Category: DIY


Jun
2019

Let’s Talk About Time!

categories: DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

Do you know that there are 1440 minutes in a day?

I think about that when I can’t seem to find 30 minutes to exercise each day, or on the days when I can’t find time to pray.

Today’s post is about a boring little clock.

Only $1.00, in good condition, but oh so boring.

So I gave it a “farmhouse look” makeover.

The first step was cleaning, after that, I used a piece of black and white buffalo check scrapbook paper to change out the face.

Painted the hands white, and put it back together.

How simple. That was it!

Look at my boring little clock now!

It looks amazing in my kitchen.

As I always say, “I love it”.

As I grow older time means so much.

Oh my, how fast the days go by, the weeks, and even faster, the months and years of my life.

Hope you all enjoy every minute of this day!

Remember 1440 minutes!

Don’t forget to exercise, enjoy life, and more importantly, find the time to pray!

Sadly, it is “time” for me to end this post.

Blessing to all with love.


May
2019

Tea Towels Old and New

categories: DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

I love tea towels.

These days, they come in all manner of adorable designs.

When shopping I am always drawn to them!

Have you ever wondered what to do with those old tea towels?

Maybe you have some that are a bit frayed or stained, but you don’t want to just cut them up for rags.

Today I want to share some tea towel projects, using old and new towels.

These towels were perfect for cutting and framing using thrift store frames, cleaned and painted.

The coffee cup, “Hello”, now hangs in my kitchen.

“Life is Better in the Country”, was made to give as a small thank you gift to someone special when visiting her home. She lives in a beautiful country setting. Perfect!

A black and white plaid towel was framed and turned into a kitchen tray, again using a thrift store frame, cleaned and painted.

Inexpensive, simple handles were added to complete.

I really love the simple and clean look of plaid, especially in a kitchen.

I used a lovely towel given to me by my sister, on Mother’s Day some years ago, and turned it into a toss pillow.

The pillow required very little sewing, thank goodness since my sewing machine hates me!

Just folded the towel and stitched up the sides, leaving the front open to insert a pillow form.

It has that vintage look I love.

Women long ago would embroider on tea towels to show off their skills.

Love the idea of recycling or upcycling, so items can get a second or third chance at life.

Just starting my morning, so thankful, another chance today to love my life and all those who share it with me.

Thank you for letting me share this post!






May
2019

Red, White, and Blue Projects

categories: Crafts, DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

As Memorial Day quickly approaches, we all become patriotic.

We celebrate displaying our flags, and bits of red, white, and blue.

Memorial Day is a time to honor and recognize the sacrifices of those who have given their lives for our freedom. It is crucial that we always remember these heroes.

This week I completed some red, white, and blue projects I would like to share today.

Using a chunky porch piece I found at the flea market and gathering up some other wood pieces, that can be found at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby, I made some simple flag holders.

Painted the pieces red, white, and blue, and glued them together to form the holders, large and small.

To finish up, I drilled holes in the pieces to hold the flags.

This large piece is perfect as a picnic table centerpiece.

So patriotic, holding nine flags.

Here are the two smaller ones.

A really fun project, ready to be used on the 4th of July too!

The second project was easy, just paint!

I purchased this yucky yellow colored basket some time ago just waiting for the right time to transform it into something wonderful.

I loved the shape of the basket, but not the color.

Take a look at the basket now!

Painted white and filled with a large pot of deep red geraniums.

Beautiful!

The last touch was adding a flag.

Now the perfect Memorial Day centerpiece.

Our family is patriotic and many have served our country over the years.

So very proud of all of them!

God bless all of you, and God bless our country.

Celebrate and remember this Memorial Day weekend.


May
2019

A Country Visit Inspiration

categories: DIY

A few weeks ago I was blessed once again to visit my niece in the country.

Visiting her home and surroundings is just filled with so many simple pleasures.

Our visits always center around food, shopping in the unique areas around her home, and spending time with her two amazing dogs. They definitely get the most attention and love from all of us.

After Sunday dinner at a beautiful restaurant, we were invited to her in-laws home. Such a well cared for home, inside and out.

In the living room, I noticed a sweet tabletop greenhouse.

I loved it!

I really wanted to take a photo of it, but thought maybe that would have been a bit rude.

