Look at These Creative Highs!!

My first party was exactly what I expected, small!! So this week everyone gets a feature.

Maridith from Strictly Homemade submitted her dressing-up trick for her great-grandmother's rocking chair.

The patience she showed by hand-pinning all those tucks before she sewed floors me.

Chris from Pickup Some Creativity shares hot to make simple non-slip bows for all those adorable little girls in your life.

My girls have gobs of hair - yesterday I photographed a little girl like Chris's makes me wish mine weren't so big!!

Heather from Storing Up My Treasures shares how she revamped this thrift store candle sconce.

I really like the there and gone again feel of the stencil work she did.

Suzanne from Just Another Hang Up made adorable Gladys the Owl.

Check out the frazzled Gladys sketch Suzanne made before she designed this pillow. Too cute!!

Linda from Coastal Charm shares her light and airy message bottles.

Coastal/Ocean/Beach inspired decor is popular and I understand why!! Who doesn't want to live by or at least keep a constant reminder around of the kicked back relaxation of the sea?

This weeks winner is Maridith from Strictly Homemade!! Don't forget to link up next week!!

Can Lights

A four dollar lamp from GW and a pineapple juice can make a simple custom lamp.

Cut off the original shade with tin snip (or now that I know what I am doing, I could say dismantle the wiring and remove original shade).

Using the original shade as a template, drill all appropriate holes in your can. Use a Dremel or other tool to sand off all burrs left from the can opener and drilling (you don't want the can snagging or cutting people).

Spray paint the inside of the can silver (this helps hide the seam a bit and any drill marks) and spray paint the outside with hammered copper).

Reassemble your lamp (I had a friend who knows wiring help me do this, if you know how to wire a lamp do it yourself or you can do like I've done in the past and bring it to a hardware store or handyman that does small repairs).

Now you have your own can light!!

I think she is just perfect for the kitchen - she provides great task lighting.

I made her for the Fireflies and Jellybeans Iron Crafter Challenge.




Check out my collection of Tin Can Crafts for inspiration!!


I am sharing this at:

Its So Very Cheri: Spotlight Yourself

Skip to My Lou: Made By You Monday

Sugar Bee: Take-A-Look Tuesday

Tools are For Women Too: Modern Craftswoman Monday 

Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff Thursday 

Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thursday

Walk in the Past

Yesterday, we met my sister and her husband and son as well as my parents for the day. We went to a dog show (and now we can say we've done that), we went out to eat, and we visited a small museum. Because it was so hot and bright, I didn't take pictures of family but....when we were in the woods I did take some nature shots.

Yes this is a bit blurry, I didn't have my macro and my people camera doesn't shoot small very well but, I still like it so there...I like the composition with the grasses and the tiny asters and I like it dark...

My camera did do a bit better with this wild rose.

Super cool shadow shot...

Blurry and liked for the same reason as the photo from the beginning of the trail.

The interpretive center was closed but I got some fabulous reflection shots in the windows. Enlarge them by clicking on them to see the details...do you see the passage of time?

Field Day

Friday was field day for the girls. When I was a child, field day was the last day of school. Not so for my girls, they still have seven days left. Weird, huh?

Because I am one person and I have two girls I didn't get to see C's first event which was high jump. She said she never cleared the bar. :(

K's first event was the 100 yd dash, she got third. K is the one in the red.

Her second even was the javelin. Isn't this the cutest idea? She tied for second.

Her third event was the standing broad jump. I don't think she placed (they get ribbons on Tuesday).

Her last event was the obstacle course. I am not sure how that works because as far as I know, no one was timing it.

C ran the hundred yard dash. She is not very speedy, which makes her sad. On the other-hand she blew me and K a kiss when she ran by!!

I didn't get a shot of her at kickball because one of the helpers was in the way for every shot.

Her relay team got third.

Now just a little over a week and we will be done!!

Looking for a Creative High Party #1

My creative high this week was definitely making this halter top for my youngest daughter!!



Let's Party!! The Rules:

1. Link to your specific post, not the main page of your blog. Link to something you made that shows off your creative genius; something that gave you a creative high kind of like the endorphin rush that runners talk about. It can be an old post or a new post but it needs to be something you made.
2. Give your entry a descriptive title.
3. Use my button to link back to the party or add a text link in your post.
4. I can’t accept links to etsy shops or online stores.
5. By entering your link, you are giving me permission to use any part of your post including pictures in a spotlight at Those Northern Skies (appropriate credit and links will be given to you and your blog of course).

