Valentine Fun with Pretty Pincushions

January 24, 2017 by Florence 22 Comments

Valentine fun with pretty pincushions is a project for a rainy day. I love it when I find little silverplate sugar and creamers at the thrift store! They are usually without their mates and the more ornate, the better. The tarnish gives them great patina too.

They make ideal pincushions, as you see here in this photo. This is not a new idea, of course. The taller is the first one I made, and I have enjoyed it sooo much! This creamer came from my favorite thrift store, and the smaller sugar from an antique shop. It was reduced to 50¢ because the other handle is broken off. I love it anyway. I could cover up the stump with a button, but it’s hardly noticeable.

I’m going to show you the process of how I made this…just a few steps and very easy.

Valentine Fun with Pretty Pincushions:

You need the item you intend to use, a circle of fabric, polyfill, needle and thread or rubber band, hot glue gun.

The rule of thumb is to cut out a circle of fabric at least twice as large as the opening of your piece. I did this first, but found it was still too small, so I made it 3 times larger, which worked better.

valentine fun with pretty pincushions — Twice as large…too small

A biscuit cutter, funnel, or bowl comes in handy to make a nice size circle on the fabric. Just draw around it with pen or pencil, or you can get techy and use a compass.

Insert husband, hovering, saying, “why don’t you use a compass?” Retired husbands tend to hover. We have had a few conversations about this. LOL.

Back to the tutorial…Cut out the circle. Iron the fabric.

Plop a dollop of polyfill down in the center. How much is determined by how full you want your pincushion. You have to play around with it some.

There are 2 ways you can close it. If you have enough fabric, you can use a rubber band. If not, I hand sew a long stitch all the way around, starting about 1/4″ from the edge. Then pull it up like a drawstring bag. When it’s tightly closed, put a knot in to hold it.

Place it in your piece to be pincushioned. Hot glue either the piece or the pincushion. I’ve done both with good results. I don’t have a photo of this step. You have to work quickly with the hot glue! I didn’t have enough hands to show the item being glued, the camera, and the glue gun!

Do you like the red fabric? I thought the bright color was a nice contrast to the dark of the container, and it’s got hearts in honor of Valentine’s Day! But it doesn’t scream Valentine’s, which makes it transitional into all-year use.

The other receptacle most often used is a teacup. I just happened to have one, and made in England! Cups made in England make better pincushions, right? Right! It has a hairline crack and a pink stain in the bottom, making it a perfect candidate for one.

Starting by gluing the saucer to the cup, using E6000, the rest of the process is the same. This time I applied the hot glue directly on the cup. I had a concern about the heat breaking it, but not a problem.

Displaying with a vintage postcard from my collection…hope you like my little Valentine vignette!!

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Salvaging an Expensive Lampshade with Men’s Ties

January 8, 2017 by Florence 38 Comments

Salvaging an expensive lampshade with men’s ties, you say? Yes!

We bought this lamp from Ethan Allan about 20 years ago, and I remember sticker shock….$300! No more Ethan Allan for this cheapskate! You would hope a $300 lamp and lampshade would be something out of the ordinary and never deteriorate, but maybe I have my head in the sand. After 20 years of dust, the inner lining was in tatters, so I tore it off, but it needed trimming, which I got around to a year later. Yep, I’m pretty prompt.

Have you seen the lampshade repurposes on Pinterest, such as using doilies and lace, shredded fabric, or even sweaters? While I admire those looks, I’ve been dying to experiment with my stash of men’s ties. Two things I have a lot of are men’s ties and doilies, so using doilies was Plan B.

I have wide ties, narrow ties, knit and silk ties, ties in pieces, whole ties, pre-knotted ties…everything from Oscar de la Renta to Rush Limbaugh. Did you know there are Rush Limbaugh ties? Yes indeed!

Where can you find ties cheap? Thrift stores, yard sales, and sometimes estate sales. I got most of my stash from an antique shop going out of business. I’ve also put the word out at church that I’m collecting worn or stained ties.

If you think about it, ties have fascinating textures, colors, and designs! In addition to the Rush Limbaugh tie, which is the loudest one on the shade, I found a King Tut tie. Somehow I don’t think Tut wore ties in his day! 🙂 Pinterest is a great place to get inspiration for tie projects. Check them out on my board!….Repurposing Using Men’s Ties.

Having never done this before, I took my time, and if I do it again, maybe it won’t be an all day-er…LOL. I used 21 ties for this project, but it totally depends on how big the lampshade is. I tried not to obsess over being matchy-matchy. Ties close together aren’t going to match, but they can blend.

