Silly Saturdays

One of my things I want to do is to grow my blog.

It's something I do love and I want to discover it more.

I have been debating whether to start designating days.

Fun things, Creative things, Life

In general it will give me something to blog about

Because somedays..... I got nothing.

So let me introduce "Silly Saturdays"

I will share one of my adventures with the 5 year old.

And trust me the week is filled with them.

I just need to remember the camera.

I have been working on my new Creative Space

So I would not take over the Dining Room table anymore.

So far its been working great and I am loving it.

(Reveal of my new space is next week)

So now I have a nice clear table that we can actually dine at.

Well unless the 5 year old is around......

This is now my Dining Room table

(my new Creative Space is behind those louvered doors)

All of her little friends have taken up residence.

Grammie came to visit and they played on the table

After Grammie left her little friends didn't

"Nooooooo.... Mommy it needs to stay this way"

So I let it stay, for now

I let it stay for 4 four days.

Lalaloospy says "Hi!"

Then I issued an eviction notice.

And got the Dining Room table back.



Valentine Wreath

I loved my Fall Wreath alot.

So I took that idea and made a Valentine one.

I used muslin to wrap a straw wreath that I had on hand

Used both red and pink felt to roll some flowers

Hung it from some fabric scraps I had left from my Flannel Scarf

And of course a tag

Simple and easy.

Hanging out with my friends......

Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party

I Heart Naptime Sundae Scoop

Itsy Bitsy Paper - I Heart Projects Party

Valentine Paint Chip Pennant Banner

My poor Mantel has suffered from neglect.

After I stripped it from Christmas it sat empty.

Then things started to get piled on it.

I am serious it did.

That got rectified real quick.

Now since Valentine's Day is around the corner

And Beth  is going to have one of her Mantel Link Parties

I need to get moving.

Problem is I can't find my Valentine Decorations.

And I am not sure if the made the move or not.

So back to square one with nothing in the budget.

Thankfully my craft supplies are getting organized

As I create my New Creative Space

So we need to create new Valentine Decorations.

After looking all over Pinterest

I have some ideas.

Yeah I have a problem with collecting paint chips.

Somedays when I need to get out of the house without the 5 year old I go to Lowe's or Home Depot and raid their paint chips.

It's what I call my "Mommy Escape"

It's that or the fabric store.

The paint chips cost less.

Seriously it took my glue gun longer to heat up than do this.

Supplies needed:

Paint chips (the long skinny ones)

Scissors

Glue/Tape

Baker's Twines (string, thread, ribbon)

Heart Buttons (from JoAnn Fabrics )

Fold and Cut ends of Paint Chips

Fold over the Baker's Twine and Glue/Tape

Add Buttons and Hang up

Done !!!

Hanging out with my Friends........

Naptime Crafters Friday Favs Party

The Creative Paige - Creative Genius Party

Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party

Very Merry Vintage Style - Share the Love Link Party

Toys in the Dryer - Fun Stuff Fridays

Be Different Act Normal - Show and Tell Saturday

Vintage Gwen - Show and Share

I Heart Naptime Sundae Scoop

Itsy Bitsy Paper - I Heart Projects Party

Raising Oranges - Handmade 52

The Tattered Tag - KISS Party

Serendipity and Spice - Manic Monday

Twenty Twelve Word of the Year: Discover

Alot of Blogger's are doing it.

So I thought I would join in.

Twenty Twelve's Word of the Year.

I have been giving this alot of thought.

Trying to think of just one word

That defines what I want

That defines what I need.

That defines me.

Twenty eleven was an interesting year.

Loss of employment

Moving from something I have known my entire life.
Starting over.
Trying to figure out what I want to do

Exactly what I want is something that I need to figure out

So my Twenty Twelve Word of the Year is:

Discover Me.
Discover What I Want To Do
Discover Blogging More
Discover More Creativity
Discover More Patience with the 5 year old
There is alot to Discover........
So there you have it My Word.
My Outlook for 2012.

Do you have a word?
Visit Layla over at the Lettered Cottage and link up
Or Just hop over and read what word inspires everyone.

My Dilemma with Bertha

I want you to meet someone.

Someone that I need to share my New Creative Space with.

I really don't have a choice in the matter.

She plays a big role in our daily lives

I get to share my Creative Space with a hot water tank.

Bertha the Hot Water Tank.

Alright now your all thinking I am losing it.

Blogging about a hot water tank.

But I am stumped.

How can I hide this thing?

(it needs to be accessible)

When I open the doors to my space this is the view.

Do you like how I blurred things?

My space is not ready for the full reveal yet ;-)

Just a few more projects to finish.

Ok back to Bertha.

Any ideas?

I hung a curtain but hated how it looked.

It sits on this platform.

And above it is the pipes and ceiling.

I just hate looking at it when I open the doors.

So any ideas on how to make Bertha pretty?

Ikea Wish List

I want to go to Ikea.

It's more like I NEED to go to Ikea.

And I got to go today.

Yeah for me !!!!

