An oldie, but goodie, Junky snowman ornament tutorial

I posted this 2 years ago, but thought it was time to share it again, just in time to adorn your Christmas tree!


Haaaaaapy Birthday!!



No..It's not my birthday, nor is it my blog's birthday, but when I finished these cute ornaments I immediately thought of good Ole Frosty the Snowman, and the first words he utters when he comes to life.
I'm going to tell you how you can make your very own!

For those of you who don't know me, one of my favorite places, (besides Thrift Stores, Antique malls and craft stores lol) is the hardware store. Now normally, you'll find me shopping at Home Depot, BUT Here lately I've discovered that the Menards 20 minutes away actually has about 3 times the selection (*Gasp* I know, Right?) and is actually quite a bit cheaper (Sorry HD...I still love you though!!)  So while Hubby and I were out for a rare date night (Endless Shrimp anyone?!?!) we popped into the Lancaster menards to look for smaller packs of peg board hooks (which they had..Menards 1 - HD 0) and some lazy susan hardware at a reasonable price (Menards 2 - HD 0) and while standing there looking at their unbelievable selection of hex nuts (once again, menards scores..3-0, menards' game) I was inspired. I just happened to see them in my head, Hardware snowmen! and you really can't beat the prices! I got enough hex nuts to make 6 snowmen and it was a whopping $4.42..including tax. Except the wire, I had that already, and it was purchased at Home Depot.

So here's your Shopping list:

24 gauge wire
E600
snowman body:
5/8 hex nuts
1/2 hex nuts
3/8 hex nuts
Hat
1/4 flat washer
2 1/4 hex nut OR 1 1/4 hex and 1/4 hex cap

Extra 1/4 hex nuts or beads/bells

1:  set a 5/8 hex nut on your working surface.

2: spread some E600 on one side of the 1/2 hex, place it, glue side down, onto the 5/8 hex.

3. repeat for the 3/8 hex.

4. on wrong side of the flat washer put some E600, place it onto the 3/8 hex

                                     

5. repeat for 1/4 hex

6. repeat for second 1/4 hex or hex cap.

7. set aside to dry

8. While snomen are drying, cut your wire into 5-6" pieces. Bend in half

9. half way down from the loop you formed in step 8, tie the wire into a loose knot. this can be done, it just takes a minute to work it into the right shape.

10. Slide your hex/bead/bell on 1 strand of wire. twist both strands together locking the bead onto the wire.

11. wrap extra wire up and around the top of the bead, this will be hidden between the snowman's hat and the bead.

12: thread the flattened loop throught the hex nuts and out the top of the snowman's hat. spread wire loop for hanging. and Voila! A hex nut snowman!

If you make one, please let me know, I would love to see them!

Pen(cil) in hand?

Once upon a time, many moons and 3 children ago, I was rarely without a pen or pencil in hand, sketching or writing poetry and short stories.

Somewhere along the way, with hustle and bustle of being a Wife and Mom, I drew and wrote less and less. Going through some old boxes of books and magazines, I came across a few of my sketches from a couple of years ago..and it makes me wonder where might I find the rest of my earlier art and musings?

We've moved many, many times over the years so I fear they may be lost. But with the loss of my own Mother a few short weeks ago, I find myself wanting to try to find these lost pieces of me so I may share them with my children, and God willing, their children's children. It's important to know where one comes from, and not just from the medical history stand point.

Does the daughter of my brother know she comes by her artistic tendencies naturally? Has she ever even seen some of our (her Great) Grandfathers drawings? Does she know she shares that trait with her cousin, my eldest? or even myself? Who did my Grandfather take after artistically?

These are questions I want to make sure my progeny have the answers to, as best as I can answer them myself, and the best place I can start is with me.

Save a tree, and your sanity with this quick and easy pattern tip.

For my sewing friends:


Save paper, and wear and tear on your favorite patterns, Go out and buy some of ClosetMaid shelf liner and trace your patterns onto that..Since it is vinyl, the edges won't roll or tear, and you will get consistent  tracings. For easy storage, punch a hole into each pattern piece and tie or use an opening o-ring to keep each patterns' pieces grouped together.

I got mine at Home Depot (Home Depot has NO idea who I am, and for that matter, neither does ClosetMaid lol!)


http://www.homedepot.com/p/ClosetMaid-16-in-x-96-in-White-Vinyl-Shelf-Liner-1127/203054523#.UofF5SeM1b0

Repurposed goodies..

The past couple of weeks have been eventful to say the least, Farmer's markets, cleaning, clearing, reorganizing..but I managed to get some sewing in here and there.

