Bench to beauty

I was visiting a friend in Golden, CO, when I passed a house in her neighborhood that was seemingly getting rid of the stuff, you know free stuff by the road, well I noticed this bench on the porch.  Knocked on the door and asked if they by chance wanted to get rid of this bench...... $5 later, it was in the back of my truck.  

Well, this bench having been outside in CO, for I don't know how long was so dry rotted that I can't believe I saved it, thou plenty of times I was contemplating fire pit..

After months of starting then stopping work on it, I got serious.

I used one whole bottle of Gorilla Glue to fix and fill all the cracks.  Sanded, stained with a gorgeous cherry stain and polyurethane the bench back to beauty.

Thanks for stopping by, happy crafting!

Creating a Pin Board

The same weekend I got the Pig had to go, my sister Cheryl and I went to an antique barn, we both bought an old map/blueprint or printers drawer.  She made a printer box chalk board out of hers (see on State-line Crafter's); and me, I sat on mine for months, contemplating the project.  I finally decided a pin board. 

With all my supplies, I first measured, then cut a piece of white board to fit, glued in drawer, measured and cut a piece of cork to fit over that, glued, then set out to make it fun and practical for me.

I salvaged this measuring stick from an old yard ornament that my grandmother made, cut to fit up the side, glued.  

On the back,  I measured then glued a piece of wood to even both sides, twisted in hangers, and put wire through each hole to hang on the wall.

Now I'm going to decorate. I made a little box out of a paint stick for pencils and pens, you can never find one when you need one....glued the box on the bottom ledge of the drawer.

I found a cute little bird house with birch roof, glued it onto a stick, and glued to the side of the board.

While looking for baby clothes pins, which I glued three going down the side to hang photos/coupons, I came across this little picket fence, Mother had for some reason.  I added it to the bottom for a quick catch all.

Printed out the month of June's dates to remember, 

pinned a lemonade recipe I've been wanting to try, 

and wa..la... my pin board is finished

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting.

Parties: Thursday-  Katherines Corner

The Pig Had to GO!

My sister Cheryl invited me down for a weekend and sent this table home with me hoping I could save it. 

Apparently her grandchildren had gotten a hold of her antique farm table, and went crazy with the paint.  Yes, I love piggy's, but I've never heard of "chuby the pig", 

This piggy had to go!

First, I removed the rusty hardware, and soaked it in rust remover.

Then I went to town scraping, then use paint remover, and then scraped some more, finally I sanded the heck out of this table.

Some of the white paint still shows through on the legs and the top,

but I think it give it that vintage look.  Finally, after months, it's as Done as it's ever going to be. (I need two pieces of hardware to finish the legs.)

What do you think, Miss Cheryl?  Do you like the color?  

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

Special Events

I attended two very special events this weekend.  First
event, the Annual Girl Talk, God Talk TEA PARTY, at the Methodist Church, here in Durand, IL.  

It was so much fun. 

Of course I dressed up in a

tea party ensemble

I throw together complete with

vintage hat, vintage sweater, vintage gloves, 

with vintage necklace I restrung with the same beads I added buttons, and a tea pot charm.

About 100 ladies gathered, 10 women at each table, each table has 1 hostess, the hostess brings in their own tea ware and decorate their tables in a unique style.

This year, like last, the tables were done up in style.  Our hostess decorated with blues and aqua's, and sea shells with coral.  She gave each guest at her table this beautiful picture holder or recipe card holder made with coral and added chocolates.

The TEA PARTY begins, of course with a prayer, and right away the finger sandwiches are past around each table.  Some of the ladies bring in their husbands who volunteer to serve the ladies tea and to keep the sandwich trays full.  They served Raspberry black tea, and Peach black tea, both excellent blends.

The finger sandwiches were puff pastry's with tuna, egg salad on white, ham spread on wheat, cucumber with cream cheese, pinwheels with ham, and veggie pizza.  There was a cheese and cracker plate.  Also on the table were nuts and homemade candies.

I know..... a lot, I was pretty full just from the sandwiches.  Then they bring out the trays of sweeties and cookies, so many different kinds.  Very nice selection.  With treats abound and the tea still flowing, an hour into it, they have a guest speaker come out with a presentation, this year the subject was "TEA'S" the beginning, to now with TEA PARTY EDICATE from the beginning, to now. The info was  detailed and interesting; at the end of her speech, she pulled out a tea party book from 1905 that had games people would play back in the Victorian days when garden tea parties were very, very fashionable.

We played 3 of the games, they were fun, each table competed against the others, our table did not win any of the games, but we had a ball.

After that... the party broke up. 

Me and (my girls) that's My Mother, and My Aunt Junie (with my My Sister meeting us there with her granddaughter),

head north to my youngest granddaughter 

Eden's 2nd birthday party.

We ate first, needless to say, Me, Mother and Aunt Junie, were not very hungry, actually all three of us wanted coffee.

Eden is 2 so of course, she had no interest in opening her gifts, though she got plenty.  

After that 
more sweets, 
they had the birthday cake and gluten free brownies. 

Happy Birthday, Princess Eden.

Cheers to a sweet day! 

Pattern Tracing

When I buy patterns for the kiddos, they usually come in size 1-4, of 6-12, whatever.... 

Simplicity 9968

once you cut size 3 out, you can no longer use the pattern for any size larger.  So, I trace my patterns.   Like this adorable pair of summer jammies for Miss Eden whose birthday is coming up....

I cut around the piece I need, iron it smooth....

. 

Then I take white tissue paper, iron that smooth and place it over the pattern, and trace it....

I made sure that the fabric was super light cotton.  The summer in Wisconsin can be unbearably hot.

This pair of jammies, reminds me of the clothes I wore in the 60's, in WI, in the the summer!

I did some detailing, 

the stamp on back of shorts,

the rose on the front,

and the back loop.

I'm excited about my youngest grandchild, turning 2 on April 9. 

It's only going to happen once in a life time......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EDEN!

lOVE, GRAMMY BEAR

SO DARN CUTE!

Thanks for stopping by,

Happy Sewing!

Something Special for Eden

Spring is in the Air..... It's my

 youngest granddaughter's

second birthday  coming up and I wanted to make something special. 
How about a twirl-y dress for tea parties with Grammy Bear......

I bought this pattern to make this dress for Ella, but with all my travels, I never got to it. It's called the addison.





Here's the back of the dress.

I can't wait to see it on her. Happy Birthday Eden!

_____________

Talking about spring in the air...... this little bird has been hanging on our deck here the past two days.  He looks totally roughed up, but he let me get with in 5 feet of him, he keeps coming back.

Cheers to Spring!