Halloween Decorating Home Decor Outside Decor

 

Halloween Decorating Home Decor Outside Decor

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! It’s October, some leaves are changing, weather is undecided about being hot or cold, seasons are happening, and right now I am focused with Halloween. I have done some decorating inside the house for the season. I do a lot of fall decor that can also be used for Halloween time too. Most of it can stay out until the house is prepared for Christmas time. 

Today son and I worked on getting the outside decorations done for Halloween. For all we do it takes time. Love doing it to watch and listen to kids, and adults with their reactions, driving by, and so on. Still 1 of my favorite times of the year to enjoy.

We have spent money for decorations, and trying to make things a little different every year. Ever since we have moved in we have been known as the spooky house. So, each year we try to do what the kids enjoy. This year I bought 5 more skeletons making a total of 11. I also bought the 7 foot skeleton too. We have costumes from the past 1-2 years with the masks too. This year we put the costumes on 5 of the skeletons. We have IT, Michael, Georgie, Scream, and some pig face mask from last year. As of this afternoon the skeletons were dressed, and put outside with a metal stake support. We also put up a cob web with a spider on it, and we hung a wrapped body form on it too. In our big bay window we have an animated woman who is holding a head in her hands. On each side of her is a 3 stack of plastic pumpkins that light up. Decorative dome lights have been added outside too. Red one is facing towards spot the cemetery will be at tomorrow. A light faces up to the lady in the window. The other light is showing ITs face on the wall of the house where IT is standing in one of our bushes.

All the pictures above are preparations of the characters being completed, and ready to be put outside. Once the graveyard, big skeleton, tombstones among bushes, and more skeletons are added to the front porch we should have the outside complete. That should be done in 1-2 more days. We are a little behind from our normal decorating schedules, but it is soon completed. 

Sadly, over time it has been noticed that not many people decorate for Halloween anymore. The spirit of the Holidays has been missing. It’s nice to see some still do things, and we enjoy it. Listening to the kids going by the house, the looks they give seeing everything, watching adults driving by slowly and enjoying…this is one of the biggest joys of doing this.

Hope everyone is able to enjoy the fall Halloween season upon us. Thanks for sharing time with LilacsNDReams! Hope to see you again soon. Take care. Toodles!

Methods of Decoupage Generally Used

 

Methods of Decoupage Generally Used

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! There are so many ways of crafting. There are many techniques you can use. Just so many fun ways to create what you want, and decoupage is another popular technique that is used.

What is decoupage some might ask? It is one way of transforming objects into more of a personalized decor for yourself, for gift giving, or maybe to offer online or with vendor fairs too. This can be an easy craft for adults, and for children too. It helps to practice just a little bit so you can get a feel of this technique, and to find the way that works for you that you enjoy.

Decoupage can be done with napkins…which is popular with so many designs. You can also use tissue paper, wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, fabrics, etc. With some of the projects you can also consider some sort of embellishments to finish some projects with too.

First you’ll want to choose a base you want to design with. Wood, tin, glass, ceramic, metal, or terra cotta. I have also seen different baskets that were done with decoupage too. Once you have the base chosen you wish to use you can than pick something to stick on the surface. 

Once you have made your choices you will then want to decide which method of decoupage you would like to do. You have ironing, burning, using press n seal cling wrap, and just plain old mod podge too. You will find that using the ironing method helps with making your design smoother, helps with removing bubbles, and other things that would make the surface not so smooth.

You will want to make sure you have other supplies there for you to use with making your creation. Scissors to cut and trim, some brushes, nail files or emory boards, maybe some sandpaper instead of the files, parchment paper…not wax paper, a mat or whatever you want to work on, and some might prefer to use a squeegee too. 

Before you start decoupaging make sure your surface is sanded if needed, and clean too. You will want to prepare the item you wish to decoupage. If it’s a napkin you will want to separate the 2 ply because you only need to use the 1 sheet. You may also need to cut, or tear the item to better fit with the surface you have chosen to use. Sometimes you will want the surface painted so your design better shows too. Keep in mind once things have dried you will want to add a protective coating too. You can do this with mod podge, or you can also use an acrylic sealer as well.

