Preparing

We are busy preparing for Sandy. The picture above was taken on a walk just last Thursday when it was sunny and 75 degrees. I don't expect there will be any leaves left on the trees after the hurricane passes through, so I'm glad I had the impulse to take this.

Stay safe if you are in the path of the storm. It's supposed to be a nasty one.

Some Very Cool Ideas

I'm Here. Really. I know, I'm a lame blogger lately, but I've been consumed by my job. I really hope this eases up because my home is a disaster. I make time for my kids,  job, cooking, laundry and going to church once a week. Everything else has gone by the wayside, including my shop and this blog. So, today, I'm posting a few genius ideas I saw on Pinterest, just so you guys know that I'm here. Really.
First up, this very cool door shelf unit for a corner...would work perfect in a small place:

Shutter magazine rack...I actually used a ladder for this and if I wasn't so crazed, I would purchase a camera battery and take a photo of mine to post...oh well.

Speaking of ladders...here's a very cool use of horizontal space and a ladder:

Well, have a great weekend. I'm off to the soccer fields and then back to work. Have a great weekend!

Zombies, Zoos and Zipping Around

Well, that's my attempt at alliteration...anyway, this post is all-inclusive. I've been a very busy gal. The magazine that I edit is almost complete so needless to say, I've been at my computer every waking minute. That is, except when I was zipping around New England and Washington DC. I visted my son for my last Parent's weekend at Gordon College in Wenham, MA...a gorgeous part of MA, just North of Boston. Below: some photos snapped at Singing Beach:

In between watching him play lacrosse and flag football, we headed out to dinner to one of our favorite restaurants in Salem. We didn't know that it was Bizarre Bazaar weekend in Salem ... a very strange weekend in Salem for us mortals. Below: some strange sights indeed, including a zombie march:

After I returned, it was back to work and then on Wednesday, my youngest had off during teacher conference day. After I finished working and conferencing, we set out to the International Spy Museum (very cool) in Washington DC and then we zipped over to the National Zoo...this meerkat actually posed for me!

Back to work...deadlines loom. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Look What's at the Barn Show

One of my favorite places to go is The Barn Show, a local group that opens up their barn full of antique and vintage finds plus creations of their own. Today was the perfect day to take in the sights...about 73 degrees and sunny. Here are some of my favs...(some are blurry because it was dark inside the barn and all I had was my iphone, but you get the idea.)

Old Medicine Cabinet

Unique island created from a vintage shuffleboard and old grain bins.

 

Just love the colors in this picture...

Great display idea...

I love the wire bins tucked inside...

Not sure you can see this very well, but the fabric on this chair is awesome!

This is my favorite piece...would love to have it in my craft room, but a little too much for me to spend...

If you are local, drop by...you won't be sorry.

Where:    3250 Bottner Road, Gambrills, MD   21054  When:  Saturday, September 29th - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 30th - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Greeting Card Ideas

Greetings! Having a full-time job has forced me to buy my greeting cards (even though I have an entire drawer full of card supplies). However, there was a time when I created a plethora of cards for family, friends and even customers. Here are a few ideas I'm sharing (excuse the quality of photos..most of these were taken before I knew how to use a camera properly). These were created with card stock, wood blocks, mini canvases, and scraps of paper, ink, stamps and other finds.

Some graduation cards:

Others...

I like three-dimensional cards, too.

That's all!

Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose...Boxes

First, I am so thrilled to announce that my blog is featured on the new Romantic Homes website (click here)!!! Thank you Romantic Homes, I am so excited!

Second, as my last post stated, I love to repurpose. This week, I'm going to show you what I've created with boxes...old jewelry boxes, cigar boxes, vintage souvenir boxes...all of these were purchased at a flea market or garage sale. 

Here are a few that I've transformed: One with old watch parts...

A cigar box with some pieces of a frame and old jewelry:

Another cigar box:

 A cool old box that I decoupaged:

And one more...a souvenir box with cameo:

Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose...

...whatever you call it, it's smart. It's what most of my most creative blog friends do. We love to take something ordinary and unwanted and bring it back to life.  For a while, I was known to spend every Saturday morning scouring flea markets, thrift stores and garage sales for stuff...old plaques, unwanted wood boxes and discarded frames and furniture. I wish I still had the time. My job has taken over my life lately and I barely have time for family and exercise. However, I've gathered quite a collection over the years--enough to keep me busy in my spare time.
Here are some projects of the past...we'll start with frames. Next post...maybe boxes?

Old resin frame with vintage jewel on paper:

Garage Sale makeover:

New chalkboard from old frame:

See you next time for some more repurposed creations!