Graduation Crafts

Congratulation Grads!
Celebrate your special grad!

Check out how to make these adorable graduation caps at http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fStoreID=2188713. They are made with shrink plastic or even by recycling #6 plastic!!! Color the plastic with permanent pens in your school colors!!!

MTV Gift Lounge

I never know what exciting thing I will get to work on - Gloria (my graphic design friend) and I had so much fun doing these signs that will go with product at the MTV Gift Lounge coming up at the end of the month. They are very dimensional and colorful - the Crafty Chica is very glittery, the Collage Pauge is very collagie and the Iron-On Crystal sign is very sparkly!!! Gloria did a great job cutting, gluing and putting her style on the signs!

A fun twist to this project was having Gloria's cubiclemate getting involved helping with the words - he just added it to everything we brainstormed, so his new nickname is Crick It - his name is Kirk and Kirk It didn't roll off the tongue, so I renamed him Crick It - I razzed him this morning that he's actually responding to his new name - love IT!

Starry Americana

Are you ready for the upcoming long weekend? I know I sure am! A friend has invited me to a nearby lake to enjoy the cooler weather and for a hike - I hear there's some mandatory sitting on the deck time too.

Here's a simple project to brighten up your weekend. Apply to backs of plates and outside of bowls.

Here's What You Need

Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue

Tissue paper: white, red, blue

Paintbrush, foam

Partyware, glass or plastic

Scissors

Here's How to Make It

~ Cut out different size stars from tissue paper.

~ Brush glue in a small area on partyware. Place stars over glue. Brush glue over stars. Continue adding stars until desired look is achieved.

Use this same idea for all your holidays just change the tissue shapes.

Clean with a damp sponge.

Delightful Mother's Day

Twenty-five of us spent the day together including my mom and family and my sister-in-law's family. We had wonderful food, superb weather - my family lives on a farm, so we ran all over 40 acres of farm land. I took a few pictures -
The lavender flowers are actually alfalfa that's past it's prime.






The building with roses is our neighbors - I liked the contrast of the roses on the rustic building.

My family was quite proud to have their oats baled on Saturday - 838 (I think) bales! My dad planted the hollyhocks many years ago and they just keep coming back year after year.

The weekend had many high points and Saturday was a day of sadness, but also a celebration of a very full and long lived life. My seventh grade teacher, Mrs. Wilson, passed away this week - she was a very strong influence on me, the members of my family and many, many others. Her husband was the principal of the very small elementary school my family attended, so we had a very tight community.

At the funeral, I saw friends from my elementary school I hadn't seen in ages and even saw my kindergarten teacher - I won't even mention how many years it's been since I've seen her - I didn't recognize her (OK, she didn't recognize me, either!). It was strange to see my 4th grade teacher, who, back in the day, seemed like a giant - when she took off her shoes, we were about the same height. A very touching part of the funeral was when the minister read part of Mrs. Wilson's life story - written by her. So much I didn't know about her...

When I began my singing lessons recently, Mrs. Wilson was on my mind - she was my singing teacher - everyone was required to take singing, so it wasn't as if I was special, but she did influence me considerably.

Over the years I have written to the Wilson's when I was not living close enough to visit - I am so glad I took the time to let them know how special they were to me.

Mother's Day Garden Party Brunch

Garden Party Perfect for Mother's Day
or Anytime!






























What You'll Need for Wreath
Aleene's Super Thick Tacky Glue
18" Grapevine Wreath
Garden Shears
9-3/4" Plastic Gazebo (found in cake decorating dept)
Spanish Moss
Flowers, Assorted Mini Silk or Dried Garland with Small Leaves
Fence, Miniature Wood

How to Make It
1. To make an area on wreath to hold gazebo, cut grapevine from about 1/4 of wreath, using garden shears. Pull wreath apart slightly.
2. Assemble gazebo, following manufacturer's instructions. Glue gazebo on prepared section of wreath, near center, referring to photo.
3. Glue moss and flowers around gazebo and on top of gazebo. Cut two pieces of fence to desired length. Glue on both sides of wreath. Let dry.
4. Wrap garland around wreath. Glue flowers and leaves on wreath. Refer to photo.

