Happy St. Patrick's Day

 

So, I know my neighbors probably think I'm a bit of a freak with my seasonal decorating, but I can't help myself. This is the second year for my little leprechaun and I tweaked it a little by adding a rainbow. It's not exactly what I had in mind, but it will work. Next year I think I'll cut a rainbow out of wood with my jigsaw, just so my neighbors know I'm truly nuts. 

This little leprechaun wanted to get in on the action when he saw the camera out.

Just a crafting

Wow, I've packed a lot of crafting in the last couple of weeks.

I'm thankful for my home

Wow, the devastation on the East Coast reminded me just how thankful I am for my home.

I have been eager to start Christmas decorating, but I always like to wait until after Thanksgiving.

I need November to ponder all the blessings in my life.

Happy Halloween

When it comes to decorating for the holidays, Halloween is a favorite.

It snuck up on me this year. I didn't even get a chance to get my spider webs out.
I did get a few spiders in though. I hope you have a very sweet Halloween.

I survived the Michigan Antique Festival

Rain threatened periodically, but all in all it was a fun weekend at theMidland Antique Festival in Midland.
Here's two items I bought and refurbished just days before packing up my borrowed van. I'm glad I did because they sold almost immediately.

Now I'm getting stuff done

Here's a sampling of projects I wrapped up today. I liked the tall basket I did so much I decided to make a few smaller ones.

I also turned a discarded drawer into a table and used a vintage BIngo box on the top. I was going to make feet for the table out of old pool balls, but I only had three. Luckily I had some cute metal legs that I had taken off another project. I painted them red to go with the top.

Last but not least, I made over a shopping cart...I think it would make a cute hamper. Hopefully someone will buy it at the Michigan Antique Festival next weekend and stick a lot of other merchandise in it too!

Basket love

I love how this basket turned out. Thankfully it doesn't really match my house or I'd be in danger of keeping it. You can't make money if you never sell your stuff.

Midland or bust

Now that Jack's in school I'm trying to pack in some projects and thrifting for the Michigan Antique Festival coming up on September 22 and 23.

Off to pick up some groceries

 Wow, I'm so glad that spring is coming! We've had a mild winter, but I still feel like it was kicking my butt. I've felt a little lazy lately when it's come to projects, but I didn't manage to make these grocery totes out of vintage pillow cases. I used a very helpful tutorial from Spider Woman Knits.

I made the last tote extra fancy, using an old doily as a pocket. I top stitched all the edges to give it a little more structure and added a piece of vinyl to the inside, again to add to the structure. I decided to use it as a beach tote. I'm keeping my eyes out for some more attractive pillowcases that can make trips to the grocery store more palatable.

I was going to ...

...do a better job of updating my blog in the new year, but I've already failed at that. Oh well, here goes my second blog post of 2012.

I recently and finally put artwork up in Jack's room after painting it last spring. What can I say, I don't like to rush things.

Here's a few projects I did for his room that I really liked. I used an old book to make a shelf, after seeing the idea on Pinterest. Also, I used an old, plastic dinosaur toy to make a lamp for his room. It was a really inexpensive project. 

I got the toy at a thrift store for 50 cents, the lamp was from a garage sale for $1. I basically just had to disassemble the light a little bit, spray paint the dino, drill a hole and viola I have new lamp.


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Happy 2012

 

I hope everyone had a chance to ring in the New Year with loved ones. 

 

I was lucky enough to have my Aunt and Uncle and their son over. It was fantastic. The kids entertained each other. The adults could actually carry on conversations and as midnight neared we all headed downtown Jackson to the ball drop celebration. It was our second year doing this and it was so much fun. Bigger crowd this year and better fireworks to celebrate the year ahead.

I said goodbye to 2011 by finally finishing a project I've been wanting to try ever since seeing it on Pinterest.

I'm excited with how it turned out. I can't wait to make some more.

Making, making, making...

 I've been so busy getting ready for my first craft show. Here's some of what I put together last week. Aren't these skates cute.

 I've had this old piece of ceiling tile forever. I'm so glad that I figured out something to do with it. I also like that this is more wintry so it could be left out beyond Christmas.

