Repurpose Handmade DIY Garden Glass Art

 Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurposed Handmade DIY Garden Glass Art. Last week I had covered kind of crafting with lamps into solar yard lights. This week I'm going to show you a few more things that are so creative, and so cute as well. For those who are looking for ideas to add to their gardens, or outside decorating I hope this helps you a little bit. Best of all I hope it helps many get their creative ideas working to create the next thing you are looking for. 

For the items that I will be sharing below in just a bit the materials used were used pieces that could be found from your own home, from thrift stores, garage sales, and etc. Some pieces used are maybe some vintage collectibles you have that might have some minor damage that you wish to use for the outside too. The glues that you use you need to make sure that it is workable for outside. You might have to also prepare some of the pieces just a little bit to better assist in the glue bonding, and holding too. 

                                                                Ironing Board Lady

                                              

Take a closer look at the picture, and visit the link this originated from (click the picture title). Is this not adorable? How cute, and how creative too!


                                                               Glass Bird Feeder

  

This is something that is also adorable to make. This piece shows all glass being used which is great. But, there is so much more that we can think about, and consider too. For instance using maybe a saucer, and the cup with it. Another idea could be done with a tea pot too. The possibilities are endless when you are creating. 

Glass Bird Bath

  

Here again you are shown a glass bird bath that is made from different pieces of glass that has been put together to make this adorable piece. They used green glass with everything. I see a glass bowl, 2 glass vases, and at the bottom a glass plate. I have also seen bird baths made with table lamps. Remove all the hardware, paint it, some were glass bases, and then add a glass bowl to the top of that. Interesting ideas don't you think?

Glass Garden Art

This beautiful adorable glass garden art piece does come from Etsy, but looks like it has sold that it is not fully available. I love these pieces myself. You can put different glass plates together to make the different layers of the flower. The center you can be creative with by using a round piece of glass, or whatever material you find to work. Some of these are set in pictures holders for show, and some are attached to different kinds of poles/stands to sit outside for decoration too.

One of the best places for you to look to get more ideas of what others have created is to visit with Pinterest. That is a very big place, with many many things that others enjoy sharing their finds on the internet too. 

Thanks so much for visiting LilacsNDreams, and I hope to see you again soon. Always free to leave a comment, and share things with everyone here that visits. Take care, and have a happy holiday! Be safe everyone!

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......

  

Repurpose Upcycle Handmade DIY Drawers

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurpose Upcycle Handmade DIY is something I have really grown fond of over time. I enjoy the uniqueness, creativity, no rules, and the things that people create. Many times pieces are used that are salvagable, that were going to be thrown, things that are useless to one person but can be born again with someone elses imagination. Some pieces are combined to create what is being visioned, sometimes they are painted, glued, and the possibilities are endless of what you can do. The item I will be discussing with you today is going to be Drawers.

LOL! Yes, you are reading it correctly Drawers....can be used from an old dresser, maybe an old desk, even smaller ones from like a sewing machine, and etc can be used. There is quite a list of things that can be done with Drawers. Once you see a few possibilities your mind may wander into some other creative ideas, and I hope it does. Something you can use, something you can make to sell, a gift for someone, and better yet is the fun you can having doing this too. 

With drawers you can make small cabinets with them that either hang or can be stood, attach a rod to it with some shelves and it could be used in the bathroom maybe, attach and stack some drawers to make a floor shelf, use the draw fronts only with knobs for hanging, use a small portion of drawer fronts to make small shelves/flower like boxes, and I think you're getting the picture of the possibilities that you can do. 

