Monday, December 10, 2018

Christmas Homemade DIY Repurposed Candy Holder Dish





Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Christmas Homemade DIY Repurposed Candy Holder Dish. If I haven't mentioned it to you before I really enjoy spending time with crafting, homemade, DIY, repurposing, and all of that fun stuff! I like creating projects that I can sell, but right now I have been enjoying making things for the holidays with our home. Along with the fixer upper on our home I am enjoying time with making things for the holidays for Christmas! Come follow along with me while I share what I have done for y'all to view this week.

Again I was at the Dollar Tree store, and I had something in mind I was hoping to put together with a project. I don't have a quick access to craft stores like Hobby Lobby, and Michaels...unless I want to drive for it. So, for some things instead of ordering online, or traveling I have chosen to create them. It has been an issue to find a snowman hat, and the size that I need it for too. I figured it was time to create one myself. I was walking around the store, looking at things, and thinking, thinking a little more, and thinking about the snowman hat again. What could I possibly do to make this item, and to fit the bowl I needed it to be on. 

Taking my time, walking around the store, a few things coming to mind that maybe could work, and then there it was! Someone had dismissed a pen/pencil holder by placing it on the shelf where it didn't belong. I seen the holder, and started thinking could I possibly make this work? I grabbed the holder, and went over to their supply section looking for some sort of crafting paper that I could use. There it was a black piece of poster board, and under a dollar too! So with these 2 items, and along with a few other things I needed for other projects I went through check out, and headed home. Once I got home I placed the holder on the bowl I was going to use to make a snowman head. I pictured the black poster board around it, the rim I would make, and etc. Stared at it for a little bit, and it wasn't feeling right. Oh darn! Now what? So, I left it sitting there, and walked away from it for a few days. I would look at it in passing, and was hoping to be inspired with another idea of what to do. 

Needless to say it took a little bit, but I did come to an agreement of what to do with the pieces I wanted to make a snowman hat. I did get it all put together making the hat I was wanting. I did it simply, left the top of the hat open, added just a few embellishments on it, and the snowman hat is now a candy cane holder! I'm excited for our grand daughter to come visit, and see this on the table with different candy canes in it. Now she won't have to pull the tree apart getting the canes off of it. 


This picture is showing the pen/pencil holder along with the piece of black poster board I had gotten. You should be able to see that I did cut a corner of it to start the process of making this hat I want.


Here you can see that I did get this completed, and have added a box of candy canes...I know I will have to get more for this too. I wrapped around the holder, and I made a big circle to attach to the bottom of this hat. Once all of the board was cut, and glued I added a red ribbon around the bottom hat. I added a plane white ribbon making a bow. I added a couple of red ball berries, and a few florescent white balls on either side of the white bow. I also added just a few white snowflakes along the rim, and the hat. 


Another picture pretty much showing some of the same things that I explained above.This was a fun little DIY project with repurposing the holder that I used. 

Isn't Christmas crafting fun?! Something that will have a little more of a meaning to it because it was made by me. 

Thanks so much for spending time with me at LilacsNDreams! Enjoyed having you. Stop on by anytime, drop me a line, leave a comment, etc. Have a super week everyone! See y'all later. 




Monday, December 3, 2018

Christmas Holiday Handmade DIY Repurposed Home Decor





Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Christmas Holiday Handmade DIY Repurposed Home Decor. Christmas is a fun time with home decor, and all the fun things we can do. You can buy locally, online, or better yet some of your items you can revise to fit with what you want. That is something I enjoy doing too!

Last week I showed you some picture frames I got from the Dollar Tree Store. I took some simple black frames, and removed the backing, and the glass. I then painted the frames white. Nothing fancy with the painting just a simple white. I then added some decoration to each piece. Some ribbon bows, letter snowflake paper clip, and some ornaments. The second frame I did not have completed fully with my last posting. I have completed it, and changed a bit what I was going to use with it. 

