REFURB-RECON-REPURPOSE: old suitcase, new doll case

I've always loved the idea of making something old, new again, and when I saw these on Etsy, I knew I could easily do it myself.... and then, the hunt was on for the perfect case....

And, I found one....  

Actually, Mr. Monkey found it on his very first trip with the girl-babe and I, to our nearest Bibles for Missions thrift store.  This pretty blue case was sitting on the floor with a bunch of other sad looking cases.... a diamond in the rough for sure....

The price tag.... a WHOPPING $3.00!  Yes, folks, this was the steal of the day!

So here it is.... the transformation....

original condition, ok, but, not really... and still has it's keys!

let the stripping begin - woo-hoo!!!

interesting.... butter cookie packaging as backing.... repurposing, I LOVE IT!

original lining stuck.... ah, no biggie

completely NAKED!

vintage sheeting fabric, batting, glue gun, and many-many-many glue sticks

pretty trims, not sure what to use just yet....

fitting and gluing the batting, really just winging it....until....

OUCHIE!  why does this ALWAYS happen to me?

burnt fingers forgotten.... bottom lining finito!

glue and press, glue and press.... top lining also finito!

cutting, trimming, fitting and attaching the pretty flowers

oops, forgot to take a shot of the trim being applied, my bad, here it is finished

the monkey-girl throwing in Bear's clothes before I could finish, love her excitement

'take a pitcher of me, mommy!' (heart melting)

DONE!  and PACKED!

I had so much fun whipping up this project!  In total, it took me about 4 and a half hours.... well worth my time and effort just to get that HUGE smile from that BEAUTIFUL girl....

I think, later-later, I'll add some clear pockets to the top to house the socks and shoes, and maybe paint the monkey's name on the outside.... I'll be sure to add that as a REFURB-RECON-REPURPOSE post too!

I hope this inspires you glue-gun toting craft-goddesses to tackle your own repurpose projects.  Have a lovely day my friends  ;)

COUNTDOWN: ten

Only ten shopping days left til the big man appears!

We'll be counting down from today until the 24th by sharing some simple, quick and heartfelt last-minute gift giving ideas....

LAST-MINUTE IDEA #10:

From 3 monkeys archives, the I LOVE YOU JAR.

A super simple little gift that tells someone exactly how you feel about them.  A project that for me, takes the place of and is more doable than scrapbooking.  Whenever I see my children do something new, or funny, or we create another special family memory.... I jot it down and slip it into the jar.... easy-peasy!

All you need is a jar (I love vintage canning jars), pretty scrapbook papers, assorted markers, scissors and your favourite memories, feelings and thoughts about the recipient.

You could also adapt this to create smile jars (jokes), inspiration jars (uplifting quotes).... the possibilities are limitless.... give it a try.... a simple, from the heart gift that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Have a great day everyone.... HO-HO-HO!  ;)

RANDOMNESS: admiration

While sharing family pizza night with a friend and his three children, my friend told me how he wanted to make something extra special for his children to honour their mothers memory.... He wants to make memory quilts for each of them, made from her clothing....

I've seen these quilts before, they've been around for years.... I'm just so moved with emotion that he wants to do this himself.  What a beautiful way to work through the loss of someone who meant the world to you.... and what an equally amazing thing to gift to your children - something you made with your own two hands that represents the love you have for your wife and the love you both have for your children....

The admiration I have for her since I've known her extends to every single one of her family members.... I can't say how I would react if I were in his shoes - I can only hope that I could be one tenth as strong....

Reluctance by Robert Frost

Out through the fields and the woods
And over the walls I have wended;
I have climbed the hills of view
And looked at the world and descended;
I have come by the highway home,
And lo, it is ended.

The leaves are all dead on the ground,
Save those that the oak is keeping
To ravel them one by one
And let them go scraping and creeping
Out over the crusted snow,
When others are sleeping.

And the dead leaves lie huddled and still,
No longer blown hither and thither;
The last lone aster is gone;
The flowers of the witch-hazel wither;
The heart is still aching to seek,
But the feet question 'Whither?'

