Things to do with Creamer bottles

Here's an idea to reuse one of the bottles from Coffee Mate Liquid Creamer. After you clean and dry it thoroughly:

Use it to store smaller, wet paintbrushes! Your brush will be ready to go next time, without all that messy cleanup. Oh! And if you do this, put it in brush-end first. I didn't think of that and it is so much easier to remove if you can get the handle first.

Cleaning the bottles is easy, btw. I just let mine soak for a bit in a little water with soap, then I shake it up to make sure all the little 'bumps' get cleaned out. After you rinse it out, let it sit open for a day or so to let the water droplets evaporate.

I'm editing this a few days after I posted it to add this link, back to a Saturday carnival!

http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/2013/04/saturday-sparks-link-party-8.html

Bunny X-stitch

I haven't done counted cross stitch in a long time and decided to take it up again. I'm starting with a simple, small design. This is "Bertie Bunny" from the British magazine "Cross Stitcher." Actually, as of this writing I've done all the beginning stitches and am just crossing over them, so I'm more advanced with this than it looks. He's coming out nicely! (He does still need his eye and nose!)

I'll put him in a pastel frame with a big pastel bow on top and use him as an Easter decoration. 

orange crate shelf

A few years ago, I got some little orange crates--the kind that clementines come in--at a garage sale, for free. I've made different uses of them, but here's the latest one:

(Ignore the walls. I've been experimenting with possible paint colors.)

Yes, its' a shelf! I didn't even have to drill holes in it as the crate has it's own little openings in the back. I had already painted it pink. Then I cut out a piece of felt to cover the back. No glue necessary: the wood is rough enough to 'catch' the felt.

Of course only light-weight things can go on this. But it makes a cute display! 

PS--that white thing is a little crocheted marshmallow. 

St. Pat's Wreath

Here is the St. Patrick's Day version of my year-round wreath. The base wreath is just a wire form wrapped in white bulky yarn. I crocheted some shamrocks and found a green and white silk orchid. The pieces are just pinned in place for easy removal. 
Next week, I'll be replacing the shamrocks with Easter eggs! 

Here is an Easter Egg applique I made. I used a coffee filter, folded and half and cut to make an egg. I drew a design on it and tried some paper-piecing. I couldn't quite get it right, hence the extra ribbon trim. I think I will use other people's designs for a while until I figure out how the pieces lay out. There are many cute designs out there!

The egg is sewn onto a piece of pink batiste. I plan to put two plain eggs (that is, just one print) with it and maybe some grass. Then the whole thing will be sewn into a pillow to throw on my couch for the Easter holiday.

I don't know about anyone else, but I don't like it when Easter falls in March. March, IMHO, should be reserved for St. Patrick's Day, and Easter should have April. I will be taking down my green decor on the 18th and putting up Easter, which will overlap into the middle of April.

Baby Harp Seal Crochet

I'm sorry I don't remember where this came from--I started it a long time ago. It is a baby harp seal! He's about 10 inches from nose to tail.

He's nice and squooshy.