Below you will see 3 pictures of the arrangement that I made using those frames that I hand crafted with. The window that you see in the middle of the frames was made by someone else who signed it, and had donated this one along with a few others to the thrift store. I picked it up because it was cute, and handmade. Wasn't sure what, and where I was going to put it. Tonight it came together for me as you will see. 




This picture shows the arrangement that I had grouped together on one of our walls in the dining room of our home. All 3 pieces have been handmade, or revised to make this arrangement. 



One of the picture frames that I had painted white, added a blue ribbon bow made by me along with a couple of tags for ornaments. I also clipped a letter snowflake on the bottom of the bow.



This is the second frame that I completed which was also painted white. I added the red and white ribbon bow I made to the bottom of the frame. I then added some ornaments to this piece too. 


I love my vintage collectibles, and I enjoy crafting with different things too. Some things I craft with might be with new pieces, and sometimes they might be with pieces that I have found thrifting or that I have had on hand for a while too. It's a good feeling to complete pieces, and be able to show them in our home. Sometimes pieces will be offered for sale as well too. 

I hope you enjoyed your visit, and happy to see you stopping by here. Feel free to contact me, leave a comment, and etc. 

Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams! Have a beautiful week, and see you again soon.



Monday, November 26, 2018

Christmas Handmade DIY Repurpose Home Decor


Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Christmas Handmade DIY Repurpose Home Decor. Thanksgiving has passed, and I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving too. The belly has been filled, and the anticipation for the next holiday has expanded just a little bit more. I like many others are excited for the Christmas season.

Christmas is my favorite holiday to celebrate, share, and enjoy. It has much meaning for many people. It's a time of year that the weather changes, many festivities are scheduled to celebrate this holiday, and the mood changes a bit for many too. 

If I was doing my online sales...like I use to...I would be busy right now with that too. People buying for gift giving, and some are treating themselves to special gifts. Many are filling their homes with  decor for the season or just because, and many are also getting things together to craft with as well. 

I enjoy my vintage collectibles that I collect, or sometimes will sell too. I also enjoy decorating, and crafting some of the decorations that I find. Last week I showed you a glass vase I had decorated with different things. Since I shared that I have also added some white fairy lights to the arrangement. The soft glow of the light brings out some of the blue, and glitter a bit more too. 

This week I am going to share with you my latest project I have been working with. I'm almost done. I have enough to share one completed item, and to share some of the things being used for the second item too. I love the Dollar Tree Store. I can purchase many things there to add in with decorations, and to craft with too. For this project I bought some 8X10 picture frames. I already had the spray paint at home. I had some Christmas ribbon, I purchased some ornaments, and I found some Christmas gift tags from another store to use too. Step in a little closer to have a look at the pictures below showing my progress so far. 


I bought 2 of these 8X10 pictures frames that you see. 


I removed the plastic wrap, the glass, and the backing. Once that was done I spray painted both sides of this a white color. 


In this picture you can see 1 of the picture frames completed. After the paint had dried on the frame. I glued in the corner a blue glitter ribbon bow that I made. I made this one simple, and just added 2 different gift tags, and a snowflake letter clip to the bow. 


In this picture I am showing the complete picture frame again along with some extra items at the bottom of the frame. While the other frame is drying fully for me to work with I prepared a red ribbon to put on that one. The second picture frame is white also. Now, after I attach the bow I have some decisions to make about what else to decorate with. The ornament is a green, and silver bulb with a pine cone design on it. Next to that is another older ornament that has mini pine cones, a mini white lace doily behind that, and some red ribbon that has some old gold bells at the bottom of them. I'm also considering using some gift tags again. Not quite sure how it will turn out yet. Don't want to make it too heavy that it won't hang right either. 

I enjoy the Christmas season. I so enjoy adding touches to things I already have, or maybe restyling some things I find within the Dollar Tree, and Thrift Stores too. Sometimes it's a gift for someone else, and many times it's for my pleasure too.

