Happy Holidays Christmas Time at LilacsNDreams

Happy Holidays Christmas Time at LilacsNDreams

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! I hope everyone had a great week with Thanksgiving celebrations, and a great weekend with Black Friday. Hope Cyber Monday is going great for everyone too! Watching some of the news this past week, and it was showing that people were doing more shopping physically in the stores compared to online. Interesting, and I actually was happy to hear it too.

I have been busy with up and down stairs to the basement, or even upstairs. I have Christmas items in both locations, and trying to locate some things to decorate inside the home. Then, taking empty containers back to their spots again till Christmas is over. I hope to go outside one of these next couple of nights to get some pictures to show what is done for this year. Our big bay window is the main attraction that was really decorated. Inside, and outside are very simple, but very nicely lit too.

With all of the holiday festivities I have really been wanting to craft some pieces for decorating in the house. Add a few touches here, and there with the decor. At the same time I have spent much time looking through the internet, and soooo enjoying all the DIY handmade repurposed items being shared by other crafters. Gives me some great ideas too! I find myself going through the inventory I have in my mind, and putting some things together in my mind. Kind of making my own plans for things. 

I would recommend to many of you if you are wanting some ideas, or are looking for some inspiration to browse through Pinterest. Many people share things there, and there is a lot of great things to see there too. I love looking through there myself because of all of the variety of things being shared by so many crafters. Get some ideas for completed projects, instructions of how to do some projects created, supplies shown that are used, and so on. Just a lot to see, enjoy, and to learn from.

So, gonna keep this one a little shorter this time. I wanted to come by, and say Hi to everyone. Hope everyone was able to enjoy Thanksgiving with Family, Friends, neighbors, and had some where you could be. Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams today everyone. Have a great week, and hope to see you again soon. Take care!

 

DIY Handmade Repurposed Christmas Home Decor

DIY Handmade Repurposed Christmas Home Decor

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! It’s Thanksgiving week, and I would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! This year it’s not really feeling like Thanksgiving in this home, or in our area. It’s sad really. As many seen before Halloween was here there were many things for Christmas being shown, and displayed.

I belong to many different groups on Facebook for Dollar Tree, Handmade Crafting, Hobby Lobby Fanatics, and things like that. Within many of the groups everyone has been showing their completed projects regarding Christmas decor. Many of the reels you see are showing many different video projects being done in regards to Christmas decor too. I so love Christmas, and I am truly enjoying a lot of things being shared for crafting with the holiday too. I spend so much time looking at all the pictures, and videos that I maybe could get some of my own done if I would get to work on things. I have ideas, putting pieces together in my mind with the inventory I have, and that’s all the further it gets. It’s fun, I enjoy creating in my mind too, but I really should be physically putting things together too. 

I have downloaded a lot of pictures I want to share with you showing some DIY Handmade Repurposed Christmas decor. Please Note…that these are NOT my pictures, they are not my projects, but they come from other fellow crafters who have shared their projects on many different Facebook groups. So many beautiful ideas, and different ways everyone has done some of the same ideas too. 

Beware, there are a lot of pictures. I apologize if I duplicated any pictures. I tried to show a variety of things being done, and different ways that maybe the same item was being done too. So many great crafters with some great ideas, and techniques. Many of the pieces used were from Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Hobby Lobby, found thrifting, some things came from their own homes/families that were repurposed and upcycled into something new. Pool noodles, plates, bowls, cups, ornaments, circular rings, trees, flowers, vintage collectibles, picture frames, and so much more! Lots of talented people sharing their things within Facebook groups, blogs, websites, etc. So, have a look and enjoy!

These stars were all made using pop cycle sticks. I have seen people use the Jenna blocks from Dollar Tree too.

Using the 3 stack of white pumpkins, hat made using a tin can, and with lights used this turned out great!

Using a vintage pan, and different ornaments and embellishments

This is a neat technique using cups, saucers, plates, a bent spoon or fork, maybe a bent wire of some sort, and all the little figurines. Popular has been using ornaments to make this similar design too.

Popular wired ring, some fairy lights, ornaments, trees, snowman figurine, and so on

Here nut crackers were used to make this carousel along with trees, some crystal like stones gems, fairy lights, plates/mirrors, and so on

It’s noted above picture items they used to make these. Wow! Who would have guessed, right?

