Making Snow Scene Jars

Whilst I've been working merrily on the poinsettia projects (putting them on wreaths, tweaking, making wire words etc.) I've been fitting in some of the fun Christmas projects that have been swirling around in my head like a little snowstorm. One of these are the cute snow scene jars I've run into on etsy, pinterest, etc. I found a link to a tutorial on Rhonna Farrer's blog which you should really hop over and see, but I've also stepped it out here for you as well. :) Cause it's fun.

Snow Scene Jars- Shaken and 

Stirred Glittery Fun

So disclaimer, I had my son help me with this project. I was shamed into it by a friend who crafts with her daughters all the time. Never mind that they're a minimum of 3 years older then Jasper who's seven. Never mind that they're sweet creative souls, and my son is well, a boy; I thought it was a dandy plan. So last Sunday after a quickie trip to Jo Ann's for some glitter, and mason jars we were set. Here's the supply list, we had much of it at home already.

Tools and Material List
Glass jars (we used different sizes but I decided I liked the wide mouth jars best bc of the proportion when tipped upside down)
Fake snow/batting tuffs
Glitter
Little woodland or arctic animals (check your local bakery for the cupcake picks or buy one of the forest or arctic animal toobs from the craft store- we had a huge container already.)
Bottle brush trees (BIG hint but these are cheapest at Home Depot- $6.97 a 21 pack vs. $19 at craft stores)
Little twigs, rocks or other natural elements
Hot glue gun with ammunition
Surface to hot glue on
Some little bits to create height, little sewing spools, glass pebbles, corks, etc.
optional: Paint and brush for lid of jar or to paint decorative items like twigs. Glitter paint is fun on animals too!

Step One: Gather all supplies and clear a surface to create on. I put down a craft mat and was super glad I did. Everything peels off those and their heat resistant.

Step Two: Unscrew lid from jar and on inside, hot glue in center of lid, your spools, corks, pebbles whatever to create height you want. The higher the trees and animals are raised up the more snow you have to add to hide that area. But the more they're raised the closer to eye level they are and it looks like big snowy drifts which is cool. You can also tuck in tufts of batting to hide spools and corks.




Step Three: Hot glue tree, animal, igloo, whatever you have on top of height creating items.Make sure it all fits within circumference of lid top. If you'd like to paint, or glitter your items do that before gluing them in place.






 

Step Four: This is the step your boy will like so much they won't want to help with any of the rest of it from now on- just this part. (This is also the part your husband might walk in, notice the glitter, the hot glue cords stretched to the table, and the seven year old shaking lots and lots of glitter, some of it into a jar. Don't worry your husband will probably get that deer in the headlights look, spin around and head back to his office until dinner). In jar, add fake snow, toss in a couple of shakes of glitter if you'd like, and gently insert decorations into jar and screw lid tightly down. Now, if you're lucky you have just enough snow. If you're more trial and error (or distracted by your child), you'll have too much or too little. Don't take everything out and off, just invert jar so it's right side up and unscrew top. Pull open enough to shake out some excess snow or to add more. Then screw tight again, and invert. At this point I also decided I wanted to paint my lids so I did it with them all ready assembled. But I'd probably recommend doing this at the beginning. They'd look really good glittered too I'd think.

Can you see the giddy boy glee as he shakes?

Step Five: Make lots more. Looking at his old box of animal toys my son's decided we need a killer whale snow scene, a cow snow scene, and a manatee snow . Yup. Display and Enjoy!!!! Oh, and clean up isn't nearly as bad as you'd think. ;)

There And Back again...and again.. and again....

Traveling the Bear Tooth Highway, MT

 I've truly been there and back again in the last few months, only to make a few more trips of it. How about you? Was your summer crazy too? I was cruising along in May and even June but at the beginning of July I just kind of hit a road block and had to make some choices. The result of those choices had me basically turning off all electronic pulls on my time. No facebook, no blogging, no reading blogs, etc. for the rest of the summer.

See I was having a really hard time working, being a full time mom, keeping my depression at bay, producing art in quantity, staying in touch with friends and family, as well as meeting what I thought was others expectations for me, and my expectations for myself. I try to be the best mom to my son, housekeeper, cook, wife, artist, writer, friend, and christian I can but I have to admit trying to do it all, all the time is a little nuts. During the school year my time is better segregated. I know I'll have blocks of time I can devote to each but during the summer everything gets all blurred.

