Wooden Key

I took the plunge at $1.25 for this plain

wooden key at the thrift store.

It meastured about a foot long!

 

 

I gave it a coat of metallic silver paint

and some black edge distressing.

 

Then, with Stazon ink & a

Tim Holtz script stamp, I jazzed it up.

 

The sentiment I stamped on cardstock

for a cute tag is also Tim Holtz brand.

A hole punch and jump ring allowed me

to tie it on with gingham ribbon!

 

 

The key to life is to...Love * Wish  * Dream!

 

 

 

Linking up to:

 

Stylish Once Again

&

Ivy & Elephants

 

 

 



Winter Ferns & Bed Frame Display

For my Midwest readers,

here is a thrifty tip if you like to hike!

 

I've noticed in the winter,

ferns have pretty brown spore stalks.
(YES...it's still winter here!)
It's not too late.

 

 

This is the patch near my home.

The dark patches are dry fern leaves,

and the 6-12" stalks are coming up around them

on separate stems.

 

I've had them in the house for several seasons

and have never had bugs or pest travel in on them.

They don't seem to release the spores rolled up inside 

due to the continued dry conditions.

 

Here they are on an old bed frame display:

 

 

It's such a pretty bundle,

wrapped in jute rope.

The look is similar to lavender,

but lacks color.

 

 

I found all the feathers out hiking as well!

 

 

I made the moth tag & burlap/muslim ribbon.

The rhinestone Faith pin was on clearance

for $2.50 at a very classy gift shop in Iowa.

Those rustic metal numbers were found in a gravel pit!

 

 

 

The waist apron was less than a buck at the thrift store!

 

 

 

I made the burlap bow and added some thrift store butterflies.

They're common, cost around .50 to $1.25

and will often be sold in pairs.

 

 

Linking up to:

 

Funky Junk Interior

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Green Glass & Grass

This year, I had my very first Easter.

It was fun to break out my green horseshoe depression

glass & drink milk from my fancy tumblers.

 

 

I hope there is no law saying Correlware &

depression glass cannot co-exist!

I worry about cracking plates,

because I've done it before with old dishes.

Never slap a large spoonful of hot

casserole on plates from the 1930's!!!

 

 

My rustic reclaimed wood box was

one of 6 I made.  They were good practice

for me, using my new power tools!

I planted wheatgrass (liquid sunshine)

& it came up so fast for a great spring touch.

 

 

I sold three kits at my booth

containing seeds, soil, burlap bow &

chippy square boxes.

 

 

Here is the one I kept (without a bow).

The grass keeps growing,

and I keep trimming it!

 

Oh spring....when will it come?

We got about 4 inches of snow today.

 

Linking up to:

 

Ivy & Elephants

 

Brambleberry Cottage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Garden Lighting

I purchased an very old lamp from the thrift store.

It has the coolest details

 & even had a marble base for great stability!

 

The wiring was shot, so I just snipped the cords off

and considered a more primitive use.

 

 

It's rusty, so it seemed like a great

way to light a patio or deck in the warm

summer evenings!

 

With some copper hardware,

these candles fit just right!

 

 

This would be cool at an outdoor wedding

dance or at any summer celebration!

 

I know in Minnesota there are a lot of lake

people that sit outside and savor those

mild summer temperatures at night!

 

 

 

Linking up to:

 

Brambleberry Cottage

 

&

 

Shabby Creek Cottage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Suitcase Quick Fix

Do you ever buy something,

only to get it home & find a flaw?

 

I do, especially when excited just to have

found a vintage item on my wish list.

 

The bottom suitcase, shown here,

was thought to have been ruined

by a tacky content label written with a Sharpie.

 

 

 

Tragic, right?

 

Not to worry.

I have a solution!

 

Ebay.

 

Just search "luggage sticker" and you'll have

more options than you could ever need!

 

It cost me $5 after shipping for the sticker,

but made my suitcase worthy to display!

I recommend buying an extra label,

just to have on hand.

 

 

Wah lah!

 

 

This is actually a vintage looking NEW label.

It's a little glossy, but great muted tones.

 

Linking up to:

 

Redoux

 

&

 

Shabby Nest

 

 



Old Bird Tray

I bought this old bird tray for $12.00 at a garage sale.

It seemed like high quality wood,

but the bird image wasn't that great.

Once I took it apart, I knew why.

Someone has simply cut out part of a 1976 calendar.

 

 

I wanted a memorable or vintage item inside it.

After "shopping" in my basement,

I settled on a black & white photo copy of a map.

It was of a special area that my dad would

visit and hike through the years.

Another deciding factor was that it had to be long enough

to fill the long tray.

I didn't want any seams or creases.

 

 

But the topography on this map is very interesting, due to several rivers.

 

 

I left the wood alone, it's very rich & nice grain.

So what do you think of the black & white?

 

 

I miss my dad more than word can express.

He passed away on April 17th in 2001.

Easter is always a reminder.

 

Linking up to:

Funky Junk Interiors

 

 



Rusty Bike Wheel

I never thought a rusty old bike tire would look good in my home.

It just goes to show that you shouldn't be too set in your ways!

I passed these tires up once, but not twice!

 

 

The rubber was off, an obvious bonus.

Since the ones I've been seeing online are with out.

I did hack saw off part of the center so it wouldn't scuff walls

and to cut down on weight.

 

 

I stiff brush helped brush out lose rust & tire gunk.

Those wires were easy to snip out too.

 

 

The results?

 

Unique clipboard!

 

 

Oh so cute!

This one sold right away.

 

You might think they'd be best hung on a wall.

But I set mine on the buffet in front of a large picture.

It looks amazing. 

 

 

 (real nest, faux eggs)

 

 

I bought a few Easter postcards at

a recent occasional sale called Annie's Cottage.

 

I also made a tag using some fun Tim Holtz products.

 

 

 

There is something so fresh & pure about white pottery.

It really lightens up my dark display.

I just love it, and these two items were a steal for just a dollar each.

Man I love garage sales.

 

 

Linking up to:

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

&

Lavender Garden Cottage