eBaying Our Way to St. Louis!

With our parents, siblings, grown children, and little grands spread out between Kansas City, Chicago, Northern Indiana and Southern Indiana, we have to create situations where we can all get together to visit.  It's important that our grown kids get to see their grandparents every year.  And that the great grandparents get to see their little great grands every year.  We not only have distance separating us, but different work situations and careers...we have a youth pastor, teacher, cafe manager, and more.  Finding time when everyone we can take off work is a challenge, too.

So this past winter, we were able to coordinate dates and pick 3 days to meet up for a family gathering.  We chose St. Louis as our place to meet, as it is centrally located and has so much for families to do!  We found a house to rent for us and our grown kids, and the other family members will stay in a nearby hotel.  So with a location and some dates chosen, the next step was to pay for this shindig!  :)  With our youngest son having expensive dental and orthodontic work done, and my husband gazelle-intense on saving for retirement, I wanted to get creative with the finances of this trip.

About the same time, my husband and I began cleaning out some closets.  We normally donate everything to Goodwill and take a tax credit from it.  This time, however, we kind of hated to just give away some of the nicer items.  Just for kicks, we listed 2 things on eBay. This was our first time to try to sell anything on eBay...we just kind of learned as we went.  But we were totally shocked that our son's Nike basketball shoes sold for $28.  And REALLY surprised that the old dvd series I bought for $2 at a garage sale some years back, sold for $43!  We were hooked!

Since then, I have been systematically going through the house, looking for things that we don't need, that might sell on eBay.  And my goal in all of this is that I might pay for most of our St. Louis trip by this method.  I've had good success with selling dvds, children's books, homeschool curriculum, and name brand clothing.  We've sold a Vietnam War mess kit my mom found in their new house's attic, a miniature tea set, and the graphing calculator that our older kids used for a bit in high school.

Some sales are just $1.99 plus shipping.  Our largest sale has been the dvd series and the graphing calculator for $57 plus shipping.  A friend told us that he recently made $250 by selling his too-large Big and Tall men's shirts on eBay.  He said they sell like hotcakes.  So when I came upon some nice, name brand B&T men's shirts at a garage sale for $1 each, I took a chance and bought 2.  After listing them a week ago, I was tickled to sell them for $5.99 and $7.50 each plus shipping.

Mostly we have just sold our own items.  So the $464.00 we've made since January, is purely 'found' money.  Our house is losing weight...and our paypal account is gaining weight!

I just wanted to share this fun story with you, in case you want to make some extra cash right from the comfort of your own home.  I'm making about $100 a month, and not spending much time at it at all.  I'm hoping to have $600 by the time we go on our trip...that will pay for our lodging and gas, at least.  Since I'm a stay-at-home Mom, homeschool teacher, and Etsy shop owner, I find particular joy in helping out financially without having to leave home and go to a job.

Inspired?  Already an eBay seller?  Would love to hear your story, too!

Be Blessed,

Donna

Linked To:
Hope For Every Season
All Things Heart and Home

Handmade Sympathy Cards Using Hymnal Pages

This week I needed to send two sympathy cards to friends.  We didn't have any that I liked, and these friends are very special.  So I decided to make some.  I sat down at my ironing board (an ironing board, lowered to table height, makes a great craft table in a small space!) and looked over my paper crafting supplies.  Then I knew what I wanted to do...use a vintage hymnal page of a hymn about heaven, to make the cards.  I have 2 old hymnals that I use for making special crafts...I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

I like to use pre-made white cardstock cards from Michaels, and decorate the fronts of them as well as adding a little coordinating embellishment on the back of the envelope.  The card with the bird on it is for a man who lost his brother recently, so I tried to add a bit of masculinity with some burlap layered under the bird.  Using decorative scissors in the antique pattern made the hymn page look torn on both sides.

Handmade cards are always a gift.  And hymns comfort our souls.  When put together, I hope it brings comfort and love to our friends who have said an earthly goodbye to their loved ones.

