Olive Meets Versailles...Part 2

A beautiful number 3!

Hello, Happy Sunday, and Welcome to the Farm!  It's also Mother's Day, so I'd like to wish all of you moms out there the best day ever!  I hope you have the most spectacular day of the year, surrounded by your family as they pamper, pamper, pamper you!!!!! (Sorry, those of you that are fathers, you'll have to wait until next month.)  What do you have planned?  A barbecue?  Lovely brunch or dinner at a nice restaurant?  I'm sure that whatever your plans are, they will be superbly fun.  Mr. Scrappin' and his older brother, Mark, have decided to fix dinner for me, Christi (my sis-in-law) and their mom, Twyla.  Very nice, don't you think?  With this family, there should be a lot of laughing and teasing going on.  

Flourishes in the corners - love it!

Part of my plan for Mother's Day was to finish my little dresser/cabinet/whatever that thing is that I started last week.  You can see the beginnings of Olive's transformation RIGHT HERE.  Yes, I was wanting Olive to be able to get the rest of her beauty treatment so that she would feel so loved.  I DID IT!!!  I actually finished her!  And, OH MY HECK, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how she turned out!  She got some more dressing up after her paint and wax job, and I hope she's feeling like royalty now.  She is going in my sewing room TODAY, where she will have a spot of honor by the window.  Yay!

New knobs!  Perfect!

After I painted and waxed her, I thought about painting the handles that she came with and putting them back on.  I pondered that for several days.  I really do like those handles; they're just different than most.  But after thinking it over carefully, I really wanted a different look for Olive, so I ordered her some new knobs.  They're actually made for wood cabinet doors,  but who cares?  Nothing is too good for my little stand-by-me girl!  And I thought that they would fit her perfectly.  I got them Thursday and was so happy to see them!  Olive needed some TLC after just sitting at the end of the kitchen all week, all alone and lonely.  I couldn't very well move her yet since I wasn't finished, so she just  had to tough it out.  Did I mention in my last post that she's a trooper?  Yeah, I thought so.

One drawer down - two to go

I knew that she needed some kind of creative something to spice her up a little, and I thought about the metal numbers that I had ordered a while back for a different project.  Nah, I don't want any additional holes in her and I didn't want to hot glue either. I wanted something just a little different.    Hmm...AHA!  I've been wanting to try some vinyl designs using my cricut and  have never gotten around to it.  About a month ago I bought a deep cut housing and a couple of extra blades for it, so I suppose now I needed to get the vinyl.  I had been waiting on getting vinyl because I was going to do a project with my daughter for her kitchen but, alas, this was going to come first. JoAnn Fabric, here I come.  Since I don't live in the town I work in and we don't have a craft store of any kind in my town, I figured I would just stop after work.  It's almost on my way home; just a slight detour.

Front is finished!

Dilemma:  what color vinyl do I want to use on Olive? I thought about brown to bring out some more of that rustic dark wax color.  I thought about green to bring out some more of that Versailles and Olive combination.  I looked at the yellow and laughed because I loved it but it was definitely NOT for this particular project!  Black.  Black it is.  Especially when I saw that it was a matte black and not a shiny, glossy one.  Shiny and glossy just won't fit for Olive.  She's more regal and old-fashioned than that.  

Top is finished!

Now that I've got the vinyl, what designs or impressions do I want to put on her?  Something fun, but not stuffy.  After all, she deserves a break after all the hard work she's done for me.  And she'll be sporting this new look for a WHILE so I want her to be happy.  I spent last evening going through my cartridges to see what I'd like for Olive.  I chose some flourishes from the Storybook cartridge, which is a super great design AND font cartridge.  I cut out some numbers and some flourishes for her drawers.  Ooh, lovely!  Just what I had in mind!  After I applied them to her, I loved them even more.  They were perfect for what I wanted her to look like!

