Repurposed Upcycled Handmade DIY Cake Plate Pedestal Stands

Repurposed Upcycled DIY Handmade Cake Cupcake Plate Pedestal Stands

Repurposed Tall Solar Lamps

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy Hump Day Everyone!

I wanted to stop by, and share with you how my Solar Lights upcycled look sitting outside from Monday’s post.

Also, I wanted to share the last 2 Christmas Cake Plate Pedestal Stands that I had completed before this last weekend. I used a different stand with them than what I have used before. They are metal scrolled candle holders. They were already painted white, but done with a flat paint. Due to the plates being like new with their shine I touched up the stands with a semi gloss white paint. Below see the tops of the plates, and the side view with their pedestal stands.

The plates still had their Libby, and Kohl’s stickers on them. They are clean, and shine like new. Not sure if they were ever used. The scrolled candle holders added a character of their own to these plate stands. Keep an eye with my Shoppe at Etsy I am trying to complete a few more items, and then want to start listing them there. Also, I need to finish my new area I am designating for picture taking. I’m getting excited for all of this, and will keep you posted too. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Stop by anytime. Take care. Toodles!

Repurposed Vintage Lamps Into Solar Lights Yard Decor

Repurposed Vintage Gold Lamps Into Outside Solar Lights 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Today I am sharing another repurposing project done with lamps, and solar lights I was able to complete before this past weekend. I was out of town all weekend, and was determined to get some things done before I left. Feels pretty good with what was completed. 

The last project I did was done with some matching lamps I had found when thrifting. Took me a while to find a pair, and one that I could settle with for the project I had in mind too. 

I was shopping for a covering for the kitchen window. I found something finally, and put it in the cart. I then looked to the left at the lamps, glanced around, and on the type shelf my attention was caught. There stood a lamp about the size I had been looking for, and right next to it a matching lamp! Oh, could I be so lucky to find a matching pair for my project? I grabbed the first lamp from the top shelf, and almost dropped it! I couldn’t believe that heavy of a lamp was up there. I carefully grabbed the second one, and placed them both on the floor by me. Vintage, not bad condition, not all banged up, and was just showing it’s age from time. Better yet, they were about the size I had been looking for too. The picture above is how they looked in the cart after buying them. 

It took me a while to get both of them completely gutted. I finally got the second one done, and continued with my project. I had the solar lights, and they had been outside charging till I completed the gutting. Once I completed that I set them outside to be painted. I used Rustoleum Burnished Amber Forged Hammered Paint & Primer that works for outside too. I was pleased that it blended 

pretty good with the solar lights I was using too. 

Above are pictures of the solar lights I found, and how the lamps looked painted. I agreed with the

forged hammered look since they would be outside. 

Above is a picture of the lamps completed. They were sitting inside for the night while the glue settled while they bonded. They sat outside over the weekend while I was gone. It did rain, I was a little worried, but they looked fine when I got home. Whew! I’m pleased with how they turned out, and how they look outside too. I love being able to make something old new again, and to use it in a new way.

Thanks for visiting with LilacsDreams! Stop on by anytime. Take care! Toodles!

Repurposed Upcycled Reused Reclaimed Cake Cupcake Plate Pedestal Stands

Repurposed Reused Upcycled Restyled Cake Cupcake Plate Pedestal Stands

 Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I wanted to stop by, and share some pictures with you of some of my Cake Cupcake Plate Pedestal Stands, Snack Plate Stand, and Berry Candy Nut Bowl Stand that I have completed so far. I have a few others done, but these were my most recent treasures I worked with. Most of the time I collect pieces that do accumulate, and at some point they come together. I have often bought pieces that I thought would unite, and looked good together. Once I get home, look things over, I will often change my mind. I had this piece, that looks much better with that piece, this doesn’t match as well as I thought it would, and sometimes I find a flaw that will not be acceptable for what is being created at the time. The flaw might be noticeable, and distracting from the pieces that will unite. Sometimes if it catches I have no desire to use it. Just different thoughts used while creating pieces.

I’m having fun, and hope you are enjoying what is being shared with you. Any questions don’t be afraid to contact Me. Keep an eye on my Shoppe at Etsy  I want to complete a few more items that I have in mind. I hope to be posting these new treasures very soon for everyone to enjoy for the upcoming holidays, special occasions, weddings, gift giving, etc.

Thank You for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Stop by anytime. Take care everyone! Toodles....

