kid's craft - stained glass from glue and yarn

This will be my last post for several days. I am leaving for a long weekend. The four of us are going to Iowa to visit my parents for Easter. Here is one last project.



I remember when I was small that whenever we visited my dad's parents, they would have the tree decorated with lots of ornaments that their seven children had made. My favorites were ornaments that were oval shapes made of stiffened yarn and had each of my aunts and uncles names written in yarn in cursive in them and they were surrounded by what my mind says was glue that had been colored and allowed to dry.

This is my take on what I remember as a child. They look right to me!! I am pleased with how the turned out.


If you want to try making your own, I wrote a tutorial and posted it at Suite101.



I will probably share this at a few link parties before I leave. Please check them out as well as the links left by other creative ladies!!

frankenstein easter egg heads

These guys are easy to do. A little wheat and some permanent markers is all you really need.

I posted a tutorial for them at Suite101.

I will share this at all the usual parties. To see what parties I attend and view some wonderful creativity view my party links!!

Christmas Dress to Easter Dress Refashion

I am sharing this at many craft parties. Don't forget the people who host these parties and the people who participate. Check out the parties I belong to.

I found these dresses on clearance in February along with a bunch of other Christmas dresses for - get this - 3 dollars. These looked like they could be made into beautiful Easter dresses. The fabric is a gold brocade.

An old table cloth, tulle, and ribbon make for more fluffy, springish dresses.

The over skirt is a beautiful old oval tablecloth I bought for 2 dollars at the thrift store. I cut off the rounded ends for the overlay. I decided to make the overlay off center to correspond with the bow that was already on the dress.

Add a tulle peekab00 ruffle to the bottom of the dress.

The result is off-center and a bit peekabooish and whimsical which I like.

Then I made a flower out of tulle and sewed it on under the bow, which is now mostly obscured. I used a vintage button for the center of the blossom.

I actually bought three dresses and the end result was I used the largest for my oldest and the one I bought for my oldest on my youngest. I might make hairbands or something from the extra dress.

Between making these dresses on Saturday and photographing the girl's dance recital on Sunday - I didn't do much else over the weekend. Church was wonderful though. K was a pill and squirmed and writhed and fought me before children's church. I wish I had the camera - she curled up in a ball in this dress - on the bench next to me and while she was a pickle - I couldn't help thinking what beautiful photos she would make like that. :)

Just about nine-months ago we cut five inches off this mane of K's. I think it is starting to look a bit ragged - time to cut off more. Her hair is thick and strong but when it constantly gets put in braids and ponytails the ends get frayed from the hair bands.

When we went into the backyard to do this shoot, we found a surprise left us by some stray cat.

I thought I was smart...But I wasn't

I had this brilliant idea. I was going to make candles from old incandescent light bulbs. I even figured out how to get the wick to the bottom easily using fishing sinkers.



I thought that glass lampshades turned upside down would make great stands for the candles. They do.

But I didn't realize how much oxygen candles need to burn. They need a lot more than they can find inside a light bulb. I would have to have either only filled them up partly with wax (and I am not sure that would have worked) or filled the bulb to the absolute top with wax and throw it away after it burned down to below the bulb's threads.

So I turned the shades over and set them in old ashtrays and put a candle inside. So much for creativity.



I actually have the nerve to share this at parties. Mostly because I really have to laugh at this failure. If you want ideas that work - check out the wonderful linky parties I link with.

Beautiful Blogger Award

Natasha from 5 minutes just for me gave me The Beautiful Blogger Award



I am supposed to pass this on to five beautiful bloggers and tell a little about myself. I am going to pass this on to some of my oldest blogging friends who have been following me forever.

Judy from Anybody Home has been a dear friend forever. Someday when I visit my sis in Michigan I will stop in the big GR area and visit Judy too.

Jody from The Deputy Domain has the most serene and beautiful personality and her blog exudes peace. Jody posts rarely now because she is a busy Mom whose priority is her children but whenever she posts it is a treat. Her posts are always uplifting and always remind one of our Creator and King.

Heidi from God's Grace in Practice is an inspiration. When I met her she had one little boy and she was studying the Ragamuffin Gospels and blogging about it. Her blog has taken us through the journey of her pregnancy and delivery of a most delightful, beautiful little boy she refers to as Little Boy Blue (with the most stunning eyes - I would love to photograph him someday). Heidi's journey really has lived up to the title of her blog and I feel honored to have her as a friend.

Connie from Notes from a Cottage Garden is a beautiful and thoughtful garden and inspirational blogger I met when I had a garden blog. When I discontinued my garden blog she followed me home to Those Northern Skies my first and longest blog.

Bobbie-Jo from My Journey Home is the newest of my old friends. She is a remarkable Christian and a very real mom of a large brood that she home schools like Jody. I love her willingness to be open and vulnerable.

About me: I've been blogging since September of 2006 (I think). My blog was/is a personal blog. Last year, I dropped off the radar for probably nine months or so. I was burned out. Since I've returned I've focused mostly on my crafts projects and my photography. I need to as my girls will both be in school full-time. They go to a private school and I need to generate income. My writing for Suite101 and my fledgling photography business are how I hope to help hubby keep them in school.

a few (fifty) of my favorite things in 2009

Every year, I go through the digital photos for the year and make a book for each set of grandparents (and sometimes my husband). I seldom print photos at any other time so these are significant. In the past, I did it before Christmas now I do after the beginning of the year and just give them a card in a gift box saying they will get yet another one of these albums. I've narrowed my album selection to 250 and decided to indulge myself and share fifty here (in no particular order) If you are curious about any photo, ask and I will reply in the comments.