Prior

Work is Not a Dirty Word!

2012-01-31T20:19:00.000-06:00

This post was first written, a couple of weeks ago...intended as a personal journal, but then, I decided to share, because sharing is one reason I enjoy blogs best... above FB or Pinterest…we share. Most times we are like-minded, having common interests, that's what brought us together… although …We don’t all agree, think, or believe the same, yet we still tell our tales and graciously open our homes to one another. Like many of you, when I spy an anonymous pin I yell, “Hey, that is my bloggy friend, so in so’s, house, store, or project!” And, feel such pride in you...just like you do in me. I’m thinking I could recognize many of you, on the spot, at a garage sale or Goodwill! With that said, I am sharing my personal feelings, today, and will get back to the junk later.

Work is not a dirty word, but it certainly can clean up some dirt…and while procrastination surely would describe some of my past years, it has a dreadful future. Therefore, I choose work, as my WORD this year, but as you can see… by the late date, I do need to Work on my procrastination habits, most blogs are already posts past the word of the year party…

I am speaking of the act of working, not merely a paying job, but actively moving toward goals by the force of my efforts…Since I work at a Jr. High, I actually can regurgitate the scientific formula for work…so let me show-off!

Work = force x distance

So, according to this formula, even if I push at something all dang day, with the greatest of force, as stubborn as a mule, never giving in up…but it (the piece of furniture, a situation, or perhaps an attitude) doesn’t budge, not even one iota, no distance gained, no moving toward a goal …equals NO WORK.

Bunches of Force x No Distance = 0 Work Applied

My life only works because of Jesus, so my work plans must begin in His Word...God rested after His work of creation and declared it good...letting me know God worked way before sin came into the world and it was GOOD!

John 6:27
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.

O.K., my desire isn’t to spin my wheels working for things that can’t last. Instead, I desire my work to have enduring qualities…to have impact and to matter for all eternity and Jesus, who
gave me eternal life, will give me this work, yea! And… I can say, while I may never receive the Good House Keeping Seal of Approval, God has placed His Seal of Approval on Jesus, who gives me my work!

Colossians 3:23
What ever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

Hmmm... Throw myself into my life, with abandon, freeing myself in regards to what people may think, whether anyone appreciates or approves. I will look to God, as my boss…a perfectly loving, just and wise boss… who, thankfully, is full of mercy, and loves me beyond measure, this is to whom I will work and look to for my worth, not man! This “what ever” could be cleaning a toilet, junking with friends, making cookies with grand kids, or reading a test…even blogging. God wants me to live my whole life with my whole heart…offering my whole life as my work.
What ever!

1 Thessalonians 4:11
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you,

Well, I'm a LOUD Texas girl...and I feel God doesn't want me to change that so much, But..Hey, don’t gossip and cause strife. When I get bogged down with others business, my work doesn’t get done and I hinder others from the work laid out for them, lastly…yippee…physically work with my hands!
   Jesus, himself, was a carpenter.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Now, this is so cool, on many levels…

First, I am God’s work, fearfully and wonderfully made;

knit together in my mother’s womb.

Also, I originated from the dust of the Earth.

God, himself, reused dust to create man,

so repurposing is in my genes, lol.

Next, I was designed from the beginning for works,

good works…eternal impacting work, created by God,

tailored just for me, enabling me to walk in these works, exactly fitted to me

…not search endlessly for, chase after, or struggle with,

but merely walk!

Alright, my chosen word, “work”, is not a dirty word, it is my life…every nook and dusty cranny …discovering anew, day in and day out, whatever it can be…I’m walking … leaving this pragmatic world behind and trusting in Jesus, makes me believe in childhood dreams again…

and just maybe the cow may indeed jump over the moon!

a little more of our train theme Christmas Tea...just cause a blog post must have pictures!

Walking to Work

Lezlee

Vintage Valentine's Banner

2012-01-24T21:42:00.002-06:00

When I took down my Christmas Banner,
my white curtains looked so cold and lonely...

