Book-Page Wreath! My First Tutorial!

So, I have been seeing all of these book-page and sheet music wreaths floating around the intarwebs. So, being the enterprising lady I am, I decided to make my own. For FREE. I love free things. ESPECIALLY crafty free things!

You will need:

Glue gun

Old book you have dismantled

Something to glue the pages on

That's it!

Here we go! 

First, I needed something sorta sturdy to glue the pages to. So, I found an old folder in my drawer and drew a circle using a plate and then another circle inside of the big circle using a cup.

 

Please excuse my carpets. *ahem* And my Tigger plate...haha!

Next, cut out your circles!

 

And watch Netflix. And excuse my creepy midget hand. Multi-tasking is a gift...I'm blessed.

Dismantle your book! I just ripped off the back and started ripping out pages. This will be satisfying should you have some frustrations you need to get out.

 

Yikes my craft area is messy. Don't be like me...

Start rolling! The first few can be a little tricky until you get the shape you want. However, I found that a variety of sizes and lengths added some whimsy to the wreath.

 

Easy peasy. Creepy midget hand.

Next, add a wee drop of hot glue. And don't burn yourself....like me...*ahem*

Don't ya just lurve hot glue? Oh I know I do.

And my glue-gun...

 

I've named her Blue-Bell. Don't judge me...see: Glue Gun Obsession

They should look kinda like this:

 

I swear, this is the last you'll see of my creepy midget hand.

Just keep rolling up your pages until you can't stand it anymore. Then do some more. And then...start gluing!

 

 I started out a little bit away from the center. I wanted to do two layers to give it some depth.

In order to satisfy my OCD, I placed a candle-holder E gave me in the center so I would have a neat circle in the middle.

 

Ingenious, I say! Thanks, honey!

Just keep gluing and gluing and burning gluing.

 

Almost done!

And finally....

 

Wha-la!

String that baby up with some ribbon and hang her up! This won't be the final place for this wreath. I'm not sure where I'm going to put it, but I wanted to show how it looked up on the wall.

I am in looooooove with this wreath.

And not just 'cause it was free....

Hope you try it!

-A

Recent Crafties!

Hello there! Just a short blog to update on some projects I have finished lately.

 

The Apothecary Jars! FINALLY finished. 

These were quite an amazing job. It took me a while to finish them the way I wanted them. However, I think that they have turned out really really well. And I'm pleased with them, so n'yah! 

 

I've been seeing all of these adorable moss letters floating around so I decided to make one for myself! Suuuuuper easy. And I love the way it turned out!

 

My topiary! I got the two of them finished and I love the butterflies nestled within the happy, yellow flowers. 

 

My almost done mantle. Soon. Soon. 

Anyhow, I think that's about it for now. Imma go back to being a total and complete bum with the E. 

-A

Picture Challenge Catch Up!

Ok, so I TOTALLY failed at doing this daily, so now Imma have to play catch-up. Cause I can. Deal. 

Anyhow, on with the show!!

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory

This one was hard. I'm not married and I don't have babies. So, seeing as those two events would most likely be one's favorite memory, I am left a smidge adrift. The memories that I do count as among my favorites, some don't have pictures. But here are two:

 

The day I got my Atticus. He was SUCH a runt. But he's my Boobers.

 

The day I bought my car. That was a really really good day. I was extremely pleased (obviously), haha.

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.

Hmm. Oh, I know!!

 

Paula Deen! Oh, to be her just for ONE. DAY. And have that kind of cooking prowess. Oh gracious.

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item

This one is easy.

This is the ring my mom gave me the day I graduated. I've had it for 10 years. It is the only piece of jewelry I have never ever lost. It's nothing fancy but it's totally me. It's a moonstone and silver. And one day, I will give it to my daughter, should I ever procreate. :)

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh

 

Hahahaha. C'mon...that's funny.  

I do believe that's all I've got for today. 

Happy Thursday!

