THE LADYBUG'S GARDEN

Thrifty $40 Coffee Table Redo

2011-10-27T13:54:00.003-05:00

HOMEMADE SIDEWALK CHALK

2011-10-26T17:30:00.001-05:00

One of our favorite outside activities at our home is drawing with chalk on the driveway. You can play hopscotch, four-square, and of course draw and create silly stories. My grandchildren and I were talking one day as we played hopscotch about how to make chalk and I thought to myself, let’s try it! It ended up being quite a lot of fun.
What you will need:
•   Toilet paper or paper towel tubes
•   Scissors
•   Duct tape
•   Wax paper
•   Small bucket or disposable container to make the recipe
•   ¾ cup of warm water
•   1 ½ cups Plaster of Paris
•   2-3 tablespoons of tempera paint
•   Paper bag or a “mess mat”
** we made six tubes of chalk – we simply doubled the above recipe.**

Step 1: If you are using paper towel tubes, cut each tube in half, so it is roughly the length of a toilet paper roll tube.

Step 2: Cover one end of each tube with duct table to hold the contents within.
Step 3: Cut as many pieces of wax paper as you have tubes. Roughly 6 inches X 6 inches. Roll the wax paper loosely and insert into the tubes so as to effectively line the tubes. The top of the wax paper will be higher than the tubes. The wax paper liner will keep the chalk mixture from sticking to the cardboard tubes and will eventually be peeled off.

Step 4: Pour the warm water into your bucket. Sprinkle the Plaster of Paris over the water and stir the mixture with a plastic spoon. The Plaster of Paris roughly starts hardening within 20-30 minutes, so you need to work fast so that it does not harden too quickly.

Step 5: Next you will want to pour the tempera paint into the Plaster of Paris mixture and stir so that it is mixed thoroughly. If you would like brighter colors add more tempera paint into the mixture. We wanted to make a variety of colors of chalk, so we spooned about 1/2-3/4 cup of Plaster of Paris in each separate container and mixed in the different tempera paint colors into each bowl. We ended up making six different colors and next time might mix more.

Step 6: Stand each tube with the tape side down on a cookie sheet/flat baking dish/box lid to make the project easier to transport to a drying location. Pour or spoon the colored Plaster of Paris mixture into the wax paper lined tubes. Lightly tap the sides of the tubes to release the air bubbles (so you do not have holes in your chalk). After you have poured the mixture into the tubes start another color. When done trim the excess wax paper so that it is closer to the cardboard tube.

Step 7: It took 3 days for our chalk to dry. On the last day, we peeled off the duct tape so that the underside could dry. When the chalk dries, peel off the paper tubes and wax paper. Your chalk is ready!

Look how pretty they came out. You can make any color you like. I thought this is a nice size to hold in little hands to draw on sidewalks or driveways. Oh Yes, forgot to say the chalk will wash right off driveway. We water hose it off. Now for the fun to begin!

Halloween Handprints and Footprints

2011-10-24T18:53:00.002-05:00

Handprint and Footprint Art

I found this blog and thought it would be fun to repost for all to enjoy!

I thought it would be fun to make Halloween Shirts this year. I dyed one of my son's plain white t-shirts green and the next day we decorated it by making Footprint Ghosts and a Handprint Pumpkin. You could use a colored shirt but I couldn't find one in a color I wanted and he had some white ones with stains on them that dye could easily cover up.This was my 1st time using acrylic paint on clothing and think I will stick to using only fabric paint next time. To make the ghosts, I painted my son's foot white and pressed it on the shirt to make a footprint ghost body. The acrylic paint dries too fast and I had to fill in gaps on one of them afterwards. The eyes are made with his fingerprints and the mouth is made with his thumbprint. To make the Handprint Pumpkin, I painted just the palm of his hand orange and pressed it down. I used black fabric paint with a tip to draw in the pumpkin's face and to write Boo! http://funhandprintart.blogspot.com/

You can make these and just put the child's name on them not Halloween.

Baby's 1st Memories

So Cute!

Cute Hand Print Ghost--

or leave off Halloween off and make just for a memory frame.

Foot Print Ghost or Just a Memory Framed Art

Black Cat Hand Prints

Painting with Enamels Instructions

This is a great way to preserve memories of just how little your child was at one point! You can make mugs, decorative plates, wall hangings, etc. You can find tiles at hardware stores like Lowe's (cheap!). Hot glue a picture hanger to the back of the tile if you would like to hang it up. Check your local dollar store- they typically carry plain dishes. Just think of all the fun presentsyou and your child will enjoy making for family and friends!

I used FolkArt Enamel paint to create the ones you see on the blog. These are found at craft stores such as Michael's and JoAnn's. They run around $2 per paint so be sure to keep your eye out for those 50% off coupons. Just follow the easy directions on the back of the bottle- some require heating in the oven, air dry for days, handwash only. Make sure you protect your work surface and clean up any spills right away as the enamel paints aren't easily going to come off when dried (or not at all).

BY: AMANDA

I'm so glad you stopped by. Come back to visit often. You never know what I might be growing in my Ladybug's Garden!

Thrifty Finds

2011-10-21T21:51:00.000-05:00

Hi, I am so glade you stopped by.

These are some of my THRIFT FINDS.

I bought the Mahogany Front Door for $40 for my son....all I had to do is refinish it!

Isn't she beautiful? I love her!!

I make pretty Bird Feeders from Tea Cups or Mugs and Saucers seen above.

So, I had a Thrift shopping day where I find all my items, see some of my finds.

