Pt.5 Winter Gift DIY ~ Not your Grandma's slippers here

Ya won't find your grandma's slippers, mass produced like a trucker with Caffeine filled veins, on here, darling. We are kicking that box down & bringing a whole new respect for Hand made gifts this Holiday season. Thumb your nose at the hours in line, grouchy faced shopper crammed stores and get in touch with the TRUE meaning of gift giving from the heart.

Gift #1

Ingenious all in one Boot scrubber & scraper! With the look & quality of something you buy in a Gardener specialty store. Perfect for any home where mud or snow is possible. A door hinge for boot bottom scraper? Now why didn't I think of that..

Original source: *    http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/recipe-project/project-20110124.asp *

Found  * via content in a cottage * whom shared her finding from Mary Jane Butters project of the week.

Perfect for a wide range of recipients. From a gardener, a farmer, Dad & the boys who romp about outdoors and the special little Lady who comes & goes from yard to kitchen. What about those with a camper or tent camp? You are bound to know someone whom would love your personalized gift. Keep this one in mind year round. Great as a New home gift! I would forgo any plastic handle brushes. They would just make your project have a less indulgent appearance. Wood top brushes range from $2 or more. For some they may even be a little more searching to acquire. But remember, Presentation is not just about the packaging. 

I advise against Painting. Seal/weatherproof the wood before screwing in the hinge/brushes. Do the same sealing on the wood handle brushes before assembling. This will seal out moisture & protect the wood for many years to come.

Be sure to include a How to use tag. " To use, Hold the Boot Scraper in place by stepping onto the "platforms" on either side while Scraping the opposite boot."

Gift #2

Why not SHARE that heirloom Doily with other members of your family! This is one way to share a precious memento hand me down with other members of the family whom would treasure a piece of past.
Do you remember Victoria Magazine, when they became AWOL for almost a decade? I LOVED that magazine and still have a few of my favorite editions from the early 90's. Talk about disappointment when I could not find anymore issues before I realized they closed down the press. Well they made a come back recently with a bit of modern flare. This is from their May/June 2011 edition. Sharing with us how Maggie Weldon, the creator & owner of Lace Pottery creates breath taking yet simple plates. You could easily make a platter, a bowl or on down the line to your desire. A simple hand woven Doily with the looks of an Heirloom treasure can be shared with many others.
 Ever so grateful to have found the tutorial being my issue containing this tutorial became a home for winter hibernating mice in the garage. Never should have left it out there...

Via: * http://lacepottery.com/page.html?id=25  *

Ready to jump right in & create your own? Your family & friends will be AMAZED with your "new found skill" and treasure the useful piece of art to boot. Why not make a proper set. Enough for use during meals, outdoor dining, or as  Spring meal /Birthday exclusives. Click that link under the above photo to see all the accommodating How to photos. This below is just to tease your temptation with the simplicity:

Gift #3

Remember the Book cover sketch book in Part 4? And the Cant live without Cast Iron bread pans in Part 3? Well baby if you like those, then your gonna LOVE playing with this one.

Find an OLD hard back while shopping in the thrifts, the Library sales with this project in mind. Make a recipe card scrapbook they can keep adding to over the years! Just be sure to add some already filled in with favorites. Like taking photos? Why not add in a few photos of the food item to accommodate the card? Put pictures in plastic protective sleeves for that extra special "just for you" touch.

Via Two Peas in a Bucket

Complete tutorial over at  *Two Peas in a Bucket* .

Originally meant as a mini photo scrapbook. I saw the metal rings & instantly brought to mind a better use for storing those recipe cards. Now THAT is a kicker use for the love of Hard back book covers!

Gift #4

Save those pages during your crafting! Why not turn them into fire starters! Either for your self or as a bonus for themed gift giving:

I know the pine cones are just darling in appearance, but for home fireplace use I would add wood dust/shavings in their place. Mixed in with a little Beeswax,paraffin for "cementing". Add the sage leaves, lavender sprigs, rose petals or other dried & naturally scented additive of your choice. Pine creates Creosote, coating the chimney which in turn creates a flammable substance clinging to the actual interior. Pine is just not a good idea for indoor fires. 

