Taken Up with Old Ways…

This summer has definitely been a season of change for me.  I’ve had my hand in things I don’t normally do; for instance drawing.  I enjoyed ICAD 20.15 – so much I bought a sketch book and have continued to draw or sketch regularly.
I recently, began crocheting again… making cute little hanging towels for my daughters kitchens! It made the time go quick at the hospital today… and it’s nice when the weather is too hot to be outside, but I want something to do with my hands!  It’s light work…so it doesn’t make me hot, like crocheting a blanket would!
I’ve also been taken up with old ways…

:: On my Hook…Out Jumped Good Ol’ Santa Claus::

::Day 21::

So…I was in the shower yesterday—and the idea popped into my head I need to make some Christmas Banners for my etsy.

I’m thinking triangle type banners…

and what should my wondering “mind” should appear?



This is just a snip-it of what the whole thing looks like. You can see the whole thing sans eyes on my Instagram.

I just need to give him some eyes…

and ‘Bobs, Your Uncle!”

or…Santa…

It could happen. :)

Oh yes, and in case your wondering.

No. I’m not currently working on my couch.

But…I have been moving some furniture around!!!! ;) ;)

OTHER 31 DAY BLOGGERS—THE NESTER




“Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we will reap if we faint not.” –Galatians 6:9

:: Thank You and Counting my Blessings ::

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for your sweet comment, well wishes and prayers regarding my dad. 

He is coming home from the hospital today---still not sure what brought on all the different symptoms he was having. More test will be run in the upcoming future. But in the mean time, he is doing well.  Back to his old self!  

I'm grateful to God for his provision and healing.

I am sort of taking it easy today, catching up on things around the house. {laundry}

Honey bought me a "new" camera at the pawn shop last week. 

So, I've snapped a few pictures here and there... I'm learning how to work it; because it's a bit fancier than my point and shoot Kodak easy share! It's a step up for me. I think it takes better pictures...but what do I know?   We'll see. 

In the mean time, it's hot as blazes here. The Crepe Myrtle trees are in bloom (I love the watermelon color on this one) and the Cicadas are singing their songs. 

I'm counting my blessings! 

How about you? 

**********************************************************

I've got some new UNIQUE vintage items in the shop--- be sure and stop by and check them out! 

Thanks! 

**********************************************************

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. ~Psalm 103:1

 

::Etsy-Sold,Sales and Search Ads::

You remember this? 

the Orange Bates beadspread? 

I sold it!!! 

I've had several of you write and ask how my etsy shop is going. So today, I thought I'd show you just some of the items I've had in my shop that have sold, since opening in September. 

I sold a couple of bundles of wooden clothes pegs...

I have one set left here.

I gave it the Ol' College try and well... 

I sold this really cool Tin. 

First thing I sold! 

It was listed as Sports Memorabilia ...but I liked the industrial feel of it. 

I have other vintage industrial items listed here

Including this cool shoe stretcher 

HERE

I've also sold some SUPPLIES. Not much...but something. 

I'm surprised when something like this sells. 

But, there are some Crafters out there that are so talented and they use these things to make something wonderful. 

The curtain rings I sold the same day as the TIN...to a friend of mine who knew my shop was open. She wanted them to use in her Puppet Studio where she builds puppets!  

She put them on a curtain rod...and she clips the puppets up that she is working on; out of the way of production! 

The leather loops and things... I sold to a customer--that makes earrings. I'm not sure, but I would imagine she will use these items to make some FUNKY-CHIC JEWELRY. 

I don't know... 

The last thing are the wooden light switch covers... 

I've seen these with paint, art work and altered. 

I'm sure they'll be fabulous whatever the buyer will use them for. 

Couple of things I've learned since opening the shop. 

•  Proof read. 
•  Edit.
•  Proof read again. 
• Shipping and Handling is justifiable--
• Edit and Adjust postage after an increase.
• (and now they are doing away with Saturday Mail?)
• Advertise! 
• Which is what I'm doing here. :) 

I just found these cool banners on Etsy tonight while working; seriously, I've never seen these before.

 

Maybe I just don't pay attention; most of you that have an Etsy shop listed on your blog...I've not seen you with these.  I put one at the bottom of my home page...it is the long horizontal one. There are several to choose from. 

Here is how to find them- 

• Open your etsy/ login
• Click on "your shop" in the upper right corner
• In the drop down CLICK: Search Ads
• On the LEFT Side bar under PROMOTE CLICK:  Off-site 
• It will open up to the button ...choose the one you want,click 'generate code' 
• Then copy the code and put it where you want it! 

