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Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Mother's Day...And a Card Idea!

It’s that time of year again.  Sappy commercials and brightly colored store displays tell me it’s Mother’s Day again.  Ugh.  Now, don’t get me wrong…I’m a huge fan of my mom and grandmothers.  But I could really just skip Mother’s Day altogether.  I’m sure (read hoping) this year will be better, at least a little bit, but I’m still sad thinking of not having Caroline here.  I’m also terrified that someone will wish me a happy first Mother’s Day.  Yeah, thanks…not so much.

I’m sharing a little idea with you today that I think is neat for a few reasons.  First and foremost, I don’t have to stand in the store and shop for a card (and cry).  Second, I think homemade things are more special.  Third, being a one income family now, it’s nice to save money wherever we can.  And cards can get expensive.  So, here it is:  How to make a flower seed paper card.  These are pretty rad because you can actually plant the paper and flowers will grow!  A card AND flowers, see, rad!



First, gather your supplies:
  • Scraps of construction paper
  • Packets of flower seeds (I used Impatience and Forget-Me-Nots for 2 separate batches)
  • Water
  • Blender or Food Processor
  • Colander
  • Paper Towels
  • Any card making supplies you would like


Rip the construction paper into small pieces



Place paper in blender (or food processor) and add enough water to just cover the paper



Blend until mostly smooth - this WILL smell just like kindergarten!



Gently stir flower seed packet into mixture



Pour mixture into colander and allow water to drain.  I found it helpful to press some of the water out…but be gentle.  You don’t want to lose paper or seeds through the colander.



Transfer mixture onto paper towels and press into a thin layer.  Place another layer of paper towels on top to help wick away moisture.  Allow to dry overnight or until completely dry.  Mine took about 24 hours.



Finally, just create and decorate a card however you want.  Cut flower paper into design and tape or glue onto front of card.

Now, you’ve got a pretty card to give your mom!  Yay!

Happy Mother's Day to all my special friends.  I will be thinking of you all and saying a prayer for all of those who have to endure a Mother's Day without their precious ones.  


***** Edited to clarify *****
You plant the paper that you made/dried.  Just pull off the design that you cut out, plant, water, and wait! :)


And I would LOVE to see your cards.  Send me pictures of your completed cards!

Sunday, July 31, 2011

More Stuff to Keep Me Busy!

So, time keeps on ticking (ticking, ticking...) and I'm still here!  Everything is actually going very well.  The anxiety is staying mostly in check.  I've only had a couple of rough patches/days.  We're making progress, and I'm thrilled about that.  I'm a little nervous, because we are getting to the end of this pregnancy, and I know that the end of pregnancy doesn't always mean you get a beautiful little baby to take home.  I don't want to sound morbid, because I do believe we are going to get to bring Caroline's little sister home, but it is still so scary that we're this close again.

So, one thing I try to do, as I've mentioned before, is keep myself occupied.  I love to make things.  So, I've been taking on some new projects here and there.  I've also been cleaning my house like a fool!  I don't know if this is nesting, or what, but I'm proud of how clean I've gotten it!  Now, if it would just STAY that way!

I have a sweet friend who just had a little boy.  I made her this diaper clutch, burp cloth, and pacifier clips.  I haven't gotten to give them to her yet, but I can't wait! 







This is a little burp cloth and pacifier clip set that I just made while I was working on the others.  I thought they were fun!





This is the wreath I made for my Granny for her birthday!  I hope she likes it! :)


Thursday, June 23, 2011

Crafts and Fun

Everyone needs that something to help them pass the time...to keep their minds from driving themselves crazy.  I've found that if I don't keep myself busy enough, I could make myself nuts just letting my mind wander.  So, one of the things that I've done is jump into various craft projects.  I have always enjoyed making things, something my mom started with me when I was really young - THANKS, MOM!  There is just something so fun about creating something.  I really enjoy the "trash-to-treasure" crafts.  You know where you start off with yard waste and a rubber band and come up with a beautiful centerpiece for your dinner party!?  Well, I'm no where near that good, but I have done a few things that I'm pretty proud of.  I thought I'd just take a second to share some of the fun things I've been doing lately.

Please bear in mind that I'm no photographer! :)

hand embroidered monogrammed pillowcases


fabric flower headband



Of course, I bought the dress, but sewed on/embroidered the button flowers to dress it up a little!



Yarn wreath with felt flowers



4th of July yarn wreath for a gift



My 4th of July wreath on my front door!



Primitive embroidery



I made the firecrackers in the center (from toilet paper rolls)




4th of July yarn wreath for Ramsey Family auction


Bunny kitchen towel, hand embroidered



I had a really hard time getting a good picture of this wreath...camera and lighting issues.  This one is made from toilet paper rolls too!