An Ode to Frank J. Wisner

The golden age of soda fountains began in the late 1800’s and lasted until the 1950’s. By the early 1920’s just about every drugstore had a soda fountain, a rather humble attempt to fill the social void due to prohibition. “The bar is dead, the fountain lives, and soda is king!”

Way back on a very hot summer day in 1893 Mr. Wisner, a Pharmacist with his own store in Colorado, ran out of ice. In an effort to sell his ice cream before it melted he started using the ice cream to cool the soda...it was an instant hit and the Root Beer Float was born.

Some choices regarding the Beehive were no brainers. Craft table – check, storage – check, flooring – check, paint colors – check etc. etc. etc. Only one thing caused me several sleepless nights - the bulletin board. I went back and forth and actually had 8 emails with a nice gal on Etsy regarding a custom BB for the Beehive. In the end I went with this….

 

I love the way it looks and I cannot wait to give it a taste!  

 

 ROOT BEER FLOAT

1.5 oz whipped cream vodka

1.5 oz Blackmaker Root Beer Liqueur

Club soda to top

Combine the ingredients in a rocks glass filled with crushed ice.

Stir well and serve chilled.

    

Update for Tanya – Sit down dear friend. It’s done!

 Harry & David approve and I hope so do you!

 

 

 

You can see the PEAR video HERE. Best to view with a Root Beer Float. Like, Love or Hate them? The float not the mini :-) A very Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!!!

This and That

In case you are curious, THIS is an update on the Beehive and THAT is an update on my crafting. Let's start with the THIS because that (not that THAT) is much more exciting.

 

Yesterday the husband hung my four valances on my four windows. We only had one argument and neither of us threatened Divorce so overall I consider it a very successful day. I splurged on the valances but in my defence - they are loaded with bees and they were made in the USA. I am waiting none to patiently for my Root Beer bulletin board. That's all the hint I am giving so check back next week for the reveal.

 

 The top shelves are where my stamps live in a colorful collection of cigar boxes.

Need more!

 

Now to the THAT. Another update without anything new to report. I am working on just one project. It is a mini album for the very patient Tanya. She sent me a beautiful mini which is displayed on the shelf above on the right. Please Tanya, don't give up on me!

 

Domestic Goddess and Pears - they go together don't they?

 



I had to work last weekend at an Artisan Fair (seriously folks, that is a part of my 9-5 job!) and one of the vendors gave me a box of dominos. I couldn't refuse his generosity so I lugged them home and went straight to Pinterest and Etsy to see what I could make with them. Lots of jewelry but I wanted to create something different. Haven't found anything that has caught my fancy but I did find a seller on Etsy who has gorgeous graphics. I bought one and now am ready to create something. Anyone have any ideas?

If I can't find something quickly the husband has threatened to take them to his work for his patients to play with. Doesn't he know that dominos are meant for art not play???

Lost & Found - Memories

Have you ever totally forgotten a special memory and then you hear, see or even smell  something, and that memory comes flooding back? Had that happen to me just a few months ago.

 

A very nice and very talented gal on scrapbook.com forum (Terrihooper) offered to mail out an envelope of Vintage S & H Green Stamps to whoever wanted them. Within seconds of reading her post it all came back to me - a favorite childhood memory that I had, until that very moment, forgotten all about.

 

I remember as if it was yesterday how my sisters and I would pour through the S & H catalogue arguing about whose turn it was to pick out their favorite gift item. Selecting that “free” item to redeem was the reward for the hours we spent licking stamps.

 

I wanted to make something a bit more special than a card with my stamps and when I saw this STAMP from VLVS I knew immediately what I would create.

 

The box is one from the $1.50 bin at Michael’s and the paper I used is from last years Crate paper line.  What made the whole craft come together though was the fabulous stamp from Viva Las Vegas Stamps.

 

Supplies

Small Balsa Box

Paint

Patterned Paper

Mod Podge

Distress ink

Bling/Flowers

Green Stamps

Washi Tape

Paper

Ink

VLVS Stamp

 

Directions

Remove the knob and elastic closure from the Balsa Box.

