Repurpose Upcycle Reuse Restyle Pedestal Plate Stand

Repurpose Upcycle Reuse Restyle Pedestal Plate Stand

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy you found me, and are visiting. I am enjoying sharing pieces from when I started to repurpose, and upcycle things. I had made quite a few Pedestal Plate Stands when I first started. I did different sizes using dinner plates, sandwich plates, dishes, bowls, and so on. A lot of the bases were made from candle holders. Once in a while I might find a coffee mug that would add character to a plate. I enjoyed using lonely vintage colored glass goblets to make these stands too. So many possibilities I enjoyed it, and had fun with it. Sometimes pieces were united, and offered as is. Some of the stands I would consider adding some lace, ribbon, cut and shaped sheet music, and it depended on my inspiration at the time what I would do. 

Below you will see a simple, but adorable stand I had made once. I used a green sandwich snack plate that had character with the shape, and design in the plate. I united it with a darker green ceramic candle holder with some light colored design around the bottom base. You will also seem my first balls I had made to accompany this stand. I used some ivory colored lace, and some light brown ribbing which was wrapped around styrofoam balls to make these. I had fun, enjoyed doing it, and the new owner was happy to have this adorning their home as well.

I do hope you enjoyed what I shared with you today. I take pleasure in sharing, and I have hopes maybe it will help to inspire you with your own creativity. Remember if you do not want to create it yourself you can always search for someone who does make things like this. Adorable unique pedestal stands that have their own uniqueness. 

Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams, and I hope you enjoyed your visit. Have fun, be safe, and see you again soon. 

Repurpose Upcycle Reuse What You Already Have

                                            

Repurpose Upcycle Reuse What You Already Have

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you stopping by. Last night I was thinking of repurposing, reusing, upcycling, and how many times can we do this to particular items. How many items in your home have been repurposed, and reused in some way. Also, are the repurposed projects from home, were they found items while thrifting, or were some pieces handmade by others. 

I LOVE to repurpose, upcycle, and reuse things myself. It can be more cost effective using what you already have, it’s fun to thrift for items to use, and these projects are great for your home or reselling too. Another reason to repurpose is that some of your pieces already have character, maybe some patina, some of their own details, and so on. Newer pieces do not have some of this. So, before you buy new have a look around. Carefully look for some pieces that you could reinvent. Some of the pieces might just need a little updating which could be new material, maybe united with another piece, paint touch up, some kind of new hardware, and so on. Just have fun reimagining them in new ways.

Remember I am suggesting some ideas before we start throwing things away, or sending them off some where. Nearly everything has possibilities for a second life. Seeing beyond what things are to what they can be can be fun, and a money saver too. A few ideas have been shared below of images shared for viewing.

This is a small Pedestal Plate Stand that I had made. I used an adorable little dish bowl, and attached it to a glass candle holder for the base stand.

Great idea! Use some of your favorite coffee mugs that maybe the insides are worn from time, or just some extras not being used. Add some styrofoam to put some succulents into, and add some filler around that. Adorable showing this on shelf, counter, window seal, etc.

Always looking for ways to do some small organizing, and using an old muffin tray would be perfect for small things as shown. Add an old handle to it if you like to carry it from spot to spot. The pan can be cleaned, and used as is. It could also be painted if you would like too.

Another great idea to reuse with some of your favorite little plants, succulents, etc. Old single coffee cup, bowl, glass bowl vase, and so many possibilities.

Got an old grater not being used? Why not smooth the cutting sides, and then hang it upside down for storage of colored pencils, maybe some crayons, scissors, and different things by your desk or for the kids.

Have an old shutter, and wasn’t exactly sure what to do with it. Picture above is 1 of many ideas what to do. Give it some paint, add a couple shelves to it, and it is something uniquely done for your home. This would be great in the bathroom, kitchen, your bedroom, in your office, and many possibilities.

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Don’t be afraid to share, or comment with things shared here. Love hearing from you, and enjoy reading what you share. Take care, be safe, and see you again soon!

Repurpose Upcycle Reuse Recycle With Discarded Treasures

 

Repurpose Upcycle Reuse Recycle With Discarded Treasures

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you visiting with me today. Along with many others I will spend time roaming the internet researching, learning, reading, shopping, viewing pictures and ideas, and so on. I enjoy seeing creations of what people are making, what they are doing, how they are doing it, any instructions, and etc. I enjoy creating things, find it relaxing, its fun putting thoughts and ideas into something, and I find the little things bring a smile to my face, and hopefully yours as well. 

