Rice Crafting

Have you ever died rice before? think back to your Preschool./kindergarten days. Well I got to thinking the other day how much green rice looks like grass and would make a fun kid project. Of course my little one is still a little on the young side and was set on trying to eat the green rice! Simply start by pouring some plain rice into a zip lock bag and add the color of your choice. I added about 30 drops for my green rice.Mix around the rice until it is the color consistency you like and then pour it out onto a cookie sheet. Let your rice dry for about a day and then you can let your creativity roam free.
Ok for my original idea I had these great tree planned and I would add jelly beans to them and they would simply look amazing… Reality not so much! So I searched  the house and this is what I came up with a shoebox lid, a straw and a pot! Remembering these adorable topiaries I had seen at Rook No. 17, Jenn made these adorable Bunny Topiaries and so I thought I would give it a try with my rice. I simply drew a bunny shape on my lid and cut it out, then added glue and rice.  I covered my straw with some green ribbon and added some yummy  chocolate Easter eggs to my jar. What do you think?
What would you create with a bag of colorful green rice? I still have a bunch so I need some ideas ;)
~Kori

Find Me~ Address Sign

I live in a very small town and for some reason address signs are non existent! I hate when I work so hard on ordering dinner and they cant find my house! :) Seriously we have had delivery people take hours and call numerous time because they cant figure out our house. So I decided I needed a fun address sign. This is how important Pizza delivery is!! I started with a large wood plaque that I got at a thrift store (score!). Added some scrap book paper                  For my numbers, I don't have a cool machine so I used Tara’s post it numbers to trace onto my scrapbook papers. I added a couple layers of glue because after all, this will be outside!  I want it waterproof !  I then added flowers and stickers I could have been done here but it needed something.  So my finishing touch, a little hook on the bottom so I can add and change seasons decor!
Hopefully this works, I might have to order some dinner to test it out tonight ;)
~Kori

Homemade Canvas

Canvas art is huge right now. If you have gone to the craft stores you will know that a blank canvas is quite expensive. I wanted to make a few things with them but i just couldn't get myself to spend that much on something so simple. My husband said he would help me make our own. I have a cute project i want to do with a canvas so i thought i would show you how my husband and i saved money and make our own.

I bought a 1x2 inch wood slat from the hardware store for $1.50

I cut them in 2’ strips and since i don’t have the tools to cut it at a 45 degree angle i just squared them up.

I used a staple gun to hold the wood together. I stapled them on the front and sides. 

I wanted a smooth material that is a little heavier so i used a white “blackout” material. The last time i bought this i got like 4 yards but this time Kori was at the fabric store and saw a scrap piece and grabbed it for me. Even though i only used half of what she bought i still paid $5 so its a little more but It is so worth it if you plan to paint or draw on it. I laid out the material and made sure i had enough to fold over on each side. I did Iron out the material before i stapled it down. This is the last chance you will get.

I have tried the corners a few different ways and this is my favorite it requires no cutting and has clean folds. I just hold the top and the side at the same time and bring them over to the top to staple them together.

 

There is only 2 small creases but you should only see 1 when its hanging on the wall.

 

Well this is my finished 2’x2’ blank canvas. I bought 1 more wood slat and made 2 and spent just over $8

Stay tuned cause i have a fun project planned for this canvas.

-Tara

Clover Ribbon Wreath

I had so much fun making my Valentine cardboard wreath (the price was right too!). I thought I better make one for St. Patrick's Day. I started the same way with a big piece of cardboard. I used a pizza box this time! I debated between a clover and a circle and with my awesome art skills I ended with a oval!!I covered my wreath with some left over white ribbon and then decided I would make a clover out of ribbon. I wanted it large so I cut 4 pieces 17inched in length. I knotted the center of each and shaped then into a heart.Next I bunched them together and added some glue to hold them in a clover shape. My green ribbon had wire so that helped it hold its shape. I added a gold button to the center and glued it onto my wreath. Then just to add some more color I added a bead necklace too. We are now officially ready for the pinch fest!

Beef Bouquet

I wanted to share what I think is the cutest spin on a typical Valentines gift.
I came up with this Beef Bouquet three years ago while my husband and I were still dating. I wanted something extra special for him since Valentines is in all reality a girls holiday. My husband absolutely loved his gift so I thought I would make it again this year.

When I made this 3 years ago I had the florist make me a bouquet with the filler, wrapping and ribbon just minus the flowers then at my house I just stuffed in 12 pieces of jerky one by one. If you put it in a bundle or in a vase this is still the easiest way. If you want to try this and plan on using a vase a tip would be to glue or tape a skewer stick to the back of the jerky to give you some height. We added some ribbon to the vase to look like a tie rather then a typical bow.
I sure hope you enjoy my little manly twist on a valentines bouquet
-Tara

Valentine Day wreath

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Tis the season to start showing some love! I was looking in my box of Valentine decorations when I realized that I don't have any Valentine decorations. So with my budget being around $0.00 I decided it was time to shop in my house!
Supplies needed:
Cardboard                                                                                                       Ribbon/twine                                                                                                  Glue                                                                                                                                               Embellishments (old shirts, beads, felt, buttons)
I started with a cardboard box, left over from our Christmas packages, it doesn't have to be perfect you will be covering it!   And then its time to start wrapping the twineI knew I wanted to add fabric flowers to the bottom and so I didn't bother with wrapping it completely. Now it is time to gather the fun stuff. For me I used some old t-shirts I had and found some beads in a Christmas box.                                                 I rolled some fabric flowers and placed them where I wanted them glued them down. I then added some beads in between the flowers and TA-DA! It is complete and within my budget!! I couldn't resist I had to make another one for my sister! This time I did ribbon and felt roses. For the price you can afford to share with the family and neighbors!