Guess one of my favorite vintage tunes!

Blue Snow

It's been a wet winter without much snow.........we did get enough to play in the other day. We made odd formations using a bucket, colored water in a spray bottle, and iceicles off the roof. They got washed away the next day in the rain.  I'm sure a few passers-by thought.........."now what is that woman doing?"

Leopard Pumpkin

Last year a friend of mine saw a leopard pumpkin at Michael's craft store. She asked me if I had one..........I didn't........and I couldn't believe that I didn't. (You've seen my collection of leopard Santa's on this blog haven't you?) So....I made myself one. Everyone looks great in leopard prints! ....don't you think? I bought one of those pre-lit white pumpkins at a "to be un-named" big box discount store. The rest of the supplies I had at home. I realize that not everyone has leopard print tissue paper sitting around.........but I have lots of it! I had to dig through my drawer of craft supplies to find my Mod Podge. I kept my fingers crossed that it wasn't all dried up, and miracles of miracles it wasn't. I love Mod Podge by the way......I used it back in the late 60's. (No this wasn't my bottle from the 60's!) Now it comes in all kinds of varieties.........glossy,matte finish, outdoor, sparkle! I would have loved sparkle Mod Podge back then! Those were the days..........the original smiley face, peace signs, In-A-Godda-Da-Vida.........sorry.........took a psychedelic trip back in time for a second. Okay, I ripped the leopard tissue paper into 1-2 inch pieces and slapped in on my pumpkin and brushed the podge on each piece, overlapping them until the whole pumpkin was covered. Once dry I applied another coat of Mod Podge to give him a nice finish. I outlined his pre-cut mouth, eyes and nose with a permanent marker to set off his mischievous grin. I think he looks terrific. I did a small black end table, and a cute vintage sewing box using the same technique. They are fun accent pieces. Go ahead.......find something and cover it with leopard print. It fits in with every decor. Really! If you don't have time to make one.......I have some for sale in my Etsy shop. CLICK HERE .

Bright Idea Sunset on Lake Erie

I took my camera to watch the sun set. I saw this done once and just had to try it. Sunset over lake Erie. I tried to be inconspicuous as I took the picture of the sunset through the light bulb. Little did I know my BIL and his wife were also at the park watching the sunset and snapped a picture of me taking a picture!
They wondered what the heck I was doing.

Tire Rim Hose Reel

You can recycle an old tire rim to hold  your garden hose.  Clean up the rim and spay paint it a color to coordinate with you home or garden. Mount it on a tree or fence.

 Hang your garden hose on it!

But.........if you hang it on a tree..............50 years from now it might look like this!.



Broken Birdbath Collection

I can't tell you how many times the neighborhood squirrels have knocked over my pottery birdbaths and broken them............oh yes I can........I saved the pieces and made an outdoor vignette out of them! I have a few more scattered around the yard. Recycle, upcycle....never throw anything away that may have another life.

Balloon Arch and Column Kits

Good Day!

These Balloon Arch & Column Kits from Inflate & Create aren't vintage, but I'm going to ramble about them anyway because they are terrific! We've used them for Grand Openings, Anniversary Parties, Prom, Car sales, Weddings...you name it. They are easy to assemble and they look like you hired a balloon decorator. The kits are available for foil and latex balloons. The foil balloon kits use foil cluster balloons and stay inflated for weeks. The latex kit use standard 11" balloons that are available in a variety of colors for your event. Check out Inflate & Create's web site. Balloons definitely add some fun to the party and bring attention to your business.

cocktails

Okay.........time to start my "walk photo" series again. I took a walk and look what I found

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Devils Food Rolo Cookies

Can you tell I've had a sweet tooth lately? I picked up this recipe from one of my fellow Cleveland Handmade team members. I can't remember which one, so if it was you, please fess up so I can give you due credit. These addictive cookies are easy to make........just the way I like to cook!

1. 1 Box of Devils Food Cake Mix
2. 2 Eggs
3. 1/3 Cup (generous) oil
4. 1-12 oz bag of Rolo Candies

Mix the cake mix, eggs and oil until it looks like dough. Take a scant teaspoon of decadent smelling chocolate mixture and wrap it around a Rolo candy. When covered, roll in your hand to make a nice ball. Place balls on ungreased cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven for 9 minutes. Leave room on cookie sheet for balls to spread.

I just made these cookies again. So easy....but somone got into my rolos and I didn't have enough. So I used some Holiday white chocolate Candy Cane Pepperment Hershey's kisses instead. OUTSTANDING! Let me know what else you have used in the middle of these chocolate treats!

Art of the Day

I have two grandsons that took paint brush to hand.

Does his technique and style remind you of anyone?