Use What You Have, Parts 8 - 12

There's been some serious elving going on around here, and not only by me! Better yet, it all involves using what we already have on hand. And most of it is rapidly approaching beautiful.

Last week, a classroom full of kindergarteners made holiday candles from some surplus glass baby food jars.

No matter if it's Christmas, Hanukkah, or Solstice that you celebrate, your holiday table can always use a hand-painted candle!

Speaking of glass, my mother-in-law did some creating of her own and used some of our extra syrup bottles to make this snazzy fruit bowl.

Who can resist a clementine when it's so cheerfully presented in this bowl?

Given my weakness for fabric, it was only a matter of time before these charming scraps became something useful. This time it's in the form of burp clothes.

And a throw quilt!

But the most festive display of all this craftiness can be pinned to a visiting friend who brought with him (no lie) wire cutters, ribbon, and a backpack full of creativity all the way from Chicago (thank you, AS!). Here's what we whipped up one afternoon.

Recognize the greens? Some of them are from our yard, bushes around town, and this lovely tree.

I'm still so surprised at how charming leftovers can be!