So.... Happy Vintage Valentine Banner!

Miss Mustard Seed gave me this sweet idea...
red extra wide seam binding, using a zig-zag stitch....LOVE!

The hearts are just a toilet paper roll cut in to strips,
          then squished into a heart shape...
                                         you could paint and glitter them...
                                                      got lots of ideas for the tp rolls!

a sweet little Teddy with a red heart!

The sun was shining so, here in Texas, it was hard to get a shot!

LOVE

Lezlee joining a party at Honey's

Hand Made Frisbee Golf from Junk

2012-01-16T09:34:00.000-06:00

Here is a fun junking project...

Frisbee Golf made by my son, Josh ...(oh, yeah trying to get the wedding pics posted) made

from mostly discarded items...old stools, hoola hoops, closet hanger brackets...I need to get him to explain,oh yeah, duct tape was involved...I am pinning this to my "Parade Party" ideas...we, Jodi and I , are gathering ideas for a low-key old fashioned parade day! It is in June...

galloping on!
Lezlee

P.S. Did y'all know most city parks have Frisbee Golf? It is a free, fun day at the park...the special Frisbees are fairly inexpensive...so pack a picnic and get out there when Spring has sprung!

Back to the regularly scheduled Christmas Tea Tour posts soon...I think!

The Christmas Tea Tour, Moma's Screen and Secret Room

2012-01-14T23:15:00.000-06:00

We used Moma's screen again...we didn't use much from last year and when we did, it was redecorated...

Moma used these back when she sat up at places like Edom, Canton, and Market Hall...She would have been perfect for Zapp Hall.
When she first sat up at the juried show in Edom, Moma said, "I don't know if I will fit in with all you" and his reply, "Mrs.Opal, your more hippie than all of us!" Moma is timeless...quality has no fear of age.

p.s. She did not take part in the skinny dippin'

vINTAGE TOYS and some bushes that resembled tumbleweeds filled in the top...The huge candy cane's are from The Victorian Lady Tea Room...and The chains.

This rusty red locomotive was a purchase from The Primatique...love Mindy!

The red rocking horse made the trip back from Round Top with us...love Round Top!

This year we added a little "secret" room...where the curtain is pulled back...It really was the cutest surprise...everyone just said "AWWW" and kept coming back to take another peek...it was so secret Suzette needed to make this sign to draw attention. We really utilize every square inch of this room!

some close ups of the "secret" room...a little wooden train beside Little Golden Books about Christmas or Trains...cookies and milk for Santa...the end table was a little shelf. This was so fun to stage. We even had a little engineer hat thanks to Junkin' Sista Susie...

And this awesome tree was a garage sale find. Jodi new I would want it for the purchase price of just one dollar...she only saw a few branches sticking out to the box, but new I would LOVE it...the previous owners said it had yellowed, so they tried painting it. Isn't it great! Suzette sold the white tree we used last year, so we were elated to get this one!

The double sided Penguins came from Tipsy Tango in Quinlan...and of course we added some red this time around, along with some of the baubles and cards we made last year...

ornaments made from the old school plates

Suzette told someone these little students were Dick and Jane...someone ask how she knew that...

and

of course she said, "Because that's what I named them!

They were stowaways from Round Top, too!

Everywhere we could we crammed in t a train...this tiered plant shelf was tailor made for a train track...

coming around the bend...

That's the
Moma'a Screen Area
At this rate it may take 'til next Christmas!

Lezlee...

The Christmas Tea Tour

2012-01-13T19:59:00.001-06:00

Ok, I was just going to wait until next year to post about this past Tea,
but it is next year... so here goes!

This was taken while we were still working and with overhead lights on,
don't you love the Santa Hat Chair Covers

Our theme was "All Aboard the Panther Express for An Exemplary Christmas"

So much of the fun is picking a theme.