Paint the box inside and out.

Cover the lid, the bottom of the box and the inside bottom with paper.

Ink the box with TH Distress Ink to give it a vintage look.

Using Mod Podge, paint a thin layer over the entire box, both inside and outside.

Stamp one S & H Green Stamp on paper.

Decorate with Washi Tape, Green Stamps, Flowers and your VLVS stamped image.

 

PS – The very last gift I got with my stamps was a cuckoo clock. Obviously I was suffering from a bad case of glue poison.

Mystery of the Giant Eye

I love Halloween. There are many reasons but first and foremost, it’s the candy.  Not the eating of it, but the giving and getting that makes it such a fun holiday.

I work for a large non-profit but in my neck-of- the woods, the second floor, there are around 50 folks.  Most days, especially around Halloween, our communal kitchen is filled with candy. I occasionally take a few miniature candy bars for 911 moments, but usually just pass them up – too mundane.

This year I wanted to do something special for my co-workers. My inspiration was the story that was sweeping the Internet last week - the errie eyeball that washed up on a beach in Florida. 

 Supplies

Cellophane Bags

Eye Ball Candy

Skeleton Eyes A Poppin Stamp

Black Ink Pad

Scalloped Punch

TH Baroque Die

Stapler

Spooky Paper
White Cardstock

Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Miracle Tape
Mini plastic bugs

 

 

 

Directions

1. Stamp on white cardstock then punch out tag using the scalloped punch.

2.Color in the tongue and eye balls with Stickles. Set aside to dry.

3. Cut out the Spooky Paper with the Baroque Die. This will be the top of the bag.

4. Edge both the bag top and the scalloped tag with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

5. Fill the cellophane bag with assorted plastic bugs and candy eyes.

6. Fold the baroque die cut in half. Place over the cellophane bag and staple in each corner.

7. Attach the scallop tag using Miracle Tape.

 

 BTW that giant eye was the eye of the shark, not the eye of the newt. Either way, it made a great Halloween story. What kind of candy are you giving out this year?

 

Heaven or Hell?

Good news - met with my contractor on Friday and he and the crew are resuming work on Monday. Bad news - he gave me a task which scared the bejesus out of me. Find paint, flooring, ceiling lamp/light, outside light and doorknob. (Insert scary music here) that meant one thing...a visit to Hell Home Depot.

I cannot tell you how many times I have been to HD in the last 10 years. Couldn’t even make a guess. Hate the store. I wander aimlessly through the sky high aisles and feel like a lost child, "I need my MOMMY!" And don’t get me started on trying to find someone to help me. They must have 6 employees and daily 5 of them call in sick.

Saturday morning at 9:00 AM I parked my car and fortified with 2 cups of strong coffee entered the store. My mantra - I will not fail! I will not fail! Not two steps into HD I was greeted by a smiling man who asked me if I needed any help. I did two things. First, I pinched myself thinking I must still be dreaming – nope, I was awake. And then, I turned around and looked to see if I was at HD, I was!

I told him I needed to pick out laminate flooring for the Beehive and he said, "Just follow me." Ten minutes later, with his help, I picked out the perfect flooring.  When I told him I had a long list of things to buy and next on my list was lights, he took me over to the lighting department and introduced me to Tom.

Now, I don’t know if HD has changed their policy and hired an additional 100 salesman or whether they are having a contest to see who can give the best customer service, but I have  officially changed Hell Depot to Heaven Depot.

Here’s what I got -

Enderbury Hickory Flooring

Martha Stewart Paint- Egg Yolk Yellow for the door, Cement Gray for the exterior and Picket Fence White for the interior.

Recap of  the Build

 Day One

 

 Day Two

 

 Day Three

 

Day Four

 

Are you a Home Depot or Lowe's kind of gal? Check back for updates daily! The Beehive should be completed by the end of the week. OMG!!!

