Party on the Patio!

That's right! Man, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this wreath. It's ME. It's totally me. I had it created in my head for close to two weeks, so when it came time to make it, BOOM. 1 hour and 20 minutes is all it took. It was one of those late night, spur-of-the-moment urge to craft creations, and I rolled with it!

So what in the WORLD can be so awesome about this wreath?

This is what.

My newest favorite wreath ever. I'm sure I'll come up with something even better soon, but I love this one.

Have I mentioned I'm kinda fond of this?

I'm just a little proud. :)

4th of July Wreaths

Here are some of my newest wreaths. I made all three this week, and am seriously running out of doors to hang them on. ;) I'm sure that won't stop me from making even more!

Hopscotch

So I came across this idea on Pinterest. (Go figure!) So the kids and I headed out, bought some 12x12 stepping stones at Wal-Mart (cheap!!!!), some paint, already had some varnish... and away we went!

Each of my kids painted two stones, and I painted the rest. B painted 4&5, E painted 7&8, and K painted 10&2. Then I went over all of the numbers with white paint, outlined with black paint, coated with varnish, and there they sat. For literally a week. Why? Because it rained. And rained. And rained. I couldn't get them in the ground because it was complete mud mess in the area I wanted to put them! (Okay, just where the number 10 goes.... but that was a good enough excuse to put off digging in all that dirt and ground.... for a week, anyway.)

Once it stopped raining, I went outside to assess the damage. Guess what? NO HARM DONE!!! The varnish worked! (The stones were slick as snot when wet, but not an issue when dry.)

This, my friend, is HUMIDITY.

So here is the finished product. Amazing, huh!?!?!? Thanks for the idea, Pinterest!

LARGE door hanging

When I say LARGE, I mean large. Well, for a normal 36", 32" or 28" interior door. Most bedroom doors are the latter, right? Anyway, I had a friend ask me if I could paint one, and after seeing an example of what she wanted, I bought the supplies I needed, and finished in just a couple of days! Would have been sooner, but I have to drive 45 minutes to the closest Hobby Lobby..... anyway, here are the pictures! It turned out great, if I do say so myself. ;-) It matches the little girls' bedding and room theme. Yay!

Teacher Appreciation 2

Last week was Teacher Appreciation week. I posted the gift I made for B's teacher here, and said I would get around to E's teacher's gift soon. (I'd do gifts for K's teacher as well, but he is "too old for that kind of thing." Especially being a 6th grade boy, you know.)

So here it is a week later, and I finally figured out and finished the gift for E's teacher. What momma of a little boy wouldn't love this?

As a young girl, when I read the book "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein, it left me just with a "meh" feeling. I didn't really "get" it. When I read it now, as a momma of a little boy, oh my. OH MY. I get it. Tears.......

So here is the gift, I hope she likes it! :)

Woo Pig Sooie!

For those of you visiting the blog from the other 49 states (or countries! Woo! I'm international, baby!).... there is a saying down here in Arkansas.....that is ingrained in every Arkansan, natural or transfer. They stop you at the state border and teach you how to call the Hogs, you know? ;-) Anyway, this famous saying is how to root for the Razorbacks. "Wooooooooo.....PIG SOOIE! Woooooooo......PIG SOOIE! Wooooooooooo......PIG SOOIE! RAZORBACKS!" That's how it's done. While I've only lived in the Natural State for 5 years, I've quickly picked up on the hype that is the Razorbacks. Those frightening hogs are displayed all over this state! I've started crafting Razorback stuff, and will be venturing into some painting of the spiked hogs soon.

These were all client orders or gifts that I gave. I am not a graduate of the University of Arkansas, or any (Arkansas) state college for that matter..... I'm a proud graduate of (now) Missouri State University (then Southwest Missouri State University) and then Webster University for my master's. Although with my master's, I didn't attend any sporting events. Just did my work, attended class, made my As, and got outta there! I will say however, those Razorback fans are something special... they make everyone feel welcome! WPS!

Teacher Appreciation

Have you seen the e-card going around on facebook.... the one where it says "no, son.... your teacher doesn't want a letter made out of crayons for Teacher Appreciation week.... she wants a gift card to......(it goes on but I will stop...). Anyway, I had to laugh at that one. I haven't made one of those initial crayon art things, (yet!!!!) but I do make my own stuff for people. Being a teacher, I know and understand how important those handmade gifts are. Sure, gift cards are nice, but something made from the heart is even better. This year I let the kids pick out gifts for their teachers, and then I am making a crafty something and a yummy something for them. These crafty things aren't "teacher-y" but they will match their personalities. My kids have been extremely fortunate to get GREAT teachers, I am so thankful for them. I just want them to know how much they are appreciated....not just this week.... but forever.

So here is what I made for B's preschool teacher. This fits in with her backyard pool and decor. :)

This is the LARGEST wreath I've ever made. That is a 36" door, and the wreath is 46" at it's widest point. Good thing it's "smooshable" if it doesn't fit her door! :)

E's first grade teacher's gift will be posted later. I haven't started it yet. LOL!