Pastimes + Projects

Label Everything!
 Okay, okay, one more Sculpey craft project
...or two...or three...
ah hell, who am I kidding!?! 
Get used to these regular Sculpey projects people...
Especially now that I've rediscovered labelling.

When I was teaching high school, my students used to make fun of me because I would label everything.

Tiny signs everywhere.

Signs labelling the paint brushes.

The paint.

The supply table.

The class folders.

The ceramic racks.

Everything had a place and every place had a label.

I can hear their voices now saying "uhh, Ms. Clark, is this the SINK!?" as they would point teasingly at my sign reading 'sink.'

Ha. ha. ha.

In my defense, some sinks were strictly for hand washing, others for paint brush washing, others for clay cup washing etc. 

In the art room it was all about control! 

(laughter abound!)

Well, anyway, here is where my two worlds collide; 

One, my current obsession with Sculpey, 

and two, my obsession with labelling things.

Taaa daaaa!

Decanter labels for PKR

Step one: roll Sculpey into balls
Step two: form into elongated ovals
Step three: flatten them out with the palm of your hand or a rolling pin...or a wine bottle works ironically well here!
Step four (not shown): Stamp labels and make holes with a tooth pick
Step five: bake per package instructions
Step 6: Brush with mod-podge to protect and seal, allow to dry, and string with ribbon.

You can find the alphabet, number and symbol stamps at any craft store in a variety of sizes and fonts.
Sadly, after buying these, I found the same exact size and font stamps at Walmart for $1.00;
a fraction of what I paid.
 Effing Walmart.

WALLA!

mmmmm....cheese!

Cheese please!

Name labels for party favors

Irish Creme and Cafe Rica
Adult libations for my son's birthday party

Poor Todd will come home sometime soon after all of these snow days to find everything in our home labelled.

I can see it now!
Imagine the damage I can do in the kitchen alone!

Sculpey label heaven!

Sculpey Madness

Everything is turning up Sculpey.

I can not stop crafting, and I promise this will be my last post on the matter...well, maybe. 

I will try.

I both have to thank and to blame my friend Kathy for introducing me to these projects.

Once you realize how easy and fun it is, 

you feel like you could construct anything and everything out of this wonderously simple clay-like material. 

I have caught the crafting bug. 

Check these out!

...last post, I promise...

Holiday Themed Coasters

Coil, Twist, Smoosh Into a Ball  Roll Out (not shown) and Mold

The Finishing Materials:
Mod Podge to seal and add shimmer + Gold Paint to add a beautiful finished rim.

Walla!

Gifts for Everyone!

 Again, I cannot take full credit for these.

My friend Kathy not only introduced me to this awesome project, 

but also to the great blog 'A Beautiful Mess,' where this project originated, and every single one of their craft projects looks like something I could get my hands into.

(Poor Elias may have a winter of crafting ahead of him)!

Check out the link for the best instructions on how to do this project, and explore all of their other great ideas:

www.abeautifulmess.com

Happy Crafty Holidays!

Crafty Fun

Look at how productive we were this weekend!

Our dearest friends came to visit, 

which is always the best because we eat, drink and laugh from sun up to sun down.

This time, however, Kath knocked the entertainment portion out of the park with this super easy, super fun, super beautiful art project. 

It was initially meant to provide the kids with an activity, but it hooked the adults instantly.

A new addiction has been born.

Look how beautiful!

One of my faves...

Another fave...
This one glows in the dark too!

My first attempt...

So easy even a four year old can do it;
These are Elias'!

Another one of Elias'!

I am so excited about this project, that I fully plan on running to Michael's tomorrow to purchase a gazillion dollars worth of Sculpey (which, by the way is on sale; buy one get the 2nd at 50% off).

Now you all know what you are getting for Christmas.

Here is the awesome blog/link we referenced and used:

http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2014/11/marbled-clay-ring-dish.html

Enjoy!

