Copper Pumpkin Winner

We have a winner!

Congratulations to Denise at JUNKDOG Design!

Denise was selected by our handy-dandy random number generator. I had to eliminate some of the comments from consideration as some were from me and some were just responding to something I wrote. Also, if there was a comment made by someone who wasn't a follower, then I didn't include those either. Whew! That was hard work.

Since Denise was happy to oblige my need for adoration, she'll also get a little something extra in her package. I'm still trying to determine that part, but it may include a beaded book mark, and/or some Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread. It'll give me another reason to make some more. Okay, I don't really need a reason, because I love that little treat!

If you haven't checked out Denise's site, give her a look-see. She has a fun, funky, eclectic style. I'm thinking my little pumpkin will fit right in at her house! She has a mosaic window that looks like a project I've had on the back burner for awhile now. One of the many uses for the remainder of the 60+ windows I picked up a few years back.

Congratulations, Denise.

This Pumpkin's for You!

It's My World...I'll Do What I Want!

We have this one thrift store in town that prices things in the oddest fashion, $.90, $1.91, $2.92, $3.93...you get the point. I found this globe during one of my visits. Since it was only $3.93 I decided it needed to come home with me.

I was all excited at first because I thought it was a really old globe. In looking at the countries, it had Russia and Burma which made me think it was pre-USSR days, but from what I can figure out, it can't be older than 1991.

 The base was great on it's own.  My first idea was to leave the base as it was and just paint a black chalkboard paint on the globe. However, that seemed kind of blah to me, and I thought I could kick it up a notch. Bam! Just like Emeril, but, you know, without the whole part where you cook stuff.

I've been on a copper kick lately and I decided that I wanted to make the base copper with a verdigris patina and then paint the globe with a bold color with some homemade chalkboard paint.

Here's what I came up with for the base:

 I spray painted the base with a Hammered Metal Copper spray paint.

 Next, I used some paint that I bought at True Value. It's called Fairytale, but I'm not sure it would be easy to find. It happens to be the perfect color for a faux verdigris look. It makes a natural looking patina when wiped off.

Idn't pretty? I love me some copper. It's my favorite metal right now. 

After several false starts on the globe, I finally came up with this solution:

I opened up a wire hanger and then hung it over my laundry room sink to paint it. You can kind of see where I outlined the continents with some white paint. 

Originally I was going to be all careful and paint up to those lines, but then I remembered I have no patience for that kind of thing. Phew! Good thing I remembered that! I'd have driven myself insane trying to be all detailed-like...and with a spinning object, no less! As it was, I was a little slow remembering this little-known fact about myself because I also had the genius idea of scoring an outline around the continents. I thought the score mark would show and then I'd do the white outline over the score marks. I got over that real quick, too.

When it finally sank in to my purty lil' head that I'm kind of Attention-Deficit and just wanted this project done already, I busted out the paint and got to work. I bought some white grout to add to the paint for this project, but it has since gone missing. I suspect a super-helpful husband had a hand in the grout's relocation. Fortunately, I had some black grout on hand, and that seemed to do the trick just fine. If you don't know, adding grout to your paint will make the paint into chalkboard paint.

Here's the globe drying. I painted it on with a brush, and then rolled over it with a foam roller.

I feel a word of caution is in order.

Learn from my mistakes, Gals! One more little side note:

If you do happen to lose that special little plastic piece, a washer at the top and bottom will work just fine.

For those of you who want to know, here are the instructions for making the chalkboard paint. This is from Martha Stewart and I have to confess that I just read the recipe and made it. I didn't read all the instructions still need to sand it down. Er, um, and then I'll need to re-condition the globe 'cuz I DID manage to do that part.

Hubs finally mentioned that we could make the world look however we wanted. It's our world, after all. Our idea is to make the USA really big so we can put markers of some kind in all the places we've lived. I haven't gotten that far into the project, but I'll be sure to show you when I get it done.

If you're curious, you can read the About Me tab to see those places. I've got a link to a special map that illustrates the migratory patterns of my family. Yeah, I'm a dork. You got a problem with that? I'm thinking rhinestones will be involved, because let's be real here...it's my world! I can bling it up if I want too.

Project Breakdown:

Globe - $3.93

Paint - $6.97

Spray Paint, Paint Sample & Grout - Stock on hand

Replacement Washer - Stock on hand

Chalk - left over from when my kids still played with it...good thing I kept it around!

Total Project Cost - $10.90

Total Time - About 2-3 hours, but mostly waiting for paint to dry (I'm not going to tell you how long I dithered. That's just plain embarrassing!)