Here are some candle stick holders with the christmas bulb lights, and different embellishments used

Love these ladders made from popsicle sticks, gingerbread people, and other embellishments 

Rings used here, attached to some of the rectangular plates it looks like. Fairy lights used, Santa, acrylic reindeer, and other ornaments to decorate

Popular ring used here, flicker tea candle, and this is pretty with the ornaments displayed with other embellishments they used too

Another beautiful center piece done with the metal ring, fairy lights, deer, trees, ornaments, icicles, greenery, and so on

This center piece was nicely displayed with the deer, ornaments, bow ribbon, trees, and so on

Mini album that shows the use of picture boxes and picture frames that were nicely decorated

Here a wreath was used to make a center piece with painted pinecones, and different embellishments

So simple and elegant and beautiful. Nice change from some of the others that were created

You will see this popular christmas carousel done in different ways with some having the bottom devise for it to turn around too

This is a simple display that is adorably cute too

I like how these were done with the Dollar Tree boxes, painted, and put together making a train

These are done with different glass bowls, cup with handles for center of the body, and I have seen some done with the tooth pick holders for top hats. Different candle holders have been used too

This one was done just a little different with using the little picket fencing and made steps which does add a little character to it as well

These 2 items have both been done with wooden plagues….or a rectangular dollar tree plate could be used too. Using cotton balls, styrofoam balls, or whatever your imagination desires to make the snowmen. You can see different simple embellishments used to decorate with too

I adore the picture frames being decorated like this. So simple, and so cute too!

Here are snowmen made using different glass bowls for the bodies. Couple of them used vintage toothpick holders for the top hats. You can see other lids and such were used making the hats too. LOVE the creativity with these as well!

Both of these pictures used the rectangular plate from Dollar Tree in gold. Nice arrangement was done with ornaments, the flicker candle, and so on

Here is another carousel done differently

Gorgeously done with blue, silver, fairy lights, different ornaments, etc.

This is something uniquely done with the Merry Christmas Santa boot ornaments as the base with a plate attached to the top of them. Making a plate stand. So festive, don’t you think?

Plate, deer, trees, and different items used to decorate, and make this arrangement. Notice the light posts which are made from candle holders, glass jars, and lids. 

These have also been popular to make using Dollar Tree bottles that are colored glass with the stoppers. The wings are ornaments used from Dollar Tree. You’ll also see sometimes ribbon, butterfly wings, and such are used to make angel wings too

Lots of pictures, lots of ideas, and this is just some of them. There is so much out there to see, and visualize in the crafting world. If you’re like me, it’s easy to get lost looking at all of it. Before you know it the day is gone, and sometimes it’s still hard to pull away from looking.

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Hope you enjoyed the DIY Handmade Christmas decor shared today. Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Enjoy all you do, and be safe! See you again soon!

 

Scam Alerts Beware By LilacsNDreams Google Internet

 

Scam Alerts Beware By LilacsNDreams Google Internet

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Unfortunately, it’s that time of year, seasons change, holidays, and the scams seem to come out of the wood work a little more. I had 2 attempts within the past 1 1/2 weeks. Just horrid!! Please be aware, and take your time doing anything with purchasing and offers made to you.

My first incident happened when a woman contacted me about an item I had shown with my blog on Facebook. She asked if still available, showed a picture, and then I confirmed with her which items, and their availability’s. Things moving along, corresponding, gives me an address to calculate shipping cost, and so on. She then asked if I take Venmo, or Zelle. I confirmed Venmo, and gave her total with shipping to send. She notifies me it was sent, and have I gotten notice. I check Venmo, didn’t see anything for money sent, money pending, or anything. I then check for an email, and there was something from Venmo. Customer is contacting me also. Did I read it, did I understand it, etc. Had to deal with not having a business account, and receiving money from business to personal. I was being asked to send $300 to the customer, send proof to Venmo money was sent, and then I would get the $300 back along with the $32 for a total of $332. Could she trust me to send the $300, and I would send it back? After going through some things the money was actually sent through PayPal. Copy of transaction sent. Then…I get a notice from Venmo copy received, dealing with business account that I was going to need to send $400 for a certificate verification. I would then receive $732 total. Course I have a customer pushing me a little more because she’s out all this money till I pay it all back. Yes! I was very nervous, very worried, and all of a sudden feeling sick to my stomach. So, in between correspondence with the customer I started to google this kind of issue, and I was also sending copies of the emails to Venmo explaining what had happened. 

I found incidents on Google and Reddit with stories matching very close to what I was dealing with. At the end of all of it they had said how you have no fees, or deposits you will pay with Venmo,, Zelle, PayPal, and different payment platforms used. So, I am finally responding to an excited customer being a little pushy about paying. I told her I did not have that kind of money. I had researched this issue, and I was seeing reports of it being a scam. Course, she wanted to know who was saying something like that. She proceeded about me paying, and during all of this reminding me she is a Christian woman, she quoted a passage, and I am being accused of stealing from her. I told her that actually I was the only one with verification money was issued, I was stolen from, wanted my money back, and then sent her copies of things from the internet search, and copies fromVenmo response that the emails were not theirs, were fake, and told her she was scamming me, and I wanted my money back. She blocked me at Messenger, and I lost all contact with her. I did report all the information I had about her with names, emails, address, and so on with Venmo and PayPal.

