The Handmade Homemaker

Furniture Refinish Part 2

2013-04-25T10:06:00.000-04:00

Well these were a pain in the BLEEP but I am very proud and happy with the way they turned out.
Lets start with the dresser

BEFORE:

This was in bad need of a re-do you can see it here but the finished looked like mustard was smeared all over it. Then to top it off white spray paint was sprayed on the top and spattered all over the mirror. It took many scrapings and tedious sanding but I got the top nice and smooth.

AFTER:

I wish the lighting was better, but this is a nice warm pink. IT is hard to find a warm soft pink but I did it and I am very pleased with it. The white spray paint came off the mirror with a razor blade and my needle work looks great above it. The white frame (and the gold one you can see reflected in the dresser mirror) is next to be re-finished.

Now onto the Desk and Hutch, I drove by this on the side of the road on my way to take Trinity to Gymnastics. I liked the feminine shape.

BEFORE:

My Son thought I was crazy when I asked him to help me load this on the truck. But it had nice lines and was in good shape. Not as well made ad I would have liked but I could make this work.

AFTER:

As you can see it fits in perfectly in my girly Rose room. I decided to make this a creamy antique white, not wanting to go pink and make everything too matchy, matchy. I am on the hunt for drawer pulls. Originally on the hutch drawers were two nobs and plastic pulls on the desk drawers. I didn't like them at all. The trouble is the holes on the hutch are closer than the drawers on the desk. I also need to raise the hutch as it is too low for a computer. I have an idea in mind that I think will look great.

Furniture Refinish

2013-04-01T22:41:00.003-04:00

I have been busy, busy, busy. In-between everything I am working on my bedroom furniture. The bedroom suit is very old and out-dated. At one point someone took a can of white spray paint and sprayed the top of the dresser and side table, not even bothering to try not to get it on the mirror. Well, it was free.

The side table use to look like the dresser...YUCK! You can kind of see the white paint on the mirror.
Being as chicken as I am I started with the side table to see if I could live with the pink.

I couldn't get the dresser out in the garage fast enough after I saw how the side table turned out. The paint was Glidden Barely Blush in an Eggshell finish. I then topped it off with several coats of a Semi-Gloss shellac.
On my way to taking Trinity to Brownies I saw this sitting out front of a Thrift store

It is not as well made as the bedroom suit but it had the soft shape I wanted. The structure is sound but it was not well taken care of...someone taped the drawers shut, Sam carved and wrote their name several places on it. But I am thinking a nice Antique Cream color...I don't want to go with the soft pink...way too matchy matchy for me.

The bed to the suite is OK the mattress slides down from the headboard then my pillow slides down between the mattress and the headboard...total pain. Besides you really cant even see it, its in the first photo. I have another bed in the basement...solid wood. Once I have everything finished and my back stops hurting and I can walk again after sanding and painting the rest of the furniture I am going to tackle it.

WIP - Blue Wave Poncho

2013-03-13T13:19:00.000-04:00

The Knitting:

I know its hard to see my poncho it really looks like an afghan gone terribly wrong. You knit one side then put half on a holder. Knit the front..put it on the holder...go back to the other holder and kit the back...knit the front and back together finishing up on the other side. It is very easy just seems hard. Once finished I will share the pattern and a photo that doesn't look like a blob.

The books:

Book on CD: Seer of Shadows

By: AVI

The Author also wrote the Poppy series that my children and I enjoyed very much. Though this book was in the childrens section I would not advise that children listen to it. To me this was more a Teen story. It was well written but not one of my favorites...still I enjoy books on CD while knitting at night in bed before going to sleep.

The Seer of ShadowsThe time is 1872. The place is New York City. Horace Carpetine has been raised to believe in science and rationality. So as apprentice to Enoch Middleditch, a society photographer, he thinks of his trade as a scientific art. But when wealthy society matron Mrs. Frederick Von Macht orders a photographic portrait, strange things begin to happen.
Horace's first real photographs reveal a frightful likeness: it's the image of the Von Machts' dead daughter, Eleanora.
Pegg, the Von Machts' black servant girl, then leads him to the truth about who Eleanora really was and how she actually died. Joined in friendship, Pegg and Horace soon realize that his photographs are evoking both Eleanora's image and her ghost. Eleanora returns, a vengeful wraith intent on punishing those who abused her.

