In the past I've made paper bats and hung them around my home for Halloween. 
This year when I saw metal bats for sale at a crazy price I decided to make some of my own. 
I'm using something today that you may even have in your garage but can be purchased at the hardware store very inexpensively.
I'm loving my DIY flying bats and the best part is that they will last forever! 
Take a look...

Today I'm re-creating a project I saw online. 
I liked the idea of the Christmas banner I saw but distressed and rusty were my goal for the remake. 
If you haven't seen how to recreate the look of rust, you're going to be amazed! 
I'm very happy with the way my Christmas banner came out and it was very easy to use with no special tools. 
Take a look...

I was inspired to make this metal angel ornament from an online shop. I had the fun idea to add Scrabble letters and it turned out adorable!...

I was inspired for this project by all the tin can projects out there lately. Problem was, I didn't have any cans! So I improvised and it turned out great! 

Every now and then I find a project in the store that I want to make myself so I snap a photo. 
Just about as soon as I get home I whip out the supplies I need to make the project and if I'm lucky I already have what I need. 
Today's project uses supplies I found around the house. You may have some of them too. 
It all began with 5 straight sticks from the yard. 
Take a look...

A fun project using an old repurposed lamp fixture.

Believe me, it is not what you think.  This is not your mother's paper feather!

I discovered an easy and inexpensive solution to securing 
a shelf or attaching pallet wood.

Beautiful tin hearts with a textured paint treatment.

I began my birdhouse project with old re-purposed wood that I "borrowed" from behind my neighbor's shed.


A lot of measuring, cutting, drilling, screwing, hammering and sweating later and I was ready to decorate! The best part!

I used rusty light switch plates for the side windows and shims for the shutters and the steps. All the new wood was painted with a vinegar treatment that gave it the perfect aging. A lock box from an old door made a great front door and a rusty screw was a perfect perch. I used metal flashing for the roof, distressing and then cutting it with a decorative edge. Finally for the chimney  I used a rusty spout from an oil can.


I hope the birds will love it as much as I do!

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Tea lights sitting in bent spoons and ladles  are the order of the day.


They were very popular sellers at the craft fair this weekend.



Each board was stained with dark wax.


I attached a vintage spoon either with a vintage piece of hardware or with a piece of flashing cut, sanded, and screwed into place.

Each of the spoons is unique. Beautiful on their own....





or together they make a pretty grouping.


Simply beautiful!
Love ladle projects? Check out these 2 more great projects:
Spring Nest in Enamelware Ladle.
Enamelware Candle Holder.
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Today I'm creating a rustic wall vase made from a repurposed vintage metal cheese grater. 
If you don't have vintage I'm going to show you how to age a new one and give it a great patina! I have tons of ideas linked below for repurposed cheese graters! 
Today's wall vase will hold Christmas greens and berries or drop in a plastic cup of water for fresh flowers! 
It was so easy! ...

This beautiful appetizer was a beautiful yearly addition to our our holidays! Before the popular charcuterie boards, this DIY Christmas tree tray was a hit!