Posts Tagged ‘crafts arts & crafts’

We went to Northern California for the holidays!

From CA Crafts & Activities

And Saw Tons of family and friends!

From CA Christmas 2013

And this is what we did with them!

From CA Crafts & Activities

WE MADE SNOW!

And Tiny Little Polymer Clay Colorful Snowmen!

From CA Crafts & Activities

Including the above one holding his own head!

From CA Crafts & Activities

And We Beaded!

From CA Crafts & Activities

And Beaded More!

Taking a Break from Crafts…

From CA Crafts & Activities

We Went to the Playground!

From CA Crafts & Activities

Where There Was This Cool Play-Ride-Thing!

From CA Crafts & Activities

I Had to Join in On the Fun!

From CA Crafts & Activities

And it was Uncontrollable Laughter Fun!

Yes, I am the Big Kid Auntie!

Back to Crafting…

Kind of…

From CA Crafts & Activities

Thrift Store Photo Shoot!

From CA Crafts & Activities

For Something WE ALL Made Together!

From CA Crafts & Activities

A VIDEO!

Introducing…

Thrift-mas Shopping!

Starring Mis Sobrinos!

WHAT A FUN DAY WE ALL HAD…

And although the kids seem kind-of tired…
They were not!
Just shy about singing in public places!

The oldest came up with the lyrics on his own too!

And Now Some Winter Activity Fun!

From CA Crafts & Activities

Ice Skating!

(Not sure how I made it snow in the photo…but I like it)

From CA Christmas 2013

On Your Mark, Get Set Go!

From CA Christmas 2013

No Falls For Me…
But My Hips Were Hurting!

From CA Christmas 2013

So My Big Sister Took Over Auntie Ice Skating Responsibilities!

On to More Activities…

From CA Crafts & Activities

Bird Feeding with the In-Laws and Friends!

From CA Crafts & Activities

Little Friends!

One of My Favorite Things…

From CA Crafts & Activities

Organizing this Hot Mess China Cabinet (I Love Mom In-Law)…

From CA Crafts & Activities

Into this Nice Display Piece!

While at the In-Law’s I also Decorated the Christmas Tree!

From CA Crafts & Activities

And Found these Awesome Vintage Pieces!

And the Hub…

From Craftmas Activities!

Made Kelicha Cookies with his Mom!

From Craftmas Activities!

Yum Yum!

We Also…

From CA Christmas 2013

Entertained…

From CA Christmas 2013

Held…

From CA Christmas 2013

And Fed Babies!

From Craftmas Activities!

We also Danced!

From Craftmas Activities!

Boy, Did We Dance!

From Craftmas Activities!

So Did the Giant Bear!

Never a Dull Moment in Northern California!

Although I did make any items to sell in this blog post…

Feel Free to Visit OUR OWN BIG WORLD! to see things I have made and other items for sale!

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RSVP-Stamp-6

Advertisement

What Do you Do When you Have to Move…

and Need to Downsize Tons?

From RedTable

And No One Wants to Buy your Hoopty 50’s Style Hill Billy Front Porch Picnic Table?

From RedTable

You Fix it Up and Five it to a Young Adult for her First Apartment!

But First, I Had to Access the Situation…

From RedTable

The Top Was Good!

Schwew!

From RedTable

The Trim was Not!

From RedTable

Nor Were a Couple of the Legs!

So I Started with…

From RedTable

Removing All the Trim.

And Then I had to Figure out What to Put There?

From RedTable

But Before that… I Painted all the Wood White.

From RedTable

Looking Good!

Oh Boy, I got Creative with the Trim!

From RedTable

Oh, Yes I Did!

From RedTable

After I Sampled it!

From RedTable

And Decided it Would Work Perfectly!

From RedTable

And It Did!

From RedTable

Around the Corners…

From RedTable

And Close Up!

From RedTable

The Drawer Even Got Purdied-Up!

From RedTable

Tea Time!

From RedTable

It is So Cute, it is Making the Hill Billy Front Porch Look even More Hoopty!

