grenade fishing

This is an old tea canister that was disposed because it was missing the lid. I did a little touch-up and made it into a cute little cachepot holding a succulent, and yes, weeds from my yard. You know… Grass.  The stuff we so dislike but can’t get rid off.

Thanks, Craig and Sandy, for motivating me to keep going. You rock!

Disclaimer: They have nothing to do with the weed…

via fernseed.com

My friend, Miah, made a deal with God (or the Devil, I’m not sure which at this point…). That he would *not touch* a cigarette if the Lakers continue to win.

Now, I didn’t know this deal but thought he was simply crazy, when I saw him doing this…

Then I had total respect for the guy, for cheating the Devil (and maybe God). You gotta love the creative problem solving skills here, right?

This ceiling was painted (5 layers, thank you) with 100% reclaimed paint. Yes, I was able to create a 10-gallon batch from all reclaimed paint. 

One thing I’ve learned… You can mix most water-based paint together (means read the label, if it states wash with water, then it’s water-based).  If you mix mostly neutrals and yellows, it will always come out a beautiful sandy-colored khaki.  (Like the ceiling here).

That’s Chad on the ladder, fixing the garage door chain thingie.

Below is an image of Brian Hultin painting the first layer of prime a week ago (not reclaimed).

Below is an image of the ceiling prior to paint.

I know what you are thinking… That was really beautiful wood.  No, no, no. It was not the original wood color, believe it or not. It was fumes from cars and dirt!  Yes, it stained the wood a darker color, and it was simply filthy. 

I can’t help but include below a photo of Miah after paint work.  Yes, it looks as if he just returned from the Playa.

And this fabulous happy image of Brian, during a fulfilling day at painting…

From this…

To these…

Freshwater pearls, rubber and silver.

Czech beads and estate glass pendant.

Swarovski beads, amber and sterling silver.

Swarovski beads and sterling silver.

Czech beads, garnet and sterling silver.

Reclaimed jewelry from earrings, broken necklaces, and out-dated bracelets. Jewelry were discarded by a friend’s ex, when she moved to New York. It took me a while to figure out what to do with them. Here it is.  Retail prices are $8 to $28.

I hope you like…

From this…

To this…

New small succulent gardens. Retail price $6 each.

Here’s is a perfect example of my issue with many of the current eco-friendly products offered in the marketplace. This recycled rubber planter is on sale for $680 (from $800).  It’s made of discarded tires, out of Egypt, where wages are much lower than in the U.S.A.

 For those who *can* afford it…. It’s available at Design Within Reach.

I am not a fan of American Idol. Therefore, it’s a surprise I am posting Britain’s version. I must say, this one contestant was surprising, if not simply spectacular. What can I say, I’m an opera fan. Worth watching once. Even twice…

via youtube

Recently I discovered the world of Ceiva. No, it’s not any ordinary digital photo frame. It’s way better than the 86 or so digital frames that exist in the market.

It is the only one that allows you to download digital images remotely. Yeap. From my computer, at my home in Oakland, I am able to download images to the frame at my Mother’s home, in Los Angeles.

Actually, any one of my eight siblings can download images to Mum’s frame. She doesn’t even need internet service to get her images downloaded daily.

Calling it a digital photo frame is misleading, because it’s really a digital photo receiving device. You can even send images from your cell phone.

Doods. That rocks or what?