DIY recipe card holder

It's been a long, hot summer.....way, too long. I feel like I haven't left the house in ages. I can't wait for some cooler weather. Maybe soon? All this keeps me inside the house and looking for some crafty ways to keep busy.

I came up with this idea a few weeks ago. Something inspired me-don't even remember what it was. Maybe it's the fact that when I take out a recipe it lies on the counter and get most of the ingredients attached to it. Yuck....

This little DIY item works!

Supplies:

-Wood dowel. Mine is about 2" in diameter. Home Depot or Lowe's carries them. It's about 6 inches high.

-Wood stand. I bought mine at a craft store for 50 cents.

-Wood glue.

-Acrylic paint

-A clothes pin. In this case, I found this ladybug at the craft store. It obviously will hole the recipe card for me. You could use a plain clothes pin and glue something to the top to embellish it.

-clear varnish to finish

I cut the dowel on an angle so it keeps my recipe card properly positioned-so I can actually see it.

I glued the dowel to the base and then glued the ladybug to the dowel.

Next it was painted and then sprayed with clear gloss. Done!

And, here it is in action.

Cute, but functional. I like that!

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Working with nature inside the home.

Dried Branches, Berries and Greenery

Inside the Home

I've used items that I have pulled from the outside for decorating purposes-inside. Years ago I used two large tree branches as railings in the basement. See below:

I also used an old tree stump as a planter.

I have several photos below showing the use of vines, berries and branches around the house. Thank you Cristen F. for providing the photos. She's done a great job of using nature to decorate around frames, mirrors, windows and furniture. Check it out....

A simple addition of berries around an atrium window...

Berries highlighting the stairs....

or highlighting a photo....

Placed above a mirror.....

draped along furniture.....

Babies breath around the furniture....

Not all of these items are available in your back yard, but you can find them in your local craft store.

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Antique Cabinet redux

I spotted this cabinet several years at my son's friends house. I loved it at first site and asked him if he might be interested in parting with it. About two months ago it arrived at my home.

I've tried to research what time period it may have come from with no success. If anyone can help me out, please comment below and let me know what you think.

I know, I know......if I brought this to The Antiques Roadshow, the Keno brothers would ream me out for stripping this thing, but I really wanted it showcased in my house, in a room and in a spot where I can admire it.

Here is what it looked like when it arrived here:

If you have ever stripped furniture, then you know how time consuming it can be. I worked on this thing for at least a month, putting in about an hour or so a day. It's sort of tedious work, so I limited myself so I didn't get bored with the project.

Below you can actually see the original piece (cabinet door) and a stripped door. What a difference, right?

The process started with a chemical stripper which stayed on for 15-20 minutes until the finish bubbled. I used a scraper to assist with the removal of what appeared to be years of wax, stain and whatever else. I used a toothbrush for the carved parts.

Next, sanding, sanding and more sanding. First with medium sandpaper and then changing over to fine. It was pretty darn smooth when it was finished.

One coat of cherry stain and then on to the polyurethane. Three coats, sanding in between each coat.

I cleaned up all the original brass work as well.

This is how it looks now.

Lots of work, but well worth it in the end.

I'm not sure if this is the best photo of the completed cabinet.....

It really looks much better in person.

Christy

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