Spring Wreath

Happy Leap Day, friends!  I don't know about you, but I'm so done with February and ready for March and springtime!

I thought I'd share with you my latest project as we get ready to head into a new month and think warm thoughts!



Materials:

wreath form

yarn {I used blue and yellow}

wooden bird cutout

plastic egg decorations

covered floral wire

hot glue gun/gluesticks

scissors and wire cutters

acrylic paint and paintbrushes

glitter {optional}

ribbon

I had some supplies on hand already.  I purchased the ones in the photo, all at Michaels, for about $16.

STEP 1: Paint 3 or 4 eggs a nice robin-egg blue.  I stuck the wire ends down in a piece of styrofoam while LC and I did this part.  We also dipped a brush in white paint and splattered them a bit to get the speckled effect.  Let dry.

STEP 2: Twist covered wire into a bird nest shape.  Use the eggs as a gauge for how big you want it to be.

STEP 3: Glue eggs into nest.

STEP 4: Wrap wreath form with blue yarn.  Then, go back and accent wrap using the yellow however you like it.

**If anyone ever mentions to you the words "quick and easy" in conjunction with a yarn wrapped wreath, they are LYING!**

It's not a particularly difficult concept, but it takes for.ev.er.

LC kept watching and watching me and saying, "Mommy are you done yet?  Are you halfway yet?  Why aren't you around to there yet?"

STEP 5: Hot glue your bird nest onto the {finally} wrapped wreath.

STEP 6: {which should probably be step 2} Paint your bird cutout.  I also sprinkled mine with glitter.  Just because.  Glitter makes everything better.  It's probably wise to do this at the same time you paint your eggs because then they'll all be dry at the same time unlike what happened to me.

STEP 7: Glue your bird to the wreath.  Mine came on a black ribbon, so I swapped it for a springy pink.

Ta-Da!

Ready for springtime!



By the way, if you're scratching your head thinking, "Wait, I thought her front door was reddish..." you're right, my friend! 

 Good memory.  Unfortunately, robin-egg blue doesn't look nearly as pretty on the front of my door as it does on the back, so you get the pretty pictures instead of the so-so reality. ;)  Oh, for a neutral door...without a door knocker...sigh.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the source of my inspiration for this wreath: this pretty one from Our Growing Garden, which gave me the idea for the blue/yellow combo and yarn wrapping.  I wanted something different than just the flowers, {although I love them on her version!} so I decided to go for the nest and bird instead!

Happy Crafting!  And if you go to Subway today, make sure they give you your free cookie!  Hey, there has to be something good about having an extra day of February, right?

Mini-Monster Fun

Everybody loves a friendly monster, right?

We sure do here in the Artsy House!

Which is why when Little Crafter saw this project on Pinterest {mini-felt monsters in matchbox beds!}, he immediately wanted to do it!

Here's how you can make your own mini-monster friends!

MINI-MONSTERS

Materials:

felt {we used blue and red}

thread and needle

googly eyes

polyfil or other stuffing material

scissors

craft glue

small box {matchbox or jewelry box}

STEP 1: Cut out two pieces of whatever monster shape you like.  You can freehand it or draw a little pattern first.  Make sure it will fit in your box!

 STEP 2: Thread your needle and hand stitch around the edges, sewing the two pieces together.  Leave the bottom open.  We used matching thread, but I think a contrasting color would be fun too!

{Believe it or not, LC even helped with this part...I'd stick the needle through, then let him pull.  Imagine how tricky it was to get a pic of this while holding the monster and being the safety police too!}

STEP 3: Stuff that monster!

STEP 4: Sew the bottom closed.

STEP 5: Glue on eyes, mouth, and whatever else you want.

Here's our finished monster!  Then it was time to make him a bed!  We didn't have a matchbox on hand, so we were using a little red jewelry box.

We just lined the bottom of the box with felt, then made him a little red felt blanket.

Now, he's a snug as a...well, snug as a monster in a box!

Here's a pic of the original project...you can see the variety of shapes you can use as well as the different face ideas over at Molly Moo.  Hers even have diapers...heehee!

