Silverware Mobile

Repurposed Silverware by Dan Shattuck 

 I recently attended Three Speckled Hens antique show in Paso Robles, California and I was very taken by the fabulous way Dan Shattuck, a local artist, repurposed silverware into wonderful, unique creations. I usually have trouble spending money on things I really don't have-to-have but I just couldn't resist this stunner! 


   





Here's where the artist will be in 2012

May 12                  Day in the Shade - Templeton Community Park
May 26-28             Morro Bay Art in the Park
June 15-17             Live Oak Music Festival
June 23                  Ojai Valley Lavender Festival
June 30 - July 2    Morro Bay Art in the Park
July 1                     Art in the Park Shell Beach
July 4                     Cayucos 4th of July
September 1-3       Morro Bay Art in the Park
September 2          Art in the Park Shell Beach
September 15-16   Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival
October 13-14       Three Speckled Hens - Paso Fairgrounds
November 17         Atascadero Lake Park Pavilion
November 23-24   CC Craft Show - SLO Vets Hall
December 1-2        Holiday in the Plaza - San Luis Obispo
December 2           Art in the Vineyard @ Tolosa

It's almost here!!!  MAYhem
 
That's what I called the month of May when I turned 50 and every weekend during that month I did something 'crazy'.  Well, this year I'm going to celebrate my friends and I'm getting the ball rolling with a handmade invitation to a weekend filled with fun activities. 

I started by gluing pieces of butterfly scrapbook paper on blank cards I got at Michaels then added some layered papers.  I wanted to get everyone excited about the event so I included a little butterfly charm that they'll bring to the weekend to craft with.

I scanned the image of the butterfly from the scrapbook paper and used it as a watermark on the inside.

I protected the charm with a light cardboard insert and I just couldn't leave it plain white so I added stickers and doodles - learned that from my friend, Pattie Donham Wilkinson years ago.

I added stickers to the outside of the envelopes too.  Can't wait for the RSVP's to come rolling in.

More details about the Slumber, Crafty, Celebration of our Lives Party soon - it's going to be so much fun!

The stickers before...

The stickers after...

3D Butterfly Wall Stickers

I read an article recently about a local celebrity, Lou Ferrigno (you might remember him as The Hulk).  A couple of things stuck in my brain about the article.  He suggested, "Get your head in the game" and that he was an Action Taker.  I don't know if it was reading that article, Spring or what, but it's been a get out of my way world kinda week.  My short term to do list that just seemed to be getting ever longer is now a lot shorter thanks to putting these couple of simple things to action.

One thing that has been 'hanging around' were these cool wall stickers my friend, Kathy, brought me just a week after I moved (they are from Ikea).  I FINALLY took them out of the package and being the 'outside of the box thinker' I put them on dimensionally.  I think they look great and add even more beautiful butterflies to my butterfly bathroom.  Thanks, Kathy, (even though it took me 19 months - ugh - I'm ashamed to admit it took that long!)

How about for just an hour you put Lou's thoughts in the fore-front of your mind - who knows what you'll accomplish!

Happy Getting It Done!
Joan

Misc Crafty Things

 This is cool in a couple of ways...it's made using a wine crate from a local winery and my nephew's name is Justin. 

So many pots, not so many plants...still interesting.













I got some shutter doors at a garage sale a couple of years ago and they're just sitting around waiting to be put to good use.  I saw this at a local shop.  I'll have to pull out the top louvers of mine.

 Kitchen Transformation!

I'm FINALLY done redoing my kitchen cabinets.  I started back before Christmas and LIFE got in the way but I can now cross them off my to do list.  The Rust-oleum Cabinet Transformations really did make it easy!  They even look pretty good with the late 1970's mustard colored counter tops.

 Before were pretty darn awful!

In process...I had drawers and cabinet doors EVERYWHERE!

I'm getting ready for a Photopalooza tomorrow!  My photography group is gathering to use some of the tons of photos we've taken in creative ways. Check out some of the ideas below.  Have some ideas of your own, share them please!

Joan

Tin Photo Memory Board
A tin sheet from the hardware store makes a great (and inexpensive) memory board!

