What a Mess

Here is my own little corner of the world. My craft room. Actually it is more of a storage room, as most of my crafting is physically done in the kitchen. I tell hubby that it's because I like to stand while I make stuff.....and while that is true.....It is hard to be creative when your space looks like a war zone. Piles waiting to be put away.....unfinished projects.....I keep waiting for the Health Dept. to come shut me down. ((And then as if to illustrate my point, Nellie just came in and puked on the floor!!!!!!! HOW RUDE)) Aaahhhh.....Some semblance of order. I can even fit my computer on the desk now. More piles.....more projects. I moved all the almost finished projects to the same shelf where I can get to them easily. Now when I have a few spare minutes I can finish them one at a time. I think I can even sit there and bust out a blog post or two..... Don't look too closely.....Hoarders might be called in at any minute. ((Of course you know I did have to push some of this crap stuff out of the way so I could stand in the room.....sad...... So much better. And yes...those are stuffed animals on the bookcase taking up valuable storage space. Five of them are from my Mom....and one is handmade by my sweet daughter.....they make me happy. On the wall shelf I have things from my Grandma, one of her sisters and my childhood. Some days I like to just sit and look at them. Good times..... Is there a room in your house you'd never let anyone see? Do you have a room where you create or dream? In my house they tend to be the same room!!!

All About the Shoes

This is one of those materialistic blog posts where I wax poetic about possessions.....shoes to be exact. If you have ever seen me all gussied up you probably noticed one thing....I have some stinking cute shoes. It's true. The thing I love most about shoes is no matter how "fluffy" I am feeling I can ALWAYS wear cute shoes. If you are a size 5 or 25 your shoes can help you feel like a million bucks. Dear Hubby and I got to go to a work dinner last night. The place we usually end up going to looks like a hole in the wall from the outside....but it is pretty swanky inside....so a cute outfit is in order. I found these shoes at Kohl's last time I was there and had "the reaction" upon spotting them. I only buy shoes that are gasp-worthy. Sweet Daughter and I will be shopping along and turn a corner and have been know to gasp in unison over a sweet pair of shoes. Then we know they are destined to come home with us. I had some tan (with kind of a gray thread running through the fabric) capri's that I wanted to wear. Of course it started to snow just before we left...but I still wore them. I threw a sweater over my purple/gray/black and tan tank and was ready to go. This is my hot date. Yes, he is smiling (love you babe!). We had a lovely dinner and some great conversation with his "pan guy", Pat, and some of the guys (and their wives) that Jim works with. I love these shoes so much than when I got up from the table to get my salad I was SO tempted to tell everyone "Look at my shoes!". I didn't...but I wanted to. So now you know I am shallow enough to go on and on about my fabulous shoes....what are you obsessed with? I really want to know!!!

Goodwill Make Over

No...I didn't give the entire Goodwill a make over....although they could probably use it. I just needed a cupcake/cake platter. You know....a pretty tiered display platter. I looked for one assembled and ready to go...but no dice. So I decided to make one. I gathered some supplies. My original intention was to find some pretty plates, spray paint them and glue them to a candle stick.I loved the scalloped edges of the green plate.....but I couldn't find any pretty plates to go with it. Then I found the small star platter. hhhmmmmm......An idea....What if I found some pretty platters and skip the spray paint? Well....I bought the only one at the two Goodwill locations I checked. Then I hit Thrift America. SCORE!! I found a big star platter, a pretty lattice-ish platter and a beautiful crystal looking candle stick.
Yay me!! I loved this one so much that I decided to keep it as is and just use it. I don't know why....but it just spoke to me.
Little star platter was perfect for my platter though.
And the big star platter was going to be a beautiful base.
So, I pulled out the ol' E-9000 glue and got to work. This stuff holds like no body's business and dries clear. I did end up gluing some clear glass tea light holders to the bottom....for feet.
And now I have a pretty cake platter to serve yummy treats to my friends and family.
Not bad for a $6 investment. Not bad at all.
I'll be linking with these parties........
Metamorphosis Monday
I Made THIS Tuesday
Show and Tell Wednesday

