Gnome and Wool Flower Card

I am so tickled to be a part of the Susan K. Weckesser design team for the remainder of the year.

I love her stamp sets. 

 Many of them are whimsical.

One of my favorites is the What's up Gnomey set.

So I wanted to share a little card I threw together with that set yesterday.

I stamped and cut out the gnome.

Inked the edges of my cardstock.

And cut a few flower shapes with my Sizzix and the Sizzix Flower Layers 3 die.

The flowers are cut from scraps of felted wool sweaters.

And then I dug into my extensive vintage button collection...

I sewed the buttons onto the centers of the flowers before I mounted the brown card stock with 3-d foam squares.

I like the texture.

Thanks for stopping by....

Felt Snowflake Ornaments

I wanted to share another quick and easy ornament for the tree.

It can also be used as a package topper.

I love to cut all the felt circles and then lay them next to my spot on the couch.  

I find the stitching relaxing while I am watching tv.

This little guy just uses some felt, stuffing, cotton crochet thread, and an old button.

Stitch the snowflake design on one circle.

Sew on the button.

Blanket stitch the two circles together.

Before completely closing the opening, add a little stuffing.

Then finish closing and tie off.

Add another loop of string to hang it.

You can do a bunch of the same design or do all different snowflakes.

Thanks for stopping by....

Linking up with these great blogs.

The Button Bargain Bonanza...

Well, hello!

It seems like every post I have been doing has been giveaway related.

I love doing that, but I have been crazy trying to do a ton of other things so the blog has taken a hit.

I will try to get back on track. 

At the beginning of September, my husband and I went on our yearly date to a large flea market in the area.

The day was dark and it was raining...a lot.

We put on our raincoats and rubber shoes and put extra garbage bags in the wagon for purchases.

Off we went.

In the 4th booth we looked in, I hit the jackpot.

I found 2 boxes of zinc and glass canning lids, a hardware organizer full of vintage jewelry, a big pile of silver trays, a wooden soda crate filled with vintage bottles and what I about to show you next.

The two guys in the booth pointed out that under the table, there was a basket filled with sewing stuff.

Here is some of what was in the basket...

So, I love little things that tell a story.

Who was Ruth?

Why did she have to write her name on her sewing box?

We will never know, but her little label will stay there as long as I own the tin...

It was filled with mostly thread.

There are some old wooden spools but there are also some modern plastic ones so Ruth was still buying supplies...

This tin is adorable in itself...

Why don't we make such charming packaging anymore?

Another story scratched in the lid...

I.R. + J.B.

Does it make you wonder too?

The mint tin was filled with goodies...

Then there were these 2 Ritz cracker tins....

Are you ready for this?

They were filled with vintage buttons...

Can you see how cool they all are?

You know I LOVE buttons.

Here is the second tin.

More button goodness...

They are pretty grubby...

The dirty stickiness old buttons get...

This basket was piled full...

Here Is another tin.

What is inside?

More vintage buttons...

And here is the last tin.

Can you see the image of the woman?

There was some damage from something that was set on the can at one point.

Maybe a glass of sweet tea in the sewing room....

This one was filled with buttons still on their cards and all sorts of vintage sewing notions.

There was a plastic container of thread on spools too.

All of that and a great basket that they were packed in for....

you are never going to believe this....

my husband could not even say "you already have enough buttons!" for this price...

$3!

Yes.

No joke.

So it was a very good day...

Even though we got soaked to the skin and pretty muddy.

We had fun together too...

What have you found lately?

Thanks for stopping by...

15 Jewelry Projects From Up Cycled Materials

I am always looking for ways to reuse something I have or something someone has discarded.

I also love the challenge of taking something common and doing something uncommon with it.

Take a look at some jewelry projects that started with some very non-jewelry related items.

These bangles got an upgrade with buttons and some earring flowers.

Find the post here.

A vintage spoon and a bullet casing became this fun necklace.

Find the post here.

These fun rose bracelets are actually made from plain white sheets.

See how to make your own here.

And more sheets transformed this bangle to a fun cuff.

Tutorial here.

These plastic bangles got a makeover with some washi tape.

Make your own by following this tutorial.

The following pieces remain among my favorites to this day.

These were made from plastic tubing, shotgun shells and were dressed up with recycled silk strips.

See the full post here.

Some incorporated hardware pieces as well.

Don't throw away that old puzzle because some of the pieces are lost.

Make some earrings instead.

See the post here.

You might want to raid your kids pockets after seeing this post.

A simple glass marble becomes a fun yet sophisticated necklace.

See it here.

The same post shows how to turn a tiny glass Christmas ornament into a tiny time capsule.

A bullet casing can become an amazing jewelry piece.

See the full post here.

These pretty earrings started with some paper flowers from the scrapbooking section of your favorite store.

See the post here.

How about making some very artistic earrings from some beads, yarn and discarded book pages?

See them here.

More buttons...

This time getting a new life as a fashionable choker.

Here is the post.

This bohemian sweetheart stars beads made from felt and discarded book pages.

See the post here.

I promise to bring you more up cycled jewelry pieces soon.  

It is my favorite thing to create.

Thanks for stopping by....

                  Linking up with these great blogs.