repurposing a vintage paper napkin

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Maybe you're like me and when you're out and about rummaging you may pick up a set of vintage paper napkins; be it holiday, cocktail with random one liners on them, or just some print that tickled you're fancy. Never used, they are perfect, still with their original price tag of 59 cents (or something silly). I even have one collection that I found all wrapped up in an old wonderbread plastic bag, how could I resist? I always scoop them up. I don't think I have ever used any of them for their intended purpose. Actually, I don't think I've ever used any them at all! They just sit in the magic closet in a box labeled "assorted paper and other interesting things" awaiting some creative repurposing.

Why not a gift bag?

It's simple. It's made of scraps. It's a bit sloppy, but let's just say that's the charm!

I cut one piece of canvas with pinking sheers, sewed the front of the napkin to one side and the back to the other with a zig zag stitch, attached pipe cleaners for handles, bundled up some ribbons and tacked them in what would be the bottom corner, then folded the whole thing in half and stitched it together. A perfect size for a small gift or even some stems of flowers. Happy Birthday, Mom!

crayon roll up

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Today I needed to make something. Anything.

I had a small window of time with my sewing machine. I started with a bag in mind but then I thought of something else.

In preparation of our upcoming travels east and the simple fact that as a mom I always have crayons in my bag, I decided to make a canvas crayon roll up.

I labeled each one-inch pocket with the color and name using my trusty sharpies. This makes it more than just a handy storage case, it's also a matching game! We love matching games.

Whenever the little miss sees writing on objects she starts calling out letters. This will be just one more step in familiarizing her with words and colors.

"Whooooaaaaaa!" she said (imagine a deep raspy, drawn out whoa with her lips in a perfect oval) when she saw it.  Yes, I think she likes it.

Sure beats carrying around a zip lock bag of crayons. This is much cuter.

make something: nests

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I was searching for some Easter table inspiration and came upon brown bag nests. Genius. (On a side note: the maker of these brown bag nests, Ellen Luckett Baker, whose work I have seen in some crafty books that I own, has an amazing blog called the long thread which has now made my to do list much longer!)

I had to make these nests, but the brown paper bag part really didn't fit into my vision for our table. I figured I could use any sort of shredded paper like the kind they sell as basket or package filler, and as I cruised the aisles at Michael's trying to decide what color I would choose, I found it: The Aspen Collection wood shavings by Excelsior. It really is Aspen mulch in all of it's eco friendly, biodegradable glory and oh, such a pretty color! I used super strong Elmer's white glue to bind it all together. These are really easy to make, you just need some plastic wrap and a small bowl.

I made my nests from memory and realized just now when I looked back at the instructions that she put the paper on the outside of the bowl. Guess I don't follow directions well. I smooshed all of my glue covered wood shavings into the plastic wrapped bowl, topped it with another piece of plastic wrap, pressed down to help form it and then placed another bowl to hold it in place. I kept the nests that way for most of the day to begin the drying process and hold their form, then I unwrapped it and let it dry the rest of the way until firm. Using the wood makes it sort of wild and twiggy nest which I love.

Now to figure out the rest of the table!

spring terrarium complete with bunnies

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I thought it would be fun to make a spring themed terrarium.

My vintage bunnies (who ironically have tails made out of rabbit fur, ew!) are a perfect addition.

This would make for an interesting easter centerpiece. No bunnies? Use fuzzy yellow chicks. Or, for a more sophisticated look,  a small nest with dyed quail eggs would be amazing.

Terrariums are very popular right now. Supplies are readily available at nurseries and plant stores. Look for the small plants in mini pots and most likely a selection of air plants (tillandsia) as well. There are amazing glass containers from unusual shapes to hanging vessels, and of course you may just have the perfect thing lying around the house like a vase, mason jar, or in my case a punch bowl!

I started with rocks, added soil, and then placed my plants in. I chose a few small succulents, a fern, baby  tears, and then for the springy part: muscari, mini daffodils, and ipheion.  Unfortunately, the bulb plants are short lived, so they will either have to be replaced (but can be replanted in your yard!) or the centerpiece assembled a couple of days before it is needed. Some moss, found objects, rocks, shells, etc., are all great additions. How about a carrot?

Portland has some great places to go for assembling terrariums like Artemesia and Pistils, and there's always the Portland Nursery.

make something: {egg} bunny in a tutu

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I have issues. The household chores beckon me along with many other projects, yet I found it ever so important to make a ballerina bunny out of an egg. How cute would these look at each place setting for the easter table?!

Blow out the insides of the egg (same as directed in making blue {egg} birds).  I put two holes at the top to blow into; one for each ear, which is made out of felt and then backed with paper to help it stand up straight. I cut "feet" out of one piece of felt and hot glued it to the bottom the egg. The bunny may stand up fine on her feet and will definitely be able to hold herself up with the tutu, but you will see I also made a paper ring to assist. In the end, I removed the ring. For the tutu, I gathered one long piece of tulle and hot glued it around the "waist". I left my tutu long but it could be trimmed shorter. A pom pom for the cotton tail and some sharpies for the face.

make something: blue {egg} birds

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I first imagined these to be a little different; more refined, pretty. However, my reality is entertaining a 20 month old, so these birds had to be SILLY!

Start with  fresh white eggs. The inside will have to be removed by using a small nail to make a tiny hole on each end of the egg and blowing. The beauty of this project is that the holes end up getting covered so they can be larger than normal to make this whole process a little easier. This can be done before or after dying. I think it is easier to dye the whole egg since it sinks into the cup, but this results in blue lips after blowing out the eggs. Keep that in mind!

Enter my kid craft staples: felt, google eyes, pipe cleaners, hot glue and feathers.

You should see the little miss smile and say "caw! caw!", it is most certainly a stamp of approval.

This would be a great easter project to do with craft-crazy kids!