Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: Some Tools For Gardening

For a lot of people next month starts the gardening season and to garden "properly" you need to have the right tools. Whether it is shovels, rakes, buckets or wheelbarrows you have to have tools. Like my dad always told me...."you have to have the right tools for the right job". And the best tools made are the old tools. So here are a few ideas from the wonderful vintage shops on Etsy.



The first tool you will need is a shovel to turn the dirt. The ShabbyChicLife has the perfect shovel for that. 



Now if you have a small garden in pots or flowers in pots you will need a small shovel or trowel as they are called and a claw rake. Outdated has the perfect tools for this job. 




Now....we have to water our vegetables and flowers and VintageSouthwest can (no pun intended!) help with this. 



No gardening job is clean so you will need a good apron to help keep that dirt off of you and CoffeeColorCadillac has the perfect apron for you. 




Last, but not least.....when the flowers need to be cut and the vegetables need to be harvested you will need something to carry them in. TheGayDivorcee has the perfect basket for that. 


So get your gardening tools ready because next week we are going to have a few tutorials on how to plant those gardens! 

Have a great week!

Colleen :)


















Monday, April 28, 2014

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Paper Chase

In the arts and crafts world paper is an essential supply easily worked into imaginative creations across all media.  These Etsy up-cycle artists have a bevvy of fresh spring offerings!

Paper flowers are in full bloom at kC2Designs. From single stems to bouquets to weddings, this artist gives new meaning to forever flowers.
 Go coastal with this whimsical sea shell inspired by the Gulf Coast shores of Sanible Island.  PaperOfModestOrigins brings the outdoors inside with paper mache brilliance!
 
 
 
 Treat yourself to jewelry embellished with colorful beads made of up-cycled paper!  EkataDesigns features the artistry of Nepali refugee women now creating a new life in Memphis, Tennessee. Shop Ekata Designs for earthy jewelry with a global conscience.
 Warmer months always ignite the travel flame!  Plan and record those great adventures in map-themed travel journals from alterdesign.  Simply visiting this artist's shop is an inspiring journey in itself!
Keep plenty of gift tags on hand for spring birthdays, baby showers, and bridal events.  Whyte offers gift embellishments and paper whimsy to top off any occasion in style.
Can't stop the paper love?  Search upcycled paper on Etsy. 
  
LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand of Bela Peck
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Blog Party Sunday - Show Off Your Handmades

Welcome to our Blog Party Sunday. We would love to have you show us what you are crafting.

You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops or your blog.

The rules are simple:
1. Follow our blog
2. Handmade items only.
3. You may list up to 3 items each week.
4. Family friendly items only.

The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops,  post about it on your  blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.
Just click on the Add Your Link button below and add your items.
And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.


Friday, April 25, 2014

Today's Featured Shop - Cave Creek Primitives

Today's featured shop is Cave Creek Primitives.

Laura is the owner of Cave Creek and says this about her shop... "I love making these strange but friendly folk, and I do this full-time. I hope you find something here that makes you smile. All of my items are handmade by me alone and each one is unique."

Below are a few of her items, but you can CLICK HERE to see much more.

Light Spotted Pig



Primitive Horse


Americana Cat and Kittens

 

Primitive Mouse

Stop back next week to see another featured shop.

 


 

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Witches Stitches - Painted Jars


If you look on pintrest and other sites you can get a good idea on what the hot new decorating trends are. Everywhere I look I see painted jars. I love the way they look and they make great additions to any decorating look. I have done several. Some in primitive country style and others in shabby cottage chic style.  They make great vases and with Spring finally here fresh flowers are always a plus for getting rid of the winter blahs.  They also make great storage containers. You can paint a few in a different colors for you kitchen and as long as there is no paint inside the jar and you have the lid you can store food items in them. You can store dried beans, pasta and so on. You can have a few and add tealight candles to them, you can put the dried makings for cookies in them tie on a receipt card and give as a gift. Anyway…here is how to make them on the cheap.

You will need the following:

Jas - (you can get these at your local food store, they are less than $12 a dozen) (You can also use any  jar, pasta, or gravy jars. You can rinse them out, remove the labels, and wash well or run through the dishwasher) These wok well if you will be adding a label. If you add a label, there can be no raised lettering where the label will go.

Paint – (You can use calk paint or latex paint, I go to Home Depot and look in these area where they have the cans of mistake paint. You can get a gallon for $5)

Soft paint brush

Lace or paper labels if you will be adding these

Medium grit sand paper

Step 1 - Make sure the jar is clean.