Stopping to see the View

So all of August I took time off. I tried not to do too much art and crafting, I did the minimum required of me for my job, I checked out of the volunteer work I do, and tried to get back on an even keel. Kind of the time equivalent of a bonus check on the budget. It catches you up and allows you to start the budget fresh again.

Summer Roses in Bismarck,ND

 I have to believe I'm not the only one who ever has to start over. I know the cover of the Sunday insert had Katie Couric saying something about life being a series of reboots. Taking time off to turn off was challenging. To be honest I couldn't do it in pieces, I tried that. In the end it took completely checking out, removing myself, and reading books. I get lost in books and hadn't read for quite a while so I made big use of my library card this last month. Found some really good series and let my mind rest. How do you reboot? Do you find you need to unplug entirely or do you have a daily or weekly ritual that re focuses you? I'd love to know if you have any tricks for finding and keeping balance. 

Playing with Dolls...:)

Besides distracting myself with books, I've been trying to play. I've found that giving myself permission to just play and follow some whims usually brings me to a new place that was just where I needed to go. So I made some dolls in August. One for the new little niece I visited in mid August and another for a new little adopted niece. That one isn't quite finished yet but I'll post pics when it is. I'm also making some fall clothes Alabama Chanin style. It's so so fun and just a little bit obsessive but the end result is just gorgeous. I have a dress that's partially done and a bolero I just finished. I'm excited about both. There's just something about fall that makes me want to be a fashion designer. This year the Alabama Chanin remake is in full swing. :) I'll keep you updated. 

Close up of my Alabama Chanin Style Dress in Progress

Some Ideas on Ways to Play and Help Others Too!

Art 2 Heart- Missions Gift Shop in Hamel

 One of the absolute best things about the product development roll I took on last spring with Art 2 Heart is the ability to match people with hearts to projects that help. That involves knowledge of both the skills required or possessed, and the interest of the crafter. It's sheer torture to tell someone who works with knits to make bracelets if they don't want to. So, if you've considered using your mad craft skills to help others, a first word of advice, stick to your interest group. Only participate if it's something you'd genuinely enjoy doing. Next, do you want to work alone or in a group? If you can't find a group- would you consider making one? It's super fun to create with others. You can approach the group in two ways as well. You can see it as a bunch of gals pounding out the projects, or you can see the group itself as a mission. Are you willing to bring in newbies and teach them the how-to's? Would you like to involve local immigrants or the handicapped? Also, consider that just because you're an at home sort of person, groups can and do form online every day around a specific interest. Spend a little time searching and I'm sure you'll find something of interest! I've also included a few at the end of this post to get you started.

The cutest! A doll pattern from Oh So Dollin- LOVE!!!

Third consideration, how much are you willing to donate? Is is just time that you have, or do you have a stash of fabric that you'd love to use up? Are you willing to finance your work with the goal of donating it? I thought that to support a group I needed to make all my contributions donations. A friend suggested to me that I do consignment to cover the cost of materials and donate what's profit. Additionally, you can work with a gift shop that donates it's proceeds to missions and consign with them. They get a percentage of the sale plus you can gift them with whatever is above what you need to cover your costs.
More ideas then crafting time?Consider donating ideas. There are really great groups of sewers, jewelry makers, diy crafters and pinterest devotees who are just dying for a way to play and help too. But they need ideas. They need to know what they can make that will really make a difference. Maybe that's baby blankets for a local crisis nursery, or knitted newborn hats for a local preemie ward, or maybe it's something else. I ran across a blog asking people to knit sweaters for penguins once. They'd been saved from an oil spill but weren't able to keep themselves warm. They needed sweaters. SO SO cute! Or the crafter might be creating goods for sale with proceeds going to a mission organization. Then they need someone with an eye to current trends who is able to pinpoint projects and help them get off the ground by maybe supplying step by steps and/or samples or someone willing to come and teach. We had a student at the shop who wanted to help but the paintings she donated weren't selling. I heard they were great but wall art just wasn't moving there. SO my group suggested she try the stamped jewelry and found her a class and aided with the set up and it's been a fabulous success! She is truly truly amazing and what she's done for others has just rocked our world.

 But today I wanted to start to share just a few more with direct links. Maybe you'll decide to help out one of these missions, maybe it'll give you ideas for starting your own. God can and will use every skill you have if you allow Him too. Trust me!