We need centerpieces for seven tables and back this summer I spotted a box of wooden blocks that looked like trains for 2.50...so I brought them home and put them in the shed and didn't open them up for closer inspection until we were hauling our things to the school, but...when I did I found seven of these! The middle cars needed painted, since they were primary colors, but how perfect can you get for a train theme?~ I added the candle in the middle, using a shot glass, bed spring, galvanized canning jar lid, and some snow and bling.

We wanted to add in some color, so RED it was!

and along the way we picked up Santa's Wardrobe, especially His Hat. as a little side theme, as you will notice as I post...

Vintage toys are always fun and fitting for Christmas Decor, too.

I made the flat Christmas tree from bed springs

Suzette made this awesome Burlap Tree!!!

& here is a burlap wreath... Suzette, made too!

She is the QUEEN of the flower makers, love this one...

and a paper song sheet wreath Sandra, one of our Junkin' Sistas, and Suzette collaborated on. It was even prettier in real life, if you can imagine!

Here is another shot of the over-all area, from the other end...

Again, the lighting was softer on the real day...

This is the method Suzette and I have for figuing out our design, for the whole room, after we get our theme and color scheme going, we break it down to areas...more areas to come! I'm interested to know, How do you go about planning and the creative process?

Hey, I'm not a procrastinator, I am about 11 months ahead!!!

Winkin'
Lezlee

P.S. I went to yoga twice this week...the stretching was so good for this old body.

Bed Spring Arch, Christmas Bling

2012-01-12T21:22:00.002-06:00

Well, I didn't get much Christmas Decor on my blog, but I am posting this, because I'll soon do it up for Valentine's Day, because I loved it with the RED!

Here is where I first posted about my bed spring arch.

We had a ball with the grand daughters this Christmas!

These stairs still aren't finished,
sometimes there are just some jobs
that seem like they will never be done,
and this isn't even a hard one, really...
but looking at this picture I see a lot that is done!

procrastornating, late, cluttered, out of season...

Lezlee

Ornaments Made From Keyboard Keys

2011-12-17T01:51:00.002-06:00

Joining the Party at Funky Junk with Donna...this week the party theme is handmade ornaments...
These photos were taken at the District Wide Tea... Suzette or "The Five Sisters", as we are known, decorated.

Josh did a lot of the work on these ornaments, but they were my idea, lol, and I did strip down the keys, lay out the words, and tie the ribbons! What can I say, "The Five Sisters" have good elves.

They are made from keyboard keys...we started making these about 3 Christmases ago...

We've spelled out lots of things...
We did a green one that said "Grinch" and a black one that spelled "Coal"

Also, special orders with folks names...I thought it would be cute to put some computer language on some, too.
As much as I love rust and really old junk...
I also like repurposing the new plastic junk...a fun way to keep them out of land fills, hmm?

And it works out especially well, when you can marry the two, as we did here with the rusty bed spring trees. My sister, Beverly, made these...we all dabble in the springs, seems I never have time to post it all though.

My sister, Suzette, put this together...the ornaments were a nice finishing touch! If any of you guys remember last year's tea, you'll see we added some red to the decorating scheme this go round...I love RED!

Here is another tree...spot the red vintage truck to the right, love it!

Notice all our Santa Hat Chair covers...

they were so fun!

And here is a wreath I made from bed springs, and decorated it with this sweet bird and paper tree.
Bed Springs are a blast to work with, Because it's so easy to come up with things to do with them,

but, I do tend to look like I have been in a cat fight, when I am through!

I adore using old jewelry like this pearl ear bauble, with the rust,
such contrast.

Seems I always add some paper flowers and buttons...

And of course, more of our chains!

Lezlee

Fish Bowl Snowman Snowglobe

2011-12-14T21:05:00.002-06:00

Last year, I spied a fish bowl snowman on Sassy Trash that her friend, Martha, made

and I wanted to make one too!

Here is my version!