The Middle Moffat

By Elanor Estes

I adore Elanor Estes home town style books, the Moffats are one of my favorite families and I am happy that there are several to read. I like to read to my kids before bed (before I snuggle into a book on CD) and anything by Elanor Estes is always a popular choice in my house by both children. (13 & 8) You are always left feeling good.

Who is Jane Moffat, anyway? She isn't the youngest in the family, and she isn't the oldest-she is always just Jane. How boring. So Jane decides to become a figure of mystery ... the mysterious "Middle Moffat." But being in the middle is a lot harder than it looks.
In between not rescuing stray dogs, and losing and finding best friends, Jane must secretly look after the oldest inhabitant of Cranbury...so he can live to be one hundred. Between brushing her hair from her eyes and holding up her stockings, she has to help the girls' basketball team win the championship. And it falls to Jane-the only person in town with enough courage-to stand up to the frightful mechanical wizard, Wallie Bangs.
Jane is so busy keeping Cranbury in order that she barely has time to be plain old Jane. Sometimes the middle is the most exciting place of all.

Propagation Update on Marigold Mondays

2013-03-07T13:29:00.001-05:00

Hey all I wanted to share my propagation update with everyone. Since I orrigonally posted it here I wanted to share the link of how my experiment is progressing.
I have successfully propagated a very expensive plant over and over again. YEAH BABY!

MARIGOLD MONDAYS

The Grandfather Clock

2013-02-19T09:56:00.000-05:00

I am so excited!This news had to be shared...
Almost Ten years ago my father gave me this Grandfather clock. I could never get it to run...so it became a big beautiful non running decoration reminding me of a lovely childhood.

Last week we cleaned the carpets and moved furniture around and something tall needed to go in a particular narrow spot. Alex suggested the Grandfather clock...goodness it would look good and maybe it would work again...So we did and it started ticking! Ever so gently the weights and the pendulum where hung. I checked it for plum and adjusted it to be perfectly level... Holding my breath I nudge the pendulum into motion and it started humming. After I set the hours and moon dial I gave it a good polish.

But the best part of this clock is a plaque that rest inside. See this clock was an anniversary gift that my parents (Stepfather and Mother) bought for each other on their first anniversary. They are the only couple I have ever know that were truly in love with each other. As a child I would wake to the chiming of the clock and hear its warm ticking sound. Down the hall my parents would be laughing and chatting in the kitchen as they did their Sunday morning ritual....turn on the coffee pot, go for a stroll, make breakfast together then just sit and soak up the warmth of each others company. Their love for each other extended to me and my sister, my childhood was full of hugs, kisses and laughter.

It is a privilege to have this in my home.

Washington Pie for Washingtons Birthday

2013-02-18T17:10:00.000-05:00

I thought I would have some fun and celebrate the Birthday of our first president with some Washington Pie

As impressive and sexy as this cake looks it was a cinch to make. It being so simple makes it a great show off cake, so I invited my girlfried over with her kids...she things I am a home making deva. Shhhh don't tell her the truth.

Washington Pie
1 Stick of butter at room temp
1 Cup of Agave (or sugar)
2 large eggs
1 2/3 Cup all purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 Cup whole milk
4 T Kirschwasser
1 18oz jar raspberry preserves
Powdered sugar to decorate the top

Oven 350

Grease and flour two round cake pans. Line the bottom with wax paper, be sure to flour and grease the wax paper as well.
Cream together the sugar and butter. Add the eggs one at a time mixing well in between.
Mix the flour and the baking powder together.
Alternate adding the milk and the flour mixture to the butter and eggs. Beginning and ending with the milk. Beat until it is light and fluffy, this is a very thick batter.
Spoon batter into pans and spread out the best you can...it will spread some.
Bake for 20 minutes, the cake will pull away from the sides of the pan when it is done.
Let them rest for 10 minutes.
Invert onto cooling racks and peel the wax paper off and let cool completely.
In the meantime stir the raspberry jam and kirshwasser together.
Cut the cakes in half so you have four layers.
Place one layer on your cake plate and spread with jam mixture. Repeat two more times then place the last layer on top and sprinkle with powdered sugar. You can make the top pretty by cutting out a wax paper round like a snow flake or paper doily.