Now to see what else I can get into for crafting with this wonderful holiday. I know some people are bahumbug with the season, but sometimes I feel like I come alive with some of my creative juices.

Thanks again for visiting with LilacsNDreams! I enjoy your visits, and look forward to you dropping by again. Take care till the next time everyone. 



  


Monday, November 19, 2018

Holidays Christmas Home Decor DIY Restyle


Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Holidays Christmas Home Decor DIY Restyle. I love Christmas! I'm trying really hard not to bypass Thanksgiving as I too get upset with the way holidays are just being passed along anymore. Holidays are a bit different for us this year with us moving, daughter has her husband's family to also celebrate with, and our son being on base too. Also, with working on the house too. Having time on my hands lately I have been slowly putting Christmas stuff out through the house. On a nice day I will get some outside lights up, but they will not be turned on till after Thanksgiving. We cannot forget that holiday of sharing being thankful for everything. 

I have 2 windows I have put things in for show with Christmas. Good old Dollar Tree store is great for some of these things along with a little bit of thrifting too. The other night I worked with a glass vase that a candle could be put in the center. I had put some colored ornaments in it. At the top of it I added some colored foliage to add to the look. I then placed this vase in a weathered looking tray with some rope handles. In the tray around the vase bottom I added a few more colored ornaments, and some pretty silver glittered items for a little character too. After cleaning up my glitter mess I kept looking at the arrangement on the dining room table. It looked good, but felt like it was missing something. Ever get that feeling? Keeps my mind busy when this happens. 

I got up the next morning, walked by the table with the vase arrangement I had done the night before. Then, it hit me what I could do! Since a lot of my craft items are still in containers, in the spare room, or in the loft room I figured I might be going to the dollar general store for what I needed. Sad to buy more when I know I have a few bags of different pine cones, but I wanted them like now too. I took a chance, and searched in the garage with no luck. I looked in the spare room, and did find 1 bag that had a few colored pine cones, some big and small cones too. 

I finally decided to work with the bag I found of pine cones. I took the vase, and tray and dismantled everything I had done the night before. More glitter being spread around again. I used some of the pine cones in the vase, and in the tray. I used those along with some of the ornaments I had previously used. I added some decorative items to the top of the vase. I feel better about it now, and I did have a compliment from husband's cousin when she seen a picture too. Below I am showing you pictures of how the vase looked by itself, and then the finishing results of it. 




  
Would have looked better if I pictured it on the table. Hope you can get the general idea from the chair I was using during my developing process. 

This week is Thanksgiving, and many of you will be traveling, having company, maybe attending an event some where, and so on. Please be safe with your travels everyone! Our plans changed, and we will be home. At least I will. Safe travels, and I hope everyone is able to enjoy the day in some way.

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Happy Holidays to all, and see you again soon. 


Monday, November 12, 2018

Painting of Styrofoam Update


Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Painting of Styrofoam Update. This little post is in reference to a post I did about 2 postings ago about an issue I had, and learned from it too. To the right of here, and 2 pictures below you'll see pictures in reference to what is being shared. 

Styrofoam pumpkins that you can get from the Dollar Tree Store. Love getting things from there to craft with! I got all these pumpkins with intentions of painting some of them white. I generally use a spray paint, and have never had an issue like I did with these. As you can see with the 2 pictures below this I was showing an issue I had with spray painting them. I was bothered by it, and decided to google for some answers. Most of the time when you spray paint on styrofoam you are taking a chance of ruining it. The spray paint can make it rough looking due to some of the styrofoam will melt from this painting procedure. It doesn't happen with everyone. I have seen some people who use the 
spray painting method, and they get really nice results. It 
would be my luck to have an issue, right?   



