Lace Dream Catcher

If you would like to purchase,
Buy Now item # VintageLDC $10.50 plus $5.50 shipping USPS with tracking number. see paypal button top right

or-
If you would like to make your own,
Supplies:

• an embroidery hoop
• a lace cloth
• vintage lace ribbon
• random embellishments, such as ribbons, white feathers, swarvorski crystal beads to stitch in, 
• mod podge and small brush 
• needle & thread
• cutting tool, I have rotor cutter, scissors will work too

lace dream catcher

I first used the mod podge and attached a ribbon around the hoop, only the one front one, the one that shows.
Second I chose a cloth, I used lace but you can use really any color, fabric that you like to look at.
I did tuck the ribbons inside the two hoops &  knotted.

Then I added the embellishments  I sewed some beads, glued some feathers, stitched some ribbon, made a pretty rosette from a bit of awesome ribbon I had (it's kinda hard to see in the pic, bottom left)

Last I added a piece of ribbon at the top, I did loosen the hoops & ran it through and knotted. This is to hang it up.

That's it!
My first attempt....what do you think?

I have more 8 embroidery hoops so I'll make more. Not sure yet what the next one will look like.

Nice thing about this craft you can pretty much use what you have on hand & be creative. It can be simple or gaudy or anything in between!

"A dream catcher consists of a circular wooden hoop containing a handcrafted design with a center hole. The bottom of the hoop features two or more dangling feathers. Hung above the dreamer, the dream catcher  filters dreams from the night air, letting only the good dreams or important messages through. Believed by some to concentrate good energy and neutralize negative energy". 

The Elements of Cape Cod Style

My Cape Cod in North Carolina

What it is: This popular cottage style traces its origins to colonial New England and is characterized by its low, broad profile, generally a story and a half tall, with a steeply pitched roof with end gables. 

Why you'll love it: This is the quintessential American cottage style. The floor plans are typically cozy and efficient, and the simple, symmetrical exteriors are ripe for curb appeal embellishments such as shutters, window boxes and pedestrian paths. Nothing says "home sweet home" quite like Cape Cod cottages.
Element: A steeply pitched roof with side gables. This is one of the most consistent characteristics of this style. 
Element: Double dormers. They punctuate the steep rooflines of many Cape Cod homes. The most common type of dormer used is a gabled one, which features a simple pitched roof with two sloping sides. 

font drive

How to make it your own: In addition to boosting curb appeal, dormers create additional floor space in the area tucked under the roofs, helping convert once unused attics into livable space.

Element: A wide front porch. Colonial versions of the style did not have front porches, due to climate and construction concerns, but they are common in revival incarnations of the look. 

How to make it your own: Pairs of planters and sconces on either side of entries can create the appearance of symmetry even when the fundamental layout is asymmetrical.

How to make it your own: Painting heavy trim surrounding entries white is one way to get a similar effect without calling in a carpenter. Another simple way to highlight the entry is to paint the door itself a bright color.

Source http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2318693/list/American-Architecture--The-Elements-of-Cape-Cod-Style

Bathroom Re-Do Phase 1 Before & After

so 80's bathroom :)

Phase 1

The shower/toilet area was separated by a wall from the vanity area. 
too many doors, too dark.

Notice the arch we did instead of squaring it off. 

There was a little water damage to sub-floor due to the commode wiggling. It was this way when I purchased the house. I did put in 2 wax rings that kept it secure for awhile. 

So we replaced a bit of plywood on the floor. We needed to purchase the plastic ring the bolts screwed into. That was what was broke. That was gorilla glued to the pipe! The only choice we had was cutting it off. It was easy to get to while the plywood was removed giving footing to the crawl space below. 

We bought the vanity top and had the vanity made to fit it. Soft close door & dark wood with just a little sanding around the edges to give it a slight distress look. Love it!

This was the first time removing popcorn ceiling. 
It was so easy! 

