Spring Fling.

Another refashioned spring dress for a beautiful spring day!

Really, I just am sick of my wardrobe and need some new summer outfits on a budget, so here you have it;

This is me kissing my handsome Wally Bear.

Before Dress

This is really just to show off my cute new shoes.

Project #25 - After!

I thrifted this dress about a month ago and love it but thought something was just a little bit stale, that being the neckline (it's just a bit outdated).  The new scoop neck really made it look like a completely new piece.  Just in the nick of time for a Memorial Day Barbeque.  Hope your weekend is as lovely as mine has been!

Bicycles.

I remember that very first bike I got, and I mean real bike, without training wheels.  It was a big deal.
It was a neon yellow Murray from the long gone Ames - and it was absolutely perfect.
I felt like I could go anywhere, that suddenly I had this freedom that I had never before experienced.  I spent most of that summer riding around town with my cousin (mostly getting movies and slushees), with a new found freedom.
I imagine thats how you feel when you start to crawl or walk, and it's definitely the feeling when you get your drivers license, but there is something unique to riding bicycles that is unlike anything else.

Via Ted Szukalski

With spring finally upon us (and hopefully here to stay), I think it's about time my 1970 Huffy made it's way out of the shed.

Via UW Digital Collections

Doesn't a bike ride sound like the perfect after dinner activity for a beautiful sunny spring day?
And perhaps a tea party afterward?  Yes please.

Via Olivet

Not to mention all of the wonderful benefits of riding.  Hooray for bicycles!

Old Book New Use.

Vintage Book Letter Organizer - Project #24

Something I started doing about a year ago was taking old books and folding down the pages to make an accordion style paper organizer.  This book had such a personality on the inside cover too that made it perfect for this project.  

To do this you just fold over every page in half.  It sounds tedious, but really takes less than an hour and is a cute way to recycle old books.  

Close-Up!

Just picture little business cards or a bunch of old photos popping out.  So cute.

Hope you are all enjoying (and having) the wonderful weather we are getting finally!  Lets hope for lots lots more.

Quilt Quilt Quilt.

Photo by Sister Diane of CraftyPod

An absolutely beautiful art quilt from the International Quilt Market.  I love the colors and the way everything is begging to be touched.  Someday..........

Another Week, One More Craft.

Jewelry Shadow Box - Project # 23

I picked up this old shadow box from a thrift store (for 50 cents!), and turned it into a lovely jewelry hanger.  I lined the back with some wallpaper, and added on some knobs and interesting corks that I had, and it was done!  Eventually I would like to have little matching boxes lining the bottom for earrings and rings and things, but it was an easy little project and useful for my ever growing jewelry collection.

Now, let's all hope this rain goes away!  I guess I should be grateful it's not snowing, but it is hard after we were spoiled with lovely 60 and even 70 degree days!  At least we did get a little sneak preview of springy weather though, and I suppose days like these only make the sweet even sweeter.  Hooray for spring!

How to be Alone.

This is really beautiful.

Poem by Tanya Davis, and directed by filmmaker Andrea Dorfman.

Back to Reality.

After a wonderful and refreshing vacation, I jumped right back into the grind.  With two ten hour shifts under my belt for the past two days, I would say I'm already back to real life.  Of course with real life, comes making something for the week.  That being said, my craft of the week was inspired by these;

Antique French Silver Boxes

Seeing as how storage and organization is always something I need to improve upon, I made my own version of this which looked like this;

Faux Silver Box - Project #22

It was a really easy project in the end.  I used Mod Podge to secure aluminum foil onto the box, and then rubbed a black marker on top after all the glue had dried.  To make it look older I used rubbing alcohol to take most of the marker off leaving it only in the creases.  Easy, and much better looking than this;

The Original Storage Box.

Hooray- one more project complete.

Also to the wonderful Mommas out there - Happy Mother's Day!

A rarity to get her in front of the camera - but looking radiant as ever, lighting a candle for a cake she made me like she does every year.  Thanks Mom for everything you do!

Another Mother who needs some appreciation today is my Mema, who made me countless amounts of Coke floats at my request, and always took care of my Mom and our family.

Last but not least - Happy Step - Mother's Day to my Step Mom who has been such a wonderful and great presence in my life.  What would I do without all of these beautiful inspiring women in my life?!

Wizarding World.

Three Broomsticks.

We did it, we finally made it to Harry Potter World!  It certainly did not disappoint.

It was pretty much the best day of my life.

Just living the dream - Butterbeer in hand.

Warmth Finally.

Project #21 - Embroidery

As you may know, I am now (finally) in the sun and loving every second of it.  It has been nothing but beautiful vacation weather down here, and maybe I am enjoying it a little too much (why this weeks craft is a little late - woops).  

This was my first time making a design come to life with embroidery, and I really like doing it and the end result.  This tree came to life via Doodle Stitching by Aimee Ray - I love this book, and I love my doodle stitch.  Perhaps there will be a future doodle stitches on leather?  The world is my oyster.  

As if I don't have enough hobbies already - let's now add embroidery.

Here is the happy vacation family!  

Tan & Cute.

Note - We are happy!  That's what sun/warmth/family will do.