VINTAGE SILVERWARE WALL ART DIY

It took less than 15 minutes to make 4 pieces of wall art to snuggle up to the mirror over the bar!

I've been laboring for over a year, not quite finding the perfect pieces of art to go on either side of the mirror.

So on a whim, I made my own...

HOMEKEEPING HINTS~ FAKE-OUT FABREZE

Here is a little known fact about me... I have the the best "nose". I can smell things most people can't. It is a blessing and a curse!

This has made me obsessive about keeping my home smelling fresh! With an active dog and cat under foot it is especially important that my furniture and carpets stay fresh between shampooing.

 When I found this easy-to-make and very inexpensive homemade Fabreze on Pinterest I had to try it.

And guess what.... IT WORKS!

Here's the recipe...

FAKE-0UT FABREZE

1/8 cup Downy Fabric Softener ( I used the originals scent and used a little less for my size bottle)

2 TBS baking soda

hot water

large spray bottle

Put all the ingredients in a spray bottle and give it a good shake until the baking soda dissolves.

Shake before using.

Use as you would original Fabreze.

Easy-Fabrezey!

Some SG Notes:

Go easy~ just like the original... a little goes a long way
I have been using it for awhile now and love it!

About residue~ I've used Fabreze for years and have never had a problem. I do have my furniture and carpets cleaned regularly. 

HOWEVER, I am not spraying it on my white furniture!
As all things, you might want to test it to decide for yourself.

Just a reminder....

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SWEATER PILLOW TUTORIAL

I have a pillow addiction... I just can't have enough of them!!!

This winter I am warming up the beds and sofas at StoneGable with SWEATER PILLOWS.

These cozy accent pillows are made from sweaters I purchased at Goodwill.

Both of these pillows took just a little over an hour to create...

HOW TO AGE A GALVANIZED METAL

We have the world's WORST tree stand... aesthetically speaking! It does keep our tree watered and fresh... but it is a monster... more like an octopus!   Bobby LOVES this motley tree stand and I don't have the heart to tell him to get rid of it. He is almost gleeful when he takes it out to use it!

I can't cover it with a tree skirt because the water basin is open...  the tree skirt gets wet and then wicks moisture to all the gifts We have opened soggy gifts more than one year!!!

This year I found the solution to the ugly tree stand... a galvanized tub! The stand and tree fits in it perfectly! 

But with one problem solved... comes another challenge... the ugly shiny "new" patina, or lack of, on the tub!

But I have that licked too! I am probably going to be galvanized metal obsessed! I love the new look of the tub with the tree in it!!!

Finding a "recipe" to give a new "old" look to galvanized metal was a search! First I tried vinegar...the finish did not budge. Then vinegar and salt... not very good. Then clorex... nothing!

I knew that Muriatic acid would work... but I was was not too keen on using it.

I read... on pinterest... I think... that the finish could be aged by Lysol toilet bowl cleaner.

Here is my solution to age galvanized metal!

I first sanded the tub. Or should I say Bobby did! He has been such a project helper, lately!!! He got out his electric hand sander to make the process easier. But a regular piece of sand paper and some elbow grease would work just as well!

I found ACID TOILET BOWL CLEANER in Lowe's. I thought the acid would do the trick.

Bobby scrubbed the toilet bowl cleaner into the metal with steel wool and we let it sit about a half an hour before rinsing it off. Please wear rubber gloves and take wise precautions!

Because the toilet bowl cleaner was a gel, it did not run and streak.

Very easy... little work... and a very nice aged look.

Next week I'll show you my Christmas tree in the tub!

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SWEATER PUMPKINS

Autumn is the time for falling leaves and cozy sweaters... made into pumpkins! 

I may not have the fairy godmother touch, turning pumpkins into whimsical carriages... but I can turn a sweater into a pumpkin with a wave of my magic scissors and a few other crafty thing...

Here is how you can work magic on an old sweater too...

I was surprised how EASY and fun this project was...

I have seen these charming wooly pumpkins on many blog and pinterest... and was captivated by them!

Here is my spin on ...

SWEATER PUMPKINS

*old sweaters 

sissors

string or rubber bands

wired paper twine
pencil

felt
hot glue

*I found neutral colored sweaters at Goodwill ... took them home and washed and air dried them.

Cut the sleeves off of the sweaters. I tried to judge how long I wanted my pumpkin to be, added 3 inches and cut the sleeves accordingly.

Turn the sleeve inside out and tie the cut edge together.

Turn the sleeve right side out and stuff with fiberfill , leaving about 2 inches at the top. Tie off top with string.

Wind the wired paper twine tightly around the base of the pumpkin, continuing upward to make the stem.

When you feel you have the right size stem, clip the wired paper twine. 

 Cut off any excess cuff that is above the twine. I really like the look of a fuzzy, chenille-type top!

Cut a 10 inch length of wired paper twine and wrap the center of the twine around the base of the pumpkin one time.

Wrap the twine around the pencil to make curly tendrils. 

Cut out a free form leaf from felt ( I washed and dried my felt first to give it texture) and hot glue to the pumpkin.

Make several and display!

My niece Kelley calls me her "Fairy Godmother"  so...

BIBBIDI BIBBIDI BOO...

I'm tucking a trio of pumpkins into her college care package!

Don't forget to join me toningt for ...

TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS

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VINTAGE INSPIRATION

HAPPY ZINNEAS ~ CUTTING, CARE AND COLLECTING SEEDS

Zinnias are such happy summer annuals... and my favorite! It just wouldn't be summer if these sunny blooms weren't spreading there colorful joy all over my garden!

I have learned how to care for zinnias by trial and error over the years... here are some tips on cutting, caring for and making sure you will have happy zinnias every year...

 I was out in my garden today cutting blooms and there were dozens of little butterflies (moths) all over them.  Of course, I ran back into the house and grabbed my camera... 

As I moved through the zinnias the butterflies were softly fluttering all around. It was so magical!!!

Zinnias are not garden divas... even though they look like they should be! They are very low maintenance. 

Plant zinnias in a sunny spot in the spring when the threat of frost has passed. The are easily planted from seed. Broadcast seed liberally and let them grow in up together.

 Zinnias are sun worshipers. They also like good, well-drained soil.  

Zinnias like dry weather and can even tolerate mild drought conditions. 

The more you cut zinnias, the more blooms they produce.

Deadhead zinnias to give them a longer blooming season.

Cut zinnias again when you bring them in. Give them a snip on a 45 degree angle. This lets more water into the stem.

Strip all leave from the flower.  Leaves rob the flower of the water it needs to live. I cheat a little on this tip... I love a  little green with my flowers. I just try to keep all leaves above the water line.

Make sure your vase is sparkling clean. And use fresh water!

Use flower food in your water. Flower food is a combination of sugar and bleach and can be homemade.

1 quart of warm water

1 TBS sugar 

1 tsp bleach

Mix and let sugar dissolve. When the water cools it is ready to use.

Recut stems and change the water every day. Your blooms will last twice as long!

Zinnias not only give us blooms during the summer and into the fall, but the also give us seeds for planting the next spring.

Although I try to keep then deadheaded, I let a few zinnias blooms go to seed on the healthiest plant this time of the year... Make sure the spent blooms are totally dry.

Pluck them off of the stem, just remember what color your deadheads are.

Collect one or two of each color from the most healthy beautiful plants.

Each deadhead will give you hundreds of seeds!

When the zinnia head is completely dry I pull it apart and keep the long slender thread-like seeds. 

I make little envelopes for the zinnia seeds.  Each color and variety in it's own parchment envelope. 

And in rhythm with nature's life cycle, I am ready to broadcast the seeds in the spring... and wait for another profusion of  blooming color!

MARVELOUS MONDAY at THIS GAL COOKS

COWGIRL UP at The Farmhouse Porch

CHRISTMAS IN JULY~ POINSETTIA STOCKING TUTORIAL

Now is the time to begin working on all those handcrafted CHRISTMAS items that will become treasured heirlooms!

Each December, I vow to make new Christmas stockings... next year! There are so many festive projects and pretty things to make for the Yuletide season that don't get done, because I start too late! 

After Thanksgiving, I am far too busy just trying to Deck The Halls, Bring Peace On Earth to my corner of the planet and make the Figgy Pudding!  So, those pretty extras wait till the next year... and the next year... and the next year!

But, right now I am making a short list of a few handicrafts I would like to have for THIS Christmas... and I am getting them done... thanks to... 

CHRISTMAS IN JULY...

New Christmas stocking are at the top of my CHRISTMAS TO-DO RIGHT NOW list!

I thought white poinsettias would be the perfect way to embellish Holiday stockings...

White poinsettias... and tiny pearl and sparkles...

These snowy and showy Christmas stockings are very easy to make... really! Here is a step-by-step, hold-you-hand, very detailed tutorial!

WHITE POINSETTIA STOCKING TUTORIAL
You will need...
1/2~ 2/3 total yards felt (from a fabric bolt)
 I used...
~white felt for the poinsettia
~ light cream felt for the pointettia
~ a different white felt for the stocking

Assorted Beads
I used...
~ pearls, 2 sizes
~crystals, 3 sizes
~tiny silver beads

hot glue gun
fabric glue

Amy Butler felt stocking template

I scoured  the Internet for the best stocking template I could find. Amy Butler's felt stocking template had the nicest shape and was very easy to put together. Her stocking is adorable too and would be fun to make!

MAKING THE STOCKING

1. Copy and assemble stocking template. This will be your stocking pattern

2. Pin a double thickness of the white felt to the pattern

3. Cut along the dark outside line

4. Sew stocking front and backs together, leaving the top open. I used a 1/3 inch seam allowance. You could use more, probably 1/2 inch. If you do not want to sew the stocking with a machine you could blanket stitch it closed. I think that would give the stocking such a charming detailed look!

5. Fold the top edge of the stocking down 2 1/2 inches

6. Set your stocking aside. It it ready to be embellished

Now Let's Make Those Pretty Poinsettias!

A big thank you and shout-out to TIDY MOM! I adapted her great tutorial for felt poinsettias... I could not do it better!

For Each Poinsettia You Will Need...

12 ~ large leaves

12~ medium leaves 

and 

6~ small leaves

1 ~ 3 inch felt circle

beads

CUTTING OUT THE POINSETTIA LEAVES

7. Large leaves: Measure a length of white felt, 4 x 6. Fold the felt so that it measures 2 x 6. Using a ruler, make a snip at every inch mark with your scissors. Cut each snip all the way through the felt and cut that piece of felt in half. You will have twelve 1 x 2 inch pieces.

Using the same process, cut a piece of felt 3 x 6 inches. Fold in half so it measures 1 1/2 x 6 inches. Make snips with your scissors every 3/4 inch. Discard any extra left over felt. Cut each snip all the way through the felt and cut that piece in half. You will have twelve 1 1/2 x 3/4 inch pieces.

Using the same process, cut 1 length of felt 1 x 3 inches. Snip every 1/2 inch. Cut all the way through each snip. You will have six 1 x 1/2 inch pieces.

8. Shape each rectangle into leaves as shown. Use a sharp pair of scissors. The more careful you are the prettier your flower will look. However, it is now rocket science... so don't get too stressed over making them PERFECT, just neat.!

9. Cut a 3 inch circle for each poinsettia. I used a cookie cutter as a guide.

SG TIP: I used white felt and a creamy colored felt to make the poinsettia leaves. I  "felted" (washed in warm water and dried in the dryer) the creamy felt to give the poinsettia depth and dimension.

POINSETTIA ASSEMBLY

10. Glue 6 large leaves to the circle of felt

11~ 12. Glue the last 6 large leaves to the poinsettia, spacing them between the original leaves

13~ 14. Glue 6 medium leave on top of the large leaves, spacing them between the top large leaves. Repeat with the final layer of medium leaves.

15. Glue the last 6 small leaves on top of the medium leaves. I used the eraser end of a pencil to gently push the final leaves down into the the center of the poinsettia. This also made them stand up a little.

EMBELLISHING THE POINSETTIA CENTER


16. Add a dab of hot glue to the center of the poinsettia and fill in with beads. I used pearls, crystals and small silver beads.

17. Using hot glue fix the poinsettias around the cuff of the stocking. My stocking took 7 poinsettias.  

18. Make a loop from white felt and hand stitch it into the stocking as a hanger.

19. With fabric glue, secure assorted beads in a random pattern to the stocking.  

20. Arrange the beads heavy towards the top of the stocking and gradually use less and less as you work your way down the stocking. 

20. Secure anything that is loose, remove all glue spiders, and add any beads to areas that need them.

Your stocking is ready and waiting for it to be filled with small gift boxes and delightful goodies!

MERRY CHRISTMAS... IN JULY!

If making a Christmas stocking is just too much for you in the heat of summer...

Make a...

POINSETTIA PIN

Add a pin back to the poinsettia and tuck it into a little nest...
you'll have a sweet gift for someone special!

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