I'm Not Crazy...Yet!

“SHELTERING IN PLACE”….2020’s catch phrase!  In 10 years I wonder if we will still be using it.   PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE…no!!!!!  I love my “shelter”, my yellow house with the big front porch and a pond in the backyard…BUT!!!!  Sometimes now it feels almost like a prison.

One of the few things that has kept me somewhat sane, is PROJECTS!  I tend to have a certain degree of ADHD (without the A & the D…self-diagnosed), and I need to stay busy.  I have never liked being idle for too long at a time.  So….projects!

Since the “shutdown” I’ve done some:   reading, worked (a lot) on my genealogy files, cleaned & organized till I’m thinking of calling SOUTHERN LIVING for a magazine spread, organized tons of pictures, yard work, made scrapbooks…well, you get the picture.

So now I’m in need of a new PROJECT…and I’ve been looking for one on my favorite website PINTEREST.  You do use PINTEREST, don’t you?  If not, warning:  IT’S ADDICTIVE!

Two things that caught my eye are:

SEASHELL PAINTING    

and    

ROCK PAINTING

Now I can assure you:  I AM NOT AN ARTIST/PAINTER (unlike my 14-year old granddaughter…this was her very first landscape that she completed when she was 13….yes, her very first attempt!  But I digress!

I can’t draw or paint worth a toot…seriously, I can’t even draw a straight line with a ruler and my stick figures look like aliens from outer space.  BUT!  I think I might could get into painting rocks and seashells.  They certainly wouldn’t be works of art, but I think they may be fun to try.

When my grandkids were little we painted rocks including HOT ROCKS.

Then a few years ago, my granddaughter and I taped inspirational quotes or Bible scriptures inside seashells; then we drove around the neighborhood on the golf cart leaving them in neighbors’ mailboxes or hiding them in the park for others to find.  (I try to do at least one RAK…Random Act of Kindness…with my grandkids each summer.)

Aren’t these shells beautiful?  Way beyond my talent, but still inspiration.

I could probably handle these…and so could your kids or grandkids.

And more inspiration:

These use puffy paint…sounds like fun!

Beautiful blue shells

And here is a great video showing 5 different ways to decorate shells.

Youtube

Rocks are another great painting surface, especially if you can collect some smooth ones from a river bed.  But if not, LOWES usually has them.  And here are some rock painting ideas:

A lovely dragonfly…Pinterest

Cactus without the thorns!

Great for those RAKs…hiding is almost as much fun as finding them!

 We could all use a little more PEACE these days!

These might could be called THERAPY ROCKS

 Remember that old TV show:  

HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL???

My “shelter in place” motto:  

HAVE PROJECT...WILL STAY SANE 

(at least for the time being!)

Now where are my paints????

What projects are keeping you sane these days???

Yo! Do You Know How TO YO-YO???

Guess what!  I have about 100 or more YOYOs!!!!  Surprised?  Well, don’t be…I really don’t collect the fun toys that go up & down on a string, although I did have one of those off and on as a child.  I even learned how to “walk the dog” and to spin it “around the world.”  If you remember that, you may be old as dirt like me!!!  I wonder if kids today even play with yoyos anymore.

I do have 100 or so yoyos though…but they are made of fabric & not wood or plastic.  

made by my mother

Maybe you’ve heard of yoyos before…maybe you’ve even made some.  All of these were made by my mother.  She has had them for years but recently she has been trying to declutter (she’s 91) and so gifted her box of yoyos to me.  I can remember her and my grandmother making them when I was a child. Mama had always said she was going to sew them altogether and make a yoyo QUILT, but she never seemed to get around to it. 

I couldn’t find any definite history of how yoyos came to be, but many people think they could have originated during the Depression when people learned to make do with very little and used everything they owned in creative ways.  Since yoyos can be made any different size, even small scraps of fabric could be put to good use.  Although they probably began with the purpose of putting them together to make quilts, they really weren’t practical for keeping a body warm but were probably more for decorative purposes.

Pinterest

My mother was a seamstress who sewed not only for herself and me, but also at times for the public.  She was really well-known for her skills around our small town.  She made hordes of dance costumes for my friends and me for years, sewing on sequins and seed pearls by hand.  If I had a dollar for every one of those she sewed on I’d be richer than Midas!!! 

Me ©1956 

As a child I always loved Mama’s buttons & yoyos and so I guess that’s why she gave me not only her yoyos but this can of buttons as well.  (I wrote a post a few years ago about my love of buttons…you can read it HERE.)

My box of yoyos has been stored under the bed in an extra bedroom (yes, I have stuff under my beds…along with a few dust bunnies but don't tell anybody about those!)  I recently began to think about what I might do with the yoyos and so went in search of ideas (on PINTEREST, of course!)  It’s amazing how many creative people there are in the world and many of them have come up with some awesome ways to use these little fabric lovelies.

I think these paper clips are adorable.  Did you even know there were people who decorated their paper clips???  There is actually a Facebook group that you can join that is about nothing but fancying up those boring paper holders😊  I'm a member & it's called Paper Clip Art (I'm just a stalker there!)

Molly & Mama

newcrafteachday.blogspot.com

Pinterest

Or if you are into making your own greeting cards, wouldn’t this cute one cheer up a sick friend?

Etsy (no longer available)

Isn’t this headband adorable?  If only my granddaughter still liked bows and cute things to wear in her hair!

Etsy (no longer available)

And if you are into DIY for some small Christmas gifts for neighbors or co-workers, these bookmarks could be easily and quickly made.

Pinterest

Speaking of Christmas (it’s only 136 days away…yikes!)…these decorations for your tree are so cute and unique.

blogconnectingthreads.com

If you are interested in learning how to make yoyos, they really are very simple and there are many tutorials online and even videos on you-tube.  HERE is a good one, although these gals do it a little differently from my Mama.  Or you can also use a special template as seen in THIS VIDEO.  Templates can be ordered on Amazon.  Another step-by-step guide has great photos.  There are many more tutorials…just ask Mr. Google.

from Positively Splendid by Amy Bell

All of these projects are “do-able”, but I’m not sure I will ever get around to completing any of them (I can procrastinate with the best of the best procrastinators), but I came across this idea that I can definitely accomplish…and I think I like it too😊  In fact, it will fit right in with the décor in a spare bedroom.  And…it will be a lovely reminder of sitting at the feet of my mother and grandmother watching them wield their needles in & out, in & out of all that brightly colored fabric…making yoyos and making memories. 

cupcakesndaisies.com

(I just thought of something!  Maybe they are called yoyos because the needle goes up & down, up & down like a yoyo!  That’s probably been thought of before, but I can be a little slow at times!!!)

And if you are in the mood for a catchy tune that you won't be able to get out of your head about the other kind of yoyo, go HERE and listen to the cutest song that you might want to teach your grandkids😊  Disclaimer:  you may not get it out of your head for days!!!

I was sittin' on a fencepost

Slappin' on my left knee

Chewin' on my bubble gum...chomp! chomp!

Playin' with my yoyo...do-wop! do-wop!

Watchin' the birds fly by...

Herman:) 

Molly & Mama

When Is a Chair NOT a Chair?

One of my favorite types of blog posts is seeing how creative people take a piece of junk and turn it into something beautiful and/or useful.  That is definitely not my expertise because I don’t have the “eye” for it, but I sure do covet that talent. 

Awhile back I was wandering through a local antique/thrift shop and saw this “part” of a chair.  Why in the world I decided to buy it I don’t know, BUT I DID!  (It was only $5 so I figured “what do I have to lose?”)

Well…it’s been sitting around very neglected for awhile now and I really need to either do something with it or give it to someone who loves to repurpose.  I decided I’d ask Mr. Google to give me some ideas and here are some that struck my fancy.  What do you think?

I love the turquoise color of this chair-turned-coat rack, but it would match absolutely NOTHING in my home…and not sure where I could put it.  Not sure I like the legs...I'd probably leave those off.

And here is a similar PINK one. I like the position of the hooks on this one a lot better.

Now this is an idea Mr. Chatter might possibly go for…or NOT!  I have a terrible habit of throwing my shoes in a pile on the floor in our bedroom.  I have soooooooooo many pairs of shoes, and it’s a real headache to get down the shoeboxes & put the shoes back in, yadda, yadda, yadda!  Not sure this idea would be a whole lot better than my pile on the floor, but it did catch my attention!

This shelf idea I could go for…and Mr. Chatter could probably easily fix this right up for me.  It could hang on my porch OR in a bedroom.

This would be a super cool idea for a party.  I don’t know what that round part is though and it might be hard to find, but could probably be adapted.

I love this idea if you have a similar chair…which I just happen to have. 

Here is my chair which gets repotted each spring with something different.

Of course, you’ve probably seen lots of planters similar to this one, but aren’t those colors with the green chair just delicious?

I really love this chalkboard but I would leave off the legs on the sides.  They don’t seem to serve any purpose and just take away from the cuteness…in my opinion.

And then finally, this is a really neat idea that I would definitely copy if I come across such a lovely and ornate piece.

I didn’t think to take notes of where I found each picture, so I hope I don’t get in trouble with anyone for sharing their ideas.  There sure are a LOT of creative people out there, and I am truly THANKFUL for them and for their thoughtfulness in sharing with others. 

So…which idea is your favorite?  Or do you have other ideas for my sweet chair back?

Getting Creative: JUNK JOURNAL

I'm not an overly-talented crafter but I do enjoy a go at it from time to time.  With all the craft supplies I have, you'd think I was an expert! 

Recently I read about a product by K and Company (I think that's the name) called a SMASH BOOK.  Basically it's a plain, empty journal that you decorate and then "smash" things inside…things like recipes, or articles from magazines, or inspiration pictures, or concert tickets, or….whatever you want to stash and smash inside.  About the same time I read about what some people call a JUNK JOURNAL.  You can see great YOU TUBE videos about both if you're interested.

 Anyway….since I'm cheap frugal I wasn't going to buy the $ mass produced SMASH BOOK, although it seems to be a nice product, so I decided to make my own.  Thought I would share it with you.

(By the way, I heard on a You Tube segment that since the term SMASH BOOK is copyrighted, you shouldn't use that name for your custom made ventures!)

 I began with one of those wireless composition notebooks with the sort of cardboard cover (sorry…forgot to take a before picture).

They are very cheap and readily available.  You can often find them at Wal-Mart or Target at the beginning of the school year for like 25 cents each!  These days they come in all sorts of patterned covers, so you really wouldn't have to cover it if you didn't want to…but I decided to cover mine.  And here's what the finished project looks like….



I had all of the supplies on hand so this project basically cost me nothing!  I like the sound of that!  I also covered the back and inside covers.  You could use most any type of adhesive you liked but I used some from my scrapbooking stash.

 Since I like the "cute factor" I added some embellishments….

 

"SHOES" are one of my greatest vices pleasures!



I also like the addition of the ribbons for a little extra bling and, of course, had to add some cherries!

 

Inside I used some red & white polka-dot wrapping paper (love, love polka-dots!) and covered a few pages to divide my journal into sections.   Also added some clear colored tabs.  Not sure yet what I will label them.

So far I've added some quotes, inspiration pictures for projects, and various things I've found on PINTEREST...oh, how I love PINTEREST!  It was a fun and relatively quick little project.  Nice to know I now have a place to corral some of my JUNK!  Think I'll make another one or two….I've got plenty of JUNK to go aroundJ

Missing in Action!

Sorry that I've been M.I.A.  This is the first chance I've had to even open my blog (or anyone else's) in days!  I've been missing everyone.  For a retired person I sure do seem to stay busy!  With work, grandchildren duties, and the approaching holidays there just seems to be so much to do.

Thanks to everyone for their nice comments on my SANTA CANS .  I sent one off recently to my Christmas Box Swap partner, along with other goodies...sure hope she likes it. 

The next project I hope to get to soon also involves cans...paint cans.  You can purchase them at your local paint store or some place like LOWES' or HOME DEPOT. 

I made these last year for my grandson's teacher and parapro.  The teacher's can was filled with various school supplies and treats,  and the para's can held hand cream, notes, candy, etc.  I think they make really cute gifts and can easily be covered and decorated with scrapbooking and craft supplies.  There are several tutorials on the web.

Can you believe it's only 39 days till the BIG DAY?  I've been doing quite a bit of online shopping this past week.  I can't enjoy the season until all shopping is done and presents wrapped under the tree.  I really do lots of research before I order and definitely look for either great deals or free shipping.  I've been pleased so far.  AMAZON.com is one of my favorite sites.  I not only can get free shipping on many items but can also check out the reviews.  I've decided against ordering several things after reading what customers have to say.

Hopefully my next post will be to show you some of my Christmas decorating.  Until then, hope all of you have a wonderful and blessed THANKSGIVING.