Apple Hot Pad

This is just one example of the way I recycle fabric.Several years ago, my niece dressed up for Halloween using a dark grey sheet as a floor length hooded cape in part of her costume. When she was finished with the costume, I inherited the grey fabric to use as I saw fit.The fabric was a little older than I cared to use in a quilt, so I decided to use it up as a crocheted rug. Not caring for the color, I talked myself out of that idea,but when I had crocheted several rounds with the fabric,I thought about using that as a base for a hot pad.I added 2 worn out wash cloths,one on either side, for additional thickness.I rummaged through my small fabric remnants, and found an appealing piece and began to cover the crocheted base,along with it's 2 wash cloth.When I finished stitching the cover on the base(I had a little help from my Granddaughter)it looked more like the shape of an apple than a circle,as I had expected it to be.But,what the heck!I'll just make it into an Apple Hot Pad.The fabric had apples on it anyway.So that's what I did. I appliqued a stem from brown fabric, and 2 leaves from green fabric. Hence my Apple Hot Pad!
What have you recycled today?

Home made Black boards

This little project seems to be a simple one, but then if you don't have the proper tools, it might not be so simple. I do have many tools, since wood crafts are some of my favorites.I collect all sorts of wood scraps, and all my friends and neighbors who know that, keep their scraps for me. My son in law brought me a bag of wood scraps here lately, that were left over from building his daughter a little shelter for her nativity scene that sits in their yard through the holidays.He knows I like to use bits of wood in my crafts. Nevertheless, I used luan which is a very lightweight wood,left over from the construction of our floor, in our new house, 3 years ago. I have to keep most of my nicest pieces hid from Pop. We have a wood burning stove,you know,to supplement our heat in the winter months.
I cut the wood into small pieces,whatever size I choose.Then sand them really good all over on both sides.I dust them good, and paint a coat of paint of my choice on one side, and paint the other side with regular blackboard paint. I had never used that type of paint before, so I was shocked to see a quart was nearly $10,but I will,no doubt, get many black boards from that one quart,thus bringing down the cost of making each board.I put two coats of paint on each side.The back side of the blackboard could be used to display anything of your choosing,for when the blackboard is not in use. I like for things I make to be as useful as possible.We all have so many pretty collectibles that serve no purpose.The back of the board could hold a calendar,for example.You can pick up those small calendars anywhere, and attach one to the other side. You may find other ways of displaying something on the other side that is special to you.Perhaps a collage of your grandchildren on a calendar.That is just one example.The possibilities are endless.

A Penny Saved

We were at the weekly auction a few weeks ago, and they were selling a lot of farm related pieces. Among them were several feed and corn type scoops.The prices they were bringing was ridiculously cheap, but I couldn't help but think about our little home made scoops we use at home.We take a one gallon plastic jug,usually a vinegar jug or bleach jug, and cut it to serve as a scoop. We have made and used these for many years. I just wondered why other folks don't have the insight to do the same. Especially with money so scarce, and prices so high.It only came to less than $20. for 3 or 4 scoops,but that would buy a few items, needed worse,especially right here around Christmastime. I suppose a lot of this way of thinking never comes at all to some folks, or if it does, it will do so as they grow older and wiser. These were young folks doing the buying,and being frugal just doesn't seem to enter young minds unless they have been exposed to that life style all along the way.I can only hope that my grandchildren are taking note of some of my frugal ways.One doesn't have to be eccentric to be frugal.

Ever Needed Faux Matches?

Who in their wildest dreams, would have ever thought they would need fake matches? Not me. Well, with small Grandchildren, you find you need a lot of things you never needed before.
I recieved this Match Holder years ago,for a gift, and never used any matches with it. I have hung it up near the heating stove during various Christmases, but never ever thought about putting matches in it. They are so tempting to young fingers, and then there is always the chance of them igniting from the heat from the stove. Well, this year, I decided I wanted matches in the little holder,so I set out to find something to use. I had a bottle of fragrance in which the liquid had all evaporated,so I took the wooden sticks from it, and used them. It wasn't until later, that I ran across the bottle of little sticks I had found at a yard sale. Nevertheless, I took a red candle and lit it, then dipped my sticks into the red wax a couple of times each, until they looked like match heads, then I used white craft paint to dip the very tip into.I was very pleased with the results. Wal-lah! Now I know how to make Faux Matches.Double click on the picture, and you can get an up close look. I was not as neat as I should have been with them,but then this was my first try.

