Check Out My Web Site

I am happy to say I've started a new venture with My Indigo Cottage. You can now visit me at www.myindigocottage.com as well as my blog here on Blogger.

I plan to eventually open an Etsy shop to sell my work, but until then, I will just be posting frequent updates on my site and "how to" blogs for readers.

Good Will Jewelry Finds

I had a great weekend and one of the highlights was all the cool costume jewelry I found at GW. I think I have also figured out the best times to go to Good Will-- early mornings on the weekend, and Monday and Tuesday nights.

Repurposed Bedside Table

Before...

 

After...

Repurposing Simple Frames

Today I finally got around to painting this cool set of frames I found at GW.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tricky parts are making the ribbons even and using a stapler to keep them straight.

 

Repurposing Flea Market Find

Today was one of those rare Saturdays when everything seemed to fall into place. I got up early, went to the GW (Good Will) and got a ton of cool, old costume jewelry, and met one of my besties for coffee. Then I got a chance to browse through the fabric store (it's usually a mad dash with two kids).

 

When I got home I decided to re-cover and paint an old seat I found at a flea market last year. I was tired of the striped pattern I had originally covered it with and the dark wood went with nothing in my house. So until today it has been taking up space in the shed.

 

 

 

 

The biggest problem today was that the weather was not optimal for spray painting, but I did it anyway. I wanted some of the cracks of the old wood to come through - which it did. I think the finished product still keeps its antique feel, but with a modern twist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday Night Photos

As usual, I've got the "Friday night blahs," so no new, interesting, or retrospective blog entry tonight. Instead I thought I'd post some photography I shot a while ago, that has finally been edited. Now, I'm having the pics printed through www.mpix.com (my absolute favorite photo site).

 

 

I have some cool, creative projects planned for this weekend, so visit tomorrow for several new entries.

Turquoise Necklace

My friend Marvell gave me turquoise pendants and beads today to make a necklace and bracelet for her. She even gave me a pendant to keep for myself.

Here's how Marvell's necklace turned out...

 

 

 

 

Antique Button Collage

I started a new project - a collage of my antique buttons, beads, ect...

 

I also picked up this organizer at the GW (Goodwill). I can't decide whether to use it at home or in my classroom. Any suggestions for repurposing?

 

 

Make an Idea Board

 

Start with just a simple, cheap photo frame and remove the glass. Cut out a piece of cork the same size as the canvas backing. Lay a piece of fabric over the cork and gently push it into the frame. You can cut the remaining fabric or just attach the orginal backing and hide the extra material. Next take regular, flat tacks and hot glue antique buttons to the top.

Crafty Cool Saturday

I had a great time today working on projects for the house. I decided to do my bedroom in what I call "tree frog green," but for some reason, everything I painted ended up in my living room. So I guess it will be "tree frog" in both rooms.

 

 

 

 

 

And just because I had some spray paint left...

 

 

 

I also worked on some organizing this weekend. I have finally come to the point where my "crafting and repurposing" hobby is out of control. It is taking up half the living room. So, my aunt came up with the idea of turning the little white storehouse next door into a "studio." So that'll be my spring break project. Until then, I've appeased my husband with some creative ways to hide my goodies...

 

 

Like an old sewing machine drawer to hold my great-grandma's buttons...

 

 

 

And a cute little mini-casserole dish to hold my collection of wine corks (this dish was one of my cool finds at Good Will today). I also used an antique dresser and sewing box to hide most of my materials, beads, tools, and other crafty stuff. We'll see how long the organized me lasts.

 

 

I also found an old copy of The Great Gatsby today to go with my favorite tin. This is not its forever spot...but it'll work for now.

Tree Frog Green Shelf

 

I finished several projects today. The first one was an old shelf my grandmother owned for years. I always liked the way it was built, but not the color of the wood. 

 

 

So, two quick coats of "tree frog green" spray paint later...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Balancing Act

 

What an afternoon it's been. So busy, in fact, that I wouldn't be writing at all -- except that now I look at blogging as routine - like brushing my teeth, or saying my prayers.

I had planned to dig up some dirt by the river for our soil lab tomorrow, but when I walked into the house after school today, I realized my baby with a runny nose had suddenly developed a nasty cough too. So off to the doctor we went. He was diagnosed with an ear infection, and now I am sitting in my room filled with cool mist vapor and Vicks...listening to his every breath.

It's just a balancing act I guess - teaching, parenting, being a wife...but I feel like this blog is a way I can really reach out to people with my interests and creativity. So if that means losing an extra hour of sleep to write it each night, so be it!

So, no big projects tonight. I did find a great old photo to put in that vintage frame from the Goodwill. It's a picture of my grandparents when they were nineteen. Ah, young love in the fifties!

 

I have also started working on a few things for my site. Check out this sign that I'm hoping others will post to their blogs. It's a fur coat and flowers (and my favorite twenties-era photo). I think it really fits my style and the blog.