Too many pages to use? Keep them handy. You never know what this winter Gift series will bring to your attention.

Gift #5

Despite a more natural approach with my own Hair, Panda has been rather flustered with hers. Not only did she inherit my smashing good looks, attitude & pretty much everything else. Poor thing inherited my exact hair. What once was fine baby black hair has transformed with her maturing into my ethnic texture strands. With haphazard annoying curls appearing in some sections. She began using the flat irons while at her friends homes and a year ago I succumbed with compassion to buying her one of her own.  Apparently the lower end brands do not give her the same results as those she found using her friends straighteners.

So I found the one she has been begging for priced 50% off {at Ulta Beauty}and even then it is far more then I would willingly spend but was met with "All I want this year is a Chi Hair straightener. Mom, I don't care if I get anything else.". Thanks to Grandma the super sale queen, I found one, even better then she requested.

The point of this gift is that MANY girls/women use the hot flat iron or even a curling iron on their hair. I do not know a single teen girl that I have encountered whom does NOT use one.This is a simple gift but can be combined with hair accessories such as a nice brand of hair protector spray or gift card for the local beauty supply which any Teen would be smiling about.

WONDERFUL * tutorial for the hot or cold storage travel case for their flat iron.  * Get a peek at the recipients flat iron. {they do vary in width. From 1/2 inch plates to 2" plates of the straightener. If for a younger female, simply ask "Mom" what the size is before you whip it up. Otherwise, you might have to resort to a bit of creepy snooping in their bathroom with that hidden in your pocket measuring tape. Your on your own there 'Sista!

Via Sew4Home*

'..You can pack it two different ways, depending on whether the tool is warm or cold. If the tool is warm when you need to pack it, put the tool itself in the inside tool pocket and loop the cord around to the outside cord pocket. This way you don't store the cord next to the hot tool."
https://sew4home.com/projects/storage-solutions/travel-accessories-curling-ironflat-iron-case

Gift #6
For the Gym, The local pool, sleepovers, or for that youth whom plays a sport. Panda played Cross Country this last season and always had a separate sling back bag for stuff. And due to the dirty shoes and sweaty uniform, had to be washed.. Often..This one is a great unisex gift. Do NOT let the circle grommets scare you. Truly they are the easy part if you have a problem with cutting straight lines.

*Via Sew4Home*

https://sew4home.com/projects/storage-solutions/make-fall-fabulous-shoulder-sling-sport-duffle

Can you believe just 2 more weeks to get your gifts done! Now that I put that down, I realize I better get a move on my list. I've been far to busy with winter cleaning and organizing this past week. I have only accomplished the back seat cover for the car since I've been spending as much time cleaning it from Moose Tracks as I am other rooms of the house...
Now Ya'll get moving. Time is closing in on us!
Sweetest Dreams,
~Tammie

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Halloween haunting DIY 2

I ADORE candelabras. This next project is perfect for those who may prefer not to use real candles. instead, make your own using a hot glue gun, a big bag of glue sticks, PVC pipe couplings & Flame-less flickering tea votive. This tutorial on how to make a faux dripping candle appearance is in a coveted copy of the book "How to Haunt your house" by Shawn & Lynn Mitchell. They have 3 in the series of their Haunting books. They are available on their website :http://www.howtohauntyourhouse.com/

as well as a few online book store sources. This project is in their first book of the series. They kindly shared on the DIY network exactly how to reproduce the look, suiting it to what ever decor use you may have in mind. The tutorial is available here

:http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/halloween-decoration-how-to-make-a-faux-dripping-candelabra/index.html

So overjoyed with how easy it was as well as the outcome which produced many "you made that? no way! Teach me how.".

 

For the Halloween party, I creepified the candelabra by adding a black crow and spider webbing. The perfect centerpiece for the creepy foods table.