                                     Plastic Wrap Station 

http://cache.lovethispic.com/uploaded_images/blogs/Her-Dresser-Broke-So-She-Took-Out-All-The-Drawers-Who-Knew-They-Could-Be-Used-For-This-7117-2.png

Organizing the Bathroom

http://cache.lovethispic.com/uploaded_images/blogs/Her-Dresser-Broke-So-She-Took-Out-All-The-Drawers-Who-Knew-They-Could-Be-Used-For-This-7117-3.png  

Display Books

http://cache.lovethispic.com/uploaded_images/blogs/Her-Dresser-Broke-So-She-Took-Out-All-The-Drawers-Who-Knew-They-Could-Be-Used-For-This-7117-4.png   

Decorate Your Walls

http://cache.lovethispic.com/uploaded_images/blogs/Her-Dresser-Broke-So-She-Took-Out-All-The-Drawers-Who-Knew-They-Could-Be-Used-For-This-7117-5.png   

Hang Up Jackets or Whatever

http://cache.lovethispic.com/uploaded_images/blogs/Her-Dresser-Broke-So-She-Took-Out-All-The-Drawers-Who-Knew-They-Could-Be-Used-For-This-7117-8.png    

Store Your Dishes

http://cache.lovethispic.com/uploaded_images/blogs/Her-Dresser-Broke-So-She-Took-Out-All-The-Drawers-Who-Knew-They-Could-Be-Used-For-This-7117-10.png

   


                                                                 Build a Book Shelf

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Above you will see a few pictures along with the web address that they are from. Please bare with me as I try to make sure I am giving the correct acknowledgement for all the pics being shared here. I got all of them from the same blog at www.lovethispic.com/blog/7117/her-dresser-broke,-so-she-took-out-all-the-drawers!-who-knew-they-could-be-used-for-this-! Visit with them over there to view these pictures, and a few more that were shared for ideas too.

I hope you are able to get the idea of what is being shared today. I also hope that maybe it will help some of those creative juices stir a little bit, and help you with a project you are not quite sure about. I sooo enjoy this myself, and I am happy to share along with all of you. Would love to hear more ideas too. Please share if you would like. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and I hope to see y'all again soon. Take care. 

Repurpose, Upcycle, Handmade, DIY, Vintage Collectibles

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurpose, Upcycle, Restore, Handmade, DIY, Vintage Collectibles, and many many more words I could use that we can all relate to in one way, or another for our interests. I love to Junk, Thrift Stores, Garage Sales, Flea Markets, Curb side pick up, Dumpster diving once in a great while, and wherever a treasure can be found. Sometimes it's in front of you in a store, and sometimes you have to do a little digging for it too. That is all within the fun of the hunt. 

I Love painted furniture, wood, etc! If it's junk, cheap pine, damaged is where the joy of restoring, or repurposing is done instead of throwing it away. It's something that can be treasured by you. If you happen to get a piece that is already beautiful keep it and treasure it, or sell it so someone else that can enjoy it the same way. 

Now, when you find some of the pieces that you are going to keep for yourself, or maybe resell them you have some decisions to make. Did you happen to find a valuable antique? I am no expert myself, and the best thing to do is a little research before you decide what you will be doing. Some of your pieces will lose value if the original finish is not preserved. Wood grain, some aged patina, warm wood tones, and sometimes pieces are in great condition that they just need a little cleaning. Nothing else. Ok, so again is it a valuable antique, is the wood in good condition, will painting improve the value, and will painting make the piece more beautiful, or desirable for resale? Just a few questions to consider, and ask yourself when you are deciding whether or not to paint.

Is the wood in good condition? A lot of your pieces found can be in fair condition to poor, or very poor condition. Sometimes you'll see pieces of veneer missing maybe extremely scuffed finish, scratched, worn, etc. With these kind of cases painting would probably be a great option. Also, some pieces may just need a good cleaning with a bit of a restore of a finish to make it shine again. Many pieces can look fabulous painted, and sometimes the original finish is the best too. These are decisions that you will have to make. 

I, myself, like a mix of painting, and natural wood within each room of a home. Doing a mix like this can add some interest with the wood tones, provide some warmth, and adds a little depth to a natural or a white room too. 

