Who Says A Tool Belt Can't Be Cute!?!

The Cranky King & Prince Logan are strapping on our tool belts, rolling our sleeves up, getting paint~ splattered & working hard  to help those in need through the REACH WORKCAMP. This will be Logan's 3rd REACH trip, but it will the Queen's first! Our church, Sylacauga FUMC, will be traveling to Clinton, Tennessee (a small town just north of Knoxville) to help those folks less fortunate re-build &/or renovate their homes.  Check out the website above for details on the REACH Ministries.

So the Cranky Queen felt that she would need a tool belt or at least an apron to put her hammer, tape measure, & other cool tools in...I used a pants leg from a pair of cut~off overalls (yes, I am wearing my overalls one day to the work site) for the base; then I had some cuttings from an old feed sack (pocket); ticking fabric that I found discarded on the side of the road (apron strings); & "gussied it up" with a gathered denim flower and bow made with an old button and the seam of the feed sack!

A close up pic of the pocket

 

 

 

The "cuteness" is in the details of the floret & button ribbon!

Now that my tool belt/work apron is made....The Cranky Queen & Prince Logan are packed & ready to go!  I pray we will help change lives during our week in Tennessee AND our lives will be changed too...

STAY CALM & MANY BLESSINGS!

Tiffany

 

Kindness From A Stranger...

 

Even the Cranky Queen (who is only "cranky" sometimes) finds it hard NOT to be nice to people.  It is just in my Southern nature to be polite & kind... to friends or strangers.  But because there is so much hate, greed, & deceit in our world today, sometimes a random act of kindness is often hard to find...But, the Queen found a wonderful act of kindness in someone she had never met!

This adorable package arrived for me in the mail this week.  Inside, is the "act of kindness."  To back my story up a bit...I ordered a wonderful bracelet off of an Etsy site & it arrived in days...I was giddy with my new purchase...until, it fell on the restroom floor of the movie theater and shattered! I just wanted to cry...

 I contacted the designer of my precious bracelet describing what had happened...she immediately emailed me  & asked to repair & mail it back free of charge!  Who is the kind stranger?  

Theresa Hein from The Old White House When she returned my package, all of these items above were included & the bracelet was delicately wrapped in the hand~made bird pouch. Sniff....I wanted to cry again, but from sheer joy of knowing kindness still exists...even from a total stranger!

 This is the beautiful bracelet with a new clasp made especially for  

The Cranky Queen!

Even though I typically have no problem "speaking my mind", I love this

"Speak the truth even if your voice shakes!"

This is the sweet card that Theresa enclosed...kindness from a stranger!

STAY CALM & SHOW AN ACT OF KINDNESS!

Tiffany

Well, Hey Ya'll...I know, it has been a while...The Cranky Queen is just swooning from her royal itinerary!  You know Queen's "busy", is MUCH BUSIER than the normal folk's~LOL!  Thought I would do a "quickee" post...just look at this flower...made from a tin can & a soda pop top!  Too cute & the gal had any color, size, & shape that you wanted...found this little darling in Gay, Georgia!

Look what the Cranky King made???  I was inside doing some light royal housework & missed him...found him in the basement banging away...

He later came out with this fun birdhouse made from old cypress (straight from Louisiana), an old license plate for the roof & a wooden dresser wheel as the perch~Looks fab sitting next to my vintage concrete squirrel!

Cranky King is selling these, if you are interested...

got to keep the royal vault full!

Look what the Cranky Queen made!  Found this seed sack (also in Gay, GA) and loved it...made a pillow to join my other feed sack pillows.

The King is still waiting on his feed sack pillow!  Is this not a great kidney bean burlap sack?  Next on my royal "to do" list!  My list is gets longer each time I "peruse" Etsy or Pinterest!

So I hope everyone' summer is off to a good start...already hot & humid down in Alabama...mosquitoes are swarming, lightening bugs are out and sweat is a pourin'! Southern & proud of it!

STAY CALM & STAY COOL!

Tiffany

A Key Can Open Many Doors...

The Cranky Queen participated in a key swap over at Tee's blog Creations By Tee.  The Queen had to alter 2 keys for two different ladies.  She wanted to create something very different & unusual.  After much thought, she decided upon a book mark as the 1st gift.  What do you think?

The key was sewn on an old man's tie.Vintage buttons & jewels were added.

A more colorful tie was attached for the bookmark tail & black vintage buckle & buttons were used for extra details!

 

Prayer is the key to Heaven, but faith unlocks the door." 

