The Birds Are Singing

I woke up this morning to the sweet sound of songbirds.

It had rained all night and the snow is mostly gone now. The creek is spilling over and there are small ponds covering my back yard. The geese who have their babies here each year, have returned and were making a fuss. Now I know that Spring is on it's way.

Crocheted eggs.

Vase and leaves made from recycled materials.

An apple made from linen and recycled wool.

It's raining again, but the birds are still singing. They are happy that Spring is coming too!

Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

Thanks for stopping in!

Karen

Recycled Goodies For Your Home

An old friend once told me that I was "good at making things out of nothing". I think what she meant was that I have a way of turning old, discarded items into pretty things for my home.

It started out as a necessity and has now become a passion.

These bowls were crocheted from strips of outdated sheets. I was putting them in a box to donate them and remembered that my Grandmother used old fabric strips to weave rugs, so I thought why not crochet them into something instead.

I'm happy with the way they turned out and I'm going to make rugs for my kitchen as well.

I've listed some of my recycled items for sale in my Etsy shop.

There are strawberries made from recycled wool and stuffed with lavender buds and lavender sachet pillows made from recycled 1940's feed sacks.

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

A Box Full Of Nature

This started out as one of those little unfinished boxes that you buy at the craft store. I removed the hardware, added wooden drawer pulls for legs, painted it white, then sanded it to remove some of the paint.

Next, I added the collage to the top and sealed it.

I replaced all the hardware and filled the box with little things from nature.

I like the way it turned out. It's another little thing for my home that makes me think of Spring.

I'm still playing around with ideas for my Umelecky shop on Etsy.

I needed to make a fresh start, but can't decide on a product.

I've been thinking of a shop where everything is made from recycled materials. That would give me a broader selection of things to make and would give me the choice of creating several types of items as opposed to just one. I get so bored making the same things over and over again.

Anyway, that's just one idea. I'm not going to get in a hurry to decide right now. I'm having fun with my vintage shop and will continue to think about ideas for my handmade shop for a while.

I'd like to say thanks to everyone who has been following my blog and thanks for all your kind comments as well. I love reading about the things you're up to and the projects you are working on and it feels good to know that you also read mine.

Thanks for stopping by!

I'll be stopping in to visit you too.

Have a beautiful day everyone!

Crocheted Containers

I said I was hanging up the crochet for a while, but I have to have something to do when I watch TV, so...

last night while watching "Damages", I crocheted a couple of containers.

This first one, made from natural jute is my favorite.

This next one is crocheted from double thick cotton and has a linen lining and a lid.

I'm not sure what I'll use them for, but I think the eggs look cute in the jute one.

I hope you are all having a good day!

Thanks for being here!

Talk to you soon!

Karen

Almost Garden Time

After I finished shoveling the snow from my deck and driveway this morning, I made my way to the garden shed to look for flower pots and garden tools. Before you know it, it will be time to start planting.

I came across a vintage garden tool that I had purchased a long time ago.

This little tool has seen a lot of gardens over the years.

I think it's time to retire the poor thing.

It will make a charming display item alongside some potted plants.

Are you planning a garden this year?

Thanks for stopping in.

Karen



Thinking Spring

Since it's freezing outside and we are supposed to get a foot of snow today, on top of the two inches of frozen slush that we got last night, I decided to finish some projects that make me think Spring.

This wooden candlestick has been in my craft room for years.

I painted it white, distressed it a bit, and embellished it with vintage lace, seam binding, and a pretty, paper flower. The chippy spindles in the photo are going to be candlesticks some day too.

I used some of the vintage lace that I've been stock piling, to make myself a scarf for Spring.

I made the base from a piece of linen, then stitched random pieces of lace over the surface. I added some vintage buttons and made a brooch from a glittery flower.

There is a  pocket at one end of the scarf that I salvaged from an old tattered apron.

These little lavender sachets remind me of Spring and Easter.

Whimsical, green and white polka dots and stripes.

Stuffed with lavender from France and tied up with seam binding.

Each set is adorned with a little bird charm.

I know if I just keep thinking Spring, it will get here eventually.

