Jan
2022

Heart Button Pillow

categories: Crafts, DIY

Sunday was my birthday!

It was snowing, and with Covid crazy in my state, celebrating out was not an option.

So I spent my day with my son and husband, inside, by the fire.

We celebrated with warm brownies and ice cream, yummy!

Decided to start a project that has been on my list of things to try, a heart pillow, using old buttons.

I love old buttons!

My Momma and Grandmother both had button boxes.

I don’t think they ever discarded an old worn out garment without removing the buttons first.

Using a plain small pillow cover, old white and cream colored buttons from my stash, a heart template, and a hot glue gun, I started.

I traced the heart on the pillow and started gluing on the buttons.

One by one I glued the buttons around the heart pattern.

I continued gluing buttons until the heart was full.

It was like putting a puzzle together, choosing the right button for each spot.

I was totally amazed just how great the glue worked.

This is going to be a decorative pillow with little or no use, so I felt good about using glue.

No way could I sew on each one!

I tried pulling the buttons off and it was very hard to do.

To fill in some gaps I even glued a second layer of buttons in spots.

A birthday gift to myself.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Look at the yellow pillow on my sofa, see the buttons, love them.

It was a great birthday, lots of love and heartfelt messages from friends, and my beautiful family, I love them all so much.

Hugs.


Jan
2022

A Winter Craft on a Cold Day

categories: Crafts, DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

We had our first bit of snow this past week and the temps have been so very cold.

Brrrrr……….

On one of these stay inside days I tried a snowman project that I have seen on Pinterest for many winters, painting a cute snowman face on burlap.

I had all of the items needed.

A thrift store frame, a piece of burlap, scissors, Mod Podge, craft paint, and brushes.

I cut a piece of burlap to fit the glass on the frame, added a coat of Mod Podge to it, and then the burlap piece. This holds the burlap in place and stops it from fraying on the edges.

I drew a snowman face on the burlap and painted.

First the white for the face, and then the black hat.

I drew the mouth with a black marker, added a nose, and of course painted it orange.

When completely dry I added a piece of ribbon to the hat and two button eyes.

Pained the frame black to finish up the project.

Seriously, how cute is he?

Just perfect to keep out during the winter to hang in a special small space.

I have a confession about this project that I want to share.

When I had finished the entire piece, I somehow dropped black paint on the burlap, so to cover up my boo boo I added another piece of plaid ribbon across the burlap to hide my paint accident.

Is that being creative? I don’t know, but it saved all my work and my sweet snowman project.

Love my snowman burlap picture. It was so much fun!

Hope you all stay warm.

Until my next post!

Blessings.


Jan
2022

It was Merry and Bright

categories: Christmas, Crafts

Christmas is over for most folks after the new year, but I leave all my decorations and tree up until January 6th, the end of the twelve days of Christmas.

Did you know that the twelve days of Christmas are actually after Christmas?

It is believed that January 6th is the day the Three Kings arrived at the stable to honor Baby Jesus with gifts.

With all the worries with my husband’s illness I have not shared any of Christmastime in my home.

It was downsized in many ways, but I tried to make it all “Merry and Bright” for my family.

This year only one tree, a smaller one.

I decided to go with what I really love, traditional red and my favorite ornaments, the simple ones.

I added frosted berry picks and pine cones to a wreath and garland I have had for years.

I love adding lighted garland across the taller pieces of furniture in my home.

The only new item I added this year was this Santa canvas I hung just inside my kitchen doorway to welcome everyone.

So wonderful, I love it!

Off to the side you can see the white Santa mugs we have enjoyed hot cocoa in throughout the season.

One of just a few projects I had time to complete this year was these paper mache drawers from Hobby Lobby purchased last year.

Painted them white and added whimsy stick on numbers to each drawer.

To finish it off I glued a snow covered house and tree to the top.

It turned out beautiful, a Christmas keepsake for sure.

We enjoyed opening a drawer every night, some filled with Christmas memories to talk about, or tiny family Christmas photos to enjoy, and even some chocolates for after dinner.

Remember this beaded tray I made this past year, such a warm feeling filled with votive candles this time of year.

Thank you for letting me share some of my Christmas, late as it is.

I tried to make our home “Merry and Bright” even with our worries.

We love Christmas and I know that as long as I can I will fill our home with as much joy of the season as I can.

