Just playing around

What do you do when you find a paper mache' mask at the thrift store and have peacock feathers, music and a pin of your moms? Naturally you play around and get creative.

I started off painting the mask a iridescent blue, (blue was mom's favorite color)  then layered on the music paper and gemstones. Finishing off with an eyepatch also shaped like a music note and hot glued the music pin, to finish off I tucked the peacock feathers under the pin.

Not quite pleased with how it turned out, I think I would have sharpened the black patch over the eye more of a triangular shaped note. I ended up blessing a friend of my mom's with the mask, and she didn't seem to mind either way. It was a fun reminder of a very special lady. 

Easy pinwheel embellishments!

Are you looking for an easy gift? These simple pinwheel embellishments are a quick and fun way to decorate a store bought flower pot for a "touch of handmade" sure to make any gift special. 

The process is simple, start with a square of paper. (I used 4" x 4")  Then from each corner make diagonal cuts in towards the center but not completely to the center point (see example.) You need to leave about a 1/2"-1" area in the center that is uncut. You will now have a square cut into 4 "almost" triangles. Place a pop-up glue dot in the uncut center of the square. Starting with one side gently push one point of the triangle into the glue dot continue with the same side point of the next triangle, then the 3rd and the 4th. 

 When finished, you will have a pinwheel shape. to cover your center point use a punch out circle, or stickers to embellish the center. Add a stick and you are good to go!

These pinwheels are easy to make and a simple way to spruce up a flower pot for yourself or to give as a gift.  The pinwheel shape translates well into "poinsettias" for Christmas by using red with yellow or green centers, or create a wreath by making green pinwheels with red centers and adhering them to a precut wreath shape. 

Arm Knit Throw!

The arm knitting crazy hit full force at my house with both of my daughters joining me in learning how to create scarves. I decided to up the challenge and create an arm knit throw. I was attending a party for a friend, and wanted to create something special.

Choosing 3 skeins of yarns, I cast on 30 stitches. Creating a larger project it was a bit more difficult to keep my place and I had to "tink" (in other words unknit) several times.

I was quite please with the finished project. After casting off I added some fringe to either end of the throw. 

The loose open weave doesn't lend for much warmth, but it will add an extra layer to throw over your shoulders when reading to reading to the grandbabies! As you can see from the photos my friend loved it! 

Water Wars!

With four kids my life is always busy, but in a GOOD way! In addition to the "mom" hat I wear, one of the hats I love to put on is that of volunteer at our local youth center. I get to meet some amazing teens at the center! It's time for the 2014-2015 school year to kick off and we did it with a bang....er SPLASH! 

The 2000 water balloons at our disposal, didn't last long when 30 teens and 10 adults were given the go ahead. 

I'm so thankful, when I volunteer here I not only get to spend time with my kids,  I get to be a part of all of the fun!