This is the blog I wrote for Jolly Mom---

A few weeks ago a friend of mine sent me a link to Jolly Mom. Piera posted a blog looking for guest bloggers. One of her requests was for a blogger who had a craft in mind, so I took up the challenge. I have never been a guest blogger before and have looked forward to this post. My name is Christy Hadland. I am a stay at home mom to two active little boys in Capitola By the Sea. I spend my days with my boys running them from here to there and am always thinking of fun projects to do in my free time. Sometimes I include the boys and sometimes I work alone. Like most of you I see something at Target or other little boutique and think "No, way am I paying that---I can make it myself!" Recently, I saw a very similar Easter Wreath at Target, it was about $12.99. I went to one of my favorite places, The Dollar Tree. I gathered up my supplies for half the price of the Target wreath.

Here is what you’ll need to do this very simple wreath project:

A wreath form

6 bags of easter eggs. I used 63 eggs to be exact.

Scissors and a glue gun. Cut the strings off of the Easter eggs, then glue them all they way around the form. I started at the top of the form and worked my way around.

I was very happy with the way it turned out! I was not at all sure how it was going to look, and the best part was--- it only cost $6.50! Gotta love the Dollar Tree!!!

I tried out in a few different places....Spring has sprung!!

Glittered Rose

Here is an way to give fresh life to old silk or fabric flowers that you may floating around. I am sure you have them...I have tons...I will go to throw them out...then an idea of what to do with them will pop into my head. I actually, cannot stand fake flowers...I have no idea why I have them...yet, I do....so here is a clever little idea (lol....not that I think I am that clever. I just love the word ;)

Gather up your supplies:

Glue, glitter, flower (any will do) two paper plates...One for glue, the other for glitter.

I used a paint brush to help spread the glue.

Squrit

Dip

Spread 

Sprinkle

Shake

Decorate!

You may want to let it dry before you decorate...I'm impatient and just let it dry in the teacup.

****************************

Disclaimer:

My photography skill are atrocious!

I'm in search of a new camera,

one that will take the most fantastic photos for me!

You know, just push a button and Viola! Perfect photo. 

Still have not found that camera.....*sigh*....one day....

Valentine Garland

Years ago, I saw this garland in Country Home Magazine. I have tweaked it a bit. That is the fun about finding projects. You do not have to do it exactly like the directions say that is why I always add other ides...i.e. paper clips work just as well as Christmas ornament hangers. I have included the link for some of the heart shaped cutouts and letters. The other thing that you can add that I did not are the heart shaped paper dollies that are usually available at most craft stores this time of year.

Things to gather:

A deck of cards (if you have some on hand, great...if not the Dollar Tree has a two pack for $1, that is what I am using).

Heart Pattern from http://www.countryhome.com/projects/holiday/valentinedecor_3.html (print out as many as you think you will need)

Cardboard (I collect cardboard from all sorts of places so that I have it on hand)

Hole puncher

Glue

Heart and Valentine themed stickers

Glitter (I ended up not using glitter on anything but use if you like)

Chain (Home Depot or look around in the garage I happen to find one on an old hanging lamp that we had laying around)---or a ribbon---your call

Christmas ornament hangers or paper clips (which is what I ended up using)

Instructions:

Print out your hearts. I cut mine out first then glued them on the cardboard and cut them out again. You could just glue the paper down on the cardboard but I wanted to save space on the cardboard. The other thing you could do is print out the hearts on card stock. You need the weight so the paper won't curl.

After all hearts are cut out, hole punch each and instert the paperclips in the holes and hang the paper hearts and cards on the chain.

Get creative and glue cards onto cards and hearts on hearts. Hang them however you see fit.

Then hang your garland wherever you want. I like the way it turned out.

If you do this project send me a photo. Or if you have any ideas on how to make it better. This was a fun project.

Vintage Earrings

While I was New Mexico last November (2009) I stumbled across some really cute 1950's earrings. I have done this before, turned the clip on's into regular earrings. If you have never done this before---do it! It is one of the best ways to make some really fun, interesting, cheap earrings. These ones cost me .50 cents and maybe .50 cents to turn them into pierced earrings (of course this is if you have the stuff on hand---if you don't you will spend maybe $5-$8 buying the glue and backs (maybe less)---FYI Beverly's usually sends out a flyer and you can get 40% off one item---it is not much but it helps or go to Beverly's website---if you have Michael's nearby, lucky you---all we have around here is Beverly's).

Here's what you'll need:

Vintage clip on earrings (you can find these anywhere!)

These are the ones I found in New Mexico.

Jewelry pliers

Jewelry glue (super glue works, too)

Earring backs (you can get post or the fish hook kind---depends on earrings and what you want)

Instructions:

Take the clip on backs off gently with the jewelry pliers.

Then glue on the new backs

Let dry for a couple hours to be sure you have a good stick.

Then wear them...

Dollar Tree Picture of Madonna and Child

Last week I went to the Dollar Tree (this is an unpaid plug for Dollar Tree). I love this place! You can find some really cool stuff. Click on the link to see if you have a Dollar Tree in your area. They usually have good picks for kids arts and crafts.

I found this cool picture of Madonna and Child (I did not get a "before shot" I think that you can get an idea that it was plain before I added the glitter). As soon as I saw it I saw all kinds of potential. As you can see from prior crafts I am really into glitter right now. It covers a multitude of sins.

For this project I used Mod Podge glue, paint brushes and glitter.

This is the picture I found for $1. Then I painted the glue on where I wanted to highlight...her dress and her head scarf. I love how it turned out. I am going to go back today and to get more, I think there were a few Saints as well...I am not that well versed in Catholic icons and Saints, so I cannot tell you who they were. These would make perfect Christmas gifts.

Reuse...Repackage

For my nieces birthday present I realized that I did not have any birthday wrapping paper...but I am always using my brown paper grocery bags for something...this time I used it to wrap Kayla's gift. Then I grabbed some tissue paper and just formed it into a flower, a stem and a leaf. I taped it all onto the package. I used a bunch of scrap yarn to tie her cards onto the stem. It felt good to reuse and repurpose something that we get every week at the grocery store. Actually, I usually bring my own bags...however, I always make sure to get a few paper and a few plastic bags cuz I use them! I always save tissue paper...just wait to see what I do with tissue paper in April when I make my Easter tree!

Just for Fun

So what do you do with sugar sprinkles.....

You sprinkle them in a heart dish....

Then add a tea candle...and some golden rocks (Jett made them for me for my birthday...how cool is that?)

I had some pink sugar too...my Grammy gave this little dish ages ago...it is pink and green, two of my favorite colors...then add more tea lights.

Set the pretty glass plate on a metal bead vase. Instant fun...instant yum!