White Forest

A few weeks ago, I posted an inspiration photo of some

sweater trees that I wanted to make from Betz White. 



Here is the finished product.  I made 3 cream colored trees to use in my "Winter Decor" that I put up in November & take down in April. 

I absolutely adore them!

Thanks, Karla

Birch Wreath

Hi All, I have actually had this idea in my head since summer, but you know how that goes...

I was aiming to get this post ready for Christmas, but that didn't happen either.  So here is it January & I'm finally getting around to editing the photos to post. 

You may not know this, but I'm a little obsessed with Birch Branch Bark.  Almost as bad as I was with Crackle paint in 1998 -  I'm trying not to take it quite that far (FYI - I'm still living with some crackle furniture that I can't afford to replace & an not sure if I can paint over it).

Here are some things I have made from birch:

 

  



 Birch Ornaments from my blog from 2010.

So on to the Birch Branch Wreath...

You'll need:
Large Wreath:
Heavy Gauge wire (I used 16 gauge  from JAF)
40 2" Birch Branch discs with a  1/4" hole drilled in the center (Thank you Bradford for all the cutting of a Birch Branch for this project!)
4 1.5" wool felted balls
ribbon (or something to hang wreath with)
pliers

Here is an easy tutorial to follow to make Felted Wool Balls if you do not want to buy them pre-made.

Small Wreath:
Heavy Gauge Wire
20 1" Birch Branch discs with a 1/4" hole drilled in the center
8 jingle bells
ribbon
pliers

When I first rec'd my box o' wood from my Brother In Law Bradford,  it was still pretty damp from being freshly cut.

 So I spread then out on a window screen to dry for a few days.

Then drilled 1/4" holes in the center (sorry no photo, but I think you can visualize).
For the Large Wreath, I grouped 40 2" birch discs together in 4 piles of 10.
I then put 10 birch discs on the heavy gauge wire thru the drilled hole...

 Followed by a wool felted ball & kept repeating that pattern until I had used up all 40 birch discs & all 4 wool balls.

 For the Small Wreath, I grouped 20 1" birch discs together in 4 piles of 5.  Placed 5 on the wire followed by 2 bells & repeated pattern until all 20 birch discs & 8 bells were on the wire.

Using my pliers, I bent the 2 ends of the wire into a little hook, looped them around each other & pinched the hooks closed.  I tried to close the entire hook as much as possible so that the wire would fit thru the 1/4" hole & not be seen.

Tie on some ribbon, raffia, twine or scrap fabric.
Hang & Enjoy

Thank you, Karla

Today Is My Birthday

Yes, Today is my Birthday. However, the miracle of my birth is not the only reason for celebration.  The real miracle & cause for celebration is the fact that there is there is NO SNOW this year in MINNESOTA.

  

Yeah, we have had a few dustings, like the 1" we rec'd yesterday.  But we have had unseasonably warm weather & it pretty much melts in a day. 

Here is my front yard.

There are a few spots that don't get much sun, where there is still a thin layer of snow, but the grass is still poking thru.

So in the 40+ years of my life, this is the first Birthday that I can remember with no snow, zilch, nada, none!

And let's be honest, after last year's horrendous winter,  a mild, snow free Christmas & Birthday is just fine with me.  Happy Birthday to Me!

 Karla :)

Boo Boo Buddy

This weekend I whipped up some Boo Boo Buddies.

Here is the super easy step by step Tutorial for Hot/Cold Pack from Rubber Punkin

Thank you, Karla

Play Tent

Hi all,
I was so inspired by this cute little play tent, I had to make of for Anders. The winters are long & I knew this would be a great creative outlet for him to play in & even have a place to "escape" to.

The instructions are super simple to follow A FRAME TENT . I was lucky enough to find a sheet that works perfectly for this project at GW (the sheet is actually from the Company Store & has cute blue & yellow stars).

I added a bit of extra zing to my version by adding flags left over from the FLAG BANNER project a few years ago (Have I mentioned I'm somewhat of a hoarder?)

It is great outside...

And great inside... we pretend we are "camping" every weekend".

Plus, it easily un-assembles & stores away.
Thanks, Karla

VALENTINE'S GARLAND

Hi All,  As soon as we take down the Christmas decorations at our house, We put up the Valentine's decorations (which are quite minimal in comparison, but I try to do a little decorating for every Holiday). 

The below decoration is made up of primarily Christmas Clearance.  I found these felt heart ornaments at Target for 70% off.  3 ornaments for 30 cents... I couldn't pass it up.  I bought 8 packs.

So RUN to your nearest Target & hope there are some felt heart ornaments left for you.

Other things we used:  assorted ribbon & rickrack from my stash, icicle lights also on hand.  I bought white tinsel on Christmas Clearance & found some Red Heart tinsel at JAF for 30 % off.

 String your hears on a ribbon.

 I alternating heights tieing some short & some long...

 And some upside down. 


Then add to your stair railing with lights & tinsel.

Thank you for looking, Karla