Thursday, April 28, 2011

little change #3

so i keep lots of my crafting supplies {as well as just about every card i've ever received} in boxes. many of which i've had for years. most of them have been either upcycled or re-covered at least once {such as the zebra print box i've had since high school} but a couple of them were overdue for a makeover. i covered them in brown craft paper and tried out this stamping technique i saw making the rounds on pintrest a few weeks ago:
inspiration:

my results:

i wrapped some scrap yarn around a block and used a sponge brush to cover it with acrylic paint. i wasn't very consistent with my application and the paint wasn't spread very evenly, but i like it anyhow.

 i always like trying something new and this was a pretty simple and low-risk project seeing as how anything i don't like can be covered with new paper.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

lucy makes cadbury eggs

well, here i am again gracing the internets and your computer screens with my presence. lucky you! i haven't been around much lately for no reason other than sheer lack of motivation. hubs and i are having lots {and lots and lots} of conversations about our future and dealing with all the little {and big} ups-and-downs of life that seem to be coming all at once these days. and while next year still has a big question mark next to it, i can definitely say i've kicked my funk and am feeling myself again. this uncertain time is a chance for us to define ourselves and look at life as an adventure again, not an obstacle, and i'm excited about the possibilities. even if that ultimately means staying in kansas one more year. {also, hubs passed his thesis defense! great news indeed} {also also some things are in the works that i might be sharing with you soon!}

so, moving on, happy belated easter! it's no secret that i'm in love with dessert of all shapes and sizes but husband really isn't. that being said, he's obsessed with cadbury creme eggs and i've kept a constant supply of them in the house since they appeared. since they'll be gone soon i tried my hand at making my own {with these instructions}

they taste ah.mazing!
unfortunately i didn't want to get molds and i'm really not good at dipping things in chocolate and i made a huge mess in the kitchen {and on my hands. and on the floor...} i felt like lucy at the chocolate factory. 

good thing my stomach doesn't have eyes!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

little change #2

i got this adorable little lamp a couple months ago and i love all it's kitschy character. unfortunately the color scheme seems more suited for a nursery than our living room, so i decided to make some changes.
i love how it turned out! and it really wasn't that much work.
i sanded it, primed it, and spray painted it {while the neighbors looked at me like i was crazy} and recovered the shade {using this tutorial}


it's still just as charming and unique, and i think mozart here looks much better in yellow! 

Sunday, April 17, 2011

paint chip art

I  haven't been around blogland much lately and i'm so dreadfully behind on my blogroll. I don't feel that I've had much to blog about either, especially since I've been focusing all my energy on redecorating my bedroom. and of course any good project of mine comes with a healthy dose of craft therapy. I'm trying to keep myself busy which has resulted in multiple trips to the craft and hardware stores. on one such home depot trip I grabbed a bunch of paint chips and came home to create these little masterpieces:


I'm using several different bright colors throughout the bedroom, and i had these 3 matching frames so i thought this worked out perfectly.

I like how simple they are. and not too hard to make, either. lots and lots of paper cutting, but that has it's own de-stressing properties. win win.



I think this is the best project I've done in a while, but of course I'm biased. I'm trying to take photos of some of the other projects I've got going, and hopefully I'll get my lazy self around to post them soon!

This is by far the most popular project I've ever posted! But since you're here, these are some other projects you might be interested in:
lamp redesign

forest friends key keepers

watercolor fall leaves tutorial

bias tape brooches

Sunday, April 10, 2011

sisterly love aka best package ever!

so my birthday was just over a week ago, but i have to show off the most amazing birthday package from my big sis:
i wish i could put it on display. her hubs told her she was crazy for putting so much work into a box because i would just throw it away. yeah right! i think he's the crazy one. 

"a sister's love means everything especially when i can call her friend!"
   
the most special feature- each section opens up with more goodies!

and this box is chalk full!

i love the cat artwork she made me, because let's be honest, i'm a husband away from being a crazy cat lady.

although, it's a close race between scrappy kitties and a birthday frog cookie.
of course, the art work has lasted a lot longer...

Friday, April 8, 2011

little change #1

yellow doilies + old cans + art supplies
{with a little double stick tape thrown in there}
  i've been looking at so many photos of beautiful rooms this week and have finally figured out that the secret is in the details. so i'm working on changing our details around.

i think this is a good start!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

hard times

it's time for a little honesty: i'm a generally happy and upbeat person, but sometimes you just get in a funk and instead of seeing the world through rose-colored glasses, suddenly everything is tinted crummy. i usually keep it out of my blog, but the unavoidable truth right now is that we're going through a rough time. last week was hard and brought some very difficult choices to our doorstep. the last few months have been a roller-coaster ride of job interviews and rejections and while it is good to finally have an answer to the "what will we do next year" question, the answer is hard to accept.

we will not be moving.
and that pretty much sums it up. it's going to take some time to wrap my mind around spending another year in kansas, and so very very far away from the people we love, surrounded by allergens that seem intent upon killing me oh-so-slowly. but i know that it's the right choice. of course that doesn't make it easy. at all. 

so, in light of this news, i'm launching myself into some major craft therapy meshed with a desire to have a beautiful and comfy home. after all, we'll be here one more year. i've already made a lot of small changes, but my new project is the bedroom, which i've never been very fond of. it currently feels like a second thought- a room where all the leftovers go. and while pursuing pintrest i found my perfect inspiration:

the colors, the words, everything is beautiful perfection.
so i'm off and running with this image in my brain. and since it's sold {for $540.00!} i'm going to be recreating it with my own {slight} twist. which makes me feel like a low-class art thief {sad} but honestly, if it keeps me busy and gives me a beautiful bedroom then i will just have to live with low-class-theify self!

and if you happen to be having a low week, or even if you're not, then maybe you can find some cheery inspiration from rachel castle too!

Monday, April 4, 2011

the arrival of spring

the weather here has been gorgeous. really really gorgeous. we've had the windows open which, besides providing a wonderful springy breeze, has the added incentive of creating a kitty incubator. 

i really did not think they could sleep more, or be any cuter, but i was wrong.
i hope you're enjoying beautiful weather, too!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

april fool's fun

last year i had a great day of pranks & goodies planned for the kiddos at school, so this year i was anxious not to disappoint! i went old school with the jokes- a water-squirting flower pin and a whoopie cushion. hilariousness ensued.

an april fool's day craft for everyone to make:

and what birthday celebration would be complete without cupcakes? these just happen to look like real food.
vegetable lo mein:


fried rice:

and fortune cookies! 

all made with caramel, cereal, frosting, and lots of candy!
 
 i wish it were my birthday every day!

Friday, April 1, 2011