Inspiring Ideas with artist Jeanne Winters

Help Others With Your Stories!

2012-05-29T09:00:00.000-06:00

Introducing ...

www.mentorsaurus.com!

A brand new online mentoring site!!

Mentorsaurus is all about giving others the benefit of our hindsight. Encouraging others who are now traveling some of the paths of life we've taken. It's a community-built website full of stories by real people – sharing real advice, encouragement and tips.

I've been a part of building the site, so am especially excited about its launch! I, and others you may know, have contributed our stories – will you join us? If you're not a blogger, this is a place you can pop on to share your thoughts here and there to help others as you wish. If you have a blog or website, you can enjoy the benefit of a linkback to your own endeavors – expand your reach and grow your audience.

What do you think? Check it out and let me know your thoughts! Read the Writing Guidelines for ideas and the About Mentorsaurus page to learn more! You don't have to be a writer to contribute – you just need a desire to help people... something I know all of my readers have! You're the best!!

AND ... mentorsaurus is on all the social media – will you help spread the word??? You can "like" mentorsaurus on facebook, "follow" them on twitter and sign-up for the newsletter. Share the link via email and post about the site on facebook or your blog. Grab a fun button for your blog or website. Thanks so much!!!!

School's Out Party!!

2012-05-25T11:16:00.001-06:00

Happy First Day of Summer Vacation!!

Kids get out of school today!!

Just a half day - yay!!!

We've got a bunch of friends coming over right after school for a lunch & pool party. My son and I set out little footprints leading them in. Just fluorescent green paper cutouts and a quickie sign. We're having crazy wind today, so not sure any patio decorations would make it! Are you celebrating with any special activity for your school-age kids?

Happy Mother's Day!!!

2012-05-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope you all have a fabulous day, but I mostly wish my own mother an especially lovely day! She's so talented and kind and giving and truly has a servant's heart.

She surprised me with a very early birthday gift last week. This gorgeous purse she sewed!! Isn't it amazing! I never learned how to sew, so I can really appreciate all the work that went into this gem! Grommets, lining, pockets, etc. Even a coordinating notepad holder! I totally love it and want to give her a big 'shout-out' here on my blog as a thank you!!

Thanks, mom, for your example – always giving and doing and sacrificing for others. I appreciate you and wish you a relaxing, joyful Mother's Day! Love you!

Happy May Day!

2012-04-30T14:52:00.001-06:00

Have a wonderful May!!!!

Breakfast Surprise for my Sweeties

2012-04-24T07:00:00.000-06:00

Quick little pick-me-up surprise for my sweetie pies in the morning:

Sometimes school day mornings can be rushed. OK, MOST school day mornings ARE rushed. They eat breakfast while I finish packing lunches, then wrangle shoes while brushing teeth and fix hair while zipping backpacks. Before I know it they're walking into the building – just as I fully awake and realize I'm going to miss them all day! I want to run after them and fit in one more squeezer hug!

So, last night I planned ahead. My kids love to smell and notice the daily crop of blossoms on our assorted rose bushes. I snipped one of the nicest blooms to set by their breakfast setting today. I quickly cut a sun out of bright yellow paper and added in colored pen "U. R. My Sunshine." A fun swirly paper clip holds it to a leaf.

Oh, I can't wait for summer vacation! How about you?

Embellish a Flower Pot with an Uplifting Verse for Spring

2012-04-11T09:47:00.000-06:00

The flowers and fruit trees are so beautiful right now! The warm spring air is such a treat. I'm enjoying having all the doors and windows open with no bugs or too much heat. Today I'm posting a simple idea from my book. An idea for embellishing a flower pot with an uplifting verse:

I printed a scripture "You will be like a well-watered garden," from Isaiah 58:11, on a nice smooth white paper. Trimmed it into an oval using decorative edge scissors. Glued it to the crackle ceramic pot. Then decorated it just a touch with a small strand of pearl beads:

Add an encouraging word to a little potted flowering plant to gift to someone who's in the hospital or home ill. You can hand write or paint a favorite phrase or scripture. But this shows you even black and white can make a simple statement. Depending on your style, this would be cute all glittered up or even give your child a small oval to draw or write something on. Have a great week!