Instead of buying an expensive tabletop greenhouse, I decided to make one from an idea I remembered seeing on Pinterest, using dollar store frames.

So one by one I assembled my greenhouse using six 5 x 7 frames and E6000 glue.

It was not difficult, but allowing time for the glue to dry was crucial.

To secure the roof piece, I cut a dowel and glued it down the center of the frames, for added stability.

I spray painted the frames with white chalk paint and the last step was inserting and securing the glass to each frame.

Finished!

My country visit was not only filled with love, laughter, fun, and good food but also the inspiration for a really sweet project!

Hope you all were inspired!

I look forward to another visit soon.

Visiting her home and surroundings remind me of all the wonderful gifts of God’s creation.

Love and blessing to all until next time!



Apr
2019

Happy Easter

categories: Crafts, DIY, Easter

Before this day ends, let me express my hope that you and your family had a blessed Easter.

Our Lord has risen as He said He would.

Our Easter was quiet and peaceful.

Gone are the days of hiding my son’s Easter basket, egg hunts, and choosing just the cutest stuffed bunny I could find for him.

Miss those days so very much, but thankful my little family was together again this year.

I still color eggs and decorate my home a bit for this holiday.

Bunnies everywhere!

A garland of bunnies made with colorful cardstock paper and pom-poms for tails.

Two old wood bunnies, made new again.

This one just needing a new ribbon and a new sign.

This one simply made with a piece of scrapbook paper decoupaged to a wood bunny cutout with Mod Podge. So simple, so lovely!

Jars filled with my son and husband’s favorite treats.

Made with jars from the $1 store and Easter figurines spray painted and glued to the lids with E6000 glue.

Cards were made for my dear sister and brother using old Easter photos. I love them, they are so precious.

I suppose those old Easter days are gone, but my love of creating and decorating for the holidays will always be with me, packed up each year to use again and again.

As we lowered our heads before our dinner, we spoke of realizing our lives have meaning because of our Lord’s Resurrection, we have hope, the hope of eternal life.

Happy Easter my friends.




Apr
2019

Peat Pot Easter Baskets

categories: Crafts, DIY, Easter

Sharing a simple Easter project today using garden peat pots.

To complete this project you will need any craft paint, a sponge brush, Easter napkins or images, and Mod Podge.

The first step is to apply a coat or two of paint to the pots, depending on the look you want.

I personally like a bit of a distressed look, allowing some of the pot to show through.

The next step is cutting out the images for the pots.

I used some Peter Rabbit Easter napkins I found at TJ Maxx for $2.99, and some images I found online and printed out on tissue paper.

For this project thin paper works best.

Cut out your images leaving as little area around each one as possible.

Apply a coat of Mod Podge to the area on the pot that you want to apply an image, and smooth out with your fingers.

When you have finished applying all the images, apply a coat of Mod Podge over each image to seal.



That’s it!

I added grass to the inside of the pots and a piece of wire for the handles.

Simple is best for me, but you can embellish your pots in many ways, such as adding ribbon.

Now the fun begins, filling the baskets with goodies!

How sweet they are sitting around your home, as gifts, or one placed on each plate at the Easter dinner table.

If you are short of time, just a plain peat pot filled with something special would be so cute too!

Are you ready for a blessed Easter with your family?

Hope you all loved this Easter project, it really is the cutest ever!

See you all next time!


Apr
2019

Just Fifteen Minutes to Something Wonderful

categories: DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

On one of my flea market trips, I ran across this porch piece.

It’s a chippy piece with years of white paint layers visible.

I was not sure exactly what I would do with it when I purchased for $6.00, but I so loved the look of it!

One of my wishes in life has always been to have a large front porch.

Sitting there alone at times, reading, surrounded by pots of geraniums or just watching the world go by.

It does not appear that this wish will ever happen. Sad for me!

Love a large porch as a gathering place for family.

Relaxing, talking, sharing, just being together.

Growing up, my parents rented a home with a large front porch. It also had a porch swing. I sat there many afternoons with my first true love. I thought he was gorgeous!

As kids we loved it, our friends would gather, planning our summer days. A magical place.

I wanted this piece to be something I could enjoy every day so when I saw this wood tray for 50% off at Hobby Lobby, I knew it would be a perfect addition to my chunky porch piece.

It took no time at all for me to put this project together.

