Friday, September 21, 2012

Thrifting Junking Repurposing Homemade Creating Weekend

Thrifting Junking Repurposing Homemade Creating Weekend

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! Wow! It is Friday, and it feels good to be here too. You have any big plans for the weekend? Nothing big here. Birthday celebrations with sister, and hopefully time to sleep, sleep, and even a little bit more sleep with the hectic schedules that have been here the past 2 weeks. 

Oh, yeah, I was kind of hoping to get some more pieces put together, and get more new things listed in the shops too. Can't jump ahead too far as my plans don't always work out. Day by day:)

Whatever your plans are for the weekend enjoy them, and have fun! WooHoo! It's Friday, and weekend here we come. Thanks for dropping by everyone to visit with LilacsNDreams, and see you again soon. Take care, and have a fabulous weekend with all you plan. Get in a little bit of shopping with Thrifting, and Junking if you can too. Till the next time. . . . 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Google Shopping Keywords and Selling on Ecrater

Google Shopping Keywords, and Selling on Ecrater is something to consider. 

Hi All, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I have been gone all day again on Wednesday. Busy busy busy. Each time I have a day like this I make sure to still stay up at night to read my emails, read messages to me, check my shops, and of course read what is being shared in all the forums I like to frequent, and roam through. 

Many of us who are sellers have many shops. Some of our shops are all in the same place, some of us use different venues to sell with, and some of us also have websites that we like to sell with as well. Some day I hope to be more active with my website, or maybe just do everything from my blog here too. Anyway, I am getting ahead of myself there a little bit.

One of the shops I have is with Ecrater. I have slowly...and I mean slowly been adding my inventory into this shop. My vintage collectibles, items found when thrifting, and I have also been adding in my items that I repurpose too. Ecrater is free to list, no final value fees, has been around for a while, and they do offer choices of paypal and google wallet as payment services to use too. As some of us, or many of us are aware soon Google Shopping will be completely different for use. In order for our products to show with Google Shopping you will have to pay to be a part of it. I have heard it can get quite spendy too. I have never really worried too much about Google Shopping as I am seen in Google Organic searches, found in yahoo searches, product images show at The Find, and etc. But, let's admit it, the more we can get seen by others, the more exposure, the better chances of sales, right? In the forums at Artfire tonight another seller there who also sells on Ecrater shared something interesting with all of us. TheLivesAndLovesOfMaggieTheCat shared this with us: 
                   "For all who are or are considering opening on eCRATER I just learned that the admin is paying Google for minimum key word bids so our items will still be picked up by Google Shopping. How is that for a totally free site?"

WOW! This is good news, and even more incentive for me to start working harder on those listings I have slowly been adding in there. With this kind of announcement it is time for me to step it up a bit more with the Holiday Shopping fast approaching for us too. 

So, for those who are sellers visiting with LilacsNDreams, and if you use Ecrater I hope you find satisfaction with this announcement as I did myself. I wish you all well, and many happy sales to you too!

Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you again soon. Take care till the next time everyone. Toodle Ooohhh....

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Halloween and DIY Dryer Vent Pumpkins Homemade



Halloween and DIY Dryer Vent Pumpkins Homemade is a fabulous idea!

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! Well, our summer is now gone, and the calender says that on the 22nd of September Autumn begins for us. Still nice weather, but the days are not so hot and humid, and the nights are cooling down as well. School has started, Homecoming events with schools, leaves are changing for the season, and our first holiday that we will soon have upon us is Halloween. 

How far ahead do you prepare for holidays at this time of year? Do you decorate a lot? Maybe you are like me, and like to decorate outside, and inside the home as well. Course the easier the project, the less expensive it is, the more I can make and create with too. Halloween as we know always shows us pumpkins everywhere. Some are used for decorating outside the home, some for inside the home, and just so many things we can do to make these as well. Don't take me wrong, I enjoy using the real pumpkins, and making things. But, I also enjoy crafting to make even a few more things, and sometimes those can also be stored to use for next year Halloween too. Some items can also carry over into the next upcoming season as well such as Autumn, Harvest, Thanksgiving, etc.

Below you will see pictures of some simple pumpkins that were made. These pictures were ones that have been shared on the internet, and if you search a little more sometimes you will find instructions for doing these as well. Something simple, and are adorable when done too. 

