FINISHED THE WINDOW COFFEE TABLE!!!

Ok, so I sorta finished the window coffee table project this morning. School is STILL out, so I only have my kids and my nephew. I was supposed to have two others (whose mother is not a teacher), but there's a stomach bug on the loose - EWWWWWWWW! That gave me a little free time (that I really should be using to clean or do homework, but where's the fun in that?) I am not completely satisfied with this finished product. I know there are some things I will change, but here is an idea of what can be done with your shadow box. I am a photo freak, so naturally, I wanted our memories in the glass. I added some scrapbook paper, buttons, and a few domino dolls (from Kirrily in Australia). I'm sure I will add more of my treasured items as I find them around the house (as long as they fit).

OLD WINDOW COFFEE TABLE - UPDATE

Just a quick update on the coffee table . . . . it's been sanded, primed, painted, sanded, distressed, and sanded again. I am very happy with the ALMOST finished product, but these darn pictures aren't showing the distressing at all. The snow and ice are barely melting away here, and I can't get outside for good pics so here it is . . . . try to imagine it more distressed! Remember, the part that shows through the glass is going to be covered with pictures and other stuff - just can't seem to figure out - I'm sure that will always be a work in progress. I thought about painting that a different color, but I can't decide . . . . this is why I am always doing home improvement - INDECISIVE AMY!

New Pattern Release - Puppy Love

I love Valentine's Day . . . always have! The colors just make me happy. In fact, I love it so much that I got married on Valentine's Day 8 years ago! Of course, now I realize how dumb that was because HE THINKS he can get away with one gift!!! lol

Above is my newest pattern (and dolly) . . . Primitive Puppy Love! The doll is up for auction on ebay, and so is the paper pattern http://shop.ebay.com/frogs2fairydust/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25. Click to go there. The e-pattern is available on patternmart.com under Frogs to Fairy Dust.

I am typing this as I wait for the paint to dry on my coffee table . . . can't wait to get it finished so I can show you all! My 50 cent can of OOPS paint from The Home Depot is a great almond color . . . love those good buys!

Old Window Coffee Table Project - Tutorial

So, hubby decided to get started on the old window coffee table without me, and I didn't get to take pics before, but this project was honestly one of the easiest we have done. (He thinks I am silly when I take pics of half-done projects - so he gave us a little extra to look at!) Find an old window (I was lucky enough to have my FIL give me two of them for Christmas a couple of years ago). I have seriously been dreaming about this table since then, and hubby finally agreed and found some free time to help me. I'm not kidding when I say I have the best husband - he's so good to me - he puts up with my crazy whims and tries to make me happy. Anyway, he used some wood we had in the shed already. I don't know if it was plywood or what, but it was NOT MDF. I love MDF because it's so soft and smooth - lol. It doesn't matter what you use, but measure your window and cut a piece of 3/4 wood exactly the same size. Your window will sit on top of this base piece. You will also want to buy or make some legs. Hubby chose these for me, and I'm happy with them. You can use old porch posts if you know where to find them. Nail the base piece to the legs being sure to match up the corners. Set aside the window until later.

Next, you will want to measure between the legs. Using 1x3 or 1x4, cut your frame pieces to fit between the legs. We set ours back in the middle of the legs. Nail these in place. Hubby used the air nail gun and went from the bottom up.

And this is the way it looks after you put those pieces on . . .

Now, you lay your window on top of your table base (and hopefully it matches up perfectly). The purpose of this part is so that I can put pictures or other items on the base of the table that will show through the glass. I wanted the ability to change those from time to time, so we put hinges on the back side of the table.

And then add some trim. Measure the width of your window. Mine was about 2 inches, so I got 2 inch trim, and I needed 9 feet of it because I went around the three sides. I would love to go around all 4, but I wanted those hinges, so . . . . it is what it is. Measure and miter the edges of your trim to fit around the window edge. Nail in place. It is also recommended that you use a piece of twine and staple one side to the base and the other to the window to ensure that the window doesn't break off the hinges by accident.


It's cold and very windy here today, so there will not be any more work done until the weather gets better. I need to sand, paint, sand, distress, stain . . . . I will keep you updated on this project!

Primitive Panda Bear - Valentine Doll

I have been sketching pandas for the past year or so, and I wanted to create something for Valentine's Day, so here he is . . . . My Primitive Panda!

This dolly is sold, but the e-pattern is available on http://www.patternmart.com/pattern/10248/Primitive+Panda+Bear+-+Valentine+Door+Doll+-+Prim+Teddy, and the paper pattern is up for auction on

http://cgi.ebay.com/Primitive-Panda-Bear-Pattern-Prim-Rag-Doll_W0QQitemZ160396341624QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item25585df178.

Ellyphant Pattern Released - First of 2010

Here is Prim ELLYphant and her little mouse pal. This pattern is available on patternmart.com or email me at FrogstoFairyDust@cox.net.

Primitive style gift wrap ideas

Every year, I try to think of a new way to wrap presents (to match my prim tree), and I am always stumped. It's nice when I can find the time to sew handmade ornies to attach, but this year, I just couldn't find enough time to do that. So, instead, I used kraft wrapping paper and my Quickutz Silhouette craft cutter and glued names on the gifts and made simple tags. Then I wrapped homespun around them and voila - they are done! Top it off with the uglee old bear, and Christmas presents are done! So what do you do to make your presents prim?