barbwired

http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/
http://733blog.blogspot.com/

http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/

http://www.ellebelleblog.blogspot.com/

http://mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/

Water, Water, Everywhere

2011-04-26T19:58:00.008-05:00

Whew, Hello barbwired besties! We are so very covered with rain here in SE Oklahoma! We just went through another tornado watch with more on the way. We have been blessed however, many in our area have lost homes and lives. We pray for those struggling and the safety of everyone under a watch or warning.

Sunday we celebrated Easter. I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter! We had a very calm, quiet, family oriented Easter. We awoke to the visit from the Bunny. The barbwired kiddos seemed please with the loot. Then on to services, to thank our Lord for his many sacrifices for us and continued blessings on us. After church, we went to eat with the barbwired grandparents.

As is tradition for us, I made the barbwired beauty a dress. I can recall so many beautiful dress my Mom made for me each Easter. One in particular was my favorite, a white shift with a rainbow of flowers all down the front. Mom had spent so many late nights, embroidering the flowers and vines from neck to hem. It was gorgeous! After Easter, she washed it and all of the flowers faded on to the white dress, phooey! The dress was ruined.

Anyway, we have continued the tradition, even after disaster, LOL! Here is the latest in the long line of dresses.

My Mom was gracious and allowed us to shoot pictures in her garden.

She definitely has the green thumb in the family.

To start the dress process, the barbwired beauty

and I went to Hancock's with our 40% coupon in hand.

She decided on this pattern:

Just in case you can not make it out it is a Simplicity pattern no: 2362.

The barbwired beauty is smaller than a size 6,

but that is as small as the patterns go,

so I knew we would have some altering to do.

Once I opened the pattern and we began cutting out the pieces,

I noticed that we did not have all of the instructions.

If this ever happens to you, you can go on the Simplicity website,

email customer service and they will email the rest of the instructions.

They were sweet and helpful.

This was not one of their 'easy' patterns, but it was not difficult.

From the cutting to the final fitting was about 4 hours.

Here is the side of the dress...

and the back of the dress...

I was thankful the barbwired beauty liked it.

The tradition continues!

Now we are looking at patterns for dresses to wear at church camp.

We need to plan ahead more, this dress was completed the

night before Easter! LOL However, it DID get done!

She looked pretty didn't she?

Well she always does!!

barbwired blessings to you all!!!

Amber

Loving to link up @

http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/

http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/

http://www.sillylittlesparrow.com/

http://www.tipjunkie.com/

http://www.rookno17.com/

http://www.notjustahousewife.net/

http://ladybug-blessings.com/

http://bellabeforeandafter.blogspot.com/p/amaze-me-august.html

http://www.sofreemecrafts.blogspot.com/

http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/

http://vintagewannabee.blogspot.com/

http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com//

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://www.elements-interiors.net/
http://www.thetraintocrazy.com/

http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/
http://733blog.blogspot.com/

http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/

http://www.ellebelleblog.blogspot.com/

Rachel Annie Photography: To Write Love.

2011-04-21T22:44:00.001-05:00

I would love it if you would take a second and look at this blog post by the barbwired beauty herself, my daughter...Rachel Annie Photography: To Write Love.: "Hello there! I'd like to show you all a website that deserves an audience. Maybe you've heard of it, maybe not. Maybe it means something ..."

Egg Cups

2011-04-18T14:22:00.001-05:00

It is always so fun to decorate eggs with the kids. I remember being so excited after my daughter was born, to be able to look forward to decorating eggs with her. Her very first Easter was so fun. She was born in May, so she was almost a year old for her first Easter. We hid eggs for her in plain sight on the ground. She wondered the yard confused as to what she needed to do and tripped over eggs along the way! LOL Even though she is 16 now, we look forward to decorating eggs each year.

Well, since we spend so much time on those beautiful eggs, we need pretty displays for them. This year I decided to make flower egg cups from polymer clay.

To begin our project, I conditioned polymer clay in all the colors I wanted.

I used my pasta machine and rolled the clay to a thin sheet.

I have a leaf clay cutter and a small circle cutter,

I used these to cut 8 petals and two centers per egg cup.

At the base of each petal,

I cut a small slit and then over lapped these.

I began assembling the cups with

a base of four and then four in between those.

Once the flowers were assembled,

I place a center in the interior and base of the flower.