Depending how you want yours to be completed will determine how much of what supplies you will need. There is your glitter spray to consider, some spray paint coloring for the pumpkins, cinnamin sticks, cut piece of wood, stick from your own yard, maybe some moss for texture, leaves, vines, and etc. To start these pumpkins you will need some dryer vents. 
Cut these dryer vents to the sizes you wish your pumpkins to be. Once you have that done you just bring the ends together, and glue them making a round circle shape of the pumpkin. Next, get your spray paint out to add the colors that you want. There is the traditional orange, white has become popular, I have seen black pumpkins, and there is no rule to this. Choose what you desire to use with your home.
Once you have them painted you can then add a little bit of glitter if you would like. As for the center stems that is where you can choose to use cinnamin sticks, a cut piece of wood, maybe a stick from your yard, use the empty roll from toilet paper, and just whatever you choose is going to be good. Once you glue that in the center of the pumpkin you can add some filling of moss around it for texture. Maybe you would like to add some leaves, or maybe some kind of leaf vine too. Whatever you choose it will be wonderful. There is no right, or wrong to how you create these adorable simple pieces. Do what works for you, your family and friends, your home decor, and what your creative mood feels at the time too.
Now, I know I seem some dryer vents around here some where. Guess I will have to go digging for some of it, and if I don't find it I shall head to the store. You know you could also consider some of the black vents that are used outside the home too. Just a last minute thought, but also hoping to help you be inspired as well. 

Something simple, something cute, and something fun to do with little work makes for a really fun DIY craft doesn't it? Hope this helps some of you by showing you a little bit, and giving you some ideas to work with as well. Inspiration is everywhere, and I hope you have found some here. 

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you visit again soon. Enjoy, have fun, take care, and have a wonderful day everyone! Toodle Loo............

Monday, September 17, 2012

Reorganzing Your Home With More Ideas to Share

 Reorganzing Your Home With More Ideas to Share

Hello, and Good Day to all of you visiting with LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you here with all of us. I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend. Was very nice here, cooler at night, but gorgeous days yet. I am thankful for that because I am sorry, but I just am not a winter person. Fall I can handle, but that cold stuff.....Well, we don't get along too well. 

So, how many worked in their homes this weekend? Some might have crafted, some painted, some were gluing pieces, little bit of sanding, cutting wood, etc. If not crafting, did anyone get a chance to visit some Thrift Stores, and to go junking? I got 1 think glued, and other pieces are sitting together I have paired with each other, and that is all the further I got. I do plan on organizing more things around here, and am forever looking for other ideas of those who have done so to help inspire me into doing something. 

Below are a few more simple ideas to maybe help us with some of the smaller things. Great ideas, and some are inspiring too.


Here is another idea of how to use a 2 tier cake plate. Course I like it as it is something I enjoy making. This picture helps others see how versatile those pieces really are. Plate Glass Pedestal Stand repurposed.

This is one of them there simple things, and who would have guessed to do this, right? DIY Cable Organizer
This is a before..which we all can relate too. Then, here is the after. It was all organized with using binder clips. How neat is that? Another small thing from the office that can be used. Binder Clip Organization

This is a simple inexpensive thing to use. Actually my sister uses this, and it has done wonders for her in saving room, and knowing where some things are too. Pantry/Door Organizer  Many uses for this with snacks, packet seasonings, etc. Also, cut this down smaller to size to fit inside the cabinet doors as well. Neat, huh?

I always like that kind of rustic look with some things, and this idea is one of those times too. This is a wine bottle holder that is being used as a wrapped towel holder. How many times a towel is forgotten, and how things get messy getting out from shower to get one. If one of these was hanging by the shower, or near by anyway, would this not be a saver for all of us? Towel Holder  This came from another blogger at itsrusticliving.blogspot.com

Well, here you have it. A few more ideas of how to organize, and make things a little bit more simpler for you too. Hope you enjoyed this, and it was helpful to you as well. I know I got a few more ideas from this myself:) 

Hey, thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams. Always a pleasure to have you here, and hope to see you again soon.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Weekend is Here Finally, Hope You All Enjoy it


The Weekend is Here Finally, and I Hope You All Enjoy it!

It's the Weekend!! Hi everyone, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams today. Ok, I am not completely dressed like that as pictured, but I am sure lounging right now. To make a long story very short, yesterday was one heck of a day! Bank, unauthorized charges on account, and then to deal with the dealership after spending over an hour at the bank. At the dealership I requested a manager, someone in charge, and things went good there too. Just ALL took time. 

So, today for a while is lounging time. I hope all of you have had a wonderful week, and I wish a very good weekend upon you too. Sometimes we need a weekend where we do nothing, and just sit around. I hope some of you are able to do this, and enjoy it too.  Hey, if you get some thrifting in, little bit of junking, or some crafting done that is relaxation too!

Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams everyone. Enjoy your weekend, have fun, and be safe. Take care, and see you all again on Monday:)


Thursday, September 13, 2012

Organize It Create It Lets Get Organized Everyone


Organize It, Create It, and Lets Get Organized Everyone!

Hi there, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Organizing, Getting Organized, Organizing small areas, creating things, and etc is something all of us are always working on. There is soooo many things out there to do, ideas being shared, and it's amazing all the creativity being used with what we have at home, or how cheaply it can be done too. 

Whether it is at home, from a Thrift Store, something you found on clearance with a retail store, or just any sale with any store you can use some of the smallest, and simplest things you wouldn't imagine until seeing it done by someone else. Often as what happens with me not just what someone else has done, but maybe it helps you think of something too. We all have some kind of creativity within us, and once we see it we also realize how cost efficient that it can be too. Below are some pictures I have found when roaming the internet. Sometimes with Pinterest, maybe a blog, a website, or just someone sharing what they have done. Also, keep in mind that some people also do this, and share it with different market places available for us to purchase too. 


The bathroom, the tub, the shower is always a place it would be nice to have some extra organization with. Sometimes the shower caddy is not enough to hold what we want, or we need something bigger to hold things too. Why not add another shower rod on the opposite of your shower curtains, or doors? Pretty nifty idea, huh? This was found at Pinterest.com with no link back to where it came from.

Repurpose a Cup Mug Holder by transforming it into maybe a scissor holder for your craft area, those who do scrapbooking, and etc. This was found at http://allsorts.typepad.com

This is a nifty idea to organize with, and also to keep a little bit of that vintage with us too. Using Vintage Matchbox Holders is a really neat idea. 

I could think of different ways of organizing with a Paper Towel Holder like this shoes. Use this with your counter tops, your desk, on the table, and etc. Use some plastic sleeves, and some rings to add them to the holder. Store some embellishments, stickers, recipes, and etc. Organize it to your needs as clubcreatingkeepsakes.com has offered here. 

Here is a really nifty idea! A simple quick filing of everyday things, and have the pen and pencil holder right there for you too! Using a dish rack for this organizational purpose is a really neat idea to consider too. This is something that was also found at Pinterest.com with no other link to share of it's origin. 

What a unique way to organize an area that is often used. A corner where we throw everything could be better used by organizing it so it is easier to find things, and actually gives us more room to store some things too. Great organizing of the desk, or corner kitchen counter areas too. Another terrific find at Pinterest.com which came from bhg.com

Here is a wooden box that was made to organize jewelry with. Not saying it would have to be for jewelry only. Possibilities for all them small pieces that we have a hard time finding, or not knowing where to store them to be found later. I found this at Pinterest.com

Oh yes! Finally an idea to help with the organizing of purses. Doing something like this would make them have an easier access within our reach, better organization of course, easily accessible when changing from one to another, and etc. This picture shows us to use some simple shower rings with the hook, and a rod. Another great find from bhg.com   

Under the sinks can always be a night mare. We tend to store many things there to help us with our cleaning of all sorts. Yet, it is so hard to get to some things at times, or what a mess it can easily become too. As I like to use with different things a tension rod is a great thing to use as shown here. The bottle handles easily hang from it, and it is not big or gaudy either. simplystated.realsimple.com gives us this great idea to consider. 


As mentioned earlier there are so many possibilities out there being shared, and so many working ideas that we can consider for our own homes, and our own purposes of organizing. So, what do you think? Is it time for you to organize, and restructure just a bit? I know it is for Me, and I am making my list of things needed to be looking for too. Let's get organized everyone!:)

Hope there are some ideas helpful to you being shared here today. If you have something you would like to share, or add to this please know you are welcome to do so. Love hearing from all of you, and enjoy all the wonderful ideas. Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you again soon everyone. Take care.


Monday, September 10, 2012

Recreate Recycle Repurpose Upcycle Reuse Glassware



Recreate Recycle Repurpose Upcycle Reuse Glassware.

Happy Monday Everyone, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams. Hope ya'll had a wonderful weekend. Not too bad here. Did get a few things done. Have to watch my listings to see what few things will be offered next. 

Glassware. I enjoy working with it, I enjoy collecting, and sometimes I think I am infatuated with it too. I like many kinds of glassware too. Clear glass, pressed glass, retro glass, vintage glass, colored glass, different glass shapes, designed glass, and etc. I still enjoy collecting glassware for the home, but have also seen other things done with it, and just adore those who reuse, repurpose, and upcycle such pieces with glass. 