Happy Easter Week & Art Giveaway Winners!

2012-04-03T08:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Easter! Are you thankful? I am! Have a lovely week!

Announcing the winners from the Ichthus and Art and Book Giveaway!

Cara Yeh

Randi Sampson

Kymberly Gibson-Carter

Mary Beth Wynne

Congratulations, ladies!!!

Thanks so much for all who commented and "liked" my Jeanne Winters Facebook page!!

Meaningful Easter Tabletop Decorating

2012-03-28T10:00:00.003-06:00

As I work to keep my kids focused on the REAL meaning of Easter, I put out this little trio display on my coffee table:

This may seem vaguely familiar if you've been around awhile, as I sometimes use white and red candles with my Easter symbolism:

The wood bases represent the crosses on which Jesus and the two sinners died. The ring of vines symbolize Jesus' crown of thorns. Jesus, of course, is the white candle – pure and sinless. While the two in red represent the thieves. In the top photo, the red flowers in the white vase stand for the terrible sacrifice of Jesus, which was His incredible, beautiful gift. "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood–to be received by faith." Romans 3:25 NIV

. . . . . . .

Today is the last day to comment and enter my Big Art & Ichthus Giveaway!! Scroll two posts down or click the link to enter! Enter twice by also "LIKING" my "Jeanne Winters" artist Facebook page!

Paper Easter Egg Gifts Tutorial

2012-03-26T12:54:00.000-06:00

I just made these paper Easter eggs for my kids:

They are 5-6 inches high with little gifts tucked inside, like gum, trinkets and lovey messages.

Instructions:
Fold a sheet of pretty pastel-colored patterned paper in half.
From the fold, cut up and around in an egg shape.
Punch 1/4" holes all the way around.
Choose a coordinating thin satin ribbon or string.
Beginning at the top, loop your ribbon through the holes.
Stop about two-thirds of the way around to tuck your Easter treasures inside.
Complete your ribbon's trip around the egg and tie a cute bow at top.
String into the bow: a gift note, cross, child's initial, etc.

I think I might tuck a little invite to Easter service and a treat and give to our neighbors!

Big Big Easter Giveaway: Ichthus & Art

2012-03-22T09:32:00.000-06:00

Time for a BIG Easter Giveaway! Thank you to everyone for visiting and leaving such sweet comments all year even tho my posts have become thinner of late!! Please remember to use my 'search' box over on the right to find all my previous Inspiring Ideas for every holiday and event and occasion you can think of! Here are all the Easter Ideas. Lots of resources in here!

Let's get to it!!

Prize #1: Metal Wall Ichthus:I get tons of feedback on this metal piece I designed for DaySpring. They were so gracious to offer this last one to give away to one of my lovely readers!!! Score!!! This iron wall piece features the Ichthus or fish symbol used by those who believed in and followed Jesus after his resurrection – Christians. And as we come up on Easter, it's the perfect time to reflect on that amazing gift of God.

The piece measures 40 x 28 inches, and will make a dramatic statement in your home or office. This art is also reversible so you have 2 color tones to match your decor.Yeah! Of course, one graces my home and I'd love for it to be in yours, too!! Thank you, DaySpring. One winner will receive 1 Metal Wall Ichthus!

Prize #2: Art Print from my Etsy store:

Choose your favorite print from my Vintage Inspiration collection or my modern Christian art in my Etsy shop. One winner will receive his/her choice of one 8x10 print from my Etsy store.

Prizes #3 & #4: A copy of my book Inspirational Home:This hardcover book is subtitled "simple ideas for uplifting decor and craft." It is loaded with beautiful full color photos of the kinds of ideas you see me do here. AND there are complete instructions. It's a craft book and a pretty coffee table book - prepare to be inspired! You can read more about it on my Book page. Two winners will receive a signed copy of my book Inspirational Home.