First up today- as I was looking for a cute baby doll pattern I stumbled across the blog, Dolly Donations. They provide the pattern and you donate the dolls. Then they distribute them in places like Rwanda, Uganda, and Haiti. Dolls are both companions and security for little girls, I think this is a great ministry. Maybe you want to take this idea and provide Korean looking dolls for your local adoption agency. I bet that new parents would love to gift their child with a special doll as they prepare to bring them home. Once, when I called 911 and and rescue truck came they gave my son the cutest little bear to help him be brave. It was something I appreciated with my whole heart.
Here are a couple more cute patterns that you can purchase and adapt to whatever you have in your heart to do.

This cute pattern by Wendi Gratz  is available to purchase on Craftsy

Another cute pattern by oh so dollin  on Craftsy

There are lots more groups like this and I have a feeling there'll be lots more to show you so check back in the next few weeks for more! Thanks for Reading and have a great day!!!

Vintage Style Jewelry Displays

I know, I know... you've seen it done before. An old frame turned granny chic fab as a jewelry display. I even posted this tutorial showing you how to turn an old frame into a ribbon holder. It's been done. I know...

 I've also got a peak at a new idea I've been playing with using my collection of old trays. We're trying to redo the jewelry displays at Art 2 Heart for summer and these were the ideas I've come up with. I think these turned out pretty fab so I thought I'd show you the pics and do a little how-to.

 

First, you need an old frame or two. You also need corkboard or foam core cut to fit said frame. Then, you take that big ol' roll of muslin you have stashed and cover the corkboard with it. I wrapped my frame and then used a staple gun to secure it. I've also used duct tape. It works. 

 Next, you get to decorate. You can either choose option a) and glue on doilies, or b) stencil a doily border, c) both of the above, or I guess d) leave it as is.

In this next pic you can get an idea of the finished concept. I used wire flowers I'd sprayed cream and just hung them on a push pin that I'd inserted into the corkboard. They look like little handles.

 Another idea I had was to use my old tray collection. With a crop-a-dile big bite and a package of Tim Holtz brand decorative hardware you can make this in about, oh, 5 minutes. I'm going to use E6000 to attach a hanger to the top back of this but it would look great displayed in a small easel as well.

So there you go- a little daily dose of inspiration. Hope you enjoyed it!!!

A Little More Fourth.... Fourth of July Fabric Corsage

Encore from Last Year's Fourth on the blog: Enjoy your day!!!!

Happy Fourth of July!!! To celebrate today's holiday I whipped up this sweet little holiday corsage yesterday. It's red, white and blue at it's best. With a little imagination and fabric you can easily adapt this tutorial to any holiday or special occasion. I think this would be a lovely finishing touch to your outfit when worn to a wedding or garden party. The design is meant to be reminiscent of the ol' time corsages worn high on the shoulder but because of the versatile pin back/clip combo it can also be worn as a hair accessory or you can clip it to a long necklace for a focal accent. However you choose to wear it- Enjoy!
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Fourth of July Fabric Corsage Tutorial

Tools and Materials
Scissor
Needle
Embroidery floss or thread
Variety of coordinating fabrics (I used Moda)
Canvas cloth
Bit of ribbon or other trims if desired 
Glue gun with glue stick
Pin back/clip combo (found it at Hobby Lobby) 

Step One: Rip or cut a strip of fabric approx. 2' in length by 2 1/2" in width. 

Step Two:  Fold the strip in half width-wise, hold and tie a knot an inch or so from one end of the strip 

Step Three: Thread your needle and pierce your knot in the center then begin to wrap the strip around the center knot, adding a stitch here or there as you go to hold the shape. 

Step Four: Give the fabric a twist here or there before adding a stitch to create the form and appearance of petals.







Step Five: When finished, add a few more stitches to the base of the flower to secure. Then add a couple of stitches up and through the center. Knot off at back and cut thread. 

Step Six: Choose a couple of coordinating fabric and cut 2-3 leaf shapes. Place on canvas and leaving a 1/4" border cut around your patterned fabric. Rip a few more strips to hang down decoratively from corsage as well.

Step Seven: Play around with your positioning and then stitch leaves to back of fabric flower as desired. Feel free to embellish your leaves by stitching around their edge or adding some buttons or beads. To add dimension to the leaf, pinch bottom and stitch to hold as shown. 

