It's Fall, Y'all!

 I really like some of the specimen art that has been floating around the internet these days.

It was always on my "want to do" list.

 So, with fall here, I decided to make one with trees.

First, I decided to upcycle a grocery bag for my background. 

(Plus, this was all about not spending any money!)

The trees were punched from a magazine.

 Then, I decided the grocery bag did not provide enough contrast.

So, I painted the background (grocery bag) with browns and red.

(I used D's art kit.  He was not at home at the time!)

I like how it turned out so much, I think I will do one for each season.

Plus, I think it is good for my children to see me being creative.

Linking to:

On the TABLE!!

 I finished my table runner that I have been working on!

Really it's the second table runner I started.  

(The first one is still waiting on me.)

I have lots of jeans that the boys cannot wear any longer.

I knew it was time to either do something with them or donate them.

My first thought was to make a blanket.  

But, I decided I would start with something simple first!

While surfing the web, I ran across this tutorial located here.

So, I cut my circles and used a charm pack to select my fabric.

It only took me a couple of days.  

I could have done it in one day if my family members would have quit interrupting me seeking advice from me!

 The nicest thing about this is that when N saw me using his jeans, he smiled from ear to ear and mention it to me. 

Since he is one not to express his thoughts or emotions, that was a huge step.

Of course, he also said it would make a "wicked scarf" or a cape!  

Back to the jeans, I did donate all the ones that were still in good condition.  I only kept the ones beyond repair.  

On the back, I used a variegated thread.  

I thought it would add more interest!

Thanks for dropping by and visiting!

Finishes

 I found these little cross stitch pieces in the local thrift store for $2.  

I thought they were so pretty and deserved better than a thrift store cast off. 

So, I bought them and brought them home.

 I decided to make little pillows out of them for my table.

One more item marked off my 'to-do' list!!

I really like how they turned out!

As soon as I get my table runner finished (another item on my 'to-do' list), my basket will be ready to go on the table!

Or, maybe before!!

DIY Bracelet holder

I found this at a thrift store for 50 cents.  

He was practically begging me to take him home.

I notice that something is missing from his top -  a knob perhaps?

So being the kind heart that I am, I decided to take him home and upcycle him into something else.

Everybody deserves a new life every now and then - right?!

Enter bracelets.

I LOVE bracelets!  (Can you tell?!)

Do you see my cathedral quilt dresser runner that my mom made for me??  Isn't it beautiful!)

Seemed to me that I needed a bracelet holder for my bracelets.

So, out came the spray paint.

A few coats later and drying time. I have....

 a new bracelet holder!

It's so much better than all being jumbled together.  

It's a good thing!

I am linking this to Heidi's Make Do and Mend

 And, on Savvy Southern Style:

Let There Be Light - Cute light that is!

I love milk glass items and lamps.

I saw this sweet little lamp in a consignment store on a back shelf covered in dust.

This lamp was probably produced in the 1950's.

I couldn't leave her there, so I brought her home with me.

(My sweet husband could not believe I would spend money on her!!)

At first, she didn't want to light up.... 

 

So, I took apart the top and discovered one of her wires had come loose.

I tightened it up and she works very well.  

She just needed a little TLC!

I put her on my kitchen counter since I needed extra light in there and I don't like to use the overhead lights because it heats up the room.  And, who needs extra heat when it is 107 outside?!!!

 

 I still thought she was missing something.

So, I got out my glue gun and trim - more on that later.

I also wanted to hide her cord - it was not very pretty to look at and much too long for the counter.

 I made a cord cozy for her.  

I took a piece of cloth 4 inches wide (twice as long as I needed so it would ruffle).  

I sewed it up, turned it inside out and put it on the cord. 

I also tied the cord with yarn to make the cord shorter. 

And, here she is!  

Trim on her lampshade and a nice cozy for her cord! 

She is very happy right now!!

 

 

Thanks for dropping by!!

Chalkboard Charger

I have always wanted a chalkboard that have been around on the Internet for several years. 

