It's almost June and we've been Yard selling a couple of times.  We really enjoy going and I love it when I get decorations that can be added to what I already have. I think every yard sale item I'm about to show was less than $1.00 for each one.

Some of these we bought years ago but all of it was found at yard sales except the olive jar on the right.

The Hens were the only items I got a store.

Everything but the pitcher, the lemons and the jar they are in we got at yard sales this year. 

I love these old pop bottles and crates.  Maybe it's because my father worked at a pop bottling company most of my childhood. I won't say which one since two different companies are represented in this picture.

I found the sconce at Ross and it reminded me of the old pop bottles so I had to at least try it with this arrangement.  

I have so many more things we found in years passed but those are the only pictures I took today since my husband wanted to work on an amazing table we are refinishing.  I hope to post pictures later this summer.

Valentine's Day project

I found this project on Pinterest and knew immediatly it would be fun to make for me and my kids.   While showing the idea to a friend another friend overheard and placed an order.   "Don't you want to see if I can even accomplish this before you order?"  was my response.   So this is for her to look at and make her decision.

PARTS OF MINE ARE A LITTLE ON THE WILD SIDE

I WANTED TO MAKE MINE ALL ABOUT  VALENTINES DAY AND A LOT OF BLING.

JUST REDS FOR ONE SON AND DIL TO MATCH THEIR HOME AND  A  LITTLE LESS BLING .

NO PICTURES, NOT MUCH PINK AND HARDLY ANY BLING FOR THE  BACHELOR.

The frame on the right hand side of the last picture is one of the gifts we gave them for Christmas.   The middle part with the heart is attached with velcro so it can be removed.  I made a theme for every month as well as one that just says "Welcome to our home". 

Funny story behind this frame.  We found a frame and mat with The Family Proclomation in it at a yard sale for $1.50. We bought it with my youngest son and his family in mind and before the day was over I figured we could make a new frame for it and give it to them for christmas. Not a big deal just a frame right? Then because the proclomation was on white paper and not really the look I wanted I decided to try to distress it.  WELL a couple of you tube video's and looking on pinterest for hours, because pinterest sucks you in like that, I found what was needed to achieve this look.  It took coffee (kind of ironic) an oven and some distressing ink. Throw in some dry brushing, a painted mat and we got this.  Lets not leave out my amazingly wonderful husband who listens to my explanation of what I have visioned in my mind and somehow always gives me what I wanted, usually with improvements.  Now remember this was just supposed to be a little gift on the side because it was, after all, just a yard sale find.  I was determined to keep it under $20.00 and I think we actually stayed under $15.00.  WHEW... I think it ended up being their favorite gift. WHICH I LOVE!!!!!!!!!

A look at our Christmas Projects.

Let me begin by saying........I am SOOOOO VERY uncomfortable with this whole posting pictures of my work idea.  However, everybody knows this is the easiest way for everybody to look at the stuff we make to see if they want to place an order.  So, just as promised, below you will find pictures of the things we have made over the years that we have found great pleasure in sharing with friends and family either as a gift to them or an order placed by them and in MANY cases...both.
Of course we have to start with a Christmas Tree to put us in a festive mood. I can't put a picture of snow because we still don't have any this year.  I sereiously don't remember the last christmas we had without snow.

We make the trees in these pictures. You may not be able to tell by the picture that they have lights on them. The Gift Boxes all have lights inside that glow through the cut out words / snowlakes on the small box. We didn't make the box that says "welcome", it was actually my inspiration.  

We also did the  ivy leaves one year for just a couple of people. 

You can't tell from this picture  but I did a crackle finish on the sled.

These are just those paper mache letters from the craft store painted and covered with scrapbook paper.

An ex-coworker made a set of these years ago and they  have always been one of my favorite decorations. This year I decided to make them for all my neices and nephews and a few others. I think Mike ended up cutting out 21 SETS.....that is 63 candles that man had to cut out and 63 little tiny bows for me to tie.

This is what I made for my neices, nephews and friends last year (2010).

I made this sooooooo many years ago. I actually have one for 3 or 4 holidays the valentine one is pretty dang cute.

I got this idea from the same friend that made the three little candles.  She is an amazing crafter and when I grow up I want to be just like her, haha.

Wow ...  this idea was also from her. See I told you she was good.

This reindeer pole we made in 1991 when my boys were still in school and every one of us played a part in completing it.  We have since made one for my son and his family  and I have enjoyed every one I have made.

Don't forget the lampost, trees, countdown and jingle. There are bigger pics of them in an earlier post.

I don't make anything in the next two pictures but they are some of the old decorations we have had for years that make a big difference in the way my home feels at Christmas. 

I hope you saw something you like.  You know how to reach me.

 I plan on posting the other decorations we made for the other holidays but I'm not promising when.

Christmas presents from the past.

One of the main reasons for me to start this blog was to make it easier for friends and family to see what Mike and I have made so they can see if they need to place an order.  I figured this was the perfect time to get pictures and follow through with that. 

Christmas Countedown 2010.

jIngLe 2011

Lampost  - too long ago to remember ...2005???
Snowman -  yard sale purchase.
Picture made  by my DIL.

Trees we made in 2010 after finding one at a yard sale we thought they would be fun in two sizes. 
After making 7 sets we decided to NEVER make them again.

Our first Thanksgiving on our own.

 I love looking at other blogs that have decorating ideas and it seems alot of them have beautiful table scapes,  so I wanted to give it a shot.  My Family has always celebrated Thanksgiving on the Saturday after the holiday.  This is the first year I have had just MY family without my Sisters and their families So I wanted to start some new traditions.  Since my house is completely decorated for christmas one of my sons said it wouldn't be a big deal if I wanted to go with a christmas theme so I could use my christmas dishes that I NEVER get to use.......... so........ this is my first attemt minus the silverware and lit candles. It appears I need to invest in some more items but I loved it. It was soooo nice, relaxing and very enjoyable. It was everything I had hoped for and so much more.