A bit of sanding to level the top, E6000 glue, measuring to find the center, and that was it! Wonderful!

It now sits on my kitchen table.

I often wonder where the piece came from, what type of home, what type of family lived there. Did they love their porch as I would.

A unique piece, with many uses, but for now sitting on my kitchen table is where it will stay so that I can enjoy and remember.

This will certainly show my age, but do you remember the front porch on the Andy Griffith Show?

Andy sitting with his guitar, and Aunt Bee sewing. Loved it!

Just fifteen minutes to put this project together.

Oh how wonderful it is!

I feel so grateful and blessed today.

Love to all!


Apr
2019

DIY Small Bookshelf

categories: DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

Books are always around my favorite chair.

I read a devotional and my bible every day, as well as writing in a journal. There are also notebooks for writing and sketching new project ideas, always a novel, or something inspirational to read.

These favorite things of mine are scattered about, and at times, a bit of a mess on the floor.

I found this crate at the thrift store for $5.00.

You can find new ones at Michael’s for $10.00, sometimes on sale for $8.00. Home Depot also carries, not sure for how much.

The crate was in good shape except for a few very small splits in the wood.

My plan was to paint the crate and add legs.

I chose hairpin legs to lift the crate up off the floor.

Most types of wood legs would also work.

I bought the four legs on Amazon for $16.00.

When completed, the crate was a perfect space for my books.

Love it!

So simple, just spray painted, and added legs.

It also serves as a side table next to my chair, a great spot for my coffee and glasses.

If you are on a budget, two would make inexpensive night tables or side tables next to a sofa.

A project completed in one day!

It’s clean, and stylish too!

A bit of a modern farmhouse look.

Thank you for letting me share this fun project today.

The mess about my favorite chair, gone!

Thank goodness!

Hugs and love, till next time.



Mar
2019

Momma’s Sewing Box Makeover

categories: Crafts, DIY, My Simple Offerings

March 21st, would have been my sweet Momma’s birthday.

She is resting in heaven now, I miss her every single day.

Thoughts of her were all about me on her birthday, looking at things I have of hers, photos, and so many loving memories.

When she passed, I was blessed to acquire something special of hers, her sewing box.

Nothing expensive about it, that was not Momma.

It was precious to her, it was a gift from one of her sisters.

Anyone who ever visited my Momma’s home saw this sewing box sitting next to her favorite chair, where she would sit at night sewing, always sewing.


Over the years, it had faded and showed signs of age, so I thought a loving makeover was needed.

I wanted the sewing box to reflect the beautiful person my Momma was, inside and out.

As I emptied the box to clean, I so enjoyed holding and looking at her things, her scissors, so many different needles, spools of thread, balls of yarn, small sewing projects she left behind, even a pair of her glasses.

I spray painted the box with several coats of Rustoleum, “white linen”, chalk paint.

I added a piece of vintage look paper to the inside lid, and also one of my favorite photos of Momma.

Love the way the sewing box looks now, so bright, so clean, beautiful inside and out, just like my Momma.

Her sewing box sits on my dresser, I enjoy looking at it, opening it to see her lovely young photo, and using it.

I really think Momma would like the makeover. I sure hope so!

Every step was done with love.

Blessings to each of you on this Sunday.


Mar
2019

Always a Bit of Green

categories: DIY, St. Patrick's Day

How proud my husband is to be Irish.

His grandparents came to Ellis Island from County Galway, Ireland, many years ago.

They were wonderful, God loving, hard working, love of family folks, raising six children.

He was fortunate enough to grow up in the same neighborhood as his grandparents and often speaks of them.

He fondly remembers his grandmother, walking to church most mornings, and how safe he felt having his grandfather close to him.

His grandfather, his uncle, and his dad, all worked for the railroad, all of their lives.

So, every year around St Patrick’s Day, I add a bit of green to our home to honor his heritage.

This year I made a really cute shamrock banner that I would like to share.

I used copies of an Irish map for the background, found online, and printed out on my home computer.

The next step was cutting out 4 hearts, and gluing each one to the map piece to form a shamrock.

Finished up by punching holes and stringing the banner with jute.

Love it, and so did my Irish husband.

Of course, green treats with our coffee.

Happy St. Pat’s Day to all.

I hope you find a rainbow, and at the end of it, not gold, but lots and lots of love.

Irish blessings till next time.