Painted Vintage Hangers

Recently I found some  Thrifted Vintage Hangers.

Even though they were very nice, I wanted to give them a pretty little face-lift. 

First I sanded them lightly, then gave them a quick coat of craft paint in pink, lavender, and soft blue. 

Letting them dry upside down in a glass was an easy way to paint both sides at once.

I wrapped some tape around the metal hook to protect it from paint.  

Next I used alphabet stamps and black ink to stamp some sweet words. 

I used scrapbook stickers to add some pretty roses on either side. 

Then I tied a little bow. 

Adding a sweet heart sachet was the finishing touch. 

These were simple to make with a home-made cardboard pattern and some pretty fabric.

I added some simple buttons in order to hang the finished sachet with ribbon. 

I sewed the buttons on before I stuffed it, through the opening. 

I stuffed it lightly with fiberfill, 

then made a little packet of potpourri out of a used dryer sheet and some string.

I used about a tablespoon. 

I make my own potpourri, but you can use store bought or simply use dried  lavender.  

(Or....soak a cotton ball in your favorite perfume!) 

This makes it easy to add potpourri to your sachet without all the mess. 

Stitch up the sachet opening by hand. 

Next I cut about a 6 inch length of narrow ribbon to make a hanger for the sachet. 

Just make a loop and tie a knot at the ends. 

Slip the knotted end around the button and the looped end over the hanger from behind. 

Ooops! You can see a little thread hanging down from my  Re-purposed Soda Crate

Voila'! 

These make sweet little gifts. 

Or use them to display something special. 

Ooh La La! 

xoxo

Linking with Young Heart/ Old Soul  - Weekly Thrift

 http://www.youngheartoldsoul.com/2013/03/the-weekly-thrift.html

Life on the Edge

Today I am starting a new series entitled, "Life on the Edge". 

These will be reflections of my life here on the edge of the wilderness, 

living in the country-side. 

I hope to write a new story once a month. 

I hope you enjoy these little snippets of my life on the edge. 

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

When you live in the countryside, being neighborly sometimes means stepping out of your comfort zone. It means helping out in some unusual situations not found in, shall we say, a more urban environment. This calls for an open mind and a willingness to jump into some strange circumstances.

One sunny afternoon, I drove around a corner to find a huge steer standing right in the middle of the road. Now, even though it was a country road, the speed limit was 45, and that happened to be a rather blind corner.  Naturally, I couldn’t just leave him there; a disaster waiting to happen. It didn’t matter that I had on my prettiest summer dress and heels on my way to a baby shower.  There was no one else around and being a good, neighborly country gal, I jumped into action.  But once I stepped outside the relative safety of my little pick-up truck, I realized this might not end too well. But there was no time to be indecisive, that steer was headed right my way and blocking the road, so I bravely started walking up the only driveway in sight, with Mr. Steer hot on my high heels.

 He seemed to be a friendly sort of fellow, so I just kept up a steady pace, calling him to follow in what I hoped was my best steer wrangling voice, and nervously looking over my shoulder for signs of flared nostrils, lowered head and  ground pawing.  But once I climbed the little hill to the top of the driveway, I could see where he had slipped right out of the unlatched gate. I knocked on the door of the residence with no answer, so I just walked over to the gate with my new-found friend and he was only too happy to go back inside to be with his buddies. I did leave a note on the door to let the folks know they had an escapee in their midst.

I’m not the only one who comes across a situation that needs a helping hand. Not too long ago, I was driving home along our narrow, winding mountain road and had to stop behind my neighbor’s vehicle while she rescued a runaway horse in the middle of the road. As I watched, her little daughter searched the trunk for something to tie around the horse’s neck while Mother held the halter-less horse by the mane. All the little girl could come up with was a jacket, but that was put to good use by tying the arms around the horse’s neck. There’s no lacking of ingenuity when it comes to being neighborly.  Off they went, little girl leading the stray along by the coat sleeve, back to his home and all was right with the world once more.

That brings me to the most recent incident in a long line of roadside attractions. I was on my way to the grocery store and had just turned the corner onto the road towards town. I was so glad that I took that corner slow because just as I drove past the first house along the road, a frantic rooster ran in front of me, followed by a tiny, black and white long haired dog.

My concern for what might happen if another car came along, forced me to stop. As I got out of my truck and thought of what I could do, a young Mother carrying a baby ran towards me. ‘Oh, please help me catch my rooster!’, she pleaded. ‘I’ve been trying to catch it all morning!’ So, like the good country neighbor I am, I went into chicken catching mode and together we rounded up that wayward bird with the help of one tiny dog. By the time she scooped the poor thing up, it was out of breath and so was I. She offered to let me pet him, asking, ‘Isn’t he so soft?’ to which I agreed, and then she was off to the other side of the road, baby and chicken in hand.

It was then that the question sprang to mind, ‘Why did the chicken cross the road?’ And I knew the answer finally! ‘To get to the other side, of course!’ Wouldn’t you run across the road if you had a Llapso Apso chasing you? 

Rainy Day

It was raining when I woke up today. 

And it's been steadily raining all day. 

But I did venture out to feed the birds and take a rainy day stroll. 