Be sure to check out the parties on my side bar to see where I'm linking up!

Pumpkin Tutorial & Give Away

Remember how I told you have I have Copper Pipe Strapping and I know how to use it?

Take a look-see:

I love this pumpkin! I know, I say that about everything. I can't help it. I may have a disease of some kind. As it turns out, I'm completely okay with loving cute, coppery metal pumpkins.

Want to make one for your very own? Here's what you'll need:

• Bent-nose pliers
• Crescent Wrench
• Scissors
• 1 - 1/4" x 4" Threaded bolt
• 2 - 1/4" Nuts
• 1 - 1/4" Wing Nut
• 2 - Washers
• Copper Spray Paint
• 1 10' Roll - Copper Hanger Tape (That's what it says on the package, but Hubs called it "Pipe Strapping" and when I asked the Home Depot guy for it, he knew what I was talking about)

Here's what it looks like:

A word of advice...look for the "American Valve" brand and not the Oatey Brand. The Oatey (bottom piece in the above picture) is hard to cut and the surface is kind of dull and scratchy looking. The American Valve brand (top piece) is shinier, has a deeper copper color, and easier to work with. I could have sworn I bought them both at Home Depot. However, HD likes to rearrange their store and every time I go in there things are in a completely different place, so now I'm not so sure. I ended up using 5 pieces of each brand, so my pumpkin has some texture to it.


Edited: I noticed that this project was linked on Childmade.com (which thrills me) but I want to mention that this pipe strapping is sharp on the edges. I actually cut myself while making this pumpkin, but if you follow my blog, you may realize by now that I'm kind of klutz and there's a reason Hubs gets nervous when I have a knife and/or glue in my hands. If you want to make this project with children (which would be great for cub scouts) I'd cut the straps for them and have them be very careful when handling it. They'd also need help tightening the nuts down.

Not a great picture. Sorry about that. Dear Santa Hubs, All I want for Christmas is a new camera that is not also a phone. I've been a really good girl this year... I spray painted the nuts and bolts and washers with the copper spray paint and let them dry. You could mix the galvanized and copper metals for a different look, if you want to skip this step. 

I cut the pipe strapping about a foot long. However I went from big hole to big hole, so it's a little less than a full inches. 

I cut the strapping with an old pair of scissors I have for such projects. I just cut as close to the small hole as I could and still have a straight edge. I also wanted to keep the pieces as close to the same size as possible.

Next, layer the straps on the bolt. If you find both types of strapping and are mixing the finishes, be sure to thread them on in an alternating manner. As you unroll the pipe strapping, it keeps the curve from being in a roll. The American Valve brand bends very easily, so it's easy to straighten back out. If you're using the Oatey brand, make sure as you thread your pieces on the bolt that all the straps are curling up towards the top of the bolt, since that's the way you want your pumpkin to curve.

See how they curve upward?

 After they are on the bolt, drop on a washer and nut and cinch it down, but don't tighten it all the way yet.

 Before you tighten the nut down, you want to get your straps evenly arranged around the bolt. Start with the bottom strap. I've numbered them in this picture below so you can see which straps should be opposite of each other.

 Once you have them where you want, tighten the nut down as far as you can. Use a crescent wrench to get it down as tight as possible. In order to get your wrench in to tighten the nut, you may need to hold down the straps like so:

Next, thread the other nut onto the washer about 1.25" - 1.5" down from the top of the bolt. This makes a stopping point for your straps. Thread the straps onto the bolt, starting with the first strap. Trust me on this point. It's easier to get the straps to bend the way you want if you do this step.

After you have all the straps on, drop the other washer on there and then thread the wing nut onto the bolt and cinch it down. Go ahead and tighten it all the way down at this point. You want the straps held in place so you can bend them.

Using the needle nose pliers (especially if you're using the Oatey Strapping) bend the straps at the first big hole away from the bolt. Confused? Take a look:

Do this at the top and the bottom. This makes the pumpkin more round and keeps it from tipping.  Loosen the wing nut and wrap some wire around the bolt or any other embellishment you want to add for leaves and such. Tighten the wing nut back down to hold them in place.

Display your pretty new pumpkin in a festive manner...this baby wants to be shown off!

Kathy, from Sylvia's Vintage Daughter, gave me this adorable clock face and spring when we met in real life this week. I've been wanting a spring for some time now, so I'm thrilled she gave me one.

