DIY Solar System Mobile

I was busy making a mobile for my friend's baby girl that's on the way. Calvin saw what I was doing and asked for his own, so I made him one of the Solar System. He is really into Wall-E, so this ties into his obsession.

I feel bad that this mobile is completely inaccurate, but since he is four and I'm not a Science enthusiast, I let it slide.

I think Neptune will be feeling really blue when he finds out.

Materials:

• One hoop of a 10" embroidery hoop (I like to get them from my local thrift store for cheap)
• Dental floss (for the string--it's strong, thin, and smells minty)
• Scrapbook paper (for planets, stars, and hoop covering)
• Hot glue
• Die cuts (2 circle die cuts from Accu-Cuts, 1 sparkle die cut from QuicKutz)
• Paper Trimmer (to cut the paper for covering the hoop)
• One thumbtack (for hanging

Assembly:

Similar to the Martha Stewart Solar System Mobile.

(I really didn't follow her directions. I just made it up as I went along and used hers for inspiration.)

1. Trim and glue paper for hoop
2. Cut out shapes for planets and stars
3. Hot glue planets together
4. Add floss to planets with hot glue before sealing up the planet and tie onto hoop.
5. Tie hoop strings for the top
6. Add planets
7. Add stars to the string
8. Wrap the end of the dental floss around a thumbtack and stick on the ceiling
9. Be proud of the mobile you made that makes your kid super happy :)

And there you go!

One happy little Fireman/Astronaut :)

Volland Watercolor Experiments

My mom is a fabulous watercolorist.

In fact, she is an all around wonderful artist.

You name it, she's mastered it.

But I have been secretly in love with Volland style illustrations from the 1920s. I figured I would try experimenting with watercolors, and boy-oh-boy it sure is fun. Here are some photographs of my floral, modern interpretations of the Volland style of art:

If you like one, I have the originals for cheap on my etsy.

I have had the account forever, but have never actually tried to list anything. So I think that works to my disadvantage, because it says I have been a member for years, but have never sold anything.

I thought I would give it a try.

What do you think?

Clara Painting

My little Clara has red hair.

And the personality to match.

She is fiesty, but oh so charming.

Of course she needs her own painting!

I even love that she considers herself to be an artist. She takes her coloring and painting quite seriously!

Bachelorette Gift Basket

I was invited to a lingerie shower before my friend's wedding. She had already had a bridal shower, so her cousin wanted to throw her a fun (yet still tasteful) lingerie shower. I knew everyone would bring her beautiful lingerie, but as a married woman I knew those lose their appeal fast. I wanted to do something fun, so I put together this gift basket!

 
1. "DIY Edible Underwear" (i.e., Fruit by the Foot)
2. "Something sweet to make tasks a treat"---Sugar Free Chocolate Syrup
3. Strawberry Syrup (I couldn't find sugar free)
4. Sugar Free Caramel Syrup
5. "Just In Case!"---Pregnancy test (from the Dollar Tree...I've heard they work!)
6. "In Lieu of Whipped Cream"---Snack Pack puddings (wish I could've gotten whipped cream, but that would obviously go bad)
7. "For the Sexy Secretary/Librarian"---Glasses from the dollar store with the lenses popped out...to play sexy secretary or librarian
8. "Comfy AND Cute" underwear
9. "For Playing [Naughty] Nurse"----A nurse headband (she is a nurse...I made it with a headband, felt, and the glue gun)


You could make your labels as scandalous or tame as you please.

My gift recipient was on the tamer side :)

And then concealed in cute dollar bucket with a tissue paper flower :)

Ummm, can I say it was a hit?!

Hair Bow Kite

I just absolutely love the kite for hair bows on Ruffles and Stuff. I followed her tutorial to make a present for my friend's daughter's 5th birthday. Of course, my 4 year old boy wanted his own (minus the hair bows), so how I could I resist?

Calvin's is made out of a scrap piece of sailboat material, an old wire hanger, ric rac, ribbon, and blue scraps of material for the bows.

Clara's is made out of Heather Bailey fabric, ribbon, an old wire hanger, and lots of felt hair bows and flowers!

Oh, and of course I also used a glue gun. Glue guns rock.

 Check out the Ruffles and Stuff tutorial because it is really easy and turns out just darling!

January Hutch Decor

I just can't get over my adorable book page wreath. I really need to make more.

Here are my snazzy decorations for my hutch this January.

I was pleased to find big bags of oranges, pears, apples, and other produce at Big Lots this week. Only 98 cents for a whole bag of each fruit. Win!

Once again, here is the fabulous tutorial on how to make it.

Happy Halloween Wall

Here's my turquoise wall decorated for the Halloween Baby Party:

I made the garland out of scrapbook paper and dental floss.

I painted my pumpkin on the back of kraft wrapping paper using acrylic paints!

Clouds for Baby's First Birthday

I love having a turquoise wall in my kitchen.

I mean, look at how much fun it is to decorate!

For Clara's first birthday:

I made the clouds out of wrapping paper and just turned it so the pattern faced the other way. Then I crumpled them because it's so flimsy it needed the texture.

Instead of taping it up, I used that sticky gum stuff that you put up posters with.

The garland is made out of scrapbook paper and strung together using dental floss (it's the best for garlands and hanging things because it is strong and is so thin--oh, and it smells minty).

Coralee's Baby Scrapbook

by my Mom and me