I got together with my friend Carole.   Normally this is our quilting get-together time but Claudia couldn’t come.   So after a bunch of begging I got Carole to have me come over anyway.  It’s always good therapy to hang out at Carole’s house.  She always serves something delicious that involves chocolate.  So I packed up my buttons to make some charms while we chatted.   In my box was an assortment of old keys that I had been playing with to make them into charms.   I had tryed alcohol ink but didn’t like how they chipped when the keys hit each other.  So I used leftover cans of 3 spray paints and came up with this white/silver/blue look.   As Carole’s daughters came over to see what I was doing they spotted the keys in my box.  I took out a few and layed them on the table.   Carole’s eyes opened wide!   She started laying them on the table in all kinds of configurations.   Kind of looked like the same way she designs quilts.   Did I mention that Carole makes 9 patch designs in her farm on Facebook?   HAHA!!

I figured I would feed into Carole’s excitement and pulled out all the keys and locks onto the table.   Next thing you know she had a ruler and was measuring them.   They were lined up like little soldiers on the table.   I was watching the ideas forming in her mind with these keys.   I had sort of lost my inspiration for them after all this painting without the “look” that I wanted.

We had fun identifying all the keys.  Notice the large oval Ford key – the trunk key for my old 1988 Escort.  Oh the flashbacks a small piece of metal can bring.

It became apparent that a mobile was going to be created.   What should we use that would make a hanger for the keys?   Well you may recall that Carole is my ‘curly willow’ friend.  She has the most gorgeous tree in her backyard.   Last year at trimming time I went over to help gather the branches to make wreaths.  So outside we went – in the dark – to give the willow tree a little trimming.   After a few short jokes and a willow leaf mess we had the makings ready.  Carole quickly formed the willow into a wreath about 6″ across.

Back inside for more measuring and rearranging.  The keys were tied together with quilting thread (as if there is any other kind of thread for such a purpose).  Carole finally had the wreath she had envisioned.   The lock made for a nice hanger at the top.  The keys jingled happily together.

This got Tuffi’s attention.  Tuffi is a cute dog but extremely hyper.  Most times she is in the garage when company is over but for some reason Tuffi likes me.  LOL!   Perhaps I don’t panic at her leaping and holloring and just wait until she calms down to pet her on the head.   She really liked the key chime and had to investigate closely.   Personally I think she was just showing off her new haircut and neck scarf because she knew the camera was out!!!

Here is the “Key Chime” all completed.  The curly willow will slowly turn brown as times passes.   It is now part of the decor at Carole’s house.  She wanted money but I assured her that I wanted to continue eating her cookies and drinking her tea.   Payment was not allowed.   Off I went to eat the last cookie.

Now that these keys have a new home I have a reason to gather more old keys and try re-creating again.  

As usual the buzz word for my blog is recycle.  I may not reuse every single thing I come across but I come pretty close.   I love turning recycled objects into art.   Since I am a avid collector of stuff it helps me with my stash management as well.     In a way it has truly turned the key that has unlocked the direction for my creations!!  

Thanks for reading…your comments make my day!!!