Lastly, I just added some vintage sheets to the shop tonight-- right now I have 3 listed. I hope to get the others photographed this weekend and listed along with lots of other items too. 

You can see the sheets Here  

Alright! That ended up being longer than I planned. But in a nut shell-- that's how it's going. I'm selling-- I'm still learning. I still haven't found a niche (you know that one item that is going to put me in a new tax bracket?)-- right now, the vintage items are what seems to work well in my shop. Oh, I did sell some shower scrubbies to a couple of people last week and one was  a special order!  

Yippee! 

I don't have all the answers, but if you have any questions, thoughts or ideas...leave them in the comments. Let's talk about Etsy...how is it going with you? 

Have you learned from the experience? 

Like it or Not? 

 

A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 

~ Psalm 103:1 

 

::Thrifting Haul –Etsy Shopping and More ::

We were going to have a 'No Spend' month in January. But...we never really settled on it--there were items we needed to purchase and a big bill of groceries we needed to restock since the holidays. So making plans for February...to be the official 'no spend' month for our household.

Still working on the budget and getting new items for the Etsy shop. The way Etsy bills, I won't have a bill in February if I wait until the 1st to get the store stocked. However,  I have items to go in there and these last two thrifting days were geared at stocking. So that's what I'll do!

Here is a look at some of what I've gotten lately...a lot of it was FREE too, as I gleaned while helping my daughter unpack!
Sort of like curb-shopping; but NOT. ;)

1.Basket with wooden handles—picked from the  TOSS PILE (it was broken..I’ve already glued and re-nailed it, washed the liner and am using it for story books!)
2. Ball of twine—3 bracket THINGIES –and a cast iron POT HOOK for the wood burning stove (already has come in handy…(all from Bargain Land)

3.Bread box- again picked from the donate box…My daughter just knows …she should donate to me, because I’ll do something with it! In this case, I’m repainting it and maybe will try a slide decal …OR SOMETHING …and then give it to her sister to use in her kitchen!!!
 
4.Two clocks and a wooden plaque—The one clock has a picture frame attached… it will be altered…the finish is coming off of it already, the mantle clock…won’t keep proper time…It needs some TLC also.

5.Wooden Plaque- It is vintage and has praying hands and a House Scene it says :
“Bless this house Our LORD we pray keep us safe by night and day.”  I don’t know if I’ll leave it for resale in my shop or alter it, and perhaps resale?  What do you think about this one?

6.This one and the next one are slip covers for a loveseat…I bought on my latest thrift adventure.  The Honey likes the blue and white striped one… I don’t care for either,and will not be even keeping the couch and loveseat once the other is re-upholstered. ( the lighthouse pillow is having it’s outer cover washed---I don’t do light houses but the pillow came from MIL and I just put a slip over it)
.
7. I bought both of these to re-sale…because the price was so great on them… They are both in really good condition. Will probably sell them locally, through FB or Craigslist…
8.
On the last trip I also bought some pretty glass coffee cups and a copper colander, a needle point table cloth made of cotton and another white table cloth much larger with a crocheted edge; I think it is made of cotton/linen blend, for the shop. Oh! and a folding yard stick. I’ve never seen one of those.

For me, I bought a swing arm lamp.(not pictured) It will be going in the front bedroom where my sewing machine is for TASK LIGHTING.  When there are guests …they’ll have an easy access lamp at the bedside too. So it was a dual purchase.  It had $5.00 on it… but, she only charged me about $1 for it. I also bought some pillows with a linen feel to them.

Have you done any thrifting? Are having a 'no spend' month now or in the near future?  (I know some of you are)

 I'm linking this post here:
 
@ Sunny Simple Life

"For the eyes of the LORD  move to and fro throughout the earth so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.~ 2 Chronicles 16:9a"

::Etsy Update ::

   These are just a few of the things I've sold in my etsy shop since opening.  It got off to a slow start...but it's picking up. 

 Rusty Vintage--

 Crazed and Chippy--

 Traditional Holiday 

Cute and Farmhouse... 

Couple of things I've learned.... on breakables, add $2.00 to the shipping price for anything worth up to $50
Pack well.  Here is a Frugal Fodder tip for you--- when packing breakable items you can recycle old phone books. I shred mine and pack all around the item. Makes for a free packing material and extra cushion, besides just the bubble wrap! 


I also have hand crocheted items in my shop as well,

Lace- 

Bath Scrubbies

Dish Cloths

Kitchen Sets


  Stop by now to get 20% off before the Dec 31! 