THE GIVEAWAY: FOUR PRIZES, FOUR WINNERS!

Two ways to enter: comment below and "LIKE" my artist Facebook page!! Everyone can have two entries!! Please pop over to Facebook and Like "Jeanne Winters."

Contest is open until midnight MT, March 28th. Winners must have a US address I can ship to. Leave your email or a way to contact you if you win! I'll announce winners shortly thereafter. Ichthus is a gift from DaySpring.com. My links to them are affiliate links.

Introducing Glory Haus - Transforming Communities

2012-03-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

Last month at the Las Vegas gift market I was introduced to Glory Haus gifts:

They're based in Georgia and are a wholesale manufacturer with a mission:

They offer cute inspirational home and holiday gifts like this fun clip wall piece:

But what I love is their desire to make a difference in the lives of women. One of their new product lines does just that:

"The story of our burlap and linens product line has intersected with the stories of 20 women from the slums of India; where most families live in a 10'x10' room. Glory Haus is partnering with a fair trade company, Daughters of Hope, that pays a higher living wage to impoverished and exploited women. This has been our heart for several years and we're excited to be a part of bringing hope to people in need. In fact, the motto of Daughters of Hope is "Let hope arise." It is our desire to see these women rise above the cycle of poverty and be transformed in a positive way."

I'm not affiliated with this company in any way, just wanted to share with you! Look for Glory Haus at your favorite gift stores!

Vintage Art - Vintage Restorations

2012-02-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you know my art, then you know my love for vintage. At the Las Vegas Market we saw fabulous restorations of vintage refrigerators, gas pumps and popcorn machines in the Made in the USA booth. Turns out the display was of Rick's Restorations – known as American Restoration on the History Channel – manned by Rick's brother! He encouraged us to stop by their location just a few blocks from Market Center:

Of course, we couldn't resist, so we popped in the next morning before hitting the show floor.

We met Rick's team and took the quick tour. Here's Rick in the denim cut-off shirt filming a segment:

They take relics that look completely hopeless with the decay of this world and restore them to such charming, gleaming beauty – they're given a whole. new. life. What a perfect illustration of what Jesus does for us!

While there, we met fellow market attendees, the Staubs from Bellevue, Washington. Here's the lovely Kathryn:

When asked what kind of store they had, Kathryn said to me "The kind you'd love!" And then they showed us pictures of their shop "Common Folk Co." and YES! She was right! I totally loved it without even stepping foot inside - gorgeous wood floors with vintage tables stylishly displaying jewelry, hats, scarfs, pillows, etc. If you're near Bellevue, definitely worth a stop into Common Folk for "Gifts they'll love you for!"

Love for DaySpring!

2012-02-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I was so blessed to meet up with a few people from DaySpring. As many of you know, DaySpring.com carries several pieces of my art in framed canvases and gallery-wrapped canvases, as well as my book.

We connected at the Las Vegas Gift Market and it was such a treat!

We discussed which NEW paintings of mine they'd like to offer. Yay! :-) And, I got a sneak peek at some of their other beautiful new products coming online soon – a fresh, stylish assortment of things I know you'll LOVE!!!

They are such lovely, genuine people I always enjoy time spent with them! After a day walking the show our tired feet explored a few Vegas sites like "Paris" and many decorations for the Chinese New Year:

And my kids were thrilled with the treats I brought home - like these show badge carriers they went exploring with in the backyard! :-)

Cute Critter Valentine Cards Tutorial

2012-02-06T14:04:00.000-07:00

Time to make some easy, yet sweet Valentine cards for the family.
*Spoiler Alert! Grammies - look away! :-)

I made these with my daughter a couple years ago for her little neighborhood playmates. Simple hearts turned into little mouse and kitty cat personalities. I can't take credit for the original idea, but it's been around – I think it was from an old kids' book. They're so fun we're making them again!

You'll need:

Valentine patterned paper or at least red, pink and white.

Folded or flat 3x5 or 4x6 cardstock

Scissors

Paper hole punch

Glue stick

Optional - google eyes

Cut a heart large enough to almost fill your 4x6 card.

