Springy Flower Pots

This project turned out way different than I had original picture in my head. But, there are endless possibilities to adapt and change it! I was originally thinking of them being picture holders, but then the paper flowers came to mind...Well, actually fabric flowers came to mind from a project from my mom...BUT from a lack of supplies, these Springy creations came about! You never know what you'll come up with when you make do!

 

 

  Here I painted a plain flower pot white, and then the color. 

I then sanded it for a "worn" look. After the paint dried, I sprayed it with a coat of Shellac to keep the paint from scratching off.

  Here, I glued a Styrofoam ball in the bottom of the pot for a
place to stick the boingy-spring in to.

  I think bunched up some Easter grass, or raffia,
and hot glued it in place.

To make the wire springy, I coiled it around a pencil
and then slid it off.

                                                                                             

Here I straightened out the top piece of the wire and sandwiched it to 

the back of the paper flower with another cut-out and hot glued it in place.

 

 To make the paper flowers, I used a punch-out. Like I mentioned in the beginning, there are endless adaptations...What do you think? 

I like the idea of making one into a picture holder.

I like having a row of them, and maybe spell out a word? 

Anyways, I at least hope to have inspire some creative juices!

Retro Mama's Fabric Easter Eggs

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1052587@N23/

Love, love , LOVE these cute Fabric Easter Eggs! 

        Retro Mama has done a wonderful job organizing the steps for making these with step-by-step photos too! I got some Eastery fabric today and I can't wait to make a bundle.

Check it out!

Coyotes, Snow and Sweet Potato Fries

We went coyote hunting this weekend. A day outside was just what I needed to recharge myself. Away from people, noises, distractions, etc...it was beautiful. We didn't call in any coyotes, but we did go play in the snow...finally!

                                                                    Calling spot.

                                                                     Will the Snowman.

                                                                 Dixie loving the snow.

                                                                        God is good. 

After a long, glorious day of tromping around in the woods, a belly full of Venison Burger and Sweet Potato Fries is in order!

Sweet Potato Fries

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

2 teaspoons pepper

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 tablespoons olive oil

                                                Peel yams and cut into long strips...fries.

                                                Coat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

                                      In small bowl, mix smoke paprika, garlic and pepper.

                                                                 Sprinkle over fries

                                                              Toss and turn to coat

                                       Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes. Broil for crispiness!

                                           I usually broil for 3-5 minutes on low broil.

"Pinch ya off some"

  I pulled into my driveway on my lunch break and stepped out to get the mail, like always. It had been pouring down buckets, like usual on the Oregon Coast, but it had just taken a break and the sun was shining. I heard this voice just singing out loud - It was my neighbor Jewel busting out in this beautiful song, praising Jesus for the sunshine! She was on her front stoop, picking some dead leaves from her potted plants. See, my neighbor Jewel is in her 90's, and lives alone. I bring her mail to and sometime when she is feeling up to it, I get to see her. Well, she was mostly certainly feeling well today! 

I walked over with a big 'ol smile as she is completely unaware of my presence, still shouting our Praise! I was at that point where I was thinking...OK, do I say something and startle her, or just wait until she notices me? I mean, I didn't wanna SCARE her too bad, ya know? But, boy was she glad to see me. We talked and as I was leaving, she asked if I liked Parsley? I nodded yes, and then she said the sweetest thing..."Pinch ya off some!"

What my neighbor Jewel didn't know is I pinched off more than just a little Parsley this afternoon, but a handful of her praise and joy! 

Thank you Jesus for this moment this afternoon!  I love how he works these little, seemingly insignificant oppurtunities in our lives to bless us. 

Amen!! Let the sun shine down on you today! 

Easter Basket Swap!

It is hard to look back on our Easter celebrations as children and not think of the joy and excitement we felt when we got our Easter baskets. Candy, treats, Easter eggs and, of course, chocolate bunnies! Let’s bring back the giddy joy we felt as kids, and spoil each other with our very own Easter Baskets, stuffed to the brim with Easter sweetness.

Join my dear friend Paula and I in our first ever swap! Ever since Paula introduced me to my first Swap,  we've been talking about hosting a swap together! We finally came up with this Easter Basket fun! Read on to find out how to join in and what all the fun will entail!

First, sign up by sending the following details to us at easterbasketswap@yahoo.com


Name:
Mailing Address:
Blog Address or Website:
Favorite Easter treat: (Chocolate, jelly beans, peeps, etc...)-
Preferences: Colors, themes, Religious preferences, décor style, favorite Easter traditions, etc…


Now  just sit back (be patient) and wait for your partner information to arrive. We know the waiting part is the hardest. You're excited and you want to get started on your basket! Fill your empty time with cruising around the internet looking for fantastic Easter projects and simply getting inspiration from other fabulous bloggers out there!

Once your partner information arrives, get to know her and start filling an Easter Basket with goodies that will make your partner giggle with glee…

Paula and I came up with a bit of criteria for your baskets; but not so much that it will stifle your creativity. We want you to have fun with this!


What’s in the basket?


1. One Easter decoration - what kind of decoration is up to you and your partners likes. Be creative.
2. One Easter Card - paper crafts are so much fun!
3. Chocolate/ or other candy - yummy!
4. Easter character; i.e. Bunny, Chick, Egg, Cross, Lillies, etc… - something that signifies Easter to your partner (and is adorable!)
5. Other goodies your partner will enjoy…stuff that basket full. The idea is to pamper your partner!


Criteria:


1. At least one of the items in the basket must be handmade. 

2. We ask that a minimum of $20 (not including shipping) be spent on the basket and goodies.


(There is no limit as to what all is put in the basket, just as long as the minimum is met.)


Have fun with the basket’s presentation! For example – Easter grass, ribbons, raffia. Get creative! Your basket could be the handmade item. So many possiblities - just remember to go with what your partner will enjoy!


Remember, it’s all about pampering your partner!



Important Dates


Sign up by: March 1st
Partners will be sent out by: March 10th
Swap needs to be sent out NO LATER than: April 4th


(We want everyone to be able to enjoy their baskets before it's time to put those Easter decorations away!)




Most Importantly
Be creative! Have fun! Pamper your partner!

Check back in often to On a Rainy Night or Perhaps Today for Easter Basket and fun project ideas! Make sure to leave lots of comments as to your progress and your own creative ideas! Remember to watch for what your partner likes too!


We sure hope you'll join us - hop to it! Send that email!

Valentine Card Making Party

The week before Valentine's Day, some of my favorite girls and me got together to craft some homemade Valentine's Cards! It was a blast, and they turned out so cute! 

We had so much fun making cards, we're already talking about making cards for the next Holiday... St. Patrick's Day Cards??

Bring back the MODGE PODGE!

With Valentine's Day around the corner, I got to looking at my little collection of cards from my husband over the years. I got to thinking of this box that my sister made me when I was a little girl, like 12? Anyways, it was wonderfully decoupaged with magazine clips and pictures. I still have the lid from that box, and I love looking at all the things she put on it. Man, what was with my short hair? Were those jeans with stripes really in style? 
Next thing I knew, I was at JoAnn's this morning buying a photo box and Modge Podge!

It might be a little silly, but I love this box! I can't wait to look in it 10 years down the road and see the little notes, cards and what-nots from my sweet hubby :)