Paper Flowers

My friend, Renae, found a tutorial to make these cute flowers. There is one part that was a little tricksy for me to follow....shocker I know. So I decided to put in some idiot proof tabs so I can remember how to do this for a really long time.
I cut 16- 2 1/2" circles in coordinating colors and 1- 4" circle. You can use two sided paper if you have some in your stash. If that is the case, only cut 8- 2 1/2" circles.
If you used single sided paper, use a glue stick or tape runner to adhere them together....right sides out. Then fold them in half. I put the plain paper side toward the inside.
Fold the circle in half again. That way you have an "X" mark on the back for a guide.
Open up the circle and put the plain paper side up. Take the edge of your circle and fold it so the round part comes up to the cross lines. Clear as mud? Good!
This was the tricksy part for me. Put the plain paper side down on your work surface. Hold onto the part you just folded and bring it to the middle crease line. "K"?
Do the same with the other side.
It should look something like this.
Now take your 4" circle and some craft glue. Glue your newly folded paper flower petals to the bigger circle starting at the top and continuing around so you have 4 on the circle.
Then place the other 4 in the gaps and slide them in together so the outside edges are lined up in a nice circle. Grab a button from "Ye Olde Button Jar". Glue it in the middle for a pretty flower center.
And there you have a pretty, pretty paper flower. Now you can make it into a brooch for your favorite sweater or put a clip on it and use it in your hair. I will be putting some on a wreath (Crazy, I know!! And so unexpected!!). I hope that was clear and that if you are "challenged" like me that it made perfect sense.
I am linking up with these parties....be sure to check them out!!

I Made THIS Tuesday
Whatever Goes Wednesday

New Chairs

Well...they're new to me. I am so excited! This is what my old chairs looked like. They are great and match my table (duh...I bought them as a set....sorry). They just aren't made to sit on hardwood or tile floors. See how the legs sit at an angle....they slide out REALLY easy and leave the chair sitter (terribly embarrassed) sitting on the floor.
So here are (some) of the new chairs. I've been looking on Craigslist for about 6 months. I was SO excited to find these. One is missing the back center piece....but they were cheap....so they came home with me.
Hubby and I have been having a bit of a disagreement on what color the chairs should become. One of us wants black and the other wants them as close to the table color (creamy white) as we can get. So I pulled out the black and the Heirloom white. The white isn't an exact match...but it is really close.
Here is what the chair looked like before....(yes that is my work-out gear drying on the banister...keepin' it real!!)
The cushions had been under plastic the entire time the previous owners had them. They are in perfect condition.
Here is the black chair.....nice!!
Here it is with the table. I like the contrast.
Here is the white.....nice. I hate choosing between two things I like so much.
Pretty...but maybe too monochromatic.
If they were your chairs....what color would you paint them??

I am linked with these great parties....

I Made THIS Tuesday
Show and Tell Wednesday
Whatever Goes Wednesday

Update

Here is another project I did with the fabric flowers. My front door was in need of a bigger wreath for spring. I think this fits the bill.
I just covered a straw wreath base with ribbon and then used a straight pin to secure each flower so I can take them off when I am ready for a change.
Welcome Spring. How I have missed you!

Fabric Flowers

I decided I needed to break away from the rolled rosettes. I found some silky fabric on clearance at Hobby Lobby so I bought a foot of each of the 4 colors. I looked all over for a good tutorial.....you know.....because I am challenged when it comes to following directions I needed one I could follow. I found a few that were sort of easy to follow. What I didn't understand....I made up my own. I took pics of the third attempt....you know....because I usually do at least three.
This is a soft aqua silky fabric. I started by cutting six circles. I cut three on the pen line and three just short of the pen line.....that way one is smaller and they are more graduated in size.Here they are...all ready to go. I lit a tea light candle....FYI....the longer it burns the hotter it gets....just sayin'.I started by holding it 2-3 inches from the flame as per one of the tutorials but it was taking forever and I'm just not that patient. So I was about an inch or less from the flame most of the time. Another hint....use tweezers for the smaller circles....fewer burned digits!Using two hands for the bigger circles gave me better control and maneuverability. Another tip....be ready to blow out the occasional flame. No harm done :) After singeing the edges I held the flower, top up,to the flame....just until it puckered a bit.
Lay them all together and turn and arrange the circles until everything meets with your exacting standards. I used hot glue to glue them all together....but you could sew them. I think the glue was easier.Then I dug in my bead stash for some coordinating beads. You could use buttons or crystals or whatever.
Here are my three finished flowers. I will put alligator clips on the back so they can be used on either head bands or clothing.There you have it. Probably about as clear as mud....but there you go. I will be linking up during the week to some great link parties. Check them out for some fabulous ideas.
Metamorphosis Monday
I Made THIS Tuesday
Whatever Goes Wdenesday
Strut Your Stuff Thursday