Springing to Easter

With the temperature in the mid 50s today and the melting of the snow, I cannot wait for Spring! And with Easter just around the corner, I wanted something colorful for our front door.

I gathered different Easter and Spring related craft items this morning, not knowing what I was going to make. After exploring a few different ideas, I finally came up with eggs in the basket.

By replacing the ribbon hangers on the glittered Easter eggs with bamboo skewers, and adding paper grass to the inside of the basket, it was easy to arrange the eggs. The hanger is made from vintage ribbon I had for some time, never knowing what to use it for – I think it is perfect for this Easter arrangement!

Displaying Vintage Glass Christmas Ornaments

Whenever I see old glass ornaments, I have to snatch them up. My collection has expanded over the past few years and I am always trying to come up with fun and unique ways to display them.

Using apothecary jars, wire baskets, colanders, wood bowls, tiered serving stands, cloches and old worn tool boxes create unique holiday displays.

Vintage Buttons

I just acquired these wonderful vintage buttons from a friend at work. He came across them and thought of me. That was so nice of him!

The variety is spectacular and I used some of the buttons to make button key rings (will be listing on Etsy very soon). The remaining buttons are currently in a vintage mason jar – waiting to be used for my next craft project.

How to Make Vintage Spool Jewel Ornaments

Step-by-step tutorial of the original spool jewel ornament as featured in the 2011 Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Crafts magazine.

If you are kind enough to share the tutorial on your blog or ezine, please feel free to do so. I only ask you include a link back to this post, and provide credit to “Cat Tales of Saratoga” (please do not use any nondescript anchor text, ie: “click here”, “source” or “via”). Please contact me for all other enquiries. 

All images are property and courtesy of Cat Tales of Saratoga.

Vintage Spool Jewel Ornaments

Materials:

• Vintage thread spools – approx 1 1/4-inch in height

• Mother of pearl self-shank buttons – approx 7/16–11/16-inch diameter (shank cannot be larger than whole in spool)

• Vintage sheet music

• 20-gauge crafts wire, 18-inch length

• Pearl beads – 1/4-inch diameter

• Pearl beads – 7/16-inch diameter

• Crafts glue

• German glass glitter

• Hot-glue gun and glue sticks

• Paper trimmer

• Needle-nose pliers

• Toothpicks

Preparation:

Remove all thread from spools and buttons, and wipe clean.

Wrap Sheet Music Around Spool:

Using a paper trimmer, cut sheet music into 4-inch strips. Height will vary depending on size of spool. Wrap the strip around spool clockwise, leaving the music clefs visible. Place a thin strip of crafts glue on backside, 1/8-inch from short end and spread to outer edge with toothpick. Press firmly, smooth paper and blot any excess glue.

Add Wire Hanger:

Cut a 6-inch length of wire. Run wire through shank of button, leaving 1/2 inch on one side of shank. Bend both ends upwards, leaving the short side slightly angled allowing it to fit tightly when placed through spool.

Feed long end of wire through the bottom of spool. Before pushing short wire end into spool, add a bit of hot glue to button shank and snap in place.

Add Pearl Beads:

Thread large pearl bead, then small pearl bead onto long stem of wire. Holding beads firmly against the top of spool, bend wire at a 90-degree angle. Firmly press wire around a round form, approx. 1/8-inch diameter (a neck of a bottle works perfectly) to create circular hanger. To finish, bend tip inwards using needle-nose pliers.

Glitter:
Run a bead of crafts glue along bottom edge of spool and sprinkle with glitter. Let dry and repeat for top. Place ornament, button side down, on a flat surface while drying. This will allow the glitter to dry evenly. 

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Different variation with swirly hangers and rusty jingle bells :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Our Cat Likes To Lay Around

Through the years, one of our cats, Paddywack, has found many objects to lay around in. It's amazing how she can conform to the different shapes. She is so loving to my husband and me, however she gets nervous around other humans. When she sees someone new, it's like her eyes pop out like those in the old Bugs Bunny cartoons.

Here's another image...

Have a Prim Christmas This Holiday

Decorate with Santa, snowmen and everything in between! Below are a few holiday treats that I have created over the years.

As mentioned in a previous post, my vintage mason jar inventory is massive, I'm always thinking of new uses for mason jars. During the holidays, place an old-style Santa figurine inside and add mica flakes in a jar (half-gallon works best), or add cute little ornaments to zinc lids, and even adorn with vintage ribbon and jewelry.

Salvage old kitchen tools and create wonderful holiday decorations. Glitter vintage graters and turn into candle holders (to keep metal from getting hot, use battery operated tea-lights). Add an electric candelabra, gingerbread man ornament, cinnamon sticks, greenery and cookie cutters to a worn flour sifter and create a magical lamp.

Happy creating and decorating.

Featured in the Better Homes and Garden Holiday Crafts Magazine

I am so excited to share with you my vintage spool ornaments as featured in the 2011 Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Crafts magazine.

Last December, Better Homes and Gardens discovered my ornaments (vintage spool jewel) in my Etsy shop and asked me to be a part of this year's issue – it was such a thrill to be asked!

The magazine is now available! I went to three different stores looking for the magazine. When I finally found the magazine sitting on the shelf, I was a bit nervous looking through it at first, not knowing what to expect. When I saw the image of the decorated silver tree with my spool ornaments, I did a quick happy dance (hopefully no one was watching).

These were created using vintage finds – including wood thread spools, sheet music, mother of pearl buttons and pearl-like beads from broken necklace strands. If you would like to learn how to make these spool jewels, complete directions are in the magazine (available at any retailer or book store). Many projects from other talented designers are also featured in this wonderful magazine!