Working with wood scraps

If you have read any of my blogs, you have probably figured out, I have no rhyme nor reason,no plan or schedule, for making any of the things I make. It just depends on the mood I'm in,as to what craft I may undertake at that moment.
The holidays bring out a lot of my desires for making some things.Then I proceed with whatever notion I have at the moment. If I like that idea, and it turns out nicely, then I may proceed to make several of that particular item,in various ways.I love making wall hanging,mainly from wood pieces.I love verses, and quotations.Usually those that would "strike a chord" with anyone.I use a lot of scrap lumber,metal,what ever is available,that I can save and recycle in the making of my crafts.


I found a pile of scrap lumber, here lately,piled on a small lot near the road I travel, when picking up the grandchildren. I knew the folks who owned the land, and I knew that pile would be burned shortly,as they have done in the past. I stopped to ask if I could scavenge through the pile,but no one was home.Since I did know the family, I went ahead and loaded several pieces of the lumber into my truck, and called them later.

They were elated to hear that I could use any of it. They said I could stop anytime I saw a pile there and take whatever I wanted before it was burned. I was so glad I stopped. I will be watching that spot on a regular basis from now on.


I have posted some pictures of a few of my wall hangings I've made lately.
I have not sprayed them with a coat of varnish to seal them good yet, but I will do that as time allows.
I really enjoyed making the little blackboards.I have not put the strings on them yet,by which they will be hung, but that will be my next project.Drilling the holes and attaching the string and chalk to each one.


The little square pieces is supposed to be just a pad to hold a hot bowl,so as not to damage the table or tablecloth. I cut and glued them and held them together tightly with my new vice type thingies I bought at the auction for $4. each. I knew they would come in handy in my crafts somehow.I sanded them on my belt sander. I have not been brave enough to try my new planer yet,then I brushed them with a coat of stain/sealer. I will put a coat of polyurethane on them next.

Using up Little Bits and Pieces

This is another favorite project of mine. Using up little bit and pieces of Christmas trimmings. You know, the fragments of garlands, and leaves that have fallen off of the holly or mistletoe,or bits of greenery from the tree or from the garland you usually hang on the banister railing. Tiny bulbs and bells and ribbons, that are too numerous and meticulous to hang on the tree.I usually pitch mine in a special box or container, until I get in the mood to do something with them. That's usually right in the middle of Christmas preparations, when I really don't have the time for "playing".That's what I call all the fun things I love to do. Things I should do after I have finished all the things I must do.Only Heaven knows,who ever thought up that rule.Must have been a man.I like to play when I feel like it, and work when I feel like it. Playing for a spell, rejuvenates me, thus helping me to do more work later.

The many ways you can use these tiny fragments are endless. I use them by hot gluing them on tops of jars of jellies and jams when I give them as gifts. If you make those mixes in a jar for gifts,glue an arrangement to the jar top.Or,I simply glue several little pieces of Christmas glitz together,on a piece of wood or a piece of cardboard that has been covered with a pretty paper or fabric, for a nice piece to set around the house during the Holidays.It makes the house feel so Christmasy.(I wonder if that's a word)

I have other ways of using up bits and pieces that I will be posting along the way.

Tweeking in Progress!

I picked a bad time to start a new blog, but I'll not be discouraged or whipped.With all the goings on around this place, on a regular day,it's hard to keep one's sanity.Now with Halloween and Thanksgiving over, and Christmas, right around the corner,and let's not forget the birthdays and anniversaries. Oh, how I wish I had a secretary. Oops!I made that mistake once before. Be careful what you wish for, or at least make it very clear, just exactly what you mean.I didn't mean one of those little black pocket type things that you must spend hours programing and setting up. That's what I got that year for Christmas, and it's sitting in a drawer somewhere. That was one gift, I wish I had not asked for,but it is a gift, and you should be thankful for gifts and deal with it.I just don't have time to give it all the attention it needs, to do it's job properly. It has boocoodles of bells and whistles to remind you of various things(if you take time to set it up.)Maybe I should have wished for Time(Most likely,I would have gotten a nice watch).
Well, since time is what I need,and that is definitely one thing no one can give you, I guess the next best thing is to tweek my schedule.(And post it everywhere possible,for all to see,)
On days when I am here alone, I can get so much done(if my biorhythm is on the upswing in the physical aspect of it).But it's the luck of the draw as to whether that will happen. I have days when my energy level is over the top, then days where it's crashed to the bottom with no hope of coercing it to any other level.

I got a little feed back from my sister over at Nails in My Pocket and she suggested I do a little tweeking to my directions. Specifically,on my post about using woolen fabric for the rolled fabric base in my pincushions.She's right, and I will get back to that, but let me tweek my time schedule a bit, and I promise,I will do better.

(Oh,Vicki,how I wish you could come for a few days or weeks, or maybe months.I sure could use your help.)