Paper Flowers

Just in case you are wondering (I  know, you are NOT wondering, but I can't help myself LOL) about the paper flowers on my fireplace, I saw them on Nate Berkus show, and here is the tutorial!!


http://www.aplaceforusblog.com/2011/10/brown-paper-flowers-tutorial.html

Fireplace, finished!!!!

Dear friends!

So far this has been a wonderful conversation, I have gotten lots of comments (not on the blog, but outside) about my postings! Thank you for your encouragement!
So, most of you have seen my house and my fireplace! Lots to do here!!!

After priming, which proved to be a pain... literally, my arm was burning...
I went to Rona and bought a thicker paint brush, which I thought it would make the job easier, instead of puffy roller and then brush.
It did!!! I just dipped the  brush straight in the paint bucket and I think in less than an hour, I had it done.
Problems: splattered the wood paneling on each side of the fireplace, the slate on the bottom PLUS one of my favourite pair of pants!!!
Anyway, bought a paint thinner last night and cleaned it all up. 
So here it is!!!!

Now, remember how it looked before???

And just so you have a laugh... 

here is my "equipment" for spraying the black metal part...

AAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! 

Michael Jackson lives!!!!

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint projects

Since I attended Annie Sloan Chalk Paint workshop at The Passionate Home in Langley, I have been experimenting with paint. I have done four projects already, and have a bunch more on my list!
Here are my "gems"!!! I think I am getting better as I go, so the blue table is the one I like the most!
This paint is incredible, you don't need to sand the furniture before painting! It adheres to almost everything! Check it out!

First project

 Before

 In her place in the living room!

After being waxed, in daylight

My second project was really challenging! I did not take pictures of "before" and only took "partial pictures"l, because it was for a friend. It was a bench/shoe rack. She swears she liked it, and it is in her front porch!

My third project was a table with drawers, almost like a telephone table?

I have had it forever, it was time for a makeover. I painted Paris Grey, and dry-brushed old white. Clear wax to finish!

Before

After!

And finally, the one I love the most! Got this for $15 on Craigslist! My intention is to place teacups all over, when I have friends for tea! But so far I am keeping the two bottom shelves empty because... I have TWO DOGS, one is a German Shepherd puppy! I am keeping my teacups out of their reach...

Before

After...

In its permanent place!

Sorry, could not resist a close-up!!! Isn't adorable, with the teapot on top???

Before I forget: ASCP in Old White first, then Duck Egg Blue. Distressed a bit, and clear wax on top! Voila!!!

Painting my fireplace

My house is about 50 years old, and the fireplace has that rough gray tile all around it. To make matters worse, the metal around the fireplace was golden...
So my friend Kika told me I could SPRAY paint the golden part BLACK! I went to Rona and got a "heat resistant" mate black spray paint. I had it for a while, but 2 days ago decided to go for it. I opened the living room door so I would have more air circulation in the house. Kitchen door was also open. I also wore a mask (bought at loonie store, not sure if it works or if it was just decorating my face, lol - my son said I looked like Michael Jackson) and also my sunglasses (to protect my eyes), hahahahahaahaha!!!. Got it DONE!!! 
First  I cleaned it. The metal part with ASP and the tiles with a soft brush. Got dust all over... 
Then I taped all around it. I should have covered all the glass but didn't. Later David told me I should have covered the glass with saran wrap! Great idea! 
Anyway, just .shook the can and sprayed it. I got some drips, which I cleaned with paper towel but then had it again... They disappeared once the paint dried. I was a little scared to spray and reach the pilot, so do not do this without asking a painter first! My fireplace has glass in front, and it was shut, so the paint did not reach the pilot. But I was more careful when I did that side, sprayed further away and watched the flame, hahahahaha!!! I know!!!!
SO, after it dried, I took the tape off and taped the other way, so I could prime the tiles. 
The lady at the paint store told me to use a soft fluffy roller and then use a brush to cover what the roller missed. Well... the roller missed A LOT. My arm was burning from priming, I had to call my son to paint a bit.

Tomorrow I am going to finish priming and paint it off-white. The primer is a bright white. 
I did not finish today because it was my son's PROM so we spend the day involved with it. But this is another story!

Condensed Love

Dear friends,


Once I had a few friends home for dinner, and my friend Justine kept asking me what was in this dessert I made... I kept telling her it was "looove" and finally I said: "looove and CONDENSED MILK"!! And she said: it is "Condensed Love"...
I am from Brazil, and I say we put condensed milk in everything, lol!

So here it is my recipe for what I call "Peachy Dessert"!

Peachy Dessert
2 cans of condensed milk
2 cans of milk (use the cond. milk can to measure it)
2 heaping tbsp of corn starch dissolved in 1/2 can of milk
2 cans of carnation thick cream
2 cans of peaches in light syrup
Maria biscuits or any tea biscuit will do (I use about two rows, not sure how many grams is that)


It is super easy!!!
Heat the condensed milk dissolved with milk in a sauce pan.
When it is starting to boil, stir in the corn starch dissolved with milk.
It should start thickening right the way. It should have the consistency of pudding.
Set aside.


Separate the peaches syrup from the peaches, and dip the biscuits in the syrup.
In a dish ( I use a rectangular dish, like the one I use for lasagna), start placing the
biscuits side by side. Pour half of the condensed milk cream on it. 
Put a layer of chopped peaches (I use about 2/3 of the peaches because inside the layers they keep fresher than on top). 
Put another layer of biscuits.
Add the 2 cans of thick cream (make sure you discard that water that forms in the can - I don't know the English word for it) to the remaining condensed milk custard. Pour over the biscuits; add the rest of the peaches. 
Refrigerate for about 2 hours!


And yes, you can change the fruit, but I would not use fresh fruit except for berries in the summer. I have never tried with other fruits, by the way.


I hope you enjoy!!!