Bird's Eye View

So I thought we may have a fox living in our woods--saw something cutting across the top fence row of our pasture and into the woods.  Too far for me to get a clear look though.

We set up the trail cam to cover the area between the pasture and woods.  Checked it this morning to see what may have traveled that way in the past week.  No fox.  And very surprised it did not capture any deer as they usually are all around our house.

Did get one cool pic though.

Chalk Paint Dresser Transformation

You may remember this armoire makeover from last year that was for my granddaughter.

Earlier this summer I transformed a dresser for my oldest granddaughter--she got a new baby sister (and a new bedroom!) and had to give up the changing table/dresser that had housed her clothes up to then.  (And yes, I know I am a little late sharing this--just ignore the date stamp on the photos.)

I found an old oak dresser that had seen better days.  However, I knew a little paint could work wonders.

 As usual, I forgot to take pics until I had already started painting so I don't have a before pic of the dresser front.  But you can see from the drawers and the side that someone was very sloppy with some paint at some point in time.

There was one drawer handle missing.  It originally had two handles on each of the small top drawers.  This seemed like overkill, so I filled the original holes with matchsticks and wood putty and drilled new holes to put the handles in the center.  That solved the problem of the missing handle.

 The brass pulls were really darkened with tarnish.

 

  I hesitated to try to clean them because I did not want a shiny, brassy finish on them.  I gave them a quick rubdown with a DIY salt/vinegar mixture and it removed enough of the tarnish to brighten them without removing all of the patina.

I ended up using three coats of paint on the dresser to get the coverage I wanted.  Then I distressed it with sandpaper.  Hubby still doesn't understand why I bother to paint things, only to remove it later.  ;)  But you understand, don't you?

I don't know how some folks can get complete coverage with only one coat of the chalk paint.  Maybe I brush mine out more than they do because I need two or three coats to cover completely.

Just look at those gorgeous trim pieces!  The paint and distressing show off the details of it so well. I love the way it turned out. 

The mirror and harp were missing from the dresser, so I painted an old oval mirror to match.  Here is a pic of it lying on top of the dresser.

With this distressed finish, no need to worry about a 2-yr-old being a little rough opening/closing drawers, etc.  It will just add a bit more character.  :)   

I really do like using the homemade chalk paint as you don't need to worry about having a perfect surface to start with.

 So what do you think?  

Have you transformed anything with homemade chalk paint?

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Oh, by the way, here are the two sweethearts involved with this story--had to share their sweetness with you!  These first three pics were in June.  My first try at a "photo shoot" with my new DSLR camera and make-do backdrops.

The following were in September.  I have been practicing and trying to soak up as much info as I can on photography.   I think I am slowly improving--there's so much to learn.

Just a random one--I know Mommy's hands are in the background...but I couldn't pass up that expression!  Don't you just want to kiss that sad little face?

If anyone has any photo tips to share, please do...I want to learn!  I would love to make this more than a hobby.

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You may find me linking up at:

Knick of Time  Vintage Inspiration Party

Someday Crafts    Whatever Goes Wednesday

French Country Cottage   Feathered Nest Friday

Common Ground   The Marketplace

Funky Junk Interiors  Party Junk

Focus 52 January--Fogged In

Wow, can't believe January is over and done with!  It's been somewhat of a blur as life here has taken a turn.  My mother-in-law's Alzheimer's has progressed that she can no longer live alone...we now have a couple of women coming in for part of the day and my husband and I are swapping nights with her and filling in the other gaps.  Trying to keep her in her own home as the least amount of change she experiences, the better her condition should remain--hopefully.  It's a day-to-day guessing game what will be next, but we are doing what we can to keep her in a familiar environment and keep her safe.

That said, I haven't had much time to think about this photo challenge I signed up for.  However, I did get a picture the other morning of a heavy winter fog that greeted me with dawn's arrival.

Thinking about it this morning, I guess it is applicable to my life right now.  I am trying to navigate my way through a fog that has settled in.

Maybe this is a very appropriate God-aware moment for me.  Life--with its many troubles, challenges, heartaches and unknowns--can engulf you and block out the hope and peace that can be found in Jesus.  When our focus shifts from Him, it becomes difficult to navigate through the fogged-in days of life. 

  

James 4:14 (NLT) says:  "How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog -- it's here a little while, then it's gone."  

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Last month I read a devotional by Amy Carroll.
This was a question she asked:

  

How would things change if you truly believed that this season won't last forever—that it's only part of God's bigger, eternal picture?

And these were the verses she shared:  

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

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Therein, my hope is found.

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"God doesn't always change the circumstances, but He can change us to meet the circumstances. That's what it means to live by faith."--Warren Wiersbe 

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  Isaiah 41:13

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge

So there's a photo challenge on I Heart Faces--the Best Face of 2013.  You can enter any photo as long as it has a face in it.  I was browsing back through my many photos from last year to see what I could come up with.

Last fall, I did my first amateur "photo shoot" of my newest granddaughter.  I set up a makeshift photo studio in my bedroom and I played "photographer".  We were surprisingly happy with how they turned out.  And I just used my Nikon Coolpix compact digital camera.

So I am hoping with the new camera hubby gave me, along with some possible photography classes and lots of reading up on tips/tricks and lots of practice, that maybe I can learn how to take even better photos.  

Here is the photo I am entering--let me know what you think...

Ava Grace

FOCUS.52 Photography Challenge

Hubby bought me a new camera and accessories for Christmas--a Canon EOS Rebel T3i.  I've always enjoyed dabbling with photos--loved my old 35 mm Rebel...it took great pics and it was always a fun surprise when I got the pics developed to actually see what I had captured!

This camera is gonna be awesome...it is capable of so much and with various lenses, I will hopefully be able to capture great shots of my grandbabies, as well as nature shots that I love. That is, after I learn how to use all the settings.  I think this may be the year when I actually get serious about learning the ins/outs of photography and how to put it all together for great photos.  Who knows where this adventure will take me!

As motivation, I am joining Elisa Pulliam in her Focus.52 Challenge.  It is a 52-week journey to capturing a God-aware life--through photos.

Here is her explanation of God-aware:

It's about living with a heightened awareness of God at work...every week. 

It's about seeing Him in the little things, the sometimes overlooked things. 

It's about slowing down and capturing a moment that God gave us.

 If you would like to join the fun, or just follow along and enjoy the photos, check out Elisa's blog at the link below.