Blog For Thrift Store Vintage Collectibles Upcycle Repurpose

 LilacsNDreams Blog For Thrift Store Vintage Collectibles Upcycle Repurpose DIY Handmade

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to see you landing here to visit with me!

I know I left here to go over there for another Blog I started for LilacsNDreams. I do still have that, but I just felt like I wanted to drop by here. Still kind of hard to let go where I have been for so long. So, here I am. 

This year started off a little rough for us here at home. I had hernia surgery which kept me in hospital for the night with an issue that came up. Next day everything corrected, was fine, and I was released. About 2 weeks later my husband had a heart attack. Something none of us seen coming, and was very unexpected. But, after talking, going over things, being told things we realized this had been coming, and finally surfaced. That happened on the 16th, and on the 23rd of January hubby had double bypass surgery. It was an experience not wished upon anyone. 

So, during this time of recovery, doctor visits, physical therapy there unfortunately was no income being received. Unemployment was filed for, but was denied. Reason…his inability to work/surgery. His boss was not on a “list” that this could be treated like a lay off, and they do not support medical issues. Hubby, and the boss…also our dear friend…were not happy at all. For the years he drove here where has all that money gone? His boss wants to talk with his accountant to find out about paying unemployment, can he quit paying it since it can’t be used, and those kind of things. Soooo living off of credit cards, using what money was set aside for a rainy day, and doing best we could. Survival with doctor visits, and each drive was over an hour from home. Medicines to buy…hubby has no insurance. Never really a need for it because he never gets sick, and has never really had a need to see a doctor. Also, due to his profession of truck driving he was not released to work as soon as others can be released. As the doctor explained he did not break an arm, or a leg that could be casted. Bone in his chest was cut open, and put together with wire. Takes time to heal, no stress, and no physical work that could injure the bone. The next surgery would be more difficult due to more damage to try to fix. 

Almost 3 months of him being home. A lot of walking, and a lot of sleeping. I had a lot of time during these months to think about things, and reach into my feelings a little about what I like to do with LilacsNDreams. I sooo enjoy some of the things when I first started out online. Thrift Stores, Yard Sales, Flea Markets, and that search for vintage collectibles. I enjoyed searching for home decor, glassware was another passion, I so enjoyed things as found but sometimes seen possibilities of them in another way too. How I could upcycle an item to do this, oh it would look great if it had this color added to it, wouldn’t this be unique if these pieces were united, repurpose it for another use, and so on. I enjoyed searching Thrift Stores which you seem to be able to find a little bit of this, that, and look through piles for things. I wish sometimes I could have like a Thrift Store where you can sell a little of everything you would like to put into it. Things old, new, used, discarded, forgotten, handmade, DIY, and honestly a lot of things I enjoy doing myself with online sales. Wouldn’t it be neat to have an online Thrift Store? That idea excited me thinking about it. 

Now, another thing IF I did something like that. Would I keep my name of LilacsNDreams that I have had, and worked under since 2004 when I started? I have the domain for it, could set up a website to sell on, and have had that for a long time too. I have done social sites with it, my different blogs, different selling platforms, etc. When checking with AI with this name it pretty much describes everything I talk about which is a good thing to know. I also have another name with a domain I acquired some time ago. I have dabbled with it, have a blog with the name, but haven’t built it up like I have with this name of course. That name is ThriftyShopGirl. So, it’s me thinking again. Taking the time to look at different things, different ways of things, searching around a bit, making my notes, and trying to feel out what is the right way. I like the Online Thrift Store idea so that I can dabble with a little of the different things I like to do, that I have interests in. I need to feel my way through with the name idea. That is something I really need to look at more, and feel out a little more too.

So, everyone that is where my thoughts, and ideas have come to after everything that has happened this year to bring me to this point. I hope to be able to decide a little more here soon so that I can start putting inventory together for this venture….which this will be the fun part!! The thrill of the hunt, and ideas! It feels good, and free when I think of this. The inventory won’t be a real bad thing to put together. The decision of the name has me caught up a bit, and will hold things up a bit till I can determine more the better way to go with it.

