Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Re-purposing can be so much fun!


One of my favorite things to do 
is to find a cheap item at a yard sale or at a thrift shop 
and turn it around into something fun or useful.   
The two items here were turned into fun and decorative re-dos. 

The lamp shade was $1.99 at a thrift shop
and the clock was a yard sale find for $5.

 I added this photo to my post 
because I know there will be someone 
that notices it in the background of 
the last photo and will be curious 
to what it is.  
Well, it is a painting that I did 
on a door in my kitchen that leads to 
the hot-water-tank closet.  
The funny thing about this chef is 
that I worked on him a good eight hours.  
Then a few days after I had finished 
painting him, I spotted him 
out of the corner of my eye 
and jumped a blooming mile.  
I thought for a moment that a stranger 
was in our house, LOL.
On the lampshade re-do, 
I first removed the cloth from the wire.

Next I wrapped the wire in a fuzzy white yarn.

I'll bet some of you were big fans 
of  Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine.
I loved that magazine and was so sad 
when they decided to stop publishing it.
One of my favorite things about 
the magazine was the paper doll 
that was hidden between 
 the pages each month.  
I think one of the reasons I loved 
it was because it brought back wonderful 
childhood memories of Mom's McCall's 
magazine and the Betsey McCall paper dolls 
that were in every issue.  
I think I looked more forward to it arriving
 in the mail, than Mom did.




To make my paper doll mobile, 
I cut out paper dolls from my saved issues of Home Companion.
Then cut out the clothes and 
glued them onto the doll.
Next I glued that to a sheet 
of printed card stock.
Now my doll was thick from three layers 
of paper and she had a pretty print 
paper on her back side.
A small hole punch into her forehead, 
for a string, and she was ready to 
attach to the mobile.
I also added a ribbon with paper hearts 
down the middle and a silk rose 
hot glued in the center of my lampshade.  

This is a view from under the mobile.  
The way a child would see it if it were 
hanging over their bed. 
 
The following photos are a few 
that I took outside trying to get 
some good light so you would have 
an idea of the finished mobile. 
 
 
 

Here is the finished clock.  All I did was paint it white.
Decoupage some sheet music to the background,
and add a clip art of the Eiffel Tower from Graphics Fairy
http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/
to give it a French Country flare. 

I hope you enjoyed these little re-do projects.
I sure had fun making them.
I'm hoping my granddaughters will like the mobile.

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84 comments:

  1. Connie- Both projects are just amazing. I loved ME and her paper dolls. I have them all saved, too! I was so sorry when they quit publishing that.

    I was talking to someone the other day about the McCall's magazine and the Betsy doll in there. No one had ever heard of it-or worse, didn't remember it. I love the mobile you put together. It is fantastic. It would be really cute in a little girl's room, too.

    Love your clock- you would never guess it was the same one- xo Diana

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    1. Hello Diana, Thanks for the sweet visit. Maybe those that say they don't remember . . . Betsy McCall . . . just don't want to admit their age, LOL. I remember her well and the excitement of her arriving in the mail-box. I'm hoping my granddaughter's want this mobile for their new bedroom. I'm not sure yet how they want to decorate it. I'm sure they both are dreaming up ideas about just how they want it to be. Have a lovely week, dear heart, your blogging friend, Connie :)

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  2. What cute projects! They turned out so lovely.

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    1. Thank you it is nice getting such positive feedback. Have a great day, Connie :)

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  3. How clever you are - so sweet and I just love your door painting xx

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    1. Thank you, I actually painted that about ten years ago. The last time I painted my kitchen I debated about painting over him and having a plain door again, but he won out. LOL
      Thanks for stopping by, Connie :)

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  4. I love all of this - you amaze me with your clever redos! Love, love, love the clock! And had to laugh at you scaring yourself with the chef on the door!

