Saturday, March 31, 2012

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Another Egg Wreath

I recently shared with you my wooden egg wreath which is now hanging above my mantel. Today, I want to share with you the wreath that is hanging on my front door. It is made of plastic Easter eggs and was super easy to make.



I gathered my supplies first. I used heavy cardboard (I recycled an old shipping box), plastic Easter eggs, a package of Easter grass, green acrylic paint, paint brush, hot glue gun and glue sticks, ribbon, old pencil, and scissors.

First I found two bowls in my kitchen. One was slightly bigger than the other. I traced the smaller bowl first then traced the larger bowl around it. I cut both out create a wreath form. It doesn't matter if it's perfect or not because you are going to cover it up.

Next, I paint my wreath form green just in case any of it showed. After it dried completely I began gluing down my Easter grass in clumps. I would down a bit of the hot glue on the wreath form, put a small clump of grass in the glue and then use my pencil eraser to push it down so I didn't burn myself. I kept doing this all the way around the wreath.

Once I had covered the entire wreath with Easter grass, I began to glue down my eggs. I just put a big blob of glue on the egg and then pressed it firmly on to the grass covered wreath form. I slightly angled my eggs as I glued them all around the wreath. And I just kept on going until I ran out of room.

Then, I decided the grass looked a little wild so I took my scissors and gave it a hair cut. I just kept trimming until I was happy with the desired look.

Lastly, I added a piece of ribbon to the back of the wreath and glued down as my hanger.

I thought about dolling it up some more by adding a bow or small stuffed animal or something else but honestly, I just liked the simplicity of it.

And now it cheerfully hangs on my door greeting any visitors that may come by.



(linking to the parties listed in my sidebar)

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Play Ball!

The Spring Season of Miracle League has started! 

I think my favorite picture from the collage is probably the one of my Dad and Noah with their hats backwards. Too cute!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Quote of the Week: Life is like a Mirror


"Life is like a mirror.
If you frown at it, it frowns back but if you smile it returns the greeting." 
- WM Thackery

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Weekend Wonders: Easter Treats


Easter will be upon us before we know it. That is also the week of Spring Break here so I know Noah and I will be making some type of treat(s) so I was hunting for some possibilities and found lots! 

I love these adorable little nests on spoons shared over at Cute Food for Kids. They look pretty easy to make too which is always a plus in my book!

These nests shared at The Crafting Chicks are made with chow mein noodles and hold Peeps. Too cute!
Taste and Tell shares how to make marshmallow egg truffles. Not only do they look delicious, the packaging is adorable too!

Rainbow Jello Eggs
Choose to Thrive shares how to make these festive Jello eggs.

The Art of Dessert shares these Rice Krispie Treat eggs. I love the sprinkles! 

Will you be making any treats this Easter? If so, what?

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Scrapping Saturdays: Are you Ready for Some Football?


As I recently mentioned, I have been doing some digital scrapbooking lately. I think that I will share some of my pages here on Saturdays. 

This is my favorite page I have done recently.... 
I love how this page of Noah in his Clemson jersey before the Orange Bowl turned out. Cutting the person in a photo out of the photo was one of my favorite techniques when I was doing traditional paper scrapbooking years ago but this was the first time I had ever done it digitally and I just love the impact it makes!



Friday, March 23, 2012

Five Minute Fridays: Loud

It’s Friday – the day where I join other bloggers and take five short minutes to just write from the heart. Five Minute Friday is hosted by Gypsy Mama and this week’s prompt is LOUD. 


Noah's laugh is loud. And when he smiles, it’s even loud and lights up his entire face.

And when he is vocal? You can bet, it’s usually loud. In the evenings, after his bath, he usually watches a little bit of one of his videos. Sometimes I will be in a different room like the kitchen or taking my own bath and he will loudly call my name. Repeatedly. And usually for no apparent reason. After about 111 times of hearing that sweet voice loudly yell “Momma” (with lots of emphasis on the second syllable) having typically checked at least twice to make sure he is indeed fine and only saying my name to say it, I usually yell back “Whaaaaatttt?” And then he will usually loudly blow me a kiss. Of course, after that kiss, I usually feel like a heel because I have just raised my voice and I waited so long to hear the actual word Momma. (He could/would only call me “Muh” for years.)