A view of front, side and top

I was actually very pleased with the drawers now. Great knobs, numbers and flourishes really dressed them up and made them look a little elegant, a little fun and a lot interesting. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Except now the top looked a little bland and not quite as interesting as I had pictured.  Now what?  I don't really want the same designs on the top as on the drawers because the intricacy of them would be too much (at least in my mind). I went back to the cartridge and picked another sort of flourish and cut it out much larger than the others. Perfect size for the top and I love the rounded corners on them. Then, for a little humor, since Olive has been waiting so patiently, I got out my Graphically Speaking cartridge and cut her a phrase to put on top.  I fiddled with putting it right in the middle on  her top, but I didn't really like it.  It was more stuffy looking than I wanted.  So I off-sided it, both centering and height-wise.  Just a little whimsical and off enough to be different but still fun.

BEFORE:
dull, scratched, drab  :(

AFTER:
Beautifully fab!  :)

Ah,  she  is definitely finished now, and  she  is beautiful!  I'm so glad Olive met Versailles and that she has had such a good time being  made over!

Swivel ring drawer pulls from Keystone Accents; Vinyl (Black) from Cricut Cuttables; Flourish designs and numerals from Cricut Storybook cartridge; Phrase from Cricut Graphically Speaking cartridge.

Olive Meets Versailles...Part 1

Dull, drab and scratched up

Hello, Happy Sunday and Welcome to the Farm! I'm hoping you all have had a fabulous week, with another great one coming up!  It's been pretty busy up this way (or down this way, depending on where you live) as people start bustling about again now that the weather is starting to show its nice side. Hubby was out planting today so soon enough there will be barley and hay growing (hopefully in abundance).  Me?  Uh, no I was not outside.  You could have already guessed that, right?  LOL  Yes, in our little neck of the woods, Mr. Scrappin' does all the outside stuff and I don't (do anything).  While he relies on the weather for how our farm produces, I rely on the weather to be warm.  Different points of view here, folks.

Stained, funky top

While Hubby was out planting today, I was attempting to finish up the project I had started last week.  I didn't quite accomplish all of it, but the only thing remaining is the handles so I can complete that this week.  Mr. Scrappin' said he'd paint the handles for me, but I don't know if he'll have enough time or not.  This is the beginning of his super busy time and it lasts all summer.  I may never see him again, come to think of it.  Maybe I'd better have him do those handles FIRST!  I know, I know, he works hard on the farm but, hey...a girl's gotta have her handles!  Really, those handles and anything else I put on Ms. Olive's front will be the focus of next week's blog.  For now, let's just look at her from frumpy to fab body!

First coat of Versailles on sides
Olive for the trim

This little metal dresser thingy (I really don't know what it actually is) is something I've had for several years now.  I bought her at a yard sale for eight dollars back in 2003, if that tells you anything.  And she's always been ugly.  She was ugly when I bought her and she's remained ugly until now.  Poor thing.  I really did feel sorry for her, but I didn't really know what I wanted to do with her before now.  She's been such a handy helper, holding everything from extra scrapbooks to sewing supplies to pictures to you name it. Really, she's one of the best purchases I've EVER made.  She's sturdy, roomy and just the right height to match the top of my desk.  Yes, I've used her relentlessly and she has served me well.

Color doesn't show well in this pic, but
the contrast shows up great

Since I've been revamping my spaces to make them more usable for my needs, (translation - Hubby moving everything around in my sewing and craft rooms AGAIN) this little gal has been sitting in the middle of my craft room floor. I knew it was time to give her a facelift or some sort of beautifying surgery, but what? What could I do that would make her look beautiful?  Beautiful in a way that I'd never seen but knew she deserved?  Yeah, you got it - Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  By the way, this was only my second experience with ASCP (the first was my lovely chair) and my first experience doing it by myself.  Believe me, I was sure that Jessica, owner of Paint In My Hair, was going to come crashing in any moment and tell me I was doing it wrong.  Thankfully, she never came.  Yay!  That must have meant I was doing something right!  Actually, I remembered her telling me that I couldn't really do anything wrong, so I was hoping against hope that she was right as I worked on my little gal.

Isn't she lovely?  Dark wax
with a swirly motion!

