I had been looking for some vintage heart cookie cutters and kitchen items and found a few the other day at a local antique store…I am hoping to make some cookies and perhaps use the heart molds for some cakes or brownies ~ I’ll share if I get to this…hopefully sooner rather than later! 

hearts & hugs, mb

Think out of the box and let the non-traditional side of you run wild.  Pick up a box of vintage ornaments, crepe paper, glitter, and create something that is one a kind!  Here are some ideas to inspire you.

Crepe paper Christmas tree with tutorial!!!! via Creative Chaos

via Velvet Strawberries

Vintage Christmas In~the~Pink via BHG {three above}

via Georgia Peachez Wreath Blog

Papier mache showman via The Little Things

via The Robin and Sparrow

and these were mine from a few years ago via C&C

hugs, mb

Years ago I purchased some vintage linens to repurpose, i.e. cut apart and use for crafts, sewing, etc.  I just could not bring myself to cut some of those linens up.  Some only had small stains, tears or imperfections and it seemed wrong to destroy them. The linen in this metal basket  was one of those linens.  It was not perfect but I loved the tatting/lace border.

A few months ago I was redoing my kitchen on a shoestring budget.  I had a metal basket that I kept coffee and tea bags in.  It is not the prettiest basket but it is functional.  I took that basket and tucked in the linen I had saved for such a long time hiding the stains.  I really like the finished look of this ‘new’ basket and the total cost was $0.00.  ; )

hugs, mb

ting/lace border.

I love vintage and in the case of photos and postcards I have a soft spot.  When I see the old postcards with the scratchings on the back-some of love, some of friendship and some of just good old communication I imagine who wrote it-who the recipient was and the depth of their relationship, etc.  Postcards are a very inexpensive way to decorate.  I have been to a few antique stores lately and have picked up the cards shown for less than $6.00 for all-not a bad deal for a decorating centerpiece that can rotate and change easily with the addition of holiday specific and seasonal cards.

whispering fond good-byes, mb

I am linking this at Kimba’s-A Soft Place to Land-one of the best DIY blogs I know of

I love romance and all things romantic-vintage pins, linens, lace, crystal fobs…well, you get the idea!  I have a simple-less than 1 minute-and absolutely free lampshade update.  I pulled out my doilies and found one that was long but not very wide and a blue crystal pin from my jewelry box.  I wrapped the doily around the lampshade and secured it with the pin….and…that was it.  All done.

Chic, Simple…and FREE…romantic update for lampshades.

{I like this lamp surrounded by the vintage hankie garden!}

hugs, mb

I linked this today (July 2nd) at the great DIY sassy site below-run over there (or skip if you prefer) for some wonderful DIY ideas.

I like to change the look of rooms without much fuss or money.  While looking for some inspiration for the windows in my craft room, I came across some wonderful ideas.

• Handkerchiefs-I ultimately decided to go with handkerchiefs for my craft room windows.  I strung a sheer ribbon {one that would not show through the hankies} from one end to the other with a “stop” in the center of the windows, attaching to cup hooks. I have the cup hooks in place but after thinking this over, I am going to look for some inexpensive crystal drawer pulls to replace the cup hooks and small wreaths.

Heart Hankie Curtains-BHG.com

• More Handkerchiefs-This was just too adorable not to have in this post.  In this case, the handkerchiefs are tied together using small knots.

• Tea Towels-Any tea towels that tickle your fancy would be great displayed as a window treatment in a kitchen.  Linen, vintage or flour sack types come to my mind first.  This picture is from Apartment Therapy-which by the way is a great site.  I found it for the first time today while looking for pictures—lots of ideas!

• Bandannas-How cute {in a boyish way of course} would bandannas be strung across a rope with little “lassos” at each end across the window of a boys room?  I may do that for youngest sons room.  It needs a pick me up and with bandannas being so inexpensive, this is definitely a can do.

cold, crafty hugs, mb.

I joined the Hooked On Houses/Hooked on Fridays link party hosted by Julia and you should too….or at least go visit and check out the other awesome links…so much to see!

Today’s ornament is a crepe paper, glitter and clip art ornament.  It takes less than 10 minutes to make.

All you need is white crepe paper, silver glitter, Styrofoam ball, glue gun and clip art.