I did this to cover all the connections but also to provide a flat base.

I rolled a thin snake of the green,

wrapped it around the flowers and made a little bow.

Just prior to baking, I make the petals droop over a bit.

I then simply baked and they were ready to go!

We haven't yet dyed our eggs.

I used Pier 1 eggs to show you how they will look.

Pretty stinking cute huh?

Even if we decorate some less than attractive eggs, these cups will pretty them up!

I hope everyone has a good week preparing for your Easter fun! Let's all remember what Easter is really about.

barbwired blessings to you all!

amber

Linky loving @

http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/

http://embellishinglifeeveryday.blogspot.com/

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/
http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Childhood Wishes

2011-04-17T14:48:00.001-05:00

When I was small, I was allowed to spend the night with a friend one Saturday night, the next morning was Easter. We awoke the next morning and the Easter Bunny had arrived. The Mom of the family had attempted to raid the other baskets and scrap me together a sweet little basket. Even though I was not very old, I appreciated the effort. However, I couldn't help but be a little jealous of a precious egg nestled among the children's baskets. It seemed to shimmer as the light touched upon it that Easter morning. When you looked closer there was a small scene inside. I had never before seen a sugar egg and I was mesmerized. I even had the nerve to be horrified when the youngest family member bit right into his egg. Well, how could he destroy such a treasure?? LOL. I thought they were the most beautiful things I had ever seen. I returned home that afternoon and explained the lovely item to my Mother, who quickly asked, "Why on earth would you want that much sugar?"

Needless to say, I never had a sugar egg in my Easter basket. Not one to ever give up...I decided to create my own version. Mom was right, I did not need, do not need that much sugar. So I have created a faux sugar egg.

No calories or dental visits need bother you on this beauty.

To begin I bought a paper mache egg from Hobby Lobby.

I cut a hole in it, leaving the opening for the future scene.

I then painted the egg with acrylic paints.

I then painted our little egg with white glue

and sprinkled clear glitter on her as a nod to the sugar.

I then took some joint compound,

added my choice of acrylic paint to color it.

I placed it in a Wilton's bag with a tip

and began to decorate the glittered egg.

I then hot glued some green excelsior in the bottom of the egg.

I looked to the Graphic Fairy again for inspiration for the inside scene.

I found this cute picture that I thought would look

precious inside my faux sugar egg.

I had originally thought I would just cut this out and place

it inside the egg. It looked a bit flat. So I decided that

I would just recreate the pic.

I found similar flowers and hot glued them inside.

I then hollowed out a small styrofoam egg,

painted it and hot glued it inside.

I could never find a chick that I liked.

So I created one from polymer clay.

After baking, the chick was ready for the egg.

I simply hot glued the little guy in the scene.

The faux sugar egg was done.

Nope, it doesn't taste as good as I am sure a real

sugar egg would taste, but I think it is just as pretty!

You should really try to make one for yourself. It was

super easy and it fulfilled a childhood wish for me. :)

I hope your Sunday has been blessed! Let's make this week a great one, getting ready for all the fun and beauty of Easter. Take some time to thank God for His blessings!

barbwired blessings to all of you!

Amber

Linking up to:

http://heathernow.blogspot.com/

http://alliemakes.blogspot.com/
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

http://www.iamalongfortheride.blogspot.com/

http://blog.kuzakscloset.com/

http://youngancrafty.blogspot.com/

http://lambaround.blogspot.com/

http://thetatteredtag.blogspot.com/
http://www.skiptomylou.org/

http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/

http://embellishinglifeeveryday.blogspot.com/

http://www.thestoriesofa2z.com/

Creativity

2011-04-12T13:47:00.001-05:00

I honestly feel awful if I am deprived of crafting. Even President Roosevelt understood this feeling. He said, "Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort." Yep! Creative effort does give me a thrill. I think it is lots of fun to make something with my own mind, hands, and love.

So today, I am showing you something I created that I love. Being very hard on myself this isn't something I can say very often. Look at this and tell me what you think.

I just finished with our spring mantel. I have yet to do a full mantel...wire,cables, receivers and the like kept me from it. However the barbwired hubby, took it all off the mantel for me.

This opened up the experience for me. "I think creativity is spiritual. I absolutely believe that." said F. Murray Abraham. I guess I had a spiritual experience right?

To begin with I created a coffee filter garland. Good thing our coffee maker doesn't require filters, it took a lot of them. I folded the filters in half, then half again.

