Ties2ThePast

Behave!

2012-02-11T15:31:00.001-05:00

I made this sign yesterday...maybe I should send it to the 15 year old girl whose daddy shot up her laptop!
Her situation was kind of the opposite but both hold true!

If you haven't seen the video, which has gone viral, CLICK HERE .
I think this guy should run for president!!!

♥'s

Sherry

Oil Cans & Subway Art

2012-02-04T13:35:00.004-05:00

Gosh I've been ~~having fun~~ working a lot in my new workshop!!
Here's a couple Iphone photos:

Now, will it ever make the pages of "Where Women Create"?
I think not but.....I L.O.V.E. it!!!!
It's not completely finished but I can go down there & paint & create to my little heart's content!!!
There's even room for the car (right now).
I've told my husband that, when the weather gets warmer, I'm going to try my hand at furniture refinishing so the car may have to sit outside!

I stopped by North Georgia Antique Mall last week & picked up some vintage oil cans to make into photo holders.
So easy & aren't they cute!!!

This what I used to make them:

Oil cans, glue, heavy gauge wire, and a wire curler (that wooden handle thingie).
Some of the can openings would only take 1 wire. Wish I would have thought of that when I was buying the oil cans but it's ok!
They are headed to my space at the Antique Mall on Monday!

I'm still getting aquainted with my Silhouette SD. It's a great machine but I still would like to find some fancy stencil fonts.

Here are a few of signs I made recently:

March Madness is coming!!

Any sports fans out there??

A favorite quote

Who knew Dr. Seuss was such a romantic??

My signs have been selling pretty well on my Ebay shop, Ties2ThePast and I'm having a great time!

So far, life after retirement is good!!!

♥'s

Sherry

Party Linkups:

Strut Your Stuff

Saturday Night Special

Weekend Wrap Up Party

Building My Space & Learning Silhouette

2012-01-18T07:47:00.002-05:00

We've had construction going on here!

Mr., & a friend of ours, worked most of last week building my 'studio' in our garage. Guess it's really more of a 'work shop' than a 'studio'. It will be filled with rustic work areas & neat junk finds.

The wall is up & I've painted shelves & trim but it will be a while before I can show the finished product. I need a some of 50 plus degree days so I can spray paint a couple of pieces.

I've also painted some new signs to put in my eBay shop. I FINALLY got my Silhouette hooked up & have had fun playing with it. I haven't done any vinyl cutouts, yet, but have been cutting out stencils for signs. It's truly a learning and a practice experience!!

I've found that large letters are easier to 'punch out' than the skinnier ones & that mylar can be very brittle! I also learned, the hard way, that fonts aren't all alike...you have to use stencil fonts. If you use regular fonts & cut them out, you lose the centers of your Os, As, & other such letters...DUH!

If any of you experienced Silhouette folks out there have helpful tips I could use, please let me know!
I've seen software advertised that will convert true fonts to stencil fonts but am wondering if they are worth the $$???

As always, my 'Family Rules' Subway Sign has continued to be a good seller on eBay. I Mod Podged some vintage looking sheet music on my board before stenciling this one...it sold the day after I listed it! I bought this stencil from someone's blog...can't remember which one but love the fonts & arrangement of words.

Maybe someday I'll figure out how to make great looking Subway Art stencils on my Silhouette??!

♥'s
Sherry

Fun places to party!!
Transformation Thursday
Time Traveler Thursday
A Crafty Soiree
Share Your Creations
Whatever You Want Wednesday
Wicked Awesome Wednesday

Georgia North Antique Mall

2012-01-09T14:39:00.001-05:00

I stopped in my FAVORITE antique mall this am & snapped a few photos with my Iphone.
This is the same mall I worked at years ago and I currently have 2 "bins" here.
Unfortunately, the photos I took of my space didn't turn out so I'll share that with you at another time!

Isn't this iron bed just yummy!! I LOVE IT!
I'd have bought it in a minute but have no place to put it!
The price was under $260.

And, wouldn't this picture be PERFECT hanging over that iron bed?
So sweet & the colors are so soft!

Need a place to hang/store your clothes?
Aren't the mirrors on the doors of this chiffrobe stunning?
If.I.only.had.a.place.for.it.......!!

