Spring Fever Crafting

The Spirit of Art and Craftiness Has Taken Over!

Hello, all ye who stumble upon (or actually "follow") my blog.

I do not usually boast about what the heck I am up to 'round here...  Mostly, I'm an adviser, or a critic, per say.  I'll let ya know which restaurants piqued a "Sunny" interest, or how to be a successful Savvy Spender, or even which recent Hollywood attempt is worth your time and money.  But, this blog will be a bit different.

I'm certainly a busy little bee; being a diligent wife to my gorgeous, hard-working, good-humored, cycles-to-work-and-back-everyday, craftsman Husband... a devoted mother of two beautiful, intelligent, emotional, sensitive, curious, make-me-laugh, keep-me-on-my-toes daughters, (age 10 and age 17 months.)  And, oh yes, I'm the chauffeur, the chef, the calendar, the alarm clock, the task master, the maid, the organizer, and the English professor...  Oh!  AND the hair stylist!  (Oh yea... I have a state license to be that one.)  Not to mention... my feeble, albeit noble, attempts to be Queen of social media.

So, when do I have to time to remember how to be... an artist?  To self: "You remember, Sunny.  That thing you used to be..."

Well, recently, I've MADE some time.  And, thanks to the lovely platform, Pinterest, I've definitely had no lack in inspiration.

And without any further procrastination, (God knows how awesome I am at procrastinating,)  here are some photos of what I've been up to in these warmer temperatures while the back door's been open and the sun's been shining and the kitties have been lazily coming and going from in to out and in and back out again.

 

It all started with my eldest daughter's science project for school.  She did the entire project's research herself.  Heck, she even typed up all the work herself!  (She's an excellent typist for 10.)  But, as any good mom would be, I was in charge of the project's board and layout.

Well, after having to be so clever and cute with an incredible project featuring CATS, (and, who doesn't know how much I love cats!?)  After stamping on kitty paw prints in green and purple metallic paint... And after I couldn't get my eyes off the completed product...  It hit me:  I MISS PAINTING!  I MISS BEING CRAFTY!

It wasn't long after that, I'd made the decision to start a craft project I'd been wanting to do and actually had been collecting the supplies to do!

First... decorative wine bottles.

I got the idea from Pinterest,  ( Yarn Vases ) but also thought to combine it with yet another Pinterest idea...  and make the finished bottles into patio tiki torches! (How-To here: http://www.architectureartdesigns.com/30-diy-ways-to-make-your-backyard-awesome-this-summer/ )

I started out doing an entire bottle in natural Jute.  Got that at Hobby Lobby for around $3.  Then on the next one, I added some green yarn I already had.  (First, I tried JUST using the green yarn, but it was entirely too soft to work with around the glass using only white school glue, so using it WITH the jute made it easy because the jute is coarse and more durable.)

 And, it's pretty simple really!  You just keep adding glue to the bottle as you wind the twine around it, working from top to bottom.

On the third bottle, I used a different green colour and by the fourth, I was feeling so brave, I used BOTH greens between the jute.  (This took much longer and was more difficult because of the softer textures of the yarn and having three strands of stuff to work with all at once.) 

The wrapped bottles look nice as decoration on my patio table as they await their true fate in becoming tiki torches.  Hopefully, my husband will be helping me with that SOON. ;)  But, for now, I'm still enjoying them.  

(See those naked Mason jars with the little LED candles inside?  Well, I couldn't let those be naked like that forever, now could
I?  But, we'll get to that later.)

After such successful results and the beginnings of making my back patio just fabulous for spring, I knew it was definitely time to start painting rocks again.  That's right... rocks.

I started painting rocks many years ago and hadn't really had a chance to paint any since my baby had been born.  You know... babies are really ALL-CONSUMING aren't they? Duh!

Anyway, last weekend, I asked my husband if I could do some painting and pleaded my case, (as if I needed to,) about "how long it's been," and how badly "I need a break."  Wonderful man that he is, he agreed to take charge of the baby's needs/entertainment and let me do my thing!

I started out being quite clever, (I think,) and all without a fine-tipped brush!?  *sigh*  Got all my paints and brushes out, laid the newspaper down, brought over the cups of water... and no small brushes?!  Wait a minute... no BLACK PAINT EITHER!????  Dang it!  Who wants to go to the store to get supplies when you've already set up to do your project?  Not me.  So, I used a Sharpie for black and toothpicks for the fine details.  

The first day of painting had been so productive, the next morning, Hubby let me go to Michael's to pick up the missing supplies.  (Such a sweetie.) <3   Older daughter and I went rock collecting when I got back, too... so she could paint some also!  

Needless to say, I was a whole heap more productive THAT day.

 

Here's our family of ladybugs.  Emily painted them a baby. :D

I painted some fish...

A dream catcher.  Some strawberries...   Some pretty sayings and words...

 

An owl...

 

Some lyrics...

Touched up some older work that had gotten a little dinged up from many moves...

 By day three, I was painting just to keep painting.  And, I made these labels for my new plants...

I even got my little one to let me paint her hand and have her place it on a rock...  What a great memory!

While at Michael's, I picked up some googly eyes to make these funny rocks for the kids.  My 10-year old doesn't find them nearly as entertaining as my 1-year old. 

And, the painting continues...  I have about 4 other rocks I'm still working on even now!  Isn't my family awfully generous to grant me such delights?

And, remember those naked Mason jars from earlier?  Well, as promised, they got some Bohemian Country Glam... (Kinda would describe myself that way, too... and my style: Bohemian Country Glam.  Yea.  That's me.)  Just did these today actually.

Well, aren't they cute?  Some lace, ruffled elastic trim and natural jute twine and voila!  Adorable mood lighting.

I will never be spend so much time in that ol' not-being-an-artist-anymore period again.

I just love this stuff too much!!

What inspires you?  Are you working on anything at the moment?

Let me know!!