Cost Breakdown:

Bolt - $.60

Nuts - $.82

Washers - Stash on hand

Copper Hanger Tape - $3.83

Spray tape, wire, beads - Stash on hand

Total Project Cost - $5.25

Total Project Time - 30 minutes (not counting drying time for spray paint)

Now hold onto your glue guns, Gals, because this beauty is up for grabs. As a thank you to my 127 (last count) followers, I am going to show my appreciate to you! I'm so thrilled that there are people out there who enjoy the projects I'm working on and want to follow me on this journey.

Here's how to enter (pick one, or do all for even more chances to win).

1. Leave me a comment to let me know you're a follower.

2. Follow the FrouFru Gal on Facebook and Twitter and leave me a comment for each one. There's helpful links over on my sidebar.

 3. Help spread the word about The Frou-FruGal via Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Stumble, whatever social media you prefer and leave me a comment.

 4. Blantant, Flagrant and obvious kissing up comments are encouraged and thoroughly enjoyed. If you leave me one of those and you win...a little extra sumin' sumin' will be headed your way.

Whether you enter or not, please just know how grateful I am for you and the encouragement you give to me.

I'll pick the winner on Sunday, October 31st.

Be sure to check out my side bar to see where I am linking up!

 My Give Away is listed at:

Pipe Strapping Pumpkin

Phew! Good thing Hubs told me the name of Pipe Strapping so I could stop calling it "that metal stuff the size of masking tape with holes in it" stuff and therefore have a better title for this post.

I never truly understand how my creative process works. Mostly, I see something I like and then tweak it to fit my style. Every now and again, I come up with something all on my own! Today was that day. At least, I think this is an original idea. I don't remember seeing this anywhere in Blogland, or in actual life, so I'm calling it an original idea.

Remember the pipe strapping I used to make this?

I used it today to make this:

See, I now have 100+ followers. I've been trying to think of something to make for a Give Away to show my appreciation for my followers. I had nothing. Zip. Zilch. Complete and total creative constipation. It wasn't pretty, people. My brain was completely frozen. Even the projects that I've been working on - and there are many - weren't getting the love from me they so richly deserved.

Well, the brain freeze was slowly starting to thaw and I was getting back to the swing of things and then today the dam broke and "Sha-ZING!" I'm back in business. See, I'm also meeting Kathy Stantz today from

SylviaS VintagE DaughteR

Kathy is also a contributor for JUNKMARKET Style. I love junk style and when I found out that Kathy and I live in the same town, well, I pestered her into meeting me we made plans in our schedules to meet up. I thought I'd bring a little pumpkin - JunkStyle - to Kathy tonight.

I hope she likes it. I'll post a tutorial soon, along with details of the Give Away. Until then, cast your eyes on my newest little friend.

 Here it is next to my Book Wreath Clock.

 Here it is in the sun room window. For those of you who remember this post, that's my spider plant. It is recovering nicely from it's little run in with the Fur Child.

I still have some copper strapping and I know how to use it. Stay tuned!

Be sure to check out my side bar to see where I am linking up!

Botanical Prints

 True Confessions time - There are a couple of things I really appreciate in life. Good cookware and fine art. The problem is, I hate to pay for either one. Truth be told, it's not so much that I hate to pay for them, I just honestly never think to buy them.

One of these posts, I'll tell you about the great cookware find of the century. Today's post, is about art. We currently only have one car (thank you sucky, Utah driving-down-the-shoulder-because-I-want-to-make-a-right-turn-and-"Oh, My Heck!-I-can't-wait-for-these-five-whole-cars-to-move"-driver that broke the law and hit and ruined our van, whose insurance wouldn't pay for it and then sued us and the brain-damaged judge ruled for them and our insurance didn't want to fight it and yeah, I'm only marginally bitter, if by "marginally" you mean a "whole freakin' lot" bitter). Oh, sorry...went to a dark place for a minute there. I'm better.

As I was saying, with only one car, I often have to kill time while waiting for Hubs to break away from the news desk. A week ago, I found myself wandering Big Lots while waiting for the call that Hubs was ready to go. While perusing the Clearance Aisle--seriously, can there possibly be anything better than a Clearance Aisle at Big Lots--I stumbled upon these beauties.

For some strange reason, they had a TON of these left on the clearance aisle. At a whopping $1.25/each, I picked up these four. While these are...er lovely (coughUGLYcough) as is, I had another idea in mind. I quickly got to work to frouf them up.

A little ORB lovin' was called for. Like how you can see the reflection of my hand taking the picture in the ORB paint at the bottom? We're a class-act around here.

I found some pretty paper from Jo-Ann's. I used Paper Pizzazz's "Black/White Sprigs" and their "Tan Swirly Flowers" as the background for my prints. I busted out my handy dandy bottle of Mod Podge and got to work.

