Hummingbird feeder

The hummingbirds make such a mess on the railing of the porch, I decided I would put their feeders out in the yard. I have a mimosa tree not too far from the porch, so I put the new feeder pole under it. I felt they would like that, since it would not be out in the hot summer sun.We love to watch them in the early mornings while we are sitting on the porch drinking our first cup of coffee.
We have been "scrapping" this last two weeks,gathering up all the scrap metal that had accumulated for the past 32 years.The prices they pay for metals have been up really good lately. While helping Pop with that project, I ran across several tines from an old time hay rake. Pop had used several of the tines years ago to make me a similar plant hanger,but since it was so hard to keep the plants watered and thriving in the heat of the summer, I decided I didn't want to mess with them, and gave the hanger to his cousin's wife.I should have tried it in partial shade,but since I was still working at the time, I simply didn't think about an alternative plan. I just gave it away. I think that hurt Pop's feelings a bit, but he never let on.When we ran across the remaining tines,I thought about using them for a bird feeder rack.It works perfectly. The mimosa tree has not leaved out yet, but the hummingbirds are using the feeder already.It's been cool and rainy here lately,so the sun is no problem yet.
I took a piece of a small metal pipe and drove it into the ground till it felt firm, leaving about a foot above the ground, then placed a larger piece of pipe,about 5 feet long, over the metal stake.Then I poked the pointed end of four tines into the top opening of the larger pipe.They wanted to wiggle a bit, so I drove a wooden stake in the middle of the four tines to hold them snug.Then I painted the entire thing, and hung my four new feeders.I probably should have taken the time to make my own feeders, but that will be a project for another day. These will have to do for now. I paid less than $4. each for the feeders,but they usually last for several years.

From Rags to Riches,From Curtains to Rugs!

From curtain to rug

I have no idea as to how I came into possession of the material I am using to make this little rug, since I get fabric from everywhere. Most usually it has come from a family member, but then I collect things from consignment stores and yard sales and the like. I doubt I would have bought it new, since I hardly ever buy anything new. If I do, it is rare and for something extra special.My family all know that I love fabric, so whenever they have anything they want to part with, they think of me.Then I go through their goody bags and save out the things I want to wear or use in my crafts, then the rest goes to Mom's where the other family members do the same. Whatever is not needed, goes to the church store for folks who have gone through sometime type of crisis and need clothing or linens, etc.
The fabric I am using for my little rug in the picture above, was once a set of home made curtains. I ripped out all the seams, and tore the fabric up into narrow strips.Then I proceeded to crochet my rug. This particular fabric is in several muted shades of pastels and I think it is turning out nicely.Not exactly sure just yet, where I will use it, but it is a bit larger than my usual rugs. I have made  many of these little rugs and have given them away as gifts,but I did fall in love with two in particular and kept them for my own use. I think the colors I used was what prompted me to hold on to those two.They are so nice to have at the entrance doors, and in front of the sink or stove.When they are soiled, just toss them in the laundry with the towels and wash cloths, then lay them flat to dry. They are such a simple little easy to make and care for rug,(if you can crochet any at all,no great knowledge of crocheting necessary).  

I Love Punching!

I have finally recieved a few of the punches I had ordered through the mail. I mentioned before, I don't go out and shop in the Big Stores a lot, so I am so happy when I learn to do some little thing like this. If I had to visit Michael's often, I would go broke. I ordered a few tiny punches off of E-bay,just so I wouldn't have to be tempted to buy,buy,buy, while in the store. I love working with my little punches. The possibilities are endless as to what I can do with there cute little things. So far, I have a heart, a shamrock, a maple leaf, a star, and I have made a few rubber stamps myself with a kit I bought at Micheal's,so I am off and running with my card making and blog posts. I can't express enough how much fun I am having with just these few small pieces. I hope to be able to incorporate many more of my ideas into my blog posts using these few small tools.

Dual Purpose Wall Hanging

I love to work with fabric, but my patience or nerves or whatever it is,I haven't figured out exactly what, just yet, won't let me tackle a large quilt,although I have done just that on a few occasions.I think it's possibly my lack of will power or a short attention span,but that's OK. I've lived with it for 63 years, so as long as I can work with it,around it,and through it, I'm satisfied. I think I am dealing with it about as well as possible without seeking medical treatment or therapy of some kind.  It's not something that keeps me from functioning on a day to day basis.It only rears it's ugly head when it comes to dieting and finishing certain tasks.Like washing the last few dishes or pots and pans,after a big meal..Nevertheless, I started on a small quilt,of sorts.I think they are called snibbles on some of the blogs.The spelling may not be right,since I could not find it in the dictionary,but I think that's the word I've seen,used for these tiny quilted pieces.

The front has an Americana look,the back has a Fall image in the center. I have done some more work on the Americana side since these pictures were taken, and I hope to add more to the Fall side before I call it finished.I am working on a frame for the piece so I can display it on the wall or on an easel.I am playing it by ear as usual, so there's no telling what I'll end up with. 



    I 've hung it on the wall in the basement, just for now, to see how it might look later. Hopefully,I will be making the frame for it soon.(I'll post an up-to-date picture at that time.)



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.