Jill Ruth & Co.

Weekend Finds

2012-01-31T09:57:00.000-06:00

This past Friday I went to a couple of antique stores and to a "new to me" flea market. I didn't find a lot but came home with the above odds and ends. I'm oddly excited about the big gallon jar with the metal lid that has "sugar" hand written on it.

Appropriate for now...a green handled heart cookie cutter.

Then Sunday, I went to an auction and came home with a few fun items. Some will be going in to my booth, some to Etsy, and some waiting for a project....

These are hands down my favorite find of the weekend! They may even keep that title for quite a few months! Wrought iron folding chairs. One is pretty decent condition and the other, well, not so decent.

See, they fold down! Unfortunately the arm rest is broken the left one but I think it just needs a bolt.

So, the question is, "What do I do with them?" My thought is to clean up and keep the good one in the house and then take the seat and backing off the other one and put it in the tank garden. Or, should I try some fun way of replacing the seat and backing on the other one and keep it in the house too?? Do I have room for two more chairs? Ha, you probably can't help me with that question, can you?

It has a sweet profile doesn't it? Does anyone have suggestions for cleaning and restoring wrought iron?

I'm linking up with Thrift Share Monday at Apron Thrift Girl and Knick of Time Tuesday.

Thanks for stopping by. It's fun to share the finds with all of you and hear your thoughts!

"Jill Makes" a Tea Cozy!

2012-01-27T09:30:00.000-06:00

I've bought a couple more issues of Mollie Makes since the first issue came out that I blogged about here. Once again, just like with the little apple cozies, I was smitten with the idea of a tea cup cozy in the November issue!
Look at the cute cozied cups in the magazine! Some are crocheted and some are knitted.

I decided that I should keep a window seat project handy for when I'm tired of "kitchen work" and my little gals need second breakfast, a snack, or are just slow at eating. We have a window seat in our kitchen that looks out into the back yard. I love this space. (A big thanks to my brother who built our house!)

This tea cup cozy was a perfect project. Really easy. It didn't matter if I sat it down, I knew where I was when I picked it up. It was all treble crochet.

I only know basic crochet and I'm sure it could have been "better" but, it's "good enough for who it's for!"

Even though the pattern is in the magazine, I don't think I'll step on their toes too much if I tell you that all you need to do is chain stitch the heighth of your mug, then treble crochet back and forth until it is wide enough to wrap around.

Fold wrong sides together and stitch it closed with yarn and darning needle on the top and bottom. The directions said to use the yarn tail from the beginning and the end of the crochet to do this, which I did.

Turn it right side out, add the tag, and slip it on your mug.

I made my tag a little different from theirs. I cut a piece of square felt, embroidered "tea" on it and then tightly whip stitched it down. I used a back stitch to embroider the tea bag "string" on to the cozy.

Now, how will it be to drink tea with something fuzzy below my lip?

Not sure. :) I may just use it to sit and hold tea bags.

Wouln't this be neat to give as a gift with tea in the mug?

You need to use a mug that is straight and not tapered at the bottom. This is the only mug I had that could work, but I'll be on the lookout for more!

It is seriously cozy!

Linking up with Tidy Mom "I'm Lovin' It" Friday.

Blog Breaks Happen

2012-01-25T10:35:00.001-06:00

Jan. 25 8:15 am

Kind of messes with your eyes doesn't it? All that blue nothingness.

I'm hoping to get back in the swing of posting after the past month or so of such things that keep one away from posting. The biggest of which was my husband's foot surgery and his current non weight bearing status for his foot. He's doing great though and we have great expectations of this taking care of his foot for good.

Through a friend I found this, Project::Sky 365 at knitsofacto blog. At first glance I thought "Just the sky? With no horizons, skylines, or earthbound things?" "I don't know...."

And, then I thought of one of my favorite Bible verses:

The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky proclaims its builder's craft.

One day to the next conveys that message;

one night to the next imparts that knowledge.

There is no word or sound;

no voice is heard;

Yet their report goes forth through all the earth,

their message, to the ends of the world.

Psalm 19: 2-5

and, I was in! Although, I have no intention of stressing about a picture a day or bemoan the fact that it's already the 25th of January. I'm also not sure yet how or how often I'll post them.

A frequent saying here when we see a beautiful sky, "That's a God sky, if I ever saw one!"

So, why would I post just plain blue sky when proclaiming my start to this project and my favorite Bible verse?!?!

Because it was the sky this morning.

Because I had time to take a picture and post this morning.

Because, it will be enough.

And, Kim inspired me with her word for 2012, justdoit.

My Conundrum Through My Window

2012-01-10T09:52:00.000-06:00

I'm contemplating my dilemma through my window this morning.

On a very brief stop at an antique store on Sunday, I found what I thought was THE perfect storage for my scraps of vintage fabric. (Picture it standing upright)

Cubby hole storage in a perfectly rough and chippy piece.

Bins of vintage blue, red, yellow, white,.....fabric for me to rifle through when I need a piece. You can see it, right?

I stuck my head in it three times. All the way in the cubby holes. Nope, didn't smell bad. Just kind of old but not bad. It would smell better with a spray coat of finish and baking soda.

The price was good. I was excited. My son helped me carry it downstairs. (My husband's foot is still out of whack, surgery imminent)

My son helped me carry it back upstairs yesterday.

I hadn't stuck my head in the bottom cubby holes. The bottom board and backing at the bottom were bad. Smelly, almost oily, moldy. How did I miss this?!?! (Perhaps the ER visit with my husbands foot until 2 am on Sat. and lack of sleep when I stopped at the antique store on Sunday)

I pulled off the bottom board and knocked off the backing. Now what? The center boards need to come out at the bottom too. My husband is bringing me a saws-all to cut it down.

It's fate is in the air. I want to make it work as I envisioned, but sometimes you need to know when to cut your losses and walk away.

Many people in the blog world choose a word for the year to guide and inspire them.

My word for today is:

Reconsider.

Any thoughts you have would be appreciated. :)

I'm joining up here:

Knick of Time
Thrift Share Monday

Epiphany

2012-01-08T12:29:00.002-06:00

They kept their eyes on the star.

More Sweetness...With a Crib Halo

2012-01-05T10:22:00.000-06:00

photo from this site

With this photo as her inspiration, my daughter created this...

from the flowers we used on the centerpieces at the wedding. :)

The wreath will hang horizontally, like this, above the crib. We decided we are officially calling this element a "Crib Halo". She used a grape vine wreath and hot glue to attach the flowers.

While she was making the crib halo, I was making this...

For this wreath, I wrapped an embroidery hoop (again) with a strip of neutral fabric and then created the fabric roses with all neutral fabrics. To make the roses, you fold a strip of fabric in half lengthwise and begin to roll and twist. All along securing with a low temp glue gun.

When I got done, my daughter said, "Glitter. It needs glitter." She was right! A little spray adhesive followed by a generous sprinkling of silver glitter, and it was really pretty!

Just fun. :)

You may be thinking that these sure aren't colors for a baby girl's room. Well, she's going for pretty and feminine not necessarily "baby". I think it's going to be wonderful. I hope to get to their house to take pictures of it when it's all done to show you.

Her last project for this post:

Her inspiration for these came from some shop online and they were selling the framed silhouettes for $160 each. She bought these frames at Target for $10 each then found free images online. She printed them out on just plain white paper, stapled it to black paper along the outside, then carefully cut out the silhouettes. It really only took her about 5- 10 minutes to cut each one out.

These will hang 2x2 on one of the walls in the nursery.

I love silhouettes and remember trying to draw my kids' silhouettes with a big lamp and white paper on the wall years ago. This was before all the digital abilities. I wasn't too successful. Ha!

(She was ready to leave and take the projects with her so that's why the quickly shot photos and the jammy clad 6 year old helping out.)

Thanks for stopping by!

Vintage Feed Sack Elephant

2012-01-04T10:35:00.000-06:00

So sweet!

This was one of the projects for the expected baby girl that my daughter and I made last week.

We used four different vintage fabrics. Three of them were old feed sacks.

It's hard for me to ever actually use any of my feed sacks. Because then they aren't there to just gaze at. :)

But, for this sweet elephant...(and for my daughter and grand daughter)...I could cut into some of them!

This is the pattern we used that was purchased from this Etsy shop.

The directions were clear and good, but I would have a few suggestions to make it a bit easier. If you were to buy the pattern, email me for them. I will say that it's not a beginners pattern. Precision is needed when sewing the pieces together. I'm glad I had to run to the recycling center when we were sewing it, so my daughter did some of the toughest seams. :)

But, just like having a baby, the memory of the hard parts begins to fade and you think, "I could do this again!!!" I may need to make another one just so I can have it sit nestled in some vintage fabric.

I'm just loving the mild weather we've been having...hope it's nice where you are!

Sparkly Corrugated Cardboard...Pretty!

2011-12-31T10:52:00.001-06:00

Earlier this week,my second daughter at home on break from college went 'acrafting down in the sewing room. I thought maybe I could hide the wreath she made so I could keep it.

A great tutorial for book page roses can be found here and I've made quite a few into wreaths and just put some in a bowl. But, I really like that Bonnie used corrugated cardboard for the flowers. Really like the corrugated cardboard.

She wrapped an embroidery hoop with textured off white yarn for the base and with a generous sprinkling of glitter, the wreath is beautiful! The wreath found it's home in her apartment and does not hang on the door in my laundry room. :( But, now I realize that I need a wreath on the door in my laundry room. :)

There was more I realized about the door in my laundry room too when I took the pictures, but what fun would that be to blog about?