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    1. Yep, I'm still laughing about that too, and it's been about ten a years ago. You would have thought that if he scared anyone it would not have been the gal that spent all day painting him. Have a great day, Connie :)

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  5. I love reinventing and you have done some clever numbers there. I have been working on reinventing my wardrobe....so satisfying. x

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    1. Hello Bron, that sounds like so much fun. I'm not sure if you mean wardrobe as in furniture or wardrobe as in clothes, but anytime our creative powers kick in and something is transformed, I'm right there wanting to see the differences, that take place. Have fun and please post photos, Connie :)

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  6. Those are so good Connie. I've just cut around six inches off an old side table and am in the process of painting a cream colour then I'm going to pad the top, line it and cover it and hey presto! a foot stool for under the desk where the computer is. x

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    1. Hi, I just came from your blog so you must not me done with it. Be sure and let me know when you post photos. I'm looking forward to seeing this project. Connie :)

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  7. oh my gosh I'm so glad you found me so i found you, that mobile is amazing, my grad daughter would love that.I love your blog, I'm your newest follower, thankyou so much for visiting and for your kind words,

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    1. I am delighted to have you as a follower. I'm sure we will be sharing a lot of ideas. Connie :)

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  8. The mobile was brilliant,thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thank you for your very sweet comment, Mary. You made my heart a little happier. Connie :)

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  9. Hi Connie,

    You left a comment on my blog a while ago. I popped across and said that I would check in later with you to talk about vans. Sorry , I haven't been back. The caravan is the best thing we have done for the family. The kids have so much fun. We looked for about 12 - 18 mths for our van. Our van was only 12 mths. old when we purchased it. The people that we bought it off had planned only one long 3 mth trip in it. (That was their intention for buying it) So it was in top condition. It pays to do a a lot of research. (Hubby likes researching). It is our winter (almost) here and so we probably won't be out on the road until Spring. Good luck , if you plan to look for a van. I like your clock. It is nice to see repurposed goods.

    Kelly

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    1. Hi Kelly, it is so good to hear from you again. It seems strange thinking that you are having your winter. I have never been in the southern hemisphere . . . I know that our weather is just the opposite of yours. The good thing is when we are covered in snow, I can go to your site watch you get a suntan while tending your garden. That might just make my winter a little bit brighter. I'm so happy that you stopped by . . . sounds like you were really blessed, when you found your caravan. Have a great day, Connie :)

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  10. Hi Connie, so nice to meet you! You are the sweetest...thank you so much for your kind words!
    They sure came at a great time...I'm getting ready for a show this weekend, and it is always so stressful trying to get everything finished and packed up.
    Your blog is lovely...and I love what you've done to the lampshade and clock! By the way, your
    studio looks amazing!
    Thanks again...I'm your newest follower and looking forward to visiting with you!
    Have a wonderful day!
    Sincerely,
    Debbie

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    1. Hello Debbie,
      Thank you for stopping by, I can see that it would be a huge job packing up for a show. I'm sure that it is very rewarding, being at a show and meeting so many other creative people. Not to mention all the ladies that leave a piece of their heart at your booth. I'm sure that those that purchase wish they could buy more and those that don't are wishing they could. Your items are incredibly splendid and I know that your booth will be an eye-catching masterpiece. Don't work too hard . . . be sure an allow some relaxing time. Thank you for following, I'm very grateful, Connie :)

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  11. Great work, Connie. I think we have a lot in common - flea market finds and make-overs are things I love, too! Thanks for visiting my blog! Hugs from Kaiserswerth in Rhineland, Valerie

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by. I am excited about becoming followers of each other. Love, Love, Love your journal pages. Have a great day, Connie :)

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  12. Connie, thank you for stopping by my blog. I've come along to visit yours and discover that you are quite clever! Nice work on that lamp and clock!

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by . . . I just love company, Connie :)

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  13. Connie thanks for the sweet comments . Your painting is Amazing!! Love a good Painter! Judy

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    1. Hi, I'm so glad to see you here. The photos of the Renaissance Fair are delightful. It looks like so much fun. Connie :)

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  14. Hello Connie,
    So nice for you to come over for a visit. Thank you for being a follower too. Your posts really made me happy. I love your lampshade turned very cute mobile. You clock is very cute too. Your comment was lovely and I look forward to reading more about your re-purposed things.
    Kim

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    1. Hello Kim, It is wonderful to see you here and I'm happy that you like my re-dos. I have a lot of fun doing them. I'm looking forward to becoming great blogging friends, Connie :)

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  15. I love your redos! I also love yard sale-ing and using up whatever I can find to make stuff. And...I laughed right out loud at the image of you jumping when you saw that stranger in your kitchen. HA!