Now, as much as I love how she's taken care of me, I'm sad to say that she did not EVER get the proper recognition of place.  She's always been relegated to a corner or somewhere that I can pile stuff on top of her to add to what she's already holding in her drawers.  I know those Sizzix dies were quite heavy when she was holding them, but she never complained once.  I *heart* her.  She's a trooper.  And I could never, ever get rid of her.  Eight dollars was a steal for her!  Anyhoo, I digress...it's her turn for a nice, in-depth beauty treatment and I was happy to give her one.

Funky top gone; new top gorgeous!

I actually got the idea for her colors when I took my chair class.  One of the things I received when I took it was a color chip list. Annie Sloan has some pretty cool colors, by the way.  I thought maybe my little gal would look pretty cool in a couple of contrasting but coordinating colors.  The hard part was deciding which ones!  Since I was going to be moving her from my craft room into my sewing room where she was going to once again be put in charge of sewing supplies, fabrics and other important things, I decided she needed to be somewhere in my favorite color scheme, which is green.  I know, you have all heard that green is my favorite color.  Sorry, I just can't help it. The two colors I chose for her are different, but very nice, and they coordinate beautifully.  I thought she'd look lovely.  She definitely couldn't look any worse!  I told her I was going to be daring with her, and she agreed to go through the transformation.  I dare say she might even have been a little excited to shed her dull, drab appearance.

Drawers all finished!

My little friend got a thorough cleaning before I set to work on her.  After all, she needed to be ready for her makeover!  On her top and sides, I painted her with a coat of ASCP Versailles.  Oh, beautimous!  Already, she was becoming like the ugly duckling transforming into the swan!  I was going to love this!  I let that coat dry and gave her another a little later.  I painted the trim around the top with a coat of ASCP Olive.  Oh, the contrast was awesome!  I'm pretty sure she was feeling a little flirty at that point!  On the top of her, instead of being just a flat surface, it is raised somehow, like someone put a big piece of tile or something on there. You can see the ridge and the height adjustment when you're looking at her.  It's not much of a difference, but enough to make me think about how I wanted to paint her on the top.  I taped off the flat area at the edges and carried the Olive up to that point.  I liked the way it looked; just a tad bit of dimension there.

Love the contrast after it's
been dark waxed!

After I finished with her main body, I painted the drawers in ASCP Olive.  Definitely loving these two colors together.  She was going to be gorgeous!  I was really feeling good about this!  After letting everything dry, it was time to seal her or leave her as is.  I definitely was tempted to leave her as is since the ASCP can be used as a chalkboard if left unsealed after painting.  My mind was quickly changed when I remembered how long she had sat there for me, so faithfully, in that dull, icky brown peeling paint.  She deserved much more beauty treatment after all that time standing by me.  Now, dark wax or clear wax?  I went back and forth on that one for a LONG time. Dark wax eventually won out as I decided she would look just perfect in an older, more comfortable kind of look.  It did cross my mind to do a bit of distressing, but I chose not to.  I wanted her to feel beautiful and like she fit in, like a part of the family.  After all, she's lived with me for nine years now; she SHOULD be family, right?

Almost finished; just need the
drawer handles done.

So...dark wax, with a swirling motion.  It's more like a worn leather look than just a sealed look. Not a distressed or just painted kind of look.  She's got a unique look that no one else has, and I love her! I love that the swirling motion I used made the dark wax show lightly in some places and heavy in others.  It's a great look for her!  

I have to admit that this was one of my favorite projects to date.  So incredibly easy with the painting; the wax made it look worn, and Olive got to meet Versailles!  

Paints (Versailles, Olive and Dark Rustic Wax) by Annie Sloan Chalk Paints.

Quote Me...

Quote in a frame

Hello, Happy Sunday and Welcome to the Farm!  How's your week been?  Hope it was productive and that your weekend was relaxing.  My week was hectic, and the weekend fun.  Hubby and I got to watch two of the cutest EVAH boys in the world overnight Friday and all day Saturday.  Lots of laughing and playing, which are two of our favorite things to do!  Today, I've got soup in the crock pot and have started on a project for next week's blog.  At least I've gotten a couple of things accomplished, seeing as I'm still in my jammies!  Remember in (at least) one post where I said my favorite thing was my jammies?  Yeah, can't beat 'em!