This sweet little baby quilt, and the matching bunting is my current favorite..They were made from mostly reclaimed fabrics, with the exceptions being the batting and the white muslin in the quilt and backside of the pennants.

                      I've always enjoyed making buntings, and these 2 were no exception!


Well, back to it, Lots of goodies to create, not so much time lol!

Michelle

Vintage Strawberry tin

A few weeks ago I picked up this sweet little tin at a thrift store for $.30.

As they tend to do, the inside had started to corrode, leaving areas vulnerable to rust. So I covered up the outside of the tin and lid using masking tape and a plastic shopping bag,

 

and after a quick spritz of some Krylon spray paint

  (Ivory on the lid, Celery for the basin)

  I can now store my vintage buttons without worry!

The sewing room makeover is coming along, I can't wait to share!

Farmer's Market fun and a new tote

I attended my first farmer's market as a vendor a little while back, it was fun, and we did well all things considered (very last minute!)
Here's a few pictures, our booth has some tweaking needed, but we will be working on that before our next market day ( June 29)

 Next trip I hope to have more of my reclaimed vintage items ready..

 and my new table coverings done ;)

I just had to share this one, she was so happy with her Hipster Messenger!


There hasn't been a lot of sewing happening this past week. Back flare up, but there were a couple of projects that made it in before and after the flare up ;)

This beauty is sold, I didn't even get the chance to list her before she was snatched up hehe.

 

And then today I was able to finish this Paris Flea Inspired Market tote..and had to list it quickly before I decided to make her mine!

If she doesn't sell soon, I might just do it anyhow!!

until Next Time!
Michelle

Upcycled glass

As soon as I saw this post over at Fox Hollow, I knew I wanted to make some for our upcoming show. Being as we are located 20 minutes from the Anchor Hocking factory, finding glass ware of any kind is never a hardship.

Here are my first efforts..

         We found these cruets at different sales, and the rhinestone pieces are from a local flea market.

And these 2 pieces have been adorned with some vintage velvet ribbon, and a pair of earrings I removed the posts from. Oh So shabby!

Incidentally, I found another of those mini pitchers over the weekend, I think it will be getting a yellow treatment.

Barkcloth, Oh how I love you..

Many times while thrifting or shopping online I will come across some vintage bark-cloth curtains that speak to me. Unfortunately, they are ofttimes too spendy for my purposes, but every once in  awhile, I find a good deal.

This was one of those times. I really wish I hadn't been so rash and cut before I got a picture..


I was excited.


I know, it's a failing,


 I'm working on it.



Anyhow, I did cut into it, and project #1 is done and ready for our show June 22nd.

Very simple hipster bag, a more detailed version is in the offing, maybe tonight, maybe later in the week. Housework and health permitting.

I just had to add an adjustable strap!

And the vintage lace flower pin is removable.


So what did you do over the Holiday weekend?

A tale of ticking..

A piece of vintage ticking that is. While I was out thrifting when my very best friend Sarissa for my birthday we came across a little bit of vintage fabric. One of the pieces was this ticking, and I could only tell it was the vintage stuff over what I can buy new in the store by the width of the fabric.

So I brought it home with me, gave it a good wash and finally was able to work with it over the past 2 days.

I was able to get 4 totes out of the piece, and in keeping with the new direction I'm taking my etsy shop, each one is a different piece of art.

A few of these will find their way into the etsy shop, although the red white and blue is for an upcoming auction I am taking part in.

Reclaimed lace purse

Last week when I stopped by my friend, Polly's shop, in addition to the embroidery pieces I'd also bought a lace tablecloth. I had actually already bought the other pieces, left and drove away, only to turn around and go back for the table cloth before I even got out of the downtown area lol.

There it is on the bottom of the pile

I cut into it last week and put together a simple quilt top, which I hope to finish tomorrow. But tonight I just wanted a smaller project. I was actually lacking inspiration, and was going through my linens to see if anything sparked when I remembered this pin..I love the style, but it's a bit too fussy for everyday use. I immediately knew what I wanted to do, and with a plan in placed I gathered my supplies and got to it.

Pretty, but functional. I like it :)

a visit to the flea

Nathan and I went to a local flea market today to hunt for some treasures. We have our Day Be4 Vintage and Handmade Market coming up and we are still shopping and getting ready for our booth.

This was an awesome weekend for vintage finds..we have been primarily looking for smalls, mainly due to a modest budget for a large space!

There are a lot of hours worth of crafty fun on this table..but first a good washing is in order ;)

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