Still Painting it White

White Stick Trees

    

    I'm still painting everything white, but, now I call it Christmas White.  I used firewood cut up for tree stumps and cuttings from our Persimmon tree for the tops.  I painted them white and sprinkled them with clear glitter.

Painted Christmas Tree & Greenery

                                                                                                                                                                                                

   I had this little green tree and centerpiece, I normally would use flocking or spray snow on them, but, didn't want to make a trip into town to get any, so, I used white paint and a brush and painted them too.  Before the paint dryed, I sprinkled them with clear glitter.          

So far I haven't gotten any paint on this little guy. I would want to have a black and white speckled cat.

Hope you are having a good and Blessed day, wherever you are, Trisha   

Paint it Black, Grey & White

Black, Grey, & White

   This week I've been playing around with the paintbrush again.  Pretty much, if  it was sitting around in the garage, it got sprayed with a coat of black paint, and then dry brushed with a grey and white.
   Glad our cat wasn't hanging around in the garage, he might have looked more like a skunk, than a cat.

Serving Tray Makeover

French Country Shelf

Wood Crate, Urn, Hat, & Frames

   I sprayed this large serving tray with black, dry brushed it with grey & white, let dry, and mod podged it with downloaded graphics from Fairy Graphics.  This would be great for a sewing room.








   I sprayed this shelf with black paint, dry brushed it with grey & white, then mod podged it with graphics, from Fairy Graphics.                










  I told you, whatever I found sitting around in the garage got painted.  So the crate, the urn, the hat, and the frames, didn't escape the bristles of my brush.  Ahh!  I did have fun.  Hope you are having fun, and are Blessed this beautiful day, Trisha

Retro Suitcase Makeover

Retro Suitcase Makeover

    I've been wanting to try a suitcase makeover for some time.  For this project, I chose a green vintage suitcase, I used a rectangle  cut from 1/4" plywood to support the bottom, I painted it, and the four wood legs green, I attached the legs and plywood to the bottom of the suitcase, with wood bolts and nuts, I then relined, and lightly padded the inside bottom of the suitcase.  I painted the top with white paint, I used Mod Podge to apply a vintage sewing machine graphic, from  Fairy Graphics, then I applied a clearcoat paint to protect the top. 

Lots of Room for Sewing Notions

  

   I was pleased with how it turned out.  This retro suitcase makeover made a useful sewing box, with enough room to hold a large amount of sewing notions.   




Have a Blessed Day wherever you are,
Trisha

From a Footstool to a Sewing Box

Wood Sewing Box Makeover

 

   I have been busy making lots of things, but, haven't had time to post pictures of them. This little footstool had a flip lid, so was a perfect candidate for a sewing box makeover.  

   I downloaded the vintage sewing machine graphic from Fairy Graphics, and printed directly onto the material. I did this by applying laminating plastic to the back of my material, and a small piece of card stock taped across the top back with the tape covering the edge of the material in the front. This gave the material enough stability to keep from jamming in the printer.  

   I used upholstery trim to cover my seams where I sewed the printed legal page sized piece, to the other pieces of material to make it large enough to cover the top.  I padded the top with quilt batting, and stapled the material to the back side.  I covered the back side with eyelet, folded the edges and lightly stapled.  

   It became a perfect home for vintage sewing notions, and the padded top worked great for a giant pin cushion. 

Have a Blessed Day, wherever you are, Trisha

If You Can't Sell it, Whitewash it

Whitewashed Baskets

 





   Seems like everytime I buy box deals at auctions, I end up with a lot of baskets.  These are some that I had in my booth that wouldn't sell, even for a dollar each.  Well I don't like to throw things away so I decided to try something different with them.









