Peeps

So you might think this post is about Peepers... my Son.

No... It is literally about Peeps - the Easter candy & one of the cutest crafts around.

The Peep Bunting by Dana from Made.

I followed her pattern & directions for inspiration - but made a few minor adjustments:
1) Resized bunny to be about 6" tall  - cut 12 yellow & 12 pink.  I did the double layer method - so I ended up with 6 bunny's in each color.

2) Used 2 packets of rick rack

3) Spaced the bunny's about 12" apart - leaving about 18" tails of rick rack for tieing

4) Used Stitch Witchery to adhere the front & back bunny together.  I sandwiched the rick rack in between the layers for a true NO SEW craft.  I trimmed down the bunny pattern slightly after cutting the felt for the Stitch Witchery, because I did not want it to get stuck on my iron.

 So cute with the little painted face.

 We decorated out front staircase with the peeps... this is Christmas garland that doubled

 as St. Patrick's Decorations, that is now being used to represent Easter Grass.  

Who said procrastination never paid off?

Thanks for stopping by,

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

Holiday Ideas to get the juices flowing

Card Board Tube Ornaments over at Don't bother me, I'm Reading

Button Snowmen & Santa’s at Rubies & Pearls

Melted Snow Man at Flexible Dreams

Felt Candy Cane Garland at PurlBee

Sweater Tree by Betz White

Felt Pine cones by Betz White

Yarn Wrapped Star at Live Laugh Rowe

Also there is a collection of 20 Holiday Ideas at Tater Tots & Jello

and Crazy Christmas Crafters at I heart Nap Time

Enjoy!

2 quick (and cheap) fall crafts

Hi All,
Are you ready for fall? Seriously, I'm not - I want another month of summer, But I have a few decorating ideas to help me get ready for a beautiful MN fall & brace myself for a not-so-beautiful MN Winter.

Candle:

You'll need: Mod Pogde, empty glass pickle jar, colored tissue paper, leaves &

candle (we use an flameless one with the boy running around) Tear up the tissue paper into random size pieces & Mod Podge on to the jar.
I found these cool leaves,I think they were all chewed up by Asian Beetles, But I loved the lacy look of them & thought light flickering thru them would be beautiful.
Mod Podge them on to the jar over the tissue paper - I used a super thick coat.
* word to the wise, store your leaves flat, not is a crumpled ball will make this project easier*
I tied on a little birch branch disc with some raffia, dropped in a candle & Done!

Pumpkin Banner:

I found these felt pumpkins at Dollar Store in WI. I was not sure what I would do with them, but I had to have them. My Mom suggested this project & I turned out super cute!

I punched some holes, ties them together with some raffia (just something about fall makes me want to decorate with raffia... must remind me of hay).

Hang it above the porch french doors with some little Command Hooks
DONE!
Each of these crafts took about 15 minutes & cost virtually nothing.

Plus I was lucky enough to have most of the craft supplies on hand.
Thank you, Karla