A spray bottle filled with water was used and then it scrapped right off with a plastic putty knife! I'll be doing the other rooms now I know how easy it is. Clean up was not as bad as I thought it would be. 
Also rubber-band the shop vac end to the putty knife & catch some before it hits the floor. 

The tiles are just dry fitted in this pic.  It looks & feels so much bigger! 

The small part of the wall was kept due to a vent pipe. (surprise!)
It gave us a place to keep the light switch though so that was good. 
We chose one that lights up in the dark so you can find it at night. 
That is cool. 

And I really like how the arch came out, gives some nice definition. We bought a thin board and cut to fit, screw it in, then mud, sand. mud, sand. 

Still need to choose a light fixture and a couple shelves over the commode.

Phase 2 of the bathroom will be adding tile surround and a window! A long horizontal in the shower closer to the ceiling. 
- debating on leaving the tub or make it a shower only. 

New Light Fixture

New Lighting Fixture

My home was built in 1986 with very few updates to it when when I got it. The light fixture over the dining table was the original inexpensive brass. ew.

I chose a nickel finish light with the bulbs pointing upwards so's not to be blinded from the bulbs. I love it! This particular one was purchased at a major home and garden store for only $65. Great improvement coming in the front door! The living room and dining room is what you see first. 

I also started painting gray with white trim! much brighter than the dull beige with cream trim.

and the journey begins...yay!

Crochet beginner's dishcloth

Beginner’s dishcloth

I found this on another blog, link below.
I am learning to crochet in the evening while watching tv, I really enjoy it. Starting simple :)

This is a basic, easy dishcloth, great for using up scraps or using a self-striping cotton yarn. Finished dishcloth measures approximately 8' square.

Cotton dishcloth yarn, such as Lily Sugar n Cream. Approximately half a ball / 35 grams / 60 yards

Size h hook
Gauge: 8 sc, ch 1 = 4; however, gauge doesn't matter, it's a dishcloth!
Ch 34.
Row 1: in second ch from hook, sc. * Ch 1, skip next ch sp, sc in next sp. * Rep across row. Ch 1, turn.

Row 2: Sc in first sc, sc in first ch sp. *Ch 1, skip sc, sc in next ch 1 sp. Rep across row, ending with a sc in ch 1 sp & sc in the last sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Sc in first sc, * ch 1, skip next sc, and sc in ch 1 sp. Repeat from * across row.

Repeat row 2 & 3 for desired number of times, ending with row 3 to balance stitch pattern.
Materials Needed:
Yarn: You'll need a high-quality sport weight cotton yarn.
To crochet my sample projects, I used Simply Cotton yarn by Knitpicks. Simply Cotton is an incredibly soft organic cotton yarn.

I used the off-white color called "Marshmallow" to crochet my sample cloths. 

Project Instructions:

Ch 35.

Row 1: Sc in 3rd ch from hook. [Ch 1, skip next ch, sc in next ch.] Rep sequence in brackets across the entire row. Ch 1, turn.

Row 2: Sc in 1st sc, skip 1st ch, [sc in next sc, ch 1, skip next ch.] Rep sequence in brackets across the entire row. Ch 1, turn.

Design Notes: In rows 2 and up, I found that I was able to achieve straighter edges when crocheting my last stitch into the turning chain instead of crocheting it into the last sc st. You can do it either way, but whichever way you choose, be sure to be consistent.

If all goes according to plan, you will end up with 17 sc sts and 16 ch sts in each row.

Repeat row 2 until your dishcloth is square.

End off. Weave in ends.

Time to wash the dishes, your counter tops, your face, or any other surface you can think of! I hope you will love the luxurious softness of this cloth!

Or, alternatively, you could give the cloth as a gift to a friend; if you crochet several of these and bundle them up with pretty ribbons, they'd make a lovely housewarming gift. They could also be given as bridal shower gifts, Christmas gifts, etc.

http://crochet.about.com/od/easy-crochet-patterns/a/single-crochet-mesh-dishcloth-washcloth-free-pattern.htm