Cotton Pickin Cute

Friday, September 9, 2011

My Pink Boobie Check Day

Yep, yesterday was my boobie check day. I was a little past due actually, I was almost a year late since my last one. Women over (cough, cough) 40 should be having a mammogram once yearly. There are exceptions to this rule, such as if you have a family history of breast cancer, you should start getting screened 10 years before your relatives age of diagnosis.

Click on the cute button above and it will take you to directly Susan G. Komen website. There is so much information on their site.

The hardest thing about the exam, was putting on the robe that added an extra 20 30 lbs. I've never had a bad exam. Some women say it's a little uncomfortable when the machine presses them but I've never felt much. This year they had a brand new machine and honestly I didn't feel a thing. And the exam didn't even last 5 minutes. Really, if you've never had your mammogram, PLEASE go do it, it's so simple, so quick and can literally save your life.

Fortunately I don't have any history of breast cancer in my family. But did you know that of the one in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer, only ONE has a history. That shocked me.

Also please remember how important your self exam is. Early detection is so important! Doing a simple self-exam every month is your Best Defense against breast cancer. None of us want to think about the "Big C" but simply thinking about it now could save your life.

This wasn't a sponsored post. Just sharing a little about my life that might help someone else.

Wishing you all a blessed weekend full of fun.

Hugs...Tracy :)

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Do You Know What This Is?

Oh' don't be so smart, I know it's a flower. But what's it for? Where's it at?

I looked high and low and couldn't find any gift wrap anywhere. So it was time to improvise. So that's just what I did. This isn't the first time I've used tissue paper to wrap gifts. As a matter of fact I love to use it, whether is printed or solid and then use a gossamer bow to tie it up nicely. I love the soft, well tissue-ness (new word) of it. It has a soft feminine feel when paired with a soft ribbon.

But this package had to be mailed to TX to my sister. Bows don't mail so well, not and still look fluffy. And just plain tissue would never do. Then it came to me. I could cut something out with my cricut to cover that plain old blah up. That's the good thing about cricut, you can cut something as big as a 12x12 sheet of scrapbooking paper. Add a few dots of pearl paint and ta-da...it's a wrap. (couldn't resist).

Have a blessed filled day ya'll.

Hugs...Tracy :)

"Nice Hooters" Owl Cupcake Decorating Kit - 50% off retail price

I'm getting excited about Halloween and I adore these cute little cupcakes and thought I share it with you. Cupcake Decorating has never been easier! Cupcake Crafts gives you the supplies you need to decorate fabulous cupcakes right in your very own kitchen.

This deal is for (1) one "Nice Hooters" Owl Cupcake Decorating Kit. Just click here.

Kit includes:

Cupcake Papers, White Accent Frosting Mix, Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, Candy Coated Sunflower Seeds, Candy Coated Chocolates. Banana Flavored Candy, Pastry Bags, Toothpick and Step by Step Color Illustrated Instructions.

*You will need to provide cupcakes and chocolate frosting*

Kit makes 12 cupcakes.

Deal Price - $9.99 + Priority Shipping
50% off retail price $19.99
Be the envy of all the PTA moms with these cute cupcakes! Click here to order yours.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Real Life - At Least This Week

Can you believe I'm happy to see my kitchen looking like this? I am, well with mixed feelings. I'm happy to see progress. Progress is not always pretty but my tile is! And since this blog is real life. Here's a real life picture.

I'm so excited! Oh' great, now that old song's stuck in my head. Neils being putting up the new kitchen tile back splash. You can't imagine how happy I am to be able to not have to look at that old Sheetrock and more. A nice new easy to clean back splash.

As you can see there's more to be done. Lots of individual tiles to be cut for the top row. One good thing about a small kitchen, the tile work is going pretty fast. With just the two of us this is almost the perfect size. Although I have all the appliances I could possibly need for a big dinner, I only wish I had more counter space. Upside to the small kitchen, my steps are few and it makes putting together a meal quick. But there is a lot of storage in this kitchen and I'm lucky enough to have a nice size pantry. That's my next organizing project.

I'm so proud of Neil for all the projects he's tackled in this house. When he puts his mind to something he can do anything.

While Neil's been working in the kitchen. I've turned the newly painted dining room into a workshop for my new upholstery project. No, not these chairs but the one's in the picture below.

