Wednesday, November 16, 2011

In-Law Visit

The In-laws came to visit the weekend of November 12th.  Unfortunately, my MIL came down with the flu the first day.  


I felt really bad for her, but at least she was able to curl up on the couch w/ a blanket and recover slowly.  While she was napping and the boys were off to Menard's for some home improvement shopping, I worked on the binding for the pinwheel baby quilt.


I'm making progress - it's just not going very quickly.  The binding is about 2/3 completed.  

It's inevitable that if I have a blanket on my legs, a kitty will be settled in shortly.  I don't mind most of the time because it is comforting to have them there.  This time was no exception.  Mac was unamused by my attempt to record her nap on my legs while I worked.  


I just have this week left for classes and I'm very much looking forward to working on some projects over my break.  


Saturday, November 5, 2011

A Non-quilted Project - The Milk Box

When we bought this house, the previous owners had left an old milk box in the "garage."  Dr J really wanted to put it on the porch, but I wouldn't let him do that unless it was sealed against the elements so it would be preserved.  We went to one of the local craft stores (who happened to be having a sale on the supplies we needed) and bought some sealing paint, stencils, stencil paint and a brush.

Last weekend was Dr J's Fall Break, so we were doing quite a few outside projects.  I laid some newspaper down and put the box on top.



Then I did several coats of the white spray paint.  I basically just kept coating it until there was no more paint left.


Then I stenciled "Milk" on the front and top of the box (sorry - no pictures of that process because I forgot.)  Then I sprayed the lettering with the same sealant I used on the sign for the front door (seen on the door in the final picture).  This is the end result.


It's cute, but I'm not completely satisfied.  It's a little plain and the "L" looks like a "2" to me.  If I had free-hand painting ability it would be no big deal, but I don't.  So, I'm not sure what I'm going to do to remedy this.

Obviously, we don't have milk delivered anymore, but packages will fit nicely in there.  It looks just right under the mailbox!


A close-up of the sign (sealed and hung), for inquiring minds.