Sorry for the story book. I was happy to share some thoughts, and ideas with you.  Thanks so much for spending time at LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you here. If you would like to share something about this topic, please feel free to do so. Thanks everyone, and see you again soon!

QR Codes Business Cards or Both

 

                           

                                                           QR Codes Business Cards or Both

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Glad you found me here, but a reminder that my new home is at LilacsNDreams WordPress

For all you vendors, or business owners I have seen discussed often about the QR Codes, and Business Cards. The topic has come up many times in different Facebook Groups I follow, and visit. The question has been using one, the other, or both. Many who do Vendor Fairs, Craft Fairs, Flea Markets, Farmers Markets, and business owners in preparations for their events consider this a part of their procedure too. 

Many inquire if they should use a QR Code, use a Business Card, or should they maybe use both. There has been mixed feelings on what to do, or many have had different experiences to share with this as well. 

I think sometimes it depends on the area you are in, and sometimes the event you are with too. There have been many who use the QR codes, and no business cards. They have signs made to show the QR codes for their sights they use, where to find them, for their payment methods used, and so on. The signs will sit with their check out stations they have, sitting in a spot that you can use to get their information and check out. Many with this setup do not use cards either. They have experienced people throwing them away, and some customers commenting how they have your info on their phones, and the card is not needed. For your codes you get them from your sights, your payment methods used, etc. If you want signs made for your codes to show, or to notify that is something you can put together. There are places that will help you make these as well. Something to check into a little more if you want this method used.

Then, I have seen where many comment on how they do not use the QR codes because some people do not like putting those things on their phones, some of the different ages of people have a preference for the use of codes while others don’t know about it, or prefer not to deal them. I have also seen many comment how they got rid of their QR code signs, and they have had better luck with a business card being handed out. 

If you choose to use a business card another topic is what do you put on it, where do you get them made, how expensive is it, colors, shape, size, kind of paper used, and of course some people being designers and creators will make their own too. So, places like Vistaprint, Zazzle, and Moo are used. There are many places you can have your cards made. Use their different templates they have, maybe have them incorporate your design in, and things like that. Specials are offered, and sometimes that’s a way to feel if maybe you should use 1 or the other. Then, some will use their own business cardstock, make their own designs and layout with their computers, or even use some places like Canva and Avery to make them too. Ok, now that you have considered maybe having a business card next is the designing of it. The front of the card which many will put their business name along with a tagline, or some kind of description of what they do. Sometimes they will put it all on the front too. On the back they might mention their business name again along with the business owner name, address, phone number, email address, your website address, social media addresses to find you, and things like that. Maybe on the back you might just put your tagline, phrase, and a thank you too. No right, or wrong way. Time, learning, and finding what works for you. 

So, if you haven’t already considered these things it is another thing for you to think about. 

Front

Back

This is my new business cards I had made with vistaprint recently. I uploaded a design I wanted used. I chose the coloring of print, the printed designs, the layout, and this is what I have done. Is it the right way? I don't know, but it is comfortable what I wanted to share with others. Kind of one of the ways to get my name out there, what I do, and how to find me too. 

I hope this topic was a little helpful for everyone. Gave you a few things to think about, and consider for what you want to do, and what will work for you. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care with all you do!

Visit LilacsNDreams With New Blog Website

 

                                                 Come Visit LilacsNDreams With New Blog

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I am doing something I have been thinking about doing for a while. I researched, and read about places. Would push it off, and then start rethinking it again. I finally decided it was time for me to move on. I have been doing my best to keep a schedule, share topics with everyone of interest, show images, share links, etc. For some reason it just has not been working here with getting views with my posts. I use to get a lot more than I am getting now, would get comments, and now it’s hardly anything. I have some ideas, hopes, and goals, but it just doesn’t seem to be working. I will still have my place here. I have 1 of my domains pointing to it. But, my main .com domain I will be working to have it directed to the next place. 

Yes, it’s an adjustment for me. I was use to things here, sight was easy to roam and do things with my postings, and the next sight I will have to learn a few things. But, it will come to me as I keep working it. So, when you get a chance stop by to see me at LilacsNDreams Blog in a new home that I am working with. Not perfect, but I am doing a little at a time to get things updated, and changed. Wish I could have kept doing my thing here, but sometimes have to be done for the best, right?