I could not get the thought out of my head on how to make realistic creepy night animal eyes which would appear as though they are watching you from a far. Finally the light bulb hit and this is what I whipped up. in daylight, they come out looking a bit like one eyed ninjas but set in pairs dispersed through the haunting woods trail... creep factor and distract from the next jolt of hauntingly fright moment. 

 At the Dollar tree {everything is $1 or below} I found a 12 pack of small pingpong ball style eyeballs. You could always make your own eyes using pingpong's but these were available & quick.

They also had 3 packs of the flamelss battery operated flickering tea candles. I bought over 10 packages of these to use for Halloween. From the carved pumpkins, candelabras and the eyeballs. Still far less in cost then already made projects.

 

 Using an exacto knife or drill, you make a hole in the underside. Depending where you plan to put your one eyed ninjas, determine where you want the hole which will be where you insert the plastic flame tip of the candle. You need to test the size of the hole simply by inserting the flame tip into the hole. Too small? I used a steak knife tip to scrape the hole, shaving small bits off to enlarge it until perfect.

 

On the tea light, you put hot glue circling the plastic flame tip. Not too much or it will ooze from the eyeball placement. Just a few spots close to plastic flame tip.

When you are putting the eyeball on, apply it in a small twist fashion as it comes in contact with the hot glue. This will spread the glue in a uniform way that will help prevent oozing as well.

 

 

 

 Cut rectangle shapes, using your dried eyeball candles as a source of amount, with 1 inch wider then the sides, using black tight knit fabric.Find placement of the eye pupil, mark with white chalk for accuracy. Cut an almond shape from this spot fitting to the proper size of your eye to show.

Using hot glue gun, wrap your eyeball light up, making sure the hole is in proper place. You MUST be sure to have every bit covered right down to the base so light does not shine from underneath. Ruining the illusion.

 

 The eye on the left needs more fabric on the base bottom. Off in the distance, in bushes, amongst the fallen leaves around 20 or more feet away from where people will be walking, place your eyeballs in pairs.

These worked out great for our trail haunting. I place them by tree stumps with leaves scattered around to add to the mirage. The kids LOVED it! These flickered to give the appearance of eyes twitching and blinking off in the distance. Making the kids do a double take, giving a distraction as they walked the trail before... BAM! scary guy moment. Screams and jumps. Thrills and laughter. It's all about messing with their perceptions. Distractions that are not "obvious" help knock their guard off. More or less. Mess with their heads. And they could not get enough. Going back on the trail a few more times.

 Now I'm off to see if I can get my hands on book 2 & 3 of " How to haunt your House " for more projects to work on over the next 360 days... I've got a Teen Halloween Haunting to plan in our own house next year. As well as the creep factor to play on with the woods and old graveyard next door.

Halloween. My favorite Holiday just got better.

Sweet dreams,

~Tammie

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Gypsy Chick inspirations

I'm a chick Obsessed. As with any new adventure, I DIVE right in. I usually come up for air later on with just a few scratches...  Being this one has been a long term dream, it casts an even more surreal glow effect. Many thanks to Small farm Girl for her comment to my last post on the dilemma of contrasting decor themes. As to the subject of the Vintage camper decor, she suggested "Why not do both!". I began to think intensely upon those words and realized, if I change the Blue of the one choice into Turquoise and add some reds, rustic oranges and other desirable's in there to POP- I could mesh it together for the balance I sought. So the hunt began as I embraced my admiration for the Gypsy interior using Turquoise but keeping things middle road enough for The Captain.

I have contemplated some solar light self made lanterns to use with the camper being MANY candles in such close {and OLD} quarters is a bit scarey. Our local dollar tree has the landscape spike ones for $1 a piece which I knew fit perfect for my plans. the lanterns can be hung on the canopy or set on the ground in the sun during the day to charge & placed about for their evening enjoyment. I'll share a tutorial if you can wait that long but there are plenty of similar ideas on the net.

I am SO making a few of these knotted rope holders but a trip to the flower factory will produce much nicer glass vessels then mason jars {no proper gypsy chick would use Mason jars when they could be holding gems from the garden bounty~ unless of course they were tinted...}

Tutorial found over here at marthe Stewart living:

http://www.marthastewart.com/900270/knotted-hanging-lanterns

Speaking of tinted jars,I do believe this is pure WOW!

Who knew something as simple as GOLD puffy paint & food coloring dyed Modge podge would transform jars into Moroccan inspired lanterns! http://www.designsponge.com/2011/03/diy-project-moroccan-lanterns.html

Maybe not as perfect as the real thing but close enough! and boo coo bucks saved in the process.

Now how about a Moroccan inspired rug.Oh, the bust the budget price tag making you TRY to ignore the want? Then why not try out this tutorial using a shag rug and Rit dye!! Yep. Over at gorgeous & shiny things, you will find yourself in awe over the transformation you can create.

http://gorgeousshinythings.blogspot.com/2011/07/make-it-beni-ourain-rug.html

Has me turning the wheels on how I can transform a colored rug using bleach in place of the rit dye for some "milk thistle lily damask" Gypsy designs. Now where's that Bleach gel pen.....

Little brother Army brought me some very pretty scarves/shawl pieces from his time in the Middle East. He also made the mistake of showing me the bounty he still has filling rubbermaid containers when I helped them move from across (or is it diagonal) the country. I may have to seek out his willingness to part with a few more textile items in my color palette.

 Over the last 6months I have noticed a few similar scarves with the gold thread woven in at the thrift stores. Of course at the time I resisted snatching them without a clue what i would do with them. Now? I'm smacking the forehead with after thought. while making mentals to start snatching away!

Picture & tutorial via American Gypsy

Over at American Gypsy {whom has inspired today's post}, has shared a way to get those exotic pillows using scarves. Of course, you could use throws or other large pieces to make pillows for the bed or floor lounging. Luckily I found her as I mooned over exotic pattern pillows, rugs and blankets. Scarves run a whole dollar at the thrifts here and textiles all run under $4. Now if I could only find the color scheme I desire, I would be set!

http://www.americangypsyliving.com/2009/08/goodbye-scarf-hello-bolster.html

Now as for a piece to use on the outside of My Gypsy Chick caravan, an AWNING! Over at "This Montana life", you will find a very helpful {and again boo coo buck saver without the reduction in Glam}, easy Awning tutorial!  http://thismontanalife.com/make-your-own-awning-step-by-step/

One must have something, after all, to make shade as well as hanging those solar lanterns upon.

I truly have not a single idea on what color route to go with {burgundy? green?, ?,?} I am leaning to a solid color top with Indian influenced shape scallops. This is the Mediterranean scallop found via four seasons tent masters:

 Yep. That's the shape I want hanging from the edge of the awning. Thankfully I have all winter to tackle that project.

Thank you for all the encouraging words & sharing in the happiness of my newest adventure. As you know, I'm all over the map.  Now you can throw in some Vintage Camper remodeling to the mix.

I go this Friday to measure her tires and HOPEFULLY find a used pair before bringing her home. otherwise she will be riding a landscape trailer. Who knew camper tires would be such an ordeal PLUS cost more then car tires? Gently Used tire shopping at boat yards & RV repair shops is in my future.

Sweetest dreams,

~Tammie

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Queen of the Pallets, strikes again!

This month in the land of The Unusual Farm Chick, we are playing Pallet Queen. Yes. I declare myself Queen of the Pallets. The Captain has brought many a truck load of so called "broken" pallets home from work to use as fuel for weekend Bonfires. I have been eyeing his piles for some time and finally have the opportunity to attack. I drug out every pallet piece, laying them out for size comparison as well as quality before the dew had even dried from the grass blades. The Captain came walking out to see where I had disappeared to. Most husbands would have the look of bewilderment to come upon such a scene. Not my husband. He gets that look of amusement throwing in a statement of "I wondered where you were so early this morning. What are you making now?". yep. My King has only amusement for my antics throughout the years.

"I'm building a couch. Here, hold this up for me", as I try to size up two pallets. Like a good King, he does what he asked and does it with a smile holding back his laughter.

