Twigs and Twirls

Meet Molly......my four legged, furry sister

2013-05-06T06:43:00.000-04:00

There is a new addition in our family.

I got a new sister.

The four legged, furry kind of sister.

Meet Molly.

She is a retired Greyhound.

My Mom rescued (adopted) her

She is the sweetest, biggest, couch potato you ever met.

My Mom worked with a great organization in her adoption.

Racing Dog Rescue Project

It is truly amazing what these people do.

So welcome Molly to the family
She just might pop up here and there on my blog.
And who knows what trouble the 6 year old and her can get into.

Spring Pinwheel Mini Garland

2013-05-05T12:44:00.000-04:00

I love paper punches.

And I am loving one of my newest additions.

It helped me make one of the cutest mini garlands.

Oh the possibilities I can do with this little punch.

FISKARS-Squeeze Punch Large Pinwheel - Jenni Bowlin Collection.

I picked mine up over at Joanns with a 50% off coupon

and I couldn't believe how easy it was to use.

1. Supplies needed - double sided paper, brads, and pinwheel punch

2. Punch out as many as you want (I got a bit carried away)

3. Fold over have of the triangle so the point touches the center

4. Secure a brad in the center (I cut a small slit to push the brad through)

5. Make one, two or twenty

String them on some twine and hang them up !

A nice way to welcome some warm weather.

Even though here its already been in the 80's.

Boy it is dusty in here..........

2013-02-24T19:50:00.000-05:00

Boy is it dusty in here.

All I can hear in my head is

The banging of hammers and

the buzz of the saws

As I attempt to give my blog a little makeover.

I think it is done.

Not sure though

I just can't figure how I want it to look

I put things on, I take things away......again and again.

But I am beginning to think the dust bunnies are going to take over for Easter.

So I plan on being back

Getting things done.

Not that I haven't been getting things done

Just not on the blog.

2013 has become to year to purge

I am beginning to think the 6 year old is getting scared

I haven't attacked her room as of yet

Because I am cleaning out

Using what I have on hand

And saying "Make it work"

(I love Tim Gunn)

I have been pinning

Drooling over other projects going on in blogland

and trying to figure out how to get things done on a small budget

Little by little the projects will get done.

I need my creative spark to kick back in

After I pull out the dustbuster !!!!

Top 5 Projects of 2012

2012-12-29T12:05:00.001-05:00

Whew..its almost 2013.

Can you believe it ?

I took a look back over my projects

And came up with my Top 5

(with the use of Blogger Stats)

The funny thing is most of these projects were done of a whim

No planning, No prepping.......just ready, set, CRAFT.

1. It had me at Hello Wreath

2. Cinnamon Stick Tree Ornament

3. Felt Gingerbread Men Ornament

4. Valentine Paint Chip Pennant Banner

5. Halloween Glitter Frame

I hope to feature more crafting in 2013.

And I have a ongoing wish list of Projects to do.

(Don't we all ???)

I would like to do some more sewing.

Work on my knitting skills.

(I still need to write a post about my creations and my new knitting friends)

Work on my Photography.

(Taking a class in January !!!)

And just have some fun with my Blog.

Thanks to all of my Blog Friends and Followers

For all of your sweet comments and encouragement.

I love hearing from you all.

Here's to a adventurous 2013....CHEERS !!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2012-12-24T10:24:00.000-05:00

Just a little post to wish...

All of you a Merry Christmas !!!

I am cooking Christmas dinner this year

Because the 6 year old is in despair

She whines "I wanna stay home Christmas Day"

So Grammie will now need to travel in her sleigh.

Over the big BIG bridge her journey takes her

With presents and mac n' cheese to serve.

Enjoy your holidays

With Family and Friends

And we will welcome Two Thousand and Thirteen

Because the world didn't end !!!

(hehehe)

Merry Christmas and Happy 2013 !

Snowflakes for Sandy Hook

2012-12-19T13:04:00.002-05:00

Email everyone you know.

Gather family and friends to help over the holidays.

Sharpen your scissors and start creating.