As you can see from the 2 above pictures there are some really rough spots, it kind of melted there, etc. So, I put all the spray paint to the side....there will be other projects to use it with. After getting a few more supplies I then grabbed 2 pumpkins to try painting them again. I first did a clear coat with them. There are different things that can be used for this which is a recommended step to do before painting. I chose to use my mod podge. I used my sponge applicator, and applied the mod podge all over the pumpkins. I nicely let them dry. I then grabbed a brush, and used some white glossy acrylic paint to paint over the mod podge. The pictures below show my process of starting to paint them. I shot photos after I had put a coat on, and was letting them dry. So the paint does not pull away from the object I will let them dry nicely, and then add a second coat. 



I am more pleased with how they are looking now. Much smoother, and they look like little white mini pumpkins. I'll probably get them done to use with the intended project they are designated for which will probably only be shown for about a week, and then stored till next year. 

I don't know about you, but I am getting anxious for Christmas! I am slowly buying things to hang, things to craft with, etc. I checked the weather for this coming week so I could plan on at least getting some outside lights hung...not turned on yet, but get them hung up at least.

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Great seeing you here, and hope to see you again soon. Remember, you are welcome to leave a comment, and share things about the topic at hand. Till the next time everyone. 

Monday, November 5, 2018

Halloween Thanksgiving Christmas Holiday Celebrations


Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Halloween Thanksgiving Christmas Holiday Celebrations. Yep! That time of year, it's the season, fastly approaching too. We have completed Halloween, and now move onto Thanksgiving along with Christmas. 

I have always enjoyed this time of year, the change of the season! I don't like the cold, but I adapt because of the different holidays that we get to enjoy. All the festivities, decorating, crafting, and etc. 

Halloween I always enjoyed with all the decorations outside the homes, how businesses would decorate, costumes for all who participated with different activities, all the gatherings to celebrate, some of the food, and so on. Halloween was always a fun time. Each year things are changing, and of coursing moving along faster. Really kind of hit me this year when Halloween was not here, and I seen in the stores with all the christmas trees being up, lights on them, christmas ornaments being hung, and Halloween was just there. Just another time. Hardly any home decorated outside like they use to. It's always questionable each year which night will they be trick-or-treating in town. 

Halloween is now over, and we should look forward to Thanksgiving now. Everyone gets some time off from school, work, government, military, etc for this holiday. Time to celebrate, and be thankful for sooo many things. Yet, this is one holiday that does not really seem to exist anymore. There is very few things that are done for Thanksgiving. Your decor can show colors for fall, maybe some pumpkins, few turkeys, and etc. Yet, there really isn't much anyone shares for this time. Again, this is sad. It's just another holiday. 

The biggest one is Christmas! Yes, I love Christmas time with all the music, the carolling, home decor, decorations outside the home, crafting decorations and purchasing decorations, services and programs at church, the hunt for gifts for different people, and it's a fun and special time of the year. I'm thinking of Thanksgiving, but I am also preparing for Christmas decorating, and what is needed for that.

Tradition for me growing up was always family being together for Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If you knew of someone who had no where to go they were too invited. Our doors were always open for people during these holiday celebrations. Big meals were planned, and made. Sometimes we would distribute food to others since we always had so much, or we would buy it for them too. Wrapping of gifts, hiding gifts till Christmas Eve and morning. Always being creative each year with hiding gifts...not that the kids or any adults would look for them, right?  LOL!  These were great times to celebrate, and to be together sharing the festivities with others too. These holidays were special, and always looked forward to them each year. Yes, things would get busy, money being spent, trying to budget during these times, but it was always fun and so much worth it too.

Sadly, things change, and what use to be so special and enjoyable is taking a different effect over time. Don't take me wrong, we still try to do what we were taught and learned growing up to celebrate. Trying to teach it to our kids, and grandkids. Yet, it seems like the spirit of things is not fully what it use to be. It isn't just me, our family, but it is all around us. Society, TV, schools, businesses, people, who got what, about receiving gifts, and not to much about giving. That special feeling, that special touch just does not seem to be there. 

So sorry to carry on about this issue with our holidays everyone, and I hope I have not offended anyone in anyway. One of those times where I wanted to share some thoughts I was having over the weekend. 

