DIY: Easter Wreath & Friends

(*Para Español ver abajo*)

 

A little bit of festive decorating was needed around our home.  Like the past few months, my life has been moving a bit slow, including in the making and decorating department.  Which is why I didn't make this wreath until this past weekend, and didn't post about it until, well, today.  But I say it is better late then never!  Right? Ha!  Just agree with me, won't ya?

Thanks.

As I was saying, I needed a bit more festive decorating.  Especially something to hang next to the front door.  

I had bought a bunch of glittered eggs last year on clearance and was holding on to them for the perfect project.  Then a couple of weeks ago while shopping at my currently favorite goodwill shop I found a twig wreath with cheap Halloween decorations on it and bought it for-like-nothing.

When I got home I pulled off those ugly Halloween decorations and had on my hands a nice twig wreath to work on.  A clean slate, a fresh start...but for much much later.  (Moving slow remember?)

Okay okay now, back to the wreath making.  It's pretty simple.

  

What you need:

* Plastic, foam, paper, what-ever-you-like, eggs. 

* Wood springy animal pieces. (I got mine from the dollar section at Target.)

* Small accent fabric flowers.  (You can make them like I usually do, but this time I also picked them up in the dollar section at Target.) 

* Piece of tulle or ribbon.

* Glue gun & glue sticks.

How to make it:

Begin by gluing the eggs randomly onto the wreath.  If you have varying sizes of eggs then I suggest you begin by gluing the larger eggs randomly around the wreath first.  Then the next size. Finally, using the smaller size to cover all the remaining gaps.  

I had also thought of painting my wreath a pretty yellow or a soft pink, but the rain outside didn't really help, so I opted not to...or you probably wouldn't be reading this post right now had I waited for the rain to pass, and then the unexpected snow to melt.  Yup that's life in VA.  

Once you finish gluing all the eggs you can add the wood animal pieces.  Or you can leave it as is.  I chose to add some springy friends.

Because my wood pieces where originally meant for hanging they had a tiny hole, I covered them up by gluing small fabric flowers.

Finally, add a pretty bow or make one out of tulle.

I'm still not sure I like the tulle bow, I might change it.  What do you think?  Hum.  

That's it!  Nice and simple.

Hang and...

Happy Easter!

*Disculpen amigos que hoy no les escribí el post en español.  Prometo escribir el siguiente en ambos idiomas.  ¡Hasta pronto y Felices Pascuas!

It's Crazy Around Here!

Oh yes indeed!  The full time crafting craze has begun.  Last year my friend Noelle and I decided to give it a try and sell our creations at local craft shows.  We liked it, it went well.  So this year we signed up for many, many more. 

My original plan was to craft through out the year, that way come fall I would have a nice selection of items to sell.  A stress free life, no worries about getting everything done weeks before the show.  REALITY CHECK!  Though I did craft a bit here and there, there is no way near enough merchandise ready for my firs craft show of the year (which just so happens to be in two weeks!)  Yes, so here I am crafting away.  Cutting, sewing, cutting and sewing some more.  Gluing and labeling.  All fun, but definitely keeping me busier than busy. 

My life.

Always running around,

Always doing.

I wouldn't change  it one bit.

That is just who I am.

And I embrace it just the same.

Me.

While keeping myself busy so has my super fairy chiquita.  Now that her brother is in back in school  you will often find her in the craft room by my side working on her own little projects.  I don't guide her, I let her be.  She never seizes to amaze me.  I love seeing what she'll come up with. 

My chiquito too.  Look at all those wool felt scraps, I mean, pasta in the making? 

May your week be filled with fun busy days.

Now I better get back to work!

Monday Randomness

Isn't funny when you are looking forward to something and can't wait to do it, but then when it is there in front of you, for what ever reason you don't?  That's the story of my life (for the most part.)  Lots of wants, lots of plans and not much time to do them.  So this morning, a beautiful cloudy morning, I decided to step out to the front porch with coffee on hand and sit on my not so new bistro set.  Something I had been planning for years!  You see, since the first day I saw our house I fell in love with its lovely front porch.  I totally pictured myself sitting there enjoying my coffee.  Forward 9 years later and a constant search for the perfect bistro set, I finally found one.  Mid summer.  The perfect one, just like I had envisioned it.  Only problem?  I've only sat on the lovely cushioned chair- once! 

