~flag at half-mast~
~burlap and boughs~
It was winter weather then spring weather and it will probably go back and forth for a while. These are photos that I took after our recent snow and ice event. Then the rain came and took much of it away. Now I think that I need to bin the burlap and boughs because there is no snow to cover the beginning decay. It sure does smell heavenly, though.
~the light of longer days and higher angle is good~
***
These are two old projects that I have not shared with you before. Bet you think that I want to show you where my PW knife lives. Nah! This is all about my custom-made refrigerator topper made with painter's cloth. (It's an old lady thing.) I am not one who enjoys perpetually cleaning the top of the fridge so have always put down a towel or cloth of some sort. Trouble was that it shifted all over the place and drove me bonkers for 40 plus years of housekeeping. I am nothing if not patient. That and a little stupid.
Finally, this idea came from somewhere, not my own head, but the actual project for my refrigerator is made up from the measurements I took. Every refrigerator is different.
Basically, one creates a topper with pockets on two sides so that magnets can be slipped in. These in turn hold down the topper about an inch from the edge of the fridge top so that it can't slip, slide away. (No, I do not do tutorials. You can figure out what I mean from pictures, I hope. If you have a question, please ask and I'll try to reply. That way, anyone can read it.)
Above you can see that the left pocket is empty and floppy because I took out the magnet to show you.
Leftover magnets from my former magnet project worked out very nicely for this refrigerator topper project.
There are many applications for this kind of project...a dryer top and a file cabinet come to mind.
This is working very well, even better than I hoped. When it was time to wash the topper, I simply removed the magnets from their pockets. No clunking and tunking through the washer and dryer that way. What do you use, if anything, on your refrigerator top?
This is working very well, even better than I hoped. When it was time to wash the topper, I simply removed the magnets from their pockets. No clunking and tunking through the washer and dryer that way. What do you use, if anything, on your refrigerator top?
***
The following project is the first one I did last summer after learning how to use the buttonhole maker on my sewing machine. It's a Pinterest project and makes good use of scraps or things that didn't quite turn out as in my log cabin design there in the middle. Still, it was too good to toss so I incorporated it into this.
I'm not out of the country but just up late here in Seattle! Why have I never thought of putting a cloth on top of the refrigerator! Genius idea. Your cord holder is great, too. Shirley's new pair of pants are very cute! Hope you are fast asleep while I'm typing. I'm off to bed now...good night and have a lovely Friday!
ReplyDeleteHey---that is a great idea for the top of the fridge...patent that, wink. Thanks for the smiles, Vee...have a beautiful Friday. Blessings
ReplyDeleteYou have been busy. The topper is a great idea and the cord "wrap" is so pretty. My cupboards are built right around my fridge so no topper for me. I used to have two wicker baskets up top in my old kitchen. Shirley's underwear is so pretty - can't wait to see what you make for her outerwear!
ReplyDeleteyour magnets in your cloth is genius! I do not put one on top of my fridge [though I did at my old house but it was small enough and didn't slide around] as it fits right snugly under a cupboard. Kind of bugged me at first as I was soo used to keeping things on top of it, lol. What clever projects you've come up with! Enjoy your week-end Vee!
ReplyDeleteLook at those little lacy undies! Now my girls will ALL want some! And no, I don't have a cloth on top of my fridge. I get on a ladder and clean the top of it once in awhile. (once in a blue moon! haha) Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea, that fridge topper!
ReplyDeleteThose are cute little undies on Shirley. She's a lucky girl. Peanuts had a bath in Dawn and it worked. Thank you! ~ I clean the top of the fridge and the kitchen cabinets about every 4-6 weeks. The step ladder is close at hand; although, I must admit that I have to climb on the counters to clean the tops of the upper kitchen cabinets and that's a bit scary. I never did like heights. You have some of the greatest ideas and the patience to make them. You are right, you are patient AND you have the patience for detailed projects.