I know I will be.

Thank a Teacher Today - December 17th, 2012

2012-12-17T01:00:00.000-05:00

Thank a Teacher Today

Cookies and Crafts for Sandy Hook.... (#BloggersforSandyHook)

2012-12-16T22:59:00.000-05:00

As I stood at the bus stop on Friday afternoon

Thoughts just kept running through my head

It could happen here too

You see my daughter is six years old

and she is in the first grade

She got an extra tight hug that afternoon.

I cannot imagine what the parents are going through

How hard it would be for your child not to get off the bus ever again

We might never know the answers

My heart aches for those families in Newtown, CT

I had a list of things that I wanted to get done this weekend

All those last minute Holiday preparations that need to be taken care off.

That list got tossed aside.

This weekend consisted of snuggling on the couch

Movie watching, book reading, cookie baking (and eating)

parades, concerts, and building doll house furniture.

The news was left off because I did not know how to answer those questions she might have

How could a six year old truly understand

Because at 42, I surely don't.

We attended a Holiday Concert this past Saturday too at our local library

After the performance was done an older woman approached my daughter

and asked if she could hug her.

She explained to me that her grandson who was six lived far away

and she just need to hug a child.

Their embrace brought tears not only to my eyes but other people surrounding us.

This tragedy has truly put an ache in my heart.

It really hard to know what to do.

How can we help as a Blogger?

I plan on participating in this event.

And maybe this might take some of that ache away.

Oh Deer, My Holiday Mantel 2012

2012-12-06T12:53:00.002-05:00

Oh Deer.

There is a deer on my Mantel.

Actually there are a few deer on my Mantel.

Among other holiday touches.

I had some fun with this one.

I kept the upper shelf that I put up for my Fall Mantel

And I kept my dictionary page canvases.

I love these things, they break up all of the white I have.

My Inspiration was the deer head

The flat, unfinished wood deer silhouette from Michael's

He was on clearance for $1.49

I love these scrolly frames that they have too

which I painted and distressed

for that pop of color.

Everything else just seemed to fall into place.

The Snowflake Banner was made just like my Patriotic Jute Banner

Glass Ornaments from Mom, White Glass from thrift stores , free greenery from Home Depot

Nutcracker from Joann's, Standing deer from Michael's

My Deer with a Glittery Red Nose

Now the 6 year old has begun singing

"Grandma got run over by a Reindeer"

Hanging out with my friends......

The Lettered Cottage - Christmas Mantel Party

Evergreen Believe Holiday Wreath

2012-12-03T01:00:00.000-05:00

I made a simple Holiday Wreath this year.

It was somewhat inspired by my Hello Wreath

Something about being able to write different things

is kind of fun !!!

Presenting......

My Evergreen Believe Holiday Wreath

I used a grapevine wreath as the base

Thanks to Home Depot I got some fresh evergreens for FREE

Added some white and crystal berries and small pinecones

I used a small silver plate I picked up from a thrift store

and added some Blackboard Fabric with a little spray adhesive

This way I can use the plate for something else later on

And hung it up with some red checked fabric.

It's the perfect accent for my front door.

Hanging out with my Friends....

Craft O Maniac - Maniac Mondays

And she sings.......

2012-12-02T01:00:00.000-05:00

This is going to be one on those things

That the 6 year old might regret me putting up on my blog

I am trying to clean up my pictures on the computer

And I found this video of her when she was 2

A 2 year old jumping bean.

It makes me giggle....

(and yes that is me singing in the background)

This is one precious memory that makes the Holiday Season.

Getting into FULL HOLIDAY MODE......

2012-12-01T11:03:00.003-05:00

Yes I am still here.

I seem to have a habit of blog blog blog

and then....nothing.

I look at it this way

Its my blog and I'll blog when I want to.

LOL

Since I last blogged

Halloween came and went

I turned ummm.....42
I was a guest judge with the CSI Project

We celebrated Thanksgiving with some wonderful friends

But now we are in full HOLIDAY MODE

Tree is up but it still needs something

(not quite sure what but it will hit me, hopefully before Dec 25th)

I actually decorated outside this year

Something about hanging evergreens in 80 degree weather still makes me chuckle.