Then I place each point at the ruffle line of each other.

I made the filter X and butt together.

Then I sewed down the middle.

I hope you can see what I am explaining.

Any questions, please ask in comments.

I continued this for the length of my mantel

I then used small nails to adhere it to the mantel.

I covered the nails with ribbon that I simply hot glued over.

Once this was completed. I used doilies that I purchased at

Dollar Tree, I cut frilled edged circle and simple circles

on the Cricut and placed those one on top of the other.

I found some eyelet letters at Tuesday Morning.

I chose the letter to spell "HAPPY EASTER"

I cut the loops off of the letters and

placed them on top of the doily circles.

I then adhered them to the coffee filter garland with hot glue.

I also used cup hooks to hang our Mini Tart Baskets from the mantel.

I placed the Spring Tray upon the mantel.

I used a few of the items from Blessings Unlimited

and some items that fit with the color scheme and scene.

I think it looks very sweet and frilly.

I hope you enjoy looking at the pictures as much

as we love looking at it in person.

Maybe I will eventually get tired of looking at it.

Maybe I won't...

I suppose it will have to come down eventually.

But that will open up the chance to be creative again.

Now take some time to do something creative and thank God you were given that gift!

barbwired blessings!

Amber

Proud to link up to:

http://tipjunkie.com/

http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-party-link-up.html

http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/
http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/
http://mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/

http://733blog.blogspot.com/
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/
http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

http://heathernow.blogspot.com/

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

http://www.iamalongfortheride.blogspot.com/

http://blog.kuzakscloset.com/

http://youngancrafty.blogspot.com/

http://lambaround.blogspot.com/

http://thetatteredtag.blogspot.com/
http://www.skiptomylou.org/

http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/

http://embellishinglifeeveryday.blogspot.com/

http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/

Thrifting and Expanding

2011-04-11T20:03:00.000-05:00

Spring is being so sweet!

I love the weather now!

Recently we went thrift shopping. I did not realize I had never taken the barbwired beauty thrift shopping before, shame on me! She is hooked. She loved it, not really for the deals but for the photos. She took some amazing photos while we were thrifting. She has a photography blog. Go look at the photos she was able to do. Here is the link.

Needless to say, while she was taking photographs, I was shopping. One of the items I found was mini tart tins. I was able to get 7 tins for $2.50. I do not know if it is a good deal as far as tins go, but I liked it.

I immediately knew what I was going to create with them... Mini baskets. Cute huh?

To begin, I spray painted the tins my fav color turquoise.

Once dry, I used the gator to punch holes.

Of course there were holes on each side.

I used ribbon that coordinated with the tins.

I used Heat and Bond, cut the size of the ribbon.

I fused a wire between the ribbons.

I left enough wired to string through

the holes, attaching the ribbon handles

to the baskets.

I then chose buttons to glue over the holes.

I then simply hot glued the buttons on to

cover the wire and holes.

From here I added excelsior.

And eggs from Pier 1.

I have already decided where they will

rest in our Easter decorations.

You will have to come back tomorrow...

When I show you where these lovelies

are displayed. I think you will love it!

Here is a sneak peak...

Whadda ya think?

barbwired update!

The barbwired bunch has expanded by 1.

NOPE, not human babies!!!

We did get a fur baby.

Introducing our newest member, Gabby!

Our precious Gabby is a 3 year old Shitzu.

We are all in love with her!

She has the sweetest disposition.

She is such a welcome addition!!

I pray your Monday has been blessed! Start your week off right with prayer. Pray and encourage others struggling. Give your heart to someone who needs it.

barbwired blessings to you!!

Link Loving @

http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/

http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com/
http://www.thestoriesofa2z.com/

http://tipjunkie.com/

http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-party-link-up.html

http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/
http://mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/

Spring is FAB!

2011-04-08T15:30:00.000-05:00

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.
~Percy Bysshe Shelley

Are you just loving springtime where you are?! The days are so beautiful! The birds are singing and the sunshine is a great dose of antidepressant! LOL At the barbwired bunch house we are still doing all we can to prep for Easter.

Today's craft, I originally saw at Rook No. 17 by Jenn. She has a beautiful and inspirational blog, go check it out here. Here is the link to her bunny topiary.

When I saw this I knew I wanted to make some, they were just too sweet. I found out, they are also super simple.

