Lost decorations and a craft disaster

It all started with the missing box of Easter decorations. It should have been in the basement but a quick search a few weeks ago revealed nothing. I don’t like to spend much time down there, never knowing what I might stumble over, but the other day I bravely channeled my inner Nancy Drew and took a closer look. I didn’t find the box in question but I did find a big box that I had put aside for the junk guys to take during the last clean out. Ah ha! They must have taken the wrong box. Oh, those poor chickies!

And so began the plan to replace the decorations with handmade items. First up, the felt bunny. Look how sweet they are in the pattern book:

I thought I’d make a half dozen or so, whipping them up with felt I have on hand. Ha! The steps and hand sewing are quite simple, and yet, my bunny looks like he has a tumor on his head. And is it just me, or is his face more chicken than bunny? Look at the nose … much more of a beak.

Yeah, this guy is going to be an only bunny. Although, I do have a few ideas for tweaking the pattern to avoid the trouble spots. Hmmm …

More fun than a barrel of monkeys

Hard to imagine anything more fun than a barrel of monkeys but, hold on to your hat, we found it …

The chalkboard wall! It’s the perfect place for practicing spelling words for the weekly 1st grade test …

And for doodling.

And for menus, lists, reminders, tic-tac-toe … well, the possibilities are endless and ever so much fun. Can’t wait to get some colored chalk … ooh la la!

The best part is the impromptu creations and collaborations that this little wall inspires. Amazing what a small can of paint, a paintbrush and a short amount of time can produce.  Chalkboard walls for everyone — that’s my new motto!

Queen of Hearts

Morning …

Noon …

And night …

And before all that …

There were the fun couple days devoted to making Valentine’s for friends … cards from K, felt fortune cookies from me. I forgot (gasp) to photograph them before packing and shipping but fortunately Kristy sent me a shot of Valentine’s morning for her girls. The cards are her design (she’s an amazing designer) as is the breakfast (but I want some, it looks so good!). The little felt fortune cookies were stuffed with fortune, stickers and chocolates.

There’s still time for Valentine’s fun. Send an e-card! I’m headed over to www.hoopsandyoyo.com for more Valentine’s giggles now!

Stress management

My go-to remedy for managing stress has always been to write lists and make order. It’s the way I calm down and get perspective.

Just recently, I found another stress reliever — embroidery. It’s been quite a few years since I picked up needle and thread but adorable patterns from Wee Wonderfuls prompted me to give it a go. I learned the slip stitch (a version of the stem stitch that I already knew) from a combination of online images and a children’s sewing book I got for K. Now I’m hooked. I pick up the hoop, do a stitch or two and immediately feel soothed. If already in a good mood, my spirits lift further. Pretty amazing results from a bit of fabric and thread. Now, what to do with all these creations? I’ll get back to you on that.

Still with the buttons

Cardboard + buttons + hot glue =

The first 2008 Valentine decoration. This project was less of a spatial challenge than the button tree, and comes with the heady smell of hot glue … there’s nothing like it! These are so quick and fun that I could easily become addicted. First though, there’s a Valentine button tree to tackle.

Art-ish

Want a boost of color? Time to dress up the walls? Looking for inspiration? I’ve got the project for you!

All you need is old calendars, favorite postcards, pretty papers or cutting from a magazine + cheap frames (think Target and Ikea) + scissors:

Decide what images you want to use. Trim to fit. Put together. Then place in a pleasing arrangement.

And there you have it. Prep time: 20 minutes. Execution: 10 minutes (+ if you forget to measure twice and have the hole in the wrong place).

I plan to add on to mine from top and bottom as I collect more favorite images. Am also thinking it would be fun to alter them in some way. I’ll keep you posted.

Editor’s Note: The painting in the middle is an original from France. A treasure from my sister that really pops now that it’s surrounded by a series of uniform frames and complementary colors.

Editor’s Note 2: You’ll find that the frames, even after careful measuring, do not line up exactly right. Or look right when you’re up close but wonky from afar. This comes from using inexpensive frames that aren’t perfectly identical in size. I like it this way. But you could always take away the back easel (that gives you the option to stand the frame up) so it’s less bulky and inclined to move + affix a bit of tape to the bottom so it stays exactly where you want it.