Handmade Christmas Tags

Since I've joined the Christmas tag swap at It's a Very Cherry World, I decided to spend this cold, rainy Saturday practicing making my first tags   . 

(Miss E made the one with the pretty handwriting, she's so gifted!)

I turned to Pinterest to get ideas. 

The possibilities were endless, depending on the embellishments on hand ... 

I searched online for "vintage Christmas free graphics" - I'll be making these vintage pictures into tags, as well as others I discovered.  

I love the vintage look for my tags. 

How To:


1. Cut a 3" x 5", or 4" x 6" (or any size between) piece of cardboard. I use a cereal box.


2. Cover it with scrapbook paper, or you could use fabric!


3. You could leave it in the shape of a rectangle, but most people clip off the top left and right edges for a little added interest. 


4. Then, embellish to your heart's content!

Are you joining any swaps this Christmas? I enjoy receiving packages from bloggers in other states and hope they enjoy the packages they get from me! 


Update: I'll be joining Mandy's party at Project Queen, hope you'll be linking up, too!

Click here to register for our Cath Kidston giveaway!

Thanks to Squidoo and Karen's Whimsy for the free clip art!


I'm sharing at:
http://www.ninthstreetnotions.com
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com
http://www.cherishedbliss.com
http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com
http://www.yesterdayontuesday.com
http://www.serenitynowblog.com/

This Week's Potpourri

I've worked on several different projects this week. I'm happy when I'm sewing, so this has been a happy week.

This adorable birdie was designed by my niece, Penny - she is such an artiste! 

This week I finally learned the proper way to sew a blanket stitch, the edging that brings such magic to felt ornaments. A Google search for "how to blanket stitch" led me to an easy tutorial. I think I will get better and better at this with practice. 

On Pinterest, I spotted this snowman made from sheet music and decided to try it. I found "vintage sheet music" online and copied that. 

Remember last weekend's snowman plaque? This guy is very different from that version ~ 

This snowman will be cute enough on the Christmas tree. He's trying to grab my button, right?! Must be a blogging snowman.


Several of last week's readers wanted to see pictures from my childhood book, A Day at the Playground, so here are a few. 

Isn't that little cherub face the cutest? 

Take a look at this picture - what are the white things on the sides of the hills? I used to think was snow ... but why are they still dressed in summer clothes if it's cold? I've studied this picture as an adult and still can't figure out what it represents.

The book was published in 1951 and has an inscription that it was given to my brother by our aunt. Guess when I came along a couple years later, it was passed down to me.


A Day at the Playground was written by Miriam Schlein, and again the pictures are by Eloise Wilkin.


Hope you enjoyed this Friday Potpourri. Have a great weekend! 


Don't forget we have a fun giveaway going on here ~

CUPCAKE LINER GIVEAWAY

- CATH KIDSTON - 

ENTER HERE TO WIN! 

I'm sharing at:
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
http://www.ninthstreetnotions.com
http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com
http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com
http://vintagegwen.blogspot.com/2011/10/show-share-11-darlings.html

Pretty Little Header

Today marks the unveiling of my official new header ~


I popped over to Free Pretty Things For You one day. She had just posted this new picture ~

It was love at first sight for me, so I grabbed it and ran. It's been on my blog for a week or so, but I couldn't figure out how to "center" it ... Dear teen daughter came along this morning and blip blip blip - there it is, centered in all of its beauty.


Thanks, Keren at Free Pretty Things - I've waited a long time for just the right banner, and I love it!


UPDATE:  Turns out that centering it threw off my whole blog, leaving pictures piling over into my sidebar, etc. So we had to return it to it's left-sided position. If anyone can tell me a very. simple. way. to make Blogger let us center it, please share the deets. When it comes to HTML, we are challenged.

CUPCAKE LINER GIVEAWAY

- CATH KIDSTON - 

ENTER HERE TO WIN! 

I'm sharing here:
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

Snowman Plaque Inspired by Pinterest

Pinterest inspires me so much! I pin ideas to my Crafts board. Later, when I have time to craft, I choose a Pinterest idea, then make my own version of it. 

It was easy to make. I already had all the supplies except one sheet of scrapbook paper, $1. Here are the supplies I used ~

Plus a square piece of wood from another project ~

The tutorial:

1. Pink scrapbook paper wrapped the front and sides of the wood block, using the hot glue gun to attach the paper. 

2. A snowman shape from the internet - I cut that shape from a Wheaties box. The cardboard snowman was then covered with a photocopied dictionary page.

