Simplicity Swine Goes To The Ball

The Cattle Baron's Ball is an event held across the country to raise money for The American Cancer Society.

The Ball held in my county auctions off Piggy Banks to raise money. Local artists are asked to decorate the pigs and I have been fortunate enough participate over the last few years.

In the past, I have created a Santa Pig, a Princes Pig, plus some I can't even remember.

This year, I had a complete artistic block!

My pig changed 4 times before I came up with this...

I covered her, yes it's a girl, with a vintage Simplicity pattern. Hence the name, Simplicity Swine.

Even the dots for her eyes and nose are part of the pattern.

I made her a hat out of a vintage brooch, a button, a small spool of thread, and a rope rosette...

 The spool is a tiny one I bought at the craft store and I wrapped it with a little thread.

I'll probably never know how much she sold for, but I'm happy to have conributed something to this important cause.

I'm sure Simplicity found a nice home!

 

   

Linking To:

Savvy Southern Style,  Someday Crafts, Sew Much A Do, Yesterday On Tuesday, Fabric Bows & More, Ginger Snap Crafts, Beyond The Picket Fence, Primitive & Proper, Creations By Kara,  Primp, Rae Gun Ramblings, Adventures In Dinner, Ivy & Elephants, The Artsy Girl Connection,  Seven Thirty Three, Southern Lovely, Delightful Order, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Seven Alive,  Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts, Made In A Day, Katherine's Corner, Redoux, Happy Hour Projects, Joyful Stamper, Chic On a Shoestring, Miss Mustard Seed, Blissful Bucket List, Ladybird Lane, Simply Sweet Home, One Artsy Mama, The Shabby Nest, Craft Junkie Too, A Little Knick Knack, The Vintage Farmhouse, House of Hepworths, Momnivore's Dilema, Somewhat Simple,   Live Laugh Rowe, Have A Daily Cup Of Mrs Olson, Simply Designing, Truly Lovely, Create Craft Love, The Cottage Market, Country Momma Cooks, Funky Junk Interiors, Six Sisters' Stuff, Bowdabra, Addicted 2 Decorating, Tatertots & Jello, Young & Crafty, Sassy Sites, Blissful & Domestic, Nap Time Crafters, Love Notes By Lauryn, Cherished Treasures, A Vision To Remember, Craft Envy, Petite Hermine, To Sew With Love, Boogieboard Cottage, Lovely Crafty Home, DIY Showoff, Craft-O-Maniac, Etcetorize, DIY Home Sweet Home, Under The Table and Dreaming, Keeping It Simple, Homemaker On A Dime, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, The Dedicated House, Pinkapotamus, Lines Across, Coastal Charm, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Sugar Bee Crafts, Chef In Training, The Farmhouse Porch, Nifty Thrifty Things, Cherished Bliss, Natural Mothers Network, A Bowl Full Of Lemons, Me & My Boys, Mad In Crafts, Alderberry Hill, Flour Me With Love, Not Just A Housewife,  Lil' Luna, Today's Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, The Trendy Treehouse, Homework, Kammy's Korner,  I Gotta Create,  Thrifty 101, Craftionary,

5 Days 5 Ways,  Lamb Around,  Domestically Speaking, Tales Of A Trophy Wife, The Kurtz Corner, Fine Craft Guild,  Katies Nesting Spot, Hubby Made Me, The Thriftiness Miss, Homespun Happenings,  Curb Alert,   It's Overflowing, C.R.A.F.T., The Sasse Life, Finding Fabulous, The Answer Is Chocolate, Sugar and Dots, Sarahndipities, Skip To My Lou, Sumos Sweet Stuff, The Thrifty Home, DIY By Design, Navy Wifey Peters, Or So She Says, 

Stone Tile Coasters

I recently had the opportunity to write an article for the local publication, Fayette Woman Magazine.

 I was asked to provide tutorials for 3 different hostess gifts that anyone could make easily and inexpensively.

One of the projects I chose to include in the article was a set of coasters.

If you have followed my blog for any length of time, then you have seen many projects I have done using patterned napkins. This is just another example of what you can do with napkins.

Here is the complete tutorial...

Supplies:

Stone or Ceramic Tiles

Mod Podge

Patterned Paper Napkins

Scissors

Paint Brush

Felt Pads

 Cut a napkin into 4 pieces. One napkin will cover 4 tiles!

Napkins typically are 2,3, or 4 ply. Separate the layers so that you are left with a single layer. 

 

Coat the top of the tile with Mod Podge, avoiding the sides.

Add the napkin to the tile and top with another coat of Mod Podge.

Gently tear away the excess paper from the edges of the tile. This works best if the paper is still wet from the Mod Podge.

