Old Things Are the Best New Things

 I wanted a Union Jack flag, but saw this one with 48 stars and thought it would work just fine!

These butterflies are not old, but I love them anyways.  I got the idea from Penelope's room! 

 I turned this old grain sack into a table runner.  All I had to do was unpick the stitches on the edges!

Here I took old books and ripped the pages out.  Then I glued them on the wall.  

Thanksgiving Day is Too Short!

And too far between!

 I haven't been "home" for Thanksgiving for many many years.  It was delightful to be around so many family members.  Ivan was here with Elise and Chelsea surprised everyone by coming a few weeks earlier!  And of course there was more food than we could handle.  Perfect!

 For the place settings, I made these pilgrim people.  Find your face and sit down!  

 That is the Mayflower behind us.  Next year, I'd like to do mystery baby photos or something else fun.

 Some people didn't like their faces.  Maybe next time I get the camera out, they will look at me and smile!

 Here are the two presiding couples.  Thanks for a great day!  Much to be thankful for this year!

Some Things Look Better Painted!

 Ever since we got this piano in North Carolina, I had dreams of painting it.  Maybe red, maybe white.  But I could never decide.  Finally, I had a big enough space to take it all apart and try it.  I found a cool turquoise colored one online and after much deliberation, I jumped in.  

 First I had to take it all apart.  I even took out each key.  It was cool to see how it all worked.  Then I taped off the pedals and put paper over the bare places that I didn't want to paint.  Then start sanding!  Take off all the shiny.

 Then I had to prime it, let it dry, then sand it.  Do that 3 times!

Then I could paint it.  The first few coats had me worried.  It didn't quite look right.  But after that third coat, I was so excited!  Then I put on 2 coats of protection.  I added the fancy scrolly stuff and changed the knobs (not before this picture).  I LOVE it!  It took over 2 weeks, but I had time.