Step Eight: When you've finished assembling your corsage and stitching it all securely in place heat up your glue gun and adhere pin back to back of flower. Hold for a few seconds for better bond.  Alternatively, you could stitch on a pin  back. Make sure to position slightly high on back of corsage so it hangs well.  
Wear with patriotic pride (and 'cause you know you look good). :)

Best Wishes to you and your family- I hope you have a fabulous Fourth of July!!!!!

Yo

Catch Up- Pics of Projects

 I just finished writing up a tutorial for you that I 'll post tomorrow but I wanted to toss in this little post to show y'all some of the projects I've been working on the last month or so...

This is a little tote bag for a friend who just had a baby

A Bride badge in the wedding's theme color of indigo

A 18x 18 pillow cover (appearing soon in my etsy shop)

Another pillow cover with hand carved stamps, embroidery, buttons, etc

More of the kid's art totes!

And another....

And here is the inside. A friend helped me finish these up- I think they turned out great!

I'm still working on the sewing skills- here's a little wallet based on this design I found on pinterest

New art for my etsy shop!

Another new piece- I love it!!!

Experimenting with paint...

 

 

 

 

 

Rainbows on the Horizon (Trend Spotting)

So part of the whole goodness that is my life right now is that I get to scout trends. My pics? Granny chic of course is on it's way, I'm loving Zakka (as any of you who have seen my pinterest board know), and I'm going to go with rabbits for the next big forest animal. It's huge in Japan I guess and really there's just so many dang cute things you can do with bunnies. So hedgehogs and dachsunds- maybe. But bunnies-definitely.

Today though, one of my predictions of a few years ago found some personal vindication in this post. Personal because I don't think I told too many people about it. But anyways, two or three years ago I found some rainbow fabric and it hit me. Rainbows are due for a comeback. Not only were they big when I was a girl (and all good trends come round more then once), but they really speak to an optimism that we all need right now.

From Riley Construction on Etsy

So here's how trends work in my mind. First of all, there's historical precedent that you can factor in (what goes around comes around and nostalgia play a big part). Second, there's geographical location. What's big in the trendiest places now? Check the UK, Europe and Japan and you'll get some pretty good hints. Next, look at fashion. What's big in fashion will usually filter down to home decor and crafting before too long. Lace is a great example of that. Colors seem to run their own course and there are lots of blogs devoted to colors. My friend Shelley from SingleStone Studios has a great color combination post that goes up once a week featuring different trendy color combos. 

From Wise Social Ties on Etsy

From Block Party Press on Etsy

But here's the biggest thing to my mind and it's why I believe that birds and butterflies have had such a great run of it. A truly big trend is usually indicative of the emotional state of the populace at large. Which is why so many people embrace it. Think about it, it's a time of uncertainty, we're feeling tethered to our homes because of the poor housing market, we're losing our jobs, and maybe our homes. We're seeing life get really really hard for a lot of families and we read daily about some new instability in finance, business, or the world. Birds denote flight and thus freedom. We're grounded now but we all want the chance to fly. And many many people are taking that chance now- in the midst of instability. There are more baby boomers starting businesses now than any other group. I think they realize that if they're going to stretch their wings, and reach for the dreams now is the time to do it. Everyday I look at Etsy and realize how many people have decided to make the big decision to make a business from their art. For some it's a can't lose philosophy- they lost their job and have nothing to lose by taking a leap now. But that mentality is catchy. Why not me? Is the question that starts many a business. So in the midst of economic instability there is a longing to fly. Another thing about birds is that they are part of the natural world and the more we become disconnected from nature the more the creative soul reaches for a way to regain what's lost. Thus we have birch branches in our offices, and stumps in our living rooms.

I truly believe that birds will stay until our societal problems give at least the illusion of or promise of stability. But here's where we get to the rainbow, and why I think it's taken it's own sweet time arriving as a full blown trend. Rainbows are optimistic but I think they belong to a world that hopes to see the end of the chaos. The end of the storm needs to be in sight before we begin to truly look for the rainbow in our lives. Not to say that some of us won't jump the gun and start making rainbow art now (yup-did it). There are always a group of crazy optimists among creatives and I have to admit to being one of them. But when we start to see rainbows- lots and lots of rainbows that will say a lot about how we as a world perceive life then. So stick around- I bet it won't be too long....

My Fabric and Wire take on the Rainbow