Trash to Treasure...

I think the saying, 'One man's trash is another man's treasure' really is true. What may have gone past it's point of usefulness for me does not mean that someone else might not see a myriad of their own possibilities for it. So here are two of my latest repurpose projects, which will give my backyard and patio area some fun this summer.

First take an old baker's rack off of Craigslist. For the older couple selling this, it was no longer serving any purpose. And, having a friend who had just turned a different style of shelf into a plant stand for her home, I knew what I was going to use it for. My sweetie took off the wooden section that was so weathered and did some sanding and minor repair work for me. (My asthma gets me out of many of these kinds of jobs!) Then, a sweet friend had paint I could use to give it new life. And now I have a great stand on my patio for plants and flowers!



(For those of you who don't spend any time searching through Craigslist ads, you really should! There are great things to be found on there!)

My second treasure is so unusual! I love it, and yes, it was another Craigslist find. It is some sort of old fireplace insert and stand, made out of the heaviest cast iron ever! Poor hubby even had to use a wheeled cart to move it! Again, he applied the muscle using a wire sander to take off the rust, and then painted it using a nice black satin Rustoleum product. It now is in a place of honor, or at least the place where it's going to stay, because it's too heavy to move again!



I still have a few more plants to get repotted and then the back yard should be all set for our summertime enjoyment! We added new patio furniture this year and a huge new windchime for fun. Come on over and visit. Cold beverages are on us!

Mary

I've been a bad, bad blogger...

Wow! I started this with such good intentions, but life seems to keep getting in the way. I am going to make a point of doing better at blogging, and start sharing some of my favorite things. Be prepared to see my daughters, my dog, (I'd show you my husband but he HATES having his picture taken), sewing projects, things I see and like. Who knows what all I'll share. But I need to do this and would love to have comments along the way from any of you who share my passions. And I need to get some followers on here to help keep me posting. I already have a topic in mind for tomorrow. See you then! Oh wait!!! I found a picture of my sweet husband and my Riley. The two brown-eyed boy loves of my life.

Mary

Letter Love Fun

I'm excited because my online art class, Letter Love 101, is getting ready to start! It should be a lot of fun.

Mary

Baby It's Cold Outside!

I'll be the first to admit we had gotten pretty spoiled with the weather we had been having here in the upper midwest. It was more than a little unusual to have no snow on the ground in southern Minnesota, and to only need a sweatshirt or jacket because the temperatures were up in the 40's or 50's. Seriously, I was not complaining about it at all. In fact, I was rather enjoying it. So what is this white stuff on the ground, the cold temps and this wind howling outside my windows?

I have discovered that the older I get, the less I like winter. I don't think I would want to pack up and move to a warm climate where we had no change of seasons, but I think I could do without the sub-zero temperatures we had this week for sure. I could easily stay in my nice, warm house and not go out at all. If only the grocery store and the Chinese restaurant delivered. Small town living does have a few drawbacks.

Oh well, only 59 days until the first day of SPRING!!!

Mary

My Little Buddy Riley

It can get so quiet and often lonely around here during the day when my sweetheart is gone to work. Sure am glad I have this little guy for company now that the girls are all off making their own way in the world.

Mary

And a New Year Has Begun!

2012 has gotten off to a slow start and I am trying to make myself TO DO lists of things to accomplish. So much time wasted last year, and I hope to improve on that score dramatically.

One of my first orders of business is to sort and organize my space in order to function more efficiently. I love to do so many things; from sewing and quilting, to stamping and scrapbooking. I have a vast array of supplies for each of these activities and in order to use them to their fullest potential, I feel the need to organize properly. I want all of my sewing supplies in one area and fabrics in another. To stamp or scrap, I want all of my papers and embellishments gathered together for easier access.

So, I am working my way through boxes and totes, shelves and drawers. I am keeping and tossing and trying to get a rough sort done first, then will come the organization. I have baskets, totes, and every concievable container to put things in. By the time I am finished I want to be able to know where things are without even having to look for them. We'll see how close the end result is to my vision.

In the meantime, I will plug away shuffling things from here to there, purging the things I no longer want to take up space, and yes...adding to it all with more.

My next adventure will be an online lettering class to use for crafts, gifts, journaling. I love new things and can't wait to get started. And believe it or not, my mind has already fast forwarded to thinking about some of the gifts I want to make for this coming Christmas. So, no time to waste. Have to get back to my organizing. The sooner it is complete, the sooner I can begin my first project of 2012!

Happy New Year and let your creative thought processes carry you away!

Mary

Season of Thanksgiving

Hard to believe so much time has passed since I last touched base.  Guess it's time to play catch up!  I had hoped, and still do hope, to make this blog a regular part of my days and add more than just my thoughts.  I have so many things like sewing and quilting and decorating ideas that I would love to share.  It's just a matter of time management on my part.

First of all, let me say that I adjusted to the whole empty-nest thing way better than I thought I would. Now, one of our fledglings is returning.  She has discovered that sharing an apartment with one or more roommates is not her cup of tea.  (She takes after her oldest sister in this regard, because it wasn't for her either!) After having that initial taste of freedom that moving out for college affords, she isn't the happiest of campers to come back home.  But for now it seems like the best option, it will work out fine, and she will still have the freedom to come and go.  She'll just have a little bit longer drive to classes and work.  We are also gaining a grandkitty, since she adopted Charlotte from an area pet shelter to keep her company in her last apartment.  Should be interesting to see how that goes, since Riley and Dad neither one are thrilled with cats.

After the excitement of moving a daughter back in (?!?), we will be knee deep in the holidays.  Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It is my favorite holiday, because my family and I have so much to be thankful for.  I love having everyone gathered here, and the smells of a good meal in the air.  Then, before we know it...CHRISTMAS!

I can't begin to count the number of years I have said I wanted to shop early and be ready early so I could sit back and enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, music, and meaning of the Christmas season.  Well, this year I actually am doing it!  Sitting in front of me I have stacks of wrapped gifts already, and it feels grand!  I am well over half finished and should be done easily before December rolls in.

The trees have shed their leaves, the air has turned quite chilly and winter is just around the corner. When it arrives, in all it's cold and snowy glory, I will become a hermit and hopefully get to the things I want to share on here.  In the meantime, as you all prepare for your holiday season, remember to be thankful for all you have, because none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, and we have to make the most of every single day.

Mary