Quick Jute Baskets

I have a large bookshelf with cubbies & baskets.  Currently, it stores every toy set imaginable!  Mr. Potatoe Head, Duplos, Roll-a-rounds...you get the idea.  The baskets don't all match, but I tried to blend two different styles.  There are 3 matching dark ones, out the 10 total. 

I wrapped jute around them & simply safety pinned it on the back!  This has held remarkably well.  No sewing or glue, which made it quick & easy.  I still felt like they needed a little bit of "something". 

Using my Cricut Expression, I cut numbers out of sticky vynol. The negative space was painted with acrylics.  The result is DYNOMITE!

The bookshelf got a royal clean out & many toys moved into my son's room.  I love the look of the 3 numbered baskets.  Do you think I should do more jute & numbers or leave it at 3???

The jute strips can be bought at Walmart.  This project was easy & fast.  Give it a try!  Any paper stencils would work to instead of the Cricut.

This post is on My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday. There are a lot of great ideas listed there, please check it out!

Reclaimed wood

My dear cousin Matt tried to salvage some wood off grandpa's old grain bin barn, but it was crumbling to pieces.  He did however, save me three large heavy boards from inside!  I've had them for almost a year & I finally enlisted the help of my hubby to made a small bench top. 

The old bench bottom was purchased for a buck or two, then repainted & distressed.  But the top, I wanted more rustic & contrasting.  In theory, it sounds great.  However the project ended up looking top heavy.  I still love it & it's very meaningful to me.  And I owe my hubby for taking the time to fulfill my request, since I'm power tool challenged!  His work was fantastic.

So far, it found a place in my son's room.  All his "friends" sit on it. 



SHIP RUBBINGS

When scavenging the woods in Iowa by my step dad's farm, I found a nautical hub cap. I took it home, fairly certain I'd never find a use for it.  I had to think on it for 6 weeks, but it finally struck me.  Great ideas don't always happen overnight!!!

I remember as a child making leaf rubbings by putting a leaf under paper & rubbing crayon over it.  This technique worked perfectly with the ship!

With these killer vintage images,  I made several masculine cards.  This is great timing, with Father's Day coming up!

One envelope got special treatment.  I saw in the Martha Stewart magazine this month, that inking the edges of paper & envelopes is a nice touch.  So my favorite card got the fancy envelope.  I used a sponge & ink pad, but she had recommended the small eye shaped chalk inks.

Thanks for looking today, have a super weekend!!!

JUNK IN MY TRUNK

I HAVE JUNK IN MY TRUNK!  I WENT TO A FEW LOCAL GARAGE SALES THIS PAST WEEKEND & SCORED A FEW SWEET ITEMS.

IT WAS, POSSIBLY, MY MOST EXCITING PURCHASE TO DATE.  I CAME HOME WITH AN OLIVER #3 TYPEWRITER!  I MAY HAVE SPLURGES, BUT DID TALK THE OWNER DOWN FROM $50 TO $30.  CONSIDERING THAT I PAID $12.50 FOR MY ROYAL, THIS SEEMED LIKE A FAIR PRICE. 

I FOUND SOME USEFUL INFORMATION ON THE WEB, CLAIMING 150,00 OF THE #3'S WERE PRODUCED.  AROUND 300,000 OF THE #5/6 WERE MADE. 

WIKI

THERE IS A WEALTH OF INFORMATION AT THIS SITE:

TYPEWRITER MUSEUM

MY NEW-OLD TYPEWRITER FOUND A HOME, FAR OUT OF THE TODDLER'S REACH. 

COMPARING THE TWO, THE ROYAL ALMOST LOOKS MODERN!  I AM LOVE WITH OLIVER & THINK HE'S A SYMBOL OF SOPHISTICATION! NOW, THAT'S A GREAT WAY TO BREAK INTO THE GARAGE SALE SEASON!  

Wind chimes

I am in LOVE with old wind chimes. Bells of rust & whimsical shapes create yard decor from a different era. 

(forgive me for posting a picture with snow in the background!)

This rainbow one was found at a garage sale for only a few dollars.  It has the most lovely sound.  And it's sturdy enough for my 2 year old to reach & bang on!  The different shape & sized bells make for various tones.

This one is more elaborate & artistic.  It's kept in a porch, which makes for a nice corner accent. 

This resembles a shell.  It's the cutest thing, hanging on an old pump house.

Last year I obtained this heart for $7 at Antiques America (info).  It resides in my kitchen.  When a breeze comes through the window, it gently chimes.

Sensual Touch

Before you freak out at the title, settle down.  It's the name of my tulips!!!  I bet you checked my blog, just to see if I posted something risque!



I've been enjoying my tulips for weeks now.  I grow them in an ugly chicken wire fenced area to protect them from hungry deer & rabbits.  I refuse to risk any loses!

This purpose of this post is to encourage multiple vase displays.  These frilly tulips might look too "busy" in a vase all nestled together.  My goal lately has been to feature some old brown glass that was found in an old dump this spring.

There is such a contrast in feminine & frilly verses rustic & dark.  I'm especially fond of the old root beer barrels.  They fit well in the old muffin tin, which is multi functional!

Thanks for looking.  I hope this will help you get more creative in your flower displays!

RETRO BLUE

RESCUED-JUST IN TIME!!!  I HEARD THE SCRAP METAL MAN WAS COMING, BUT WAS ABLE TO RESCUE THE CUTEST OLD BIKE FROM A JUNK PILE.   OUR FRIENDS WERE KIND ENOUGH TO LET ME PULL THE OLD "BUTE" FROM A TANGLED MESS & PUT IT TO GOOD USE. 

                                        CAN YOU SPOT IT?

IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE AN EASY GRAB, BUT THE HANDLE WAS WEDGED BETWEEN HEAVY JUNK.  IT TOOK SOME DOING, BUT I WEASELED HER OUT OF THERE.

SINCE ONE WHEEL WAS UNBOLTED, I HAD TO CARRY IT!

                        
                       HERE IS A PICTURE OF MY GARDEN, BEFORE.

                                        THIS SHOT IS THE AFTER.

TOO CUTE, IN IT'S RETRO BLUE.  THE GRANNY STYLE FENDERS ...

                                      ...AND THE CHAIN GUARD

BUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE SEAT???  I HAVE TO THINK ON THAT ONE. HMMM.

MY NEXT TASK IS TO TRY & ACQUIRE THE WICKER BIKE BASKET I SOLD IN MY GARAGE SALE LAST YEAR!  STUPID STUPID STUPID.  I KNOW WHO HAS IT, AND SHE MIGHT BE WILLING TO RESELL.  OTHERWISE, I'LL BE SEEKING A WIRE BASKET TO PLANT IN.  YOU CAN EXPECT UPDATED PHOTOS IN THE FUTURE!

YOU CAN VIEW THIS POST & OTHER GREAT IDEAS ON SHOW & TELL FRIDAY AT MY ROMANTIC HOME