To begin I purchased the bunnies from Pier 1. I was amazed at their $2.95 price. I then ventured to thrift stores for a crate. No luck finding a crate, but I did get this cute basket.

I began to spray paint it white, the paint just soaked right in.

At first, I was disappointed, but I really liked the distressing without stressing look.

I already had the terra cotta pots, so I just used turquoise spray paint to cover those.

I lucked out that the three pots just fit in the basket. I had not bothered to measure anything, naturally.

Next, I placed some packing styrofoam into each of the pots. I did have to cut this to make it fit.

I then found some precious pink velvet ribbon I had and hot glued

it around the little bunnies necks. I had some vintage daisy lace

that I cut a daisy off of for each of the bunnies.

Then I glued a flower bead in the center of the lace daisy.

This got hot glued on to cover up the ends of the ribbon.

I had to then decide on the heights of my bunnies.

When they were all the same height, they were so close

they appeared to be sniffing each others heinies.

Not a look I wanted. So I went with the stepped bunnies.

I then added the spanish moss at the base of the bunny to cover the styrofoam.

Finally, I added a bow. I got this ribbon at Micheal's after Christmas clearance.

I loved the color and thought I could use it year round. Guess that was a good idea, huh?

We really like our little barbwired bunny bunch.

They are at home with us!

Go enjoy your spring day! Thank the Father above for it!!

barbwired blessings to you and you!

Linky this up to:

http://www.justagirlblog.com/

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

http://www.remodelaholic.com/

http://sassysites.blogspot.com/

http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/

http://tidymom.net/

http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/

http://kojodesigns.blogspot.com/

http://www.simplysweethome.com/
http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/

http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/

http://todayscreativeblog.net/
http://mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

♥ Welcome ♥

2011-04-06T20:43:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone! I hope and pray all of my barbwired besties are well and counting your blessings. I want you to know when I count my blessings you are among them. I enjoy having you here.

Sometimes in our lives we feel like we need a little makeover, don't we? I would love to walk in to a home improvement store and find the DIY guys there looking for someone to give a home makeover to for free. I keep going to every home improvement store around and keeping my eye out, but no luck! Or how about a personal makeover, new hair, makeup, clothes? That would be soooo cool huh?

Well our poor little door was begging for a makeover. You could tell it just was not feeling pretty any more. I have to agree! The color it was suppose to be I am not sure but it was faded to a purpley, greyish, blue-like color. It did not feel welcoming and no wreath on earth could seem to help the reliable door.

My barbwired beauty and I went out (yes, to the home improvement store, no, not a DIY guy there!) looking for a color we thought would be pretty. We chose a Colonial Red. I was a bit nervous, I do have some color fear when it is permanent. I tend to stick to neutrals and pop with colorful pillows or accessories. Colonial Red was not timid.

I began by removing our hardware and cleaning to door really well with TSP. Here is our little door's before mug shot.

See what I mean by the ?? color?

Next, I primed the door with white.

White looked pretty good to me, but I knew

I needed to stick with Colonial Red.

For some reason, I wanted to finish this

door re-do all in one day.

So I put a fan on the door and kept right on painting layers

upon layers of Colonial Red.

Big mistake! The little door was in shock,

it began bubbling. I thought maybe if I would

leave it over night it could calm down.

But alas, NO! I had to start sanding all the work off.

It required a TON of sanding to get it smooth.

Finally, it was available for more paint.

Back to the Colonial Red.

There were lots of coats ahead of us.

We hung in there together and...

It looks so much better!

Don't cha think so?

I used the Cricut and cut vinyl lettering and flourishes.

I also did not buy new hardware.

I just gave ours a good cleaning and repainted it.

I made sure to apply a sealer on top.

Hopefully it will wear ok.

The before and after tells the story.

The barbwired bunch loves it!

Let's make the end of our week great! Put another blessing down and smile!!

barbwired blessings to you all!!

Showing some linky ♥ @

http://www.mybackyardeden.com/

http://www.sugaranddots.com/

http://ellebelleblog.blogspot.com/

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/
http://www.justagirlblog.com/

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

http://www.remodelaholic.com/

http://sassysites.blogspot.com/

http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/

http://tidymom.net/

http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/

http://kojodesigns.blogspot.com/

http://www.simplysweethome.com/

Please Stay

2011-04-04T15:26:00.000-05:00

Spring seems to be coming and going, not sure if it wants to reside here or leave. I wish I could tell Spring just how much I wish it would stay. Stay to share sunshine and play, stay to bring delightful flowers and showers, stay to bask in warmth and love. I do love Spring. Please stay, Spring, please stay!

