DIY Mantel reveal

This is a picture of my fireplace last year just before Christmas

And this is the same fireplace today

Notice the difference ? Yes ! I have a mantel!!

Uncle John and I worked together a saturday morning and put this together while the hubby was taking care of Bug. First we measured and had to do a little bit of math, then we tacked 1x2 strips of wood to the the studs.

Added some L brackets

Then measured some more and installed the ledge

 And after more measuring and more math, the crown moulding came under the ledge.

I'm terrified of using a circular saw so Uncle John did all the cutting but I was a champ using the drill and mail gun. Then came sanding, caulking, painting. But it's finished now. And the result is way beyond what I had hoped for. I can't wait to decorate for Christmas this year. It's a bit early for it though. So I did decorate for fall and of course Thanksgiving.

I'm just happy, really happy about my new mantel.

Don't forget to check out my Shabby Apple Giveaway

To enter click HERE

 

You can win this awesome necklace !!

Ends 11/21

Trading posts - Felt ornaments

Christmas is approaching and my list is not getting any smaller. Actually it has been growing. But I did cross off a few items this past saturday with Amie (Kitty Cats & Airplanes). Felt, lace, trims, sequins and glitter came out of boxes and drawers for a feast of Christmas ornaments. A lot of the designs we picked out came out of my Pinterest Ornaments board. We both used the same design ideas but apart from the first ornament we came out with different results. 

In the following photos, Amie's ornaments are on the right and mine on the left except for the second one

First one... just a warm up 

Just felt and beads

Second one  -  Amie's is the beige and black one

Lace, beads, sequins vs rickrack and sequins

White vs. colors

Then came the trees

Rickrack and sequins vs. Lace and beads

White vs. colors

The birds

White lace vs. black lace

And last the angels 

I tried an additional design

 Amie and I had a great time despite a couple of slight glue gun burns. We are looking forward to our next crafty meeting!!

Tutorial - Grosgrain ribbon flower

I recently Guest posted this tutorial at  the Scrap Shoppe  so just in case you missed it, this is how  to make pretty grosgrain ribbon  flowers that you can use for pins, headbands and barrettes:

This little project only requires the following supplies:

- 22 inches of 3/4" wide grosgrain ribbon

- a few pears or beads - here 1/8" pearls

- matching thread

- brooch pin or barrette and hot glue (Optional) 

For the flower

• Cut 4  5&1/2" long pieces of ribbon
• Fold the ribbon pieces in 2&1/2" long loop with the ends meeting in the center in a 1/4 inch overlap

 

• Pin in each loop 
• Take 2 pieces and pin them at a straight angle
• Repeat with the other 2 pieces

• The place the two resulting cross at a 45 degree angle
• With matching thread stitch all the layers together

By stitching a "box" you are pretty much assured to secure all the ribbon ends

For the beading:

• Start at the center
• Just loop the thread through the peal/bead hole
• Make sure to position the beads so the hole is not visible before you tighten the thread
• You only need to stitch through the first layer of ribbon

• Stitch a circle of beads around the center bead
• The number to sew may vary depending on the diameter of the beads used (5 to 7)
• Stitch a second circle (will use about twice as many beads as the first one)  

You can stitch it on clothing or ...

Optional step: 

• Hot glue a brooch pin or a barrette

All done!

I used this one as a brooch to make a plain green sweater a bit dressier

Now pick your favorite color ribbon to make one for yourself !

Spring blossoms

Sobe Spring recipe

Found at an estate sale last November and stashed away, several spools of white flower lace...

Some "played with " 

 One of my guilty pleasures: Sobe Yumberry Pomegranate

My ribbon stash 

And the weather finally allowing for spray painting outside 

Chop off the top

For some upcycling goodness

A fun container for my crayon

A cheerful straw holder for our next BBQ party

A sweet little vase to put those orphaned blue and white branches

Oops, I'm out of Sobe bottles to upcycle.