Wednesday, June 15, 2011

MY 3RD "BUILDING OUR HOMES TOGETHER" FOR WEDNESDAY - JUNE 15TH, 2011
























 I'M PARTICIPATING IN THE "BUILDING OUR HOMES TOGETHER" SERIES OVER AT PRAIRIE FLOWER FARM. IF YOU'D LIKE TO JOIN ON IN THE FUN,  PAY LINDA  A VISIT. THIS IS A SUPER FUN AND VERY ENCOURAGING SERIES.

Hi everyone,
How has your week been so far? Mine has been very good.  I've really been experiencing a burst of  craft inspiration the last few days. I'm not sure if it's coming from getting my house in shape. That leads to a less stressed-out Heather...and I have more time to think about fun stuff, like knitting.   Today is going to be a bit of a hodge podge of craft stuff.

I'm not sure if I mentioned this small wall curio cabinet that I  purchased at a yard sale last Saturday or not. This is going to be a redecorating project for me.























THIS IS THE SMALL WALL CURIO CABINET THAT I PURCHASED AT A YARDSALE LAST SATURDAY.  YOU CAN SEE SOME OF MY CRAFT STUFF JUST LYING AROUND EVERYWHERE. THAT IS USUALLY WHAT THE LIVING ROOM LOOKS LIKE...STASHES OF CRAFT ITEMS ARE EVERYWHERE....INSERT BIG HEATHER SMILE HERE, PLEASE  (PHOTO HAS NOT BEEN RETOUCHED)

 One of my goals in making my home beautiful is by using items that I've purchased at yardsales, garage sales etc.  Why? Mainly, it's because I'm "in between" jobs, so I can't afford to pay retail. Also, I like to keep as much money in my wallet as I can...job or no job :) :)  So I saw this curio cabinet and just had to have it. The lady wanted $5 dollars for it. However, I only had $3.50 in my wallet...literally. I asked her if she would take that and she said YES :) :) Score!!!! What a treasure and such a great price.  If you go to Ebay's website and type in "curio cabinet", you can find similar ones and even an exact replica selling for quite a bit more.  It reminds me of something from my childhood. 

It's not very pretty now, but it's got possibility aplenty. My plan  is to sand it, prime it and repaint it using creams and pinks.. making it romantic, country, shabby chic, etc. You get the idea - totally feminine and totally frufru :) :) 

THIS IS A TEA BAG COZY THAT I KNIT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. IT JUST SO HAPPENS, IT WILL FIT IN NICELY WITH A PROJECT HAPPENING OVER AT PRAIRIE FLOWER FARM :)

 Linda over at Prairie Flower Farm and some other incredible blog ladies are working on a project to help and encourage women in Joplin, Missouri. Click here to read Linda's original post on the project. It's called "Purses with Promise"   You can find out all the details there.  There is also a link to Angie's blog "Berry Homespun Primitives". She's also a sweetheart of a lady, just like Linda. She recently drove through Joplin, Missouri and took some photos of the devastation. Folks, this doesn't even begin to describe the difficulties the people are going through there. However, we are a country of resilient people.  Just look at all that was accomplished by those that came before us. We come from sturdy stock, that's for sure. In any case, Angie's photos really show just how much the people have lost...literally. Both blogs will give you some perspective as well as information on what this love project is all about :) :) It's a simple way to encourage the ladies of Joplin, Missouri. It's also an opportunity to use our talents to help others.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE SMALL CROCHET FLOWERS THAT I'M MAKING FOR THE "PURSES WITH PROMISE" PROJECT OVER AT PRAIRIE FLOWER FARM.  YOU CAN SEE THE ORIGINAL COLOR OF MY KNITTED TEA BAG COZY. (THIS PHOTO HAS NOT BEEN RETOUCHED)

The three crochet flowers on the left, were my attemps  at crocheted flowers.  Not too bad, but not what I was looking for. Linda of Prairie Flower Farm is  fabulous lady who loves Jesus. She sent me a link to an earlier blog post with the pattern for Miss Clarice's crocheted flowers. Click here if you'd like to try this pattern out for yourself. It's really easy. 


HERE'S A CLOSE-UP OF MY REPRODUCTION HERSHEY'S COCOA TIN. THIS IS NOW THE OFFICIAL "HOME" FOR ALL OF MY SMALL CROCHET FLOWERS. ISN'T THIS JUST THE CUTEST. CAN YOU IMAGINE A WHOLE TIN FILLED WITH LITTLE FLOWERS IN DIFFERENT COLORS?

These small crochet flowers taught me a lot about not being so concentrated on perfection. I was a little frustrated when I first started crocheting these. It's funny really, but true..  I can crochet doilies, knit lace edgings, socks, mittens, hats...and I couldn't crochet a simple flower.  You know what? That is okay. We aren't expected to be perfect. God doesn't expect perfection from me, but He wants me to give my all to HIM...and that's what I did. I prayed and asked God for help, because this project means so much to me..and I want the ladies who receive these to be blessed and encouraged :) :) God came through and once I layed my worries at HIS feet, the project automatically started getting easier. I'm still "new" to crochet in general, but these flowers are sure a lot of fun to make :) :) Give them a try.