The hat holds a candle

This was part of the decor for the Mabank ISD Tea, Suzette, Beverly, and I decorate for...
so of course we put a train in the top snow globe...this picture was taken as we were still preparing...
Suzette and Janis have the best snow anywhere...I think the Tea Room has some for sell, still.

This adorable little house was picked up at Wal~Mart and we made these chains for the scarf...

We designed, printed, cut, dyed, and put together hundreds of them...

last year you might remember we did song sheet ones...well, this year we added red into our train theme.

Bottom Globe...

two little girls, dressed in red and a tiny, shiny tree with plenty of snow.

Now, here is the one made by Martha...it is darling!

These are fun to make & would be a great way to showcase special ornaments

or little scarves and hats your children have outgrown.

thinking outside the snow globe

Lezlee

French Country Cottage Feather Your Nest Friday

The Charm of Home Home Sweet Home

At the Picket Fence Inspiration Friday

Stuff and Nonsense Fridays Unfolded

2805 Potpourri Friday

Main Bath Christmas Dressed Up for Christmas

2011-12-13T22:02:00.002-06:00

My Main Bathroom Dressed up for Christmas...
for more of
my Main Bathroom Click Here

The other day, it dawned on me that my cast iron tub is magnetic, duh...

isn't it fun how you can have something for awhile

and then a new idea about it will pop in your head?

Sorry the pics are blurry...

You can read about the tree I designed a couple of Christmases ago

Here...I call it my extreme tree trim.

I love Dalia's, but let's face it, even at the grocery store, they can get expensive
and are tiresome to replace all the time...
so, I made me some from coffee filters and just used twigs for the stems.
I will still use fresh cut and wild flowers, but this was a fun change...

I need to add a little bit of red bling to the vases.

Lezlee joining the tree party @ Thrifty Decor Chick

My Christmas Banner

2011-12-08T00:58:00.009-06:00

Just a little Christmas Banner, I made...

It hangs on the entryway curtain,
from darling little clothes pins,
each decorated with mittens, stockings, or ice skates.

Each letter has an object representing that letter...as in

C for Christ Child (this was made by one of my students)
H for Holly

R for Rudolph the ~~one eyed~~ Red Nosed Reindeer! (made by one of my kids)

I for Icicle, brrr...see it right near the middle?

Then there is
S for Santa Suit, so cute!

T is for Tree, of course.

After I spelled out CHRIST...I made a count down with numbers, but kept on with the objects...

M is for mistletoe
A is for angel
S is for stuffed stocking...(a 1st ornament for one of my babies)

Now, that spells CHRISTMAS, for me,

fun, easy, & sentimental!

Merry Christmas
HIS banner over me is LOVE,
Lezlee

P.S.
I was hoping to join some of the Christmas Home Tours, with my whole house, we will see how that goes!
until then go check out these great parties!

French Country Cottage

My Dining Car: The Mabank Parade of Homes 2011

2011-12-02T17:03:00.001-06:00

Our theme for the Tea was
"All Aboard the Panther Express for an Exemplary Christmas"

So we had a bunch of trains,

AND for my crazy, pretend board members table, I decided to turn my whole set into a dining car! The cargo (old dove-tail shipping crates and vintage luggage is on top and the decadent meal on the table...

I also added a back wall this year, so I could paper it in dictionary sheets and have sconces...the old frame was snatched up on trash day, from a neighbors trash, on my way to work. Didn't it make a great chalk board!?It made me do a quick double back when I spotted it sticking out of the can!

You can't tell, but I used bedspring wreaths as my chargers, more details to follow. Also, we will be on the tour tomorrow...It begins at the Tri~County Library on Market Street in Mabank, 4 homes and two businesses. My friend Susie's House is on the tour and it is great! So, come on... I would love to see you!

Touring
Lezlee

oh my goodness!