Sometimes common words used get used in many ways that I lose track of what the actual definition might be. So, I am sharing a little list here hoping to also help others too. These are definitions to some words when I googled them.

* Repurpose : You take one thing and use it for something else (repurpose it) before it goes through any breakdown, and reformation. For instance a shirt being used to make a handbag, or shopping bag. Maybe a metal pipe into a sculpture. Use something in a new way.

* Upcycle : Is familiar to recycling in that you are taking something, and reworking it into a new form for continued use. Main difference being you are not altering it’s form back into it’s components for reuse.

* Reuse : Whatever the purpose, you basically reuse the item for the same purpose more than one time

* Recycle : Return (material) to a previous stage of cyclic process; convert waste to a reusable material. For example a recycled box is broken down, and made into new cardboard. Or, plastic is broke down , and melted into new plastic. 

I know it can be confusing sometimes, but it also determines how we use the words and how we explain them to mean too.

Repurpose Vintage Items by giving new life to something already owned. Many things around a persons home that this can be done with. If you are like me, you won’t throw anything away because you might be able to use it some day. Looking through magazines, looking through thrift stores, roaming yard sales, and digging through junk there are always possibilities with things. 

I adore those who use bits, and pieces from the past to create something new to enjoy. Seeing beyond what it is, to what it can be makes wonderful one-of-a-kind treasures to enjoy for many more years. 

See how much fun junk can be? Hope you all enjoyed this topic today, and was able to maybe get a smile about a treasure or memory, see things in a different way, a little word definition assistance, and of course to maybe help you creating some ideas. If not reusing pieces as is, why not repurpose them in ways for you to enjoy, and cherish a little bit longer. Don’t forget the smile you could have with cherished memories too. 

Thank You for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Have fun, enjoy, and be safe everyone. I look forward to your next visit.

Repurposing Treasures For Home and For Resale

 

 

Repurposing Treasures For Home and For Resale

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy you stopped by! So many things that so many of us do when we craft. Some like to do completely handmade, some like to repurpose…upcycle…restyle…reuse…we like to paint, some items need glue, we design by sometimes uniting pieces, sometimes just a light cleaning gives new life to pieces too. These treasures are special because to us they are one-of-a-kind pieces that are special in many ways. I think it is fun, and enjoy seeing the creativity and excellence of so many talented people that is being shared too. I am often in awe of seeing so many things others are sharing from their vintage collectibles to their repurposing crafting styles. Some share through their blogs, their websites, and of course with all the different selling platforms being used too. 

So, what are some of your favorite things you like to share, or offer for sale? What are some of the things that you use to craft with? Are you specific to 1 area, a certain category, or maybe your interests are spread with different things. I love my vintage collectibles, and always will. I also take much joy in repurposing, and restyling different things I find. I love glassware, sometimes different plates bowls pans, I like different wooden pieces I can work with, and I truly enjoy many things with possibilities. Many pieces found are lonely pieces, come from unwanted broken sets, most are gently used, once in awhile new or like new condition, sometimes vintage pieces may be used for crafting, and so on. A lot of these treasures are found in Thrift Stores, Good Wills, Market Place, Junking, Yard Sales, sometimes curbside pieces are found, and pretty much anywhere that someone has something to offer. Sometimes my own treasures are used giving a new life to things, or a change with home decor. 

When I first started repurposing I did a lot of cake plate stands, candle holders, soap dish stands, jewelry holder stands, candy dishes, catch all pedestal stands, cloches, and many things to fit in with home decor. I enjoyed making these pieces because they were quite universal with many uses through out the home. Sometimes I showed how some of the pedestal stands could be flipped over used in another way too. That would determine the base that it had. I often showed different displays with my pictures to give everyone ideas, and maybe help them be creative with pieces too. 

Now with some of these things I did some light sanding, gluing, painting and spray painting, uniting pieces together, doilies, sheet music, ribbon, modpodge, and so many things you can use to create with. 

I enjoy doing this, find it relaxing, I’m at peace when working on things, and take pride in all the treasures I offer for resale, or for those that adorn my own home. I enjoy seeing the work of others who craft, and learning from many who have shared their treasures too. I am by far no expert with this, but do enjoy sharing with you. Even sharing my mistakes so that we all can learn from those too. 

So, what do you like to do? Is it pleasure, fun, business, or a hobby for you? What favorite things have you had the pleasures of making, creating, repurposing, restyling, finding, and etc.?

