Fun Summer Art

My daughter came home from her mother's day out program with this adorable crab artwork. Made from her hand prints and sand paper (as the sand!), the project looks simple, and is definitely a worthy keepsake!

(click to enlarge)

While both of my girls have been quite crafty lately (mainly due to all of the fun projects that they work on at "school"), I cannot say the same of myself. This is largely due to the fact that we are in the process of selling our home (Praise God, we have a contract signed!) and will be moving to temporary housing while our new home is completed. 

However, at least for a day, I have decided that packing can wait... I miss my sewing machine! 

Look for a ruffle skirt tutorial soon!

Oreo Bonbons

Last month, we trekked all the way up to Minnesota to celebrate my youngest sister's High School graduation. Though the drive was long, the trip was worth it, because while there I discovered heaven on earth: 

Oreo Bonbons (formerly "Oreo Balls;" name changed for prettiness' sake)

Not to say that my sister wasn't the highlight of my trip (really you were the highlight, Silla, but you have to admit, this delectable treat was what MADE the party).

I made this batch to bring to 4th of July festivities. To achieve the bright coloring (that I can never get with food coloring!), I used red and blue melting chips from Hobby Lobby (any store with a decent baking selection should have these). 

Oreo Bonbons:

1 package of Oreos

8 oz. softened cream cheese

Almond bark or melting chips

Using a food processor, crush the Oreos until they are a crumby/powdery consistency. Mix in the cream cheese. Form balls from the mixture, and set in the refrigerator to chill. Melt the almond bark and coat each ball, allowing them to firm on wax paper. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

Eat. Hoard. Eat more.

Ruffle Skirt

I remember the first 4th of July after my oldest was born...

I remember it, not because of some grand memory, but because I made a ghastly mistake: I didn't dress her in patriotic garb. It was during our town's annual parade that I began noticing all of the other children. All around me little ones were proudly displaying our nation's colors; whether it be with a simple t-shirt or a pretty summer dress - each child was wearing red, white, and blue!

What was wrong with me?! How could I have forgotten? I had completely forsaken one of the cardinal rules of child-rearing (i.e. one must dress their child in garments that coordinate with the current holiday)! 

"Never again," I vowed to myself. Never again.

This year when I realized that the 4th was quickly approaching, I took action to fulfill that vow I'd made years earlier... And made a sweet red ruffly skirt.

Quick to assemble and adorable to look at - I'll say what I've said time and time again: I want one for ME!

p.s. Blue will be incorporated through hair ribbons on those cute pigtails!

You're going to be so jealous...

Look what came in the mail today...

A coffee cozy from Sara of Red Owl Designs!

Sara recently had a giveaway and I was one of the lucky bonus winners - she even let me choose my favorite fabric! Almost as exciting as the cozy itself is the red owl design on her tag and business card - SERIOUSLY ADORABLE. I didn't get it in the photo, but there is a tiny red owl tag on the cozy itself. 

Weather in the mid 90's can't stop me. I'm making a Starbucks run just to use (and show off, of course) my newest accessory.

Thank you so much Sara!

Thanks!

Well, I asked for a reality check - and you delivered! Most of you agreed that the Pottery Barn shell mirror was a little over the top, but that in the right location, it might just look okay (I think the key is toning down the mirror with neutrals so that it blends into its surroundings)...

I love the half bathroom that Sherry of "This Young House" decorated: 

Simple - Beachy - Spa-like

I'm sure that the mirror would look great in this room!

(Click here for the horizontal stripe tutorial)

I ended up following the advice of several commenters and have begun working on a miniature version; I am "shell-ifying" a small magnetic frame that has been unadorned and waiting for just the right makeover. I stuck with white shells, but there is still a lot of variation in color. I plan to cover it with a coat of glossy white paint to create a more simplistic look.

But, I will admit, I hadn't really considered the time involved...

This is a 4x6 frame. And I'm still not done. I'm beginning to think that the $600 that PB is charging is justified.

Thanks again for all of your input - you guys talked me down from that ledge - that crazy-shell-lady ledge.

Help!

I found a mirror...

And I think I like it - a lot.

But, based on the look my husband gave me when I showed it to him, I am wondering if I need a reality check.

Tell me you think:

Dreadful? Or delightful?

Gaudy? Or gorgeous?

Frightful? Or fantastically schmaztastic?

The reason that I need your help is not because I am considering purchasing it (I love you, Pottery Barn, but I can think of quite a few ways to spend $600, and a shell mirror is not one of them!). I actually already have a mirror of very similar shape, and am considering breaking out the glue gun to make one myself.

So, am I crazy? Would I be ruining a perfectly good mirror? Or should I go for it?

Christmas in June & a New Blog

Remember last year when I blogged about Hobby Lobby bringing out the holiday gear just a tad early?

They did it AGAIN! I was browsing the store today, checking out the garden decor section, and abruptly hit several rows of pumpkins and cornucopias - followed by 3 more aisles of CHRISTMAS.

I haven't even developed a nice tan yet. I don't want to think about Santa. I'm sure Hobby Lobby will take my concerns into consideration when they are stocking their store next June...

On a completely different note,

I want to let you know about a new blog that my younger sister, Heidi, has started:

"Tea Time is New for Me" is the chronicling of the adventures (and I can imagine a few misadventures!) of her new life in England (my brother-in-law has been stationed there with the air force for the next 4 years). Adding to the excitement that this journey brings, came the news that a little baby is on the way - all of these changes are sure to lead to some great stories of their new life!

My To-Do List

Jury duty and VBS have both fallen upon me this week, and have made a serious impact on my crafty pursuits (well, those things combined with the fact that when I have sat down it has been to make purses - I have 13 more in the finishing stages!). 

A packed-full-of activities summer lies ahead; I think I need a craft vacation (a vacation dedicated to crafting that is). Or at least a craft weekend get-away! Perhaps on a quiet island - with close access to a Hobby Lobby for supplies - in a beach bungalow with lots of windows... Who's with me?!

Once I find that island, these are a few projects that are in my file and I would love to try: 

Turn a T-shirt into a Ruffly Cardigan

Magnetic ABC's

Zipper Flowers

DIY Upholstered Folding Chairs

Magnetic Wrist Pin-Cushion

ID Card/Change Purse 

15-Minute Toddler Tank