Look Beyond The Picket Fence

Wine Cork Ornaments

2011-11-12T08:07:00.002-05:00

Last week, I started making new Christmas ornaments. These cute little snowmen are made from wine corks. It is not my original idea, I want to credit Shade Tree Carvings on Etsy, her idea inspired me to make these.

I painted the corks with a light coat of white paint. The hats are made from paper and I attached the heads to the bodies with a toothpick, leaving space to tie on a scarf.

To hang them on the tree I glued a small clothespin to the back of the body.

This is how they started. I have been saving corks for a few years now and I have my friends saving them for me as well. There are a lot of creative ideas out there for using corks. I really like this one.

Thanks for visiting!

Veterans Day 2011

2011-11-11T07:15:00.003-05:00

Veterans Day November 11, 2011

Thank you to all the veterans who served our country.

God bless you!

Thumbprint Art

2011-11-10T07:49:00.004-05:00

Last year my daughter introduced me to the art of thumb prints. Why hadn't I heard of this before? I think it is a kids craft, but I really like it! The ideas are endless! I stumbled across this cute idea on Sunday.

Oh, I found it Pinterest. It was originally posted on flicka by Cathy Gauburt. I always like to give credit!

I thought I would put it in my "must make for Christmas" file. But after I made a few thumb prints I knew I had to make something. This is my something, a Christmas gift tag. I will be making more gift cards later this week.

Just for fun I came up with this zany owl. He needs some work, but that's alright, my daughter thought he was cute.

Try this with your kids and grand kids it is fun!

Thanks for visiting!

Christmas Tags

2011-11-09T08:20:00.003-05:00

I felt like crafting yesterday! It all started with this and that. I really need to find more sheet music.

I ended up making eight Christmas tags.

All I need are the gifts! I bought paper after Christmas last year, I have enough for the next two years.
I want to have all my Christmas crafts finished by December 1st. Let's see if that happens.

Thanks for visiting!

Ornament

2011-11-08T06:53:00.000-05:00

A wedding invitation made into a Christmas ornament, a very neat idea!

I knew when I saw the idea on Pinterest (www.ChristyRobbins.blogspot.com) I had to make one. Fortunately, we are invited to a wedding in November so I had an invitation!
I love how it turned out.

I would probably save the invitation for a few months and then throw it away. This is a better idea.

I hope they like it.

Cut the invitation into strips and then roll them around a pen so they curl. Put the strips into a glass ball and you have a cute ornament.

Thanks for visiting!

Serving Tray

2011-11-07T06:50:00.001-05:00

I made/refurbished this serving tray a few weeks ago, actually I made two. I am thinking that I might give them away for Christmas presents. I could fill the tray with napkins, plates and all sorts of things.

I found a crate at a local antique store and painted it my new favorite color gray, with a little white over it to distress it a bit. I sewed a white piece of fabric to fit on the bottom.

I also sewed a small piece of fabric to go over the top of that. There is no real reason for it, I just liked the way it looks.

This is how the crate looked before I painted it. All the brown spots are actually bleach spots. I cleaned the box with bleach, then cleaned it with bleach and cleaned it again! I bought the crate for $2.00 and had all the fabric leftover from other projects. I like the way it went from trash to treasure. Now, I just need to find a few more.

Thanks for visiting!

Fall, I could like it.

2011-11-05T08:57:00.001-04:00

This morning, I was sitting down having my first cup of coffee, when I looked out the window I saw this image. I love the shadows and warm glow that a fall morning sun can bring to everything. I am a summer weather girl, but you won't find this kind of look in the summer.

Thanks for visiting!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Thanksgiving Preparations

2011-11-04T09:19:00.003-04:00

I think I have mentioned before that I am not known for my cooking. That is why I like to set a pretty table, or at least I try to set a nice table. I bought a new table cloth and it is going to be nice for Thanksgiving. It's a rainy day and I thought I would take out my Thanksgiving linens, see if I need anything.

I have green place mats (also good for Christmas), white Martha Stewart dinner plates, rooster salad plates and napkins! I am thinking about using mason jars for water glasses. Mason jars are so popular!

I went to a bridal shower a few weeks ago, they used brown paper as a table runner. I love the idea. It looks pretty and it would be great if you have kids at the table! Give them a few crayons and let them start coloring! It could work for adults as well!

I decided to line the table with fake fall leaves. I hope I can find more, all the Christmas decorations are out already. I guess I could use real ones. I should go outside and get them now, press them and be ready. That won't happen, I know I will be outside Thanksgiving morning looking for leaves! I also hope the pumpkins stay fresh until then as well.

Well, I put everything away. I think I have almost everything I need. I am decided to go with the mason jars, I will need to go and get a few of them this week.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-11-03T07:10:00.001-04:00

I put away the ghost and pumpkin candle jars that I made for Halloween. I was thinking about how I could make a few for Christmas when I came up with this idea. I used beige tissue paper for the base and cut a star out of green and gold tissue paper. Again it is all mod podged in place, very easy. I wanted to see how the jar would look when it was lit. It blends nicely with my fall centerpiece, I guess it will stay here for the rest of the year.

I made a heart shaped jar as well. Please remember if you make any of these that you should only burn tea light candles in the jars. Or better yet as a friend suggested use flame less tea lights. I am using them and at night you can not even tell the difference.

Thanks for visiting!

Green Crafting plus a liitle bit more

2011-11-02T07:07:00.002-04:00

I made these little boxes a few weeks ago to give to two little girls, who love owls. Do all girls love owls? My daughters do and so do alot of their friends.

I know I like making paper owls.

This is what the box looked like before I covered it with paper. It holds four bottles of sparkling green tea.

Once I get started papering sometimes it is hard to stop. I made two notebooks to put in the boxes. I found some old sheet music at a local antique store. The paper is worn and tattered, perfect for me!

Thanks for visiting!

Mason Jar Match Holder

2011-11-01T07:14:00.001-04:00

I saw this cute idea the other day and knew I just had to have one.

Thanks to Craftaholicsanonymous.

I had everything I needed to make one, so I did!

I traced a circle on the back of the sandpaper and cut it out, easy! Next I taped the sandpaper to the metal circle and put it back on the jar. I cut out a few extra circles of sandpaper and put them underneath the sandpaper that shows. That way when the paper starts to wear down you have a new one ready to go.

It is such a cute idea. I am inspired everyday by all the creative people who blog!

Now, I must go do some creative cleaning!

Thanks for visiting!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T08:58:00.000-04:00

Last Friday I put together a few little treats for a two of my favorite little trick or treaters.

I eat oatmeal almost every morning for breakfast and I have saved quite a few boxes. They are fun to cover with paper and perfect for this project!

I made two gift card holders. I am heading to Barnes and Noble later to pick up two cards.

I added a few of their favorite candies and two cute, I mean scary toys.

All stuffed and ready to go!

Happy Halloween!

Thanks for visiting!

Fall Bark

2011-10-29T07:45:00.000-04:00

Here are the ingredients that I use to make bark.

1 Package of white candy melts ( I like Wiltons)

Candy corn (I cut the candy corn in 1/2)

M & M's plain and peanut

Snowcaps

Fall colored sprinkles (optional)

Parchment paper

I melt the chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds then stir, repeat until the melts are smooth.

I like to melt 1/2 the package. You never know, melting candy can sometimes get tricky. If there is the smallest drop of water in the dish or on the spoon the candy will get hard and that is not good.

Pour the candy onto the parchment paper. That is a dinner plate underneath, so the candy is about the size of a large salad plate. It should be about 1/2 inch thick. You can always melt more chocolate at this time and pour it right on top of the first layer if you want it thicker.

Next drop the candies onto the melted chocolate. You can lightly press the candies into the white chocolate.