*** UPDATE: Ok, been working with word press because LilacsNDreams is there. After playing around today I added another blog page which is not going to do what I wanted it to. Word Press is a learning thing for me for sure! I found I could add another site with my original site there. So, for the blog I now have it set up with New Blog Location  lilacsndreamsblog.wordpress.com

Thanks for visiting as always, and hope to see you as I transition into a new home. Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams! Take care, and hope to see you again.

Blogger WordPress Square Wix For Blogging

Blogger WordPress Square Wix For Blogging Platforms

 Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you dropping by. I am curious. Do you blog? If for whatever reason you don’t blog do you like to visit different blogs? If visiting do you visit frequently, once in a while, don’t return, not interested, and why do you do what you do?

Reason I ask is something I have been watching, and thinking about for a long time now. Thinking, looking, researching, and so on. I have been with Blogger for a very long time. At some point in time I got a domain that I directed this way too. I added different pages to expand my blog, and spent time with it. I was active, consistent, and at some point I was doing ok with it. I was considering make it my main website. I would get descent views, visits, comments, etc. Then, heard about Word Press. I did set things up there, but have never been truly active with it. I still have my place there, and I drop in once a great while. I have done Blogger enough I am use to the way things are done here.

Stepping back a little, looking at things, and I guess I’m being concerned with the time I do put into Blogger, and the actual visits I get. How many views I have been getting is not so good. Not like it use to be, and not quite where I would like to see it. Over time some of my posts have gotten a lot of views, but why is it taking so long? What am I doing wrong, what could I do better, where do I need to improve?

Over time I have looked, read what others have shared, view blogs on other platforms, and then I do see others that use Blogger too. Word Press seems to be pretty popular for a blog. You could have Blue Host, or even Go Daddy to host Word Press too. I have also seen Square mentioned, and Wix has had good recommendations too. Some who have their own websites have a blog with it too. So, I have hope with blogging when I see that. Just trying to find where I fit in, and what works for me to make things better for everyone who visits with me too. 

So, if you are blogging, or visit a blog what platform do you like to visit? What has been a good experience for you? I love Blogger, but have been really considering putting more effort into my place I have at Word Press too. I need to be where I can get more visits, be found, and is a good fit for those who visit with me also. It’s not just all about what works for me, but what is acceptable for others too. Is it time for me to invest a little bit into blogging with hosting, and not using free? 

Please, I would love for you to share with me your experiences, your thoughts, your ideas with this subject. I have read quite a bit, but would appreciate some input from all of you too. So, when you get a chance, and feel like it please share with me your thoughts and experiences with blogging. I would really appreciate some constructive input, and ideas to consider from others.

I appreciate everyone visiting with LilacsNDreams today. Thanks for stopping by, and hope to see you again soon. Have a great day!

Holidays Thanksgiving Christmas Fall Winter Decorating

 

Holidays Thanksgiving Christmas Fall Winter Decorating

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I hope everyone is surviving the weather changes, and you are enjoying the time of year with the seasons changing. We go from one to another. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Most times anymore you are not able to get through one, and another one has started in the stores already. Feels like the meaning of each one is overlooked because it’s a retail thing. Sorry, just a little venting.

This year for the first time we have our tree up, and sitting where we want it. It does not have lights on it, it’s not decorated yet, but it is up. We truly debated about doing it this soon. Usually it’s a thing when Thanksgiving is done the tree goes up. This year for some reason is different. The mood of us, everyone around us, people everywhere, and I think just looking for that cheerful feeling / mood that we always have at Christmas time. I felt guilty about setting up this early, but have found friends a couple hours away, and friends down south from us have done the same thing. Some are mostly decorated, and some have fully decorated. Everywhere wanting the feeling of the cheer, and joy that is felt at this time of year. 

