Upcycling, Organizing, Cleaning, ETC. ETC.

I have been seeing alot of these on line. For the longest time I have wanted to make one. On my vacation I found an old vintage Bobbsey Twins book and a Nance Drew one for 25 cents each. Well I just couldn't bring myself to use the Nancy Drew book. I still read them!! I'm not sure if I'm gonna trim out the cover or leave it as is. I just made it today. It is so easy and I love how it turned out!! It will hold things like this and business and Moo cards I get.

 



 

Awhile back Sim and I went on a hike behind an old abandoned Grain Elevator up in the thumb. I was so excited cuz there is a special dumping ground behind there with a lot of goodies!! Especially jars! And they aren't broken! I carried as much as I could! LOL I washed this one and added twine some grubby lace and a rusty washer I had found. I put some rusty pieces inside along with this pic of two old farmers I got in a box at an auction. I just love it!! I've got more bottles to play with too!!

 

 

I am not done with this display yet. But I wanted to show you some of the dishes I got for 10 cents each, and I got the vintage dish drainer for 25 cents. I plan on changing it out with the seasons. I'm gonna add some Fall yumminess to this one and then change it for Christmas I have some more dishes for that. Anyways I know I'll have fun with it.

 

I am in a year long monthly tag swap and this is the tag I made for August for my partner. I gathered goodies from the beach on Lake Huron from our vaca. I used my vintage typewriter that Sim got me this summer at a church sale for $5.00. I also have another one. I love the font on these old typewriters. I love the way it turned out.

The other day Brooke brought me a package from the mail and in it was this surprise from Trace' http://www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com/ It is one of her awesome mats with cherries on it!! I love cherries!! She also sent me some really groovey buttons that are owls and fall leaves!! I can't wait to use them.
I have been organizing and cleaning my closet into a pantry that Sim has fixed up for me. I haven't had a real pantry before so I am excited. We get our furnace fixed next week and he is going to remodel the hallway for me and I can not wait for that! I will definitely be posting about it!! It is gonna have barn wood and we are going to be painting too. I sold "Betty Bow Wow" to a sweet Michigan friend so I am working on another dog doll. I can not believe August is almost over!! It's gotten hot again so I am hoping I can keep my mojo up and keep on keeping on!! I would love to do some baking!!
XOXO Love, Fran.



Don't Forget to wear your Green today!!!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!!!

Hope you are havin a great day and wearin green!! This is a tag I made for a swap I am in for the whole year. I love it! This is a very grubby tag and smells yummy!!  Our weather is just amazing here in Michigan and I know this for sure I am going outside today to play!!! I'm not sure what I'll do but it's gonna be fun what ever it is!! LOL I am making some little cutey pie chicks that I am upcycling from an old blanket and will post the pics soon. Trying to decide if I am going to coffee dye them or not. I asked Kaitlin and she said no, but she's 21 and in college. Maybe I'll come back and ask you guys!! LOL Have a great day!

XOXO Fran.   



Do you Barter, Swap or Trade? You should!!!

This afternoon I went to the door to open it to let some air in and a big yellow envelope fell at my feet! It was from my adopted niece Jill at http://www.buckscountyfolkart.blogspot.com/ . She had made this little cutey for a surprise and a thank you. I sure love it!! I love Jill too. She has adopted me as her Aunt Frannie and I feel blessed. This little girl is a magnet and Jill knows I love cherries!! Jill is an amazing artist. Check out her post on the Halloween Mixed Media House she rocked out!! Oh my goodness it is amazing!! I went outside to take this pic and I put it on one of my rusty shovels on the side of the barn. It looked so cute!! A big hug and kiss to Jill!!

Here is what I altered with my Mystery Swap Envelope #2 I got from Vickie at http://www.thingsilearnfrombear.blogspot.com/. I always forget to take pics of the stuff in the envelope before I start making them! I think I get excited. The Souvenir paper was half of another one that had a postcard on it. I had been wanting to make a jar for my beach glass and stones Sim and I always get on our vacations. I fancied this one up with some of the beach glass, some feathers, shells, etc. The ribbon and the button are from Vickie. I love the way this turned out and I even had more stuff left over to make this cool tag!! 

I just LOVE it and the way it turned out!! I had the little black bird and couldn't help but put him on the bike. She knew my favorite color is orange. Right now Vickie and I are bartering. When it gets finished I'll share it with you. I am still working on my book from before gluing pages together to make pockets. I have enough stuff left from Vickie to make an ATC card. I really like this Mystery Swap thing. And I really like the bartering. Trading, Bartering and swapping are alot alike. With the way things are in our country right now, doing these things can lift our spirits. Kinda put us back to the way America use to be maybe!! My other good friend Lori at http://www.Perfectisboring.blogspot.com/ home schools her girls and gets together with other homeschoolers. Lori is teaching these young girls about bartering through American Girl books and other things. That is what kinda got me to thinking about it. I am praying for our country. So if any of you are interested in Bartering, Swapping, or Trading there are probably alot of people out there who will. Let me know if you want to. I know Vickie and I are really enjoying it!! Thanks! and Love ya XO Fran.