25 cents, 50 cents etc each.

$3 for this pretty Vintage Crochet Dollie

I love Thrift Shopping. Glad you stopped by. Come again!

Thrifty Craft Center Chalk Paint Redo

2011-10-14T00:01:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone. Welcome to my Blog.

I am so glad to see you back checking in with me to see whats going on in my Ladybug's Garden.

Today I am going to show you my reveal of my $20 Thrifty Find Craft Center. I bought the hutch top for $20 and a lady gave the desk bottom free. I love free or cheap don't you?

This is my first project job using ASCP.

***********************************

Here we go, getting my supplies out. Paint and brush. Thats right nothing else! There is no sanding and priming before using this paint..Yahooo I love this idea! I always love easy, quick.

DESK BEFORE

Three different colors. Top yellow, desk top white, desk stained.

Top painted ASCP Old White

Painted the top hutch first. OLD WHITE ASCP

What is nice is if you get any paint on the glass, it just wipes off with a wet cloth. I love this...

SO NO TAPPING!

Excuse my yogurt ops......A girl get hungry while painting..

Next painted the bottom desk.

Next I painted the desk bottom. No I didn't take stuff out of desk..

I took all the old knobs off the drawers first.

This is a big desk. I choose it because it is deep and when I put the hutch on top,

I still had plenty of work area for my sewing machines.

When the paint is dry it feels kinda flat and ruff.

Waxing makes the beauty come out of the piece!

I think of my craft center like the ugly duckling and the swan of Chalk Paint..

Finished painting..Now comes the waxing and buffing.

I picked ASCP Clear Wax for my project.

I had a nice duster so I used this.

But you can use almost any soft cloth to buff.

I put wax on the entire craft center.

It changes the color of the Old White some what.

Sand lightly or as much as you want it to look like.

Next I lightly sanded the areas to make it look distressed and old worn looking. As I sanded I kept a wet cloth and wiped after. You get little dust because of the waxing.

I sanded the edges, legs and around the knobs and key hold.

Lightly sanded in areas you might rub in daily use.

She has pretty legs!

See her pretty legs sanded lightly.

I added new knobs..

The desk has two pull out writing drawers. I love these and left so I left them the stained color.

I can use these for cutting or crafts etc while sitting at my desk.

CRAFT CENTER DESK BEFORE

CRAFT CENTER DESK AFTER

I love the new look of my $20 Craft Center.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Thanks everyone for coming by. Come back again. Stay creative!

Thrifting, Recycle, Re-purpose, Redo are words I love!

http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/2011/10/furniture-feature-friday-link-party.html

Joining

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Mod Mix Monday Show off your cottage Monday

Room Inspiration Bathrooms

Inspiration Friday You are Talking too Much

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Potpourri Friday Funky Junk Interiors Romantic Home

Stuff and Nonsense

Tea Cup Bird Feeders

2011-10-11T15:24:00.000-05:00

I am so glad to see you stopped by again or maybe you are new welcome to my Ladybug's Garden. I have a cute, easy and cheap craft for you today. I love to make these.

They are Tea Cup or Mug and Saucer Bird Feeders. I go thrift shopping for all the ones I make. Tea cups, mugs and saucers are so cheap like 50 cents or less. As you can see I like big funny colorful one. The birds love colorful things that attract them like flower colors.

My Inspiration Pieces

Things you will need:

Tea Cups or Mugs and Saucers

Old spoons

Any pipe--I used conduit (made for burying electrical wires) cheapest

Ends to glue to bottom of saucers
Gorilla Glue not Liq Nail

I chose this type of pipe due to it being cheap and the color would blend in when in the flower bed..

As I learned Liq Nail will be ok for the cup gluing to the saucer...But when you glue the little top and put it on the pipe Liq Nail will not hold..

Add glue to mug bottom and Press cup or mug on to saucer

See how pretty

I tried Liquid nails first but they would not stay glued.....or....

I used Gorilla Glue on the bottom of the caps

Add Gorilla Glue to cap and press on bottom of saucer

Put glue on bottom of your cup and press on saucer and let dry

Letting them dry

Now glue a spoon on each cup set! The birds can perch on the spoons.

See how pretty

This is my funny one..ha a cat!

Just a repeat to show you how easy...

Beautiful mugs and saucers I found Thrifting 25 cents

See hammer the pole in ground then put cup on top of it!

I think bright colors like these are pretty.

Once they are dry, I take my cut pipe the length you want it to be tall in flower bed out with my cup set to the yard. I hammer the pipe into the flower bed where I want it and then sit the cup set onto the top of pipe. This way you can get the pipe deep enough not to fall over. Then put the cup feeder on the pole press and jiggle it on.

Any kind of bird seed you like...

I think this pretty Bird Feeder makes your flower beds so pretty and colorful and better the birds will enjoy them..You can get any kind of bird seed you want. I just bought this one.

Now just add bird feed around in the saucer and fill the cup with water for the birds to enjoy!

Don't you just love her, I DO !

I used thrift store finds

See how pretty!

I put this pretty one out side my husbands home office window!!

This make your flower beds look like they have flowers in them lol....

Now go thrifting and make the birds some feeders!

I love my cat mug!

Come back soon. Stay creative!

