I had posted earlier about a lovely little lady in my neighborhood who puts the most interesting things in her trash pile on the curb, and of the gleanings I have taken home from her cast-offs. Well...the other day as I was leaving to go to my writing critique group (these are divine ladies and authors!), I spotted more treasures from this divine lady! Alas since I drive a VW Beetle (green, of course!) I didn't have room for these finds and had to wait until hubby came home from work with his pick up truck. Here is what I brought home with hubby's help:
I have been looking for old shutters, because I want to make a fireplace screen. I really think the one we inherited when we bought our house 14 years ago is very ugly, but it is practical since it's made from tempered glass and can be closed. I wanted something decorative and more in tune with our cottage decor to place in front of theww glass screen. These shutters are PERFECT!
Isnt't the little potted pine tree wonderful???? Here's a close up...
Hubby with his wonderful woodworking skills is going to shorten the shutters at the bottom and hinge three of them together to make a screen to set in front of the fireplace. He's very happy because he gets to use his powerwasher on them as these shutters are filthy! If the paint chips off too badly in the cleaning, I'll re-paint. I know the paint on these has to have lead in it. Suzy is going to get the fourth shutter for her garden!
I'll be sure to post photos after the fireplace screen is complete--and the journey along the way to creating it!
I have sent out my ParTea swap goodies to my divine partner up north Breanna and am sending out a another swap today! I'm not posting what I sent to Breanna as her box has yet to arrive and I don't want to spoil the surprise for her. However, here are the Button Cards I made which are going to Heather at Speckled Egg for her to distribute to the creative swap participants! I can't wait until I get mine!
I used images from vintage children's books and embellished the illustrations with buttons in all the right places. Here's a zookeeper at the birdcage with one HUGE flamingo head getting ready to peck off his buttons!
This pretty skunk with a "polka dot" button bow on her head is from a vintage Japanese children's magazine. The brown critter with a tall hat is from a box of Japanese candy my son likes that we buy at the local Asian market.
This perky pup with his brown button "spots" is ready for PLAY!
This "snowy" illustration is from a 1956 book on Science. I added the HUGE "snowflake" buttons! Gee Whiz!
And here are the backs where I used some of my favorite papers:
I use a strong sense of humor in my work: crafts, sewing, and writing! We all need a little grin in our days! :)
Take care and stay cool out there! XXOO, Beth