I've got to quit stripping.

It's so bad for me! Plus, I'm horrible at it. I make zero money.

I'm stripping these corbels for Layla Palmer. She asked me to help her look for corbels several months ago. I found these in Tennessee and they are fabulous, but she wanted them stripped. I should have taken them to Cullman immediately. Instead, I waited until the last minute and tried to do it myself. I went to Lowe's and bought all the supplies.

I took it all over to Ashlee's....she would know what to do. We sat in her driveway: me stripping, her making some AWESOME teacher gifts. Watch her blog this week. I bet you will see them there! (wink)

I was struggling. We went inside for a sandwich and I got a phone call. It was Garlan asking me about an ad for the Southern Makers event book. I told him my dilemna. He tried to say I told you so, but I stopped him and he told me to get to the store and he would put them in the strip tank. Ahhhhh....hero!

I packed my bucket real quick and headed north!

I was planning on meeting Layla and Kevin at 3:00 to help with a project they are working on...check out this post to follow along with this particular adventure! The corbels are for something totally different! ;)

I went straight to the wood shop and Roger helped me tell Rojelio that I needed these corbels stripped. I pulled 4 out of a garbage bag and he threw them in the tank. Wow. Really? He wears and apron and these really thick long gloves so his skin won't burn. I was over there with my camera in one hand and phone in the other. Roger told me to step away from the tank! I decided one weapon at a time!

I'm not sure why Rojelio doesn't have his gloves on here. He needs to be careful! Dipping and stripping? much easier!

He was dunking them and using a bucket to pour the stripper over the corbels.

 Wow, can you believe how it just bubbles up? I just wanted to reach in and peel it all up! I can't wait to see them come out of the tank!

I left them with him and went up front to meet up with Layla and Kevin. I was surprised to see Myra, from My Blessed Life, come in! She had her sweet baby boy with her. He is SO cute! She was meeting them, too. We spent the rest of the afternoon out at the wood warehouse with Ryan finding, measuring, and pulling wood. Loaded it all up for them to take home and realized it was too late to get the corbels. We told them all about the Southern Makers event and they are planning on stopping by...so, we will deliver that weekend! A fun day. I really love helping people find their treasures at Southern Accents.

Color Inspires Me

I am so inspired by color. I think it's interesting that most would describe my style as rustic and old. While I am very inspired by rustic, old pieces, they usually have texture or color. I do love the way these old pieces can be used to make something new. Most of the time if I find a door with a bright color......I have to have it! You could say my go to color is red. I was going through my iPhoto the other day and saw some really fun, colorful photos. I thought I would share them with you!

I subscribed to the Project Life Kit from Studio Calico. March was my first kit. OH MY, I love all those little pieces that come in glassine envelopes and the cards that are all the same size. Yes, those things.

This jar. Ha, this jar is big, really big! It has been this full of flowers for several years! (wink) I might pull out one or two, but then I find a package that has never been opened and stuff it in there!

I went thrift shopping, but not with Macklemore! I went with Ashlee. #giggle 

I walked around the corner and saw all of these 45's and thought I would die! The colors and circles and organization...swoon!

The Smoking Glue Guns had a few hiccups last month; Spring Break, sick kids, and no time! I took on a huge project for March's craft and I do not know if it will ever get done...oh my. It will be so fantastic when I'm finished. I actually have two to make. They are going to be HUGE pillows for the swing bed on the front porch. Anyone want to come over and stitch down an arrow or two? ;-)

Sunday Funday at Railroad Park

I'm a little excited about my new look on the blog! Last Friday I sat at Ashlee's house and we brainstormed and came up with a new idea....hehe. She is starting up a blog and I wanted a new look for mine. We called on our website-photographer expert, Lori and she made a little time for us today! She helped me make the cute icons on the side and I couldn't figure out how to get my logo to the right side. It was sitting on the left and driving me crazy! So, I'm in the mood to blog. New color and pop inspires me!

I had a blogger meet up sponsored by Hometalk on Thursday at Southern Accents. I had one blogger come all the way from Texas! Denise and I went to the same high school and college. She and I have been chatting for a few weeks about blogging and she decided to make the trip! It was so great seeing her. For some reason, I didn't take a photo of the group. Lisa and Denise both took pictures, but I haven't seen any of them! I guess I could've asked for one....Leah Turner drove over from Cedar Bluff, Alabama. We all asked where that is and she couldn't tell us! It was our little joke of the day. (wink) She has a house that is over a hundred years old. You can find her on Facebook at The Field House. She found several things she "needed". I think she was going to talk her hubby into coming back with her to get some of her finds. It was so nice to show them the store and all of my favorite spots. Yeah, I kinda said that every time we walked into another room. While we were at the gym, I snapped a couple of pics of the "spire" from Arkansas. This thing has gotten a lot of attention and has potential to become famous! I think it looks like a lady in a dress. It reminds me of Beauty and the Beast. You know, the duster, Babette?

I picked up this piece of trim. It was from one of the houses in Arkansas. I love delicate trim. This piece is only about 6ft tall. I need to find a cool way to use it. 

On Sunday, Connor and I ventured downtown to Railroad Park. It's a new park that has had a lot of national recognition. It is a beautiful area. Our local baseball team, the Barons, will be playing in the new Regions Stadium right beside the park. We do not have a very safe downtown in Birmingham. I hope all of these new places will change that. We had so much fun checking out the park. Lots of dogs, kids and people enjoying the sunshine. It felt great to be there. There was a local pop up shop going on that day. Several vendors brought me out. I have been following Digs Design on Instagram and Facebook. They have some cool vintage finds. I talked to the Mom and Daughter owners. They have a great eye and are both so creative. I can't wait to work with them on a few projects soon! I love this yellow basket. Isn't it so fun??

A quick look at all the action that day at the park and a view of a portion of Birmingham, Alabama!

As we were leaving, we stopped to get a treat from the ice cream truck! It was the perfect ending to a very fun afternoon! 

The Best Vacation With Kids

We decided to take the trip to Atlantis for our Spring Break this year. John Connor is an avid fisherman. He loves anything to do with the ocean. The aquarium style vacation at Atlantis is his DREAM come true! He watched video after video on YouTube and Netflix. He was prepared. 

We were amazed at the water and grounds. The view from our room was perfect. We watched the sunset almost everyday from this spot! 

Lots of great bonding time, too. The kids swam with dolphins. They had a great experience going under water with them and then, of course, the finale was getting to be pushed by a dolphin through the water! I love seeing their faces in these pictures. So many cute expressions....

 The rope bridge was our favorite!

Snorkeling was fun, but FREEZING! We had the underwater Go-Pro. I need to get those videos together. I would highly recommend this trip for your family. Our kids are 13 and 11 and we decided it was our best vacation EVER!

If you are in need of a vacation planner, I highly recommend Main Street Memories. They have a lot of experience and know just how to make your vacation easy!

LucyLocket Donation

I made a lucylocket this week! This one will be donated to a group of bloggers that are doing a Mother's Day giveaway! I was so excited when Heather reached out to me for a donation. The contest starts soon. I will get you all the details as soon as I have them!