Christmas in July

I have decided.

Are you ready?

I have decided I have a love/hate relationship with everything crafty.  Basically, I'm impressed by just about everything everyone else does,* but when I attempt something, I tend to see the outcomes as another word that starts with cr and rhymes with trap.  It's caused me to really hesitate before considering any project.

Regardless of this revelation, I opted to have a "Christmas in July" party on Friday night.  About nine of us got together and ate holiday food (dips and sweets), and made some ornaments.  I love having friends over, and I never stress (you can tell by my decor) in doing so because my friends are the best guests ever!

Instead of going nuts with decor, or going through my Christmas boxes in the basement to find even a few things, 

I just laid Hefty bags on our kitchen table and covered it with wrap to protect our work space. 

We were all so relaxed, I didn't take a single picture during the party.  Blogger fail.

I (can you believe it) showed them how to make mini-canvas print ornaments, and theirs turned out better than mine. Sorry, no photo available, at least not today, but soon.

My guests shared their ideas too.  We saw beautiful cross stitch, wine cork ornaments, and snowmen orbs.  My friend Amy worked on one of these for a while.  Then many of us made these glitter globes, they were the party favor, and I am so in love with them.  Wait, did you catch that?  I made something I actually like!

They're all over the internet, so I'm just adding this tutorial to the 'Net jumble.

Supplies needed:

Glass ornaments from Michael's or similar

Floor polish

Extra fine glitter 

Stickers

(and ribbon, though none of us did that, yet)

A picture note, this is what the floor polish I used looks like--

And though many on-line directions specifically mentioned Martha Stewart glitter, I used this which was much cheaper--

How to:

1) Remove cap from ornament and squeeze in an ample amount of polish.  There's no such thing as too much.
2) Holding your finger over the ornament hole, swish the polish around, and yes, it's okay if it foams.  Make sure all of the inside of the ornament is touched by polish.
3) Pour all the polish back in the bottle.
4)  Pour glitter in the ornament and holding your finger over the hole, move the ornament to spread the glitter around.  You may have to pour more glitter in.  (I did this step over the sink.)  Hold the ornament up to a light to check for glitter coverage, and again, add more glitter if needed.
5)  Cap ornament.
6)  Add sticker embellishment.  (These script letters were from the scrapbook section at Michael's.)

I was glad I selected silver because the letters tie in well with the silver caps.  I made a few more after the party for friends who couldn't come, and then I made the G for a tutoring family, the Joy for me, I plan to make these for my classroom helper moms come December, and I will be making more for my home.

Last year I added a lighted garland to this spot.  This year, I'm going to add some poppy red, bronze, and olive green glitter orbs to it.  I don't like to totally redo my home at Christmas, but I'd like to jazz this area at the top of our stairs up a bit.  Those colors will tie in with the scheme in the hall.

(An afterthought.  These are so easy, kids 7 and up could make them with supervision.  In that case, I'd recommend folding a piece of foil or similar over the ornament opening.  Child-sized fingers just wouldn't be big enough.)

So, there you have it.  Just when I make a definitive decision, a life experience challenges it.  Gotta love that!

*Oh, one craft I ran across recently that was beyond ridiculous?  A felt apron for a dish wash bottle.  Don't you just want one of those on your counter?  Eek!  (And nope, I won't link it, that is too mean!)

Because I'm a Seaman

I made this bracelet.

I hope to make one with a cord or leather strap, but this was my first try, and I quite like it.  In time, with the other charms I have, I'll create some variations. 

Here's the basic construction.  No tutorial, just the layout so to speak.

Chain, a jump ring to form the loop that acts as the clasp, and a jump ring to attach the charm. The shape of the anchor keeps it on well, there's no slipping this off easily.

A simple pleasure from my quiet weekend!

There's Still Time (Wreath Tutorial)

All over the Internet, you'll find fabulous decorations for various holiday decor.  I'm not super big into decorating for each and every holiday, but I did want to do something little and fun for the 4th, and so I made this wreath for our front door.  (That's not our front door, read on!)  The good news is, this is a simple project that kids 8-and-up can do, and you still have time to make one if you'd like.  (And the teacher in me thinks it's great to have the kids do the measuring and cutting.  School when school is out.)

It's so easy, and since I used a wreath and pins I already had, I only spent about four dollars on the rest of the materials.

I started with this cord wrapped wreath I had from a Valentine's Day debacle...

Then using felt from Michael's (.29 a sheet and made from recycled plastic), I cut each sheet into 2" x 2" squares.

I folded them in fourths, how appropriate, and pinned them into the wreath.  Turning them different directions helps create a fluffier look.

