Unique Christmas Presents!

Why not get ahead of the rush and start your Christmas shopping now?  Avoid the store line-ups. Find unique gifts made from records and books in my Etsy Shop.   Handmade gifts are the best unique idea that everyone loves to receive!

IPod Touch or IPhone Cases made from Books - Hollow Book Safes

Hollow Book Safe made from a Hardy Boys Book - great to store your iPod Touch, IPhone, money, jewelry or any other valuables.   Place on your dresser, table, book shelf, or car - and who would think to look inside for your secret treasures as it will blend into any setting!   I have many more hollow books listed on Etsy - please come and visit my shop - http://www.retrograndma.etsy.com

Hunger Games Book Purse

Did you see the Hunger Games movie?  I decided to make a purse out of the book. It was very hard to remove the pages from the book as they were glued tight against the spine - but after doing some tricky work I got it!  You can find it for sale on Etsy 

The Beatles Record Handbag

Wow! March 18 and it's spring weather! What an unusual year it has been - the most mildest winter I've ever experienced here in Canada.

I've been a fan of the Beatles from the day they were on the Ed Sullivan show!  A Blast From the Past with this unique Beatles Record Handbag!   Pop over and see more handbags made from The Beatles in my Etsy Shop.

CraftGossip.com

My shop is being featured today in CraftGossip!!! Whoohoo!
http://recycledcrafts.craftgossip.com/recycled-records-and-books-galore/2012/02/01/

Nancy Drew Book Lamp

Creation of another two of my Nancy Drew Book Lamp. Relaxing light to have in any room!  

Recipe for Great Homemade Buns, Bread or Doughnuts

I'd like to share one of my favourite recipes.  This particular recipe was from a church cookbook  made in the early 1970's and it was my mother's favourite.

Buns/Bread/Cinnamon Buns/Doughnut Recipe
2 pkgs. yeast
1 c. lukewarm water
1 tsp. sugar
 Let this rise for 20 minutes...then add:
3 c. lukewarm water             
1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. mazola
1 Tbsp. salt
6 beaten eggs
Enough flour to make a soft dough. (have it slightly sticky)
Let this rise for 2 hours in a warm place and then punch down.  Let it rise again for another one hour and then make into bread, plain buns, cinnamon buns or doughnuts.  (roll dough out and use a jar lid to cut out into doughnuts....cut a small hole in the middle with a smaller lid - I use my small salt shaker lid)
I love the aroma of fresh buns baking!
Enjoy!

Bookends made from Records

My bookends made it to the Front Page of Etsy!!  A neat way to display your favourite books! Record bookends made from two records.  You will find them in my Etsy Shop:  

IPad Kindle Nook Kobo Covers made from Books

With our new technology we can read thousands of books on our small ereaders. But don't you miss the feel of reading a real book? This is the perfect replacement for the feel of reading a real book in your hands - ereader covers made from hardcover books. Choose your favourite book or send me one of your favourites and I will create your own unique cover. I have many to choose from in my Etsy shop at the moment. Happy reading!!!!

New Year - New Unique Recycled Items

As a new year begins so do my new recycled crafts begin! I have so many 45 rpm records and with some thought I decided I could create a table lamp with them! Great for office or home - or as a unique gift idea for the "hard to buy for" person. You can find this particular one and others in my Etsy shop

Creamsicle Dessert Recipe for Christmas

Today I thought I'd share one of my favourite recipes that I use at Christmas. It's a nice light dessert. (since you probably have many dainties to also serve with, not to mention chocolates, cookies....and so on :-)

It's called CREAMSICLE Dessert
2 (3 oz) pkgs of orange jello
1 c. boiling water
1/2 cup cold water
2 pkgs. (102 g) instant vanilla pudding
2 cups cold milk
2 cans mandarine oranges (drained)
2 cups whipped topping
Dissolve jello in boiling water. stir in cold water. Chill until slightly thickened. Prepare pudding using 2 c. milk. Fold in oranges and jello and 1 cup whipped topping. Chill for 4 hours. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Nancy Drew Book Lamp

Now I have my husband busy with this Nancy Drew Book Lamp. It's made with 2 Nancy Drew Books bound together. Stack more of your favourite books under the lamp if you would like it higher or just for a more decorative look. The 6 foot cord has an on/off switch. What a unique lamp! I'm in the process of making more lamps with different books so please keep checking my Etsy shop.

Harry Potter Book Purse

Here it is a HOT summer day and I'm inside crafting my handbags....just TOO HOT to do anything out there! I love the fabric and handles I made to co-ordinate with the book. I think this one will sell soon.....Who's going to see the new Harry Potter movie? This purse is listed in my Etsy shop and here is the listing if you want to view more photos..just click Harry Potter Deathly Hallows.

Kindles DX, IPad Handmade Covers made from Books

Here is a neat vintage book that has been transformed into an EReader cover for your Kindle DX or IPad. Find more selection in my Etsy Shop: http://www.retrograndma.etsy.com.

Happy Summer Holidays!

Handmade Ereader Cover - Nancy Drew Book

I'm creating covers for the Kindle DX, Nook, Kobo, IPads, & Sony Ereaders. This particular one is made from the Classic Nancy Drew Book - The Secret of the Red Gate Farm. What a cool way to hold your ereader. Check out the rest of my book ereader covers on Etsy. I've done a few custom orders and it's exciting to create a cover with someone's favourite book.