Merry Christmas Happy New Year From LilacsNDreams

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from LilacsNDreams! 

Preparations for Christmas have kept me quite occupied that I did not finish crafts that I have started, and have not done any repurposing or upcycling of anything. I apologize for that. Grocery shopping, cleaning and organizing house, having to clear the table from all crafts for everyone to sit at, one thing after another, shopping for presents, and I think you get the picture. My hands have been full, and unfortunately I have to do this all myself. 

Hubby drives truck, and right now has been hauling everything he can because he will soon be home for a little time off. Our son will be home on leave as well. It’s been about 4 years since he has celebrated Christmas with us, is long over due, and so we are going all out for the family to be together to share this special holiday. I know our daughter is counting the days of when we all get together as well. 

I am anxious for Christmas, getting together, seeing each other, the food, and most of all making memories. I am also anxious for after the holidays so that I can get back to crafting, finishing projects started, and create more things too. 

Thank you for visiting with LilacsNDreams! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!! Enjoy the holidays, and all that you do. Be safe, and see you all again soon. 

P.S. Please excuse the background issue I am having. Trying to change it, but having issues. Thank you for understanding.

                         MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Handmade Gnome Pink Bandana Biker Style Gnome was created by LilacsNDreams! I love this one because it is just a little bit different than a lot of the gnomes that have become so popular. This is the second gnome that I have made. First one was done with a tomato cage that now sits on my porch. This pink gnome is a gift that I will soon give to my hairdresser with my next appointment. 

This is how the gnome first look when I completed it. I wasn’t quite settled with it. In my opinion I felt it needed just a little bit more height. It felt like it was just sitting a little too low. As you will see in the next 3 pictures I had added a little bit height with it which I feel made it just a little bit better. I’m learning, and next time I will know a little bit more what to do.

The supplies I used with this project was a mop head from a mop I got from the Dollar Tree store. I cut a corner of a pink bandana to use for the gnome hat. I used a pink Pom Pom for the nose, and I added just a few little pink flowers to a few of the strands I braided. For the base I used a pencil holder from the Dollar Tree store.  

I removed the mop head from the mop handle, and I dropped the black neck of the mop head into the pencil holder. Before doing that I added a little glue around the rim of the pencil holder. Next time I will push the mop head further down into the holder. This will help shorten the beard that is around it.  With this gnome I unraveled all of the mop strings. Was trying to make it a little bit fuller. I attached the pink bandana, I added the pink Pom Pom for the nose, and I braided a few of the mop strands which I then added the little pink bows in some areas. 

After studying how it sat for a little bit I went in search of something to use to add a little bit of height to this. I used a small glass votive holder. 

Now, remember I am no expert doing handmade crafts. A lot of it is following what others do, sometimes adding my own touch, etc. I need to get another mop head because I would like to make another gnome. Not sure what kind of hat for it, bit that will come to me as I go along. 

When you have a chance visit my Shoppe at Etsy. I offer vintage collectibles, and repurposed Upcycled handmade items too. 

Christmas is soon here. Hope everyone will be able to share some time with family, friends, or have some whee you can go.

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams today. Drop on by anytime. Take care till the next time you visit. Toodles . . . .

Gnome Tomato Cage Handmade DIY Upcycled Christmas Holiday

This Gnome Tomato Cage Handmade DIY Upcycled Christmas Holiday project was created, and completed by LilacsNDreams. I love crafting, creating, repurposing, upcycling, vintage collectibles, and I love sharing this all with the Christmas Holiday Season. Christmas always feels a little more special with these projects, and interests included.

Pictured above is my completed Christmas Gnome that is now sitting on a stand in the corner of my porch for others to see too. I revised it a little bit from the picture seen on my last post. I knew I was going to have to make the gnome hat, but was not completely comfortable with how I was first attempting to do it.

So, I started almost completely over. I removed the cover I had on the body. I then used a dark grey shower curtain that was bigger in size, and just a little bit more loose for this that I was more comfortable with. I used about 1 1/2 big mop heads from Dollar General to go around for his beard. I used 2 baby blankets from the Dollar Tree put together to give me more of the size I wanted for the hat. I did stuff the hat a little bit with plastic bags to give it more of a shape. Added a ball at the tip of the hat. Around the rim of the hat I added a very simple snowflake like garland that has a light glitter to it. I tied a bow above his nose with the garland. I then used a silver wire trimmed ribbon that has Merry Christmas printed on it with other Christmas pictures on a white background, made a simple bow with this, and added it within the garland bow. For the gnome nose I used a white full bunny tail that I had gotten with a small batch last year from the Dollar Tree store. The tomato cage I used is close to my height of 5 foot, etc etc.