 

Here's another wintry item. I just love this precious little deer. This wreath took forever to put together, but I think it was so worth it and hopefully some will give it a home.

I know this wreath is a little crazy, but I think it's so festive. Who knew an old skirt (the tartan plaid) could be put to such a fun use!

Covered in glitter

 After having a fairly successful trip to the Michigan Antique Festival, I decided to tackle my first Craft show. Here's a little of what I've been working on:

 I've been using some of my vintage stash to make "new" creations like these Santa arrangements, which I think would be perfect for bringing a little Christmas to a room like a bathroom or the kitchen. 

I've also been working with a lot of music paper, which I think looks especially beautiful incorporated into ornaments.

Here's a few sweater vases I made. I also have some other things to repurpose. I'm excited and hope the sale goes well, but I have lots to do still...the sale as at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1505 West Michigan Ave. in Jackson, Mi on Dec. 9 and 10, if you are in the area and want to do some Christmas shopping.

Hail to the Turkey!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I'm thankful for so many things, especially my grandma's turkey and stuffing.

Yum! Stuffing!

Decorating for the Holidays

Someone recently asked me if I was ready to start decorating for Christmas and I quickly said, "No, I'm decorating for Thanksgiving." 

On Facebook many people are taking the opportunity to state things they are thankful for during the month of November. I like the trend. 

I decided to whip up this project last night. It took me much of the night and a little more effort this morning. I used items I had on hand, including the Turkey placard I made last year. It was fun to use some scrap fabrics and ribbons I've had taking up space and finally put them to good use.

 

Spring Will Come Again

 I have to give myself a few kudos because I actually remembered to take a before picture. I was given this chair by a friend to do with whatever I wanted for a silent chair auction. I wanted to incorporate some of that natural wood into the design. I almost immediately settled on the idea of a tree and a bird, but because I'm a Michigan girl, I decided to go with Michigan's state bird, the Robin, and state tree, the White Pine.

 

 I'm usually in love with Fall, but this change of seasons have left me feeling a little melancholy. I don't know if being a mother makes the difference? My son Jack started preschool, so maybe that's left me feeling a little blue.

I've comforted myself with the idea that the Robin, a perennial symbol of spring, will come again. I thought it was a perfect metaphor for Michigan, where winter can literally and figuratively be long. 

I can't help myself. I am a hopeful person. 

I believe that Spring Will Come Again, both literally and figuratively.

Until we meet again.

Wow, my trip to the Michigan Antique Festival was a whirlwind, but I loved it. I showed great restraint in making purchases at the festival too. I was there after all to make a little money, but I couldn't resist this little sled. I haven't decided just where I'm going to use it at Christmas, but I'm very excited to add it to my Christmas decor.

 

I also brought home this round table, thanks to my mom. She let me have it. I've been wanting a round table and this one was my grandparents, making it extra special. I need to refinish it. I'm thinking of doing a dark stain on top and cream on the bottom. 

As you can see, I also have to figure out seating...that means fixing up some projects.

I intended to take this chair (and it's match) to Midland with me but, alas, there was no room. I kind of like them, so I may just hang on to them for a little bit. I keep trying to funk up my living space, but I keep falling back on these traditional looks. I can't help myself, I like the classics.

You'd think I'd be antiqued out after spending my weekend at the festival, but I still had to take a gander at the Goodwill when I got home. I was so happy to find this great turkey platter. I've always loved them (though I've never made a turkey) and I'm especially fond of this brown transfer ware one. 

The only bad thing is my kettle corn is already gone. I guess there is always next year.

Busy times

 

I'm doing my first sale with my mom at the Michigan Antique Festival this weekend. I've spent a lot of time trying to finish up old projects, but I couldn't help taking on a new one. I didn't get a before shot, but just picture dark, 1970's clunky table.  And yes, that is a pillow in there.

 

For people that furry friends. I've seen side tables/dog beds in high end catalogs, and thought I'd get it a shot.  I was originally planning on doing this in blues with maps, but I decided to paint it grey and my sister helped me come up with the idea of using the black and white maps. I love how it turned out. 

I have a thing for old books and prints. I've busied myself in the last few weeks framing up some of my collection to offer for sale.