I Thought Retirement Would Be More Restful?

 I imagined that when I finally got to stay at home to "work" I'd have HEAPS of time to relax and just putter around.... I may have been a wee bit optimistic. I can say that being home has been lovely. I'm not in pain constantly. I can go up and down stairs without muttering obscenities, and I've been really considering going for walks! So the results have been fantastic for my health. I've been under the gun to get the Salon up and functioning, get my schooling going and I've also been plugging away at commissions. So puttering hasn't really been an option.   I've managed a few pics to share.... Ohhhhhh! And a video with ingredients on nail art. 

I mixed some Shiny Shades together to make this turquoise. I raided my art supply stash to decorate them... Definitely my favorite colour of all time! 

Here's how I did it!

Momma got some natural tip french nails with sparkly butterflies. She wanted gel french extensions with nail polish nail art so she could change them if she wanted on her own between appointments. Her extensions last about a month before she needs a fill and she LOVES to polish her own nails. So I think this process will work out best for her. Lovely natural looking extensions that she can customize on a daily basis if she feels like it.

Grandpa Jimmy had a lovely Pappa's Day! He was spoiled by Beastie and Momma Beast. Nammy got him this fantastic hammock to relax in, and his Pa and Ma came for a visit. It was an all around fantastic weekend.

Momma Beast and Beastie have been having great results with their garden so far this year. The beans are growing strong! They have beets and lettuces, herbs and tomatoes too!

Beastie's Fairy garden is also looking fantastic! Momma tucked it in under a bush in the corner of the backyard. Can't wait until the moss and ground covers start to spread out. Love this idea. Great fun!

I've moved my work space out on the front porch. I love that this is an option. I'm out there almost all day enjoying the squirrels and birds. There's great lighting for photographing project step outs too. Wish this were an option all year!

Well.... enough prattling on.....

I'd better get back at it!

Grandpa Shirts into Beastie Overalls

We have a few Grandpa shirts that were purchased in the wrong size. They are brand new! But no one can use them.... So we decided to re-make them into Beastie clothes!

Chopped the arms off of this shirt and turned them into legs for a set of overalls.

Took the labels from the original shirt..... It's a penguin! Like the rat pack wore..... Shame it didn't fit Grandpa.... Would have been swank in it.... But the Beastie overalls are pretty swank themselves. 

Momma Beast made us a wonderful dinner this week! It was full of sooooo much delicious! She made salmon for me and sausage for Grandpa. He's allergic to the fishies. Beastie loved everything especially the spinach, watermelon and cherry salad.

We went to the market and visited the goaties. These two always have the best conversations.

Made this little playset from some thrifted blue and white eyelet, an old Irish linen table runner and a vintage hankie for the pocket. These only take a couple of hours to put together. I'll make heaps more of these for summer. Make do and mend!

Building the Perfect Polish Shelves

We spent about $40.00 on these nail polish shelves. They were so very easy to make and they look fantastic! Thought I'd share how we did it with you. They'd be great for holding all sorts of things. Picture frames, greeting cards, thread? Great display storage.

Here are the finished shelves. The trim came in 8ft lengths, so to keep things simple I made my shelves 4ft long.

This is the trim we purchased. We go two of each. I think I may need to go get more for the other wall..... We layered the two trims one on top of the other. First I drilled and screwed the flat trim to the wall. Then I used finishing nails t attach the curvy trim. Flat side up and flush with the top pf the plain trim.Easy peasy!

Holds the polish perfectly!

I've been having loads of fun looking for the perfect glitter mix. This one has possibilities....

I started experimenting with nail art plates and jelly stampers too....

I'm having so much fun!!!