I created a spring tray to show my love of the season. It began life as a Toastmaster tray. I have found that these trays were a gift with purchase of a toaster. These were gifts in and around the 1930's. I found an old advertisement showing the original intention of the tray. Isn't it cute?

Somehow the tray found it's way to our local Goodwill. I think it is fun to imagine it's first life and the home it was in. Anyway, I was able to purchase it for $1.00. It was a bit rough and needed some TLC. So after the years of it's use as a serving tray, I thought I would give it new life as a ode to Spring.

Here is the way this poor little tray was when I picked her up and brought her home.

One of the things I loved about our little

tray was the small lines at the edges.

It just gives her a little bit of 'lipstick' so to speak.

Here are the clues to her former life.

Even though I am refinishing the tray,

I will preserve this portion as I found it.

First off, I gave our little tray a good bath in bleach water.

Then I let her dry and sanded her down smooth.

The sanding was so easy.

Our little tray wanted to be re purposed.

Next for her new makeup.

I applied a pretty pink shade.

Doesn't she look pretty in pink?

Next, as a nod to her well worn age,

I applied a crackle medium.

After letting that dry, I applied pure white over the top.

I do so like watching the magic of the crackle paint.

I chose a scrapbook paper to place on

the inset of the tray and mod podged it down.

I then painted some small flower details on the ends of the tray.

The mod podge did pull off some of the crackled white paint.

If anyone knows how to prevent this, please leave me a comment.

I used my Cricut to cut out various scrolls, flourishes, vines and the like

that once positioned correctly spelled out LOVE.

I then mod podged the lettering/flourishes to the inset of the tray.

I had to use a scraper to make sure all areas were well adhered

and were free of bubbles.

Once the mod podge was all dry, I sprayed the entire thing with

a good acrylic coating.

I am displaying it in the a full Spring display.

Do you think Spring may appreciate it and stay?

I do hope so!

May you have a week full of blessings and spring!!!

barbwired blessings!

Got a LINK on @

http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com/

http://www.inspiringyou2save.com/

http://youngnester.blogspot.com/

http://tipjunkie.com/

http://www.abcand123learning.com/

http://www.mybackyardeden.com/

http://www.sugaranddots.com/

http://ellebelleblog.blogspot.com/

Wrist Bling Rescue

2011-03-31T20:23:00.000-05:00

How is your week winding down? I was happy to see a little sunshine today. It's been so deary and rainy here lately. Bring on the sun!

Do you have some jewelry that is a bit scratched up or tarnished? I had a little bracelet that was getting too scratched to wear. I thought today, why don't I reinvent this? Here is what I came up with.

Pretty cute huh?

I originally bought the plastic bracelet off

the clearance aisle at our local WalMart.

They had a bunch of them (now I wish I had bought more)

marked down to 39 cents.

After a few wearings the silver had some scratches on it.

Here is the before.

I really had not worn it since the scratches.

I had some supplies on hand, zebra duck tape,

cute letters and my trusty E6000.

I began covering the bracelet with the zebra duck tape.

I overlapped a little on the ends.

Since the bracelet has a curve on it.

The tape was wrinkling up a bit. I decided to clip every 1/4 inch

around the edges to fold it down.

This helped quite a bit, but it still just wasn't smooth enough.

I thought I would try heating it up some.

So I stuck it in the microwave for 10 seconds. T

his softened it up enough to smooth out the wrinkles

and as it cooled it made the tape stretch better over the bracelet.

The next step was putting on the bling.

I had some letters "HOPE".

This word means so much too me.

So much that I have avoided blogging

about it for fear of not doing it justice.

I have a Styrofoam cutting tool that I heated up

to make holes in the bracelet.

I think you could heat up a skewer,

pin, or nail to make a hole also.

Once the hole was made, I used the wire that came on the letters,

securing them to the card, to thread through the hole

and then used the E6000 to glue the wire down.

Next, I covered the inside of the bracelet with the duct tape.

That is it! Presto chango! New wrist bling!

I can't wait to wear it and see how many compliments I get.

Maybe they will ask me where I got it ;)!?

