be able to do it.
Before beginning any project, I like to nag you, er, remind you to wear your safety goggles and a mask. Someone asked me why I wear a mask when I drill. Well, once I start drilling, bits of sawdust and Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-24713960331719885262013-03-03T22:27:00.002-08:002013-03-03T22:31:19.872-08:00How to Make A Rock Air Plant Holder
Hi all!
I spent today in the garage hanging out with the dremel, some air plants, and a bag of rocks. Give me items like these and I will come up with something to make.
The first rock I wanted to use was pretty plain, sort of looked like a potato, but it had potential. I decided I wanted to make this into a mini air plant holder. I started by drilling three holes in the top of the rock. Oh, Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-21539526577804634102013-02-28T11:09:00.002-08:002013-02-28T11:09:57.917-08:00What's More Fun Than A Bag of Rocks? What's more fun than a bag of rocks? Two bags of rocks!
Today let's talk about rocks.
Rocks are fun. Rocks are cool. I love working with rocks. (I realize that that sounds geeky, but I really do like rocks.) I enjoy sifting through the huge piles of rocks and finding just the right one. It's like looking for a lost treasure. I look at each rock and wonder what I could make Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-67934672290136188762013-02-04T18:00:00.000-08:002013-02-04T18:00:24.425-08:00How to make an engraved log candle holder.
I often get asked how to engrave logs. I love answering this as it involves the dremel, which just so happens to be my favorite tool. I could talk about it for hours.
To make an engraved log candle holder, first get a log that you think has pretty bark. I love trees and love picking out the prettiest logs. Once I find one that is just right, I cut it with the skilsaw. My skilsaw has Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-88466655312654032402012-12-17T15:41:00.002-08:002012-12-17T15:41:44.589-08:00The final finished fish!
The concrete fish is finished!
After I let it dry for a few days, I brought it inside for the finishing touches. I hand painted each rock with a waterproof sparurathane. It helps preserve the concrete and also helps the rocks stick on better.
The fish in the picture to the left is covered with sparurathane, to the right itCindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-18866092966045930092012-12-09T23:57:00.001-08:002012-12-10T00:17:04.936-08:00Jacked Up Logs and a Fish Birdbath
My weekend started with a bunch of new logs. I love thinking of all the new things I can make. I turned on some music, got out the skilsaw, the drill, the dremel and the sander and went to work. I was out in the garage for hours and loved every minute of it. Below are some of the things I made.
One of my favorite things I make are these split-log candle holders. I think Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-69919887283218860942012-12-04T16:53:00.004-08:002012-12-04T16:53:55.006-08:00Wordless Wednesday, or The Cat Drives Me Nuts-Day!
Wordless Wednesday. Or, as I like to call it, THE CAT DRIVES ME NUTS-Day! She knocked over the tree and was eating it - and this was not the first time. Did I mention it is an artificial tree? So many things wrong with this cat, I don't even know where to begin. Oh, sorry, back to Wordless Wednesday, I think I have said too much. No more words for me...shhhh.
Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-30498577356624603172012-12-04T15:49:00.000-08:002012-12-04T15:49:17.974-08:00A quick update.Just a quick update. My son had his spine surgery three weeks ago today and is doing wonderfully! He ended up getting two 6.5" titanium rods and 12 screws in his spine. But, after three weeks, he is walking around and feeling much better. :)
Neil the Tortoise, is doing great too. He is so cute in this picture - he looks like he is smiling! Working it for the camera. He wanted to be a Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667386888189709985.post-10797238112033844762012-10-31T11:24:00.000-07:002012-10-31T11:24:19.133-07:00Wordless WednesdayOn Wednesdays all over the internet, bloggers post photos with no words to explain them on their blog. Hence the ‘Wordless Wednesday’ title. The idea is that the photo itself says so much that it does not need any description. I am not a photographer by any means, but I love snow, I love to ski, I love to take pictures, so here you go. :)
Have a wonderful day. :)
Cindy Breningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090341390634068428noreply@blogger.com2