Two Simple DIY Cranberry Garlands

These two garlands are so simple!  Promise.  And you just might have all ingredients in your home, garage or garden.

The first one up is popcorn and whole cranberries.  This was actually an activity we did during an Advent devotional last week. I could not get over I had never thought of this before.  I simply used fishing line and a large needle to string the popcorn and cranberries.  After it was done I added plaid ribbon to the ends.

And then I had so many cranberries left over I had to come up with something else.  First begin by searching your husband's stash (or maybe yours) for galvanized wire.  Next cut fresh rosemary from your yard (or go buy some).  Cut the wire to desired size of wreath...mine was about 16 inches.  Mini ones would be so cute attached to gifts!

"Thread" the wire through cranberries until full.  Bend wire to connect and cut excess wire to finish.  Lay rosemary on wreath and tie ribbon.

Both are so festive for the Christmas season.  And super simple.

The Weary World Rejoices

Last year I saw an indoor sign and immediately knew I wanted it for an outdoor Christmas sign.  Because I saw it too late last year it didn't happen, but this year it did!

I am so thankful for a husband who willingly takes on all my projects with love.

He may not always be happy about it and my projects usually take a few days as well as have adjustments to work through, BUT he keeps on keeping on with the task at hand.  That's love.

I've had the picture on my phone for a year as a constant reminder to not miss the chance this year.  So right after Thanksgiving we got started.

Supplies:
BIG piece of wood
Bright red paint
Metallic silver paint.

That's it!  After a coat of Kilz we then added two coats of the red. Next Brant free handed the wording with the metallic silver.  DONE!

I am so happy with the way it came out!  Next he attached "legs" in order to stake it in the ground.

Then we added a spotlight for night time viewing to share it with the world.

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth. 

Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 

Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.

The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, 

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. 

Fall on your knees, 

Oh, hear the angel voices

O night divine, 

O night when Christ was born

O night divine, 

O night, O night divine, 

The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, 

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. 

Fall on your knees, 

Oh, hear the angel voices

O night divine, 

O night when Christ was born

O night divine, 

O night, O night divine, 

O holy night

Melting Crayons

This morning after reading and our memory work for Classical Conversations my crafty one had a fun idea.

"Let's melt all our broken crayons!"

So we ditched the rest of our school work to have a little fun.

Basically we used all the broken ones that would have ended up in the trash anyway.  We peeled all the paper off and placed them in a muffin tin.

Place the muffin tin in your pre-heated 275 degree oven.  The crayons should be melted in about 10-13 minutes.  Carefully place the hot muffin tin on a heat resistant surface and let cool for about 25 minutes. Then place tin in your freezer for about 5-10 minutes. 

** If you place in the refrigerator/freezer before cooled- the muffins may crack from the extreme temp. change.

Invert the muffin tin the chilled muffin sized crayons should fall right out.

They thought this was SO cool!  We'll wrap them in plastic wrap and share with friends.  I'll be cheesy and make a note that says..."You make my world more colorful".  

Have FUN melting crayons with your kids.  

Tin Can Wind Sock

Can you believe Memorial Day Weekend is just days away?!  We are super excited for an extra day with Brant and it makes it that much closer to us taking a break from school!!!  For us it also means grilling or firing up the smoker.  Brant will be busy with the meat while me and the boys are busy making homemade ice cream.  But let's not forget the decorating!


I made these last year for July 4th, but they are also perfect for Memorial Day as well.  So I just had to share this craft again.  But first make Black Bean and Corn Salsa .  Making this salsa will give you the tin cans you will need for the craft.  Besides you'll have a snack while you are doing this easy peasy, sorta kid-friendly craft. 

So let's get started.

You can use any type or size of can for this.  And customize it to your liking.  Which BTW I think these would also be FUN with a summer theme.  I'm dreaming of a bright blue can with a rainbow of ribbon on my porch in the very near future! 

So here is what you will need.

