Just a few projects left....

One breath at a time. Each time a small part of this project is complete I sigh with relief and enthusiasm onto the next. 

SK's New Cottage

From Old Leaning Structure To Fun New Cottage
by SK Sartell

This poor old building will  have a new life to live.  Built in the early 1910's and added on and on. Owners whom really didn't have a builders knowledge or skills.

Family Trees

Paint is such a fun way to add personality to a home. This family tree needed to be just a bit different than all the vinyl and painted trees. I didn't want it to conflict with the amazing handrail.

The tree was drawn on a paper template, cut and then taped to the wall. We then sponge painted around the outside edges for a 3-d effect.
Summer Lakey added her two bits up and down the latter for a few hours. Loved having her help me.

The owner plans on adding additional pictures and maybe even a birds nest for texture and definition.

Think Outside The Box...

♥ Handmade Gifts ♥

Whether it be for that special holiday or birthday a handmade gift is so much more memorable.

These pretty little wool felt booties were a gift to our granddaughter. I wanted to make something very special with bits of mink and a few pearls I had left from other projects.

Farmhouse Gets A Facelift



As a designer you have the privilege of perusing many clients homes.  I have had a great time doing this with several homes of one family. Each has a different eye for style and color. Each has been a joy to work with and I have had fun imagining  new spaces with these sisters and mom.

Homemade Bath and Laundry Soap For Pennies

My darling daughter Darcy called yesterday and declared she was in the middle of making homemade laundry soap.

SK's Chalkboard Refrigerator

I have hated my stainless steel fridge since brand new. It looks great when it's clean. But heaven forbid don't ever use it or get fingerprints on it. It is a constant battle to keep clean. So I decided to fix the problem.

Paint Up To My Ears

I have held on to a "PINK" wing back chair for over twenty years. I just couldn't use it in lieu of it's color, but couldn't part with it because of it's quality.

My dilemma seemed to be endless. Keep-get rid of? Paint???????????Really?  I thought I knew a lot about paint, but never thought to fabric paint the chair. I didn't think there would be much to loose if I ruined it, so why not?

I found Kristy's tutorial on Pinterest and after four days of working now have a wonderful "new" chair in my sitting area in the kitchen.

I found her instructions very good. I found that when I kept the chair wet "misted" as I worked the color would blend better. The final fabric feels like canvas.

 
 





White Oaks Dresses For Christmas

Merry Christmas

With the Birth of our Savior and the celebrations we hold dear, I try to create a wonderful setting for the picture over our mantle. The picture stays up all year but at this time of year we cherish it a bit more.



We pray that you all may have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas.
The Sartell's


Newest and Fun Projects

We have been traveling to our kids homes and having fun with our grandkids and several projects.
Paige' new quilt and bed.

 A new 3D will tree for the new baby coming.


Carving and acid staining the old front porch.






Our little Pixie Paige.

Dear Soldiers. Thank You.


He is a Chief Master Sergeant John Gebhardt in the USAF serving in Afghanistan As high as you can go in enlisted ranks (E-9) John Gebhardt's wife, Mindy, said that this little girl's entire family was executed. The insurgents intended to execute the little girl also, and shot her in the head... But they failed to kill her. She was cared for in John 's hospital and is healing up, but continues to cry and moan.

The nurses said John is the only one who seems to calm her down, so John has spent the last four nights holding her while they both slept in that chair. The girl is coming along with her healing.

He is a real Star of the war, and represents what the members of our services are trying to do. This, my friends, is worth sharing. Go for it!! You'll never see things like this in the news.

Please keep this going. Nothing will happen if you don't, but the public needs to see pictures like this and needs to realize that we're making a difference. Even if it is just one little girl at a time.

Autumn Leaf Rose Bouquet For White Oaks Fall Season

Fall Beauties



Fall at White Oaks is a world of discovery. These autumn leaf roses are beautiful for all our fall occasions.

Buggy Book

My children's book  and it's illustrations on it's way. But what a mess in the kitchen. I can't believe how long it is taking me to paint each page. Maybe I'm just stalling?