Harbor Freight Spinning Rack

So, I was inspired to purchase a spinning rack through Harbor Freight when I saw this post on the message boards at Studio Calico- a place I go for scrapbook supplies and inspiration. I had such fun filling and decorating it that I thought I would show some pictures I took of it.

Here is the whole piece on display. It is hard to see in this picture, but I alternated aqua and white spray paint and used washi around the edges.

Once I had it painted it was time to fill it! Mister Hueys on top with wood veneers beneath. On the other side of the veneers is some of my fiber collection. You can see it in the picture below.

Then we have my washi tape- the most amazing innovation! I use it for everything including hanging artwork, wrapping presents, bandaiding a cut finger and I have been known to use it to help stake up a drooping plant. Shh.

A humming bird nest I found in the yard the other day. This won't be its final resting place, but it is a great spot to admire it until I find a bell jar or something. It is amazingly tiny and beautiful. It has moss around the outside creating a protective barrier. Did you know some hummingbirds use spiderwebs to get that moss to stay on? This one did and it is really cool. I need to really photograph it to show its detail. Nature is really the best artist isnt it? 

Old vintage meatallic thread. My new obsession. I just got twelve (12!!!) more in the mail yesterday. I love that stuff!!

More Hueys. I love splashes of color!

Hope you enjoyed my tour of my rack. I loved peeking at what all the other girls had done with theirs and even more about what treasures they had put in inside it!

Some new pieces!

I have been working furiously in my studio making some new pieces. I am convinced that my "nesting" instincts come in the form of creativity instead of cleaning. I mean I guess I clean too, but I swear I did the same thing when pregnant with Elise. I had this rush of new ideas and motivation and then she came along and it took me a long time to get back into the swing of things. Hopefully I can do it a little quicker this time! Anyway, here are a couple of things I just listed on in my etsy shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lemongrove

I found these little "pocket shrines" that used to have religious statues in them. I removed the statues (to be used in a future project) and resined in some crystals.

A vintage watch face that has a quartz point wrapped in antique metallic thread on top of a vintage picture (I think) of the Brooklyn Bridge. It is awesomely see through- just a little bit.

A vintage pill box with a Victorian button on top of an old farm picture. I have been having fun with the idea of making a locket with something other than the traditional locket. Watch tins, pill boxes, old blush compacts- nothing is safe!

I hope you have enjoyed my look at some of my new ideas!

I have been meaning to show some new pictures of our little girlie. She has grown so much over the last year and a half and I can't believe we are expecting our next in a few short weeks. We are excited about navigating our new adventure as a family of four, but are sad that our little girl will quickly become a big girl when that happens! Well, without further ado:

She talks up a storm, is learning to swim  and wants to do everything herself. In other words she is a typical 19 month old and we love her to pieces.

Some antique store findings

I regularly go to antique stores in my area for inspiration and for useful materials. I have been using vintage watch tins and pill boxes in my jewelry lately so many of my purchases have revolved around that. Since our baby should be here in a month or so, I am furiously finding supplies that I can use when it is much more difficult to get out of the house. It took a year before I was ready to make these kinds of outings after I had Elise.  I went to Plant City, Fl last week and here are my finds!

Lots of watch tins, vintage embroidered pieces, fossils and an amazing piece of ribbon.

My favorite tin of the day. Beautiful patina and graphics. The lid is hard to open, but I think a little oil and sanding could help that.

Loving the mix of tins!

Have I mentioned the ribbon yet? No? Well it is amazing! It is a gorgeous cobalt blue and oh so silky! I imagined the uses for it, a beauty pageant grand prize winner, a military sash, a belt around a Victorian Lady's tiny waist. Who knows, but it certainly makes me happy to dream!

Hope you enjoyed looking at my findings!

Here are a couple things I have been working on. I am really excited the direction my jewelry has been taking. These are just instagrams, the quality is not that great, but you get the idea.

Soon they will be added to the shop.