Places I Share This Week

http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com

http://www.bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/

http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/

http://www.dittledattle.blogspot.com/

http://www.thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/

http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/p/recipes.html

http://www.facebook.com/AtThePicketFence

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

How to make a Cloth Rosette

2011-10-05T13:12:00.005-05:00

Hi everyone. Welcome back to my little blog. I have seen these being made on several sites. I have a granddaughter, so I decided to give it a try. These are so easy. You can make them out of almost any kind of stuff. I had an old sheet I had used for scraps. Just what ever color you need. I am going to make the rosettes for a head band and a hair clip. These are made with a tight twist. You can make loose also..that will be next post. These are made for less than $2 each. You can add the pretty rosettes to anything. I will add them to clothes, purses, photo frames, necklaces etc...

Items needed:

Material scraps

Hot Glue Gun

Felt or Thick Interfacing (for back of rosette)

Pins

Head Band and Hair Clips

head band, material strip, square of interfacing

I cut strips for this 2 inches wide and any length depending on how big you want the rose. Cutting the strip wider will make a bigger rosette twist. I like cutting longer lengths and cut off when I get the size I want. If our material has a wrong side make sure you twist to show the pretty side.

Fold material in half. Make a knot at one end of strip tight.

Hold knot in one hand and start to twist the strip

Cut a square of interfacing or felt to use to glue the rose on.

Here start by holding the knot down and twisting the strip and going around the knot. You can hot glue the twisted strips as you go around the knot down to the backing. This so it want come up when you let go.

See, just keep twisting and going around until it gets as large as you want.

I pin it down as I stop and glue every now and then. Cut off the strip.

Here I made a second rose a little smaller than the first. Keep it pined down at the ends.

Here are two together.

Head band color matching as needed.

If you want you can wait until you have the rose as large as wanted, then hot glue all on the back and lay it down on the backing.

I take a pin and tuck in the ends into the glue not to see them.

Her is what it looks like on the back.

Then cut the backing close so not to be seen looking at it from the top of rose.

Take the head band and hot glue the rosette off to one side a little. This is what I like but glue it any where you like and press down.

See the back is nice also.

Look how pretty.

Pretty

Making a hair clip, you glue one little rose on the end.

This only took me less than 15 minutes.

Easy Pearl Corsages & Boutonnieres

2011-10-01T09:26:00.005-05:00

Glad you stopped by. I had to make two corsages and a boutonnier this week for my sons HomeComing Dance. Zachary had a date with two, yes, two girls. I did say WHAT! Oh, they are all just good friends. These girls invited him..OMG So I checked out what was popular in the wrist corsages. This what I found and thought hey I can make this for under $5 each, not the $50 shops are charging. Let me know what you think. I think they came out beautiful, I have to say!

These are the thing you will need for the boutonniere. Floral tape, pretty pin for it, one pretty flower, wire cutter, and a clear box to hold it when complete. I found these at Hobby Lobby.

The wire cutters are made in needle nose pliers.

A box of pins

Floral tape.

Its nice, you can buy the clear box to put them in when finished.

Cut the rose off about two inches.

This rose was only $1.99

I found some little pearls on wire to add. But you don't have to add anything.

I took one off and clipped it at the top.

I took one big leaf clipped off from rose stem and the little pearls and held it together.

Look at it to see if you like it.

Get the floral tape and start wrapping it together at the very top of rose. When taping pull it tight. It is kinda sticky tape to it hold all together.

Keep wrapping the tape down to the bottom of the stems. When I got down I clipped it off to make them even. Then at the bottom wrap it extra on the tip. Then I go back up the stem wrapping it. Don't cut the tape off until you get back to the very top.

Here back to the top then I cut the floral tape off.

Voila see how easy and pretty

Easy and pretty. It took me about 15 minutes to make this.

Oops add a pearl pin. So its ready.

See how pretty in the box....
Oh yes now for the pretty Pearl Wrist Corsage!

PEARL WRIST CORSAGE

Under $5

I found these $1 bracelets to use. They looked just like the one I checked out at a real florist shop.

Get some loose pearls..not real ;)

Find one big pretty flower in what every color you need.

Sew the flower to the top of the bracelet with sewing thread.

Then get three of the pearls on needle and sew on top of flower.

See

This was the easiest Corsage to make and under $5

LOOK how beautiful they are!!

Add them in the clear boxes and you are ready for the dance.

Ok, just for fun we added a little bling for the two friends!

These big fake diamond rings are found in the wedding aisle which are napkin holders.

We added one ring in each clear box..

So pretty! All together made for under $15

Thank you for stopping by my little beginner blog! Its learning the blog process. Please come
back again. Have a blessed day!

OMG people it rained one day this week.I went out side and watched it. I was exciting I had forgot what rain had looked like in Texas. We had not had rain but about 6 times since Christmas. This morning it is 54 degrees so very nice since we have had so many over 105 degrees days this summer.

Texas Drought 2011

2011-09-26T15:44:00.003-05:00

This is what the San Jacinto River looks like with the drought in Houston (Kingwood) Texas. You can walk across the river bed. Its so sad looking with almost no water in the photos I have shown.

See how far out of the water the boat ramps are!

I have had maybe 6 days of rain at my home since Christmas 2010.

Just weed are growing up every where now.

Texas has wildfires popping up every where now. We are in water restrictions for our yards.

So we really feed our wildlife. I put our bird feeders!

See all the big trees dying.

Its the big OAKS that are said to see die!

All down the streets are the beautiful trees going brown from drought and dying!

What makes me said is the fact how long it took for a large Oak to get this big. Then to die in a matter of months.

So we Texasans pray for rain but not a Hurricane. Keep us in your thoughts.

CROCHET BABY BOOTIES

2011-09-21T08:31:00.000-05:00

Children Are The Joy In Our Lives!

