Nothing Wasted Christmas Sale Part 2

Last of the items that I'm posting this year. No running around crazy, trying to finish up projects. I plan to take it easy, enjoy the Christmas decorations, watch Christmas movies, bake, etc. Wish the same for you. If you have questions about any of the following items or from the previous post, just let me know!

There's just something intriguing about a skeleton key. What did it unlock?  This frame is painted in a soft green - really hard to see the color in this pic. The picture is of my grandmother in the 1920's. Wasn't she cute? $15

Hang in your entry way for notes to your family, your dining room for your dinner party menu, etc. Inner chalkboard dimensions are 16X20. $20

Sometimes, in life you need to look at a situation in a new way or to turn items upside down to see its potential in a new way. Yes, this is an "upside down" vintage spice rack, redesigned as a handtowel rack, painted in Heirloom White, dimensional scroll detail on sides. You'll need your own supplies, though. $20

Beach/cottage inspired 4X6 picture frame. What are those pastel wood strips? Paint stirrers of course!!!! Adorable children not included. Hard to believe they used to be so little.......$15

Make Breakfast in Bed VERY PERSONAL! Painted Heirloom White, the top with chalkboard paint. This one is fun! Write a special message to the special recipient - will it be Happy Birthday, I Love You, or You're Special? Also a good way to brighten up the day for a sick child who has to stay in bed. $25

Personalized Santa Cookie Plates. No 2 alike! Here are a couple of examples what they might look like. And yes, we all believe in Santa at OUR HOUSE and these are out every Christmas! They are handpainted with special porcelain paint and heat set. The directions on the bottles say dishwasher-safe, but I just handwash. Just get me the name and 24 hours to personalize. I have 4 of these left. $10  

As of now, I have 4 of the Glass Block Lighted Christmas "presents" left. See previous post.

And yes, I know I'm not being "PC" by using the word CHRISTMAS instead of holiday. Let's keep CHRIST where He belongs. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Sale Part 1 or What the heck have I been doing all year?!?!?!?

It had been almost been a year since I created anything!! The first half of 2009 was very hard emotionally for me due to my dad's illness and death. And then inertia just set in. “The natural law of inertia: Matter will remain at rest or continue in uniform motion in the same straight line unless acted upon by some external force.”

In this case, the external force was the upcoming 2nd Annual Holiday HeART SELLebration. Yikes! However, due to scheduling issues, the physical sale had to be cancelled. You may hear later about an upcoming event for the spring with my partner in crime. But until then, I'm trying something different - putting a few items online. Yes, I know that a website, not a blog, is the proper format for this BUT I just don't have time to set that up right now! Another addition for the to-do list!

My next post (in a few days, not 11 months) will have some new items that would make good earth friendly presents so check back to see what I come up with in my garage kitchen table artist workshop! I have some interesting things that are in progress! If you see anything here you'd like, e-mail me for additional info and/or purchasing details. Plus you're always welcome to stop by and see anything in person!

All work and no play? This domino organizer can hold bills, (OK, that's no fun) CD's or DVD's. Sorry, you'll have to get your own copy of Mamma Mia, etc!   $15

You may remember these boot stretchers from my January post. Attached to a piece of wood, painted to match, these conversation starters can be hung with vintage hinges. Use for caps, jackets, leashes, etc. $25 for pair

This former shutter, painted in a very popular color - espresso - has a brand new use!  Tiny round mirrors along the top add a little something extra. Slip photos, envelopes, invitations, reminders about your kids' events, etc. between the slats. The silver bin holds files and papers, while the handy hooks and knob hold keys, scissors, leashes, or whatever you need to keep at your fingertips. Hang with the  vintage hinge in your entry way, your office or anywhere you need some organization. $35

Soft green, lightly distressed and feminine with rosebud knobs. Perfect for hanging necklaces, ribbons, etc. $20 SOLD

Great Bunco prize or gift for the Bunco player in your life. Clock from a game tin, silver hands (difficult to see them in this pic), with dice at 12, 3, 6 and 9. $15 SOLD

For the budding ballerina, a clock made from a game tin. $15

"Wine and Dine!" Give a wine cork tray in espresso for the wine lover on your list. Or use it to serve at your holiday get-togethers. Also in black without bun feet. $22

This is something I personally use all the time! I took a vintage 11X14 frame in antique gold and attached black mesh screening to fashion a functional, yet feminine, earring hanger. Three gold cuphooks at the bottom hold necklaces. $20

Here's another version. This one can hang vertically or horizontally. No necklace hooks. $20

If nobody takes this, it may be going in my kitchen! Lightly distressed red Shaker style chalkboard with drawer. Can stand alone on counter or can be hung. If you ask nicely, I'll even include some chalk! $20 (If you like chalkboards, stay tuned for more styles in Part 2. These were really popular last year.)