ReplyDeleteI get out the ladder on the first day of the new season. Just an old habit. All the climbing is done then and only then UNLESS the dirt is visible sooner. Good thing the eyes are failing as I don't do as much cleaning as I once did. I used to think cleaning was actually doing something. ; >
DeleteYou are bwave to be scampering about on countertops!
I stand on a chair and wash the top of the fridge periodically, every 4-6 weeks or so. I love your idea, but I store large trays on top of my fridge (they won't fit anywhere else) and so it probably wouldn't work for me. The top of the dryer sounds like a great place for one of these. You are so ingenious and have the skills to carry out your ideas. The top of my dryer is all rusty so I have covered the worst of it with (removable) plaid shelf liner that can be washed or wiped down as needed. But your topper idea would keep the dust at bay also. Hmmm.... there may be one of these in my future.
ReplyDeleteAnd the cord keeper -- what a great idea. My iron stays plugged in, but there are other things, like the hand mixer, and all of those pesky charging cords that could really benefit from one of these. Thanks for sharing!
I store all my large trays on top of my fridge, too, plus bowls and a bean pot. =D
DeleteWell then, maybe I could do it after all! Do you have a system for keeping the aforesaid items dust-free? I'm alway having to wash mine; usually do it when I'm washing the fridge top.
DeleteThey are used quite regularly so I just give them a rinse before using. And I do LOVE the Ultimate Cloth I told you about some posts ago, which makes cleaning such a breeze.
DeleteI love the cord idea, I'm always fighting with the cords on my small appliances.
ReplyDeleteI laid some shelf liner on the top of my frig. I'm thinking about putting some on the top of my upper cabinets since they don't meet the ceiling and get really dirty and dusty way up there.
ReplyDeleteI really love the fabric cord wrap idea and will have to get out some scraps. I'm too lazy to do button holes though and may have to use velcro.
Great ideas! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jill
Vee, I prefer to call the last dregs of the month of February, "pre-spring" It sounds so much more hopeful than winter. :{ Two very nice projects and they would be quick too, my favorite kind of project! I don't usually put anything on top of my fridge, it has a cabinet right above it. I shudder to think what the top must look like by now. Best not to look? The strap for the iron cord is a great idea! It looks nice and keeps everything tightly corralled. Thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteI never thought about that at all! What a clever idea! I am going to have to think about this. The iron cuff is clever too! You are on a roll!
ReplyDeleteYes, I suppose it could work for an iron, but that is my handheld mixer. ☺
DeleteHi Vee!
ReplyDeleteWinter is still here in Idaho, but, it is getting warmer, and I don't have as much snow on my lawn . . . and the roads aren't slick, that a HUGE plus! Your icy, snowy pictures are so pretty, it makes me want a snow-cone!
I just have to say that I really admire your, Christmas Cactus. I have had one for 2 years, and it has not grown at all, I don't know what I am doing wrong. Your's is just beautiful!
I don't put anything on my fridge, because they always slip and slide! But, I will now!
I have never been able to make nice button-holes. I guess I just need more practice. My mother used to make all my clothes, and she would always have someone else make the button-holes, she must not have been very good at it either... :0)
Cute panties!
Hugs,
Barb
The cord keeper is "nifty." If only I had button hole skill, of course there's always making one by hand. I too keep a cloth up on top of the frig, and just rarely go up there so it doesn't flop around too much. But I did get tired of it so took it down just recently and now I need to remember to clean up there more often. Your magnet idea is a good one. Clever lady! Have a good weekend, whatever season it happens to be.
ReplyDeleteLove your practical ideas! You're "brilliant" as they say on the Guiness commercial. I also like that Shirley has underwear. In my opinion there are way too many people running around without it nowadays!
ReplyDeleteMy fridge is against a wall on one side so I'm not sure that would work for me. Very clever with the magnets, though. Shirley is donning some nice panties. Your projects are sure to make life easier and neater. ♥
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon, dear Vee! I just love your creations and I must say the cord wrap really caught my eye.
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful weekend! Hugs!