Wrap the ball with the crepe paper pulling somewhat snugly as you go along.  Once the ball is totally wrapped, cut the end and lightly glue.

Next, gather some crepe paper and begin gluing to the center of your wrapped ball.  Go around once making it a into a circle shape, cut and glue.

My angel clip art is from  Vintage Holiday Crafts.  I glued the angel to the center of the crepe paper medallion.  I had some paper snowflakes that I glued on also.  You can add the glue/glitter before or after this step.  Apply glitter about 1/4″ inch from the edge of the medallion, add a ribbon to hang, and that is it.  if you like gold tones, some cream colored crepe paper and gold glitter would be beautiful as well, as would pink glitter, blue glitter, etc.~~~~my mind is just racing with ideas now!

When I took the picture of this ornament next to the cone ornament I had made previously, I thought they looked lovely together and I may do a silver and white tree this year {still have not decorated…so the possibilities are endless!}.  Have a wonderful day, stay warm and happy!  hugs, mb.

These were inexpensive and easy to make and could be created in mass to decorate a tree, use as tie ons for gifts, etc.

First, I printed out some sheet music from Christmas Carol Music.  I chose Hark! The Herald Angels Sing which in retrospect, could have been adorned with some angel clip art {glittered of course}, feathers, maybe some little wings…now the mind is working!  I used paper just to see how this would work but the next “batch” I make I will be using card stock.  Once printed out, I cut the paper into 4″ squares and then cut a curve across the top.  Next, roll into a cone shape gluing the straight edge {I used a pencil as a backer while I firmly pressed the glued edge down-this helped to keep the shape of the cone-nothing like an orange dinosaur pencil to accomplish this}.  I then embellished the cone.  I purchased the silver trim and the felt cut outs at JoAnn Fabric’s-both 50% off.  I glued the trim around the top and also cut a length to use as a handle.  I then added glitter and glue to some other little items, stuffed the cone with some shredded paper and they were done.  These could be made larger to hold candies, gift cards, cookies, etc.  If any of you decide to make these, I would love to see how yours turn out, so please feel free to link to your site in the comment section below.

I will be heading over to Blissfully Domestic tonight for the “I am Blissfully Domestic-Week 4″ extravaganza and linking this post….I hope to see you over there.  Monday hugs, mb.

p.s. If you like vintage and need some inexpensive gift ideas, please check my previous post regarding how to make a Vintage Pin Cushion.

p.s.s. It is Thanksgiving night {11:50 p.m. here} and I just got home from my sister’s….everything was so good…I need to get to work but I had a few minutes to browse, went to The Inspired Room and was the first to add a link…I never “linked” over there…so I am excited.  There is some much inspiration {just like the name states} so be sure to stop over and look around.  This week’s links are specific to holiday inspiration.  I am ready for decorating/crafting overload!

This was such a simple and yet fulfilling craft to make.  There is nothing that frustrates me more than taking time, effort, and money to make something that does not turn out the way you planned…that was definitely NOT the case with this….

A few weeks ago I came across this craft in Romantic Country Magazine and have been wanting to make it ever since.  This is a design by Dawn Edmonson at The Feathered Nest.  I went to my favorite antique store yesterday, The Preserve Cottage {Pam also has a wonderful online shop} and found the beautiful silver plated, monogrammed creamer and used that as my starting point.  I had everything else on hand.

I first stuffed some tissue paper at the bottom of the creamer.  Next, I cut a small square of white broadcloth, gathered the edge with a gathering stitch, placed a small amount of fiberfill in the center, pulled the stitching tightly and knotted it off.  Next, I hot glued some antique lace trim {I had a table runner that had seen better days with some of the trim missing so I didn’t feel so bad for salvaging what I could}.  I next placed the pouf of fabric and lace into my creamer hot glueing  it into place.  I used a few of my favorite ribbons to make a simple bow, stitching it in the center and attaching some buttons I had saved from my Grandmother’ s button box.  I added some Dritz straight pins {purchased at Wal Mart} and a charm that I had on hand.  That was it.  This would make a great gift for a sewer and would certainly be unique and inexpensive.  happy hugs, mb.

I will have a wonderful chicken salad recipe {made by my oldest son} ~ quick, easy, inexpensive Christmas cones made with paper, glitter, and glue ~ and an advent calendar in the next few days.  I hope to see you back!

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