Thursday, August 22, 2013

Witches Stitches - 3 Easy Ornaments


The Holidays are coming up and we are going to be decorating our homes with great looking handmade items. Here are a few ideas for some very easy ornaments.

1 – Paper cones. These are very Victorian and look great on a tree. All you have to do is find a great antique holiday image and print it out on card stock paper of your choice. After you print it out cut around the image in a long triangle form. Now take the shape you just cut out and place it on top of another piece of card stock. Sew the two together leaving the top open. Cut the back piece to match the front. You now have a paper cone. Take a bit of fiberfill and place it in the bottom to hold it open slightly. Now place holiday greens in the cone.  Use a piece of wire or pretty ribbon for handle by gluing it into the inside sides. I use white glue; you could also use your glue gun. It takes minutes to make these and they look so wonderful on the tree or hung in the panes of you window.

2 – Very Prim Candy Canes. These are so easy, yet really look Prim. All you have to do is purchase a pack of red pipe cleaners and one of white.  You can get them for very little at your local craft store. Take one white and one red and now twist them together. You will see right away how they start to look like a candy cane.  Make a strong cup of instant coffee and run your twisted red and white pipe cleaner through it. Now take your fingers and run them down the pipe cleaner squeezing the extra liquid out. This also leaves it looking like it has been around for years. Now set it aside on a paper towel to dry. When it is dry cut the pipe cleaner twist in half. Now just bend the top into candy cane shape. These look great on a small tree or in the hand of a prim snowman.  If you want to make a long one do not cut it in half and use 4 pipe cleaners, 2 of each color so it is thicker.

3 – An easy window decoration is as follows. Take a few clippings from your Christmas tree, or from any extra greens you may have. They should be about 6” long. Bundle 3 of these together and tie it with matching green sewing thread. Now add one of the candy canes you just made with a bit of red thread.  This will give you a branch bundle with an antique looking candy cane on it. Make a few and hang them in the panes of your window. Do not place them in every section; just do maybe 3 per window. These are so simple, yet look so good. You can use tiny suction cups to hang them.

If you have any questions please give me a shout.  Have a great day.

Faith

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Handmade Spotlight - Here Kitty Kitty

Check out this great selection of handmade black cats. You can view this entire treasury 
by Clicking Here, or you can click on each item to see it in greater detail.
 

Primitive Wood Fall Plaque P...
Primgal
$16

Custom order for Barbara Har...
emsprims
$18

JINXY hand painted black kit...
primchick
$25

Primitive Needle Punch Pillo...
thetalkingcrow
$30

Primitive Black Cat Hallowee...
VintageHare
$14.95

Vintage Style Feather Tree B...
countryroutepr...
$5.5

Halloween Quilt Black Cat Mi...
NeedlesnPinsSt...
$24

Primitive Black Cat Hallowee...
MorningMistDes...
$39.95

Black Cat In Party Hat Primi...
Handofbelapeck
$25.5

Halloween Jewelry Bracelet B...
Jynxx
$38

OOAK Halloween Folk art orna...
WitchHollowPri...
$12

Halloween Carnival Retro Bla...
funhouse777
$12

Completed Cross Stitch Primi...
Stitchcrafts
$17.5

Instant Digital Download Vin...
VeenasMercanti...
$5

Hand stitched Primitive-Folk...
JennysToleShed
$25

Salem Massachusetts, Black C...
MoonlightPrimi...
$10
Sponsored by send bulk email from excel.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: Don't Take Decorating So Seriously

The items you collect tell a story of who you are and where you’ve been. When you walk into your home, you should be surrounded by the things that you love. A room should make you feel comfortable and happy.

Don’t let others dictate your choices or style of decorating. One person’s idea of decorating may be different than another’s.

It is okay if your home is not furnished in period antiques. It is okay to have reproductions and to work authentic pieces in when your budge permits. Don’t have a room that is so perfect and formal that you stand on edge for fear of disturbing the perfection of it. You don’t live in a magazine. You live in a real home. Make sure your home is comfortable for you and your family.

 
by your hands


Not every room has to have the same theme. One room can be decorated in primitives with the next room being country-themed. If you want to decorate your bedroom in floral designs, then do it. That is the fun of decorating. You get to do it the way you want to.

 
by your hands blog


You should never buy items just for the sake of buying them. Make sure you love what you buy and always be confident in your choices.

 
by your hands blog


Everyone’s home is unique in its own way. You may see someone’s home and decide that it is not your “cup of tea”. Don’t criticize. Every home is as unique as the homeowner. That is what is so wonderful about decorating. No two homes are alike. Don’t take decorating so seriously. I am not the world's best decorator, but I must say our house is "lived" in. It is comfortable and it is "home".  Have fun with what you have! :)



Colleen :)

 
 

Monday, August 19, 2013

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Great Cans

Tin cans are everywhere!  We use them everyday, rinse them and toss 'em in the recycle bin.  But artists have found unique ways to up-cycle tin can trash into whimsical treasures.  I have not honed my metal-working skills so I rely on these Etsy artists to show off their creative up-cycling ways.

 Garden fun awaits at SquiggaSquirms. Made from clean empty cans, these festive flowers are a perfect gift for any occasion!
 
Twice Baked Arts makes fun household décor from the recycle bin!  For fun and whimsy head to Twice Baked Arts.
Need some unique up-cycled jewelry to show you're both stylish and eco-considerate?  Check out  Uncanny Rubbish for fab earth friendly accessories.
 
Eco-friendly is a big trend for brides!  Add glimmer and shine to all the bridal events with these up-cycled aluminum favor boxes by Lizard Skins !
Go a little rustic country with hanging herbs taking root inside decorated tin cans!  This example from All Natural Emporium is simple and affordable!  A perfect way to continue growing herbs inside or outside throughout the seasons.

Always look twice at something before you toss it.  You never know when inspiration will strike!
LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand Of Bela Peck

Sunday, August 18, 2013

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.