He looks adorable in the corner of our porch surrounded by Christmas lights, a blow up snowman family, Christmas tree in other window, and you know, outside Christmas decor. I’m not a professional, and have made this by example of many other designs shared by many other crafters.

I wish everyone a wonderful Monday! Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! See you again soon. Don’t forget to visit my Shoppe at Etsy for more handmade repurposed treasures, and some vintage collectible items too. Any questions contact Me. I would be happy to assist you.
Till the next time,   Toodles . . . . .

Vintage Inspired, Handmade DIY Gnome Tomato Cage Revised Christmas Outside

Vintage Inspired Handmade DIY GNome Tomato Cage Christmas Outside is with LilacsNDreams. Welcome everyone! It’s Wednesday, and Happy Hump Day!

There is such a raise with making these gnomes I figured I’ll give it a try for at home. I’m getting supplies together to make a small one for a Christmas gift to my hairdresser. Hers should be cute because I am using a bandana, gonna braid a few strands of her hair, and add a couple of bows to match the color of her bandana.

The gnome I am making for our home will be a big one. I am using a tomato cage to make this, and it will sit outside on my porch for show when I am done. I finally found mops to use that were bigger, and give me the length I need with the tomato cage. I completed getting 2 mops pulled a part last night to use for this project. I got the mops from Dollar General. I had a lot of thick wire, and 2 nails per mop to remove. The dog enjoyed watching me do this. I have set the mop heads to the side for the night. Taking them apart gave me 2 mop heads that are now all loose mop strings. I have an idea, and will attempt some of it today to see if it will work like I’m thinking. 

For the covered body part I am going to use Dollar Tree baby blankets. For this project I need a bigger Santa hat for him to wear because of the tomato cage size. I am having a hard time finding a big one like I want, or even some material or something to use for that. Last night I came up with an idea, and am gonna work with that today too. I’ll be making my own, and a bit nervous for that. 

Below are pictures showing the mop before I removed the head, and the tomato cage I will be using. I have extra cages on hand, so that saved hunting for those. Excuse the messes around things...Christmas decorating, and a lot of it is working with crafting projects.

Thanks so much for spending time with LilacsNDreams!  I enjoy your visits, and hope to see you again soon. Stop by anytime to see what I am up to next. 

Yellow Gold Diamond Engagement Wedding Cocktail Rings

14kt Yellow Gold Diamond Engagement Wedding Cocktail Rings

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy Monday to everyone visiting!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Weather wasn’t as bad as had been predicted. Hubby was home again this weekend. Did errands for things he needed done, and of course there is more laundry and different things to do when he is home too. Love him, but my schedule of things does get twisted a little bit while he is here. Unfortunately, projects I wanted to complete were not done. I got a few glass pieces washed, and cleaned. I really wanted to craft which I was not able to get to. 

Good news is that I made another sale! I’m waiting for payment right now. I haven’t posted to EBay for a very long time. The 3 diamond rings you are seeing below have been listed at EBay, and they are also listed at my Shoppe with Etsy too. 

The diamond cluster ring right below is the ring that sold at EBay. It feels great being able to sell items. It’s been a really slow start for me, starting over again pretty much is what I had to do. Sometimes it seems impossible, but then I sell something to give me hope again. 

Vintage Diamond Cluster Wedding Cocktail Right Hand Yellow Gold Ring  “SOLD”

Diamond Marquise Wedding Engagement Yellow Gold Diamond Ring   Comes with updated appraisal

Vintage Marquise Wedding Engagement Cocktail Yellow Gold Diamond Ring   Comes with 2 different appraisals

If you have questions about anything please drop me a line. Would be happy to help you. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Stop by again at anytime. Feel free to leave comments, contact me, etc. Always happy to hear from you. Have a fabulous day everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving and Black Friday Sales and Events

The Thanksgiving Holiday is Over Now We Have Black Friday

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! How did Thanksgiving go for everyone? Did we survive the day? Hope everyone is doing well, the tummies have settled for those who had a big feast, and there were safe travels for those who drove some where.

Now we have Black Friday. How many of you participate with the madhouse shopping on this day? To this day I have never participated with a Black Friday event. I’ve always been content with the sales, and specials I find myself. If I do any shopping on this particular day I also do it online. 