Baby Booties

Boys & Girls

Beautiful Crochet Baby Booties

Beautiful to wear for Baby Christening

Yes I do make these and sale them in my Etsy shop.

http://theladybugsgarden.etsy.com/

Check out the giveaway. I link to these Blogs!

MAKE YOUR OWN CHALK PAINT

2011-09-20T17:44:00.001-05:00

Make Your Own Chalk Paint For $4.00

Hi Everyone.

I love the chalky appearance of the paint but not the limited colors.

So what is a girl to do?

Make her own chalk paint of course!

I got to experimenting with different products and this is what I came up with.

Chalk is actually Calcium Carbonate and the product can be purchased in health food stores and at numerous on-line stores. The cost is around $4.00 for 12 ounces.

Whiting powder will also give you a similar look for approximately $3.00 for a 1 pound package. I could not find this locally but it is available on-line.

Plaster of Paris also works well and can be purchased at Michaels or Home Depot. Home Depot sells 3 pounds for approximately $6.00.

To get the chalk paint look just add ANY ONE of the above to your latex paint. The amount you use depends on how chalky you want the paint to look when dry. I experimented using the sample size paints from Home Depot and used a ratio of 2/3 paint to 1/3 product. You may need to add a few drops of water to the paint and occasionally stir it if gets too thick.

I saved and washed out glass jars to mix the paint in. I have used the paint over and over again and each time I just added a couple of drops of water and stirred really good.

Do you remember the vanity I painted recently? Well, it was my first trial using the homemade chalk paint. For this I used the Calcium Carbonate and it worked beautifully. No priming, no sanding required and it covered in two coats. It also was very easy to distress.

For the vanity I used approximately 1/4 of the 12 ounce jar of Calcium Carbonate plus a sample size pot of paint. The total cost was less than $4.00

I just finished painting two mirror frames with latex paint mixed with Whiting Powder and some small items using the Plaster Of Paris. All of these worked great and I'll be posting pictures soon.

I did not use wax on the vanity but I did use Briwax on several other projects and I liked the sheen it gave them.

You can also create custom colors by adding acrylic craft paint to the latex and powder mixture. Chalk paint is cheap to make and now you can have it in any color.

I have seen others put dry poudered unsanded grout mixed in the paint also.

Just to answer a few questions.

No need to prime or sand the furniture if it is in good condition

If you are using the Calcium Carbonate make sure and buy it in POWDER form and not tablets.

There are no exact measurements here. More powder means more of a chalk look.

I used Behr and Martha Stewart paint sample pots (around 7 oz each) and added approximately 2/3 paint to 1/4 powder.

Wrote by:

http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2011/09/make-your-own-chalk-paint-for-400.html

Easy Crafts

2011-09-19T14:15:00.001-05:00

Hummingbird Feeder

To make this pretty feeder you need a bottle.

It can be any kind of bottle wine, oil, any

or plastic bottle will do, bright colors are best.

Light fixture made out of a collander

Bird feeders or bird baths made out of pretty glass bowels and candle holders.

To put together you have to use liquid nails to glue them together.

You can hang them or sit them on something.

Cute little light hanging. Just use a big mug or tea cup see how pretty!

These are thing you may have around the house.

Never through a chipped glass bowl, candle lobar, teacup, old colander.

Use these kinds of items to make things, recycle, reuse, re-purpose something great.

So glad you stopped by my Ladybug's Garden.

Come by often you never know what I might be growing.
Stay creative see you soon!

Stephanie

Making a Easy Wrist Corsage

2011-09-15T21:24:00.002-05:00

Well if you have ever needed a corsage quick, look you can do this, I did!

I bought all of my different supplies from Hobby Lobby half price or any craft store.

These are some things I bought to do my corsage. Pick out a few flowers you like. I also picked out two different kinds of wired ribbon to match one wider than the other.

The flowers were 99 cents each so I got them for 49 cents each. Ribbon was the most half of $3.99 so $2 each spool.

I even bought a corsage holder to put it in just like you get from the florist. Hey half of 77 cents. so 38 cents....

I used a hot glue gun to glue the flowers to the ribbon bed. Something you normally already have for crafts.

I saw corsages with ribbon ties or a stretchy sequin band. So I bought some of both.

This was $1.25.

This is my ribbon bed to glue the flowers to. In one hand make loops back and forth of the larger ribbon, about four on each side and cut leaving a tail. Still holding the loops start making four loops on each side with second ribbon then cut leaving a tail. I had cut a piece of the larger ribbon about 15 inches and set aside. Use the piece of ribbon to tie in the middle of the loops to hold together and make a knot tightly. Then straighten up all the loops evenly all around. You will have long ends left. This is what you use to tie the corsage to your arm. Duck tail the ends of all the pieces of ribbon.

I watched a few videos on YouTube to see different ways to make a corsage. I saw someone putting a fake diamond in the middle of her flowers, so look how pretty it looks after. Remember I bought these for half price..they come three together on separate wires. $2.99 so for $1.50 for three.
Just use the little wire to hook to the flower middle.

Flower before and after diamond.

Cut some of the stem off from bottom of each flower.

Put some of the glue on each bottom of flower and glue to the bed of ribbon you just made. Hold down for a few minutes and you are done. All you have to do is tie in a bow on your arm. If needed cut the ribbon off if its to long.

You can get someone to tie it for you.

See how pretty

WHAT DO YOU THINK. I MADE THIS IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES. REALLY AND HAVE NEVER MADE ONE BEFORE. IT WAS REALLY EASY!