We had all the materials for this project on hand already, and it took us less than half an hour {it would have taken even less time if I hadn't had my little helper, but then what's the fun in that?!}.

What about you?  What would YOUR monster look like?

Don't forget, starting Thursday, I'm going to be posting a Grow Your Blog Series...hope to see you then!

Hello, Yellow!

Friends, spring is just around the corner...can you feel it?  I'm just waiting for the day when I can leave my winter coat at home and break out my flip flops instead.  It's the time of year when I get sick and tired of bundling up, of sweaters, and of every single thing in my wardrobe.  So, I decided it was time to take action.

I took a trip to the Potomac Bead Company and made myself some sunny jewelry to add a springy "pop" to any outfit!

Hello, Yellow Jewelry!

Let me preface by saying that before this project, there was not a single yellow item in my closet, my drawers, or my jewelry box.  Nothing.  I just don't wear yellow.  My complexion and coloring aren't right for it.  About 10 years ago, a dear sweet friend of mine got married and chose yellow bridesmaid dresses, which was probably my lone public appearance in banana yellow...Robin, it was proof of my love for you, girl!  But adding some chunky yellow jewelry to a black or grey outfit?  That I can do!  Why didn't I think of it before?

YELLOW NECKLACE

Materials: 8 large yellow beads, 2 jump rings, 2 crimp beads, stringing wire, silver chain, jewelry tools {pliers, crimpers, and cutters}

STEP 1: Place crimp bead on stringing wire, add jump ring, thread wire back through crimp bead and use crimping tool to close.

STEP 2: String beads onto wire.  Repeat step 1 on other end of wire so that there's a jump ring on each side of the beads.

STEP 3: Cut a piece of chain to your desired length.  Open each jump ring and attach it to one end of the chain.  If you prefer, you could also use ribbon through the jump rings instead of chain for a different look.

STEP 4: Optional - You can add a ribbon, a rosette, or any other adornment you like.  

STEP 5: Wear and enjoy! {and when you're done admiring it, clean that mirror!}



 Next, I made a pair of earrings by placing a yellow and silver bead on each head pin.  Then, I created wire loops and added earring backs.  For a full tutorial and step by step photos, see here.

Pin It

Finally, Little Crafter helped me to make a bracelet.  I prepared the stringing wire with a crimp bead and jump ring, just like for the necklace.  Then, LC strung the beads and I finished it off with another crimp bead and a clasp.

I'm excited to wear my sunny new accessories and think spring!

What about you?  What do you add to your wardrobe for some color and cheer?

What's New in Artsy Land?

Hey, friends!Every so often, I feel like I need to fix up a post just to let you know about what's new and what's up-and-coming here at One Artsy Mama!  So, bear with me today; I hope you'll be as excited as I am about some of these things!  1. I'm auditioning to participate in season 4 of...

over at Naptime Crafters.  I had to link up an original project I created within the past three months, so I chose my Valentine Ribbon wreath, which is link #56! 

One of the factors the judges are considering when they choose the 15 finalists is how many views each link gets, so pretty pretty please, if you get a chance hop on over and click on my link {even if you've seen it before}!

2. Coming soon: a Growing Your Blog Series!

 

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From March 1-8, I'll be sharing tips and tricks about topics like blog design, posting, ads and affiliates, relationships, and other relevant topics to growing your blog, whether you're a newbie or have been blogging for a while.  Don't worry, I'll also be posting crafts and other things too!  On Thursday, the 7th, I'll be doing a FAQ post, so if you have questions about blogging/growing your blog, start sending them my way at dancers4life{at}gmail{dot}com, or leave them as a comment!

3. One Artsy Mama is having a birthday!

<center><a href="http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc86/dancers4life/71431201b.png" width="15-"/></a></center> That's right!  March 17 is the big day when OAM turns one year old!  To celebrate, some of the coolest blogs on the block are donating great prizes for 19 amazing giveaways!  There will be several giveaways a day from March 11-17, so be sure to stop by to find out who's participating and all the fabulous prizes you can win!