Be Blessed,

Donna

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Monday Funday

A 30 Minute Spring Bunting

I do believe that Spring has come to stay here in Southern Indiana.  We'll still have some chilly days, but I think the highs will now be in the 50s, 60s, and above.  Yay!  I just enjoyed a lovely week of Spring Break...I homeschool our 16 year old son, and so it was nice to have a full week off of school to do some deep cleaning, organizing, reading, and of course, crafting.  :)  The mantel needed a new Spring bunting, but having already done lots of crafting this week, I wanted it to be quick and 'semi-homemade' so here's what I did.

I used some cute cardstock cards that are designed for Artist Trading Cards or scrapbooking, and just embellished them a bit.

In between each embelllished card is a little book-page square that I punched from a vintage book, layered with a punched flower and a stick on center.

Mini clothespins made it a quick project too, and within 30 minutes, my bunting was hung.  I like it!  And I could reuse any of these elements for a different project sometime, if I wish, since they are not glued or sewed to the string.

Thanks for popping by!

Happy Spring!
Donna

Being a Mimi Across the Miles

My husband and I had the joy of becoming Papa and Mimi to TWO little love bugs 2 years ago!  Our grandson, Carson, was born first, and then just 7 weeks later, our granddaughter Eloise was born!  Oh how we love and enjoy our precious little grands! But they both live 6 hours north of us, so we have to be creative in building our relationship with them in between visits.  Now that they are both two, I'm having alot of fun adding some 'friends' to our Face Time visits.  They both grin, reach out to try to touch them, and sometimes say, "Want it!  Hold it!"

Carson and Eloise love Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood on PBS.  Recently I went online and found some Daniel Tiger coloring sheets to print.  I colored the two main characters and cut them out.  Eloise was surprised when Daniel Tiger and Katarina Kitty came on the Face Time screen to say hi!  I made these little friends talk to her and play peek a boo with her.  Her grins were worth it all.  :)

Carson has taken a new liking to Caillou and his sister Rosie, another kids' show.  So I found Caillou and Rosie printable paper dolls online and had fun coloring and cutting them out.  Carson was pretty surprised the next time we did Face Time to see that Caillou and Rosie were at Mimi's house!  

I had planned to mail these little friends to the grands, but for now I'll keep them for our Face Time fun.  :)

Another fun way to connect long-distance is to make a short little video with your smart phone and send it by text or email to your grand's parents.  I have a Raggedy Ann and a stuffed Charlie Brown that often make appearances with me on videos to the kids.  I sing a song with Ann or Charlie and ask the kiddos to sing or clap with me.  Yes, I look a bit silly, but who cares!  The kids like it!  :)

So those are just a few ideas of ways to connect with your grandbabies long distance.  And have you read my post HERE about keeping a journal for your grands of the times you spend with them?  I'm having a ball writing down the cute things they say and do, as well as adding photos of our times together.

Do you have some fun ideas for building relationships with your long distance grand darlings?  We'd love to hear them!

Be Blessed,

Donna

Linked to 
My Romantic Home
Inspiration Monday
Sunday Best Showcase
Sew Many Ways
Tip Junkie

Upcycled Knit Top...From Too Short and Too Low to Sassy and Sweet!

Once upon a time, this pretty cotton knit top fit me well.  I loved the print and the colors.  Plus 3/4 sleeves work for almost 3 seasons for me here in Southern Indiana.  But then, after some washings and partial dryings, it became too short and the neck line began to stretch and be too low.  Rather than put it in the Goodwill pile, I started researching ways to upcycle it.

Then one Sunday at church, I saw such a cute top.  It was made from some kind of Chiffon type fabric and had a lacy gathered 'skirt' around the hem.  Ooohhhh.  I liked it!  And then I remembered I had some white lace in my fabric stash.  And within an hour, I had an upcycled top!

I just cut a piece that was about 8 inches wide and about 1.5 times longer than the bottom edge of the top.  I sewed a basting stitch along the top of the lace in order to create slight ruffles in the fabric.  I pinned it with, inside the existing hem of the top, trying to keep the gathers mostly even all the way around.  Then I sewed it in.  

I also took up the neckline about an inch by increasing the seam on each shoulder.  And lastly added a lace panel above the pink crocheted neckline decor.  

I left the lace unhemmed, as I like the slightly shabby chic look.  It washes up great and does not ravel.  I even made a little lace embellished pin to wear with it, as seen in the 2nd photo, but mostly will wear it without.  