Bonnie and I will both tell you that you really don't have to be too exact in cutting the spiral. Once you start gluing it's very forgiving. Neither of us even drew out the spiral, we just cut.

I have a couple of baby projects to post about next week. Did I tell you all that our expected grand baby is a girl?! Isn't it funny, that there would be an exclamation point included whether it was a boy or a girl? :)

My New Year's Post from last year is still relevant today, so I'll just say Happy New Year!!

A Sweet New Bag to Bring in the New Year

2011-12-28T11:17:00.001-06:00

I will be "toten' in style" in 2012.

I used one of my fat quarters that I blogged about here to sew this tote. For some reason, having things dated is really appealing to me right now.

I used some vintage yellow fabric I had to line it and part of a canvas shower curtain for the back of the bag. :) I'm sorry I didn't take photos along the way to give you a tutorial, but it's just a basic sew right sides together kind of tote. I used the extra fabric I cut off to make the handles.

This wall hanging is going back with one of my daughters to her apartment. You can purchase the same fat quarter tea towel calendar here. The design is by Patty Sloniger. Her blog can be found here. The linen cotton canvas is recommended and I agree.

I hope your Christmas Season and the end of 2011 is a peaceful time for you.

Advent Ends :: Christmas Begins

2011-12-23T13:10:00.001-06:00

I bought (or traded for) this green wire tree from Leah last year sometime. I may have actually paid her cash for it :) We've been known to trade though which I love to do. She loves it too. You could say, "Hey, Leah I'd trade you for one of those awesome trunks with which you built your awesome tree!" "To which she may say, "Sure, do you have an extra fruitcake?" funny, I am.

Anyway....back to the tree project. Keeping predominantly red and green in mind, I dug out a couple of old magazines,

some vintage flash cards,

vintage fabric scraps, stamps,

a few vintage greeting cards from an old scrapbook I bought at an auction,

a few pieces of red and green vintage jewelry pieces,

a bunch of well aged clothes pins,

wrapping paper,

And clipped them all on with the help of my daughter.

I am praying for a blessed Christmas season for all of you.

May you find joy where it's unexpected.

Merry Christmas!

::~::

A Little More Sparkly

2011-12-14T09:18:00.004-06:00

I started glittering old light bulbs here at the end of November. The glitter I used was just craft store glitter, but after much coercing, I convinced myself to use some of my authentic vintage glitter.

I'm not kidding, I'd much rather collect vintage supplies sometimes than use them, because then you see, you don't have them. Sometimes potential is so much more...(does that make sense to anyone else?)

I bought these bottles of glitter at an auction awhile back and the colors are so perfect. They were from Editha's craft supplies. I think I would have liked Editha, I certainly liked all of her supplies I came home with!

So glad I used the vintage glitter!!!

Kids have been sick here and it's been stressful...

We are still trying to "get ready" but the real meaning of the season is not lost, but found even in the midst of the stress. Keeping my eyes on the star.

Tinsel and vintage Christmas balls in a canning jar :)

Peace to all of you.

The magic of Christmas, Florabella overlays, and glitter light bulb garland set a festive mood!

Christmas-y Bundt Cake Recipe

2011-12-07T09:11:00.001-06:00

I imagine Bundt cake recipes are abundant out there but that won't stop me from sharing this one with you. :) My sister in law gave me the recipe quite a few years ago.

Easy and delicious.

This is this week's cake. It made it to the cake plate. I made it yesterday and there is only a sliver left.

This is last week's cake when I planned to blog about it. But there has been too much "merry making" around here to get it posted until now.

It didn't make it to the cake plate before I had to cut into it.

Recipe:

1 cake mix

1 small pkg. instant pudding mix

1 C. water

1/3 C. oil

4 eggs

Mix for 30 sec. on low speed then for 2 min. on med. speed with an electric mixer. Put in a greased bundt cake pan.

Bake at 325 degrees for 55-60 min.

Let cool 10-15 min. and remove from pan.

When completely cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

You can use any flavor combination of cake mix and pudding that you like. This is the combination we all just loved this past week. Spice cake.

And gingerbread pudding.

I'm a big fan of frosting, but honestly this cake is just so good without any frosting. Not filling. Just the right amount of sweet.

Now, I know you all don't have time for silliness, but just in case you need some.... we can't have a bundt here without this scene being "played" out. I know. Lame. But, it makes me smile :)

I do hope your Advent time is going smoothly. May these days be blessed for you!

Make It Merry

2011-11-28T19:33:00.000-06:00

I'm blog hopping for 14 days with Diane and the Make it Merry Gang...14 days of DIY Christmas decor!

My assignment: Christmas Trees.

I've been wanting to make a tree out of scrap wood for a few years now, so this just gave me the nudge I needed.

Should you like to make one...I'll show you how I made mine. First you need to create a center post stand. I used a 2x4 and four 1x6 pieces for the base. The measurements are whatever you want or have on hand. :)

This is what the base looks like. I suppose there is a name for such a configuration. A stand like this could be used for so many things besides a tree. A coat rack and sign post come to mind now.

After screwing in the first two boards, you just rotate the stand and add the third, then fourth. I pre drilled all the holes.

Next, I laid out the scrap pieces of wood I picked out for the tree. A couple of them I did cut just a little, but mostly I just played around with what I had. Some are drawer front pieces, one is part of a coat rack, one a cupboard piece, some from tables and so on. Just keep rearranging until you like what you have. I then scrubbed them all clean with hot soapy water.

When dry, I screwed each of the pieces in place from the back on the post. (pre drill) After a few of them, it got awkward and I had to have my husband help me hold them and drill them in. If my work table would have been cleared off I think I could have managed on my own but it wasn't. :) It was fun to have him help me anyway.

All done! I experimented with adding some vintage ornaments and my sparkle light bulbs, but decided I like it just as is with a couple of birds. It won't be staying in this spot, but I needed to take pictures where I had some natural light.

That teal wainscoting is my favorite scrap wood. I've used some of it here before.

I left the hardware just "as is" on the pieces. I enjoy the randomness.

Of course, every tree needs a topper.

Mine is baling wire around an old metal embroidery hoop. Those embroidery hoops come in handy!
I nailed it into a block of wood on the post.

If you would like to see another scrappy DIY tree, click here to see my posts for last year's Junkle Bells tree.

Here's the big list again for the Make it Merry blog hop. You can click on each one and follow along.

Spoonflower Sale!

2011-11-28T14:28:00.000-06:00

Last year at this time, Spoonflower had a buy one, get one free of their fat quarters and I jumped on it. This year they are doing the same thing this week and I wanted to let you in on it!

I bought some tea towel calendars for gifts and my favorites from last year have been updated for 2012!

This birdie one is so cute!

After I took the picture I cut off the excess dowel rod and fixed the ribbon. :) I was in a hurry for some reason to take the picture.

The 2012 calender can be purchased here.

The design comes on a fat quarter and then you have to hem it yourself. It wasn't hard. On one of them, I did have to cut off the extra from the bottom and add it to the top to have enough fabric to make a pocket to place the dowel rod. I added upholstery tacks to the end of the dowel and tied the ribbon to them. You could just hem it all the way around and use pins to hang it on your wall or frame one if you're really ambitious. Hmm, I guess you could use one as a towel too. :)

I didn't take a picture of the one I gave my oldest daughter, but you can view it here on flickr. After hemming it and adding the rod pocket I embroidered a circle around her and her husband's wedding date. Get it?! It's a bicycle built for two!!

Do you know anyone getting married this year? It's a great gift!

The designer (beck&lundy) has updated the calendar and you can purchase it here (choice of two different colors).

For you tea drinkers: this one!

Spoonflower recommends the linen cotton canvas for the tea towels and that is what I bought. At BOGO, that's only $7 a piece.

With a fat quarter of this fabric, you can make 3 doll rattles. Cute! (I bought it last year and now this year I'm going to have a grand baby.....)

Another favorite of mine...what about a tote bag out of it?

I've blogged about Spoonflower before...wouldn't it be great to design your own fabric?!...on my to do list!

Link for all tea towels.

Remember the sale is for all fat quarters, not just tea towels.

I'd love to know if you decide to order any and how you used it!

A Little Sparkly

2011-11-26T00:09:00.001-06:00

Another great idea from craftzine blog via pinterest. Have you sparkled any of your old light bulbs yet? We haven't made the transition to LED Christmas lights yet so I have quite a few old bulbs. My daughter and I glitzed these up in short order. I'll show you our garlands after they dry. So pretty aren't they?

Make it Merry began yesterday!

I'm still working on my project ;)
Each of the blogs listed above is a live link so you can easily check out the Merry Projects and blogs!

Homemade Kettle Corn

2011-11-23T12:21:00.001-06:00

You may love me or hate me after this post. :)

I was looking for snack recipes and saw one here for kettle corn. What?! Why have I not ever thought to look for these directions before?!

Here are the ingredients. When I make popcorn on the stove I never measure. But, for this I did and really think it was a good idea.

1/4 C. oil (highly recommend the buttery flavor popcorn oil)

1/4 C sugar

1/2 C popcorn

Scant 1/4 tsp. popcorn salt

So, my popcorn pan has seen some use. :) I think it's a 2 quart size, but a bigger one would be a good idea.

