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Group One
In & Out of Studio 3D
Friday, 28 June 2013
Hard-Working Friends
Topic: Around the House

New appliances make me happy! I've been babying my old washer and dryer for a while now but they have not been pulling their weight. After 20+ years the washer agitation was spotty and loads had to be 1/2 sized to allow clothes to get moved around enough to get clean. The dryer took 1 1/2 cycles to get a load dry - even those 1/2 loads. Grrrr.

So, we went shopping for some new friends to live in the laundry room and they look very nice in their new home. I would have prefered a colored set but, when you shop the sales, you take what is available!

Here are my high capacity, front load machines on their pedestals.


I debated on the pedestals but then reminded myself that I do not stand around in there looking out the window, anyway, so why not. There is still enough light coming in.

Now, I have to go teach them to fold laundry and my life will be complete.

Ddd

 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT
Monday, 8 April 2013
Coyote Dog
Topic: Around the House

A few days ago hubby looked out the back window and spied a coyote out at the end of the yard. He has seen them at night going through the yard but always on the move. I've never seen one in the 24 years we've lived here.

Imagine our surprise that this one just wandered around a bit, looked around at the scenery and even watched us looking with binoculars for a while. It suddenly occured to us to grab the camera and see if it would hang around while we took photos.

We only got two shots before it moseyed off into the scrub brush and vanished.

 

 

 

I suppose this means I will be saying adios to a few bunnies, mice and other little critters that inhabit this space. But it was neat to see this awesome doggie.

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT
Monday, 24 December 2012
Almost There
Topic: Around the House

Can you even believe Christmas is almost here? Sort of snuck up on my - as usual. I thought I'd give you a little tour of this year's decorating. This has actuallyall been up for over a week but I had other things I wanted to get posted in the meantime. So, here we go...

As you enter the front door there is a wreath but I didn't photograph that. On the inside door handle I hung an oversized ornament:

Just inside the door we have a half-wall. I used crunched up wide plaid ribbons as a base and added a wooden reindeer and a basket sleigh. Last year the sleigh came with a fresh arrangement in it. I saved some sparkly swirly sticks which became the antlers for the reindeer and I filled the sleigh with silver and red shiny ornaments:

Turn right to go into the livingroom and you will first come upon the fireplace. I placed a nativity snowglobe on the lower left:

...and a cangle arrangement on the right. The boxes in this candle holder are hollow so I stuffed them full of gold tinsel:

Up on the mantle is the block calendar framed by 'peace' and 'joy' candles (from Avon - very old). I kept the lanterns that were living up there and added the candle holder from another room. The swag is cheesy plastic but I like it anyway. I placed a $1 runner underneath the whole thing:

In the entertainment center I filled the lower unit with a full nativity ('local' on the left, 'afar off' on the right) and then used the upper shelves and top to assemble an angel choir:

Here's a closer look at one side of the angel choir. Since they are all in golds and cream I added the gold miniature sheet music around them:

There is a corner of the room that is usually pretty blank but I added some decor here to pretty it up

On the complete opposite corner diagonally we have a stack of basket boxes where the answering machine lives. I added some holly, pinecones, and jingle bells to this. (Get it? 'the phone is ringing'):


And for the little corner lamp table, some Santa cheer. Santa is actuall a stack of three nesting boxes. I used my holiday block set here and added a Santa hat to the lamp:

As you leave the living room towards the dining room you pass by the tree. We've added so much furniture that we had to downsize to a shorter, narrower tree. This one is pre-lighted and I've filled it with our usual ornaments plus a couple of new ones we were given this year:

This sits right next to the roll-top desk which is hosting the 'new to me' Christmas Village. Mom gave me these from her collection. I surrounded them with poinsettia blooms, fake (duh) snow, tiny bottle brush trees and some tree candles. I love that these are in a place where the lights can be turned on. I have them plugged into the strip with the tree so they all light at the same time:

Next around the room is the dining table. I put on a crisp white tablecloth, two $1 table runners and a bowl of poinsettias:

