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. 

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. 

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!

    

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!

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!

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 decor, vintage collectibles, DIY, repurposed 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!!   

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 . . .