Unfortunately, a week later I had another inquiry about a sale, availability, shipping cost with their address, and so on. Things all said, and done he asked for my PayPal information to send me money. He told me he sent it, to watch PayPal, and let me know when it was received. Few hours later…because I had appointments all morning…I contacted him about no notice received for money. He responded asking if I got the notice from PayPal regarding the business account, and it looked like there was a fee in order for me to receive all of the money with what he was being charged, and the deposit I would pay. Could I be trusted that he pays the fee, and I would reimburse him that cost. I responded with LOL!!! You are a scam, and that you should make your money honestly instead of stealing from those who work for a living. Darn!! He blocked me right away with messenger too.

After all of this, me putting notices out on Facebook about this particular scam, I came across a question from someone in 1 of the groups I follow. She was not sure, something didn’t seem right, she was questioning things, and wanted to know if anyone else thought maybe she was being scammed. Almost same issues as what I dealt with. Yes, I shared things with her and for others to also see what was happening. Scammers have been busy because quite a few others had stories to share of attempts they had dealt with themselves, or a few of them losing money.

So, again I am sharing what I know, and reminding others that it’s bad with the holidays approaching for us. Please, be aware of things, watch what you do, if you are uncomfortable…question it. Follow your instincts, and check things before you give any money. There is no harm in doing that, and people should not get upset about it. Well, if they are being questioned, or caught with their scam I’m sure they will get a little moody, and get upset. To bad for them. Better to be safe than sorry. We work for our money, and stealing money from others is a horrible way to make money. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! I hope I could help you a little with being a little more careful during this time. Take care everyone, and be safe! 

DIY Top Hat Center Piece Candy Cookie Containers

 DIY Top Hat Center Piece Candy Cookie Containers

Hi! welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you dropping by! Ok, we got through Halloween. Next we have Thanksgiving, and then onto Christmas. Shoot Christmas things were coming out, and quite a bit was out before we even got through Halloween. I Love Christmas time! My favorite time of year to decorate, craft home decor and gifts, and just have fun too!

I have items on hand to make what I am about to share with you. A DIY Christmas Top Hat Center Piece Cookie Candy Container. The 2 major pieces you will grab right away is a plastic container from DT. Their seasonal ones that come with a lid, and can be used for many goodies, storage, and so on. Another thing to use that is popular is one of the charger plates from Dollar Tree. You can also consider a plastic plate from there too. Actually, if you find similar pieces being used from other places, while thrifting, etc make sure you grab them there. With these you can make big, you can make small, make little ornaments, and so on. 

Once you have the 2 major pieces then you will want to consider the color of hat you want. Grab spray paint for that. Also, think of embellishments you wish to use too. Ribbon for the band, for the bow, if you want some greenery, some berries, maybe some snow flakes, cardinals, birds, and so many things you can do to make it yours.

First you will lightly sand your plastic container, and lid. Helps with painting it. You can then mod podge, and paint, or just paint it by itself too. If you want the plate….which will be the hat bottom, the rim…same color as the top hat part you will paint this too. If you were able to get a black plate, or even a red one you might not have to paint the plate. Remember, it’s yours so you do as you wish. Do not paint the inside of the plastic bowl because you might want to put cookies, candies, or some kind of snack in there. This could be for at home, sitting as a center piece with a floral decoration maybe, or they are great given as gifts too. Once everything has fully dried apply the bowl to the plate, and then you can apply the embellishments you wish to use. There is so many things you can do to make it your own, or maybe a fun gift for someone too. 

I was thinking of it today, after looking at a picture, what if I didn’t paint the plastic bowl. What if I just left it like it is, find a plate to match color of the lid, or maybe paint a plate to match the lid. Put some ribbon around it, and some embellishments of sorts to fit the theme of the bowl, and just make it like that. Think it would look good? Anything is possible, right?

These are the plastic bowls from Dollar Tree. Gives you an idea of things to use. Old coffee cans could be used as well, maybe some other bowl you found, some kind of container, or whatever you might find to craft with.

Bowl and Plate chosen, and how the finished product is once they have done what they wanted to do, Many don't paint the inside of the bowl, and will put some kind of liner or parchment paper in it to then set the snacks chosen to be in it. Remember, you could always consider some kind of floral or woodsy like arrangement in it too.

This is an idea of some things being used towards how this one will be made.

Black if very popular. Here is a finished product.

Another DIY Top Hat done in black.

This top hat was done a little different, a metal container was used, and they chose the color red for this hat.

When attaching the plates you can sit them upright, or they can be flipped over too. Depends on what look you would like with the rim for the hat.

Here it is in black again, the more popular color. 

I’m happy to have you dropping by, and I hope you enjoyed this idea for a craft. Something to do for you, gift giving, maybe having some little craft party, and so on. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Stop by anytime, and hope to see you again.