A Cloche Call

While rummaging around in our barn, I came across this old terrarium that I picked up years ago at a garage sale.  I've used it to plant in at one time, but it's been sitting in the barn gathering dust for several years.  It has two small cracks in the back near the top, and I almost threw it away.  You can barely see them in the photo below.

I decided to keep it anyway and after scrubbing it down, I decided it would make a cute cloche of sorts. That was a cloche call!  I can hear you groaning...sorry, I couldn't resist.  I didn't really have anything in mind to display, but went "shopping" around the house and found a few odds and ends.  I decided on a few things that had special meaning to me, and decided to make it a memory cloche.

I recently bought two of these faux boxwood balls at JoAnn's where I work.  They are a great buy at $14.99, but using a 50 percent off coupon is even better :)

I stuffed one in the terrarium, after lining it with a piece of burlap.  It was a little big (pardon the oxymoron), but I still had room for a couple other treasures.  The rock is part of a geode from my grandparents farm in Indiana.  The farm sold after grandma passed away a couple years ago, so it is very special to me.

The little bird was given to me by my secret pal at church...I love it.  The miniature galvanized washtub, I found at a thrift store...my favorite pastime.  So each of these items (except the boxwood) has special meaning to me.  I think it makes a sweet little cloche vignette.

Until next time keep craftin' and smilin'

Linking to these awesome parties:

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Time Washed
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
Hookin Up With Hoh at House of Hepworths
Clever, Crafty and Creative at Dorothy Sue and Millie B's Too
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottag
Redoux Interiors Linky Party

What We Accomplished Wednesday #25

Want to be a pin-up girl?  Join the party, and if you are featured, I'll pin your project to my Green Willow Pond Features Board!



If you missed yesterday's post, I showed you how to make these paper flowers.  What I didn't show you is how I'm going to use them.  That will be coming up soon!

This weeks top ten starts with this repurposed door by Shannon of A Southern Belle with Northern Roots.  She also turned a beat up old sawhorse into an awesome side table.  Visit her and check it out!

Elisha, at Pneumatic Addict turned this worn out coffee table into an adorable cottage style table.  She replaced the broken baskets with crates!  Love that!

I have been wanting a galvanized tiered stand for the longest time.  Laurel, at The North End Loft decided to make her own.  You'll never guess what she used!  Go check it out.

This pretty little table and vignette stands where a pantry used to be.  Yes, Sharon, at I'm Sharon With You, took out a pantry closet to create this wall.  She did have another closet for a pantry.  You must check out the changes!

Do you recognize what this small table sized planter is?  You will have to visit Liz, at Quirky Vistas to find out what she used.  Isn't it amazing?

I love the finish on this rustic table.  Leslie, at Gwen's Moss added white chairs with ticking covered seats to complete the look.  So pretty!

I just love Biljana's style, from Biljana Shabby.  This little table is a perfect example of what she does to furniture.  I love the color and stencil!

Laurie, at Heaven's Walk has made dream catchers for a while.  Now she is making wind catchers. She has a whole line up of them on this post.  They are just gorgeous!

Need a hostess gift?  Dana, from The Starfish Studio, wrapped up some special soap into these gorgeous little packages.  You will want to keep a few for yourself!

I am a fan of any recipe that will get me in and out of the kitchen quickly.  These chicken enchiladas made by Nici, at Posed Perfection, sound delicious and they are quick and easy!

So what have you been up to?  Link up below and join the fun!

Da Simple and Easy Rules

1. Only projects you have made/accomplished pretty please. Items for sale are okay, as long as they are in tutorial form, and linked to your blog post.  No links to shops or Etsy stores, please.  Link up to 3 posts

2. Linking back to the party (text or button) within your post is very much appreciated . You can grab a button from the side bar if you like.

3. By linking up here, you are giving me permission to feature you here, on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Pinterest.  I'll only use 1-2 pictures from your post and link back to you. Then people will be flocking to your blog to read all about it!!  Spreadin' the love around baby!    

