Round-Up // Happy Earth Day!

Tomorrow is Earth Day, so I thought I'd round-up a few of my favorite upcycle projects. To be honest, some of my favorite projects stem from repurposing trash-- That doesn't sound very glamorous but, to tell you the truth, you don't always need to go to the store to find your creativity.

Even with these upcycle projects, I always find myself wanting to do more-- Not just for the environment, but for my family's overall health. Lately I've been trying to "green" some of my daily chores. Over the next few weeks I'll be sharing what has worked well (and what hasn't).

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Round-Up // Easter Egg Projects

I have NOT got my head around Easter this year. I haven't even made any Easter projects like in years past. About the only thing I've done is buy eggs. Speaking of which… Can you believe I've never dyed eggs with my kids before? Since they're almost 6 and almost 8, I think they're ready for their first vinegar-infused, egg-dyeing experience. The smell of boiling vinegar just brings back memories-- I think the vinegar is boiled... I guess I better read the instructions. My poor kids. ;D

So some major egg-dyeing is on next week's agenda while they're on Spring Break. I'm also hoping some creative inspiration will strike and I can roll out a new Easter project in the next week… We shall see.

In the meantime, here's a round-up of Easter Egg projects from over the years--

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Upcycle // Papier Mache Roses from an Egg Carton

I'm craving flowers. Which can only mean one thing… Spring is almost here. Next week, March 20th!! With the kids' schedules and my own responsibilities, I haven't had much down time lately. I'm definitely someone who needs some quiet time in order to function properly and it just hasn't been happening lately. So, after several weeks of feeling uninspired and burnt-out, when a little free time presented itself, I knew it was time to remedy the situation. For me, the remedy usually means "creative therapy" --  Forget all the other stuff for a bit and create something.

On Monday morning at 8:00 sharp, right as the kids were being carted off to school by my hubby, I pulled out some supplies and got to work. I didn't feel like waiting for the stores to open, so I dug into a bag of recyclables that I've been saving for a future project. Since Earth Day is next month, what better time to start an upcycle project.

At first,  I didn't have a clear plan, but I did know that I wanted a hands-on project that is easy to make, uses recyclable materials, and breathes a little Spring into our home. I think these egg carton roses hit all the marks.

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Make // Velvet Paper Spring Flowers

I first shared this tutorial at SEI Lifestyle...

Mother's Day is next Sunday! I'm sure it's already on your radar but it always has a way of sneaking up on me. If you're into making things and need tabletop decorations or a gift topper, try these pretty Spring blooms. They'd also be perfect for a bridal shower, girls' birthday party, Teacher Appreciation Day... any event that goes hand-in-hand with flowers.

To create the form, I decided to use plastic eggs leftover from Easter. I've used plastic eggs before (for these fabric pinecones), and they're no-fuss and easy to work with.

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Happy Earth Day!

I have a project for Earth Day that'll be ready to share later.  In the meantime, I raided the archives and pulled together a round-up of several upcycle projects.

Have a wonderful week!

Happy Easter!

naturally dyed eggs via stronger together

Happy Easter!  We are on our way home from Texas. On a lark, we decided to visit Austin and San Antonio over the kids' Spring Break. Luckily we have an early flight and should be back in Los Angeles just in time for Easter dinner with our family.

Have a beautiful day with family and friends.

[Round-up] Hello Spring!

It's official. Today is the first day of Spring! Does it feel like Spring where you live? We've had some unseasonably warm weather the last couple of weeks (the kids have been in the pool twice already), but today is overcast and we're supposed to get a little rain. Yay! In our constant state of drought, we welcome any precipitation that we can get.

Can you believe that Easter is in eleven days?  Wha?  I know!  I'm usually waist-high in Easter projects by now, but this year I'm not really in the groove. I have a project to share later this week, but until then, here's a round-up of past & present Spring and Easter Projects--

p.s. If you're viewing this in an RSS feed, you'll need to click through to view the images.

Have a great day!

[Make] Translucent Glitter Eggs

Since Easter will be here in less than two weeks, I thought it was probably a good time to decorate some eggs. I've had this idea in mind for a couple of years and I'm so glad that I finally got around to doing it!

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[Make] Colorful "Crushed Glass" Glitter

If Spring has a "look", it would probably be muted colors, ethereal tones, and delicate materials. Here is an easy and inexpensive way to add some Spring-like color and sparkle to your projects--

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[Make] Homemade Marshmallows

After years of wanting to try my hand at homemade marshmallows, I finally made some this weekend. I don't know why I waited so long! They were pretty easy to make and the recipe that I used turned out perfectly. They taste so much better than the store bought stuff too.

If the marshmallow shamrock looks ginormous... that's because it is. :)

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[Make] Matryoshka Nesting Eggs // Part 2

So when we last left off, we had covered plastic eggs in pretty paper using the japanese washi technique. See Part 1 to find out how we got this far.

They're pretty on their own, but I think it's time to give them a little personality!

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[Make] Matryoshka Nesting Eggs // Part 1

Did you have a Matryoshka doll growing up?  I still have the one I was given as a child; it's currently residing in Happy Vee's Around the World themed room. Matryoshka dolls originated in Russia at the end of the 19th century and the old-fashioned wood dolls have been popular ever since.

In the last few years I've seen them pop up just about everywhere-- from clothing and fabric to kitchen tools and birthday parties (I have and love this measuring cup set). Since I have boys and a Matryoshka-themed birthday party is probably out of question, these are the next best thing.  :)

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[Oh Martha] Spring 2013

I haven't done an "oh martha" post in months.  Since Spring is coming soon (March 20th to be exact), here are some beautiful spring things that inspire. All from the folks at Martha Stewart, of course.

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[Round-Up] Unique Mother's Day Ideas

Here are some fun Mother's Day ideas from around the blogosphere-

Happy Easter!

free printable origami tag via eat drink chic

Have a beautiful day!

[Weekly Inspiration] 4.6.2012

:: the etsy edition::

this fishscale stencil via cutting edge stencils on etsy

this ceramic bunny wall hanging via lucky nola on etsy

this retro London bus screenprint via Jane Foster on etsy

this whimsical floor cushion via big birds boutique on etsy

this vintage kitchen scale via am radio on etsy

these personalized alphabet blocks via little sapling toys on etsy

Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend!  Catch up with you next week.

[Round Up] Spring and Easter Projects

While compiling this Spring Project round-up, I noticed that I've made quite a few Easter Eggs. Hmmm... Although I've probably surpassed the egg quota allowed for one home, I've come to the conclusion that you can never have enough pretty eggs. :)  Here's a round-up of my past and present Spring and Easter Projects--

Have a great day!

[Oh Martha Monday] Easter

Are you ready for Easter?  To help celebrate the occasion, here are some wonderful ideas from Martha Stewart--

the hunt:

 

thread-wrapped easter eggs

lace eggs

glittered eggs

the table:

 robin's egg blue

spring flowers

whiteware & tulips

the eats:

cinnamon-bun bites

cheese, leek & herb soufflé casserole

brown sugar-glazed bacon

menning mimosa

Oh my goodness... We have a busy, busy week ahead.
Have a lovely week!

[Weekly Inspiration] 3.30.2012

 this clever potato stamp art via strawberry chic

this cool metallic tape wall treatment via little green notebook

these cute cork coasters via fellow fellow

this pretty eggshell planter via seakettle

this parasol installation via front & main, west elm's blog

Have a nice weekend!