Another nice piece for a bedroom...or even in a bathroom!

Does this metal firetruck take you back to your childhood??
The bear seems to like it!

The hand painted drawers of this chest are so pretty!
A versatile piece that could be used anywhere in the home!

And...what antique mall is complete without some Fiesta ware?

Three cute little planters! The pig reminds me of Mary Ann & Ginger over at Bee Haven Acres blog! They are the cutest porkers I've ever seen!!

These oil cans were all different shapes, sizes, & colors...they almost look like an art display.

That's just a sampling of what can be found at the Georgia North Antique Mall on Hwy 41 in Adairsville, GA.
They're open 7 days a week, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm & Sun 12pm-5pm.

Don't forget to look for my space, Ties2ThePast!

♥'s
Sherry

Etsy or Ebay???

2011-12-30T07:51:00.000-05:00

Now that I'm 'retired', Mr. T2P & I are building a studio for me in our garage/basement.

I told you earlier that he gave me a new miter saw for Christmas.
Well, turned out that wasn't exactly the one I wanted so we ordered another....no problem!

We played around in the basement earlier this week, even had a friend come over to help decide on lighting, etc.
Now all we have to do is make a trip to Home Depot & get the materials.

I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is where I'm currently working (I'd like my kitchen table back!!).

Once construction is done & I'm making the fun stuff I want to, I'll need places to sell it.
I currently have 2 'bins' at my favorite antique mall. I'm waiting for a prime booth to become available, then I'll have more space.

In the meanwhile, where else should I sell?
Etsy?? Ebay??
I've sold on both and neither one is a favorite.
Any suggestions??

Have a safe & Happy New Year!

♥'s
Sherry

Merry Christmas Eve!

2011-12-24T15:56:00.003-05:00

This morning, my sweet husband took me to Cracker Barrel for a Christmas Eve breakfast.
I had cinnamon French toast....yummy!!!!

On the way home, we drove around our country neighborhood to look at storm damage.
Thursday, a EF3 tornado (150 mph winds) went through our area, missing our place by less than 1 mile.

Lots of barns & sheds ripped up, as well as trees & roofs but no one was badly injured.

Luckily, the storm didn't bother this little fella or his momma!

Don't you just love that fuzzy face??!!

Merry Christmas Eve!
♥'s
Sherry

P.S.
I'm officially retired!!!
Yesterday was my last day at Harley-Davidson of Cartersville as their marketing & events director. Looking forward to the New Year & spending time with family & friends!!

Join me at these parties!!!
Seasonal Sundays
Saturday Night Special

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs!

2011-12-18T20:30:00.008-05:00

I'm done with the Christmas decorating, gifting, crafts, etc., etc.
Didn't do as much as usual, this Christmas is different from any other I've had.
My sweet husband is ill with a heart condition that we have been battling for most of this year. Thank God I retire at the end of this month so I can spend more time with him.
Anyway...I decided to make a different type of sign...shelf sitters!
Shelf sitters are made on wider wood so they can sit by themselves, rather than hang on a wall.

Both of these 'sitters' were made using an 18" piece of 2 x 6 wood.
They were painted, sanded, stained, Mod Podged with paper, & stenciled.
The Coffee Shop one is my favorite and I love the Rooster Collector for some of my blogging friends!

I also painted another one of my Family Rules signs using scrapbook paper & Mod Podge over black distressed wood. The stenciled words are a dark forest green. The paper has all sorts of 'mail' letters & envelopes. I really like how it turned out. There are lots of subtle colors, making it an interesting & pleasing background.

Merry Christmas!
Give the ones you love extra hugs & kisses!

♥'s
Sherry

Joining these parties:

The Sunday Showcase Party
Met Monday
Meet Me Monday
Newbie Party
Sew Darn Crafty Party
Think Pink Sunday
Seasonal Sunday
Show Me What Ya Got
Wicked Awesome Wednesday
Home Decor & Organizing Link Party
Restore It Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesdays
Whatever You Want Wednesday
Time Travel Thursday
Vintage Thingie Thursday
Crafty Soiree

Winter Blessings!

2011-12-04T09:11:00.005-05:00

I made some more signs yesterday!
These will be 'friendship' gifts to the girls at work & my other buds!

