Red

I love unique pieces and the lady that makes this garden art is so creative I can't miss the opportunity to buy one of her pieces anytime I see her at a craft show.  Meet Red the crane, she's a scaled down version of Youcrane that I bought last year.  Hand shaped and welded her body is an enamel sauce pan edged in red.  Right now she's in the kitchen holding an aloe plant.  I smile every time I see her.  Gizzy doesn't know what to think.

new product

I'm always trying to come up with new ideas for products or designs. These butter bombs are my answer to the bath bomb craze.  I used a standard bath bomb recipe then added cocoa butter, shea butter, jojoba oil and vit E to make the bombs very moisturizing.  After molding them and letting them dry I put the in cup cake wrappers, then into clear bags with a sparkly ribbon just for fun.  They sold well at our first show.  What a fun hostess gift or stocking stuffer these would be.

new old product

When we first started VCB we made a dusting powder that we could barely give away let alone sell.  We pulled it out of the line up and let ts go for a couple of years.  When I found these tubes I thought we should try again.  This time around it's called Body Silk because the addition of arrowroot makes it so silky on your skin.  It is very absorbent and kills odors. I put it in the tubes to make it easy to pop in a gym bag or locker for a quick refresh.  It would also be great in teens stinky tennis shoes, if you have kids you know how bad those can get.  While you're at it you might want to check your own tennies.

the tubes come plain white and look like a toilet paper roll.  I added the fun wall paper with a glue stick to liven it up.

blanket scarf

I've been loving the look of the blanket scarves showing up on the internet lately but not the prices.  When I saw these soft light wool's at Joann's last week I decided to make a couple for myself and family or friends.  For the scarf shown  I bought 3 yards of fabric and split it into 2 pieces width wise.  That gave me 2 45X54" pieces.  I trimmed off the selvages and fringed all the ends which took about 20 minutes per scarf,  hint use a pin or seam ripper to help get the threads loose.  For this look I folded it into a triangle and placed the point in the front.  I pulled the ends around the neck and pulled them to the front.  I hid the ends in the folds of the scarf.  AH wasn't thrilled to be  my model but there was no one else around and the cats wouldn't sit still long enough for a picture.  I think they will make great Christmas gifts.

bandanna pumpkin

I'm always on the lookout for cute things to add color to our VCB displays.  I saw this little guy and thought it would be perfect for our next couple of shows.  Here's what you need:
1 bandanna
2 rubber bands
a handful of fiberfill you could use pantyhose or plastic bags as well
jute

lay the bandanna out flat wrong side up, grab in the center and secure with a rubber band about 1" down.  Turn over and add stuffing.  Gather the ends of the bandanna together, tucking them in until you have a nice stem, secure with second rubber band. It's helpful to have second pair of hands for this step.  Tie jute tightly at the base of the stem leaving a 6" tail.  Wrap the jute up then back down the stem and tie at the bottom, clip ends.  Remove rubber band and you're done.  You could add flowers, a bow or decorations with hot glue if you'd like.  you can buy bandannas in many colors so they could be a cute favor for a party, put candy in them as a trick or treat or use them on your holiday party.  Have fun.

DIY bath bombs

Recipes for making your own bath bombs are all over the internet.  As long as you have the basic chemistry proportions of baking soda and citric acid tight you can add just about anything you would like.
Basic bath bombs
2C baking soda
1C citric acid you can find this in the caning section of the grocery store or on line
mix together and then spray with water stir constantly until the mixture resembles damp sand.  Spoon into ice cube trays or silicone molds pack down  and let dry overnight.
You can add fragrance, flower petals, herbs or color.

Even better bath bombs

2C baking soda
1C citric acid
2C epsom salts
1C sea salt
1C corn starch
witch hazel
fragrance and color
Mix the same as above adding liquids last and very slowly so the mix doesn't lose it's fizz
I have used a 2T spoon to packed very tightly or molds.  I have two part molds that make larger bombs but you can also use two part Christmas ornaments.
If you want you can add oils and butters for more moisturizing properties

No mater what there will be some breakage with these, they are fragile.  I just crush up the crumbs, put it into a container and call it bath salts.  I also put the crumbs in small plastic bags and give it to kids at shows.  I call it zombie dust, they love it!

table how to

I picked up this table at a church rummage give away.  Several of the churches in the area will collect items you no longer want and set them up as a service to the community.  Of course most of the things are clothes since it's back to school time.  This large coffee table was one of only three pieces of furniture being offered, I also picked up a small end table.  I took my goodies home cleaned them up and added a coat of Kilz primer.  This stuff will block out just about anything so you can paint over it.  Two coats of gloss black spray paint, finished the bottom.  For the top I used a base coat of white then scumble painted with off white, grey, and cream.  This technique has no right or wrong way to do it and looks great when finished.  First I pour 2-3T of each of the colors on a foam plate.  Starting with the darkest color and using a very beat up chip brush I pounced the color randomly over the table.  Working quickly so the paint was still wet I did the next two colors.  You want the colors to blend together and overlap, and for some of the background to show through.  If you think the color is too strong or light you just put more color over it.  Keep adding paint until it looks right to you.  DO NOT OVER THINK THIS!!!!! This table is 3X4 feet and took less than 20 minutes. Don't try to make a pattern or have exactly the same paints every where.  Let the paint dry for at least 24 hours then spray with clear acrylic spray at least 3 coats for a table top that will get wet occasionally. This beauty is already at the resale store.
NOTE:  don't use a fancy expensive brush for this technique you will ruin it.  A 2" chip brush is under a dollar  and the more used and abused it is the better it works.

