by Wendy Scheel | Nov 11, 2015 | Life
Sometimes I have no idea what to blog about. Okay, that’s not entirely true. I have a list of things I could blog about but I mentally filter those ideas as to what makes it onto the blog and what doesn’t.
That filter has one question.
Would I be interested in reading about this? That’s it. One question.
For instance, today I was going to share about this little Christmas tree that I have set up. But, it’s 61 degrees outside and I’m not feeling it. By the way the average high in Minnesota in November is 41 degrees. Believe me, no one is complaining but it’s not normal. Last year on this date we had 3 inches of snow on the ground.
Wait, where was I going with all of this? Oh yeah, my filter.
Christmas décor didn’t make it thru today’s filter.
So I took advantage of the warm fall day and went on a walk with Nikki. Nikki as in Jimmy and Nikki.
When we returned I had a text from my Mom.
She saw on my Instagram account (OldLakeGeorge) that people have commented on the green glasses that are in this picture.
These were given to me by my Mom. And now that I really look at that picture, so was that duck, the lamp and the card catalog. 🙂 My Mom has great taste.
The day that she gave me the glasses and decanter, I was at my parents house and my Mom asked if there were any dish sets I wanted. She has so many beautiful sets of dishes. The set I wanted is a blue and white set that for me represents the many loud and festive family dinners we shared. BUT, she was not quite ready to give them away. That only makes it more special for me knowing those dishes hold great sentimental value for her.
So as we moved on to other things, I spotted these green and gold glasses and decanter in her glass front kitchen cupboard.
I thought they were pretty but I don’t remember seeing them around our house as we were growing up. Reason for that; my Mom had recently purchased them at a garage sale.
So, the text she sent read, “Hey, I just saw the comments about your gold and green glasses I gave you. Did you look up how much they are worth? I got them at a garage sale for probably $10.”
I read the Instagram comments, which I love getting and someone mentioned that they might be Culver green and gold glasses. So I googled Culver green and gold glasses and yep, that’s what I had.
This is a set of 3 double Old Fashioned and 6 Old Fashioned glasses along with a decanter. The pattern is called Valencia. The gold is 22k and I found prices from $10-$20 per glass up to $250 for the decanter and 6 glasses.
Told you my Mom had great taste!
In honor of Veterans Day and green and gold cocktail glasses, let’s raise our glass to all of the Veterans, men and women that have served and are currently serving our country! Thank you!
See you on Friday,
Wendy
by Wendy Scheel | Nov 7, 2015 | New Products, Quick Thoughts, Sidenote Saturday
On Thursday, Alyssa and Liam delivered more rustic signs for the shop!
Liam is 4 months old and the happiest baby. He will break into a smile and giggles…until I try to take a picture of him. Maybe he heard Kim Kardashian say something to the effect that smiling creates wrinkles. 🙂 It seems to work for him. I don’t see any wrinkles or crow’s feet. Note to self. 🙂
Anyway, Alyssa has been creating more fun rustic signs for the shop. Ho, Ho, Ho and NOEL and JOY and Merry Christmas are now available to decorate your home or send as a holiday gift to someone else.
And how could I not share a picture of Liam’s big brother Logan. #cutebabiesforthewin
Have a smiley and giggley Saturday!
See you on Monday,
Wendy
by Wendy Scheel | Oct 12, 2015 | DIY, Life
Wow! Wow and Wow!
Good things come in threes.
And this weekend was the jackpot of 3’s.
The first WOW started on Friday night when my Etsy shop stats went crazy! Crazy in a good way. So crazy good that Etsy contacted me that they had noticed a significant spike of views because of a product I have listed.
People were looking at this listing.
These rustic birch candle holders are made by me. People have used them as wedding décor, to make arrangements in their non functioning fireplaces and seasonal décor on shelves and mantels.
This glorious increase in views means that more logs needed to be cut.
This is where my second WOW comes in. My husband Wade and I worked together and accomplished cutting up more logs. Typically we don’t work well together. (Two Type A’s). But we rocked it!
Then I realized that I have never shared how to make these.
So here is the DIY to make these rustic candle holders.
