Thrift and crafts...............

One day I had to drop off some stuff at the Thrift store so naturally I had to see what I could find. I found a few things for the garden. A ceramic watering can that I bought an Ivy to put in and an oblong pot that I also bought Ivy to sit in.


I think those were both good buy's
I like it when I have a use for what I buy.
At that same time I found a double bowl, crystal that can be used as one, or in two parts.


I found a blue bottle and got that just for the colour. Its sitting outside at the moment with the ivy in the watering can. This little heart shape ceramic box, well it was so pretty I had to get that. I collect heart things and the Forget me nots were irresistable

I also found a small plate that will sit with some other English scenes that I have on small plates.

I think that was it for the Thrift store. I did buy, at Michaels a stepping stone kit for the kids to make. I thought there were 3 in the box. Nope only one so Me and Tristen made it yesterday


Then on Friday I went out to eat with my friend Edna. She needed to go to Ben Franklins. I seldom go in there myself. This time though, oh my.....there was this teapot. I had to get it. It had Cowslips and butterfly and ladybugs on it




I just could not resist.
I also found a windchime I liked and a placque for the garden

The picture of the windchime was not very good, so I didn't post it but I am sure you will see it in my garden before long. I must go back to Ben Franklins soon because they had other tea pots that I would love to have. I am running out of room again but..........that has never stopped me yet.

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Some more drawings..............

I am still drawing and painting but only in the sketch book. I am thinking its time (when this one is done) to be a little more adventurous. The goal here was to loosten up. To try to simplify my art. I always seem to overdo it with watercolour. So this experiment began and I have enjoyed it.
I told Tristen I would draw him a little book. I think I will do that next. Meanwhile here are a few sketches for what they are worth. Not meant to be good, just practice.


I also wondered about a little book of quotes with illustrations, a cheer me up sort of book. I have no idea how to go about it but it sounded like a good idea




I am also thinking of a Facebook page and maybe an Etsy shop......maybe I can find someone to help me understand the process.

I need to know from people who do it, how you wrap pictures to preserve them, sort of shrink wrap? or envelopes?


I can use my sketch books for ideas.





I am thinking maybe some pictures for kids bedrooms or something like that. Simple things.


They will all have to be originals, my own ideas. That will be the difficult part. I will write down ideas and this winter maybe will be productive. Can't do much in the summer, I will spend my time with Tristen and taking pictures. Maybe that will inspire me.
I am sharing with Ivy and Elephants
Also sharing with A Dedicated house Make it Pretty Monday
Sharing with Inspire Me Monday at Create with Joy
Also with Anything Blue Friday at A Dedicated House

Before and After........

I had a brilliant idea. I wanted change but could not afford it. Gerry had to pull up carpet in our bedroom to fix something under the floor. I had thought it a good excuse to redo the room. New carpet colour and so on. No, cant do that. New carpet and paint would lead to new curtains and bedding. So.............he put the carpet back down again and we moved the furniture instead.
`I was hoping to find some before pictures. I was sure I had some but no. So I guess I can only show how it looks now. There may be some further back on this blog.

The bed was under the long windows facing the bathroom. Now we have it under the big windows and under the fan, so much better for me. I also took off the footboard, it gave us much more room. The carpet is burgundy and so is the counter in the bathroom. So changing carpet would have meant changing the counters too. So this was a far better idea. I changed out the quilts so that the colours are lighter now instead of the burgundy being dominant.
From this side of the room you can see where the bed used to be, where the dressing table (minus mirror) is now.

I moved the dresser to the corner

I found some flowers in the bathroom when I started on that.........so changed those as you see in the 2nd picture. I also put in family pictures, something I never did before.

.........and brought in my glass cabinet with all my keepsakes in it


The dressing table I have removed the mirror and set it under the long window where the bed used to be.

Believe it or not this is a far more minimal look to what it was before. By moving the bed I had more room and so have two chairs in there now instead of one. I kept fiddling with it until I got things just the way I wanted.
The bathroom didn't change much but I did manage to remember that I had some green towels stashed away. So changed those out from the old burgundy ones.



The "theme" in the bathroom was swans, so I kept those.



I guess the "theme" in the bedroom is Poodles as I have them everywhere. Well that is my new look. Its certaily more practical for me for summer. I love being under the fan. Tristen wanted his bed moved so we did that for him. His room is next and needs painting badly now, he has scribbled on the walls and put stickers on, but thats another story