Magpie Ethel

Vintage Tin Pedestal

I do quite a bit of blog hopping and often bookmark projects or ideas. Georgia Peachez had a tutorial for a project that I loved. Suzy made a display stand using vintage tins and such.  It was awesome.  I was completely inspired by it and knew I needed to try one myself. This is the one that Suzy made.

This was my version.

I loved the DRIPS can that I got at an estate sale a few weeks ago and decided to use it in this project.  I added a finial of a tiny metal cup.

The tin on the bottom had a great basket weave pattern to it.  The lid was domed and it worked to put it on the bottom to give it an elevated look.

With the domed lid, it gave room for a nut and bolt to be screwed underneath.

I thought about leaving the threaded metal rod exposed through the center, but I remembered I had some cool old polka dot cardboard thread spools.

I could just thread the spools over the metal rod.  The spools are marked "American Paper Tube Co".  I got a few of them in red and green at a sale.

If you are inspired by this project, like I was with Suzy's, she has directions on her post here.  I loved how different our takes were on the same project and according to what materials we had on hand.  I may just have to make another one....

happy day!

Vintage Tray Project

I got four really cute wooden trays awhile ago at an antique shop. I loved the colors and the shapes. The decal on the inside of the tray was fine, but it did not thrill me.

I decided to play around with them. I cut a pattern to fit the recessed interior of the tray.

I got out my stash of vintage wallpaper and matched up wallpaper patterns and colors with the trays. I then used my paper pattern to cut out a shape from the wallpaper. I spray mounted the wallpaper and then adhered it to the tray.

It was pretty easy to do.

I then took some old magnetic bulldog style clips that I had. I liked the magnetic kind as it had a flat surface (the magnet) which I could use for glue. I glued a clip on each tray.

Now I can use them as mini clipboards or frames.

I really like the finished project. It was really easy and a fun use of vintage materials.

 

 

Etsy Spring

Spring is definitely here. The trees are leafing out and daffodils and tulips are smiling at the sky.  In my studio I have been busy crafting a wee bit of spring myself.

Thimble flowers are sprouting.

Gals are dancing around the garden.

And Mother's Day is approaching (May 13th).

A small assortment of spring time goodies will be headed to Etsy on Thursday, April 19th at 5 p.m. (pacific time.)

Even the birds are singing a sunny tune.

Happy Day!

A Magic Needle

One of my blogland friends Renee from A Vintage Mending gifted me with one of her amazing handmade aprons awhile ago.  You can read about it here.

She has the gift with a needle and also with putting together fabric patterns.  I love her mix of modern and vintage fabrics. I also love how she updates older designs. Here is the darling apron that she sent me for my birthday.

On her blog Renee shares her projects.  She is always sewing something.  My favorite project she has shared was a chair that she recovered in vintage fabrics. She rocked this chair.

I often leave comments on her blog and many times have mentioned that I think she has a magic needle.

Now she has one. I took the smallest spun head I could find and made a magic needle for her.  She can't use this one of course, but hopefully it will make her smile. Just like her blog makes me smile.

Thank you again Renee, am so glad that I have gotten to know you through your blog.  Keep up that magic with that needle of yours!

Hopping to Etsy

A reminder that Easter goodies will be heading to Etsy tonight, March 12th at 5:30 p.m. (pacific time).

Some will hop.

Some will waddle.

And some will just look darn cute.

No matter how they get there, there will be plenty to choose from.

One last reminder.  An item is not yours until it is paid for.  An item can be in multiple carts at once.  If you really want a particular item go ahead and pay for it.  If you head back to shop some more, I will reimburse extra shipping charges.  Sorry about this, but Etsy operates this way.

Happy Day!

Heavens to Etsy

Heavens to Betsy!  Things have been hopping in the studio with Easter just around the corner.  I am listing Etsy Easter goodies on Monday, March 12 at 5:30 p.m.(pacific time).  Let me give you a peek at the goodies...

Heavens to Etsy, I love crafting for holidays!

Monday, March 12th at 5:30 p.m. (pacific time).

A Mixed Up Chick

I recently won this pine-cone chick on Ebay.  I felt sorry for him. He had seen better days and needed a little Magpie Ethel magic.

Usually, when I do a repair I know exactly what I want to do. This chick had a mind of his own.  I think he was trying to discover a new direction in life. At first he insisted on the life of a pirate.

I think this choice was because he arrived with one google eye and thought the eye patch would be a good fix.

I talked him out of the life of a pirate, but then he talked about going off to join the circus. I am not sure why he found this lifestyle attractive.  Perhaps the red clown nose would camouflage his rather tattered beak.

Finally, after a little prodding, I persuaded him to to just be a chick. A cute chick that would live with my Easter goodies.

I think he made the right choice and agreed to be decked out in Easter finery.

He came to the right home...happy day!

Leprechaun Approved

Even the leprechaun from the Lucky Charms box approved of his little spun head friend...

Just a reminder that these lucky green friends will appear on Etsy tonight at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific time, Wed, Feb 22nd)

Such a cute little lucky charm!

Happy day!

Green Jig

Lots of St. Patty's day friends are headed to Etsy this Wednesday.

A parade of green holiday fun dancing an Irish jig.

They will make their appearance on Wed, Feb 22nd at 5:30 p.m. (pacific time).

Defnitely some good Irish fun!

I Have Been Spun

One thing I love about blogland is the friends that I have made. I have done trades with my friend Crystal and also made a wedding topper for her wedding this past summer.

When I got home from San Francisco I had an unexpected box waiting for me.

I had been spun.

That is my face!

I let out a huge shriek when I realized her little creation was me...and then I just laughed and laughed.

I love the striped pink stockings and other details. I am styling....

Being spun made my day..I feel like I have some sort of new super power!  Thanks Crystal!