Im Expanding

2013-02-16T20:32:00.002-05:00

Dear Friends...I am so happy you come by and visit me. But I have run out of room...So I have expanded The Handmade Homemaker into two other blogs.

The first is my Gardening Blog I call Marigold Mondays It is where I share all my Gardening adventures.

The Second is Kingdom of The Sun It is where I share all my kid stuff and Home school fun.

All the rest of the cooking, crafting and homemaking will still be here at The Handmade Homemaker for you to enjoy.

So come check me out as I work on my new blog spots...I am working on a bunch of things I cant wait to share with everyone.

With All That I Am
Carrie Forrest-Dweller Duvall

On The Cheap - Clam Chowder

2013-01-18T14:32:00.002-05:00

The government...heck even the whole world is screaming that we are in the stinker. All I know is that money is tight, but I am too darn creative to let a common thing such as money to get in the way of my creativity. (lets face it for as much as they say we don't have, I sure do see allot of it around)
And since I want to spend my money on things that are long lasting and enjoyable I have learned a few corners to cut so I may do so...sometimes.

Here is a cheap trick I learned from a lady at the supermarket. We were chatting over the prices of a can of soup and she gave me this tip.

To your can of clam chowder add some cooked cubed potato's and some milk, if it gets too thin mash up some of the potato's and it will thicken it up. This will bulk up your chowder and give your more servings.

Instead of having to buy two cans of soup I only have to get one now. And my family actually likes it better. It stretches that dollar a little further especially since I stock up when soup and potatoes are on sale.
Another thing I learned from this lady...open up, talk to strangers. You never know what you will learn.

Busy Week

2012-11-18T21:10:00.001-05:00

Catching up with everyone...

First and most important...Trinity's getting her two front teeth for Christmas this year! Hallelujah. She has been without her teeth for five years! She had a partial in for awhile, but it messed things up. She said she wants to eat corn on the cob for Christmas dinner. Lovely photo, don't you think?

Can you see the rainbows in my room? I have three crystals in my window that I reposition through the day so I can have rainbows. I would love to have my whole window full. I will be moving out of this the small room and into the big room. Brother and Sister have finally separated. YEAH! And now I get a bigger room. More room to work from. This means re-doing this ugly furniture.

See the ugly dresser and the side table? YUCK! I cant complain it was free. But I can refinish them...that's another blog entirely.

Still frugal gardening...I have been collecting seeds, along with a few spiders that get shaken onto the paper towel.

The kitten that wondered into our life got spayed. So we have been babying her. We named her Sophia after Sophia Patrillo on the Golden Girls. Shes little, cute and feisty.

Have a great week all, I hope to get the chance to post the knitting I have finished

The House of Unhappy Ending

2012-10-30T15:18:00.000-04:00

Our Story-

Tragedy on Temple Street

The House of Unhappy Endings

By: Carrie Forrest-Dweller Duvall

Comming to Book Store Near You in 2013

In 1997 The Duvall Newlyweds purchased their first home together, a quaint little bungalow snuggled in a small town. The couple ready to make it their own, filling it with children and memories had no idea of the history surrounding the cottage, or the horrors that never left.

Silently the Duvall's were watched from a distance by dark looming figures. As their family grew, the wife started noticing odd occurrences and had a feeling of uneasiness. After the second child was born, the monsters came out of the shadows and started tormenting mother and daughter.

The father shrouded in disbelief, and older Son unable to comprehend or help found themselves alienated from the pair.

This is a true story, about a family torn apart by the unimaginable. A mother search for release from the horror, a husbands possession, a daughters harassment from the dead and a Sons gentle support. This is the house of unhappy endings.

October Decorating Seasonal Table

2012-10-24T10:55:00.001-04:00

Each Season I try to make at least one thing to add to our Seasonal Table and Tree. I thought I would share it with you and how I made them or where I got the idea or pattern from.

Ghost and Bats: Just draw out the shape on paper as a pattern. Pin pattern to felt (I used a wool blend felt) Cut out two for each one. Sew black felted shapes on Ghost for face and embroider bat face. Sew together using a blanket stitch.