When dry, give the coasters another coat of Mod Podge to ensure that they are sealed and durable.

 

Add felt pads to the bottom of each coaster to prevent them from scratching furniture.

If you are giving them as a gift, tie them together with a piece of  jute or ribbon for a nice presentation.

Linking To:

Savvy Southern Style,  Someday Crafts, Sew Much A Do, Yesterday On Tuesday, Fabric Bows & More, Ginger Snap Crafts, Beyond The Picket Fence, Primitive & Proper, Creations By Kara,  Primp, Rae Gun Ramblings, Adventures In Dinner, Ivy & Elephants, The Artsy Girl Connection,  Seven Thirty Three, Southern Lovely, Delightful Order, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Seven Alive,  Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts, Made In A Day, Katherine's Corner, Redoux, Happy Hour Projects, Joyful Stamper, Chic On a Shoestring, Miss Mustard Seed, Blissful Bucket List, Ladybird Lane, Simply Sweet Home, One Artsy Mama, The Shabby Nest, Craft Junkie Too, A Little Knick Knack, The Vintage Farmhouse, House of Hepworths, Momnivore's Dilema, Somewhat Simple,   Live Laugh Rowe, Have A Daily Cup Of Mrs Olson, Simply Designing, Truly Lovely, Create Craft Love, The Cottage Market, Country Momma Cooks, Funky Junk Interiors, Six Sisters' Stuff, Bowdabra, Addicted 2 Decorating, Tatertots & Jello, Young & Crafty, Sassy Sites, Blissful & Domestic, Nap Time Crafters, Love Notes By Lauryn, Cherished Treasures, A Vision To Remember, Craft Envy, Petite Hermine, To Sew With Love, Boogieboard Cottage, Lovely Crafty Home, DIY Showoff, Craft-O-Maniac, Etcetorize, DIY Home Sweet Home, Under The Table and Dreaming, Keeping It Simple, Homemaker On A Dime, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, The Dedicated House, Pinkapotamus, Lines Across, Coastal Charm, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Sugar Bee Crafts, Chef In Training, The Farmhouse Porch, Nifty Thrifty Things, Cherished Bliss, Natural Mothers Network, A Bowl Full Of Lemons, Me & My Boys, Mad In Crafts, Alderberry Hill, Flour Me With Love, Not Just A Housewife,  Lil' Luna, Today's Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, The Trendy Treehouse, Homework, Kammy's Korner,  I Gotta Create,  Thrifty 101, Craftionary,

5 Days 5 Ways,  Lamb Around,  Domestically Speaking, Tales Of A Trophy Wife, The Kurtz Corner, Fine Craft Guild,  Katies Nesting Spot, Hubby Made Me, The Thriftiness Miss, Homespun Happenings,  Curb Alert,   It's Overflowing, C.R.A.F.T., The Sasse Life, Finding Fabulous, The Answer Is Chocolate, Sugar and Dots, Sarahndipities, Skip To My Lou, Sumos Sweet Stuff, The Thrifty Home, DIY By Design, Navy Wifey Peters, Or So She Says, 

Acorn Cap Flowers & Burlap Wreath

Last year I gathered up a bag full of acorn caps.

 I had every intention of making something marvelous with them, but they have just stayed in the bag.

Finally, I had a use for them.

Someone had given me a grapevine wreath. I wrapped it with burlap ribbon and decided to add the acorn caps. They looked funny just place randomly around the wreath so I made them into flowers. It still needed a little something so I made some little circles with twine and tucked them around the flowers.

Now the wheels are turning with ideas of what else to make with my vast supply of acorn caps! Hmmm... maybe some Christmas trees, or snowmen, or.....

Linking To:

Savvy Southern Style,  Someday Crafts, Sew Much A Do, Yesterday On Tuesday, Fabric Bows & More, Ginger Snap Crafts, Beyond The Picket Fence, Primitive & Proper, Creations By Kara,  Primp, Rae Gun Ramblings, Adventures In Dinner, Ivy & Elephants, The Artsy Girl Connection,  Seven Thirty Three, Southern Lovely, Delightful Order, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Seven Alive,  Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts, Made In A Day, Katherine's Corner, Redoux, Happy Hour Projects, Joyful Stamper, Chic On a Shoestring, Miss Mustard Seed, Blissful Bucket List, Ladybird Lane, Simply Sweet Home, One Artsy Mama, The Shabby Nest, Craft Junkie Too, A Little Knick Knack, The Vintage Farmhouse, House of Hepworths, Momnivore's Dilema, Somewhat Simple,   Live Laugh Rowe, Have A Daily Cup Of Mrs Olson, Simply Designing, Truly Lovely, Create Craft Love, The Cottage Market, Country Momma Cooks, Funky Junk Interiors, Six Sisters' Stuff, Bowdabra, Addicted 2 Decorating, Tatertots & Jello, Young & Crafty, Sassy Sites, Blissful & Domestic, Nap Time Crafters, Love Notes By Lauryn, Cherished Treasures, A Vision To Remember, Craft Envy, Petite Hermine, To Sew With Love, Boogieboard Cottage, Lovely Crafty Home, DIY Showoff, Craft-O-Maniac, Etcetorize, DIY Home Sweet Home, Under The Table and Dreaming, Keeping It Simple, Homemaker On A Dime, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, The Dedicated House, Pinkapotamus, Lines Across, Coastal Charm, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Sugar Bee Crafts, Chef In Training, The Farmhouse Porch, Nifty Thrifty Things, Cherished Bliss, Natural Mothers Network, A Bowl Full Of Lemons, Me & My Boys, Mad In Crafts, Alderberry Hill, Flour Me With Love, Not Just A Housewife,  Lil' Luna, Today's Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, The Trendy Treehouse, Homework, Kammy's Korner,  I Gotta Create,  Thrifty 101, Craftionary,

5 Days 5 Ways,  Lamb Around,  Domestically Speaking, Tales Of A Trophy Wife, The Kurtz Corner, Fine Craft Guild,  Katies Nesting Spot, Hubby Made Me, The Thriftiness Miss, Homespun Happenings,  Curb Alert,   It's Overflowing, C.R.A.F.T., The Sasse Life, Finding Fabulous, The Answer Is Chocolate, Sugar and Dots, Sarahndipities, Skip To My Lou, Sumos Sweet Stuff, The Thrifty Home, 

Kids Craft- Spool Ornament

I know it's only mid-October, but when an idea pops into my head, I have to act on it or it will be gone!

I was looking back at some photos of the spool garland that I made last year...

...and thought about how cute it would be for kids to make an ornament using the same idea. 

Here's how...

Cut a piece of paper that will fit around the spool and have your child draw a picture. You could use plain paper, paper from a book, or, in this case, sheet music.

Glue the paper to the spool.

 Paint 2 wooden beads...

Thread a bead, the spool, and another bead onto twine and tie a knot at each end.

Then add a bow and your ornament is ready to hang.

 This will make a keepsake that will be cherished
 for many years to come!

Linking To:

Savvy Southern Style,  Someday Crafts, Sew Much A Do, Yesterday On Tuesday, Fabric Bows & More, Ginger Snap Crafts, Beyond The Picket Fence, Primitive & Proper, Creations By Kara,  Primp, Rae Gun Ramblings, Adventures In Dinner, Ivy & Elephants, The Artsy Girl Connection,  Seven Thirty Three, Southern Lovely, Delightful Order, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Seven Alive,  Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts, Made In A Day, Katherine's Corner, Redoux, Happy Hour Projects, Joyful Stamper, Chic On a Shoestring, Miss Mustard Seed, Blissful Bucket List, Ladybird Lane, Simply Sweet Home, One Artsy Mama, The Shabby Nest, Craft Junkie Too, A Little Knick Knack, The Vintage Farmhouse, House of Hepworths, Momnivore's Dilema, Somewhat Simple,   Live Laugh Rowe, Have A Daily Cup Of Mrs Olson, Simply Designing, Truly Lovely, Create Craft Love, The Cottage Market, Country Momma Cooks, Funky Junk Interiors, Six Sisters' Stuff, Bowdabra, Addicted 2 Decorating, Tatertots & Jello, Young & Crafty, Sassy Sites, Blissful & Domestic, Nap Time Crafters, Love Notes By Lauryn, Cherished Treasures, A Vision To Remember, Craft Envy, Petite Hermine, To Sew With Love, Boogieboard Cottage, Lovely Crafty Home, DIY Showoff, Craft-O-Maniac, Etcetorize, DIY Home Sweet Home, Under The Table and Dreaming, Keeping It Simple, Homemaker On A Dime, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, The Dedicated House, Pinkapotamus, Lines Across, Coastal Charm, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Sugar Bee Crafts, Chef In Training, The Farmhouse Porch, Nifty Thrifty Things, Cherished Bliss, Natural Mothers Network, A Bowl Full Of Lemons, Me & My Boys, Mad In Crafts, Alderberry Hill, Flour Me With Love, Not Just A Housewife,  Lil' Luna, Today's Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, The Trendy Treehouse, Homework, Kammy's Korner,  I Gotta Create,  Thrifty 101, Craftionary,

5 Days 5 Ways,  Lamb Around,  Domestically Speaking, Tales Of A Trophy Wife, The Kurtz Corner, Fine Craft Guild,  Katies Nesting Spot, Hubby Made Me, The Thriftiness Miss, Homespun Happenings,  Curb Alert,   It's Overflowing, C.R.A.F.T., The Sasse Life, Finding Fabulous, The Answer Is Chocolate, Sugar and Dots, Sarahndipities, Skip To My Lou, Sumos Sweet Stuff, 

The Old Crow...Chair

Don't throw away those old chairs that have a hole in the seat! Turn them into a display piece.

