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.


Mar
2019

Tick-Tock

categories: DIY

Yesterday, I made a small clock for my desk.

It was a crazy fun project.

Made with a can and a jar lid.

How cute was the outcome!

The only cost was the price of the clock’s working parts.

With my 40% off coupon at Michael’s, only $4.00.

Cleaned the can thoroughly, and drilled a hole for the clock hands.

Spray painted the can with several coats of white.

The jar lid was used as the base. I spray painted the lid with my favorite gold to match the color of the clock hands.

The last step was the assembly. So easy!

I really wanted a unique little clock to place in this area of my home, a place where I love to sit and write, surrounded by favorite things of mine.

It is a lovely spot, with lots of light, and three windows facing my backyard.

I love the tick-tock, tick-tock sound, especially in the mornings, when it is quiet before others are up and about.

Hope you enjoyed this crazy fun project.

Have a crazy fun day!

Love to all!


Feb
2019

Boxes Filled With Love and Kisses

categories: Valentine's Day

As a little girl, I always loved those large lovely heart-shaped Valentine boxes, filled with chocolates. Not so much for the chocolates, but just to have one of those boxes for my very own.

I would imagine all the sweet things I might keep in one.

Found these paper mache boxes at Michael’s, $2.50 for four. I thought what fun to paint them with the colors of Valentine’s Day.

I also found some small knobs that fit perfectly on the top of each one of the boxes.

Filled some with chocolate kisses, but the one I especially like is the one I filled with small, wallet size photos. Photos of those I will always love. Always.

The larger white box, filled with photos, is a Valentine’s gift to myself.

It now sits on a table in my living room.

Every time I dust, I open it, sit a minute, and just look at those special loving faces that have filled my life.

The box itself is a gift!

Would be cute on each plate at Valentine’ s Day dinner, or a really sweet box for a small gift. No wrapping needed.

Thanks for stopping by, I love you all so much!

Wishing all love and kisses!


Feb
2019

Just a Kid Again…Making Valentines

categories: Valentine's Day

Saturday morning, with a throw wrapped around me, I sat at my kitchen table surrounded by old photos, colorful paper and envelopes, scissors, and fun stickers, remembering days so very, very long ago, when I made valentines.

With love in my heart I created simple cards for those who bring love into my life.

As I completed each one, I imagined a smile on their faces when they receive them.

Simply made by printing out old photos, and adding fun stickers.

So easy and inexpensive, yet so special because of the time and love I put into each one.

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for sweethearts, it is a day to let those you love know it!

After I completed my cards, I took a pack of $1 store white paper doilies, some yarn from my Momma’s sewing box, and made a simple banner. So very sweet hanging across my dining room cabinet.

Friends and family, watch your mailboxes, a smile and lots of love from me is headed your way!

Blessings and hugs!


Feb
2019

We Met at the Thrift Store

categories: Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

While browsing down the last aisle of the thrift store, we met.

Although he seemed tired and worn out, he had the most wonderful face.

Love at first sight!

He was missing an arm, wearing a dirty scarf, and an old rusted hat.

I could not resist, he went home with me that day!

Cleaned my new friend, sanded his dirty rough spots, gave him two new arms, a new scarf, a bit of paint for his hat, he was almost new!

I filled the old rusted can he was carrying, with winter greenery.

My new friend sits on a bench next to my kitchen door watching for signs of spring.

Love my $4.00 fence post snowman!

So happy we met in the last aisle on that day.

What fun!

A primitive treasure to be displayed in my home for many winters to come.

Life is amazing, we never know what wonderful things or people might come into our lives on any given day.

Love you all and everything wonderful in my life!


Feb
2019

DIY Snow Covered Pine Cones

categories: DIY

Yes, it has been a while!

Months have passed, not even a single post during Christmas.

My life had been turned upside down.

Needles, bruised arms, tests, and waiting. Waiting for results.

Life slowed down, avoiding stress, no heavy lifting, and no exercise!

Life was all about faith, and hope, and love.

Things are better now, tests came back good, my life has settled.

During this time, I fell back on one of the things that always calms me, being creative.

Today I want to share a very simple DIY to add some winter magic to you home.

These DIY snow covered pine cones are a wonderful winter decor idea.

Just a few supplies are needed, pine cones, a brush, Mod Podge, and Morton’s coarse Kosher salt.

Simply brush or dab the Mod Podge on the pine cones, and sprinkle with the salt, allow to dry, that’s it!

After the pine cones have dried, shake off all the excess salt.

So simple.

Add some greenery, place in your favorite container, mine is a large wood bowl I keep on my kitchen table.

I added a pine cone with a bit of greenery and ribbon to a lantern, for another way to use during winter.

Plenty of wintertime left, time to display these pine cones in your home until we see signs of spring.

Spring sounds wonderful, sun, and warmth, and flowers once again!

Thanks for stopping by, love to all today, until next time.



Nov
2018

Overwhelming Thankfulness

categories: Random Thoughts

All is quiet now.

My life has been touched by His peace.

So very thankful.

My month of pain has ended.

For over a month, I suffered from horrible headaches, from morning to night.

I prayed.  I prayed and asked for help.

When I realized that things were not normal, this pain, day after day, I knew I needed help.

It was the loving encouragement from my sister and brother, and that real feeling of someone tapping me on my shoulder as I sat reading that saved me.

I went to see a doctor for the first time in over thirty years.

My life spared from potential disaster.

Things are better, and with His love, I will hopefully heal and repair the damage I have done to myself over time.

Joy has returned to this life of mine!

Never will I take another day for granted.

No more feeling sorry for myself, no more constantly thinking I am not loved.

That tap on my shoulder on that cold, pain filled evening, let me know He is always with me, and loves me.

Looking forward to our simple Thanksgiving Day, me, my son, and my husband, filled with overwhelming thankfulness.

He touched my life with peace, and joy!

I wish all a blessed Thanksgiving.

Enjoy and appreciate all that you have on this day, the warmth of a home, food, the love of family, and the love of our Lord, who never leaves us.

 

 

 


Oct
2018

Junky Pumpkins!

categories: Autumn, Crafts, DIY

My goodness, I cannot believe it is almost November!

I feel as if I blinked and missed September and October.

Today I want to share a fun wood project using various 2 x 4 pieces.

“Junky Pumpkins”.

My son cut the 2 x 4 we had in our garage, I sanded, painted all orange, using a sponge brush and simple craft paint.

Now the fun begins!

I gathered up all the small junk drawer pieces I could find, buttons, tacks, screws, washers, handles, knobs, to create whimsy, quirky, and maybe a bit scary, faces.

Played with all the pieces, moving them from one wood piece to another, until I found just the face I loved.

Simply glue the pieces in place, using wood glue, or in some cases, for the heavier pieces, E6000 glue.

Here they are, my “Junky Pumpkins”!

As I say when sharing most of my projects, “love them”, so much fun to put together!

These two are my favorites.

Just simple!

I used thin wire, curled, a knob, and also a stem from an old plastic pumpkin, on the tops.

Love the smile made by using an old handle.  So cute!

What a great project for older kids on a cold rainy weekend day.

Just a happy simple project!

Have fun with your junk drawer finds!

Love you folks!

 

 


Oct
2018

Painting Faux Pumpkins

categories: Autumn, Crafts, DIY

Just love the simple look of white pumpkins in the fall!

I especially love using the mini ones here and there throughout my home.

My preference is to use faux pumpkins inside, and real ones outside.

Unfortunately, really nice faux white pumpkins can be a bit pricey, so this year I tried painting my own.

Found these foam type mini pumpkins at Walmart for 98 cents each.  Two cents cheaper than the dollar store, and the selection was really good, so many different shapes.  Every penny saved is a good thing!

I did splurge for a larger one at $1.98!

Using my favorite paint for the look I love, Rust-Oleum, Linen White, chalk paint, I simply removed the stems and painted each with several coats, using a foam brush.

Replaced the stems, after painting each one with a dark brown craft paint, to finish this simple project.

Love them!

Quite a difference, don’t you think?

So lovely in a wood bowl with a bit of greenery.

Also love the farmhouse look in my thrift store wire basket.

White pumpkins can be mixed with others, like these grapevine ones, surrounded by traditional fall leaves.

Love that I can just pack up my painted pumpkins and use again next year.

So many ways to display this time of the year, and into Thanksgiving.

Cute to place one on each plate at Thanksgiving.

Just a fun, simple, project!

My pumpkins may be faux, but the joy I received from putting this project together was real!

So thankful for you folks!