Upcycle Repurpose Thrift Vintage Decor Glassware

 

Upcycle Repurpose Thrift Vintage Decor Glassware

Hi, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I love what I do, when I can do it, and I enjoy sharing with you what I do and what I learn. I love thrifting, I admire vintage collectibles, and I really enjoy crating and creating things too. Better yet, I enjoy when I can do all of these things together. I know there are many people who create things from Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and stores like those. There are also people who take items found from thrifting used, and some old pieces into upcycling and repurposing them. 

The words Upcycle, and Repurpose get used a lot. I decided to look up the definitions to these 2 words. They are close in comparison that it becomes confusing. I find myself being confused when describing things if I should say upcycle, or do I say repurpose? So, here is what Google shared with me when I inquired.

UPCYCLING is a process of transforming old or unused items into something new and valuable. So, it’s transforming discarded items into something of greater quality, or environmental value. The process can involve creative modifications, combination, and often procedures or treatments that alter the appearance. For example like an old tattered button down shirt into maybe some kind of dress. You could also turn an old tire into a decorative planter by stacking, and maybe painting too. 

Upcycling is also known as a creative reuse. It’s a process of transforming products, waste materials, maybe useless or unwanted items into something new. It’s a process of making something new from something old. 

REPURPOSING is simply known as using a product to serve another purpose. Sometimes uniting pieces will create a repurposed item. So, repurposing is simply finding a new use for the original object. Something simple would be like using a cereal box to organize a drawer. 

So repurposing is using an object for a new purpose for which it was not originally intended. Often the item will be used in its current form with minimal modification. 1 example would be using some old clothing to make something new from cleaning rags, quilts, or blankets too. Again, the example of using a cereal box to make dividers in a drawer. 

Use a step ladder to make a decorative stand with your home decor

Use a bigger ladder, and add some shelves to it so that you can display some of your vintage collectibles and some of your home decor too

Make a candle holder by uniting a plate with a teacup as its stand. Cute idea, right?

Many different uses for drawers instead of throwing them. Paint them, hang them, glue some together to make a stackable shelf, use as planters, for storage, and many uses.

Preserving some of the old into something new, and useful. Make some shelves on your wall. Neat idea, and how adorable too.

None of these above pictures are mine. A lot of them, or most of them came from searching Pinterest. I found more interesting pictures from there to share than what I found with Google. 

Well everyone I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit about Upcycling, and Repurposing. If you want to see more things you could Google this, or don’t forget to check Pinterest where there are a lot of things shared there too. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care, and see you again soon!

Halloween Windows and Outdoor Decorating

 

Halloween Windows and Outdoor Decorating

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Halloween will soon be here before we know it. Been kind of sluggish this year with decorating, what to do, same thing but yet to do something a little different. Reason we generally decorate is the kids so enjoy it, and the adults have fun with it too. When we have windows open people slow down as they are driving by, the comments, the laughs, kids squealing gives us a smile, and giggle too. Business downtown just told me the other day they love the decorations, the bush lights really add to it, and love the skeletons too.

Our big bay window we generally make it like a feature part of our decorating. People seem to enjoy it too. We just got the last window done with the Nun costume. Picture won’t show it yet, but tomorrow I will be adding about 4 total flicker candles in the window around her a bit. Give it a little more light, but still kind of eerie too. 

Window before we got the Nun hung in it. 

Ok, the candles you see with the woman and kids in the big window is what will be added here too. 1 on each side of the nun on the middle ledge, and then 1 on each side of her on the bottom ledge. Hopefully it’s just enough light to make it kind of eerie too. 

So, decorations are pretty much done. Still waiting on shipment of a door cover that was ordered for the front door. Right now using one of our extras that we have for now. 

Now, I just received 3 big bags of candy, big assortment, and the little Halloween baggies just arrived too. Next few days I will separate candy out in piles, and then start bagging those for the trick or treaters. We use to tell the kids to go ahead, take a handful, we always have plenty of candy for this night. They still take maybe 2 pieces being shy with it. So, last year we did Halloween baggies, put a variety of candy in them, tied them up, and the kids then got a bag of goodies. Worked well, and so we are doing it again this year. 

It’s so sad because it really doesn’t feel like Halloween. When you are in the different stores there is hardly any Halloween. They sure do have Christmas items out. Sadly, the fun of the holidays keeps getting less and less. It’s about the sales, and pushing it upon us. Wish we could go back in time, and celebrate holidays more like we use to. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and then Christmas. Except for Christmas the others are becoming less and less. Just so sad. 

Anyway, hope everyone enjoyed the Halloween pictures of what we have done…till we change something again..LOL! Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care, and stop by again soon!