Cut 2 small hearts to make ears. Position the heart upside down for the kitty (below), or right side up for a mouse (above). Glue the ears in place so they tuck behind the big heart, then glue that down, too.

Use your hole punch to make the eyes and nose! Easy! Just empty the tray and see what you've got! :-)
You can use the 1/2" punch with a 1/4" punch on top like on the brown mouse card above. Or simple white like directly above, or the google eyes as shown below.

Now cut 6 straight and narrow paper whiskers and glue these down. Glue the punched circle for the nose right on top of the whisker ends. (You could also cut 3 long whiskers and have them criss cross under the nose.)

Breathe Kindness

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hi! I've been a tad lax in my posts this month. Hope you are finding what you need around here! Don't forget to use my search box over on the right. You can also click on the topic in the 'tag cloud.' Many are looking for my past Valentine's Day ideas. Please click the link to see tons of festive Valentine holiday ideas!

I have been painting!!! I had to set aside the mouse to pick up the paintbrush! It feels so good!! I have a few new vintage inspiration prints available in my Etsy shop now.

"Breathe Kindness" based on Galatians 5:22-23 the fruit of the Spirit

and "SOAR on wings like eagles" from Isaiah 40:31.

I also painted two new verses in the same classic letters as my popular "God is Good All The Time" print:

"I Know The Plans I Have For You Says the Lord." Jeremiah 29:11

and "I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me." Philippians 4:13

Wow - I feel better already just reading those short promises from God!! I hope you do, too!! Thanks for coming by!!

Glitter Glue & Glitter Paint Tutorial

2012-01-03T11:06:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year!!

Today we'll take a look at glitter! A mini glitter tutorial on the various types of glitter available at the craft stores. Working with glitter is so exciting for kids (and adults) but can create quite a mess in a hurry.

We'll recap one of our ornament projects from our 2011 Kids' Christmas Craft Party - the station for painting wooden ornaments:

I had an assortment of thin wood Christmas ornaments for the kids to choose from. The supplies included acrylic paint, glitter paint, glitter glue pens, "real," "pour," or "regular" glitter, brushes, water cups and paper towels.

Glitter in all forms takes enormous amounts of time to dry, so plan accordingly, whether you're working on something yourself or a craft gathering.

Glitter paint. This medium is fairly new to me. Thinner than the glitter pens and easier, naturally, to get more surface area coverage. But it's a very translucent paint that primarily delivers glitter to the object. So for some we chose to paint the wood first with acrylic craft paint. This gives the desired opaque look and dries quickly.

(note: I prefer using opaque crafter's acrylics for little projects. Cheaper than my "artist's" acrylics but you can still mix to get your desired color. For group kid projects I like acrylics in these little bucket rows. No mixing trays needed and they're easy to share and pass around.)
Once the acrylic has dried, brush a second coat using glitter paint. The candy canes shown here are an example of these steps. You can see the areas where we painted the glitter coat on top:

The two green wreaths were done entirely with glitter paints. I applied the paint quite thick to achieve more color coverage, yet you still see the natural wood right through. I also swirled the green paint and brushed the pink and turquoise paint into the pattern of bows - the thicker areas show up darker. As you can see below the glitter paint dries flat.

Glitter glue comes in many forms: pens, squeeze bottles, tubes, sticks, etc. Pens are easy to hold and direct. Some new brands claim to retain a bit of roundedness when dry ... but take thicker takes even longer to dry. They are prone to globbing, but often the globby messes can be 'pushed' back into place or partially removed.

The glitter glue pens along with sprinkle glitter I'll continue in part 2 next time!

(added to original post)

I think the great ladies in crafting heaven invented glitter glue and glitter paint just for moms!! I don't recommend regular/sprinkle glitter for kids under 6. Maybe even 8. Depends on their dexterity. Glitter paint is the easiest form of glitter for little ones to control. They love the pens, but be ready for drips and blobs. But, these are washable!! Tables, chairs, clothes and floors can be easily washed.