As for my Thanksgiving Day? I was at home by myself for most of the day. Husband was able to come home tonight for a few days. Our daughter spent the day with her in-laws, and our son stayed on base. We will be celebrating our holiday together at Christmas time. Son will have leave, and is well deserving of it. It’s been about 3-4 years since he has been able to be home for this holiday. So, this will be the family special time to gather, and celebrate.

Below you will see a picture I am sharing. I spent all day putting lights on the Christmas tree, adding the ornaments to the tree, making little trees with tall candle stands, putting lights and ornaments on those, bringing out the Christmas towels with pot holders, Christmas hand towels for the bathroom, and don’t forget wonderful laundry and dishes had been done too. During my Christmas decorating I put together a wreath for our front door. I used 4 big plastic candy canes that are red, white, and green. I zip tied those together. I was then going to add a simple bow, and was thinking about something floral with it. I looked at the Christmas spray sitting there with a few pine cones, and some red berries. I noticed how it stretched a little bit, and thought about it hanging with the canes I had put together. I payed it along the canes, played with it a bit, and I started zip tying it all together. Added the bow to the top, added a zip tie to use as a hanger, and put it on the wreath holder on our front door. 

A thought that came to mind was I’m happy that I hung onto some things like I do, or pick things up along the way thinking I’ll eventually use it. Doing something like this is how things come together. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams today! Stop by anytime. Always welcome the visits, comments, and messages. Take care till the next time. Toodles . . . .

Happy Thanksgiving Season Holiday Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!

Welcome to LilcsNDreams! Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and for some it will be a very big day with family, friends, those special to us, etc. May I ask that we also keep those in mind who can not celebrate like those who are fortunate to celebrate this day. Our military, police, some of our veterans, the homeless, and many others some of us are not aware of. 

Generally our family has an open door policy . . . . family, friends, someone we know who will be alone, and etc are all invited. We always make plenty of food. If we have about an idea of about how many to maybe expect we make sure there is enough to serve everyone. It’s a pleasure to share this time with everyone that we can. I am so thankful that we are able to do this. 

Have fun, enjoy, be safe in your travels, take time with your travels for some who have weather conditions to contend with, and please remember the things you are thankful for. Enjoy this special day everyone!

                                                   Happy Thanksgiving to All!!

Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams! Hope to see you again soon!

Snowman Splatter Screen Handmade Repurposed Restyled Christmas Holidays

Snowman on Splatter Screen Repurposed Restyled Handmade Christmas Holidays

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to see those returning, and to see those who are new too! 

Wow! This week is Thanksgiving already! Everyone ready for it? Have big plans? At this time I don’t have any plans myself. Daughter will be with her in-laws, son will be on base...will be home for Christmas though, and I think Hubby might role in Friday if loads don’t change. With son coming home preparations for Christmas have started. Outside lights hung Sunday, lighted garland on light post on porch, tree has been brought up for me to put together, and something new I am using this year is a blow up snowman family. Tested it, and it is working. So, today while it’s still nice I will get that put out, and staked to the ground. Christmas is one time of year I get excited with decorating, crafting, home decor, did I mention crafting?lol! Festive time of year our family gathers, and spends time with each other. 

Hubby was home for couple days, and we did a lot of running around, errands, and doing things he needed done. So, unfortunately I did not complete 2 of my craft projects I wanted to. Almost done, just a couple more things to do. 

I’ve enjoyed making this snowman. It got kind of chilly out, so I was not able to spray paint anything. I had fun finding another way to cover the face of this Handmade Snowman  you are seeing below. 

I used the Dollar Tree splatter guards that have become popular for crafting projects. I have his face completed. I’m in the process of completing his hat. I’m using white foam board for the hat. Pieces are cut, and black material is being added. I need to finish the edges, the brim with material, and then some embellishments around the hat. Once he is completed I will share that with you, and how I did things for this snowman project.

I have a snowman hat that I also need to complete. I have the tin can painted black, couldn’t find my black plate, but did find another one at the Dollar Tree Store. I need to decide on the color of ribbon, and embellishments I want on the hat so I can do that, and then glue the top of hat to the base to com-let this Christmas project too. I will also share this completion with you. 

Crafting, creating, repurposing are projects I hope to work on a little more this week. I need to get a few more things done so that I can clear the table, and start preparing for our family Christmas.

I hope this finds everyone doing well. I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! Safe travels, have fun, and be safe!

Thank you for visiting LilacsNDreams! Take care, and stop on by anytime. See you all again soon. Toodles . . . . . 

Pink Glass Cake Cupcake Plate Stand Candy Cane Christmas Wreath

Pink Glass Cake Cupcake Plate Stand Sold Candy Cane Wreath Christmas Listed

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Below you will see a couple of pictures for items listed in my Shoppe at Etsy that I am excited about. 

