Shabby Chic Blessing Tree .... Altered Vintage Bottle and Wishes For the New Year

With the new year comes 

reflections of the one 

that came before. 

And hopeful thoughts for

 the days ahead. 

AND WE THINK OF WHAT WE 

WANT FOR OTHERS..

THIS IS MY BLESSINGS TREE.

It's full of WISHES OF GOODNESS for

 MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS

AND EVEN AQUAINTANCES.

WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR to bring

WoNDeRFuL THiNGS!

PEACE

HOPE

LOVE

WARMTH

DELIGHT

JOY

AND

 SO MUCH MORE...

I found this sturdy, vintage bottle at the
thrift store and thought it would be the perfect
base for my tree.
I filled the bottle 3/4 of the way full with sand
to stabilize it. I thought it might fall over otherwise!

The "tree" is a branch from
our apricot tree. I painted it with
white, acrylic, craft paint.

And then I just let my heart take over.
The gray beads are strung on black wire and the
chain is glued on with E-6000.

It was one of the most fulfilling projects
I've ever worked on.

{The key is special to me.
I found it at The Mouse House
antique barn near my home-town. It still had the
tag attached. It was from The Strand Theatre
where I used to usher for productions when
I was in high school. They have replaced all
the old locks and this one was from the
box office. I was so thrilled to find it!

Now the theatre is called
Cambridge Performing Arts Center.
I took my daughter there this past fall
 for her 18th birthday.
Jane Eyre, the musical, was the production.}

The white pieces are cut from old corks
and painted white. I put a hole through them
with a small nail.

The little "ornaments"
are beads and jewelry pieces that
I strung on the black wire.
I cut the sentiments from old Christmas
Cards and attached them with a jump ring.

I realize that some of the photos are somewhat

"Christmasy". I hoped that no one would mind.
I want to savor the Christmas spirit and keep it in my 

heart all year long. 

After all, doesn't it embody all the 

GOOD THINGS

that we wish for others?

So...

Many blessings to you all. 

Sweet wishes for all that you hope 

for 2015 to be.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Hugs,

Tamara

linking up at:

Shabbilicious Friday Link-Up!

Shabby Angel Wing Ornaments

"Angels We Have Heard on High"

What a peaceful way to depict Christmas.

"With Angels all around."

Raising their beautiful voices in song

to declare the coming of the Messiah..

Watching over us all..

Taking the utmost care to guard and protect.

I can remember when I was a little girl,

the thought of Angels at Christmas

always gave me the warmest, most peaceful

feelings inside.

A feeling that I was in the best of care

and no matter what,

everything was going to be ok.

Today, I'm sharing with you some ornaments

that I have made.

They would make wonderful gifts or little additions to

a Christmas shop display to sell.

I used an angel wing die to cut the shapes. First, out of

some stiff cardboard that I had saved and then

from the vintage sheet music to cover the cardboard.

I cut popsicle sticks and I hot glued them to the

back to hold the wings just the right 

distance apart.

I used a glue stick to adhere the paper to the cardboard.

And then I began the fun process of 

decorating them with vintage doilies, buttons, and 
 other things that I had on hand.

The embellishments were attached with 

Tacky glue and hot glue.

For the hanger, I tore a strip of white sheet and

and after centering the strip, I used hot glue to attach 

the strip.

And...

Here they are!

I hope that your Christmas celebration 

has already started and the 

stresses of the season are few

and the blessings be many! 

Here's a thought for the season:

"What is Christmas?"

It is tenderness for the past, 

courage for the present,

hope for the future.

It is a fervent wish that every cup may

overflow with blessings rich and eternal,

and that every path may lead to peace. 

Thank you so much for stopping by!

 Love...Joy.. and Peace to you,

Tamara

I'm joining the party at:
Songbird Christmas Vintage Inspiration Party

Inexpensive Christmas Decor...Silver Tray Re-Purposed With Christmas Joy

*~JOY~*

It's the season for it...

(actually, it's always a good time for spreading a little JOY!)

Several months ago, I found this pretty, little

tray at a thrift store.

It was painted white 

around the edges and the center was

was painted very sloppily with

chalkboard paint.

The cost was 50 cents.

I painted it with white, homemade chalk paint

and glittered the flat surface. 

The red ruffle that you see is made from some

red burlap that I also found at a thrift store.

I bunched it up as I attached it with hot glue.

And I used some of the threads from the burlap to make

the sweet little bow on the pinecone pick.

The cute burlap canvas was a clearance item at
Wal-mart for 1 dollar! I'm not sure
why they were on clearance but there were
several and I thought they
were a real find and so I bought 6!

The little pinecone arrangement is a pick from
 from my Michael's crafting drawer.
I dry-brushed the canvas with a little white,
acrylic paint, stenciled the
"JOY"
on and added a few sequence.
And lastly, I attached some
 red grosgrain ribbon for the hanger.

I didn't "go out" and buy any of this for this
little project. I just see items at thrift stores
and I often check the clearance aisles
where crafting and art supplies are sold.
It really is surprising what a person can find.

You don't need a lot of money but you
do need a little space for
keeping things on hand.

I have collected most of what I have by browsing
for bargains and unique or interesting items.

I hope that your Christmas season

has been Merry and Bright and that

your heart and home are 

full of the warmth and special

 JOY

that this season brings!

Many blessings and wishes for a

beautiful, blessed Christmas.

Tamara xo

‘Fear not: for, behold, 

I bring you good tidings 

of great joy.'

Luke 2:10

Thrifted Red Toolbox With a Christmas Message

This is one of my favorite projects

so far this year. 

I found this old, red, rusty toolbox at

a thrift store. $2. It's been sitting in

my stash room waiting for a purpose.

The brilliant, festive red made it a perfect fit

for some kind of Christmas fun.

The greenery is from an old garland

that I had. I attached that and the moss

with hot glue. 

Burlap... rusty metal... pinecones.

And a little, lettered message.

Remembering why we celebrate

the season.

Rejoice!

 My Angel is made from an old

hammer handle partially covered with

old sheet music. 

Her wings are folded

coffee filters with little ruffles made from

an old paper tape measure.

I found the brass corner in my

basket of metal treasures.

I loved the star for Christmas 

and I used E600

to keep it in it's place.
********************

 I hope that your Christmas season

has been full of joy and memorable times

so far... with many more to come.

May the wonder and love of 

the season fill your heart.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Be blessed!

Tamara

I'm joining lovely bloggers at:

My Salvaged Treasures
Vintage Inspiration Party

( You'll have to search for it. 
I tried and tried to get the URL link to work! ! I'm sorry.)