Step 2 – Paint our jar with your paint choice. Do several light coats instead of one heavy cote.

Step 3 – When the jar is dry, this will take a few hours, you can sand the jar lightly. Sand the areas with raised lettering. This will remove the paint and give the jar a time worn look. If this is not a look you want, than skip this step.

Step 4 – Add a label if you want one, I use white glue to adhere it to the jar. You can find all kinds of labels on etsy. Or you can get some free ones from the website www.thegraphicsfairy.com

Step 5 – If you have used chalk paint you will want to cover it with a coat of clear wax. If you want an aged look on top of the clear wax use dark wax and then wipe it off and buff it.

Step 6 – If you used latex paint, you will want to seal it with a spray on clear coat. You can use whatever finish you want. They make semi-gloss, gloss, matt or high gloss.

Step 7 – Add charms, keys or whatever you want with twine or ribbon. You can also add lace too.

I am adding 2 pictures of bottles I made and a link to one of my pintrest boards that is all painted jars.


Make some of these for yourself. Or make one and add a tealight and give as a hostess gift.  Enjoy.

Handmade Spotlight - Proudly Displaying Old Glory

What a great selection of the Red, White and Blue. I just love it!! To get a closer look at each item, CLICK HERE.


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: Save Your Easter Lilly

My wonderful husband has always given me an Easter Lilly every Easter for the past 43 years! It blooms so nice for a few weeks and then dies back. I have always wanted to be able to keep it and save it outside, but I live in the north country. I thought maybe some of you in the "normal" weather might like to know how you can keep your Easter Lilly. 




Try planting your Easter lily in full sun in your garden, and with luck, it just might blossom again in late summer.

It will not survive northern winters outside, so in the fall, you can dig it up, report and let it rest for 2-3 months in a cool location (35-50) with filtered light. Maybe put it in basement. 

Cut the dried stems back to two inches. About January 1st, bring the Easter lily out into bright light, but not direct sunlight.

After it greens up, transfer it to a sunny window to force it into bloom. Water and fertilize as needed, and turn the pot to keep the plant growing straight. 

If you are lucky this might just work for you. Me......I have to wait until Easter to get another one. Hopefully hubby doesn't forget. :)

Have a great week! 

Colleen :)





Monday, April 21, 2014

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Garden Salvage

Gardening season is in full swing and April is the perfect month to go picking for vintage garden accents.  Architectural salvage adds whimsy and history to gardens both well established and newly sown.
These Etsy up-cyclers have that rusty charm your garden craves!
 
Invite the April showers with this charming reclaimed glass offered by mistyalbion. Planning a garden wedding this summer?  This seller has antique bridal accessories destined to become new family heirlooms!
An outdoor sink is a garden essential. Why not restore this gem for regular use or repurpose it into a gorgeous hanging garden.  Shop reclaimedhome for New York style at budget-friendly prices. 
 
Stop in at lakesidecottage to find wee bits of artistic whimsy for the garden path. This Etsy shop is brimming with all things vintage from picinic supplies to old timey tools!
Nothing says charm like an old Victorian iron gate but they are becoming increasingly difficult to find.  Scoop up this fine example from RefinedDecor.
Want to create your own architectural salvage magic? DaisyVirginiaVintage has a plethora of these shabby tin roof tiles just begging to be up-cycled.  Buy one for mixed media work or buy enough to create a garden focal point.  
To find more vintage elements for the home and garden search architectural salvage on Etsy.
 
LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand of Bela Peck
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Blog Party Sunday - Show Off Your Handmades

Welcome to our Blog Party Sunday. We would love to have you show us what you are crafting.

You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops or your blog.

The rules are simple:
1. Follow our blog
2. Handmade items only.
3. You may list up to 3 items each week.
4. Family friendly items only.

The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops,  post about it on your  blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.
Just click on the Add Your Link button below and add your items.
And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.


Thursday, April 17, 2014

Witches Stitches - Spring Cleaning - Mind Body and Soul

I find that when I am at my most creative my mind, body and soul are all sync. With Spring almost here, (I know the calendar says it is, but until I can wear sandals all the time, it is not officially here for me),  I like to do some spring cleaning. Not only do I do the entire studio clean up and out, I also do a mind, body and soul clean up and out. Everything I create comes not only from my mind, but also my soul. Art is just like that.