Supplies:
-tin cans
-spray paint (I choose white so my stickers would show up better)
-ribbon or material (I had all this in my stash so I didn't bother buying new)
-stickers (unless you can free hand really nice stars)
-hot glue gun
-crafty children are optional

**NOTE**
Make sure if your children are helping with this craft you have filed down any sharp edges inside the cans. 

After washing and drying cans I thought I would let the boys try spray painting.  DISASTER to say the least.  Brant can attest to that with the over spray covering his shop.  I took over at this point.

The boys helped by adding stickers all over the cans.  I used a small screw driver and hammer to make holes in the top for the hanger.  Thread string through the holes and tie off the string inside to hold the tie.  Next I glued ribbon and yarn inside the cans with a hot glue gun......NO burned fingers this time!

And there you have it Tin Can Wind Socks.

            How does your family celebrate Memorial Day? 

I hope you enjoy your weekend.  Make sure to get outside and have some FUN!!

~Inspiration for wind socks HERE

Super Duper EASY Spring Wreath

I am SO ready for SPRING!!!  The crafts and baking have not been high on my list lately so blogging pretty much came to a stop.  BUT with little bits of SPRING showing I had to add a wreath to the front door.  And that did it.  I had to share.  This is the easiest wreath I have EVER done.  Took me all of about 5 minutes not including spray painting.  

So check it out.  Spray paint a grapevine wreath with any bright color that suits your fancy.  I say a spring color.  Make a few rosettes made from scrap fabric and hot glue on the wreath.  Add a strip of fabric for the hanger.  DONE!

So are you seeing little bits of Spring in your neck of the woods?  I am itching to get outside to plant.  We are seeing the grass begin to grow (mowing season is upon us) and lots of things blooming already.  I just know it is getting close!

I see porch time in my near future.  Happy Thursday to you.


***Come back tomorrow and see what we painted METALLIC SILVER!!!***

Five on Friday-#6

ONE-and so it begins.  Upward Basketball!!  Last night the boys went for their evaluations and to be fitted for uniforms.  When I woke up this morning, one hour earlier than I really needed to (darn time change!), my thoughts went to this new adventure.  And to the weekly practice sessions they will begin at the busiest time of the year!  Practice will begin the first week in December and games start in January.  The boys are SO excited!!  Momma has a paper bag handy.

TWO-Bacon, Potato and Caramelized Onions.  I mean really.  How can you go wrong with that?!?!  Trying THIS new pizza recipe tonight.  It is similar to THIS ONE with fewer ingredients.  If potatoes sound weird on a pizza they did to me too at first.  They are a nice surprise I tell you.  So if you are looking for a fresh idea for pizza give either one a try.  Think outside the pizza box!

THREE-it's a classic.  It's been around since I was a little girl and I still love to watch it.  I have a rule in November that we do not buy the boys anything.  It is just too close to Christmas.  But how do you say no to A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving?!

I couldn't!!!!!  In less than five minutes of being home it was unwrapped and in the DVD player. 


FOUR-remember the porch post I painted green? Well last weekend I got around to painting the shorter piece.  I love the color before I added the stain, but this one is for Brant.  We're keeping it as is.  Paint can do amazing things. 


#colormakesmehappy

FIVE-I may not be making as many sweet treats with pumpkin as I usually do, but I am always willing to try a pumpkin craft.  I had intended on making THIS  super easy pumpkin, but I used what I had on hand.  Scrap burlap, dollar store pumpkin and a real pumpkin stem.  Before we tossed our Halloween jack-o-lantern I grabbed the stem.  Then I took strips of burlap and hot glued them to the pumpkin.  Attached the stem and there you have it.  I love how it came out. 

And I am very grateful it is FRIDAY!!!!!!

Enjoy your day and weekend.

Goodbye October and Hello November

 

Goodbye October.  It was fun, but I am happy to see your friend today.  Hello November!  November brings lots of excitement.....or stress whichever way you want to look at it.  Lists are made to begin Christmas shopping for some.  November also brings a special intentional time of thanksgiving for many.  And the beloved FEAST!  Hello November.