Below I am sharing just a few things from times past that I have made. 

Cloche Cheese Plate that I painted a pink slipper color. I laid a vintage doilie within it. Very fun piece to use, or mostly to decorate with.

Cheese Plate Cloche which I painted blue. I later found a doilie to lay in it. I also added some little trinkets with small pictures within it too.

Christmas Wall Decor I had made using plastic candy canes from Dollar Tree store, I braided some red and green ribbon to use as a hanger for it, mini green and red ribbons from Dollar Tree, and a Joy ornament I found at Walmart for the center of it. 

Black Cloche Cheese Plate Stand that was fun to make. I attached a wooden candle stick as the pedestal stand. I painted it black along with the cloche base too. I added white ribbon around the neck of the stand. Then, I cut some organ sheet music from a book to put in the center, and in middle of the stand. Used modpodge to seal this. This was really fun to show, display, and do different things with. 

Decorative Couch Chair Bed Pillow I made using 2 cloth placemats from Dollar Tree. I glued the pieces together around the edge, and used poly fill to fill it. These are so soft, and was actually my first one I made. 

White Cloche Cheese Plate was done here. I painted the base a pretty clean white color. In the center of the base I then added a cut from some sheet music I had. This was so adorable in person when it was dressed for displays. 

Blue White Cake Plate Pedestal Stand that I had fun putting together too. I found a pretty soft blue plate that has white snowflake designs through out it. I used a metal scroll candle holder, and painted that white which I later attached to the bottom of the plate. I enjoyed using this new lonely plate I had found, and uniting it with the metal scroll candle holder as its pedestal stand. Looks so much better in person, and it has so many possibilities too! Cake plate for serving, make it a candle holder stand with decoration around it, use it as a jewelry dish, in the bathroom or kitchen with some rolled cloths, set your dish soap and scrub pads on it, use it for organization, and many endless possibilities. 

It’s the beginning of the week, and I wish you all a great week! Take care, Happy Crafting and Treasure Hunting Everyone! Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams! See you next time.

Spring Time Clocks Change Go Forward Saturday Night

 

Spring Time Clocks Change Go Forward Saturday Night

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! Been quite a while, and I am guilty of not being here. Sorry, no excuses will be used. Just Holidays, weather, winter blues, and so on.

I haven’t been crafting, and not really much of anything honestly. Spring is coming, I am excited with a few things I’ve gathered to craft with. Have a few ideas, and I hope I can do as I am planning on too.

 I have some doctor appointments I need to take care of. In May we will be in Tennessee for a few days attending my nieces graduation from college. Then, in June our niece gets married. This is a special time for us with her wedding. Her mother (my husbands sister) passed away about 5 days after giving birth to her. So, the aunts got together 1 weekend, and took her dress shopping. Along with her dress she got her veil, her shoes, a hair clip to wear with her veil, and a necklace and earring set. Since my husband, and I live closer to her we have been doing what we can to help her with her wedding preparations. Some of it financially too. No limit set. We want this special time to be fun, and memorable for her. Things are going pretty good, and the time is really coming up quickly too. 

I wanted to put a reminder out to everyone too. This weekend, Saturday night, need to remember that we set our clocks ahead an hour. Yes, that time of year again. We get to spring the clocks forward, and will unfortunately lose an hour of sleep too. Just think spring is soon here. I like this time of year when everything looks fresh, is alive, beautiful colors, getting away from the winter blues, and onto a great spring season. 

It was great having you visit LilacsNDreams, and Thank You so much for stopping by! Take care, be safe, and hope to see you again soon. 

Repurpose Reuse Recycle Upcycle For Fun Profit Memories

 

Repurpose Reuse Recycle Upcycle For Fun Profit Memories with LilacsNDreams. Welcome to everyone who visits. 

Curious as to why so many of us like to diy crafting, repurposing, upcycling, and reusing. I would like to see what everyone’s reasons are for this wonderful fun technique.

I know there are many of us who do it because we enjoy it. Some of us like doing this to freshen up what we have to make it a little more modern fitting with some of the decor today. Some like to preserve items that are found, or maybe things from our past. Then, you have some of us who just hate throwing things out, and try to find other ways to maybe use these items. Of course when we thrift, and junk we also find many unwanted treasures that can be cleaned, maybe need a touch of paint, maybe reunited with other pieces making something unique, and many endless possibilities. 

There are many people around us who do this for their own pleasure, and there are many who do this to resell too. Some will do it as a hobby, and there are others who have mastered these techniques to have their own business doing this as well.