Something I have been watching a lot of, and trying to play with a bit on my own too is Glass Totems. These pieces can be made for your gardens, and are beautiful during the season when you have plenty of beautiful sunshine too. Other pieces can also be made for in the home as well. So many possibilities with each piece, and just so many ways to repurpose, upcycle, and reuse glass.  It's amazing the creativity among everyone who shares.

Below I will share 3 pictures I found surfing the internet to give you some ideas. I just adore how the flowers are made to either set on a metal pole, or how they can also be hung on the fence too. Of course if you can hang them on the fence you know they could also be hung inside your homes too. Who would have guessed that a bird feeder could be made? Very nice thought. Also, just how different glassware pieces can come together to make what you see here, or find on the internet too. 


RecreationsInGlass is the artisian who made this, and I found her on Etsy as well too. She has some wonderful ideas, and did some good work with her studio offerings too. 

PearlsVintageGoods is yet another seller I found on Etsy who does things with glassware too. I just adore the glass flowers made by many that are set into pole stands, can hang on your fence, hang in your home, etc. 


This is an adorable bird feeder that was done with some blue glass, and clear glass as well. This I would really like to make myself, but don't have the tools to help me with making the holes in the glass for it to hang. Hmmm, I wonder if maybe I could just make it to also sit like on a table, or something too? Just some ideas, and of course notes I am making too.  Sorry, but I find a place mentioned of where this picture came from to share with you.


Hope you enjoyed what was shared with you today in regards to repurposing, and reusing glassware. Some really neat ideas that have been shared, and offered. Don't forget that there is much more out there to see, and being offered too. Bit by bit I will keep sharing with all of you, and ask you to please also share with us as well. Thanks so much for sharing your time with Me today. Always happy to see you visiting LilacsNDreams. Remember you are also welcome to share with us here as well. See you all again soon. 

Friday, September 7, 2012

Have a Wonderful Weekend Repurposing Upcycling Crafting


Have a Wonderful Weekend Repurposing Upcycling Crafting, and with everything you choose to do. 

Hello again, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone. I do hope you all had a great week. I know my days were a bit off with Monday being holiday. Usually how it goes, right? Rest of week was not too bad really. I got items delivered to my sister for her birthday. Early birthday gift given to her. Things changed, came up, and I rushed to get some candles to put into the candle holders I made from the tall glass cylinders, and then added some berry air freshners around those candles in the cylinders too. She loved them, said it smelled good, and she adored the whole arrangement I had put together. By the way, in my post below this you will see a picture of the pink glass bowl, and tall glass candle holders I am referring to.  The last 2 pictures. 

I do hope this finds everyone surviving this week, and having plans for a good weekend. In our neck of the woods is the county fair starting. Not sure if I will go yet, or not. I do like to visit everyone in the building with all the vintage, and antique pieces. But, we will see. Been busy at home with a landlord yesterday working along with the plumber to get some things done. Trying to clean messes from contractors, and such is life, right?:)

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, and thanks for sharing some of your time with LilacsNDreams. Hope to see you again soon.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Thrift Store Yard Sale Goodwill Transformations With Repurposing


 Thrift Store Yard Sale Goodwill Transformations With Repurposing.

Hello Everyone, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! So, how was Labor Day Weekend? Did you all enjoy? It wasn't bad here. I always look forward to seeing a good friend of mine, and being able to share things we like to do, answer questions, give ideas, and all of the fun girl stuff.

As most of you know I enjoy Thrift Stores, Yard Sales, Goodwill, Salvation Army, and any discount place I kind find pieces to work with. Some pieces I find I will collect, display, or sell as is. Other pieces are involved with one of my favorite things to do which is to repurpose, and upcycle. There is sooo much out there to see, to do, to create, and what makes it even better is that I enjoy doing it. I enjoy making pieces that become one of a kind for others to enjoy. Right now I have been doing cake cupcake plate pedestal stands. I love glassware, and I have always been selective with my pieces that I find too. I have been slowly adding some of my work into my Ecrater Shop. Along with that shop you will also see pieces at Etsy, and Artfire too. 

I enjoy making cake cupcake plate pedestal stands. I have made a 2 tier one, and I have a 3 tier one that I hope to be listing soon as well. There are so many possibilities with these pieces once they are made. How amazing, and the cost of homemade can be so much more cost efficient compared to buying new sometimes too. Anyway....I can easily get carried away with this:) Many suggestions with some of these pieces is to use them in servings with cakes, and cupcakes. Maybe some cookies, or even some sandwiches for those lovely tea party gatherings too. Oh, don't forget you could serve some yummy truffles, candies, mints, and many wonderful snacks for any occasion. 

