Garden Bench

I have had this garden bench for about 6 or 7 years and I have loved going outside and sitting on it on a warm summer's evening.  However, it was in a dire need of an makeover.

The poor thing had just been in the sun for far too long.

 I went to my local Ace Hardware and found me a can of deep purple spray paint.  I was wanting to go with the Royal look and I think I was successful.  I gave it a couple coats and it is like a whole new woman! (er, uh, bench).

The scroll work is much more visible now

Child Arbor Bench

I love love love Ana White's Website .  There are so many fun ideas and plans that are easy to follow and fun to create.  I saw this Child's Arbor Bench on Pinterest and knew that I HAD to have it.  So, that is what I told the Husb I wanted for my birthday.  He agreed, but usually that means he will do it sometime in the far far far future.  So, while he was at work, I went to Magnuson's (our local hardware store) and picked up the lumber.  Then I headed over to my Mom's house (she is the MASTER wood worker) and had her help me cut the wood to the lengths I needed them in her wood shop.  Then I got to work!

I had a SUPER bad virus at the time.  We are talking body aches, sore throat, cough, all that fun stuff; but I wanted it SO bad, that I just pushed through it.  I had my little makeshift work bench out in the sunshine and later on I read on the medicine the Dr. prescribed that I was supposed to avoid exposure to the sun while taking it.  Whoops.

I got to a point where I needed more than my two hands to assemble the bench, so I had to wait until the Husb got home to finish it.  He was super excited (sarcasm).  He actually wasn't too bad, just a little worried that I had been doing it while I was sick.

Here I am painting away.  Please notice the crumbling house in the background, now you see why my blog is named what it is.

Because I don't think things through, I don't have any pics of the building process, but if you follow the plans it is super easy. Here are some of pics of the finished project.

This was before I found the spot that I wanted to showcase it in the yard. Isn't just wonderful?

After wandering the yard for a while I found the perfect spot to put it! 

I found these flower pots on the way home from the hospital after an emergency appendectomy (long story, not fun).

Isn't it just adorable?  I am quite proud of it.  I am still in awe of myself and the Husb for creating such a masterpiece.  The icing on the cake is when the boys sit on it every time they have a ice cream treat.  It is seriously the cutest thing. Need proof?

Adorable, right?

Talent Auction

Every year our Relief Society sister's get together and we have a talent auction.  We all bring things that we have created from our talents and auction them off with fake money.  It is always a blast and we can usually score some good finds! This year I decided instead of going with my usual crochet creations, I would use my Silhouette Cameo to create some decor.  This is what I came up with.

I have always loved this quote from President Benson.  The first time I read it, it gave me cold chills.  I have one similar to this that sits on my piano, but I think I like this one better!

What do you think? Which one is better?