DIY Handmade Upcycle Vintage Collectibles Repurpose Crafts

 

                                   DIY Handmade Upcycle Vintage Collectibles Repurpose Crafts

‘Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Hope everyone is doing well this week. So very sorry for the delay of this posting, and I really do apologize for this delay. So many things, and I don’t want this to be a pitty party to you. I felt the need to drop by, and let you all hear something from me. 

Life … it can throw people a curve that we can overcome, or things keep happening. In our case it just keeps coming at us, unfortunately. Over a weekend the semi my husband drives was in the shop for repairs on Monday he left in the truck, things were going great, felt better than it had, etc. On that Tuesday issues started. That morning he had to get a new starter put in. Got that done, and on his way. Got his load picked up, and it started again. Tire blew on trailer, and air hose had a leak in it. Then, he pushed the clutch in and an airbag blew. Yeah! Not a good day, and being under a load too. He parked on suburbs of Chicago, got to a better place, couldn’t make it to truck stop about 40+ minutes down the road. On the next day Wednesday boss got him towed to the truck stop. Someone came, and got trailer with load, and hubby had to sit and wait on boss man. Thursday they got a toter, hooked up, and boss brought him in to mechanic that they use locally here. Truck ended up needing new engine. Sooo, till financing got worked out, engine was delivered, and repair time was all done another company they were hauling for offered the rental use of 1 of their trucks.

1st week after the incident hubby drove bossman’s truck, brought that back in to him, and then hopped in seat for the rental truck. The rental lasted roughly a week. His truck got new engine, was ran for a little bit by mechanic to watch for leaks, and so on. Things looked good, and away hubby left in his truck. Got further down road, and it started sounding funny, and loud. He knows this truck because he has driven it for a few years. He recorded it, called mechanic, and back in the truck went. Ordered transmission, and it should be ready to go in 1-2 days.

Yesterday, Wednesday, mechanic calls. He took truck out to drive it, and things did not seem right yet. The pick up, and go for a big truck was there, but still lacking. Spent all day with it, and determined transmission might be a bad one. Last night got another one being sent. Mechanic calls this morning, and just not sure of things, and commented if this didn’t work would have to consider putting in a new rear end. OMG!! Please, lord help us be strong!!

Yeah, the owner is having enough hardship business wise…him and wife are also our friends over time too. So, feeling this for him, but also feeling it with our pocket book, and what would be happening. Mechanic called shortly ago. Since hubby knows this truck would he please come to the shop, and take it out to drive. He would know if there are any new noises, and the feel of it too.

So, that’s where the truck issue is right now. As for me? Trying to occupy time a little bit, and not think about things too much. So helped pretty much finish up with Halloween decorating. Waiting on 3 more items to be delivered to finish up which confirmation shows by Friday to Monday it will all be here.

I have slowly been taking a few things not being used back to basement. Every time I am down there I try to go through another container to downsize by donating, or maybe selling things too. I found an old Better Homes and Garden Sewing book that was Grandmas. Some old bibles in very good condition, and old Wahl massager, and it’s been interesting for sure! Get’s my mind off of things.

2 Brand new Pampered Chef stone pans brand new, still in boxes. I have another large 1 to picture, and list.

Brand new lighted mirror in box, sealed, never open. New it was about $449 dollars, but I am letting it go for $100

Brand new Frye black riding boots. Grand daughter waited so long to tell me they did not work for her. So, couldn’t return them.

Brand new blue denim look Mello World Eliza Hobo bag

Hey Dude Reyes Lace Up Boot Women only wore once for a brief errand

Brand New Womens Drifter LX Boot Lugz Women Footwear without box, or tags. Bought online, tried them on when arrived, walked across carpeted floor in house, and here they are now. Collecting dust, and time to clean house to downsize

New A.N.A. Duke Denim Wedge Sandals with box. Love them, adorable, but the ankle strap does not work for me unfortunately.

All of these things are listed right now with the FB Marketplace under Lilacs Lambirth. You see something you like, let me know, and I’ll see what we can work out to get them to you. Only thing I will not attempt to ship will be the mirror. That is about 15 lbs. 

So, that has been life these past few weeks. It has to change, and get better, right? I am praying so because I have energy, and thoughts that I would like to be focusing in another way that is more productive.

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams today. Great to have you, and hope you drop by again soon. Take care with all you do. See ya later!!

Seasons Changing Halloween Fall and Cooler Weather

 

Seasons Changing Halloween Fall and Cooler Weather

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Always happy to see everyone that drops by. Here we are the first of October of 2025. Time is starting to move along a little quicker. Season is working on changing from hot summertime to Fall. With Fall comes some holidays too. 

This past weekend our son brought up a lot of the Halloween decorations trying to decide how to lay things out this year. Ever since we have moved in here a few years ago we have become known as The Spooky House. Everyone kind of keeps an eye out for this place because of how we decorate for Halloween, and for Christmas too. A lot of work goes into it all., we enjoy it, but enjoy more how the kids like it and comments with it too. His new wife will be experiencing this with us. Unfortunately she is not as fond of the scarey things as we are. 