Microwave about a handful of candy melts to drizzle over the top of the candies. I just dip a spoon into the chocolate and just start drizzling. This helps the candy to stay in place. If you have sprinkles now is the time to pour them on top. Place the dish into the refrigerator for about 15 to 20 minutes until the candy is hard.

Now break the candy! I usually start by breaking it in half first. I like bite size pieces! Large bite size pieces are the best!

I had extra melted chocolate so I covered a few Oreos. I hate to waste chocolate!

Thanks for visiting!

Fall is in the house

2011-10-28T07:49:00.002-04:00

This is a little area in our kitchen that I decorated for fall.

I made the bats for another project, but once I clipped them onto the white (faux) flowers I knew that these three had to stay right here!

I just cut out a basic bat, nothing fancy. I gave it two button eyes and then glued it onto a clothespin, covered with paper of course. Now, I have to make a few more bats for the original project. That's okay, it is a rainy day and I am in a crafting mood!

Thanks for visiting!

Chocolate Covered Oreos

2011-10-27T07:00:00.002-04:00

I would like to publicly thank whoever decided to cover Oreo cookies with chocolate! They are one of my favorite treats! When I make them, I only cover one side with chocolate. It is much easier and that way I don't feel so guilty about eating more than one, works for me!

I packaged up a few cookies to give to my parents. I already delivered them and as I post this I am sure they are all gone. I got my sweet tooth from my father!

Thanks for visiting!

Paper Crafting, Again!

2011-10-26T07:26:00.001-04:00

Here is a news flash for you, I really like making paper crafts. I also like giving them away. This is part of birthday gift I made for my friend Alicia. I covered a recipe box that I bought at Michael's and the little card holds a gift card to TJ Maxx.

I filled the box with cards. I hope she likes them.

I love this cake stamp, it is one of my favorites.

I really like this bird. They all look so happy! I have to make more of these cards.

The birthday girl likes owls. I covered a notebook with my favorite owl sitting on a tree branch.

Thanks for visiting!

Halloween Tea Light Holders

2011-10-25T09:04:00.002-04:00

I have been saving glass jars for a few months now. I made tissue paper covered tea light holders earlier this year and when they are lit they are so pretty.

I found the idea on Pinterest earlier this week. I had the jars and believe it or not, I had orange tissue paper. I call that a meant to be.

To make this project you will need Mod Podge, jars, orange and white or off white tissue paper, black paper and a small brush.

I did not have black tissue paper so instead I used black scrapbook paper. I just cut the eyes and mouth to fit the front of the jar and then glued them into place.

I am so sorry but I forgot to take a picture of the orange tissue paper being glued to the jar. I just ripped the orange tissue paper into large pieces and glued the pieces over the black eyes and of course the rest of the jar.

I hadn't planned on making the ghosts but I had the off white tissue paper so why not make a few?

I was very happy with how they turned out. But I noticed that after the candles were burning for a while the black eyes seemed to fade away. I colored in the eyes with black permanent marker

and they eyes look bright again.

If I ever decide to do a tutorial again, I promise to do a better job.

Thanks for visiting!

A few of my fall favorites!

2011-10-24T13:26:00.000-04:00

I love pumpkin pie! I love pumpkin pie! I love pumpkin pie!

I love boots!

I haven't made a scarecrow in years, but if I did I would try to recreate these!

I love pocketbooks. I already bought my new bag at TJ Maxx.

Big bulky sweaters, I could wear this all day long. With the price of fuel oil my new motto is "layer up". I think this could keep me warm!

I received a faux fur blanket from Pier One three years ago. I use it every night. It is one of the best presents ever. It keeps me so toasty warm!

What would fall in New England be without a little foliage? This is my front yard. The leaves have turned a beautiful golden yellow.

Nutter butter ghosts have become a favorite fall treat. I made these last year, I think I have a few days to make a batch or two before Halloween.

I love making fall cards! I should get started on them. Where has October gone? I better start thinking about some ideas.

I like to make fall treats! I also like to put them in cute packages. I do have a few started, now I have to find them. I put them away while I was cleaning last week and now I can not find them. Note to self, stop cleaning!

Okay, I had to post a picture of my favorite Patriot, Tom Brady. Sunday afternoons in the fall are made for watching football!

These are a few of my favorite fall things. What do you love about fall?

Thanks for visiting!

Thinking of all my blogland friends!

2011-10-22T17:26:00.001-04:00

Wow, it has been so long since I posted I wasn't sure how to start! No real reason for my absence, just needed a little time to do other things. I do need a new faster computer to load all my pictures and not boot me off all the time! Well, I will admit that sometimes I wasn't all that happy with the direction of my blog or lack of direction. Sometimes I think I should concentrate on one thing, make it a craft blog only. But that is not who I am, I like to cook and decorate too. So, maybe I should just be happy with the blog I have and just be me. I am also posting because my brother asked me when I was going to start blogging again. Hopefully, I can start fresh next week!

I will be catching up on all the blogs tomorrow.

Thanks for visiting.

Back to normal?

2011-09-04T09:17:00.001-04:00

We had a little visit from Tropical Storm Irene last Sunday. She passed right through not causing a lot of damage. However the damage she did deposit left us without power for six long days. We had our elecricity restored and it is time get back to doing everyday things! That means cooking suppers, ironing, washing clothes and all things fun! I did have time to look through a few the cards I made over the years. I forgot all about this one. I think I am going to make more of these. Right now we are hoping that the next storm out in the Atlantic decides to go out to east and out to sea. So go away Katia, you are not welcome here!

Thanks for visiting!

Rice Krispies Treat

2011-08-20T10:18:00.002-04:00

I needed to make something quick for dessert earlier this week. I had a box of Rice Krispies Treat and I always have melting chocolate on hand so why not combine the two?

The main players are the treats, the candy melts, pop sticks and colored sprinkles!

I melted about a cup of chocolate and began dipping!

Then I added a few sprinkles, so easy!

I stand them up on floral foam so they can dry.

They are just enough for that sweet treat you are looking for anytime of the day! I should know I just had a piece of one and it is 10:00 in the morning. Rice Krispies are for breakfast, right?

Thanks for visiting!

Shortcakes

2011-08-18T10:13:00.000-04:00

Sunday I made eight strawberry shortcakes in small canning jars. They were so cute! It was a very busy day and I never got around to taking a picture of them. This morning I noticed there was enough leftover to make one more treat.

My youngest daughter never got hers on Sunday so I made this one for her.

It looks so good, I think I could eat it right now for breakfast!

Thanks for visiting!

So good and so cute!

2011-08-16T08:16:00.002-04:00

I asked my daughter to print a few pictures of her boyfriend's dog Ruka. We refer to Ruka as the best dog ever! He is so good and so cute!

Need I say more?

But the reason I needed a few pictures is that it was Kyle's birthday yesterday, he owns the best dog ever! I wanted to make a card for him that featured Ruka on the cover!

I ended up making a gift card holder. The picture is Ruka down at the beach, otherwise known as the Atlantic Ocean!

Thanks for visiting!

Crown

2011-08-15T09:03:00.000-04:00

I bought this metal crown at TJ Maxx last week. It was marked down to $10.00. I was going back and forth on if I should buy it or not. I could always return it if I didn't like it, so I bought it. I tried it in a few places in the house, nothing really appealing to me. I was quite sure it was going back to the store. But, the more I looked at it on this table, the more I liked it.

I put a small jar candle in the middle, it adds just a little something to it, especially at night. I think every woman should have a crown! Mine is just a bit tattered and tarnished, just like me.

Thanks for visiting!

Green Crafting

2011-08-14T08:19:00.001-04:00

I love to cover boxes with paper! There I said it, I feel much better! My husband bought these peaches last Sunday. As soon as he brought them in, I knew I wanted to keep the box.

I covered the sides with coordinating pink paper.

I glued a few pieces of floral foam inside.

I added a little do-dad in the corner. Note to self, make more of these! You can never have enough do-dads!