perfectly fine but kind of boring before

updated after

close up of top paint

garden fun

I love garden ornaments that are unusual and not mass produced.  I picked these cuties up at a recent craft show.  The top dragon fly is an old wood bobbin, washers and wire.  The bottom is an old Christmas light bulb, wire and washers.  Both are on metal stakes and poked into flower pots.  The rustier they get the cooler they look and both were under $10.

soap time

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my good friend Jeane, I don't get to see you much these days and I miss that.  Expect a kidnapping soon.

I know it seems like the holiday season is a long way off but our shows will be here before you know it.  I always make soap early so it has time to dry and harden.  That makes the soap last much longer.  I'm trying this year to make the soap a little more upscale with better colors and design.  I don't want to offer just a plain old bar of soap.  I want it to be beautiful and unlike what you can buy any place else.  So far I've made a layered pink grapefruit, a honey, milk and oatmeal that smells amazing and leaves you skin ultra soft and a mixed peach and white jasmine cube soap with a sprinkle of sea salt.

Jasmine is a known aphrodisiac and is thought to  be one of the most romantic scents

pink grapefruit is a wonderful energizer

honey, milk and oatmeal are all known for their soothing skin softening properties  I made this in a Pringles can but could have poured it into a flat baking pan and cut the rounds with a cookie cutter 

foot stools and tables

I've picked up some small foot stools and tables recently and instead of painting the wood I just cleaned them up and gave them new fabric covers.  I used painters tarps and stencils for the top piece and for the table I just taped off lines on the same fabric and stenciled the paint between the tape.  They really are cute and should sell quickly.

new projects

I always seem to have a few projects going on.  I have been working on painting and antiquing a few tables to take the the consignment shop.  A couple  coats of paint, a new top for one a stencil for the other and  some antiquing wax and the are finished.

I got this table free from a friend but it came without a top.  3/4" plywood scumble painted and waxed did the trick

 I'll do a tutorial on the paint technique some other time but if someone buys the table and wants a marble top this one could easily be replaced.

The carving on each side really pops with some antiquing

Llittle side table with Martha Stewart bee and wreath stencil.  Very light antiquing.

how to make a tussy mussy

A tussy mussy is a small hand held bouquet of flowers that were given as gifts during Victorian times. Ladies would carry them to sniff when the nasty odors of no indoor plumbing and not so regular bathing became too much. When the tussy mussy was given as a gift the flowers usually each had a different meaning.  We went to a wedding last week and my grand daughter wanted to give the bride a gift so this is what we came up with.  If a nine year old can do it with little help so can you.  What a charming present for a sick friend or elderly neighbor.  There are many resources on line that can list flowers and their meanings if you want to include that with your gift.

You will need:
flowers, leaves and herbs that will dry well and smell great
rubber band
cutters
satin ribbon 1/2-3/4" wide
Starting  with your central flower held in your hand then add more flowers or herbs around it.  When the group is about 5-6" around fasten with the rubber band.  Trim the stems to 4"  Wrap the stems with ribbon to within 1" of bottom and tie off, a drop of hot glue will hold everything in place if you are worried about it coming apart.  Add a bow from the same ribbon if you like.
Stand the bouquet in a coffee cup with a small amount of water until you are ready to give it.  If you like add a card with the meaning of each flower and instructions to hang upside down to dry.  It will last for years when dry.

the beautiful artist and designer, all I did was show her which flowers would work best and wrapped the stems, she did the rest.

star burst mirror

Star burst mirrors are still a hot decorating item.  I decided I wanted one for the living room to bring a little sparkle and black into the room.  A 7" mirror, 1'8" dowels, skewers, spray paint, glue E6000, 2" and 1/2" mirrors and a small piece of foam core and a little time and it was done.  Just glue the large mirror to a circle of foam core 1/2" smaller.  On another circle the same size glue the dowels and skewers in a random or lined up pattern, spray paint after the the glue is dried. I cut the skewers 2" and 4" shorter that the dowels for added interest. Do 2-3 light coats instead of 1 heavy one to avoid runs.  When everything is dry glue the circles together.  I put a piece of wire between the two layers as a hanger. Add the additional mirrors stabilizing with tape to hold them in place until everything is dry.  Hang and enjoy.  Cost of the mirrors and dowels under $8, I already had everything else.