I know what some of you are thinking. A couch? Really Farm Chick? Have you gone bonkers? Yes. Well no. I guess when people think couch, they think of the soft indoor seating pieces. This is an outdoor couch. One that will have cushions custom made from even more upcycled items. A couch my Captain can enjoy sitting back in as he sits by his most enjoyed Bonfires. So I guess you could call them Bonfire couches... complete with cup holders... Far more comfortable then a bench. It's all a part of the Bonfire area remodel. My gift to him for his summer enjoyment.

The first couch in RAW FORM:

 I'm not the first to build such things from pallets, nor am I the last. There are so many being wasted, thrown to the landfills because of a broken slat or company disregard. Some people have even made a business of remodeling these free to cheaper then a cup of coffee pallets, making furniture or other useful items. Albeit, the pricing is not even close to a budget minded individual. A simple engine search using the words " pallet furniture , Pallet chair , pallet couch , pallet projects , etc will produce MANY sources of inspiration & how to's. The hard part on working with pallets, besides being a pain in the Arse to dismantle the pieces, they come in many sizes and shapes. Rarely ever being exact in size to similar pieces. Creative Problem solving is very common when utilizing Pallets for recycling.

I have utilized a few various kinds of pallets. Most think of the typical square shape with slats. I have found a source for 3 tier shipping pallets at a local Garden nursery, which is the source for the framing of my Potter shed last Fall.

 Now I have 2 Fireside couches using pallet wood and a few additional pieces found in the scrap cart of Home Depot for 51 cents each. I still have some paint touch ups left before I do the cushions.

The almost finished Pallet couch ensemble:

Including the price of screws as well as the scrap lumber, I made these two pallet couch projects for under $12. The screws were $10 a box and I still have a small amount left to utilize in this next project.

A Fort Club house for the kids, in the woods!

Another shipping 3 tier pallet found at the Garden Nursery Free wood spot. Even has a poly roof piece:

You'll need to stay tuned for the this next project's finished look. Little Man & I are busting out the tools to take on this next pallet remodel as soon as he gets home from school. I have a most adventure inspiring style in mind and can not wait to get it out. I'm hoping to incorporate their Zipline into this but I'm getting ahead of myself. I need to clear more between the trees as well as rip away the poison oak I have found twining around a few trees. I'm the only one in the family who does not break out in ugly blisters when dealing with these things, so you know where I'll be in the morn. Playing in the woods!

Sweet dreams,

~Tammie

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Quick creative low/no sew costume year

Due to our week away not long ago, my budget was smacked for Halloween costumes. As in NO money. (I had $9 left on a Joann fabric gift card & that is all we spent plus 50 cents at the thrift store.) Broke thanks to the rental being $200 more then what we thought it would be due to the quote (hidden insurance & stuff) given when it was picked up. Normally all of October is spent making costumes for our little ones. This year, I had to do something different. BUT in no way was I going to just slap something together without getting creative. Making costumes is what I find this time of year so much more exciting.

First up, The beautiful raven haired girl whom fell in love with the young local Glass makers son. Unbeknownst to her, an evil witch that lived just outside the village, had a daughter that secretly admired this boy from afar.
One day, as the young boy & this beautiful young girl walked along the deer trails, not far from the witch's cottage, the evil daughter was out gathering wood for the fire. She soon spotted the two lovers amongst the trees. She became enraged when she saw the young boy holding the hand of this dark haired beauty. The jealous outcast girl could see they were smiling at each other and laughing. Then, the young boy stopped walking. He reached into his pocket, bringing out a cloth covered item he held so delicately.
He slipped this beautiful glass heart he made for her, attached only by a thin ribbon. The rays of the sun glitter along the edges, making the red glass shine as though a thousand lightening bugs danced inside. This gift made the girl so happy.