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! For some of us it has cooled off a bit..urgh! So, winter is working it's way in for some. I appreciate you stopping by, and hope to have you visit again! Remember you are always welcome to leave a comment, and share something if you wish to. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams!  Take care!

    


Friday, November 2, 2018

Repurposed Upcycle Restore November Blog Website

 


Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurposed Upcycle Restore November Blog Website. I wanted to stop by, and give an update with some things happening right now. I finally got pictures put into my last posting I did about spray painting styrofoam pumpkins. If you haven’t already seen it, have a look to better see what I was explaining with this experience.

I apologize again deeply for how things are looking with this posting today.
Coloring for what I am sharing is not my usual. My computer is with the Computer Doctor having its tummy ache fixed. I got a call this afternoon it was done, so tomorrow I will be getting that home, and hooked up as fast as I can. Hopefully I can then get back to some kind of a normal schedule with things again. I had a list of things to do, and again I have been set back...darn computer!😊  The IPad is not quite letting me do all I want to. Unfortunately, we become accustomed to the technology of things, what we use, and etc. When it’s not there it’s hard to get along without. All the devices here, and I am accustomed to my way of doing things...LOL! It happens, right?

The next time I post here again it should be with the good old desktop computer.  Looking forward to it, and thanks for bearing with me everyone. Hope y’all had a wonderful Halloween holiday, and were able to enjoy it. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! See y’all again soon!








Monday, October 22, 2018

Spray Painting Crafting Styrofoam

Welcome to LilacsNDreams!  Spray Painting Crafting with Styrofoam is something I am sharing with you because of personal experience that I recently experienced, and learned from too. 

🎃 👻 Halloween, Holidays, Special Occasions, and etc. We like to decorate, and craft during these special times. Sadly, I think the holidays are rushed anymore. Some places don’t hardly celebrate with all the fun things. I still like to decorate, and especially create and craft things too. I created a few things for Halloween, and enjoyed it. I think I am the only person in town who has decorated. 

I wanted to put something together for fall decorating that can go with Halloween into Thanksgiving. Something a little versatile. The orange styrofoam 🎃 pumpkins from the Dollar Tree have a few different uses including crafting. So, I picked up a bunch of them to work with. With many things when crafting I like to spray paint. I’ve generally gotten the look I want, and things look really nice too. I wanted some white pumpkins with some added fall foliage too.  So, I grabbed a couple of pumpkins, and went outside to my designated painting area I set up.  I sprayed them with a paint I frequently use. Did a light coat, went over them again, and smiled because they were looking good. Walked  away for a bit while they dried. Went back later to view them, and get them flipped to paint the other side. I was not happy! They had bubbled, had bubble pops, and the paint appeared to not be settling right. So, I grabbed one more pumpkin, did a light coat of paint, and left it to dry. I came back to the same thing happening again. At this time I walked away to think about this. I thought about it, and then I googled it to get some answers. 

When I googled I learned spray paint was not recommended for styrofoam. The paint gets soaked in, does not take properly, can create rough areas, and can melt the product too. It is recommended to use some sort of a sealer/top coat, and then use an acrylic paint with a better result. I would like to note I have seen some of these pumpkins done by others with success using a kiltz spray, or a different brand of spray paint. Some also like the rough look that they can get too. I am sharing my experience, and my preference with this process. 

So, I have started again with painting the pumpkins. I grabbed 2, and put my first coat of mod podge on them. I will then be brushing an acrylic white paint on them. I wanted to share my experience with you of this crafting experience that  I had. So, pictures of how they looked before I started, different pictures with the process of what I experienced, and the last one shows how the paint has settled a couple of days later too.

***Ok, I apologize to everyone for this inconvenience. I’m very sorry, but I appear to be having a computer issue that I am not pleased with right now. My IPad is not letting me into my pictures either...urgh! As soon as I can get this technical issue resolved I will share those pictures here right away. Thanks so much for being patient with me. Again, I apologize for this mishap.