   I used white acrylic paint, thinned with water, then whitewashed them with a paint brush. Before they dried, I applied printed graphics from 'Fairy Graphics', let dry, and sprayed with a clear paint; after that dried I brushed on a clear acrylic finish to protect the graphics.
   I was on a roll with the whitewashing, so I whitewashed an old bottle crate and applied a bicycle graphic to it.  Whitewashing is not new to most of you, but, it was an adventure for me.  Now I will be looking for new things to whitewash.
                                                                         

Whitewash and Graphics


Hope you are having a Blessed day in your neck of the woods,
Trisha

New Life for Old Tapestry, Crock Pads

Crock Pads

 


   We've been collecting crocks for a long time, and have always had problems with them getting bumped or scooted, and scratching the hardwood floors.
   I've been trying to think of a way to remedy this.  I was going to cut up throw rugs, and make pads, but, most of them were too thick.
   Today I thought about an old tapestry I purchased a few months back.  It was woven tightly and worked very well.
   I simply cut circles, various sizes for different crocks, and ironed them out.
   What a relief, no more scratches on the floor, when someone bumps into a crock.  I planned to sew edging around the outer edge, but, it was woven so tightly, I didn't have to.  No rocket science with this project, but, these little crock pads will serve a good purpose.

Have a Blessed Day,
Trisha

Metal Chair, and TV Tray Stand, Makeover

Old Metal Chair Makeover 

  Today, I madeover this old white metal chair.

I first painted it a dark blue, using metal paint.

  Then I dry brushed it with white paint, 

and sealed it with a clear  finish. 

Printed Graphics Chair Seat

I printed my fabric for the seat with  

JO Draper & Co. graphics, 

I downloaded from ' Fairy Graphics.'

Towel Stand Made from TV Tray Holder

I removed the slotted sides, 

that held the tv trays

and used them for the feet.  

I used the feet for the towel bars. 

I dry brushed white over the base coat,

 and added the J O Draper graphics 

to the towel bar sections.  

I cut those graphics apart.  

After everything was dried, 

I put on a clear topcoat  to protect it.

It is hard to see the graphics it this picture,

 but, they turned out nicely.

Have a Blessed Day,

Trisha

Portrait in Words

 Thanks to my daughter's post  on pinterest, I found a website that allows you to do your portrait in words. 

   For my portrait, I chose the 23rd.  Psalm.  

   One of my favorites.  

You can write your own words as well.

   The website is:

youareyourwords.com

   It is a free website.

This would be sweet to do

with children and grandchildren,

and weddings and anniversaries.

Blessings Everyone,

Trisha

Candles in a Glass for Valentine's Day

Candles in a Glass for Valentine's Day

 I've been making candles in glasses

 I used stemmed glasses & one teacup

I melted white candle wax

& dipped tapers to add color

 I tied ribbons & beads to the bases

& attached Paris tags to each one

 I made white candles in glasses

 last week and took them to the booth

They sold quickly, so, I thought 

I would make some with a little color 

 for Valentine's Day.

  Hope you have a Blessed day, wherever you are.
       Be safe, be happy, and keep looking up. 
       

                     Trisha     

Tobacco Stick Sled

Tobacco Stick Sled

   We went to a flea market in a nearby town today and found some interesting things.  This is a sled made out of old tobacco sticks.  We also found a very large ladder rack twined with grapevines, and a smaller ladder rack made from tobacco sticks.  I think I will try to make some of these a little later. 
   We found a lot of old stuff, railroad buckets, porcelain, vintage salves in tins, and jars with great labels, and lots more.  Will try to share some of that with you next time.

   Hope everyone is enjoying this Blessed Holy season.
Trisha

Handcrafted Christmas Tags

Handcrafted Christmas Tags

  

   I've been busy making lots

of things for the booth,

I made these tags last night. 

They actually look like vintage tags,

that have aged over the years. 

 


   I purchased precut tags, sold in craft stores, 

downloaded and printed vintage designs,

lightly glued cutout designs to tags,

stained using different colors,

and added jute twine for the ties. 



Homespun Yesteryear Tags

Minature Christmas Trees

Minature Christmas Trees

   I've been busy making minature trees for the booth. 

I call them Charlie Brown Christmas trees. 

They have been going fast. 

 I am only charging $2.00 each for them,

 so the children can have their own trees.  

 I've also been busy making centerpieces,

wreaths, Christmas aprons, and other things. 

   I've had so many craft supplies in the kitchen,

that I decided to empty one of the largest tree boxes,

 to store the craft supplies in while I was working,

I used the flaps for dividers.  That is working very well.

 Christmas is my favorite holiday,

a Blessed time of year.

  

  For anyone that might want to make minature trees,       

you only need a saw, small round tree limbs to cut for the tree trunks,

a drill to drill a hole into each trunk,

and branches from an artificial tree. 

Insert the branch into the hole and spread

to resemble a 'Charlie Brown Christmas tree'. 

Wishing you the Blessings of Christmas wherever you are.

Trisha

Getting Ready for Christmas Caroling

Christmas Caroling Sets

   I've been pretty busy making more things for the booth.  I made these Christmas Caroling Collars & Bonnets, a couple of days ago and included a brass bell & songbook with each set.  I also made some Christmas aprons. 
   The weather has been colder than normal this year and I've been seeing that some are decorating for Christmas early.
   I thought I would make some Charlie Brown Christmas trees this afternoon.  That's something I think the children will enjoy.  Hope you are having a Blessed day wherever you are.
Trisha

Homespun Christmas

Homespun Christmas

   I have been busy making Christmas items for my booth.  Wreaths, trees, card holders, tree skirts, and the like.  Seems like more people are shopping early this year.  I do my crafting in the kitchen because the lighting is much better.

   I just get one project finished and take a load to the booth, and get everything cleaned up, then the next day I start another project. 

   I would love to do my work in the garage and not wreck my kitchen so often, but, I just can't see to sew, glue, or paint out there.
  
   Sometimes I feel sorry for my husband who never says anything, except, "You've sure got a lot of stuff."  I had company a couple of weeks ago and they stepped into the kitchen and looked at the stacks of wreaths in the floor, loads of ribbon, picks, ornaments, pinecones and greenery, all they said was, "Oh my goodness!"  Like my husband says, sometimes it is overwhelming.  Sure wouldn't want to put a picture up of what the kitchen looks like before I finish a project.  I cleaned the kitchen up yesterday, but, I really need to get started making more things tonight.  I love crafting, even if I have to do it in the kitchen; at least I am near the coffeepot and the refrigerator.  Hope you have a happy 'Homespun Christmas' this year.
Blessings, Trisha

Cupcake Candles

Cupcake Candles in the Making

   A beautiful Fall Sabbath, a fire glowing in the fireplace.  God's glory shines around us.  And time to play in the kitchen.  God is good. 

   I made these cupcake candles today by melting wax, layering allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger, pouring into lined cupcake tins, with the wicks secured with dowel rods.


Cupcake Candles

   They look and smell

good enough to eat.

     God Bless You,

have a wonderful day,

                                 Trisha

Jar Ring Pumpkins and a Cup of Tea

Jar Ring Pumpkins

    Yesterday I made these jar ring pumpkins and added them to the Booth today.  The first round of pumpkins I took in only lasted a few days, I hope these sell that well.



Tea Set made in Germany





    I found this nice tea set a couple of weeks ago and added it to the Booth today.  The weather is cooling some now and a hot cup of tea just might be what the doctor ordered.  The jar ring pumpkins are very easy to make.  I used 25 jar rings, turned them on end, and secured with wire or heavy string.  Some I painted with one color, then layered with another color, leaving part of the first color showing, some I covered with onion sacks, potato sacks, and mesh wire.  I used Spanish moss, fall foilage, flowers, rope. and ribbon for embelishments, I used short pieces of twigs for the stems.  Have yourself a cup of tea and make some jar ring pumpkins.  Would love to see what you come up with. 

 Blessings,  Trisha

From the Pumpkin Patch



From the Pumpkin Patch to the Table

    Fall and crafting just seem to go together.  Today I made pumpkins and squash to put in
the booth.  It has been a very rainy day and a good one to do some sewing.
    I made the pumpkins and squash out of velvet, sticks, and embellishments.  I don't usually put a lot of crafts in the booth, but, felt like I needed to add something for Fall.
    Hope you are having a Blessed day, wherever you are.

                                        Trisha

New Life for Outdated Advertising Fans



Fans for our Old Country Church

   I came across some outdated advertising fans at a yard sale, last summer.  There were 10 of them, bundled together with a rubberband.  The lady having the yard sale said they were free.  I was happy to take them; knowing that I could rework them for our church.  Our church does have air conditioning, but once last summer it froze up and got very warm in the Sanctuary.
   To rework the fans, I printed a Welcome page with a picture of our church and a Bible verse on the front: on the back I printed some favorite Bible verses.  I used Post-It photo paper.  I am happy they turned out well. 



Favorite Bible Verses

Have a Blessed Easter weekend.  Trisha