2011-11-30T21:00:00.001-06:00

Updated: Here is a link to Channel 8 WFAA's Website where some pics and story on our Tea AND we will be on the tour Saturday, so come to the Tri-County Library Saturday at noon, for brunch and get your ticket. My friend Susie's house will be on the tour too, and it is fabulous, as I am sure all the others will be!

WFAA http://www.wfaa.com/younews/134734558.html

and if you can't make it then, I could show you around another time.

I am making the big bloggy No No. I don't have any pics, too tired, BUT, if you live anywhere near me, you have to come see how we decorated the board room this year for the Christmas Tea, really I'll give you a tour, because we are not on the Mabank Home Tour this year. Just email me if you want to come, for real!

Lezlee

The Peacock Princesses

2011-11-01T18:40:00.001-05:00

The wedding is over, my son Josh's...& I am anxious to share it with you...But first...The Peacock Princesses.

One of my grandbabies, the lighter haired one, turned two just recently and the other... not for 4 more months yet, and my new DIL's niece is right around the same age, so we took a bunch of tulle, in 4 colors, and after making them TU TU dresses, we dubbed them the {Peacock Princesses) At the wedding they actually had peacock tail feathers...they just about, "stole the show", but the bride was so pretty, she still took center stage, as should be.

Where's my cousin???

They are looking for one another...

Aww...they found each other...so why not have a Tea Party?!

Rowni...

Doodles...

Where did she go?

Wonder where they think they are going??? So grown up.

They had so much fun!

My niece, Gina, took these shots...BEAUTIFUL!

Aww...they found each other!

We're otta' here!!!!

Grandma
Lezlee

Since my grand daughters tickle me pink and we were able to make 3 dresses for a wedding under 50 bucks and I haven't blogged in 4 ever, thought I'd join Holly, 'cause she tickles me pink, too, and I have missed her!

Ki Nassauer and the Winnie and Tulula Visit

2011-09-30T23:50:00.001-05:00

Gloria, Ki, and Margo

This was such a fun night!!!!! meeting Ki~~

being around so many creative folks, at the after hours party.

Enjoy!

The place was decked out for Spring...

Famous Cat Daddy and , shop owner Gloria herself!

These pictures were taking in May, but they were lost in a broken camera, so sorry for the delay... good thing I don't report the news!
It would be ancient history by the time I got to it...

but thankfully with junkin'~ AGE is a good thing!

Some of the vendors from First Monday, even got to come out after hours, look at the adorable

"Girls Gone Junkin'".

When I rent a booth again, I hope it is with such fun creative minds as the Tulula Heads!

It's not a Texas party without Talkin' Trash

Ain't that a good picture of 'em!

Curl up and Sweet Dreams...I have more pictures...I'll save them for a rainy day!

Thinking Back to Spring~

Lezlee

A Weathered White Christmas Tree

2011-09-15T19:06:00.001-05:00

Well, I know it is still so hot in Texas, but we...Suzette and I, are gearing up for the Christmas Tea...We are working on ideas...

and remembering some from last year,

I never posted about~

one of our many trees. Ha ha, hard to believe I still have pics that I've never posted, I know!

We used baubles and beads with our handmade vintage looking cards...

Jolly ol' Fella!

and Flowers...

A perfect touch of flowers crafted from old patterns, Song Sheets & paper

Forgoing electric lights tangled all through the tree, we used a spotlight...keeping the nostalgic feeling...

the panther paw, just a whimsical nod to our Panther mascot...

The tree is "the" shade of weathered white...sitting in my rusty, baby washtub.

The Tub filled with ornaments shimmering and snowballs glistening...while outside the weather is sweltering...

aww can you remember it? Winter!

Hundreds upon Hundreds of our musical chains... Really.

so for now, Fa la la, I promise not to post too much Christmas, yet!
until then...I'm joining White Wednesday~!

Chillin'

LEZLEE

Junkin' With My Moma

2011-08-05T20:48:00.000-05:00

Moma and Cat Daddy at W & T...