We are actually celebrating Christmas here at home this year.

For some reason the 6 year old wants to stay home

We usually travel to Grammie's

So this year Grammie will be traveling here

(actually its not far, she lives about an hour away)

And I have been crafting and creating for Christmas

And I hope to share it all with you.

For Starters a review of my Christmas in July

1. Felt Gingerbread Men

2. Pom Pom Snowman

3. Cinnamon Stick Tree

4. Yarn Lollipop & Candy Ornament

5. Pleated Paper Angel

I can't wait to show you more !!!

It will be another Handmade Gift giving this year.

Thanks to Pinterest...I have some great ideas.

The countdown begins.........

Meet Mr & Mrs Spider....

2012-10-12T10:27:00.000-04:00

Been crafting away...

Decorating for Halloween.

The 6 year old wants more than pumpkins this year.

Spiders, Bats and Skeletons...oh my.

I wanted them cute and not creepy.

I don't do creepy.

Meet Mr and Mrs Spider.

I used my trusty Pom Pom Maker for the body

Added chenille stem legs

Big googly eyes

And of course Mrs Spider needed an orange plaid bow.

And their web is black and white twine.

Their just hanging out of some branches

Waiting for Halloween to arrive.

Watching the 6 year old

And making sure she behaves.

(hey it works....some of the time)

I just need to finish up adding a few more touches to Halloween

(I was going to keep it simple this year)

I just keep adding and adding !!!

More Halloween to come.

See my other Halloween projects

Halloween Glitter Frame

Halloween Owl Burlap Banner

My Fall Mantel with Oscar the Owl

2012-09-20T14:08:00.001-04:00

Fall officially starts this Saturday.

Officially here its still very warm.

But I needed my New England touches.

I loved last year's Fall Mantel

But this year I wanted to do something different.

I did use a lot of the same elements.

My Fall Wreath

My Grown Up Wee Little Pumpkins

Dictionary Page Canvases.

And of course all of my favorite materials

Burlap and Book Pages.

The biggest makeover I did was paint my Mantel shelf

I was getting tired of the black.

I used the same grey I used on my Ugly Duckling Makeover

and I even added a shelf.

I am liking my two tiered Mantel now.

Best thing is all that I purchased was the twiggy branches.

(on 75% off at JoAnn's in the damaged pile)

And Mom bought me the Owl

His name is Oscar.

And I named him....not the 6 year old.

The more I look at it the more I love it.

I can enjoy it for a few weeks

Until the 6 year old starts on me about Halloween

So what do you think about the two shelves?

Hanging out with my Friends....

Centsational Girl - Autumn Mantel Link Party

Halloween Owl Burlap Banner

2012-09-13T12:12:00.001-04:00

I have been working on some Fall decoration this past week.

But Halloween keeps creeping in
(get it...creeping..I crack myself up)

I love making banners, buntings and garlands

And of course Halloween is a fun time to do them.

I worked with one of my favorite materials.

BURLAP

and of course scrapbook paper and book pages too.

Meet Owen, Olive, Ollie and Olivia

I used my new crafting tool....the Sizzix Bigkick

With a new Owl die that my Mom bought me just because

I found a great Halloween scrapbook paper pad at Michael's

and went to town cutting the shapes out.

I love his little burlap belly.

I glued him to an old dictionary page

And stitched him onto a burlap backing

Added some details with brads and rick rack..

They will make a great addition to my Halloween decor this year.

But I need to finish my Fall decor first

Using my inspiration and new friend Oscar.

Hanging out with my Friends....

The CSI Project - Burlap Challenge

Isty Bisty Paper Blog - Wickedly Creative Halloween

The Gingerbread Blog - Sweet Saturday Party

Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up

Halloween Glitter Frame

2012-09-06T13:24:00.000-04:00

I was wandering around Michael's yesterday.

Its a bad thing to do.