Her smile beaming up to the young boy as he stared deep into her eyes. She hugged him with delight over such an amazing gift.
The evil daughter stomped back to her cottage, intent of ridding herself of this girl. She carefully selected herbs, roots & other magical ingredients for what she hoped would seal the fate of that village girl.
The evil daughter was able to slip unseen to the girls house. Offering her this "special tea" saying it would ensure a lifetime of happiness with the man of her dreams. The girl quickly made the tea for she so deeply wanted to ensure a happy lifetime with her young love. As the last drop fell from her cup, she began to feel odd. Her skin tingled and her hair began to thicken. She fainted from fear. She knew she had been tricked. All she could think of was her one true love.
When she awoke, she found herself in the form of a crow. The glass heart still dangling from her neck. She tried to call out but the only words she could say was the last word she had thought of during the transformation. "Carl". "Carl". And to this day, as the black crow flies amongst the sky, you will hear the young girls cry as she searches for her lost love.
(Get it? Caw caw as in Carl Carl with a twist). I made this story up when I brainstormed Panda's costume. She did laugh at me and say "You totally made that up mom". Yes. Yes I did. Now go put this on...


Her costume was made with a black long sleeve tshirt under a more dressy style sun dress, given to her from a friend who had outgrown it. Same with the boots. The white capri tights were perfect with the color scheme. The only items purchased were the glass heart & black feathers attached with diluted liquid glue to the basic face mask. I paper matched the beak on before the feathers were applied. Finishing it with a yellow paint. I cut an old bed sheet to make the wings, attached them to her shirt with simple hand sewing of 1 stitch & a few knots. A few feathers added for more emphasis on what they are. Took 3 hours total.
My Little man wanted to be Hobo. Why? I truly do not know. But it worked for me and nothing was bought for his outfit. A raid into the closet brought tattered play jeans, daddy's shirt & a bandanna. The stick had somehow founds it way into our house but that's not unusual. You would be amazed at the things I find from my little Nature freaks, bringing tokens of their day in with them. It may well have served as a sword as they climbed the trees, fighting off pirates. Or as a stick to move a lone garter snake out of their path. Between the rocks in pockets of dirty clothes & leaves under pillows, I am not at all surprised to have found that stick in one of my cupboards.
A little bit of brown face paint diluted, for the scruffy dirty face as well as some old eye liner I had.

Now he fits the part of a railroad traveling hobo, sitting here at an abandoned saw mill not far from our home.

And as for frog, she wanted to be the typical Fairy princess. A few flowers left from another project, 50 cent wings from the thrift store and $4 dollars of fabric during the big moonlight madness 60% off sale at Joanns. The tulle is from a different old skirt of hers. I used a jumper dress of hers as a pattern for the outline and had just the straight side seams & shoulder straps to sew. VERY basic. I left the rest unsewn. I attached the leaf bottom with simple straight stitch, cut to fit around her midsection & freehand cut some leave strips to overlay.

A headband of her sisters holds a lone flower as her crown. Looped on with thread & needle. Voila! Fit for her imaginative play. A wand, made & given to me from a friend, was the accessory she so insisted for her costume.

As for me, I used that old bed sheet to make a hooded cloak & witch hat.I sprayed clear coat krylon (again from another project) onto the finished hat after scrunching it up a bit. This helped harden the fabric & to hold the shape better.

A broom was made from an apple tree branch, stripped of its bark while I watched Frog riding her bike in the yard. The overgrown field just South of us, supplied the straw. All free hand and it came out just fine.


Now to add a ribbon & buckle (made from an antique dresser that was falling apart-I clipped off the handle, using the back plate & pounded holes in it for the ribbon). This will hide the seam of the hats brim to the upper portion. I am using my black bridesmaid dress from my little brothers wedding, as well as a Victorian inspired white top I used in previous photos from my Gypsy tea pictures. Bell sleeves, bunched up bodice peeking from the strapless gown top. PLUS a pair of black combat boots given to me by my much loved Sister in law. Gotta look through the winter clothes bin for some socks. Panda cant find her red & white striped stockings so more creativity is in order.

I hope these inspire you to get creative & not fear a low or no budget for this wonderfully magic holiday. It is the 1 day a year you can dress up however you want (and get away with it).

Happy Halloween!

and as always...

Sweetest dreams,
~Tammie

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