Cheese Please!
This may be the beginning of something truly wonderful...or something absolutely destructive...
This mama is going to attempt making mozzarella cheese....

Stay tuned, my friends, stay tuned...




If I perfect this, all I will have to do is figure out how to make my own wine and the moons will be in alignment.

Wish me luck.

Valentine's Mugs O' Love
I personally think that Valentine's Day is a bunch of bullshit. 
Expensive flowers that inevitably die...
Everything dipped in chocolate and pink...
the pressure to show everyone around you that you love them...
blah blah blah.

With that being said, I also like to make stuff. 
And I like to show appreciation to the village that helps raise my son; 
teachers, doctors, babysitters, friends...

So, on this cold winter's day, I busted out my inner crafter and made these little mugs of love...

Just a little something for those that care for the little boy when I'm not around.

A heart bookmark, hot chocolate, mini-marshmallows + a mason jar = Mug O' Love

I hope you all survived the pink explosion!

Happy Valentine's Day!
Muahh!

Monster Madness

Even with reinforced knees, my son somehow manages to wear through even the toughest of denim...

So yesterday as the temperatures dropped, the snow fell, and my son had a full on WWF match against his stuffies, I busted out my needle and thread.

All of my wannabe hippy days, circa 1995, came rushing back... Images of patched pants and denim shorts, the smell of Old Mill, the walks back to Lock -n- Dam....Phew. 

We would patchwork anything that ripped. 

And we would rip things just to patch.

Darn hippies.

Well, hobbies from my youth came in handy yesterday.

Oh, ps.

I can't take credit for this cute project. 

I totally stole the idea off of Pinterest.

Valentine's Gift

I made this with my son last year for Todd on Valentine's Day, and it proudly hangs where we can see it everyday.
I love seeing E's little hands,
knowing that he learned his colors in part because of this image, and the fact that he knows this Chagall quote by heart because it is the last thing we read before going to bed.
But what do I love more?
The fact that he calls it "Our Picture."
This is what Valentine's Day is about...
Whether it be your babies, your spouses, partners or significant others, your pets, your families or friends, skip past the media hype and reach out to those you appreciate and love today.
Life is one second long.

The Forever Young Project
For My Baby,
May You Stay Forever Young.

Process Shots:

Detail Shots:

"Forever Young"
Bob Dylan

"Forever Young"
Bob Dylan

May God bless and keep you always

May your wishes all come true

May you always do for others

And let others do for you

May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung

May you stay forever young

Forever young, forever young

May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous

May you grow up to be true

May you always know the truth

And see the lights surrounding you

May you always be courageous

Stand upright and be strong

May you stay forever young

Forever young, forever young

May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy

May your feet always be swift

May you have a strong foundation

When the winds of changes shift

May your heart always be joyful

And may your song always be sung

May you stay forever young

Forever young, forever young

May you stay forever young.

Chalkboard Project





Thanksgiving Board 2012

Feast!

Fun with chalkboard paint! I purchased this pizza board for $12.00 at Marshall's HomeGoods then painted it using chalkboard paint. I use my set of chalk pastels to decorate according to the season and/or event. So easy!

Affordable Therapy

Like most people these days I very rarely take time for myself, but yesterday I unplugged for a bit. I turned off my computer. I ignored my telephone. I didn't even look at the elliptical machine. I turned off the television (I'm sorry Matty). I did, however, turn on the soundtrack to 'Parenthood,' because I don't think of listening to music as being plugged in...I make my own rules.

I actually took thirty minutes to sit down, drink my coffee, and color while Elias napped. Ahhh!

I used to recommend this to my students and colleagues who were stressed, overwhelmed or upset, and it is truly relaxing.

You can pick these coloring books at any craft or Art supply store; I saw some beautiful ones yesterday at Barnes and Noble. Also, I recommend getting a decent set of colored pencils and/or markers (think beyond Crayola). Try it! You won't be disappointed!