Cheer and Vote

2011-07-28T20:52:00.001-05:00

Asking for a little bloggy friend help, Please!
My daughter in law, Jerri, has Christian Cheer Company. She teaches cheer leading and has been involving the squad in community service. Go watch the video. I promise it will touch your heart and make you happy to see young people having the opportunity to help people.
Go Here , on facebook, and request to be a friend, scroll down until you see Christian Cheer's Video, and click on "like" to vote, I know that it's a hassle, but I would love for you to support their efforts and promise you will get a blessing from the video! thanks!

You can't vote on youtube, you have to do it on this face book page.
Big Thanks,
Lezlee

burlap, bling, and rusty bed springs...thinking outside the box "spring"

2011-07-20T15:23:00.007-05:00

Just a sneak peek of Sister # 1's (Suzette's) guest room redo... plenty more beautiful to come. really, beautiful...

thinking, "Outside the box spring " was a comment left by Heather . So true! We have been busy making everything that "springs" to mind, out of the dang pretty thangs.

happy camper

Lezlee joining some parties...

Funky Junk

French Party

and go like my post here...

Looking Back...

2011-07-20T00:17:00.000-05:00

Christmas Tour

grand daughters...

parties...

Holiday decor...

Master Bath...click on it if you want to see more of my master bath...

Shopping for cool treasures

day dreamin'...

Round Top Ruffles and Friends...

5 Sisters at the Victorian Lady Tea Room in Mabank, Texas

Lookin' Back..while trying to organize some of my pics....Lezlee

more ways than one to dress up your windows

2011-07-15T20:15:00.007-05:00

my friend Mary Jane Plemons gave me some cool stuff...among the treasures were some dominoes, skeleton keys, and buttons...I already had the wire and bed springs...so...

Just some more of my ~~wierd~~ different window treaments, I've got more posted...
with more to come, I'm sure, lol.

Thanks MJP! I'm thinkin' up a little somthin' for you.

I made something yesterday,
but it sold before I got a picture,
darn...I want remember it tomorrow, lol.

Long Time No Blog so joining some parties...

Funky Junk

Lezlee

Monkey See Monkey Do

2011-07-05T15:00:00.002-05:00

Funky Junkupdated repost...Joining Way too late for the Copy Me Challenge,

but I still wanted to show off my knock~off idea from

Donna...at Funky Junk...
remember where she used a vintage hanger to hang a curtain?...well here is my version...
and I am linking it to a fun party featuring Donna's style.

a spice jar, turned candle holder...added a little Epsom Salt...
sometimes I use rock salt, but the Epsom has a finer glimmer to it...
the two salts work well mixed together with a little glitter, too.

and of course a touch of bling~never hurts!

I used a plant hanger to hang my hanger...

since I don't have molding, plus it needed to be very secure.

I really didn't want a curtain up on this window.

The player piano roll fit the skinny entry window perfectly,
with the tiny note holes allowing a pretty pattern of light.

The song is "Let Me Call You Sweetheart"

and I think it made a sweetheart of a pull shade.

The openness of an old canning jar basket resting on a rusty aquarium base
keeps the small area from appearing crowded.

Parts of the roll were very brittle,
decoupaging some dress patterns around reinforced those spots without altering the look much.

ignore me, in the mirror, and I am still am in the tweaking stage of my entry
(one reason I didn't post it during the challenge, but decided to show it now and add more pics as it evolves)

Blogging is a great place for inspiration and encouragement...
When I see an idea, my imagination just shoots off to new ideas and ways I can incorporate it for my home.
That creative process is fun, isn't it?
Have you taken an idea lately and changed it up a bit to fit you?

Adding one more picture...when I found my crystal bling, I dangled some...it helped to weight it, too.

pulling down the shades and going to bed..