Okay, I know your probably thinking, another picture of cake pops! But, I covered the box for them!

Now that I think of it, there is one more pop in the frig!

Thanks for visiting!

Banner Card

2011-08-12T07:16:00.001-04:00

A friend of mine became a grandmother for the first time last month. As you can tell the baby is a boy named Matthew.

I have always wanted to make a "banner card". I know that after making this one I am certainly going to be making more! I think I could make most of the card ahead of time and just add the name when needed. Sounds like a plan.

I wrote this little note inside the card. He is the first grandchild, I believe he will be in charge for many years

to come.

I had to make my own envelope, since the card was an odd size. I wasn't sure that gluing the sides would be enough for the card to arrive safely at her house. I took out my sewing machine and stitched up the sides. I hadn't made a card in a long time, this was certainly a fun one to make!

Thanks for visiting!

Casa Sugar

2011-08-10T23:37:00.000-04:00

If you have time, take a few minutes and check out a post I submitted to an online site called Pop Sugar. It is a site that I visit to see what is going on in Hollywood. But when I started to look around the site I found it also had great decorating ideas and a great food section as well. I have been looking at their home section for months now and never thought of sending in anything of mine. But, over the weekend I thought I would submit a picture of my deck and it made it to the home section. Click on the word casa sugar below and go to the 2nd page and look for the "My Favorite Summer Spot " and you will see the picture of my deck I posted on my blog a few weeks ago.

casasugar

Thanks for visiting!

A good day junking!

2011-08-08T09:50:00.001-04:00

(Antique store front Putnam, CT)

My daughter was on vacation last week and on her to-do list was a little antiquing/junking. She recently moved into a new apartment. It is in the same building, just four doors down from her old apartment. Let's just say it was a very easy move. The building is a newly renovated old mill with loft style units. I think it has inspired her decorating style.

I forgot to take pictures of everything she bought! She had a very productive day. Isn't that always the way? When you bring your camera you are too caught up in the moment to take pictures. And when you do not bring your camera you are kicking yourself! But, what we have here is a green lamp, a green tin basket and a rusted magazine holder.

I cleaned the inside with warm soapy water! Then gave it a coat of clear spray. It now sits on a metal cart in the apartment and has become a utility box holding a few tools and candles.

My father's hobby is antiquing. Even though he has had a booth in Putnam for years I really had no reason to go there. I always had the first look at most of his pieces. But after a little searching in the shops, we found my father's space. He likes to make lamps! My daughter liked the brass vase on the top shelf. After a quick call to Grandpa, she walked out of the shop with the vase, free of charge, of course!

Antiquing is hard work, we needed lunch! I had heard about a nice cafe called "The Vanilla Bean" in Pomfret, Ct. It was about five minutes west of Putnam. Let's see if we could find it and we did! Did you ever think you could find directions on a cell phone? I love progress!

I ordered chili and I was not disappointed. I love the presentation. I did some research and the restaurant has the recipe on their website. I will definitely be making it.

We had a nice day! My daughter would like to make it a monthly event! She inherited the antiquing gene and my father is very happy about that!

Thanks for visiting!

Cake pops! Somebody stop me!

2011-08-06T16:02:00.002-04:00

I have a new baking addiction! It is making cake pops! This is a small sample of a batch I made to bring to a birthday party I am going to tomorrow. I am in the middle of making a tutorial on how I make them. However, I am having a little trouble with it, since it will be a long post.

The center is chocolate cake! This is my fifth batch since July 4th. I know it won't be my last!

Thanks for visiting!

Beverage Cart

2011-08-04T09:11:00.001-04:00

I wanted to share a beverage cart I found at an antique shop a few weeks ago. The nice part of this story is that I actually set out to find a beverage cart. I found this one in the second store.. This never happens to me. I thought I would be looking for weeks.

It was black when I bought it. I originally thought I would paint it a deep blue green. But after a trip to Home Depot I discovered they carried Martha Stewart paint and there was a pretty gray color. I am in love with all the gray rooms that are so popular right now. Maybe, I will be painting a few more things gray in the future. By the way the Martha Stewart paint goes on really well. I love that you can buy the small sample size cans to see if you like the color. And the size is great for small projects like this one.

I am glad I picked gray, it looks really nice. I bought a piece of fabric to make a small table cloth for the top. I haven't used the cart yet, this is just a little breakfast look I put together for the picture. I was really looking for a cart that I could use around the holidays. There never seems to be enough room on our table. This would be perfect to hold a few extra things next to table.

On another note, we are in the middle of having our deck power washed and stained. We just put new decking down last summer! It seems that the stain did not take for some reason. It was not the best time in my opinion, to do this but it had to be done. It looked so pretty when it was new last year, this season not so much! Well, I will have to find a new favorite place to hang out for a few days! Any ideas? I guess I can always resort to shopping!

Thanks for visiting!

Covered Match Boxes

2011-08-01T10:01:00.000-04:00

Saturday I felt like doing something a little creative. I found four empty match boxes that I had been keeping to cover with paper. I am not sure what I am going to put in them. They would be nice to keep paper clips in on a desk. Or maybe keep a ring in on your night table. Or a few hair elastics in your pocketbook. I guess you get the idea, they can hold all sort of small things!

Four empty match boxes!

I covered them with a light tan paper.

A few circles cut with a decorative edge scissor that hopefully resemble a flower!

Now, what am I going to put in this little box?

Thanks for visiting!

Today is the day!

2011-07-31T15:10:00.000-04:00

I found this picture on Rue La La tumblr page . I need to start living like this.

Today is the day I will watch Nascar (big Dale Earnhardt Jr fan!), eat what is left of the lobster roll I had last night, do a little cleaning (so I can enjoy the week ahead), start reading a new book I bought yesterday and sit outside in the afternoon! Maybe sneak a lemon cake pop in there somewhere!

Today is the day!

Thanks for visiting!

July

2011-07-30T10:50:00.001-04:00

The last weekend in July.

It is time to start taking advantage of every sunny summer day!

Thanks for visiting!

Cork Stamped Cherry Cards

2011-07-29T10:49:00.000-04:00

This picture is from Martha Stewart. I am not sure if I first saw it in her magazine or if it was something that was emailed to me. I get a craft idea emailed me from Martha Stewart everyday. Yesterday I had a little time so I thought I would give it a try. The craft was using corks for stamps!

Enter the tools needed to make the cards. Of course the cork is the most important piece.

I needed to make a few practice images. After I did a few stamps, I thought that the cherries would make a nice bookmark. Look for a cherry bookmark post in the future!

I decided that three cherries looked better than two. I think that is always the case. Odd is always better than even numbers.

I had just enough time to make only two cards. But I think I will make a few more today.

If I had a blue ink pad I would try and make a few blueberries. Or a green ink pad I would make the peas in a pod! You get the idea, I like them all. Thanks Martha for the idea!

Thanks for visiting!

A Rhode Island Treasure

2011-07-28T12:39:00.000-04:00

Earlier in the month, I entered a contest on a local television station's website for 4 tickets to see a musical at "The Theatre by the Sea" located a few feet from the Atlantic Ocean. I hardly ever enter a contest, but low and behold I won! Back to the theatre, doesn't it look like it belongs in a beach town? It is so low key and quaint! Quaint, that is the word to describe it! There are other words I will use to describe the way it felt in the theatre!

The grounds are really nice. This brick walkway leads to the bistro that we ate at before the show. We all loved the restaurant as well. The atmosphere was casual and the food was really good.

I would go back to the restaurant even if I wasn't going to see a show.

They serve drinks here before the show and believe me we all needed a few bottles of water. I know I was lucky to win the tickets, they were worth $160.00. I felt good all day. I had what I would call a "good karma day", I did a few good deeds. But it was 104 degrees that day! The quaint little theatre had two ceiling fans! Two ceiling fans, all they did was move the hot air around. I know I was thinking half way throw the show I was going to have to leave, get some air. But I made it to intermission and cooled down with another bottle of water. When we returned to our seats the theatre was cooler. The theatre was back to being quaint! You could even hear the sound of a fog horn in the distance, so beachy! I was going to say quaint, but I used that word enough!