Every day of this summer my nails have been nicely painted, except the day I snap quick pictures for a tutorial!  Oh well...

I wasn't sure how much felt to buy, but after finishing it, I can tell you that each white and red space is comprised of the squares cut from one piece, and the blue portion is two pieces of felt.

When I thought I was "done," there were no stars.  I thought it needed some, so I went to Michael's and visited just about every aisle.  Stars were either the wrong size, the wrong color, or too expensive.  Finally I found glittery foam felt (1.79 a sheet?).  I bought one sheet, made a pattern, and cut out the five stars. They are glued to the blue felt with Tacky Glue.

Yesterday when I included this in a post, a young commenter wrote, "My grandma used to make felt wreaths."  (Okay, I paraphrase.)  I was a little worried this looked to grandma-y, so I wrote to this person privately, and she said my wreath was not old-ladyish but fabulous!  (Okay, now I really pararphrase...)

And, it's not on our front door.  The few times I have made wreaths, they wind up where we can see them and enjoy them, on the laundry room door.  No one ever comes to our front door, but this door can be seen from the kitchen and each time we leave the house.  It's all about us!

There's No Use Fighting It

     I give in.
     Winter where I lived is ugly.  I can hate it, as I did for years, or I can savor it.  I'm choosing to do the latter.  It only took me until my late forties to decide that.  Pretty sad, since I've lived here all my life.  I've decided to look at winter weekends as a time to just be with Brad, exercise, read, cook, bake, knit,  "craft," and nap.
     This was a lazy three day weekend.  I savored ever picayune moment of it.  I ran silly little errands, I paid bills, I went to church (incredibly well taught message on "The Book of Revelation"), and I made stuff.  I didn't do my homework until late last night.
     Missing Christmas a little bit, so my niece Alice and I made a heart paper chain for the mirror over the fireplace:

     There's something sweetly gratifying about whipping up something quick like this; something childlike in the simple pleasure derived when it's displayed.  I thought Brad would find it silly, but he came down from working in his office and said it was festive.
     While Alice colored (she is almost 19), I made these found-on-Pinterest but modified coasters:

     All that was needed were .16 tiles from Home Depot, one sheet of scrapbook paper, and some Matte Mod Podge. The tutorial found via Pinterest suggests spraying them with clear spray paint, but I opted to seal them with two coats of Mod Podge.  Less stinky that way.  (Total cost, without Mod Podge, $1.23 for the four.)  Loving the little touch of red they bring to the room.
     I used this vintage inspired paper last year too, isn't it adorable?

    (original source cannot be located)

      Friday night, I started reading this, but found I needed quiet to do so, so I've added it to 2012's Mount to Be Read:

     It's quite profound, and I want to give it the time and prayer it's due.
     Instead, I read, Stop Dressing Your Six Year Old Like a Skank:  And Other Words of Delicate Southern Wisdom.  At moments, it was hilarious.
     We ate well too, thank you God for your provisions, and we talked about healthy eating.  It's good to want to make changes we both feel the need for.
     On Sunday night, I tried baked sweet potatoes for the first time.  Look-out, I loved them.  Yes, I'm 51, and yes I know it's weird I never had sweet potatoes--except once as fries--before.  
     On Monday, my friend Katie posted this on Pinterest:

original source

     I made it for Monday's dinner with a few modifications.  Brad does most of the food prep during the school year, so he's open to me trying anything when I'm willing to open a can or two.  It was tasty, and it's today's lunch too.

     It's funny to have written picayune above and then to share many details with you. I'm sure you all had more exciting weekends than mine.  Tell me about them?  

     And now I step into the maelstrom known as the end of the semester...final projects, assessments, grading, report cards.  I feel ready, I feel rested.  Remind me of that?

Type A for One Day, Only One

     I found directions to make a Valentine wreath on-line, and it was so gorgeous I emailed the link to a work friend.  I suppose this was to make me accountable to actually make it.  (And it might be weird that I'm emailing a work friend, but she's moved to a different wing this year, and I don't see her enough.  Or does everyone email people that are working less than a football field away?)  In the past two weeks I started working on it, another wreath, and a scarf for Brenda.
     When Pam, said friend in the building, walked through the lounge the other day, I said, "Pam, I'm making the wreath and it's gorgeous!"  She said, "You're getting so crafty!"
     Hm.  This gave me pause.
     I'm not crafty.
     Am I?
     I think what I've opted to do is to 1) try new things, and 2) watch less TV.  When I get home at night, I am exhausted.  I sometimes feel like once I sit down, I'm glued to the couch.  So to keep myself busy, I have started making stuff.  I love to read, but I also love to be with Brad.  I find I cannot read and be present in the room.  Sometimes reading works, but sometimes it's rude of me.
     On Saturday morning, I was up early, so I read The Book of Daniel, chapter 5, in preparation of this weekend's, that night's, excellent church message.  I think I got it, with help from the notes.  And so I took a little break, looking up past the pages at what used to be our coffee table but had become my "works in progress" table.  I realized that besides two wreaths and a scarf, I'm also (with help) finishing up two American Girl Doll scarves for two of Brad's granddaughters. (The Cabbage patch doll is there for a model, he's beefy, but about an the same height as an AGD.)  I'm also working on some simple paper heart magnets.  And stacked there were three books I'm working through, Cast of Characters by Max Lucado, Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist, and The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.