-A

Swimming

My favorite Florence and the Machine song. For you:

Your songs remind me of swimming
Which I forgot when I started to sink
Drank further away from the shore
And deeper into the drink

Sat on the bottom of the ocean,
A stern and stubborn rock
Cause your songs remind me of swimming,
But somehow I forgot

I was sinking, but now I'm sunk
And I was drinking, and now I'm drunk
Your songs remind me of swimming
But somehow I forgot

I tried to remember the chorus
I can't remember the verse
Cause that song that sent me swimming
Is now the life jacket that burst

Rotting like a wreck on the ocean floor
Sinking like a siren that can't swim anymore
Your songs remind me of swimming
But I can't swim any more

Pull me out the water, cold and blue
I open my eyes and I see that it's you

So I dive straight back in the ocean
So I dive straight back in the ocean

Take a deep breath, suck the water in my chest
Take a deep breath, suck the water in my chest
And cross my fingers, and hope for the best

Then all of a sudden, I heard a note
It started in my chest and ended in my throat
Then I realized, then I realized, then I realized
I was swimming,
Yes, I was swimming
And now I'm swimming
Yes, I am swimming

Your songs remind me of swimming
Which I forgot when I started to sink
Your songs remind me of swimming
Which I forgot when I started to sink
Oh, your songs remind me of swimming
Which I forgot when I started . . .
Your songs remind me of swimming
Which I forgot when I started . . .
to sink.

Go listen to it. Now. 

-A

They Were Clouds in My Coffee...

Hello bloggy friends! A WEEK and I have posted nothing. I have been neglecting you!

That's ok.

A few quick updates:

1. Apothecary Jars are still in progress. I have learned several things from this experience.

• When it says "unfinished wood"...it lies. 
• Sanding down said "unfinished wood" is a must. 
• Priming is also a must.

As you may have gathered from the above-list, things got a wee bit scary there for a minute with my spraypainting. But, lesson learned. It's all a learning experience. Knowledge is powah...or so they say.

2. I made the most adorable topiary. I will post pictures of it once the other one is completed. I uh...didn't buy enough flowers for two balls so uhm...only one got done. Again! Learning experience!

3. I got some phat lootz from my cousin's garage sale. For FREE. Because she's awesome. In case you didn't know. I have plans for the loot. Oh yes I do.

Let's see. Anything else? Oh! I'm getting a roommate! And before any of yous gets all smart-alecky, it's a HUMAN. Yeah - no more cats. Anyhow, my lovely friend Teline will be moving in sometime this month. So that should be, in her words, a criminal amount of fun.

Or so much nerdiness in one space that the apartment implodes from the sheer magnitude of the dork.

Either way! It shall be good. E is most pleased. He thinks I'm alone too much. He may be right. Hmm. Is it bad when you have conversations with your cats?

Anyhow! That's all for now! Apothecary jars should be finished within the week. I have to go buy the finials and some burlap and that should be it. Oh...and the flowers. Cause uhm...right now my other topiary is bald and sad. It'll probably need therapy after this is all said and done.

-A

I know a Few Things

1. I should not be left alone with white wine.

2. I should not be left alone with wine glasses.

3. I should not be left alone with a Mac.

Why?

Because these are the results:

 

Me looking forlornly at my empty glass.  I sort of resemble a monkey. 

I think that's about it for tonight. I have, however, commenced the Apothecary Jar Project. It will go in several stages. I have this so far: 

 

The supplies!

 

Gorilla Glue!

 

Gotta make sure the Gorilla Glue sticks! That would be my Business Law and my Paralegal Today college books. Haha. Finally! I have found a use for those suckers!

 

These are part of an upcoming project. $1.00 at Michaels! I was excited. It shall include butterflies, spray paint and hot glue!

 

Gypsy decided to destroy help.

 

Atticus was much more helpful. 

I will upload more pictures once the project comes to fruition. Should it yield successful results, more apothecary jars are in my very near future! 

Happy Tuesday!

-A