You can also use these pieces with your home decor too. Use them as candle holders, for center table arrangements, use on your kitchen counters with some soap and scrub pads, use in the bathrooms with rolled cloths and decorative soaps, on your dressers holding some of your favorite jewelry and trinkets, rest your eyeglasses on them when not in use, wonderful on the dressers and vanities. Great to use for organizing things in your home too. Since they are slightly raised you can put things on top, but also under them too. 

Use at weddings at the wedding table, bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays, holidays, special occasions, give as a gift, and so on, and so on. The list just goes on, and on with all the possibilities. Some of the pieces I have been making have become at times a two-in-one type thing as well. Not only can you have the pedestal stand with things on top, but due to some of the pieces I use you could also consider flipping them over. Upon doing this you can use them as a single candle holder with some flowers around the plate, use it as a single candy dish bowl, and as mentioned endless possibilities. When they are sitting right side up I once in a while like to set a flicker candle under some of the glasses, goblets, and glass pieces that have been used with bigger openings. 

Below are some pictures of pieces I have done. Some of my first pieces I made some of them had lace, ribbon bows, pearl strands, and etc on them. Yes, I still have some pieces I am working on that will have some lace on them to give a little more character. But, each piece is different, and is always made in the way I am inspired at the time of creating.  To see more pictures, details, and so on visit the places mentioned that they are listed with. Any questions, make sure you contact Me, ok?

 Green 2 Tier Cupcake Candle Plate Glass Pedestal Stand is listed with my shop at Etsy. I used 2 salad plates that are like new, and attached with a glass candle holder. 

I am happy with how this piece turned out using vintage salad plates, and a glass candle holder that attaches them. Pink Rose 2 Tier Cupcake Plate Pedestal Stand Vintage Inspired is listed with my shop at Artfire.


These 2 pictures are for a Stoneware Cupcake Plate Amber Glass Pedestal Stand that is listed with my shop at Etsy. Picture above is generally how you see them. This 2nd picture shows how you can flip it over, and use it in a more distinctive way too. 2 for 1 as I often call some of them.

This piece is a bit different as I used a glass bowl, a glass candle holder, some lace, and some ribbon. This Glass Candy Dish Candle Holder Pedestal Stand is listed with my shop at Ecrater. Visit to see all pictures, and details for this item. 
This is very similar to the piece above with the amber glass that has 2 pictures. Different decorative plate with this, and a gorgeous green glass pedestal makes this Green Cake Cupcake Plate Glass Pedestal Stand that is listed in my Ecrater Shop. 

 Taylor Smith Taylor Cupcake Cake Plate Pedestal Stand was repurposed by Me, and is listed with my shop at Ecrater. Visit to see more pictures, and details of this adorably vintage inspired piece.
 Glass Chandelier Candle Holder Repurposed Lighting Brown Glass was a fun piece to make. Used a chandelier light cover, and attached it to a green saucer. Visit Artfire for more pictures, and details of this item.
 Blue White Cake Cupcake Plate Blue Glass Pedestal Stand was one of my 1st pieces made using a dinner plate, and a vintage cobalt blue glass goblet. Hmmm, possibilities. See listing at Artfire.  Below this picture is another picture that goes with this same listing.

This picture actually is with the one above is which shows how this can be turned over, and used in this way too. Don't you just love all the possibilities of these pieces?
 Ok, this one is not listed yet. The pictures have been done, and revised for listings. Now, to get in there, and get it done. I used a glass dish that has the sawtooth rim design, and attached it to a small glass candle holder. Very simple, but yet cute and would be very nice with all it's uses in home decor too. 

This is yet another picture that will not be offered for sale. The glass bowl is a vintage indiana piece that will be given to my sister for her birthday along with the 2 tall glass cylinder candle holders that you are seeing. I have some of these glass cylinder candle holders at home that are a bit taller for each side of a pink glass lamp I have with a glass globe. My sister fell in love with them. So......I went shopping, and found these pieces to put together for her. In them I will add some berries air freshner pieces that look like berries too. Then, probably add some white candle in with that too. Below is just another picture for better viewing by showing one of the pieces without the flash used. 
  
 I know, a lot of pictures and I do hope it did not slow the page down for anyone as it was loading. Most of these items have been listed with my shops, will be listed, or as mentioned is being used in gift giving for a family member. 

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams everyone. Enjoyed having you here, and hope to see you again soon. Take care everyone.  Hey, don't forget you are always welcome to leave comments with all of my listings. If you want to share something you are more than Welcome to do so. Thanks again everyone!:)