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    1. Yep! That darned old chef scared the wits out of me. My heart was actually pounding. It happened so first, from not knowing who was in my kitchen, to realizing it was my painted chef. It took a little bit longer for my poor old heart to slow back down. LOL
      Thanks for the sweet visit and thank you for following my blog, I truly appreciate it. Connie :)

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  16. Hi Connie!
    I can not thank you enough for your lovely and touching comment on my MS blog today! If only there were more people like you in the world, it would be a much better place!! I am always misunderstood no matter what it is or where I am. I get so many dirty looks for being in a scooter and not "looking" sick. I want to ask everyone if they could tell me exactly what MS does look like! To stop the starring and dirty looks, I painted "I have MS" on the back of my scooter!! Now they don't have to wonder!!!
    But you sure did make my day with that beautiful email!! Thank you so much!!
    YOU are a wonderful artist! The chef you painted DOES look like a real man!! You are that good!! And both of those re-do's you did are awesome! I have to say I love that clock!! Anything French is awesome to me, although I've never been there. I wonder if it is just awesome in my head, and if I went it wouldn't be as wonderful as I thought!! LOL!!
    Thank you my friend! many blessings to you!
    xxDaniella

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    1. Hello Daniella, I am so impressed with your positive out look. You are slowing becoming my new favorite hero. Don't tell my husband, because he has always held that title. Thank you for your sweet comment about my blog and thank you for following. I'm looking forward to becoming great blogging friends, Connie :)

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  17. Oh my goodness! That is BRILLIANT! What a wonderful idea for paper dolls - and repurposing a lamp! My Mom does that - repurposes thrift store items and resells them and I love to see the transformations. Now I can watch them here too ;) Your work is beautiful - and thank you for the best comment today! Kristin xo

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    1. Hi Kristin, It sounds like your Mom and I would hit it off. Is she a blogger? I would love to see her thrifty re-dos. I love the birthday present you made for 5 year old Camden, he is going to be so excited. What a sweet young lady you are! Looking forward to following your blogging adventures in art. Connie :)

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  18. Thank you for visiting my blog. I see we have quite a bit in common when I read your profile. For awhile, I used to do paper crafting. I actually did quite a bit of crafts. I have posted some of them. I LOVE the clock redo!!!! Especially the background of it with the music notes. And the sweet mobile. It reminds me of how I loved collecting and playing with paper dolls as a child. Are all these your ideas? Your cabinet redo is lovely!!! And also the cake stands. I think your blog will be very fun to follow!!!

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    1. Ginny, thank you for this very nice visit. Yes, these are my ideas, I'm always thinking up some project to do. They don't all turn out this good. The flops will not be photographed and posted, LOL. I loved playing with paper dolls when I was a girl, too. Love the photo of you and your husband, you're a cute couple. Have a great day, Connie :)

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  19. Hi Connie, you have a lovely blog. I remember Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine very well. It was sad when publishing ceased. I remember when the same thing happened with Victoria magazine. So many women were upset. I was ecstatic to see it come back after about two years. The new publication is beautiful and I love it. Somehow it is not exactly the same as it was before they stopped publishing it but it still is a joy.

    That mobile that you made is so cute. I never would have thought of doing that with a lampshade.

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    1. I'm so happy to see you here and thank you for the compliment on my mobile. I find that now that I'm blogging, it is taking the place of magazines. I have been letting my subscriptions wear themselves out without renewing. Now if Mary brought her's back, I might just start up again. I'm looking forward to becoming good blogging friends. Have a marvelous day tomorrow, Connie :)

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  20. Hi Connie,
    I love your blog,
    and I love that you found mine and took the time to say hi.
    I will be following your adventures as well.
    enJOY a sweet day,
    Kimberly

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    1. Hi Kimberly, your BINGO greetings are magnificent . . . you have so much talent. Thanks for stopping by, and I say, "right back at you with having a sweet day tomorrow". Connie :)

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  21. Girl! You and I are going to get along GREAT! I love your mobile idea! Your clock turned out pretty awesome too. Thanks so much for checking out the Black Rooster Cottage! We love new friends!!

