SK's Endless Wandering

Something From Nothing

by SK Sartell

I don't know about you, but I am impatiently waiting for that first garden tomato to show itself…In my opinion it can't come soon enough.

So to keep my artistic mind from becoming atrophied, I began to open my mind to creative re-purposing.. So I hit a dead spot creatively. Is this the same as writers block? I think the feelings could be similar. Frustration.

I’m walking the summer garden, while looking over the hill I spy two broken and downed trees. These smaller oak trees had been killed by the death grip of ivy. Some of the ivy vines were an inch thick. These poor oaks never had a chance.

As the winter ice had grown heavy on the oak and ivy it could no longer hold it’s own weight and snapped.

“Wow, Ron look at that. Those are so cool. Do you think you HAUL those up on the back yard?” “Really Shirley? Are you kidding?”

We get the trusty old come-a-long and chains and haul them both up to the backyard.

They both are worn, bedraggled and look like they need to be used as firewood. NO WAY! Hey let’s build an arbor…Ron sighed resignedly.  He dives in cutting the grass back twelve feet and levels the area. Of course there has to be a step. What were you thinking?

If you know Ron, you know that he is a sweety. He will do just about

The yard is now a mucky mess. But hey, look at it this way, we will have less grass to mow..anything legal and or moral to keep me happy. Poor dear.

We embed four tall steel rods into concrete for strength. Then start to wire the curved trees to steel posts, overlapping the limbs at the center. We then cut stray limbs off to make the arbor more symmetrical.


Looks pretty bad at this point. But in my mind I could see it at the height of summer. Mind you, Ron still can’t see what I am envisioning. He just plugs along.

Now that the arbor is built we need to plant. Oh Wait…We need a bench so people can enjoy the view. Right? Wait, it gets better. To get to the bench we need stepping-stones. Agreed?

At this point Ron just wants it to end.I found an old fence and designed the seat so you could sit facing the valley or sit facing the yard. Simple? You would think so…I never think things through as thoroughly as I should. But Ron always makes it work.

The stepping-stones are formed from concrete. we poured them individually in the studio as it was raining cats and dogs outside. As they dried we took them out and placed them in the muddy dirt.

We have planted several varieties of roses. One is a white climbing vine rose and will eventually cover the arbor. I can’t wait ten years to see the result so I am planting hops which will cover the entire arbor by mid summer. Moss and small steppable ground cover will be planted among the cobbles.We eventually placed the last cobblestone. The pillows came soon after.

Can you envision the end result. Hope we get to see my  grand scheme.  Poor Ron.

Thanks for visiting. sk

Thanks for visiting. sk on elderberry

SK & Modern Masters Paints

http://www.hometalk.com/sksartell/project
http://www.pinterest.com/sksart
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Thoughts Of Dad

Get The Water Down To The Bottom Of The Row!

by SK Sartell

Days Of Summer

As  heat waves rise from my patio cobblestones, the pumpkins are sprouting and the ground is getting hard. These sweet weeks of summer bring back many memories of the farm where I was raised.

I miss lying in bed at dawn waiting for my dad to inevitably, come to wake me. I could hear a cicadas raspy calls, the frogs croaking and the occasional song of a whippoorwill. We used to call them road runners.

My dad was a great farmer. His eighth grade education  never seemed to be a hindrance to his success. It was my father who taught me;  anything could be fixed  when you put your mind to it. If he had thought to have a motto, his would have been ; You can fix anything with baling wire, hard work and a good shovel.

My behavior must have been learned at his feet. I have always known  I could accomplish anything, if I spent the time to learn, to work hard, to be honest, and civil (which seems to be a lost art.)

Sooo….I get to work and try to make my father proud  I was his daughter. I will figured it out dad. I will be honest and ethical and even civil at times. OK. Don’t push me. I will try to be civil most of the time. How’s that?

Times are tough. We are feeling a bit sorry for ourselves with the lousy economy. People are out of work. The rent might be late. Hmmmm. Are we feeling a bit sorry for ourselves?

Dad would just quietly make a point of;  “Shirley Kay, the water needs to be changed on unit seven.” We have to make sure the water gets down to the end of the row.”

