Crafting: Giving New Life to Old

A few years ago for Mother's Day my husband and kids gave me these adorable boy and girl plant holders. For years, they have sat on my front porch holding little vincas or geraniums that normally die long before the Fourth of July.  In the fall, I put away the planters and decided I would either sell them in a garage sale or give them to Goodwill. They were looking a little faded, old, and weathered and not what I wanted anymore.

As I was planting flowers last week, I came across them and decided it was time to donate them. I asked P to load them in the van so I could swing them by in the morning.  In a stroke of genius, he asked why I just wasn't going to paint them and turn trash into treasure.

I knew all that time watching HGTV with me was paying off!  A little spray paint, some acrylic paint for the hat and flower and in about 15 minutes, it was new life!  I used Rust-Oleum American Accents Satin Metallic spray paint in Aged Copper that I found at Lowes' for about $6.00. Way cheaper than new planters. 

The actual painting process was so easy and no prep work required.  All I did was lay out some newspaper on the deck and go crazy spraying.  I then used some craft acrylic paints to paint the girls' flower and the boy's hat.  Super easy and the whole process took less than an hour including drying time and a second coat. 

If I do say so myself, I think they look even better than when they were brand new.  Now, if I can just remember to water the plants, I might have living plants making my porch pretty all summer long!

Fall Crafting and Craziness is in the Air

I'm so behind in my blogging lately. I'd love to say it's because I've been on an exotic vacation or secluded away somewhere writing a book, but reality is that September gets me every year.  Without a doubt, it's the most hectic time of the year for our family.  Every event is up and running and between Open Houses at schools, athletic games, and meetings for scouts and Bible studies, we are never home.  Last week, there was one evening in which we had six events from three in the afternoon until eight thirty at night with only two drivers and three children.  We had to make a spreadsheet to figure out who went where with who!

Of course, I say every September that it's going to get better, but then again it comes around and hits me like a ton a brinks.  Add to the picture the fact that with Mr. C playing football, he's not home until six fifteen most nights and twice a week we have events starting at that exact same time.  Can you say dinner in shifts?  Last Friday night, we were finally home together for dinner at the same time so I made homemade Chicken and Dumplings courtesy of Boomama and they were "slap your momma" good as she would say!  Everyone loved them!

In addition to cleaning out closets and rearranging drawers of late, I've gotten the crafting bug and have been itching to make a few new things for myself and for gifts. I'm desperate to make a new wreath for my front door and have some great "fall" fabrics that I think will really pop.  After a trip to my favorite knitting shop, I also have some fabulous yarn to make a gift that for a special event this winter.  Yeah!

While I've yet to get very far with either of the craft items yet, it brings me great joy to know that they are standing ready for me to dig in.  I have deadlines in my mind for both so if I don't want to pull all nighters, I better get started.

Before I start feeling sorry for myself, I should say that while my calendar has been crazy busy lately I've also been able to have a few "fun dates" with my husband, my father, and friends.  P and I snuck out one day to see the movie "The Help" and loved every minute of our matinee.  My dad and I had a walk down memory lane at one of my grandfather's favorite burger joints that "fly boys" frequent and loved remembering how much he enjoyed this hole in the wall that has now become a fabulous family diner.  Just wish my grandpa could have been there to shared the fries with us.

I've also been able to grab a few fun lunch dates/coffee dates with friends and have really enjoyed some sweet fellowship and fun shopping trips.  Next week it's lunch out with my mom, maybe even a little "shopping" on the side.  Girl time is so worth it!

I'll never complain about the newness of September and the start of my mom's Bible study groups. This sweet time with other women studying God's word makes all the crazy hectic days of the month worth the chaos.

My spring "signature" crafting piece....

I've still got the crafting bug. Last week, I decided to turn the material I had originally purchased for the Family Room update and turn them into a springtime rag wreath for our front door.

Love it!

I'd been dreaming of buying a signature spring decoration for our front door and now I've made something that is perfect. I'm so glad I changed my mind on the fabric squares for the family room and went with totally different material. While I love the fabric I used for the wreath, it was all wrong for the family room, but just perfect for our white front door.