Night
Lezlee

More Parties...
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2011/09/sns-101-non-traditional-window.html

Parade Party

2011-06-27T18:37:00.001-05:00

Another small town thing we do here in Mabank is "Western Week". It all revolves around the yearly rodeo, with food, games, bed races, queens to be crowned, and of course the main event the three night rodeo, ending with a dance. It used to be a street dance, but since building the new pavilion...it has since been held there, with some still preferring the nostalgia of the street dance. As a kid, I wasn't encouraged to attend such a thing, lol.

Here it comes~!!!!

Sisters and long~time cowgirls...

Do y'all see Grace Ann?

Don't you just love have traditions begin?....

Roni~Roni and Doodles enjoyed it, along with some of my great nieces and nephews!

Uncle Sam and Besty Ross rode...

A party unplanned is sometimes the best party of all...Many stayed late and played 42.

We happen to live on the parade route! About 10:00 A. M., I thought what about a parade party!!! And a great tradition was born... with family and friends, especially the new grands.

Sandwiches, Sundaes, and Chocolate pie following the parade!

Making Memories and Embracing life in a small town...

Yee Haw

Lezlee

P.S.

To all my local blog friends: You are cordially invited to next year's annual parade party!

Save the Date and bring your dominoes!

Graduation Party Ideas

2011-06-20T23:22:00.001-05:00

Well, my baby of five graduated High School, this May...One of the reasons I've been so busy this Spring. I didn't throw a party for any of my other kids, but we did go out to eat or commemorate in some fashion.

Here's a little tour of the party decor...

Starting at the front Entrance...

Pictures everywhere...
Jacob, in red and his best friend Josh, in yellow ~ Pre-k!

Jacob wearing one of Moma's many hats. She is famous for her hat wearing and at one time or another most of her grand kids and great grands have been photographed wearing one! She is a great- great grandma.

Moma picked up this little ceramic shoe at Goodwill, back in March for Jacob's birthday...He loves soccer, played since he was 4, and played for his High School team. This is a cloche I always leave sitting on the buffet. It can easily change with the seasons or go with the flow of whatever is going on in our home.

For Jacob's graduation party, I enclosed the tickets and program, along with the decorations

This is a drink Koosie, cut open, like a book...these were leftovers from a Sr. party us parents threw, just for them, which was so much fun, a great last time together as a class. If your Sr. doesn't have a party like that planned, you should head one up!

The overall buffet...a place for cards and more pictures. I simply laid a frame down across his fav class picture. The vase with white roses are a touching tradition of our Sr. Assembly, held during the school day for students, family and friends...The entire class file in connected by the silver shiny ribbon and flowers they are holding (on the buffet) and at the end of Sr. Assembly they walk across a wooden play bridge, which many of them climbed on in Kindergarten, and their ribbon is cut, kind of like apron string. Each student keeping their flowers and a portion of the ribbon.

I really, wanted to get the stairs finished painted, but procrastination and other legitimate priorities have come first...besides it was family coming, and they don't mind...and I almost hesitated to show y'all my slowness, but I knew you would understand and be excited when I finally do show you the "after" pics. Right now every other stair is painted and no risers...but painting isn't always what my life is about. Sometimes it is about a spoonful of this or a glass of that.

This turned out to be my favorite spot...around from the buffet, tucked into a tiny corner, we have a coat rack. I dress it up in Jacob's invitation, program, tie, sashes, cap and gown...with a little ribbon and confetti thrown in. Panther Paws and picture of us with Jacob at Baccalaureate. "Done".

Another tradition we have is doing a silhouette of every Kindergartener and then again as a Sr.,
sadly they have stopped doing the Sr. one.
I have an overhead projector, wonder if I could get him to sit still a minute, lol.

We hold graduation over an hour away...and the graduate has to be there so early...the timing was just off and it is so hard for everyone to make it so far, with all the busy lives, add in tornadoes all around, that night. Even with all of that, Jacob did have all his immediate family and then some.

Next, you step up to the dining room...