Ah, when to the heart of man
Was it ever less than a treason
To go with the drift of things,
To yield with a grace to reason,
And bow and accept the end
Of a love or a season?

Yielding with grace, and holding on to memories.... could never be treasonous. It's admirable, and what's needed to move forward....

BESTIES OF ETSY: gifts for men

 Shaving soap by Red Leaf Bath and Body, Etsy.

 Grey wool scarf by Andy VE Eirn, Etsy.

Dog tags by Sky Koltun, Etsy.

 Wooden barn board box by Paradise Hill Designs, Etsy.

 Wool men's hat by Woolibear, Etsy.

SIMPLICITY

I know I've written about this before; but, it still amazes me how kids are thrilled by the simplest things....Sure the 'in' toys; the over-commercialized items that are thrown in our faces every time we turn on the tv or open up a flyer are what they desire, want and hope for.... these are what I like to call flash-in-the-pan objects.... they're liked and admired and played with for short periods then quickly forgotten and passed up for the tried and true.  You know the ones, the toys that force kids to use their imagination.... because when it comes down to it, kids love creating their own play.  It's inherent in a child's very make up.  That's what they do - it's how they first begin to learn about the world around them.  So why not nurture these sometimes forgotten forms of play?

I'm not saying that children shouldn't have some of the things they long for.... rather, they should be given a good mix of what they want and what they need to help foster their growing minds.

Aaaanyway.... I painted a set of wooden peg dolls for my daughter last year for Christmas.  One doll representing each person in our family.  A fun little project.... painting.  Painting.... my favourite artful thing to do.  Every time I pick up a paint brush to do a project, I remember just how much I love doing it.... My daughter loves her set.  She even found a little carry case for them.... And I'm certain she would have loved them and played with them just as much if they were left naked....

Anyhow, these little naked people beg me to dress them.... and I lovingly oblige.  I just love choosing the colour of clothes, the hair, the personality.... and my favourite thing - giving them life at the very end by adding their little dotted eyes.

These four little ladies are so pretty.... and finished with a little sparkle.... what little girl doesn't LOVE sparkle?  Every time I walk by them, they make me smile.  Something so simple - and it brightens my day.... I hope the little lady who these will be gifted to, will feel smiley when ever she glances their way too.

A good rule to follow at this time of year.... keep it simple.
Have a great day folks  ;)

p.s.  REFURB-RECON,-REPURPOSE will return.... eventually....

JUST SAYIN'

RANDOMNESS: love for a friend

The other day, I had the pleasure of spending some time with a friend, a father, a very kind man who has lost one of the most important people in his life.... his devoted daughter, and our loving friend, Becky.

It's not possible to put into words, the love and admiration I have for this man and his beautiful wife.  Two people who united and gave us an equally beautiful soul, gifted to us, Becky.... Getting to know Peter and Dorothy over the past few years has given me a glimpse into how Becky became the amazing woman she was.... still is in our hearts and memories.

Coming to terms with the loss of someone so special is no easy task.... one that will likely never find resolution.  So what's left for those of us who are here?  Memories of warm hugs, happy times, togetherness.... time.... time for remembering and reflecting....  It doesn't even remotely fill the space where she lived; but, we have to hold onto every. little. bit. of what we have....

I know that you can't mark the calendar and say, "Ok, I'll be done with the grieving onnnnn, hmmmm,  this date."  But, we still try, don't we?  The hurt is sometimes so gnawing that we want to see the end of it.... But; what can we do?

We can talk.

We can talk together.... talk about how we're feeling, talk about the what's next, talk about her and how she helped us light up....

Though being with Peter sometimes, always, ends in tears, I come away feeling very close to both him and Becky.  I have amazing reminders of the love I have for my friend, in Peter and Dorothy....  And I also have two more beautiful souls to cherish....

Today, I am grateful for the love and strength of Peter and Dorothy, two adoring parents who have endured immeasurable loss yet still smile their warmth upon us.... I am grateful for sitting in a coffee shop next to someone I consider a kindred friend and father figure.... and I am grateful for everything she gave, for she made me feel truly loved by a friend....