These pictures were used from Pinterest. Great place to find techniques, get some ideas of what others have created, and so on. I would also suggest visiting DiyDreaming on Facebook, and view some of her reels that she shares with some of the methods used. It will better help in understanding what to do with the mod podge, ironing, burning, press n seal, using parchment paper…not wax paper.

I want to thank everyone for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Hope this gave you a little something to think about. Enjoy, and have fun crafting. Take care, and see you again soon. Toodles!

LilacsNDreams Facebook Marketplace Listings for Sale

 

LilacsNDreams Facebook Marketplace Listings for Sale

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Hope everyone is doing well, and had a great holiday weekend on last weekend. 

My motivation has been horrid! I have in mind things I want to do, accomplish, tasks to be done, things to craft, organize, and so on. Instead my list seems to grow, or doesn’t get any shorter.  I spend time reading, and looking at other crafters that have completed, and are sharing their items. I long to be doing the same thing they are. I wish I had much more support from our son since we live in his home. The more negative he is with me, the more I lose my ambition to do things.

So, anyway I decided 1 task at a time so I can better complete things. This past week and a half I spent time with our bedroom. Reorganizing a few things, removing some things, going through couple containers in the room, etc. I am getting a pile ready for donations. I also found some items not to donate, but better to sell them. So, I now have 6 items listed for sale on the Facebook Marketplace. So far I have 4 chandeliers hanging light pendants. All of them are brand new in boxes, never used, and boxes only opened so that I could picture items. Friday I listed a pair of brand new denim wedge sandals, and an expensive flat iron too. 

It’s time to downsize things I won’t use, have changed my mind about, don’t have our own home to decorate for us, and so on. Time to let things go, downsize, and clean. 

Adorable silver nickel hanging chandelier

This is my favorite. Chandelier to add with your country cottage home decors

This hanging light pendant has the cover you can add to the bottom, or you don’t have to use it if you desire not to

This is a single black matte light pendent. Simple, but stylish to add to many different areas in the home

These are Ana Dukes Wedge Sandal in denim. LOVE these! Was so anxious that I did not pay attention to the strap wraps around the ankle. Stylish, cute, but unfortunately I cannot wear due to the location of the buckle strap.

This is a BIO IONIC 1 inch flat iron. Used 1 time. It heats, very nice, but something I need to downsize…I own too many irons. 

So, that is what I have listed so far. More to come. I have a brand new handbag, and a vintage Coach purse that I pictured and need to list. Before I list items I try to research a little bit to see what others are offering of same/like items. Their conditions, their prices, and so on. Everything is being listed with LilacsNDreams ~ Lilacs Lambirth with Facebook Marketplace. At this time I am doing a meet up, and cash purchases. 

Thanks for stopping by everyone! I appreciate the visits, and those who stop by LilacsNDreams! Take care, and see you again soon. Toodles!

Labor Day Weekend and Celebrations LilacsNDreams

 Labor Day Weekend and Celebrations LilacsNDreams

Welcome everyone to LilacsNDreams! It’s holiday weekend, so I won’t keep you all long.

I wanted to wish you all a safe, and enjoyable holiday. Hope everyone had a great weekend with all you did. Take care, and be safe! 

Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams! Catch up with you on your next visit. Toodles!

Pinterest For Fun Personal Business

 

Pinterest For Fun Personal Business

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! I have been noticing different groups for Pinterest, or seen some who offer courses about Pinterest too. I have seen it mentioned how it was a good thing to be involved with. Many use it for their personal views to get ideas of things, research maybe some recipes, see projects offered by crafters, how to projects, etc. Some use it for promoting their business, and their pages too. 

I remember years ago when Pinterest was a new thing. Many were intrigued by it, and everyone enjoyed the idea of pinning things you found on the internet to have put somewhere for reference at times needed. You could pin for your own personal usage, and some pinned for business. Over time many realized pinning on Pinterest was good activity for visibility of your sight on Google. Many things people will share including pictures they note it came from Pinterest. Many have encouraged looking there for many ideas too.