I love the sound of raindrops. Pitter Patter, Pitter Pat.

They cling to branches and soak the ground, 

releasing earth's fresh scent.

And making the moss extremely happy. 

The Indian Plum trees are starting to bud. 

The first trees to flower, here in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. 

The birds are becoming more talkative and the air is full of discussion. 

Who will be my one true love? 

And fly away with me!

The gentle mist rises and falls, changing the landscape minute by minute. 

Floating over the rolling hills.

And highlighting singular beauty. 

The cats are content to stay inside where the fire is crackling, warding off the damp chill. 

Where Maggie can have a bird's eye view of the hummingbird feeder. 

She doesn't have to wait long before there is a tiny visitor. 

A male Anna's Hummingbird stands watch over the feeder, looking for rivals. 

While Maggie lashes her tail and chatters her teeth, dreaming of hummingbird stew. 

Raindrops form a jeweled edge, more beautiful than diamonds. 

Dressing up the late winter landscape. 

And magnifying the delicate beauty of nature's fleeting blossoms.

A nodding Jonquil demurely hides her face.

As I pluck a few winter pansies to brighten a rainy day.

Cheerily watching as I do a little shortbread baking to share a sweet surprise.

Rain, rain, go away!

But until then, I will try to enjoy your stay.

xoxo
What do you do on a rainy day? 

Thrift Store Treasures

Over the weekend I was able to get away for a bit of thrifting, my favorite style of shopping! 

Sometimes I don't find anything, and other times I find some real treasures. 

This time I was really lucky! 

These beautiful hand crocheted laces were only a few dollars for the lot. 

Two of them are identical and most likely used for pillow slips. 

I can't wait to make myself some pretty pillows with these beautiful laces. 

I will be able to slide some ribbon through the open work at the edge. 

One of them already has some vintage ribbon. 

I also found this lovely woven cloth with fringed edges. It has never been used and still has its stiff 'sizing'. 

I am picturing it as a table cloth, what do you think? 

I also found these hand embroidered napkins, never used. 

There were only 3, so I think they may be made into pillows, or used to line baskets. 

You can see the detailed embroidery and cut work here. I would say these are heirloom quality. 

You never know what you will find! 

This beautiful piece of lace is a very soft blush pink. It is edged on all four sides with scalloped lace. 

I will also use this as a table cloth or just to drape over the edge of the bed or chair in the bedroom.. It is very soft and fluid. 

I think it may have been a shawl for a wedding or other special occasion. 

Vintage sheets are something I never pass by. I only buy roses. 

They are so lovely for decorating, crafting and sewing. 

I couldn't resist this little basket. I have to be very selective with baskets, because I do love them and would have too many if I allowed myself to take them all home. So I only take home unusual ones in pristine condition. 

This one is perfect for the embroidery floss and wooden spools of thread I also found. 

I have been looking for some of that 'baker's twine' that is so popular now to craft with. But I couldn't justify the nearly $8.00 price tag for one small spool at my local craft store. 

But I was in luck when I found this yarn that is very similar! It is thin and there is lots of it. And the 50 cent price tag was right up my alley! 

The pale pink yarn came home with me 'just because'. 

This pattern caught my eye because of the lines of the dress. With a little tweaking, I can turn it into something up to date with cap sleeves and a shorter hemline. 

Not bad for 30 cents! 

I am always on the lookout for craft books, too. 

The shoes are not my style, but are perfect for an idea I have for planting succulents. 

I will show those to you when I am done.

These wooden hangers were a steal for 50 cents each.

I can't wait to 'girly' these up with paint and ribbons!

Hand Illustrated books and cookbooks are always on my list. 

Here I have found a Christmas Cookbook by Susan Branch, one of my favorite Illustrator's and cookbook author. 

It doesn't hurt that it is a first edition, too! 

How lovely is that? 

Here's another example. 

The whole book is illustrated, every page. 

Be still my heart! 

I am always on the hunt for vintage silk and paper flowers. 

So lovely to decorate a package with or add to a wreath or tuck here or there. 

Even the leaves are pretty.

Thrift stores are also great for finding seasonal decorations for holidays. 

This little rabbit had all the criteria I look for: beautiful, small and useful to hold candy at Easter. 

Blue glass is my favorite. 

My Dear Mother collected these glass, nested candy dishes, mostly chickens. Sadly, I don't know what happened to them. 

The hand painted wooden eggs were just for fun. 

They came all packed together in a bag with all of these. 

They will look sweet dangling from a flowering spring branch in a vase. 

And as a final bonus, I found these perfectly white, unused tea towels with an edging of hand embroidered daffodils! 

I couldn't believe my luck. 

I do love the feeling of walking into a thrift store and not knowing what treasures I might find. 

I do have to search diligently for these little surprises among some truly ugly things. 

Thrift stores can be a little bit daunting. 

But that is why it is like a treasure hunt! 

In among the rocks, you can find some beautiful gems. 

xoxo

Have you found anything 'thrifty' lately? 

Linking up with Young Heart  for 'The Weekly Thrift'

http://www.youngheartoldsoul.com/2013/02/thrifted.html