My Grama's Soul

O.K.....so you might ask.....what is bimbelling?  Came across this word somewhere in my reading.  It is akin to putzing or puttering around one's home or property.  I'm ALWAYS doing that. Thought I would share my  latest adventure into the bimbelling world...covered Brad's dad's old bench in an old scarf I have had for years.  While I was at it I decided to also cover an old cream lampshade with the same fabric.   We also hired a friend to help us hang this gigantic mirror that has been sitting on our floor for the last four years. Little projects being completed with little or no cost to us. Next on the list: This pillow remade with fabric from an old tote that was falling apart.    While I was at it, I used the pom poms on the tote to embellish a favorite jacket.. Also used a strip of the African print on the edge of the pillow above. Added part of an old scarf to a Euro Sham on our bed to fluff...

My wonderful husband and I have moved 7 times during our 36 years together.  Each move has been to a wonderful  location....and this most recent one is no exception.   This little house has  many, many wonderful features....but one of my favorites has been the existing chandelier that is hanging in the dining room. Every time we have moved I have wanted to replace the existing fixture in the dining area.....not this time.   When we first moved I thought I wanted a different fixture hanging here...but as we have lived here with our things and fine tuned here and there...I've come to absolutely LOVE this hanging over our dining room table.  We had to take it apart when we painted and had to clean everyone of the glass rods before reassembling....but it is now so beautiful I could not think of another one to put in its place. I've hung the little beaded garlands for the holidays but usually it is just plain.  We have in...

This is a long post.... O.k......let's start off with the loo.......LOL LOL...... this is actually the small guest bathroom.  Since we have decided to move any guests we may have to a local hotel....I wanted to use the bathtub as a wonderful place for my inside plants.  There is a huge skylight in the ceiling allowing tremendous light...and by grouping them all together they get more of a greenhouse effect.  Oh....by the way.....this bathroom is off a short front hall just a little to the right of our entry door so you do notice it first thing! This move was a big downsize in square footage for us 1,400 square feet to be exact so I have had to use my existing things in new unexpected ways as we certainly could not go out and buy new. The dining room has pretty much the same things as in our last house ..... but we did have to purchase a little inexpensive dining table. High ceilings and huge windows at the ceiling give the house an expansive fe...

Our house is still on the market and unfortunately not much activity in our area...so, I have been busy doing little projects here. This is a wonderful mirrored room dividing screen.  In this pic the mirror is turned towards the wall. As you can tell, the back was just plain painted hardwood.  I wanted to be able to use both sides in a different way so I decided to gussy up the back side. These are all bits and bobs of postcards and papers I have collected over the years.  Many of the cards came from when we have traveled abroad.  The ones above with the sailboats are from Portofino when we traveled Italy many years ago. The Mists of Avalon is one of my favorite books and I loved the writing script so I included a page from there as well. Several of these cards are from our recent trip down the Rhine and the Danube.  The little boy and girl holding hands above is a valentines card from my wonderful husband .  I wante...

I have never be a lover of blue...per say,  but lately I'm so drawn to this color.  Perhaps because it is considered a cool color. But this one has such warmth in it that I have really fallen in love. As a person who always has cut flowers in the house whether from my garden or purchased elsewhere, I am always on the lookout for vessels to use as vases.  Here are three different styles in the same wonderful blue.  The one above is a bulb forcer purchased for 50 cents at a garage sale. This one is a Starbucks coffee bottle.  They introduced a new coffee flavor and I could of cared less about the coffee....I just loved the bottle...so I purchased the coffee. And last, but not least, is the real thing.  A cobalt blue crystal vase from my ex-husband's house.  He left many lovely things and my children did not want this....so I carried it home with me. I think they look so very pretty displayed together.....gives such a...

You know what they say......"one man's trash is another man's treasure". Wanted to show you what could be done with an old farm implement gear from a tractor or combine...not sure... This particular piece is way to big and heavy for any jewelry making....so I thought it would make a wonderful candle holder.  No worries if the wax melts on it.....it will even become more "funky". Just me "out pickin'". xo Jo

I have collected fancy scarves for years...I think a scarf can really complete any outfit.   The one's shown here are but a few of the one's I actually own.  They have been stored away in a drawer for many a moon so I decided to do something creative with them. This window is in my studio and it is my spot, so anything goes..... At the moment they are cobbled together with safety pins....but when I finally get the time and have the curtain finished I will hand stitch it together. As I was doing this...it brought back wonderful memories of when we had our company and we would have to get all gussied up to entertain at home or a night on the town with clients. I'm so pleased I saved all of them...I think it turned out pretty sexy....what do you think? hugs, Jo

For those of us who grew up with SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE on the television...the above title should certainly bring back memories and a chuckle or two. Remember the Farkle family...Fred Farkle..Fanny Farkle..Fritz Farkle (i think) and SPARKLE FARKLE.....Each time I get out all my sparkly Christmas decorations...this show comes to mind...I know...how weird is that!  Anyway....have been busy sprucing up the house for the holidays. Don't buy any new decorations anymore....at my age...I just want to dispose of things.  So...I get out old favorites and reuse and redo them in various ways.  ALTHOUGH....if I keep taking things apart...I just might need to get a few new things to last for Christmases to come. I've had this big Snowman for years...won it as a giveaway from Laurie Ann's Vintage home...thought he needed a little color since he is all white....so added some red things...and he fits right in. Had this old wire ribbon from last year...and sim...

Been messing around with "junk" again. What do you think? Beads from old necklaces taken apart and reused in new ways..parts of an old earring and bracelet.  The silver piece is not one I made..but I liked how it looked so I added it. We will be leaving for warmer weather soon...on a little trip...this necklace should fit right in!! Hugs, Jo

I have posted before about my love of recycling materials into art.....We really have so much "stuff" on this planet of ours....that it is really terrific when someone is able to creatively use something old....in a new way. O.K......this piece was made in Haiti....from an old car or truck body.....cut out and welded to make this cute, cute piece of funky art!  It is one of my favorites and I hang it right up there with my other art pieces.   Makes me smile. Keep smiling, Jo