Our Lives // Unplugged

Turn off the television. Turn off the video games. It's time to build!

Get out your blocks and choose a design...

Build it...

Take a break...  :)

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Party // Gummy Bear Prep

I'm planning a party for my youngest's fifth birthday. I'm a little sad typing that. Five years old is the real deal! Definitely not a baby anymore... but a sweet little boy. He still loves hanging with his mama, freely gives hugs and kisses, adores his big brother and is a happy-go-lucky friend to all.

His favorite things haven't changed much over the last few years; Balloons, bubbles and balls are always  pleasers. Lately Mario Bros. has also made the list. But the one thing that he ABSOLUTELY adores,  the one thing that makes him do the happy dance, and the one thing that he asks me for every.single.day is ... Gummy Bears!

So when he requested a Gummy Bear party to celebrate his fifth birthday, I was mentally prepared. Luckily it's a pretty simple theme. Here's what I have so far.

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Eat // Heirloom Tomatoes

Have you been enjoying Summer's bounty? I'm digging these miniature heirloom tomatoes that are out right now. Look at those beautiful colors. Not to mention they taste so much better than the regular stuff. I'm partial to roma tomatoes for cooking, but these are great for topping a salad or for just popping in your mouth for a quick snack.

My favorites are the dark green tomatoes.  I call them "watermelon" tomatoes because of their dark green striped skin and red flesh, but I think they're actually called Zebra Tomatoes.

Happy Wednesday!

Upcycle // Cool Jar Series - Part III

Jars, bottles and other recyclables... I have a ton of them and I'm determined to do something with them. So far, some have become colorful translucent vases, others have become photo votives and now I'm down to a bunch of glass spice jars.

I rescued these cute little jars back in January when we were purging my in-laws storage unit. They were still wrapped in their original packaging and had been in storage for over 30 years.  I think they were waiting for me.  :)

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Happy Fourth of July!

source

Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July holiday!

Upcycle // Cool Jars Series - Part II

It's time to do something with all those jars and bottles that you've been saving for the odd project or two. For the last couple of weeks, I've been trying to come up with some new ways to beautify old glass vessels (in this case, former salsa jars). For my first project, I experimented with alcohol inks. This time I decided to try my hand at printing on tissue paper to create these translucent photo vases. 

I used flowers, but I think these would also turn out great with family, pet or cute animal photos. 

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Make // Mod Melts Shoe Clips

Earlier this month I was given the opportunity to try out Mod Melts, the newest product line from Mod Podge. Finally-- An easy way to DIY your own embellishments! If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you may have seen me tinkering around with ideas for this post. Well, today's the day to share my project!

There are currently two types of Mod Melts; A white Milk Glass and a translucent Sea Glass. I used Milk Glass and was really happy with the outcome. I painted my embellishments for this project, but I also like how clean and simple they look in their original unaltered form.

There are also several Mod Molds available. I currently have the Royal Icons mold, but I've a feeling that the Nature and Flowers molds will soon be finding their way into my craft room. I have a weak spot for owls, butterflies and flowers.  :)

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Christmas in... June?

So I know it's probably a bit early to be thinking of Christmas-- which, ahem,  is just a mere 6 months away... But I had to share this.

There is a small learning curve with these. I will be sharing the tutorial when we get closer to the holidays!

Upcycle // Cool Jar Series - Part I

My stash of recyclable jars and bottles has grown out of control. It's time to do something with them!! After sorting through and discarding many in the recycle bin, I thought I would try to make something decorative with the remainder. I love to try out new techniques and new-to-me products, and these free vessels are the perfect guinea pigs.

If you've been following this blog long enough, you've probably picked up that I love anything translucent-- gemstones, votives, stained glass... They just catch my eye-- I must've been a magpie in a former life.  :) Anyhow, when I stumbled upon alcohol ink and their translucent qualities, I knew that I had to try them out on glass.

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Inspired by // Red White Blue

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Father's Day // "King for a Day" Duct Tape Crown

Father's Day... It's this Sunday!!!  How did it sneak up like that? This year it happens to coincide with my  kids' last week of school-- I.N.S.A.N.I.T.Y.

I usually have the boys make something special for The Mister, but it's been busy and I hadn't given it much thought... Until about 10 PM last night when I had an A-Ha moment (don't you love those?). I quickly grabbed some scrap paper, duct tape and scissors. And that's how these "King for a Day" Father's Day crowns came about...

I made a couple of extra mini-crowns and decked them out with some Mod Melts, the new embellishment tool from Plaid. The Mod Melts were originally intended for another project but, since I have the "Royal Icons" mold, I kinda had to use them on these crowns.

The kids will decorate this full-size crown for their Daddy. Hopefully they'll be able to agree on a design...

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Make // Flag Table Runner

July 4th is coming soon and I'm feeling patriotic. I've been wanting an American Flag Table Runner to use for the Memorial and Independence Day holidays but have never gotten around to buying or making one. Until now! 

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In the Pipeline // 6.5.13

This month has been extra busy, but I've been determined to push through a creative slump (ever get those?) that has been hanging over me like a dark cloud. So I decided to tackle a couple of projects that have been on the back burner for a while.  It's slow going, but I *think* I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel... Which is always a good thing, right?

Anyhow, I plan on sharing these project over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!