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Inspiration and ideas from an Arkansas farm girl!

Shab N Chic!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Using Paint Shop Photo Pro!

Did you know that you can get a 30 day free trial of Paint Shop Photo Pro?  Well you can here
I really love it and plan to buy it BECAUSE you can layer images!  I have been wanting a program that would do this but didn't know what to buy but after trying this for only a few days I love it.....
I just dove in.  Didn't read anything and just sorta figured out by myself so it can't be that difficult to use!
Here is the first image that I created using layers...



So I opened the friends document first then opened up the image below....

Then I used the erase background tool and got rid of the background shown in the picture below....
Then I used the layers tool and put the swinging children on top of the document!
Imagine all you can do with this picture!
Ok the top image has my watermark on it but the other two are yours to use for personal purposes only. 
I hope you go and check this program out and have as much fun as I am!  You can put a whole lot more layers on too! 
Ok here is an altered image I made that you can have....
:o)

Click on the image to make it larger and then copy it!  Remember personal use only.  These images came from women sweet enough to share them on their own blogs so out of respect for them lets be nice!
xoxo
Diane

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Watering the Toaster and Making a Cup of Toast

Yep I did it!  I got up in the
  morning and went to make my coffee.  Filled my little container with water and then......poured it in the toaster!

Does this look anything like a coffe pot?
I bought a Keurig coffee making system to simplify but evidently my life is still in grave danger if I keep drinking coffee!
Yes I am lucky I didn't get electrocuted but worse than that my husband saw me do it and stood there in shock.  Luckily everything turned out o.k. and my toaster still works....
Story is not over yet....
That same day I went outside to cut a few herbs.  I noticed that they needed watering (uh oh theres that word again, water) so, I filled my little container with water and then found myself standing in my bathroom! LOL!  Wondering what I went in there for! LOL!
IN the end the herbs got water, the toaster still works and I am still alive!

xoxo
Diane

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Master Suite Cottage Cabin Chic Style (Sneak Peek)

We have had family here visiting for a week and they have really helped us move along with our Master Suite! 
Keep in mind we are still "Under Construction"!
Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.
This is going to be my girly sanctuary so we are staining everything with a natural stain to keep it very light.
Ok, well lets go.....

These are the doors that will go into our bedroom from our living room.....

Found these when we went on the longest yardsale last summer for $10!

 
Found the vintage leather chairs at Hot Springs in a flea market.  $35 for all 4!
Ok this is the outside fireplace.  It is covered with a roof and the table above sits in front of it. 
Still working on mantle decor!

These are the doors that go in from our fireplace

Here is one view of our MS. 
TONS OF STAINING TO DO!
NO Deer mounts allowed!
I have been collecting vintage bird, vintage lady pictures.....

Everything will be stained natural.  The window trim will be painted Raspberry Truffle and all of the bedding and window treatments will be soooooooooooo shabby chic!
We added a loft and forgot about adding stairs!
So we had these spiral stairs made to fit right in the corner.

The loft will be a library.
I wanted it for my studio but quickly got outvoted!
They say I am too messy when I sew.  Humpf!

Well that's it for now.....
Time to eat some fresh made strawberry pie!
xoxo
Diane

Saturday, May 15, 2010

RED




I love a touch of red in every room! Here lately I have been adding lots of red to my home......

This is our new back door. Raspberry Truffle is my red.
 It is a new door with an antique patina paint job!
LOVE IT!


Red kitchen cabinets!
They were oak.....
husband nearly had a heart attack!

Red Leather!
Rudy sure likes it....
I have been wanting a red leather chair forever!
Thanks Papa.

Ok now here is an idea....
I had these extra lamp shades..
needed some lighting over my kitchen sink...
had the oxen yoke....
papa wired lighting....
LOVE IT!

Vintage Red Canisters!


Like my new red boots?
xoxo
Diane

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Grilled Mexican Citrus Chicken

The day started out foggy, rainy and cold but turned out to be a gorgeous one!
We made this chicken recipe and cooked it outside........

It is scrumptious!
Hope you like it.


What you need.......




1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 cup lime juice

1/2 cup olive or vegetable oil

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup chopped onion

4 teaspoons chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon red pepper sauce

2 cut-up whole chickens (3 to 3 1/2 lb each)

1. In large shallow glass dish or 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag, mix all ingredients except chicken. Add chicken; turn to coat with marinade. Cover dish or seal bag and refrigerate, turning chicken occasionally, at least 3 hours but no longer than 24 hours.


2. Heat gas or charcoal grill. Remove chicken from marinade; reserve marinade. Place chicken, skin sides up, on grill. Cover grill; cook over medium heat 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Turn chicken. Cover grill; cook 20 to 40 minutes longer, turning and brushing 2 to 3 times with marinade, until juice of chicken is clear when thickest piece is cut to bone (170°F for breasts; 180°F for thighs and legs). Discard any remaining marinade.