I have been so blessed here of late. I want you all to know that I am so honored and excited by all the sweet comments you have left. Each of them lift my spirits and gets the creative juices going in full gear. Thank you all so much!! I wish I could give each of you a hug!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

barbwired blessings to you and yours!!!

It is time for some parties!

http://www.somewhatsimple.com/

http://www.firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/

http://www.lbratina.blogspot.com/

http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/

http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/

http://www.yesterdayontuesday.typepad.com/

http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/

Reclaim

2011-03-30T22:11:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday barbwired besties! Today we are going to do a reclaim craft. I think it is lots of fun to find something interesting, quirky, or even ugly and make it great.

I was at a Savers location and found a dingy daisy picture for $2.99. I looked at it and walked on by, then I came back and thought the wicker frame was pretty interesting.

I have to tell you I am pretty disappointed
that I have lost my before picture.

Whine! But alas, it is saved somewhere that I can not locate it.

This is as close to a before picture as I can get.

I had already applied some spray paint.

It took a really good bleach bath before that.
This thing was fairly nasty.

The back of the picture says HOMCO.

From research I can tell you it is about a 1970's piece.

It is all one molded piece of plastic.

Originally it was white wicker with the daisy print inside.

I make a fun chalkboard out of this beauty in the rough.

I decided on turquoise for the color.

(It also would have been fab in hot pink for a little girls room!)

It has a deep ditch between the wicker and the pic.

I taped off the area for the chalkboard paint.

I used this chalkboard paint.

We had used it on the barbwired beauty's room redo.

So, we had plenty left over.

Even though I tried to be careful, the paint fell in to the ditch.

I had to decide what I was going to do about that!

But in the meantime, I wanted to wash the wicker to
bring out the variations.

I thought about a antique wash, but was afraid it
would dirty it up too much.

So, white wash seemed the way to go.

I applied a mixture of white acrylic paint
and water and then wiped it off.

As you can see, that step is really messy.

Please just ignore those white washed hands!

I tried many options for the dirty ditch cover-up.

Ribbon was the best looking option.

I applied a brown and blue polka dot ribbon to cover the mess ups.

The ribbon also helped make it even cuter!

This also gave me the idea for the chalk.

I used the same ribbon and threaded it through the wicker.

I used my Gator to attach a grommet to the ribbon.

Then hot glued the ribbon to the chalk.

I can simply attach another with the handy dandy hot glue gun.

We are planning on hanging it in the kitchen to have it

available for grocery lists, notes, appointments and scriptures.

It is such a change from the before.

Again, I wish there was a before pic!!

By the way, that scripture is near and dear to me!

Let us never forget that sometimes, people need to be

reclaimed just like these dingy little pictures. Maybe we

need to pick them up, help them clean up the messes

in their lives. Give them a new perspective on life.

Maybe we need to do it for ourselves, or for someone

dear to us. Reclaimed people can become just as beautiful

just as precious and useful. Never forget to forgive and move

forward. Create a new heart each day.

Give it to God, He loves to reclaim hearts!

barbwired blessings to you all!!!!!!

♥ these linky parties!

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/

http://www.elements-interiors.net/

http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/

http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/

http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/

The Results Are In

2011-03-28T17:58:00.000-05:00

Welp, we went to the Pinewood Derby and brought home 3rd! I am so proud of the barbwired boy! Good sportsmanship, good competitor, just an all around good boy. I may be a bit on the prejudice side...maybe.

It is always good when you can be proud of your kiddos. It is never good when you have your heart in a million pieces over bad choices they have made. Last week was a week of ups and downs. Please pray for the barbwired bunch when you talk to the Big Guy.

Enough of that negative!

Look what I found...a vintage chocolate sign. What do you think? Do you love it?

Ok, ok I have to fess up, I made it.

Here is what it looked like BB (before bunny).

I got two of these frames from a friend who was going to garage sale them.

She thought maybe I could use them for something. So price for frames, $0.

I took this frame apart and cleaned it up.

Then I went to Graphics Fairy. LOVE your site by the way!

You can find it here. I was able to find these darling little images.

and I then found this image of a stamp

I took the glass from the frame and laid it on my light box.

I then positioned the first image under the glass and taped it all down.

I began tracing the image with brown and copper acrylic paint .

I did this in a reverse image.

Outlining the basic image first, then going in to add the shading.