Directly across from this is the china hutch. It has an open area that is perfect for seasonal decorating. I use the top shelf to display Christmas cards and the lower shelf sports a fake plant with poinsettia blooms tucked in around the leaves. the three new birdhouses live here along with some mirror balls:

In the kitchen, the only decor is a couple of tiny ceramic buildings up on the window sill (actually, I have since added a large pillar candle between them that is decorated with poinsettias):

Back down the hallway I hung a banner on one of the wooden doors to the linen closet:

Tuck into the main bathroom and you will find the counter top decorated with snowy tinsel from end to end. Then on the right I added a bowl of potpourri and more mirror balls:

The left of the counter got a cylinder vase filled with potpourri in which I placed $1 sprigs of frosted berries (and mirror balls):

The 'facilities' host another of the nesting boxes which, when stacked, create a snowman. He is surrounded by tiny votives


Both of the towel racks are decorated with the snowy tinsel:

 

 

Now, I hate to leave you here - hanging out in my bathroom - but this actually concludes the tour of Christmas decor. So, take a minute and when you're ready, come out and join us. We'll be in front of the fire sipping hot chocolate!

Merry Christmas!

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Summer Decor
Topic: Around the House

Occasionally I like to show the little seasonal vignettes I set up around the house for decoration. In the summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, I like to stick with a patriotic theme and go with red, white and blue, stars and stripes, flags and banners.

If you started outside you would see a bunting swag on the porch railing that sets the tone for what you will encounter inside.

Upon entering, this little grouping greets you in the entryway.


 

Then you would find this setup on the fireplace mantel. The letter blocks are a merry mix-up from my seasonal block set. I can't spell the word out properly for lack of a U. You get the drift, though.

At the base of the fireplace I put a little group of candles.

In the dining room I have a roll-top desk with this setup on top. The 'books' are all really boxes. The wooden star is from a set of 6 that you'll see more of later.

Next up is the dining room table. The table cloth is a blue round with a checked square over top. Red and white silk roses from the dollar store are arranged in a custom-made wooden bowl. I've added snippets of blue ribbon and a plastic butterfly pick. A few glass 'ice cubes' surround the base and I've placed two square blue candles to the arrangement.

In the china cabinet I placed the new lighthouses along with more of the wooden stars and some glass 'pebbles'.

The garden window in the kitchen feature my poseable wooden bunny and the last of the wooden stars.


Hope you enjoyed the tour.

Have an awesome summer!

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT
Updated: Wednesday, 13 June 2012 8:37 AM PDT
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
We're Expanding
Topic: Around the House

OK, so it is the GARDEN that is expanding. DH took my hint for a small raised bed for berries and fed it steroids! Now I have a 8 x 25 bed about 18" deep off the back patio. Added to the 12 barrels and three hanging planters I have been using for several years it gives me room for 25 varieties of foodstuffs.

Here's a view from the yard:

And one from the patio:

This is the planting plan:

There are also bulb onions planted along the perimeter of the three berry beds. Three varieties of potatoes in that bed: russet, yukon gold, and purple. Three tomatoes in hanging planters: roma, early girl, and jelly bean. Three herb pots in the garden window: thyme, rosemary, and sage. I planted 6 strawberry plants: 2 june-bearing, 2 everbearing, 2 earlybearing. There are just two blueberry and two raspberry plants this year. Will add more next year.

I will share progress of the growing season and harvest (assuming it is a success)

Ddd

 

 

 

 

 

 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
The Great Wall
Topic: Around the House

Another household project completed... I did NONE of this, though. Hubby has worked on this wall for about three years, a block here and a block there. It all went uphill and had to be leveled at the ground level. This summer, as he got to the final upper curve he had a pro come in to lay the last 20 base blocks. Then he hauled and set the rest of the blocks, hauled and filled all of the dirt, and last week our neighbors told us they were changing their landscaping and asked if we wanted the 5 shrubs.

It's a very shady spot and we're hoping these shrubs will survive there. Next spring we'll do some fill in with ground cover or flowering plants that are shade-loving.