I am happy to announce that this Pink Glass Cake Cupcake Plate Stand made by me has sold Monday night! It’s all wrapped securely, boxed, and ready for delivery to the post office for shipment to the new owner. This is a hard one to let go. I like colored glass, was excited to find matching glass pieces to unite, and I was excited how this looked so like new with the conditions of the glass pieces used. 

I’ve shown this Candy Cane Wreath Door Hanger upon its completion. I am now happy to report I have it listed with my Shoppe at Etsy. 

You are welcome to visit my Etsy Shoppe anytime, and happy to have you stopping by here anytime too! 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Always a pleasure to have you visit, leave a comment, send me a message, etc. Take care till the next time everyone! Toodles. . . . .

Glass Angel Vintage Wood Blocks Candy Cane Wreath Handmade Repurposed

Glass Angel Vintage Wood Blocks Candy Cane Wreath DIY Handmade Repurposed Holiday Home Decor Christmas

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Below you will see pictures to projects that I have completed fully today. Yes, I did stay busy today, and was determined to get some things done. I need to make room to craft more projects sitting, and looking at me. I would glue a little, and while that was sitting and bonding I would do other household things. You know the usual with laundry, bedding, sweeping/swifting the floors with everything that collects here. 

This Candy Cane Wreath I showed you last week, and I’m sorry I haven’t posted it yet at my Shoppe with Etsy like I wanted too. This is the completed look with the ribbon hanger I was able to get measured out, and attached to it today. 

This is another project I had started. I’ve had the vintage wooden blocks glued together showing the word sewing. Today I completed it by attaching different little embellishments to it like straight pins, needle, safety pins, spools of vintage thread, a clothespin, and some buttons too. 

Here is the glass Angel I have completed. I used a fan light glass fixture, a glass ornament, some yarn for her hair, pipe cleaner for her halo and neckline, and I added a creme colored flower with a clear stone in the center of it for her neckline. This is the first time I have added yarn for hair. Not sure if I’m content with it yet. I maybe should have made it longer, used another method, etc. I did use a fine point black permanent marker to make her some eyes, and a mouth by hand. This is my first like this, and next time I will do a little different I think.

So, that has been my day today. I stayed busy, and finally accomplished a few things. Now to get this listed with my Shoppe at Etsy I have appointments on Monday. We’ll see how tired I am Monday night. Crossing my fingers I get that done. I’m anxious to work on some other craft goodies I have supplies sitting here to use for those. I’m excited, and will share with everyone as I progress. 

Thanks so much for stopping by, and visiting with LilacsNDreams! Feel free to stop on by anytime! Take care till the next time we gather everyone. Toodles . . . .

Christmas Candy Cane Wreath Handmade Repurposed Restyled Upcycled

A Christmas Candy Cane Handmade Wreath Repurposed Upcycled Restyled

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you visit as always. Above you will see the picture I’m showing for a completed project done by me. This creation was fun! The only thing missing right now is I need to add ribbon at the top for this handmade candy cane wreath to hang. This was fairly simple to make, and took a little patience gluing the canes together. Not all of them lay completely flat. 

I used 2 packages of the plastic candy canes from Dollar Tree Store. The ribbon bows were from my ribbon/Christmas stash I had. I’m thinking I had gotten the package from the Dollar Tree as well, but cannot confirm definitely. Some of these candy cane wreaths you might have seen made with different centers on them too. Some used snowflake ornaments, some have used the snowman head ornaments, maybe a ribbon bow, and etc. I happen to be looking at ornaments at Walmart, and when I seen this JOY ornament I knew this was the one. The Joy is in red with some glitter. Above the word Joy is the usual berry cone garland you see at Christmas time, and the ornament background is metal like with a slight tarnished look to it. 

Light weight, adorable, and uniquely handmade piece to adorn your home. It is not listed right now as I do this post, but this will be listed with my Shoppe at Etsy I’ll probably have it listed Monday night. This project is completed, and will sit overnight for glue to bond properly, and to see if any adjustments will need to be made before I can list it for sale.

Quickly I wanted to let you know that I am going to be slowly testing a few things with my website in regards to times, and days that I am posting. I am wanting to find a better way of reaching you that visit with me, and being able to reach out to more as well. Time, and changes sometimes bring these adjustments to us that we need to consider. So, please bear with me during this time of experimenting. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Love the visits, comments, and messages from everyone. Hope to see y’all again soon! Take care till the next time. Toodles . . . . . .