Jazzing up a Napkin Holder

I love searching for items I can use in our home to make it feel more welcoming! Several months ago I came across this wooden fish shaped napkin holder in the thrift store. Even though it's pretty as is (it's made out of beautiful Koa Wood from Hawaii with detailed engraving for the fins and eyes), I wanted to give it a little pizazz for my table decor.

Keeping the project simple, I gathered up supplies of Liquitex, Mod Podge, crumpled Tissue Paper, Sand Paper, Paint Brushes and White Spray Paint.

I started out by roughing up the finish using *extra fine sand paper so that my spray paint would adhere better. After wiping off the powdery residue, I spray painted all of the napkin holder except the bottom. Gotta be able to sit it down to dry ;-)

Once dry, I applied Liquitex using my sponge brush, one side at a time and then carefully pressed each piece of tissue paper onto the surface, leaving a little bit hanging over the edges. This was kind of tricky as it wanted to keep sticking to my fingers and pull away from the surface of the holder, but I was victorious! I let it dry for about 10 minutes then applied the Mod Podge to completely seal it. I trimmed the edges when fully dry.

I'm quite pleased that the detailed etchings of the fins and eyes are still visible. The 'new' napkin holder adds a nice splash of color.

What have you re-purposed or recycled lately? 

Please feel free to share in the comments below. I am always looking for new ideas!

~Happy Crafting~

*I used extra fine sand paper so it would not scratch the wood

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The Sound of Freedom

An F/A-22 Raptor, one of three that flew over our car as we were house hunting. It's difficult to get a clear image of one of these amazing jets with my camera, 

as they are bookin' it! I love living near an USAF base!!! 

 FLY-FIGHT-WIN

God bless our military and their families!

Thank you for YOUR service!!! 

 And just to JAZZ it up a bit...

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Rebecca Maney Reviews ~ The Newsmakers by Lis Wiehl + GIVEAWAY

Published January 19th 2016 by Thomas Nelson 

 Television reporter Erica Sparks has just landed her dream job at Global News Network. Beautiful, talented, and ambitious, Erica grew up dirt poor, worked her way through Yale, and is carrying a terrible secret. She moves to Manhattan to join GNN, leaving Jenny, her adored 7-year-old daughter, in the custody of her ex-husband. Erica’s producer at the network, Greg Underwood, is handsome and compelling. Scarred by her divorce, Erica is wary of romance, but there’s no denying the mutual attraction.

On one of her first assignments, Erica witnesses a horrific Staten Island ferry crash. Then she lands a coveted interview with presumptive presidential nominee Kay Barrish. During the interview Barrish collapses. Erica valiantly tries to save her with CPR. The footage rivets the world—GNN’s ratings soar and Erica is now a household name.

But she’s troubled. What a strange coincidence that both events should happen on her watch. It’s almost as if they were engineered. Is that possible?

Erica’s relentless pursuit of the truth puts her life and that of her daughter in danger. Her investigation leads her into the heart of darkness—where the future of our democracy is at stake.

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 Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

4 STARS!!!

Erica Sparks is convinced that she has reached the top echelon of television news when she is invited to join Global News Network, an up and coming news organization that small town girls like herself, could only dream about working for. Sadly, her first assignment is marred by tragedy; tragedy that she expertly films and reports, catapulting her name and face onto every major network in the world. Eerily, her second major assignment includes similar circumstances, and Erica begins to wonder if there is more going on than appears on the surface of her unprecedented success.

After engaging the help of a co-worker, Erika fears that her request has landed her friend at near death. Confiding in her attractive producer, Greg Underwood, also seems risky at best. Erica develops the eerie sensation that GNN's owner, Nylan Hastings, is not only brilliant, but psychopathic in his drive to reach the top; expertly eliminating anyone who proves detrimental to his cause. The cat- and- mouse game reaches another level when sordid details about her past are threatened to be revealed and Erica fears that her passion for journalism will prove to be fatal.

This sensational thriller is a page turner and gives the reader a glimpse, albeit fictional, into the world of global "newsmakers". 

Rebecca is a graduate of Bryan College with a degree in Christian Education, and is currently serving at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, North Carolina as the Director of Children's Ministry. With nearly 28 years of experience in her field, she has had many opportunities to use her love of reading and writing in creative ways across the generations. A wife, mother of four "nearly" grown children, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, Rebecca has been able to return to her love of reading and more recently reviewing, with a renewed passion for the "beauty of story".

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Rebecca has graciously offered to send a blog follower her extra paperback  HARD COVER copy of The Newsmakers! US ONLY (48 contiguous states). 