Here's the results:

 

Remember how I told you I have a ton of stuff from cleaning out the in-law's house? One of the things I "inherited" was a 1958 school dictionary. The other day Kiddo asked me to look up a word on the internet and I told him to go look in the dictionary out on the shelf. He came back a minute later and said, "Mom. This dictionary is senile. It doesn't have the words "internet" and "super highway" in it. I love that kid. He makes me laugh. 

At any rate, I started looking at the dictionary and I found these cool botanical prints in it. Since the dictionary is not really usable for modern use, and it was a school dictionary to start with, I decided to repurpose it into some art for my walls. I have other projects in mind for this book too.

Here's how they look in the main bathroom. I will have to find a new home for them since the boys have strongly objected to my "girling" up their bathroom. Whatevs. I think those prints have a masculine feel to them. I may go back and pick up some more purse/shoe pictures from Big Lots and do the fish and insect pages from the dictionary. Maybe the boys would like those better.

Cost Breakdown:

Wood Plaques - $5.00

Scrapbook Paper - $4.72

ORB and Mod Podge - Stash on hand

Total Project Cost - $9.72 or $2.43/each

Total Project Time - About 1.5 hour

Check out the parties on my sidebar to see where I'm linking up! I'm also linking up with Polly Wants a Crafter

Halloweens Past

Halloween around these parts is always an adventure. Hubs and I usually go all out. 

Case in point, here are some of the award-winning costumes we've produced over the years.

This is me and Man-Child when he was 2. I enlarged the pattern from one I found in a magazine. We were the fish family for a couple of years because we kept moving (Hint: moving makes everything you own "new").

 Several years later, here is a costume I made for Buddy. Now that I think about it, though, the following costumes came about BECAUSE of the fish costumes, which we'd entered in a city-wide contest (remember moving=NEW). We won in the adult division for the contest and then had a reputation to uphold, hence the following costumes. Yeah, I'm not at ALL competitive :D

Buddy took first place in his division that year. However, Kiddo was forced to be a clown. Check out the worlds saddest clown. He later told me how jealous he was that Buddy got such a cool costume and he had to be a stupid clown. You can see by his face in the picture on the right just how jealous he was of Buddy! Poor Kiddo.

The next year, I totally made it up to Kiddo with this costume. I made him the Alien Encounter Costume from the Family Fun Magazine.
Look at the witch checking out Kiddo. This is pretty much the look everyone gave him.

Grown men stopped to stare at this costume and you could see how badly they wished they could have such a cool costume. It was quite funny. Plus, people kept asking us how we got the two boys to walk together so well. They really thought there were two people in this costume.

On a funny note: the reason why Kiddo has his hands in the air is because we told him that during the judging he should say, "Help! I'm being abducted by an Alien." He was very scared to do this and it took some encouragement on my part, but he totally pulled it off. I think I'm most proud of that moment--a great costume AND a show!

Now it was Buddy's turn to be jealous. Buddy's costume that year was reworking a Mad Scientist costume that Hubs wore the previous year. Buddy kicked it up a notch, though.

 For some reason, I couldn't find costume pictures of the Daja and Man-Child. I'm not always the best picture taker in the world.

For a number of years, these ghost kids were placed in our yard.
 

They were made out of a styrofoam ball for the head, a wood frame for the body that was dressed in the kids' old pants and shoes (complete with holes in them - we go for the authentic look around here). An old sheet, some black felt for eyes, a bow for the Daja ghost and a bag for their candy and we had some fun statues. Sadly, these ghost statues are long gone, but they were a great decoration for the yard.

The first year I had these in the yard, the neighbor wanted to know how I got my kids to stand so still in the yard for so long. Ha! Clearly he did NOT know my kids.

 Another idea that we got from the Family Fun Magazine was our Jeff statue.

We try to make Jeff every year, but it's more a hit-or-miss kind of thing. He's called Jeff because that's the name on the coveralls, which has long since been removed, but the name remains. Jeff usually has a pair of work gloves on for his hands.

As the kids have gotten older, our decorations have gotten creepier. The last few years, Hubs and the kids made fake tomb stones for the yards. We have a smoke machine, flying ghosts, spooky music, black lights and whatever else Hubs dreams up.

I kept the alien glove hands from Kiddo's costume because they glow in the dark. I wear them when I hand out candy because the black light is by the door. I wear all black so the hands really look good.

I don't much feel like decorating for Halloween this year. I have plenty of Fall stuff around, but for some reason, my hearts not really into the Halloween stuff this year. I'm letting Hubs handle all of that. On second thought, maybe I'd better jump in and take this over, Hubs has a tendency to get carried away when it comes to Halloween.