I pray you all had a blessed Christmas season and have the happiest new year.


Nov
2021

Our Thankful Day

categories: Family, Simple Recipes

Hoping you all had a blessed Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

Ours was quiet, simple, loving, and filled with thanks that the three of us were together once again this year.

The past two months have been filled with worry since my husband’s cancer diagnosis.

Worries from one test to another, from one hospital visit to the next, with faith getting us through each day.

I am so thankful for family support, my sister and brother have been amazing.

Our Thanksgiving meal was a traditional one, turkey, dressing, my husband’s gravy, but with one new recipe, “La Comedia Sweet Potato Souffle”.

La Comedia is a dinner theater in our area that we try to visit once a year with our good family friends. It’s our yearly “triple date”.

They have a wonderful buffet and Sweet Potato Souffle is their most famous entree.

The recipe was so easy and turned out wonderful.

I have the recipe at the end of my post.

You might want to try it for your Christmas dinner.

More scans ahead and then surgery in December, so for now we are taking each day as it comes.

We are so thankful that we have our faith to get us through this terrible time our family must go through, but with God’s help we will.

We do not know the outcome, but with support and love, we move ahead.

Love and prayers to all of you, and your families, take nothing for granted.

La Comedia Sweet Potato Souffle

Ingredients:

4 cups cooked sweet potatoes (mashed)

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup milk

2 eggs

1/2 Tsp salt

1/3 stick butter (melted)

1 Tsp vanilla

Mix well , pour into a buttered pan

Topping:

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/3 cup butter {melted}

1 cup pecans

Crumble topping evenly over potato mixture.

Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes uncovered

Enjoy!


Oct
2021

Halloween Paper Crafts

categories: Crafts, DIY

Sunday was a rainy, cold, and gloomy day.

A perfect day to stay home, stay warm, and be creative.

With hot cocoa in my pumpkin mug, I gathered all my Halloween papers and images to make some spooky cards.

Cards can be very expensive, so making my own not only saves money, but allows me to make unique, one of a kind greetings.

I search online, especially Pinterest, to find and print images for my cards.

Using colored cardstock, scissors. glue, and my paper cutter, I start creating.

It is so fun to see how each simple card turns out.

I love to add a little something to seal each envelope too!

Many times I add crazy puzzles inside along with the cards.

I believe as we grow older we need some sillies in our lives.

As I create, I think of childhood Halloween memories.

My cards are ready to mail, I hope those who receive them love them!


Oct
2021

Decoupaged Pumpkins

categories: Autumn, Crafts, DIY

Sunday was such a beautiful day.

I sat on my back porch, no shoes, with the warm sun on my feet, just relaxing after returning from several days away with my family.

Any amount of time I spend with family fills my heart with joy.

There were lots of routine chores that needed to be done, but not on that day.

I decided to set up shop on my porch, so I could enjoy the day, and work on a fall project that has been on my list, decoupaged pumpkins.

I found these beautiful fall napkins at TJ Maxx. They had the perfect colors and floral images I was looking for to try this project.

Using faux pumpkins I purchased at the end of the season last year, I painted the pumpkins with white chalk paint first. I used chalk paint but you can use any craft paint you have on hand.

While my pumpkins were drying, I cut out images from the napkins.

You will need to separate them from 2 ply to only 1 ply to decoupage.

Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the pumpkin, large enough for you image, apply and smooth out with your fingers.

Smoothing out all the wrinkles can be tricky, but remember it doesn’t need to be perfect.

I continued adding the tissue pieces all around the pumpkins.

When dried, I added a coat of Mod Podge to each pumpkin to seal.

They turned out so good!

The colors are so bright and I feel I added just the right amount of cutouts.

Simple, not so cluttered.

I am looking forward to using them in my home each year.

Hope you all are doing a bit of fall decorating and crafting.

Enjoy these beautiful fall days before they are gone.

Blessings, until my next post.


Sep
2021

Fall Artwork and a Special Request

categories: Autumn

Tomorrow is the first day of Autumn.

All of the stores are loaded with fall pumpkins, colorful mums, and fall home decor.

I found some really simple leaf prints online that I loved, but unfortunately they were $90 for a set of four, a bit much for me.

So, I think you all know what I did, I made my own!

I searched Pinterest and found some similar prints that I was able to print out on my home printer.

Black and white prints, plain and simple.