 The second altered key creation was a necklace.  The Queen used a vintage button, watch face, rhinestone strands & buttons....She attached the key to a shiny & silky ribbon. Every lady needs a little royal bling!

Well, what do you think? Hope my swap partners will love my "royal"altered keys...Check out Tee's blog for monthly fun swaps...you get to meet some neat bloggers and have fun too! "Continuous effort~not strength or intelligence~is the key to unlocking our potential."

STAY CALM & UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL WITH A KEY!

Tiffany

What Can You Do With A Rusty Old Rake?

The Cranky Queen was doing her usual weekend drive~by "roadside scavenging" when she came upon this pile of "diamonds in the rough"!  Two old rake heads...just laying in the dust...traces of their green paint still peeking through after years of raking yards.  She threw them in the back of the Royal Carriage and continued to scan the pile, finding 2 old suitcases, an aqua box fan & 4 wooden croquet mallets (all that have now SOLD in her antique booth). What to do with these old rake heads ????

She thought it would be cute hanging on a porch or door.  She painted a little sign made from old wood & attached it to the rake with  a broken extension cord!

She found this metal flower pot hanger @ The Dollar General for $1 & attached to the tongs rake. Tied ribbon and a torn floral hankie at the top.

The ribbon is bits and pieces of old lace & trim topped of with a worn rose~patterned hanky! So this is what the Cranky Queen created with a discarded rake for less than $2~Love the heirloom roses peeking out!

STAY CALM & GO RAKE THE GARDEN!

Tiffany

Walking In His Shoes...

The Cranky Queen has the most wonderful friend. Talented... Magazine published...Beautiful blog and Etsy store.  Her name is Shari Replogle & her mixed media creations are contagious! See for yourself...

 

Tiffany met Shari during the Country Living Show in Atlanta, GA ~Fall of 2010. We have remained blog friends.  Visit her at Plays With Paper

Cranky Queen's Story~ "When my home town's Relay for Life Committee decided to honor my father this year, I asked Shari to create a "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes" charm titled "HOPE"...

 That very day, Shari emailed me back saying she would be honored to create the charm for me to wear during the walk.  In days, the package arrived with a sweet note of condolence & friendship.  Shari would not allow me to pay her. Her generosity cannot be summed up in words.  Her gift not only gives me hope, but others as well.  She is a special lady!

From left to right:  Chuck Ervin (my brother), Emily Ruth Ervin (my Mamma) & Tiffany Ervin Steers (Cranky Queen)

Daddy lost his battle with cancer on December 9th, 2011, but his memory lives on in our hearts.  My family was very honored that our home town, Tallulah, Louisiana, honored him during the 2012 Relay for Life.

I designed this t-shirt for all of our family & friends to wear to the Madison Parish Relay for Life in honor of my Daddy...

In Honor of my Daddy, Tommie Ervin ~ Aug. 23, 1934-Dec. 9, 2011

STAY CALM & WALK FOR A CANCER CURE!

Tiffany

The Queen's Weakness...Majolica Pottery

The Cranky Queen has always had an eye for "the better things in life"...but sometimes her "ritzy taste" does not fit her non-champaigne  budget controlled by Cranky King (well, at least that's what he believes~LOL).  Of course, she would literally covet one of the most expensive collectibles in the antique world.  Yes, Victorian Majolica...and for those that have priced it...one word...YIKES~

But...every once in awhile, she finds a bargain...or she may splurge for a piece that she really loves!  Cranky King & Prince Logan have really developed "an eye" for seeking out pieces of her fav when antiquing...

Some pieces have hairline cracks or a nick or two...

but that just tells their story of life!

The  pedestal piece was given as an Anniversary gift to the Cranky Queen by her "1&only" Cranky King! Her other pieces are like sister~matches to it...

The turquoise colors are some of my "to die for" favorites!

One of my older pieces...

Of course, the begonia leaves are hard to find & the ones that I really look for when junkin'!

My gal pal, Wanda gave me this piece!

Cranky King purchased this adorable pitcher with the birds...I didn't have the heart to tell him it was a reproduction!  I love it and smile every time I see it...It's the thought that counts...

Various majolica plates hang on the palace walls...the green is found often in shops and markets.  

Victorian Majolica is earthenware pottery made in the 19th century in Europe & the USA.  It has molded surfaces and colorful clear lead glaze.  Multiple manufacturers & maker marks are found. The death of Queen Victoria in 1901ended the era of true Victorian Majolica & it was superseded by Art Noveau & Art Pottery.  The Cranky Queen hopes that you enjoyed her collection of Majolica...

STAY CALM & COLLECT!

Tiffany