a "new" craft table

Before the Market in October, I spotted these white legs in the dumpster outside our townhome. Wa-what?

When I pulled it up, I realized why. But it was just a bit of water damage, couldn't it be redone? Donate it, people! Let someone else put a tablecloth on it. Why does it need to go to the landfill?Ehh ... pet peeve.

So I sanded and sanded some more and got down to where I thought it was good enough to stain and coat. Unfortunately, after I stained it, the large ring (see above pic) still stands out. Otherwise, I think it looks great! I wiped a couple of coats of Minwax Dark Walnut on it and wished I had a garage (for ventilation but no Kansas wind) when I sprayed the Minwax Polyurethane - clear gloss - to top it.  But it turned out fine.

I used it to sit behind at the Market then traded my chunky craft table (got it from CL, resold it there) in for this slightly smaller one.

Here she is!

As Ladybug would say, "Pitty!" I'm pleased.

commissioned: backpack hanger

I had a commission request from a good friend's husband and decided to share it with you! It's one of my favorite pieces from the fall - the patina is LOVELY and completely authentic. Not one ounce of fake distressing - although I do love myself some good faux distressing.

Remember the old chippy barn door from this pic?

My FIL helped saw off the top (the above is going to be made into a queen size headboard. Next year's Market maybe?) so I had this piece laying around.

As soon as he proposed the project I thought this would be the perfect piece for her backpack hanger.

The three faux antiqued "door knobs" came from the hobby store purchased for me ... so all I had to do was attach, right?

Not so fast.

First, the door piece fell apart at the joints. It wasn't glued just jointed together, so when we cut it apart ... yikes! So I glued it together with wood glue and hoped it would stay. It sturdied it right up. 

The knobs only had one screw hanger on the back, so hanging backpacks on it day in and day out wasn't feasible unless they were better fastened to the board.

I whipped out my trusty internet search engine and found that only a 2-part epoxy would work. I got some JB Weld original epoxy and mixed that baby up. It worked like a charm and is still holding (as far as I know).

However, I'd use gloves next time. What was I thinking anyway? I got the tiniest smear on my hand and my mouth tasted like metal for a few hours. Yikes! Not the healthiest stuff to be touching. Or using for that matter.

Finally, I attached a cleat to the back because it was HEAVY - and backpacks would make it even heavier! - and I wanted it to hold up.

Maybe I can snag a picture of it hung up. I'll update if I do.

I love it. What do you think? 

January's Loaf -- (The First Loaf)

I made January's loaf last week. It sure was yummy!

I'm using this old version of Bernard Clayton's Complete Book of Breads - a gift from a good friend several years back. I've baked several loaves from this book, but never was super intentional about trying different kinds.

source

For the first month, I decided to do the very first recipe called "The First Loaf" - a white, yeast loaf that is supposed to be very easy and executed flawlessly.

Well, it made our home smell WONDERFUL but I've definitely made prettier loaves.

Do you see the weird spot on the right side of the loaf? It looks like it raised too quickly in the oven and the top raised right off. (It's not supposed to do that.)

I have to admit that our oven is kinda junky - it's been hot, but lately about 50 degrees hot. Not cool. So I'm pretty sure it was still too hot when I baked these - thus the weird pulling apart on top. A junky oven is hard to fulfill my one new loaf a month challenge, but I'm going to keep trying.

It still was tasty! Especially hot out of the oven with buttah. Mmm.

** I'm not going to detail the recipes for sake of time, however if you see a loaf you like one month and want the recipe, I am more than willing to send you a copy! Just email me at lisamarie (dot) de (at) gmail (dot) com.

I Won! (Thanks KCMamas!)

I follow a few money saving blogs (like this and this) and get their deal emails. Most of the deals I don't pay attention to because there are just too many, but sometimes there is a great deal in the bunch! It's really nice to get these delivered right to my inbox with no effort on my part except to grab the deals I want - nice.

Anyway, every once in awhile there is a giveaway which I normally hop over to enter quickly because... why not?! I've won a $25 gift card to Chili's (while not my favorite restaurant, still free!) and just received a P&G prize package in the mail this week! I figured it to be about $50 value. For free, I'll take it! :-)

gain laundry boosters, pantene aqua shampoo/cond, olay body wash, secret deo, (2) covergirl flipsticks, always liners, pads and tampons

(I did win a dud giveaway a couple months ago - fifty or more $1 off coupons to Gain laundry detergent that expired in a few weeks - boo. Oh well. The P&G pkg was worth the previous effort.)