So, son bringing Christmas decorations up from basement a bit at a time, and slowly stacking containers. I have gone through the first batch he brought up. I have put Christmas decorations up, some have been set to the side to decide what to do with them, maybe some will be donated, some things have been moved or rearranged already, and it’s a working progress. Not worried about anyone seeing anything till after Thanksgiving with the schedule of things this year. Waiting for a nice day again to get lights off bushes from Halloween, and to put the Christmas lights on the bushes. 

This is the window that the tree fits in the best with the height, and fullness. The stand, and love seat have been moved away from the corner to make room for the tree.

One of the shelves on the wall in the living room. I think I might add some candles that are on timers to this yet. It’s a working progress yet. 

Other shelf that is to the left from the first one you see above. Looks nice when the candles on timers turn on at night. Has a nice soft flicker glow.

Part of the bay window that Mr and Mrs Santa Claus will be standing in. Till then things set there, get placed when ready, and so on. These are decorative gift boxes that will set around the tree. I cannot put them there yet until the tree lighting, and decorations are done. 

Gotta make room for our Grinch stand, and the Santa stand too. They seem to be supervising things I am doing … LOL!

This Noel lighted sign is big, and will hang on 1 side of our porch railing that is quite visible to many who come into town

This is the top of the other living room stand that has pictures on it. Pieces I have set there for now. It has been rearranged once, and not sure if I am settled yet. We’ll see what else comes up from the basement for me to consider.

I have many Christmas table covers to use. Some are still new in their packages like this one was. I like having a bit variety to choose from because each year it changes a little with the decorative decor used. 

This year I have filled the curio cabinet with quite a few Christmas pieces. Some were added with everyday decor, and then some shelves were cleared and all Christmas added. 

1 corner of the dining area showing wall decor, and a start to what will sit on the buffet. I generally have my lighted village all along the length of the buffet which I started with 1 church I found. Definitely a working progress with that.

Here is the full wall above my buffet that was decorated. I removed everyday pictures that were hanging there, and filled the spots with Christmas wall decor. The buffet has a blue with white design table cover laid, and I added white material to the top of that. Working with the snow looking effect for the village, and things to be placed there.

This is another corner in the dining area, and the wall decor placed there.

This is the start to the decorating that will be done. In the dining area I have an old sewing machine on 1 wall that also gets decorated. The bay window in the living room is a big one. The platform there is like a 3rd of the wall. So, naturally it has become a feature to decorate for all to see when they drive by. This year Mr and Mrs Santa will be standing there. They are not animated ones, but are so adorable! Each side will have a 3-4 foot tree placed there, and lights on them to match the big tree. Some lighted gift box decor will be placed there, and I think we still have the little elf boy and Rudolph to place there too. Love making some kind of scenery in that window.

Really, we have a lot more to do. We sit on a corner lot on Main Street, and are known as the decorative house for the holidays. Every year we might use some of the same things, but we generally arrange things differently to have a different look every year too. One of the biggest joys is the look, excitement, and comments from the kids and the adults. Last year we had a blow up in corner by the fence. This blow up was of a little outhouse, the door opened, and Santa would be peaking out with a roll of tissue next to him on the wall. So many cars driving by, slowing down, driving around to look again, and to watch the smiles and laughs. Like I said there is much joy in watching all of this. 

Well, this is all for this I am sharing today. I do hope you enjoyed, and look forward to you visiting again. Take care, and see you again soon. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams!

Upcycle Repurpose Something With Potential No Waste

 

Upcycle Repurpose Something With Potential No Waste

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! A major thing for me with upcycling, and repurposing is I hate to see something with potential go to waste. There are many things in the home, thrift stores, second hand stores, and around us that can be upcycled, and repurposed. 

UPCYCLE is taking an item that is headed to the trash, and being discarded or forgotten. Put it into the recycle bin , and turn it into something useful again. 

REPURPOSE simply means using an item in a way that wasn’t originally made, or intended to be used. 

Think outside the box to find items that you can create with. Things in your home, thrifting, junking, yard sales, estate sales, and sometimes a curbside find too. There is no rules, or limit on how you can do things.  Many upcycle, and repurpose items into something useful for the home. Get the look you love without spending a lot of money. Save some money, and have a unique decor for you or given as a gift too. 

Here is a list of some ideas to consider, and to maybe make things that you want for yourself. 