Just some ribbon, tissue, napkins, and more pictures...as far as I'm concerned nothing beats photographs!

The table centerpiece...A Panther, of course!

This next little idea, I got from Lanette.

She is full of them, so check out her blog...

Look at the little rock, "You Rock Jacob".

When she posted about this,

I thought it was just so very clever.

These little vignette was on my heritage hutch

Next around the corner from my dining room...We had an icecream Sundae bar set up in my laundry room. It looked really "sweet", with all the toppings showcased, in my milk glass, but I was so busy with the party in full swing, sorry, no pictures.

My huge deep freeze is right under this and that is where the Sundae Bar was set up. "Cheeky" is his nick-name, so I just put it up on the table with magnetic letters, for a little personal touch. We also had Chili Dogs with all the works in the kitchen. To make it flow , the drinks and desserts are in the laundry room part of my great room.

After the kitchen, (that I didn't take any pics of) you step down and are full circle, back to my living area...here is another idea I got from Lanette, when she had her own son's graduation party.

Our French Doors... decided on black paint for them, someday.

We had tables outside, too, since we had 45 guests, but only the really young and the smokers ventured out in this Texas heat. I double sided the photographs, so there would be one to look at outside, too. I couldn't put them all the way down, 'cause of them grand daughters! They love Jacob. They both stand at the bottom of the stairs and just yell his name.

oh, yeah, as I was cleaning for the party, I found my crystal stash, so I added a little to my piano roll shade. It had a little ring just begging for it, also it helps weight it down.

At the spur of the moment, I decided to have a celebration, at home the following weekend. So, these are some of my ideas, besides napkins, picked up last year for hardly anything, I don't think I purchased much to decorate with, maybe a few dollars spent at Goodwill and such. Mostly, I just walk around and decided where to add some party! Paying attention to the flow of 45 people and it turned out great!

Hopefully, if you have a party, in your future, some of these ideas, will come in handy, too. We don't have to spend lots of money for meaningful decorations, just use what you got, especially personal items, and let your imagination grow!

done graduated

Lezlee

Have You Seen My Keys???

2011-06-15T23:56:00.001-05:00

I've made a few of these key holders...they are good sellers...

They are keys. They spell keys. They hold keys.

& I think we, us junkers, need to start exploring ways to re-use some of the new junk that is trashing our world,

so this is part of my contribution to that, if you would like to see what I've done with a keyboard just click it. I'd love to see any ideas you have for New Junk.

an old apothecary bottle filled with tattered bits of life...

A rusty key for adornment...tied with jute.

Hey, maybe I left my keys in my vintage handbag....

or maybe my keys are hiding behind another button bouquet, on a vintage frame,
                                        notice our card...
           It is the old hotel where us 7 kids grew up...
                                                                 5 Sisters and Two Brothers...

I used an old brown bottle, with Anacin written on the side, for this one...do they still make Anacin? Luckily, I seldom, if ever, have a headache, but all this searching for keys, may lead to one.

The frame is resting on something I will post about later, too tired right now,

because...

We have made it our mission, this past week, to help Moma sort through some of her things...
plus fatten her up. We were successful! Her room is straight,

AND

She has gained almost 7 pounds in 7 days!

God is Good!

and so is Blue Belle Ice Cream.

May the Lord Bless You and Keep You
Lezlee

P.S.
It takes a lot of energy and time to fatten little ole' stubborn ladies up, so I may not be posting so much, we'll see...
but I will be browsing, so y'all keep posting! I hope to see you at Winnie and Talula's, maybe I'll bring Moma, too.

Junk and Disorderly

2011-06-14T23:13:00.002-05:00

It's that time again, this Saturday the 18th...

Junk and Disorderly,

click on link to read about last year, fun, fun, fun!

And here are some pics of my jars, just because...what's a blog post without pics?

The Five Sisters at the Victorian Lady Tea Room

Chalking it up

Lezlee