Bijou Box - 5th Edition

This one was the most expensive of my thrifty box finds.

Here is the $4 find before:

Behind one of the drawers I found a newspaper clipping with a birth announcement from the same hospital where hubby was born. Judging by the lining, I'm guessing it's probably from his era too.

I also found this surprise inside!

The melody is just like a music toy camera I had when I was little (I still have it).

Now in Antique White.

I loved the little handles! Especially that I didn't even have to paint them!

It was hard to decide on what paper to use.

This was the winner!

Fifth Box done!

Would you believe there's a 6th Edition in the works?!

As I said before, I have issues...

Twin Bijou Box

Several months ago, I thrifted another jewelry box just like the one I made-over for Oldest Daughter. For a look back, click here . I've made them matching clothes in the past, they have the same style of dressers and desks that I refinished a couple of years ago, so it was only fitting that Littlest Girl have a jewelry box too!

Here it is before surgery:

This is it now:

My work here is done!

Until the next box! (Which is in the works . . . so stayed tuned! I know, I have OCD issues with the wierdest things.)

T is for Turtle

Years and years ago, my mom got this A-Z Betty Crocker Cook Book for kids.  I was thinking about T- for Turtle Bread, and remember making it when I was a kid myself. I wanted to bake some homemade rolls for dinner, but decided it was going to take too long. This bread is super quick to make and I thought my kids would get a kick out of it!

I had the recipe in my recipe box, but here's the online link : Turtle Bread.

No actual turtles were used or harmed during the baking of this bread.

It was tail, for Littlest Girl, and head for Youngest Boy!

It almost seemed wrong to cut it! Almost . . . cause  we ate it all up!

Doodle Pillow

I decided I needed to work on a quick, yet relaxing craft project. About a year or so ago I attempted the art of free motion quilting. It turns out it's much like doodling on paper, but using fabric and thread as the medium. So, to break up the monotony of everyday cleaning, and other art forms of my typical stay at home canvas, I doodled up a little throw pillow.

I chose this pretty spring floral, with the perfect tranquil blue backround. It was hanging out in my stash since last summer. One of those clearance $2 per yard deal I couldn't pass up! Teamed up with some left-over quilting cotton/poly fill, and part of a vintage sheet, I was ready to doodle.

A few minutes later...

                                Quick project indeed!

 Besides, it's great practice for the bigger size quilt project I intend to sew in the not so distant future!

Spring Satchel

While doing some much needed spring cleaning in our closet, I came accross one of hubby's carpenter pants.

 They had already had their second life as "hard manual labor attire",  and had also been used while painting the house (evidence found throughout the front side). They could definitely not be worn anymore. At least,  not in public. Still, being the bit thrifty person I can be, I could not bring myself to throw them in the trash. Could I give this old pair a third life?

Introducing: The Spring Satchel from the Carpenter Pants Collection! 

I used part of the pant leg for the front. 

Notice the side seam. I had this pretty black fabric, and added some to the front.

Part of the back side. . . well, for the back. 

The strap was constructed from the other pant leg. The hardest part was finding a piece without paint splatters on it!

Made a  little belt to accessorize . . .

                     
and back in the closet it goes!

Talk about recycling!

Easter Treats

Here are some thrifty Easter Treats:

$1 Easter topiary. It was missing the moss. I found some at Hobby Lobby for 50 % off.

While at Hobby Lobby, I found these little bunnies...

and this cute little bird

The saucer, and "upside down bowl" were 50 cents a piece at the thrift store.

More Spring saucers with the pretty little cup,

and this little bird,

more thrifty finds.

And last, but not least I wanted to make these since last year . . .

Some fabric covered plastic eggs. I can't take credit for this idea though.

Click here for the tutorial. Super quick project!

Enjoy Easter!

April Fool's Spring

Every morning, while littlest girl is eating breakfast, she likes to watch the birds from the kitchen bay window. I have to say that there's something relaxing about watching these little creatures that come around in the Spring and early Summer mornings to partake of the little crab apples. Although there's something definitely wrong with these pictures: 

What's wrong, you ask?

SNOW.

It's a bit mind numbing watching these feathered friends.

I may have to take up a new hobby. Bird-watching, perhaps?!

 And as for the SNOW. . . Go home already!