3. The scarf (ribbon) was tied around his neck and secured, along with buttons, again using hot glue. 

4. White flowers were embellished with a sprinkling of shiny jewels and glued on.

5. White ribbon around the edge of the plaque, as well as the bow, were glued onto the edges of the wood. Tiny lace was glued around the front border. 

6. Two twigs from the yard became Snowman's arms. 

7. Using my Cricut, I cut out letters to spell J O Y. I originally intended to print the letters from a Word document onto the pink scrapbook paper, but got ahead of things by cutting out the paper before printing. If you don't have a Cricut (or Silhouette), you could easily use your printer to make the word(s) you want to use on your plaque. 

Here's the pin that inspired me - the original snowman plaque was created by LilyBean's Paperie ~

That was fun - having some great Cath Kidston cupcake liners to bake with would also be fun. You're in luck ~ 

Enter our Cath Kidston cupcake liners giveaway here!


I'm sharing at:
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com
http://tearosehome.blogspot.com
http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/
http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com
http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com
http://verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.com/
http://www.cherishedbliss.com
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com

Cath Kidston Giveaway!

Yes, it's true - there is a Cath Kidston giveaway starting today on Ms. Redo!


And here's what we're giving away ~

One lucky winner will receive one box of Cath Kidston cupcake liners - in all the glorious Cath Kidston colors - right to her own mailbox!


Ms. Redo is joining with Jennifer at Sugar Pink Boutique to provide this giveaway. Here are the instructions to give you three chances to win:


1 point - "follow" Ms. Redo (or if you're already a follower)  ~ leave a comment that you do.
1 point - "follow" Sugar Pink Boutique's blog here, and leave a comment that you do.
1 point - blog, Tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway and leave a comment that you did. For Facebook or Twitter, you may use this wording: "Cath Kidston giveaway at http://Redo101.blogspot.com."


Be sure to leave your email address so we can get in touch with you; if your comment doesn't automatically lead me to your email address, please leave it in your comment like this: Sally(at)comcast(dot)net. 


Giveaway ends November 8, 2011 - so enter now! I wish each of you could win!!!

I linked this giveaway at:

Cath Kidston, Anyone?

UPDATE: Ms. Redo, along with Sugar Pink Boutique, are giving away one box of the beautiful Cath Kidston cupcake liners - here - enter to win! 


Have you heard of London designer Cath Kidston? 

I've heard her name a lot since I started reading blogs last year. And each time I come across her name, I think, hmmm ... love that look!

Recently I ran across an ad on someone's blog; the ad was for a shop that sells Cath Kidston's fabric and embellishments. 

I did a Google search and discovered an online sales site - Sugar Pink Boutique - as well as her lovely blog. 

(In the words of Anne of Green Gables,"I shall surely perish" if 

I don't have a set of these gorgeous cupcake liners!)

But have you ever, in your life, seen such beauty?!?!

Leave a comment if you have anything from Cath or if you wish you did. I'm thinking of writing a letter to Santa! 






All pics from the Sugar Pink Boutique website.

I'm sharing at:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com
http://projectqueen.org
http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com

Bringing Back Memories

Do you remember, back in the day, doing this?

Redo Jr. and his young friend "Sam" played for hours on Saturday in the leaves.

It brought back so many memories of fall days long ago when friends and I would rake up the leaves in my Grandmother's front yard, then jump! Then rake and jump!

Kids do things a little differently these days. No rake. Electric leaf blower. So much more fun than raking ... of course it's easier too.

Wish we could keep that pile of leaves all year. We'd never hear "I'm bored" again!


Are you raking/blowing leaves where you are? Will you jump in them? :)

Ten Random Things

Vicky at The Tapestry of Life is having a fun little Friday gathering, so grab your coffee (or tea) and join in.


Today's challenge is to:

List 10 Random Things You've Never Done:

1. I never visited Switzerland and Austria - the Alps! The Sound of Music! ... but perhaps it is not too late.

2. I never shot a gun and I hope I never do. Those things scare me.

3. I never finished college. Big huge regret. But things turned out okay. By working hard and being nice, I was able to gain promotions into jobs that "required" a college education. So work hard and be nice!