I was browsing the Halloween crafting items

And came across this.....

GLITTER TAPE !!!!

It was Halloween themed, spooky and sparkly

I grabbed two rolls.

$2.99 per roll

At the time I had no idea what I wanted to do with it.

So I came home and dug around my stash.

I had a bunch of those $1 frames from Michael's

Pulled out some scrapbook paper, mod podge, craft punches and

of course my NEW glitter tape.

I added clear glitter to my top coat of mod podge.

Inked all of the edges.

Stuck on my glitter tape (its kind of thick)

And embellished.

{Sigh}

Polka Dots, Chervon and Glitter......oh my

Hanging out with my Friends.....

The CSI Project - Glitter Challenge

Becoming Martha - Keep Calm Link Up

A Glimpse Inside - Catch A Glimpse Party

Shaken Together Life - Whats Shakin'

Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up

Itsy Bitsy Paper - Wickedly Creative Halloween

Positively Splendid - Saturday Seven Party

Homemaker on a Dime - Creative Bloggers Party

Brassy Apple - Make it Monday

Craft-O-Maniac - Maniac Monday

Alilily Blog - Create Share Halloween Crafts

My Little Addiction......Book Page Crafting

2012-08-25T15:41:00.000-04:00

Its the end of August.

And I am ready for Fall.

So I have working on some ideas for my Fall decor.

One item keeps appearing.

Book Pages.

When I look back over my creations

There is an abundance of book pages involved

For some reason I just swoon over them

From old books to new books (from the dollar store)

I have used them all.

1. Book Page Wreath - inspired by Jones Design Company

2. Upcycled Book Jack O Lanterns - here

3. Book Page Wall Treatment - here

4. Backdrop for photographs for Etsy Shop

5. Rolled Book Page Wreath - here

6. Dictionary Page Canvases - here

And of course my board on Pinterest

What material is your crafting addiction?

Hanging out with my Friends.....

Positively Splendid - Saturday Seven

I Heart Naptime - Sundae Scoop

Paisley, Plaid and Polka Dot Pumpkins

2012-08-23T12:25:00.001-04:00

Paisley, Plaid, and Polka Dot Pumpkins

Whew say that five times fast.

It seems like every year I come up with a pumpkin.

Actually one of my very first post was a pumpkin

My Wee Little Pumpkins can be seen here

Last year they grew up here

So this year I went in a different direction.

My inspiration of course came from Pinterest.

And a sweet little blog Happy Together and her Playful Pumpkins.

So I dug in my stash and visited the fabric store.

Dusted off the sewing machine

And went to work.

And Yes Mom you can have the turquoise ones.

Hanging out with my Friends.....

A Glimpse Inside - Catch A Glimpse Party

Shaken Together - What's Shaken Party

Nap Time Crafters - Friday Favs

Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up Party

The Gingerbread Blog - Sweet Saturday

Funky Junk Interiors - SNS

Hubby Made Me - Throwback Thursday

Be Different Act Normal - Show and Tell Saturday

Tutus and Tea Parties - Pinteresting Party

Rooted in Thyme - Simple Sweet Friday

Positively Splendid - Saturday Seven

I Heart Naptime - Sundae Scoop

Craft-O-Maniac - Maniac Mondays

Pinkapotamus - Pink Hippo Party

Brassy Apple - Make it Monday

Skip to My Lou - Made by You Mondays

The first day of 1st Grade....

2012-08-20T09:49:00.000-04:00

Well it's here.

Summer is over.

School started today.

(doing a happy dance)

The 6 year old started 1st Grade today.

New Sneakers

New Lunchbox

New Backpack

Overall we did have a good summer together.

But now I'm ready to put her on the bus every morning

And wave goodbye

So I can get all of these projects that I started over the summer done !!!

I started on some Fall projects yesterday....

Starting school = Fall

Even though it is still in the 90's

Ugly Duckling to Beautiful Chalkboard

2012-08-14T14:51:00.001-04:00

What do you do when the Hubs takes the 6 year old

out for a Daddy/Daughter day ????