Same quote as above; differently done on canvas

Another one of my favorites, as in things to read and find, are quotes. Quotes of all kinds, from humorous to serious to inspiring to thought-provoking.  I have them posted everywhere, from in a frame on my wall to written in a book to taped to a drawer.  Sad, but true.  I am a quote junkie.  Does anyone know if there's help out there for me?  I'm thinkin' I'm in some serious need of intervention.  

Bible Verses using my MIL's name
8x8 scrapbook page

Now, when I say quotes, I'm talking the real quotes; the cool quotes.  NOT the ones we all heard growing up that sounded like our parents were crazy, such as "Stop crying or I'll give you something to cry about!"  HUH? Where in the heck of parentdom (if you'll remember, I also like to invent words) did that come from?  Does that even make any sense? Why would I be crying if I didn't have a reason to cry in the first place?  Is there some secret that I'm not aware of?  Or how about the infamous to us all, "Knock it off or I'll knock you into next week!"  Is that even geographically possible?  Can that actually happen?  Really, I'm pretty sure that's why I'm so befuddled and confused today; none of the things I heard growing up made any sense at all.  What about that "Don't go crying over spilled milk."  Why would they tell me that when I didn't spill my milk?  And I NEVER understood the one about letting the cat out of the bag.  Who in their right mind would put a cat in a bag anyway, and why?  Seriously, I think therapists are getting rich off of us due to our quote-inventing parents for all the damage they've done!

Another canvas
Quote says: "My future's so bright
I gotta wear shades."

No, the quotes I'm talking about are the really awesome ones, such as Mark Twain's "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear--not absence of fear." Wish someone would have told me that a long time ago! Did you know there's more to that quote than just that sentence? Well, there is, and it goes like this: "Except a creature be part coward, it is not a compliment to say he is brave; it is merely a loose misapplication of the word." You can thank Pudd'nhead Wilson for that; it was on his calendar. :D How about "It is curious--curious that physical courage should be so common in the world, and moral courage so rare." to make you think? That one is also by Mark Twain. The guy's a genius in my book. Some of the best quotes ever were attributed to him.

One more canvas
Quote says:  "Music is love in
search of a word."

Quotes come from all kinds of sources, such as teachers, books, daily life events, church services, etc.  Almost anywhere you look,  you will find one that will grab your attention. How about Audrey Hepburn?  One of her most memorable (in my mind, anyway) quotes pertains to everyday life and how she looked at it. "For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed.” I have always admired her for her outlook on life and her giving spirit, after everything she went through in her life.

My FAVORITE Eleanor quote

Or Eleanor Roosevelt, who is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Audrey Hepburn, but was a generous and caring individual, with her own strong convictions that turned into a bazillion quotes. Hers are some of my own personal favorites. There are many, both witty and serious, to peruse over for hours. I'll bet many of us didn't realize (including myself) that the quote "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart" originated from Eleanor Roosevelt.  She was one strong woman, having suffered some tragedies of her own, only to rise above them and inspire others. While we may think of her quote as "just words," they really do give you cause to stop and think.

4x6 card
Quote says: "One day, long, ago... there
lived a woman who did not whine, nag or
b***h.  But that was a long time ago...and
it was only that one day."

And how about some of the wittier ones that we hear all the time? The ones that make us laugh so hard we cry, or at some random point in time on a completely different day, we start cracking up to ourselves? You know, the ones where people look at you and you just know the men with the white coats are coming? Yeah, some of those stick with me because they usually remind me of something. I can't think of anything better to lift my spirits if I'm down, inspire me when I need it, or make me start thinking, than a good quote.

I love displaying my quotes or giving them for gifts.  There's just something about a quote that almost everyone likes AND you can find a quote that's PERFECT for whomever you're making a gift for!  One of the most fun, thoughtful and from-the-heart things you can do!  And you can quote me on that!