What You'll Need for Invitations, Food Tags and Favors
Aleene's Original Tacky Glue Sticks
Aleene's Super Thick Tacky Glue
Floral Paper
Decorated Edge Scissors
Parchment Paper, beige
Computer and Printer OR Pen
Blank Cards, beige
Spanish Moss
Porcelain Flowers, small
Bubble Envelope for each invitation, if mailing
Permanent Pens: white, black
Silk Leaves: 2 large for each favor
Flower Seeds
Flowers: Silk or dried
Ribbon, 1/2" wide yellow
Fence, Miniature Wood

How to Make Them

Invitations
1. Cut floral paper slightly smaller than card, using decorating edge scissors.
2. Print "Garden Party" on parchment paper, using computer and printer or write by hand.
3. Cut parchment paper slightly smaller than floral paper, using decorative edge scissors. Glue parchment paper on floral paper, using Glue Stick. Glue floral paper to card.
4. Glue a section of fence on parchment paper. Glue moss on bottom of fence and porcelain flowers on fence.
NOTE: Hand deliver these special invitations or mail in bubble envelopes.

Food Tags
1. Cut a section of fence and an extra fence post for each tag. Glue extra post at bottom of fence for stake. Let dry.
2. For label, cut a 1/2" x 1-1/4" piece from parchment paper. Write name of food on piece, using black permanent pen. Glue tag on fence. Let dry.

Favors
1. Write guest's name on a leaf, using white permanent pen. Glue two leaves together, leaving a 1" opening. Let dry. Fill with seeds. Glue shut. Trim edges, if necessary.
2. Glue silk or dried flowers along edge of leaf above name.
3. Tie a small two-loop bow. Glue bow at stem of leaves.
4. Print planting instructions on parchment paper. Cut out around instructions to make a 5" x 3-1/4" piece. Cut floral paper slightly larger than parchment piece. Glue parchment paper on floral paper, using Glue Stick. Glue favor on parchment paper.

What You'll Need for Fruit Dip
8 oz. Cream Cheese
Mixing Bowl
7 oz. Jar Marshmallow Cream
1/4 Cup Strawberry Preserves
Spoon
Small Bowl
Serving Plate
Knife
Assorted Fruit

How to Make It
1. Soften cream cheese in mixing bowl. Add marshmallow cream and strawberry preserves.
2. Stir ingredients by hand until smooth. Place in small bowl.
3. Place dip in center of serving plate.
4. Slice fruit into 1/4" wedges. Leave strawberries whole.
5. Insert Fruit Dip Food Tag.

What You'll Need for Canapes
White Bread
Sharp Knife
Oven
Pastry Brush
Butter of Margarine, melted
Gherkin Pickles
Cheddar Cheese (slices)
Spoon
Dry Italian Dressing Mix
8 oz. Package Cream Cheese (softened)
Serving Plate
Silk Flowers

How to Make Them
1. Remove crusts from bread. Cut each slice into four equal pieces.
2. Place oven tray 3"-4" from heat. Preheat oven to broil.
3. Brush one side of bread with melted butter or margarine. Place in oven. Toast 3-4 minutes or until golden brown on buttered side.
4. For flower leaves, make a thin lengthwise cut on two sides of pickle. For stems, cut a 1/8" x 2" piece from pickle. Cut cheese in Tulip shape, approximately 1" square.
5. For spread, stir dressing mix into cream cheese to taste. Just before serving, spread cream cheese mixture on unbrowned side of bread. Place pickles and cheese on spread.
6. Serve canapes on plate. Add a sprinkling of silk flowers.

We're having a Mother's Day Brunch for my mom this Sunday and I can't wait to make these yummy recipes and projects again!

Joan

Sweet Treat Apron

Mother's Day Gift Idea

Here's an awesome idea for your mom (or yourself!) Check out how to make it on the Home Companion site.



http://www.homecompanionmag.com/web_only_extras/sponsored_projects/sweet_treat_apron.asp

Traveling in Style

Dramatic Travel Accessories
These amazing projects make me want to get out a map and start thinking about my next trip. How about you? Is your next trek to Tuscany, San Diego, Santa Barbara, the ocean, the desert...no matter where you go, you'll be lookin' mighty fine toting these dramatic pieces.

They were created by Cheryl Ball with Tulip Flocked Iron-Ons, sparkling Tulip Glam-It-Up! Iron-On Glass Crystals and Tulip Soft Fabric Paint. You'll be amazed how quickly these accessories from http://www.organize.com/ can be transformed into amazing travel accessories. Find out how to make these beauties at www.duncancrafts.com


Enjoy dreaming about your next travels, I know I will.
Joan