Fall Garland

I have a wystria tree in my front yard, and every year, we trim it, and every year, I try to figure out what to do with it's gnarly branches. This year, I decided I would use it and make a garland. So up it went, and it is adorned with things from around the house, that I could find that said " fall" to me. 

If you look real close, you will see some rubber snakes, I put into it, to give it a little Halloween touch, then out they go, and it will stay up untill I get up the Christmas garland. 

There is no wire or glue involved, if you cut it and make it, you just need to twist it! 

Chore chart

This " chore chart" really is more of a reminder chart. Even older kids and adults, need a little help with the remembering to do something. As a parent to two boys, we are busy. I cannot rewrite a list everyday to remind my 11 year old, all his responsibilities, and my expectations for his school work. All he wants to do is run outside and play with friends. So now at a glance I can tell which things he still needs to do, and the hope is he will establish habits, he lacks currently. 

This chart is made from plastic window screen. I wanted a transparent look. I sewed pockets on, but I realized during this, I could have used ribbon and a glue gun. I used index cards and put dots on front and back. Orange means need to do. When u flip them, other side represents green means it was done  some of his cards include read 20, put soccer uniform on ( this is to hopefully prevent the rushing around, right before practice starts) and clean his guinea pigs cage. 

On the back there is an extra pocket for things that don't happen daily, like study for history test, math test etc. 

This chart will benefit me as well, I am hoping it is helpful for me to stay consistent in checking on him. 

Playing around with chalk paint

I've been very busy, with painting projects lately. Besides items that I consign, I also do custom for people. 

If your not familiar with this paint, it is made to give your piece an " aged" look. They dry very quickly, and can be used in the house. You use a wax or waxes to give it a hard finish. The plus side of these products, is that you can use them on laminet furniture. 

I do believe their is an art to using these paints. I've read many things about these paints, one of the things that makes this technique work is the sanding or wet sponging after you paint, to give it a distress. Looking at some pieces, I've seen done, some people randomly put " wear" spots, that make little sense of the placement of this type of wear. So, if you decide to try to chalk paint, make sure your not random, think about the piece, what it might have been used for, then decide where it would have gotten worn by love. 

These chalk paints were both Van Gogh paints. 

Fun with Vintage Rakes

Vintage rake heads painted can make great fun hooks for displaying things! You don't have to have a lot of supplies, with these 3 rakes it just took 3 different spray paints and a little thought on how to make them even more playful. They are great to hold many things! In my case I use them as a display for the coffee purses I make and sell. I went out on a limb with the colors, I knew I wanted to use colors, that I normally don't get to use! I also knew I wanted to paint one into a flame rake. Why? I don't know. That's the beauty of whimsy!

Great Gift Idea- A Box of Random

Recently I had a birthday, nope not going to tell, anyway and my mother in law had asked what I would like for my birthday. I love to ask her for random things, because normally she has these things, and is always on the verge of throwing things out. She is on a budget, but I didn't want to take away her fun.

 She like many other aging people, is trying to clean out and get rid of old items, so she can downsize. Great for me right? Wrong, she lives over 15 hours away by car. So, I'm also not being the greatest at helping her!

So this year when asked what I wanted for my birthday, I said" Ummm,"How about a metal thimble, a pin cushion, a fabric measuring tape and anything else you can think of out of your house your not going to use, thrown in a box".

When the box arrived, it was like Christmas! It was filled with a tons of just fun random things. Some of the items included 2 dresses (she never wore), rick rack, sequins, vintage lace, corks, water globe things for the plants (which I didn't know I wanted, until I adorned my plant friends with), some zippers, a couple of costume jewelry pieces, a grow a clover kit, google eyes (never know when you need those, I do have two children) and various other treasures including my thimble, pin cushion and tape.

I have been to two parties since, and have gotten compliments on my dresses from some of my friends, and they wanted to know where I got them. I get to beam proudly that they are from my box of random! I picture mother in law, going through the house and touching these items and thinking of me and it brings a smile.

So the next time someone asks you what you want for your birthday or a holiday, and you don't want them to spend any money, tell them you'd just like a box of random.

Old Lunchbox Wreath

I try really hard to repurpose things, even when it may not be in the best shape. I was at one of my favorite stores, where I also am a designer for, and I find an adorable 1950's lunchbox. It was rusty in the inside, but I didn't care, I knew I needed to save this little guys life. So in my brain, the right thing to do was spray it to protect it from further damage and to make it into a wreath. 

I drilled four holes in the bottom and ran wire to connect to the wreath. I also made some burlap ribbon roses and sprigs that are made of vintage buttons. I added a chalkboard, so whoever ends up with it, they can write their house number, welcome, go away or whatever else they may want to say!

Get a Grip and More in Washington N.J. Is a great place to find items for your creative projects. They can also be found on EBay and Facebook. If you get a chance to visit on the web or in their location, tell Dan Ivy sent you!

Broach bouquet

Since I have been consumed in my friends wedding, I thought I would share her real bouquet as well.i had blogged previously on her "throw away". We had asked her friends and loved ones to send her a piece of costume jewelry, so she could keep a meaningful bouquet. Her wedding colors are black, red and silver. 

It was really fun to put together, we had a "mini" party to put it together, it took about 3 1/2 hours to do between the giggling and the trying on of all the fancies!!

I really love the idea of this type of bouquet, not only because its a beautiful way to repurpose, but because it gives new life to things that are usually forgotten in a drawer. We used not only broaches, but single earrings, chandalier crystals etc. Her plans for this, after the wedding is the china cabinet!