What You'll Need
Tin sheet
Spray adhesive
Photo to fit tin sheet or use decorative papers to fill in
Spray sealer
Wax paper
Cardboard box
Scissors
Embellishments - optional




How to Make It
1. Spray photo will sealer - this keeps the surface from getting scratched.  Let dry.
2. Place wax paper in cardboard box.
3. Place photo with white side up in box.
4. Spray with adhesive.
5. Immediately, smooth photo on tin.
6. Optional - cut decorative papers to fill-in open space on tin and add embellishments as desired.

Photo Tin Container
Photos dress up an ordinary container


What You'll Need
Photos
Tin or other container
Decoupage medium
Brush
Wax paper
Spray sealer
Dirt / Rocks / Succulent
Scissors

How to Make It
1. Cut around images.
2. Place wax paper on work surface. Place photo white side up on wax paper.  Brush on decoupage medium.  Place on tin. Brush decoupage medium over photo. Continue with other images. Let dry.
3. Spray with sealer. Let dry.
4. Place rocks in container, then dirt and press succulent in dirt.

 Photo Magnets
Use photos or decorative papers to create inexpensive magnets!
 

What You’ll Need

·         Photo

·         Decoupage medium

·         Brush

·         Wax paper

·         Marbles, flat-backed

·         Magnet

·         Scissors

 How to Make Them

1. Decide what area of photo you want to 'capture under glass' by placing marble over photo.
2. Brush decoupage medium on flat back of marble.  Place on image.  Let dry slightly.
3. Cut around edge.
4. Place magnet on back.

Celebration of Life

I wish everyday could be lollipops and gumdrops but that's not reality.  A very dear friend's mother passed away recently and I was asked to do a photo tribute to Gladys.  Gladys called me her 'daughter' and  I was honored to be a part of her life.  She was 94 and was out gardening the day before she was hospitalized.  I thought I'd share her photos in hopes that they can help others to celebrate the lives of someone special when the time comes. 

The 20" x 30" posters were very easily put together at Costco.  You just upload the photos you want to use and then arrange them in the easy-to-use collage maker.  You can even pick the border width and color! Can you believe they were ready in one hour???!!!  And, they were pretty inexpensive too.  I adhered them to some foamcore with spray adhesive and I was ready to go.

In honor of Gladys love of gardening, I came up with the idea of having everyone take a little of her garden home with them.  A friend and I cut succulents from Gladys' Garden, 'planted' them in plastic cups filled with dirt, wrapped each cup with two colors of tissue paper (Gladys loved jewel tones) and tied them with raffia. It brought some color to the celebration and were cherished by her friends and family.

Gladys, you are missed.

 2011 Costco Photo Contest Winners

Valentine's Day Breakfast Idea

Heart Shaped French Toast

Looking for a special treat to start off Valentine's Day (but seriously, why not any day)?  Here's a super easy way to add that specialness -  I placed some frozen Bridgeford bread dough (you have to let it rise before baking) in a heart shaped pan, baked it, sliced it, then did the typical French toast cooking.  To make it easier on yourself, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the shape out of a slice of regular bread!  Yummers!

Creating with Old Records

 

VaVaVabloom Vase or 

Desk Organizer

Design by Joan Fee

Get organized for the new year or add a colorful touch to your desk with fun record creations!

Supplies

• Oven
• 2 old scratched records
• Scissors
• Cookie sheet
• Glue, waterproof
• Glass or metal object, approximately 3” in diameter
• Pot holders 
• Cotton gloves

 Directions

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Place one record in oven on cookie sheet. Remove pliable record from oven.
2. Immediately, cut record in half.
3. Place one half of record back in oven until pliable.
4. Form around 3” diameter object and hold until set.
5. Place other half of record in oven until pliable.  Cut a 7” x ¼” and a ¼” x 1” wide strips. Make loops in end of long pieces. Wrap short piece around center of loops to form bow.   
6. Cut the center from one record.
7. If necessary, glue record together where they overlap.  Glue center of record to overlapped piece. Glue on bow. 
8. For vase, insert glass, fill with water and add flowers!

Check out more fun old record crafting ideas at www.lulu.com for the ebook Cheryl Ball and I created - it's filled with unique and crazy ideas for old records!

