Out With the Old, In With the New--Foyer Update

For the last 14 years I have been staring...

...and staring at these walls.

I recently heard a sermon featuring the verse, "Behold I 

make all things new" from Rev. 21:5 and I got thinking... 

What if I make a change?  I was a little (actually a LOT) fearful,

 because I removed our kitchen wallpaper a few years ago, 

which turned out to be...

A NIGHTMARE as it was applied to bare drywall!!!

 But, then I noticed that the walls were actually 

properly prepped and I just couldn't stop picking at it.

Oh no, now I'm committed!  What is my hubby

going to say when he comes home?!

Before I knew it, it looked like this.  

 Hubby was surprised.

But, before long, I was finished with the wallpaper

removal.  Yay!!!

After removing all the paste residue with water

and some vinegar and a little help from a

kitchen scrubby, it was on to the oil-base stain

blocker.  A must after wallpaper removal!  I put on 

two coats of this, allowing drying time between coats.

Finally, wall color time!  

You know what happens when you redo a room

--it's kind of like the children's book,

 "When You Give A Mouse A Cookie."

  Yes, you have to do something else.

My carpet was starting to clog my vacuum cleaner

 as it was falling apart.  So, it had to go!

Now for the reveal!!!  

Wall color:  BM Himalayan Trek

This post is also featured at Scoop 151

http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/2014/12/please-join-me-for-scoop-151.html

Christmas Vignettes

Hopefully you are ready for Christmas.  We have a very busy schedule this time of year, so I tend to keep things simple as far as decorating.  Today I put together  a little photo tour of Christmas vignettes around our home for you to enjoy.

Kitchen vignette with a little wood box I painted to hold the essential 

beverage of the season with my frosted cupcake painting on display.

  Someday, I'm going to make those cupcakes!!!

Kitchen Vignette

My farmhouse dining room complete with roosters and a hungry horse.

The vintage lantern I found at a second-hand store makes

a great see-through centerpiece.

My horse painting with a Christmas wreath.  

I still have to think of a name for her.  Any ideas???

My grandmother's hutch that I painted with roosters (2013).

An old frame I refinished and made into a chalkboard.

Christmas vignette in a giant mason jar.

A view from my kitchen window.  I found the vintage 

wire Christmas tree at a reuzit store for just $8!!!

Our Living Room

A Giant Handmade Snowflake.  See the tutorial.

My handmade Central Market Glitter House-a gift for my hubby.

An old vintage wood box that I painted to hold my Christmas wrapping essentials.

Great for holding scissors, tape, brown wrapping paper, rubber stamps, ribbon

glue, glitter, paper punch and handmade tags so nothing gets lost.

A vintage Santa music box and Santa on the rooftop of the Star Barn.

Hope you enjoyed the photo tour.  Merry Christmas and God's richest blessings to you all!

You can also see this post at:

http://www.homegoods.com/blog/2014/12/19/design-happys-2nd-annual-holiday-home-link-party/

http://www.stonegableblog.com/the-scoop-150/

Snowman Sugar Cookies

Today, I would like to share my recipe for Snowman Sugar Cookies and a painting I created to illustrate the recipe.  You may download the image to enjoy on your desktop.   You can purchase this recipe in a greeting card format here:

 http://www.zazzle.com/snowman_sugar_cookie_recipe_card-137223224514027011

Snowman Sugar Cookies

1 C butter, softened

1-1/2 C sugar

3/4 C brown sugar

3 eggs + 1 egg yolk

1 t vanilla extract

4 C all-purpose flour

2 t baking powder

1 t salt

additional white sugar, for rolling

craisins, chopped in half (for snowman's eyes and mouth)

candied orange peel, cut in triangles (for snowman's nose)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream butter and sugars together.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Add flour baking powder and salt.  Chill at least 1 hour.  Form dough into small walnut-sized balls and roll in sugar.  Press down slightly on ungreased cookie sheet and decorate with craisins and candied orange peel.  Bake on top oven rack for 6-8 minutes or until tops crack and are just turning color.  Cool on pan for 2-3 minutes then remove to cooling racks.  Makes 5 dozen.

Handmade Ornaments Winner

Congratulations to Carole Jarvis, winner of my two handmade and hand-painted ornaments.  Please contact me at starlitestudios.art@gmail.com with your mailing info.  Thank you to all who entered.  I will be hosting many future giveaways, so sign up for emails to stay informed.