What did we see? We saw Hairspray. I had never seen the original or the remake of the movie. It was a great production, put on by "The Ocean State Theatre Company". It was also my friend's birthday. That is why I entered the contest, hoping we could have a nice birthday/Friday night. Even with the heat we had a great time. I want to go back next season.

Thanks for visiting!

Recipe Cards

2011-07-27T09:29:00.000-04:00

My daughter's friend Cassie asked me if I would make a few recipe cards (50) to be used for her sister's bridal shower. I was happy to make them. I also covered a recipe box with pretty paper and a bird, so that the bride would have a place to put the recipes.

They were a lot of fun to make. I like to color and this is pretty close to coloring.

This was a very simple project, but I loved doing it.

I thought I would try the xlarge picture feature that I have just discovered on blogger.

Thanks for visiting!

Owls Bookmarks

2011-07-26T10:07:00.000-04:00

I want to show you a few owl bookmarks I made. Little owls like these are great for using small scraps of paper.

I made them in the spring but I never got around to posting them on my blog.

I gave a few away to my little nieces. They seemed to like them. My favorite is this little blue owl.

Thanks for visiting!

Save your jars!

2011-07-25T09:40:00.000-04:00

During my time off I still made a few things, not many, but a few things.

Well, I did make quite a few of these. I think I made about 30 of them in the past few weeks.. What are they you ask? They are tea light holders.

I have been saving all sorts of jars, that would of otherwise been recycled. My Mom helped, too. I might have even tossed out a few perfectly good pickles to get a few empty jars.

I always seem to have a few pieces of tissue paper. I love the printed papers best. Some of the department stores have nice tissue paper, especially at Christmas time.

All you have to do is tear the tissue paper into pieces and I used Mod Podge to glue the paper to the jars. Easy as pie. I have never made a pie, but this was easy.

After the jar was dry I covered it with a layer of glue and sprinkled a little glitter on top of it. I tied a piece of jute string around the top and they were done.

They are really very easy to make. A great project for kids!
I have given them as gifts and everyone seems to like them. They look so pretty at night.

Thanks for visiting!

Salmon Burger Salad

2011-07-23T16:18:00.002-04:00

I had posted this salmon burger salad earlier today but I did not like how dark the picture looked so I made the picture brighter and I like it much better. There has to be a secret on how to take a great picture of food. If there is, I don't know it. But, what I basically want to say in this post is that I had my first salmon burger last summer and I am hooked. I am not a big fan of hamburgers, I like black bean, turkey and veggie burgers. I can now move salmon burger to the top of the list! Add one to a salad and I think you have a great meal! I like romaine and baby spinach as my base and then add whatever is in the frig! This salad also has celery, tomatoes, olives, Gorgonzola cheese, green pepper, blueberries, raisins, crouton and I topped it off with my favorite dressing balsamic vinegar and olive oil. What is your favorite dressing?

Thanks for visiting!

I love my table

2011-07-22T08:50:00.002-04:00

This is where my beautiful outdoor table got it's start. In my parents backyard. Some day maybe I will take a few pictures of what my father has created in their backyard. Look at the fence and you can see he likes old rusty things! I asked my father in June if he would mind building me a table on wheels. I gave him a drawing, we settled on the dimensions and he said as soon as he was finished with an outdoor project, my table was next on the list. How could this be happening to me? Couldn't I leap over the other project? But, I waited patiently (who am I kidding, I wanted my table).It was well worth the wait! It looks perfect on our deck.

He cut a few pieces of metal for the side, then he spray painted them flat black. He spray paints everything! I asked him if he had something we could put on the side, for a handle. When I said we, I meant him! He went in the basement and within ten minutes he has this handle. It was pretty rusty, I like the way it looked. He put a clear coat on it, perfect.

I did not want the edges to be perfect, he made that happen as well.

The wheels were silver, but I wanted them to look old so I spray painted them with a metal paint that makes the wheels look old and well, rusty!

The table might be too nice for outside, but here it will stay until the leaves start to change.

The heat has arrived in Rhode Island.

Thanks for visiting!

Why is this happening?

2011-07-21T22:27:00.003-04:00

I am having a few issues leaving comments on some of my favorite blogs. Is anyone else having an issue? I write the comment and then select post and it says I have to sign on to google. I sign on, go back to post and it says I have to sign on to google again.. It's frustrating because I want to leave a comment! Did something change while I was gone? And why is it only happening on a few blogs, not every blog?

I want to thank Carol for her helpful hint! I am pretty sure the issue is solved!

Thanks for visiting!

Oatmeal Zucchini Muffins

2011-07-21T12:49:00.006-04:00

From what I am seeing on other blogs, this year is not the best year to have a vegetable garden. I have never had a garden, I just grow a few pots of basil to use in sauces and on pizzas.

The other day I wanted to make zucchini muffins so I had to go to the grocery store and buy two zucchinis.

They came out rather good and they are great for a mid day snack.

Here is the recipe.
3/4 cup oil
4 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup oatmeal
1 Tbs baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 cups zucchini (shredded)
Beat together the oil and eggs with a fork.

In a large bowl mix together the next 5 ingredients.

Add egg mixture and shredded zucchini.

Pour into greased muffin tins (I used Pam).

You can sprinkle the tops with cinnamon and sugar if you like.

( I forgot to do this but I still liked mine)

Bake for 25 minutes at 400 (remember ovens vary mine did not take 25 minutes)

Makes 18 muffins.

I am going to make oatmeal blueberry muffins next.

.Thanks for visiting!

2011-07-20T09:38:00.003-04:00

It was nice to take a small step back into blogging yesterday. I did not intend to post again today. However, I started taking pictures and thought while I had a little bit of time I would share them with you. This is the first thing I see when I walk down stairs in the morning. I keep the drapes shut in our bedroom, to keep it cooler during the day. So this is really the first sign of daylight for me.

After I have my first cup of coffee, I can really start to see things. Great, the pool is looking really clear today. I can honestly say that we have had our pool since 1994 and I have gone in it about 20 times and that is on the high side. I am not a pool person. There isn't anything wrong with that, is there?
This is what it looks like on the outside.

I love how it looks in this picture.
Stay cool everyone, it is hot out there!
Maybe today will be the 21 time I go in the pool! I will let you know if it happens, it could be on the local news.

Thanks for visiting!

My Favorite Place

2011-07-19T12:13:00.003-04:00

To state the obvious, I have been a very bad blogger. I do intend to return to the "blog world" on a regular basis, just not yet. This is where I have been spending the last few weeks. It is our deck. I can honestly say it is my favorite summer destination! I have been to a few graduation parties, cookouts and a beautiful wedding. I have watched too much tennis, The French Open and Wimbledon. I would really like to go to one of those events, if I can bring myself to leave my deck, just kidding. I hope to take a few days trips. I live about 30 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean, it's summer time, I should make some concrete plans. People travel from all over the world to go to Newport, Rhode Island. I usually make it there once during the summer. I did go to the Brimfield Fair, one of the biggest flea markets in the country. That was fun, very hot, but fun. The weather has been beautiful! I love the summer! I have jumped on the "cake pop" band wagon! I have made three batches since July 4. They are my new obsession! I am going to do some blog visiting. But right now, I have some green beans and red potatoes on the stove that have to be tended to first. I also must water my outdoor plants, they need to be watered twice a day or I will lose them! Then, I have to run to the grocery store, we are having tacos tonight!

Thanks for visiting!