     I decided I needed to finish something this weekend, realizing I sure couldn't finish everything.  Suppose you could say, I made a dent in that glass topped table.
     On Saturday:
     I did finish The Last Lecture.
     I did finish two wreaths.  (The first of my own design, the second from a blog...hers is tighter.)

     I did finish a few paper magnets for our fridge.

        And I got a few inches done on Brenda's scarf.  I don't know if they'll stay done, but I did them for now.  I'm about halfway through Bittersweet.
     I don't know what bug bit me, but I got a lot done on Saturday--add to that my nails, my gray (gone), church and dinner...perhaps that's why I was tired on Sunday?

So Not Crafty

Hi, thanks for stopping by.  This is an old post, I painted this pot for a wintering geranium that I just put back in the ground.  But for a teacher (and I am one), this would be a fun pot to receive some annuals in.  So though I'm not at all crafty, I'm linking up!      

     A few weeks ago, I came upon this little chalkboard flower pot on a blog I randomly stumbled across.  I loved it and immediately had the idea of making one for the geraniums I hope to nurture over the winter.  My finished product isn't as lovely as hers...for a teacher I have horrible cursive, and I'm sure you'll notice the streaks in the clay pot under the chalkboard paint (in the picture they look white and they're caused by imperfections in the terra cotta.) Still, I can't wait to bring it to school tomorrow.

     Lanie used brush-on chalkboard paint, and I used three coats of spray-on.  I liked the spray, but I should have kept it away from the rim because it was hard to paint over with the acrylic.  The red rim took four coats to cover the black.  I also am guessing since I didn't use a sealant, my pot may not withstand the test of time like hers.  Hm...
     Next time, and there has to be a next time because I have a nearly full can of spray paint left, I will seal the clay and I think I'm going to glaze the rim and the dish to make it shinier.  We shall see.
     By the way, this is the stinkiest spray paint I have ever used.  My husband wouldn't even pull his car into the garage while I worked on coating this!
     All-in-all, for someone not crafty, I rate this little pot as a "too cute!"  Let's hope the plants, trimmed back after these pics were snapped, like their new home and decide to rest the winter and thrive in the late spring.  If not, I'll erase, and begin again!

(I'm loving the background of this shot...pumpkin candle, Christmas gifts for Operation Christmas Child, and my lunch bag.  Typical cluttered kitchen counter.  By Thursday, being tidy is not so much in my vocabulary!)
  Linked to:  http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/search/label/YOU:create

I surprise myself, it doesn't take much...

     Besides learning (sort of, so far) how to knit recently, I pretty much have run (screaming) from anything creative in this lifetime.  Though my mom had artistic skills, and some of my siblings do too, any such talents skipped me seemingly completely.  But on my journeys through blog world, I have come across crafty-kinda things that even I might be able to do.  That's how they roped me in.  I saw some things with the word "easy" attached, visited craft blogs for kids (my skill set exactly), and the next thing I knew I was in Hobby Lobby (waiting for the twitching to begin and), asking where to find Tacky Glue, and fully expecting a full-on craft debacle.   Instead, I would up with this.  My bat wreath!

     I wish I could tell you on which blog I found it, but I cannot recall. There are A LOT of craft blogs out there.  I started with a straw wreath, some scrapbook paper with Halloween prints, glue, a stencil made by google searching "bat stencil," and some scissors.  Total cost, about six dollars.

     This was the perfect activity to work on during football Sunday, I didn't have to fully concentrate on tracing, cutting, gluing or the games!  After I cut a few dozen bats, I decided how to lay them out, and I started gluing.  I like that except for the purple one, it's not obvious they are bats.  I love the colors of it.  And, it's a fairly "green" craft because I did nothing to preserve or weatherize the paper.  I'm not sure what the "straw" is made of, though I could always pull the bats off and glue something else on it.
     The wreath adds a festive touch to our laundry room aka the drink station for this weekend's birthday party!  And it's weird to think I made it myself and I'm still willing to display it...
     (The bats were selected because I have a fondness for the critters. Mac and I share a great memory of our visit to Austin, TX, and their bats there.)