Here’s a supply list:
- Tree branches
- Chain saw
- Chop saw
- Drill press
- Tea lights
First, collect various widths of tree branches.
As I have shared previously, my neighbor brought these over from the tree farm where he works. I selected birch and oak branches that were between 2 and 6 inches wide.
The smaller branches I cut with my chop saw. The larger branches I needed a chain saw to cut them. I have no experience with a chain saw and this was not a weekend I wanted to learn. 🙂 That is where Wade comes in. I think I have introduced my husband before, but if not, this is Wade. Wade this is everyone.
Working together we measured and cut 2,4,6 and 8 inch sections. Okay who am I kidding, I measured, he cut. But just like the chainsaw, we were a well oiled machine.
After cutting the various sized sections, each piece then had a 1.5 inch circle drilled down into it for a tea light to be placed.
It’s that easy. Cut, drill and place a candle on top.
These candle holders are not treated or stained. They are a simple and natural way to decorate your home.
Oh and for the third Wow, it was the weather. To say it was perfect would be an understatement. The opening picture is from our afternoon fishing trip on the lake. Warm breeze, 75 sunny degrees and good fishing.
Wow!
Now go and collect some tree branches and get creative. 🙂
I hope you’ll stop by on Wednesday!
by Wendy Scheel | Aug 28, 2015 | New Products
When I sew, I like to have the TV on. More specifically I like to watch the MeTV channel when they run the old western/cowboy shows. You know, shows like Bonanza, Gunsmoke and The Rifleman. I find it interesting that not one of the Bonanza boys got married, well not for any length of time anyway and how is that Miss Kitty and Marshall Matt Dillon never declared their love for one another? I know there was more than a friendship there. I haven’t seen the episode where Lucas McCain marries Millie, but I googled it and rest assured, it does happen. Whew. 🙂
Something else that does happen in every episode, in every cowboy show, is that someone is always “fixin” to do something. Fixin’ to go to town, fixin’ to go tradin ‘, fixin’ to meet the Marshall. Fixin’ is not a phrase used in the Midwest very often/ever.
However, my cowboy shows are wearing off on me. Samantha asked me what my plans were for the day and I told her I was fixin’ to list the new Christmas Stockings that Spencer and I had taken pictures of recently. We both stopped, looked at each other and busted out laughing. I am at such an impressionable age, maybe a little more Dancing with the Stars would be a good idea. 🙂
So now I can check the blue ticking stripe Christmas stockings off of my fixin’ to do list.
So when you are sewing, crafting, DIYing, do you watch TV or listen to the radio? Any chance you like to watch cowboy shows? 🙂
by Wendy Scheel | Aug 17, 2015 | New Products
I shared with you in the recent past that I bought a drill press! Well, I have been putting that drill press and miter saw to work again. And this time, I have to say that I have totally outdone myself. How could that possibly have happened you wonder? Hold on.
Our neighbor Jimmy works at the local tree farm. His wife Nikki wanted some new pillows. I needed some trees. So just like an old fashioned trading post, we traded some white birch trees for some red geometric patterned pillow covers. Win-Win.
At the tree farm, they periodically thin sections of trees to encourage the best and strongest trees to thrive. These reduced trees are then recycled into mulch and used at the farm greenhouse. Jimmy rescued these trees so I could repurpose them into candle holders. He dropped them off the other day. He even cut off the twiggy branches that I don’t need. What a guy!
Each tree was between 2-3 inches in diameter. A few in the 3 1/2 to 4 inch range. My next step was to simply cut them into 2, 4 and 6 inch heights and set them aside to dry.
My drying time frame wasn’t exactly scientific. I moved on to other projects and when those were completed, maybe two weeks?, I returned to the drill press to complete the candle holders.
Each birch holder has a spot drilled in big enough to insert a tea size candle. They fit snuggly down into the wood, and are replaceable.
Each and every candle holder is unique to the section of branch it came from. No two sets are alike. They are not polished or disturbed in any way, giving them a true rustic appearance.
Fall decorating anyone?
Winter decorating?
I could go on and on….one simple set of candle holders and so many options.
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