BUSY..BUSY..BUSY..

Have not gotten into my "junk" stash for sometime now, and have missed a several auctions as well, have been way to busy preparing for the holidays.  My sewing machines have been getting a good workout this past month, but I am almost finished with my Christmas sewing projects.   Some of my boys will be receiving a flannel shirt for gifts this year.

 

Hope to be finished with these projects this week, then planning a holiday trip, so not expecting to get back into my junk stash until after the holidays, but, boy do I have some wonderful plans and ideas.  Will be excited to share them as I get them finished.

THANKSGIVING TABLE

One of the things I enjoy is cooking, especially a holiday meal and whether I'm cooking for two or twenty I feel  if I spend 5 to 8 hours making the food, the meal should be enjoyed at a pretty table.  Setting a table to match the meal is as important to me as the food itself, so today I set out planning my Thanksgiving table.  I found some burlap I picked up a few months ago.

Burlap just says fall to me and I thought it would be the perfect beginning for my holiday table.  After a few hours of cutting, ironing, stenciling and finishing this is what I came up with.

 

I only hope my food tastes as good !!!!!

 

I LOVE TO REPURPOSE

I am one of those people that saves ties on bread bags and yes, I do reuse them often.  I also have a plentiful supply of tin cans, bottles and jars.  I have shown some things I have done with jars in the past, however today I worked with cans.  The cans in this post originally housed spaghetti sauce, but seemed to be perfect for this project.  I spray painted, decoupaged, then to give it some weight added marbles and resin. 

 Deciding this would make a cute holder for kitchen utensils, I proceeded to do something crafty with  wooden spoons.  I painted the handles and oiled the entire spoon, using olive oil as these are something I anticipate being used in food products.

 

When the entire project was completed this is what I have.

FINISHING PROJECTS

I finished up the coasters I made a few days ago by adding some cork to the back side.  This not only makes them more useful, but also gives them that professional feel.  Then packaged them for gift giving.  I like being prepared.

 

I too, wanted a set of these, however, I have no need for another set of coasters, so I decided to hang them.  Remember, I believe anything can be art so long as it is something you enjoy.  I learned a trick awhile back to hang just about anything without any real expense.  I used paper clips and my hot glue gun then found the perfect spot for my new treasures.

 

 

 

 

COCKTAIL NAPKINS ???

I found some cocktail napkins awhile back that so reminded me of a few friends, so I bought them.  Wasn't sure what I would do with them, but they were just to cute to leave behind.  Last year I made some coasters for my girls for Christmas using cocktail napkins, so I decided I would do the same with these.  I start by covering my "cutting table" with a piece of oilcloth (I use this anytime I am going to be doing any painting so as not mess with the table surface), then I collect my supplies.

Cocktail napkins are generally three ply, therefore, they have to be taken apart, as you only use the one piece the print is on.  After getting everything ready, I coated the tile with decoupage medium, added the napkin, then more decoupage.

Before it is completely dry I tear off the paper I don't want on the tile.  I prefer the tear method over cutting the piece to fit, it gives it more of a stamped on look when completed.  Once the decoupage is dry completely, I add a couple coats of polyurethane to the top and sides and put some cork or felt on the bottom.  Now instead of using the napkins then tossing them, they can be used over and over again.

These will make the perfect hostess gifts this holiday season.

PURPLE IS THE COLOR OF ROYALTY !!!!

My husbands favorite color is purple and he is quick to remind you that it is the color of royalty, so it came as no surprise when I asked him to pick out some flannel fabric for his new shirt that he picked the one purple piece.

My husband loves when I make his shirts because he can get them customized just for him, he likes longer sleeves and tails,  snaps not buttons.  I always make my boys flannel shirts for Christmas, and this year I have six more to do, so that is what has been keeping me busy.  It has been just too cold to be outdoors this past week so my garage stash has once again gone untouched, giving me plenty of opportunities to work on my Christmas projects.

IS IT ART ?

I own a lot of artwork, some original and very expensive by well known artists, some prints and of course, the family photos.  Of all the artwork in my home that is most dear to my heart are those pieces created by those I love.  Although, I have not framed and hung all the pieces I own I do have a few I wanted to share. 

This piece was created by my grandson at about the age of 4.  He used some markers on a white piece of copy paper.

This piece was created by the son of a friend of mine.  His dad is a well known artist and his mother was an art teacher.  This young man is autistic and loves the color blue.  He uses his art and color to express himself, he was about 8 when he did this painting.  I take great pride in hanging his piece in my house.

 

Some may look at children's scribbles as simply another scrap of paper or piece of "junk" in the house, but a few special pieces framed and grouped in your home can be worth more than any expensive piece of artwork you could buy.