Most of my holiday decorations are years and years old. I enjoy their age. Every year when I start decorating the house these items feel as if I am reuniting with old friends. There are many happy memories behind most to the decorations, especially the older ones. Memories of painting or making them. Of the …
We tend to go through a good amount of oats each week. There is a lot of variety in the texture depending which type of oats you use, quick, old fashioned or steel cut. Of course there is also the variance in cooking times and methods. My everyday favorite breakfast is oatmeal using old fashioned …
Do you have a few old business cards that you can upcycle into tags? I like to use business cards and garment tags to experiment with different paints, inks and papers. The result is instant mini art works to be used in other projects. Another advantage is that because of their size, they are quick …
Do you enjoy using vintage images in your collage, planner or art projects? They are a study in contrasts, having both simplicity and detail depending on the images selected. Some have bright, vivid colors, some are subdued and sepia ink tones. It was exciting to find this package of vintage Halloween pattern ephemera in a …
I came across this quote by Anthony Trollope the other day, “What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee…” It is a great coffee day quote. Actually, it is a good quote any day! Sitting on the sofa enjoying a book and a cup of coffee …
I gave myself the task to regularly clean up an area, drawer or box in my studio. This came about from participating in a ‘happy mail’ swap. It is amazing what can be found tucked away at the back of a drawer. I save a lot of odds and ends, items that I think I …
It is odd to me sometimes the way our taste buds will dislike a food item in its natural state, yet not notice the same food when it is combined with others. Growing up none of my kids liked spinach, not in a salad and definitely not steamed. But, finely chopped spinach added to the …
Look at what I found during one of my recent de-cluttering episodes. These little characters helped to remind kids of positive character traits to have. They are one of the last hold outs of a childhood long gone. (There are still some Barbie dolls in the attic). Back then we had a few more of …
Sometimes it can be a challenge to think of practical small gift items to make with fabric remnants. I have this wonderfully colorful fabric left over from a potholder project. This sewing project started out as a reversible eyeglass case practical and useful with a ribbon to tie it closed. After I completed the pouch …
I finally found a use for a packet of frame type blank cards that I have had for a very long time. Originally I thought the frame would be nice to use to display my small paintings. I think I will still try that idea to see how it looks. I found this pear patterned …