Picture frame by Michael's; Pattern paper and embellishments from several sources; Canvases, 4x6 card and 8x8 scrapbook page done using Heritage Makers digital scrapbooking program.

I'm Versatile...I'm Versatile!...

Hello,  Happy Sunday and Welcome to the Farm! This is a little different blog today because I have this fabby little button that you see entitled "The Versatile Blogger."  And I totally wanted to share it with you!

What is it for and why do I have it?  Well, it's like this: Stacey at Real Southern Living nominated me for The Versatile Blogger Award.  Yippee!  I'm excited beyond words that she thinks my blog is cool and that I've got some fun projects. THANK YOU SO MUCH STACEY!!!!  Please, take a few minutes to check out her awesome blog.  I can't tell you how many times I've been inspired by something of hers I've seen (we will NOT be discussing the "Toodie has stolen some of these ideas" aspect of this inspiration).

In order to properly accept this award, there are a few things I'm supposed to tell you about myself...Seven things, to be exact.  Hmmm.  I have to say that's a hard one because I'm actually pretty boring (can you spell B.O.R.I.N.G.?) in real life.  I just make everything exciting up.  What to do; what to do?  Ok, digging from the deepest, darkest areas of my brain - AHHH SCARRYYYYYYYY! - I will try to come up with something that not everyone knows.  Here goes:

1.  I love to sew and actually have a little tiny home business that I started last June called "Lil Miss Addie" that I named after my little granddaughter, Addisyn.  Yep, that cute little Addisyn who is sitting on the right hand side of the page up there. Hi Addie! 

2. I met my hubby (aka Mr. Scrappin) on Match.com.  Now, you may think that's not all that uncommon these days and you're right, BUT...it's probably not all that common to win money doing it. hahahhaa  A certain friend, who shall remain nameless (LINDA) signed me up for a one-month subscription AND said she'd pay me $50 if I responded to just three hellos.  Fast forward almost five years and the rest is history.  :)  BEST $50 I EVER MADE!  And, just FYI, Mr. Scrappin was the third hello.  

3.  I was in the roller derby.  Yes, I really was.  Never got hurt doing the derby, but got hurt twice doing family skate night at the roller rink.  Go figure.  The second injury ended my skating.  I still have my stuff, though; can't bear to get rid of it. 

4.   I am a fan of all types of music, with the exception of rap and soprano opera, and my stash goes all the way back to records.  You know, those round, black things that had tons of white noise?  And while I completely prefer music to television, you DO NOT want to come in if you hear Kid Rock playing.  Why, you ask? Because I only listen to him when I'm extremely angry and need to expend some of that mad energy.  LOL  True story.  

5.  Both of my brothers are over 6 foot; my sister is almost 6 foot and I am...NOT. EVEN. CLOSE.  I am 5'2" HOW did this happen?  Inquiring minds want to know! FYI, I USED to be 5'3", but apparently the height committee decided I wasn't worthy anymore.  Pooh.

6.  I do not know how to swim.  No, I really don't.  I'm afraid of the water and it's like moving a mountain to even get me close to it.  I will admit though, that it's very pretty to look at from a distance.

7.  My dream is to visit Ireland some day.  It just looks so beautiful and, since my maiden name was Irish, it just seems fitting.  :)  Oh yeah, Ireland, for more than just a couple of days.

Now that you know a little something about me, you will all need to raise your right hand and repeat after me:  I WILL NOT MAKE FUN OF TOODIE TICKING OFF THE HEIGHT COMMITTEE OR BEING AFRAID OF WATER LIKE A LITTLE BABY.

Since I've been so lucky to be nominated for The Versatile Blogger Award, I would like to pass that nomination on to some of MY favorite blogs that I feel are pretty versatile.  As well as fun, charming, quirky...you name it.  A versatile blog to me is one that makes me laugh, keeps me interested and makes me want to steal, er, um, borrow...hmmm...let's just say "adapt" those awesome ideas shown.  So, without further ado, here are some of my favorite blogs (and their owners) that I hope you will take the time to visit.  Each one has some great ideas, recipes and crafty or repurposed items that you will absolutely love!

