Monday, December 23, 2019

Merry Christmas Happy New Year From LilacsNDreams


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from LilacsNDreams! 

Preparations for Christmas have kept me quite occupied that I did not finish crafts that I have started, and have not done any repurposing or upcycling of anything. I apologize for that. Grocery shopping, cleaning and organizing house, having to clear the table from all crafts for everyone to sit at, one thing after another, shopping for presents, and I think you get the picture. My hands have been full, and unfortunately I have to do this all myself. 

Hubby drives truck, and right now has been hauling everything he can because he will soon be home for a little time off. Our son will be home on leave as well. It’s been about 4 years since he has celebrated Christmas with us, is long over due, and so we are going all out for the family to be together to share this special holiday. I know our daughter is counting the days of when we all get together as well. 

I am anxious for Christmas, getting together, seeing each other, the food, and most of all making memories. I am also anxious for after the holidays so that I can get back to crafting, finishing projects started, and create more things too. 

Thank you for visiting with LilacsNDreams! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!! Enjoy the holidays, and all that you do. Be safe, and see you all again soon. 

P.S. Please excuse the background issue I am having. Trying to change it, but having issues. Thank you for understanding.

                         MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!




Monday, December 16, 2019


Handmade Gnome Pink Bandana Biker Style Gnome was created by LilacsNDreams! I love this one because it is just a little bit different than a lot of the gnomes that have become so popular. This is the second gnome that I have made. First one was done with a tomato cage that now sits on my porch. This pink gnome is a gift that I will soon give to my hairdresser with my next appointment. 


This is how the gnome first look when I completed it. I wasn’t quite settled with it. In my opinion I felt it needed just a little bit more height. It felt like it was just sitting a little too low. As you will see in the next 3 pictures I had added a little bit height with it which I feel made it just a little bit better. I’m learning, and next time I will know a little bit more what to do.





The supplies I used with this project was a mop head from a mop I got from the Dollar Tree store. I cut a corner of a pink bandana to use for the gnome hat. I used a pink Pom Pom for the nose, and I added just a few little pink flowers to a few of the strands I braided. For the base I used a pencil holder from the Dollar Tree store.  

I removed the mop head from the mop handle, and I dropped the black neck of the mop head into the pencil holder. Before doing that I added a little glue around the rim of the pencil holder. Next time I will push the mop head further down into the holder. This will help shorten the beard that is around it.  With this gnome I unraveled all of the mop strings. Was trying to make it a little bit fuller. I attached the pink bandana, I added the pink Pom Pom for the nose, and I braided a few of the mop strands which I then added the little pink bows in some areas. 

After studying how it sat for a little bit I went in search of something to use to add a little bit of height to this. I used a small glass votive holder. 

Now, remember I am no expert doing handmade crafts. A lot of it is following what others do, sometimes adding my own touch, etc. I need to get another mop head because I would like to make another gnome. Not sure what kind of hat for it, bit that will come to me as I go along. 

When you have a chance visit my Shoppe at Etsy. I offer vintage collectibles, and repurposed Upcycled handmade items too. 

Christmas is soon here. Hope everyone will be able to share some time with family, friends, or have some whee you can go.

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams today. Drop on by anytime. Take care till the next time you visit. Toodles . . . .








Monday, December 9, 2019

Gnome Tomato Cage Handmade DIY Upcycled Christmas Holiday

This Gnome Tomato Cage Handmade DIY Upcycled Christmas Holiday project was created, and completed by LilacsNDreams. I love crafting, creating, repurposing, upcycling, vintage collectibles, and I love sharing this all with the Christmas Holiday Season. Christmas always feels a little more special with these projects, and interests included.

Pictured above is my completed Christmas Gnome that is now sitting on a stand in the corner of my porch for others to see too. I revised it a little bit from the picture seen on my last post. I knew I was going to have to make the gnome hat, but was not completely comfortable with how I was first attempting to do it.