Thank You for visiting LilacsNDreams!







Monday, July 23, 2018

Pinterest the Addictive Virtual Pinboard




Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Pinterest the Addictive Virtual Pinboard that has become quite popular over time.  

Pinterest, is just another place of social media to visit, and interact with. Is it worth being involved? I'll  give you a few ideas about this popular site, and then you can decide for yourselves. 

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard that is done online, and allows you to organize and share things that you find on the web with everyone. You just add a Pin It button in your address bar, and when you see something you like or want to share, click the Pin It button, and take it from there. Many people will use the pin boards to find recipes...there are many good ones out there. They have pin boards for cars, trucks, boats, homes, remodeling, activities for kids, things about school, and just so many areas. You can find things you like with home decorvintage collectiblesDIYrepurposed items, and just whatever your interests and hobbies are. Best of all, you can browse pinboards of other people to see what they are sharing, and to discover some new and intriguing ideas by many many people.   

So, what can you all do with Pinterest? You can redecorate your home with different pins that you collect, you can draw your own ideas from pins, and etc. Some people like to use Pinterest to help plan their weddings, or special occasions for family members and friends too. People like to use Pinterest so that they can share their style with others who might have some of the same likes, and interests as they do. That includes fashions with clothing, hair, nails, etc. It's a place to pass time, roam around, and get lost. There are so many things, and of course I could never list it all myself. This is a great way to save inspirations that you might find along the way. As mentioned earlier, excellent way to get some really yummy recipes too! Have I mentioned yet that it can be very addictive too? Beware...LOL!

Pinterest is a way for everyone in the world to connect with things that they find of interest. Many pins every week are added, shared, etc. 

When Pinterest first started you had to request an invite. I truly am not sure if that is still the rule to get started today since I've had my account for so long, seems like forever. Once you have access to setting things up you can start making boards for yourself. Name your boards whatever you want, be creative with your choices, and have fun with it too. The pins that you add to the boards are credited back to the people/place that you got the pictures from...which is good for many people. One important thing....Pinterest asks that you not use the sight as a self promoting tool. It's ok to pin things that you are proud of, that you might have, things you wish about, ideas for use later on, but not to overload in self promoting is requested of them.

Stop by to see my Pinterest Boards sometime. I will let you know that I need to work on this site, update things, change things, rename boards, etc. One of my goals after we are moved, and settled in. 


Pinterest is fun, it's addictive, and I get to see different things, meet different people, and get some wonderful ideas of things too! 


Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams everyone! I enjoy all the visits, and hope to see everyone again soon. Take care till the next time. Toodles......





NOTE:  To keep you all updated with how things are progressing with our move. This weekend July 29th I pick the truck up, and we are loading to move. So, this coming weekend we should be all moved. Hook ups for everything are scheduled. I hope to be online again pretty much right away. I apologize for no posting this past week. We were out of town all weekend working on house, and doing what needed to be done. Thanks again everyone!!   

Monday, July 9, 2018

Repurpose Restyle Reuse DIY Upcycled Vintage Collectibles




Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurpose, Restyle, Reuse, DIY, Upcycled, Vintage Collectibles. At some point we all find ourselves intrigued with these things for the decor we use in our homes, remodeling our homes using some of these techniques, some of us like all of this because it is our way of surviving and making money with it, or maybe it is just because we like it. Some of us do it for pleasure, some do it as a past-time, and some do it as their business. How did you get started with this? When was it you acquired the taste, and desire for these things? Have you been doing this a long time, or is it still kind of new to you?

I have had these thoughts over time...when I have time to think to myself, and what is suppose to be my alone time during the day. For me I think mine honestly started during my childhood years. I always enjoyed working with my hands. When I was on the farm with my Grandmother I would play with the sewing machine, I would use her tube paints to make designs with towels and materials, I would go out to the old hen houses and organize things out there with windows, paints, and design some things out there. Over time my Grandmother would give me little things here, and there that involved some sort of craft. I would use it now, or put it with my things for a later time as she would tell me. 