As we say goodbye to October we turn the page on Halloween.  It was just plain different this year for us.  Maybe because we decided to do this whole Halloween thing and had high hopes of such fun.  On Wednesday we took the boys to a church function.  "Light in the Night" it was called.  It was basically a carnival/trunk or treat.  And it was very obvious the boys are too old for this kind of thing.

All the games were for much younger children in my opinion.  But the boys had to check it out.  Their favorite part inside was the face painting.  But truly all they were concerned about was trunk or treat.....the candy part.  Once that started they made their rounds to all cars and trucks, filled their buckets and we were gone. 
We had planned to go trick or treating on Halloween, but our weather was the pits.  100% rain all around us.  It stayed dark and gloomy all day and rained, and rained and rained.....we knew trick or treating was out of the question.  So yesterday morning I did what any mother would do.  I got up and put on my costume and encouraged the boys to do the same.  They may have had candy for breakfast too.  I was determined to make it a fun day regardless of the rain!  We also ran to Sonic for fifty cent corn dogs for lunch....in costumes.  And then made a stop to see my mom at work.  And of course paraded all around in costumes to visit everyone. 

My crystal ball showed rain most of the day, but I was seeing an end to it right here.

It did indeed stop raining by dusk, but it was too wet, too soggy and we were ready to get comfortable and settle in for the night.  As promised I made kettle corn and we all piled on the couch to watch Tom and Jerry cartoons.  And we I decided this would be a new Halloween tradition---kettle corn and TV....all piled on the couch together.  Cartoons are optional :)

Perfect ending!

As we begin November I quickly put out the "Thankful Acorn". We started this in 2009 and it went well.  I started sharing it here on the blog the next year.  I love going back to see how it has changed (not much) and getting a glimpse of each year past.  I love reading the "thankfuls" from years past.   The little stem on the acorn basket has seen better days, but we press on with it.

I'll spare you another year of explaining it and just say, be thankful.  Make an effort to really think about all the many, many blessings you have been given.  Although we thank our Heavenly Father daily, we like to spend this month setting aside a time every night to talk about and discuss those blessings. 
If you are interested in learning more about the "Thankful Acorn" you can read about each year HERE or HERE or last year's post HERE .  It is a fun and meaningful way to be intentional about being thankful. 

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
    “Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

Happy Friday Y'all!  Enjoy your weekend.

Trash to Treasure Art

Months ago we changed out the posts on our front porch.  They were old, the wood was rotting on a few and we just did not like the overall look.  As Brant tore them down and thought trash, I thought treasure. 

I quickly went through the posts and discovered one that was still in pretty good shape.  He did have to cut off one end, but I still had a nice size post.  And of course I was able to keep a small portion of another after a good chunk was cut off.

They sat out back for months just waiting for me to bring them back to life.  And this past weekend I did give life to the big boy.  I cleaned it up and then we headed to Home Depot to pick out a color.  I had a color in mind and quickly found the perfect shade.

New Grass Green

Doesn't it scream LIFE!  All things green to me suggest spring.  A renewal-rebirth.  Just what this trash to treasure post needed.

It was simple.  I painted two coats of the new color and allowed it to dry in between.  Once it was dry we brought it in to see what it needed.

WOW!  The color POPPED!  It was beautiful and extremely bright in comparison to it's friends (the rugged frames and shabby "It Is Well" word art).  But hey that is why we work in stages.  We now knew just what it needed.

Sanding and stain--my two favorite things to do to wood!

I sanded down every line, groove, curve and surface of the post allowing the white to show.  After this we rubbed a walnut color stain on every line, groove, curve and surface of the post.  In no particular way, shape or form. 

And that did the trick.  It sealed the deal.  It sent the ball right out of the park.  We were done.

And I was happy!  I love the way it now looks like it belongs to this crowd of friends. 

Color in my world makes me happy. 

I love taking something old, making it new again and adding an old rustic look with color and stain. 

For now it is "art" leaning in the corner.  BUT we have future plans for this beauty.....coat rack.  Another project another weekend....I'll share later.  The smaller piece I have yet to work on.  It will be similar to the big guy with a different color.....maybe hanging on the wall like real "art".