Today I'm remembering you, our friend.... always with us, Becky, like a warm, comforting hug  ;)

RANDOMNESS: one thousand gifts

I've joined a book club at a local church.  Now, I'm not a religious person.  I was never raised in church, I never went to church.  The only times I have been in a church were for weddings, christenings and funerals.

Strangely enough, I was married in a church.  The very same church where my mother and father-in-law were wed.  It was more for tradition's sake than anything else.

I can appreciate people's beliefs; I don't attest to know more or less than anyone else where spirituality is concerned.  I come from a people, first people as we're now referred to, who believe that everything in life has a spirit; from a place where Christianity was introduced.  I like believing that everything has a spirit and soul.... I think for me, it makes me appreciate life that much more.  To not take for granted what the earth has given us.  Again, I make no judgements on what people want to believe to live the life they were meant to live.

So you may be wondering, Why has she chosen to join a club within a church?  Well, I'll tell ya.... My friend, Rebecca, is the minister's wife at said church.  She invited me to join.  One morning a week; for a couple of hours; chatting; tea/coffee; and babysitting, which, honestly, is more like nursery school complete with lessons, craft time and snack.  Needless to say, my girl-monkey LOVES going to 'nursey sool'.

For me, it's a chance to get out of the house.  Talk with adults.  And let my child socialize and learn in a structured environment.  What's not to love?

The book:  one thousand gifts, written by Ann Voskamp.

A book written from a religious perspective.... but one that I can definitely read and apply to my own life.  What I've been able to take from this book, so far, is that I am genuinely happy with how my life has shaped itself, or rather, how I've molded myself into the person I am today.  I keep going back to the saying, 'When life gives you lemons....'  And I think that is a testament to my life.  With so many obstacles from inception to my early 20's.... well, some days I just shake my head and say to myself, 'How did I get here?'  Not here on earth; but, to this place where I can be okay and accepting and forgiving and most of all, happy.... It's a simple answer really -

I chose me.

I chose to change me.  I chose to accept that I cannot change the past and that I did not create the past.  I chose to move forward and live my best life....

I chose me.

So, the writer is trying to find grace in a life that keeps throwing grief after grief.... and has decided to write a list of one thousand things that she is thankful for.... and in doing so, she is reshaping herself, reshaping her soul and trying to live her life fully.

I like the idea of writing down things that make me smile, things I am ever grateful for.... I'm starting my list.  I'm going out, finding a beautiful journal, and everyday jotting down one thing that I am thankful for.  It's not unlike the 'I Love You' jars that I have for my children and husband.... only I'm choosing.... me.

Have a great day my pretties  ;)

Busy weekend....

Hi everyone!  Just wanted to say a quick GOOD MORNING!  And let you know that I'll be a little absent this weekend.... If you read yesterday, you'll know that I have a HUGE to-do list coming into this weekend and Halloween.... I've been very diligent with my blog posting lately and so I felt a heads-up was necessary.

I have a lot of fun trying to come up with great things to blog about; but, as you can imagine, sometimes family and life comes first.... that in no way means I don't appreciate my little following here, I DO!  I love getting comments here and on FB, I love to hear what's happening in your crafty lives, and I would especially LOVE to know what you'd like to see more of around these parts????  Any suggestions folks?

My plan is to do a schedule, you know like THRIFTY MONDAYS, FRIDAY NIGHT VIDEO, etc.... That way I know what I have to write about on each given day and can prepare better, and you as a reader will know what's up next.  Whatd'ya think about that, huh?  And, I'm also hoping to have a once a week or once a month guest as well.... any thoughts????

Anyway my lovelies, off to make some lunches and herd the turtles.... Have a fantastic day everyone  ;)

Getting here from there....

Ever since I was a child, I've been making 'stuff'.... some of the first things I remember making were furniture from cereal boxes for my pseudo-Barbie doll (my mom couldn't afford the real-deal, so I had the hollow plastic one who when you tried putting her into a seated position, would annoyingly put herself on display in a way that only adult men could appreciate... do you remember those dolls without bendy knees? maybe you had one too?)   