The Prizes:

Every Monday, I will highlight my favorite posts.

• My favorite entrant of the week will win an advertisement in my sidebar free of charge for one month (four weeks). If you do not have a shop, I can put your blog button up or if you would rather I can put up a button for your favorite charity.
• In addition, for those who make a project inspired by one of my projects or one of my tutorials, I will pick one winner a month and they will get to keep an advertisement in my sidebar for two months. Plus all inspired entrants will be part of a featured post at the end of the month.

49 cent mistake

I found this darling at the thrift store on Monday for 49 cents. I love floral frogs so my thought was what cute frog.

I brought it up to the cash register and the clerk gave me an odd look and asked if I had a green bathroom. Uh?

She asked me what I was going to use it for. I said I was going to put flowers in it cause I thought it was a floral frog.

She thought it was a toothbrush holder.



When I got home, I immediately cut some pinks and put them in it and put a coaster underneath it. I had listened to the lady and felt the inside and it didn't feel sealed so I thought perhaps it would leak.

It does.

I am going to try to find a way to seal it because I like it for small flowers.

What do you think?

I am sharing this at:

Coastal Charms: Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

super-duper cute and easy pillowcase halter top

I bought this vintage pillowcase for two dollars at the thrift store yesterday. First I tried making a camisole and attaching it to a camisole to make a dress...I didn't at all like the way it looked. So I ripped it apart and this morning before I took my eldest to school I made this!!


I will write a tutorial and take pics when I make another one. Here is a brief description of how I did it. I measured around her just under her arms. I added two and a half inches to that length. I cut a band about 6-8 inches wide from big sister's worn out jeans. Folded it in half and made a tube which I then reversed.


I made two straps and sewed them against the back on the middle front.

Then I cut the pillowcase off to shirt length. Yesterday when I took the dress apart I discovered that the fabric is a bit fragile, so I made a nice wide triple thick hem on the top. I cut a access slit in the back which I hemmed and then reinforced with some gross grain ribbon. Then I made a gather stitch and gathered it to fit the band. I made sure that the medallion center of the pillow trim lined up with front and center. I sewed the pillow case to the top edge of the band so that it hangs out from underneath the band (does that make sense?)



I've been finding lots of handmade pillow case lace lately which I can find in baggies for less than a dollar. I cut some, used a tight zigzag to stop the raveling and then sewed it to the top front of the band.

Then I added a button hole and button and tada!!







I am sharing this at:

My Backyard Eden: Make it Yours Day

Its So Very Cheri: Spotlight Yourself

Nicki's Nifty Knacks: Getting Crafty on Hump Day

House of Hepworths: Hookin' Up HOH

The Train to Crazy: Make it, Wear it!

Fireflies and Jellybeans: Show off Your Stuff

Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff

The Shabby Chic Cottage: Transformation Thursdays

Life as Lori: Get Your Craft On Thursday

Beyond the Picket Fence: Under $100 Linky Party

Under the Table and Dreaming: Sunday Showcase Party

Craft Envy: Saturday Spotlight

Along for the Ride: Saturday is Crafty Day

Finding Fabulous: Frugalicious Friday

Debbiedoos: Garage Sale Partay

Lit and Laundry: Finished for Friday

A Vision to Remember: Check Me Out Saturday







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details on the doily candle holders and buttons

Today I am sharing the detail of the most recent doily candle holders I made because I think they turned out lovely. I know that with vintage handmade doilies they all will gorgeous, so I promise that will try to stop boring you with photos of them

For those who may have not seen these before and who may be interested in making their own, here is the tutorial.











I've got a button!!






<center><a href="http://thosenorthernskies.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk191/melhow36/button4.jpg" /></a></center>

and I've named my party!!






<center><a href="http://thosenorthernskies.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk191/melhow36/button.jpg" /></a></center>

and I've made a brag button for those I feature!!






<center><a href="http://thosenorthernskies.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk191/melhow36/button2.jpg" /></a></center>

The buttons were super simple I super easy instructions for them from A Heart for Home.


I am sharing at:

Take a Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee

Letting the Creative Juices Flow at These Creative Juices

Time Travel Thursday at Brambleberry Cottage






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