This project was also ideal for my limited crafting skills. All you really had to do was cut fabric and then tie it to a wreath frame. It was just like making those fun flip flops with fabric. I found the perfect wire wreath frame at Hobby Lobby, a four ring frame and ended up using three rings to get the fullness I wanted.

I'm excited to make one for the fall with Halloween and thanksgiving colors. Really, the possibilities are endless. Who knows, I could even make these for gifts. Well a girl can dream about crafting, can't she. If you'd like to see the full tutorial on how to make this visit Sassy Sanctuary at http://sassysanctuary.blogspot.com/2010/09/halloween-rag-wreath.html.

Now, I just need to finish my huge knitted blanket project before summer hits and its too hot to knit!

GS Crafting: Over My Head and I'lll Admit It!

Sunday afternoon was Girl Scout crafting at our house. A few weeks ago, I'd taken the Girl Scouts fabric shopping for photo boards and it was now time to make the boards.

This is where I admit I'm craft hindered. I love the idea of a great craft, but the reality of carrying out the finished project leaves a little to be desired. The Girl Scout Photo board is a prime example. My plan was to make a sample photo board last week and have all the kinks worked out before the girls arrived.

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Reality proved that I didn't leave the house for almost five days and that meant the sample board was made on Sunday afternoon; just hours before the big event. It also meant that the project was much more difficult than I had originally thought. The staples were hard to put into the plywood. The process of ironing the fabric, stapling the quilt backing and fabric to the board, and then to get enough ribbon cut and ready was hard.

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The boards are adorable, but the plan to have the girls walk out with finished projects was soon abandoned when we needed to make a run to Michael's for more ribbon (4 rolls per girl) and we needed much more than 1.5 hours to finish.

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Thankfully, these girls are saints, as is my husband for bailing me out of stapling and figuring out how to get these projects done. I've learned that I need to do a better job of planning crafts out step by step. I can't wing it. While the girls had a great time and it was fun to see how the fabric creations are coming together, its disappointing that we didn't finish.

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The finished projects will be great. It's just going to take a little while to get there.

WFMW Cold Day Boredom Buster: Bedazzler

For Christmas this year, I received my first ever "As Seen On T.V." product from my in-laws. I've never purchased anything from a infomercial or tried any of those fabulous Ginsu Knives or Sandwich Makers. I have seen some knock offs at Walgreen if that counts.

Don't think I haven't been tempted by their outlandish claims and promises. I have, but am afraid it will be like those items I use to order off the back of the cereal boxes when I was a kid (think Sea Monkeys). All talk (and freezed dried shrimp / plankton).

Now, I am the proud owner of a Bead Magic Machine. Think Bedazzler. My mother-in-law is really trying to stretch my crafty self. First knitting, now home fashions.

I must admit that, when I first opened the present, I thought maybe it was a joke and inside the Bead Magic Box would be the real gift. It was the real gift!

My girls got so excited. They started dreaming up things to Bedazzler. M thought of fancy hats, purses, and headbands. A thought Ruthie our AG Doll would love a new outfit all beaded up fancy-like. Guess she thinks I can sew too.

Funny thing is it is pretty cool. I'm not into glitz and glamour and the tool itself takes a little bit of work to figure out, but the end result is fun.

So, on MLK day when the kids had no school, we got out our t-shirts from Hobby Lobby and our Bead Magic Tools and got busy. It was what they call a family moment. Or, it's cold and we've nothing to do, mom so what tricks do you have up your sleeve.

I will not admit if all three kids were involved. I'll only say that only two pink shirts were decorated. Bedazzling is a lot like math I've been told. Precise. Looking at the end result I think it's obvious that my math skills are lacking and my assistants skills are right on every time.

I made M's; he made A's. I blame it on the fact he had the hand held model and it's much easier. There is not any evidence that he is more skillful than me.

Too bad he doesn't want a beddazzled Texas football jersey, Burnt Orange beads are so cute.

Cold Day Boredom Setting In: Find your own Bedazzler and get Busy!!

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