I did not want all of the image, so I only traced the area that I did want.

Once that was traced I painted in the colors.

Next, I removed the first image and added the picture of the bunny.

I centered it in the frame created by the previous image.

I did the same steps, outlining then coloring.

Finally, I placed the advertising lettering under the glass in reverse.

This way the lettering would not be backward.

For this, I used paint pens of black and brown.

Once all the paint was dry, I chose a paper from this

Martha Stewart collection as the background.

I cleaned the glass around the image

and placed it on the paper and reassembled the frame.

It was a fairly quick project once I chose the graphics.

I did not exactly following the lines, so that freed up some stress of being perfect.

I wish I could free hand these things, but since I can't, I'll trace. LOL

I thought I would hang it with some ribbon.

I even made a ribbon flower that coordinates.

Then (cause I can't figure out when to stop)

I added some small ribbon flowers to embellish the frame.

Now this makes me want a real chocolate bunny!

I attempted to look up the translation of the french advertisement.

I can't get all of it, but it says something about Payraud Cocoa, Take 'lunch in sheets.

Product has no rival. Something like that... if I have any friends

who can translate it, comment please.

Barbwired Blessings to you !

Linky Love to:

http://www.skiptomylou.org/

http://www.thehousecreative.com/

http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/

http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/

http://diane1876.blogspot.com/

http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com/

http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/

http://tipjunkie.com/

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/

http://www.elements-interiors.net/

http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/

Pinewood Derby!

2011-03-26T12:54:00.000-05:00

Today we are preparing for the most exciting Pinewood Derby! Yesterday barbwired boy and hubs put the final test to the derby car. They have declared it a winner, naturally. Wish us luck as we go compete today. We love the whole process of pinewood derby, from the selection of a style to creation to the race. Last year the barbwired boy won 2nd place. He is predicting a first place win this year. Good Luck Brayden!!

Barbwired's beavy of beauties also know as followers..... Today is the last day to pick the prize you want. In case you missed the post, look here. Just want you darlings to know I love having ya here with me!

Now let's get some spring and Easter in this barbwired nest! How about this?

I wanted something light and soft.

I began the process by making the paper flowers.

You probably all know the steps but here is a quick tutorial.

I made these in all sizes.

I used everything from salad plates to pill bottles to draw my circles.

They are super duper easy.

I had paper that had a pattern on one side and a coordinating solid on the other.

I used both pattern and solid for the centers.

Once you feel you have enough of these, it is time to move on to the ruffles.

I ♥ ruffles!

I took a soft white fabric and tore three inch strips.

I wanted to tear them to get a frayed edge.

Then I used my machine to create the ruffles.

I made eight ruffles.

The went from 3 inches wide and 3 ft long

to about 2 inches wide and 1 foot long.

I had a styrofoam wreath.

I used the ruffles and a hot glue gun,

wrapped the ruffles all around the wreath and hot glued them on.

After covering the wreath with ruffles, I began hot gluing the flowers on.

I nestled them in the ruffles. I went from large size flowers to smaller.

I then applied a polka dot ribbon with the hot glue to hang the wreath.

I decided to hang it on a large mirror in our living room.

Ruffles, flowers, polka dots...what could be better!!

It makes me smile!!!

I hope you like it too!

Now off to the derby!

Barbwired Blessings to you!!!

Got a party going on at:

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/

http://tidymom.net/

http://kojodesigns.blogspot.com/

http://sassysites.blogspot.com/

http://www.simplysweethome.com/

http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/

http://www.flamingotoes.com/

http://www.skiptomylou.org/

http://www.thehousecreative.com/

http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/

http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/

http://tipjunkie.com/

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/

http://www.elements-interiors.net/

We Are 50 Million

2011-03-24T11:13:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone is enjoying your week! I pray you are having wonderful spring weather.

I have discovered a wonderful benefit since I began blogging. Being new to blogging, I did not realize all the bloggy friends that would enter my life. Such a blessed feeling to have someone you do not know in person, to connect with you by blog. I have found such a friend in Ellie of Little of This and a Little of That. You can find her blog here. She is such a sweet and encouraging soul.

Ellie and I have more in common than blogging, we both have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have learned a lot from her and she has been generous enough to allow me to share with you one of her informative blog posts. See I told you she was sweet! Please enjoy her post today and give her a visit.

Thank you Ellie!!