*Note - After your first link-up, as a courtesy, I will email you each week to let you know when the party is up and running. If at any time you wish to be taken off the list, just shoot me an email with unsubscribe in the subject line. I use your email for this purpose only and never share it with anyone else.

 

Paper Flowers Tutorial

As Featured at:

I am so excited about a project I've been working on.   It's not finished yet, but I just had to show you part of it. 

I'm making paper flowers to use on this project.  It's going to take a lot of them, but I've got about half done.

I thought I'd show you how I went about making these particular paper flowers. 

I started with script paper from Hobby Lobby.

I also used Stampin Up inks (cranberry and close to cocoa), but you could use any water based ink pads.

I cut my flowers out with my Silhouette, but you could use a large flower punch or cut them by hand.

This is a very forgiving project.  If your flowers aren't perfect it won't matter!

Other supplies I used were a small brass paper fastener for each flower, small hole paper punch, makeup sponge, small bowl of water and scrap paper to work on.

So do you want to know how to make them?  Yeah...thought so.  First I want to apologized for the poor quality of the following photos.  I did this project at night and the lighting was terrible.

Start by cutting or punching 5 flowers for each finished flower.  Punch a small hole in the middle of each piece for the paper fastener.

Dip the makeup sponge in water, then wring most of it out.  You just want it a little damp, not runny. Next dab it onto the ink pad a few times.  Using scrap paper, pounce most of the ink back off, then pounce it onto the back of each flower petal.  I started with the cranberry ink first, which created a soft pink using this technique.  Then I went back over with the cocoa ink, blending the two colors together.
                                                                       

Then I flipped the flower over, and just inked the tips of the petals.  In the first picture below, you can see the difference between just the cranberry ink, and after adding the cocoa.

After the flower petals are dry, you can start assembling them.  Layer  petals, staggering them so they don't all line up.  Use a small paper fastener to hold them all together.

Now start crumpling them 1 layer at a time.  Crumple each layer up around the previous one.

Almost finished!  Now just use your thumb to press open the flower, flattening our the tips of the petals a little to open up the flower.  You may need to gently pry the outer edges out a little, but don't pull too hard.  You don't want to seperate the petals from each other too much.

Now you have some beautiful flowers to decorate something with.  I have to finish making more flowers before I can show you what I am doing with mine.  I have dozens of ideas buzzing around this poor brain of mine for other uses too.  Too many ideas and never enough time!  If only I could just play all day...

Until next time, keep craftin' and smilin' :)

Linking to these fabulous parties:

Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill

The Scoop Linky Party at The Farmhouse Porch
Knick of Time Tuesday
That DIY Party at DIY showoff
Tuesday To Do Party at Blackberry Vine
Take it on Tuesday at Romance on a Dime
From Dream to Reality at the DIY Dreamer
What's it Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
Hookin Up With Hoh at House of Hepworths
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Best DIY Projects of July at Beneath My Heart
Redoux Interiors Linky Party
The Blog Strut at My Personal Accent
Throw Back Thursday at Glitter Glue and Paint

What We Accomplished Wednesday #24

Want to be a pin-up girl?  Join the party, and if you are featured, I'll pin your project to my Green Willow Pond Features Board!



Did you all survive the heat last week?  I almost had a complete meltdown.  I finally couldn't take it anymore and went to spend a night at my parents air conditioned home.  I couldn't believe it when my hubby told me to order an air conditioner from Home Depot.  He installed it the next day in the living room.  I spent two nights sleeping on the couch because our upstairs bedroom was unbearable.  But at least I could sleep at home!

We took a trip downstate to move our daughter's belongings home from her college apartment.  We went to Gilmore Car Museum.  It was amazing!  I posted about that here. Isn't the color on this classic beauty perfect!

Thank you all for linking up last week.  It looks like you managed to beat the heat and turn out some awesome projects!  Here is the Top Ten line up from the party.

Can you believe this beautiful armoire was once a TV cabinet?  Mary, at Orphans With Makeup transformed this piece!

Terry, at Forever Decorating, shows off the beautiful and peaceful sanctuary that is her backyard!  

This masculine dresser was redone by Faye, at The Shabby Cottage Home.  I love the paint job and those amazing handles!

