A Budget Conscious “Classy & Crazy Creative” Christmas Gift!

I Love gift giving at Christmas time, but I go CRAZY over giving handmade, thoughtful gifts created with my own little hands and that remain with in my holiday budget!  I will be starting my CRAZY HOLIDAY BLOGGING with a 

“Classy & Crazy Creative” little Christmas Gift for any special gal on your list!

One of my favorite places to shop is the Michaels or Joanne Fabric $1.00 bins.  You can find some cute little gems in these bins- that with a few inexpensive additions will look like a beautifully crafted gift fit for your bestie, or someone to whom you simply want to show some appreciation.

http://www.joann.com/

http://www.michaels.com/

I ran to Michaels to search the $1.00 bins, and found these ADORABLE blank lined note pads.  I knew with a little jazzing up these would make the perfect little gift for some of my girlfriends.  I searched for a rubber stamp that would be a perfect message for the front of the notebook… and as you know, I always close every blog with ‘live, laugh, love’, so this stamp was perfect.  I know I will be using this rubber stamp OVER AND OVER, so I really cannot put a price tag on what it would cost for the project, but I know it will be pennies.  The rest of the necessary items I already had at home!  But in case you don’t have all of the items needed, here is your list of supplies:

Notebook

Rubberstamp

Clear stamping ink

Gold Embossing Powder

Heat Gun

Ribbon

Aileen’s Tacky Glue

Button

Embroidery Thread to match your ribbon

Or anything YOU WANT to decorate and embellish your notebook!

Step 1: Place the rubber stamp on the ‘clear’ inkpad and apply pressure to completely cover the stamp. 

Step 2: “Eyeball” where you wish to place the stamp on the notebook.  Place the rubber stamp in place and apply pressure to completely apply the ink.

Step 3: Pour the Gold Embossing Powder over the stamped area, and gently shake off the excess.  To make your embossing powder last longer, place a piece of paper under your project to catch the extra, so that you can return the left over embossing powder to the jar. 

Step 4:  Using your heat gun, turn it to high heat.  Hold it close to the stamped area and watch as the powder changes to the ‘liquid gold’.  Do NOT overheat, as it will burn, just make sure all of you powder has turned gold.

Step 5:  Using whatever ribbon you have chosen, glue it to the notebook closest to the spiral.  A contrasting color, or a color within the theme is always good.

Step 6:  Using an embroidery thread that matches your ribbon, lace it through the button holes and knot it on top.  Glue your button, or whatever fun objects you have chosen in place

Step 7:  WRAP and DELIVER WITH LOVE! 

This is a FUN, INEXPENSIVE, QUICK and EASY project, perfect for Christmas, or ANY time of the year, a gift needs to be given.  Handmade and from the heart is the way I roll!  Why not give handmade gifts this year!  Your family and friends will cherish the gifts, knowing that you were thinking of them while you were creating!

Living, Laughing, and LOVING my handmade gifts,

Patti

Fall Wreath "CRAZY CREATIONS" - ENTER TODAY!!!

 

http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/front-door-wreaths.html

I found this CRAZY BEAUTIFUL WREATH and I am fixin' to make it!  So excited to go to Michael's Craft Store to purchase the items I WANT to put on my OWN wreath as I like to totally create my own "Variations on a Theme"!  (musician lingo!)  

But as fall is quickly approaching, I would love to have YOUR creations to feature on my blog.  If you have a Crazy Creative Fall wreath in mind!  HOP TO IT!  Or if you have one you have already created, TAKE A PIC!  I would love to feature anyone and everyone's Fall Wreath Creative Creations on my own 

CRAZY BEAUTIFUL FALL WREATH blog! 

So, get busy, and create your fabulous Fall Wreath 

to, 'welcome in' my favorite season of the year.  

Take a picture and send it to me at:

fiddlinroundwithyou@yahoo.com

 I would like to have all entries submitted by October 8th! 

I am SO excited to feature YOU in  my

FABULOUS FALL WREATH BLOG!

Get your "Crazy Creative Groove" on, and have FUN!

Living, Laughing and Loving the fact that Fall is almost here!

Patti

"Change a CRAZY PLAIN CORNER”

It has been forever since I have blogged.  My summer was crazy and I LOVED IT!  And then school has started and I am having a BLAST teaching my sweet kiddos the 'crazy' joy of music.  BUT, I did undertake a small project that I would like  to share with you.  My: "Change a CRAZY PLAIN CORNER” of a room, into a “CRAZY COZY CREATIVE NOOK” to reflect my personality and provide a cozy place to chat and have a treat with my closest of friends.

One of my favorite rooms in my 100 year old, historic home, is what I call my formal “RED ROOM”.  When we moved into this house  6 years ago, the room was HIDEOUS.  Ugly wainscoting, ugly peeling wallpaper! OH dear; take a look for yourself!  The top picture shows the LOVELY wallpaper, and the picture below, shows the room AFTER we peeled the wallpaper away to reveal the plaster walls!

As this room is right off the foyer of my front entrance, and the room boasts a gorgeous antique chandelier, I knew I wanted a formal room to welcome guests, as I already had a large family room/den in the back of the house.  I wanted a rich, warm, peaceful and serene atmosphere when people entered the room and sank into the large, soft and comfy sofas and chairs I purchased.

 

I already had chosen pictures, decorative and antique mirrors and an antique letterbox to hang on the walls.  I went to Second hand stores and Thrift sales to purchase tables, wardrobes and chairs to decorate.  But there still remained one corner, which sat empty and void except during Christmas when we use the space to showcase our beautiful Christmas tree.

