Monday, July 29, 2019

Repurpose Upcycle Reclaim Restyle Handmade Preparations



Repurpose Upcycle Reclaim Restyle Handmade Crafting Preparations For Creations

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! Hope everyone is doing well with the weather for the areas you live in. We have had some hot, and humid days. Sadly, others are still dealing with all the horrid flooding that they had. I worry about winter for those effected by this. 

I have really been off with my crafting that I had planned to be working on. I have a couple of things I need to finish, and many more I need to work with. Sadly, in some ways the weather has effected me with some of this processing. Having issues with our AC unit was a big issue. Our wonderful Family Reunion which I, and others enjoyed very much occupied some of my time since I was one of the hosts for this event. 

With some of the humidity we have had it has made it hard for me to do even some light painting. I did some touch up spray painting on a couple of iron candle holders. I bought them as is with a flat paint on them, and I wanted to add a little gloss to them to better blend with plates that will be added to them. I figured this little bit should be ok to do. I miscalculated as it has taken them quite a while to fully dry properly, and not have some of that sticky feel to it. Disappointing, but I feel more comfortable that they settle right before I craft with them, and something happens to them.

It might be hot and humid out, but I still find different pieces to bring home to work with when I can. Growing inventory a little bit before winter is one way of looking at it. Many times I will find pieces that work together right away when I’m thrifting, I find pieces that I see possibilities with, sometimes I find a piece that I know will work with another one I am considering that is already at home, and sometimes I get pieces that I want to unite that do not look well together as anticipated. Not to worry because at some point pieces do become united,  and sometimes it’s much better than when I first visualized it. 

I enjoy making cake cupcake plates which have many uses besides food too. I am also anxious to be making some things for Christmas too. I so wanted to do things for Christmas in July, but due to circumstances I was not able to.  I feel Christmas is not just for one day a year. It’s more like a season of festivities that is special, is enjoyed, and is celebrated by many people. Because of this many people will shop all year long for Christmas items that are for gift giving, and for decor to adorn there homes with. 

Below is a picture of a few more pieces I had gotten the other day, and a couple pieces that I already had at home. Before I work with anything I gently hand wash, and air dry everything. If there are any flaws with the pieces I am able to better see them after cleaning them, and can note it as well. 


I am passionate about , and believe in second chances for treasures that are found. Vintage, Reclaimed, Handcrafted, Loved, and Found again. Better to repurpose things, than to throw them, and leave them to be forgotten. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams!  Welcome anytime, and hope to see you again soon. 




Monday, July 15, 2019

Vintage Collectibles Unopened Like New I Love Lucy


Vintage Collectibles Found Unopened Like New I Love Lucy Collection

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy you could stop by.

This week was hectic again! AC unit acting up again. Repairman here Wednesday, and it was not good. Our compressor was going bad. Oh no! Friday we have people coming to our home, and out to cousins home. Saturday is Family Reunion, shopping to do for preparations yet, wanted to finish craft project started, and can I say all the above?

I looked at Mike...the repairman....told him we had to get it done. Company coming to town Friday, Reunion on Saturday, and I really needed the air working for everything. He looked at me, noted it was Wednesday, and said he should have it done by Friday. I thanked him, and thanked him, and thanked him again. Unfortunately, I did not sleep well at all. 

Thursday morning I awoke. Dog sitting on top of couch looking/staring out, and I asked granddaughter if dog or neighbor out next door. She looked out the window with him, stepped back, and said Grandma he’s working on the AC outside. Little after 8 in the morning, very very unexpected with this, but they were getting my AC working again! By about 10:30 A.M. I had cold air coming into the house again. What a relief!

My daughter, and family arrived early afternoon. I let them unload, and settle a bit. Since hubby was off with the car, I asked her if we could load her car up, and drop off donations I had piled between 2 rooms. Of course they would take me! They wanted to walk the Thrift Store too. Got her car unloaded, and we spent a little time looking at everything in the store.

I was off on my own when I spotted “I Love Lucy” and had to look. Love watching her reruns, and just adored her for all the laughs. Upon looking closer this was a VHS collectors edition with 5 unopened VHS tapes in it! Wow! I was excited for sure.  Naturally I bought the set. Now, I have to decide do I sell this lovely treasure found, or should I keep it for myself? Decisions, decisions!







Here are a few pictures of this lovely find that I have brought home. Now, to decide what to do.

Sorry no crafting today, and I hope everyone understands what I shared with you. This week I’m by myself again, and hope to be able to accomplish a little bit more also. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care, and see you again soon!










Monday, July 8, 2019

Repurpose Upcycle DIY Cake Cupcake Plate Stands Wood Blocks


Repurpose Upcycle DIY Cake Cupcake Plate Stands Wood Blocks Crafting

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Besides doing household things for family reunion this coming weekend, I was able to do a little crafting, or start with some at least. When I can sit down, and work on some of these things it’s relaxing. I think of nothing else, and focus on nothing else but the projects I am working with. I was hoping by now to have some items made, and to offer for Christmas in July. That was my goal. I was slightly delayed for a couple of weeks with illness, and then dealing with our A/C over the weekend of scheduled crafting. I’m determined to get some pieces done, and still be able to offer them soon. 