The pictures you are seeing are some of the decorations to sort through, and figure out what will be getting displayed. We have quite a few skeletons, and 3 dummies too. Tuesday I had set out the head stones between the bushes outside. These stones were connected to would pieces for more weight. They were then foam sprayed around the bottom of stone and top of the wood piece, and then spray painted a brownish color to look like dirt around them. I have small stacked lighted pumpkins on each side of the outside porch arch. Need to plug them in yet. The blog bugs have made it hard to work outside with things! 

Not pictured are some of our animated characters we have like a headless guy holding a pumpkin head that is sensored, lady in white gown also holding a head with a button moves and makes sounds, the sensored spider that jumps up at you. The spider has been very popular past few years. Kids like to make it jump, and some parents like to video the spider too. 

When we get more set up I will make sure to share pictures with you. The outside, the inside in front of 1 window, also our big bay window…we fill it all up. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Enjoy the season changes, and have fun. Take care, and see you all again soon.

Thrift Store Finds Upcycled Repurposed Restyled

 

Thrift Store Finds Upcycled Repurposed Restyled

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Glad to have you stopping by. Below I am sharing some pictures of some thrift store finds I had found, and what I did with some of those pieces by upcycling, and repurposing them. These were completed items I had made back in time. From the looks of some things when roaming the internet it looks like this idea is still around, and popular with some groups too. 

This is a Green Relish Dish Tray Glass Pedestal Stand Vintage Inspired that I made. Love how these 2 beautiful glass pieces came together to create this relish pedestal stand. I was very pleased with this, and with choices I made with the pieces this stand looked like new too. Also, I like how some of the pieces have a versatile use with them. Just as beautiful flipped over for use too.

This is a Stoneware Cupcake Plate Amber Glass Pedestal Stand that also looks like new. The lonely amber glass candy dish, or dessert bowl was attached to a lonely Mikasa soup/salad bowl making this beautiful pedestal stand. As you can see this pedestal stand can also be flipped over using it as a candle holder, or whatever you desire. 

Lastly I am showing you a Green Glass Cupcake Plate Pedestal Stand that was also repurposed by me. The color, and design work with the plate I felt was a match with the green glass candy dish, or dessert bowl creating this pedestal stand. Sorry, I could not find a picture to show you how it looked in use flipped over. But, it would be very close to what the amber glass pedestal stand is above this. 

I had so much fun making these lonely pieces into something useful with possibilities for different uses for them all too. Some things made can be for the home, they are great displays, use in wedding decor, great in the kitchen, can be used in serving, make great gifts, use for organizing things, and again endless possibilities. I enjoyed spending the time searching for different pieces, and then taking my time with how the pieces partnered and united making what they became. I know sometimes I can be to selective with individual pieces, but I really do enjoy the outcome of how they come together when completed too. Seeing beyond what it is, to what it can be, right?

I hope you all enjoyed what was shared with you today. Thanks so much for stopping by, and sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! Take care, and see you again soon. 

Radiators Upcycled Repurposed Recycled Reused Treasures

 

Radiators Upcycled Repurposed Recycled Reused Treasures

Hi, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Old radiators can serve as both functional, and decorative purposes too. Besides the known use you can also repurpose them into some unique furniture pieces like tables and chairs, benches, coffee table, entryway table, or they can be recycled for their valuable metal content. They could be used outside in the yard, in your garden, on the porch, etc. Many different ways of using them besides getting rid of them.

In older homes you will sometimes see the old radiators, and you wonder why, or what do I do with them? You know when I was younger I use to despise them, and thought them dumb and useless. Now that I am older…LOL! I realize they were good use for back in their time, some people still use them, many will throw them, and then there are others who will find a use for them. The love of creating by using something old, and giving new life for a new use. 

In most homes today they do not work anymore. So, they just sit there, or are sometimes removed too. So, for those who keep them in their home, what could they possibly do with them to fit with more of the modern times of today. Some will put a top on 2 taller ones making a table for family, and friends to sit. People have covered them right where they sit with some kind of top, and maybe some kind of design cover around the base of it. Consider making a bookcase over them, and they can be painted too. Honestly, when you really think about it the possibilities are endless. 

All of these are some ideas shared on Pinterest. They are not my pictures. Other pictures I seen how you could make a little stove with it, some sort of fireplace, and so on. Just a lot of possibilities.

This picture was on Pinterest James Morris that I was able to trace back to dgtaylorcarpentry on instagram. 

Who would have guessed, right? I never thought of redoing radiators into something creative myself. I enjoy seeing, and sharing new life given to old pieces making them new, and modern for use today. Being creative is fun, and becomes uniquely yours. 

Something to think about, right? Hope you enjoyed the visit, and sharing some ideas with you today. As always the possibilities are there. 

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! See you all again soon!