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    1. Amber, you have made be so happy . . . I am looking forward to a great blogging friendship. Keep smiling, Connie :)

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  22. So Very glad you visited and now I can get to see your blog. You have wonderful ideas! I am your newest follower!

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    1. Hi, I am so delighted to have you as a follower. Your ideas are pretty awesome, too. I absolutely LOVE the peat baskets. I have never seen that before . . . it is one of the cleverest ideas I've seen in some time. Have a great day tomorrow and kiss that magnificent little granddaughter for me. You are truly blessed. Connie :)

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  23. Thanks for visiting my blog today.....have a nice day...love Ria...xxx...

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    1. Hello Ria, it is so good to hear for you. Thank you for stopping by. Love your blog, Connie :)

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  24. Hi connie thanks for stopping by my blog & for the lovely comment. You have a great blog cant wait to follow your furniture makeovers

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    1. Greetings . . . I'm very happy you dropped in for a visit. Thank you for the compliment. Have a great day and keep blogging, Connie :)

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  25. I love your creativity and the enthusiasm that goes with it. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hello Denise, it is so good to hear from you. I know that you are getting some rest from the blog life, but remember you have friends out here, we care and we miss you. Take good care of yourself and hopefully later in the year we'll see your blog back up and running. Thank you for the sweet comment. We love you, your follower blogger, Connie :)

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  26. i love the painting you did on the door, it is wonderful! I bet i would jump once in a while too.

    love your charming mobile too. Thank you for your lovely visit.

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    1. Hi Tammie, Thanks for stopping in and visiting. So glad you like my chef . . . he is my side-kick kitchen helper. To bad he can't sweep, mop, and clean-up at the end of the day, LOL. Have a great day, Connie :)

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  27. i adore all your projects; your work is fabulous. i love your story about getting frightened by your own chef painting. i can totally imagine that happening to me! the lamp and clock are just the best. thanks so much for visiting and following me at artfromthewell. i'm your new follower as well and look forward to checking out more of your posts. xo from michele

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    1. Michele, I am so happy to see you. I adore making new friends and following blogs as creative as yours. The comment you gave me was so gracious. I am over-joyed. I'm looking forward to sharing ideas and building a blogging friendship. Connie :)

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  28. Hi Connie: I finally got onto your blog. That McAfee looks after me too well! I love that painting of the chef that you did. You are very talented and I bet the grandbabies will love the mobile. Oh, how I wish I had young ones again. Thanks for following me and for your sweet words about my blog. I am looking forward to see more of yours and hope you will have a good Friday..Judy

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    1. Judy. I am delighted to see you. Thank you for the sweet comments and thank you for following my blog. I'm a late bloomer when it comes to many things including grandchildren. I was 28 when my daughter was born and she was 32 when she had her first. Do the math . . . 60 years young when I became a grandma. Many of my friends had grandchild in high school by then. I know that the good Lord has his perfect timing. She was born at the best time in my life to have a daughter and my daughter was such a athletic dare devil that she had to wait until she was settled down from her extreme adventures. I so enjoy my two little granddaughters . . . what a perfect joy they are. Thank you again for following, I truly appreciate each and everyone of my amazing followers. Connie :)

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  29. Hi Connie. Thank you for stopping by my blog and becomeing my newest follower and for the sweet comment. I love your blog. So many wonderful projects. I have such a long list of projects to do I don't think I will ever get them done. I am also slacking on my posting. Hopefully now that the kids are out of school for the Summer I can get somethings done. I hope to here from you again soon.
    Rebecca

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    1. Hi Rebecca, it is so good to hear from you and thank you for the lovely comments, the sweet visit, and for becoming a follower. I have been answering comments here in my studio. We live on a very quiet street and I've noticed an extreme about of traffic this morning . . . do you know what that means. Someone down the street must be having a yard sale. So off I go, while the picking is good. Another day, another project :). Have a great Friday, Connie :)

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  30. What a wonderful creative person you are! I love the painting of the chef on the door and the mobile is whimsical and magical, I know your grandchildren will be thrilled with it. I certainly remember the Betsy McCall's paperdolls and always looked forward to the magazine arriving. Oh how I loved paperdolls! I am going to come back later today, when I have a bit more time, and spend more time scrolling through your wonderful blog.