You get your craft on !!!!

Remember this lovely (cough cough) mirror my Mom got me?

She got a make over......

My new Chalkboard for my Dining Area

Ain't she pretty????

I am in L-O-V-E

I painted her a soft grey.

I love how some of the detail came through the paint.

Now me and chalkboard paint do not get along.

You know the black paint you put a million coats on

And your suppose to be able to write on it.

Well it has never worked for me.

But I found something else.

Chalkboard Cloth !!!

I picked it up at Joann's

And its been sitting in my stash.

I made the countdown chalkboard with it on my Back to School Mantel.

I cut it to size and used spray adhesive to attach it to the mirror.

That way if I ever want to use it as a mirror I can peel it right off.

You need to "prime" the cloth just like you would the paint.

And it works perfect !!!

Can you believe the difference?

I am so excited that this is done.

I have been wanting a big chalkboard to decorate with

And thanks to my Mom I got one.

Sometimes that ugly duckling can become a beautiful piece.

Hanging out with my Friends.....

The Ironstone Nest - Transformation Tuesday

Clean and Scentible - The Creative Spark

DIY by Design - Sizzle into Summer

Lil Luna - Lil Luna Link Party

52 Mantels - Thursday are Your Day

Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up Party

Funky Junk Interiors - SNS

Be Different Act Normal - Show and Tell Saturday
The Prudent Pantry - Smart Solutions
A Glimpse Inside - Catch a Glimpse Party
I Heart Naptime - Sundae Scoop Party
Its Overflowing - Overflowing with Creativity
Craft O Maniac - Maniac Monday
Homemaker on a Dime - Bloggers Party Hop
Brassy Apple - Make it Monday
Pinkapotamus - Pink Hippo Party
Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Knick of Time - Knick of Time Tuesday

Shaggy Apple Garland

2012-08-13T09:30:00.000-04:00

We are at the final stretch.

7 more days until school starts.

Yeah me !!!

(I survived the summer at home with the 6 year old)

She likes to craft

So part of our entertainment is crafting

So yesterday was one of the lazy days of hanging out at home

in the air conditioning.

I am trying to teach her how to make pom poms.

Using my new craft toy

She is not that coordinted yet but it was worth a shot.

We made pom poms

Shaggy Pom Poms

So we made them into this.....

Made some red pom poms using cotton yarn

Added a small dowel painted brown for a stem

And used felt for a small leaf

Strung them up on some baker's twine.

And hung it up on my Back to School Mantel

It was fast and simple.

It kept the 6 year old entertained for at least 10 minutes.

Happy Back to School !!!

Hanging out with my Friends......

Skip To My Lou - Made by You Monday
Home Stories A to Z - Tutorials and Tips

The CSI Project - Back to School Competition

A funny thing about my Mom....

2012-08-12T12:03:00.000-04:00

I love my Mom.

She is one of the reasons we moved to Florida.

Sometimes she just cracks me up.

Someone in her neighborhood moved out.

They left a bunch of "stuff" in their driveway

(you know to be thrown away)

Well she took her truck down there and loaded it up.

She likes to DIY it just like me.

She got a big, heavy, beautiful mirror.

black frame, rectangle, imperfect glass.

It was a little beat and needed some tlc.

I wanted it.

It would look great over my mantel I told her.

She replied no its mine.

She had the perfect place for it in her foyer.

So she won that one.

So do you want to see the mirror she got for me a week later.....

Don't you love the gold detail ????

It's not even wood.

It's molded plastic.

My goal this week is to transform this to a beauty.

I decided to make it into a chalkboard.

I think its going to look great.

I am hoping it will look great.

And no Mom you can't have it back when its done.

Even though it might look great in your new kitchen.

But I do love my Mom.

She gave me the mirror and she gave me this too.....

It's my Birthday present.

My Birthday is in November.

I love my Mom.

Back to School Mantel

2012-08-10T09:44:00.001-04:00

It's getting close to that time.

The time for school to start.

Honestly where did the summer go?