The 2 above pictures are showing a few pieces I am working with. I love working with wood blocks making words, and then decorating them to fit the word used. As you can see I am putting together Sewing. Next picture you see some of the different plate with Christmas themes, and some candle holders behind them. I use to do these a few years ago, and had fun with them. I am putting together some cake cupcake plate stands. I love collecting different pieces for these stands. I get plates along the way that might be new, are like new, in very good condition. I then will also find things to use for stands like candle holders, colored candle holders, maybe some kind of glass bowl or vase, and I have used some adorable cups or mugs too. As I collect pieces nothing is ever definite how they will connect with each other till I sit down to create. That’s the fun part too. Picturing, visualizing, creating, and putting it together.





With the 2 above pictures you can see work that has been done so far. Sewing is started, but not completed yet. I have some things to add to fit with this worded theme. I have 3 plate stands done. I have 2 other ones that I will start on tomorrow. These 3 completed ones are sitting covered with heavier items sitting on top of them as the glue dries, and sets. I don’t like rushing things because they do take time. I like to give glues, painting, sealants, and etc all time to set and seal. I can then check on things to make sure they are secure, or if more needs to be done with them.

It’s fun doing some of these things again, and getting into more crafting of things too. Now that I am started I want to keep doing more. I intend to do more as time moves along. My Etsy Shoppe will continue offering Vintage Collectibles. Along with those items I will also be adding in some of my Repurposed, upcycled, handmade, restyled, DIY crafty pieces. They are my passions, and I enjoy doing them, spending time with them, the searches, the creating, etc. I think you got the picture, and feel of what some of my interests are that I have been sharing. 

I want to thank you for visiting with LilacsNDreams! I’ve enjoyed your visit, and hope to see you again soon. Take care till then. 






Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Repurpose Upcycle Restyle Vintage Collectibles






Repurpose Upcycle Restyle and Vintage Collectibles

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I have to deeply apologize many many times to ALL of you! I have gotten really behind with everything, and I feel just horrid about it! I have this wonderful crud that has been going around. Seen doctor, got some antibiotics, and it is still slightly hanging on. The biggest thing is the ears being plugged listening to the ringing, myself talking, and it’s like I’m plugging my ears when I’m not.

 This past weekend I was feeling good enough to sit down, and do some crafting, listing on Etsy, pictures, etc. Then, I had another issue happen. It was sooo hot out, got humid, and our A/C unit decided to quit working. Got home late Saturday afternoon with our granddaughter who is staying a month with us, and it felt kind of sticky in the house. Dog was panting, and it felt stuffy. I looked at the thermostat, it was set on 70, but it said it was 80 in the house. Walked around to different vents to feel the air...semi cool. Not enough to cool the house. So, we roughed it out till Monday, and was able to get our A/C guy in. I think the heat exhausted us that once it cooled, we all dozed off with relaxation.

Needless to say the weekend was wasted because with the humidity I was not able to work as plan. Granddaughter wanted to help, and was disappointed.

In a couple weeks we have a family reunion scheduled that I have to take care of, and organize with another family member. I “don’t work” so I’m usually the one who does most of everything. So, my schedule is off with everything.

Again, I greatly apologize for not being here like I should be. It truly has bothered me. With a little luck I hope to be back with a schedule again very very soon.

Below I am sharing a few pictures of some items that I had Repurposed and upcycled over time. Glass bowls, glass dome, candle holders, glue, paint, mod podge, and some creative fun pieces were done. I really enjoy this, and am working my way back into repurposing, crafting, upcycling, vintage collectibles, etc. I am anxious to share ideas with you, and some of my completions too. Hope you’ll
stop by, and have a look as time moves along for us. Hopefully I figure out a computer soon
too....still a working progress for me. I really need to work this as it would make things so much easier for me to do too.


 Wooden candlestick holder with the cloche and plate added. Painted black, mod podged some old music paper around the middle, and flat serving area. Touched underneath the round plate a simple plain white ribbon. So many uses!




This was a decorative glass bowl upcycled with a square glass decorative candle holder. This bowl Stand was so fun, and adorable when the pieces were united.


This glass cloche dome was revised just a little bit. I painted the wooden base a adorqble pink slipper color. I loosely added a vintage doily to decorate it a little bit too. Many possibilities for decorating, and using this too.



Lastly, this is another decorative glass bowl that was united with a decorative glass holder that had a
flared footed base. Loved it, and was hard to let go. I don’t have the room to keep everything unfortunately.

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Wishing everyone a safe, and Happy 4th of July Holiday. Enjoy, and be safe everyone! Hope to see y’all again soon.