If you have never done, (or it has been a while), a cleaning out of your soul I am putting forth a challenge. No, don’t worry, It does not involve any yoga or anything like that. I wear yoga pants while working, but I can assure they have never seen a yoga class. I am going to put a link to a pintrest board I put together for this. It is all inspirational sayings. Pick one every day, can be the same one if need be and live it for that day.  Do this for a week and you will see a difference. A month and it becomes a habit and you are doing it without even trying. It just happens. I have added all different ones for different situations. Only you know what needs to be done in your life to make your true creative-self shine through. The one thing you do have to do is to be honest with yourself. It is just you talking to you, a very safe place.

Here is the link


In case you need a good laugh while you are cleaning, here is a board I made with some funny stuff


I have several things I live my life by and it seems to keep my soul uncluttered. First there is the…”Do un to others” rule. That is a must and then there is this one. It hangs in my kitchen.  It is a take-off from a quote from Mark Twain. I hope you to live it too. The first half of the ride has been great and I am looking forward to the second. Here is a picture of it:
 
Next week I will post some natural easy cleaning items you can make to clean out your studio or work space. A good clean always gets the creative juices going and if you are like me you will find a whole world of things you forgot you had. Thanks for reading and have a great week. Faith

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Handmade Spotlight - Spring Primitives

Look at all these adorable spring primitive handmade items!! Aren't they just too cute!? To get a closer look at all these items you can click here.


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: EASTER BUNNY AND LIFE

I got this out of a paper I was reading the other day….yes…..can you believe it..... some of us still read a paper newspaper! I thought it would be appropriate for the holiday this weekend.

ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM THE EASTER BUNNY




       Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

    Everyone needs a  friend who is all ears

       There is no such thing as too much candy

    All work and no play can make you a basket case

        A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention

      Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day

     Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits

        Some body parts should just be floppy
     
       Good things come in small packages

     The grass is always greener in someone else’s basket

       An Easter bonnet can tame even the wildest hare

         To show your true colors you have to come out of your shell.

Keep your paws off other peoples jelly beans



I thought this was cute. I especially like the one about all work and no play……I can relate to that and becoming a basket case. J

So wishing all of you a very 
HAPPY EASTER!!!!!

Colleen :)





Monday, April 14, 2014

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: A Vintage Easter

 Set a perfect table this Easter using the original up-cycle: vintage goods! Floral plates, vintage silver, and playful decorations sweeten every celebration .  Shop these Etsy stores, or shop local antique boutiques, to add whimsy to your spring festivities.

The charm of vintage decorations is undeniable and sparks the imagination of young and old alike!  This wee rabbit, dressed in her paper finery, is available at IndustrialBlonde.
 
Easter is the perfect time to bring the spring dishes out of hibernation.  Say farewell to winter with these antique Dresden plates available at aquamarinedream.

Add Easter hues to the table with these aqua flower shaped doilies from katrinshinesupplies. Splashes of colorful crochet look well-placed under clear glass serving bowls.  This Etsy artist hand-dyes vintage doilies to restore their handmade magic.

This bronze bunny is not vintage but is destined to be a treasured heirloom! Scott Nelles hand crafted this wee hare perfect for keeping watch at the dessert table. He is so tiny, no one will notice if he nibbles a little.  Visit this artist's Etsy shop and be prepared to be amazed!
 
Vintage paper eggs can be reused year after year to hide sweet treats! Grab this playful set at EastLemon and let the egg hunt begin!
 

To shop more fabulous Easter vintage goods search vintage rabbit on Etsy.

LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand of Bela Peck
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Blog Party Sunday - Show Off Your Handmades

Welcome to our Blog Party Sunday. We would love to have you show us what you are crafting.

You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops or your blog.

The rules are simple:
1. Follow our blog
2. Handmade items only.
3. You may list up to 3 items each week.
4. Family friendly items only.

The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops,  post about it on your  blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.
Just click on the Add Your Link button below and add your items.
And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.


Friday, April 11, 2014

Today's Featured Shop - Moeggenborg Sugar Bush

Today's featured shop is Moeggenborg Sugar Bush. Moeggenborg Sugar Bush is a farm family located in Michigan's heartland. They make soap, candles, room sprays, personalized knitted Christmas stockings, and other country primitives.