Time off

2011-05-11T08:43:00.002-04:00

I am taking a little time off from blogging. I put my glue gun and paper away right before Easter and I haven't taken them out since. I know they will both come out sooner or later. I have too much paper to stop making things. I have been cleaning, rearranging, reading and baking. I am also impatiently waiting for warm weather! I have bought new sandals and I want to wear them, now! I am also looking for a pair of jean shorts, that are not too short or too long! That alone could keep me busy for a few weeks. Today looks like a day to stay home and read, it looks like it could rain at any minute. That is why I think I am going to go shopping!

Thanks for visiting!

Sugar Cookie Pizza

2011-05-02T09:48:00.004-04:00

We had this for dessert on Easter Sunday. It started making an appearance for the holidays about two years ago. I think it was Thanksgiving 2009 that my daughter made it for the first time. Isn't it wonderful that you can find almost any fruit you want anytime of the year? Fresh kiwi can be found all year round! I thought I would share the recipe with you.

Sugar Cookie Fruit Tart

Spray the bottom of a 9" springform pan with Pam.
Preheat oen to 350

1 Package slice and bake sugar cookie dough
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

8 oz cream cheese (softened)

1/3 cup sugar

assorted fresh fruit

apricot preserves or orange marmalade

Press cookie dough onto a 9 inch spring form pan with outer rim in place

Bake in 350 oven for 22-27 minutes. Let cool completely.

Beat cream cheese, vanilla and sugar until well blended.

You can remove the outer rim of the pan at this time.

Spread cream cheese mixture on top of cooled sugar cookie dough.

Next, arrange fruit on top of cream cheese mixture.

Drizzle warm preserves or marmalade on top. Just a bit, not too much.

The recipe is very easy and I think it would be great for a summer dessert. Don't tell anyone but I also ate it for breakfast. I wonder if it could be made with chocolate chip cookie dough? I think I will google that.

Thanks for visiting!

Sad day in the south

2011-04-28T12:53:00.003-04:00

I am thinking about all those people who have had their lives changed in a matter of minutes.

Thanks for visiting.

Do you have Royal Wedding Fever?

2011-04-27T09:49:00.006-04:00

I have been known to see what The Royals are up to from time to time. I loved Princess Diana, who didn't? I got up early to watch her wedding to Prince Charles. Last night I started watching BBC America, they had non stop television shows on The Royals. Thanks to BBC America I am sure I know enough about The Windsors and Kate Middleton. I am going to watch the wedding on Friday, I am going to DVR it just in case I oversleep. Who doesn't love DVR? I may have a cup up tea and a scone for breakfast! No, I need my coffee, so coffee and a scone. Are you planning to watch any of the wedding?

Thanks for visiting!

2011-04-22T09:34:00.001-04:00

I love setting the table for the holidays! I love it more than cleaning for the holidays! I love it more than food shopping for the holidays! I love it more than cooking for the holidays! I use to set the table at my grandparents when I would visit them, that was a long time ago. I guess somethings never change.
I know I have mentioned before that I am not known for my cooking. I can bake, but cooking a meal, not so much. I always hope that a nice table setting will disguise the fact that the meal is well, ordinary at best! I might be exaggerating a bit but, I love a nice table scape!

Thanks for visiting!

Birthday Gift

2011-04-21T08:43:00.001-04:00

I did a little crafting last week, after all the spring cleaning! A friend celebrated her 30th birthday so I wanted to make her a little something.

I covered a box with blue and brown paper because she has those colors in her bedroom. I am so glad that I made all those paper flowers a few weeks ago. I love them!
It is all about the shoes, I gave her a DSW gift card!

Thanks for visiting!

Egg Biscuits

2011-04-19T08:38:00.003-04:00

I can't remember an Easter without egg biscuits, they have always been on our Easter table. I am not sure if they are a local tradition, but they are to Easter what gingerbread cookies are to Christmas. It wouldn't be Easter without them. My mother always makes them and we love her recipe. But when I saw this recipe in our local newspaper I thought I would give it a try. My mother uses lemon extract and this recipe called for anise extract instead. Talk about two very different flavors.
What I like about egg biscuits is that they are great for breakfast, a mid day snack or dessert.

Maybe what I like about them, is that they are dipped in white icing and then covered in sprinkles. You have to be sure not to over baked them because they can get dry very quickly.
My daughter took a plate to school and I took this one to a friend's house on Friday night. Everyone liked them. You could definitely taste the anise flavoring in them. I think I like my mom's better! I will make sure I tell her that!

Thanks for visiting!

Easter Baskets

2011-04-17T11:02:00.000-04:00

I have wanted to make a few of these paper mache egg baskets for years! Well, I finally got around to it last Wednesday.

It is a pretty easy craft project. A little watered down Tacky glue, cut up newspaper pieces, balloons, paint (not in photo) and a lot of time waiting for the paper to dry! I used a heat tool used for embossing, that really helped to cut down on the drying time. I popped a few balloons in the process, but I finally figured it all out without losing too many! I am not sure why I painted the first one green? But it turned out okay. I added a paper handle and a few paper roses. Oh, what would an Easter basket be without green grass? A little glitter never hurt either. I ended up making only three and I already gave two away. There are a few days left until Easter Sunday so maybe I can make a few more. Thanks for visiting!

Spring Chicks

2011-04-15T10:31:00.003-04:00

I found these two little Easter chicks that I made last spring. They made smile last year when I made them and they made me smile again today when I put them on the top of this chest. I need to get a few more Easter decorations. Decorations that are not candy! Well, I guess I could get a few jelly beans!

It is time to look for a few new Easter recipes as well. We always have ham. I would like to find a few new things to add to the menu. I'm thinking macaroni and cheese would be a great addition. What will be on your Easter table next Sunday? Thanks for visiting!

A time to clean

2011-04-03T14:30:00.001-04:00

I usually don't do a big spring cleaning. I am what I call a surface cleaner. But this year is going to be different, I am going to take a week and concentrate on cleaning the house. I am going to start at the front door and just keep going! An old fashion spring cleaning! I think we have a few stormy days in the forecast so this is a great time to do this.

I found a few quotes about cleaning.

A clean house is the sign of a boring person. Author Unknown

House work, if done right, can kill you. John Skow

They're sure housework won't kill you but why take the risk. Author Unknown

If the shelves are empty and the floors don't shine it's because I have better things to do with my time. Author Unknown

If you have any cleaning hints, please feel free to share them with me!

Thanks for visiting!

2011-03-31T08:46:00.010-04:00

I had mentioned earlier, that it was my daughter's birthday this week and today is that day. Last night my younger daughter and I were looking through old pictures and I found this school paper, written by the birthday girl. I know it meant something to me when she wrote it, because I kept it. It means more to me today. She did love her sports right up until the ninth grade. She did graduate from art school and is thriving in her chosen profession.

"I want to be like my mom and dad. My mom's nice, kind, caring, smart, pretty and good at arts and crafts and lots more. My dad is nice, kind,caring and good at sports. I am like them both because I have many of the same qualities. I'm nice, caring, good at arts and crafts and also good at sports. They have taught me well."

Thanks for visiting!

2011-03-29T10:23:00.008-04:00

My daughter asked me to make a few cookies for a teachers meeting. You know I like to bake, so of course I said yes. That was on Sunday. Wednesday, I still wanted to make her the cookies I just did not feel like making them from scratch. That is when I went to the store and bought the slice and bake goodies.

You can't go wrong with these. I am thinking about having a package of them in the refrigerator at all times. But, they just look a little ordinary. It only takes a few minutes to dip them in chocolate and add a few colored sprinkles. How I wish I had one of these right now. I did follow my own advice and I have a package in the frig right now just waiting to be baked.

I hope spring has made an appearance where you live. In Rhode Island, not so much but it is brighter and the snow is gone so that's a good thing.

Are you a fan of slice and bake cookies?

Thanks for visiting!

2011-03-26T07:35:00.000-04:00

I am still stamping and coloring!