Now if you would rather put the sparkly band on instead. Take the piece you bought to fit you arm plus two inches and sew by hand or machine together to make a circle. I made it alittle snug fitting so flowers don't slide around while on arm.

I cut a piece of cardboard about 2 X 3 inches oval and then hole punched like this in photo. Use the long ribbon ties to secure this to the back of the flowers on the ribbon bed. Then tie this to the sequin arm band just made buy punching two holes and inserting the ribbon through near the seam that you just sewed. After tying tightly cut your ribbon. Hide the ends behind the seams. I put a piece of clear packing tape around the seam so not to bother you while wearing it.

See with the tape flattened around the seams you don't see it and it makes it smooth to wear on your arm. Making the corsage this way you can put it on by your self.

Now look how beautiful it looks made this way. My son decided this is how he wanted to leave the corsage to give to his girl at the Homecoming Dance. I also made a boutonniere with a single rose to match for him...

See how pretty they look in the floral container. Now they are ready to bring to the dance...

This is what you can do with no advance warning when our teenagers want a corsage for the dance and no time to order...AND it was less price. I paid about $7 for all of this. NICE Until next time! Come back to see what treasures I might be making.

Thrift Shopping Finds

2011-09-14T01:17:00.002-05:00

I am so happy you came by to visit my blog. I am not very good at this yet but I am a fast learner! I love free or cheap things when garage sailing or thrift shopping.
Well look at a few items I have been searching for. We added on a sun room to our home this summer. So I wanted to show my husband we could get all the furniture for it for really cheap. I was thrifting a few weeks ago and found a few nice pieces. Let me share them with you.

I wanted a nice coffee table with drawers for my den and look how pretty she is. I have been looking for a while and came across this beauty. The four drawers are so big just what I had been wanting. I only paid $40 for her and she is solid wood. I love the idea she is on rollers and easy to move.

I need a nice comfortable big chair for my sun room. I found her for $40. I have been reading about the pretty slip covers my friend Janet Metzger from The Empty Nest has been making. SO this is going to be my first try at making a slip cover for this chair. Reveal later. :)

Look at the nice sofa bed I found that had never been slept on!

Whow $75 I had shopped around and these are so expensive new. I wanted this for my sun room. I can see the grandchildren wanting to sleep out there so I will be ready. Yes MiMi , which is me, I will be right out there with them. Camping out as they say!

I saw this pretty side table and thought omg I want to try my new order of Chalk Paint by
Annie Sloan. This pretty table would look nice with a new coat of old white or Paris gray paint and made to look aged. I only paid $25 for her. Oh yes Janet from The Empty Nest has been teaching this and I am going to try it out. I just received my paint order. Reveal later

I had been looking for a new sewing desk, craft station, a what ever desk with lots of storage.It had to have a large desk top for my sewing machines. I found this pretty hutch top for $20. It is solid wood and with lighted shelves. So I needed a desk to put it on. On Kingwood Yard Sales site I saw a lady giving this desk away FREE. Yes free so I made my husband bring me over to see it. It had to be a certain width and depth for the top hutch to fit on. Yes yes it fit so we loaded it up in the truck and brought it home. It just needed a new top, no problem we added a piece of thick smooth plywood. She has big deep drawers for a lot of storage. Pretty glass shelves in the top with lights for my tea cups. So now its on top of each other. Three different colors will not work. Guess what I am going to Chalk Paint it all to match each other and age it. Add some new knobs. My husband says I better never want to move it because it is so heavy. Reveal later

I also saw the really different chair at my favorite little shop. I though it was so comfortable to sit in..hemmmm I could use this at my craft and sewing station. OH YES I am going to Chalk Paint it also when I redo the desk!

Look at the tall back and sleek lines she has, from the top all the way to the tiny legs. Cute little arm. I kept going back and looking at her and finally said oh well I want her also!

See how she looks from the back so different, but so very comfortable to sit in.
Reveal soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Well I am a happy girl with these nice finds I had been looking for. Show us what thing you find around your town. Some day I find nothing I am looking for and others I come home with the mother load! I will be back to show you my finished redone items soon. Come back and visit again, you never know what I might be up to in my Ladybug's Garden!

Janet from The Empty Nest

HOMEMADE KNITTING NEEDLES

2010-12-29T10:17:00.002-06:00

I’m not the best knitting teacher. I crochet better. And I’m merely competent, not expert. But I’ve come to realize how deeply I believe in this process–teaching one another to knit or crochet. In this time when we learn so much through technological interface, how subversively countercultural to sit with a friend around a heap of natural fiber–wool, cotton, flax–and stand in lineage with generations of women (and men, of course, but that’s newer…) in sharing this peaceful, practical art.

So here’s a simple gift for you: Package up some homemade knitting needles with a skein of wool, an easy scarf pattern, and a heartfelt promise to teach your friend to knit. Choose wool rather than cotton for yarn–it is more forgiving, and much easier for learning. This is a wonderful last minute present–you get credit for woollen-knittiness, but you don’t actually have to knit anything!

Making knitting needles is really fun. For US size 9 needles, cut two 11 inch lengths from a 1/4 ” dowel (they can be shorter–10 inches is good for kids–or a little longer if you like). Use an old fashioned pencil sharpener, the kind that attaches to a wall, to sharpen one end of each needle. Sharpen it until it looks like a knitting needle, but don’t worry if it gets too sharp–you’re going to sand it down. Take some medium-grain sandpaper and sand the whole needle, including the tip–take care with this part, the needles should be very slippery, and the tip nice and round. Finish with fine-grain sandpaper.