 I bought this chair along with 2 others for only $10 for ALL 3. The other 2 are in good shape, only needing a fresh coat of paint. This one, however, had a pretty bad hole in the seat...

Having chairs re-caned can be expensive, and with this old chair, I didn't want to spend that kind of money.

 I decided the best thing to do was to turn it into a piece of art.

I bought a cute garden stake on sale at Michael's...

I love the crows!

I cut off the bottom of the stake and screwed the decorative part onto my chair...

I wrapped some grapevine & burlap ribbon around the chair...

To the seat, I glued down a moss & bark covered birdhouse that I also bought on sale at Michael's...

I tucked some Dollar Store Spanish moss into the hole in the seat and formed it into the shape of a nest...

I added a few eggs to the nest...

What a welcoming piece of art to greet guests...

 

Linking To:

Savvy Southern Style,  Someday Crafts, Sew Much A Do, Yesterday On Tuesday, Fabric Bows & More, Ginger Snap Crafts, Beyond The Picket Fence, Primitive & Proper, Creations By Kara,  Primp, Rae Gun Ramblings, Adventures In Dinner, Ivy & Elephants, The Artsy Girl Connection,  Seven Thirty Three, Southern Lovely, Delightful Order, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Seven Alive,  Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts, Made In A Day, Katherine's Corner, Redoux, Happy Hour Projects, Joyful Stamper, Chic On a Shoestring, Miss Mustard Seed, Blissful Bucket List, Ladybird Lane, Simply Sweet Home, One Artsy Mama, The Shabby Nest, Craft Junkie Too, A Little Knick Knack, The Vintage Farmhouse, House of Hepworths, Momnivore's Dilema, Somewhat Simple,   Live Laugh Rowe, Have A Daily Cup Of Mrs Olson, Simply Designing, Truly Lovely, Create Craft Love, The Cottage Market, Country Momma Cooks, Funky Junk Interiors, Six Sisters' Stuff, Bowdabra, Addicted 2 Decorating, Tatertots & Jello, Young & Crafty, Sassy Sites, Blissful & Domestic, Nap Time Crafters, Love Notes By Lauryn, Cherished Treasures, A Vision To Remember, Craft Envy, Petite Hermine, To Sew With Love, Boogieboard Cottage, Lovely Crafty Home, DIY Showoff, Craft-O-Maniac, Etcetorize, DIY Home Sweet Home, Under The Table and Dreaming, Keeping It Simple, Homemaker On A Dime, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, The Dedicated House, Pinkapotamus, Lines Across, Coastal Charm, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Sugar Bee Crafts, Chef In Training, The Farmhouse Porch, Nifty Thrifty Things, Cherished Bliss, Natural Mothers Network, A Bowl Full Of Lemons, Me & My Boys, Mad In Crafts, Alderberry Hill, Flour Me With Love, Not Just A Housewife,  Lil' Luna, Today's Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, The Trendy Treehouse, Homework, Kammy's Korner,  I Gotta Create,  Thrifty 101, Craftionary,

5 Days 5 Ways,  Lamb Around,  Domestically Speaking, Tales Of A Trophy Wife, The Kurtz Corner, Fine Craft Guild,  Katies Nesting Spot, Hubby Made Me, The Thriftiness Miss, Homespun Happenings,  Curb Alert,   It's Overflowing, C.R.A.F.T., The Sasse Life, Finding Fabulous, The Answer Is Chocolate, Sugar and Dots, 

Pendant Easels

It is so nice to hear from customers who purchase items from you!

For those of you who have ETSY shops or other types of businesses selling your wares, I'm sure you know what I mean. More times than not, you sell something, ship it off, and hear nothing. You can only hope that the recipient liked your work.

I have a customer who went above and beyond in letting me know how much she liked what she bought from me, that I asked her if I could share it with you.

Margaret Wright bought this pendant from me...

She emailed me and said that she had bought four other Scrabble tile pendants along with mine for friends for their annual get together.

The way she displayed them for her friends is fantastic!

She placed each pendant on a small canvas on an easel to display them as art.

 

Genius!!!

Thank you, Margaret, for sending me the photo.

I'm sure you are going to see your idea all over Pinterest!!!