New Lighting

I found this fantastic idea somewhere online (I can't totally credit anyone - because I can't recall where I saw it! But I believe it was somewhere on Pinterest.). It's a refurbished chandelier - from cast away light to solar-powered garden chandelier! [New note: I found the webpage where I initially saw this idea.]

Here's how I did it...

I grabbed the old chandelier that I found hiding in my shed that I had nabbed at a garage sale years ago. It still had the sale tag on it....$2.99.

I removed all the electrical parts and primed and spray painted the base.

I spray painted the "scones" a contrasting green. 

I bought some small solar lights for $1.99 each (Target). The globe didn't fit properly into the required space - so I had to saw off part of the lower tab . I was then able to glue the bottom of the globe into place using a strong outdoor glue.

After putting all the lights back in place, I now have a solar-powered garden chandelier!

I am still a bit challenged with just the right place to hang it in order for it to get the proper amount of recharging daylight.

But in the meantime, I think it's pretty fun.

Can you see it shining proudly in the background?

More on Gratitude

I just read an article this morning on gratitude. I liked what it said. Here's a clip...

I'm utterly convinced that the key to lifelong success is the regular exercise of a single emotional muscle: gratitude.

People who approach life with a sense of gratitude are constantly aware of what's wonderful in their life. Because they enjoy the fruits of their successes, they seek out more success. And when things don't go as planned, people who are grateful can put failure into perspective.

By contrast, people who lack gratitude are never truly happy. If they succeed at a task, they don't enjoy it. For them, a string of successes is like trying to fill a bucket with a huge leak in the bottom. And failure invariably makes them bitter, angry, and discouraged.

Therefore, if you want to be successful, you need to feel more gratitude. Fortunately, gratitude, like most emotions, is like a muscle: The more you use it, the stronger and more resilient it becomes.
There's a little more to the article, so if you're interested in reading more it came from here.

I'm going to try using that muscle a little more today. How about you?

Wool Cushions [Pillows]

I just read about a cool initiative happening.

Woolsack is a project that enables anyone to contribute by making a cushion [pillow] from British wool. They will then be given as a personal welcome gift from the people of Britain to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Here's a peek at just some of the great cushions being created. Aren't they fantastic?!

Chip It!

I just discovered a cool new online tool called Chip It! created by Sherwin-Williams. Chip It! takes a photo, pulls out some prominent colors, then provides coordinating paint chips along-side the photo. LovE it!

I've seen many photos recently featuring this tool - but had no idea how it was accomplished. It's amazingly simple - you upload your photo and click a button. It's that easy!

Check out a few photos of my wool projects using Chip It!.

Prayers

I was preparing a new post about a cool new online tool that I just discovered this morning - but decided that it was only right that I first prepare a post in honor of the many people directly involved in the Aurora, CO shooting.

Like most, I hardly know what to say about it as it is so incredibly sad and unbelievable.

I share the sentiments that my friend, Brene' Brown, shared yesterday....

"No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear."  CS Lewis

The Magic of Magic

Simple. True.

Wisdom

I had Chinese take-out the other night. Here was my fortune. When did those cookies get so wise?

Peeking in a Hole

I have a little birdhouse hanging on the outside of my shed. Every year, I have darling birds make their home in it just before they prepare to add some new young-ins to their family. I'm always tickled to see their busy fluttering as they settle in for the special event. Look closely. Can you see the little sleeping heads of my new baby birds?

A Blessed Independence Day

Sending you the very best wishes for a happy, fun, safe, healthy, celebratory, and peaceful July 4th.

My Favorite Andy

My long-time pretend boyfriend, Andy Griffith, has passed today at 86. I'm sad and I'll miss him.

Enjoy this wonderfully sweet youtube clip of Andy singing the Andy Griffith theme song.