THE ALTERED FLEA: June 2012

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

After 64 Years, It's Nice to Know...

There's a song in one of my favorite musicals, "Fiddler on the Roof," where Tevya asks his wife, Golde, if she loves him after 25 years of marriage.

(Tevya) Do you love me?

(Golde) Do I what?

(Tevye) Do you love me?

Golde) I'm your wife!

(Tevye) I know...But do you love me?

(Golde)

Do I love him?

For twenty-five years I've lived with him

Fought with him, starved with him

Twenty-five years my bed is his

If that's not love, what is?

(Tevye) Then you love me?

(Golde) I suppose I do.

(Tevye) And I suppose I love you, too.

(Both)

It doesn't change a thing

But even so...

After twenty-five years
It's nice to know!

My husband and I have been married 26 years, and it's always nice to hear the three words, "I love you."

And what about 64 years? Today my parents are celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary. They have set the bar high by being a great example of a successful, loving marriage.

Their love inspired me to create them a special anniversary card. I pulled together coordinating paper, rubber stamps, a library pocket, tag, and twine to create this:

We all love Then & Now photos, right? Here are theirs:

Engaged November 7, 1947

Married June 27, 1948

Happy Together 2012

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad
MAZEL TOV

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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Irish Coffees at the BV

Nothing beats a cold, foggy day in San Francisco than a warm Irish Coffee at The Buena Vista. Except maybe two Irish Coffees! Just a week ago, we sauntered into our favorite local establishment and imbibed in a couple of these delicious liquid refreshments. The fact that it wasn't cold or foggy isn't really important! [It was actually close to 80 degrees that day.] However, we didn't miss our chance to dine at The BV anyway. After all, it's been a San Francisco icon since 1889.

Back in Southern California [tell me again why we ever moved?], it was time to think about a gift for Father's Day. I immediately remembered the two napkins I [accidentally on purpose] took with me that day. The napkins detail a beautiful line drawing of The Buena Vista. How can I incorporate these into a gift for my husband?

Although I'm a master at decoupage, I had never used napkins in any of my projects--until now.

I gathered all my supplies: the napkins (obviously), 4" ceramic tiles, paper cutter, sharp scissors, off-white cardstock, corner rounder, liquid chalk, Mod Podge and a brush, and a pint of my favorite Irish Whiskey [this item is optional].

Since the napkin was so thin, I decided to first decoupage plain cardstock onto the tile. I cut two 3-3/4" squares, rounded the corners and edged them with brown chalk. Then decoupaged the cardstock to the tiles.

I cut out the illustration with sharp scissors, keeping the napkin folded. It was easier to get a precise cut using the four napkin layers. Then I CAREFULLY decoupaged the just the top layer of the napkin to the front of the cardstock tile.

It was a little tricky to lay down the thin napkin, but if you work gently and quickly, you get a great result. Three more coats of decoupage and felt rounds to the back finished the project.

I think they look pretty legit. Wonder if the BV wants to sell them in their gift shop right next to their personalized Irish Coffee mugs?

The gift was a big hit.

Happy Father's Day, dear!

[This is an unsolicited post and only reflects the opinion of this writer.]

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Friday, June 1, 2012

Coffee Notes [Altered Chalkboard]

You can never have too much of a good thing. Like good friends. Good coffee. And a good place for notes. Combine these three, and you get a Coffee Notes Chalkboard!

While casually strolling the clearance bins at "T" last week, I spotted large chalkboards at 70% off the regular price of $2.50. A quick calculation told me that is only 75 cents each! At that price, I ~~quickly pounced on~~ picked up the seven that were left in the bin, and ~~raced~~ made my way to the checkout line.

Since I wasn't planning to use this as a scoreboard, I gathered crafting goodness from my stash with a coffee theme including chipboard letters, stickers, scrapbook paper, ribbon, ric rac, buttons and twine.

With Mod Podge [don't leave home without it], I adhered paper and ribbon to the top of the chalkboard and added two coffee stickers to the board as well.

Since this is, after all, a chalkboard, I needed a place to hold chalk. This mint tin container was the perfect size.

I Mod Podged the tin container with paper, ribbon and ric rac. Typed out the word "chalk" using my handy label maker [which I've owned since the 3rd grade]. Using the chipboard, spelled out "notes" and, just for fun, placed the "s" onto the altered tin container. Using adhesive squares, I adhered the container to the chalkboard. And, of course, included a few pieces of chalk.

I tied twine around the chalkboard, finishing it into a bow, and added two buttons (a coffee pot and a cup) to complete the altered project.