Add the oil to the pan and when hot (when three test kernels have popped) add the sugar and popcorn. Stir it quickly and replace the lid.

The original recipe said let the pan sit 3 seconds, shake 3 seconds. I did this and it didn't burn. However, if you make a second batch, wash out or at least wipe out the pan in between so you don't have any stray pieces or sugar burn while the new oil is heating.

I added the salt after I put the popcorn in the bowl and tossed it to break up the sticky pieces, but I think you could add the salt to the oil too.

yum....mmmmm....yummmmmmmyyyyyyyy.....mmmm....

Just in case you don't get enough to eat tomorrow you can whip up a batch of this!

May you have blessed Thanksgiving!

Texture Tuesday :: Tea on Tuesday

2011-11-22T11:04:00.000-06:00

Kim's challenge today at the Cafe for Texture Tuesday, was...nothing! Free and easy edition she calls it. I chose her "fall in" texture on overlay blend mode for my Tea photo.

I'm also linking up with Kimmy for Tea on Tuesday...and there is actually tea in my mug! I tried Tazo's Awake black tea. It was pretty good (with a little sugar!)

Ah. My mug. Barnes and Noble is probably my favorite place to shop for Christmas. Sadly, my mug has a little chip. You can see it on the bottom left. So it goes.

My daughter is currently working as a barista there. :) Tonight she comes home for Thanksgiving break and is bringing some new tea for us to try. I'm looking forward to her company and the tea.

Happy Tuesday to you all!

Basic Building Blocks for the Imagination

2011-11-16T10:33:00.001-06:00

This bushel basket of blocks sits in my sewing room most of the time for the girls to play with while I'm down there. The other day, it was dragged upstairs.

By far, one the best toys we have. The pile of blocks started as a box of 2x4 blocks I bought at a garage sale to use in projects. I've used a bunch (see here), cut a lot more blocks, bought more at sales so the basket content changes, but always just plain old blocks.

Last Christmas Santa put a little family of wood people in each of the younger girls' stockings. Santa bought them from goosegreaseundone on Etsy. You can see their selection of wood people here. They even have their own little bag to be carried around in. Of course the bags and the little pets that came with the families are MIA. But, I'm cleaning this week! Maybe they'll turn up! I always planned to give them scraps of fabric to tie or glue on for clothes. Maybe it will still happen, but they love them plain.

Little wood beds are perfect for wood people. Just peering into the little world they create gets my imagination going too!

Happy Wednesday!

Texture Tuesday::Tea on Tuesday

2011-11-15T08:56:00.001-06:00

Good morning! Today I get to link up with Kim at Art in Red Wagons for Tea on Tuesday...once again I'm opting for coffee instead of tea and I took this picture a couple of weeks ago while we were out on the porch. I shot some fun shadow pictures the same day because the sun was getting low in the west and it was warm and happy.

I discovered through a friend that my phone has voice command texting. I do love technology even if I'm a little on the behind side. I went searching then on my phone and also found voice command internet search and voice command dialing! I wonder what else it can do?! Make dinner?!?! Unfortunately it took a chocolate milk bath a few weeks ago and I'm afraid it will need to be replaced soon.

I went to the summer archives for this last photo. When my little girl brought me the little posie and said, "Here Mamma, these are for you" it included a request, "Put them in your pocket." I happened to have my camera with me. :) I'm still wondering why she wanted me to put them in my pocket. Maybe because that's where I keep the rocks we pick up when we're out.

I'm also linking up with Kim at the Cafe for Texture Tuesday. The challenge this week was to use her texture titled "phoebe". All three photos were edited with "phoebe" on soft light or overlay blending modes.

I'm gearing up this week for the Holidays as I'm sure all of you are too. I pray your planning and "doing" is joyful!

Saturday Digest

2011-11-12T11:49:00.000-06:00

Even though Sew Mama Sew is well into their November Handmade Holidays, it's not too late to check it out. There are lots of projects and giveaways too! Each day through November they are posting! Want to catch up on the past four years? Click here.

I will be participating in this "Sounds Like A Lot of Fun" Blog Collaboration. My post is scheduled for Nov. 29th. Sheesh, it's already Nov. 12th!

I found this pretty little gem on Pinterest. And, I'm just nuts over it! It's really not my style at all. Curvy legs and more glitz than me but...I want to make one too! Where would I put it? Courtney from the blog My Little Glass Box shows in this post how she transformed this Craig's List buy of hers. I guess what really strikes me is the little chandelier she added and the background papers. The piece and all of her displays just pop. If I had my own brick and mortar shop, boy, would I be on this!

Inkodye Tissue Cover

2011-11-10T22:34:00.001-06:00

Well, I showed you the first batch of tissue covers here. And, I've made some more, but just haven't taken pictures except of this one I made back when I was experimenting with Inkodye.

Please see this post to see what inkodye is all about.

I used my set of alphabet and number rubber stamps to apply the inkodye before I set it out in the sun. I was a little heavy with too much dye on some of the letters as you can see. But, this was an experiment, so now I know.

Apropos, I used a vintage men's handkerchief for this tissue cover.

I could see a tote bag made with random letters and number stamped all over it or maybe use the dye I have left to stamp the word "tissues" across the back or front of a tissue cover.
What about curtains for a child's room with their name or nursery rhymes stamped with dye on them?
I think any simple shaped stamp could work to apply the dye..lots of possibilities...

This deer came visiting our back yard this morning! We haven't seen any for weeks.

And, she brought a friend. :)

Happy Friday to you!

More of a Good Thing

2011-11-09T19:40:00.002-06:00

Are two wreaths too many? I know I just posted about these sweater flowers, but I made so many flowers I decided to make two wreaths. (And, there are still more in my sewing room.) For this one I pieced together 3" wide strips of burlap to make a big "ribbon" to use for hanging.

If you make yourself some burlap ribbon, be sure to straight stitch all the edges because it will want to ravel. I just put five short pieces together to make about 100" of ribbon and you don't even notice the seams. I'm still using up table runners! :)

I hope you're having a great week and thanks for stopping by!

Sweater Flower Wreath

2011-11-08T09:17:00.000-06:00

So, maybe you made some Warm 'N Toasty Pumpkins and now you have sweater pieces left...

I found a tutorial at Whipperberry to make flowers out of those left over pieces! (Via pinterest!)

A burlap rose goes perfectly with the sweater flowers.

Vintage buttons for the flower centers are attached with hot glue or thread.

I used hot glue to attach the flowers to a grapevine wreath that I picked up at a garage sale. The wreath just needed the old embellishments removed and it was ready for new life!

I'm linking up this week with Kindra.

We may be getting some snow here today so a sweater wreath is perfect for the weather!

Texture Tuesday::Tea on Tuesday

2011-11-01T09:39:00.002-05:00

A few weekends ago we had a brief trip to a state park and while I was outside our cabin by the fire pit (without a fire), I was half heartily snapping some pictures. My almost 12 year old said, "See if you can make it look like I'm drinking out of your cup". So with my cup balanced on my knee, her a few feet away in front of her chair, we played a bit.

Tomorrow my "almost 12 year old", will be 12!

Today I'm joining Kim again for Tea, it's been a long time! and Kim, at The Cafe for Texture Tuesday where the challenge was to use her texture called "and then some".

Happy Tuesday and All Saints Day!

Saturday Digest

2011-10-29T10:16:00.000-05:00

For the sewer: This portable pressing table could be a great idea and it's DIY.

For the Jewelry Maker: (or wannabe jewelry maker, they have kits!) Unkamen Supplies on Etsy...really great people to work with on an order. Two of my favorites they offer are this bracelet and this one.

For those with young children or grandchildren: Made by Joel is a great blog! My girls have played with or colored all of his free printables numerous times. His new book, Made to Play, is also on my wish list.

Did you know?

That okra can be dried for decorative use? It's beautiful!!

Embarrassing story: I stopped at a garage sale a month or so ago and here was a sack of dried okra. I thought it was gorgeous. I asked how much the bag was since it didn't have a price on it. "Oh, it's free." I was told. I thanked her and proceeded to look around. Then she told me her husband said to put it out on the sale because it was the best okra they had ever grown. They wanted to share the seeds. I thanked her again before I left telling her I thought I would use them decoratively. Not until hours later, did I realize my faux pas! Here was a gardener (or gardener's wife) who wanted to share seeds and I took off with all of it. The garage sale was in another town and there was no way I could go back to return it. (time, kids, not even sure which house it was, the sale would have been almost over).

Looking back, she was in no way irritated. She was chatting pleasantly on the phone and with me.

When I see or hear "Free" at a garage sale to me it means "I want this hauled out of here". In my defense, my Mom and three of my kids were waiting in the car for me and I was "power sale-ing" on our way to my sister's house.

So, apparently, I have the seed for the best okra out there. If you want some, I'll send you some seeds. Just email me with your address.

What is really sad is that I don't grow okra and really have no desire to, but next summer I will be planting some... if only for the dried pods!

Do you like okra? Should I try to grow it to eat it? How would I use it? Soup?

So much for "digest". :)

Fall Mantle Part 2

2011-10-28T10:18:00.000-05:00

We are so blessed to have two mantles to get to decorate! But, I will tell you that our spring mantle was the summer mantle too. It takes a lot of time to change things out!

The vines are honeysuckle vines from the back yard. They last for a couple of weeks in water!

The vine pumpkins came from Target. I feel like I cheated with something "new", but they are so neat.