Blessings to you all!!

“We are 50 Million”

March is National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month. What does autoimmune disease mean to you? Does it affect you or your loved ones? This is a category of disease which affects more Americans then Cancer and remains one of the top 10 killers of women under the age of 64. This is very near and dear to me as I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis myself. I was diagnosed in 2001. I take several medications and an injection weekly to treat it.

During the awareness month, we ask supporters to take notice of the 50 million of our friends, family, and co-workers who suffer every day with one or more of the 100+ autoimmune diseases and introduce you to the “We are 50 Million” campaign. “We are 50 Million” will spotlight autoimmune patient stories from around the country answering the question, “How Many of the 50 Million Does Your Family Represent?” The answers to this question highlight important facts about autoimmune diseases which everyone should be aware of. Supporters of this mission are also encouraged to text A-A-R-D-A to 20222 to donate $5 for the benefit of AARDA research by the Mobile Giving Foundation in order to help future research.

Did you know that?

1. 50 million Americans have an autoimmune disease comprising a major U.S. health crisis

2. There are 100+ autoimmune diseases including: lupus, Crohn’s disease, celiac, Addison’s disease, vasculitis, vitiligo, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and ulcerative colitis.

3. Autoimmune diseases tend to “cluster” in families, for example, if your grandmother had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or lupus, you could be at greater risk for developing an autoimmune disease.

4. Less than 13 percent of American’s can name an autoimmune disease and yet it ranks as deadly as Cancer and Heart Disease.

5. Autoimmune diseases target women 75 percent more often than men and they are one of the top ten killers of women under the age of 64.

For more information visit the official website at http://www.aarda.org/ or find AARDA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/American-Autoimmune-Related-Diseases-Association-AARDA/128417011188.

You can also visit http://www.westglen.com/online/18812.html to watch a special announcement from AARDA.

You Are Each A Gift!

2011-03-22T04:03:00.000-05:00

HAPPY SPRING!!!

I do hope you read the last post. I want you to know that I am so very happy that each and every one of you are here. I feel very blessed to have you here with me on this journey. I appreciate your support. I value each comment you post here. Your encouragement has been amazing. I decided to blog for many reasons. Mainly to find direction after having to quit my job. You are helping me find exactly where I am going. Thank you!

I promised we were going to have a giveaway. I am not sure if a giveaway has ever been done quiet like this. But... I want to give each of you a gift to show my appreciation. The handmade prizes are shown here. Each barbwired creation is numbered. To receive your gift, just comment with the number you would like. Then email me your address. That is it! Now, if perhaps you see nothing you like, pay it forward, find a gift for someone sweet. There is a wild card; the barbwired blast choice means your prize is not pictured, but I get to choose something I have made for you, something you do not see here. It will be a surprise, some of us love surprises. Small caveat - if a number has already been taken - it is off the list. These are one of a kind.

Ready set...choose! I am so excited...eeeeep! Hugs to you all!

Now I hate to even say this... but I made a list of my current followers. No followers added after 03/21/2011 will be allowed to participate. This will end on Saturday, March 26th. BUT ya never know what I might do in the future...!

Now for yet another birthday related tutorial. I believe in really celebrating the birthday's of those special to me. I mean, it is the day God put them on this earth to bless my life! Recently one of my sweeter than sugar girlfriends had a birthday. So I made her a special cake ball bouquet!

I think you probably all know the bakerella popular cake balls, right?

Here is a short, tiny, micro tutorial on that portion...

From that point, I took some silk flowers and took them apart.

I then folded the flower over twice and clipped a small part from the center.

I did this so the hole would be large enough to go on the stick.

Then I simply added the stick to the center of the flower.

Next, I used green tape, mine was painters tape.

I placed a pointed corner under the flower and began wrapping the stick on an angle.

I wrapped almost all of the way to the end, I wanted to leave the edge of the stick

to push into the styrofoam...well that is later...

I had a pot that I stuffed with styrofoam and crossed it with the green tape.

I made sure the add a small but taller square of styrofoam to mound it up for the bouquet.

From that point I just began placing them in.

I think she really liked it!

What do you think?

I sure hope it made her birthday even more special!

I hope you have fun picking out your present!

Bundles of Blessings to You!!

Join me while I share this @

http://www.tipjunkie.com

http://www.abcand123learning.com/

http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com/

http://youngnester.blogspot.com/