How to Stop a Cat From Printing

We have a couple of cats who love to hang out in the office with us. 

Pepsy & Pickle

Pickle's usually curled up on Larry's papers on his desk. It makes for a fun time trying to balance the books when the cat's using the invoices as a mattress! Pepsy loves to lie on the printer. The problem with that, when he walks on it he steps on the buttons and starts copying or printing...usually whatever Larry left in the copier. 

My desk with the old computer and printer. We shared the printer, it's behind the monitor so Larry can reach it from his desk. 

Last fall, I finally had enough and decided to build something so the cat would stay off it. I found some old wood and asked Larry to cut it down to size for me. (Yes, I measured three times...more on that to come) He's okay with me using most of his tools, but these saws he'd rather use himself. 

 Cutting the blocks for 'feet'.

 This is the saw used to cut the boards. My husband builds pallets for customers, hence the equipment that comes in very handy around the place.

The blocks & boards cut to size.

I get to use the sander & drill! Woohoo!! ;)

Assembling the cover

Top tier added. I figured if I'm doing this, I might as well have a spot for the ream of printer paper.

I painted it with ASCP in Old White and dry brushed with Paris Grey.

I used a stencil to add some birds and petals. 

Then I waxed, distressed and waxed some more. I was thrilled with it! 
But...it didn't fit...

When I measured for the length of the printer, I forgot to take into account the legs being screwed into the bottom of the board and it was far too tight a fit. So much for all my measuring! Frustrated and angry at myself, my husband came to the rescue.

He changed the legs to the outside of the boards and I fixed up the holes and paint. 

And it's done and works great! 

The cat doesn't copy or print anymore and he has a higher perch to watch us from. 

And now that I have a new laptop, I bought myself a Canon inkjet printer, copier & scanner on Boxing Day for only $34.99!! The HP printer and cover is moved to Larry's filing cabinet.

The new one is on mine (tall enough the cats don't go up there).

My desk is finally de-cluttered!

 I've been wanting an inkjet since the one we have is a desk-jet and while it's ok, the inkjet will do a better job with transfers (at least that's what all the tutorials say!)
Time to get to work!

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My Turn (for us) - Freedom Fridays

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and a Lesson

I finally made it to class. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint class that is. 

I just wasn't happy with the way my experiments were turning out using home made chalk paint, but I couldn't find a stockist in my neck of the woods. Through a blogging friend, I was directed to a boutique in south-western Ontario only about an hour from me! She offers classes in her shop on using the paint with different techniques.  Heather, from New House New Home New Life, is the one who connected me with Diamonds and Toads and the owner, Michelle. Yeah!! Finally, I have a supply close to home!

Michelle is located in St. Thomas with an adorable boutique right on the main street. You walk in and are in awe of all the furniture and decor she has. I was in heaven! Sorry, I can't help myself but this has a lot of pictures...poor quality but I hope you can see the beauty here. 

 This is looking towards the front of the store. Love the sign, 'She Designed a Life She Loved'. Sorry I didn't get the whole sign in, but you can see it in her link above. 

This is looking towards the back of the store. The room through the hall on the left is where the classes are held. And look at that display of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint...oh yeah

How can you not create beautiful vintage pieces when you find a stockist? And she teaches, too!

 She features product from local craftsmen in her store, like the candles displayed on the buffet.

Love the cabinet with all the pulls, beautiful way to highlight the product for sale inside

She started carrying Heather's creations recently, like these plush pumpkins.

And look at Heather's Parisienne pillow. I love this piece! It has a starring role on the wonderful bed in the boutique. 

 Isn't this tablescape gorgeous?

She has another room with samples of the techniques taught in the classes using different paints...

             ...and the colours of ASCP.

 A shelf with the paints used for her classes. How exciting, I couldn't wait to get started. 

 The paints we used for our class, the same colours I planned on purchasing. The same colours I'm using to do my kitchen cupboards!

And the wax, so wonderful to finally work with this wax

These are the 2 pieces of wood I used to learn how to use ASCP. My favourite, and the technique I will be using on my kitchen cupboards with Paris Grey and Old White, is the dry brush. It is so beautiful! You can see that on the lower board, the second from the left section. 

We were invited to bring a small piece to work on. I had picked up two sconces at a yard sale in the summer, so I took one of these to the class. I love the details, but I'm still not sure where I will use them yet.

I painted it with Duck Egg. I love that colour!

I still have to do the other one, and I plan on distressing these. Might use a wash with Old White and then do the dark wax. That's the beauty of the paint...I can play around with it till I like it! And I got to use one of Annie Sloan's round brushes, which worked great in all the crevices of the sconce. 

As part of the class fee, each of us received a quart of ASCP in our choice of colour, a tin of clear wax, a couple of brushes and a few rags. A lovely gift to go home with. I also bought another quart of paint and a sample size of Duck Egg. 

 I have already used these...no I haven't started the kitchen, but I made a plaque for my grandson when he was visiting. And he loves it! 

I believe this was one of the best investments we have ever made. What I learned and what I'm going to do with that knowledge...I can't wait! 

Projects Galore...but furniture is on hold

I sometimes don't know where to start.

 Playing with bokeh on my dipledinia picture

 Whether writing on my blog, or working on a project...I usually have more than one thing on the go.

Beautiful moth flitting around my hibiscus

I have a slew of posts saved to drafts...just need to get the pictures finished and edit.

And I have a folder on my computer filled with pictures of projects needing to be added to posts.

And then there are the projects I have sitting waiting for me to get my butt in gear.

But, I have been getting ready for fall.

Fresh hydrangeas and house mums in my candle holder (a wine glass inside to hold water).

Even the games room/workshop has a bit of decor.

Fresh cut sunflowers and heliotrope in an old kettle with dollar store stuff in an old egg basket.

I am signed up for an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint 'Boot Camp' workshop at 'Diamonds & Toads' in St. Thomas. It was suppose to be yesterday, but her employee called in sick leaving her with nobody to man the store during the class. She is busy on Saturdays so it wouldn't be fair to the class if she had to run out every few minutes. So it's being rescheduled.

In the meantime, I had a whole day with nothing to do! Perfect for finishing (and starting) some projects! Just a glimpse of what I was working on yesterday. (no furniture...will wait till I'm properly trained to get those projects done! lol)

Working with old keys...any idea what I'm doing with these?

Another sale score! Strange fall decor, but it works, I think...more to come...

This one is on hold till Larry gets home...you can see how much the clamp moved when I was using the drill on a log it was holding. The second oops on this project! Not hurt bad, so all's good. 

This started out as a silver platter from the dollar store. Will be finishing this one today.

Started my Autumn gardening. What does this old piece of driftwood look like to you?

Prepping my tropicals to bring indoors for the winter, spraying for bugs & shining the pots & leaves. Oh, and see the wooden ladder behind the post? Picked that up for $6.00 last week!

Can you tell what I'm working on here? This one also has to wait for Larry's help to be finished. 

The day ended with the most amazing sunset! I have the most incredible pictures to share...but in another post. Looking at this one, doesn't it look like the trees are on fire? 

Changing colours for autumn? No, the sunset and rain clouds...

I can't believe I worked on all that yesterday, including running into town to do some shopping, twice! No wonder I'm tired today. 

Do you get overwhelmed? Do you find yourself working on multiple projects at once...sometimes leaving them all unfinished, because you run out of time, waiting for you to get back to them? 

I sure hope I'm not alone!