Vintage Repurposed Reclaimed Handcrafted Found Second Chances

Vintage Repurposed Reclaimed Handcrafted all deserve Second Chances

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you here!

Second Chances I believe is deserved with vintage, repurposed, reclaimed, handcrafted, DIY, and found items. These treasures sometimes just need a little dusting, little cleaning, touch of paint, sometimes a unity of pieces to create something new, and to be loved. This is something I truly enjoy doing as I treasure hunt through flea markets, thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, and etc. Once in a while these treasures may find their home with me, but mostly I enjoy being able to offer them to you through my Shoppe at Etsy 

Below you will see a few pictures of items that I have cleaned, and are preparing for unity with another piece. With these items I have made 4 cake cupcake plate pedestal stands. Not pictured is some pink glass pieces I am preparing as well. Some have been completed, and will sit for the night bonding and drying. Then, I will be able to move those pieces to the side to make room for the rest I would like to complete. Once I have them done I will make sure to picture them, and share them with you how they look with the completed unity. I’m excited because I am growing my inventory with things to start listing them at my Shoppe with Etsy 

I love how the snowman pedestal plate stand looks combined with the red base, and I love the combination of the 2 smaller green glass pieces together too. The possibilities with pieces like this are endless! Use them for holidays, weddings, special occasions, to serve with, etc. They are also great to use with your home decor as candle holders, jewelry holders, organize in the kitchen with soap and cloth, same in the bathroom, a catch all when you walk in the door, and the possibilities are endless! Sorry, I get carried away with the excitement and joy of working with some of these pieces. Can you tell? LOL!

I want to Thank You so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! I enjoy you visiting, and hope to see you again soon. Till the next time, Toodles!

Highway 141 Garage Sales Repurposed Home Decor Treasures Visited Experienced

Highway 141 Garage Sales Visited August 2-3

Welcome to LilacsNDreams Everyone! Glad to have you stop by to visit!

Last year when we moved into our home they had these Highway 141 Sales taking place. I had heard about them, but had not been to them. Guess what? Highway 141 goes right by Coon Rapids! Later on I learned this is a highway I would frequent traveling to Grimes, Urbandale, Des Moines, etc. I had seen different garage sales around town while we were moving, and unfortunately did not have time to visit any. Moving, unloading truck, packing, organizing, etc. I still had some downsizing I wanted to do too. So, I missed that event last year.

This year I was hoping to attend some of this big event. In Coon Rapids some of the homes got started on Thursday night. A friend, and I took her hubby’s pick-up, and got started with a few places.  One didn’t look promising for what we would be interested in. Another one was doing an Estate sale, and unfortunately their prices were high. Nice vintage items, some nice collectibles, but when it’s garage sales I’m looking for those prices too. Cleaning house, making a little money, but priced reasonably so things clear out. Unfortunately, there are a few around like that. 

Our first true visit I fell in love with the place! This woman loves to collect things, and she enjoyed crafting too! She had repurposed vintage oil funnels into Christmas trees, old candle stands were crafted for Christmas with trees on them too. The day before I just viewed things like this, and considered doing this with some of my candle holders I have for Christmas time. So, I was excited seeing some in person, and able to talk with the creator too. She has fun making things, and selling them too. 

We visited another home that had some beautiful colored glassware which I have a passion for. Another home had a multi-family sale that included many items that had been done with glass, and signage. Needless to say I enjoyed the few we went to before supper. 

Next day I was heading over to Urbandale, and Grimes. Once I got away from home, and traveling Highway 141 I seen a lot of garage sale signs, people with homes along the highway offering things, your little areas along the highway to stop and visit would have people with tables set up offering their goods, I seen flatbed trailers with items on them, I seen a sign with a barn sale that was all day long,  car dealer had a tent set up on their lot, pick-ups had trailers with them, and it was so much to see along the highway! It was amazing, and I was really excited with all of it too!! I’m excited for next year already. I am making plans to be better prepared so that I can go along the highway, and to be rested for this day long event.

Below are pictures for a few things that I did get. I snatched up the big white window you see for just $2. I had a couple items I spent $10 a piece on, but everything else was usually $2-$3. I like glassware, and I always look those pieces over. I found 3 pink glass candle holders to use for my cake plates, or whatever I decide to do. I have been working with them to get all the wax out before I wash them up prior to crafting with them. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams everyone! Take care, and stop on by anytime!

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. 

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!