Crafts
Clothespin Holder
I know this is no way to start a Monday, but I have laundry on my brain. I trust yours is all done, folded and put away. Mine is hanging on the line. For the first time in my life, I bought clothespins to use for their intended purpose: hanging clothes. What a novel concept! (These are just like my clothespins.) It got me to thinking about the Junk Whisperer’s (aka my stepmom) laundry room. She has a super cute vintage clothespin holder made to look like a dress. It’s darling, right? When I visited her home earlier this summer, I mentioned off-hand that it would be fun to make a clothespin holder like…
Embroidery Embellished Shirt
My wardrobe is pretty basic. Lots of solids, not a lot of prints. I’m trying to branch out more, but the practical side of me says I can wear a white t-shirt with a lot more than I can wear a wildly-printed one. My practical side speaks REALLY LOUDLY. Perhaps this project was my impractical side finding its voice. I wanted to see if I could use embroidery thread to embellish an old t-shirt. Sew new life into it, so to speak. The problem? My experience with embroidery thread is limited to the friendship bracelets I made when I was 12. I’m a little rusty. Just a little. That’s why…
Tips for Paper-Mâché School Projects
Three times this year my laid-back 3rd grader came home from school with a list of projects she could choose from: make a model/diorama, dress up as a historical character and reenact a key event, do a powerpoint presentation, etc. Me: Powerpoint presentations are fun! How about a Powerpoint? Daughter: I think I’d like to make a paper-mâché model of (insert whatever topic it was). Me: Great! Super great! That’s cool too, I guess. You’re really missing out on this PowerPoint thing though. Daughter: I don’t think so. Me: (thinking to myself) The ONE time I don’t want her to be an over-achiever and she picks that moment to be one. Well, that backfired.…
Upcycled Tic Tac Toe
My son’s kindergarten homework for the week of Earth Day was to: 1) play outside 2) do a project that involves reusing or recycling I was ALL on board with #1. In the interest of full disclosure, I had every intention of ignoring #2. It’s kindergarten. It’s not even required in our state. I know, I know. Mother of the year. Don’t worry. I have not sent my son down the path of underachievement…yet. We pulled the project off – even if it began accidentally. Here’s how it went down… While the kids were outside playing, I decided that would be a good time to apply a coat of stain…
DIY Felt Spring Wreath
I know you have been waiting with bated breath for me to share another felt project. Wait no more. I have a doozie for you today. Meet happiness on a door. Otherwise known as my spring wreath. In the interest of full disclosure, I love how bright and cheery this project turned out, but boy, was it a pain to create. Literally. Doesn’t that inspire you to make your own? I have a way with these things. I decided to make this wreath after seeing similar ones on Etsy. While my project was drastically less expensive, it did take me several nights to make it. I also incurred quite a few hot glue burns.…
Scalloped and Basket Weave Felt Pillow – No Sew
It’s been awhile since I’ve shared any crafty projects involving felt. Did you hope think I dropped that obsession? Ha! That’s crazy talk. Here’s how it all went down… I’m still having problems with my sewing machine. By “problems” I mean the bobbin thread is a hot mess and I don’t have the patience to deal with it. By the way, does anyone need a sewing machine? It really is amazing what I can create when I’m avoiding figuring out how to work my sewing machine. I needed wanted some new decorative pillows for my bed and thought I’d try my hand at making over two pillow covers that I own. Waste not, want…
Lion and Lamb Children’s Art
With Easter rapidly approaching, I thought it would be the perfect time to share some ideas for lion and lamb artwork. These were both made by my daughter in preschool, which was *sob* way too long ago. I can’t take credit for the artwork, unless you count growing the artist in my belly, birthing the artist and then meticulously selecting a preschool to cultivate the artist’s intellect and artistic talents. So, yeah. When you think about it that way, I can totally take credit for this artwork. I say this with all sincerity, the lion artwork demonstrates the best combined use of a paper plate and a tongue depressor that I’ve…
Leather Wrapped Basket Handle
I may have to ditch my felt obsession and move on to leather cording. Kidding, kidding. Felt, I will always love you. I have a large, but plain, black basket that is currently pulling duty as the keeper of random books in our living room. I’d say the basket dates back to approximately 2 B.C. That’s 2 years Before Children. I have a vague recollection of that time in my life. I believe it involved power lunches and sleeping in on Saturdays…and Sundays. Anyway, one day last week, the basket really started to bug me. I think it’s the brain’s way of saying you can’t control the twists and turns of life, but you can makeover…
LEGO Valentine’s Day Cards – Free Printable
On Wednesday, I shared the writing-themed Valentine’s Day Cards my daughter is handing out this year. Now, it’s time to share my son’s Valentine’s Day cards. The day I was working on this post, this picture popped up in my Facebook feed from 3 years ago when my son was 2 years old. I left it in all of its unedited glory. Did you laugh out loud and spit tea on your computer screen too? It took me three years, but I am finally able to look back on that clean-up and laugh! My favorite Facebook comment on that picture was from my friend Christine who said, “it’s not easy being…
Write This Way Valentine Card Printable
Last weekend my husband, daughter and son were bonding over some sort of computer game. It’s what they do. Picture them all sitting in a row, almost shoulder to shoulder, each playing the same game on their own computers. All of the sudden, my daughter realizes there is instant messaging “chat” functionality on this game. “Oh!” she exclaimed. “Now we don’t have to talk to each other!” I just…I can’t even…I… Let’s just say it is a little ironic that she picked a communication-themed Valentine’s Day card. My brain is still processing all the hope we are hanging on this next generation, so I can’t remember if the idea or the trinket came…
