SHOPPING – JITTERS OR JOY?

Shopping...the place where little blue haired ladies suddenly become battering rams in the parking lot, where mommies gone mad drive baby carriages like entries in a demolition derby and where holding onto to the last sale item requires a grip equal to climbing Everest!  Stressed out shopping takes the joy out giving. And when you get there, you find one hundred of the same item in every store all made in China (no doubt).  Don't follow the sheep line to the gift that everyone else is buying.  Give a gift that is unique, one of a kind and easy to find... one that says you gave it special consideration. 

LET YOUR GIFT STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD... 

Visit Etsy for creations from worldwide artisans and one of a kind retro finds. 
Show off your shopping savvy this year. 

 

 Whether it’s for birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers, anniversaries, or Christmas gifts…Etsy is the hub for the gift that says “you are special to me".  Give a gift that says you have listened to whatever is special about the person you are buying for and make a statement in a gift that will remind them of you for years to come. 

 Your first and last stop in creative shopping...

 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RecycledMadness

 

At Recycled Madness you will find home sewn quilts, entertainment collectibles, retired collectibles,  retro jewelry and clothing, household items and much more.  You never know you will find and new items are being added daily so stop back and shop again and again.  Looking for something in particular, just ask?  Happy Shopping!

PERSEID METEOR SHOWER SHOWDOWN - LAS VEGAS 2012

Las Vegas is normally known for its very dry summer weather conditions but lately it is uncertain what each day will bring.  The week leading up to the 2012 Perseid Meteor Shower brought monsoon-like conditions with thick cloud cover and occasional rain bursts. A few nights prior the clouds split open in spots teasing with views of Venus, Jupiter and a small red constellation forming a triangle pattern.  The night before the Perseid peak, the sky was thick dark cloud cover and light precipitation.  On the early evening of August 12, the night slated as the peak for the Perseids, it was raining off and on and the clouds moved around the sky clearing a patch and then quickly filling in.  By midnight it seemed a lost cause for Las Vegas viewing.  We headed to bed and threw in the towel, until… the phone rang at 1:30 am.  My friend Barbara was on the line and on the job!  'It’s clear to the NW, let’s hit it!'  We piled comforters, chairs and cushions in the car and headed out for the rendezvous point just outside of Redrock Canyon National Conservation Area.  At one time Redrock Canyon was a stretch from town but with the expansion of Las Vegas and the 215 Expressway that wraps itself up against the perimeter, the city is now encroaching on this once remote area.

The immediate concern was the lights of the city which could impair viewing but it was the only cloudless sky.  Our group caravanned up the road …the first turn off to Calico Basin was too narrow to set up, the next exit was the entrance to the Redrock Loop.  This would have been ideal in bygone days but now because it is a ‘National’ park it is gated shut at night.  We knew it would be the same if we continued up the road to the Spring Mountain Ranch area, so we opted to turn off on the side of the road and set up there…mistake!

The light from the city was not the only issue, for 3 a.m., the traffic on the road was like being on the interstate, cars shot by every five minutes throwing blinding headlights our way, not to mention the noise pollution that ruined the peaceful surroundings of the desert.  Coyote howls competed with the engine roars of passing motorists. 

Set up in the back of a pickup truck, we were ready to start counting.  We saw about thirty meteors total up through 5 a.m. with four of them being intense, but it was a far cry from the predicted one hundred per hour.  We were all pretty disappointed.

On the way home, mom and I hit Starbucks and witnessed the most amazing sunrise of melons and pinks with a giant butter colored sun hiding behind tall palm trees.  That was a good memory moment. 

