Tutorial Tuesday

Hello, my peeps.  Hope your weekend was great.  Well, its back to the grindstone today.  We spent the weekend with our home improvement list, and I could hardly wait to get back in the studio.....and to get it cleaned up.  I bought 10 packages of the ping pong balls for the snowmen (prior post) and some other goodies from the dollar store.  So here is my latest creation:

And can you guess what this little sweetie is made from????

These disposable champange glasses have that great bell shape for a skirt.  You get 6 in a package for a dollar.  For the dress, I tore a piece of homespun(use whatever pattern or fabric suits your fancy) 5" x 10".  I ran a loose gathering stitch about a half inch from one of the long ends and pulled it tight.  Knot off your thread.  Then place atop the stem of the inverted glass.  Of course, you will remove the plastic base.  Hot glue into place.  I also placed just a dot of glue on the back to hold the skirt together.  Hot glue the head in place.  For the heads, I simply paint 1" wooden balls in a flesh tone.  I do several of these at a time and like to use the ones with a flat side. (hint:  Put a piece of masking tape sticky side up on your painting surface.  This will hold the balls in place while you paint.)  Paint on eyes or use a marker.  Blush the cheeks.  I tied a piece of jute over the stitching line and glued on a rusty bell.  I tore another piece of matching homespun 5" long and about an inch and a half wide and glued to the back.  I glued a tiny flesh painted ball to the area where the ends meet to simulate hands.  For the wings, I took some strands of raffia, tied it in a bow and glued it on the back.  Glue on some moss for hair.  I used rusty wire for a tiny halo.  I can see alot of uses for these.  How about a name tag where the ball (hand) is?  They are light weight enough to use as an ornament or a topper on a small tree.  Let your imagination run wild!

Terrific and thrifty Thursday

One of the things that I love about this time of year, in addition to all the good food, is the giving and receiving of Christmas cards.  I know that this is a lost or dying art to many but now, as postage has gone up and up, I think of Christmas cards as little gifts sent to all the people I care about.  And there's nothing better than getting a card in the mail, expecially when it contains a handwritten letter or photo.  But what to do with the cards after the season is over?  I hate to waste the glittery card stock, or the shiny Christmas scene.  So here is what I do.  I pack all the cards away with my wrapping paper for the following year.  When I start my holiday wrapping, I take out the cards and enjoy them once more.  Then I cut them into tag sized pieces and use them again for hang tags on my gifts.  You will find the most beautiful scenes, pictures, and even some verse.  Cut them with fancy paper scissors that pink or cut in a wavy pattern or if you have edge punches, that's perfect!  If you have large craft punches, you can use them to cut out tags too.

And don't stop with recycling cards!  I keep boxes from year to year and bows and ribbon as well.  And we have recycled gift bags forever!  Sometimes when the handles break, I will weave ribbon or twine for new handles to prolong the life of the bag.  I even recycle wrap if it is in large enough pieces to be used.  Did you know that you can iron some wraps?  You want to use a warm iron on the back of the paper.  If the paper is metallic or glittery, you don't want to do this.  If the wrinkles won't come out by finger pressing, you may not be able to reuse.  I like the way the gifts look under the tree when all the paper is different. 

And don't be afraid to ask recipients of your baked treats to return the container when finished.  If they expect to get additional refills, they will be delighted to do so.  I love to share my cookies, breads and canned goods and I always let the giftee know that I would like the containers returned.  It, in no way, diminishes the giving.

Hope these ideas help to make your Thursdays and everyday a bit thriftier.

Thrifty Thursday

One thing that I have learned over the years is to use what you have, and own what you love.  I love Santas because they bring smiles to everyone.  You can't think about Santa without feeling happy.  I found these little guys originally used to hang on the sides of your flower pots.  But I love my old sifter so I use what I have and add what I love:

The little guys on the fake pie are actually made to wrap around taper candles.  I really like them on the pie, don't you? 

The other great thing about collectibles is you can recycle them each year, and move them around from one location to another and it seems like you have new items each year!  Maybe add some lights behind them or hang them in unexpected places like from a chandelier or a doorknob.

Another one of my favorite pieces in my house is Grandma Barnes' treadle sewing machine.  Though I never learned to use it, I always use it as a side table and love making little seasonal vignettes.  This year, I added some Santa decor, a faux book called Santa's workshop, and even (unexpected!) a pillow. 

Have a great Thursday, be thrifty when recycling and reusing your cherished possessions.