Kayla ~ Vintage Tiffany

Amanda ~ Mommy is Coo Coo

Nicole ~ Thrifty Decorating

Cherise ~ Sewingly Along

Cyndi ~ Blue Star Antiques

Helen ~ Till We Quilt Again!

Laurel ~ Chipping With Charm

Michael ~ Inspired By Charm

Trisha ~ Re-Made Just Right

Amanda ~ Little House on the Corner

Susan ~ Compulsive in Texas

Tisha ~ The Delectable Home

Holly ~ 504 Main

Jen ~ Tatertots and Jello

Carol ~ The Answer is Chocolate

Once you visit these blogs, you will not be able to resist going back.  I promise.  I really, really promise!  I will be sending mail to these bloggers to let them know they've been nominated by me (YAY for nominations!) and I hope they will accept the award when they see it.  :)

In order for me (and the bloggers that I've nominated) to accept the award, these are the rules to follow:

1.  Grab the Versatile Blogger button from above.

2.  Thank the person who gave you the nomination.

3.  Include a link to the blog of the person who nominated you.

4.  Share seven things about yourself.

5.  Nominate 15 of your favorite blogs ~ gotta pass that love on ~ it's well deserved!
6.  Inform each nominee by leaving a comment on their blog.

7.  Include this set of rules in your post so YOUR favorite award winners will know what to do.

Once again, I'd like to thank Stacey at Real Southern Living for giving me this award. Thank you Stacey for liking my blog!

Coasterrific Wall Hanging...

Mod Podge the verses on and let dry

Hello, Happy Sunday and Welcome to the Farm!  I hope you have all had a fantabulous week and that another one is in the works for you!  Did you have beautiful weather where you are and, if you did, what did you do with it?  We had some nice days this last week; a little chilly in the morning, but just perfect by mid-day.  Oh, how I hated to be working when it was nice outside!  But work I did.

Mod Podge cardstock on the coasters

The weekend, now - that's a different story! Weekends are mine; all mine!  I slept in; hubby and I got to have an over-nighter with the most fun twin boys we know; and I got to play a little in my craft room today.  Really, I did!  And yes, I enjoyed every darn minute of it!  I finally got to do a little something to hang in my bedroom, which is B.O.R.I.N.G. Yep, boring.  Did I mention boring?  Said boring bedroom hasn't been painted yet, although hubby and I have been wanting to get around to it.  The problem is that there are so many "get around to its" that we sort of have to prioritize.  I know, I know, it makes me sad too.  Never in my wildest dreams as a little girl did I ever think I would have to prioritize.  And I don't like it.  Just sayin'.

Attach ribbon between coasters

While we haven't gotten to the painting part yet, that doesn't mean that I can't actually hang something on the walls, right?  RIGHT. And let me tell you, there is NOTHING on our walls.  How did this happen?  Soooo not acceptable!  Ok, well, there is ONE thing hanging on the walls...a belt rack.  Oh yeah, how exciting is THAT?  Woo hoo!  Mhm.  I am underwhelmed at the lack of decor, and a belt rack just really doesn't make me feel and happy inside.  Enter...me.  Someone has to do something, right?    Well, of course, that someone is me.  And I just made our first EVAH wall decor for the bedroom. Only three and three-fourths years later, but hey, who's counting?

Cording added to close "seams"

I had an idea a while back to make a little hanging to go between our closet doors, where we have about six inches of actual wall.  Not a lot you can put in a small place like that so I've been contemplating for a long time about how to spruce that little area up.  A few months ago I had the brilliant idea (yes, I did say brilliant!) to put the verses of the poem we had on our wedding announcement onto separate "somethings" and make it cute. Mhm. Notice how I said a few months?  Cuz that's what it took me to figure it out. What kind of "something" can you put poem verses on and make them look decent?  My first idea...coasters.  Because I had some.  No, not the stone or tile coasters, but the cheap and ugly advertising ones you can get from a bar. Check out that picture above and you'll see what I'm talking about.   