I used some scrap wood I found in my wood pile, sanded the sharp edge off the sides & corners, then painted with some green craft paint.

(Don't know about you but I have LOTS of acrylic craft paint I've collected over the years that is starting to dry up & get goopy. It's perfect to use as a base coat on my signs!)

After the paint dried, I sanded off the sides again to distress, then rubbed some stain on. Let that dry.

The background is a piece of scrapbook paper I cut to size. I stenciled the words on the paper in dark green before I glued is on the board.

I used Mod Podge to glue the paper to the board, smoothed it down with a brayer (roller) & added a thin layer of Mod Podge on the top.
Now comes a confession! This was the first time I EVER have used Mod Podge!
(Before, I just used glue.) What fun & how easy!!!!

After it dried, I drilled a couple of holes for the jute rope, tied on some homespun fabric, & glued on a jingle bell & wood snowflakes.

I like it hanging on a door or cabinet knob or even on a tree!
My pups voiced their opinion, too!

And...Santa came to our house early this year!
My sweet husband bought me a new Craftsman miter saw & stand for Christmas!!
WOOHOO!!!
I can't wait to get my studio set up in our basement & start having fun!!

♥'s

Sherry

Check out these parties:

Sew darn Crafty Party

Think Pink Sunday

Seasonal Sunday

Strut Your Stuff Saturday

sunday-showcase-party

Met Monday
show-off-your-cottage-monday
meet-me-monday
homemade-christmas-decor-link-party.

My Latest Creations!

2011-11-27T19:02:00.003-05:00

I finished up the last of my 'crafts' today!

These blocks were so easy to make!
I simply painted them green (sorry, it's raining in GA today so the color's dark), sanded off the edges to distress, stained them, glued on some scrapbook paper, and stenciled the word 'NOEL' on.
Then, I glued them all together, wrapped with ribbon, added a bow, a couple of jingle bells, & a cute little gingerbread man!
Oh yeah...I glued a couple of tiny holly berries here & there on the front.
Simple!

Here's another one done the same way, using more blocks & a snowman!
These will both make it to my Etsy shop, Ties2ThePast, if I don't keep them for my house!

I also put this sweet wreath together...it's going to the Antique Mall!

Whew! I'm done creating...for a while!

♥'s
Sherry

Joining these parties:
Debbie Doos Newbie Party
Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Sew Darn Crafty
Think Pink Sunday
Seasonal Sundays
Sunday Showcase
Met Monday
Show Me What Ya Got
Tutorials & Tips Linky Party

Back to Work...Tomorrow!

2011-11-27T14:55:00.001-05:00

I've been off work for the past 2 weeks, taking care of my husband after his heart surgery, so tomorrow I go back to work!
While I was off, I got our house decorated for Christmas, some signs made, and other fun crafty stuff!

I truly L.O.V.E. making signs! These 2 have Christmas scrapbook paper as background, then I stenciled on top of it. Both will be making their way to my Etsy shop, Ties2ThePast, or to my booth at the Georgia North Antique Mall.

Out of everything I made while I was off, my husband said this was one of his favorites...chocolate chip oatmeal cookies with coconut & walnuts!
Not really on our 'diets' but a nice treat once in awhile!!

YUM!

♥'s
Sherry

Linking to these parties!
Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

One Present Too Many, by Norman Rockwell

2011-11-25T08:40:00.004-05:00

Pulled out our Christmas decor this week and found lots more 'stuff' than I remembered I had!!

So....I'm listing some on my Etsy shop, Ties2ThePast.
Come on over & check it out!!

♥'s
Sherry

New Stuff in My Etsy Shop!

2011-11-22T14:59:00.001-05:00

Since my husband has been out of the hospital & since I'm home from work caring for him, I've had the opportunity to paint some signs & put some stuff on Etsy!

I ♥ painting signs!

These are all for sale in my Etsy Shop!

Some for Christmas greetings,

some for Christmas gifts!

I've also found some vintage sheet music I've been holding on to for ever & decided to list it.

The graphics are amazing!

Many suitable for framing!

Several are WWI, military type.

Almost all are from the early 1900's!

If you're interested, scoot on over to my shop, Ties2ThePast!