Ddd

 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 6:00 AM PST
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
New Window On The World
Topic: Around the House

And finally.....

... the end of the remodel project was to replace an ugly wall-mounted air conditioner with a fabulous new 4-foot round window. That was accomplished and the wall repainted to match the rest of the room (very light blue).

Here is the diningroom before the window (the air conditioner is behind the painting):

and here is the final result:

Brilliant!

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 6:00 AM PDT
Saturday, 4 September 2010
Where's Kermit
Topic: Around the House

Sometimes, when I would unreel the hose to water the garden barrels, a little green frog would exit the reel housing and hop away for a bit. We never got to see where he would go, though.

Then when we were painting the house we spied his hiding place. Can you see him?

This is under the deck, looking up from the patio (top of a window is at the bottom of the photo). Find him? No?

OK, how about I zooooo-o-o-o-m-m-m  in real close?

There's his little face! When we would get too close, and he realized he had been found out, he would ease out and walk across the wall to hang out in the climbing vines for a while. After a bit we'd find him back in place - not quite as invisible as he imagined.

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 6:00 AM PDT
Sunday, 8 August 2010
Long Time Coming
Topic: Around the House

Remember, way back when, I shared my remodeling project (result of a broken dishwasher flood)? Well, we finally finished that up with the installation of the backsplashes in the kitchen and replacing the basement furniture with some from the living room (which in turn got replaced with Mom's gift of some she did not have room for any longer.

So here is the kitchen tile work:

A close-up of the tiles:

The designwork behind the range:

Here is the family room with its furniture in place:

And the 'new to me' living room furniture:

We have only one more part to this remodel - installation of a 4-foot round window in the diningroom. It will replace a wall-mounted air conditioner.

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 6:00 AM PDT
Updated: Thursday, 22 July 2010 8:15 PM PDT
Monday, 21 June 2010
Busted!
Topic: Around the House

A glance out the front window the other day and I spied this bandit raiding the squirrel feeder. THAT'S not a squirrel!

When one shot caused the flash on the camera to go off she suddenly realized she was BUSTED!

Uh-oh! She watched me for a few minutes and then quietly walked down the back of the tree and waddled off around to the back of the house where she lives.

We'll se her again - as soon as somebody steps out on the deck and hollers, "Racoon buddies, I've got marshmallows!" Then she'll come running up to the bottom of the deck stairs to beg for treats.

Ddd

 

 

 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 6:00 AM PDT
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Easter Centerpiece
Topic: Around the House

I had some silk flowers I pulled out of an old project and used them with a candle holder I had on hand to create this centerpiece for our Easter table. I liked it so much, I have just kept it on the table.

It makes me smile every time I go theough the dining room.

Ddd

 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 6:00 AM PDT
Friday, 12 March 2010
Biggest Design Challenge Yet
Topic: Around the House

A dishwasher crisis about 12 weeks ago (at 3:45 am, no less) brought on an unanticipated home renovation. We decided to push past what the insurance provided to put in place what we really wanted.

My hubby gave me all the choices in materials, colors, and plans and this became my biggest design challenge ever. Here are the before/after photos.

 

First is the basement familyroom which is under the kitchen and got the ceiling, floor (carpet) and two walls ruined.

This is the finished room:

Here's a view from the other end.


2nd room ruined was the dining room. It was mainly the carpet which you see here.

We decided to replace it with hardwood:


And then there was the kitchen (and laundry). We started with the ugliest 1972 kitchen in a double-L layout that was much too small. It had a counter with overhead cabinets extending into the room, separating it from the dining room. It also had plastic green and orange wallpaper and linoleum with asbestos in it!

Here is the 'before'

AND


and the final result with painted walls, tile floors, new maple cabinets, new countertops, and an open floorplan.

AND

Because the laundry is an extension of the kitchen, it got a makeover as well.


So there you have it - 12 weeks of upheval followed by a lifetime of beauty... and I designed it all myself. 

