Aug
2023

A Really Simple Sunflower Project

categories: Crafts, DIY

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!


Aug
2023

Making a Decorative Bee Skep

categories: DIY, Spring, Summer

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.


Aug
2023

Don’t Throw That Old Wreath Away!

categories: Crafts, DIY

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!


May
2022

A “Sweet” Table on Mother’s Day

categories: Celebrate, Mother's Day

Hello, I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and a blessed Mother’s Day.

My day was so beautiful.

I was able to spend some time with my sister, received many messages, with oh so many “I love you’s”, from all those in my life.

A special “sweet” gift arrived at my from door this weekend.

Mini cheesecakes from my nieces, strawberry, cookies and cream, and a plain one, all with almond icing.

I thought I would use these treats as an excuse to set a beautiful table for me and my family to share the cheesecakes with our afternoon coffee.

For a table runner I used a piece of leftover wallpaper from an old project.

A simple floral pattern.

I had seen this idea several times on Pinterest, was so happy to try it myself.

Gathered all my table pieces, especially the pink glasses and plate chargers, to add more color.

The cheesecakes made a beautiful centerpiece.

Setting this table was a pretty gift to myself on Mother’s Day.

Who would think that an old piece of leftover wallpaper could make such a beautiful table.

Thank you Amanda and Dianna for the “sweet” Mother’s Day gift, it was special, and so yummy!

Love to all, especially all the Moms.


Apr
2022

Hippity Hoppity Easter’s On It’s Way

categories: DIY, Easter

Although the weather isn’t cooperating, it is spring, and Easter is on it’s way.

It will be here in about two weeks, April 17th.

Bunnies are multiplying around our house as I decorate for the season.

On my last trip to Hobby Lobby I bought this grapevine bunny shape, 40% off.

All the way home I was thinking of just how I was going to decorate this bunny.

Less is always more for me.

Simple is what I like.

So using some flower picks, and a bit of moss, I glued them to one of the bunny’s ears, and also at the neck with my hot glue gun.

Simple for sure.

I thought of adding some ribbon, but no, just not needed.

A lovely transformation.

Perfect on my front door for Easter, with maybe a couple of pots of pink tulips around the door.

Hippity Hoppity, Easter is on it’s way at my house!

How about yours?

Hugs.


Mar
2022

Old Tray to Amazing

categories: DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

Hi folks!

I love my adventures at the thrift store.

Digging through stacks of treasures hoping I will find that something I can turn into a wonderful piece of my very own.

Sometimes I see an item for a great price and just bring it home, not knowing what in the world I will do with it.

This was one of those items.

Until I saw this photo.

I love these trays, I would love to have them, but they are $75.00 for both.

Yikes!

Well, that was not going to happen, and then I remembered that old tray in my garage stash.

It was pretty scratched up so I sanded it several times.

Gathered the right size wood beads, and 4 wood pieces for legs, found at Hobby Lobby.

Painted the tray, and when dry, I used E6000 glue to add beads all around the inside edge of the tray.

When the beads were dry and secured, I painted the beads, the tray, and the legs, with several coats of paint.

Not exactly like the $75.00 ones, but pretty darn close.

Love the final results of this project.

It really is amazing when you look back at that beat up old tray I started with.

I am sure my decorative tray isn’t the quality of the ones shown in the photo, but the fact I could take something someone discarded, and turn it into something beautiful, gives me so much joy.

Have you been thrifting lately?

Hugs, until my next post.


Mar
2022

DIY Lantern Using Photo Frames

categories: DIY, Spring

First of all, you all know just how much I love a really good DIY project.

That is exactly what I will be sharing with you today.

A lantern made from Dollar Tree photo frames, and some inexpensive wood plaques, from Hobby Lobby.

These frames, with the little detail around the edges, did prompt me to try this project.

To start, I removed the backing and glass from the frames, and painted them.

Although they were already white, I used white chalk paint so I would have a uniform finish on all pieces of this project.

When dry, using E6000 glue, I glued the frames together, one by one, making a box.

After an hour or so, when I knew the frames were secured, I replaced the glass using a bit of E6000 glue along the inside of the frames.

Paint all the wood plaques after sanding any rough spots.

Play with the sizes of plagues you use to get the look you want.

I used two plagues on the top, one smaller than the other, and one for the base.

To finish, I glued the two plaques for the top together, and screwed on a gold handle before gluing to the frames.

I love a little gold on my white pieces.

You will notice on the bottom, I placed a plague but did not glue it to the base, so I will have access to the inside of the lantern.

I love the simple look of using a white candle, but there are so many ways to decorate a lantern, especially for each season.

Be sure that you always use battery operated candles in this lantern.

My lantern is clean, bright, and simple.

It’s beautiful!

Lanterns can be used in so many ways, in almost every room, painted in the colors you love.

If you are looking for a DIY project for spring, this would be a good one.

Gather up some frames, have some fun!

Blessings!


Mar
2022

Spring Brings Hope

categories: DIY, Family, Spring

“Wait. Be Patient.

The storm will pass.

The spring will come.”

-Robert Shuller

It has been a tough five months, but we have made it through all the tests and doctor appointments, CT scans, and my husband’s three surgeries.

The outcome is positive and we are very hopeful.

Taking one day at a time, we survived the dark winter days.

Today, I know spring is on the way.

Just as the crocus come through the snow, our lives are showing signs of spring.

Yes, spring is coming.

Saturday we sat outside together on our crooked back porch.

The weather was 73 and beautiful.

Hopefully, just the beginning of warm days.

I also spent some time working on bringing a bit of spring into my home.

Using frames I already had, I simply printed out copies of spring flowers I found on Pinterest, beautiful cherry blossoms.

My sweet brother was the inspiration for this project.

When he texts me he attaches photos of flowers, all kinds, all colors.

It took very little time to finish this project, and now I have added spring colors and brightness to my living room.

Artwork is pricey, this is an inexpensive way to change art in your home.

Folks, we made it through five months of living in fear, but it is over.

Spring is coming and bringing with it hope.

Love to all for your prayers.

Until next time.


Feb
2022

“Love”-ly Valentine’s Day Heart Projects

categories: Crafts, DIY, Valentine's Day

Today I want to share a few simple and easy Valentine’s Day DIY decorations.

I realize lots of folks do not decorate for Valentine’s Day, but for me, it is fun to have a few special decorations out for this one special “love” day.

A reminder in my home of just how much love I have in my life.

This $1 store unfinished hanging heart has turned out to be one of my favorite Valentine’s Day projects.

It was just oh so easy to put together.

I printed some floral paper on my computer, traced around each section of the heart, and cut them out.

Using Mod Podge, I applied the paper pieces to the heart, and replaced the jute twine with pink ribbon to hang.

That was it!

It is so “love”-ly.

A piece to pack up and bring out every year.

Another $1 store find were these paper mache heart boxes.

These paper boxes have a vintage inspired feeling to me and are so fun to decorate.

My boxes are simple. Simple is the look I love in most everything.

I painted my boxes white and added some Valentine decals.

Using the same floral paper I used on the wood heart, I covered the top of another.

Perfect little gifts when filled with chocolates.

I have a childhood memory of a large ornate heart candy box my Momma kept and filled with bits of little things when the chocolates were gone.

Hope you all have a few heart treasures out in your homes, or maybe just take a few minutes to think about Valentine’s Day memories through the years.

Love to all of you!


Feb
2022

A Perfect Day to Create

categories: Crafts, Valentine's Day

Last Thursday two inches of ice fell in our area, followed by two inches of snow.

We were iced and snowed in!

I don’t think there could have been a better day to just stay home and create.

With Valentine’s Day next week, I filled my kitchen table with colorful papers, prints, paints, and stickers. Anything and everything I might need to make cards, and small gifts.

As the ice fell, hitting my kitchen window, I began.

The, “little girl”, that is still in me at 75 years old, showed up, just as she did when I received a new box of crayons or paper dolls so long ago.

Valentine’s Day to me is a special day to say “I love you”.

“I love you” to friends, family, and of course, your “sweethearts”.

I made many cards that day, keeping each loved one in mind as I tried to chose just the perfect creation for them.

Using some small blank art canvas packs from the $1 store, I had fun making small pictures.

I simply turned the canvas to the wood frame side, painted them white, and filled with words and old photos.

To allow the frames to stand, I glued a small wood block to the back of each, and painted them white.

I found these unfinished wood hearts at Target last year.

Painted them pink, white, with gold, again, to hold photos or special notes.

A keepsake, I hope, for those who receive them.

To finish up, I embellished some, just a bit.

What a wonderful day for me, staying home, staying warm, feeling safe, surrounded by things I love, and my sweet family close by.

Just so many blessings!

Love you all!