I'll be listing over 20 pieces of sheet music & more holiday stuff (as I get it done)!!

Have fun shopping!!!

♥'s

Sherry

P.S. I'm happy to do custom colors!

How To Make a Holiday (or anyday) Banner

2011-11-17T17:19:00.013-05:00

Made another banner today & decided to write a tutorial on how I did it.
They are so much fun and so easy to make!
I like the fact that I can use up some of the extra stuff I've collected over the years!

This one is for Winter or Christmas but it could be changed up for anytime of the year!

Here's where I started...it looks like a mess but has some reason to it. My craft area I used to have was in our guest room. I'm in the process to moving it to our basement. My husband got out of the hospital yesterday, so I'm using my kitchen table as craft central.

I'd already cut out enough triangles for 2 banners. I used burlap for the bottom layer & cotton for the top. The photo below shows the measurements.

I folded the top edge of the burlap triangle over about an inch and a half and pressed it down. Then I cut off the edges on the top. You'll see why in a minute.

I flipped it over, laid the cotton piece on top, centering it and hot glued it down in each corner.

Then comes the FUN part! Decorating! This time I used some wood snowflakes, berry bunches, & red/green/off white gingham ribbon. I hot glued everything on the top of the double triangles, like the one on the right.

I used heavy jute rope, the length can vary depending on where the banner will be hung. I used 6.5' for this one, since I'll be selling it. That way, whoever buys it will have plenty of rope to hang it with. Then, I ran a small bead of glue along the back edge of the burlap triangle to make a sleeve & ran the jute through.

I tied a piece of the homespun between each triangle & at each end.

Just for something different, I glued a red cardinal & berries in the center of the middle triangle.

I hung it on my old cupboard to take the photos but it would be perfect on a fireplace.

Real easy & fun!
Could be changed up however you please!

I collect Christmas ornaments, to use in crafting, at the end of each season when they go on sale...I have LOTS!!!!
Wouldn't a banner be cute with mittens & pine cones on it??

I have more fabric cut...I may just try that!

♥'s

Sherry

P.S. If you'd like to buy one of my banners, I sell them for $22.99 plus shipping & also in my Etsy shop Ties2ThePast.

Partytime!

Vintage Inspiration Friday #64
Show & Tell Friday
Strut Your Stuff Saturday
Weekend Wrap up Party
Sew Darn Crafty Party
Think Pink Sundays
Seasonal Sundays
Newbie Party
Saturday Night Special
Show Me What Ya Got
Monday Moments
Tutorials & Tips Link Party
Wicked Awesome Wednesday
Wow Me Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesdays
Inspiration Friday
crafty-soiree-65
vintage-inspiration-friday-65
time-travel-thursday-72

Susan...you won!!!!!

2011-11-15T10:06:00.003-05:00

Is this BEAUTIFUL..or what??

Susan from Between Naps On The Porch

made this gorgeous pumpkin similar to some she saw in Country Living Magazine.

Well, I saw on Facebook that Country Living was having a contest to see who had made the best pumpkin using their tutorial.

I emailed Susan & told her she HAD to enter hers and....she won!!!

Her pumpkin got the most votes of anyone's in the contest!!
HOORAY!!!!

I'm so proud to know her!

If you've never visited her blog, be sure you do!

It's mar.vol.ous !!

While you're there...say 'hi' to her sidekick Max!!

Congratulations Susan!

♥'s

Sherry

I've Been Featured!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-11-15T10:00:00.000-05:00

WooooHoooo!

I've been featured at:

You're Talking Too Much

Rebecca has a great linky party on Mondays called Meet Me Monday.
I participated last week, showing my Noel Banner & she picked it as a favorite to feature this week!!

Thanks Rebecca!
You made my day!

♥'s
Sherry

Sock Snowmen by Amy

2011-11-13T16:59:00.002-05:00

I found this on Pinterest!

Haven't made them yet but they are sooooo C.U.T.E. & look really easy!

A special thanks to Amy at Then She Made.... http://thenshemade.blogspot.com/2011/01/sock-snowmen.html.

Even though I took the liberty of copying & pasting her post to my page, Amy deserves (& gets) all the credit. I hope you visit & join her blog...I did!

She is so very talented!!!

