Capture the Details

summer party invitation

A card that I designed is featured in the Crafts 'n things weekly newsletter. It's a great way to invite some friends to a summer get-together!

For a supply list and instructions just click here. Enjoy! :-)

homemade chalkboard

Last summer and this past January I spent quite a bit of time repainting every room in my house. This summer I would like to spend some time decorating my blank walls!

I had my brother Doug make a chalkboard to fit a wall in my kitchen. He constructed it for me and then I did the painting. The whole thing got several coats of primer and then I used a white enamel paint on the frame.I set up in my garage and got to work....

I applied two coats of chalkboard paint. When it dried I 'primed' the board by rubbing the side of a piece of chalk on the surface to cover the whole chalkboard. Then, I wiped the chalk off with a cloth.

My beautiful chalkboard is now hanging in my kitchen and I look forward to getting creative with that space!

Thank you, Doug, for your help with my chalkboard! I love it! :-)

Christmas Holly Wreath - Christmas in July!

How about a Christmas in July craft? This crisp, white holly wreath is very refreshing - a perfect project to keep you cool (especially in the Northeast, where we are having a heat wave!). My wreath is featured over at crafts 'n coffee, if you'd like to take a peek. Sharon is also featuring a Christmas in July post so you can get some other fun ideas on her blog, too!

The supply list is simple, and the wreath is fairly easy to make, but it will take some time to make the leaves.

To make a Sparkling Christmas Holly Wreath, you’ll need:

• STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam: 10” wreath
• White fabric, a 30” x 30” piece
• Red berry garland
• White linen cardstock, 12 sheets, 8-1/2” x 11”
• Glitter Glue
• Crystal White Glitter
• Sawtooth picture hanger with nails
• Tools needed: Scissors; ruler; paper trimmer; burnisher, wood pick, or other pointed tool; small paintbrush; straight pins; box lid or newspaper; wide bowl

To make a Sparkling Christmas Holly Wreath:

1. Cut white fabric into 1-1/2” wide strips. Wrap the strips around the wreath, pinning and gluing ends to the back of the wreath.

Here is a side view of the wreath - you can see the wrapped fabric...

2. Cut the cardstock into 1.5” wide strips, and cut each strip into 2-1/2” and 3” lengths. Cut holly leaves freehand from each piece of paper.

3. Using burnisher or wood pick, gently draw a line down the center of each leaf. Fold slightly to create a crease. On some of the leaves, add a few extra gently creases on the ends, creating more dimension.

4. Pin the leaves to the wreath, working in a clockwise direction and layering the leaves to hide the pins. As you work, visually divide the wreath into fifths and add a cluster of red berries in each section. Secure the berries with pins, and work the white leaves in among them. Add a few more berries here and there, as needed. Cover the top, and the inside and outside edges of the wreath, too.

The wreath, in progress....

5. When the wreath is completely covered, add glitter. Work over newspaper or a box lid to catch excess glitter. Brush glitter glue onto the edges of the leaves in a small section. Sprinkle crystal white glitter over the wet glue. Tap off excess into a bowl to reuse. Continue glittering the leaves, working on one section at a time.

6. Add a sawtooth picture hanger to the back, dipping the nails in glue before inserting them into the wreath.

Have fun - and stay cooooool! :-)