Salvaging an Expensive Lampshade with Men’s Ties

You may be surprised, but these are the only supplies other than ties and my sewing scissors. The brush is a stiff bristle I got from a yard sale. Probably any brush besides an artist’s brush would work. The idea is to apply a larger amount of glue than the little bead you get from squeezing the bottle.

I began by using fabric glue which is fine, but it was too dried out, so I switched to Elmer’s which is good for fabric as well as paper. Mod Podge would probably work too. That was Plan C. Hot glue is not a good idea. It hardens and makes cloth look lumpy, and can cause fabric to tear.

I dabbed the glue at the corners where the tie forms the bottom triangle. Placing the tie points at the bottom border of the lampshade covers it and gives a nice decorative edge, like so….

But I goofed in one spot. It’s not perfect.

Rather than placing ties side to side, I overlapped them a bit, which gives a nicer look

I did not do any measuring. I cut the ties off with sewing scissors roughly where I planned to glue them on the underside of the shade. Elmer’s worked fine for this too.

It looks a little messy here, but the bulk and color of the ties prevents this from showing. If I had it to do over, I would remove the inner white lining of the ties to lessen the bulk.

Here’s the finished result! I quite like it. A good thing about this is you can twirl the shade around to a different side when you are tired of one look. I love the pop of color between the two red recliners! What do you think?

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Curbside Find Completes the Christmas Porch

December 18, 2016 by Florence 12 Comments

Two reveals today: Curbside find completes the Christmas porch, and the Beatles mug reveal…WHO WON the Chic-Fil-A gift card for coming the closest in guessing the price on the Beatles’ mug!

But before we get to that….

On my way last week to a Christmas party, I spied a pile of red wood on the side of the road. Running late I told myself I didn’t have time to stop and besides I was dressed in nice clothes and not my grubs. Only 2 blocks further and the junker in me won out. I was so glad I stopped because I found THIS (in pieces)!

curbside find completes the christmas porch — Wooden Sleigh

All that was wrong with it…..

Nothing a little glue, wood scrap, and red paint won’t fix.

Don’t you love those curbside finds??

I’m really on the lookout for more discarded treasures. This week I thought I saw a ski…yeah I know…not much skiing in Alabama, right? Turned out it was the red reflector on someone’s mailbox post!

I love how this beautiful curbside find completes the Christmas porch! Thought I was through with decorating, but hey, there’s always room for one more, right??

Adding one of my little Christmas trees to dress it up…

And a little handcrafted sign I made out of scrap wood, paint, and glitter….

That’s my wish for you, dear friends! A very merry Christmas!

And now The Big Reveal!

From last week, I told how I saw this Beatles’ mug at a local antique shop and fell instantly in love…

It may not be authentic…

It may not be truly vintage…

But I don’t care!

It’s my favorite group in the whole wide world!

It’s the Beatles!

Diehard fans, check out this Beatles post….Hottest-yard-sale-buy/

I LOVED it! (Swoon & sigh…)

But not $89 worth!!!

Not even for the Beatles!!!!

For the closest guess at $85, the winner of the $10 Chic-Fil-A gift card is……….Carol from The Red Painted Cottage!

Congratulations Carol!!!

Until next time~

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Christmas Decorating Even When You’re Feeling Bah Humbug

December 4, 2016 by Florence 40 Comments

Christmas decorating even when you’re feeling “bah humbug?”

Is it possible?

The older I get, the more I’m a little “bah humbug” about Christmas decorating every year. Is anyone else like this, or is it just me? I’m never “ready” for Christmas to be here, and by the time I am, it’s over. Sigh.

But this year, I’m turning over a new leaf, ~~dragging the stuff out~~ bringing out my beloved Christmas decorations because hubby enjoys the effort, and so do I once it’s done.

I’ve been doing a lot of cleaning out, discarding, and donating. Christmas decorations are up next, but here are a few faves I’ll be hanging onto.

Little Angel Display on the Hall Table~

christmas decorating even when you're feeling bah humbug — Little Angel Band

My aunt gave me this set when I was in the 5th grade. They are very delicate and have never been broken in all these years. Do you see what they’re displayed on? The back of a CD! Yes, I collect CD’s…”junk CD’s”…freebies in the mail. (I couldn’t find the mirror I usually use.)

Vintage Postcards on the Sideboard~

We always enjoy my collection of vintage postcards. Here’s just a few of the Christmas ones.

Vintage Display on the Hall Table~

I cross-stitched this picture years ago and only bring it out once a year. Isn’t it darling? Well….I think so anyway. Displayed with it are my set of vintage brooches, and my pair of milk glass lamps.