 

Ddd

 

 

 

 

 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 6:00 AM PST
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Apple-abra
Topic: Around the House

For an autumn decoration I removed the pillar candles from this tower stand and filled the holders with apples and the spaces with grapes. A few more apples spilled around the base and, voila! 

I made this arrangement for a sideboard in my dining room.

Ddd

 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 6:00 AM PDT
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Still Life
Topic: Around the House

Here's a little vignette from around my house. This is the arrangement on my kitchen table this week. 

Ddd

 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 6:00 AM PDT
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
What's For DInner?
Topic: Around the House

When I'm not crafting, working, blogging, or cleaning (that .000001% of the time) I'm slowly working on typing recipes into my own personal cookbook. I've been working on it for a few years because I don't devote much time to it!

I went through all my cookbooks and saved only those recipes that I actually use. Then I got rid of the cookbooks. I did the same with the little recipe books that came with all my appliances. I only saved my Joy of Cooking and Betty Crocker cookbooks and a specialty cookbook on grilling.

The next step was to gather all the loose recipes I had clipped out from magazines, cans and jars. Then I checked out all kinds of cookbooks from the library and copied off recipes from them.

Can you guess what's for dinner????

My cookbook is divided into chapters: Pork, Beef and Ground Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Fish and Shellfish, Other Meats, Beans Cheese and Eggs, Other Main Dishes, Potatoes, Pasta and Rice, Other Sides, Vegetables and Fruits, Appetizers and Snacks, Salads, Breads, Sandwiches, Sauces Seasonings Mixes and Relishes, Beverages, Breakfast, Cakes and Icings, Cookies and Bars, Candies, Pies and Pastries, Desserts!

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 6:00 AM PST
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Snow Day(s)
Topic: Around the House

I am a little late in posting today ... no power for 36 hours. We got it back at about 10 pm last nite but it kept me from creating for a couple of days as my studio is in the depths of the basement without windows. I can't match papers by kerosene lamp so today we have only pictures of the storm. This is the limit of them because my camera froze when we took it outside!

This is the view down the road outside our front yard.

We had 11 inches of snow when we measured it last - it is snowing right now.


There is 1/2 inch of ice on everything - it is in a strata about 6 inches from the top of the snow.

We have one bird feeder and one squirrel feeder but it is not enough to take care of all our 'friends'. We have a troop of raccoons, flocks of sparrows, quail, doves, starlings and a host of other birds. We have lots of squirrels as well.

We had been feeding them dry dogfood, sunflower seeds until we ran out. Then we switched to dry oatmeal mixed in with peanut butter. We put it out under the truck which is the only place without a layer of the silver and white mess.

We're in for the day - again since Saturday morning - as our 4-wheel drive truck will not engage the front drive because it is too cold. We got stuck in our own driveway!

Now that I have power back, I'll get to do some crafting today and have more goodies to post tomorrow.

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 10:17 AM PST
Updated: Tuesday, 23 December 2008 11:11 AM PST
Friday, 19 December 2008
Tis the Season
Topic: Around the House

Last year at this time I showed some of the handmade ornaments from my tree. I had misplaced one box though and could not show these two.

This is one of a set my mother made for me - large and small wreaths crocheted in green, red, and white versions. They are made on milk jug rings.


These little drums are made from frozen orange juice cans which are cut down and have the tops reattached. I spray painted them gold, attached velvet ribbon around the sides, glued on gold pony beads and threaded with gold thread. The drumsticks are round toothpicks on which I glued gold beads.

Around the house this year I put together this centerpiece for the dining table:

This arrangement is on one end of the hearth:

I've had this nativity for about 30 years. This year it is arranged on the mantle:

This is the table I set up to display Christmas cards as they arrive. This year it features a cranberry cloth, green runner, and a Bible open to the Christmas story:

The arrangement on the bookcase is of poinsettias and two nesting box sets I got as gifts last year:

And that's the Christmas tour for this year...

Merry Christmas!

Ddd

 

 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 6:00 AM PST

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