Aaaanyway, I hand-stitched little clothes to cover that doll, made pillows and blankets using my old clothes ~ I guess I did this out of necessity because we didn't have the means to buy the latest toys.... if anything, those were the beginnings of my love for re-purposing items.  It's funny where life takes you, isn't it?  It's been a rough journey for me to get to where I am now.... but, I'll tell you one thing I've learned, you should always appreciate the small things, because it's those itty-bitty, seemingly-insignificant, take-for-granted-type-things that truly make you happy.... The glitter and fluff is just that, glitter and fluff.... that stuff eventually blows away.  Not trying to be preachy or anything.... I'm just sayin'....  Step back every once in a while and take inventory.  It really does help keep perspective.

So, I'm appreciative of my meager beginnings; because, if they weren't a part of me then I don't believe I would have evolved into the extremely crafty, re-purposeful maven that you've come to know and adore  ;)  .... (did I also mention, I'm oftentimes full of crap?)

Anyhow.... getting on with things.... Found some really cute owl hats floating around the WWW, google it, they're EVERYWHERE.... Again, aaaanyway, anyone who even has the teeny-tiniest bit of craft-savvy knows that mostly everything that's in manufactured existence can be replicated in some way, shape or form.....  So here's my take on the owl hat....

The purple-eyed lady belongs to my little girl-babe.... the other two are being delivered today to our friends, Avery and Jordan.... I hope you like them!

Have a great day people  ;)

Interesting.... no, Pinteresting....

I am in love with Pinterest.... if you don't know what it is, check it out, it's pretty self-explanatory....  Think brainstorming-idea centre-organizing thoughts.... Ahhh, all in one place....

Anyhow, I've been having a great time browsing everybody's idea's and adapting them to my own life/home/what-have-you....  Just thought I'd share some of the Pinteresting things I've found of late....

Organization - Pinterest

Peacock tutu tutorial - via Pinterest

Fairy lights - found on Pinterest

Headband tutorial - Pinteresting

Chocolate chips and raspberries - via Pinterest

10 things to make with cereal boxes - found on Pinterest

Pinterest is for anyone looking to organize and share their thoughts.... have a look, you may be inspired to do something you didn't even know you wanted to do....

Have a great day everyone ;)

Perfect for a vintage monkey....

One of my proudest thrifty moments came a little over a week ago.... The girl-monkey and I were shopping at Value Village, scouting out a lamp suitable for a "big-girl" bedroom-to-be....

There were disney princess cast-offs, 90's pink ceramic, nursery-room types with blocks and bears, 70's era junk (that I LOVED!).... and this is the one she chose....  All. on. her. own.

I spotted it as soon as we started looking at the several lamps available, and had secretly hoped she would like it too.  I had decided before we even entered the store that she should be able to pick out something without any input from me, and that it would be coming home with us regardless of how I felt about it.... after-all, she is her own person with her own likes and dislikes and who am I to say otherwise?  This pretty little thing set us back a whole $4.99!

This is white hobnail milk glass.  Hobnail refers to the shape of the bumps.... they get that effect by pressing the melted glass into molds.... Milk glass dates back to the 16th century; but, wasn't actually called milk glass until the late 1880's.  Milk glass was seen as a symbol of household status.  During the depression, it lost appreciation.  Around the 1950's, the glass company, Fenton introduced their hobnail pattern, that brought lovers of milk glass back to the checkouts, and from then on, there was a resurgence in popularity, that still holds today among collectors.  More history in a nutshell :)


Anyhow, you can imagine how proud and amazed I was when she pointed to "dat one" and asked, "Can I take it home witt me, Momma?"  How could I say no to that?!  After we gave it a good cleaning, and tested it out.... perfect working order.... we decided it was the best choice for her vintage and thrifty room-to-be.  Judging by the electrical cord and fixtures, I figure this little lamp probably dates to the early 70's, maybe late 60's.  Still a very serviceable item.... and the brass, well, that has to go.... it's going to receive a fresh coat of smoky purple spray paint or something that will accent well with everything else.


Have a great day everyone   ;)

Celebrating life....

So, I'm here.... just trying to recover from a busy week and FANTASTIC Celebration of Life party for our girl, Becky....

