A tid-bit here. A tad-bit there.

I've been in a do-it-yourself mood lately. Got a few things done around the house. Little things here and there that make a big difference to me.

We pulled out a weeping cherry tree in back that just made a mess. Had a big hole and didn't know what to do with it. I solved the problem of having an overloaded drip-line...eliminated 5 drippers going to 5 pots, and instead now have one sprayer going to one big veggie box for lettuce next year.

All the wood came from my dad's ever-handy scrap wood pile for this project.


I have big plans for more veggie garden projects and will post later on those.

Found a vintage linen panel with a parakeet print in an antique store I recently visited. Fell in love with it as it reminds me of my grandmother who is no longer with us. She had parakeets at one time, and outfitted their cage with everything that is in this print. Fake stick perches, little white ladders, mirrors, bells...

I decided my sofas have been bare for much too long and decided to spice them up with some throw pillows. I added a zipper to the back so this turned into a washable case. Super important for a house with small children and a dog.

This is a work in progress using scrap material for a third pillow. I love using stuff I already have on hand. Adding some buttons for added interest. Overall, the cost of my three pillows is $23. Not too shabby considering that might buy me one really unique pillow in a store.

We've moved my sons into the same room, so that freed up our spare room. I quickly set up shop and now have an actual sewing room! I needed a way to keep my sharp tools up out of the reach of curious little fingers. Back out to the woodpile to find a board to make into a second shelf (top one was existing). A little spray paint and some nails, and wha-la!

When both of my grandmothers passed on, I, being the the sewer taught by both of them, was given their button boxes. During my antiquing I found these two old jars. I put my grandma's buttons in one, and old wooden spools in another. The red-velvet topped metal box belonged to my maternal grandma, and the strawberry pin cushion belonged to my paternal grandmother.

A great way to use an existing peg hanger to store all my ribbon spools. Makes them easy to see and get to.

And last but not least, I made a towel hanger for my boys at their level. One can never be to young to be taught to be tidy, so now my 4 year old can start hanging up his own towel. I'm all about one less thing for me to pick up!