Feeling crafty!

I've been needing some crafting time BADLY.  My latest Instagram obsession is Heidi Kenney from mypapercrane .  Although I will never quilt, or knit or sew, or design amazing fabric (and she does all of these things and more) she made an absolutely awesome wreath that I couldn't stop thinking about. 

You really need to go visit her blog if you aren't following her on Instagram.  Her wreath version is different from my own featured here.  She's so clever!

You can find all sorts of faux gourds at Dollar Tree and Dollar General right now and then it's a matter of getting creative with paint and putting together some type of wreath base.

The possibilities are endless!

This is just such a fun project. Happy fall crafting!

PS.   I'm so behind on blog visits.  The new university semester start up always kicks my butt, but I promise to start visiting again.  Pinky swear. 

Nancy Drew birthday party

Over the last few weeks, we've had Emma's 18th birthday, my birthday, our 24th wedding anniversary and a slew of graduation events.

This week we are celebrating Emma's official commencement graduation ceremony from high school, my parent's 50th wedding anniversary and I'm hosting a Nancy Drew themed birthday party for Josie's upcoming 10th birthday. 

Yes, I'm officially crazy.  Yes, I've been burning the midnight oil trying to squeeze everything in while also working.

Back in March, during National Reading month, Josie was asked to dress up as a favorite  book character and she enjoyed being Nancy Drew.

When she asked to have a Nancy Drew Mystery birthday party, I was thrilled.

Josie's guests will receiving detective kits to help solve the case of Josie's missing birthday present.

Most of the party supplies came from the Dollar Tree and with the help of Google images and a load of glue sticks, I came up with some fun mystery decorations.

Josie's party is being held Friday night and I'll try and do a follow-up post that includes the mystery and the clues.  

And I promise I will get back to visiting blogs again once I get through Emma's graduation open house.  Until then, I'm riding the crazy train!  Be well, friends!

Getting crafty for graduation

We've been busy getting our house and yard in order for Emma's senior graduation open house.  Last weekend, we hauled 15 yards of mulch.

It's my least favorite thing to do, but the flower beds and our backyard woods do look all nice and tidy again.

Emma wanted something different to use for picture boards to display at her upcoming open house.    Chris found a couple of screen doors at a local thrift store and after painting them, he removed the screen and replace it with chicken wire.

Tiny clothes pins found at the Dollar Tree attach the photos to the chicken wire.
The doors are hinged together so that they can stand up.

Because I needed a glue gun fix, I ended up making a bunting to hang across the doors.  I think it turned out really neat and Emma has been having fun going through photo albums to find pictures to hang on her doors.

Although she doesn't graduate until June 2nd, her school held a senior assembly this past Thursday.  What a beautiful event and the weather was perfect for outdoor photos.  

It's nonstop celebrations right now.
 

Target Transformation! A fun Christmas crafting project!

I'm not ready to pull out the Christmas bins yet (Halloween wears me out) but in case you happen to be interested in future Christmas crafting projects, Target is selling these reproduction putz houses for $3.

 The colors are a bit "bright" so I decided to tone it down. I removed the pipe cleaners and replaced them with my own. I also brushed the entire house with white glue and dusted it with fine glitter.

 The decorating options are endless and this could even be a project that you do with your kiddos (minus the glue gun part).

 I haven't had time in weeks to do any crafting, so this gave me a much needed fix. Happy Christmas crafting!

My forgotten craft room...

I’ve been neglecting my craft room as much as I’ve been neglecting my blog (or visiting blogs).

So, a week ago, I spent some time cleaning up my special space. It had become a dumping ground of estate sale treasures.  It's still packed but there is a sense of order now (kinda).

Yes. I have Christmas out year-round in my craft room.

I also have Halloween out year-round too.

As well as a zillion Chinese checkerboards.

 And my amazing vintage record album collection from estate sales.

 Speaking of estate sales, Chris has hit some really fun estate sales lately.  He's come home with some cool treasures for really good prices. It’s been a while since I shared any estate sale treasures. Next post.  Pinky swear.

Christmas clearance Valentine makeovers...

Although it's only mid-January, my crafting brain has turned to Valentine projects.  My local grocery chain (Meijer) is carrying these vintage-inspired chocolate boxes. I'm a sucker for anything vintage looking and the $1.49 price tag isn't bad either.  

Over the last week, I stopped by Target and Dollar General and picked up a couple of Christmas items that were 90% off.  

The red felt tree skirt (Dollar General) received a few felt hearts and is now my Valentine tree skirt for my year-round sunroom tree.  Excuse the wrinkles.  I haven't decorated the tree yet, but I've added a few red lights.

The fabric houses and felt heart were part of this year's Target line of ornaments  and with a few embellishments, they will also be added to my Valentine tree.  

Are you working on any special Valentine projects?

XOXO
   

Estate sale finds and a fun Easter project!

I managed to find a few treasures a recent estate sale.

  
 While I was digging through my vintage Easter crafting supplies, an idea struck to give my electronic Christmas light an Easter makeover.

The candle got a coating of white glue and fine white glitter and then I starting taking apart Easter supplies.

Floral wire and a bit of hot glue secured things in place.

The electronic candle no longer shows any sign of Christmas.  

In case you are wondering, those black and white photos are of my mother, my late Aunt, my beloved grandparents and my great grandmother.  My mother is the one enjoying her big bowl of popcorn. 

It was a fun and quick Easter project.

Once I'm done with work on Friday, I'll be spending the rest of the weekend pulling out Easter decorations and putting the final touches on the plantation dollhouse.

  Happy playing!
   

The start of some THINGS spooky...

I've got multiple Halloween projects started.

Fingers crossed for some play time in between loads of laundry.

I'm so ready for the work week to end!!!!