Leave a comment for Rebecca, and be sure to let us know how you follow Stuff & Nonsense (GFC preferred but you also have the option of Bloglovin or by email). Please include your email address so you can be contacted if you win. Use a format like this -- you[at]here[dot]com -- to prevent spammers.

A winner will be announced on Feb 22nd.

~Happy Reading~ 

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A Quick Visit in 2015

Doh! I meant to post this a month ago but I forgot about it being in my drafts folder.

Our oldest son came in for a quick visit two weeks before Christmas. Even though we would have liked it to have been longer, we are thankful for time together! He was pretty exhausted his first day back so no plans were made to do anything other than sit on the deck and relax. And the weather cooperated! I think this was his first view of the bay from our temporary home. He's saying something like, "Wow. This is a pretty good view." :-)

It was a gorgeous day! The temps were warm and apparently perfect for sailing.

This was a particularly fun trio to watch. They looked like they were having a blast zipping around out there, showing off those colorful sails! All in all, it made for an entertaining afternoon.

But the best part was just sitting across from our son and treasuring the moments spent with him, no matter how short. I'm learning to be thankful for the morsels that God allows to fall my way and not be greedy. One day (or six in our case) is better than none. It gave us an opportunity to talk about lots of things. Military life and its challenges, and all the changes that recently occurred in our family were top on the list. We were able to talk about the importance of our faith in Christ through it all.
Sweet moments!

^{Romans 1:8-12 (NASB) Bible Gateway}
 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.  For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.  For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;  that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. 


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Have a blessed day in the Lord!

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A Super Moon, Sunrise, and Life

Hey Y'all! It's been CrAzY busy (that might be a favorite phrase of mine) with our move to VA. Lots of life changes. We've become empty nesters after 32 years of having a child in the home. Well, actually WE had to leave home to get this way. ;-) Our youngest son is still living in our family home in NC with his cousin for a room mate. Oh yeah. Two young men on their own for the first time. Big changes ALL the way around!!!

I managed to dig out my camera in anticipation of last night's Super Moon and Lunar Eclipse. Well, too much cloud cover and high winds made it challenging to get a good shot. Add to that my own exhaustion and impatience, and needless to say the photos didn't come out too good. I didn't stay up late enough to get any of the eclipse but I honestly think it would have been solid clouds by then because we ended up getting rain again.

God's handiwork is beautiful despite my meager attempt to capture it! I know many folks got the perfect glimpse of the night sky. My husband and I enjoyed standing on our balcony overlooking the Chesapeake Bay and dreaming of all the adventures to come our way on this next step in our journey.

And then there are the gorgeous sunrises! I have always enjoyed seeing the sunrise over the foothills in NC and especially from our back deck that overlooked our chicken coop. Always a great way to start the morning, listening to the rooster crow and the 'girls' clucking away, letting me know they are giving me a gift (eggs). :) 

I still have to pinch myself to believe that He moved us from the foothills of NC to the coast of VA. I honestly thought we would never move! 

While I do miss my little hobby farm, now I get to hear the roar and power of the ocean, which always makes me stand in AWE of GOD and his great power!!! Long walks and combing for seashells is fast becoming a part of my day.

Matthew 4:19

And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

My prayer is that the Lord will use my husband and I to be a beacon of light to all those we come in contact with. We are so thankful for our friends and family who have cheered us on! 

As time permits, and more boxes get unpacked, I'll be back with some book reviews, giveaways, photography excursions and general life happenings.

Blessings from VA,

Psalm 16:11  You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.        Sharing@

Golden hues

A recent sunset in rural NC. 

I know it seems a little early to post an image that looks so much like autumn but I promise I took this just the other day. There was a breathtaking sunset as my husband and I were driving home from our anniversary dinner. He graciously pulled over so I could take a picture of what our Lord painted for our good pleasure.
 
The works of His hands never cease to amaze me!  

He has made everything beautiful in its time. ~Ecclesiastes 3:11a


~Happy Snapping~

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Red and White

 I fell off the blog wagon this past week but I have a post coming soon to explain why. For today, I thought I'd share another great barn on one of the lesser traveled roads around here.

A big red and white barn that no matter what angle I tried to get a shot from, this red Crepe Myrtle was always in the frame. It adds a touch of something to the image, just not sure what. 

But I like it. :-)

Weave Texture applied in Picmonkey

~Happy Snapping~

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The Barn Collective @ Tom The Backroads Traveller

A Much Loved Dessert

I'm in the grocery store when my son asks me to make a dessert for him to take on his weekend house sitting job. He suggested his favorite dessert--Banana Pudding. Um. I don't usually make this so I had no idea all of the ingredients I would need. The techie man child searched AllRecipes on his smart phone and found this one:

Banana Pudding IV

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups cold milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
4 bananas, sliced
1/2 (12 ounce) package vanilla wafers

Directions

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in condensed milk, pudding mix, cold milk and vanilla until smooth. Fold in 1/2 of the whipped topping.

