Update on My Fireplace

 

I promised to show you my brick fireplace after I painted it white.  I could not be happier with the result and wish I'd done it years ago.  I used one coat of primer and two coats of paint.  It updates my family room and makes it look larger.  My house is 30 years old so it needs updating.  I'm trying to think of other inexpensive DIY projects I can do!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of my summer flowers are still hanging on.  This is a dragon begonia on my deck.  Also, in the picture is one uncooperative corgi (Miss Heidi).

 

 

 

 

 

This week I've been working on Christmas items for my shop holiday open house in two weeks.  I'll have lots more to show you later, but thought you might enjoy seeing this wreath.

 

Have a wonderful weekend!  I'll be spending time "treasure hunting" with my sister.

 

It All Started with One Feed Sack

I recently found this beautiful feed sack at a flea market.  It took me a while to decide how to use it but finally thought I'd try covering a lampshade.

I was excited about how it turned out and have been covering shades all week!  I've enjoyed being creative without sewing.

The glue is still damp on this one.

I've used fabrics and trims that I already have.  Do you think I'll be able to sell them in my shop space (except for the blue one, it's in my bedroom)?

A New House for My Fairy!

A few weeks ago on Saturday morning I went to the flea market looking specifically for a new house for my fairy in my fairy garden.  The one I was using was a clumsy looking bird house and not at all appropriate for a beautiful fairy girl and her handsome little corgi. I was about ready to leave the market and I spotted this little house which was actually a Yankee Candle tea light holder.  It was the perfect size and the perfect price, $2.  Some miniature sized mulch in the bottom covered up the holder for the candle.

I've had so much fun with this little garden this summer.  Children love it!

I Love This Idea!

I saw this picture on Facebook today and I love it.  I've had hens and chickens planted in old shoes for a long time but have never thought of using a rubber boot.  Wouldn't it be fun to use one of the bright colored boots or maybe even polka dots?

My mission will be to find some boots a the flea market or a yard sale soon so I can get busy on this project.  There's only about three weeks left until spring and I'm looking forward to planting flowers and putting Miss Lily back  in the garden.

Antique Sugar Shaker Tassels

I recently saw in a craft book, tassels made with salt and pepper shakers or sugar shakers.  I found these shakers at an antique mall last week and thought they were so pretty.  I love lily-of-the-valley and I thought the antique button was just the right embellishment.

I used a vintage earring to decorate this one.

These will go in my Etsy shop soon.

Spring!

Our local weather forecast calls for chilling temperatures and maybe even some snow this weekend.  It's less than six weeks until the first day of spring so I guess it's time for winter if we're going to have one.

Today I found this picture on a Pinterest board. This door decoration is beautiful and would be so easy to make.  I'm going to be checking around this weekend to see what I already have that I can use and what I'll need to buy.

Have a great weekend, friends!

Corgi Valentines!

I've been biten by the card making bug this week and have been working on corgi Valentines.  I plan to send some to friends and put some in my Etsy shop.

Hope you're having a great weekend!  The high here today was 70 degrees.  I went to the outside flea market this morning and it was as many vendors as in the summer.  I didn't find any treasures, just a few ties for my friend who makes purses.

Button Projects

This week I've been working on a few gift projects and finished  two  with buttons.  You already know how much I love buttons and finding new ways to use them is always exciting!



The   pin measures 1" 1/2 X 2" and is covered with a combination of old and new buttons. There are a few Bakelite buttons included. I bought the base at an estate sale.  It is an oval frame that was probably made to house needlework.

I covered a 5" X 6" frame with an assortment of beautiful gold buttons.  I love the way it turned out and don't think it really needs a picture.

Vintage Handkerchief Valance

I really hit the jackpot today at an estate sale!  I've been looking for just the right vintage handkerchiefs to make a valance for my bathroom and there were at least thirty at this sale.  It was hard for me not to buy all of them but I only got enough to do this valance.  I added a little "bling" with the fake crystals which are lovely when they sparkle in the afternoon sun.

Hope your weekend is full of sunshine! 

Button Necklace

You all know about my love affair with buttons.  Well, I recently found a great tutorial for a button necklace on a blog called Lilly Pilly.   Jo, who writes this wonderful blog, lives in Australia. 


Even though I rarely wear jewelry, it was fun making these necklaces.  What do you think?

The buttons for the necklace below are made from  old  iredescent mother-of-pearl.

By the way, Ellena Elizabeth, from another beautiful Australian blog, commented that Lilly Pilly is a native Australian  plant used for hedges in their country.

Lilly Pilly

Corgi Topiary, Teacups, and Misc.

I thought you might like to see how my corgi topiary is growing this summer.  Angela at West Virginia Treasures sent me a box of hens and chickens to use for the collar and they have done so well.

Also, last week when I posted about my teacup birdfeeders, Angela suggested that I include a teapot in the trio.  Well, what do you think?  I love it!

Saturday is flea market day at my house.  Today I found two treasures for a $1 each.

First, I found this Ball jar full of beautiful old buttons.  You know how I love buttons!  I washed the jar, dusted off the buttons and put it on my sewing table just to look at.

Second, I bought this Nordic Ware cake pan.  I haven't seen this tulip design before.  I love to bake my pound cakes in these pans.  I've learned over the years that the key to getting your cake out of the pan smoothly is Baker's Joy Spray with Flour.

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Teacup Birdfeeders

I found a great tutorial on the  Stone Gable blog for these teacup birdfeeders.  I bought everything I needed to make them at Home Depot except the teacups which I bought at  yard sales.  I'll put water for the birds in the cups instead of birdseed since I have so many squirrels in my yard.

There are several tutorials on the Stone Gable blog as well as  fantastic recipes.

Meet My New Garden Lady!

I've been working on this project for a couple weeks.  My friend cut the body form from a piece of wooden board.   I found her cute little dress and jacket  at Goodwill.  They were reduced to half price so her entire outfit only costs $6.   I'll be redressing her for the 4th of July and can't wait to go clothes shopping again.

I haven't offically named her yet, but I'm thinking about "Lily".  What do you think?

Pet Accessory Organizer

I was reading Just Cats In-Home Care blog recently and saw this tip from Deb.  She suggested using a clear over-the-door shoe organizer to store your pet accessories. What a great idea!  I got this organizer at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  It was $14.99 and I had a $5 off coupon.  Since I have three furgirls, I can never keep up with their leashes, medicines, bandanas etc. 

The  top is divided into two sections.  I put emergency info in one and their rabies certificates in the other.

Thanks, Deb, for this great tip!