What is a monkeybox?

When I was a little girl, we had a pet monkey named Amanda. My Dad worked in the produce business, so each night he brought home that days culls in a big box - spotty cucumbers, pithy apples, limp celery, moldy oranges and the like. We called it a monkeybox. It was really just trash, but my Mom would take each piece of fruit and trim it, pare it and cut it up to make a beautiful fruit platter for Amanda. Even though it was deemed trash by one, it still had life left in it and was good for the purpose we needed it. That's how I live my life - thrifting, yard saling, looking for another's trash to be my treasure.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Making a Glittered Mess

We had our Thanksgiving on Sunday.  I normally start decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, but by having had our dinner early, I gained myself a glorious week of not having to do a darn thing.  Yipppeeee. 

I decided to spend my week making things.  I don't have a designated crafting area, so when I make things, I have to drag it all into the kitchen, set it up, make things, clean up and schlep it all back int the garage.  The bringing in and taking out take up more time than I actually get to do the actual making of things.  But, I still enjoy getting out my things and making away.  And added bonus is that I noticed at our Thanksgiving Dinner that five out of my six guest had glitter on their faces.  Welcome to Shara's house!  That reminds me - remember when I showed these?
I had some old Christmas bulbs, so I glittered them.  When I picked up the basket that had the Christmas light bulbs in them, I noticed those two bigger bulbs.  I thought I remembered taking them out of some old blowmolds last year, so I glittered them too.  Fast forward to the very next day when I realize that The Breadman had taken some out of the light bulbs out of our kitchen light a few days ago.  I had GLITTERED our lightbulbs.  The Bean hid his IPod after that.  I guess he thinks Mom will glitter it or something.  :)

Today's creations:

A Kitschmas Wreath encrusted in all sorts of old ornaments.  I put one in the booth last week and it already sold, so I will replace it tomorrow.  I love making these.  Even when I think it is as full as I can get it, I can still add twenty more little things here and there. 
Another basic "Shiny Brite" wreath.  They aren't all Shiny Brites, but that's what I call these wreaths. 
I've never made one in these colors before, but I really like it!  I realized I had a good supply of white, silver and gold Shiny Brites, plus a good amount of white silk balls so I just started putting it all together hoping it would work out.  I added in the gold and silver aluminum poinsettias at the last minute and I think it really made it POP.  

I went to the Anthropologie website for the very first time the other day.  I saw these snow globes (without the water) and thought they were really neat.  However, I didn't find the $38.00 price tag to be so neat.  When I saw them, I remembered I had an old Pine Mason Jar. 


I added a bottle brush PINE tree and an angel to mine.  I put some glitter in mine, so if you do shake it up, the glitter does fly around.  I think it is cute and it cost me NOTHING, so that is okay by me.

This weekend I will start dragging in the Christmas totes.  It takes me about a week to get everything out just the way I like it.  I love my Christmas stuff, so I try not to complain about how much work it is - no one makes me do it.  I LOVE IT.

10 comments:

  1. J came home the other night and informed me that he had gotten to work the other day and had glitter on his face!! I Knew YOU would like that one 8-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. WOW, Shara, the white, gold, metalic wreath is stunning. It would fit in perfect with my gold/silver tree. How much would this cost and what would the shipping be to zip 31088?

    Debra

    ReplyDelete
  3. Shara I cracked up about the glitter on faces! Love all your great wreaths! You really have a talent for putting them together. Lucky you to be getting a week of fun...I have a dinner to cook yet, but then I'm happy to do it and be Thankful for all my blessings this year. hugs, Linda

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love all your Christmas creations! I saw the kitschy wreaths on Etsy the other night and they are selling for $125! I have been stockpiling stuff for years and may try to make one this year too. I also love the Ball jar idea. I just thrifted a really ugly 80's floral basket I plan to pick apart for the trees. So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  5. The gold wreath is really gorgeous! You're right about the poinsettias making it really special. You had better put a big, fat price tag on that baby--it's worth it!

    I LOVE that you glittered your own lightbulbs. :D When I first saw that photo, I thought that I'd never seen that particular size of christmas bulb before...now I know why! LOL I think you should put them back in your kitchen fixture glittery.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Okay I about died laughing when you said 5 out of 6 guests had glitter on their face!!!! That is hysterical and could so easily happen at my house. I accidentally got glitter in my oriental carpet a week ago and left it for a couple days because I liked how shiny it was! DH wasn't amused and vacuumed it up. Spoilsport!

    Blessings

    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think I walk around with glitter on my face every day...my signature look? Great job on the gold/silver wreath. I have done a bunch like that - the color themes are fun to do - pink/silver - reds and pinks...there is no limit!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I really want to try an ornament wreath - I know what you mean about not having enough - I have been making button wreaths and just when you think you're done - there's room for more... Nice job!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Shari..great crafts! You did a good job!
    I made a gigantic (4ft) "shiny brite" wreath 2 yrs ago..I used a ton of plastic ornament balls. I hang it on our bow window on the front of the house. That was one of rare crafts that my husband has ever liked.
    He really hates to see when the glitter comes out!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your wreaths are beautiful and I love the snowglobe. I make tiny globes out of baby food jars.

    ReplyDelete

I love my comments. I'd love to respond to everyone, but if you don't have an email address tied to your ID, please sign your name so I will know who you are! It makes it nice to know who is saying what. Now, leave a comment! Please? ;o)

I Can See You!



Look at my Visitors!

Fellow Junk Followers