Wood Board Wall Art

We stopped on the side of the road a while back and did so for two reasons.  First, there was a hiking trail  that looked like it could be pretty cool.  And it was cool.  We even saw a jack rabbit while on our hike. Second, I spotted this piece of wood in a pile of dirt and weeds and knew I could do something with it.

The wood sat in my laundry room for a while and finally this project idea came to me.  It was a simple project.  I just painted the word 'love' in black acrylic paint on the board and did a coat or two of clear gloss over the top.  It hangs by two saw tooth hangers in the master bedroom of our home.

Hand-Embroidered Trinket Bag

My daughter, Ev, and I designed this little birthday girl with a piece of cake and a purple, party blower.  I embroidered it in the colors she chose and just recently added pink fabric and turned it into a trinket bag. We'll use it each year on her birthday to house the tiniest of gifts.

She doesn't know it yet, but this year she will find a darling tiny horse charm on a thin necklace chain inside her birthday trinket bag.

Birthday Tradition: Stockings

Do people cross stitch anymore?  My mom has always cross stitched and I'm glad she has so that we could be the recipients of this sweet, hand-stitched stocking.

We started a new birthday tradition last year when we received this birthday stocking.  Each year on our kids' birthdays, we fill their stocking with tiny toys and goodies.

A tradition can be a beautiful thing, especially for children.  Big or small, traditions give something for us to look forward to, bonds us to those we share the traditions with, and creates lasting memories.  My parents started some family traditions in our home that gave me so many great memories that I'm continuing those traditions in my home with my children.  

Lemon Birthday Decorations Made from Felt

I just finished my second project for Ev's lemon birthday party.  These little lemon felt ornaments were so easy and fast to make.  I cut one lemon out of yellow wool felt and used it as the template for all of the other lemons.  I did the same thing for the lemon leaves.  To make the project even easier (than sewing) I used a dot of hot glue to secure the leaves as well as the hanging ribbon on the back.  I happened to have had all of the materials, so this birthday project was free and only took me about 30 minutes.  

I plan on hanging these wool felt lemons on this branch on my wall over the dessert table.

Grey and Yellow Birthday Banner

I'm getting read for Ev's seventh birthday.  I don't plan on spending very much money on her party, but I do want it to be special.  Her birthday has become the perfect reason to push me to finish some crafts that have been waiting in the wings.  Believe it or not, these crafts have a lot to do with celebration.

This birthday banner and three tiered cake in yellow and grey will go perfectly with her theme: lemon party.  I love that Ev was the one who picked the theme too.  Brilliant!

I have these little embroideries for sale in my Etsy shop.  They are the perfect, sweet way to celebrate any special day.  Just display them in your home in a high traffic area and everyone will know that there is a reason to celebrate.  

Homemade Birthday Gifts

Ev has been invited to several birthday parties this past year.  I love homemade gifts (probably more than most people do, especially if by most people I mean six-year-old girls).  Each gift Evelyn has given to her friends this year for their birthdays have been homemade by me.  They range from embroidered felt birthday crowns to flower wands and hair clips.  I even made a small thread wrapped, bendable Merida doll for one of Ev's friends who loves the movie Brave.

I think Ev might be getting a little self conscious about the whole homemade gift thing.  Come on!  There used to be a day when every gift was homemade and the gifts actually lasted.

Mama and Me Tiny Clay Owls

I made these little owls for my mom.  I told you she has a thing for owls and so do I.

I simply took two little balls of bead clay, shaped and cooked them following the directions on the clay package.  After they were cool, I painted them with acrylic paint and gave them a glossy coat of paint.