2nd Mason Jar Craft, As Promised!

So after seeing the prices of old burlap bags, I decided to just buy a few yards at the store.  And let me tell you; working with burlap has it's challenges!   First, it keeps wanting to shift on you, then don't get me started with all the dust & remnants it leaves behind.   
But I'm so pleased with the finished product, I suppose it's all worth it.

First I cut the burlap into strips, then squares, then sewed up the sides.   (Why do I have such a hard time with the sewing machine?   I used to tell people all I could sew was straight lines but now I'm even wondering about that!   And my sewing machine is always giving me fits; constantly de-threading itself when I get started.   For those of you that sew, why is that?   What am I doing wrong?)

Well anyway, here's several little "bags" I finally got sewed up and am ready to sew on the straps.

Here's one with the lacy strap sewed on.  

I then hot-glued some old jewelry pieces on for some 'bling'.    These are just the right size for a mason jar full of fresh-picked blooms.   (or in this case, faux ones! ha)

Look how cute they are, displayed on this old window screen.

I'm really liking these.   They would also look cute on a door-knob, a wall hook, and really cute on a fence post or maybe on a gate in the garden?   

Now I need your help coming up with a name for them.   I was thinking burlap cozies?   (like cozies for your drinks?)  or mason jar huggies?    What do you think?  

Here's another quick project:   I turned-up the handle of an old kitchen utensil and attached it to a small piece of lattice.   So cute!   (and yes, those pansies are fake too!  Maybe I'll have to find some real ones for my next sale this Sunday; real ones would probably look better, right? ha)

Well, thanks so much for visiting!! and don't forget; I need those name suggestions!   If your suggestion gets picked, you win a prize!

Mason Jar Fun

I just love mason jars.  They are so versatile and have a way of giving any area an instant country feel.   I pick them up whenever I can, especially the old blue ones, if the price is decent.

Here's a quick project to combine an old mason jar with a piece of old, chippy trim.

I drilled two holes about an inch apart in the center of the board, at the neck of the jar.   Then inserted a long piece of wire through each hole thru the back and wrapped around the neck of the jar to hold it in place.

Drilled two more holes at the top for more wire to hang it with and you're done!

This is a project you can sit down with and easily whip-out 5-6 in no time.   Here's another one.

So super-cute!   I have another project involving yet more mason jars but this time mixed with burlap, so stay tuned!

Flea Trip & Finds!

Well, the Lucasville Swap Meet a couple weekends ago was a bit of a wash-out.   It rained off/on all day but that didn't stop the crowds!   I couldn't believe how many people there were.   Just check-out this parking area and this was just one of many parking areas.

Here's a few animal shots.   As I mentioned, this is mostly to buy and/or  swap poultry of ALL kinds and even some small animals.  

(aren't these birds purty?)

This amish man had the most unique and cool garden items.   One of his items went home with me; can you guess which one?   hint: you can just make-out part of it in this picture.

Here's a few junk tables; always fun to root thru.   That's my daughter in the zebra-striped jacket.   She was easy to spot among the crowd!

OK, I know you can't wait any longer.   Here's the item that came home with me:

Isn't it cool?   I love all the chippy paint and vintage look of it!  

Here's a bottle tree I bought.   It came with the clear coke bottles and I want to eventually swap all of them out for solid colors.   I had the green bottles on-hand.

Here's my $5.00 garden bench.    Yes, it was only $5.00 at a small flea last year; some of the wood is starting to rot but for just $5.00, I can at least enjoy it for a year or two before it gets thrown on the burn-pile.  I think it's so super-cute!

Well, I'm getting all ready for my next show on May 6.   This is an outdoor show with over 125 vendors scattered through-out the historic section of Powell, Ohio.   I'll be sharing with you over the next week a few new items I'm bringing so stay tuned!

Shopping Cart Liner Found!

It didn't take too long to find a nice liner for my vintage shopping cart!   This army duffel bag was found at the Caesar Creek Flea Market and even though it's not as old as I would have liked, it works for now.   (I'll still keep my eye out for an old one; maybe even an old postal bag!)

To attach it, I just wire-tied it thru the grommets directly to the cart.   (I would have liked to use some old big horse pins but don't have any.....yet! ha)

The bag is also a bit longer than the cart but rather than cut and resew it, I just pulled in the excess and that will double as padding for all my finds!    I also attached (with a clothespin! ha) a small old bank bag from my old hometown bank to hold all those wonderful smalls.   (I know, a clothespin isn't very secure, so maybe I'll add a few staples.)

Now I'm all ready for a big weekend of flea-market shopping at the Lucasville Swap Meet/Flea Market this weekend!   Held at the Scioto County Fairgrounds three times/year, the April weekend is huge!   Also known as poultry days because you can buy and/or swap all kinds of birds, chickens, geese, you name it! ha!  It can be quite a hilarious site!  (and noisy too!)   I'll be sure to take lots of pictures!   If you're in the central/southern Ohio area, you should check it out!

 

Super-Cute Watering-Can Makeover!

I picked up two of these watering cans on clearance a couple years ago and finally got inspired to do something with them.   I'm always up for a quick project (one that you can actually get done in an evening!) and this worked out great.

Here is a before-shot.   (I actually forgot to take the before shot but since I had two of them, this is the second one! ha!)

I simply brushed on some flat white exterior paint; it took two coats.



Then I glued on a piece of burlap, then a piece of muslin on top of that after I stenciled the number 7 on it.  

I tied some tea-stained eyelet trim around the handle, added some faux daffodils....

and ta-da....   super-cute!

Now on to the second one!   Have a Wonderful Easter Everyone!

Do These Tickle Your Fancy?

These new creations are sure to 'tickle' your garden's fancy!   Not an original idea by any means; in fact, a few of my blogging buddies make some absolutely beautiful ones.  They are a lot of fun to make and certainly do a great job of making your garden a little 'fancier'! ha!

These were such a hit at my last two craft shows; all of them are sold!  

I want to thank everyone who came to the Grove City Band Booster craft show last weekend!!   We had a great weekend and went home with lots of empty boxes!   That is a good thing! 

I also want to remind everyone if you EVER have a problem with something you bought from me, remember I have the Triple RRR Policy;  I will either repair, replace or refund for any issues.   (not that there are any right now but I can't help but get a little nervous when selling so many things; again, thank you!!)

Fab Flea Finds!

I can't even begin to tell you how tickled I was to find this vintage, shabby shopping cart at the flea market!  And the price was very reasonable!  (DH was perturbed I didn't ask for less but I had a price in mind and when the dealer gave a lesser price, I jumped on it!)

Now I can't wait to find some type of canvas bag or burlap to make a liner!

I also found this really cool, maybe vintage? metal box with tole painting.   Not sure what this is really; maybe a hamper?  There are vents on the side and possibly it had a lid at one time?  Not sure but I just loved the colors, the vintage style, etc!   I think this would look darling on a porch!

And this really cute little child's chair would also look cute on your porch with a little flower or pillow on it!

Please ignore the misc. in the background.   My basement needs a major cleaning and re-organizing!   Here's a few peeks:

Lots of stuff!

And here's my work table; you are actually getting a glimpse of it cleaned off which is rare!

Well of course, I'm sure we'll be hitting a flea market again sometime this weekend!  Always fun!   With the warmer weather, there's been more outside vendors!!  
Happy St. Patrick's Day!