**************************************************************

Sock Snowmen

You'll need the following:
1- white sock. Use one that has a mid-calf or knee high tube on the top.
decorative socks (the argyle ankle socks shown plus many other styles are at Target for $1)
Rice for filler
twine or ribbon
rubberbands
buttons
something for the nose (I used the top of a bbq stick that I painted orange)

Step 1: cut the foot part off of your sock and discard. You only need the tube part. This is great if you have socks that are worn or have holes in them.

Step 2 & 3: Turn the tube part of your sock inside out and wrap a rubber band around the bottom. Make sure it is wrapped tightly. Then turn it inside out again so the rubber band is on the inside.

Step 4 & 5: Fill the sock with rice. Be sure to push the rice down as you go. This will stretch the sock a bit and make it so you get a nice plump snowman in the end. Then, close the top by wrapping another rubber band around the top as shown in the photo above.

Step 6: Taking the ankle socks, cut as shown above. The first one, you'll cut off the toe and the heel. The second sock you'll just cut off the heel. And, I should note. If you have a sock that doesn't have a mate and it's a longer than an ankle sock, you can dress your whole snowman with just one sock.

Step 7, 8 & 9: First, take the sock without a toe and a heel and put it over your rice filled sock. This becomes the sweater. Then, pushing the rice down to make a solid base, tie a piece of ribbon or twine around the bottom of the sweater. Next do the same thing with the top of the sweater like shown in the middle photo above. And, last but not least, add the hat. The hat is the other sock that you cut up that still has the toe. (To make it look less like a sock, I tied some twine on the top.)

Step 10: Next you add your embellishments. Eyes, nose, buttons etc... you can sew them on if you want but I went for fast and just used hot glue.

And there you have it - the cutest, easiest, little snowman you'll ever make. I whipped this little guy up in less than 10 minutes and I didn't even get cold in the process.

Here is one of his friends: This guy was made the same way as the one above only I didn't add the twine at the bottom of the sweater.

Just some quick tips:

- you could sew the sock instead of using a rubber band.

- beans work too, don't limit yourself just to rice

- use socks that don't have mates then you don't have to buy new ones

- the argyle socks came from Target and they have a TON of different patterns for $1

- the striped socks are actually mid-calf toe socks so only need one sock instead of two

- you can add mushed up potpourri to the inside so it will smell good too.

***********************************************************************************
Thanks Amy for the GREAT tutorial!

♥'s
Sherry

Baby Cat

2011-11-13T07:41:00.000-05:00

Is this not just the SWEETEST thing you've ever seen??

Check out those baby paws....and that tongue!!???

OMG!!

Not my kitten... I found the photo on Pinterest & had to share!

♥'s
Sherry

Another Trip To Liz's Antique Mall!!

2011-11-10T17:32:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I spent lunch at Liz's...again!
I was VERY good, I didn't buy anything but got some photos of great stuff!

This almost came home with me! It's only $35 and a great size for a coffee table or the bottom of a stack of suitcases to be used as a bedside table.
It may make it to my house...tomorrow!!!

I'm searching for a vintage wooden highchair for my grandbaby, Emily Grace.
I loved this one....but it looked a bit too fragile!

Then I saw this one...only $25, but the graphics on the back were so sweet I don't think I could paint over them.
The chair really needs some paint!

I also found this wonderful old chalk board.
I had one of these when I was in grade school!

Continuing on, I spied this lovely set of china...so pretty!!

This screen door has begged to come home with me several times!
It's $45, I think, & I do love it, but it's one of those things I'd have a hard time explaining to my Mr. exactly WHY I had to have it & WHAT I was going to do with it!

Two solid copper candle sticks, $225 for the pair!
Not my style but gorgeous!

This print was so nostalgic!
It reminds me of an old soda fountain I used to go to in a drug store in my hometown in Iowa.

Isn't that neon Pepi sign cool??!!?
The white hutch isn't bad either!

Another one that didn't leave with me!
I'm really a sucker for vintage motel chairs!

Check out all the baubles & pretties in this case!
I had to stop myself from asking for the key to look a bit closer!

Again, please forgive my Iphone photos!
Someday, I'll take a real camera with me when I'm browsing!

What have you found lately???
Did you buy it??!!?????

♥'s
Sherry