#56 teacher's gift idea

something to give our teachers and teachers' aide

for the end of school-year and hello summer 
gift

thank you to lisa storms for this awesome idea
-for the free printable, click here



♡♥♡

#55 old table makeover

[potting bench/serving table]

i found this table on a curb 

around the corner from our house

and along with the table 

i brought home with me

these 2 great ideas

-- hi ho hi ho, it's off to work i go! --

using remnant woods, a new coat of paint, an old sign

 and some accessories found in the tool box

i got this table a new look

and new purpose(s)

though, i am not blessed to be a green thumb

but maybe a nice potting bench will make 

my plants thrive this summer, just maybe

and if not,
 it can always work as
a serving table 
for the summer barbecues

☀ enjoy your summer! ☀

♡♥♡

#54 memorial day 2013

[memorial day 2013]

named as the unofficial start of summer

we visited the jersey shore 

7 months post hurricane sandy

coming from the sunday mass,

we decided to drive by the jersey shores,

we kicked off our shoes 

and rolled up our pants

enjoyed 

the cold water, fine sand and cold breeze

it's good to know 

that jersey shore is back for the summer

God bless America!

♡♥♡

the giveaway is still on
click on the logo below for details

[the giveaway]

comments and likes on this post 

will be included in the giveaway until 5/29/13

thank you

#53 shutterfly giveaway

{my first giveaway}

i have used shutterfly on all my photo books, 
my iphone case and my greeting cards

and on this 1st year of
aLittleCottageCrafter


you will have the chance to have your own, too
enter to win at the end of this post

[my first giveaway]

GIVEAWAY

♥ PRIZE ♥

win a chance to get a prepaid card
for a 12x12 photo book

from shutterfly 
(worth over $50)

♥ WHAT TO DO ♥

just write anything about my blog

on [post a comment] area below 

OR

like me on facebook 

OR 

follow me on pinterest


♥ ONE LUCKY WINNER ♥
will be announced on 5/29/2013

[you have to be in it to win it!]

♥♡♥

#52 recycle ● repurpose

[recycle ● repurpose]

from the backyard swing set

 -my kids have outgrown-

i gave this ladder a new purpose

the ladder is now an organizer in our guest bathroom

thanks for the inspirations from

pinterest, fellow bloggers and pottery barn

♡♥♡

#51 wine bottle holder

{wine bottle holder - vintage inspired}

we have a few bottle of wine at home
sitting on the countertop

my husband is a regular wine drinker

-usually 1-2 days a week-

but not considered a wine collector

-he buys 1-2 bottles at a time-

that means he doesn't need 
a wine cellar nor a wine rack 

he needs something smaller

i want something different ☺
-vintage inspired and handcrafted-

this is what i made for him
which started from an unfinished cd crate

there you go

♥♡♥

coming soon

[my blog giveaway]

GIVEAWAY

#50 crinoline lady

{crinoline lady embroidery}

the crinoline lady is my favorite embroidery pattern

the pattern is simple and easy
and uses a variety of my favorite colors

the hollyhocks and snapdragons are so colorful

i also love its vintage look

for free crinoline lady pattern, click here

linen cloth

6 skeins of dmc embroidery floss

to learn about stem stitch, click here

♥♡♥

coming soon

[my first blog giveaway]

GIVEAWAY

#49 full bloom

{full bloom}

i'm still in the process of

setting up the garden 

that would be the home of

 these beautiful annuals and perennials

while visiting a nursery for supplies

i took photos of the flowers

in their brightest colors

don't you want them all

in your garden?

how lovely!

♥♡♥

#48 hutch

{the new hutch }

i've always wanted a hutch and a buffet 

as i've always seen in some british magazines

…

i got the buffet about 2 years ago from marshall's

i was so excited, the size was so perfect

-long and shallow-

it fits perfectly on that side of the wall

then i found this and fell in love with it (obsessed with it!!!)

but check out the price $$$

…

since i have the buffet already, 

now i have to find a hutch 

--- the size, the color and style that would match it

i've searched

craigslist, ebay, amazon, flea markets & thrift stores

but nothing i found interesting

☺ i decided to make the hutch myself

so with my measuring gear handy

i spent some few time at home depot

chose my plank wood, moulding and beadboard

i had them all cut to size

and load them in the van.

i was so ambitious to do it myself

but considering the size 42 x 72 inches 

i had to ask my husband to help me put them together

(hugs and kisses, thanks!)

after i painted it with left-over paint from another project,

i thought i had to distress it to match the buffet

but

i was so glad i did not have to,

they were perfect together

like they were bought together 

one of my best projects ever!

 i can't stop loving it while 

having my tea at the table

this was the buffet from last holiday

…

the buffet and the hutch now

…

[some things to share from this project]

› do some research

› it's ok that the top moulding doesn't go around

-mitered corner is complicated-

› imperfection adds to its rustic look 

 › let the home improvement store cut them for you

-makes it easier to load in the car-

› the moulding and the beadboard make the difference 

› it's ok to ask for help 

› it can be done for less than $100

› it can be really fun

♥♡♥

#47 spring wreath

{picket-fence wreath}

a great outdoor wreath for spring and summer, 

all materials used are waterproof

so hang it now on your door
and 
say hello to spring!

♥♡♥