So enjoying my 'new' top that now fits nicely and has a sassy little lacy skirted hemline.  This is my 2nd or 3rd attempt to upcycle or refashion clothing.  Such fun...can't wait to try something else!  Thanks for reading!

Be Blessed,

Donna

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lMy Romantic Home
Tip Junkie

My Valentine Mantel

On our way to the cheery sights of Spring, I'm glad we have the cheery colors, sights, tastes, and celebrations of Valentine's Day to enjoy.  I had so much fun making and hanging the Valentine Bunting over the fireplace this week, that I had to go ahead and switch the mantel from January decor to Valentine Decor.  So...here we go!

The window is the anchor piece of my mantel display.  It was $2 at an antique store in Northern Indiana, and I love it!  The view 'out' the window changes with the seasons.  :)  Pretty raspberry colored berries help cheer up the view for this month.  I love to have a seasonal plate on the mantel, and this one came from Home Goods several years ago.  The old burgandy hymnal raises it up to the right height, and a pink and white tea cup goes well in the center.  The gorgeous teapot on the left was a gift from my neighbor when she was dividing up her relative's belongings before an estate sale.  It comes from England, as does the teacup.  My little almost-matching creamer is Bavarian...so beautiful, and from my Mom in law's china hutch.  Love it!

I used an old piece of sheet music from 1965 to make this bunting.  Petite Gavotte is French for Little Folk Dance.  So sweet.  The hearts are made with my Cricut machine and a punch.

The piece with the title of Petite Gavotte was supposed to be at the far left as the beginning of the muscial bunting.  But the best laid plans often go awry, and here is ended up at the end of the bunting.  Oh rats.

This Fire King plate is a Christmas gift from a dear friend.  I do love me some Fire King!  And that adorable little girl is my 6 year old Mama in 1947.  :)

Using my beautiful Pink Depression Glass is always a favorite for Valentine's Day.  This is a candlestick topped with a beautiful plate, and a little dessert dish on top of that with a candle.  See what's keeping the glass pieces steady?  A piece of white Sticky Tac bonds the candlestick to the plate temporarily.  Love that stuff.

The vintage book art I made for our son's rehearsal dinner nearly a year ago (HERE) continues to be one of my favorite pieces on the mantel.  It's been layered with a little fabric heart sachet for the season.

Thank you for coming over to see my Valentine Mantel.  :)  Wish we could have coffee or tea and some Scottish Shortbread together.  If you want to invite me to come see your Valentine Mantel, just leave me a comment with a link below.

Blessings and Hugs,

Donna

Linked To:
Beyond the Picket Fence
My Romantic Home

Smitten, Again!

Yesterday I met my dear friend Lori half-way between her home in Florence, KY and my home in Evansville, IN for a Girls Day Out in Louisville, KY.  The weather was frigid but sunny, and alittle 'feels like -2' never stopped a girl from Flea Marketing or Lunching Out, right?
Lori found a string of Flea Markets in Louisville called Peddler Mall.  There are several locations...I see many shopping trips ahead for us!  :)  Anyway, as we strolled along through booth after booth of vintage goodies, we spied this interesting box up high.

I got it down and we oohed and aahed over how interesting it was.  Five little wooden cubbies, and a  slanted glass lid on hinges.  The little label holders in front were unique too.  

I put it back up on the shelf where we'd found it, and we went on on our way.  But within minutes, I decided that little cutie needed to come home with me.  I don't think it is vintage, but it is def. vintage-inspired.  And soooo unusual.  And soooo versatile.

I brought 'her' home with me with glee.  Vacuumed out the cobwebs inside, wiped her down, and then began the super fun work of styling her cubbies.  This little gal will surely live in different parts of my house over the years and be styled with seasonal vintage goodies that can easily be changed out.  For now she is on the old organ bench so I can prop the lid open against the wall.

She's alittle Valentine-y for the present and I am completely smitten.  Wonder what I should put in the little label placards on the front?  What would you put in her cubbies?

I'm like a kid in a candy shop at vintage flea markets...are you?!

Thanks for stopping by....Blessings, Donna

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Tip Junkie
My Romantic Home