Baby it's cold outside

There is nothing more I would rather be doing than crafting and showing you all my creations, however, life has a different idea for me.  I have been so busy with everything else.  I still haven't finished decorating for Christmas. *GASP*  I KNOW!!!!  I need more hours in a day and another me, or two!  I'd like to share a photo from my last session of the year, just to give you an idea of what else I've been busy with, a lot of photo editing.  I'm almost done though, I think.  Isn't this little guy the sweetest???

A prim look at Icicles

Just taking a quick break from my non-prim life. I've had these done for almost a week now and just have to get them on here.  I have to credit my Aunt for these.  On our recent shopping trip, she gave me the idea to make these.  I shaped the icicles from salt dough.  I added ground cloves to the dry ingredients to give it a more off white look.  After they were baked and cooled, I wrapped them in tea stained cheese cloth, then painted on a layer of Modge Podge.  The hangers are cream coloured floral wire.  The tree I have them hanging on is one I bought on our trip.  I also made larger ones to hang from garland.  I know I have a few visitors that are pretty new to blogs, so I just wanted to point out that you can click on a photo to make it bigger.  Then just hit the "back" button to get back to my blog.

I finally "get" instant coffee!

A lot of the prim tutorials out there call for instant coffee.  While I use it for staining muslin, I just wasn't understanding what it would do to candles.  Then I tried it and am impressed with the results!  I bought three battery flicker pillars on sale at the hardware store.  They were only $1.99 each and they actually work!  I didn't have modge podge, so I just coated the candle with white craft glue, then rolled the candle in instant coffee with a little cinnamon mixed in.  Here is my results.  Now I want to 'instant coffee' everything!  The boys would look so prim. LOL

The look of blackened beeswax

First, I want to say that the shopping trip was so much fun.  We had a great time and did not come home empty handed.  Once I get the pictures uploaded, I'll post more about it. 

I love the way blackened beeswax looks.  On our trip, I bought a battery operated candlestick that looked like blackened beeswax.  So the little gears in my brain started turning, and this is what I came up with.

I bought a box of plain white tapers at the dollar store.

With craft paint, I painted them black.

Once they were dry, I covered them in cinnamon, and rubbed off the exes.  I had some tea made, so I also dipped the wicks so the weren't so bold.

And voila!  Not too bad, for something a fraction of the price.

Prim Road Trip!

I'm off tomorrow for three days of prim shopping with my mom, cousin and aunts!  Seven women!  Oh the fun we will have.  Our destination is Shipshewana, IN.  Here's a link to some of the shops in town.  http://www.shipshewana.com/shopping.php  On the way home, I've mapped out some antique shops and barns too.  If anyone has any "must stop" places they can pass along, that would be great.  Just leave me a comment.

Handmade Peppermint Sticks

These were so simple to make.  Sew up a long skinny rectangle, leave one end open to stuff it.  Then I painted on the lines with craft paint and when that was dry, I stained them with a coffee mixture and added peppermint extract to it.

Here are my dried orange slices gone bad!  Do not get caught up in watching Toy Story 3 while your drying them in the oven.  I've added oranges to my shopping list for this week.

And last but not least, here is an after picture of two of the gourds from an earlier post.  I washed and scrubbed them, then stained them a little darker.

I made a pantry cake!

I am so happy with how it turned out.  I can't wait to find different molds to make more.  I got the recipe for it here.  Bittersweet Prims   As for the box, I am going to seal the inside and leave the outside as is.  I'll post more pictures of that once it's in the perfect place.

So, I've got this bin

And I can't decide how I should finish it.  Distress it?  Leave it alone?  Stain it?  I'm going to peel all of the wallpaper out from the inside.  I think I'm going to use it as a blanket box, and have an old quilt peeking out from under the lid.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  I'm not sure how old it is.  There was a piece of newspaper in the bottom dated 1946.

Makin' a Make-do

I've had two wooden spools just sitting on a shelf for a while now.  So I used one to make my first make do.

Trick-or-Treat Mouse

I saw this cute mouse pattern and thought she would make for a good 'first time' project for me.  She was fun to make and has inspired me to try other things.  This is the Trick-or-Treat Mouse.

The Redos

I finally got these finished.  I hate waiting for paint to dry.  The bowl didn't turn out as will as I had planned.  I really should have sanded the finish off of it before painting, because the paint just ended up peeling off instead of sanding down the layers to show the black.  Oh well, lesson learned.  I'm going to use the peg shelf in my entry to hang keys on.

I know, it's just not right

Halloween background and Christmas music.  I loved the background, and wanted to take advantage of it while I could.  And I've got Christmas on my mind.  So, if you'd rather not hear the music, just scroll to the bottom and press 'stop'.

I'm making progress on my redos.  I'm more of an 'instant gratification' kind of girl, and have a hard time waiting for the paint to dry.  I think I should have a few pieces done tomorrow.

A fun day

I tapped into my creativity, and that always makes for a fun day.

Th wire baskets I picked up the other day got a coat of black paint.  I'm going to make a home for them in the kitchen.  Now I've got to come up with something to put in them. Any suggestions?

 

 

This is an older country, pine piece redo.  It had heart cut outs on the top and below the lower shelf.  I knocked those pieces of wood off with a hammer and primed it up.

I've got big plans for these three dried gourds.  And the best part, I've got a lot more of them too!!!  They're not looking so great now, but stay tuned.

And, last but not least, here is the Pantry Corn I made.  It's scented with Cinnamon Pumpkin Bread.  I'm using it in old mason jars and trench/bowl fillers, all over the house.

Small Redo

I did this for my mom.  She needed something to put her branch of lights in.  When I saw this the other day, I knew it would be perfect.  I simply spray painted it black.

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GoodWill Hunting

I haven't been in a while and I was rewarded today. At least I think so. I got all of this for $14.00!!!!  I can't wait to get started on them.  The two green baskets are plastic coated wire.

Well, that didn't go as planned.

So much for chronicling my progress.  I have actually been busy with creations.  Now that life has slowed down and is in hibernation mode for fall, I really want to post what I have been doing.  Here's some photos of my fall decor.  Fall is, by far, my favorite season!!

I'm just going to jump right in.

My first post! 

I'm starting to hate winter, and really, it's just begun here in southwestern Ontario.  I've had no desire to leave the house, so I've been browsing many blogs and getting very inspired.  I've got so many make overs on my list now!  I can't wait to get to some thrift stores.  My pile of make overs is large, why not make it larger.  I haven't really done many make overs to date, so this will be a learning process for me.  I've made many mental notes through my browsing and gathered materials needed to get started.  I think the laundry is caught up enough for me to start something tomorrow!

If there is anyone stopping by yet, thank you, and welcome!