Later I thought about disappointment and how sometimes too high expectations set us up for a fall. Reflecting on the evening…it’s always beautiful to be able to lay back in the open night space of the desert… but impatiently seeking more meteors in the western sky we missed the sky to the east where a crescent moon rested between Jupiter overhead and Venus beneath, we only noticed it as we departed.  Mothers and daughters of four different generations lay together under the glory of God and missed the opportunity to get to know one other in new ways, did we assume we knew enough?  And yet I would not have missed it.  I was glad to be there with my mother, my friend, and her little girl, aka wiggle worm chatter box.  It was not a picture perfect night, but sometimes when you step far enough away from what seems to be an imperfection, the flaws fade and what remains is actually quite beautiful.  Snuggled up against my mother in a pick-up truck, seeing my friend that I’ve known for many years long before she was a mother, now mothering her little girl, and her daughter with her head on my lap.  Perseids you were okay, but family and friends… you were imperfectly perfect. 

PERSEID METEORS 2010 - A PERSONAL VIEW

After two years of milk toast meteor displays, star gazers were more than primed for a good show in 2010.  The Valley of Fire had fizzled out in 2009 so we headed the opposite direction to Sandy Valley located over the hills just southeast of Jean, Nevada.  It was a gamble but coming from the gambling mecca of the west, Las Vegas, this was one bet we were willing to make.

It was a moonless sky, a great backdrop for meteor streakers, but not so great for driving.  Accompanied by friend and cohort in the 2009 blow out, Terese, we turned of the I-15 from Jean onto a two lane road headed toward the Sandy Valley turn off.  Even under high beams the road was only visible a short distance ahead, rabbits and other night critters skittered across the road sometimes held statuesque in a frozen stare as they beamed back at the headlights. Out of the pitch a small sign pointed toward Sandy Valley and onto a gravel road that sidewinded ever upward into the hills.  Engulfed on each side by Mesquite bushes that cast hobo like shadows onto the road, we moved slowly until we arrived at a fork in the road... no directional sign!   We had come too far to turn back and turning around would be a feat.  Neither route looked promising.  We opted to the right.  Soon our gravel trail turned into a blend of sand and soft dirt.  The car lost traction and nothing but dark contours lay ahead.  Now it was a matter of backtracking, only in the dark, every opening looked like the turn off back to our original fork faux pas.  As I assured my trusting friend all was well, I sent up a little prayer and hoped she could not hear my heart's drumming.  Fortunately she was an excellent navigator and recognized landmarks that quickly returned us to our correct course.  We journeyed on, rounding every bend with baited anticipation only to find yet another curve ahead.  Up, up, up we climbed until a halo appeared over the hill.  As we reached the summit, there below spread out like a golden fleece was Sandy Valley.  The lights of the town sparkled against the dark earth competing with a spread of stars overhead that seemed close enough to reach up and touch.











We found a dirt turn off at the top of the hill and found obscurity behind some high mounds of dirt.  There we set up blankets on the hood of the car, snacks in the middle and pillows...the angle was perfect for lying back to take in views from any direction.  The air temp ideal.  We started chatting as girls do when suddenly a bright meteor cut in front of us as if saying, "heads up girls, the show is about to begin!"  From that moment on our eyes were glued to the sky counting down all the meteors… some were so brilliant that the otherwise great ones seemed to pale by comparison.  Pleas for 'just one more really good one' rose to the heavens.  And when one appeared.  The refrain was the same...'just one more..."  

As dawn broke we headed down the hill, a much faster retreat by daylight.  Thoroughly satisfied with the star studded presentation, we were met with an equally dazzling start to the new day as the sun crested the eastern sky silhouetting the mountains ahead.  

There is only one way to accurately describe it all...

The heavens declare the glory of God,
the skies proclaims the work of His hands
day after day they pour forth speech
night after night they display knowledge

There is no language or speech
where their voice is not heard
Their voice goes out into all the earth
their words to the end of the world.

In the heavens He pitches a tent for the sun
which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavillion
like a champion rejoicing to run its course
nothing is hidden from its heat.

Psalm 19:1-6

From Garbage To Glory - Vintage Button Crosses

From garbage to glory...

 

A neighbor passed away and her roommate threw away her bin of old vintage buttons as if they were just garbage...but to me this was a treasure.  One evening while looking them over and moving them about they fell into the shape of a cross. One thing lead to another and these one of a kind vintage button wall crosses were created.  