It's like an art deciding whether the wood is beautiful, or not. This would be a personal decision on your part. What I may consider beautiful others might not like. Remember that sometimes just a simple cleaning can be good enough to bring an item to life too. 

Some pieces are really stunning in person, they are in amazing condition inside and out. You might feel that painting it would diminish the value, and of course the beauty too. Again, how the item is beautified is entirely subjective. Many pieces can be either way really. It truly can be a tough call when restoring, repurposing, upcycling, and so on. If it's for my own personal use I would consider what would look best with the space it is to be used in. Now, if you intend to sell a piece you need to consider if painting will make it easier to sell. Most of the finds we come across need some kind of help to live again, and I am willing to revive it too! 

These are just a few thoughts I am sharing with you about painting versus a no paint decision. It can be a tough call. So, what do you think?

I shared a few thoughts pertaining to painting of items. There is sooo much more that can be discussed when we get into this area of repurposing, restoring, restyling, handmade, diy, and all of the above. It excites me as it does many others. Unfortunately, I cannot cover everything all at once. I hope to cover a little bit of this, little bit of that, and am willing to have you offer some ideas too. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and don't be afraid to leave a comment if you feel like doing so. All are welcome. I just ask that everyone plays nice, and enjoy sharing things with each other please.  

   

  

Blogs Blogspot Blogging Are Social Media Tools

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Blogs, Blogspot, and Blogging are Social Media Tools also. When we work with our blogs, websites, selling platforms, etc. we know to use some Social Media Tools to promote ourselves, and to have us better seen with this worldwide internet we all use. Blogs, Blogger, Blogspot, Blogging, and such are also considered Social Media Tools that we can use for these purposes as well. 

There are many places out there that you can use for blogs, and to blog with. Please remember this as you read through this today. 

Blogs and Blogging  

Wordpress      Wordpress is a popular platform for anyone. A Blogger who writes, or maybe a photographer who wants to put their porfolio out there. With wordpress at anytime you can upgrade, and get your own domain name. Here other wordpress users can either like, see, and reblog your posts which will leave you with the potential of more followers, and readers. 

Blogger or Blogspot      This is one of the most well known platforms. It is backed by Google which makes it trustworthy, and a reliable platform. It is also simple to start. The Blog publishing service allows private blogs along with multi user blogs as well. 

Tumblr      This place has a social networking website with a blogging platform that allows their users to post to a short term blog. Its mostly visuals, images, videos and music. 

Weebly      This place has a lot of unique, and modern themes to start your blog off with for looking fresh. They also offer ecommerce, and iPhone application for posting while you're on the go. It is easy linking to Social Media. This site is suppose to be dummy free, and is suppose to be made as easy as possible for you to dive right into blogging.  

We have some choices for platforms to use for our Blogs which is great. Everyone has their own preferences of how to blog, and where you blog as well. This is perfect, and great because what one person might like or finds to work for them might not work for others. Some have found with their own websites that they can also add their blog with it too. Over time with market places, websites, and social networks blogs have been added to them as it is considered a form of using Social Media Tools. 

I know there are more platforms out there that I have not mentioned for you to consider. Some will be free, and some you will pay for. Consider the favorite phrase that you often hear "Google It"  Doing this you can find more that way too. Better yet, if you know of one you would like to share with us please feel free to do so. If you have a blog there please include your link here that we all may visit with you as well.

Hope you enjoyed your visit today. Thanks so much for stopping by, and visiting with LilacsNDreams! See you again soon. 

 

Taking Money to Make Money

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Taking Money to Make Money with your business. Many decisions to be made. What have you decided you would like to focus on for your business? Vintage Collectibles, Antiques, DIY, Handmade, Restore, Blogging, Website, Freelance Writing, and there are so many choices you can choose. Also, do you want to do this part time, you already have a full time job and this will be a side hustle, or did you want to work from home full time too? We all have many ways we have started. Some of us are able to pretty much jump into things right away, some of us start and change our minds, some decide it's not what they wanted, and so on. I'm not gonna sugar coat this line of business. It takes a lot of work, a lot of time, a lot of patience, and I think you understand.