1/2 pint - County Fair Country Jar Candle


Coffee House Tin Can Tea Light


Pretty in Pinks Crocheted Rag Rug



Goat Milk Soap Geranio Rosa Handmade Cold Process


 Be sure to visit Moeggenborg Sugar Bush to see all of their items.
www.etsy.com/shop/MoeggenborgSugarBush

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Witches Stitches - Well worn, weathered look for redoing furniture

If you are like me you love that wonderful primitive look that only time and age can bring a piece of furniture.  I love the look that many layers of paint has and the wonderful texture that it creates.  I like the look of different colors peeking through each other and the look of being weather worn. I have wondered how I can recreate that look on newer pieces.  I did some research and this is what I have come up with. It turns out getting that look is really easy using chalk paint, (I make my own, I have written how just look up past posts from me).  So here we go. This is a simple way to get that great time worn look.
Step 1 – Find a piece you want to create the time worn look on. Clean it off with a wet rag, let dry. With chalk paint you do not have to prime or sand before painting.  Now paint your first coat of paint on. Let it dry completely. This can take a few hours. After it is dry now paint your second coat of paint on. Put the second coat on thicker than the first. Let it start to dry.
Step 2 – Before it is completely dry you want to take a putty knife and start to scrape off the second layer in small sections. You do not want to do this to the entire piece. Just in random places. Now as you scrape off and you have a semi-wet paint blob of paint on your putty knife mash it back on your piece of furniture where you scraped it off. It will go on rough and leave an uneven surface.  Make sure you do not scrape off the first layer of paint.
Step 3 – Continue to do this until you are happy there is enough texture for you. If you find you have scraped off to much of the top color in one spot, after you mash it back on you can paint a light coat of top color paint back over it. This will give you more of the top color and you will still have texture under it. **If you are doing a very large piece remember that chalk paint dries very fast. You may want to put your second color on and scrape and mash in sections**
Step 4 – You can add a third color of paint. Do it the same way you did the second. You can scrape around the same spots and it will reveal both the under colors. Be careful you do not scrape through to the wood. This looks best if only paint shows not bare wood. When all your layers are done and you feel you have enough texture let everything dry overnight.  
Step 5 – This next step you will want to do outside. Chalk paint sands off with a very fine powder and you do not want it all over your house. I also recommend wearing a face mask. One of the paper ones will work fine. The fine powder of chalk paint when sanded is easily breathed in.  Now take a piece of fine grit sandpaper, (DO NOT use steel wool for this. It will leave dark marks behind), and lightly go over your item. You can expose a little more of the under color this way if you want. Do not sand to hard. You do not want to expose the bare wood and you do not want to sand flat all that great texture you just spent all that time putting on.
Step 6 – You should also do this step outside or in a very well-ventilated area. Outside is best. Now you will need to give your item a good going over with clear wax. As you do this you will see the color of the paint deepen. Johnston’s paste wax is what I use.  You can use whatever brand you choose. After you have coated your item with wax let it dry for about 30 min. If you are happy with the look you have you can buff the piece with a clean lint free cloth. If you want an even more aged piece you can give the item a coat of dark wax. I use dark brown, you can use that or the light brown. Do this in small sections. Put it on, making sure you get it in all cracks and textured areas. It will look dark and scary, don’t worry, just wipe it off with a clean lint free rag, (an old t-shirt works great for this). If you feel you put too much dark wax on and you want to take some off just go over that spot with the clear wax and it will remove the dark wax. This part is a put on and take off game until you get the right look. It goes quickly and you will see instant results. It will bring out all that great aged, cracked and textured look. After you are all done let it stand and dry overnight. Go back the next day and buff it with a clean lint free cloth.
Tip – Before you do this to your piece of furniture try it on a piece of scrap wood. It will be good practice as to how much pressure you want to apply when you are scraping paint off and sanding.
Tip – When you buy the paint you want to use make sure your colors look good together.  Take the paint chips out into the nature light put them next to each other in the order you want them on your piece. Doing this will let you see how this will look when you are done. Sometimes colors do not look as good together as we think they will.
Weathered Look