 I didn't have a tray that I wanted to use.  

One day, I was in Salvation Army Thrift store and found this charger for  $2.  

Can't beat that price!  (Unless it was free!)

It apparently had started life as a stainless steel plate charger.  

It was love at first sight because I just love the stars around the edge!

Out came the spray paint and a transformation!

 

 I think it turned out really cute.

I think it needs a wider ribbon but I didn't have any.

That's on my "pick up next time in town" list! 

I am not sure where it will end up hanging in my house.

For right now, it's here.  

It will travel to many rooms before it settles in one spot!

 

Thanks for dropping by!!

 

It flew off the handle!

Once I made my lanyards, I did not have any place to hang them.  I didn't think the door knob to my closet would work too well (especially since I already have a purse or 2 hanging on it  but that is another post!)

So, I started thinking....always a dangerous thing for me to do!

I remembered seeing this idea in blog land and on Pinterest and I thought I could make that happen!

So, I gathered my tape measure, my rake, and a hanger.

 

A few minutes of my time and there you go - a wonderful way to hang my lanyards and my few necklaces. 

(I don't own a lot of necklaces.  I have one that I wear all the time and that's about it.  Plus, I am always tearing the ones I have apart to use in craft projects!)

You know, my walls look white in these pictures, it is really a soft yellow.  Go figure.

The rake belonged to my daddy.  It's one of the few things that I have of his and it always brings a smile to my face.  He had a love for farming and gardening.  Since he has been gone since 1991, I didn't think he would mind me hanging this up in my home.  

(I can hear him and Mama laughing about it in Heaven right now!  

I can just hear him say, "That girl!")

The rake was already off the handle....honest!!!  

(Disclaimer:  no garden rakes were injured during this task.)

I didn't want to add anything to it or paint it because I like it just as it is...old and worn. 

 

It's a good thing!

Sticking my neck out....

 Sticking my neck out....for a new lanyard, of course!!!

At my school, we wear lanyards with our ID or classroom keys attached.  I saw this Vera Bradley lanyard on Amazon for $17.99!  All the prices were from $14.95-$19.99.  That's way too expensive for my budget.  But,  I like that they are unique and made from cloth.

 So, to the sewing machine I headed!  

These are mine.

The best part is that were practically free.  I already had everything on hand.  I cut the material 2.5" in a 44" strip.  Then I folded them, ironed, sewed them, and then sewed on the hardware!  

Easy, easy, easy!!

 

Now, I have one for every month or I can give them to my co-workers if they want one!  Looks like I might need to find some darker or winter colors!  :) 

 So, what do you think?

I am linking this to Heidi's Make Do and Mend.  I love when I can make something new and save money!  It's a good thing!

Year End Teacher Gifts

 Every year I struggle with year-end teacher gifts.  This year, my friend Linda, suggested that I give them some of my knitted spa cloths (aka dish cloths) with a bar of soap.  This really appealed to me since it gave me a chance to knit!  She knows I love to knit spa/dish cloths!

I found this Chocomania Soap online at The Body Shop!  I thought it was perfect for a year end gift. This may just be the new year end gift for every teacher for the years to come.

I tied the spa cloths and soap in a bundle with raffia and wrapped them in a paper bag with a doily.  It was a quick wrap and I thought was cute.  I should have added a raffia bow on the bags but by this time I was tired!  Did I mention I did this the night before the last day of school?!

The last thing I did was attach a poem to the gifts:

‘Twas the last day of school with much left to do,
But I have to take time to say a thank you to you.

Thank you does not seem like near enough
And I know that you have too much ‘teacher stuff’.

So I knitted you these spa cloths and added some soap too,
In  hopes that you can pamper yourself and bid troubles adieu.

But if you are too busy tending to your family's wishes,

These work equally well to use on your dishes!

I hope that your summer is sunny and bright,
And that you take time to rest each and every night.

The boys were happy to have you this year,

We think you’re the best, and that is sincere!

I hope you enjoyed reading about this gift of love to the boys' teachers!

Thanks for dropping by,