So one day as I sat in my peaceful, quiet and serene room, the ‘serene’ feeling left as I looked at my ‘CHRISTMAS TREELESS” corner!  I KNEW something had to be done, and as I was in the mood for a project I thought that recreating that little corner would be a fun project to undertake!

I had a spare little antique table that fit perfectly!  And to keep the peaceful feeling going, I KNEW I wanted some special things to put on the table.  1) a cozy lamp, 2) a  lavender scented candle (yum), 3) a water fountain… (I own stock in the company that creates these!) 4) something “glass” to match the room, and a picture.  SO, it was off  to forage, hunt, find and create the perfect little oasis of a corner!

 

 

 (my boys enjoying the additions)

As I said, I already had a lovely little antique table that a friend had given to me, and I had a spare lace doily waiting to be used!  First step accomplished.  I got a fabulous 40% coupon for Michaels off of the computer, and dashed over to purchase my  Lavender candle.  Lavender is one of the most relaxing of scents!  Here is a little tidbit about Lavender… “Romans used lavender oils for bathing, cooking, and scenting the air, and they most likely gave it the Latin root from which we derive the modern name (either lavare--to wash, or livendula--livid or bluish). The flower's soothing "tonic" qualities, the insect-repellent effects of the strong scent, and the use of the dried plant in smoking mixtures also added to the value of the herb in ancient times.”  Lavender was a must!

 http://www.lavenderfarm.com/history.htm

I went to Walmart, where I found my lovely little fountain… there is nothing like the sound of tinkling water, and the smell of lavender, while you are sitting and relaxing with a book, or with a cup of coffee and a friend!  I was then off to the thrift shop, where I found my lamp and my lovely pitcher, which perfectly matched the colors of the room. 

 

BUT SOMETHING WAS MISSING!  I wanted a painting to capture something I loved most, and I could think of nothing other than my sweet cat Sox... who loves me and snuggles with me every night.  I caught this adorable black and white of him on camera and then set to work painting.  As you have read before, painting is one of my passions and loves, because of the joy and relaxation it brings… and here are the picture/ painting results.

  

I really must give my "people lover"  'Nermal' credit for my Sox painting idea as he posed so beautifully for me while I was decorating! : )

So, I had successfully completed a simple, yet “CRAZILY EXQUISITE” touch to my empty corner.  And the comments have been nothing short of~ FABULOUS.  It takes so little money to totally change the atmosphere and aura of a room.  This was a very inexpensive project that has yielded fantastic results.


Don’t be afraid to move furniture around to suit your needs, or to second hand shop, or to search online for coupons.  We women have the gift of making our ‘house’ a ‘haven’… USE your right brained creativity to recreate a corner of your room!  I WOULD LOVE to see what you come up with!  Feel free to send me your successes to: fiddlinroundwithyou@yahoo.com.  I would love to feature them in my next blog.  Most importantly, have fun, creating the life you love!

 Living, Laughing and Loving to CREATE!

Patti

My CRAZY EASY CRAFT to bring the "OCEAN to Your Home!"

This is such a simple yet fun project and whether you live in Alaska, Germany, or Ireland, if you love the ocean like I do, here is quick easy little project to introduce an ocean theme into your home!

I live right by Pensacola Beach, and one of my favorite things to do is find 'treasures', seashells, or sand dollars' every time I go to the beach which is frequent during summer vacation!  My last trip yielded a perfect baby sand dollar.  I  am a person who delights in the smallest of pleasures, so when I found my sand dollar, I was delighted and squealing with excitement.  Yes I do get VERY excited over the smallest of things~ just ask ANY of my friends!  LOL

I love little knickknacks... and I love to have a supply of gifts to give, on hand.  SO, this project fits the bill on many levels:

• Easy
• Inexpensive
• Something I love 
• Crazy Cute gift!

Ready to begin?  You will need: 

• A frame with a mat already inserted~ I always go for sale frames, usually from Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Joanne's...
• blue ocean scrap book paper
• shells~ again if you don't live near the ocean like I do : ) you can find these at any craft store
• Wired ribbon to match frame
• Aleen's Tacky glue
• Glue Gun
• Scissors

First take the glass out of your frame and clean it.  Careful not to cut your fingers on the glass edge.  Reinsert the glass and then the mat and trace a piece of your blue scrap book paper to fit the frame.   Cut it out and place the paper in the frame behind the mat and put something behind the paper to hold it in place in the frame, and close the frame. 

Next, using Aleen's Tacky Glue, glue the shell to the front portion of the glass of the frame, centering it over the blue portion of paper.  Let the glue dry thoroughly.  

http://www.michaels.com/Aleene's®-Original-Tacky-Glue®/gc0040,default,pd.html

Next take your wired ribbon, cutting it to the length you would like the picture to hang.  Tie a bow in the middle and fluff it out... wired ribbon makes this SO easy!  Tie knots at the ends of the bow so you will have something solid to glue to the back of your frame.  The ribbon serves as the hanger for your frame.

Once the seashell has dried, flip the frame over and put a dollop of hot glue on one side of the frame and then press the knotted end into the glue until it has dried... DON'T BURN YOUR FINGERS! : )

Once you have both sides of your ribbon tails glued down, you are DONE.  See!  I told you it was quick & easy.  Now find a spot to hang, or pop it in a gift bag for your bestie!  I have also done the shell picture in frames that stand as you can see.  I have placed these creations around my house and paired them with some of my antique books (another one of my small pleasures) or sea colored decorative bottles I have found at crafts stores, or my 'water fountain' collection. : )  So calming, relaxing, and an instant trip to the Seashore.  I hope you will have fun making your own Seashore project.  Something simple, yet so Crazy beautiful.

Living, Loving and Laughing from the Seashore,

Patti