There are a lot of different colors going on here. But I think a little girl would love all the bright colors in this cake. Or maybe an older girl, like me.

I really like this blue paper. It is very springy!

I like this one, so many colors and somehow they all go together. I guess you could say I like them all. Now, I need to see who is having a birthday soon. Oh, that would be my daughter. She is having a birthday this week.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-03-24T07:54:00.000-04:00

I can just imagine myself riding around the neighborhood on this bicycle. I am also laughing out loud as I type this! I have not been on a bike in over 30 years. The only way I can see myself doing that, is if we were to summer on "The Vineyard". I am laughing out loud again, because that is never going to happen.

The real reason I am posting this is, because as hard as I try I always end up with a few not so perfect stamps. I had already put these, not so perfect stamps in the recycle bin before I realized I could use them to see if I like the color combinations. That way I would not have to ruin a good stamp if the colors were horrible. I hate when that happens and it happens a lot. I am pretty sure along the way I was the proud owner of a pink bike or tricycle.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-03-22T07:57:00.000-04:00

I bought a few new stamps and I am having fun making these note cards.

I always loved to color. There is something very relaxing about it.

I wasn't so sure about this blue bicycle at first, but it turned out to be my favorite card. That happens a lot. I am very critical about my work.

All in all I had fun making these. I guess the changeover from winter to spring is definitely influencing my creative side.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-03-21T08:01:00.001-04:00

Last week I spent a few mornings making these paper flowers. I would get up, turn on my favorite radio station, make a coffee, plug my glue gun in, throw in a load of laundry and sit at the counter and start cutting.

I found it to be a relaxing craft. I made enough to fill this small container.

I glued one to a clothespin. Shocking, I know. I love adding things to clothespins.

This is not a very good closeup. It was the best I could do, at least I think it was.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-03-20T08:12:00.000-04:00

Spring is here ! At least that is what the calender says! I hope Mother Nature has a warm and dry spring scheduled for the north east this year! I am so happy the snow is finally gone. You can definetly feel the change in the air. Early spring in Rhode Island means 70 degrees one day followed by 30's and a chance of snow the next. But it also means summer is one the way, you just have to be patient.

Enjoy the first day of spring!

Thanks for visiting!

2011-03-18T07:29:00.005-04:00

(new look handles)

Here's a news flash, it's winter I have spent a lot of time inside. That also means

I want to change everything in sight. That's not happening, but I could change a few things. The room in question right now is the kitchen. Basically, I am happy with it. But, I tend to over crowd the counter with all sorts of things. It has taken me many years to realize this, but less is more. Let me go back to the idea of changing a few things. The door handles are original to the house, we bought them in 1983. I have thought of changing them over the years, but I never got around to it.

Enter this can of spray paint. I have used it on our outdoor furniture. I love the color and the texture, so Tuesday I sprayed two handles to see if I would like them. I love them! Yesterday was a great day to paint the rest of them. I love how the cabinets look. Just a subtle change but I notice it and that is all that matters. Now, if we could get a new faucet!

Thanks for visiting!

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2011

2011-03-17T07:17:00.002-04:00

In honor of St. Patrick's Day I made these white chocolate covered Oreo cookies for my daughter to take to school. They have to leave soon, my will power is being tested. Did I mention they are double stuffed?

I love these sprinkles, the shade of green is perfect. I think I will be making another batch for Easter.

Thanks for visiting!

Going green again

2011-03-16T07:05:00.000-04:00

How I wish I would of saved more of these crates. I must of thrown away 30 over the past two years. We do love clementines in our house. The only bad thing about them is that they are not available year round. But, back to the crates. I kept these two hoping I would come up with something to do with them. I did put a pretty napkin in one and then used it to bring some brownies and other treats over to my parents. It looked so cute, I wish I would of taken a picture of it.

What else would I do with them? I had to paper them.

Right now this box holds a little bit of this and that.

I am working on a few new owl cards. This one sits in the left rear of the crate. I am working on a lot of things right now. I bought a few new stamps today and a new brown ink pad. I know I have a brown ink pad somewhere in the house. I just can not put my hands on it right now. When it is easier to go out and buy something than find it in your own supplies, it is time to organize. But I hate to organize! I like to cut and glue.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-03-12T07:49:00.000-05:00

Last week we received this oh so pretty "save the date" card. Do they look happy, or what? Please ignore the brown strip of paper, it is covering all the information, we don't want any wedding crashers! I hope she doesn't mind that I altered it just a bit. I sewed on two paper borders and added a heart.

I did find a special place for one of my paper flowers.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-03-11T07:19:00.003-05:00

I spent a few hours yesterday making these paper flowers.

I don't know what I am going to do with them, but I am sure I will think of something!

Wednesday night I googled paper flowers and I found http://www.beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/ . She has a great tutorial for making paper flowers. I never knew you could mist paper with water and crumble it in your hand to give it a tattered look. I learned a few new things today.

Maybe tonight I should google, what to to with paper flowers?

Thanks for visiting!

Bird crazy lady or is it crazy bird lady?

2011-03-09T10:57:00.001-05:00

I am creating a lot of things lately. I have been going back and forth for years about opening a etsy shop or maybe finding a local place to sell the stuff I make. I love to make things. I can not stop making things. The first thing I do in the morning is make a cup of coffee and plug in my glue gun. I may not intend to use it for hours but I know it is ready to go in case I have to make something.

I made these little birds over the weekend. I glued them to a paper covered clothespin. I had no idea what I would do with them, but that did not stop me from making them.

I was looking for a glue stick when I found a stack of notepads. The bird clothespin holds the stack neatly in place.

I gave one to my daughter to use at her desk at school.
This is something I would like to sell. I need more of an inventory. I need to get organized. I need to just do it. I need a deadline. I need more coffee.

Thanks for visiting!

P.S. My daughter just called and asked if I had any of these left ? A teacher was having a bad day and my daughter wanted to leave a little something on her desk tomorrow morning. That so sweet.

2011-03-08T07:19:00.001-05:00

Tweet! Tweet!

I heard a familiar noise over the weekend, a bird was tweeting! It was so nice outside that we had the front door open to let in some fresh air! Or were we letting all the bad air out? Either way the birds were quite loud. Singing birds, a sure sign spring is on the way!

I am not sure if the birds have anything to do with these new note cards but either way they were fun to make. It is hard to see but the star is attached to a green paperclip.

I guess this could be considered a green craft. The background paper is from a paper bag.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-03-06T08:49:00.003-05:00

(Google Images)

I love fashion. I appreciate the runway fashions for their creativity and how they may influence the style of the season but that is not what I am talking about. I love everyday fashion. I enjoy looking at the monthly style magazines. I want to know what is new for spring even though I may not buy it. Do I have the ten most wanted things for the season, probably not. Straight jeans are in? Or are they out? I know that the it color for spring is honeysuckle pink. I am not sure that I want anything in that color, but I could buy a nail polish in that shade or maybe a new scarf.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-03-04T15:38:00.003-05:00

Could this be me? Yesterday I went shopping for a new pair of shoes. I was lucky enough to find two pairs. They were actually the same pair of shoes. I could not decide between black or brown so I bought both. They were 40% off the original price and they were Clarks. I know I will wear them forever. They are so me and I am so predictable. All my winter clothes are either black, brown or deep purple (2 shirts)! I am not kidding. Last week I decided to step out of the box. I bought two cardigans one light purple the other teal. I am already wondering if I should return them? I am thinking yes! Is it too late for a change? Am I stuck in my lack of real color world? I think I am. However, my crafts are full of color. My rooms are full of color. My yellow house is colorful. Maybe that is enough color. Oh, my coats are black and my boots are black and brown! I drink my coffee black! Boy, am I dull!

Thanks for visiting!