So, yes years ago I did set up a Pinterest for LilacsNDreams. Back then I stayed fairly active with it. Pinning things I’d find of interest, and also being able to pin some of my own items with different boards set up. I would notice some of my views for items being sold on platforms, or even for my Blog/Web page were coming from Pinterest. 

Once in a while I like to Google LilacsNDreams to see what shows up for me with platforms, or places I’ve used, some of my sale listings, and with my blog too. Yesterday when I checked on things I seen Pinterest was listed for me in like the first 5-6 spots. I liked seeing it. Especially since I have not been active with Pinterest for a very long time. I truly need to go there, and sort through pins to keep some, delete some, reword some of my board titles, and so on. To help with SEO for Pinterest I also need to emphasize with keywords that are good for searches, and what people use to search with too. 

So, if you haven’t already, or it’s been a while you should visit Pinterest for some ideas, recipes, etc There is sooo much there to see, helpful, and enjoyable too. Warning…it can be easy to get lost there with seeing everything because there is so much to see. Yes, it can be addictive.

Hope everyone had a great weekend, and Thank You for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care till the next time. Toodles!

Vintage Collectibles Repurpose Upcycle Restyle Reuse

 

Vintage Collectibles Repurpose Upcycle Restyle Reuse

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! I have never really liked to share anything personal, or share to much of my home life. I understand why others sometimes do it themselves. We all need some way of relieving things from our shoulders, right?

I have a passion for working on handmade DIY crafts, and I really enjoy thrifting for things too. I have done sales on, and off since 2005. I even had my own physical store at one time too. No matter the hurdles I had to cross I hung in there, and always found a way to push forward. During all of these ventures I did I never really had much support for any of it. I have a close friend who has always cheered me on, and my husband has been supportive in if that’s what I want to do then got for it. Kids…as long as I did for them it was all good. I did a lot of what I did because I took pleasure in doing it, occupied my time, and I love creating keeping my hands busy too.

So, I have done sales off and on over time. I have added my crafting side to things I do too. I keep wanting to get back into things, and having some kind of steady schedule of things to do too. Our son spent 8 years in the service. When he got out he came to live with my husband, and I. After a couple of years he bought a home, and got 1 big enough because he wanted us to move into the house. Treat it like it’s our home too. He takes care of the house expenses, and we take care of the living expenses…utilities, water, laundry, most of the food, and things like that. 

It’s all been good until this past 1-2 years. Some days I see so much of the military in him yet, and it gets unbearable at times too. Unfortunately, it’s been hard living here. He doesn’t approve of things I do. It’s a waste of time, and money. I have to use the basement to craft in, but I’m not allowed to paint down there….I have gotten around this so I can complete some projects. I sell a little bit here, and there. I had 1 order for some angels to make, and I finally had to cancel it regretfully. In the meantime I found a way to get some new products to sell, and I can do it for 1/2 the price of the retail price. 4 of my items came in, he asked what the deal was with the boxes, I explained to him what I was attempting to do, and I got stooped real fast. He downgraded me, he’s not gonna have that stuff sitting around here, I will not be able to do this again. Unfortunately, I am trying very hard to keep the faith I will get through this, and get something worked out.

My husband, and I have been looking at homes online, but we know we cannot do anything for a while. We have a daughter that we have helped with things. Due to the help we’ve done we are now over extended with credit, and with some bills she is not paying. For credit worthiness we have to pay/take care of them. So, more expenses were added to us making life a little tighter right now.

Until we can make better arrangements I have to do what I can do for us, and also to keep our son happy too. Some days I want to give up, but I have fight left in me that I keep trying to do what I can, and move forward. It’s just sad that the thrill, and the fun of my passions is being dampened like it is.

Keep the head up, Keep the Faith. Things always find a way of working out it seems. I am so sorry to unload some of this like I have. I apologize for it, and hope no one has been offended by it all.

I appreciate the visit to LilacsNDreams. Thank you for sharing time with me today. Hope to see you again. Take care till the next time. Toodles!