Gauzy ribbon for fun

Now, before you go thinking that I visit bars a lot, let me just tell you that I actually needed those coasters to do another project (that has obviously never been done) so I asked the waitress at a little bar and grill across from where I work if I could have some coasters. Uh, yeah, I really did that.  I'm not opposed to begging.  I'm not proud of it, but it works. People wonder what in the world you would want those ugly things for and they look at you with pity and hand them over.  Try it sometime.  Of course, those coasters have been sitting in my craft room for quite a while now, waiting for me to get them out and play with them. Well, today was the day!  Except I didn't really know exactly how to make my hanging non-boring.  It needed dimension of some sort, so for a couple of hours I wracked my brain.  And then I opened up that drawer that had been holding those coasters and took out those little tiny canvases.  Yay me - a project has begun!

Looped ribbon at top
First verse

First, I cut up (GASP) the poem out of one of my extra wedding programs.  THAT was really hard to do! Who cuts up their wedding program?!  Uh, me.  But ONLY because I had extras.  Somehow, it felt really wrong to be doing that.  I must admit that I almost didn't succeed.  And I had to talk myself into it, slowly and patiently.  Getting out my trusty Mod Podge, which is one of my very bestest friends in the entire world, I adhered the verses to the small canvases. Breathe in, breathe out...you can do it!  As I was letting the canvases dry, I cut cardstock squares in a size just a tad bigger than my coasters and adhered the cardstock to one side of the coaster.  I did two coasters for each verse, as I had a plan.  Yep, a REAL plan, just like those people that know what they're doing.  I felt so special!  ME, with a PLAN!

Second verse

After everything was dry, I trimmed the cardstock around the coasters to get them back to their original shape and sanded the edges with an old nail file to remove any rough edges.  I chose a wide ribbon that I'd been saving (it came from a beautifully packaged order I received not too long ago) to use for the hanger, and started to adhere it to the coasters. Placing the coasters cardstock side down, I hot glued around the edges of the coasters and placed the ribbon in the center of a coaster and sandwiched it in between with a second coaster.  I folded the top part of the ribbon down and glued the edge inside the two top coasters  to make my hanging loop.  See?  I TOLD you I had a plan!  This long ribbon was going to hold all of my verses together.  After all of the coasters were attached to each other, I attached some cording that I've had for YEARS (literally!) around the edges to cover up the seams.  So far, so good!

Third verse

Next, I cut up some gauzy ribbon that I had left over from a previous project and just randomly placed it on top of the front of each coaster.  I then applied hot glue to the back edges of the canvases and attached them to the front of the coasters.  Hey, this was pretty cool!  I was actually liking how it was turning out! Trust me, that doesn't happen often.  Something seemed to be missing, but I didn't want any huge embellishments on these simple verses.  Looking around in my craft room (it's amazing that I can actually find my way back out of there), I found some small self-adhesive pearls that I had used on our wedding invitations.  What better place to use them?  On our wedding poem of course!  I'm a genius!  Oh, did I mention that the cardstock was also used for our wedding invitations?  I'm sensing a theme here!

Last verse
Love those embellies!

With the bottom verse being quite short, I had room on the canvas to play with, but I couldn't really figure out what I wanted on there.   Nothing floral or big; I wanted this project to stay simple so that we could enjoy the verse and not have it get lost in the embellies.  Looking through my alphabet stash, I found letters with the initials of our first names - hey, this might work!  I hot glued those on, and attached some more self-adhesive pearls in a different color to look like the ellipses at the end of a sentence.  I like it!  

The final product!
Loving that ribbon hanger!

I'll hang it just where I said I would, and I'll smile every time I see it.

Canvas (2-1/2x3-1/2) by Artist's Loft; Cardstock (Chocolate Fleur) by Lasting Impressions; Mod Podge Matte-Mat from Plaid Enterprises; Self-adhesive pearls (Ivory and Ice Green) by Kaisercraft.

Poem originally by Sandy Roistan.