Now we all know I have been working on my New Creative Space

I am getting giddy about it.

It is truly going to be mine.

So I needed a table, something to craft on

The biggest factor was size

Its not a huge space and we rent

 So doing something built in was not going to work

And of course there is the budget.

So I was cruising the Ikea website

Looking for stuff inspiration

And I came across a section called

Table Tops and Legs

Ok this might work.......

Vika Amon/Vika Curry $19.99

39 3/8" long

I had 40" of space.

BINGO it fits

Ok I'm thinking cheap cost = cheap table

Boy was I wrong !!!

Nice thick table top, sturdy legs

I got it today.

It looks BEAUTIFUL !!!!

It does come in different sizes and different colored legs

I did the white top with silver legs

It's a nice addition to my new space.

Now I want this.........

Helmer Drawer Unit $39.99

It is made to fit under this table.

Oh the storage possibilities !!!!

Do you have an Ikea Wish List?

Dressform Instant Art

My New Creative Space needed some new Art.

For some reason I love Dressforms.

No idea why, I just do.

And I went a little crazy with them on my Pinterest Board

And who doesn't love Karen over at The Graphics Fairy
All of the pictures came from her.
I love the fact that she gives us colored options too.

Seriously all I did was print them down on some cream cardstock.
I did resize them to fit in the frame.
I have had one of these five slot frame and mat for ages.
And yes it was one of the things I pulled out of the closet.

The mat was cream colored too so I covered it with some scrapbook paper
I taped it on so if I ever want to change it I could.
But I am LOVING this so much I am not sure I ever will.

Orange and Green Dressform found here
Turquoise and Pink Dressform found here
Black Dressform found here

Instant Art on a budget.
For my New Creative Space.

Hanging out with my friends.....

Crafty Scrappy Happy Me Thursday
Catch A Glimpse Party

My NEW Creative Space Part 2 ......Book Page Wall Treatment

Do you know what happens when you pull everything about that involves your crafting?

No crafting gets done !!!

So its full force ahead to get this new space DONE.

You can read about the challenge in my Part 1

Like I said before I can not paint this space.

And something about looking at a white wall didn't seem to inspiring.

Step in an old dictionary I have been creating with and we get

Book Page Wall Treatment

Alot of pages and ALOT of tape is all it took

and I still haven't put a good dent into the book.

I love how this looks

My craft table will sit in front of of this

I do not love the view I have.

I had to find something to cover this.

And of course when I cleaned out the closet I found the perfect thing

and of course I forgot to take a before picture

but trust me it was ugly looking.

A little bit of paint and a little bit of paper

So much better !!!

I love the POP of color the paper brings to it.

Cost so far for my NEW Creative Space.....

Old Book = on hand

Upcycled Cabinet = on hand

Paint for Cabinet (oops shelf at HD) = $2.00 for quart

Scrapbook Paper = on hand

Budget $50.00

Remaining balance $48.00

Hanging out with my friends.....

Crafty Scrappy Happy me Thursday

My NEW Creative Space...... Part 1

I am not sure how I came across her blog

But I am going to jump on in with both feet.

Rachael over at Lovely Crafty Home  has posted a new Linky Party

A "Get Your Crap Together" kind of Party.

This is going to be FUN !!!

Ever since we moved I have never had a creative space.

I have been on the dining room table and after the Holidays

 I realized it really REALLY needs to change.

So we had this closet, actually it is suppose to house the washer and dryer

We own neither and there is a laundry facility within our complex

So I have decided to take it over.

Well I kind of already had and well it was UGLY.

I pulled EVERYTHING out of the closet.

All of this including the bookcase was in the closet.

Nothing was organized anymore.

This is what I am left with.

Yes I get to share my new Craft Closet with a water heater

But we'll take care of that too.

So I am off and running.

I gave myself a budget of $50.00

The biggest purchase I need to make is a table.

And some lighting.

( I am sensing a trip to IKEA soon)

I am going to use what I have to organize hopefully

And fill in where needed.

I really can't paint the walls because the Hubs grumps at the idea.

So I started with something else I had on hand.

And its looking FABULOUS !!!

So come on join in the party.

Because it seems that Twenty Twelve is going to be the year to ....

GET YOUR CRAP TOGETHER

Being a 5 year old can be exhausting

Last night after supper I settled down in front of the computer

The 5 year old was playing in her room

After about 30 minutes I realized it was to quiet

She is up to something I thought

I quietly opened her door and saw her laying in bed watching a movie

She does that alot and did not give it a second thought

Until I looked closer and saw this

She was sound asleep.

I guess being back at school for 2 days after the Holiday break did her in.

Seriously it was only 5:30pm

I nudged her to wake up and said lets get cleaned up and get our pajamas on

She replied no Mommy I am just resting my eyes.

So I left her there.

An hour and a half later

I found her in the same position.

Off went the movie out went the light.

It seems that being a 5 year old is exhausting.

Handmade Holiday - Flannel Scarf

We see our Neighbors pretty much everyday.