“The water needs to get down to the end of the row.” What a complex thought, dad. He will never know how this statement has effected my life.

Finish what you start. Make sure you do the best you can. “Get the water to the end of the row." Endure to the end.

OK. So I will stop whining. And start finishing to the best of my ability. Be who I am. Create. Make something useful and beautiful.

The summer brings the memory of my father’s garden and life. His creations. All useful. All beautiful. I will try to do the same.

Copper Counters & SK

I love copper, in all it's forms. I started working with 16 ml sheet copper for my countertops. It. was an enlightening project.
To say the least, I learned a lot.
This might not be a project most people would attack. But when I want something, I jump in, and as well as getting something cool, I learn a little along the way.

Stuffed & Painted

With left-over canvas fabric I learned how to sew simple pillow covers. Simple enough project.

Each pillow is painted on each side. The one side is for spring/summer/country, the other sides are painted for winter/valentines.

PoppyCock

Brrr...

 My grandbabies love flipping every pillow over, hoping for another new surprise.

You can now order your own hand painted pillows or Lady Bug Book from SK's Etsy Shop at: https://www.etsy.com/people/sartellart?ref=si_pr

Thanks for visiting. sk on elderberry

SK & Modern Masters Paints

http://www.hometalk.com/sksartell/project
http://www.pinterest.com/sksart
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Using What You've Got

When a gift is given I look at it with a very open eye and mind. What could it be used for? What kind of life can I give it. Is it needed and usable. If not for me then as a gift for someone.

I was given two very 1960' TV/bookshelf cabinets which had seen better days. They were solid oak, so I knew they were worth saving. I wish I had a real picture of them as I started to dismantle each one, not knowing what use I would eventually have for them.

In retrospect these were one of the most loved and useful pieces of furniture I have ever gotten. They actually weren't a gift. I was ask if I would take them to the dump by a client. Sure. My house first...

There were two 23" deep cabinets. There were no shelves at the beginning. So we had to add those.

This picture is as close as I could come to what they resembled. One of the two cabinets did not have a back.

I never just throw something away. I will save it until some inspiration or need arises.

I needed bookshelves but these were just a little deep for a usual bookcase so I knew I would need to make something useful from them. We built pine open fronted doors and stapled chicken wire to the back.

 We also added a couple of cross boards for stability. These cabinets were six feet tall. I didn't want all my unorganized junk showing, so the doors were a must.

This is our first reincarnation of the TV cabinets. We split them up added feet for height and an angled platform between them for my computer area. I don't like my computer on my desk. But it needs to be close to where I am designing and drawing. We added another find. an abused oak bookcase. I painted them an antique green from Sherwin and Williams called Svelte Green. I sanded them back as if used for a hundred years and then antiqued with a chocolate wash. I sealed the whole mess with a satin poly. I also had found this old oak desk on the side of the road and I made it my own.

When we moved I took these bookcases and newly doored bookcases with me to my new cottage. This is how I made them work again in a very tiny space.

We were heating our little cottage with a little electric fireplace. It works great. Couldn't stand to look at it. We brought in the old bookcases.

This is the results and how we did it all.

My wonderful hubby built an enclosure and raised the electric fireplace. The old green bookcases were place on either side. He attached them to the wall studs for sturdiness. The upper blank area was wired for TV. So we built up the top of the fireplace area to make it all look more custom. I used two beloved rod iron rose pieces and overlapped them attaching them to the blank space above the fireplace.

I then tiled the surround with a pretty cream glass tile. This helps bounce light around in my tiny space. I used an italian chair rail along the top of the tile. I love the textual look.

I bought small feet from Lowes and then added six inches of 4x4 to make the feet taller.

Hubby Crown molded all the kitchen cabinets and these new additions. I painted the red cabinets several colors of red and then antiqued them. The kitchen cabinets are painted a cream and the upper cabinets have beaded glass.

I added the curtains to the back. I am using these cabinets to hide oven and microwave. Plus another pantry. All the stuff I don't want to be seen.

