Month: August 2023

A Really Simple Sunflower Project

If I were asked to make a list of my favorite things, sunflowers would surely be there.

I have always thought sunflowers were fall flowers, but no, they actually bloom in summer and on into fall.

When shopping at my local Meijer’s store, I noticed these tea towels.

Loved them, but thought they should be more than a decorative towel hanging in my kitchen.

So, I cut them in half and made placemats.

No, not such a crazy idea, look at them!

Could not be any easier to do, I just cut them in half, turned and ironed the edges under, and stitched across the towel.

I took care to make both sides the same.

As I have mentioned before, I do not sew a bunch, but on this day my sewing machine loved me and they turned out perfect.

They are plenty large enough for a simple place setting.

A pretty table would be on my favorite things list too, just fun to bring color to the everyday.

You all know that I am retired and spend most of my days at home with my husband.

Simple things like using these placemats when we are sitting at the kitchen table having breakfast, help to make our everyday routines special.

I find that when we sit at the table together, instead of just having cereal in front of the TV, we take more time to talk.

Yesterday I was at that same Meijer’s store, spotted some really wonderful fall tea towels, lots of pumpkins and beautiful colorful leaves, hmm…

I will keep you all posted.

Happy Monday!

Making a Decorative Bee Skep

I have always been drawn to any vintage garden item, and one of those is a bee skep.

If you have never heard of a bee skep, it is an old man-made bee hive created by using an upside down basket with an entry hole near the bottom. The bees would make their honeycomb inside.

These skeps were beekeepers go to hives for years, but because of the difficulty getting the honey out without injuring the bees, and as new hives came about, these skeps became obsolete.

People still love the skeps today but as a popular feature in gardens and home decor.

I have always wanted one for my garden area, so I made my own.

If you love garden inspired decor, as I do, let me show you how to make these easy DIY bee skeps.

I simply used an old plastic flower pot as my form, a glue gun, and several packs of jute from the $ store.

Using the hot glue gun, I attached the jute around the entire pot.

Apply a stream of glue and press the jute to it until the pot is covered.

When I reached the top I made a loop and secured it with more glue.

Since this is a decorative piece I made a circle of jute and glued it on the front as an opening, and painted the inside with black paint.

Oh my goodness, I love it!

It is so darn cute.

Hope all you garden lovers try this project.

It is still summer to me even though the stores are full of pumpkins and fall decor.

I realize it is almost September, but can’t we give each season it’s time.

I want more days to enjoy my bee skep.

Love to all you sweet folks, until next time.

Don’t Throw That Old Wreath Away!

Hello everyone, it has been a very long time.

Forgive me.

I will not go into all of the whys, but life, as it does, changed my priorities, my simple life was not so simple anymore.

Struggles stopped me from doing all that I love to do.

As I prayed for clarity, taking life one day at a time, I am beginning to see sunshine in my life once again, looking forward to sharing many projects with all of you.

Our weather has been very hot and humid this summer.

The sun and heat are very hard on me, wearing a hat when I am working outside, is a must.

I have had this hat for some time and I love it, but I thought I would give it a little makeover.

Using flowers from an old wreath, I glued several to my hat, along with some greenery, using a hot glue gun.

Just a few flowers, that’s all my old hat needed.

How cute is it now?

Love this hat, the brim can be up or down, kinda floppy, just so many ways to wear it, keeping the sun from my face and neck.

I keep it on my porch where I can grab it when working in my yard.

It’s not just some old hat now, it’s special!

With the rest of the flowers from the old wreath, I decorated a bead ring.

These bead rings were on sale at Hobby Lobby 50% off, just $5.

Again, I just used my hot glue gun to add flowers and greenery to the ring.

Simple, colorful, and lovely.

I hung the bead wreath on a mirror in my living room.

It has given me lots of colorful joy through spring and summer.

I am always telling a friend that I am a hoarder.

We laugh about it, but I must say I am glad I did not just pitch that old wreath.

These two simple projects have helped to bring the sunshine back to my life and home.

So happy to be back.

Thank you for reading my posts.

Blessings and hugs to all!