 

"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." ~Psalm 46:10 

 

Frugal Fodder ~4~ Beg, Barter, Borrow::

 As we head into the new year there is  a lot of talk about the Fiscal Cliff- the uncertainty in the upcoming months --changes that will happen January 1st. These are not things we want to think about. These are not things that we want to sit around and discuss. Especially if one is not knowledgeable on the matter. 
We certainly don't want to bring the party down this time of year! 
The holidays are supposed to be times of JOY and Peace on Earth, Good Will towards men. 

Not just the Holidays...but everyday. 

I don't know all there is to know about the Fiscal Cliff--in fact, I don't know much at all.  Who do you trust when you start out trying to research the matter? What  I do know is that being somewhat prepared and having a plan for the unexpected is my responsibility.  Educating ourselves (myself and my husband) is OUR responsibility.

Making changes in our lifestyle is sometimes necessary and a lot of times unpleasant. But I don't mind it so much when it's changes that I'm in control of; not being forced to do because of new mandates, laws, etc. 

Here are some things that we've been implementing in our own lives the last few years, small changes that help with our budget, save money and build relationships too! Strong Family and Community. 

Bartering: 

• We have begun to exchange our Fresh Eggs for things like Sugar, Milk, and other staples. 
• We have begun to share meals with other households enjoying a time of food and fun. (not to mention the element of surprise--when it comes to what is being served) I love POTLUCKS! 
• We share traveling expenses when making trips to town. First we plan the trips and make the most of them while we're there. (We live about 7 miles from the nearest Small Town Conveniences and 20 from the nearest Large Town Conviences , ie; Wal-Mart, Lowes, etc) So, we plan trips, 
• we make calls to others, neighbors and friends and inform them that we're going into town-- would they like to ride too? or if there is anything they need picked-up while we're there?
• We have also called others and ASKED IF THEY WERE GOING SOON?  They are happy to reciprocate by picking up items for us?
• This past weekend I spoke with a young woman who still lives at home; and is available to work in my home-- we were discussing the possibility of bartering for her services in exchange for a crochet lesson, we've not settled that yet. But it's a possibility!  I might get my windows washed or baseboards painted...who knows? 

• Barrowing: 
• Before making large purchases-- we ask around to see if anyone we know may have the item; that we may borrow theirs. (ie: saw, choppers, large tools,etc) 

•  Begging:  (I jest) 
• But, we have offered to take firewood off peoples hands if we come and haul away a downed tree, or cut it down for them. We've been known to take other items off peoples hands too. Things they are just going to be discarding, we offer to haul away; if it is something of value we may sell it or we my take it to the scrap yard in return for cash too.
• We've done this with neighbors and friends. But we've met new neighbors this way too. We stopped and asked about some firewood laying near the fence once,  after the Electric Company hired a TREE SERVICE to the trim trees; we had a nice chat with the folks and they said it was fine to load up the wood and take it. Saved them the trouble and for us... it meant another night of warmth by the fire! 

We try to grow our own food. We have an average of 254 days of growing in the area we live--so it's good to know what grows well, when and where! 

Right now...we have potatoes coming up in the front garden. We'll see how those turn out. (not really the time of year for potatoes, kind of early.)

 We've got mild temps right now. 

I make LOTS Christmas and Birthday gifts...(this is something that has been frowned upon in the past; but I think is certainly coming back as being appreciated among most people) 

If we don't have the money for some item-- unless we borrow it, we do without. 

We work around our circumstances-- and one thing I've learned is WE DON'T COMPLAIN. It doesn't do a bit of good! 

If you have a Kindle You can order this book Preparing for the Fiscal Cliff (PRIME MEMBERS: $0.00 -subject to change without notice) 

I downloaded it and read it and about to read it again. It's short and a pretty good read! 

The photos in today's post...are pictures that I've taken in my yard since DEC 1st! Lovely displays of color-- for this time of year. :) 

DJ's DandelionHouse

 

************************************

Shop 9th and Denver

Vintage Items Added Today! 

Use Coupon Code: YEAREND12 

at checkout!

Then he said to them,

 "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet and send portions to them that have nothing prepared, for this is a Holy Day unto the LORD.

 Do not be grieved; for the JOY of the LORD is your strength. ~Nehemiah 8:10 

 

::Frugal Fodder ~3~ FULL TILT! ::

As the weather changes; so do my living arrangements. 
I move the furniture around so to get closer to the warm fire in the wood burning stove. 
I pull the chairs and couches in away from the windows...with a table behind the couch as a buffer. 

One thing I always try to do-- Change the TILT on the blinds in all the rooms. 