So, I got older, things changed a little bit, and I focused more of my time with vintage collectibles. I had collection books to help me identify pieces, some things I collected myself, I was learning a little over time of how to research a few things, and then came Ebay where I eventually started to sell things. The Ebay thing was from a little help of a close friend, a little nudge from her, and she was already selling on Ebay herself, and felt it was something I would like to do. In fact, that is how LilacsNDreams evolved, and has been with me ever since during my sales, creations, and over time. 

Like many others over time I had the urge that there was more than just selling on Ebay. So, I ventured off a bit into other places like Bonanza, Artfire, Ecrater, and Etsy. During this time of searching for what I felt like I was missing I noticed how I was becoming more interested with the crafty side of things. I was in awe of seeing work done by others of what they were offering. Some of the things that were being done, and how neat some of it was too. Little bit of glue, little bit of paint, this piece could attach to that piece, and how some of the vintage collectible pieces could be brought back to life! Oh, and how neat some things were that had been created, were made from a little bit of this and that, and the possibilities were endless! So, selling on Etsy was one place that I landed that open some more doors for me since they do things just a little bit different than Ebay. 

I still love my vintage collectibles. A lot of glassware really. The creative side of me, working with my hands, seeing things differently and what they can become really sprouted during this time. It has become a passion of mine. I love seeing what others offer when I roam around the internet, visiting stores where others show their creations, seeing things in a way that others offer them from their visions, and so on.

It's something I have been slowly working my way back into doing again. I was headed that way a few years ago, and due to some circumstances a long break was taken. Once we get moved into our new home - it's a working progress, I get organized one more time, I will have more time to myself, and I truly cannot wait to get back into doing all of this again. I'm excited!

So, how did you get started yourself with repurposing, upcycling, restyling, DIY, and etc? Was it something you have always done? Was it something that you acquired over time? Also, is this something you do yourself, or maybe you find these treasures completed to bring home so that you can adore them with all of your collections. Sorry for all the questions everyone. Curiosity gets the better part of me sometimes. 

Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams. Hope you enjoyed the visit, and feel free to share as you wish too. Take care till the next time everyone. Toodles . . . 

       

Monday, July 2, 2018

Vintage Shoes Addiction For Women Men and Babies

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Vintage Shoes Addiction For Women Men and Babies too. I want to show you a little bit of a vintage era of why you would buy, why you would wear, and especially the fun of seeing all things vintage too! Hopefully it will remind you a little bit of times past wearing vintage shoes. You are seeing some vintage shoes for women of course, but we must not forget the babies shoes, and we need to remember that this vintage addiction also carried over into the mens shows as well!



                                              Vintage Shoes of Times Past For Everyone



                                                         Vintage Womens Boot Shoe



                                           Vintage Baby Shoes From 1950s...Flickr



                                                 Vintage Addiction For Mens Shoes 


I hope that you had a little fun going back in time with some of the memories with vintage shoes. Today they are still a collectible for some collectors, and there are some who look for vintage clothing so that they can wear them too. Some of these vintage addictions are being reproduced in order to bring back some of our times of yesteryears. Oh, what fun! Don't you think?

Thanks for sharing some time with LilacsNDreams today, and I hope you enjoyed some of the memories from yesteryears that were shared with you here. I enjoyed your visit, and hope to see you again soon! Toodles . . . 


Monday, June 25, 2018

Thrifting Junking Searching Preparing For Resale

Thrifting Junking Searching and Preparing For Resale. Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Gonna cover something simple today. I hope it will be helpful, and will give you a little something to think about as well. 

We spend time with thrifting, junking, estate sales, second hand stores, garage sales, and actually anywhere that we can think of to find the next treasure for our homes, or our stores. When we do these special treasure hunts we take pride in the search, have fun with it, and are always anxious to get back home with all the goodies we have found for the day too. So, once we get them home what is is that we all do with these new finds? All of us have our own way of doing things that we have found to work for us. The biggest decision is do we keep it, or do we sell it? 