2011-03-03T08:12:00.002-05:00

I made these glass magnets as a gift for my brother and sister-in-law. Each one represents a state that they have lived in either as a couple or alone. I am thinking Florida looks like a great place to live right now. However, they now reside in Pennsylvania.

I am not sure where this box came from but it was the perfect size to hold all the magnets.

Of course it had to be covered first.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-03-02T09:06:00.003-05:00

This green box holds six glass bottles. My parents gave it to me for a birthday present a few years ago. I never thought of putting flowers in it until Monday. Well, yesterday I went to Trader Joe's and bought a bunch of white flowers. It did not matter what kind of flowers, they just had to be white. They are perfect in this box. A little bit of spring right in the kitchen.

The weather doesn't actually resemble spring. But with little bits of this and that I can speed up the arrival. At least I can do it in my own home.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-02-28T08:31:00.001-05:00

This may look like a little notebook, but oh no, it is more than that.

It is a tea bag holder. It just so happens to be holding two bags of my favorite tea. Coincidence, I think not. I love spiced chai tea with milk and sugar.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-02-26T08:06:00.000-05:00

I think I have a crafting issue. There's breaking news! Some days it is all I want to do. Sunday while I was watching the Dayton 500, I made a few of these envelopes. I am not sure what I am going to put in them or maybe they are not finished yet. I think they may need a message inside, or maybe they can hold important papers.

Another bird!

This is how I made the hearts. I just put a little hot glue on a paperclip. They help keep the envelopes closed.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-02-25T08:14:00.002-05:00

A few years ago my daughter introduced me to Anthropologie. Like many of you, I love this store. The clothes are so pretty. The displays are beautiful. They must have a very creative art department! You can not help but feel inspired when you leave or maybe a bit sad because you want it all. I am not saying I shop here often, but things are about to change. Anthropologie is coming to Rhode Island and opening it's doors today. I have only bought a few things over the years, but I love to window shop. If I happen to be absent from blogging for a few days, look for me sitting on a comfy couch at my local Anthropologie!

Thanks for visiting!

2011-02-24T11:04:00.005-05:00

Here we go another green craft. I am not sure if you can tell what this was before I papered it. It was a container that held four bottles of iced teas. I think it would of looked better if I put a few things in it, too late. I am not sure what I'm going to put in it just yet. Something crafty I guess.

Here is the before.

This is the inspiration piece that was in the current Green Craft issue. I have another one already to go.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-02-22T08:38:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I posted a picture of a bag I made from a pillow sham. Today, since the batteries in my camera are dead I am going to do another repost. Shame on me! I am in a "bag mood" lately. I have to make more of these for sure, they are great for the summer. It is a small bag made from a place mat. It is an easy project. You just sew up the sides and buy a handle. You don't even need to buy a handle you can make straps from fabric. I am off to buy more batteries for my camera! I have not left the house in four days! That is a record for me.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-02-21T09:31:00.002-05:00

I am not sure where I found this picture, but I think it was in Country Living magazine. It has been in my to-do list for some time now. It will be a great way to use all the scraps of fabric that I have stored all over the house. It will make a great summer bag.

I made this bag in 2008. It was one of my first blog posts. It is made out of a pillow sham. I just folded the sham in half and sewed up the sides. The straps were made from leftover curtain fabric. My daughter uses this everyday to carry her books and teaching supplies to school. I think I have a few shams in my craft closet. Maybe that would be a nice project for later today. If you look in the clearance section at Marshalls and TJ Maxx you can find shams for under $10.00. I think this one was $7.00.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-02-20T09:33:00.001-05:00

About two years ago I painted my oldest daughter's room white at her request. It is a rather small room and white certainly was a great choice. I then proceeded to paint all the furniture white and put new glass knobs on the dresser. She was returning home from New York City for a new job in Boston. I think she spent about a week in this room. She rents a beautiful loft space about a half hour from our home. Yesterday the sun coming in the window just caught my eye. I had to get my camera and snap a picture. I have an idea for using more drop cloths in this room. I am a little late to the drop cloth craze, but I have arrived!

I love the green trim on the lampshade.

Dream

Dream your dreams a size too big, so you can grow into them.

Thanks for visiting!

This is so me

2011-02-18T12:58:00.002-05:00

Let's give this another try. I deleted my original post by accident.

I found a really neat site called Polyvore. It's all about making little collections of what you like as far as fashioned is concerned. You get to choose from hundreds of shirts, dresses, jeans, jackets and so many accessories. Then you can add all kinds of other things like the blue chest and green chair. It even let's you know where you can buy the things you like. This is a little representation of me. I would wear this outfit today if I owned it. I would also sit in this chair and look at all my favorite blogs. I think I need the shoes. Yes, I need the shoes!

Thanks for visiting!

Change

2011-02-17T08:47:00.000-05:00

Winter in the northeast can become rather, long! You spend a lot of time looking at the same four walls. You tend to notice things. Things you liked the day before, need to be changed! The change I am referring to required me to find my stable gun. It was in the toolbox my father gave me a few years ago. This is what needed to be altered! It is my daughter's headboard. We have been looking for a new one for awhile now. It is a full sized bed and there is not much of a selection for full sized headboards. The fence headboard was nice, but it needed to go! Below, is the new drop cloth covered headboard.

A few months ago drop cloths were very popular in the land of blogs. This week while I was blog hopping I noticed bloggers were still using them to make curtains, tablecloths and slipcovers. I bought one at Lowes a few weeks ago. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but I had to have one! Sunday morning I draped the cloth over the headboard and I liked the way it looked. My daughter was not that enthusiastic. She is not big on change! However, I like change! I hope she won't mind if I buy a few new pillows, I am not too fond of the turquoise colored flower pillow. I want the room to have a softer look.

A drop cloth and batting, not a big investment. The total cost was about $13.00. I like change especially when it is cheap, I mean inexpensive!

Thanks for visiting!

2011-02-16T08:30:00.000-05:00

I didn't realize there was so much green in the kitchen. I think everyone is looking for something green and springy these days. My father put this lamp together for me a few years ago. I found the shade and added the beads. The base is an old fashioned ice cream maker. It is one of my favorite pieces, ever! The rectangular green piece with the number 16 is a calender. February 16 is a special day. It is our daughter's birthday. It is funny that there is so much green in this post. Because tonight she is going to the Boston Celtics game. There will be a lot of green there!

Thanks for visiting!

2011-02-15T09:19:00.001-05:00

I tried and I tried but I could not get a good photograph of this vase. The colors are much lighter in person. I am not sure why it is so bla and brown! I am looking at it right now and there is no dark brown pieces at all. They resemble different shades of parchment paper, not dull brown! I loved the flowers on my dinning room table so much I bought another bunch of white flowers for the living room.

I wish I would have saved all the vases I have received over the years. I would cover them all with tissue paper. I did find two in the basement. All you need to do is tear up pieces of tissue paper and glue them to the vase. I really like the finished vase, no matter how it photographed. I will blame it on anther gray winter day. That is becoming my excuse for everything! Don't feel like cleaning, blame it on the weather! Having a bad hair day, blame it on the weather! Eating way to much junk, blame it on the weather! Spending way too much time on the computer, blame it on the weather! I guess I will have to come up with another excuse in the springtime. Ah, yes I will blame it on the rain! It rains a lot here in the spring!

Thanks for visiting!

2011-02-14T08:24:00.003-05:00

I hope everyone has a nice Valentine's Day. I made a batch of sugar cookies. Of course they had to be decorated red and white. I have been seeing a lot of cakes and cookies decorated with a pretty blue, the color of a Tiffany's box. Maybe next year I will give that a try.

Have a wonderful day!

Thanks for visiting!

2011-02-13T11:58:00.001-05:00

I have been looking at so many blogs the last few days. If you are not careful you could find yourself on the couch in your pajamas at noon! Now, that did not happened to me, I'm just saying. One blog had a pretty card made from cut out flowers. I had to try one for myself. I am going to remember this for next year. Or maybe I can incorporate it into the next batch of cards. I like it, it so easy!