Socializing With LilacsNDreams

Socializing With LilacsNDreams

Hello, and Welcome to all visiting with LilacsNDreams! I want to apologize for missing last week. Also, this week will kind of be a little off too. Feeling little under the weather, and from my last doctor visit I have more of an idea what is happening. Tuesday I’ll meet with surgeon to decide what procedure he would like to do with me. Darn hernia! Then, last fall I had lazer procedure done with kidney stones in both kidneys. In October he would like to remove a stone that was seen, and do a clean out to maybe help prevent stones again.

Like I told my husband I am high maintenance. Especially after this past year with kidney stones, and hysterectomy. You know maybe they just like seeing my smiley face, and personality that we are finding things for me to have done…LOL! 

I apologize as I have not really prepared a topic for discussion this week. I have something in mind, but was not prepared like I would like to have done. Then, the 23rd of this month our dog is having his second surgery too. Poor thing! Watching him walk, know it hurts, but he doesn’t complain. He hasn’t complained at all. He’s been a real trooper.  So, that is what was happening last week, and now this week too. 

I do hope this finds all of you doing well with everything. Thanks for checking in with LilacsNDreams! Hope to see everyone again soon. Take Care! Toodles!

Busted Exploded Canvas Crafting Shadow Box

 

Busted Exploded Canvas Crafting Shadow Box

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I enjoy watching, and participating with many craft groups on Facebook. Always learning something new, many ways of inspiration are shared, completed projects shared, and instructions how things were done is offered too. 

A new technique is being shown, and instructions offered to many. Busted, or better known as Exploded Canvas decor is being shared. Some might consider them a Shadow Box too. Many people are finding the instruction videos on TikTok as well. These are cute home decor pieces being made from the Dollar Tree canvases, or any canvas you can find. Some use 2 canvases, and some use 1 with their own ways of showing the center decoration and pictures from behind.

I found these pictures on Pinterest which is a really good source to use for inspiration too. These pictures from what I found originated from SewPaperPaint.blogspot.com. She shows the canvas being used, cutting the center, painting, rolling the cuts out, and she used a wired grid, and many other decorative embellishments to decorate this piece.

I also found these 2 pictures on Pinterest. Upon further looking the pictures originated from LifeisaBeautifulPlacetobe.blogspot.com. 

These home decor pieces are a great idea! Each piece would definitely be unique, and its own too. The cuts would be different, colors, where each embellishment or decoration placed is a little different than the next one done. Great to add to your home, or to create for unique gifts to be given. I’m excited to get a few canvas pieces myself to try, and play around with this new idea.

Thanks so much for visiting today with LilacsNDreams!  Hope you enjoyed this new technique I shared for those who craft, or for those who wish to find crafters selling pieces like these. Don’t forget to look at Pinterest too. Wishing everyone a great day. Take care till the next time. Toodles!

Craft and Vendor Show Fair Event

 Craft and Vendor Show Fair Event

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy you dropped by here today.

I have been dog sitting since Thursday. I haven’t been home to do anything since then, or work on any craft room and crafting items. I hadn’t really planned on attending an event this year, Neice had baby, her working, schedule for everyone, and everything. Also, I am slowly working on getting some things for our booth to change the layout, appearance, and make it more welcoming. It takes time, and a descent cash flow to do it all too.

I guess I will be doing an event on Saturday, August 3, 2024. My neice would like to do this event which is in Anita, IA. They are having their steak fry at this time, and it is a nice gathering to be at too. Since I hadn’t really planned on doing any events this year I am not prepared, and probably won’t really have anything to show….unless I get lucky to get a few things done. My neice usually does descent here since it is a lot of family, and friends for her there. Also, her car is not able to go out of town, and I have all the tables and wood crates needed too. 

So, I’m going to attempt a few pieces, or maybe touch up a few things that have been done from past times. Have to see what I can find with all my things. Wish me luck!

It’s great to have you visiting with LilacsNDreams! Thank you, and hope to see you again. Take care, and hope you can enjoy your time crafting and creating, and the collectibles you find along the way. Toodles!