Her is a fast way to give bare wood that has no finish on it, (or one you have sanded the finish off), a weathered look. It will give it a great, “been outside for 20 years gray look”.
You have to do a bit of prep work first. You will have to make the ageing solution.  Take 4 cups of white distilled vinegar and place it into a plastic or glass container. DO NOT use metal for this. Into the vinegar put 3 pieces of steel wool. Break it apart a bit and just drop in and make sure it is covered with vinegar. Now lightly close lid. Leave it open a bit to let gases out. Let this solution sit for a week.
You are now ready to paint it on your item. You may want to try it on an inside spot nobody will see first. Paint it on and let it dry for about an hour. If it is to dark dilute some of the ageing solution in a glass or plastic bowl with a bit of vinegar. Keep in mind to make enough of the diluted ageing solution to cover the entire piece. If you don’t chances of getting it just the same as the first batch is slim and none. If it is not dark enough, paint another layer on. This can be repeated until it is as dark as you like.
Ever see a piece that has that great weathered look and also has just a stain of the color paint that was once on it. You can achieve this by using liquid food coloring. Here is how. When you have your item the darkness you want with your aging solution, paint a section of your piece, while it is wet drop a small drop of food coloring on your piece and take a clean brush and brush through it. This has to be done as soon as the aging solution is applied and is very wet. The food coloring will bleed onto the wood and make it look like there was once some paint there and this is the stain left behind. You only want to do this in a few places, not all over the entire piece.

When you’re done and happy with the look of your piece, let it dry completely and do not sand it. If you feel it needs some kind of sealer, (keep in mind this will take away from the “left outside weathered look”), you can go over it with a matt finish sealer.
Ok, that is three great ways to finish your items.  One is sure to fit into your decor.

Handmade Spotlight - We Love Our Raggedy Dolls

Look at all these adorable rag dolls!! Aren't they just too cute!? To get a closer look at all these adorable dolls you can click here.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: Easter and Spring Fabrics

I am a quilter at heart and love this time of year with all the pastel colors of Easter and spring. Since Easter is right around the corner it makes me want to make something "springy" and something for Easter. Etsy has so many wonderful shops with great fabrics. If I can't find what I need at my local fabric store I always can find the fabric on Etsy. So with that in mind...let's look at some of the Etsy shops that have some really neat Easter/Spring fabrics. 



It just wouldn't be Easter without bunnies and chicks!! I do a lot of fussy cutting in my quilts as there are so many beautiful pictures on the fabric these days so this fabric would be great for that. Alice In Stitches Art has this wonderful fabric for you.


And of course you have to have eggs for Easter! Looks at how pretty these greens and lavenders go together. You can get this at Stitch in Stash.


And look at how pretty this fabric bundle is from Colleen (not me!) over at Cattales has. I have all kinds of ideas I could make with this fabric...hmmmm....may have to try them out. :)


Now if you are really in a hurry and need some applique fabric eggs all ready to go Sew Fun Quilts has these all ready to go. How easy would these be to put them on a quilt or maybe t-shirts for the kiddos. Good idea!

Well showing you all of these really neat fabrics has made me want to get into my sewing room and get busy! Let me see....now.....what can I make.....:)  Hope this helps you get those creative juices going too. 

Happy sewing!

Colleen :)






Monday, April 7, 2014

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: April Showers

Aaaaahhhhhh April- this notoriously soggy month where muddy footprints are found on porches, birds perch on fence posts, and spring takes root.  Etsy's Up-cycle artists are studio-busy producing Earth-friendly goods to celebrate nature's rebirth.
 
Get ready to work the soil in durable style! HandSown crafts garden aprons of quality leather that will last the decade and be the envy of every green thumb!  Priced so well it would be a shame not to buy that garden girlfriend one as well!
Plan an heirloom garden with certified organic seeds from MoonlightMicroFarm. Curious delectable offerings such as lemon cucumber, candy stripe beet, and purple peppers will delight the senses!  Pick twenty seed packets and receive free shipping with this package deal.
Between the April showers are the sweet early spring breezes! Keep those doors open with these stunning hand carved acorn stoppers from CattailsWoodwork.  This Etsy artist says, "If you have an acorn in your home you will be blessed with good luck and safe from harm." I say if you have an item from this artist, you are already very lucky!
Take advantage of quiet rainy days to plan out the garden space or simply record personal thoughts of renewal in this fresh journal by subu.  This Etsy artist uses 100% recycled paper along with other eco-friendly ingredients to craft whimsical notebooks.  Want to customize a special gift?  Send subu a convo today!
 Carry the promise of spring year round with this rustic cuff featuring those fabled May flowers!  For more chic natural themes in up-cycled glory head over to AnvilsAndAlchemy for jaw-dropping jewelry for every season.
Shop more fabulous garden themed up-cycles by searching recycled garden on Etsy.
 
LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand of Bela Peck
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl