Bee Happy Swap from Becky

I was partnered with Becky of Ginger Creme Hollow for the Bee Happy swap that Amy at Bumble Bee Lane hosted. Boy did I ever get spoiled. We were suppose to send one stitched item, at least one form the related to the theme and any others that we also would like to include in the swap package. Becky sure went above and beyond. That cute little prim pillow is adorable. It will join my raggedy collection when they are moved to their new home. Becky also sent this mug rug as she called it. It's made with I believe little bumble bee material from Honey & Me. It's the perfect size for my extra large coffee mug to rest on. And in keeping with the birds/bees/flowers theme Becky also sent this bird pin cushion. I desperately needed a new one as I had lent mine, full of pins and needles to my neighbor so she could teach her daughter how to sew...well the daughter took it home with her to her apartment so mine was never returned. This one isn't going anywhere. There was also a cute stenciled box and nestled inside were wax dipped salt dough bird and flower ornies. Too cute. Becky said, if I remember correctly that these 2 tin tiles were thrift store finds. Aren't they just the cutest. And of course they fit perfectly within the theme. These strawberries look so yummy...but I'll just hang them over my dough bowl racks front bar brace and enjoy them.....very summery. There was also a yummy scented wax tart. Can't wait to melt it. There was also a cute little beehive sign and a cute notepad that had bees on it made by Primitives by Kathy....she has the cutest note pads sometimes. Oh and the little gingerbread man...he's too stinkin' cute. I love him. He will be hanging off a peg on my new peg rack the hubs is making for me....shhhh....don't tell him as I haven't informed him yet...will be tomorrow though as I've had the idea in my head for awhile. As you can see I've been thoroughly spoiled by Becky. Thanks to Amy for hosting this awesome swap. Until next time....

Trash To Treasure

I've been painting my way out of the mess that I had in my painting area. I love to turn something that has been discarded into something useful...trash to treasure. It's always funny when I set up at the craft shows and someone goes down memory lane holding a surface that I repurposed that they remember from their past.

I turned an old Frigidaire ice cube tray into a kitchen towel holder. I remember these trays so well as my grandma had an old Frigidaire. I always am on the look out for these ice cube trays when I'm out at the flea markets and I was lucky enough to find 3 awhile back with the guts missing, but that's ok as I don't need that part of the try. They are the ones that had that handle that you would pull down to crack the ice.


I primed the ice cube tray and then basecoated it almond over which I sponged trail tan. I painted a gingerbread based on a design by Deb Richey (The Sugarbucket) on the tray. I added a simple cotton kitchen towel to the handle and a red checked fabric strip to hang it on the wall with...Viola! A kitchen towel holder.