Capture the Details

five ornaments in five minutes

Here is a collection of five pretty Christmas ornaments that I designed using Styrofoam Brand Foam.....

You can view them all and get an overview of the process of how to make them in a quick, five minute video. Watch Candie Cooper demonstrate.....

A few close-ups...

You can find patterns and step-by-step instructions at styrofoamcrafts.com

paper punch flower ornament

red and white keepsake button ornament

sparkly red fabric ornament

red and white ribbon ornament

folded paper pineapple ornament

This was quite a neat experience from start to finish. Sharon, the design coordinator for Styrofoam Brand Foam, gave me the assignment - she would like five ornaments, all done in red and white. She gave me the rough draft of what type of ornaments she wanted and then it's my job to flesh them out and bring them to life. This job required not only the finished pieces, but some step-outs for each, as well. Sharon wanted to have a video made and the step-outs help with the directions.

So, I made the ornaments and step-outs and shipped them off to the photography studio. Then, I waited anxiously to see how it would all come together. It's neat to see my little ornaments showing their stuff on a video!

Hope you get a chance to try one or two of them out - let me know if you do! :-)

 

instagram catch-up

I was trying to do one a week, but I've been busy! So, here are some shots from the past two weeks...

left to right, top to bottom...

my bangs have FINALLY grown out and been cut to blend into the rest of my hair • my brother Doug got a nice 8 point buck • kids enjoying the nice weather • Ben's origami Yoda and Darth Vader • Ben watching Sarah's last softball practice • Sarah receiving her award at the last softball practice of the season (it was a postponed Halloween practice/party and the girls wore crazy stuff;Sarah wore Todd's orange fur hunting cap) • Sophie watching me vacuum the steps • a pile of wreaths that I made at work • Sarah holding the HUGE neck pumpkin - the thing must weigh 30 pounds! • one of my favorite snacks, dark chocolate chips... love them with almonds and dried cranberries • our newest family member - Doug the sock monkey (the kids named him after their uncle) • Benny was sick with a sore throat... I made him some hot tea with honey

:-)

let's talk turkey! kid's craft idea

Are you looking for a fun craft to make with your kids for Thanksgiving (which is only a week away!)? I designed a turkey project using STYROFOAM brand foam that is easy to make and it can be personalized for each child that makes it.

Here is Mr. Turkey....

He has chalkboard feathers! You can have your child write what they are thankful for on each feather.

Ben personalized this turkey with his 'thankful' things. (I knew Legos would be in there somewhere!)

His body is a foam egg. He has adorable pipe cleaner legs and a pom pom head. I found the neatest google eyes, and his backside is covered with colorful feathers.

You can click on over to the Crafts 'n Coffee blog for a complete supply list and instructions on how to create your own chalkboard feather turkey. There is another turkey craft with lollipops on that post as well. Have fun!

Gobble Gobble! :-)

contributor post on papernstitch

I am so excited to announce that I will be doing a monthly DIY project contributor post on the papernstitch blog. Brittni is a pleasure to work with and she has lots of inspiration and good advice and pretty things to look at on her blog. She also has the papernstitch exhibition site where you can find dozens of amazing shops.

This month's post is a DIY embroidery hoop picture frame project. You can click on over to see how to make them.

Take a look, and if you have the supplies - give it a whirl! :-)

 

instagram update for the week

top to bottom, left to right....

my men • through the drive-thru at Dunkin Donuts for my fix • a plastic fly in Ben's lunch on Halloween • black flats and skinny jeans • sixty degrees and sun roof open.... a few days after a major snowstorm • Sarah and Sophie out in the snowstorm • Ben playing Lego StarWars on his DS • no power for 18 hours during the storm • crazy tie and socks day at school • cute headband from Etsy • yummy fresh produce for the week • Frankenstein towel for Halloween

:-)

thankful

Well, can you believe it is November already? I told Ben that we can now say Christmas is next month. Wow.

Since it is November and we celebrate Thanksgiving this month, I thought I'd get a head start on thinking 'thankful' thoughts. Without a doubt, my children are at the top of the list.

I am so thankful that these two wonderful, silly kids are my kids.

They enrich my life with their unique personalities.

They each have a sense of humor. They are creative. They are good students. They are kind and use their manners (most of the time!). They are both amazing artists. They are animal (and amphibian) lovers. They pray for family and friends every night. They have big hearts. They love each other (yes, they fight like you would not believe, but they LOVE each other without a doubt).

I am thankful that they are mine.

I am blessed to be their Momma. :-)