Thanks for visiting!

2011-02-12T08:58:00.005-05:00

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thanks for visiting!

Little Brown Gift Bags

2011-02-11T11:05:00.000-05:00

My husband likes to cook, he is by far the best cook in the house. He usually goes to the grocery store early on Sunday mornings. I never know what he is going to bring home, it's like Christmas when I take the food out of the bags. I will watch him make Sunday dinners and ask him if I could make what he is making. He always looks at me and says, no. They say that the truth hurts, in this case, not so much. I hate to cook. I did mention that he does the grocery shopping. I also hate to go grocery shopping. I do put dinner on the table the rest of the week. In over 25 years of making dinners I do not have one recipe I would share with others. Nothing! I like to craft and bake. Okay, the reason for this post! I have suggested he bring his own bags to the grocery store but he hasn't yet. Until he does we have a lot of brown bags that I use for crafting.

I can only keep so many in the house. I cut off the top part of the bags (I love the handles) and recycle the rest.

I made these little bags over the weekend.

I made a small gift card holder for each bag.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-02-10T08:04:00.002-05:00

A little bit of sunshine in a rather gloomy winter.

Thanks for visiting!

More Covered Boxes

2011-02-09T09:55:00.001-05:00

Ever since I bought my first Green Craft magazine last year I think twice before I put any box into the recycle bin. These are the perfect size for holding little gifts.

This would be very nice for Easter or a spring birthday.

I love red and blue together.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-02-08T10:32:00.006-05:00

Here are the elephant note cards. Not really breaking news, I just like when I finish things. I have a lot of unfinished crafts, I am easily distracted. There are so many great ideas to try! Not this time, they are done! They are done!

The colors are a bit crazy, but that's okay. Right? I don't have much solid papers. I love prints!

I still love the owls! I made a few bookmarks.

It is snowing again. If I am staying in for the day, I have a few options. Crafting, cleaning, baking or watching television. There has been a big increase in my crafting and cleaning!

Right now it is time to clean.

Thanks for visiting!

2011-02-07T07:13:00.001-05:00

Winter white cupcake!

The Weekend

2011-02-05T18:32:00.007-05:00

I would love to spend the weekend wrapped in this blanket curled up on the couch.
Maybe have a little fire! Do a little reading! We do not have a dog, but if we did I would want him laying on the floor right beside me.

This would be very nice. Could I maybe have a few cookies with that? Why not? It's the weekend!

This is my idea of a winter wonderland!
I could get lost in all the new catalogs that are coming to the house! Read "The Pioneer Woman's" new book.
Then at 6:00 PM I would turn on the tv and watch the Super Bowl!
It took me a while to deal with the fact that my Patriots are not in the Super Bowl, but I am over it. I'm over it! I'm over it! Not so much!

Thanks for visiting!

Something new

2011-02-04T08:11:00.000-05:00

Look at me I am stepping out of the box! I am working on a few elephant notecards! It started with a little skectch. The elephant looked a bit lonely so I made him a friend!

I know now, I should of used a different background paper. Sorry about that! Now, I just have to make the cards!

Thanks for visiting!

Mantle

2011-02-03T08:02:00.002-05:00

I never know what to do with the fireplace mantle. I like the less is more look. This will do for now.

I finished this banner for a friend. I hope to get it to her before Valentine's Day! I might make one for our house as well. I better get working on it. Valntine's Day is just around the corner!

Thanks for visiting!

Just a little something

2011-02-02T08:03:00.001-05:00

My love for red flowers continues in my crafting. I covered this paper mache box for my daughter a few weeks ago.

We were meeting for dinner and I wanted to bring her a little something.

We both love this kind of hard candy, so that is what I put in the box. The candy looked so cute in the paper cupcake holder.

Thanks for visiting!

This is what I see

2011-02-01T00:02:00.003-05:00

This is what I see when I leave my house! Can you see how high the "snow drift" is next to my car? Snowdrift, it sounds so pretty. But all it is, is snow that ended up there after we had our driveway plowed $$$$ for the fifth time this winter!

Winter can be pretty. This is what I see from my dinning room windows. I know they should be removed for safety reasons. But if I showed you how much snow there is on our deck you would understand that I am not going out there anyway! I like how they look, they will stay there until they melt away. I see that happening in early March!

We also have them in the front of the house, again so pretty! But dangerous, I do use the front doors.

I just love this picture. I am so glad that I went with yellow instead of tan!

I usually put our garbage in this shed, until it is picked up on Mondays. Let's just say I have not done that for a few weeks. We live in a wooded area with lots of animals, that like to feast on our garbage. For now I have been leaving the cans outside under the stars! Not one animal footprint to be found, I guess they have found a warm place to stay for the winter.

I won't be sitting out there for lunch anytime soon.
What's that? There is another storm on the way, wonderful!

Thanks for visiting!

Creative Quotes

2011-01-31T09:30:00.002-05:00

Saturday afternoon I was looking on the Internet for creative quotes. I needed some inspiration. I found this quote by Henry David Thoreau, "The world is but a canvas to the imagination". My creative world is very small, I want to try new things. I am getting too comfortable and bored with my creations.

Sunday I found the same quote in a bag of cut outs I bought last week. Is it a sign? I'm not sure but I did have fun putting this card together. However, after I made this I tried something new. It took a long time to make and when it was finished, I did not like it at all. Maybe, I should stick with what I know. I sat at the kitchen counter all afternoon and had only this to show for it, not a great feeling. I am not sure if I will change all that much, but I do love the quote!

Thanks for visiting!

Tucked here and there

2011-01-30T10:09:00.000-05:00

I love burning candles. I especially love little votives. I have them tucked all over the house. They are on the fireplace mantle, the dining room table, coffee tables, in the bathroom around the sink and tub and on the kitchen window sill. They are everywhere!

Have a wonderful Sunday!
Thanks for visiting!

Dollar Store Finds

2011-01-29T08:24:00.001-05:00

This past Wednesday I hoped to make it to Jo Ann's to buy a package of glue sticks before the snow started. It was suppose to start snowing around 3 in the afternoon. I left the house at 10:30 thinking I would beat the snowflakes. But, oh no. It began snowing as soon as I started my car. I had enough time to run a few errands and stop at The Dollar Tree to see if they had any glue sticks. I did not find any glue sticks but I did find all this!

I had the tissue paper in my basket before I found the tall candles. But I knew as soon as I saw the candles I was going to glue the tissue paper to the glass candle jars.

The tissue paper is so pretty. They had a few other colors. I am pretty sure I need them, too.

I cut a piece of tissue to fit around the jar. I used Mod Podge to glue the paper to the jar.
I lit the candles and they looked very pretty. Not a bad craft for $3.00. I really have to go back and buy a few more candles and paper!

Thanks for visiting!

Shirt to bag in an afternoon

2011-01-27T09:43:00.008-05:00

Monday I made this bag from of one of my husband's button down work shirts. It is a another project from the Green Craft magazine. I was hoping that I could find a plaid shirt that I could use but I had to settle for this solid blue oxford instead. This shirt had a ink spot on the pocket. I couldn't use a shirt that was still good to wear. However, it would be a shame if one of those nice plaid shirts happen to get a mysterious tear or a bleach spot.

This is the bag that inspired me to make mine. I love plaid or checked shirts.

I did not know where to begin so I just made the first cut and started sewing. I had a piece of iron on interfacing that I cut to fit the front piece of the bag. I thought the fabric was a little thin and the interfacing did help give it a little more body.

I found a piece of leftover fabric for a new pocket. I thought about changing the buttons but when it was almost finished I decided to stay with the white buttons instead.

I added a piece of red ribbon and a red heart to the pocket. I am not sure when I am going to use it. It looks like a summer bag to me. I do know I want to make another one.

Thanks for visiting!