Thanks KCMamas!

{250 sales giveaway} winner!

hey friends! Thanks to all 9 of you who participated in my special giveaway to celebrate a fun milestone in my shop after 15 months of being in this small online shop business.

a few other stats include:

~ I've sold to 16 different countries (US included)

~ 70% of my orders sold to the US, 30% sold internationally
(and I was even so nerdy to put it in a pie chart!) 

source

~ Australia was biggest international supporter followed by UK. Other countries included Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Singapore, S. Korea, Switzerland, Turkey.

~ I made over 100 trips to the post office. (No wonder they know us!) 


And finally, the winner is...

Jess Stock! :-) (Email me at schatzli1105 (at) gmail (dot) com and we can talk about getting you your giveaway booty.)

Thanks to everyone who entered! Your support is amazing even for my little shop. 

{250 sales} giveaway!

I'm excited to announce that my shop is officially up to 250 sales after 15 months of business!

So, I'm hosting my first giveaway!! (So all of you lurkers out there - leave me a comment!) 

One $25 shop credit to either of my Etsy shops - schätzli or schätzli vintage. I'll randomly pick a commenter and you can choose anything from the shop(s) you like!

{It's not required (because I hate required steps to enter giveaways!) but I'd love it if you'd "Like" me on Facebook or follow my blog at the bottom of my page. Pretty please!}

Good luck!

Giveaway ends at 11:59pm CST on Saturday, January 12, 2013.

(Giveaway open to international readers, although it is for $25 including shipping - so shipping costs may apply. Winner will be announced on Monday, Jan. 14 - so check back to see if you've won!)

New Goals (and my word for 2013)

My word for 2013: "Be generous"

(and for some context)...

1 Timothy 6:17-19 
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

For the last couple of months, God has been impressing this phrase (not a word per say, but go with it) on my heart. I won't be touting around all the ways I'm doing this - although if you want to ask, I'm sure that I'd be more than willing to share with you personally.

Trust me, when He talks, I listen, because there's not much else I'm hearing these days! 

I heard (and remembered) a story about a man who had a misprint in his Bible of the above verse. The words "be generous" were repeated twice ... he took this as a go-ahead from God to indeed be generous with his life!

We don't have a bunch of money to go around, but there are so many other ways of being generous - time, talent, words, prayer ... I'm just starting to uncover all of the ways that I can be generous in my life as a woman, a wife, a mom, a friend, etc.

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

3 Simple Goals for 2013

- be generous
- keep my schedule (commitments) simple
- bake one new loaf of bread every month (new blog feature!)



Here are last year's goals.  

linking up with Layla at TLC!

First Shop Update of 2013!

I've updated the shop with some estate sale finds (!!) and will put several more items on this week. Pretty convinced some of these pieces are from the 50s.

For now, I have...

... a couple for boys...

... a handmade christening gown...

... and for girls.

Check them out over here!

a mini {DIY} apron for Christmas

Remember when I mentioned a certain little lady needing a little apron? Well, here it is!

Mini apron time!

Since her head is still so big (and the rest of her so small!) I decided against a pull over loop and I didn't want to take the time to make adjustable straps. SO, instead I made a button-hole! Easy on and off and it works like a charm.

Functional little pockets with shabby little bows.

It technically is reversible, but I didn't add a pocket to the backside. I'm kind of kicking myself for that now. Oh well, live and learn.

Here it is - the basic shape and measurements I guessed after measuring Ladybug for widths and lengths. I sewed it all together inside out (with straps inside) and left both side straps open when I sewed to put it right side out. Then I went over it with a top stitch to make it look pretty and to toughen it up - it'll be subject to a 2-yr old you know...

I was going to do a ruffle at the bottom but then just rounded it off. Perfect. The straps are also made with opposite fabrics. (Jeremy helped me choose the floral fabric from the hobby store, the polka dot is vintage from my grandma and the green pockets was hand-me-down polyester that I didn't have to hem - woot!)

My little helper now has a perfectly sized apron to keep her from (*mostly) getting messy. With about 2 hours of work and $3, here is a great little gift!