THIS IS THE TOP OF THE HERSHEY'S TIN. IT WAS MADE IN ENGLAND IN  1982.  I PURCHASED IT AT A YARDSALE FOR JUST $0.50.

Remember what I said about this post being a hodge podge of craft stuff today? :) :) :)   You can find all sorts of cute ways to store things in your home. You don't have to use plastic or stick with boring colors.  Yardsales and garage sales can be great places to find vintage tins, bowls etc, that can be repurposed as storage units for all the bits and pieces in your home :) :)


FLAG DAY IS CELEBRATED EVERY JUNE 14TH IN THE UNITED STATES.  THIS IS A LITTLE FLAG TABLE MAT THAT I CROCHETED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

 Flag Day came and went yesterday. However, if you love fun and easy craft projects, this is for you.  Click this link to visit Create & Decorate magazine blog.  Here you can find the instructions for making your own flag.  The pattern is from  Vickie Zelizo. It's a really cute pattern and very easy to crochet in an afternoon. I used slightly different colors, because that was all I had on hand.  This would also be a perfect project for the upcoming 4th of July holiday :) :) So start working the yarn and crochet needles :) :)  Oh, if you'd like to subscribe to Create & Decorate magazine or just find out more, click here. It is a fantastic magazine full of super cute projects from front to back cover. I subscribe and it is worth EVERY penny :) :)

I  PURCHASED SOME COTTON YARN AT MY LOCAL FRED MEYER STORE.  THIS WILL BE CROCHETED INTO SOME MORE FLAG TABLE MATS.

The pattern calls for a really fun "Lily's Sugar N' Cream" cotton yarn. That yarn is really fun and comes in some fun colors.  I usually purchase mine at Joann's Fabrics or Michael's. Both stores are on the other side of town, so I settled for Lion Brand cotton yarn at Fred Meyer today.  It's much closer and not as much gas was needed to get there. Although, now I've got a hankering for "Lily's Sugar N' Cream" yarn...so eventually I will have to make my way to that part of town :) :)
























AFTER ALL THIS YARN SHOPPING AND GROCERY SHOPPING TODAY, I NEED A NICE GLASS OF WATER :) :)

Alright, that's my post for today :) :) After buying the yarn, buying groceries, and running other errands, I needed to sit down for a bit. So I promptly sat myself down in my dad's nice cushy recliner and grabbed a nice glass jar and filled it with water and ice cubes. This is the good stuff and so simple :) :) :) Oh, doesn't the water look cuter in a Mason jar than in a regular cup? Again, simple things that we can do to make everythings look more beautiful :) :)

I'm a bit behind on my devotions - by two days to be exact. So I'll be catching up on my reading today.  I'm telling you what...ladies..it's so important to have a regular devotion time, even if it's just a few minutes every day.  It makes a huge difference in my day.  It's a noticable difference. So if you'd pray for more regular quiet times, that would be AWESOME. I'll do the same for you, too :) :)

Oh, this was a really long post.  I also experimented with most of my photos today. In fact, all of them were retouched in some way, except for those where I said "This photo not retouched" in parantheses. I'm obsessed with vintage photography. So I'm playing around with photos, to try and create a "vintage" look :) :)

Thanks for coming to visit me :) :) I always enjoy when you come over here...and even more so  when you leave comments :) :)  That's the news from Oregon today. Love and hugs, Heather :)

16 comments:

Beth said...

Hi Heather, This is a fun post. Inspiring too. It's your heart, Heather. Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to see your curio cabinet when you get it completed. I know it will be adorable.
Blessings, Beth

Prairiemaid said...

Heather, what a fun post! Love your crocheted flag and the little flowers. What a steal you got on the curio cabinet. Nice find!

Blessings,
Cheryl

Susan said...

Heather,

Your new crocheted flag is really cute :) So are your little crocheted flowers.

You are absolutely right about doing a daily devotional. It does make a difference. I have to do it in the morning or I will get so sidetracked and not get it done.

I always enjoy your blog :D

Hope you have a pleasant evening.

Susan Montgomery

Jill said...

Love the curio cabinet! What an awesome deal!! Such great treasures you have found! Hope you have a lovely week!

Blessings,
Jill

Linda Stubbs said...

Hey sweetie, I am behind on getting around. I left after lunch today to go to the chiropractor. I feel so good. I am still a little light headed, but other than that I am so much better. That bug was not nice at all.

I love your flowers. Sooooooo precious. You have done a sweet job and I love the little tea cozy. You will have so much fun making things up.

I use a widemouth mason jar also. I especially use them for entertaining. Tie a simple ribbon around the top and it makes a tea party extra special!!!!!!!!

Your flag is adorable!!!!!!!!! Your cabinet will be so cool is shabby! Can't wait to see.