Would you believe some of these were still at an estate sale on the last day?? There wasn’t nearly as much interest in estate sales back then as there is now. I couldn’t resist even though I’m not a jewelry person.

Which one is your favorite? I like the pink.

My Dining Room Table~

This display features my small collection of vintage Santas, a folding wooden sleigh I found this year for $1, and the two deer date from the 60’s. See more about the tablecloth below.

Did you notice the smallest Santa? He’s only 2″L, made of iron and has paint wear unfortunately. He’s been around forever.

My Grandmother did a LOT of needlework in her day back in the early 1900’s. I’m blessed to have two of these hand-stitched Christmas card table tablecloths.

For those of you who have been following me….you can see I finally cleared my dining table! We have been enjoying the change! I’ve managed to keep it neat for 2 weeks now.

You would never believe I’m really a neatnik, would you? I didn’t have anywhere to put anything, hence the ongoing clean-out.

Remember the Vintage Picker Off Limits Home Tour? My dining table looked like this most of the time…

And my Christmas Porch~

The garden gate was left over from my booth. Hubby kindly made the wooden stand so it sits upright. You can see my rusty angel on the white table to the right, and the lit Snowman to the left peeking out behind the post. The gate is a keeper.

Hope you can get some inspiration from Christmas decorating even when you’re feeling “bah humbug!”

What did you like best?

So what is the answer when you’re feeling bah humbug about Christmas decorating?

For me it’s making the effort. I keep it simple and decorate with touches, not big displays. I move things around a bit from year to year. I give myself permission not to put out a tree or every single decoration I have. Even though I’m downsizing, I often buy one new thing to inspire me.

Ideas? Thoughts?

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How to Make 50s DIY Rah Rahs

October 9, 2016 by Florence 32 Comments

This is such an easy project…how to make 50s DIY rah rahs, so called because cheerleaders wore them when I was in school. Also called saddle oxfords, which were popular shoe-wear in the 40s and 50’s, with another run in the late 60’s. Sixth grade along came penny loafers and I was dying to have a pair.

Unfortunately, I had to wear corrective shoes all through school. “I don’t care how much my feet hurt, Mama,” I begged, but she was ~~heartless~~ adamant. No penny loafers. Actually, the dreaded corrective shoes looked exactly like rah rahs, which I wore EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. of my life. Teased unmercifully about them for years, but back in style, girls wistfully asked where I got them! I couldn’t care less whether they were in style. I loathed them.

Fast forward about 50 years, and now I wanted rah-rahs, to wear to a 50’s Square Dance, and disliking shopping, I hoped to forego the hunt for special shoes. Cheapskate me didn’t want to buy new shoes, or take the time to look for them. Surely there was a better way!

Remember how we all had to look the same in high school? I probably wouldn’t have been caught dead in these then…GASP! But with a little age and maturity, it doesn’t matter. (wink wink) Now you will be lauded for your cleverness! I always get compliments when I wear them. They could be used to complete a Halloween costume on a budget. Now these do look a little different on close inspection, but for me comfort won over style. As Mama used to say, “you can’t tell the difference on a galloping horse.”

Make 50’s DIY Rah Rahs

Materials: black felt, hole punch, scissors or pinking shears, hot glue.

*Find a cheap pair of white tennis shoes. Generic cheapies at Wal-Mart will do just fine.

*Sheets of black felt, which usually come in 8″ x 11″ sizes. 2-3 ought to do it.

*Hold up the felt to the side of your shoes, deciding how much of a black covering YOU want, cut to fit. I used pinking shears for cutting, which helped simulate the oxford look. Then a hole puncher to line up holes with your shoe laces. I also cut a strip for the back of heel area.

*Hot glue the felt onto your shoes.

How to make 50s DIY Rah Rahs — DIY Rah Rahs

But how do you dance in these???

Good question because when dancing, it’s important to glide. Tennis shoes grip the floor, but I had a brilliant idea for that. Cut another piece of felt for the ball area of the bottom of your shoe. Glue that on & glide away!

TIP: The first time I tried the felt, I glued it to the entire bottom of the shoe…MISTAKE! When I stood up, I was like Bambi on ice!! Not a good idea.

The felt on bottom of shoe lasts longer if you change into your shoes when you get inside rather than walking across a parking lot. I found the felt lasts through about 2-3 dances, then I have to glue more down. It’s a temporary fix, but it works!

I hate it, but my square dancing days are over. I encourage you to try it though! For us, it was one of the most fun activities around, …great for mind and body!