A time to toss, and a time to repurpose or upcycle is the use of old items for new purposes. Reuse discarded materials for creating something of value. I myself like to repurpose items giving them a new life, making them unique for my use, and to sell too. Giving new life to once loved treasures, I enjoy new life added to my home, and I enjoy offering this to other homes for their enjoyment too.

So many things are used with diy crafting that the list is endless. Headboards are made from shutters, pallets, barn wood, etc. Pieces of jewelry are used for making new pieces, adorning picture frames, adding to cards with endless possibilities. I have seen old suitcases used making end tables, decorated for storage of memories with cards and special items. Sweaters, or shirts of loved ones are made into items to remember them with. Pillows have been popular for this. Thrifted shirts, and sweaters can be used to make pumpkins, sometimes handbags are made from this, and so on. It’s amazing all the things that can be done. Look on Pinterest for ideas, google for ideas too. 

Pictures below of just a few things made using toilet paper rolls, shirts, tires painted, a plunger making a decorative fall tree, and so many fun possibilities for things. 

Repurpose Reuse Upcycle For Memories to Last. Hang onto some of those family memories, and preserve some of them by crafting. Have fun doing it yourself, or find someone to do this craft for you. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Hope to see you again soon. Take care, and Happy Thrifting everyone! Toodles . . . . . . 

Repurpose Restyle Reuse DIY Upcycled Vintage Collectibles

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurpose, Restyle, Reuse, DIY, Upcycled, Vintage Collectibles. At some point we all find ourselves intrigued with these things for the decor we use in our homes, remodeling our homes using some of these techniques, some of us like all of this because it is our way of surviving and making money with it, or maybe it is just because we like it. Some of us do it for pleasure, some do it as a past-time, and some do it as their business. How did you get started with this? When was it you acquired the taste, and desire for these things? Have you been doing this a long time, or is it still kind of new to you?

I have had these thoughts over time...when I have time to think to myself, and what is suppose to be my alone time during the day. For me I think mine honestly started during my childhood years. I always enjoyed working with my hands. When I was on the farm with my Grandmother I would play with the sewing machine, I would use her tube paints to make designs with towels and materials, I would go out to the old hen houses and organize things out there with windows, paints, and design some things out there. Over time my Grandmother would give me little things here, and there that involved some sort of craft. I would use it now, or put it with my things for a later time as she would tell me. 

So, I got older, things changed a little bit, and I focused more of my time with vintage collectibles. I had collection books to help me identify pieces, some things I collected myself, I was learning a little over time of how to research a few things, and then came Ebay where I eventually started to sell things. The Ebay thing was from a little help of a close friend, a little nudge from her, and she was already selling on Ebay herself, and felt it was something I would like to do. In fact, that is how LilacsNDreams evolved, and has been with me ever since during my sales, creations, and over time. 

Like many others over time I had the urge that there was more than just selling on Ebay. So, I ventured off a bit into other places like Bonanza, Artfire, Ecrater, and Etsy. During this time of searching for what I felt like I was missing I noticed how I was becoming more interested with the crafty side of things. I was in awe of seeing work done by others of what they were offering. Some of the things that were being done, and how neat some of it was too. Little bit of glue, little bit of paint, this piece could attach to that piece, and how some of the vintage collectible pieces could be brought back to life! Oh, and how neat some things were that had been created, were made from a little bit of this and that, and the possibilities were endless! So, selling on Etsy was one place that I landed that open some more doors for me since they do things just a little bit different than Ebay. 

I still love my vintage collectibles. A lot of glassware really. The creative side of me, working with my hands, seeing things differently and what they can become really sprouted during this time. It has become a passion of mine. I love seeing what others offer when I roam around the internet, visiting stores where others show their creations, seeing things in a way that others offer them from their visions, and so on.

It's something I have been slowly working my way back into doing again. I was headed that way a few years ago, and due to some circumstances a long break was taken. Once we get moved into our new home - it's a working progress, I get organized one more time, I will have more time to myself, and I truly cannot wait to get back into doing all of this again. I'm excited!

So, how did you get started yourself with repurposing, upcycling, restyling, DIY, and etc? Was it something you have always done? Was it something that you acquired over time? Also, is this something you do yourself, or maybe you find these treasures completed to bring home so that you can adore them with all of your collections. Sorry for all the questions everyone. Curiosity gets the better part of me sometimes. 

Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams. Hope you enjoyed the visit, and feel free to share as you wish too. Take care till the next time everyone. Toodles . . . 

       

Repurpose DIY Restyle Solar Yard Lamps

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurposed DIY Restyled Upcycled Solar Yard Lamps. Now, I've mentioned it before how I really adore different projects with repurpose, DIY, restyle, upcycle, reuse, and etc. I like to find pieces of all kinds that I feel I can work with. Some of them can just get a little cleaning, and they are good to go. Some need some minor work with maybe some gluing, painting, replacing things, etc. Maybe it's with glass, wood, furniture, and sometimes vintage collectibles too. That's what makes it so much fun because it could be anything really. Something for you, for your home, for a friend/family, and maybe it's something to resell too. 

One item I am going to share is using a table lamp that is constructed into a solar yard lamp. This is something I have wanted to do for a while myself. Either I can't find what I think will work for me, maybe I only find 1 when I would like to have 2 matching lamps, I'm being too picky, or I guess I'll know it when I see it, right?

For this particular project I had read about using 2 matching table lamps. Just something you can find at a garage sale, thrift store, something someone is throwing out, etc. Once you find what you are looking for you need to remove all of the electrical from the lamp, the cord, etc. Once you have done that you want to clean them up good. Then, you will want to paint them. While that's drying unless you have some on hand you will want to get some solar lights you can use. In the light socket portion of the lamp is where you will put the solar light into. Consider using some glue to hold them in place a little more securely. 

This is your finished project. It isn't going to take real long to do this one. Depends on what you would all like done for any extras. Wouldn't these look great sitting outside on each side of the door, maybe on each side of the porch staircase, and the possibilities are endless. 

Below is a before, and after picture of what I have described to you. I feel horrid because I cannot find in my notes where I found it from to give the proper credit due. I am thinking it was something from pinterest, but I can not be completely sure of that. I apologize for that, and I mean no disrespect in doing this. 

Isn't that a really neat idea to do with a used lamp? I think it is, and I am excited to get this project completed with all the nice weather we are having now too. 

I hope you enjoyed your visit today. Maybe you learned something, or better yet maybe it gave you some ideas to work with on some projects too. I would be happy to hear from you, and have you share with us here. I love seeing creations of others. 

Thank you for visiting with LilacsNDreams! See you again soon. Toodles......

  

Gaining Business Perspective With Personal Attempt

Gaining Business Perspective With Personal Attempt

Welcome back to LilacsNDreams! Today is about some business perspective with personal attempts. 

Some of us might paint, glue, decorate, and create something for a friend or relative which is then our hobby. Yet, when you list that hobby of yours online to try and sell it is when it becomes business. This is something we need to realize when we are doing this. It will help us eventually with making our hobby into a business. 

You will often hear the term saturated market when discussing your passion, and don't let it scare you. This means there is a higher demand for what you enjoy doing. Sometimes this can create a problem because we might think about it, and scare ourselves with the issue of there is so many upcyclers and repurposers out there, so many painters, so many crafters, many hobbiests, many offering their services, and so on. Please, don't let this damper things for you, and get in your way of making your hobby a successful business. When you start your business around your personal creations, or your services it is natural to do this. It is only natural that your personal feelings, and thoughts will be involved with this as well. 

When you are in business you need to be open to feedback, or as Etsy calls it now reviews. If you take the outside views personally then you will be closing yourself off to critism, and taking them as insults. So, as hard as it can be, you need to be open to feedback. Remember these people are in their own way helping you to make them a customer, and maybe repeat customers too. 

When scoping out the market sometimes it is good to find some role model businesses. This type of business will be someone, or a business that does things similar to what you would like to do and achieve. The answers you sometimes seek will be within this gathering of the role model you have sought out.

Your role model can be an example of how you would like to turn your product, or your service into a business. Incorporating some of their ways into how you do business can help spark some ideas for you with the growth of your own business. 

Go to google, and do a keyword search for product, or services of your liking. Upon doing this you will see those that show within the first few pages of search. Within there you can find a role model that you like, or maybe you know of a business already that you would like to consider for your role model. 

Then, try to figure out what is working for them by asking yourself a few questions. 

• How do they present, or show their products online
• What are they calling the product that you make
• How do they describe it
• Review how their customer policies look
• What might they be doing better than you
• What are you maybe doing better than them
• Make sure to see how their about page reads too

Bigger businesses will often leave their marketing, copyrighting, and some advertising research out there for you. What you need to do is dig a little deeper, enjoy, and learn to use it to your advantage.

