Craft Project - Painted Suitcase

Why paint a suitcase?

For several reasons. 

1.  Free canvas.  It came from my garage and fits my -Use what I have plan- which I'm trying to do this year as much as possible.

2.  Cute storage.  I have 3 of these and can use them to store craft items out of sight.  

3.  Cheap project.  This cost me under $10.  I bought some cheap craft paint (on sale) and used Modge Podge to prime the suitcase and to seal it.  Used an archival black marker to outline the designs.  The ribbon I had probably came from a ribbon sale.  

The painting took a little time as I painted several coats of orange on. I used 8 oz of Craft Smart orange paint.  My suitcase measures 21 inches w by 14 inches tall.  Back and sides are also painted and decorated.  

This will be used to store ribbon in my craft room but the possibilities are endless.  Small suitcases can store tiny toys like legos and cars.  Blocks and small dolls.  Linens and fabric.  The room will look cuter and neater.

Signs of Spring

Remembering

Walking to Section 60 in Arlington Cemetery is a short, mostly serene walk which is why I don't often take advantage of getting a pass and driving over.  This day was no different.  Even thought the parking lot was full with tourists on Spring Break most of them were heading in a different direction to see the graves and sights of the famous.  That is a blessing.  It leaves the rest of the park quiet for family.

Since I was last there however, 16 months ago, the scenery has changed a lot.  So many more head stones that it left me a bit disoriented.  Military personnel are now being buried close to the highway and to the Visitors Center.  Everything looked different and when I made a turn onto York I spent a great deal of time wandering around lost

I walked back to the Visitors Center and looked at the guy behind the help desk.  "I can't find him," I said simply.  "That is what we are here for," came the calm reply.  So I typed in the name and was given a map.  "His address is 6429."  And as my feet hurt from looking for almost non existent cherry blossoms earlier in the day I took advantage of the driving pass.

I had not been far off.  Only 3 rows which made me somehow feel better.  Instead of putting out flowers I put out a small tortoise.  When we were young (and life was different) we rode the tortoises one day at the Buffalo Zoo.

Remembering.

Springtime in Virginia

Or maybe on the calendar only.  We still have power and the air is not bitterly cold.

School is cancelled though the roads are mostly clear.  A few ice patches in our area but near the mountains and in shady areas it is probably much worse.  Judging road conditions for the county on your own road here has never been a wise idea.  Travel a few miles and conditions can change.

 Another snow maker is coming through later with 1 -3 expected. 

Palm Sunday - Chickens in Snow

So the last snow was not the final of the season.  We have 1-2 inches in spots of heavy, wet snow so far. The chickens are hiding under the pine tree in the garden and Henry is standing on one leg  (like a flamingo) but no one wants to go to the warm and clean coop.

Work laundry is finished.  Dinner for the next few days is done and firewood is in the garage.  Phones are being recharged.

On Easter it will be 60.

Winter's Last Hurrah (or so we hope)

On Tuesday night the snow started.  It had
so much water content that flakes came down
heavy and in straight lines.
About 2 or 3 in the morning the power
went out.  I thought there was lightening until
Dale pointed out that it was the transformers
on the power poles sparking as the
falling trees hit them.

We got about 10 inches of heavy snow and
lost a few trees and limbs.

                     
                     Bella loves snow and likes to catch
                     snowballs.
           

We have not had a storm like this
in quite awhile.  Our street got
plowed this year which
was amazing though unfortunate for
the neighbor children who
wanted to sled.

The chickens were not pleased to be kept in their coop.
One of the younger hens started to lay eggs.

Laundry got washed but not
dried before the power went out.
Used fire heat for clothes for work on
Friday.

College kids like to climb snow
mountains in the local shopping center.
They got chased off before I got the camera out.

Electric companies from other states answered
the call to help restore power.

Gratitude can not be expressed in words
for their help.

The snow is melting and our power came on last night.

Little snowflakes are

coming down only to disappear when they touch the ground.  The chickens seem to be oblivious to any kind of weather.  They only want OUT of their pen and are quite vocal about it.  Bella loves when the chickens are out.  Sometimes treats are thrown to the chickens and she likes to look for anything that they might have missed.