Remember that old saying "It takes Money to Make Money". This issue is something that we all stress about before we start, during the building of your business, and later on it still comes at you to haunt you too. This can be very stressful for many. Many of us will pull money from our own personal accounts By doing this we sometimes feel guilty along with worries too. Many times you will ask yourself are you doing the right thing, is this business worth it, am I being selfish using this money to do what I want to do, and etc. 

We ask ourselves are we planning for our futures? Many of us will answer yes. With these thoughts we will have personal goals, personal dreams, and we like to plan ahead too. How many of us actually visualize, and try to focus with our business future?

I seen an article once that was inspiring, and it asked "If you were given $20,000 to invest, what would you do with this for your business?" So, how does one start with a list of things with your mind being so overwhelmed? It usually helps if you think long-term. It would help to have a detailed picture of what you want your business to someday become. A savings doesn't just happen for everyone. It comes with careful planning, and budgeting too. 

Go ahead, and take some time with the thought of what you would do with a $20,000 investment. You will find your list not only consists of your wants, but also what you are needing for your business to grow and expand. Once you have made a list prioritize it. Which items are you needing first, second, third, and so on. 

Income can be unpredictable, and you might find yourself holding back a little with your goal setting. Thinking of the $20,000 investment, and maybe a guaranteed salary might open doors, and clear away some of the fear and hesitation with your thinking. Redesign a website, work on your Blog, find a location to house inventory, then where to ship from, and see how your thinking can start to change?

When you look back over some of your ideas you might also realize that some of them are doable with your current situation you have now too. It's important to think past your current limitations which can then open up your plans for the future. 

There are plenty of ways available to get some money. Getting a personal loan, maybe take out a small business loan, etc. Upon researching you will find that there are some lending services specifically for funding small businesses. 

This is something that makes you think about business, and how often we hesitate to invest in ourselves. Money is considered common. The chance of creating something out of nothing, and building your own career. Well, there's nothing common about that. 

I always read, was told, and believed that if you did something that is a desire/passion of yours you have chances of being much more successful with it. You enjoy what you are doing, and it does not always feel like work when you can enjoy it, right?

Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! I wish you all a wonderful day with all you do. See you again soon!

Winter Wonderland in NW Iowa

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Winter Wonderland in NW Iowa...woohoo!! 

First hand I want to apologize because my posting for this week will be short, and not what I truly wanted to do. I was going through some things, getting ideas of some subjects to post here for everyone, and then we had some very unexpected news. My husband's aunt who has had MS for years unexpectedly passed away. I think the news really numbed us more than anything. She didn't let it get her down, always a smile on her face with a really good sense of humor for things too. 

So, making arrangements for travel, motels, family gathering, flowers, etc etc. Communicating back, and forth we got the bigger part done. Then....NW Iowa has a weather issue which seems to be habit lately, unpredictable, and you know. Yeah, we are in the area that got hit with blizzard, high winds, snow, road closures, no travel advisory, and you got the picture. 

We are to be leaving home some time this morning...Sunday to go to Missouri to meet up with other family members, and to give our support where we can. First of all tractor is out, and Hubby is clearing out here for us to be able to get off of the property. We do have a really really big tree branch that broke from one of the trees, and is laying across the fence. Being able to get out today we will be able to see if there is any other damages to tend to. Then, once it gets cleared out here Hubby will then go down our gravel road to make sure that is cleared off for us, and others to get through. Our road likes to drift in places, and with the winds we had I am sure its drifted well in places. Luckily we are only about a mile from the highway so its not real real bad. Just the idea it is suppose to be spring, and we are still dealing with snow..urgh!!

I have some ideas noted for my next few postings. I have just had a minor delay, and again I apologize for this. Hope everyone had a great weekend, and wishing you a wonderful week! 

Thanks again for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you all again soon.