My Poe-st (pun intended)

I was introduced to Edgar Allan Poe and The Raven in Junior High School. I still remember how we acted out the poem in class. Naturally, I was the star - the Raven. I only had one line but it was the most important of the entire poem, “Nevermore.” I didn’t receive a standing ovation for my performance but a few classmates applauded, and for a moment in time I actually considered acting as a career path.  

I still love the unparalleled literary master of the macabre.  Poe believed that visual art should not make a clear statement, but rather suggest and evoke emotions and stimulate the mind. I hope my interpretation of The Raven does just that.

 

 

 After leaving his home in China, Mr. Crow aka Mr.Raven flew to my local Dollar Tree. He is now residing on a slightly crushed eye-medicine box that I retrieved from the Friday garbage.

 

 I don't find it a bit odd that Mr.Raven is wearing a party hat with a
purple pom-pom. Do you?

SUPPLIES
Black Bird
Recycled Box
Scrapbook Paper
Page from an Old Book
Pom-Pom 
Ribbon or Paper Trim for hat/scarf
4 Wooden Feet
Glue Gun
Stickles
Moss
Chipboard Clock
Black Ink 

VLVS
NEVERMORE STAMP
MIRACLE TAPE
 

 

I kept this craft simple because I wanted to highlight the ornate Nevermore stamp from Viva Las Vegas Stamps. The whole project took around an hour and was easy peasy.

DIRECTIONS
1. Cut scrapbook paper to fit box and using Miracle Tape attach to bottom, top and sides of the box.
2. Cover the 4 wooden feet with Stickles. When dry attach to bottom of the box using your glue gun.
3. Make hat for Mr. Raven by rolling up book paper and attach trim and a pom-pom. Dress Mr. Raven in his hat and scarf using Miracle Tape. Bling optional.
5. Attach Mr. Raven to box and then cover the empty area of the top of the box with Miracle Tape. Cover with moss.
6. Make a banner out of plain paper and stamp NEVERMORE. Attach to box. Add your chipboard clock.
7. Mr. Raven is ready to party!! 

Poe died on October 7, 1849 at the age of forty. It seems fitting that the cause of Poe’s death remains a mystery. Your thoughts on Edgar Allan Poe? Or Halloween Parties?  

WARNING - Fake Alert

I’m not frugal. If you don’t believe me, ask the husband. But, because I am in the middle of a craft studio build – The Beehive - I am on a Ramen Noodle craft diet. I am not allowed to buy anything!  Period. No exceptions.

With only a few weeks left till the bewitching day, I was faced with a witchy dilemma. I really wanted to buy and make a Halloween Tim Holtz Configuration Box. I had tons of spooky black and orange leftovers from Mike’s and Joanne’s  that I had rescued from the discount bin -  but no configuration box in sight.  

Determined to make some kind of display, I dug through my Crap Stash (yes, I actually have a container I have labeled Crap Stash)  and found this small shadow box that I had purchased earlier this year at the Dollar Tree. Not exactly a TH configurations box but I channeled my Fairy Godmother and with a wave of her wand and a few Bibbidi-Bobbidi- Boo’s I created something truly magical!  The best part of this whole project is that it cost me zero dollars.  

 

 I started out with this plain Jane box – dimensions are 6" wide x 8 3/4" high x 1 1/4" deep. First step was to remove the hardware on the back and then slap on the black acrylic paint. Next I made dividers using a manila folder.

 

 

 More black paint, antique linen Distress crackle paint, Tsukinek Walnut Ink and Carole's Crafts Shimmer Magic ancient copper (thank you sweet Alyson).

 

 

Once it was dry I started decorating. I used snips and snails of MME Lost and Found Halloween that I purchased in August, before the budget went into effect. 

 

The hardest part of this entire craft project? Limiting what I put in the box.

 
I seriously cannot believe how much fun I had. Who knew that a dollar box could look like this? What are you making for Halloween? 

Want more? Watch the video HERE.