*Globes can be used for hanging in a nursery, and the globe stand could be used to make a paper towel stand.

* Instead of discarding an old lamp shade you could make it into a wired basket that can be used for a waste basket, use it for storing things, and a basket to put with your decor. 

*Use a ladder, and make it into a blanket rack. 

*A vintage, or old bar cart could be made into an end table. Open area could hold plants, or maybe place a lamp on it too. 

*Vintage tea cups you don’t know what to do with? They are adorable as candle holders. 

*An old dresser, or buffet can be made into a bathroom vanity

*Old shutters can be made into wall, or home decor

Possibilities are endless, and so much fun too. Also, you made it makes it a little more special too. 

To see more pictures, or images from the list I shared you can google it, or better yet you could look on Pinterest where many ideas are shared by many people. Look for images of finished items, and sometimes some of the images will have instructions for how they were designed. Another place to look would also be on Tik Tok where you will get some live feeds to show you things too. 

Hope everyone enjoyed some ideas of taking trash, and making them into treasures. DIY projects are great for everyone to do. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Stop by again soon. Take care!

Christmas Crafting Pool Noodles Into Candles

 Christmas Crafting Pool Noodles Into Candles 

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Everyone survive all the Halloween festivities? For some a busy weekend too. But, here we are November. Feeling the season changing more, next will be Thanksgiving, but as we have all seen Christmas is out everywhere too. 

I Love Christmas! I love being able to craft, upcycle, repurpose all things christmas. Today I want to share a DIY project using pool noodles. Many things can be done with pool noodles, and over time I have learned to keep a few on hand in case I get an urge to make something with them. You see it done many times how pool noodles are used to make Halloween candles. They look great all decorated, and made up too. So, now we get to experience using them for Christmas candles. There are some great ones made I have seen with some adorable center pieces too. 

You could look for the color pool noodle of the color candles you want like red, green, blue, and white too. Of course if you have no luck finding the color you want you can always paint them as well. Have fun creating them, and making them to what you want displayed in your home. You can cut them into different sizes you want for a candle, or for a bundle of candles. 

Ok, once you cut them to the sizes you want don’t forget to outline the base of a tea light flicker candle at the top of the pool noodle. You’ll want to do this to help you better know what hole needs to be cut for you to insert the tea light candles in there. Don’t put them in quite yet though. You want the candle to be completed with any paint you want done, adding glue for the melted wax effect, adding some glitter maybe, epson salt can also be added to give the candle more of a natural look. Just so many fun, and exciting things you can do!

Once the candles have been decorated the way you want you can then add them to whatever you want to use for the base of your center pieces. You can use charger plates, pizza pans, maybe a rectangular serving tray, maybe a rimmed round tray, some kind of bowl, and the possibilities are endless. After deciding that you could add some snow around the bottom, add trees, add some deer, add snowmen, set a bench and some decorative light posts, put some snowflakes on the candles, put some ribbon on the candles, and again the endless possibilities you have with this are so fun!

Below you will see pictures shared of different ideas to make these candles. You will see some arrangements, how some were decorated, and I hope you enjoy them and are able to get some ideas for what you would like. These pictures I share are not my creations. Most were found on Pinterest, in Google searches, and some of them will be marked with who made and shared them too. 

They can be made simple with such a great effect. They can be dressed up more to give it the feel/vibe you want to share. No rules, no right or wrong, just do as you wish for what works for you. Oh, so fun isn’t it?

Well everyone I hope you enjoyed this idea of crafting with pool noodles. There is a lot you can do. I chose to show you the candles because honestly candles are a favorite thing of mine. I enjoy making them, and creating with candle holders too. For more ideas look at Pinterest, and do a Google search. Also, check with different craft groups locally and on Facebook too.

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Have a great day, take care, and see you again soon!

Using black pool noodles, adding some glue for the melted wax look is my start for these I did couple years ago to put into a vendor fair I attended

Pretty much how it ended up with it being decorated. This was the 2nd time I had made these. Honestly, I think I rushed doing this a little bit. But, it was fun, and I got a lot of looks, compliments, and inquiries.