I hope that when people see these crosses they see more than a decoration or an icon.  The cross is a reminder of the greatest sacrifice ever made.  Each Christ-mas we celebrate His birth...when God came in the form a man yet still God but submitted to the will of the Father, he would grow to be the sacrificial lamb for our sins. 

The message of the cross is this...

'to those who are perishing it is foolishness but to those who believe it is the power of God.' 1 Cor 1:18  Each Easter we are reminded that Christ rose from the dead overcoming the sting of death, He is no longer on the cross but sits at the right hand of the Father.  Let this day be the one when you open your heart to God and invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, let it be the first day in your eternal life.  Jesus said, 'Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hear my voice and answer, I will come and eat with him and he with Me'. Rev. 3:20  

As I made these crosses I thought how we are like them, from garbage to a beautiful creation, when we invite God into our lives He renews our minds and hearts to be the person He intended for us to be.  From garbage to glory.

 

Recyled Madness: Project - Turn Your Tin Into - 'Can-dle' Holders

Tin cans...we all have them in abundance.  Most of the time they get tossed into the trash or recyled bin.  Turn Your Tin Into... will be a series of projects on how to put your pedal to the metal! 

The Pointer Sisters sang, "I know we can make it, I know we can, yes we can, can"…that is the theme of this so-easy candle holder project. The great thing about these 'can-dle' holders is that they can be put together quickly for a party, buffet, instant romantic touch, or to enhance outdoor ambience....run them along a walk way or scattered throughout the yard and use them again and again.

Supplies Needed: Small can such as tuna or cat food size. I prefer Bear & Wolf salmon cans, not only are the cans beautiful…inside looks like brushed silver outside an amber colored metal, but it is wild caught salmon and much healthier than canned tuna. Makes great salmon dip. There are natural rings pressed into the bottom where your tea light can rest if you choose not to keep it simple and just use the two items or to assure they stay in place, the top of Starbuck’s Frappacino makes a perfect holder and divider from your decorative surrounding matter. Tea lights can be purchased affordably at Walmart, Dollar Stores, Big Lots and other such places in large quantities. You can use generic no scent or scented. If using outdoors, use citronella tea lights to keep bugs away, but do not use those indoors. If you wish to enhance your candle holder, you can add small colored stones, beads, sand, cut glass or any nonflammable material to drizzle around the tea light holder. Optional: Colorful stones, buttons, old costume jewelry, theme items can be hot glued to the exterior of the can for add’l decorative flair.

This time we will keep it simple with two variations as you can see by the pictures.

In one it is just the can, Starbuck’s lid and tea light, in the other colorful glass stones have been added to reflect the light from within and to give a more polished look to the candle holder.

Use a can opener that cuts from the side to avoid sharp edges on your tin. Hold on to those lids as there will be a project for those up ahead. The paper comes off very easily but may leave some glue on one side, simply clean that off with a little Goof-Off. Make sure when you wash your can, to dry it very well to avoid rust. And if this can is going to be used outside on an ongoing basis, you may want to invest in some clear Rustoleum spray to weather proof it and your Starbucks lid. Next simply lay the Starbuck’s lid inside the interior ring. You can hot glue it if you wish but it is not necessary. For the simple version simply place your tea light inside the Starbuck’s lid and it’s done.


For the more polished look, add your beads or stones around the Starbuck’s lid making sure not to overflow the lid top. If you choose to hot glue decorations to the outside of your can, do that at the beginning. Make sure that whatever you add does not hang over where the candle might burn it or catch on fire.

If you choose to use larger candles such as votives, use a bigger can than the candle to prevent the wind from extinguishing your light but not so deep that it won’t get sufficient air. Never leave candles unattended or within reach of small children.

Use your imagination to put those discarded cans to use…and you will be singing, 'Yes I can can!’

Recycled Madness: Project - Love It Or 'Leaf' It - Wall Plaque

Walking outside recently I noticed bright red and deep brown leaves with an almost leathery texture. They were so beautiful that I was compelled to gather them for a project. At first I thought of laying them out under glass in a frame and that is certainly another option, but the red made me think of hearts. 