new signs

I wanted a couple of large signs for the kitchen.  With almost 11" ceilings I needed something big.  I recycled left over plywood from the remodel project and had AH cut some 1X2 for the frames.  The table saw and router are two power tools I'm really afraid of. I sanded and base coated each of the pieces.   For the eat sign I cut strips of luan to size., painted them, formed the letters and attached with glue.  I also painted the frame white, glued and stapled it on.  For the Grocery sign I cut the letters from black card stock on my Cricut and glued them on.  I did the frame the same way. The reason I did the frames is because 1/2" plywood will warp in time if it doesn't have something to stabilize it..  All that is left is attaching hangers and putting them up..

funky coasters

I saw this on Pinterest and thought it would make a good project to do with my grand kids.  Simple 4" ceramic tiles for the base, Sharpies, rubbing alcohol, gloss spray sealer and felt pads for the bottoms are all you need.
Wipe off the coasters with a damp rag.
draw, scribble and cover most of the tile with 2-3 colors.  We found that more solid patches of color worked better than tiny dots or lines, but do what works best for you, you can't mess this up.
Pour a small amount of the alcohol in  a bowl then using an eye dropper or a teaspoon drip the alcohol over the tile in puddles.
Walk away and let this dry then do it again and again until you are satisfied.
Don't mess with it too much or you'll end up with a muddled mess, I know from experience.  You can however blot extra liquid with a paper towel and keep dripping. On the first one I messed with it too much so I wiped the tile with more alcohol to clean and started over. When they are perfect, to you, let every thing dry well then spray with sealer and add 4 felt pads to the bottom of each coaster.
Such a cute gift for parents, grand parents, teachers etc.

how to paint a window

People love painted windows.  When I have my winter windows out or they see the one on my patio, I always get compliments and questions.  You don't need special paint or equipment to make a painted window for your home.  First step find a window, maybe you or a friend have one in the basement or go to a Habitat or salvage store, they usually have a stack.  Be sure it is a wood frame, unless you like the aluminum look.  Clean up the window with soap and water, rinse let dry.  Sand down any splinters or rough spots on the frame and make sure the caulking is mostly there.  I left this window frame as it was, I liked the chipped, peeling paint look. I found something similar to this snowman on Pinterest but you can find ideas any where.   I usually print out and words on the computer and hand draw the outline and big features on news paper.  On this one that was the face and nose with just marks where the eyes, cheeks and smile would be.  I lay the widow down over the paper, you can also tape it to the back, and painted in the head with two coats of white acrylic paint, letting it dry between coats.  Then I added the carrot nose, 3 coats of orange, ovals for eyes and a circle of pink for the cheek.  When that was dry I came back and added shading to the nose, high lights to the eyes and cheeks. The snow flakes and dots were also added.   When that was completely dry I taped the letters to the back of the window, being extra careful with the spacing, then painted over them.  For the back I used a dark blue and black paint poured on a paper plate and the brush dipped in both colors at the same time.  The background took three coats of paint.  The next day I added a heavy coat of Mod Podge to the  picture.  If it hadn't been 15 and windy I could have taken it out side for a couple coats of clear sealer.  This sealing is the key to keeping the paint from scratching off or peeling, but you do need to be careful with it.  I hung this guy above our corn stove in the kitchen and added 3 whiskey decanters filled with greenery.  It will stay there until spring.

This is a lot of words to explain something that is really very simple.  Total painting time was about an hour and a half.  I did it over a two day period but most of that was drying time.

picket fence ideas

I love picket fences, they just have an old fashioned look to them.  Here are a few things I've done with them lately.

back of our display shelves.  These come apart and lay flat for easy transport

pieces of fence fashioned into a serving tray

box for flowers, office goods, bath necessities etc to fence ends and 1X8 sides.

cabinet doors

When I come across cabinet doors I grab them.  You can make all kinds of things with just a little imagination, some hardware and paint.  Here are just a few I've done recently.

chalk board and a jar hanger to the side

small door with hooks 

signs

serving tray

jar holder, you could put flowers, loose change from the laundry room or with a couple of hooks added hold your dog treats along with their leash and coat

trash desk

I found the base for this cute desk in a free pile at a sale.  Both drop leaves were gone and the corner of the top had been cut off.  I took off the top, did a little tightening on the legs and gave that a coat of black satin paint.  I called our local lumber yard and they cut and delivered the boards for the top.  No charge isn't that amazing?  I stenciled on the numbers I cut on my Cricut.  A couple of braces underneath holds the top pieces together.  A coat of stain, distressing and coat of wax finished the job.  I love it so much I may have to keep this one.

soap time

VCB's first big show of the season is just a few weeks away.  I like our soap to cure for 3-6 weeks before I wrap it.  The drying time makes to soap last much longer.  As I make each batch I pile them on trays and have been stacking them on the guest room bed.  I'm trying a few new things this year and new variations of old favorites.

honey almond with chamomile 

peppermint

pink grapfruit with lime and lemon zest

green tea with luffa