Could not find four frames just alike at the thrift store, so I searched Amazon and found a set for less than $5 each.

They are wood grain with a small permanent narrow white mat.

Love that I can reuse them for other photos or prints for other seasons.

Before framing I decided to add some words to each print.

Words of fall.

“Snuggle Up“, when the cool nights move in, “Embrace Change“, from one season to the next, “Breathe In“, the crisp fall air, and “Be Grateful“, for all that the season brings.

Love the look of the prints after framing.

There is a small table in my upstairs hall, these prints are perfect hung just above.

Hope you all love them as I do.

As I end, I would like to share a bit of personal news.

Life is so good isn’t it, but sometimes it just hits us hard.

Unexpected events come into our lives that stop us completely.

That happened to my family in the past few weeks.

My husband has been diagnosed with cancer.

Fighting this will certainly be a challenge given his advanced age and the fact that he also suffers from Multiple Sclerosis.

We believe, and we know that prayers are powerful, I am asking for yours.

Thank you with love in my heart.


Aug
2021

A Place for my Journals

categories: DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

Hi there!

I have been busy for the past three weeks working on a family gathering with my sister.

We decided on a circus theme with booths, games, prizes for adults and kids.

It was a success, so much fun for all.

But when one event ends in life we begin something else, so I am back to working on my projects and my blog.

The wannabe art teacher in me loves anything chalkboard, which is probably why I picked up this $2.00 bargain at the thrift store.

I have been needing a place for all my journals and notebooks, and this seemed like it would be perfect.

After cleaning thoroughly, I painted the entire piece including the chalkboard section.

I decided to cover up the chalkboard section with scrapbook paper.

Selected a soft print, cut to size, and used my Mod Podge to apply.

I finished my piece off with an old wood knob painted black.

This piece is perfect on my desk, and there is lots of room to hold all my journals, and more.

Writing in a journal is something I try to do every single day.

Just a few sentences, especially before bed, writing of my day.

The blessings, the ups and downs, with hopefully no sadness.

Giving thanks to God for all.

I feel happy that I am back to my blog, sharing simple projects with you.

Blessings to all on this Monday morning.


Jul
2021

Trying Something New

categories: 4th of July, Crafts, DIY

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July weekend.

Ours was quiet.

We had all the usual yummy cookout food and watched some neighborhood fireworks from our back porch.

I did make some super easy cupcake toppers.

I found this American flag on Pinterest, downsized it, and printed some on my printer.

Cut out two together, folded over, and glued them to a toothpick.

They added a bit of fun red, white, and blue to our table.

As the title of my post states, I did try something new this weekend.

I made some citronella candles for our porch.

It all started with these cute pots I found for less than a dollar each at my local Meijer’s store.

I ordered a candle making kit on Amazon, soy wax pellets, and some essential oils.

There are many different kits available for many different prices.

I have never made candles before and I was surprised just how easy it was to do.

My kit had everything I needed, a melting pot, wicks and stickers to hold them in place, and a metal guide to keep the wicks straight when pouring the wax.

They came out perfect.

I added lemon eucalyptus oil and citronella oil drops to my melted wax.

I read someplace that lemon also helps to keep the bugs away.

The pots are the perfect size to place around outside.

I love them and will for sure make more.

How fun it will be to make them in different containers.

It always makes me feel so good to learn something new.

Blessings and love to all!


Jul
2021

A Simple 4th of July Wreath

categories: 4th of July, DIY

Hey folks, hope you all are ready for the holiday weekend.

Are you showing some red, white, and blue around your home to celebrate our country’s birthday?

I am sure lots of families will gather now that most are vaccinated and feeling safe.

Today I am sharing a very simple 4th of July wreath.

Using a styrofoam wreath, red, white, and blue pinwheels, a glue gun, and less than 30 minutes of your time to put together.

I had the pinwheels from a past 4th of July event, but I am sure any dollar store sells them.

The wreaths are available at Michaels or Hobby Lobby.

The first step was to remove the sticks from the pinwheels.

I then added glue to the back of each pinwheel and pressed them down on the wreath.

In my case, I alternated the red and blue pinwheels all around the wreath.

That it!

So simple and festive for your front door, or any place in your home.

Love it!

Enjoy all the good food, fireworks, and everything red, white, and blue that this weekend brings.

Happy Birthday America!

See you all next time!