Always Purging

Too much stuff!

Constantly purging.

Yesterday I gathered 5 more large boxes of stuff to be donated.

I took photos of some of the keepers, just to make the day more tolerable.

 Whatever I can fit into the top of this cabinet is what I can keep.

It's odds and ends transfer ware and pretty bits of china and such.

 Any overflow gets donated.

 If I bring in anything new, something old has to go.

 I rarely use this stuff, but just can't seem to part with it.

I guess I'll always be purging.

Just too much stuff.

Karen

Finding Beauty

Yesterdays walk was so therapeutic.

Jack and I ventured out again this evening.

 Looking for bits of blooms left behind by Summer.

There's beauty everywhere if you take the time to look for it.

karen

Shabby Yellow

I know Shabby Chic usually brings thoughts of white, pink, and blue, but what about yellow.

 Just a few pretty flea market finds that I couldn't pass up.

 And the roses were a steal at just $1.99.

 Hope your weekend was bright and cheerful too.

Thanks for visiting.

karen ann

Flea Market Decor

My flea market treasures

   make a lovely romantic space.

 Vintage floral containers are a pretty solution for storage.

 Pillows made from vintage bark cloth add softness and comfort to my space.

 A little chippy shabbiness in my space makes me happy.

 Tattered millinery flowers are always one of my favorite finds.

A scarf like the ones Grandma wore draped across an old lamp softens the light and adds to the comfort  factor.

 A basket filled with vintage hats is a nice pop of color in a corner of my space.

 Candles are a must here.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you find something inspiring here and will come back sometime soon. It  always brightens my day to read your comments.

karen

Queen Ann's Lace

Along the edge of the woods

 the Queen Ann's Lace grows.

Beautiful in brass

 and silver.

karen

Simple Handmade

As some of you may have noticed…I can't decide what to do with the header on my blog, but I'll get it figured out eventually. Anyway…I've been working on a few simple projects this week. I finally got around to making my tote bag from the old bark cloth that I've been collecting. 

For the past year or so I've been finding small pieces of vintage bark cloth at flea markets and the button is one that I bought from an Etsy shop a couple of years ago. I think the shop was Button Boy. Okay I just checked and it's called something else now, but they are still selling the buttons. Just click on www.buttonboy.etsy.com and it will get you there.

 I used some pretty floral linen fabric for the lining that was once a couch slip cover. It's nice and light and has tons of room. I gave my new leather bag to my daughter and I'm using my handmade, BOHO tote now every day.

Yesterday I stopped in at the Dollar Tree and picked up a few things.

I'm not crazy about dollar stores, but sometimes I find crafty type things there and yesterday was one of those times.

I purchased some of their simple tall jar candles and did a little upcycling to them.

 I just used scrap book paper and some Elmer's glue to give them a whole new look.

 I already had the paper and glue, so it cost just $3 to make 3 candles.

They look like the expensive ones that I saw in the gift shop a few weeks ago.

I'll be back soon with some more crafty ideas using Dollar Tree finds.

karen

Simple Shabby Weekend

Mom is here visiting for a few days.

We did a little thrifting.

 And I was lucky enough to find this comfy cotton robe in perfect condition.

 We recycled some egg cartons into some fun mobiles.

 Used up some beads and ribbon scraps left over from another project.

Some salvaged old jewelry parts.

 A little paint as well.

Simple inexpensive fun and good memories.

karen 

Shabby Dress Hangers

One of my favorite things to repurpose is old floral sheets.

Last year I made pajama pants from sheets and baskets which I crocheted from torn strips of sheets.

A few days ago I came across some of the leftover strips from the basket project and decided to put them to use. I covered ugly plastic hangers with them. Just tear your sheets or fabric into one inch wide strips, attach the end with a dab of hot glue, and start wrapping. Add a dab of glue every inch or two and a little at the end to secure the fabric strip in place.

 They are much prettier now.

 I added some ribbon for tying on accessories.

 The fabric keeps the dresses from sliding off the hangers.

 Some pretty paper roses add a nice touch.

 Such a simple project and a good way to use up some of those fabric scraps.

Thanks for stopping by!

karen

Handmade Hook Containers

Leftover seed starter pots.

Recycled floral paper bags cut into strips.

Mod Podge

Simple Storage

karen