I'm not one of those bloggers who changes my decor all that often. I basically like to get something in a spot and leave it there to be dusted around.
Every once in a while the mood strikes me to make something to suit the upcoming occasion, which in this case is Valentines Day unless you want me to do a little Ground Hogs Day decor?
These coasters were for the birds.
I've had them for close to 20 years, a gift from a cousin. There was nothing wrong with them, and we used them in our cedar porch for most of their almost 20 years, it's just that birds on coasters is not really my deal. So I retired them to a bin of stuff to paint someday.
Some day apparently arrived last week along with a tube of Fusion Mineral Paint in Champlain.
It was a sweet redo using a sweet sugar stencil from the Old Sign Stencil
collection. You can see the recipe box details here, and the sugar stencil here.
But a recipe box needs dividers so a gal doesn't get confused and concoct something like strawberry meatball poke cake sauce, and when I couldn't find the right
sized dividers, with labels that said exactly what I wanted, I made my own.
Because I have a pretty swell new recipe box, and recipe storage issues.
Do you ever pick something up that you don't need, but feel like you could find a purpose for it just because it's a good price and you kind of like it?
Of course not, I'm the only one.
You can't fool me, I know you do it too, maybe at Home Goods or Target, something ends up in your cart because you can't pass it by?
Well that's what happened to me a few years ago leaving a flea market with some friends. I saw a vintage basket and stand combo marked twenty bucks, and I briefly thought on it and said sure why not, and it came home with me.
First it sat in the garage for a year collecting saw dust.
Then it went to the shed o'schidt for a couple more years compacting the dirt on it's facade.
And then last week my washing machine broke.
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For many years I've had my eye on antique sock stretchers but I never looked at them as a Christmas decoration.
If you don't believe "sock stretchers" are a thing, Google it.
They're from the early 1900's when most socks were made out of wool. Wool socks took a long time to dry and like anything made of wool, when washed they could shrink. So the wool socks were put on wood forms to stretch and keep their shape while they dried, hence sock stretchers.
I don't have to type it but I will, 2020 can move on out after Christmas, but wait... I can't keep the new rules straight... is Christmas cancelled?
It doesn't really matter the "official" rule on this, Christmas is not cancelled in my house or heart, and not at my craft table either.
As if everyone's lives weren't a mess in at least one aspect, be it maneuvering through child care and home schooling, working from home, or not working, or just trying to stay healthy among a million other little worries, inside my walls is an actual mess.
We started a remodel in February with removing walls, and all the mess that goes with it, and here we are 9 months later and I haven't birthed a new kitchen yet. And you know what? While that mess has gotten old along with me, there are more important things, because in the big picture of where the world is at I don't really care about my kitchen. Well I guess that's a lie - I do care because I have to live among the disarray - but not like it matters much to me since the important things haven't stopped. I'm still able to put meals out, stand around the counter, albeit plywood ones, and I've got a broom and know how to use it to keep remodel rubble at bay.
And skis. I've got skis.
I have mentioned before about the local auction house where if you see something you want to bid on it is often bundled with stuff you probably don't want.
I don't recall for sure, but I think what I wanted to bring home from a Spring auction was an antique sleigh bed, because there is one to work on in the garage, and to get that bed frame I had to take the other "junk" too.
Upon arriving home when the bundled stuff is inspected, occasionally the real jewel isn't what you thought you wanted and instead you discover a diamond in the rough.
Such is the case with this unwanted thickly painted black table that came home with auction items I did want.
While the table was in the garage, it was used for many things. It became a saw horse, and a narrow work table, then when my kids camped by the lake this summer it was hauled down the driveway as a camping food prep table.
Mums the word, but I don't intend to keep quiet about it.
A quick drive around the neighborhood tells me on the outside life looks the same as always, green grass, welcome flags, and blooming flowers.
But for the love of God don't think of making a quick stop without your mask at the ready!
I'm glad you're here, and so are the other 20 blogs with at least 20 more ideas and projects that are waiting for you in the links below, hosted by Angie at Postcards From The Ridge.
Mantels and Tablescapes, Porches & Decks, Decor, Wreaths, Crafts and signs. A little bit of everything, with hopefully something to inspire you for a project of your own. There is a tour graphic below and all you need to do is click the links to visit the other blogs, but don't go just yet, I've crafted up a sign I want to show 'ya.
The ideas tour might be arriving as we head into Fall, but my project won't be fall-ish looking. Instead you'll have to use your imagination, because mine will be fall-ish smelling.
In Minnesota we like to make our summer last as long as possible, and when the leaves actually change that's my cue that fall has arrived, the apples are ready for pie baking, and the days might be cool enough to turn the oven on.
I don't have to remind everyone what an unusual year 2020 has been, we all live every day with the ever changing new rules and information. For me this changing landscape of life has left me a little creatively .... dry ... I guess would be a good word. I haven't exactly been tearing through the days creating much, the ideas are just not flowing.