Thank you for being a part today.
Hugs, Linda

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Hello, Heather!!

I have to tell you that I have the identical cabinet. I saw one on Ebay that was painted lilac and embellished with ribbon roses and lace. I would love to do something like that with mine but in a different color.
Love the hershey tin! Do you know that Hereshey, Pa. is only about 2 hours away from me. I was only there about 3 times!

Hugs,
Debbie

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

Hi everyone ;) :) Boy, I wish I had 12 pairs of hands for all the cute projects to make : :) :) :)

@Beth - Thanks :) :) I'm pricing supplies. However, I think I can do this for relatively inexpensive, since the cabinet is small. I'm praying I can buy sample sizes of primer and paint. SAndpaper is cheap..the only real spendy thing might be a brush.


@Cheryl/Prairie Maid - thank you :) :) If you crochet, you should check out the links I posted on my blog today :) :) it's so much fun :) :) There's something about working with my hands that makes me happy :)

@Susan - thanks. Wait till you see the flowers when I attach them to the tea bag cozies. Oh, cuteness overload...for sure ;) :) I"m also going to do something extra. I told Linda about it, but I think she forgot :) :) I hope she forgot, because it will be a surprise ;) :)

@Jill - thank you :) :) I think if we're ever in the same place, we should go yard saling. I see cute kids toys and all kinds of things for cheap :) :) It's always the best when you find a treasure in the most unexpected place :) :)

@Linda - I'm so glad you are feeling better. Don't apologize for being "late" visiting blogs. Your health is way more important !!!!! Thank you for the compliments on my projects ;) :)

@Debbie - oh, I'd love to see a picture of your curio cabinet, pretty please ;) :) Mayb e you could post it on your blog? I'd liek to see how you style yours. I think the ribbons and lace would be fabulous. You would do it up right, too :) How old is your curio cabinet? I'm thinking mine is 1970s..right around there. Hershey, PA....I'll have to go there sometime :)

Thanks for leaving me nice comments everyone. It really makes me smile to hear from all of you :) :)

Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

Mrs.T said...

Wonderful post, Heather! Love all the crafts... will definitely have to check out that magazine with the flag mat and also the crocheted flower instructions.

Will be praying for you in your quiet time! It's so important and really does set the tone for the entire day, as you noted.

God bless,
Mrs.T

A Primitive Homestead said...

Love those little flowers. Your cabinet is wonderful & the price was amazing. It is always so fun to find a treasure & not spen an arm an a leg these days. Some of my best prims came from yard sales or flea markets. I buy most every thing used. Be sure & let us see your cabinet when you have it redone. Blessings!
Lara

Donna said...

Heather,
You are so inspriring with all your projects! I have the same little curio! I have used mine as a thimble holder. I can't wait to see what you do with yours!
The flowers are adorable and thanks for the link. I haven't crocheted in years but would like to try again .. you have inspired me!
Hugs,
Donna

Under Her Wings said...

Now you are a busy girl, Heather! I love the crocheted flag. Thanks for your fun post!

tinemor said...

Hi,hi
Litt kjendis ;-)
Gøy å være med på dette.
Håper du har det bra
Klem, Tine

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

Heisan Tine,
Takk for besøk :) :) Gleder meg alltid når du kommer her :) :) jeg er så stolt av deg, at du er i avisen :) :) Jeg prøver å hekle et norsk flagg ;) :) Klem og hilsen fra Oregon, Heather :) :)

for my English-speaking friends -
Hi Tina - thanks for the visit. I'm so glad when you come here. I am so proud of you, that you are in the newspaper. I'm tryying to crochet a Norwegian flag :) :) Hugs and Greetings from Oregon, Heather :)

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Wow, love your crocheted flowers! You are good Heather! Busy little bee for sure! Thanks for letting me use some of your pillowcase patterns. I do have a couple so if they don't work out, I will let you know. Have a wonderful week Heather!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Angie Berry ~ Berry Homespun Primitives said...

Your curio cabinet is going to be beautiful after you paint and sand it with creams. Hey, I am a firm believer in "one man's trash is another man's treasure".... whether I have money or not, I prefer buying yard sale and thrift store pieces rather than retail. I love how it makes me feel to take a piece that no one wants and transform it into a wanted piece!

Your tea cozy is so cute, love the color of it! And those crochet flowers are oh so adorable Heather!! You did a terrific job on them!

Thank you for the shout-out. You are a sweetheart! I'm just so thrilled that it inspired women to help other women. To God belongs the glory! Don't you just love how we can go to Him and ask Him to help us with ALL things... even for crochet help. He is so faithful to take care of us!

I like how you played around with your photos. I also adore the vintage look so much! These look great girl! I like the "dark" tone to them yet you can still see everything in the picture. Nice job!

Leaon Mary said...

Heather I don't know how I missed this post but I love your flag you made!!! Gosh that's awesome!!! Those flowers are the bomb too... and I hope you get that cute lil tin plumb full of them. SAWEET!!!