The Craft Shows are Coming!! The Craft Shows are Coming!!

I have been collecting craft supplies for a lot of years.  Probably 25 years.  I use up a lot of supplies when I make things...but honestly, there seems to be no way I can "make" fast enough.

For years I've enjoyed taking old stuff and repurposing it into new stuff.  I was constantly on the look out for vintage sewing & kitchen items, baby shoes, old china pieces and bakeware, buttons, baubles, and bows....well you get the idea.  Plus I've always been quick to make a purchase at those after Christmas clearance sales...actually after anything clearance sales!! 

This year I decided it was time to use up as much of the accumulated stuff as possible.  That means no buying additional supplies unless it's absolutely needed to complete a project.

Like glue sticks or fiberfill for instance.

I'm happy to say that so far I've been successful!!  

I haven't had to buy anything yet...not even glue sticks.  I discovered that I hoard those too!!

Here's a look at some of the things I've made for my two upcoming craft shows!

There's more in the works!

The only negative thing so far....most everything I'm making is small in size.  There doesn't appear to be less of anything as far as supplies go.  But I'll keep at it!

Painted, Packaged & Priced

Craft Show time will be here before I know it...so I've been trying to get a little bit done each week.  But with the craziness that it is life these days, I haven't spent a lot of time in my craft room.  I did  manage to finish this very simple project. Sadly, it took almost three weeks to do it!  But I'm happy with the results!

I've picked up lots of little bowls at thrift stores...painting them all fun colors seemed like a good idea, as I shared in this post.  Getting the final coats of paint on all these bowls seemed to take forever.  But they are finally done!

They make fun little sets...don't you think!!?

I'm on a roll.....I hope!

P.S. Since I had the paint out, I spruced up an old bread board too!

Busy Weekend

My weekend went by so quickly....here it is already Tuesday evening and I'm finally taking some time to do a blog post.  Hopefully I'll spend a bit of time visiting my favorite blogs too!

 

On Saturday I went to a couple thrift stores....one of my favorite things to do!  But I've been having some difficulties with my eyes since my cataract surgery.  Fluorescent lights really bother me...and one of the stores had some really bright ones! My eyes were so tired and I had such a headache after shopping...so I opted to stay off the computer for the rest of the weekend.

 

Here's a look at some of my treasures...I think they were worth the headache.  Maybe....

Here's a peek in my shopping cart at the first stop.  A Pyrex bowl for Mandy, a coffee mug for Katie, a very cute t-shirt for Lulu, and a pair of brass cranes for Bill's bookcases.  The pair of butterflies will get a paint job...look at all the ideas for them on Pinterest!  I love the glass jar with the red tulips on it.  It was made by the Hazel Atlas company in the 60s...and was originally sold filled with cream cheese. Here's a look at a couple of them on Etsy.

 

 

At stop number two I found some pretty little saucers (missing their cups), a wonderful old wooden bowl, and a big hoop.  I'm thinking about "planting" the saucers in my garden.  The wooden bowl might get a coat of paint....look how cute these bowls are!  I'm not sure what I'll be doing with the hoop...there are SO MANY ideas to choose from!!

 

On Saturday, I spent some time in my craft room too.  Did a little tidying up, and a little re-arranging.  Look at this display of pretty paint colors...it was hard to resist doing a little painting.

I only resisted until Sunday....everything needs another coat or two, but progress has been made. These are such fun colors!!

These photos were taken with my phone...I'll have to remember to use my camera when I take photos of the finished products!

 

A Profitable Weekend

Well, I had my injections and I feel a bit better today.  I slept very well and some of the most bothersome pain has lessened.  However, the weekend was rough!  Sitting was not comfortable at all, so lying down and standing were my positions of choice.  I was able to get some reading & napping done, and I also spent some time creating.  Lucky for me, I have a counter in my craft room....it's the perfect height for creating while standing!  

We just scheduled our annual Christmas Arts & Crafts Show.  It's going to be in early November...that'll be here before we know it.  I need to get busy!

I gathered together some "stuff" I wanted to create with.  

I've had a lot of this for months...a couple pieces even for years.

The porcelain electrical receptacle, and the metal wall sconce were recent 

purchases in Pennsylvania.  I found the two metal pans at a thrift store last week. 
The rest of it was tucked away right here at home.

Here's a look at what I've created with some of this "stuff" so far.

These saucers are now pretty, little wall mirrors.  I love how they turned out. 
I have lots of saucers without matching cups, but no more mirrors.
What else would you do with 'orphan' saucers?

Another quick craft with old dishes....my favorite is the one with the brown pedestal.  

Love that little plate, and the combination of the it and the pedestal is perfect!

Take a look at the porcelain electrical receptacle. I glued an old tart tin to it.  Now it's a candle holder...or whatever kind of holder you want it to be.  I'm very happy with this piece.

These two wood pieces weren't changed very much.  I added a sheet music insert to one.

A piece of "dictionary" scrapbook paper covered up the writing on the front of the brown rack.  

Now I'm trying to decide if they need a little something else.  Especially the brown piece.

Maybe a word stenciled across the top. Thoughts?

I've had this little lamp for years....the old shade frame almost as long.  I put them together with some old lace and ended up with this pretty lamp....on and off.

It's fun to take something old and turn it into something new.  

It's nice to create a bit.  It's also nice to have less pain!

Thanks for your thoughts, prayers, and emails!

Linking up with Knick of Time Tuesday.

Pinterest Fun

I found some great ideas on Pinterest over the past two weeks.

Thought you might like a peek at a few of my favorites.

 

Paint Stick Magnets
How perfect are these for displaying kid's art work on the fridge!

Awesome Mug Rack.
This is on my "Pin-It and Do-It" list!  I know just the wall to hang it on too!

Love the color ~ and that it hangs on the wall!
This is a great tissue holder!

I have always wanted to host a cookie exchange. 
Wouldn't these boxes be the perfect way to package my cookies!!

Love this Extra Large (9X13) Hot Pad.
I think these would be wonderful gifts, and I can't wait to give them a try.



Now if I could only get into a creative mood.

How about you, are your creative juices flowing?

How do you get started again....when your craftiness seems to be stuck in neutral!?

 

 



Opinion Please!

I decided to take a little break from organizing and cleaning to do a little creating.  As I moved my craft space from one room to another, I sorted through supplies.  I discovered so many things I forgot I had...like little brass goblets.  I thought I'd try turning them into pincushions ~ something I've seen done on Pinterest and Etsy.

 

It's been months since I've done any serious creating....my vision is lacking a bit.  I can't decide if I like the pincushions with or without the pearls around the edge.  I plan on embellishing them with some lace and stuff ~ but for now I'm stuck on "what about the pearls"?  

So...what do you think?



I like this creating.  I really need to get back in the habit!