Kristina, at Thrifty Southern Pilgrim, transformed this adorable little table.  She hand painted the detail on the apron.  Love it!

I have some suitcases I've been wanting to paint for some time.  Love this one done by Deborah, at Ramshackle Romance!

Lisa, at Create Inspire Me, was waiting for the perfect nightstands for her bedroom.  She scored this awesome pair and made the gorgeous with paint!

Always the romantic, Penny, from Penny's Treasures, spiffed up this corner of her sunroom with some thrifted treasures.  Spot of tea anyone?

I love the curvy lines of this kidney desk, painted by Kyra at Chateau Revivals.  Isn't it pretty!

This is one huge boxwood topiary.  Elisha, at Pneumatic Addict, made it herself and saved hundreds!  Isn't it impressive?

And last, but not least, my mouth is watering over these Mud Pie Mocha Brownies made by Nici at Posed Perfection.  These are a must try!

Now it's your turn.  What amazing things have you been up to?

Da Simple and Easy Rules

1. Only projects you have made/accomplished pretty please. Items for sale are okay, as long as they are in tutorial form, and linked to your blog post.  No links to shops or Etsy stores, please.  Link up to 3 posts

2. Please link back to the party (text or button) within your post. See my pretty new BUTTONS on my side bar. When you link back you will have a chance to be featured!

3. By linking up here, you are giving me permission to feature you here, on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Pinterest.  I'll only use 1-2 pictures from your post and link back to you. Then people will be flocking to your blog to read all about it!!  Spreadin' the love around baby!    

*Note - After your first link-up, as a courtesy, I will email you each week to let you know when the party is up and running. If at any time you wish to be taken off the list, just shoot me an email with unsubscribe in the subject line. I use your email for this purpose only and never share it with anyone else.

Classic Cars and Gorgeous Barns

We had a great time in Kalamazoo this past weekend, but it was hotter than the sweatband on a fireman's helmet!  We had one day of  cooler weather at home, then headed south into more hot weather...blah!  After driving 5 hours, we stopped at Meijer's to pick up groceries for the weekend, then headed to Jamie's apartment where I fixed supper in a very hot, unconditioned little kitchen.  I had sweat running down my back!  Gross, I know!

The next day we all got up and headed to a flea market where I found a couple of treasures.  We walked for about three hours there, then returned to the apartment for a quick lunch.  Jamie and her roommate took Jared to a used bookstore, while Ken and I went to pick up the UHaul Trailer.

After meeting back at the apartment, we headed out to Gilmore Car Museum.  We spent another three hours wandering around the beautiful grounds and in the barns housing the most amazing restored cars.  I took so many pictures that I don't know what I'll ever do with them all (216 to be exact...I know).  Here are a few of my favorites.

I didn't get a name for this one.

1935 Duesenburg

1935 Auburn

Checker Taxis

1930 Ford Phaeton

 1903 Ford Model A Tonneau

Same car.  From this angle it looks like Santa's sleigh with wheels!

1930 Ford Model A

Now look at the price of the last car!

 1932 DeSoto

I didn't get the name of this one either.

1948 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet

Check out the cherry red interior!

1932 Pierce Arrow Model 54 Club Sedan

Model A School Bus

There was also a motorcycle barn.

 I love this white one with a sidecar!

This is the Triumph bike ridden by Fonz on Happy Days!

Jared's personal favorite!

There were a few other displays that weren't cars.  Wouldn't I love to get my hands on this antique display case!  

Aren't these dresses fabuolous!  The one on the left would be so in style right now!

As much as I love the cars, my favorite part of the whole place was the beautiful red and white barns.  Just look at these beauties!

I just love these doors.  I want to duplicate them on our barn someday.

On the way home, my hubby surprised me by asking if we wanted to stop at Bronner's in Frankenmouth, MI.  It is a world famous Christmas year round store.  I took a few pictures there too!  I'll save those pictures for another post.  This one is long enough already!!

It's good to be home and back in cooler weather.  I put my back out today twisting around on a ladder to pick cherries though.  Not so much fun.  I hope your weekend was fantastic!