The Summer Months…

… seem to be so busy for everyone in blogland! I myself have been swamped with work and have not really been able to make any blog posts for almost a month and a half, as is evident by the date of the last post.

My head has been swarmed with ideas of all kinds, from crafting projects to design concepts that I have put down in a sketch-book. I am hoping that in another two weeks I can start putting those concepts and ideas to work.

To recap what’s been happening to me in the last month and a half, I can say that I had a tooth pulled out, went on a nice little vacation to the seaside, determined my Etsy policies and completed a few items. One of which sold before it was up on Etsy, even!

Among some of the projects are the two birdhouses I’ve been working on. Each one is embellished with shells from the Black Sea and nautical hand-crafted clay ornaments. Both will be sold separately.

And the pair of wooden picture frames, painted white and embellished using the serviette technique. They sold for 50 Euro.

And, of course, some vacation photos:

Hope you’ve all enjoyed your summer months! I know I did.

Wallpaper Projects

Do you get the Martha Stewart’s Organizing Tip of the Day? If so, you are probably familiar with today’s newsletter, but for those of you who don’t receive her daily e-mails, here’s what’s on the menu today: decorating with scraps of wallpaper you have left! I have to say I’d never thought of that, but good ol’ Martha is always full of fresh ideas:

Aren’t they just gorgeous? Head on over to MS's website to take a look at all of the lovely ideas posted there.

In the meantime, I’m working on the first few items that I will list for sale on Etsy very soon. I actually have the first four completed.

Hope you’re having a fabulous week!

[All images courtesy of marthastewart.com]

Been So Long…

I know, I’ve been a total slacker when it comes to keeping the blog updated lately! I can’t really say I’ve been swamped with projects and things to do, but work has the tendency to suck all juice out of me to the point where when I come home all I want to do is… nothing. Is this really bad of me?

In the past couple of weeks (and then some) I’ve only worked on a couple of things. On a good note, I have the rest of the week off of work!

I bought a cardboard sheet to use as backing for my serviette technique pictures, but I still need to go out with mom to buy some frames for them. I’ve also got a random ideas for napkin rings, which I will probably complete by the end of the week, so that will give me a chance to finally start that Etsy shop. In addition, I’ve got some cups and plates lined up that I can work on, and I’m buying some really neat boxes I found at the craft store that I will decorate and list there as well. In fact, something similar to the box I did for my mom:

   

And I had a neat little ‘thrifty’ find! While rummaging though my grandma’s closet I found this little beauty:

Isn’t she gorgeous? I have a couple of leaves in there that I am trying to grow, but imagine the teapot with a small bouquet of random little flowers! I think it could make the perfect provance center-piece!

In any case, now that I have a few days to myself, I can not fully indulge! I will keep you all updated!

A New Month – New Beginnings

Today Bulgarians celebrate July Morning – a tradition that is traced back to the 70s and the hippy movement in America, and was regarded as a quiet protest against communism in the 8os (and gets its name from the famous Uriah Heep song July Morning). Enthusiasts travel to the Bulgarian sea-side to greet the morning sun on 1st of July – symbol of a new beginning.

That being said, I hope to see some new projects on a more personal level this month as well! Needless to say, I am very much behind on my June list, and I’m quite embarrassed about that. I guess I didn’t really take into account the fact I was going back to work full-time after my finals and how that would cut into my spare time – significantly, I have to say. And as much as I would have loved to have crossed all items off that list, I only managed to do a few… very few. Here’s a recap:

1. Go shopping for craft materials:

• Spray paints – various colors (Not done, but at least I have a vague idea about what colors I want)
• Wooden picture frame, plus some cheap plastic ones (On the to-do list this month)
• Chicken-wire and some hooks (Not done)
• Mother-of-pearl ornaments and shells (Some progress)
• Twine (Not done)
• Bamboo piece (Not done)
• Decoupage paper and some napkins (Done)
• Wooden jewelry ornaments (Done)
• Wind chime kit (Done)
• Felt of various thickness and colors (Not done)
• Buttons (Not done)
• Sea salt (fine) (Not done)
• Glass bottles (Found some while cleaning the house)
• Metal plaques (Done)
• Tin wire of various thickness (Not done)

Such a sad, sad state of affairs. But the list continues!

2. Work on some hand-made jewelry. (Not done)

3. Figure out what to do with that tin can I salvaged (love being so vague, ha!) (Done – for now, the tin cans are perfect for storing my brushes)

4. Find some old glass jars and use them as hanging planters on the wall. (Partially – found the jars, haven’t used them yet)

5. Make the jewelry rack for mom. (Erm… not done)

6. Make a tag from the metal plaques. (Got the materials, still working on the creative part)

7. Make the chicken-wire ‘hanger’.(Not done)

GARDENING:

1. Repot the Dracena Marginata in a larger pot. (Not done, I think the plant is doing alright in the pot it’s in)

2. Move the cherry tomato plant in a bigger pot. (Not done – but I got a ripe tomato)

3. Move the Pelargoniums outside and prune them. (Not done – some serious space issues. For now they are out on the steps are not doing too shabby)

4. Buy potting mix and more planters to plant the rest of the small petunias. (Done)

5. Sow more basil. Also, check the lavender seeds and transfer into a pot. (Not done – I bought a lavender plant, and don’t need more basil)

6. Buy some petunias from the market and plant in pots at the bedroom window. (Done)

PERSONAL:

1. Stick to my diet at all costs! ‘Cheating’ only allowed on Saturday/Sunday. (Semi accomplished!)

2. Do some exercising. (Not accomplished – not in the least)

3. Find a good book to read. (Done)

Alright, after this boring wall of text, I am ready to proceed with the July list, which is not ready yet, but will make sure to post it once it’s ready. To shed some light, though, I am working on several projects, some personal, some not so. My mom has a set of cups she’s donating to my future Etsy shop, where I’ll be offering similar items. In addition, I’m working on decorating a small vintage stool she has, and I actually can’t wait to start on that. Right now I am working on decorating a cigar box she found, and that’s been a fun little project. The box is almost complete, so I’ll make sure to post the “after” pictures soon. Oh, and I scored some vintage chairs from my aunt (which she was getting ready to throw away), so I can only picture the yummy goodness these will be! Of course, in order to do that, I’m planning on taking two weeks off of work sometime at the end of July/beginning of August. Fun fun!

Are you guys getting the BHG newsletter? They have some beautiful flower arrangements and tips today. Check this out!

Beautiful, aren’t they? And the tips are so simple, and yet form the ‘core’ of flower arrangement. Head on over to check all the gorgeousness!

I would also like to say one big WELCOME to the couple new followers I have. You all make this so worthwhile!

[Click on image to go to source. Flower images from BHG.com]

A Junk Party!

Yes, that’s right! Sweet Kennesha @ Me & My House is hosting a Junk Party!

Hop on over and pay her a visit! She’s got some lovely lovely transformations, and the ladies that have posted have some sweet ‘junk’!

Me? I’m going with my own little piece of junk which you’ve already read about, but since I was about to throw it out I think it qualifies, hah!

 

So, join us for a fun little party!

Mystery Sneak-Peek

Things have been quite busy around here, and while I’m not as far in my ‘to-do’ list as I’d like to be, I’m slowly creeping forward and crossing things off.

I bought some lovely pink cascade petunias the other day, along with some planters, and planted them yesterday. Now they are happily sitting at my bedroom window creating a lovely patch of color on the otherwise boring facade. Some time this weekend I will find the time to do one more planter, but this time it will be the petunias I started from seed.

I can only hope my bedroom window starts looking something similar to this soon! Ha.

We went shopping last night but got to spend only 5 minutes in the store because they were closing, but I managed to pick a couple of things. And so, I give you a sneak-peek of what I am working on now, and I will hopefully have a tutorial posted in a couple of days!

Can you guess what it is?

Stay tuned!

June’s Projects

Sweet Kim @ Heart In The Country had a great idea and posted a monthly ‘to-do’ list. I was so thrilled when I read her list that it inspired me to write one of my own – and maybe that would be an incentive enough to keep to it, ha! Plus, remember me talking about starting a crafter's journal? Well, what is a better place to do that than my blog?

So, here it is, the ‘June to-do list’:

CRAFTS:

1. Go shopping for craft materials:

• Spray paints – various colors
• Wooden picture frame, plus some cheap plastic ones
• Chicken-wire and some hooks
• Mother-of-pearl ornaments and shells
• Twine
• Bamboo piece
• Decoupage paper and some napkins
• Wooden jewelry ornaments
• Wind chime kit
• Felt of various thickness and colors
• Buttons
• Sea salt (fine)
• Glass bottles
• Metal plaques
• Tin wire of various thickness

2. Work on some hand-made jewelry.

3. Figure out what to do with that tin can I salvaged (love being so vague, ha!)

4. Find some old glass jars and use them as hanging planters on the wall.

5. Make the jewelry rack for mom.

6. Make a tag from the metal plaques.

7. Make the chicken-wire ‘hanger’.

GARDENING:

1. Repot the Dracena Marginata in a larger pot.

2. Move the cherry tomato plant in a bigger pot.

3. Move the Pelargoniums outside and prune them.

4. Buy potting mix and more planters to plant the rest of the small petunias.

5. Sow more basil. Also, check the lavender seeds and transfer into a pot.

6. Buy some petunias from the market and plant in pots at the bedroom window.

PERSONAL:

1. Stick to my diet at all costs! ‘Cheating’ only allowed on Saturday/Sunday.

2. Do some exercising.

3. Find a good book to read.

I’m sure I will think of something else to add to the list so I will update it regularly. I so wish I can keep to it – I am excited about everything I want to do, and yet I find myself lacking the motivation sometimes. Hopefully, with the list being now ‘public’ I will feel obliged to follow my list and complete the projects I have set myself to work on.

Alright, now I’m going to work on that tea set!

[Click on images to go to sources]

A House for the Birds

I’ve always wanted to have a birdhouse that I can put outside and have little birds come over to feed or live, but I have never had one. Sadly, I can’t find any birdhouses in Bulgaria, unless they are custom ordered. That’s why I decided to find some beautiful photos and post them here, and maybe one day I’ll get around to making one for myself.

 

It’s amazing how a single, so ‘trivial’ object can have so many designs! Each one of those birdhouses is distinctly different from the next, while still maintaining a relatively similar shape. I’m not even taking into account all the fancy birdhouses that are out there!

I would definitely love to make one, but I think that’s a project way beyond my capabilities. Maybe some day!

In the meantime, however, I pulled out an old tea/coffee set of boring milkglass that I am about to transform. I’ll post the results!

Hope you all have a fabulous Monday!