Merry Christmas.

Hi friends,

I've decided just to say "Merry Christmas" for a few days ... I've seemed to run out of blog steam for the moment.

(Although I did add these shoes to the shop! Aren't they adorable?) 

Don't worry, though, I'll be back soon. You won't even have missed me. Promise.


May your holiday(s) be filled with family and friends, but most of all Hope of things to come.

Lisa

Pomegranate Tea

I found a use for pomegranates that I absolutely love. 

Pomegranate Tea (!) 
from Martha Stewart Living's Annual Recipes 2003

1 large pomegranate's seeds, mostly pulled away from the rind
4 cups cold water
a few tablespoons of honey
a few mint sprigs (optional)

Place pomegranate seeds in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat (add mint here if desired), and simmer until very fragrant and colorful, about 15 minutes. Stir in honey; strain tea and serve hot. 

Yum! Isn't it gorgeous? It's just as yummy to drink!

This one also looks amazing... 

Spiced Pomegranate Punch
Serves six; makes about 4 cups
taken from marthastewart.com

5 pomegranates
1 cup apple cider
1/2 cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh ginger
1/4 cup fresh orange juice, plus strips of orange zest for garnish


Cut pomegranates in half. Extract juice from seeds with a citrus juicer or reamer. Strain into a medium saucepan. (You should have about 2 1/2 cups juice.) Add cider, 2 cups water, cinnamon stick, and ginger. Cook over high heat until simmering, 5 to 6 minutes. Reduce heat; gently simmer 15 minutes. Skim any foam that rises to the surface. Remove from heat. Discard cinnamon and ginger. Stir in orange juice. Serve warm, garnished with orange zest.

Santa Lucia Day - Traditional Scandanavian Recipe

 (I've kept this recipe for almost 10 year without tossing it because I was determined that one December 13 I was going to remember and have time to make it. 2012 was the year!)

"As the sun rises on December 13, Scandinavians honor Saint Lucia, the patroness of light, at an early morning feast of cake or buns flavored with saffron, which imparts a golden hue. You can celebrate the day, which marks the start of the Christmas season, with this traditional braided cake with dried fruits."

Recipe found here. 

...and the rest of the holiday decor (plus a DIY Advent calendar!)

Hi friends! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. Yay! (Now we just need some weather to go with it. We're staying home this year, so why not!?)

Here are a few holiday spots around our home this year...

... a front door wreath (that hangs on the inside because it won't fit between our screen door!)

... handmade stockings all hung on the bannister with care...

... and a gift from a few years ago that I love! I want it to be a coffee table/ottoman setting, but not with curious little fingers this year.

A festive tablescape complete with birthday flowers and pomegranates. Have any good pomegranate recipes? I got them for a great price!

I've officially completed the crafting part of the season (not that creativity is over - I still have lots of baking to do!) so our house can be merry and bright. I wanted to create a budget-friendly Advent calendar to use in years to come - and after several days of deliberating, here's what I came up with.

I used a second-hand red tablecloth for the background - I actually made a casing for some stabilizer and then top stitched around it.

Then I looped over the top for a dowel (or an unused spring-loaded curtain rod in our case) for stability at the top. A piece of yarn is holding it on the nail.

I really didn't want to spend the time to cut, iron and sew all of the corners of 25 squares for pockets, so I took the easy way out and used sheets of felt. I cut out a pattern piece and then followed it. I ran out of cream for all 25, so I used white and made an "X" pattern in the squares. Can you tell?

My biggest question was how to get the numbers on the calendar. Lots of ideas ran through my head, but I wanted it to be done as simply (and cost effective!) as possible.

I actually wanted to only use things I had, but my number drawing skills are lacking. So I went to the hobby store and grabbed a little stencil for about $2. Using black acrylic paint, I stippled the numbers right to the felt. Perfect.

You can see they are filled with candy this year - "num nums" is something my sweet girl can understand and be excited about! In years to come I hope to more effectively tell The Story through the calendar, but right now, I'm okay with this approach.

My calendar isn't perfect, but I really like it (although I may re-do the yellow star - it looks a little wonky, eh?) and I'm looking forward to counting down to the Christmas season with my family in years to come. And not bad for $2, huh?