Instant Spring In Our Garden

This time last year, my garden were full of blooms from my orchids, petite mini roses and other flowering plants. I have marveled in their beauty and they inspired me a lot to garden more. This year however, they seemed to have fallen asleep. Last year, it was like there was a springtime in our garden. Here in the Philippines, we do not have what is called the Four Seasons. Although I think we do have it, just not acknowledged like the way other countries do. For instance, during this time of year, flowers are also in blooms. Isn't that spring time? Then, there's summer where the heat is unbearable. Around August, leaves from trees keep falling off. Isn't that what they call the Fall season? We have never experienced snow, but around Christmas time until February, the temperature is unusually very cold. So, I guess, in a way we might have it.

These flowers I recently bought gave our garden an instant springtime feeling though.

Pretty in Pink Roses!
When I was younger, I thought the color Pink was too "little girly". I favored the color Yellow then, the butter yellow shade or the pastel one. As I reached my 40's, I cannot remember however, what triggered my sudden interest to Pink colored things. I guess, it's true what they say, "Life begins at 40"!

Anyway, at the farmer's market today, I saw this beautiful Pink Rose for sale. I normally buy the petite mini Roses ones, but I was kind of drawn to this one. For one thing, it is Pink and it looks so pretty! And those buds, would they just be so lovely when they open up! Also, the vendor kept lowering the price (I had to smile remembering it). From 180 pesos, she lowered it to 160. I asked if I could get it for 150, as well as 50 for the petite mini in Golden Yellow originally priced at 70, then 60. 200 pesos for the two. She said okay. Although it was another impulse buy with a feeling of guilt on the side, I still went home happy!

I really do not give justice to things with my photography. I do my best to get their best shots, but I guess my best wasn't good enough. Hahaha.



Millionaire's Flower
Isn't the color lovely? I always like to have this flower, however it was kind of expensive. But not, I just found out, when it is sold in a farmer's market! It also came with free lecture on how to care and propagate them. Isn't it great! :)

Just including my frugal/recycled/re-purposed garden project. The tin kettle had holes in the bottom already, so its time for it to be re-purposed as a planter for my begonias. The teacup and the mugs had broken handles. I grouped them together for that coffee/tea theme.

My orchids, this time last year.

Joining the blog parties at:

Home and Garden Thursday
Sweet and Simple Fridays

Recycled Orchid Label

I just posted a thread in an orchid forum about my recycled idea for an orchid label. The other members seemed to like the idea and I'm feeling so happy! :) Okay yes, even kinda proud of myself!

I just found a recycling idea for those little expiry date or tags from my bread purchases. I save them for future use and this time I found a use for them. The rubber bands are also recycled. They came from the vegetable bundles I bought from the market.

Mini-framed Postage Stamp

Last month, I received some used postage stamps from a couple of Swap-bot members who granted my wish for stamps. As I was sorting them out, this particular stamp caught my attention. It was a vintage stamp (1960) and it has an inspiring saying (a creed, I think) on it.


"Fear to do ill and you need fear nought else!" by Benjamin Franklin

I love crafting with used postage stamps! I am planning to make a collage of my favorite stamps and frame them. Looking for frames in thrift stores has also been my interest lately. Even slightly damaged frames or those without glasses in bargain bins. Who knows, I can use them in some future projects. :) Anyway, I got this mini frame (2" by 3.5") for quite some time now. I just thought of putting the stamp on it and see how it would look. And well, it looked great!

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Used Postage Stamps Tray!

I finally made the tray projects that I planned to do six months ago! Gosh, that's how long I've been away from my crafting activities! Well, it's good to be back!

Last November, as I was going around the yard of my parents-in-law, I saw these two sound system speaker covers in their trash. The net covers were torn but the frame seems to be something that I can use for future projects, so I took them home.



I remember I saw a center table where the owner made a picture frame into a tray to hold their table accessories. I think it was really a great idea. So, I decided to do that.I looked at my paper stash to see if I have something that is whole and would fit the frame but I have none. Then I thought of the used postage stamps that I have collected from Swap-bot and I decided to make a collage of it for the design. I then went to a glass company and bought four pieces of clear glass that are cut to the size of the frames. All materials are set and just waiting for the craft day, but I got so busy preparing the house before I leave for my Christmas vacation in my hometown. A vacation that took me six months! ;)

Anyway, I'm back and yesterday, as I was putting the things I have acquired from Swap-bot for the last six months in their proper storage, a new baggie of used postage stamps reminded me of the tray project. These baggie of stamps were mostly vintage and since I love vintage things, I got so inspired and thought of using them for one of the trays. Excited much, I started lay-outing the stamps and eventually finished decoupaging them to the glass and let them dry overnight.

And finally, here they are:

For the center table:


The other one is for the our dining table. I used a red fabric scrap which I also got from Swap-bot.



How I made them:

I first took the net covering of the frame.


Then I glued one piece of glass to the frame using a silicone sealant.


Time to take out those lovely vintage used postage stamps and start collaging. As for the other tray, I covered the bottom glass with the fabric tightly.




Finally, I placed the other piece of glass on top of the collage and fabric. And these are the finished products!




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Embellishing, Recycling, Thrifting

Embellishments can really bring life to something (in real life and crafting). It does not only make it beautiful, but it also makes it become more interesting and fun. I realized this when I was embellishing recycle-able materials like boxes, various cans and empty beauty product containers. I am organizing my little craft table/area, so I need storage for my craft supplies. Photos below are what I have made so far.

This box is for my postcards and used postage stamps collections. I think that using stamps for the decoupage is just perfect for the project. Like, if I need a postcard or a used stamp, I will just have to reach for this particular box.

Next: The orange one is a Royal Tru-Orange soda can. Just a couple of ribbons, a brad and a scrapbook paper were all it took to transform it. It is now my beautiful glitter pen holder. The tall one in the middle hold my bookmarks. The plastic container was from a set of underwear. It looks like glass from afar and it's so pretty beside my books! The third one was a can of flaked sardines. I love the print of this scrapbook paper, so I just added a little trim to accent it. This one holds all sorts of clips (binder clips, paperclips, etc...).

This is also a tin can and it now stores my adhesive tapes.

Adding this:

It turned out so lovely!

Some more! These ones are not related to my craft supplies organization though.

This is an empty facial cream container. I am always hesitant to throw these kind of things because I know that they are still useful in some ways. This, I recycled to be my talcum powder puff container (and the puff fit perfectly)!

Finally, the simplest of all! I am using this as a tea light candle holder, which I placed in the window above our kitchen sink. It was also a facial cream container and it was so plain that everytime I look at it, it seems to blankly stare back at me! So, I looked at my sticker stash and found some plastic transparent ones that has quotes on them. The quote is nice and the sticker fit just right!

So, from this:

To that!

They are all very simple projects, but I love them!

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Measuring Spoon & Cups Holder

I am very new to baking and I feel the need to surround myself with little notes about important details related to it. When I need some measurement conversions, I had to use the conversion application in my phone (I even use it for the timer since my timer broke down). It is really fine though, but sometimes, when I need to check something and my hands have flour or batter, I feel its inconvenience.

I had this measurement conversion printed when I joined a swap in swap-bot and the lady I had to send to love owls. It was cute so I printed one for for myself too.

Now that I need it, I want to hang it by the wall for easy reference. My first plan was to frame it in a wooden frame. I wanted a wood frame so that I can attach some hooks to hang my measuring cups and spoons. Since I don't have that frame on hand and I am practicing frugal living, I searched my recycling stash for something that will make do. And this is what I found. A cheap plywood wall hook and some wooden sticks (from the Desiderata scroll... the one I framed).

I just covered the board with a patterned paper and decoupaged the printed conversion on it for a laminated effect. The piece of cork was once a stand for a picture frame (I had the frame up in the wall so I took off the stand). I also covered the stick with a different paper for emphasis. Then screwed some hooks on it to hold my measuring cups and spoons. I used a wire to hang it. And this is how it turned out!

I also have this small temperature conversion (I really need it!) that I clipped from a food magazine and some stickers with baking theme.

Since the clipping is really small, I just decided to attach it to a scrapbook paper, stick the stickers around it, then brushed the whole thing with a transparent glue. The clip stand has not been used since a long time ago and now it has found its new partner!

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