Supplies needed: Colorful leaves, they must be fresh (not yet dried out) and pliable to work with. Hot glue gun.  Craft paint for the back. One picture hanger.

A wooden heart or any shape desired. (Another option for the form is to take the heavy cardboard that comes under any frozen pizza and cut your own shape out of it (recycling). Or buy one wooden form and use it as a pattern to cut the rest out of the pizza cardboard.)

How to:  Start by painting your form - back and edges only. Once dry, hot glue the picture hanger to the back side. Once that is dry test it to be sure it stays on. Next comes the fun part…you simply start by layering one leaf on top of another, work from the outside border in and make sure your outside leaves overlap the form edge all the way around. Variations: You can blend different types of leaves…for example in the middle you could glue a large maple leaf. Or think outside the box and add other nature elements such as a small pine cone, seeds, or fresh flowers that have been pressed flat. (put the flower in a paper towel and place a heavy book on top or put inside the pages of a thick book.) You could also spray paint the final piece if you wanted a specific color, but I found that the natural color of these particular leaves was just perfect.

The funny part of this project is that the leaves came from a neighbor’s yard so it seemed only right that they should be the first recipient of this creation. When I presented it, my neighbor gave it a long look then with a sober expression said, ‘You must really be bored!’  I had to laugh.  It was definitely not the reaction I expected. As I walked away I wondered if my neighbors now think of me as the crazy lady that is gluing leaves to everything!

Well, that brings us back to the beginning, nature art may not be for everyone. 
All I can say is...
"Love it or ‘leaf’ it!"

Recycled Madness: Project - Decorative Mobile ~ Ceiling Art

Ceiling art is no longer limited to baby's room.  Colorful shapes and materials have now come together in artful expressions that accent environments and amuse adults as well. This project was made from things I had on hand, but the concept can be easily adapted to create your own decorative mobile, from a single strand (as shown) spread out to various levels and layers. Let your imagination soar!

Materials Used: silver beading wire .3mm, 4-5 stones with holes, beads or large decorative buttons, 3-4 small silver based rhinestone buttons, silver wire card holders such as those found anchored in gift planters (or if you cannot find those, use a heavy duty wire that can be shaped and bent to your desired design or try reshaping large paper clips), several large silver rings. Needles nose plier, and a wire cutter. 

In this case, I happened to have some predrilled stones on hand.  The large silver rings were actually from the back of an old summer dress ~ the dress wore out in the 80's but I cut out the rings and saved them thinking I would use them for something someday.  The swirling wire pieces were from gift planter card holders.  Three rhinestone buttons finish off the bottom adding sparkle in lower lighting and drawing the eye toward the mobile. 

How to: Cut a piece of beading wire about 1' in length and tie off around first ring on one end. String the rest of the line through a bead and tie off onto the next ring.  Take the wire card holder which is swirled on top and snip off half of the long straight end piece.  Bend the end piece with needle nose plier around the next ring. Now your mobile should be starting to take the shape of ring, bead, ring, wire swirl, bead or ring, and so on repeating the pattern of your choice.  When you reach the bottom or last bead, string wire through three or more silver rhinestone buttons, run the beading wire back up though the last bead and tie off on the last ring above it. 

Now take a long length of silver beading wire .3mm or plastic fishing line cut to your desired height and hang your mobile from a hook inserted in the ceiling, cabinet bottoms, side wall hooks or indoor tree.   You can also hang your mobiles outside from patio covers or in trees, just be sure the materials you use are adapable to outside weather conditions, weatherized or weather proof.  Stainless steel and brass are great for outdoor projects and brass tends you get a nice patina over time.  

Anyone can purchase materials to make a mobile, the challenge is to use materials from around the house that may be sitting unused or on their way to the trash bin.  Be eco-creative.  Look at your discards with new eyes.

Your creative effort has produced a work of art to embellish a small space in your private world by reusing materials you have also saved a little of your outer world.