Easter basket improv

So, we went up to visit my sister for Easter and I forgot to get baskets. I remembered everything else. And since Easter is on Sunday and I didn't want to go buy something on Sunday, I improvised. No surprise. Here they are: Easter baskets out of cereal boxes! We used Trix and Waffle Crisp and Captain Crunch. Yum! I'm sure they could've looked better, but I was in a hurry and they played the part just fine.

Paper Easter Basket

My son wanted to make Easter decorations today. This is one of the projects he and all of us made: Easter baskets out of paper. You know, the kind you make in 1st grade where you fold the paper into 16 equal squares, cut the corners to fold in and glue them up to make the box. I used brads to fasten the handle to the basket. I wish the photos turned out better. Fun little project.

little wallets-pocket size

About 6 months ago, my little tiny wallet broke. It was really the size of a business card holder, but it fit credit cards and cash very nicely right in my pocket. And since I hate carrying a purse, I really missed having just that little pocekt-size wallet. I looked for a replacement, but all the wallets I found had buckles and zippers and snaps-things that would hurt to sit on and things that wouldn't sit in a pocket so well.

So, I improvised. I made one up. Using the old broken wallet as a pattern, I cut out scrapbook paper, contact paper, and fabric. I glued the scrapbook paper to the fabric. Then I covered the paper with contact paper. I trimmed, then sewed the edges. It didn't take too long, and I still have the original one I made 6 months or so ago.  I was so pleased with it's size and durability that I made one for each of my sisters. These are very easy to make and can be customized. In the picture below, you'll see the new ones I made for my sisters and one from a Trader Joe's bag. Talk about recycling! You could use bags, scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, the fun never ends!! These pocket size wallets are still holding up! Fun little project.

so

latest crafts

Okay, so I'm a little behind on my blog. Oops. I have been officially running the sprint to Christmas since late September. Hence, only one post since then. Tisk, tisk. But, I'm repenting and posting some pics of the latest crafts. I sold these crystal ornaments at a few craft fairs this year. They are the acrylic jewels you put in candle displays. Turned out pretty fun.

And these are the glass blocks I sold at those craft fairs. (Hence, another reason why no posting has been going on.) These are glass blocks stuffed with Christmas lights and wrapped like a present. They add very nice light under a tree, on a mantle, in a window...  I actually lucked out and got them put in a little shop about 20 minutes from my house.  Very flattering.

And this is the fall tree. Well, branch, really. I took a branch and hot glued silk fall leaves on it. Talk about cheap! I did this for Thanksgiving. I had the silk leaves and glue already, so it only cost me time, and not much of it. This pic is a little late for the season, but it looked great on the mantle with the reflection from the mirror.
I'm also in the middle of more ornament making. I'll post pics soon, even though it might be past Christmas when I do. 

You know you've been at the computer screen too long

1-when your eyes start to cross

2-when they go completely out of focus the instant they see the screen

3-when you see little purple squares when you close your eyes

4-when you can't count how many windows you have open

5-when your eyes start to slide down the screen against your will

6-when your eyes are watering

7-when the screen leaves up images from the window you just closed

These are happening to me write now. Even the words I type are a little fuzzy and I'm blinking a lot.  Huh, I can't even get the correct form of 'right' right now. I think I need a little sleep, or a lot. This virtual world is really getting to my cerebellum.

The picture at the top is of a butterfly at Mount Vernon.  The gardens there were just wonderful. We went a few weeks ago and very much enjoyed a non-cerebral day, walking in honest-to-goodness dirt and trees, rather than looking (more like squinting) at them on a much abused computer screen.  Virtual reality has nothing on the tangible, tactile world.

sprout a couch

This was just so clever I had to put it on my blog.  Because some day (when I get a yard) I'm going to make one! Here's the link: Sprout a Couch

I just thought it was so funny.  And I love that magazine, too.

latest projects

I made a bunch of backpacks when my sisters came for a visit.  They were for Christmas gifts, I just gave them 6 months early because we used them on a trip to New York. But I forgot to take pictures of the backpacks before I gave them away.  So, here is one I made for myself.  Kind of fun.  And you only need about 1/3 yard fabric to do the whole thing.  I lined it, so it would be 1/3 yard of both fabrics.

I'm fairly pleased with how it turned out.  And really pleased that it used up a ton of my scrap fabrics.  So, this project fits with my attempts of being resourceful and giving something more than one purpose.  Not only does it put the pretty fabric to good use, it cleans up my "creativity corner."  (My dad lovingly labels these kinds of craft supply corners "crap supply" corners.) And as I mentioned in one of my (way) earlier posts, this project also fits with my desire to do handmade gifts this year.  Whatever it is, it's nice to be happy with what you accomplish, and clean up and out all at the same time.