The 5 year old and I see them when we walk to the bus stop.

Most of them are out walking their pets.

And of course the 5 year old needs to stop, chat and play.

A simple 8 minute walk can take up to 20 minutes

Now with Winter here some of the early morning do have a chill in them

Not like I am use to but there is that chill.

We put together small bags of doggie biscuits for her furry friends

And then I thought it would be nice to do something for the non-furry freinds.

I saw an idea over at See Kate Sew
I'll admit I stock her blog looking for sewing tips
And all it took was 1 yard of fabric.
She has a great Tutorial (for adults and kids)
This is my version.

I have been hoarding Flannel from JoAnn's

The brown and ivory damask made me swoon.

There is alot more than just plaid

But plaid would be wonderful too.

I added one of my Satin Flowers with some bling

I swear they were so easy to make probaly 30 minutes tops.

Probaly less if my sewing skills were better.

I kept this one for myself.
And it kept me toasty warm at the bus stop.
And my neighbor's have been walking around sporting them.
Keeping themselves toasty warm.
Maybe I should do a doggie version so they can match?

Handmade Holiday - Mom's Sign

This was the year I was making Handmade Gifts.

This was the year I actually stuck to it.

I accomplished Handmade Gifts for everyone on my list.

Well accept the 5 year old.

Her list did not contain the Handmade vibe.

My Mom has been looking for a sign for her den

Nothing was big enough

Good enough

Or said what she wanted.

Come in Christmas.

Ok Mom I'll make you a sign.

Then I got an email saying OK make me a sign

This is what I want it to say

Details, Details, Details.

Just Another Day in Paradise

(yes she likes Jimmy Buffet)

And her Retirement in Florida

I actually never really made a sign before

I have seen them all over the place

On blogs, Pinterest, Esty

It was easy, I might be addicted

and my Mom might be plotting more.

Trip to Home Depot

A nice man cut the size I needed because nothing in the scrap bin worked

Some paint, Stencils, Paint Marker and a Sander

And a hammer to make the extra dents.

She wanted it "Distressed"

Yes I used stencils and freehanded some of it

(I am still dreaming of a Silhoutte)

So there you have it

Mom's Christmas present

Part of my Handmade Christmas

Handmade Holiday - Snowflake Crayons

Since the 5 year old is now in Kindergarten

We needed a little treat for her classmates

Giving any type of food/candy is frowned upon

So we came up with an idea that we had done last winter.

And the 5 year old did most of the work.....hehehe

Simple, easy and cost effective.

Step 1.

I purchased this pan for around $3 last year after Christmas

I only use it for making crayons

Step 2.

Have the 5 year old peel alot of crayons while watching cartoons.

Step 3.

Place broken crayons in individual cups.

I sprayed the pan with cooking spray (something like Pam)

We used 4 crayons per cup.

And mixed up the colors or you could use the same.

Step 4.

Place pan in pre-heated oven of 275 degrees
For approx 7-8 minutes
I did place a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper under the pan
 just in case something might spill
Let pan completely cool or place in freezer to speed up process.

I bagged them up in cellophane bags with a ribbon
(which I forgot to photograph)

 A definate hit with her Classmates and Teacher
Need to find some different pans to work with.
Even small muffin tins would work too.

A couple of hints.
Remember to stock up on crayons with the Back to School sales
When you can get them for .25 cents a box
I used cheap Dollar Store crayons
They worked, color selection wasn't as nice
And honestly is there nothing better than a new box of Crayola crayons?

I actually did add a little blank coloring book that I stitched up using scrapbook paper
and blank copy paper.

I actually got the idea for the Booklets over at Jones Design Company
Just another Blog I love !!!

Pretty much the only snowflakes we'll see around here this winter.

Linking up with my Friends....

Craft-O-Maniac Monday Link Party
Homemaker on a Dime - Creative Bloggers Party Hop
Todays Creative Blog - Get Your Craft On Creative Craft

The Year of the Mantel - 2011 Review

I wanted to put together my Year in Review

Which post recieved the most views

(Well what Google says)

My Mantels seemed to dominate in 2011.

Presenting Twigs and Twirls Top 5.......

#1. Fall Mantel

#2. Halloween Mantel

#3. Simple Valentine Touches - Fantel

#4. Fall Wreath

#5. Upcycled Book Jack O'Lanterns

Overall Top Blog Post

(posted in December 2010)

Lollipop Ornament

This simple thing has gotten over 1600 views.

Can you believe it ???

I also would love to give a shout out to one of my favorite blogs.

She was the first blogs I read and fell in love with.
She truly is an inspiration.

She has become my Top Referring Site and Top URL's

Jen at Tatertots and Jello

Seriously if you haven't check out her blog
You definately need to.

I would also like to thank all of my followers.
Without you well, I would be talking to myself.
Thank you for all of your support and encoragement.

Well that is it
Twigs and Twirls Top 5
I look forward to making my blog grow in 2012
Happy New Year.

Linking up with my Friends....

Home Stories A to Z - My Favorite Post Party 2011