If you want to make the needle a different color than natural this is the time to do so. You can rub any color of kraft paint on them with a old rag. t

Next rub on a thin coat of mineral oil, furniture oil, lavender oil, or sesame oil, and use a clean cloth to wipe off the excess.

Let your imagination guide you in finishing the flat ends. Today we used buttons, but I also like to roam the neighborhood and see what the natural world has to offer–hazelnut tops, dried seeds, and shells all work even a large bead. Stick your chosen end on with a healthy dollup of strong craft glue, and stand them in a jar to dry.

If you are an experienced knitter, you might find knitting on wood to be a little “slow,” but they are great for beginners. And if I am crabby or stressed, I like to knit with wooden needles–something about the combination of wood and wool is very calming (I can’t explain this, you’ll just have to try it yourself!).

I love this web site. You can find alot of free patterns for your knitting projects or copy one to put in the gift set of homemade knitting needles to give to a friend. If you don't know how to knit look:

You can go to YouTube to learn how to knit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKHLEquvqoU

Free knitting patterns site:
http://www.allfreeknitting.com/section/account/action/edit

Until next time go learn something or teach someone something. It makes me feel so good when I learn or teach a craft!

MY PARIS FRANCE TRIP

2010-12-19T18:21:00.024-06:00

My Dream Trip To Paris

Well I have never been somewhere I loved the place at first site. But now I have Paris!

This is a place where just the look of it was so breath taking and amazing. All the quaint little cafes along the streets are so pretty. The shops are everywhere. It's a woman's dream shopping city. The buildings are so old but yet the most beautifulest I had ever seen. There is so much history in Paris, it would take weeks and weeks to see all of it. So you know I will just have to keep visiting Paris to see more of it!

The Louvre Museum

We saw the real Mona Lisa

Venus De Milo

The beautiful painted ceilings are breath taking

Eiffel Tower

Famous: Kissed over the River Seine

Notra Dame Cathedral

Arc De Triumphe---tumb of the unknow soilders

Lots of French soilders walking
around for your protection

Look at the favorite car over in Paris

Seeing people acting like statues

A lot of the buildings are art...see this one!

Well I can't wait to go back to visit Paris again. Until next time aurevoir Paris!

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

WHO'S TALKING ABOUT YOU!

2010-10-18T09:18:00.000-05:00

Who's Talking About You?

Want to know who is talking about you on the web? Has anyone twittered about you? Or maybe featured you on a blog? I have found two social media search tools to help you know just that.

Real-time social media search and analysis:

All Blogs Microblogs Networks Bookmarks Comments Events Images News Videos Audio Questions

AboutWhosTalkin.com is a social media search tool that allows users to search for conversations surrounding the topics that they care about most. Whether it be your favorite sport, favorite food, celebrity, or your company's brand name; Whostalkin.com can help you join in on the conversations that you care about most.

Our goal is to deliver the most relevant and current conversations happening in the world of social media.

How do we do that?

Our search and sorting algorithms combine data taken from over 60 of the internet's most popular social media gateways. We take this data and display it to you through our carefully designed interface that harnesses the power of AJAX to give you a seamlessly well organized user experience.

or select social media sources

Social Media Alerts

Like Google Alerts but for social media.
Receive free daily email alerts of your brand, company, CEO, marketing campaign, or on a developing news story, a competitor, or the latest on a celebrity

http://www.whostalkin.com/ http://socialmention.com/

Both Whos Talkin' and Social Mention allow you to enter your name or your company name in a search box, hit ENTER, and voila - a list of all the places you have been mentioned on social media sites around the web.

Social Mention also hits you with a lot more information. For instance, it will tell you whether these 'mentions' are positive, negative, or neutral. It also gives you a list of the top keywords used in the mentions, and lets you know what the sources are. And if you just have to know the instant you are mentioned, you can sign up for real time alerts. And if you know right now, does that make you vain or a master of marketing? Just wondering.

Both sites also have a plugin that allows you to type your search request into your browser's search bar, eliminating the need to even visit their sites.

And it goes without saying, although I'm saying it anyway, you can search any person, name, topic, etc and find out where they are popping up across the blogosphere. So, I know who's talking about you, now it is your turn to find out:

http://www.whostalkin.com/

http://socialmention.com/

I found this great info on:
http://charmeddesign1012.blogspot.com/

**So go try these sites and see who's talking about you and your blogs and shops.**

Come back and visit..hey leave a comment they are fun to read...bye for now!

AMAZING TILE WALL ART

2010-09-03T15:55:00.003-05:00

I live in Houston Texas and fly often out of the George Bush Intl Airport.

I was flying the other day with my family and saw something I though you would like to see. This wall art is in Houston Texas Terminal B. It looks like the Louisiana swamp. I think these tile wall art scenes are just so amazing. You don't really know it is made of small one inch ceramic tiles, unless you get close to the walls. From far away the walls look like the scenery is painted on to the walls.

See the big oak trees with bearded iris bulbs growing under them.

A lot of different flowers and plants.

This is all next to a river or swamp full of fish, snakes and alligators.

Such pretty colors in these tiles. My photos don't do the walls justice.

Look at this big crane waiting to catch a fish or frog to eat. Hey he may just be resting. Butterflies flying around also.

I love these large bearded irises. They look so real.

See the beautiful Hummingbird filling up on flower nectar.

There are so many other kinds of birds and bugs in on this wall art.

                            This looked so real, this pretty Mosquito Hawk,
                                          buzzing over the water.

