Woodland Animals.

Project #7 - Woodland Forest Jewelry

I really like taking things I have around the house, and turning them into something new and fresh.  For example, old scrabble tiles.  Which turned out to be the perfect tiny canvas for some woodland animals and their surroundings.  I painted one side, added some earring hooks and the outcome was mix and match forest goodness.  Can you tell that I'm ready for spring?  If I keep crafting spring things, maybe it will come early....?

Swing Thing.

A giant necklace swing - designed by Johanna Richter.

Someday, when I grow up, I will have a giant necklace swing in my house.  That will be how I know that I've made it in the world.  

Also, I will have a flock of oversized birds nests in my yard.  I can't wait.

If you have indeed made it, and need one of these in your house, you can order it here.

Cat Fun.

Project #6 - Cat Scratch Post.

Due to the fact that we have two monster cats- one with claws that are trying to destroy our lives, one who sadly is declawed but still thinks he has claws- I have made this in the hope that they can take some of that animal instinct and channel it to something that won't ruin our couch.  I made this little kitty pad from recycled cardboard and wrapped it around and around until I got this!  Then I covered the outside with these old curtains I thrifted a little while ago and thought it made a very nice looking kitty scratching post.  So often they don't look cute at all, which, of course, won't do.  I got the idea from design*sponge on this page.

So far, they love it!  Dr. Bruce Marcus (our kitty featured above) has sat on it since we put it out. And Anza, our little kitten is on it when he isn't.  I love to make those little stinkers happy.  Week #6 was another success.

Love Fort.

Our Fort.

Who doesn't like forts?  I made it as a surprise for my boyfriend, and of course, it was a big hit.  Forts are so awesome.

My Valentine Bear.

Wishing you a very Happy Lovey Valentine's Day!

Lovey Dove.

Project #5 - Valentine's Day Fortune Cookies

Being the crafty (dorky) girl that I am, I love Valentine's Day.  Actually most holidays for that matter, but especially Valentine's Day.  My boyfriend and I actually had a Valentine's Day party, just to celebrate the love with those we love.  It was a wonderful night, and for the occasion I made homemade fortune cookies with my very own fortunes inside.

Our V-day party spread.

I got the recipe from radmegan.blogspot.com -  and found her tutorial wonderful, but just in case you wanted to try and make these, I have included some pictures and the recipe.  This will be one of the few DIY projects I will include, hopefully from here on out there will be one a month 'cause who doesn't love things you can do on your own.  

I started with the fortunes - which were pretty much just compliments.  

Compliment love fortunes.

Ingredients:

1 Egg White

1/8 tsp. Vanilla Extract

1 Pinch of Salt

1/4 cup Flour

1/4 cup Sugar

Red Food Coloring

First preheat the oven to 400°.  I then mixed in an electric mixer the egg white and the vanilla until well mixed and foamy.  Then I slowly added the salt, flour and sugar.  When that was mixed well, I added the food coloring.  

Then with a teaspoon, I dropped a spoonful of the batter on a well-greased cookie sheet.  I only cooked two at a time so I could get fold them while they were still hot.  And spread them as round as you can, and pretty thin as well.

Two by two.

Next I put them in the preheated oven for 2 minutes, checked on them to see if the edges were brown and took them out (sometimes they needed longer so I added 30 sec. intervals until they were cooked).  Then I took them off the cookie sheet and put them face down on a cutting board.  Then I quickly put the fortunes inside and folded them in half.

Cookie folding.

After folding in half, I put it on the side of a glass to get the crescent shape.

Crescent shaping.

Then I took it off and put it in a muffin pan to let it cool and keep it's shape. 

Cooling off.

Then I just repeated until I had finished the batter off.  I used two cookie pans at once so while I was cooking one, I could fold the other just baked cookies simultaneously.  One batch makes about 14 cookies or so depending on how big they are.  

Ta-da.

There you have it.  It was amazingly easy and cute.  They actually taste delicious too, which was an added perk.  I made these ones for the regulars at the diner I work at - so most of the fortunes have to do with coffee, but I think they will appreciate them.  

Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day!

Greener Pastures.

Oversized Bird Nests - Designed by Daniel Pouzet and Fred Frety

I don't know about you, but I went to bed cold, woke up cold, and have been cold since.  Today, on a very cold, somewhat dreary Wednesday, I need a little reminder that there is such a thing as being warm outside.  Yep, believe it.  We are only a few short (4 to 5) months away from warm weather!  Just imagine being in these fantastic bird nests outside reading a good book.  I can't wait.  Also, I love these nests.  Someday in my dream home.......

P.S. I can't seem to get away from the bird thing.
P.P.S. Here is where you can buy one of your very own nestrest.

Time for Pampering.

Project #4 - My homemade Sugar Scrub!

Because I spend a fortune on bath and body supplies, I loved the idea of making one on my own, that has only 5 ingredients.  It smells wonderful and the sugar in it acts as a gentle exfoliant while the olive oil works as a moisturizer.  I don't know about you, but my skin definitely needs a little extra love in the winter.

I used equal part sugar and brown sugar and mixed them together.  I then used olive oil and let it saturate in the top layer, as well as almond extract and vanilla extract.  Then I mixed it all up again, and voila!  Done.  Just what I needed to get through 5 more months of winter....  Oh wait, I guess Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow so spring is near!  Yeah, I'll believe that when I see it.  Until then, I'm ready to fight off the winter for a little bit longer.  Happy Belated Groundhog Day!

Bears.

This is not a craft.  This is my Wally Bear.

I know, it really has nothing to do with crafts, but isn't he handsome?  

We are coming up on just about a year since we've adopted him.  How time flies.  Now he is pretty much the center of our universe, and I couldn't be any happier.