Splendid Buttons and Felt Pin

I have inherited a butt load of buttons and I love each and every one of them.  The other day, inspiration hit me and I commissioned my daughter to make something lovely.  Inspiration, in our house, often results in a project for someone other than me.  It's convenient that I have artistic and handy relatives (husband and daughter) that I happen to have a lot of influence over.  Mighty handy, I tell you!  I delegate, and that's the gift I possess and utilize until the cows come home.

Isn't she pretty?  I like her a lot.  I call her Flora.

This is another favorite.  I wore this the other night when I was having dinner with my friend/co-worker, Kim.   People get us mixed up all the time at work and it's very confusing.  Any way,  I was wearing this flower and a man at the restaurant told me he liked it and it fit my personality.  Weird, but  I said, "Thanks, my daughter made it."  I thought to my self, wow, this man knows his fashion!  How hip of him!  Then, my dear friend, Kim, walks up and he says, "Is this your daughter?"  I composed my self, "She is practically my twin, we are so close in age!"  What the hay?  But, I am totally over it and apologized for flinging my sushi in his face.



Anthropologie?

Lucky for us we also have a butt load of safety pins. Karri attached a pin to the back of these splendid creatures, and then I just pin it to my sweater.  They would also look great on jackets and hats.  I really need to learn to knit.  Better yet, is there anyone willing to teach Rick how to knit for me?  He practically collects hobbies.

Fridge Binz and Keeping Your Refrigerator Clean and Organized

Full disclosure here:  I work at The Container Store, but this is not a commercial.  Nobody is paying me to write this post.  I love my job, the company, everyone I work with, our customers, and moreover, I love our products! 

Today I would like to feature an unassuming, overlooked-product that will change the way you organize your refrigerator.  "What?"  you say.  "Isn't that a bit extreme?  Why should I organize my refrigerator?"  Let me ask you this: ave you ever had multiple bottles of open catsup in your refrigerator?  Have you ever cleaned out your fridge and a day later, no evidence of your labors?  Have you ever stood with the door open looking for an item you were sure you had, only to find it weeks later ready for the science fair?  Are you constantly throwing away moldy food?  Dude, you need to organize your refrigerator!  You are wasting time, energy and more importantly, MONEY, BABY!

I am ashamed to say that I ignored this product until a customer asked for it and I didn't even know what she was talking about.  When we finally located it on the shelf, I asked her to tell me why she liked it so much.  I don't remember what she said, but I bought my first Fridge Binz that very day.  She was passionate and I was soon to supercede her enthusium.

Check-out the obedient condiment soldiers,  lined up, ready to battle the burger and fries.  Notice the built-in handle?  Super smart!  The construction of these babies match the heavy duty strength of the refrigerator!  

Like items can be placed  together making it easier to find the yogurt or Kimchee.  No longer forgotten capers or spoiled leftovers to plague your food budget!  You can designate a tray for lunch items, snacks, leftovers or whatever!  An added benefit of the Fridge Binz is that if you're defrosting chicken leaks, simply pull the bin out and wipe clean.  Without the Fridge Binz, a spill can result in a complete refrigerator clean-up.  What a time sucker!

Fridge Binz come in different sizes and heights to suite your needs.  The depth  fits perfectly in a standard refrigerator.  No wasted space.

So, come on in to The Container Store!  It's the first step to a beautiful, organized and hassle free refrigerator.

Splendid Scraps! A Unique Use For Quilt Scraps.

If I had to use all my fabric stash before I entered the kingdom of heaven, the gates would rust while I worked my fingers to the bones.  I have a problem.  I think I'm over the acquisition phase, but I have trouble getting rid of even the smallest scrap of fabric, because I am sure I could find a use for it.  My husband tries to slip little pieces into the trash when we are making a quilt together and I snatch them up and put them into my 'some day I will make something out of this' box.  After all, they are lovely little treasures!

Just look at these precious scraps!  Now tell me you wouldn't risk ridicule over each and every inch.  I acquired the green flower print from my grandma after she died.  She was in the process of making a dress, which she  probably started before I was born!  She was the ultimate recycler! I could tell you some stories about my grandma and her husband, but I will save that for another day!  Remind me to tell you about the collection of elastic saved from her unmentionables.

Soooooooo....what does one do with all this rescued fabric?  I made miniature quilts, to be used as coasters!  I asked my husband to make a little holder so that when they are stacked, it would evoke images of 'The Princess and the Pea' children's story.  The wood came from an old discarded church window.  Splendid Trash?  No?

I would rotate this picture, but I don't know what I'm doing!  The remnants you see are lovely memories of little dresses, baby quilts, party napkins, pillows and the fabric I bought to make my daughter an outfit that never materialized.  At least my grandma cut her pattern out.  Oh my, I am sentimental~

There you have it!  I love my little quilted coasters!  Grandma would be proud that her dress has a purpose, even if it's mission is to keep the coffee table clear of unsightly stains. 

Hello World!

As if the world needs another blogger!  My tiny voice is yet another grain by the sea, tossed about on the shore of blogger land, waiting to get between the toes of a passing reader in the hopes of sticking around long enough before the irritation begins.  I am fully aware that frugality can be annoying, but oh, the joy of it!  Hang-on and catch my passion for turning that dumpster-ready-Goodwill-reject object into a lovely treasure!  Here we go..........weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!