Showing posts with label Seasonal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seasonal. Show all posts

Saturday, August 16, 2025

Sunflower Wreath

This is my sunflower wreath that came about because I needed something for the front door!
I had a few grapevine wreaths that I had formed after I cut my grapes back after harvest.
The sign was something I made last year. 



The sign was just a few colors of paint dry brushed onto wood. I speckled the wood the give it something else, something more. Then I used paper napkins to add the sunflowers. 
The napkins are printed with very artsy watercolor sunflowers. 
Grab a piece of tape and  attach it to the unprinted side of the napkin. This will help grab the layer of napkin underneath so you can peel it from the top layer. To decoupage this to the sign I want just the one layer of napkin.


I cut the flowers out of the napkin using a paint brush and water. The paint brush is dipped into water and then used to outline the area of paper napkin . It becomes easy to pull apart the outlined area.




 The paper napkin can then be glued to the sign using Mod Podge. After that I used some watery paint to add some outline and some shadowing here and there. In the end, I gave the sign a spray of clear coat to protect it from the elements.

With love and gratitude

Michele


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Thursday, April 24, 2025

Beach Goddess-Layers of Design



Hi Friends. I'm enjoying the garden again this year and wanted to share my beach goddess. Here's a few evening pics of my beach goddess planter. It's funny sometimes, how things work out when you are creating. It's a reminder for me that layers really are an important part of the design work. Most of us know this innately, but for me, it's an observation, a lesson , a reminder, of how a few minutes of play can make it all come together with layers. When I'm creating, I often say, 'It's missing something" "It's not right" but I never actually think ,"I need some layering." But that's what's needed in those moments. I hope to think more along the lines of mindfully layering next time rather than intuitively layering. I suspect thinking in layers could make the process easier sometimes.


My girl sits upon an upcycled Grecian scrollwork topper. The topper was from a concrete pedestal plant stand that was recently damaged after years of outdoor life.  As an upcycler, I couldn't throw the top pedestal piece away. So, I looked around and tried this out. And now the topper has a new life as a riser. The garden planter was purchased last year at Lowe's and she gets different florals planted in her hair throughout the year. I love seeing her by my front door with her strands of Spanish Moss cascading down. Her oyster shell flower was the finishing touch.  Everything I needed to complete her look was within reach and she came together masterfully.  I think the layers of the metal backdrop, (roadside find), the hand carved wooden lion, (yard sale purchase), the height from the pedestal and the addition of my diy oyster shell flower, all work well together.  








With love and gratitude

Michele


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Thursday, January 2, 2025

What I learned in 2024

In most of 2024, I was 56 years old. It's astounding to know how much I didn't know about the world and life.
For fun I'll share a few things that were remarkable insights and on a few, I'll even comment.


At the end, I'll be looking for you to leave a comment because clearly there's so much more to learn. Share something you learned in 2024.

1. Wrinkle parchment paper to make it lay flat. You know if you pull parchment paper from the roll and lay it out it rolls back up onto itself. No more my friends! Just wrinkle it up in your hand and lay it back out. ahhh And I learned to source a non toxic version that is compostable. Sold on Amazon and Whole Foods.



2. Chemical Trails- Supposedly a conspiracy theory however, Tennessee has banned the practice.

3. Weather Modification/Cloud Seeding-Apparently, this is done on a regular basis in Dubai. The state of Florida has just banned it. Rumor has it that this has been going on since the 60's.

4. Breast milk can be used to make face cream and baby ointment. Yes I said it!

5. Urine can be used to create home gardening fertilizer. I didn't say I did it or tried it but hey, maybe one day. Check in at the end of 2025.

6. Baking powder contains aluminum. I'm not sure how I discovered this but we know aluminum is not good for our brain. Back off dimentia.  So I found Bob's Red Mill makes a version. Look at what the package says. What the heck?



7. That my heart could grow even bigger.  Having two new baby grandson's this year will level a woman. There is so much love , I'm blessed to feel this, know it and give it back. 


8. The reason my 14 lb dog gets crazy loud, scratches the door like a beast and jumps out into the air in attack mode, when we take out the garbage. We realized that she picks up the scent of the bear that stops by to eat our garbage every once in awhile. She's a fierce protector. Violet is a sassy little pup.




9. Goldenrod flower tea helps with allergies. I'm all about the natural remedies so I'm here to tell you it worked. Goldenrod grows wild in the fall and can be found along the roadways. I harvested some locally and dried it. It actually tastes ok. I steeped about 2 tbl to make a tea.

10. Moringa, "The Tree of Life",  is a super, superfood. After finding this info, I planted a tree and have harvested 2 x . I dried it and made a powder. It's great for inflammation! And hello, 8 oz of it retails for $17.50 in my store. I do a shot of moringa, turmeric and ginger every morning.
“Moringa leaves are one of the most nutrient-dense greens on the planet, packed with protein, essential amino acids, 27 vitamins and 46 antioxidants,” says Lisa Curtis, Founder and CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods. That includes key nutrients like calciumiron, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and vitamin C. Overall, "moringa is rich in macro- and micronutrients and other bioactive compounds"which are important for the normal functioning of the body and prevention of many diseases," according to research. From Good Housekeeping https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/a40758441/moringa-health-benefits/#benefits-of-moringa 

11. Plant Swaps, Stands and Libraries- In my area of Gulf Breeze, FL, there are many plant stands where people come and drop off plants, seedlings, cuttings for rooting, rooted cuttings, seeds, planters, soil etc. It's a local swap. I was able to grow my garden, exponentially. I swapped my divisions and seedlings for banana trees, bleeding heart, peppers, tomatoes, lavender and so much more. Be sure and look on Facebook groups for a local plant swap, stand or library in your area.








What did you learn in 2024?



With love and gratitude

Michele


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Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Lego Ornaments









This year has brought us two baby grandsons and being a creator I've been thinking of something to make for their Christmas ornaments, the "Baby's 1st Christmas " ornaments. 
Meanwhile , I'm sitting on a stash of glass ornaments that might be a source of inspiration. 
Lots of people stuff various things inside glass ornaments to create an attractive ornament. But what could I stuff inside these to create a baby look? Or a babyish look? Sprinkles? Rattles? Nah, I was not feeling it. And then I remembered I had a stash of Legos. So there you have it.  Lego ornaments personalized with my Cricut.

These are not the 1st Christmas ornaments but definitely a perfect  ornament for personalizing.

Look how cute. 
Oh, and the 3rd ornament is for an adult that loves Legos too.







 To give it a little personality, I hot glued a red ribbon to the top.


With love and gratitude
Michele


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Friday, October 11, 2024

Upcycled Quilted Shams


I'm so behind the upcycled quilt trend. I started with making coasters in the shape of hearts and flowers. 
These quilts are so pretty that I decided, why not dish towels.



I just create a template of a shape I like, in this case ,a Christmas Tree. Trace and cut from an old quilt. If you like you can also, run stitches to outline the shape. I also like a shabby, shaggy edge so I try to fray as much as possible. Wash and dry and watch that fray.


For these trees, I decided to use "Jewel it", to adhere to the fabric. It works so well and holds up through washing.














And this is Violet, always nearby looking to consult.


So cute.


With love and gratitude

Michele



Find me partying here all week, at these link parties, with some great bloggers.

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