Before you are throw something out to the curb today give me a call.  It just might be a treasure to me.

Five on Friday #4

One
As Halloween gets closer and the thought of trick-or-treating gets the boys all excited costumes have changed.  I am now putting a stop to it so they will have to make some tough decisions.
Soldier and Gladiator.  Or Red and Blue Ninja.

 

Even at 8 1/2 the boys still love to dress-up.  Costumes have been a big part of their play for many years.  We don't spend much on costumes, but to get two before Halloween is a BIG treat to say the least.  After Halloween we stock up.  My mom along with me and my sisters score 2-3 costumes for the regular price of one the day after.  These have made great Christmas gifts in the past.  Of course the best costumes are gone and what is left the day after are not so great.  BUT with a little imagination and effort you can throw in some accessories to make a fun costume.  Homemade costumes are the best!  I'm having a blast putting mine together. 


Two
The COOLEST APP EVER!!!!!  Oh my goodness, this is one of the best apps I have purchased.  And I don't purchase very many.  The other day Brant told me about an app a friend at work had on his phone.  He knew it would be perfect for us since we are studying Astronomy this year in school.  And boy was he right!  Search for Google Sky in the app store.  On my phone it was called "StarMap 3D".  Here are pictures of the screen I took with my phone.  It tracks where you are and shows you the sky....stars, planets, the moon, the sun, constellations and galaxies!! 

The SUN at the top!  And then Saturn and Mercury at the bottom here.

Orion's Belt!

The MOON and the Milky Way!

You must check it out!!!!!

Three
I used my book again to make a simple fall banner for the LR.  It took me all of about 15 minutes after a quick look through my stash.  I traced leaves and pumpkins, added cardstocks squares and stickers to spell out F A M I LY.  I like it....I like it alot :)

Four
Do you have days you wish would just go away?!  Maybe weeks or months?  The Good Lord knows what we need best, but often times we think we know better.  Life changes, times are tough, our days don't go as planned and I run to my room like a little child and throw myself on the bed to cry we want to throw our hands up and give up.  I saw this yesterday on Girltalk and it hit me.  HARD!
Find comfort in these words.

Five
And last but certainly not least......recently my inlaws were over and told us about a little treat.  They said you take candy corn (or corndy can as Ryan called it when he was little) and peanuts, eat together and it taste just like a PayDay Candy Bar.  We tried it and they are so right!  Lets say this is a little addictive.  And now Brach's makes the candy corn with the salted peanuts already in the bag.  This jar was full JUST YESTERDAY!  Needless to say I need to hide the jar.   

Happy Friday Y'all!  Enjoy your weekend. 

4th of July Links for FUN and Food

Today we are busy making one last craft, Patriotic Ribbon Wands.  And making cUpCaKeS!!!!  Of course with tons of sprinkles----WARNING: Red Dye 40 Alert!!!

You can find the wands HERE .

 

Girls and boys alike will love this one!  I usually do not have this much fun with July 4th crafts, but this year I have come across some cute "stars and stripes" inspirations/copy cat FUN.   

I can see the boys now running through the yard as the first fireworks fall from the sky, waving these wands to watch the ribbons fly as we all stand around singing the Star Spangled Banner.  Now that is a vision, but here is how it will probably go....I can see them taking these wands and whacking each other on the head! 

If nothing else they will look nice on a table for a party decoration.  Maybe these were meant for much younger, sweet little girls. 

Below are a few more crafts and just a couple of food links I have shared before. 


More 4th of July Crafts:
Firework Decorations

Statue of Liberty Crown and Torch

Tin Can Wind Socks

Yummy Stuff for the 4th:
Strawberry Bruschetta

Not Yo' Mama's Berry Pudding Trifle

Enjoy!  And Happy hUMp Day!

DIY Dry Erase Board

It's really simple and sweet.  And perfect for a "verse of the week" board.  All you need is an inexpensive frame, paint and material.  I decided to use leftover burlap from my Beach Inspired Summer Wreath .  Working with burlap and a hot glue gun again gave me two more burns. But hey I have those rosettes figured out.