(some days it didn't go fast enough)

The 6 year old is excited about going back.

She actually complained about NOT being in school

I am serious.

The hysterical crying complaining.

She loves it that much.

So we decided to spruce the Mantel up.

This was fun to do.

I decided to do a countdown since the 6 year old can't wait to go back.

She is loving getting up in the morning and looking at the number of days left.

I found some great printables.

US Map and Star Constellation found here

ABC Flash Cards found here

Banner and Flag Tags found here

Cabinet door made into a chalkboard

(and I didn't use chalkboard paint...tutorial to come)

Background is my Dictionary Page Covered Canvases.

I used a pant hanger and washi tape to hang prints.

Stacked books and Jars filled with school supplies.

(don't you just love the smell of new Crayola crayons?)

and random other things I found in my stash.

Its a nice change from my Summer Mantel

Then of course we get to decorate for Fall after this.

Back to School always makes me think of Fall

My favorite time to decorate.

Are you ready to send them Back to School?

10 days and counting here......

Hanging out with my friends....

Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party
Shaken Together - Whats Shaken Link Party
Be Diiferent Act Normal - Show and Tell Saturday
I Heart Naptime - Sundae Scoop Party
Positively Splendid - Saturday Seven Party
It's Overflowing - Overflowing with Creativity

Mercy Ink Blog - Back to School Tips,Tricks, Tools Link Party

Flamingo Toes - Think Pink Sunday

Craft-O-Maniac - Maniac Monday

Brassy Apple - Make it Monday

Under the Table and Dreaming - Sunday Showcase

Home Stories A to Z - Tutorials and Tips

Lil Luna - Lil Luna Link Party

52 Mantels - Thursday are Your Day

Stone Gable Blog - Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits

The CSI Project - Back to School Competition

Miss Lovie Creations - Back to School Party

It had me at Hello......

2012-08-06T13:38:00.000-04:00

My poor front door has had nothing on it since

well......Valentine's Day

Sad yes I know.

I did throw an undecorated grapevine wreath up there.

Because it was something.

Now finally I got around to making one.

It had me at Hello.....

I have addiction to scrapbook paper

(it could be worst right?)

I saw this tutorial and knew I had to do something.

So I bought myself one of these

And went to town.

And of course I had to get one of these too.

(yes they are addicting too, I love how they work !! no wasted paper)

I just wrapped a wreath form in burlap.

Attached a small chalkboard from Michael's

I used a white paint marker, chalk wasn't cutting.

I think I will need to get a couple more chalkboards to change out the saying.

(depending on the day and my mood)

Now I never knew how dirty the front door actually was

until I saw these pictures.

Guess that is another project for another day.

Hanging out with my Friends.....

Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party
Shaken Together - Whats Shakin Link Party

Be Different Act Normal - Show and Tell Saturday
I Heart Naptime - Sundae Scoop Party
Postively Splendid - Saturday Seven Party
It's Overflowing - Overflowing with Creativity
Adorned from Above Wednesday Link Party
Flamigo Toes - Think Pink Sunday
Craft-O-Maniac - Maniac Monday
Brassy Apple - Make it Monday
Pinkapotamus - Pink Hippo Party
Serenity You - Serenity Saturday

Skip to My Lou - Made by You Monday

Home Stories A to Z - Tutorials and Tips
Too Much Time - Get Schooled Saturday

Tutus and Teaparties - Pinteresting Party

Happy 6th Birthday Monkey

2012-07-24T19:31:00.002-04:00

Happy 6th Birthday Monkey

(she has the same goofy smile today)

I can't believe she is turning six.

Where does the time go.

My little Miss Independent is growing up to fast.

Our celebration was simple.

We celebrated Sunday with Grammie

And dear Friends

with lunch & cupcakes

(cupcake toppers from here)

Today we celebrated some more.

A trip to the movies to see Ice Age

A trip to the Disney Store for a present

And a yummy lunch out of chicken fingers and fries.

I hope you had a wonderful day Monkey.

Happy Happy Birthday !!!

Love you lots

xoxoxo.