                                 Well off to work in my shop.Until next time.
                            Come visit me and see what might be growing in
                                    https://theladybugsgarden.etsy.com/

MY ARIZONA TRIP

2010-07-02T22:35:00.004-05:00

ARIZONA

Well friends I have followed my husband on a business trip to Phoenix. Who ever said 110 degrees here is dry heat you don't feel it. Wrong you feel every degree. But this is the most amazing beautiful place you will see for a desert.The mountains are beautiful you are at awe of them. The hills are covered with the biggest Saguaro Cacti I have ever seen. There are so many different kinds of cactus.

These yucka plants are used to make baskets, shoes, rope etc because of the strength of the parts of it. If you were to cut the cutus below open you could drink the liquid from them.

These are eaten also.

Look how pretty the flowers are on top..

They are collected and eaten by people.

This is a indian home made of stone.

When in the Grand Canyon area we visited the Navajo Indians.

Navajo man starting
to do the Hunt Dancing

These are Navajo men singing in their native language and playing the dums to the dancing. All their dances are stories they tell from the past.

Clift Dwelling ...some indians lived in long ago.

Beautiful Navajo woman doing the Butterfly Dance.

Indian Cermony Circle

http://www.barringercrater.com/

The Largest Metor Crater in USA...Flagstaff AZ.

GRAND CANYON

The Grand Canyon

I even drove on Route 66...

The Grand Canyon is the most amazing.

Oh yes we always go to the museums anywhere we visit.

Visited the biggest truck museum

This a Ghost Western Town..It was like you didn't know if you were going to see a shoot out at any time. And yes a BIG Diamond Back Rattle Snake . They had a museum full of 18 different kind of rattlers. I am glade this was behind a glass..

The cuttiest little church in the Ghost Town...

At the end of very hot days the sunsets are the most beautiful.

Quilted Valance Curtain Apron Up Cycled

2010-05-22T18:37:00.002-05:00

Well everyone here is a little update on the beautiful Quilted Valance Curtain Apron Up Cycled I showed I was starting in my last tutorial. This is some of the things I see when I am at thrift stores.You can find valances, pillow shams, table runners, doilies, sheets, pillow cases, table place mats, napkins, hand towels etc. It is all about something is one thing and yo can change it into something totally different..A new life for our unused and unwanted items. They are cheap and or free. So why not make something with them. A valance can be cheap. Some are under $3. I am getting better creating as you can see here.

This is a pretty quilted valance I found. I cut it into two pieces to make two aprons. The colors are so much like a Spring Bouquet, I couldn't resist it. I saw a remnant of material in purple to make a big bow tie. On my last tutorial I used a sheet I found at the thrift store to cut out the tie. You can use anything for the material of the tie if you find the color or print you like.

Here is the piece I had cut and matched with the purple for the tie. She is 15 inches long. 44 inches wide. Ties are 88 inches long total. Fits a large lady or small.

I finished the side edges after cutting it into two pieces. Press..Sewed my tie turned to right side and pressed. Run the tie through the top rod pocket and gather pushing apron in the middle of the tie. DONE

Here she is ...Quilted Valance Curtain Apron Up Cycled.

Isn't she just so beautiful.

This is so easy all you have to do can take less then one hour. I did not have to decorate the front of the apron it was already so pretty, but you can.

Until next time ....Stop by again to see what I might be creating!

UPCYCLED APRONS

2010-05-18T13:02:00.006-05:00

Sometimes a object starts out as one thing and ends up being made into a totally different thing. Kinda like Cinderella turned into a Princess. I love thrift shopping and saw these poor old valances, pillow cases, curitans, napkins, hankies, table runners, doilies, pillow shams. Some are of these are vintage and some are not.

Full size sheets can be used for cutting apron ties...

Valances make a great body of aprons

Vintage Battenburg lace curtains

Just a pretty photo of my Purple Angel Trumpets..

Finished Vintage Upcycled Apron..

Vintage Apron Upcycled Curtain..with overlay of a Vintage yellow Napkin..with Battenburg deco cutout, alittle ric rack

Used a full sheet to cut of beautify full Bow for my Vintage Curtain Apron

See my little pocket using a tie back from a curtain.. pretty yellow with lace trim..You can hide youcell phone or hankie...rings watch etc..

See my cute short Valance Apron..

With overlay of a vintage doilie...

Long pretty bow tie made of Vintage Battenburg leftover valance topper.

Look at this Old Vintage Quilted Curtain I am working on to make a Quilted Apron...

Until next time...Stop by to see what I might be creating...

CHECK OUT HOPE STUDIO BLOG FOR THIS FEATURED!

ANGEL TRUMPET FLOWERS

2010-05-16T22:26:00.000-05:00

This is my Angel Trumpet Bush. Well it gets as big as a small tree at times when we don't get to cold of a winter. Color is a creamy peach. My sister in law gave me a little one gallon plant that has really grown. It gets just full of flowers at times. It blooms several times from spring through some of the winter, until we get a freeze. I can cut it back and it will keep growing. I have to watch my husband he will mow it or go weed eatting happy. He will say its getting to big. Hey don't touch it I'm watching you with that weed eater!

HAVE A RESTFUL SUNDAY

2010-05-16T01:10:00.000-05:00

Hope every one has a restful Sunday. Just take a look at my husband and our Chinese Crested dog Nelly reading the Sunday paper. He has her so spoiled. Our pets are like children. Such unconditional love they give us.

LOVE DONUTS

2010-05-14T13:42:00.002-05:00

I found this simple treat on another blog and thought I would try them.
So, off to the store to buy supplies. All you will need is one or two cans of Grand Biscuits or a brand like them, powered sugar, cinnamon, frying oil, large zip lock baggie.