From RedTable

It Looks So Good Now…

You Forgot about the Legs!

From RedTable

Although I just painted them, you could use a wood putty to re-shape them.

Next Time…

When I Have More Time and Less to Do.

Like Pack. Sigh.

To See More Purdy Things, Please Go to:  OUR OWN BIG WORLD!

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RSVP-Stamp-6

UPCYCLE LIGHT!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

EASY PEASY!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

To start the hole, I used pliers and a hammered it just a bit in the centered dot in the centered star of the bottom of the strainer.

You can see the finished hole in the photo.

Oh, and yes, those pliers have a pink rhinestone on them!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

To help enlarge the hole, I snipped from the inside with wire cutters.

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

Then I would push this vintage soda bottle into the hole to make it more round!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

Picked these up at IKEA for $5.00 each the other day!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

Put lighting through hole, put in lightbulb…

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

And there you have it…and cool hanging lamp that casts spotted star shapes!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

That was fun!

But I was not done creating!

Back to Gnome Christmas Trees!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

I so need a gnome for under that tree!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

Now, let’s see if these things sell!

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Yes, Gnomes celebrate Holidays too.

And they, just like us, need Christmas Trees.

I have made it my goal to supply them some this holiday season.

From Felt Tree

Let me talk first about the tall one in the back.

Or better yet, let me show you how I made it!

From Felt Tree

Supplies: Cone, felt, glue gun, scissors and maybe some tidbits for decorations (I used some brads and tacks).

From Felt Tree

Cut, cut, cut out your tree leaf thingies.

From Felt Tree

Glue them, one at a time to the cone, all of them!

From Felt Tree

Start adding your decorations as you go.

From Felt Tree

Figure out your topper and decorate.

I decided on decorating a small Styrofoam ball with the brads and tack.

From Felt Tree

There you have it, the first of many…

From Felt Tree

A Gnome Christmas Tree!

For those Gnomes who like simple lines…

From Felt Tree

The Bobble String Christmas Tree!

Yes, it bobbles a bit from the way it is attached to its stand.

And now for those Beachy Gnomes…

From Felt Tree

The Pearly Shell Gnome Christmas Tree!

I made both the string and shell trees awhile ago…lots of string, shells, glue and patience, and you too can make them.

As you can see from the first photo, there are many other trees.

Some are vintage and some are just darned cute.

From Felt Tree

I had to have a variety, so many Gnomes so many different trees needed!

And these two are my favorite!

From Felt Tree

They so remind me of my Italian Grandparent’s Christmas decorations. Under their Aluminum Christmas Tree (Yes, I said Aluminum) they had this tiny outdoor winter skating Scene (a mirror was used to make the frozen pond) with these tiny trees all around it!   Ha, but they have sold already…should have put a higher price on them! 

I have two more in the making, but not sure they will get finished in time.

Gnomes…I got you covered!

Elves get all the attention during the holidays, give some love to any Gnomes you may know!

EARLY HOLIDAY BONUS CRAFT FOR YOU:

From Felt Tree

I made the wreath awhile ago, Click here to see how I did it: The Garbage Wreath

But then I put it in an old frame and threw some red felt on the back for that something special and different Christmas decoration!

HAPPY HOLIDAY CRAFTING TO YOU!

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I have a thing for circles, balls, orbs, globes, pizzas…anything round!

So I buy needlepoint hoops, lots and lots of needlepoint hoops.

Mind you, I do not do needlepoint!

But I do love cool retro looking material.

So, I put the two together and this is what I got!

From Button Up

This little cutie consists of three different size hoops, 3 different sample pieces from JoAnne’s and some twine.

I did glue them together, so it is a just hang one thing wall decoration!

Note to self, iron material next time!

For those that can not commit to 3…I give you this:

From Button Up

Not attached for cases where just one or two will do!

PS…the lint and stuff on the floor do not come with hoops!

I have saved the largest hoops (one really big…others quite large) for the wall on our new dining room.

Now on to something different.

I like frames, and I could not pass up this little metal one with tiny crosses!

From Button Up

I found a map, which I also love..and this little fleur de lis was calling my name.