What are you doing to get you into Spring mode?

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Shabby Chic Candle Platform

I've always wanted to do something crafty and shabby chic with some old architectural pieces.

I picked up the base from an old pillar at the local junk store a few weeks ago (I wanted the actual pillar, but the price was way out of my range) and here is what I made.

It was a dirty, old square block of wood to begin with.

I sanded it to get off all the dirt and loose paint chips.

After it was sanded, I glued some old, wooden drawer pulls to the bottom for legs.

Next, I painted the entire thing white.

This morning, after the paint was dry, I sanded it some more, to give it a distressed look.

I placed mercury glass votives and 3 sizes of pillar candles on top.

It is now a center piece for my kitchen.

I had a lot of fun working on this project.

I think I'll be doing more projects like this one in the future.

If you like collecting antique curiosities or vintage treasures, you might find something you like in my Etsy shop.

I've been adding lots of pretty and primitive pieces.

Everything from shabby chic to country farmhouse.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Your visits mean the world to me!

Hugs!

Karen

Recycled Wool Strawberries

I know it's not strawberry season yet, but I've been looking through some old Victoria magazines that I found in my craft room, and was inspired to make some.

They remind me of summer and I thought they might look pretty displayed in a basket or bowl in my kitchen.

I used some recycled garment wool to make them and stuffed them with poly fill.

There are ivory ones and red ones.

I think I like the ivory ones the best.

Keep thinking Spring everyone!

Before you know it, we'll be  picking berries and making jam.

Hope you have a lovely day!

Love and a Winner

First of all Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

 I'd like to thank everyone who helped me get through my meltdown last week.

I'd also like to apologize for the mix up on the date of my giveaway.

Thanks ladies for bringing it to my attention.

Today, Feb. 14th, was the date that should have been posted.

I drew names this morning, and the winner is, "Little Bird"

Congratulations Little Bird.

Have a lovely day everyone!

Karen

Waste Not

Good morning everyone.

I wish you could be here for banana, pecan muffins and some coffee.

I've been trying harder to waste less by recycling, repurposing and sharing the overflow.

Last night I used up the too ripe bananas and made some wonderful muffins.

I used a recipe from an old vintage cookbook and changed it up a bit.

Very yummy and no wasted bananas this week.

This recipe made 12 muffins and 2 small loaves or 18 muffins.

BANANA PECAN MUFFINS

2 1/2 cups flour

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2/3 cup shortening

1 1/3 cup sugar

4 eggs well beaten

2 cups mashed bananas

1 cup chopped pecans

Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat well. Add flour mixture alternately with mashed bananas, beating until smooth.

Add pecans.

Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes

Sprinkle tops with powdered sugar.

Makes about 18 muffins.

Please don't forget about my Etsy shop destash giveaway.

Yesterday, I posted 3 items here on my blog as a free giveaway.

Please stop in and leave a comment.

I have many more giveaways that I'd like to host and I'm hoping my fellow bloggers will want to participate.

Thanks so much for stopping in.

Have a lovely day everyone.

Karen

Spring Cleaning Giveaway

It's that time of year when most of us are sorting, organizing, and cleaning.

Some people call it nesting.

I've been doing the same.
I also did some Spring cleaning in my  Etsy shop and will be giving away a few of those items.
Three crocheted pieces.

Since winter refuses to let up, I've chosen something to keep you warm, something for your home, and something just for fun to help you think Spring.

Lets think Spring first.

A little crocheted worm on a mossy rock.

To keep you warm, a thick, crocheted cowl.

And for your home, a felted wool, wall pocket.

I will pick a winner on Monday, Feb. 14th.

To enter for the drawing:
Two chances to win.

Follow my blog for one entry and leave a comment for another.

I'd love to see what you're up to and check out your blogs as well.

I've met so many creative people through my blogging and have made some wonderful new friends.

I'm looking forward to more of the same.

I hope you decide to join me and to share with me your creative passions as well.

One clean and shiny corner of my home. A long way to go!

Hugs and best wishes to everyone.

Thank you for stopping in.

Karen