I'm so tickled by this little success, I've added it to Gitz's "You Create" this week.

Go there to check out some other creative endeavors...

Sweet Little Saturday

     My facebook status for yesterday read, "Ellen Stewart (Ellie Seaman) is hopeful."  I woke just feeling such peace and anticipation, and I wound up having a sweet little day with Brad. 

     When he returned from his men's small group, we decided to drive to lunch to a place (Froots, a wraps and smoothies franchise) a few towns west, in Yorkville.  After eating, we got in the Moose and drove into "town" where we saw a brown highway sign directing us to Silver Spring State Park.  Not knowing there was a park so near, we followed the direction of the arrow to find this sweet little spot.

     Suburban Chicago keeps extending, and Yorkville is a blend of sud-divisions, strip malls, and farm fields.  It's kind of fun to know that 30 minutes from our home is this little gem.  I stood at the shore's edge picturing it fully green, and then wondered at its prettiness in the fall.  Loon Lake, we'll be coming back appropriately garbed to hike your trails--perhaps even later this week.
     We crossed a main road to the other side of the park and found a shooting range.   We pulled in, and watched as a family of five shoot together.  The mom could shoot, but she did have trouble with a moving target.

     What you can't see in this pic, snapped through the windshield of the Moose, is that Dad was to her left flinging targets and other brother was to the boy's right doing the same.  What you can see is the disc of her target at the upper edge of the photo.  The boys were so encouraging of their mom, it was sweet.  And she really wanted to learn.  What we all laughed about, and yep, they knew we were watching, was when mom tried to fling discs for her husband.  She just couldn't get the right action from her arm to get the disc to release.
     Just such an interesting change of scenery...
     When we got home there was a package waiting for me.  I had left a comment on a blog I like, Pretty Stinkin' Green, and because of that, I won this little nest from them.  Funny, I had been thinking of following the tutorial on the blog to make one this week, and now I don't have to.  Thanks Deb, I love it, and you have saved me from an "I'm not Martha Stewart" moment!
  Notice the packing paper I've left behind the nest for this shot...she used old McCall's sewing patterns.  What a good idea, an idea I will reuse for the next little fun gift I throw in the mail. 

      This easy afternoon was followed to a visit with Brad to a new church.  The music was good, the lesson was powerful, and we both cried.  I know we'll return.  Thank you God for Compass Church!
     I read an entire novel yesterday, exercised yesterday, spent many tender moments with my husband, discovered a new walking spot, received a crafted surprise in the mail, sang (also known as making a joyous NOISE, in my case) in church, learned more about Jesus...what a good little day.

I ebayed

     I don't often feature on my little blog what I buy.  Could be because I don't buy much other than groceries and who wants to read about that?  I'm just not a typical shopping chick. In fact, I pretty much loathe shopping.  Sigh.
     ANYWAY...I have been getting into this knitting thing a bit.  Getting into it, not getting good at it.  Plus, on Monday, I am visiting my friend Vicki who hopes to teach me to crochet.  So I finally admitted to myself I need some kind of knitting bag to tote my yarn, needles and projects in.

     At Christmas, I asked Mac to get this bag for me.  He decided to use his cash for grad school applications instead.  I couldn't really beat him up too much about that.  (However he WILL be getting me a hoodie from wherever he winds up for Christmas 2010!)  So I decided to go to ebay to bid on this bag from A Healthy Green Home.  My bid was accepted and on its way, not in time for Monday of course, is this fun messenger bag made from recycled rice bags.  It's funky, stylish, and "green."  Gotta love that!
     Forgive me.  I am so excited about this bag, I had to share here.  Check out their stuff on ebay or become a fan on facebook.  Fun, fun stuff!
     Of course, now that I've made this investment, I have to keep knitting...

Christmas in July

Did you ever enjoy a party so much you didn't take nearly enough pictures to capture the memories? Well, that's what happened to me tonight. I had girlfriends over for a Christmas in July party, and I only took a handful of snaps as we made ornaments for Jeanette's tree, ate, drank, and talked. I didn't even take pictures of the ornaments that I made. Whoops!

Here a few pics that aren't all about me...

Even though it was a girls' night, Brad was there at the beginning and end to help out. Kathy had missed sushi night two weeks ago, so she make sushi ornaments out of felt. She and Brad had to slice them with a real knife, nothing else worked!

Aren't they cute?

Here's the work table (with Jeanette's "Victoria's Secret" cloth). We were messy, but creative.