4. One Artsy Mama is starting a monthly newsletter!

Last month, I did a survey and many of you indicated that you would be interested in receiving a monthly email newsletter.  If you'd like to be on the mailing list, please email me at dancers4life{at}gmail{dot}com, or leave your email address as a comment to this post.  I refuse to spam you guys, so if you want it, you've got to ask for it!  K?



Ok, I think that's all for today!  I have to go get myself ready for a "big girl" coffee date with my buddy Erin!  How excited am I?  An afternoon off to play with a friend!  Any guesses where we're meeting?

mm hmmmm....

The SHINE Project: Pass it Forward

Each Friday, we take time to Shine, to celebrate the great things you all have been creating and doing.  Today, I'm excited to tell you about another {new and exciting} way to let your light SHINE in your community and make a difference.



Be sure to visit this week's Shine on Fridays party, where you can link up your latest and greatest ideas!

We all want to change the world at least a little bit, don't we?

We all want to make it a better place.

Ashley, the heart behind The Shine Project, has come up with a way to see just how the little things we do can make a big impact...in our neighborhoods, our cities, and across the country.

Here's how it works.  You get a card like this one, labeled with its very own ID number.  You do something to serve another person, and when you do, pass the card along to them.

Pretty awesome, don't you think?

As you can see, if each person really does pass it on and log it on the website, you can track where each card has been and how many people have been involved in showing kindness and, well, shining!  There are so many things you can do when you pass your card along.  You could pay for another person's meal in the drive-thru or buy coffee for the person behind you at Starbucks.  You could help someone carry their groceries, make a new parent a meal, or volunteer to babysit so your friends can have a date night.  You can serve someone you know well or a complete stranger.  And then it's up to them to turn around and do the same.

To get your own card and find out more, visit The Shine Project.

I bet you can guess which of those ways I mentioned I'll be using my card...

Shine on!

Shine on Fridays #16 {and some fabulous features}!

Hey friends...what time is it?
PARTY TIME!!

Before we get started, I'm excited to announce that One Artsy Mama will be sending out a brand new monthly e-newsletter!  If you'd like to be on the mailing list, leave me a comment with your email address, or send it to me at dancers4life{at}gmail{dot}com!

 

Are you ready to see some of the fabulousness linked up last week?  Here are 4 of our top 8 most viewed projects plus a personal fave {don't forget to go visit Kara at Happy Go Lucky to see the rest!}

Boy, do I love Fridays!!

Evidently we were all feeling hungry this week, three of your top picks were recipes!

Apparently I'm not the only one whose stomach is literally rumbling when I look at these Bacon, Egg, and Cheese breakfast cups linked up by Adventures of our Fam-ily!

Looking for some great St. Patty's Day ideas now that Valentine's Day is past?  You're in luck!  Check out these great projects linked upu by Tales of a Trophy Wife!

Last week I told you about a new blog I'm enjoying, Be Book Bound.  This week, it looks like you enjoyed them too; these delicious looking Lemon Blueberry Scones were a top view!  Please excuse my drool...



Don't you just love having breakfast for dinner?  Me too.  Check out these Breakfast Bowls shared by Once a Mom, Always a Cook.

One of my personal favorites this week has to be this amazing Happy Entryway shared by Meeha Meeha.  Can you believe she hand-drew every bit of that fun retro pattern, then painted in each part of it by hand?!  It's so cheery and fun...I asked her if she'd come do it in my house, but oddly enough, she hasn't shown up yet!   Maybe tomorrow?

I also have to mention Vixen Made as a personal favorite since she linked up some adorable covered clothespins that were such a great project I just had to make some myself!  If you missed yesterday's post about it, stop by here!

One more piece of business: the winner of last week's ad space giveaway is Ashley from Cherished Bliss!  Congratulations!  Thanks to everyone who entered!

Now, on to the party!

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Show off your fabulous creations with us and be inspired by what others have created!

   

Please link up crafts, recipes, home decor, etc.

We can't wait to see what you've been up to lately!!

If you're going to play along with us, pretty please:

- follow both co-hosts

- grab a party button and put it somewhere on your blog
- have fun and visit some other friends
- no commercial sites

- send us both chocolate {just kidding...seeing if you're reading!}

Linking up your photos gives us permission to use them in features on our blogs and Facebook pages.