Tuesday Tutorial

This isn't much of a tutorial, and you could probably figure this out for yourself.....but here we go.....
I found these little mini mason jars at the dollar store.  I found them at Dollar Tree and they come two in a package and are usually where the salt and pepper shakers are displayed.  Not all of the stores handle them, so when I find them, I buy alot.  Of course, I don't have any of the jars that are still in the package.....hence, the not so great tutorial.  So when my granddaughter, Brooklynne was here last week, she helped me make some ornaments out of these little jars.

So here is what you do:  Take off the lids.  I drilled a small hole right in the center....the smallest drill bit that I have....while Brooklynne filled the jars with artificial snow.  Using either ribbon or bakers twine, thread through the hole, knotting on the underside and then again on the top.  Brooklynne stamped the circular tags and I threaded them with twine.  I used the hot glue gun to glue on some Christmas greenery and berries and attached the tags.  I sold out of these last year, so if you do shows or just need really cute gifts.....

I also found these little shabby chic baskets at the thrift store.  There were three of them in a bag for $3.95.  And they still had the tags on them!  I worked on one of them and I think that it turned out really cute!

It has a little chalkboard on it and a hook.  I think these would be great in a bathroom or entryway.

I also have been rusting away on some bed springs.  I sell a few of these in my etsy shop, but I have so many!  I have tried to sell some at my shows, but there are a couple of problems: 1.  They get rust all over everything.  and 2.  They get tangled up.  So, I designed a topper and found some cello bags that were big enough and came up with this:

Hubs did well with his angiogram.  He is now being scheduled for surgery for his deviated septum.

 I only got a couple of days to spend with Brooklynne, my 10 year old granddaughter.  She helped me with crafts and we spend a day doing grown up things:  shopping, eating lunch and going to the movies.  She loved the plush recliners at the theater and posing in the "Troll"

I also have been staining the deck, harvesting from the garden, and trying to keep up with the household chores.  How did I manage all this when I worked full time????

Have a great week, my friends.  Soak up the summer while you can!

What 'Cha Workin' on Wednesday???

Sometimes I just wonder where the time really does go, don't you?  Seems like the older I get, the faster the clock moves. My weeks seem to be busier than ever and I often wonder how I managed when I was still working full time.  On Friday, I spent a delightful day with my granddaughter, Skylar.  Skylar is a delightful young woman, 16 years old, smart, beautiful, and a joy to be with.  We spent the day shopping.  It was so much fun!  Of course, we went to the thrift store.  I found quite a few bargains.  One of my favorite finds was a bag full of theses sleds for $3!

On Saturday, my sis and I went to the Paris Street Market.  It is held once a month in a shopping center parking lot at an upscale center.  There were many vintage goodies but not at my usual thrift store prices.  

I also have been working on some of my oldies, but goodies.  Ornie wreaths and crescent Santas.  In fact they are still sitting on the bed in the guestroom, waiting to be packed away.

 I have been making these Santas for probably 15 years, and I always sell out.  They still have some hand work to be finished up before I put them away.

My favorite colors are not pink and purple but everytime I find some ornaments in these shades, I snatch them up because I always sell out of these wreaths.  I found these ornaments at the thrift store.  If you don't know how to make this, see my tutorial here.

 I bought a large package of post it notes (this time of year they are on sale) and put together these cute little pad and cover sets.  The graphics are from Sunflower Friends.  She has a bunch of cute stuff for great prices!

And finally, I finished up a few pillows.  I have been making these for a number of years as well.

I always place my pillows out front of my booth so that people read them and smile and want to come in and look around.  I love doing them but they are hand embroidered and take a bit of time.  But they are a great way to use up some of the scraps that I have laying around!

Well, I am off with hubs again today for a pre-op appointment.  He is having an angiogram done on Friday to check for arterial blockage.  He is being scheduled for surgery for a deviated septum later on this month but needs clearance from his cardiologist first.

Have a great week, my friends!

What 'cha Workin' on Wednesday???

So, here it is Wednesday already.  I had a great day yesterday, visiting with my friend Dawn over lunch.  She has been out of town for a month so we had a bunch of catching up to do.  And she brought me a great gift, an old cutter quilt and a handmade tool box.  I love them!

I finished up my newest pattern today and have put it on Patternmart. There is a link at the top of this page if you are interested.  Just go under designer and my name is right on top.

The way this all came about is when I was at the thrift store a while back, I purchased some stockings in a grab bag of assorted goodies.  There were these two Mickey Mouse plaid stockings.  I hated the stockings, but loved the fabric so I got to thinking about what I could make out of them.  Voila!  A Santa Suit Wine Bottle Cover!  These turned out so well, that I decided to make more and to produce the pattern as well.  These sell really well at craft shows but they are always a bit difficult to display so I cut out a template for a wine bottle and bought some poster board.  I will probably put them in bags as well.  This will be a great way to use up some of that Christmas fabric scraps too!

I'm getting ready to list on Etsy, both the finished product and the pattern, so check that out too!  Until next time.......

Monday Mornin' in the Mountains

I am seriously a slacker.  I didn't blog at all last week. Sorry, sorry.  But this is a new week, and I have the greatest of intentions.  Last week was cluttered with doctor's appointments, errands and redecorating.  My son and daughter-in-law are moving and they gifted me some modular storage, which I snatched up in a second.  My overfull studio was in serious need of some revamping.  It took me a few days to get it back in order but I love how it turned out!

I know, I still have too much "stuff," but it is what it is and I am happy with it.  You know you have too much when you have a complete drawer full of jar lids and another full of styrofoam balls!  Guess I had better get busy.

I did finish up several centerpieces.  I just photographed one:

It seems like we have had our share of medical issues this year.  My poor hubby has had a CT scan, MRI, colonoscopy, sleep study, two back procedures, removal of skin cancer, cardiac stress test and echo-cardiogram.  He has seen his doctor numerous times, a hand surgeon, a physical therapist, back surgeon, ENT, dermatologist, and dental specialist.  He is being scheduled for an angiogram and for oxygen therapy. It has been a long year so far and we are only a bit over half way through.  For people who are unaccustomed to medical issues, it has been very exhausting and worrisome.   Please say a little prayer for him.

Well, the power just went out, so I guess I had better go outside and work on my refinishing project.  Have a great week, my friends!