My crazy fun fridge sits next to the red cabinet.  You can see all the gritty details on this site:http://sksartell.blogspot.com/2014/04/sks-fridge-to-vintage-steamer-trunk.html

These are the rest of the cabinets in the kitchen area.

I added a antique looking beaded glass to my upper cabinets after I had painted the interiors dark chocolate. I also have electrical in each cabinet for lighting which is upcoming. I hope?

So that's the details of all my kitchen/living rooms cabinetry. But I may have left out a detail. The counters are a chocolate concrete. a totally different story.

Thanks for visiting.

sk

SK and Pinterest

Canning The Light

I loved canning with my mom. Good fresh picked farm food from our own gardens. I never saw a grocery bought vegetable till I got married. So I have a fondness for these beautiful old canning jars.

I used six different types of Ball canning jars and figured out how to make them into lights for my little cottage. I try to surround myself with things which remind me of my farm life. They make me smile.

Good thing I have a an amazing hubby whom will work with me tirelessly. Sorry I didn't take progress pictures showing how this was accomplished. there are many tutorials on the internet.

Thanks for visiting.

SK

SK's Fridge to Vintage Steamer Trunk

With the amazing photo talent of Carole Marie my vintage steamer trunk comes to life.

Painted Lady French Doors

Painted Lady French Doors

I used these old french doors to experiment with light, dark and texture effects.. The color and painted effects make me smile.

The doors were left without any varithane or other protectant. With the moisture in Oregon I need to make sure these doors are waterproof. I took some time figuring out a fun and unusual color combination and texture.  An old plastic lace tablecloth came in handy. I have one that is multi-painted from various projects. It's fun just by itself. Painting clothes, tarps and such have a story to tell. Don't get rid of them. My girls have taken a pair of my thirty year old painting pants, cut them up, matted and framed the best parts as a memory of our colorful past...

SK's Tissue Paper & Copper Walls

I love small interesting spaces. So when I designed this 4'x5' guest bath I had some decisions to make. It had very tall ceilings and light pine floors so I could do just about anything I wanted color wise. But I also wanted an interesting texture on the walls.

This a fun but messy project.

SK Dislikes Stainless Steel

I can't say much after that title, because the statement is horribly true. I Hate Stainless Steel. Hey the stuff looks great. Until...Kids get to it. Or hubby. Or Me. I must admit.

The stuff seems to glom onto fingerprints. We were constantly trying to find a way of keeping it shiny and free of greasy fingerprints. So here ya go...

SK's Little Worn Out Hutch

I needed to dig deep to save this poor little baby. Found in a farmers field, it had seen better days. The interior was covered with old wallpaper and glue. Stripping it was an adventure. I found old news clips and ads.

A Little French Bistro

This poor baby was left in the weather too long and was so upset it started to split. It needed to be completely sanded down to the wood. I then wood patched the rotted areas and sanded.

Poppin Up Posies

What can be more fun than redecorating a babies room?

SK's Time For A Clock Break

Fun  Clock  Project

This was a fun project. I wanted an oversize wall clock. I have seen some really cool wood ones, but I didn't want a wood or metal clock. The painted alternative was a little more difficult to figure out.  

SK's Half There Table

SK's  Half  There  Table.

I needed a little table in my tiny, tiny bath. I had just under 20" next to the toilet. I needed a little lamp for a night light. I could have just plugged in a little night light, but I wanted something a little prettier.
                                      

Copper... Really SK?

  Concrete to Rust

 Still experimenting with Metal effects paints. Pretty cool if you ask me. Others aren't as excited. Maybe it's the old farm girl in me...

Come on in and see how it was done.

                                                                                       

The Awesomeness Of Having Daughters

Having Daughters

Just a point I must make. My daughters, Darcy( a chef) Summer (overall artist/photographer) Are amazingly talented.

I had to post this post of Darcy's. Just  bragging rights I guess. I thought you might get a kick out of her and her creative process. Naw. She's not like me at all...

http://darcyandsilverspooncakes.blogspot.com//

Valentines Treats

Chef Darcy of Silverspoon Catering in Utah

                                                      Chef Darcy's Custom Cupcakes