In the Summer time-- I keep the blinds 'tilted' down. 

                                              Blinds Turned Down

 Most people would argue "that allows the light to stream into the room, thereby heating up the room." BUT I SAY, NO.  By tilting the slats on the blinds down or inward...YOU KEEP THE HOT AIR OUT.  
Hot air rises...so if there is HOT AIR in the room ...it will rise UP AND OUT of the room through the slats in the blinds. 

Now that it's cooler outside and I want it stay warm inside. Eliminating the need to turn up the heat... I say "TILT" the blinds UP or outward... 

Blinds Turned Up
This does two things... First, since COLD AIR FALLS and the cold air outside NEEDS TO STAY OUTSIDE... it can't come through the slats and fall onto your shoulders as you sit in your comfy chair...trying to stay warm.  Second, the warm air from the heat source (in our case wood burning stove) that is rising into the room and keeping us nice and cozy; IS NOT LOST BY RISING UP AND OUT THE BLINDS, BECAUSE ...they are tilting outward. 

Maybe you know this or maybe you don't

I thought I'd share it with you. It is something you can do for FREE in your home. I don't know how much it will save you monetarily...but it improves the comfort of the room to some degree.  If you're like me and you have old drafty windows you can try this. Also... lined curtains help, too. Opening and shutting them according to the breeze, sunshine and time of day helps. 

I also learned something from Elaine, Sunny Simple Life (rather, she made me aware of) . If you're trying to conserve energy--regardless the season (but mostly summer time)  and you have ceiling fans. Turn them off when you leave the room for long stretches of time. Ceiling fans are designed to give comfort to those in the room. The room doesn't need to be cool or hot; only the people or pets in that room. Running them while no one is in the room is a waste of your money and/ or resources. 

 

*****************************************************************

Remember I still have a sale going on in my shop 9th and Denver 

I've added new things to the shop this week and will continue to add so check back often! 

USE CODE:  YEAREND12 
For 20% OFF at checkout! 

He has told you ,O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you?  But to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. ~ Micah 6:8

 

:: Using What you Have- Mud Room Shelf ::

*Feb. 1, 2013: Adding this here: 

FJI-SNS #173
&
FJI Rustic Shelves 

Last Week I showed you a couple of pictures of The Nameless Room-- 

It has so many different uses-- I think I like MUD ROOM best. 

 Right now...I'm focusing on the LAUNDRY SIDE OF THE ROOM. 

I tend to work backwards. As I've been doing some tweaking...I'm thinking the entire room needs a fresh coat of paint. 

As it is November... I think I'll wait a while unless, I happen across a great price on some WHITE PAINT. I think white will calm everything down in here nicely. 

Anyway-- I wanted to show you how I made the shelf that now sits right across the back of my dryer. 

That is a picture of two metal drawers from a beaten up old tool box. They were in the shed-- someone tossed them out to go into the junk pile. I saved them. 

THEN ... I WENT TO Elsie Mae on Market, in downtown Mabank,TX

... for some awesome inspiration! 

After that... I drew

 This pattern for a gusset or corbel... on some wood. I traced an odd shelf I had on hand and this is pretty much the jist of how I work.

I used a power tool!  I like that name POWER TOOL...  it sounds like you could do ANYTHING! A jig saw-- for the technically accurate. 

 I originally cut 4 corbels out...yes, now I have an extra pair... he he he... 

I screwed two boards together and cut them at the same time; after clamping them to the work table of course. 

I then removed the screw and sanded down the rough edges... 

This part isn't exactly pretty...  AND yes! I really am showing you this! 

You have to squint really hard...'cause I didn't take pictures of this part.  I mounted a scrap piece of board (skid wood) to the backs of the corbels; and between them (under the drawers) I put a piece of wood (also skid wood) lengthwise too. 

So there you have it... my tweak of the week. Rusty-Vintage-Repurposed-Shabby-Turquoise-Red- Laundry Side- of- the -Mud Room- Shelf! 

...AND newly added metal basket for my homemade soap ingredients! I paid a dollar for that metal basket. Not bad and it keeps everything together.

Oh...and a clever little Chalk Board Ad Magnet Note to self to set the Temperature on the Washer to "cold"...when I wash.

I'm joining up here: 

CLH 


Deborah Jeans Dandelion House

**************************************************

Shop 

9th and Denver get 20% off now until Dec.31 

Use code: YEAREND12  at checkout for discount. 

Then he said to them, "Go,eat of the fat, drink of the sweet and send portions to those who have nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not be grieved; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. " 

~Nehemiah 8:10