I think it's a great lovey-dovey little treat

I used a can or two of Grands Biscuit dough or simular brand, cut a hole in the center of each biscuit using a mini heart cutter. Then fry them in hot oil. I recommended flipping the donuts over when it becomes golden colored. Then remove them from the oil and drain on a paper towel or in colander so the want get soggie. Then dip each donut or hole into a baggie with either cinnamon sugar mix or powdered sugar. Close baggie and shake, shake, shake.

Simple, right? I love the idea! Come on try this you want be sorry. Well the calories want hurt once...

Stop by again you never know what I might be creating!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

2010-05-08T21:08:00.000-05:00

I hope all the Mother out there have a great Mothers day!

The large rose reminds me of a mother with all her little rose bud babies!

Most Dangerous Cake Recipe in the World

2010-05-04T15:48:00.000-05:00

**COME LET ME TEACH YOU SOMETHING**

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE COFFEE MUG CAKE!!

4 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

A small splash of vanilla essence

1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to your largest mug and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using), vanilla essence , then mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high).

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

Oh, by the way you also can add your favorite ice cream to make it even better!

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?

Because now you are only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

Thanks for stopping by, come back and visit you never know what I might be creating.....

Wordless Wednesday Was Great!

2010-04-07T20:38:00.000-05:00

Well friends, today was the first day I worked at home for my real job. I got a pair of bunny slippers from my friends to wear at home for a relaxing day.

I was scared my computer would not allow me to sign in. I

made my poor husband stay home until I was up and running. You know, he is my personal computer geek, free of charge, of course. I had everything in place, coffee, headset, dog in a far away room. Hey, I jumped right in and rocked and rolled until it came time to go to break, I couldn't sign out lol. OK this is great, call Tech Support. What a funny reason to ask for help. I had a very nice first day and many more to come. No more driving in the stormy weather. Hurricane season is coming for us folks down here near the Gulf Coast in Texas. Let's all pray for a quiet season this year. The last big one, Ike, we were out of power for two weeks.

Fresh strawberries waiting in the fridge for my break.

So look at my two dogs Nelly and Lilly. They are Chinese Crested, the best pet family members you could have. These girls just slept right through my fours of work on the sofa.

It was so nice to not have a long drive to work and hey, when I was off , I did not have a long drive back home, I was already home. Just signing off the computer and walking into the den was so nice.

Come stop by again and check in on me. Check in to see what I am up to.

You never know what you will find. See ya next time.

HAPPY EASTER FRIENDS!

2010-04-04T18:46:00.000-05:00

Don't you wish you had cute little buns like this to paint like Easter Eggs!! Have a great holiday.

The Beginning of My Etsy Shop

2010-03-28T21:16:00.000-05:00

This old sewing machine is the first thing I used to prepare a creative space for my little shop at ETSY. I have always loved old peddle sewing machines. Look how pretty this is, i used it to make a sewing table and work space. I placed the table in front of my bay window so I can have a nice view to start creating. I have always made things with my sister since we were young girls. Sewing and crocheting are some the things I love. So why not make things for others in a shop.

See how pretty she is to sew on and have a great work space.

This is my computer armoire

I got my inspiration from a great friend, Janet Metzger, known as The Empty Net on ETSY. Janet is a woman of many talents. She is always surprising us with something new. http://www.theemptynest.etsy.com/ and http://www.theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/

So I created The Ladybug's Garden on etsy.com.........My beautiful picture for my shop logo was a gift from Janet. Come and visit my shop, you never know what treasures I might have created for you! Thanks for stopping by my blog and come again.

Hidden Treasures

2010-03-28T18:01:00.000-05:00

Hi,

Well, this is my first Blog, so here we go.
We can call this upcycle or recycle what ever its fun. You can get inspiration to make something from other things in your kitchen or around your house if you just look. I had these items in the cabinets not being used; A plate, candy dishes, small bowl ,vase and a small goblet.

All you have to do is get some liquid nail for your items to stick together. If you need a pretty cake plate or cake server and don't have one, take a look at how easy it is just to make one. Just look in your cabinets, I'll bet you can find several things you can probably use. I just played around with different items to see which ones fit together and looked good. It depends what you want to use it for.

I had a pretty Blue Willow plate and a clear glass candy dish. I turned over the candy dish to make a foot or pedestal for the cake plate or server. Then just sit the plate on top. If it sits well and doesn't wobble, and you like the look, use the liquid nail to glue the two pieces together. See how pretty this match was. Now you have something very pretty for your cake to be served in. Hey, you also can serve your rolls on this. You know Easter is next week. Just think of the possibilities waiting to be created in those cabinets. Or better yet, just go to a Thrift store or garage sale and look around. Things will start looking different to you.

Again, I wanted something to use to put nuts or candy in. People like to munch on something before lunch or dinner while we visit. This is where I had the green bowl and

and a goblet, even the vase will do. Look how this is cute together. I just made sure the two fit together firmly with no wobbling. Just get the old handy liquid nail out and go for it, glue, glue, glue.

I can see some Easter jelly beans of different colors in this or nuts would be really pretty.

This is a different way they can go together. You can turn the clear up or green up.

I started to put the bowl and vase together but didn't. But it is all what you like.

These are the two items I ended up gluing together and using for a cake server and candy or nut dish. Now I have two pretty handmade treasures.

Ok, now go looking around your house and see what you can find without buying anything to make something new.