Two Features in Country Sampler's Christmas Decorating Magazine

I am so happy to be have two of my blog photos featured in the 2016 issue of Country Sampler's Christmas Decorating Magazine.

Junk Garden (Hen and) Chick Starters

My first chick starter project started out with the top part from a Hudson chicken feeder that I purchased for $3.75.

A Valentine's Day Target Dollar Spot Project

Don't you love the dollar bins in the front of Target stores?  We don't have a Target in my home town, but when I visit a Target, I always search the bins for craft supplies.  The last time I visited a Target, I purchased this unfinished wood heart for $3.

More Projects with Old Sign Stencils from Funky Junk Interiors

Today I'm sharing more projects created with Funky Junk Interior's Old Sign Stencils.  The Hot Cocoa stencil is available here for purchase.

Homestead Blend Coffee is also available for sale.

Thrift Shop Christmas Makeover: Framed Stenciled Snowflakes

I purchased these 3 square frames from the thrift shop yesterday for $1.50.  I cut off the white ribbon and painted the frames with Decoart Chalky Finish Paint in Lace.

Two Rustic Farmhouse Projects

I have a fun old black and white wash day photo of my ancestors.  The photo hangs in my laundry room.  I thought it would make a great photo transfer project.

Garden Junk Mod Podge Image Transfer On Galvanized Metal

My sister in law, Kris, has applied Mod Podge image transfers to outdoor galvanized metal garden containers.

One of her old watering cans has a fun saying in a very quirky font. She got the idea from Pinterest.

Packing Tape Image Transfer on a Thrift Shop Jar

I purchased this jar recently at the thrift shop for $6.  It is about 10 1/2" tall, has a metal cover, and appears to be vintage.  

Easy Rustic Snowflake Ornaments

I found inspiration in this snowflake ornament on barn wood created by Susan from the Homeroad blog.  The contrast of the hand cut white paper snowflake on the weathered wood was perfect for a Christmas ornament.

My version of Susan's barn wood snowflake ornament begins with Mason jar snowflake inserts that I purchased at Ben Franklin crafts for $4.49.

Decorating For Christmas With Stuff Around The House

Using items around your house as Christmas decor is both fun and inexpensive!

 Today I used this wooden spool, 

And these small, wooden thread spools to make a cute little rustic, Christmas vignette.

Cheap Felt Ornament Upcycle

While browsing through Christmas decor at Menard's last week, I spotted these red felt clothespin moose ornaments for $2.99.

Miniature Pulley Re-Purposed Christmas Tree Ornament

 I found the cutest little pulley today at the consignment shop for $2.  

 I purchased it because I got an inspiration for a re-purposed Christmas tree ornament, and the price was right.

I remembered that I had purchased this spool of music note ribbon at Jo Ann Fabrics last Christmas season but never used it.  I had planned to wrap some wooden thread spools, I think.

Framed Postage Stamp & Button Christmas Trees

Yes, I am crafting for Christmas in September!

This framed button Christmas tree was one of my most popular Christmas crafts of 2012.

My latest framed Christmas trees feature both old postage stamps and buttons.  

Here I am soaking old cancelled stamps off  envelopes with a bowl of water.  I then dried them on paper towel.  These stamps are fairly old  (probably 50's and 60's) but not valuable.  

Barn Wood & Barbed Wire Flag Tutorial

It's hard to be a junker/repurposer when you have very limited storage space.  See the pile of barn wood to the left of the white ironing board.  That is a some scrap wood given to me by a good friend that makes signs.  Since the 4th of July is only two weeks away, I decided to make a rustic flag with some of it.

First Time at Hobby Lobby, Spring Snow Storm, Moss Topiary, & a New Vignette

Since my youngest daughter had a coaching seminar to attend in Duluth, Minnesota, over the weekend, I tagged along for some shopping.  What started out as a three hour drive, ended up taking almost seven hours after receiving a foot of new snow and very limited snowplowing.  Snow predictions were from 3-6 inches, and the seminar was going on as planned.  Luckily, road conditions improved at about 2/3 of the way to Duluth, and the roads home the very next day were fair (all plowed but snow covered and icy in spots).

While the long road trip cut down on our shopping, I had extra shopping time while my daughter was in class.  Duluth has a fairly new Hobby Lobby, and I spent over 2 1/2 hours scouring all of the aisles.  I had never ever been to any Hobby Lobby before, and I have to say I loved it.  I also hit Michael's, Walmart and Target.  Can you believe I have to travel 100 miles to get to a Target or Walmart, and 165 for Michael's and Hobby Lobby?  I was tempted to buy lots more, especially in the home decor section, but then I'd have to change my blog from a vintage, re-purposing blog to a slew of cool Hobby Lobby vignettes blog!

It's really hard to anticipate what craft supplies that I may need for future projects, but I picked up a few items that are not readily available here.  I purchased ten of these 5" x 6" thin wooden rectangles for a project that I will be sharing soon.  They were $1.29 each.

My First Mod Podge Image Transfer onto a Clipboard

I picked up these two vintage clipboards for $1 each thrifting last month.  I liked the old clips but I hated the faux marble laminates.  The backs have the familiar brown masonite.

A Faux Grain Sack Painted Frame

Grain sacks and faux grain sack stripes are very popular on Pinterest and in blogland.   I decided to give painted stripes a try.

Here, Susan at Homeroad painted this laminate top table and gave it fun grain sack stripes.  She now uses it as a folding table in her laundry room!

Button Easter Eggs

I have a large stash of old buttons, mostly from my mother.

A couple of years ago, I was inspired by photos on Pinterest to make some button Easter eggs.  (Parts of this post first appeared appeared March 11, 2012).

I initially planned to try a framed button egg. 

Holiday Decorating 2013 Recap Part 2: Fall, Halloween, Christmas

I had a busy fall and early winter crafting, re-purposing, and decorating for fall, Halloween and Christmas crafts in 2013.

Let's recap:

Cake Pan Junk Pumpkins

Holiday Decorating 2013 Recap Part 1: Valentine's Day - 4th of July

I think I hit most of the holidays with either decorating or crafting or both!   Here is a quick recap of the first half of 2013:

Valentine's Day

A Valentine's Day Mantel