Let all that you do be done in love.
1st Corinthians 16:14

I Think I Can Paint

The boys left for camp yesterday morning and I was left alone to paint.  I gathered all my supplies and set up the table to begin painting.  I also turned on some music. 

Sidenote: Do you listen to music when you are crafting/creating something?  Maybe even cleaning.  I love to, but mostly when I am home alone.  Yesterday I was in the mood for modern country.  Certain songs pull me away from my creations and lead me to grab a wooden spoon (for my mic) and belt it out.....Tim McGraw-Highway Don't Care w/Taylor Swift and Keith Urban.    

Anyway back to my alone time painting.......I had a vision and I had the lines all drawn out in my head.

I used an old crude piece of wood with holes in it.  Maybe it really is not wood, but for this I didn't want to experiment with anything nicer.  I picked five colors in my paint stash and I started on my master piece.

I had no idea what I was doing, but I was trying.  I was creating something I had thought up all by myself and it felt good.

I have had these lines in my head for close to 30 years.  These lines were something I would doodle on paper in class while in school.  Now on a blank canvas I was taking those lines and adding color. 

Each color I added I liked it more and more.  While the boys were off at their Grow Camp I was having my own little fine arts camp at home. 

I think I can paint!.......well sorta.

It was FUN and most enjoyable to be able to try something new without any interruptions.  And here is the finished piece.

I absolutely love the colors!  Come back tomorrow and I'll share where I put my abstract art......on that boring wall that was in dire need of color.

**Update of boring wall HERE **

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Beach Inspired Summer Wreath

I am in love with my Beach Inspired Summer Wreath.

 

And the colors look great on our red door. 

A few mental notes:
1. Burlap is hard to work with.
2. If one tutorial doesn't work, try another.
3. When wreath turns out the way you dream it would keep telling yourself, "It was worth the hot glue gun burns and blisters".

If you have been following my blog recently you know exactly what brought this inspiration on.....yep, the BEACH.

We had lots of little seashells from our recent day at the beach so I knew those would be perfect.  The shells along with fabric on clearance and my wreath was born.

The fabric: a dark chambray, an ocean stripe (swooning over) and burlap.   



I had been wanting to make something with burlap for a long time.  I knew I wanted to make rosettes out of the burlap.  What I did not know was how hard it would be to work with.  Seriously. You cut it and it starts fraying.  The more I worked with it the more it unraveled.  And making the rosettes were even harder.  I bet I watched at least 5 videos on YouTube and just could not get it.  I found tons of blogs with picture tutorials too, but I still could not get it.  I had just about given up on the sweet little rosettes and decided I would search again.  BINGO!  I found a video that was easy enough for me.  It was so simple I almost didn't get it!  But I plugged in my hot glue gun, had my laptop handy and followed the video. 

I GOT IT!!!!  Finally.  And I got burns and blisters on my thumb and index finger!  OUCH!!!!!

Sadly after making these two little rosettes my fingers were killing me and I could not make anymore.  If you are rosette challenged like me try THIS video before you give up.  I wish I had taken a picture before I glued them on.  They are kinda flat and the slight unraveling adds the character I wanted for this easy going beachy themed wreath.  If you do not like that look you can always trim the strays.

Once these were made I started wrapping my Styrofoam wreath with the fabric.  I didn't want clean lines of fabric so I tore strips about 1-2 inches wide.  The frayed fabric went great with the burlap.  I did the same with the dark chambray.

After it was all wrapped I added the rosettes, seashells and a SUMMER banner.  The banner is nothing special. Taupe colored card stock and string.  Oh and scissors and a marker.  Maybe one day I'll own one of those nifty electronic cutting machines.  For now this was easy enough.

Isn't it fabulous?

I am pleased with how it all came together and my new found skill of making rosettes.  As I sit on the front porch and glance over at my wreath I smile and think of the beach.  And am planning another day there very soon. 

Happy Wednesday to you.

What's hanging on your front door during the summer?



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