Happy New Year!

Here's to a healthy year filled with much happiness, creativity and fun!

Joan

New Year's Confetti Hot Dog Recipe

No matter if you're a kid or a kid-at-heart, you'll love this incredibly fun twist on a normal hot dog - make them healthier too with turkey or chicken hot dogs and reduced fat crescent rolls.

Confetti Hot Dogs

for more kid-friendly recipes and craft projects visit our sister blog www.MakeHealthyFun.blogspot.com

What You’ll Need

• Turkey or Chicken Hot Dogs
• Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls
• Food Coloring
• Baking Sheet
• Oven
• Plate
• Paintbrush or Something to Apply Dots

How To Make It!

1. Open package of crescent rolls. For each hot dog, use one crescent roll.

2. Roll a crescent roll between your hands or on work surface into a snake about ¼” wide.

3. Wrap around hot dog leaving space between. Place on baking sheet with the ends of the crescent facing down.

4. Place a drop of each color of food coloring on a plate.

5. Dip the non-bristle end of a paintbrush into one color of food coloring. Dot food coloring on crescent roll wrapped around hot dog. Dip paintbrush in food coloring and dot on again. Clean brush after changing each color.

6. Cook following instructions on crescent roll package.

Tons of other recipes and ideas are available in the 120-page Make Healthy Fun! book - check out the shopping page at the upper right for details.

Christmas

I got my nephew's a really cool Christmas gift - Air Swimmers.  A friend sent me a video months ago about them and I was so intrigued, I ordered it.  Then, I see it's one of the top gift items at Toys r Us.  It's huge, fun and really looks like it's swimming in the air.

I've had the idea for this cake for a couple of years and thought this was the year to try it out.

This was kind of a combo gift for my sister.  My parents were both rural mail carriers and we have this 'thing' about mailboxes.  I had my brother cut holes in the mailbox (not an easy thing) and then I gave my sister tons of succulents to choose from (from a friends garden) and she planted it.  My brother got into the fun and made himself a succulent garden and then my mom even found a pot and made one.  My sister is going to add a large 'cabbage' succulent in the front.  Can't wait to see the plants grow and spread to hopefully cover the mailbox.

I was headed out of town and decided to go through downtown Lemoore - I love small town America where there's still a Christmas tree in the center of town and decorations hanging over the street!

Happy Holidays!

Here's a fabulous way to keep the kids busy while they wait for holiday festivities or any day of the year!  And, it's a recycling project too!  It uses #6 plastic containers - and things from around your home.

I Shrunk the Plastic

Materials Needed

Cookie cutter, plastic or other plastic item for hanger

Wire or fishing line

#6 clear plastic containers

Plastic decorations: beads, toys, etc

Permanent pens

Scissors

Hole punch, small

Cookie sheet

Oven mitt

Candle

Paperclip

Plastic ring

Glue

1” wide braid

Oven or toaster oven

Directions

Draw design on clear plastic with permanent pens. NOTE: The designs will shrink about 50% of the original size. Cut out. Punch holes in top and bottom. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place clear plastic designs on cookie sheet and place in oven until they lay flat. This will only take a few minutes. Remove from oven using oven mitt. With adult supervision, make holes in plastic decorations by heating paperclip in candle flame. Insert into plastic to make holes. Thread beads, shrink plastic designs, toys, etc. on wire, knotting below item to secure. Make holes around bottom of cookie cutter edge with hot paperclip. Thread decorated wire in hole and knot. Repeat for all wires. Make three evenly spaced holes around top of cookie cutter. Cut three 12” pieces of wire. Insert each wire into a hole and knot. Gather wire at top and tie around plastic ring adding a bead, if desired.

Kitchen Transformation

Kitchen CHAOS!!!  My cabinets haven't been loved for 32 years but I have my fingers crossed that the Rust-oleum Cabinet Transformations will help me out with three EASY steps and make them beautiful!  I've deglazed (or in my case, degrossed them) and tomorrow comes the painting step.  I'll post more photos as I progress...

California's Central Coast

Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade

Ragged Point

One day it's 80 degrees and the next there was a shark sighting...