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    1. So Happy to see you here. Thanks for the lovely comments. It's good to hear from someone that enjoyed Betsey McCall as I did. Looking forward to becoming blogging friends. You are always welcome here, my welcome mat is always out . . . I love company. Connie :)

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  31. Hi Connie!
    Thank you for your sweet comments - I am so happy to now know you, Kristin xo

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    1. I adore the pillow you just posted. You are a lovely, and caring young lady. It is so nice to hear from you. Have a great weekend, Connie.

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  32. Hi Connie, thank you for becoming a follower of my blog and for your very kind comments. Your blog is wonderful, I love your studio and your gorgeous little cabinet you found and restored, it's now such a pretty colour, look forward to seeing more of your work, Carol x

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    1. Thanks for visiting, and for the nice comments. Connie :)

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  33. Hi Connie!!! Thanks for stopping by my blog and becoming a follower! I took a look around your blog and you have such wonderful ideas and have become one of your followers! :)

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    1. So happy to see you here. Thanks for the encouraging comments. Connie :)

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  34. Thank you Connie for becoming my latest follower, what a great blog you have with all your creative ideas. I'm loving the chef door, and your journal pages are really brilliant. You really are very creative. I have become a follower too. Michelle x

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    1. Michelle, I'm very excited to see that you are now following my little blog. It is going to be fun sharing project ideas. Have a great day. Connie :)

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  35. How to live in this world and not leave the system dominate you?

    http://blogdosultimos.blogspot.com.br/2012/06/como-viver-neste-mundo-como-viver-sem.html

    God Bless You!

    Xoxo

    Claudia

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. have a great day. Connie :)

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  36. OK, that is the funniest story about the chef scaring you! Lovely painting, btw. You are very resourceful - I love it! Thanks for stopping by and for your kind comments. I am following too:-)

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    1. It is wonderful to hear from you. I appreciate your encouraging words, and thank you for following my blog. Connie :)

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  37. Replies
    1. Kristin, it is always nice to see that you stopped in, come again, anytime . . . my welcome mat is always out. Connie :)

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  38. Oh Connie, I would have wondered who the guy is that's making me breakfast!!!! hee hee That's a great painting! You are so talented.

    Yes, I really enjoyed the ME magazine. I also loved one called Cottage Living (or Cottage something) that went out of print.

    Both your projects are very cool -- love the clock!

    Hugs,
    Kay

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    1. Hi Kay, I just love it when you pay me a visit. Thank you for the sweet compliments. You're a true sweetie. Have a great weekend . . . I'm sure you have plans to do something fun. Connie :)

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  39. Hi Connie
    Thank you for visiting me - it's always so nice to 'meet' new people! I love your chef - he's brilliant - I hope he's stopped making you jump!
    Emily x

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    1. I've have him up on the wall for quite a few years now. Every now and then I think about painting over him, but he has become an old friend, LOL. Thanks your stopping in and visiting. I love company. Connie :)

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  40. What a great blog This was a hoot! love these photos!

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    1. Thank you so much. It is so nice having you stop in. Have a great weekend, Connie :)

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  41. Hi Connie! Thanks so much for commenting on my blog. It gave me the opportunity to come and visit yours. I love the chef on the door. Beautifully painted! And I love your photos and crafts. You are a very talented and resourceful person. Love it!

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    1. Hi Laura, and "WOW!!!" thank you for the sweet comments. You're a sweetie. Connie :)

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  42. I had to come back and look around when I had more time. I just can't believe the wonderful variety of art you do! I have thought many times of painting a chef in my kitchen. One of these days I will get up the nerve :))
    Inka

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    1. Hi Inka, don't wait . . . it's only paint. You might totally surprise yourself and have something that you love and something that no one else has. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, I adore hearing from my readers. Connie :)

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