Here's a truly novel way to display your family snapshots! Weathered wood from (shall I tell you?!?) a pallet with old-fashioned clothespins! This was NOT the same pallet that I got into a fight with and lost! See my Facebook picture of my purple foot. LOL! $15

However, this "Simplify" version IS from the murderous pallet! Grrrrrr....

Wooden letters spell out a command to take it easy. This would work nicely in your office for notes and reminders.  $18

A sneak peek of one of the Christmas Glass Block Decorations that some of you are so curious about! Clear Christmas lights, threaded through a hole drilled on the side, will brighten up any tabletop or mingle with real presents under your tree. I have 5 blocks "unwrapped" so if you'd like to coordinate/match ribbons, let me know soon. Inside use only. $30

Remember, Part 2 is just around the corner!

Here's a Using Life's Leftovers tip:

For packaging those delicious homemade gifts of cookies and candies, try these ideas rather than spending $$ on those tins. For Mexican Wedding Cakes/Russian Tea Cakes/Snowballs/your name for them, use a jar saved from jelly, pickles, spaghetti sauce, etc. Decorate the lid with scrapbook paper or paint, wrap a ribbon around the jar with a label that says "Freshly Made Snowballs."  Wrap festive paper around a Pringles can and stack perfectly sized cookies inside.

nothing wasted
renew.repurpose.recreate.using life’s leftovers.


HAPPY NEW YEAR! So, how many resolutions have you already broken?!?!? I haven’t made a new one in a long time….I just carry over the same ones year after year that never seem to make it very far into the year! But I got a lovely new t-shirt (wonderfully soft bamboo for goodness sakes) for my birthday this year with a green-themed sentiment that seems to encapsulate all resolutions – LIVE MINDFULLY! Isn’t that great? This pretty much covers it all, doesn’t it? Eco-minded, relationship-minded, health-minded, spiritually-minded…..you name it. So I’m making it my Resolution for 2009 – not to just exist through the days and years, but be aware, deliberate and mindful of everything I do. Pretty hard to do but worth the process, I think. How about you? Let’s LIVE MINDFULLY!

I haven’t worked on any nothing wasted projects since the Fall HEART SELLEBRATION. I have a garage full of things just waiting for me so I’ve picked a couple of projects to start off the year.

Know what these are?

Yep, vintage shoe stretchers.

What about these?

Bingo!

Keep checking my blog & I’ll show you in my next newsletter what I'll make with these lovely items...

Although there is a Spring HEART SELLEBRATION in the works, you may always contact me regarding any project you see here or if you need a unique gift for a special person.

Shaker Style Chalkboard with drawer

Chalkboard Bed Tray

Wine Cork Tray

I can also help you design a special piece using your very own Life’s Leftovers! Do you have a piece of Grandma’s china that is broken? A favorite toy or t-shirt of your child’s? Sentimental jewelry that is unwearable, broken or just doesn’t fit your personal style? Is there something in your closet that you’re attached to & just can’t bring yourself to throw out?

As usual, I am open to taking any Life’s Leftovers that you don’t want. Just contact me! And as usual, your reward for reading to the end…..


RE-USING LIFE'S LEFTOVERS:

Reuse & repurpose the Christmas cards (or birthday, anniversary, etc.) you received. Cut the decorative part into smaller pieces or leave as one piece. Use a hole punch, attach ribbon, and use as future gift tags. Pinking shears or scrapbook scissors make great decorative edges. Glued onto card stock, these could even be used as cards for next year.
Idea submitted by Sherrie Aguirre


live mindfully
Chrystal Corcoran
760.212.6571
nothingwasted@cox.net