Leafs: Trace a real leaf onto tissue paper then draw a long stem and trace leaf on other end. Then you can just drape them over the branches.
Nuts: Send the kids out to collect nuts, meanwhile get out fall color paints and when they come in tell them to remove the cap and paint as many nuts as they can. I used a little finger drill (I found this at Hobby Lobby in the wood section) to drill two holes to draw cotton string through to hang it. I then used Elmers glue to glue the cap to the nut (hiding the not under the cap)

Nature Table

The instructions for Flower Fairies is in Felted Wee Folk's as well as the Forrest Folk Down below with the pumpkin house. The pumpkins were made as gifts that were given to me, you should be able to find them on etsy.

The pumpkin was purchased at Michael's and I carved out a door and window, I think I will paint it, put tissue paper in the window and door and carve a hole in the back to put a batteries operated light in.

The Knitted leaves are a pattern from Natural Suburbia she has several patterns that she shares and has a new book out and you can find her patterns on Ravelry as well. These are fun to make, quick and you can use your stash.

The Witch is my take on Felted Wee Folk. I couldn't get them to stand so I made a skirt and filled it half with felted wool and half with rice to give her weight and ballast. The Witches house was sewn from felted wool.

Each piece was embroidered and hand cut, It took weeks of work, but it was well worth it.

The Trellis was cut as one piece out of brown felted wool then the roses were embroidered over it.

The Roof was cut in the shapes of leaves and applied to a felted piece one at a time.

To make the form four pieces of florist foam was cut and shaped then wrapped in masking tape.

Enjoy and have a fun fall.

Hiking at Red Top

2012-10-14T16:39:00.002-04:00

Me and My Boy

Spent some time with just my son this afternoon, went for a 5 mile hike....UGH! Gosh am I out of shape.

Alex loves taking photos of mushrooms...

And I ennjoy picture of trees....

Or even better a picture of Alex in a tree...

Photo From My Haunted House

2012-10-11T08:48:00.000-04:00

Well, I am still writing away, and have been looking through some old photo's. Thought I would share some with you all since your being so patient. This was taken in the living room of my haunted house I'm writing about, I'm on the floor evidently doing the I'm tired eye rub.
Hugs to everyone

2012-09-27T14:23:00.002-04:00

Dear Friends,
You have not been forgotten, I miss you all very much.
My life has taken a huge turn and I must follow the direction it is leading me.
I am writing a book about my life at Temple Street, it is a scary tragic story that must be told. Not to mention the fact I have a deadline. So all the moments I can catch between home schooling, home making and being a Mom are spent writing.
If you would like to see what my life was like on Temple St and what I am doing with it. Check out my web
Forrest Paranormal Investigators.

With All That I Am
Carrie "Forrest-Dweller" Duvall

2012-09-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY SHARING

Have you created something awesome and want to share it? A new Recipe, Something in the Garden, Sewn something with your creative hands? Or maybe took a beautiful photo. Whatever the creation (G rated of course) please share it for us all to see.
Remember to share your blog post not just your blog address.

2012-09-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY SHARING

2012-09-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY SHARING

2012-09-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY SHARING

WIP-Fingerless Gloves

2012-08-29T10:05:00.001-04:00

This is a really simple pattern, they look very Victorian with a picotte edge and a bit of lace-work. They knit up quick. I think I may make some for Christmas Gifts this year.

Once I am finished I will share my pattern on Friday.

Oh I have been enjoy Fanny Flagg's Books. The latest "Can't Wait to get to Heaven" is a side splitting, heart warming, makes you feel good about life story. I listened to it on CD while kitting these, a great way to read and knit at the same time. She is the author who wrote "Fried Green Tomatoes."

2012-08-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY SHARING

Changes

2012-08-22T20:13:00.000-04:00

Dear Friends,
I am so sorry I have been gone for so long. So many personal changes are going on and more to continue. Soon to become a single parent, I am hoping to work from home so I do not have to put my kids in school.

I have re-opened my Etsy Store The Handmade Homemaker stop by and take a look around. I will be adding more to it. And this lovely Rose Window is available.

And I will be working on a web sight as well. I will be sharing that when its up and running.

Please don't give up on me...I am still here.

With All That I Am
Carrie "Forrest Dweller"

2012-08-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY SHARING

2012-08-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY SHARING

2012-08-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY SHARING

2012-07-28T14:06:00.000-04:00

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY SHARING