If you've braved sprinkle glitter with wee ones, when you're done I recommend stepping outside for some active play! :-) Let them loose – dance, jump, run – to get all the glitter out. Clean the floor with a wet paper towel.

New Year's Prayer for 2012

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Desserts for New Years Parties!

2011-12-29T20:47:00.000-07:00

Here are two of my favorite New Year's Party desserts:

Spell out "2012" in chocolate turtles!

(visit the link for a complete tutorial and recipe for these assorted nuts, caramel & chocolate turtles!)

Flourless Chocolate Cake with "2012" medallion on top

It's hard for me to post these in time for others to do before the New Years parties ... so this year I'm trying to do better with these reminders of previous years. Desserts around here generally involve lots of dark chocolate, but this year medallion style could be done on any kind of cake. Enjoy!!

Wishing You a Blessed Christmas!

2011-12-24T21:07:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Jesus!

Kids Christmas Craft Party - Dipped Pretzels and Alphabet Block Ornaments

2011-12-22T14:38:00.003-07:00

I hosted my 2nd Annual Kids Christmas Craft Party yesterday! It was so much fun! There were about a dozen moms and 25 kids, ages 3-9. They painted, beaded, freeze danced and pretty much ran wild for 2 hours. :-) I simplified things a bit from last year and organized just three craft areas. The main project was alphabet block ornaments using their kids' school pics:

I made my samples up a few days earlier to practice and the ladies did SO good making their own and I totally forgot to take pictures!! We used both the big ones from Circo and the smaller classic wood alphabet blocks. I had loads of paints - acrylic and glitter; decoupage, glitter glue, sprinkle glitter, cut out paper squares and they all chose their own colors and which sides of the blocks to cover or let show:

Cut your child's picture the size of one panel and glue/decoupage on first. Then frame it in glitter glue and decorate the remaining sides as you please. I kept one side showing with their initial. Then papered or painted the remaining sides and wrote on their age one one and "2011" on the other. Screw a cup or eye hook into the top, add a ribbon and it's ready to gift or hang on your Christmas tree!

The second craft was assorted wood ornaments to paint and glitter - wreaths, angels, candy canes and bells. The third station was at the kitchen island making beaded candy cane ornaments. I had little colored bags to write their names on and tuck their finished projects in to take home. Drink bottles were available with their names on for ease of keeping track:

And every guest left with a chocolate and/or almond bark dipped pretzel rod:

with a Merry Christmas note from the kids:

Notes: Use a cooling rack as a drying rack since all things glitter take a LONG time to dry. Have some paper plates for the ladies to carry the still wet projects home on.

Christmas Star Napkin Rings

2011-12-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

Grab a few simple crafts from your supply closet for this easy way to dress up your Christmas table:

Red napkin rings, craft wire, colored glass beads and star charms:

Happy Christmas entertaining!

Gift Card Holders for Teacher Christmas Gifts

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Time for teacher Christmas gifts!

In the past I've done these gift card holders - paper boxes:

This year my kids' teachers will get their gift card in an up-cycled mint tin...

... freshly washed and decorated by my kids! I wanted the kids to be more involved with the gift, while still giving the teachers the "choose something for yourself" benefit of the gift cards. We traced and cut out from Christmas crafting paper 3 rectangles with rounded corners. These are for the cover and each inside. Before we glued them in place, my kids wrote the "to" and "from" and a little note.

Add gift cards & ribbons! Easy project for the kids!

Christmas Votive Place Setting

2011-12-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

An easy Christmas place setting for your holiday entertaining:

These simple glass votives have an easy ridge on which to wrap a little paper strip that you print a Christmas message on:

Pop in a classic white ball ornament tied with a satin ribbon:

Decorate Railing Post For Christmas

2011-12-08T07:30:00.000-07:00

My stairwell landing post in my last house - decorated for Christmas:

Using gold pine cone, ribbon and jingle bell accents to dress up some fresh ever green boughs:

A handmade paper ribbon "Celebrate His Birth" in gold on green is the focus of this decor: