Thrifted Lovelies

So maybe it's a good thing I live in the middle of nowhere... There aren't a whole lot of places to shop, and I find myself wandering through aisle after aisle of peoples' junk at the local thrift shops... These are the latest gems I've happened upon, fallen in love with, and dragged home with me... :)

An absolute beauty in need of a little cleaning and polishing, but in great shape!  It's just perfect for storing these...

I was in search of a nice leather belt to use as a handle for a navy and white striped bag I'll be making...(tutorial coming soon!)  I found both of these belts at the same time...$.99 and $3.99.  They are absolutely gorgeous!  Much too pretty to be cutting up... They will be the perfect addition to the fun summer dresses I'm hoping to make with the help of this...

I've been wanting one of these little ladies for a long time now.  I thought she was a little steep at $59... Until I went home and looked her up online...$219 brand new!  I'll take her!

Sometimes you just have to be in the right mood for thrifting.  It can be dirty...and disappointing when you find nothing.  But it can be such a thrill when you happen upon lovelies such as these!

-Chartreuse- 

Linking to:

debbiedoos

Leather Lanyard

I'm certain you can purchase all of these items at your local craft store.

First, cut your leather to desired width & length. 

Loop it through the lobster clasp.

Bring the bottom of your leather strap to the top.

Using your leather punch, puncture through all three layers of leather.

Place your crystal rivet through all three holes.

Place the back of the rivet.

 Attach the back of the rivet using the rivet setter.

Secure in place with a hammer.

Add your own personal touch with any sort of charm.  There are a million cool things out there!

  Another leather project...

 I have more great leather ideas in mind... Can't wait to share them with you!  Just remember to check back often;) 

Have fun creating your own.

The possibility's are endless... cell phone lanyard perhaps?!

Turn "can do" into "can did!"

Fuchsia

Find another leather idea here.

Linking to:
debbiedoos

Vintage Themed Food Labels

I made these food labels for a vintage themed party.  They are a great way to add little details to any celebration!  I printed the names of each menu item on my computer, printed them on 8.5 x 11 in. cardstock, and cut them out with a circle punch.  The cards were cut from black cardstock and scored so they would have a clean fold.  All of the paper and most of the embellishments were purchased at my local craft store.  Finished size of food labels is 2.5 x 3.5 in.  Larger size is 5 x 7 in.

This is how I packaged them for shipping.  I made the the sticker by cutting polkadot paper with my circle punch, and running it through my Xyron 250.  I have several different sizes of these sticker makers and use them with almost every scrapbooking project!

Try this idea for your next party!

-Chartreuse-

DIY Pomander

Here is a quick and easy way to make any room more festive for a holiday!

You will need:

Styrofoam ball

Ribbon

Large pins

Paper flowers with petals

There are several ways to make the paper flowers.  I used my Cri-cut machine.  You can also use any other die-cut machine or a flower-shaped paper-punch.  Gently push the petals of the flower up as shown in photo above...

and push a pin through the center of the flower.

Push the pinned flower into the Styrofoam ball, alternating colors.

Attach the ribbon to the ball with a pin and it is ready to be hung!

And there you have it!  A great way to make any celebration a little more colorful!

-Fuchsia- 

But the heart of the home remains...

My brother and his family's home of eight years...

 is no more...  This devastation took place on March 8th 2011.

Praising the Lord all seven lives were spared, even Max their puppy.

-Fuchsia-

The chimney stands alone

A mute witness to the sky

A few blackened timbers

Point scraggly fingers this way and that

A charred shell stares through blank eyes

A man's dream, his hard work,

A women's gathered life,

The treasure of each child...

Only black and ashes.

But the heart of the home remains:

A man's hardworking love,

A women's tender nurture,

The hope and promise in each child...

A living testimony to the goodness of our God.

2011 March 8th

Written by: pja

Linking to:

debbiedoos

Waxing Poetic Jewelry

Fuchsia and I have fallen in love with Waxing Poetic's line of jewelry.  We had so much fun personalizing our own necklaces! 

  -Chartreuse-

-Fuchsia-

The combinations are endless...  

photo courtesy of layla grace

A few of our favorite charms...

photos courtesy of Waxing Poetic