So, I started almost completely over. I removed the cover I had on the body. I then used a dark grey shower curtain that was bigger in size, and just a little bit more loose for this that I was more comfortable with. I used about 1 1/2 big mop heads from Dollar General to go around for his beard. I used 2 baby blankets from the Dollar Tree put together to give me more of the size I wanted for the hat. I did stuff the hat a little bit with plastic bags to give it more of a shape. Added a ball at the tip of the hat. Around the rim of the hat I added a very simple snowflake like garland that has a light glitter to it. I tied a bow above his nose with the garland. I then used a silver wire trimmed ribbon that has Merry Christmas printed on it with other Christmas pictures on a white background, made a simple bow with this, and added it within the garland bow. For the gnome nose I used a white full bunny tail that I had gotten with a small batch last year from the Dollar Tree store. The tomato cage I used is close to my height of 5 foot, etc etc.

He looks adorable in the corner of our porch surrounded by Christmas lights, a blow up snowman family, Christmas tree in other window, and you know, outside Christmas decor. I’m not a professional, and have made this by example of many other designs shared by many other crafters.

I wish everyone a wonderful Monday! Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! See you again soon. Don’t forget to visit my Shoppe at Etsy for more handmade repurposed treasures, and some vintage collectible items too. Any questions contact Me. I would be happy to assist you.
Till the next time,   Toodles . . . . .








Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Vintage Inspired, Handmade DIY Gnome Tomato Cage Revised Christmas Outside



Vintage Inspired Handmade DIY GNome Tomato Cage Christmas Outside is with LilacsNDreams. Welcome everyone! It’s Wednesday, and Happy Hump Day!

There is such a raise with making these gnomes I figured I’ll give it a try for at home. I’m getting supplies together to make a small one for a Christmas gift to my hairdresser. Hers should be cute because I am using a bandana, gonna braid a few strands of her hair, and add a couple of bows to match the color of her bandana.

The gnome I am making for our home will be a big one. I am using a tomato cage to make this, and it will sit outside on my porch for show when I am done. I finally found mops to use that were bigger, and give me the length I need with the tomato cage. I completed getting 2 mops pulled a part last night to use for this project. I got the mops from Dollar General. I had a lot of thick wire, and 2 nails per mop to remove. The dog enjoyed watching me do this. I have set the mop heads to the side for the night. Taking them apart gave me 2 mop heads that are now all loose mop strings. I have an idea, and will attempt some of it today to see if it will work like I’m thinking. 

For the covered body part I am going to use Dollar Tree baby blankets. For this project I need a bigger Santa hat for him to wear because of the tomato cage size. I am having a hard time finding a big one like I want, or even some material or something to use for that. Last night I came up with an idea, and am gonna work with that today too. I’ll be making my own, and a bit nervous for that. 

Below are pictures showing the mop before I removed the head, and the tomato cage I will be using. I have extra cages on hand, so that saved hunting for those. Excuse the messes around things...Christmas decorating, and a lot of it is working with crafting projects.



Thanks so much for spending time with LilacsNDreams!  I enjoy your visits, and hope to see you again soon. Stop by anytime to see what I am up to next. 











Monday, December 2, 2019

Yellow Gold Diamond Engagement Wedding Cocktail Rings


14kt Yellow Gold Diamond Engagement Wedding Cocktail Rings

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy Monday to everyone visiting!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Weather wasn’t as bad as had been predicted. Hubby was home again this weekend. Did errands for things he needed done, and of course there is more laundry and different things to do when he is home too. Love him, but my schedule of things does get twisted a little bit while he is here. Unfortunately, projects I wanted to complete were not done. I got a few glass pieces washed, and cleaned. I really wanted to craft which I was not able to get to. 

Good news is that I made another sale! I’m waiting for payment right now. I haven’t posted to EBay for a very long time. The 3 diamond rings you are seeing below have been listed at EBay, and they are also listed at my Shoppe with Etsy too. 

The diamond cluster ring right below is the ring that sold at EBay. It feels great being able to sell items. It’s been a really slow start for me, starting over again pretty much is what I had to do. Sometimes it seems impossible, but then I sell something to give me hope again. 


Vintage Diamond Cluster Wedding Cocktail Right Hand Yellow Gold Ring  “SOLD”


Diamond Marquise Wedding Engagement Yellow Gold Diamond Ring   Comes with updated appraisal




Vintage Marquise Wedding Engagement Cocktail Yellow Gold Diamond Ring   Comes with 2 different appraisals

If you have questions about anything please drop me a line. Would be happy to help you. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Stop by again at anytime. Feel free to leave comments, contact me, etc. Always happy to hear from you. Have a fabulous day everyone!