August 2009 Archives

Making life simpler...

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I have many antique hats that I want to sell. Can you give me some info on doing that. I'm not looking to make a lot of money...

By Charlotte on August 25, 2009 1:03 PM | No Comments

Hi Melissa,

Have you checked Ebay to see what other antique hats are selling and who is buying them? There are also a number of other auction sites you can check and use to see how other people are selling, and what they are asking, for their hats.

Do you live close to a museum, university or theater company? Sometimes those organizations will buy old hats for their productions.

Vintage stores and antique stores sometimes also purchase hats or offer consignment sales, where they take a percentage of the final sale price.

If you decide to sell online, take good, clear pictures; have thorough descriptions, even a little history if you know anything about the hat, including who wore it.

If you have a picture of a relative, or someone wearing it, that adds value so I would include a copy of the photo.

Good luck!

Charlotte

Ask Charlotte: How to remove table stains without striping it

By Charlotte on August 24, 2009 2:06 PM | No Comments

"I have this dining room table covered in stains. Have anything I can use without striping it?"

Hi Jason,

Bluebird Gardens Howard Furniture Refinishing starter kits were designed for customers like you!

Bluebird Gardens Howard Furniture Refinishing starter kits include everything you'll need to refinish a piece of furniture without striping it.

Know what kind of wood was used to make your table? Select the wood color to match stain so you can easily cover up scratches, water marks and other wear.

We've used Howard Furniture Refinishing products for years, including Howard RestorAFinish so feel free to email if you have questions.

Good luck!

Charlotte

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Bird Poop-Looking Caterpillars??

By Charlotte on August 22, 2009 10:26 PM | No Comments

Well, I didn't know how else to describe them.

I had exhausted my options of what to call these very odd-looking caterpillars hanging onto the trunk and leaves of my potted orange tree on the deck as I was trying to identify them with an online search.

I was about to brush them off orange tree leaves on my deck, thinking some bird had settled in the tree for the morning, when one of them moved his head and stuck out little red antenna.

After several searches for brown caterpillars and caterpillars with red antenna, turns out these 7 interesting-looking caterpillars, ranging in size from 1 to 2 inches, are know as bird-poop caterpillars and will soon become swallowtail butterflies!

Another good reason not to use pesticides in the garden.

I make my own homemade bug spray but I won't be using them on these little guys, they're very welcome to my orange tree leaves!

Now I need to make sure I have enough good flowers in the garden they like to munch....

Charlotte

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Chocolate Mice Flowers

By Charlotte on August 22, 2009 7:41 PM | No Comments

How do you thank a friend for taking care of my cats and plants so well?

I first hought about giving her a vase full of garden flowers, but then I thought she also has cats so I made a little pot of mouse flowers made out of homemade chocolate mice and mice toys. (photo)

I used felt for the flower "petals" and leaves; floral sticks pre-wired to hold the toy mice, and the pointed end of the floral sticks to hold the chocolate mice.

And yes, she loved her bouquet of chocolate mice. Yummm!

Charlotte

Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts

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I want to order a custom quilt but I don't know how to start. I see a couple of quilts I like but not in the colors I want. Do I have to go buy fabrics? What colors do I need?? Help!

By Charlotte on August 22, 2009 4:12 PM | No Comments

Hi Penny,

Not a problem, just surf through Bluebird Gardens and find a quilt similar to what you want; it could be a pillow, lap quilt or handmade bed quilt, concentrate first on the kind of pattern you want.

In the photo example, the customer liked the fabrics in our Blue Skies Patchwork Quilt so I used Blue Skies Patchwork pillow fabrics as a guide when I shopped for her fabrics.

Once we have an idea of the pattern style you like, tell us what colors you want included and what overall feeling you want: country, elegant, modern.

Based on your input, we'll be glad to select fabrics and email you photos so you can review them.

We select top of the line cottons in complimentary tones, which quilters will tell you sometimes is the hardest part of the process.

If you should have a fabric you want us to incorporate into your quilt, you're also welcome to send that to us or email us a photo of the fabric so we can start selecting complimentary fabrics.

We'll also be glad to tell you how much fabric you need to buy if you would rather do the shopping.

If you're not sure just let us know and we'll be glad to suggest good color combinations.

Charlotte

Ask Charlotte: How do I Access Recipe Ideas?

By Charlotte on August 21, 2009 6:12 PM | No Comments

Hi Josilyn,



You'll find free online recipes in a couple of places in Bluebird Gardens.



Most of my favorite family recipes are in our "free online recipes and garden tour section.

I also have a couple of all time favorite recipes including chocolate bon
bons and chocolate mice under handmade gift ideas.



If you have any questions feel free to email me with your questions.

Good luck!


Charlotte

Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts

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Custom Quilts and Gifts at Bluebird Gardens on Facebook

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