Yes, some of them spend a lot of money on their advertising. If you are like me you won't have many funds to begin with on this venture. So, you learn to do it in other ways like using Facebook. Learn how to use the curve in another way by applying it into something else that will work for you. 

To see more ideas, and what has been shared with you so far in this venture visit Market Your Creativity. Lisa sells on etsy also, and has done well for herself. She started out small like many of us, and has built her sales with what she enjoys doing. From this she has decided to share things to help others which I think is really sweet of her to do too!

Thanks for visiting, and sharing time with LilacsNDreams. Hope to see you all again soon. Take care, and have a Happy Day everyone!

Upcycle Reuse Repurpose Recycle To Make Memories Last

Upcycle, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle To Make Memories Last. 

There are many of us who enjoy the diy projects of upcycling, repurposing, recycling, and so on. Some do it because it is a hobby that they enjoy, and find pleasure in it. Others will do it for others such as family members, and friends to help them preserve things in their own home. Many of us hate seeing things being thrown in the dumps, and like to be green. There are many who do it, and have done so many projects that they have decided to sell them for some extra money, and to make room in their homes. There are many who have made this a business for themselves too.

Anything in our homes can be used in other ways. We like to upcycle to reuse discarded materials in order to create something of value. Upcycling is the use of old items for new purposes. I love to repurpose items that may have the potential for something fresh, and unique. It is a joy giving a new life to things, but also a new life is added back into our homes, and with other homes too. 

Many like to make headboards from pallets, bi fold doors, or maybe using some old fence doors too. Some wonderful market bags, and handbags have been made from sweaters. I have seen an old suitcase be renewed by making it with an expandable file in it for the office, and family papers. Another popular item used is jewelry. Broken pieces, maybe lonely pieces that belonged to a family member, and etc. They are great to put around picture frames with maybe a picture of the family member it came from. I adore those who use linens from times past for new table cloth, curtains, lampshades, and etc.

Whatever it is we do with items instead of discarding them has brought joy to many of us who do it, or for many of those who shop for such items done by some talented people. As many will agree we also do it to Make Memories Last. 

So, what is your reason for doing this? Maybe you are someone who does not have the time for this craft, and like to purchase such things from those who do this. Whatever the case may be we all have our own reasons for upcycling, repurposing, reusing, and recycling. 

Memories, let's make them last. 

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and hope you all are having a great week so far! Summer almost gone, and fall is working it's way to us. Enjoy the week, and see you all again soon. Toodles . . . . . 

Sentimental Upcycling Repurposing to Make Memories Last

                                                      Quilts From Baby Clothing
                                                            

                                Favorite Family Recipe Custom Dish Cook Handwriting

                                                       The Broken Plate

                                               Custom Messenger Bag 

Sentimental Upcycling Repurposing to Make Memories Last

Many of us over time have had items of family members, special friends, spouses, and etc that we dearly cherish. Over time the items get worn, maybe have had an accident that it breaks, or it has been sitting collecting dust too. We often think to ourselves I hate to get rid of it, darn I broke it, I am not using it, and this is the time when we need to know that we can convert something sentimental into something useful. Our wonderful memories can be cherished in another way. 

Old items have their own memories, energy, and emotions that have come from times past. This is when it is great being able to give new life to a memory, and keeping it alive and present with us by using the craft of upcycling, and repurposing. Some of us are able to do this ourselves, but most of us will instead pay someone to do this wonderful art. One advantage is the quality, and craftsmanship in old items is great. The old saying "they don't make it like they use to" comes to mind with this.

So many things can be done with everything we hold dear to us. Some popular things that are being made is brooch bouquets, use of materials once worn or used from times past making a quilt, throw pillows, stuffed animals, maybe paint some old wood bowls, baby blankets can be used, hang onto them broken dishes as they make wonderful brooches & necklaces & pieces of jewelry, plates printed with family recipes, lace buttons and linens, and the list is never ending. See just a few pictures I shared above from some of the merchants at Etsy showing what they can do with various things.

So, remember that some of those heirloom pieces you may have will have many ways to give them extra years of love. Incorporating pieces of your past so they can be preserved forever is something to treasure. It is always a joy to make something new again with what we already own. So, don't throw anything away just quite yet. Find a way to preserve that memory just a little bit longer for you, and maybe to pass along with your family members too.

Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and I hope that you enjoyed the visit as well. Take care, and hope to see you again soon. Have a Happy fun filled day!