4. I never jumped out of an airplane. I no longer wish to do that.

5. I never wrote a book. I tried several times. Never could finish. Blogging is so much easier.

6. I never married until I was 39. Seriously. I was busy in my 20s being a career woman. When I turned 30 the big panic started ... but I was old enough to know that not just anyone would do. At 38 I found Mr. Redo and we married at 39. Whew! Just made it under the 40 mark!

7. I never had biological children. Well, I have one (unborn) baby in heaven. I'll see him or her some day. Meanwhile, I seriously love the two children God gave me - Seriously.Love.Them -  Besides, flying to Romania to adopt has got to be tons easier than labor and delivery, right?!?!

8. I never was artistic and never could sing really well. These are disappointments but beyond my control. You get some abilities and others you learn to do without.

9. I never drove a race car. Is it too late? Mr. Redo says my van *is* my race car and SLOW DOWN!!!

10. I never dreamed I'd have a blog and meet so many great people ... but I did. Awesome things happen when you're not looking.

List Something You Do to Prepare for the Cool Weather:

I make hot tea, wear flannel pj's, and pull out the fall decor. Love those fall colors!

What's something you wish you'd done but never have? Leave a comment - or better yet, join Vicky's party!

Miss E Loves a Redo, Too

Miss E has always loved modern things, although she's very kind to help me find vintage items at the tag sales.

Miss E surprised shocked me tonight when she stated, "Mom, all your vintage things are so beautiful, I think I'll do my room in vintage, too."

She got Grandma Ware's beautiful quilt from the closet. She found two blue braided rugs in the attic.

(I was going to paint this $30 Craigslist dresser white this fall, but pneumonia,

bronchitis, and allergies have prevented my painting ideas.)

She rearranged the room.

She's vintage. Wow! She never ceases to amaze me. 


Did you notice some pups peeking from the corners - Miss E loves her stuffed dogs! And now she loves vintage, too - can't wait to find some estate sales for us to visit :) 


I'm sharing at:
http://romantichome.blogspot.com

Pampered Chef Winnings

Just before school opened, I won a Pampered Chef giveaway at A Diamond in the Stuff. 

The stoneware cookie sheet and clear glass storage container arrived last week. 

I think I might be the luckiest girl in Blogland :)

If you like the items I won, or perhaps are interested in some other Pampered Chef item online, feel free to contact our gracious Pampered Chef hostess, Shannon Lee, who provided this giveaway through A Diamond in the Stuff:

Shannon is selling great stoneware and some beautiful pink to help find the cure - aren't those bowls delightful?

The small bowl caddy, above, is only $15 - a great addition to a Thanksgiving or Christmas table!

So, yep ... I won again. Love that Pampered Chef!

My Childhood Treasures

Today I want to introduce you to some very special items. 

(I had to replace her little dress some years back.)

I have kept these items all through my life, and since I'm vintage, they are also vintage.


I can't remember my baby's name, but I'm sure she had one.

As an adult I came home to Mom's one day to find our childhood blocks on the porch in a pile of things being sent to the dump. How many times have I thanked God I happened to show up at that moment?!

These little books were my two favorites from the many Mom read to me. But my favorite was All Aboard. Little Molly is taking the train with her mother (and her dolly) to visit Grandmother. So exciting to me, a little country girl growing up on the farm. 

I will keep these treasured items all my life, and some day they will belong to Miss E. And perhaps she will read the little books to her daughter some day. 

Do you have treasures from your childhood? I'd love to hear about them. 


I'm sharing at:
http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com
http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com
http://verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.com
http://coloradolady.blogspot.com
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com
http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/
http://www.thevintagefarmhouse.com/
http://laurieannas.blogspot.com
http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com
http://coreymoortgat.blogspot.com
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com

A Last Minute Wreath

This weekend I decided to make a Halloween wreath. 

I already had the styrofoam wreath form and some ribbon. Miss E and I went to Michael's with our 40% coupons and bought two more spools of ribbon to complete the project.


I pinned each of my five ribbons at a starting point on the back of the wreath. Taking turns, I wrapped each one around and around, then overlapped the next one slightly, continuing until done.  

I made a bow from my favorite of the ribbons and pinned it on.  

I wanted a little embellishment on the bottom but didn't want to spend any money. Got out the Cricut and cut my B O O letters, then found one of Mr. Redo's "shims" and decided it would do the job. A little craft paint, then some decoupage, and I had my Halloween wreath.

The kids are tickled with it. Boo!


(Thinking of you, Megan, and wishing you a happy October 31 birthday!)


I'm sharing at:
http://projectqueen.org