But you know what else is loud? My love for him – even when he is saying “Momma” for the 112th time!

Head over to Gypsy Mama to see what others are saying is loud. 

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Wooden Egg Wreath

This past weekend I made a couple of more Easter decor items. Today I'm going to share a simple wreath I made to go above the mantle.

I started out with 12 wooden ovals from Michael's. I chose some different pastel patterned scrapbook papers and complementary solid color pastel paper from my stash. I traced the ovals on the back of the paper and then cut them out slightly bigger than what I had traced.

Using Mod Podge, I glued the papers to the ovals and then let them dry. Then I sanded the edges. (If you do this be sure and sand down, away from the paper otherwise it will rip.) If you just cut your paper ovals the exact size of the wooden ovals, you could omit this step, but I really like the look sanding gives it.

Next, I laid down my covered ovals which now look like eggs in a circle alternating between patterns and solids. Using hot glue, I glued the eggs on top of one another. Then I glued a bit of ribbon to the back of the wreath as the hanger. 


Lastly, I cut out "Happy Easter" with my Silhouette machine and glued it down using Mod Podge. 

It turned out pretty cute and I hung it above the mantel but it looked kind of blah. 

It needed something to help it "pop." I grabbed a thrift store frame out of my stash, painted it yellow, hung it up around the wreath and loved it! 

Linking up to the parties listed in my sidebar

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Down Syndrome Awareness Day

Today is World Down Syndrome Awareness Day. You may be wondering why I am posting about Down Syndrome (DS) when Noah has CP and not DS but I think we need to bring awarness to ALL disabilities.

DS has always held a special spot in my heart since seeing a child with DS when I was a child myself is the first time I can remember learning about disabilities. My Mom went to college and got her degree in special education although she never actually taught because she was a stay at home Mom but she did educate us on disabilities at appropriate times.

I can remember being young and seeing someone in the store with DS and asking my Mom about them. She explained that they had DS and that they shouldn't be treated any differently just because they had DS. She  even told me words I might hear people call them and that they were not the proper words to use when describing someone with DS and that I was not to use those words. (See, I really was made for this!)

The video below was made by the International Down Syndrome Coalition. They asked different parents of children with DS if they could go back in time to right before they had their child with DS what would they tell themselves. While the answers are specifically given by parents of children with DS, they apply to me and just about any parent of a special needs kiddos. I love the answers given!


So, the video had me thinking. What would I go back and tell myself? I think I'd say, "It is going to be a bumpy ride, but you can do it. You were made for this, girl!"

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Painting with Noah

Noah is still really enjoying painting. And I enjoy watching and helping him paint. 

He got a TON of different types of paints, markers, paper, and art books for Christmas. His favorites are clearly the dot paint markers which he received multiple sets of for Christmas so he has LOTS of different colors to choose from and then either the painting/activity books that are made specifically for the dot paint markers or the big huge roll of paper

Favorite books and paint markers

Orange is his favorite color. He always reaches for it first. 

Look at that sweet smile.

Finished paintings

Monday, March 19, 2012

Quote of the Week: Beautiful Pictures


"Beautiful pictures are developed from negatives in a dark room so if you see darkness in your life, be reassured that a beautiful picture is being prepared."
- Unknown

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Weekend Wonders: Fashion & Accessories


Lately I have seen so many cute and springy fashion and accessory ideas all over the blogosphere. Below are some of my faves.

Polymer Clay Rose Necklace
Haute to Sew shares how to make this cute rose necklace out of polymer clay. My BFF is a master with clay, me? Not so much, but this looks easy enough that I could do it.

Lace Headband
Kitty over at A Law Student's Journey shares how to make this simple lace headband.

Frilly Scarf
The Pink Peony of Le Jardin made this no sew scarf from a t-shirt!

Braided Headbands

I love these braided headbands created by Alisa Burke.

T-Shirt Bracelet
This adorable bracelet shared over at The Hot Polka Dot is made from an old t-shirt.

Watermark T-Shirt
Check out this personalized watermark t-shirt shared at U Create.

Infinity Scarf
Linda at Craftaholics Anonymous shares how to make a cute infinity scarf from an old t-shirt.