I've sanded all the chairs down to raw wood, stained them dark to match the table they'll be placed at and now I'm in the middle of the finishing coats. Two coats of clear with a light sanding between each and I've got one more to go. The seats and the backs have been stripped of the old padding and all new foam and fabric have done. I still have to make the trim. I'm getting so close that I'm giddy! I can't wait to share more with you. It really was a much bigger project then expected. Why didn't I do this in the spring or fall. The heat has about killed me. Oh' that's right I just found the chairs.

I'll be sharing more soon. I hope your all enjoying the holiday weekend. Stay safe. Hugs...Tracy :)

I've looked forward to this for so long. I originally wanted to get tumbled tile but my mind just wouldn't quit thinking about how hard it might be to keep clean. You know grease stains and such. I never said I was a neat cook. So we chose a easy to clean ceramic tile with a natural mottled color. We weren't happy with the first trim accents we picked out so when Neil took them back he brought home this glass mosaics (which you'll see better in future pictures) and I couldn't be happier with them. He did good!!! He practiced what I always preach keep the permanent fixtures and big purchases neutral so that the look of the room can be changed with paint or accessories. Okay so I kind of broke that rule with the black granite but you have to admit it's not like blue or red. You can make black work with anything.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Fridays Linky List

I'm linking up at the following today. Just click on the picture and have fun.

Clothespin Bag with Spiritual Message

August was full of birthdays for us. All in all, there were 5 in 7 days. We're not just talking aquaintances and friends but a son, Mother-in-law, sister, nephew, and great neice. This is what I made for my sister, Joni.

Joni likes to hang her clothes on the line, which is an almost a daily chore.

This was fun and simple to make. Hopefully it will make the chore a little more fun too, but I won't be guaranteeing that.

I couldn't very well send an empty clothespin bag. And plain clothes pins wouldn't be very pretty or very fun. So my cricut came to the rescue to make these cute little flowers.

It's hard to see in the photo above but some of the clothespins have a yellow patterned paper.

This year Joni's had some serious health problems and I wanted to give her a little daily encouragement. I printed out some of my favorite Bible verses (short ones that would fit) and modge podged them on the back of each clothespin.

Add some vintage tulle and a few beads to dress it up and there you have a blinged out clothespin bag. I hope she likes it.

Have a fun weekend ya'll!

OX's...Tracy :)

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Beach Art Upcycle and Revised Linky List of Awesome Parties

***This is an updated list***

If you like to see what's creative in blogville be sure to grab a cup of coffee and a snack because there are tons of great ideas listed at these parties!

These ~~poor~~ lucky frames have been made over so many times. And I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. No matter how many times I remake them they are always done on a minimum budget, which is my favorite way to do things. With the new wall colors it was time for new art work.

You can't really tell how much darker the walls were in the next photo but they really were. They were a sort of dark khaki gold color. The frames were originally white. I painted them black and added some pages out of an old wallpaper book. Ta-da, instant art work. And during Halloween last year all I did was turn the picture over in the same frame where I had added silhouettes of a witches hat, broom and cat. Too easy and so cute. You can see more on those posts here.

The frame makeovers were really simple and came out better than I even hoped.

Here are the simple steps it took to make my new are work:

I painted the black frames with my FREE sample of Glidden Interior Paint Interior Paint. I can't remember the name of the color but it's turquoise in an eggshell. I love facebook and Glidden for the chance to get free paint.
After the paint dried I took one of my old candles and rubbed a few spots. Rub the candle where you would normally have more wear for a natural shabby worn look.
Now it's time to add your second color. I used my new dining room paint which is a green or blue depending on the light. I dry brushed it with a disposable sponge brush, hitting it a little more or here.
Once that dries I used a fine grit sand paper and lightly sanded the frames. Sanding more or less where the wax is to get the look you want.
I didn't seal mine with a clear coat but it would be a good idea if you want to keep your shabby chic pristine, but really what's the point in that.
For the art work, I ~~painstakingly drew and colored world atlas pages~~, yeah - right. I found an old atlas book at the thrift store and picked 3 pages I liked. Notice one is Florida - Home Sweet Home.
Spray Adhesive to a piece of cardboard (mine was and old priority box) and add the atlas page.
Center a starfish and you're done!