Line the bottom of a 9x13 inch dish with vanilla wafers. Arrange sliced bananas evenly over wafers. Spread with pudding mixture. Top with remaining whipped topping. Chill.

My MIL usually makes Banana Pudding for him if she knows ahead of time we are coming over. I have rarely had to make it, which is why I didn't know what I would need. After tasting it, I'm pretty sure her recipe is different and doesn't use Cream Cheese or Sweetened Condensed Milk. But needless to say, it came out delicious and was a hit!

Do you like Banana Pudding or have a favorite dessert that gets requested?

 ~Happy Desserts~

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace" (Num. 6:24-26)

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Giveaway - Teapot w/ Kitten Lid

While browsing in Habitat ReStore, I saw this cute Ceramic Teapot with an adorable Kitten lid. I was oohing and aahing over what good shape it was in, no chips or cracks that I could see, when my husband said I should buy it and hold a giveaway on my blog. 

What a great idea! Don't you think?! 

It's really quite pretty with a shiny glaze and pastel colors. 

Here it is from the top. You can see how comfy the kitten is curled up on top of the calico print that adorns the teapot. It almost reminds me of an old fashioned quilt!

Isn't the kitty adorable?! 

There's a tiny sticker on the bottom that says Made in Japan. No other identifying information. I don't think it's an expensive teapot, just one that is cute and serviceable. 

Wouldn't you like to serve tea in this? 

If so...

Here are the rules.

Since I changed my blog URL over from duhpaynes to annepayne, I wasn't able to transfer my GFC followers, which is ridiculous but that's another story. 

Soooo...if you want to be entered in the giveaway for the teapot, you must be a GFC follower. Sign up is right over there in the sidebar. You must leave an email address in a non-spam format! For example: janedoe[at]there[dot]net

If you also sign up to follow me on Bloglovin', I will give you an extra entry. Just be sure and leave a comment telling me you would like to be entered in the giveaway and if you also follow through Bloglovin'.

I'm sorry I can't offer the giveaway to anywhere in the world. It's USA only. If you would like to enter the giveaway and gift it to someone in the USA, you may do so. Or if you live on the Canadian border and have family/friends in the USA that can hold it for you until you can claim it from them, you may do so. But I can only mail it to a US address!

I will draw a winner on July 20th. The winner will have three days to respond,
or I will draw another winner.

~Have a blessed day~

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'Vintage' Baby Girl Mini Album

It's been a while since I posted any craft projects. This is a mini album I made for my first granddaughter,
who is getting ready to turn 3!

Yes, I know. 

But I really did make the album almost two years ago so I'm only behind in posting the photos. :)

And speaking of photos, my daughter took these as I didn't have a very good camera at the time. I totally forgot about them and found them on a shared drive the other day. That's what really prompted me to post them. Otherwise, I would have happily gone through life thinking I didn't have any pictures of it to share. *snort*

I purchased a canvas mini album from the craft store. I don't remember which one as it has been so long but if I find another one I am buying it too. I really enjoyed working with the canvas!

The pearls are Prima, and most of the flower embellishments are probably Prima, but I handmade a few flowers from the scrapbook paper, too.

I'm famous for finding odd craft supplies for a discount and then trying to piece them all together.
 Another great place to buy supplies is Mighty Dollar.

Seriously.

They are cheap but name brands!

I made plenty of little pockets to slip things into, along with tags.

I love tags!

Okay, this picture looks a little green. I don't remember using green ink. 
My go-to ink is Soft Suede by Stampin'Up!

Embroidery floss is magic. Really. It makes such a pretty addition to any page!

There's that nasty green tint again. Hmmm...could have been my editing but I'm not claiming it. :)

There's a homemade flower up there^^^. Those are fun to make. Just cut out a circle (doesn't have to be perfect), dampen it with water and wad it up, let dry, unfold and layer with another one, adding a pearl or button. Voilà, you are done!

More handmade flowers!

Of course it's vintage themed because that's what I like best!

Lots of tags for journaling! Prima pearls and stamping, oh yeah!

See, it really is Soft Suede around the edges. Looks way better than green. :)

I love the side view!!!

Mini albums are my favorite craft to make. I now have several more that need putting together, so I think part of my summer will be busy. 

Oh, not for my daughter! Only one more for her baby who just turned one. 

But I have a new grand nephew, and two new grand nieces!

Have you been creating anything fun lately? Do share!

~Happy Crafting~

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