The three books on the left are Norwegian that have been translated to English. The next book is a Bible, maybe German? It has an incredibly beautiful font inside.

The bottle says "Old Ruxton Rye". I'm not sure it's particularly old. It came in a box of bottles I picked up and I just liked the color and shape.

This set of books may be the neatest I've ever picked up. They have marbled covers, but spines are in really poor shape.

I didn't care because I bought them for the textured pages...mmmm...so something...they make me happy. :)

I'm glad you stopped by!

I'm linking up with Debra and her Vintage Inspiration Friday blog party.

Fall Mantle Update

2011-10-27T12:27:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I spiffed up our mantle to reflect the season. It was a gorgeous fall day with the windows open and I took a few pictures.

I replaced the picture above the mantle with a mirror I bought at an auction a number of months ago. I loved the picture that did hang above the mantle and still do, but it had hung in prominence in our home for 22 years. It was time for a change. :)

Quite a few years ago, my older girls and I made this bead garland to decorate tables at the harvest breakfast at our church.

We had so much fun making it, we made more out of blue and silver beads to decorate their 4-H tree that year.

We used vintage beads from disassembled jewelry and some new beads we bought from Dollar Tree.

It's pretty self explanatory...beads, wire, twist...but if time permits I'll try to do a little tutorial in the future.

I think white and silver bead garland would be so pretty for Christmas and winter!

I updated our other mantle too, but haven't had a chance to take pictures yet.

Our leaves here just really started turning colors this week. It's so pretty outside.

Happy Fall Day!

The Kountry Store

2011-10-21T08:48:00.000-05:00

I had the chance a few weekends ago to finally meet two ladies that live and sell treasures just outside of my hometown of Concord Nebraska.

Karen and her daughter Kandy run the Kountry Store located about 3 miles East of Concord. The store is located in an old farmhouse. I would be tickled to get to fill a house with vintage and antique finds! Like playing house as an adult...just using a lot more elbow grease than when you're a kid! I was thrilled to tour it!

Lots to see and want here!!

Sweet cabinet, huh?

I love canister sets. Great for the kitchen, studio, sewing room....

They had a set of seven of these old diner cups. :)

Everyone loves a chandy, even if you don't have a place to hang one.

This little set was made from orange crates...I've never seen that before and thought it was really cute. The chairs were especially neat.

It was so nice to finally meet Karen and Kandy. If you see something you like you can contact them through their Etsy shop haylofttreasures. Looking for something you don't see? Send them an email through their Etsy shop and ask...I hear there is a barn full of treasures that I didn't see!!

If your local, you can call them for a appointment or for their hours. 402-584-2288

Would You Buy It Wednesday

2011-10-19T08:54:00.000-05:00

About a month ago I bought a lamp at a garage sale for a dollar. I have a couple of old floor lamps in poor repair and a few that have been spiffed up and in use in our home. If the price is right, they are hard to pass up.

Are you worried that it's sitting in water?!?!

No worry, the cord was in nasty shape and I just snipped it off.

What I was really excited about was the shade frame. Well, I wasn't looking very closely at it, and as I cut off the shade, which was in really poor condition too, I realized that the shade rings are only held together by the shade. There are no vertical supports. I'm not really sure if I can "redo" the shade now and keep this neat two tiered assemblage. Oh well. I'll see what can be done. I think all the altered shades I've seen around the internet are so neat.

So what about the lamp?

I had bought one solar light stick and had been trying to decide if I could incorporate it into a piece of "junk" for a light in the tank garden. If you pull the solar light off the stick, it's about the size of a lightbulb.

You can imagine it was a bit tricky to get a shot of this at night without a tripod. I was balancing my camera on my angel's head.

So, what about during the day?

There is the plan for my bench made out of one of my old bed frames to sit here by the lamp. I've had this out there now for a few weeks and the jury decided it's staying.

At first, I thought I was pushing the limits.

REALLY JILL?! You sat an old lamp in the garden?

I was going to paint it black to make it resemble a lamp post. I had the paint out and was ready to go, but then realized that I wouldn't like it. So, rusty metal it is. :)

So, what do you think? Would you buy it? And, if you had a "tank garden" would you put a lamp in it?

And, yes, I'm thinking that some lovely rusty trinkets and silverware hanging from the lamp shade could be pretty cool in the garden too. Or would that be going to far?!

I'm linking up with Junker Newbie Stephanie for Would you Buy it Wednesday.

Fall in the Tank Garden

2011-10-15T10:19:00.000-05:00

I have three good sized mums that I've been enjoying in the tank garden. All three are a beautiful rusty red color.

I also had golden rod which was beautiful, but I had cut it out before I took these pictures a week or so ago.

The lace vine was almost completely eaten up by grasshoppers, but once they dispersed it came back. That vine and one of my hyacinth bean vines completely covered my bed frame trellis.

This is the first year for this vine and considering the grasshoppers, I was pretty pleased with how it performed. It's planted in a rusty barrel so we'll see if it makes it through the winter.

I never got my mulch in or the doors mounted like I'd hoped this fall, and it's not looking promising to get at it yet. Oh well! I guess it will be a spring project. So it goes.

The sun is shining brightly today, but I had to turn the furnace on this morning. I was trying to tough it out!

Happy Saturday!

Tissue Covers From Vintage Fabric Scraps

2011-10-13T11:23:00.000-05:00

I have been thinking about tissue boxes and tissue covers for awhile and found a pattern for a tissue cover here at the very purple person blog. Novita lives in Tokyo and graciously allows the use of her pattern for personal or commercial use. When I bought a box of old cut up clothing, it wasn't until I got it home that I knew what I wanted to do with it. I've done some tweaking to the pattern. I can share my changes after I decide what, if any, of the changes I like best. :)

The fabric all came from the same box of cut up clothing at a garage sale.

The pieces I would say ranged from the 1950s to the 70s, most from the 70s.

The little tag is a neat touch and that came from a small bag of trims from the same garage sale.

I made these two from hankies (yes, same garage sale!)

These and a few more have all gone to find new homes in a pocket book, book bag, or purse as a gentle reminder of a special woman.

I think the hankies sewn into a tissue cover are a great more modern use of a keepsake handkerchief. How nice to peak into your purse or pocketbook and have a little memory of someone you love.

For me, it's just joy to continue to use sleeves, bodices, pants, and scraps from the years gone by.

Pieces that were saved out of pure necessity.

Cutting around the faded parts.

Sometimes choosing the faded parts.

I will be making more. :)

Friday Sneak Peek

2011-10-07T11:08:00.002-05:00

This week I'm linking up with a new blogger I found a couple of weeks ago, Jennifer at studio jru

She hosts:

and states that the studio is wherever you create. My place is usually my sewing room, but often the kitchen counter, garage, barn...

I thought this stained feed sack needed a tree, and it did. For a while I thought it needed leaves, it didn't.

The leaves have since found their way to a bare branch in our foyer. The tree is just going to be pinned up on the wall for awhile. Sometimes a project is just an exercise and that can be a good thing too.

I hope you have a great fall weekend!

You can peak at other projects here.

Summer in a Jar

2011-10-06T12:45:00.000-05:00

One of my all time favorite projects was my day in a jar I posted about here. That jar makes me happy :)

My "day in a jar" collection has not grown until two days ago. I was gathing up some dried flowers I had laying around here and there from this summer. Hanging some, putting some in cans, etc. and realized how pretty some would look in a jar.

This summer wasn't the summer I had hoped it would be in so many ways, but it was the summer God blessed in so many ways.

So, in my jar are little reminders of this summer. A couple of flowers from my daughter's wedding, some my little gals picked, some from my garden, with a little scrap of vintage fabric tied on in a bow.

All representing so much more to me than would appear to anyone else.

.......

Spray Some Frost

2011-10-04T08:55:00.000-05:00

I couple of months ago I saw frosted glass spray in the store and thought it would have some great possibilities.

I finally bought some last week. I don't know how long this product has been out but it was new to me.

I used a mailing label to mask off part of a pint jar and sprayed the rest with two coats of the frosted glass spray, added some round flat rocks (from our lane) and a tea light.

It's like a window into serenity.

You could embellish the top of the jar, but I really liked this one simple.

The Product

What I learned:

*It will wash off with soap and water within the first hour if you don't like the result.

*3 days later you can wash it off with soap, water, and a chore boy scrubber

*Paper doilies did not adhere tight enough for a good result

*Since it will wash off, you really can't use glue that you'll need to wash off to hold the masking piece down.

I see so many more possibilities with this...I need to fire up my silhouette cutter!

I wonder what would happen if you sprayed it on a pumpkin? :)

I'm linking up today for the first time with Coastal Charm's Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

and At Home with K Terrific Under Ten Tuesday.

Mosaic Monday

2011-10-03T09:00:00.001-05:00

The weather this weekend was gorgeous! I had a chance to wander in a corn field and visit a country antique shop near my home town...plus spend time with my family...all very good :)

I'm linking up with Mary for Mosaic Monday

Saturday Digest

2011-10-01T08:30:00.001-05:00

image from Lisa's Etsy shop

I bought my jewelry for my daughter's wedding from WildStone Jewels on Etsy. I just loved it and Lisa was so very nice to work with. I found the necklace and asked her to make me a bracelet and earrings to match, with me choosing the elements for both. Once I ordered it, I believe she had it in the mail the next day! All very reasonably priced! She has another necklace I'm eyeing too...