I don't think the party could have went any better.... Kim, your attention to detail is amazing. From the hanging 'bubbles', to the thumbprint guestbook and string of happy thoughts, to the luminary ceremony.... You should be so proud of your vision of what Becky would have wanted and expected.

You know she's proud, right? LOL! And everyone who knows and loves you, are so proud of your accomplishments.... not to mention, so willing to help; because, we're friends.... and that's what friends do.

Looking around that night, seeing tears, laughter, hugs, dancing, children playing, people eating.... things were just as they should have been.

A celebration.... For a woman who was friends to so many, who loved her family without condition or question, who made her friends feel like family, who gave so much even when she was not feeling well herself, who laughed, who opened her heart, who fought a battle to the bitter end and NEVER gave up hope....


These are the things we'll keep in our hearts and memories forever.... Let's live our lives the way Becky did....

Let's Celebrate Life....

;) xo

The $5 Challenge....

With just over 1 month left til the 2011 Toronto Weekend to End Women's Cancers Walk, I have proposed a challenge to all of my Facebook Family and Friends; which I have decided to do here as well.

I challenge all of my 3 Monkeys Inc blog readers to donate just $5.00 to me to help raise money for much needed cancer research benefiting the Campbell Family Institute at Princess Margaret Hospital.

I've heard many people question where the money goes.... and trust me; I wouldn't be doing this for just any charity. I believe in the work at Princess Margaret Hospital; and I've heard and seen stories of the people who's lives have seen a positive change as a result of the work being done at PMH.

So, come on people! Are you up for the challenge?! Click the link below; then when on my personal profile page, click the Big Green Donate Online Now button - Easy-Peasy-Lemon-Squeezy!

$5 CHALLENGE for 3 Monkeys Inc Readers

Have a great Monday everyone ;)

A note for a beautiful friend....

"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."

-C. R.-

We all love you B.... xo ;)

Friday night video....

In the spirit of tomorrow's Irish inspired party.... The Corrs - Toss the Feathers.... have a great Friday night all ;)

Friday's inspiration....

If you hear a voice within you saying,"you are not a painter", then by all means, paint... and that voice will be silenced.

Vincent Van Gogh

Starry Night photo source art-wallpaper.org

The silver lining....

Never let yesterday's disappointments overshadow tomorrow's dreams....

There are still some surprises in life....

Take one of your biggest wishes, for example.... you dream about it, you long for it, you plan it over and over and over in your head knowing that in reality, it may never actually happen....

Well, for the past couple of months, I've been honoured to be in on a little-eensy-weensy-teeny-tiny secret.... a covert operation of sorts, master-minded by the wonderfully giving spirit of my beautiful friend, K.

Imagine all of your family and friends coming together to grant you that one wish.

How would you react? Would you be mad? Would you be elated? Or would you just be so overwhelmed that you were sent forever into a catatonic state.... okay-okay, that may be a little far-fetched....

I think your reaction would be shock. excitement. and absolute bewilderment.

But take it for what it is. Trust me. We did it because we love you. We love you, that. much.

Surprise!

B, you inspire us everyday to be the best we can be.

See, dreams really do come true.
Never. Stop. Believing.

xo

Whatd'ya think? part deux....

So, with a new dress comes new shoes.... that's a given, right?

I think I've found the perfect shoes (for me anyway).... and I think the blue floral H&M beauty from yesterday's post will look really-really cute with them....


I love Sears for shoes... you really can't beat the prices and selection.... especially for shoes that you won't be wearing often. I like that these babies are a neutral colour, and not black.... I have issues with putting black shoes on my feet in the summer, weird huh?!

Aaaanyway, I think I'll likely be building something around these shoes.... of course that's if they fit me properly.... gee, bummer if they don't :(

And in other news.... the weather here has been so glum, rainy and grey.... but just in time for our Victoria Day weekend, the sun has decided to warm us and give us some glorious blue skies.... which is making these lovelies look extra pretty. It's funny what you can hide when you take pictures creatively.... you'd never know that there's a big ugly wooden fence beside my favourite lilac bush.... and that the bush itself is hiding our pool pump and heater.


Enjoy the sun while it lasts my dears ;)