.

August 30, 2011

Doors

I am fortunate to live in an area that has some gorgeous houses - old & new. One of the first things I notice about a house is its doorway. So I've challenged myself to photograph my favorite doors as I come across them.

Here's my collection so far


Which one is your favorite?

August 26, 2011

How To - Framed Cork Board

Whenever I think of cork boards, I think of elementary school. I'm not sure why, but they seem a bit juvenile to me.


But I had a revelation. What if I covered the cork with fabric? That would make it so much prettier!


And since adding fabric to an existing cork board would be a bit difficult, I decided to start from scratch & make one myself.
And I'm going to show you how I did it!

************
Here are the supplies you'll need:
Picture frame (any size you want)
Sheets of cork (I bought mine precut, but you can also
buy it on a roll to cut to any size you need)
Scissors
Pin
Tape
Fabric

Take apart your frame. You won't need the matting or the glass, just the frame & the backing.

Take the backing & trace it onto the cork. Cut out 2-4 sheets of cork. You want your board thick enough to hold the thumbtacks, but not too thick that it won't fit in the frame.

Next, cut your fabric to cover the cork, allowing extra on each side to wrap around to the back.

Tape the fabric to hold it in place. This may not seem strong enough, but because the fabric will be fit snugly into the frame, you don't need anything stronger to hold it.

Carefully place fabric-wrapped cork into the frame. Pull the fabric tight as necessary.

Add the frame backing & secure it.

And you now have a beautiful new cork board!

August 15, 2011

Weekend with Bryant & Emily


My brother & sister-in-law came to visit me this weekend

The weather could've been a little better



We got to an art fair at a garden center just in time for a huge rain storm to hit



Once the rain let up, we headed to Navy Pier to check out the Tall Ships



They were pretty cool









And then another storm starts rolling in



Unfortunately, this one didn't let up and ruined our plans for a movie in the park

So instead, we ordered Thai food & watched a movie at home

Sunday's weather was little more promising

We went to Grant Park











Walked along the lake front while Bryant dreamed about buying a boat





And ended up on Michigan Ave

which including a visit to Marilyn Monroe



I usually laugh at tourists for doing this, but this day, I was one of them!



I had a great time, Bryant & Emily! Let's do it again.

August 5, 2011

County Fair

What is summer without a trip to the fair?

I'm not sure if it was all my years as a 4-Her or the nostalgic feeling, but I LOVE the fair!

Here are some pictures from my recent visit to the Elkhart County Fair

Country roads lead us there


among the fields of corn


Welcome to the fair!




Barns full of animals









And barns with tractors




Fair food, does it get better than that?



Truth: the main reason I love the fair is because I get to eat an elephant ear!






Tractor Pulls (NOT the main reason I like the fair!)


The midway











Farewell 'til next year