Clever, clever Vee! I like all your creations, but the cloth on top of the fridge is the best. Housekeeping nearly 43 years and I'd never thought of that!
ReplyDeleteI keep the pizza stone on top of the refrigerator. Since we use it often the top doesn't have time to collect much dust. : )
ReplyDeleteI have the magnet that you made me on my refrigerator. It holds up the monthly Bible verse we memorize.
Great idea with fridge topper, Vee! I'm short and I can't see the dust, but keep baskets up there and get on a stoll every so often to dust. The cord holder for your iron is a fabulous idea, and your dolly has the cutest underpants!!
ReplyDeleteI pull a chair over to the fridge and climb up and clean. Never thought of a topper, you are a clever gal!
ReplyDeleteI've always just had a towel spread on top of my fridge - mainly to keep the items on top from leaving scratches. The side by side we have now is so tall I only keep my plant watering supplies up there. You've come up with a clever idea for the top of yours.
ReplyDeleteThe young lady in the fancy underpants is whispering under her breath "sure wish I had a lacy camisole to wear too". lol
There's nothing on top of my refrigerator except dust, a basket of napkins, a Kleenex box and our lunch bags. I've never seen or thought of a fridge cover but it sounds like a brilliant idea.
ReplyDeleteI see you store your knives on a magnetic rack, too. Is it out in the open? Mine is. But when my daughter and her husband were selling their home, their realtor told them to put the knives away as it was off-putting for potential buyers. Huh?
I love the fresh smell of snow. But it's another year without any. Happy Weekend, Vee.
Well Vee, the term yankee ingenuity comes to mind when I read this post. There are many things that pose a challenge when it comes to sewing - buttonholes and zippers. So proud of you for not only attempting it, but doing it successfully. So glad Shirley has a new pair of underwear, I mean . . what would she wear while laundering her other pair? ~ Abby
ReplyDeleteYou do a very nice job with the dolly underthings. Such a small project but well done!
ReplyDeleteI really like that brick 2-story you have pictured under a table at the beginning of this post. Is that a real brick that's been painted to look like a house? It is sooooo cute!
It is a real brick doorstop/long matchstick holder for the fireplace. My aunt and uncle gave it to my parents many Christmases ago. She did the stenciling and painting and he made the roof and chimney. I have always really liked it. Thanks for noticing.
DeleteGreat projects and tips Vee. I have a tray on top of the fridge with a box of tissues in it. Nothing else will fit between the fridge and the cupboard and they needed a spot to be stored. Oh, the fly swatter is up there too, beside the tray. :) We had 2 beautiful and mild sunny days Thursday and Friday that just felt like the promise of spring. Our snow melted down a lot from the heavy rains on Wednesday. Now today is a bit snowy and a raw east wind. Yes, the weather will be up and down for the next 2 months or more as I restlessly wait for spring's arrival. Enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI do not use a cover for my fridge but I like this idea. I can remember when everything had a protector on it. Tables with dollies, covers over toasters, coffee pots, salt and pepper etc in the middle of the kitchen table. Our day is a little warmer and the sun is finally out in the Bluegrass. Counting the days.
ReplyDeleteI love your cord wrapper and will making some these using my denim!!
ReplyDeleteWe seem to be missing winter this year! I am at the beach this weekend with my sisters and you would think it is already spring! It's a little too chilly for me to do more than wade in the water but sunbathers and swimmers and surfers abound!!!
Fantastic fried top idea, just what I need! Thank you!! xx
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I never thought of covering the top of the 'frig Vee! I hate cleaning it because the dust is always a bit greasy from cooking and that makes it require a much more intense effort to get it clean. All I keep up there is my vintage china 'hen on a nest' and a low rectangular dish to drop in things such as restaurant discount coupons, business cards and menus.
ReplyDeleteThanks - your tips are always so helpful.
Mary
You are just full of good ideas! Who knew one could cover the top of the fridge...instead of cleaning it? Hmmmm. And I could use a few 'cord wraps' over here too!
ReplyDelete