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

CRAZY- My 2nd Hand Shop, Krylon, Creative Chalkboard!

What a fun project this was for me!  I was able to combine two of my favorite things to do: 1) 2nd hand shopping, 2) making something Crazy Creative out of my find!  I find such pleasure in buying something for $1.00 and turning it into to something that looks like I dropped some serious dough.  This Crazy Cute Chalkboard was just the ticket to a 

fun and fabulous few hours spent being creative!

I have always wanted a chalkboard for my kitchen so I can love notes to my family,  or list things I need to purchase from the grocery store.  BUT,  I wanted a chalkboard that matched my decor, and I knew I was not going to be able to purchase what I wanted, so it was off to research a way to create my own, and that is when I ran into KRYLON, one of my favorite crafting products.  They have such a VAST array of products to 

create almost anything for your house and home!  

Here is a link to some of the fun creative paints Krylon sells!

http://www.krylon.com/products/categories/craft_dcor/

So to make this cute project, you will need:

• A 2nd hand store picture that has a framed 'cardboard' picture - not just a "photo" as the image
• Krylon Chalkboard spray paint
• Krylon Make it Stone textured paint
• Stickers
• Jute string
• Chalk
• Hot Glue Gun and sticks
• Aleen's Tacky Glue
• Wired Ribbon
• Newspaper
• small Brads (small nails) and hammer

First thing to do, find a 2nd hand shop in your  city, I went to our cities Rescue Mission.  I looked through all of the photos and found this "STUNNING" (I am really just joking)  picture for $1.00 : )!  AND it perfectly suited my needs.  It is very important that the picture portion of the picture is not just paper but a picture on cardboard.  

You need a strong surface to use your Chalkboard spray.  

Secondly, Purchase your Krylon products, your wired ribbon, jute, chalk, stickers,and glue if you do not have the products on hand.  The Krylon "Stone it" product is so cool and does come in different colors.  I LOVED the texture it added to the project!  I found all of my products at Michael's, and I usually use a 'printable' coupon from the computer that gives me a discount on all items including sale items.  Just google "printable Michael's coupons for July 2011"- or whatever month you are doing your project, and you can find a wealth of coupons to print out!

I took the picture and glass out of the frame.  I used a dry cloth to wipe off the cardboard picture portion, and used a wood cleaner to clean the frame.  Make sure you completely remove any of the cleaning product from the wood before you start using your spray paints.

Lay newspaper on the floor, and  make sure to cover a wide space as you don't wish to get spray on your floor! (my husband let me know I had not quite covered enough surface- YIKES!)  Using your chalkboard paint, and following the instructions, cover your cardboard picture.  Your cardboard will definitely need the 2 coats of the paint that the can suggests.  Just follow directions on the can, to the "T" and you will be A-OK!

With your frame, again read the direction on the "Stone It" can and follow explicitly.  With the correct usage, you will end up with a fabulous finish to the frame! You will need several coats of the product to completely cover the frame. 

 Again, the texture that the Stone It spray adds to the frame is just stunning!

Allow enough drying time for both the 'chalkboard' picture and the frame.  Gently put your chalkboard piece back into the frame, and then using brads and a hammer, tap the brads into the frame and down on the back of the picture to hold the picture in place.  I used 1 brad for top and bottom and 2 brads on the side.

I am not one to do the 'plain' and 'simple', SO, I did add dimensional stickers with pearls and stones on the chalkboard, at the top of the chalkboard.  The colors of the stickers matched my kitchen decor.  I used Aleen's Tacky glue to apply the flowers so they would STAY in place.

Next, I cut a very long piece of jute string, and tied a bow at then end which I then hot glued down on the corner of the frame.  I then tied the chalk to the other piece of string.  To hold the chalk in place, I added a dab of hot glue and then tied a knot, and I hot glued one more flower sticker over the bow on the frame to create a nice little decorative touch to the bottom quarter of the frame.

Using my wired ribbon, I cut the ribbon the length that I need to properly hang my chalkboard.  Then I cut two more pieces which were the same length.  Holding all three strands together, I tied a bow in the middle of the strands with would serve as the decorative top part of my hanger.  The wonderful thing about wired ribbon is, that once you have your bow the way you want it, you can poof it out and bend and shape it to the perfect design.  I then pulled the hanging portions of the bow tight and tied a knot in the bottom of each side.  Turning my frame over I hot glued the knots onto the back of the picture, making sure my bow was centered at the top.  I held the knot in place for a moment so that it would stay in place.  Once the glue was dry, I turned the chalkboard over and squealed with delight!  I LOVED LOVED LOVED how CRAZY CUTE my chalkboard had turned out.  I nailed a brad where I wanted to hang it.... and PRESTO.... I now had my very own chalkboard to write whatever I wished.

The most expensive thing you will purchase with this project is your paints, but let me tell you I have PLENTY left, so some of my 'besties' are going to get some gifts! ; )  After all who would not want this adorable chalkboard hanging for all to see, and to help you remain organized.

This was a very easy project, a very quick project, and a project that anyone can do.  I had so much fun, I am going to make another one for my daughter's bedroom!   NOW, where are my car keys so I can run to the second hand store! : )

Loving this quick easy project immensely.  I hope you will want to design your own masterpiece, which can be used in ANY room in your house.  Have fun and go crazy creative!

Living, Laughing, and Loving Crazy Creativity,

Patti