So this morning while the kids were watching some t.v. I escaped for a few minutes and walked out to my front porch with coffee and sat there...just watching...and listening...to the birds chirping, the squirrels running up and down the trees, and the light drip drop of the scattered rain.  Still for a moment. A simple little moment of enjoyment. A moment for me.  

Then I came in and the doing began once more...

Sprucing up my son's art shirt/smock for school.  I used the same technique as the wearable art shirts (tutorial here).  On this shirt though, I also added some puffy paint.  When done I'll write his name below the scary (not!) alien to help my son find his art shirt in class with ease. 

Other randomness:

I'm in love with the sweet lemony flavor of this herbal honey with a hint of thyme.  Perfect in our tea.

Cutting more herbs to dry and freeze.  Yea, that is the fist time I'll be freezing basil.  A couple of days ago while at Trader Joe's I came across basil in the frozen isle.  Well, I can totally do that!  Can't believe I never thought of it before.  All you need to do is puree the basil and put it in tiny ice cube trays.  Pop them out after frozen and place them in a container to use later.  

While cutting around my herb garden I also came across these lovely little flowers.  Can you guess what plant they are from?

 

Chives!  I know, pretty right?  I had never let my chives bloom.  This year I decided to let them and I love them.  I made sure to cut them all before they drop their seed though, I don't need more chives growing than what we already get (and that is a lot!)

I got the kids a game of Gobblet Gobblers, it is so much fun to play! We've spent hours playing the other day.  Imagine tic-tack-toe but with a twist:  You get to gobble up pieces! 

She's good!

The other night my chiquita came in to the kitchen and announced she had made lots of headbands.  One for me and her friends.

How do I look?

Wishing you a great start to your week!

DIY: Super Cute & Simple Felt Flower Magnets

In case you haven't noticed I have a love for flowers...and felt.  So it should come to no surprise that if I was to makes some cute magnets they would be made out of, yes, felt.

Any other felt lovers out there?  Mixed wool felt is my fave.  Nice and soft with such lovely colors.  Unlike the choices you get when you buy the cheap regular felt at your local craft supply store.

You can very well make these lovely magnets using fabric or paper even, what ever your little hear desires.  But if you like felt as much as I do, well go ahead pick out your favorite colors and follow along. The steps are super simple.

What you need:
- Assorted colors of wool mix felt.
- Crafting Jewels
- Fabric glue or a glue gun
- self adhesive magnetic strips

 How to make them:

Begin by cutting out a large flower and a smaller flower.  You can hand cut them or use a die cut machine which is what I did.  (I have this one.  And love it.)

Glue the smaller flower in the center of the larger flower.  Let dry for a bit.

Pick out your favorite jewels. There's nothing fancier than a bit of bling bling. 

Glue them on the center of the smaller flower.

Now time to add that magnet.

 I used the ones above.  I picked them up at Walmart.  They also had round ones you can glue onto the back of your flower, but I liked the versatility of the strip.  Plus, nothing is easier than self adhesive ones.

Take one of the strips and cut it into three.

Stick them on!  Ah, simple.  I love it!

They are done, finished, finito!

Ready to hold all those important notes.

On a different note have I told you that one of my recent obsessions is Washi Tape?

It sure is.  Those little rolls full of color and stickiness are just pure fun.  Have you heard of it?  Imagine painters tape but in a much smaller cooler scale.  You can use it just about anywhere and if you get bored peel it right off.  I've been using them to stick art work on the walls, to spruce up some vintage suitcases and more. 

Look!  I used some to make this Family Color Coded Calendar. (Tutorial on how to at ModernMami.)

I love those polka dots!  I also have them in hot pink, and black and white, and stripes, and...you get the picture.  I bought mine from Pick Your Plum, but you can find them all over the web now.  Many Etsy sellers carry them too.  Try them and you'll be hooked.

*If your wondering about that adorable post card in the first photo.  It's by Marisa from Creative Thursday.  I love her work!*

Happy Crafting!