From Button Up

All together, and they make an interesting conversation piece!

Circles, Frames and Maps…I wish I only like those 3 things!

Whatever it is for you…find new uses for your favorites!

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Buttons aren’t just for clothing anymore…

Especially cool old Buttons!  

I pulled out my small collection the other day when I wanted to snazz up a few other things.

And here is how it went!

The below were just plain old round colored cardboard boxes.

From Button Up

AND NOW THEY ARE FANCY RESPECTABLE DECORATIVE CONTAINERS!

So easy…old buttons and some burlap!

From Button Up

Oh, and Mod Podge, gotta love the Mod Podge!

Wait, and some glue!

I used the Modge Podge to adhere the burlap and after that was dry, I glued on the buttons.

From Button Up

Sassy & Brassy!

From Button Up

Golden Girls!

They were so cute, I did not stop there!

From Button Up

This nice piece of pottery had the word “Utensils” across the front.

Why? I mean, if the utensils were in it, couldn’t you tell what was in it?

So, I got rid of it and prettied it up with some vintage white buttons!

From Button Up

I really like how it came out!

Can’t wait to use it now!

Any button will do…glue it on, sew it on, or even use wire for jewelry…

JUST BUTTON UP!
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I have to admit, I AM a Serial Creator.

In my past, I have killed off many mediums, and then moved on to the next!

Sometimes bringing back old haunts because…you know…they always return to the scene of the crime!

Here is The Life Cycle of This Serial Creator.

Pre-High School: Anything the Art Teacher Would Make Me Do!

From My History of Creating

6th Grade: Block Print (Did the carving, water colors and printing!)

High School: Writing Poetry & Photography

From My History of Creating

10th Grade:  For Photography Class!

From My History of Creating

12th Grade:  My Nationwide Winning Photo for the “Year of the Disabled” Photo Contest.

I worked with this girl at McDonald’s…she was a friend that was born with just part her arm.  I still admire her!

College: Photography & Writing “Witty” Letters to the Editor of the School Paper.

From My History of Creating

A couple of my letters to the Radford University Newspaper’s Editor.  I was so sassy!

I wish I could still write that neat!

20’s: Making Greeting Cards (When the Name “My Own Little World” was created), & Rock Jewelry.

From My History of Creating

One of a series of the “Hill” themed birthday cards. The only sample of them that I have left…because I actually gave them to people after making them! I have a person in mind for this particular “Vintage” card of mine.

From Safety Pins & Pendants

My Rock Jewelry. I actually still wear these! Timeless Beauty!

30’s: Writing Children’s Stories, Making Greeting cards, & Creating Small Odd Gifties.

From My History of Creating

Bookmarks that I thought were awesome…not so much now.

You should have seen the ugly Christmas Ornaments I made in the same design!

Ack!

Sorry friends and family for that “creative” period of mine!

But I still love the below creative flow!

From My History of Creating

A variety of my Christmas Cards!

There is The “Gangsta’ Santa” one , The “Safe Sex Christmas Tree” one (It says “Keep Your Christmas Bright…Wrap It Tight”), The “Reindeer Got Ran Over by a Grandma” One, and of course, The “Dancing On Top Of Santa” one!          Good times!

Now, my one and only published piece!  And mind you, I got paid for it too!

Okay, I wrote on the internet too, but in the writing world, it is just not the same!

Click and Read, My Friends, Click and Read:

Volunteer, Learn a Language Combine Language Study and Volunteer Work in Guatemala

Early 40’s: Writing.

From The Books I Made
From The Books I Made

Although, I just made these actual books, I wrote the stories in my early 40’s for a Children’s Clothing Line…that never went into the book business. But they said they liked them, they really did! Now, they are just for my 7-year-old twin nieces!

Mid 40’s: Blog Writing, Photography & Videography.

Examples of this are all wrapped up neatly in “Vintage” HenderBalz Blog Posts!

Click and Browse, my friends, Click and Browse:

HenderBalz Blog: El Salvador Story Time

Later Mid 40’s (ahem…NOW): Making of Things, Photography, Writing, & Videography.