We painted Christmas salt and pepper shakers, glass balls, we beaded wire and formed hearts, made drops that looked like crystal, and put bows on angels. All were gorgeous.

Kathy then found a Sharpee and wrote on these balls...Bible verses mostly.

Her calligraphy skills are such a gift!

Sorry the pictures aren't swell, I was having too much fun making memories to capture them with a camera!

But Jeanette took plenty... give her time, and I'm sure she'll have a post. And I'm sure Brad and I will be finding glitter throughout the downstairs for months. Totally worth it though, we love our friends.

Next day post script--Jeanette's blog post is better. I stole this photo from it:

These are my hearts and angels. The hearts are so cute, I'm going to make some for my tree. I got the idea from a book of kids' crafts. Gold beads strung on a wire. My friends are artistic, but I'm so not crafty! (Sorry for the wild backdrop of our glass-topped game table!)

A cap full of craftiness

Yesterday was a day off, no tutoring and nowhere I had to be until 2:00. So I lazed around a bit here at home, and then I took a walk. I wanted it to be a long walk, so I headed into uncharted territories also known as cul-de-saq land. You see, if I enter an unknown subdivision, I can think I'm walking directly, but then find myself trapped in a maze of "Circles" and "Courts" and "Trails."

Works for me, I walk longer and farther than if I just walked a known loop.

Eventually, feeling I had walked good and far, I made my way back to a main and oh-so-boring road and turned a corner to lead me toward home. I was a bit further than 1.5 miles from home, but I was feeling good. Then, at this new corner, I spied the cutest little pine cones.

Very unlike me, I picked one up and wondered just how I could use it for some kind of winter (we are not to say Christmas) craft with my fourth graders. I got an idea, trust me nothing fabulous, and so I picked up two more. Walking home with three, I thought, was doable. I calculated as I walked just how many trips I'd have to make back to that corner to get enough for my as of yet unknown number of students. Too many (I like variety in my walks). So I picked up four more.

So there I was, at least 1.5 miles from home gingerly holding seven pretty pine cones in my hands. I felt like the goof that I am, but I also felt genuinely teacher-y--I was planning for December in July.

(Okay, have I looked at any fourth grade curriculum yet?

Nope, but I'm all set with a cute little gift for the kids to give their folks!)

Walking with seven pine cones cupped in both hands wasn't exactly a chore, but it did restrict movement. Of course, when I started to sweat, I couldn't wipe it away, so I started to tilt my head so it wouldn't roll into my eyes. My ipod wire got caught in the cones a number of times. Every itch went unscratched. I wondered if I'd wake this morning with my arms bent as if I was still holding this precious gift from nature. Such a sacrifice, right?

Then, about a quarter mile from home I realized three things.

1) It wasn't sunny.

2) I was wearing a hat.

3) I could use said hat to carry the pine cones, and not be concerned about a sunburned nose.

Huh.

I'm always thinking. But sometimes my thoughts are delayed.

Winter (?) Fun

Know this:

1) Because of a snow day our "winter" party was canceled the last day before Christmas, I mean winter, break (this occurred, obviously, back in December).

2) At noon:10 yesterday, Friday, ISATs (the state tests) ended for us after four days. Seven hours of kids testing done?

This called for a celebration.

3) Though it was still winter, it was 25 degrees warmer than usual yesterday--we hit a high of 65 here. A total fluke as today it's back in the 40's.

So, what did we do?

Winter crafts!

A room mom came in and helped the kids make these cute snowflake ornaments.

(I think our tables will have glitter glue on them until June...)

And, we made these banana snowmen, a healthy and sweet treat I found on another woman's blog. She got it from Family Fun magazine.

I thought the kids might think it was lame, but what I love about this class is they let themselves be kids (I know, you're thinking, "Well, they are kids."

But sometimes 5th graders think they're too cool for the school...) They were TOTALLY into it.

Here's Jordan's snowgirl buying candy from a vending machine, and Luke's snowman golfing. Okay, so they journeyed away from the winter theme.

The funniest thing was the mini-M & M's and the Skittles were melting (the kids said they were bleeding), just like a real snowperson would have outside...on a gorgeous 65 degree day.

Oh, the carnage!

Still, too cute!

So NOT crafty--not that it's a bad thing

Okay, so a while back, I asked a woman I know what she likes to read about on blogs. She said make-up tips and DIY projects. Well, this is not the blog for her, 'cause I'm still unsure about make-up application, and I'm so far from crafty, Martha Stewart should sue to force me to change my last name.

Here's one thing I made though, and it actually turned out.

It's a trivet.

Cute, right?

Except, what kind of weird gal paints a snowman on a pad meant for hot pots?