Harvest colored snack mix in a vintage jar :)

Recipe found here. My advice is to put in about 6-7 times the amount of pretzels. At least. Maybe more. I also used graham cracker bears instead of chocolate grahams,added chocolate chips, and left out the caramel corn...just because I made do with what I could find here in town.

Today, the jar is empty. And, the kids ate very little.

I hope you're having a great weekend!

Inkodye and Vintage Inspiration Friday

2011-09-30T10:46:00.000-05:00

I was sent three bottles of inkodye to play with and must say I had fun with it. It's a dye you just paint on and set in the sun to develop. Within 5-10 minutes it's done! Hopefully, if you try this product yourself, I can steer you away from a few mistakes :) because I made some.

First the slide show:

Tips: what I learned
*sand wood first if you try it on wood.
*make sure your muslin (or fabric of choice) is prewashed!! (dye washed off a bit on the new pieces I used)
*make sure you use recommended fabric, I grabbed a scrap and now realize it probably had polyester in it and some of the dye washed off.
*use the recommended strong detergent recommended on the site. I used my Tide he and it wasn't strong enough to adequately wash out all of the dye in areas I wanted to stay clear.
*saturate fabric but with no extra dye pooled. Just nice even coat.
*I think masking needs to be done with tape and adhesive type of products. It's hard to say how well the leaves worked because I hadn't prewashed the muslin. I think they should have been flatter and tighter to the fabric
*I don't think white glue was a good resist (should buy the resist product if you need resist)

The dye worked great on the old feed sack, it was cotton and prewashed. I also tried taping off an area and using rubber stamps (for a later posts) that worked great.

I dyed a feed sack for the leaves using the yellow green and black dye mixed together.

The small orange pumkin started with about a 16" diameter circle and the larger orange one, about 19".

Tutorial for the pumpkins is here.

What I loved:

*The odor of the product was minimal, just a slight ammonia smell.
*Clean up was easy.
*I used water to thin the dye
*Loved watching it develop and that it was fast. In a couple of hours I got in a lot of experimentation!
*The black thinned with water is a nice gray.

These feed sacks are certainly vintage so I'm linking this post up with Debra for Vintage Inspiration Friday.

White Wednesday...the Wedding Revisited

2011-09-28T09:46:00.001-05:00

I'm getting a Blurb book ready to order of my daughter's wedding (which was June 4) and thought I'd share some of the photographer's photos with you.

My favorite.

My first baby. Now, married. Now, with child herself!!!!! I'm going to be a Grandma at the end of April!

The Grandpa to be is quite excited himself. Wow, life is moving fast! (I know Kyle's parents are also excited!)

Our family with our new son in law.

The wedding party.

Programs we made with paper from Hobby Lobby. Our first plan didn't work and I have a packet of silver paper waiting for a project.

Boutonnieres we made.

Our photographer was Royce of Royce Studio from Omaha. She was just so laid back and we just loved her.

My little gals right before the wedding.

In keeping with the natural theme, I made pen holders from more pieces of branches.

Lauren made a Blurb guest book with their engagement photos. It turned out really neat as she added fun quotes here and there to it too.

Our family wedding tree display.

The card cage.

The reception was at my brother in law and sister in laws' vineyard. Beautiful place!

Annette from Annette's catering and desserts made the cake, desserts, and catered dinner for us. Can't say enough with how pleased we were with all of her services.

We emailed her a picture of the cake topper we made and some ideas for the cake. I love what she did. Natural and elegant.

Soooo pretty.

NY Cheesecake with lots of toppings.

We had bite sized desserts along with the cheesecake.

The flowers were sooo pretty from abloom florist in Lincoln.

My second oldest daughter was the Maid of Honor.

Simple place card holders.

Love candlelight :)

The favor boxes held Baker's Chocolates.

The stamped forks.

Gosh, it was fun.

My son in law said he couldn't dance. They almost didn't have one. He said he didn't like to dance. Lauren had never danced more than once with him. They practiced at home a bit. HE DANCED ALL NIGHT and he was GOOD!

My husband and I aren't good dancers but we really don't care. We like to once in awhile anyway. :)

The book hearts held up well actually. The tutorial can be found here.

If not candles, then torches :)

She took a long nap after the wedding and woke up to eat dinner and dance. I made the hair pins for the girls from the dress I wore at my sister's wedding last fall. My son walked by the ironing board, knocked the iron over on the dress and melted it. So....I was thinking about using it anyway. That just convinced me to do it.

If you're new here, you can read more about the wedding projects here.

Now, I guess there may be some baby projects, woohoo!!

I'm linking up with Kathleen at Faded Charm.

Texture Tuesday

2011-09-27T08:22:00.002-05:00

The theme at the Cafe for Texture Tuesday is "love"...

I used Kim's new free texture "fall in" in two layers followed by "magic canvas".

My youngest was dancing around outside while I was cleaning up some pieces and I stopped her for a quick picture. I don't know how she gets the oreos to outline her lips so perfectly, but she does. Every time. :)

Saturday Digest

2011-09-24T09:18:00.000-05:00

The butterflies have been abundant in the tank garden. New yellow ones showed up yesterday. I planted fennel for the caterpillars, but they have also devoured the dill, the parsley, and the small snapdragons. The fluttering life is worth every plant sacrificed!

This 2 minute 15 second video humbles me. This is recycling that makes a difference for a people who live in a world I do not know.
This preprinted sampler, also seen here would be neat to highlight vintage fabrics or a collection of small objects! Thanks Vanessa!
I hope you're having a great weekend!

Warm 'N Toasty Pumpkins

2011-09-23T13:13:00.000-05:00

Well sweater pumpkins seem to be pretty popular and I know why, they are really neat! There also are a few tutorials available on the internet to make them yourself.

You can find one here at hummadeedledee. And, another here at Small Fry & Co.

I found 4 great sweaters to use for pumpkins at a huge garage sale last weekend. All sized kids to teens. One went to my daughter's closet though when we got home. :)

I certainly don't want to reinvent the wheel, but I will show you a couple of pictures of how I made them just because it's a combination of the two tutorials linked above.

For the small pumpkins in the cloches I cut a sleeve off one sweater and then cut it into five pieces. Each is somewhere between 3"-4" long. The bigger pumpkins were from pieces of the other sleeve about 6"-8" long.

To make the bottom of the pumpkin:

1. Turn the piece wrong side out.

2. Gather the wider end with a long running stitch and pull tight. (no picture, sorry.)

3. Pull the gather stitch up and with your thread still intact begin stitching your gathered bottom together, forming the bottom of the pumpkin.

4. Turn the pumpkin right side out.

5. Fill with a ball of polyfill. I used batting because I have two big bags of scraps of it that I want to use up. I just pulled the batting apart and formed it into a ball.

6. Gather the top of the pumpkin together and hold with clothespins or have someone help you...or be very coordinated and hold it with your hand while you tie the string around.

7. Tie it up tight with string or twine, yarn, etc....whatever you want.

8. Continue to wrap the stem with your choice of fiber. Since I'm a string fan, that's my choice.

9. Secure the end with a bit of hot glue.

10. Thread a big needle with strong or double thread again and take stitches down from the top of the pumpkin, out the center of the bottom of the pumpkin, back up from the bottom and out the top. Continue pulling tight and taking stitches until you have shaped the pumpkin to your liking. I took about 6 stitches in each. Then knot the thread at the bottom.

Your done.

I think you'll have fun making some!

The same but different: I made these out of an old feed sack. However didn't take stitches to form them. I broke two needles trying to however. The fabric was stronger, the pumpkins bigger, and my batting really thick on the inside. Its OK because they shaped really well anyway.

More on the orange pumpkin on next week. I used inkodye!

I'm linking up with:

Fix It Up Friday

I'm Lovin It at Tidymom.com

A Couple of Sweet Buys

2011-09-22T10:38:00.000-05:00

I've had the pleasure of an auction and quite a few garage sales over the past 2 weeks. I haven't taken pictures of all the treasures, but just had to show you two of my favorites.

This table was holding items for sale at a garage sale. Usually when you see a piece used for display and ask if it's for sale, it's not...but, this time it was!

It's has a beautiful rust patina and get this, it's collapsible!! It's a folding table and the legs easily fold down into the top. It needs a good cleaning followed by a spray coat of finish and will be just perfect.

On the same outing, I found a LARGE bag of vintage fabric scraps! The table is 4' by 2' so you can see this a quite a pile. They were all compacted too. Once I started "fluffing" them the pile grew!

I picked out a few of the scraps to show you why I was excited.

A great variety!

Just some seriously cool vintage patterns.

It is possible this may not excite everyone :)

Besides all the scrappy projects that I will use these in, I'd like to come up with some sort of display to just showcase vintage prints. I keep thinking of small squares of the prints on a canvas. I'd love to hear any ideas that you may have!

Texture Tuesday

2011-09-20T10:22:00.000-05:00

The theme this week for Texture Tuesday was "free & easy" or themeless... just use one of Kim's textures. I wasn't going to post a picture today because I hadn't had time to take and process a photo. But, when I got home this morning from dropping off the girls, the sun was shining in on one the many shoes around here that don't seem to find their home. And, since I'm always taken with shadows, I grabbed the camera.

I used a layer of Kim's "brushed linen" and one of "yesteryear".

Now, misplaced shoes take on a whole new light!

Mosaic Monday

2011-09-19T12:22:00.000-05:00

Sounds like more like the title of a book than the last hurrah for a great birthday.

A book that goes on something like this...

The past few years had been systematically going through her mind. Each accomplishment, each disappointment, relived again and again as she sat in the window seat curled up with her favorite blue afghan. Slowly she'd been savoring on the last piece of birthday cake and with the last bite she resolved that today would be a celebration of what's to come not what was.....

Now, I've made you roll your eyes again! LOL! Just for fun, how would you start a book titled The Last Piece of Cake?

This cake was from my son's birthday at the end of August and I took the pictures the next day. The cake hasn't been sitting here since then! He put a sign on the cake that he called the last piece. :)

I'm linking up with Mary again for Mosaic Monday.

White Wash Wednesday

2011-09-14T15:06:00.001-05:00

True, yes? discovered on pinterest.

We are really having fun around here with the glass picture marker boards that I first posted about here. I picked up this wood frame at a garage sale and painted it white. I didn't have a piece of burlap big enough to go in it so....I used mod podge to adhere book pages to the backing of the frame. Then I used a combination of matte medium, water, and white paint to white wash the text.

I chose a book with fairly small text and then trimmed all of the white borders off so I'd have a pretty solid background of text. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

**Note: Washable dry erase markers do not work very well but the brand SRX are so nice. They just wipe off so easily with a paper towel.

This board is now in my 11 y/o daughter's room. I was planning on putting it in the laundry room...need to go to more garage sales :) or look in the barn :)

I'm linking up with Kathleen at Faded Charm, for White Wednesday.

Texture Tuesday...with Tea.

2011-09-13T08:28:00.000-05:00

A tea sample from a little shop we saw on our vacation this summer. The tea was very good and beautiful!

For other tea posts, visit Kimmy!

We celebrated my son's 17th birthday a couple of weeks ago and my sister in law showed up with flowers for me from her garden! I felt like the birthday girl! (No, my son was not jealous, LOL)

The challenge this week for Texture Tuesday with Kim at the Cafe was to use either her scripted autumn texture or be inspired by the word "do".

The tea mosaic above is textured with scripted autumn and well, my sister in law "did" and it inspired the second photo! It is textured with Kim's simplistic texture.

Thanks for stopping by....may you have a blessed day!

Jonesing for Simplicity

2011-09-12T09:59:00.000-05:00

And, this is pretty simple.

Jones soda (occasional treat for kids) = vases for me.

Filled with just a few easy to grow blanket flowers and it's lovely.

The mosaic...not so easy, but I'm learning!

Linking up with Mary at the Little Red House.

Happy Monday!

Ok, I know "jonesing for simplicity" is a little extreme, but I just had to use the word play, thanks for not rolling your eyes. You didn't, did you?!

Saturday Digest

2011-09-10T09:12:00.001-05:00

A little of this...a little of that...

Robelyn at Redneck Chic is having one terrific giveaway! Head on over and sign up, then sign up again, and just wait, there will be more chances to sign up! I have two of her bags and my daughter has one. They are so very well made and just have so much personality!! The first time out with one of her bags I heard..."Where did you get that?! That is so neat!!" to which I replied, "Well there's this gal in Texas..." and I went on...

If you haven't been to visit "this gal in Texas" , please do, you'll leave grinning and maybe carrying your own Redneck Chic pocket book!

*****

Are you on the Pinterest band wagon? I have one foot on and think I'm about to jump on board. You can follow my pins here.

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Another online (and in print) magazine that I enjoyed perusing. Check out the textured letters on page 91, very neat!

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This set of four vintage glasses found their way home with me yesterday from a garage sale. :)

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I will be experimenting with this product, Inkodye, in the next couple of weeks, seems to have a lot of potential!

*****

Have a great weekend!!

Typewriter Table

2011-09-07T08:55:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago I hit the last day of an estate sale. This was the gem that came home with me. I wonder if most would prefer an all metal typewriter table and that's why this was still there. I was pretty taken with the combination of wood and metal.

Here's the before. Pretty decent shape. Paint or finish the wood? I debated for 1 1/2 minutes. Since I decided to keep it, I wanted the wood finished. It has such a nice patina to it!

I just did a quick job on this and didn't even try to get out the stains, but I'm pretty happy with it. I think the blemishes give it "character". "Good enough for who it's for.." I sanded it (electric sander) and applied 4 coats of paste wax. (power buffer) Gotta love power tools. :)

There it is. All decked out with another table runner redo!

My lovely crocheted rocks have a new home.

Ragged books...milkweed seeds...

The seeds are in a very old mortar that my brother in law and sister in law gave me. It's beautifully aged.

I gathered a 3 inch piece of burlap and stitched it right on top of the edge of my table runner. Two layers of stitching secured the loose edges.

A firm pressing keeps the stiff burlap in line. Should you make yourself one, be sure to stitch all of your edges so it doesn't continue to fray.

I made the little house shaped piece months ago and it's been waiting for a place to land. I machine embroidered scraps on to a backing, and then I used rubber stamps to make the word, "home".

This could be a record. A piece that need work is in it's place with all it's attire in a little over 2 weeks. :)

I hope your week is going well!

Texture Tuesday

2011-09-06T09:40:00.000-05:00

Well, our plans for going to the state fair on Sunday were thwarted by a sick little girl so, we stayed home and just "played low" while she recuperated.

Gosh, the weather has been beautiful these past few days!!

Linking up once again with Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday where this weeks' challenge was to use the "crackerjack" texture.

I hope you all had a nice Labor Day Weekend!

Tank Garden Update

2011-09-01T10:09:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to share a couple of pictures of the tanks again before the blooms fade even more. I have a few mums and golden rod to take me into the fall. May need to add more fall flowers for next year.

That fire pit cover leaning against the fence...shouldn't be there :) It's waiting for inspiration. Any ideas?

I had two black eyed susan vines grow great guns, but very few flowers on them. And, this one didn't even have black eyes. Great foliage though.

My favorite hyacinth bean plant that I raved about here. Still my favorite! I have it in three places.

I didn't get to the mulch this summer so I'll wait until spring.

The newest addition!!! I picked up this culvert at a farm auction on Sunday. Woohoo! It is going to be a fountain. Next spring. Or the spring after that. But, in the mean time, it is garden art.

I am so excited about this piece!! There were three culverts for sale and this was my favorite. They sold choice and the first time around the bid went too high for me. Thank goodness the farmer who got the bid wasn't thinking garden art and chose to buy the two less rusty ones, leaving this one for me on the next round of bidding.

Sweetness.

Tea on Tuesday::Texture Tuesday::Tuesday with the "Kims"

2011-08-30T08:32:00.000-05:00

The Cafe's theme this week for texture Tuesday is "Orange"...Seems to me orange is making a come back. When I think of the orange counters my brother put in his house in the 1970s I cringe. Egad. I hope not.

Not a lot of orange around here so I looked to the garden and the sky.

Knock, knock...

Who's there?

Banana

Knock, knock..

Who's there?

Banana

Knock, knock..

Who's there?

Banana

Knock, knock..

Who's there?

Orange

Orange who?

Photo layered with Kim Klassen's"ephemera" texture on soft light.

If I had a nickel for every knock knock joke I've listened to...

I shot this sunset coming home from Omaha last week and as I was editing it, my six year old was sitting on my lap and said, "That looks once upon a time-ish".

And, then she said, "It looks like Jesus is coming to town instead of Santa."

My heart was glowing "orange". :)

Photo edited with Kim's canvas magic and william textures

I'm also saying Hello today to all of those having tea with Kim at Art in Red Wagons. All of their tea talk has me buying samples here and there to see if I jump on the tea wagon.

But, for today, I'm still drinking coffee. I have enjoyed some new flavors of tea though with a couple of my daughters.

This cool orange splattered step ladder is in my garden. I have about 5 splattered orange pieces (all from the same sale) that I have just come to love out there and in the barn. Who'd a thought? Orange?

Both of the photos were edited with Nelly Nero's shabby suitcase action and a layer of Kim's boutique texture.

Say Hello to the tea drinkers here and to the texture lovers here!

Paula's Garden Year 3

2011-08-26T10:18:00.002-05:00

I went to visit my friend Paula yesterday again for grilled hamburgers and a garden walk. :) Oh how I enjoy a walk through someone's garden.

You can see my first visit to her garden here, and year two here.

A friend of hers gave her this bench because the seat was broken. (She was actually going to throw it out, whew, good save, huh?!)

Paula's husband wasn't getting it fit with a new seat so she put this plank across and asked him to just saw off the ends for her. Well, he was trying to skirt that little task and jokingly said, "why, just put a bucket on each end.

Life is Art, wouldn't you say? This piece is perfect all because of making do and joking around.

Galvanized pails...perfect pots.

This part of her garden was actually in shade until the pine wilt took all four of the trees here. :(

A bread box turned planter.

Boots and chairs, always at home in the garden.

A "flower" welded by her husband. Fun.

More fun.

My little one enjoyed looking for the fish in her pond, but they were hiding out of the sun. It was actually cool yesterday morning in the shade so that's why the jacket. Such a nice day!

It's so nice to have gardening friends to share plants, seeds, and ideas with.

Thanks again Paula!!

I'm linking up with Debra's Vintage Inspiration Friday and Fishtail Cottage's Cottage Flora Thursday.

The Herb Wreath, Dried

2011-08-25T08:45:00.000-05:00

The herb wreath I posted about here dried really well. It's nothing compared to what it looked like fresh, but hey, this will last longer than 20 minutes!

I could primp it a bit for a more round shape, but nah. I like it as is. Which is done. :) It only took about 5 days to dry. I left it hanging horizontally upside down for the first three days and futzed a bit with tying sprigs tighter when I took it down. I let it finish drying lying flat.

My herbs are still going in the garden so may have enough left to make another smaller wreath yet, so hopefully will get that done too.

Happy Thursday!

Texture Tuesday, Something Different

2011-08-23T12:45:00.001-05:00

The challenge this week for Texture Tuesday was "Back to School" and we needed to use two textures. This was a tough one for me. I didn't have time to take any themed pictures, but I did have pictures of my kids going off.

First I used the sketch filter and then a layer of Kim's reverse ttv on difference blending mode with the texture brushed off of the kids. Then a layer of kimklassenlove on luminosity blending mode at 65%. I pulled the borders inside of the black frame created with the ttv texture. Again, I used a brush to take off some of the texture.

My little one on the left is still home with me...sweet days.

I think there is a lot of potential for the sketch filter, I loved it.

There are some really neat back to school shots over at the cafe. If you like new school supplies...hop on over!

Soup's On

2011-08-20T23:11:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year, harvest of the tomatoes :)

Unfortunately it's pretty slim pickins here this year- due to garden neglect- due to life. So it goes.

So this week, I donned one of my favorite vintage aprons and made our favorite tomato soup.

After some chopping, there was sauteing....

and simmering...

and blending...

and canning.

For the benefit of all of us, I did not include a picture of all of the dishes :)

Here's the recipe should you find yourself with some fresh tomatoes and a little bit of time.

From my sister in law, Danita:

1 C. chopped celery

1 small onion, chopped

1/2 green pepper, chopped

1/4 C butter

41/2 C chicken broth, divided

1/2 tsp. curry powder

4 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 quart fresh tomatoes, chopped

1/4 C flour

Saute the celery, onion, and green pepper in butter. Then add 4 C chicken broth, tomatoes, curry, salt, pepper, and sugar. Heat to boiling, reduce heat and simmer 30-45 min.

Blend flour with 1/2 C chicken broth, stir into tomato mixture and cook until slightly thickened, stirring frequently.

Puree or blend if you desire.

Notes: 1. adjust seasonings for your taste. I usually add a bit more salt and curry.

2. Two double batches makes about 9 quarts and 1 pint. Give or take.

Happy end of the summer to you!

The Table Runners Live On!

2011-08-18T08:50:00.001-05:00

I helped my recently married daughter sew some pillows for their home this past weekend. This is our couch not theirs so that's why they don't really "go" here.

The burlap used for the burlap pillow and trim are from the table runners from the wedding! The buttons are vintage, and the other fabric came from the remnant table at $4 per yard. :)

There are some scraps left. Remnants of remnants I guess! I'm hoping to find a good use for them.

So as my daughter was finishing up some ironing I got out some frames I bought for family pictures and thought "hmmm....burlap would look neat under the white". I've also seen online where people are using glass with dry erase markers. I started messing around.

I at first thought I'd like to embroider a message on the framed burlap and then thought of the dry erase marker. A bit faster.

Embroidery will be a permanent solution, but while your deciding a design... or for a gentle message to yourself or family...the marker is great!

I'm inspired by Dottie Angel and Yoda.

So, then we got all excited and found a larger vintage frame that I had, and my daughter painted it white. I put some of the blue linen left from her pillows in it. Now, she has a memo board for their home!

Plans are in the makes for more of these for myself and my next two daughters! I have the frames, the paint, and the fabric...just need to get some glass for them.

Linking up with the "I really like to write on glass with a dry erase marker, you should try it." blog party. Ha!

Sometimes we have to amuse ourselves... :)

Would You Buy It Wednesday

2011-08-17T08:26:00.000-05:00

This Wednesday I'm linking up with Junker Newbie for Would You Buy It Wednesday. Bloggers are posting about items they either bought or saw and then posing the question, "Would you buy it?".

Well, would you? I did. Oh yes, I did for sure! It was on a 75% off table at the shop where I have a booth and I picked it up for $3. You've probably already figured out I bought it for the frame. Not that I have anything against bright colored velvet paintings. If any of you are going to tell me that these paintings are selling on Etsy for $50 I don't want to hear it because I've already dismantled it!
Actually, I took the painting off and was going to send it to Robelyn because I know that she would use it in an "oh so redneck chic" bag! Unfortunately, it's too brittle and dirty. Well, it was. Now it's really brittle, torn, but clean because I threw it in the wash to see if it would fade in a neat way. It didn't.

I already have a frame just like this that I used to frame some fabric that I just loved. I didn't know what to do with the fabric and someone suggested framing it...it's a Christmas print, but I leave it hung up year round. I'll try to get a picture of it and show you when I do something with this one.

Anyway, chime in, would you buy it? Then you can go over to Junker Newbie and read the other fun posts.

Mollie Makes -- I'm Lovin' It

2011-08-12T10:44:00.002-05:00

I was first introduced to Mollie Makes from the delightful Dottie Angel.

I had bought this Mollie Makes magazine a couple of days before my husband's foot got infected this summer. As I was running out the door to go visit him in the hospital, I grabbed the magazine and then ran to my sewing room to grab a crochet hook and some yarn.

I had no idea what size hook or gauge of yarn was called for...I just grabbed because I was in a hurry.

And, of course I pulled an apple out of the refrigerator :)

So when my little gals were home with their big sister and my husband slept in the hospital, I crocheted. And, it was a great stress reliever and diversion.

This is actually very old string and not yarn, always love string.

It took me a few weeks to get the buttons sewed on and then longer to get the pictures taken!

Now, "Why would apples need jackets?" you may ask.

"Why not?"

They are just too cute!

If you are new to Mollie Makes, you can find their site here. The magazine is available at Barnes and Noble and Joann Fabrics in the United States or by subscription. I did a search for used copies on Ebay and the prices were kind of surprising!
(I may sell mine after all my apples are cozy!)

I love creative videos.

The jackets also fit oranges! But, that's just silly, why would an orange need a jacket?!

I'm linking up this week with Tidy Mom's I'm Lovin' It Friday blog party, because I'm lovin' these Apple Jackets and Mollie Makes!

The Painted Porch

2011-08-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

We went on a short vacation to Wisconsin a couple of weeks ago and quite accidentally found this neat shop while we were walking around La Crosse. My family was waiting for me, so I took these quickly, but thought you might like to browse the Painted Porch too.

I left the images large so you can click to enlarge to look around a bit better.

~~::~~

Peggy Rodriguez was the kind and creative proprietor. In the brief conversation we had, I found out she has been a vendor at Junk Bonanza. Her shop though, is keeping her from going again this year. Her card had no website or blog so I can't link you anywhere. But, if you're ever in La Crosse, WI......

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-10T09:34:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

Some Links For You...

2011-08-09T08:22:00.001-05:00

Suzan at Old Grey Mare is hosting a big giveaway...I think you may like it!

And, Jackie at Bliss Farm Antiques is hosting a giveaway...I think you may like it!

And, Sarah Jane Studios sells some seriously cute embroidery patterns in her Etsy shop...

I think you may like them!

Very cute. Find this one here.

Have a great day!

EDITED...I goofed...how did I forget this one?

Debbie's giving away one of Redneck Chic's new necklaces...I think you'll like it!
Quick her giveaway ends tomorrow!

Up, Down, Round and Round

2011-08-08T08:56:00.000-05:00

My dad who passed away in 1997 made this Merry-Go-Round Teeter Totter for my older kids when we first moved to our acreage. He was an original "junker". All six of our kids have loved this thing.

I took these pictures back in early May so that's why the long sleeves and pants. They can turn it around like a merry go round, or play on it as a teeter totter, or spin and go up and down at the same time!

This thing is so much fun! It's not so high that they get scared and can easily get themselves on and off. I'm not sure what the parts came off of that he used. The board and top pipe slide off of the bottom pipe so it's portable.

After I slide the board off, the tire can be tipped on end and rolled to where you want to move it.

This piece is "so my Dad". Pieces of iron welded together to make what he needed or wanted. I have a welder...just haven't been able to get at it to learn to use it...someday!

This is our last week of summer break and then back to school with my little 6 year old heading into kindergarten!! So many mixed emotions with that!

Have a great week!

Wordless Wednesday on a Thursday

2011-08-04T08:01:00.000-05:00

:)(:

Wordless Wednesday

Just Tuesday.

2011-07-25T22:52:00.001-05:00

The theme for this week's Texture Tuesday is "dream".

I just couldn't stop at "dream" because it means nothing to me without the hope.

So, I was going to link up with Texture Tuesday and had the post ready. Then, I realized that I actually didn't use a texture when I processed these images. Hmmmm, I took a few minutes to try and add one and well ... it just didn't work, and I'm out of time. So it goes. :)

(I took these photos Sunday night at our county fair when my daughter was wearing her new sunglasses. I thought she looked a bit like Janis Joplin.)

Have a great week!

More Garden Pictures...

2011-07-24T20:54:00.000-05:00

Recognize the stumps from here?!

~~::~~

I still hope to get the doors mounted and mulch in place yet this summer/fall, but we'll see. I have so many ideas, but it is a work in progress. And, that is an OK thing. :)

I hope you've all had a nice weekend!

Tea on Tuesday::Texture Tuesday::Tuesday with the "Kims"

2011-07-19T08:59:00.000-05:00

The challenge this week at Kim Klassen's Cafe for Texture Tuesday was to use her new free texture "Aurora".

Last week the girls were out playing and pulled this table that I bought from my Uncle's Estate off of the porch and filled it with treasures. Then, it started to rain and I thought it looked neat so stepped out to take some pictures when the rain let up.

On both of the photos I used "Aurora" on the lighter color blend mode then brushed away some of it. I also clipped a levels adjustment to the texture layer to darken it a bit more.

Rain sound really good right now...boy, it's hot here!

For Tea today, I'm taking liberties once again. :) No tea, just a lovely old Pyrex coffee pot that was in the "no bid" pile of the last auction I mentioned.
I added a tin can in the center to hold the flowers a bit tighter. It looked really neat until it started to rust and the water turned orange, not so neat. Oh well.

I used Kim's Magic textures on this photo with other various adjustments.

We have a full week with our county fair and niece's wedding coming up. My husband's foot is healing but he's still out of the hog barns, dirt, and water.

You can visit the other Tea drinkers here at Kim's blog and see some wonderful texture work here at the Cafe.

Stay cool!

A Thank You... for a Thank You... for a Thank You...

2011-07-15T12:54:00.005-05:00

A while back I received a surprise in the mail. It was a thank you for a thank you that I sent her :) Was not my hope or intent when I sent off my little package....but I gladly accepted this package from Kimmie at Art in Red Wagons!

See that flag banner hanging there in all it's glory? It's vintage hymnal music that has been dipped in beeswax and sewn on to twine. Kim has one for sale in her Etsy shop.

If you wish, you may ignore the green pom pom garland...but as it turned out (quite accidentally) I think it compliments my wonderful banner above it. (More on the pom poms later)

My intent is to move this to my sewing room, but for now I love it hanging in the natural light in the dining room.

It's romantic and rustic all at the same time, and it's truly beautiful. I've read about bees wax in a few publications, but haven't tried using it myself. Now, I know why people love it. It's adds such depth to the pages.

There was also this little magnet that she created with a vintage bottle top and hand embossed metal.

These can also be found here. Kim calls them "Fridge Jewelry"

I'm calling mine "tin can art".

Cool, isn't it?!

So, thank you Kim so very much for the thank you for the thank you!!

I'm linking up with Debra for Vintage Inspiration Friday!

Herb Wreath

2011-07-14T09:54:00.000-05:00

The herbs in the garden are growing well, so, I decided to try to make an herbal wreath to dry.

Included in this wreath are two kinds of basil, variegated marjoram, sage, parsley, and ...one more that I can't remember the name of. Yes, this seems to be a recurring problem. :) ..or would that be :( ...

I wired the herb sprigs to an embroidery hoop for the base and then moved it around the garden for a photo shoot.

The aroma was divine!

Looks great under my little chandelier I added to the space!

Oh, if it could stay looking like this and outside...but alas! We all know cut leaves droop. And, they say dry them out of the sun.

If only, it could stay like this! The drooping set in strong about 20 minutes later. Now, if I can get it to dry nicely it will be beautiful again. The challenge will be let it dry with "nice looking droopiness". I currently have it hanging horizontally upside down in my laundry room. I think I need to add a few more wires. I'll let you know how it progresses.

I showed my small 4-H club (four members, two are my girls) my herbs and we made herbal infused sparkling water to drink. I loved it, one of my girls liked it, but the other three girls didn't think too much of it.

More on that pom pom garland and paper banner later!

I hope you are having a very pleasant day!

Mosaic Monday

2011-07-11T10:03:00.000-05:00

~up close in the garden~

Ruth

Ruth waiting in the garden...for me to find her a new spot so she no longer has to hold this big door up...poor dear.

Credits

Both of the templates used for the mosaics above are from the Coffee Shop Blog and they are free :) Find them here.

Texture in the second mosaic is one of Kim's free textures. You can sign up to receive them here.

Linking up with Mary for Mosaic Monday.

I hope your week is off to a good start!

Tank Garden Update

2011-07-06T08:47:00.000-05:00

~ an annual I can't remember the name of ~

~ the big center plant is fennel with other herbs around it ~

~ vine in back is a weed, but I liked it ~

~ Chinese lantern and marigolds ~

~ basil with other herbs getting smothered inside ~

~ thumbelina zinnias ~

~ somehow I ended up with quite a bit of orange in the garden and actually like it ~

~ waiting for blooms ~

~ dill planted by lavender??? ~

~ dill is so pretty though ~

~ found this Larro feeder at the farm ~

~ filled with a small variety of morning glories ~

please bloom soon

~ black eyed susan vine ~

~ drift wood and zinnias ~

hoping to get more weeding and more mulch in place yet this summer

~ snaps and dianthus ~

not much selection in the garden area here at all :(

~ we have so many trees here and I love to add decaying pieces to the garden ~

~ a malformed or perfectly formed?! blanket flower ~

I took these photos last week and am finally starting to see some more blooms come this week, yay!

I hope you are having a few wonderful summer days!

Pleasant Surprises

2011-07-05T10:41:00.000-05:00

These past weeks have been full of very unpleasant surprises, but now life is settling back down, people are healing, and I thought I'd share a couple of pleasant surprises with you. I thank all of you for the prayers!!!

I have these yellow flowers that grow like crazy in my sand. They are like daisies and are pretty as long as you cut them as soon as they open otherwise they get scraggly looking (ugly). The other day my little girls brought me some in with stems crushed in their little hands of course. Well, I stuck them in a vase and they died and dried up within the day. The surprise? They looked awesome dried!!! So I went out and gathered more quickly to hang to dry. I will now cut bunches of them for dried bouquets!

Surprise number 2. There was a HUGE auction in town on THE best junk last Sunday. I was unable to go because of my husband being in the hospital and because of other family obligations. I went down on Sat. and left a couple of bids. I did get a few things I left bids on. When I went to pay and pick them up, I asked to see the "no bid" pile. Well, I found a nice stash of treasures for 50 cents! Among my treasures were two rag balls of brown suiting. I snipped a piece to tie up my flowers. Rag balls? No bid? Really? Silly people.

I'm hooking up with Kim from the Cafe today for texture Tuesday and the challenge was "3" This is weak, I know, but I made a triptych (three pictures) to tie in. That works, right? I used two layers of Kim's textures, "hello" and "brushed linen".

I wish I have having Tea today with Kimmie of Art in Red Wagons but I am seriously behind here and no picture for tea.

Off to do some weeding while the sun is under the clouds!

Love Daisies, Love Tin Cans.

2011-06-24T21:28:00.000-05:00

Daisies and Rue. Stinky Rue. Really stinky, but I like the leaves and the little flower buds. Plus, it grows really well in sand. :)

Old salt shaker + tin can + rocks from your lane = cool "artsy" vase.

Top your photo off with "posterize" in photoshop for a little more pizzazz!

I had these photos and this post ready to go earlier in the week but Blogger wasn't cooperating...then "life" didn't cooperate. My husband is in the hospital now post surgery from a sudden infection in his foot. He is doing well thanks to many prayers said as he was quite a sick man on Wednesday. I'm having a little down time with my youngest kids tonight and thought I would see if I could finally get this posted.

Our little girl turned 6 on Wednesday when he got sick so she is very patiently waiting to celebrate her birthday. I guess we'll open presents in the hospital as he'll be there for a few more days.

....praying for good health for all of you too!

Tea on Tuesday::Texture Tuesday::Tuesday with the "Kims"

2011-06-21T06:30:00.001-05:00

Well, it's Tea on Tuesday and I am enjoying a little sand tea today :)
I'm sure you'd love some too!

The gals were out playing before the next bout of rain hit. The mosquitoes weren't even biting. The challenge for Kim's Texture Tuesday this week was to have people or a person in the photo. This looked like a good opportunity.

This is one of my favorite cast aluminum pots that is supposed to be sitting on the front porch. Nothing stays where it should. You don't even want to see the granite pot that got run over two days ago.

...a little garnish for her tea....

We have this fun playhouse in our backyard and it sits on sand. You can imagine the sand that is tracked into the laundry room. Usually, but not always it is all knocked off by the time they get past the kitchen. After this kind of play they usually stop for a foot and hand bath in the laundry room sink.

Today's photos were processed with Nelly Nero's Ginger Sky action followed by a layer of Kim Klassen's "Empty Page" on multiply and her "Mudding" texture on soft light.

I think I have some pictures of the playhouse from about 4 years ago when it was clean. I may have to dig for them and post them sometime.

Be sure to visit the other Tea and Texture participants!

Mosaic Monday

2011-06-20T09:25:00.000-05:00

From the tank garden:

The boots above were a thrift store find...fun! At first I was planning on planting in them, but then decided to just leave them as a prop. I am going to give the red and yellow paint on the pop crate a coat of finish to try and preserve the colors for a bit longer. So the plan goes anyway....

This Schwinn bike was a blue color that for some reason didn't appeal to me at all. I grabbed a can of old primer and sprayed it and now I love it sitting just outside the fence of my garden.

This is some yarrow that is in full bloom now.

And, these are some neat Hull plates that I used as "mulch" in one of the tanks. The cups from the set are my favorite coffee mugs right now.

I'm linking up again with Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.

I hope you all have a great week!