Again, the HenderBalz Blog, says it best!

Check it out, My Friends, Check it out:

My Own Little World Shopito!

I attack with gusto, even to the point of trying to sell my work, and then I give up…whether I have done well or not.

MAY I NEVER GIVE UP AGAIN…MY OWN LITTLE WORLD SHALL GROW!

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100% FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS…

AND IT LOOKS GOOD!

UPCYCLING AT ITS BEST!

From How To – Wreath

AND DOES NOT SMELL!

SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED:

– Toilet Paper and/or Paper Towel Rolls (lots of them)
– Old Magazines
– Glue Gun
– Scissors
– Spray Paint
– A paper plate

START CREATING!

From How To – Wreath

1) CUT ROLLS!

Toilet Paper rolls can be cut into 5 pieces. They do not need to be perfect or the exact same size.

The paper I buy seems to stick to the roll at the end, and taking it off is the hardest part of the whole thing!

2) START DESIGNING WREATH!

From How To – Wreath

Start to lay pieces around the plate.

From How To – Wreath

Get your design down.

From How To – Wreath

3) GLUE PIECES TOGETHER!

From How To – Wreath

4) START YOUR MAGAZINE PAPER FLOWERS!

From How To – Wreath

Tear out pages of magazines, I go for the most colorful. I cut each page into 3 strips.

4) FOLD STRIPS OF MAGAZINE PAGES.

From How To – Wreath

Fold them in the width that you would like your flower to be. Honestly, they do not need to be the same size…I just fold them up, and used the glue gun to keep the edges down. I have done it without gluing them down…saves some time.

5) ROLL YOUR FLOWERS!

From How To – Wreath

Just start rolling. I glue down the last edge of a strip and then the beginning of the next edge strip. And you can make them as big or as small as you want!

From How To – Wreath

6) LAY OUT WHERE YOU WANT THE FLOWERS TO BE ON YOUR WREATH.

From How To – Wreath

Do not glue yet!

7) SPRAY PAINT YOUR WREATH.

From How To – Wreath

I picked yellow, which worked well on that white paper, but did not come out that yellow on the brown paper rolls!
So pick your color wisely, or test it. Or you can just go plain…I have another piece hanging in my living room with no color!

From How To – Wreath

Let Dry!

8) ATTACH YOUR FLOWERS!

From How To – Wreath

CONGRATS!

You made yourself a Garbage Wreath! Made art and saved stuff from the landfill!
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Stuff made from free things!

Okay, made with free things…and cheap stuff I bought for under $1.00!

From Twigs and Things

VINTAGE FRAME AND COOL BRANCHES!

From Twigs and Things

TWIGS, TWINE AND A GLASS…

From Twigs and Things

AND YOU GET YOURSELF A CANDLE HOLDER AU NATURAL!

From Twigs and Things

A BOOK, TWINE…

From Twigs and Things

AND CUTE THINGS….

MAKES FOR A NICE LITTLE  TABLE DECORATION!

From Twigs and Things

IF I CAN WRAP, BUNDLE, BUNCH IT…I WILL!

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Or someone like me will find it!

On a recent walk-about in nowhere Florida, my husband and I stumbled upon a skeleton!

No worries folks…it was not a crime scene.

It was a skeleton of a cow.

We have to believe a panther took it down…a long time ago.

And then of course the ever-present Turkey Buzzard cleaned it leaving just enough for the Dermestid Beetles do their jobs!

So, I did what every curious, not easily grossed out, crafter would do.

I TOOK IT HOME!

From How To – Clean Skull

Although the panther, buzzards, bugs and even the sun did their jobs really well, it still needed a deep de-bacteria bug cleaning.

And a cleaning I did!

Click on the photos to see “How to Clean a Skull.”

From How To – Clean Skull

Always curious, I explored the inside and this is that I saw…

From How To – Clean Skull

And this….

From How To – Clean Skull

Pretty, huh?

It is now a patio decoration, until I gather the gumption to build it some blinged out horns!

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