March was a weird month for temperatures and March’s heat bill proves it. But April is proving to be April. Cold nights and mornings, then warming up into the 40′s or 50′s with some rain thrown in–need those May flowers! I had my furnace shut off and was determined I wasn’t turning it back on [...]

While I was preparing to move into The Christmas Shop, I was planning my display pieces. I think the most creative (and frugal!) display pieces are repurposed. This isn’t always easy–you have to be in a creative and repurposing groove. We all know the mind isn’t 100% on it’s game every single day. I started [...]

Crocheted Snowflake Coasters Now that the gifts have been opened this morning, I can let everyone in on the new crochet craft I did this year! I didn’t come up with pattern, though, I have to give credit to Snowcatcher.net for the Afterthought Snowflake Coaster. There are several patterns on that page, you have to [...]

I’ve been a little MIA lately, but I haven’t been relaxing! I’m helping to lead a retreat in West Virginia over the Labor Day weekend–A Hands-On Experience in the West Virginia Mountains–CITR Retreat 2011. I’m going back to Suzanne’s in West Virginia! As a leader, there is much to get done in the four short [...]

I’m organizing my mind. It may take more than a simple wipeboard, but I’m on the right track–with this simple kitchen wipeboard. This is just a glazed platter I picked up this past summer I think from either a yard sale or the thrift shop–all of those purchases swim in my head sometimes. I can’t [...]

Rosettes are all over blogland–little ones, big chunky one, some made out of cotton, some made out burlap. They are absolutely adorable! After the hectic Craft Fairs and getting ready for Christmas, I was itching for something creative and crafty. I’ve gotten into beading and jewelry making lately, so I decided to put a few [...]

This Christmas season has been so busy, it almost seems like Christmas Past already. I had craft shows right up through the weekend before Christmas, which left the week before busting my butt like crazy to finish up our handmade Christmas. Some things weren’t able to be finished–I didn’t take into account my sewing machine’s [...]

I absolutely fell in love with Shanty2Chic’s Ruffled Christmas Trees! They are just adorable! And can use up quite a few things in the “stash”. From the stash I found — a black candlestick and a foam cone — canvas and a material with blacks, whites, greens and reds — an old glass knob — [...]

This past Saturday was my first Holiday Craft Fair for the season! At this Fair, I offered my soaps in many forms, my Rustic Photo Frames made from recycled barn wood and Old Barn Photos. Some of my full-size soaps, wrapped and tagged – Some Mini-Soaps, sold individually – Soap Balls, sold packaged – Mini-Soaps, [...]

Acrylic yarns — made from synthetic, or human-made, fibers — make great dish scrubbies. It scrubs yet doesn’t scratch. I picked up quite a few balls of acrylic yarn at a yardsale in the freebie box. I love the look of them piled into the empty fishbowl I for some reason have. The kids toss [...]