Recycled Junk Mail / Business Envelopes

Hello my Friends,

Do you get a lot of junk mail ?

Sometimes I look through it and think,

''What can I make with that?"

Some cool bits of cardstock and sometimes

fun colors and textures-

This week it was envelopes with windows,

I decided to cover them with pretty paper.

First, I cut 3 sides of the envelope- top and both sides.

So it will opened it up.

Fold your top flap piece down about 1 1/2''

then another fold line 1/4'' under the first fold.

Open the envelope and cut down the center fold line 

to the second flap fold line.

Glue down the flap on inside window side.

Measure your paper, mine was 8'' wide.

Fold in half, slip your envelope inside to mark the window.

Run a pencil or bone folder along the inside of the window.

It will leave an indentation in the paper.

I went over the mark with pencil so you could see.

Use a utility blade to  x-out the window.

You can use tiny scissors to cut open the window.

You can use Distress Ink on paper edges.

Then you can glue down the front over the window.

Next choose what you would like to see through the window

and glue to the inside of  the back.

Make a closure with tiny brads or eyelets.

I cut 1 1/2'' circles with cardboard and covered with 

decorative paper.

Poke a hole in center and attach to your folder.

Glue a scrape piece on  flap

and cover the back of the brad,

glue down and score and fold your flap again.

I  used a 2'' circle to cut a half circle

finger pull.

Cut a 12'' piece of string.

I used embroidery floss.

Tie around top closure and knot.

On the other end I added a bead,

That's it-

Here are some of the folders I made.

This envelope had a large window.

This is the back -

This is  the front-

And this is the back-

I'm so glad we could spend some quiet time together!

I hope I didn't confuse you with too many details.

Thanks!

xo Lisa S

A Fresh Lavender Wreath

 Hi friends,

This week went so fast!

My garden is in full bloom and I really needed

to trim my Lavender to keep it in shape.

Every time I planned to trim the plants,

 the bees had

their own idea. 

I'm going to have to wait until

sundown  when the bees go home!

Ok, I was able to cut my lavender.

I cut it in the dark!

Here's my cuttings before I trimmed them- what a mess.

I always save the rings from my broken

tomato cages.

They make a great base for a wreath!

I used a small gauge floral wire and one ring.

I cut the stems to about 4''.

I pinched together about 5 or 6 stems

and attached to the ring using wire.

Then add another small cluster on top of the previous stems.

Continue all the way around the ring.

 

Trim the stems. and tuck behind the starting point.

Wrap wire and finish off with a loop if you like.

This is the back side-

Oh it smells so good!

I will sleep good tonight :)

The wreath will look and smell wonderful

for a while.

I think this would be a nice gift for a Mom or a friend on Mother's Day.

xo Lisa S

Thrifty Find- Milking Stool

 Hello my friends!

I found this cute little stool last weekend.

It was half-price on furniture day

at one of my favorite thrift stores.

At first I thought I just wanted the legs-

but they were nice and tight.

For now it's a keeper-

I stained the stool with 

WATCO Danish Oil Finish in Dark Walnut and a soft cloth.

I was thinking about painting the stool-

I usually have to stencil everything, but for some reason 

I wasn't in the mood.

I liked the way it looked, just with the stain.

For SPRING, I placed some of my vintage tablecloths

on my blanket ladder.

I put the stool in front for now.

My daisies are just beginning

to bloom!

Since it's a milking stool, 

I put some daisies in a few glass cream bottles.

These small stools make great risers for vignettes.

That's about all I have been up to this week-

I hope you have a great week!

xo Lisa S

Happy Easter!

Rejoice! 

He is not here:

for He is RISEN,

as He said.

Matthew 28:6

Blessings to you,

Lisa S

Recycled Bunny into Moss Topiary

Hi My Friends,

This guy got a makeover that took maybe 10 mins.

He  looks like he's trying to get away!

I almost forgot to take  a before picture- oops!

He's hollow and made of paper.

I wanted to turn him into a topiary.

I used English Ivy to paint the bunny.

Sorry, he looks sickly! 

 

This bag of moss came from the Dollar Tree.

I found a stick from my yard, poked a hole it the under belly.

I used hot glue to attach the moss.

Cover, pat down and trim if necessary.

I made a tiny wreath with floral wire and ribbon.

I did not have a pot so I used the next best option.

Thank you for your time !

xo Lisa S

If you like this bunny, you may like these other projects

using moss.

Here and also Here.