Things to make and do

I've been on a "let's make stuff" kick recently. Here are the two latest creations ...

I made a wreath for the front door (at the "request" of my husband who said our current wreath was not "summery" enough -- who knew he was even paying attention). I wrapped a thrifted wreath in ribbon, added some "flower" buttons, and called it a day.

This next piece hangs in our kitchen. We purchased the large outer mirror at the flea market a few years ago. It was missing the center mirror, so we got it at a steal. Our original plan had been to make some kind of string art in the center, but that plan failed dismally. We later added the smaller center mirror (I think we found it at Target). This past week, we added on these vintage Christmas lights. The glow it makes is so lovely ... perfect for candle light dinners.


Well, I hope this was a great weekend for everyone -- mine was busy, but fantastic. I'll be posting some pictures soon of this weekend's adventures.

Happy creating to you all ...

Pay it forward ...

A friend of mine tagged me in a very fun game ... a chain letter of sorts. But, instead of sending a letter, you promise to send a handmade goodie. I couldn't resist! I posted this on FaceBook, but thought it would be fun to share it with some of my blogging buddies. Here's the scoop ...

This is a crafty game in which the first five people to respond to this note will get something made by me! This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:

* I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.

* What I create will be just for you! New! Not something I made previously and have just laying around.

* It'll be done this year (2009).

* You have no clue what it's going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something over the internet.

* I reserve the right to do something extremely strange and/or cheap.

* I may well do more than 5 random creative acts if more than 5 people want random creative things.

What's the catch? Simple really -- in return you need to post this text into a note of your own and make 5 things for 5 others (and tag me so I know you didn't cheat!).

All right, let's get to making ...


Here's my first creation. I went through a couple versions, but ended with something I really enjoyed making. I haven't made something in FOREVER, and I forgot how therapeutic it can be to get down and dirty with some hot crafting magic. I hope my friend likes it!


Also, I'm including a sneak peak of one of the great finds (the gold arch floor lamp = hotness!) from this past weekend's yard sale adventures. I went home to visit my family, and found myself up and out EARLY Saturday morning with my Mom and Sister. We had a great time. I promise to post more pictures, but I have to get them from my Mom -- I forgot my camera. You won't even believe the new kitchen table I found ... aww yeah!

Hope all is well. Happy creating all ...

A tisket. A tasket. A stair step basket.

Confession: I have wanted a stair step basket since seeing one in my high school sweetheart's house back in 1996/97. What makes me laugh most about this, is my sweetheart's house only had like 5 steps, but his Mom still had one of these baskets and I *LOVED* it.

Fast forward to this past weekend when Jen and I were touring the Raleigh flea market. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, and then I saaaaw her staaaanndding theeerree. Sorry, I love the Beatles. On a table full on random stuff, there was my stair basket. It was kind of like love -- it came to me when I was not looking for it. Here's a before shot (well, after I cleaned it up a bit).


As lovely as it was in its natural state, I wanted to give it a little punch. I grabbed an old scarf, some card stock, and an old mini Japanese print calendar. And, TAA DAA ...

Happy creating my friends ....

PS -- While admiring my new basket, I looked up to see Maple-girl carefully watching over me. She seemed generally pleased with the basket. And, we called a truce -- she promised not to eat it. However, she could not vouch for Franklin gnawing on the basket. Keep your fingers crossed!

Check out all my THRIFTY finds!

BOOTY!! No, not a la Destiny's Child. I'm talking major thrift store finds. I've recently been toying around with the idea of starting up a booth a local antique mall. I'm still not 100% on all the details, but I told myself I would keep an eye out for good finds, and slowly cultivate my "booth collection."

So, over the past couple of weeks, I've stopped by some local thrift stores to give the ol' once-over and see what I could find. HOT DAMN! I don't know if it's because I was on the prowl, or if it was just a total fluke, but every thrift store I have been in recently has been teeming with wonderful goodies!!

Check it out ...

There are a few pieces I may keep (including the following 8 tracks; Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack, Janis Joplin's Pearl, Jim Croce's I Got A Name, and The Moody Blues' A Question of Balance).

Oh, and here's one piece that I have already put into use. I wanted to put something above the stove to hold recipes AND of course look pretty. I toyed with the idea of a cork board, but didn't know how well the would hold up against grease and cooking splatters (my husband is a FABULOUS, but messy cook).

Then, one day I was cruising the internet, and stumbled upon a great solution -- a tin platter. I wish I could remember where I found this idea, so that I could give proper credit ... but my brain is worthless right now. So, if you are the originator of "the tin platter as a recipe holder," please step forward and claim your rightful place in Clever-Clever-Land.

All right ya'll, I'm off to bed. Have a great week and as always, happy creating!

Controlling the clutter

We have very little storage in either of our bathrooms. However, in the hallway next to the bathroom upstairs, we have a small little closet the houses most of our toiletries and various bathroom sundries. I tried my best to organize it using baskets and boxes, but it is hard to make 50+ bottles of various shapes and sizes appear "put together."

Enter a favorite thrift store find -- the card catalog. I had posted a while back that I had scored a small card catalog from Hidden Treasures. I had originally thought it would be home to some kind of crafting supplies. But, as I was hauling the catalog upstairs, the idea occurred to me that it could solve my organizational dilemma in the bathroom closet. And in fact, it did.



Keep on creating y'all!

Dumpster diving -- The ULTIMATE way to be green

Several days ago, I eyed a small step stool my neighbor had placed by the curb. I was in a hurry to leave for work, so I just left it. It was trash day after all, and I figured we would never cross paths again. But, when I came home from work that evening, guess what the trashman had not picked up?? The step stool. So, I begged my hubby to grab it while I brought the trash can back from the curb. Thanks honey for aiding in my dumpster-diving-deeds.



I brought the stool into the house, gave it a good scrub down, and hammered the sides back together. It was still a bit wobbly, but sturdy enough to hold a plant or some such thing.

I was walking around the house trying to find its forever home, when I stepped into the downstairs bathroom. We had been using a freestanding toilet paper holder because it's kind of a small space and we needed to use some free space under the sink. I moved Mr. T out of the way, and found that my new little step stool was a perfect fit. What do you think??

Using what we found at Restore

We've managed to get one light up that we bought from Restore. We couldn't agree on where to place what, so Jeff's favorite ended up in the hallway. I do like the texture of the glass on this one. It reminds me of linen.





Next from Restore is the old metal cabinet I got to store a bunch of craft crap supplies. I really liked the original army green color, so I just sanded down some rust spots and lined the inside.



After that, I filled it up with supplies ... which surprisingly took no time at all. Isn't it always amazing how fast spaces can be filled with stuff?



**Side note -- I also re-potted my dying plant next to the cabinet. It's much happier in its new home ... plenty of room to grow.

Eek! Time for bed. Happy Monday y'all!