Is that a BOWL on your wall??

   Why...YES, it IS!  I kracker-jacked my favorite bowl I bought at an antique shop a few years ago.  I had recently discovered that there was one single crack in the bottom of the bowl.  Because I love this bowl so much, I could not just scrap it.  I had restricted the bowl to just fruit since it will no longer hold any liquids nor withstand extreme heat or cold.

  One morning, the crack was bigger...it had almost reached across the center of the entire bowl.  The beauty of it was the placement of the crack...RIGHT DOWN THE CENTER.  I could not have planned it better myself.  

  To make a clean break, I ran the bowl under cold water then suddenly changed to hot water.  The bowl broke in half (and scared the bejeebus out of me) and I had two (almost) symmetrical glass bowl halves.  I didn't have any ideas at the moment, so I had set the halves to the side.  BUT FIRST I sanded lightly around the edges along the break with a 100 grit sand paper so I would not cut myself.

  Walking with my husband in Lowe's home improvement store, I came across a partial wall sconce light fixture.  It looked like one of the halves would fit perfectly....but there was not a price on this thing.  

*in case you didn't know, Lowe's is very kind about their clearance items.  If there is not a price on a clearance item, and you would like to offer one...most likely, the manager will give you the clearance item at your price.   This has happened to me on EVERY clearance item that did not have a price.  My magic number is usually $5.  

  And I was able to buy the partial wall light fixture for $5.  I brought it home and was really excited to find that ....MY BOWL FITS..almost, I just have to kracker-jack it a bit ;)

  I removed the light apparatus (really easy, unscrewed a few nuts and bolts and done).  Then, I had to center and fit the bowl.  I just had to use my elbows, a little elbow grease and apply pressure to reshape the half circle so the bowl could sit easily inside.

  ...I really love it when everything just falls in to place and pulls together to make something you love even MORE than it's intended use.  Now...if you will excuse me, I have another half-bowl I must Kracker-jack and the ideas are just rolling in!

Blue JEANius idea!

  This is my first Quilt, ever!  I made this from my boys' old outgrown jeans.  I could see that the worn deniml still had a long life left, but wasn't sure how to use it in the best way.  I perused the internet and found several tutorials for making a blue jean quilt.  So, I laid out my plans and got right to Kracker-Jackin'!
  I have been storing jeans for some time now (4-5 years) and I had finally collected what I thought was enough to begin my project. 

  I cut 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares (as many as I thought I needed for the size I wanted).  I separated the squares by shades.  I also incorporated a striped upholstery fabric (thrift store find) in the mix.

  Once I had all my squares cut out and separated, I began to lay out my pattern.  I used a twin top sheet as my template.

  Finally!  After shuffling these squares around and almost going cross-eyed..I have my pattern!  (leg model is my husband, I like his 'toe-pose')

  In this part, I used sticky notes to keep track of my rows (I worked way too long and hard to lose my pattern now). 

After labeling and neatly stacking each row, I then set them to the side.  I made sure I had my denim needle for my sewing machine and sewing machine oil (can be purchased at JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby) to clean my machine before I get started. Denim could really clog up my machine if it's not clean in the first place.
  At this point, I regret I do not have any pictures to show you the rest but I will do my best to explain.  I sewed each strip with a 1/2 seem (seems on the wrong side).  After sewing each strip length wise, I then sewed the strips together to make the top of the quilt.  I purchased a lightweight batting and a very soft (and adorably cute) fleece fabric for the backing. 
  I must say, I really enjoyed this project and I am very pleased with my quilt! 

Kracker-jackin'

  As I begin this blogging journey, I have to ask myself "What in tarnation are you doing, Bianca?"  And to answer myself..."I don't know, but I like it..whatever it is."
  So, here I am, excited to begin something I know NOTHING about.  I like to daydream, craft, cook, talk to Jesus, crochet, knit, rollerblade, walk dogs, upcycle, take pictures, daydream some more, work (yes...I like to work), watch movies, eat (I LOVE to eat), love family and friends, know my God, try new things and much, much more.
  I like to play around and see what I can make using ordinary items otherwise considered trash...I am borderline 'hoarding' and I need to justify my keeps ;)  So,  I "kracker-jack" all kinds of stuff to see what I can make. 
  I have plans to use old farm windows, shutters, seashells, jars, light fixtures, chipped buffets, old sewing boxes, huge picture frames, my personal photos, cardboard mailing tubes, etc.  I plan on using this blog to not only post, but to gain ideas.
  So, here I go ('just leap, don't look' ~as my best friend Lisa would say) wish me luck and let's get to Kracker-Jackin'!