Once I get all of the treasures home that I have found for the day I am no longer tired. I am excited to unwrap items, set them out to view closer, take inventory, make notes, and etc. I do the best I can to keep record of things that will help with decisions that should be made later about pieces too. For now I have a simple form I use that I will record the item found, price I paid for it, is it a resale as is or will I be repurposing altering it in some way. I like to make notes of any flaws that I see with the pieces as well. Then note the overall condition of the piece that I have found. 

Once I get this part done I might take a break...something to revive myself to continue doing a few more things with the treasures found. Once I have done all the notes, documenting of things, and what I feel is necessary to complete with all the items I then start preparing for cleaning of the items. Yes, everything that I find I will do some kind of a cleaning with it. Nothing harsh, but a gentle clean to better show the beauty of all the things I have found. Once I have done this I can see if maybe there are more visible flaws to note, and I can better decide if I will sell the piece as is, or if I will repurpose it in some way. The urge is always strong to want to keep things found, and I have to remind myself that I do not have the room to house these wonderful treasures for myself. I hopefully can make someone else happy with offering things that I have found, and that they may take pleasures with their finds too. 

After completing these few steps the research will generally be done with all the pieces you have found. Researching for the value of vintage collectibles, searching to see if others are selling the same items and making notes of their prices along with successes of sold pieces, you are learning a little more about the treasures found with all of your researches. Another assistance to consider with your searches is to use collectors books that better describe items, their age, their value with their conditions, and some of the history for it too. 

I know that doing these few steps I have shared with you does not seem like much of a procedure. Yes, it can be time consuming doing some of this. I enjoy doing this as I better learn and familiarize myself with the pieces. I feel I can better connect with them by viewing them in a different way from their purchase, and that I can better assist my customers as well too. 

Hope you found your visit to be helpful, maybe consider a few things not thought of before, and remember it's always good to hear suggestions from you visiting as well. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! See you again soon. Toodles . . . 



Monday, June 18, 2018

Vintage Pyrex Collectible Bowls and Patterns Guide or Library


Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Vintage Pyrex Collectible Bowls and Patterns Guide or Library. Pyrex has been a long time collectible for many people. Many are either on the hunt for these pieces to resell them, or some are collectors who are adding to their collections too. 

I myself like looking at the collectible pieces of pyrex bowls, I have sold some myself, and I own a few pieces of these treasures too. Not as many as I would like to, but it's enough to have for show around in the kitchen. 



This is a picture of the Colonial Mist patterned Pyrex bowl. I use to have a set of these, and at some point decided to downsize. So, I sold them. Of course I regret it now, but I will add to my collection again at some point. 


This is a picture of the Pyrex Cinderella bowl set that I do have. Very very happy with them as the coloring is great with all of them. The insides are a very shiny white milk glass coloring that look much like new yet, or show very little signs of use. 

Over the years Pyrex has made many different patterns, and had different colors with each piece that they made and distributed. There are many patterns and colors to learn with the names given to them. Along with the names you kind of like to know the years that they came out too. For information like this you can buy collectors books to have on hand that you can look things up. Another way to look for some of the information is to research online like many of us do. I would like to share a few links with you that I am aware of. With these places you can find pictures with the pattern, the name, the year for them, and when you click on some of the pictures it will open to a new page describing that particular piece to you. Again, telling you the bowl print name, the year of its distribution, and some may offer an idea of its value as well. 

Pyrex Pattern Reference

Pattern Library Pyrex

Pyrex Vintage Pattern Guide

So, if you're looking for a little bit of help with identifying a piece, maybe want to know a little bit more, or if you want to expand with some of your knowledge check on those links I have listed for you. No, I get no kind of a commission with you clicking, and it is not an affiliate link either. I just enjoy helping where I can, and sharing with others who have some of the same interests. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you again soon. Till the next time...Toodles!