The Whimsy Catcher

The Whimsy Catcher

So I know I said my next post was going to be tutorials but I got sidetracked (get used to it) by this. Since I started the blog last week my mind has been literally going crazy with ideas for projects and I have to write these things down or draw them or they are gone. I knew that the perfect place to do that would have been my teal notebook. It is kind of where the inspiration behind "The Whimsy Diaries" was born. I bought this notebook on clearance at Target probably 4 years ago and it is one of my most prized possessions. I love pinterest and I love my iphone but I sometimes need something that is completely from my own brain to the paper. This book has a crazy mix of things from recipes jotted down from a friend to Christmas lists for my kids to sketches of something I want to make. As I looked back through this book, I realized it's probably the closest I will ever get to journaling. But it's full. Enter Black Friday, and Michael's sketch books were on sale buy one get on free!! I thought it was the perfect solution and after pulling out all of my fabric scraps, throwing a piece of scrapbooking paper on the cover with modge podge, this is what I came up with.
I basically just cut a wide strip of heavier fabric, hemmed it and attached little strips with a flap for a pocket for my pencils and to keep the book closed when I am not using it. I also used stamps to stamp my initial on a piece of fabric. So I am calling it "The Whimsy Catcher" and it will catch all of the stray thoughts coming out of my brain! I am excited to use it and keep all of my ideas organized (well, we can hope right?). I always have random bits of time waiting for a therapy appt. or to pick someone up from school and I know exactly how I will be spending those!!
Wow, it is kind of disturbing how happy a book full of blank paper can make me. I guess I should be more understanding when my kids have stolen all the printer paper. . . . . . . . .

New Tutorials Coming soon!

Hey Friends,
Right now I only have 3 followers but I am a firm believer in quality not quantity! I have a couple of fun tutorials coming up and wanted to give a heads-up to anyone who would like to have some of the supplies on hand before so that they are ready to go. Sometimes I see a tutorial when it is too late for me to go out and get supplies and I really want to start it that night so this is for all my fellow OCD crafters!

Vintage Press Flower-
1/4 yrd of muslin
scrapbooking stamps and ink in any color (I recommend navy, brown, black, dark red, mainly more muted tones)
needle and thread
felt
hot glue
buttons
headband, belt, clip, broach pin, whatever you might want to attach this too!

The high boot socks are a new major love of mine since they are basically leg warmers and who doesn't love leg warmers??
Faux High Boot socks
Jersey or any stretchy material
Old sweaters that you don't mind cutting up
lace, ribbon, buttons etc. be creative!
a sewing machine would be good, but this project can be done without one!

And last but not least..... Drumroll please...... I have ordered an unfinished dollhouse for my 6 year old (Londyn) for Christmas and will be documenting the process of turning this into a seriously cool crib! I wanted to post this in time for anyone else who would like to order one and trade ideas and tips during the process!!
Anyway, I think this is PLENTY to keep me busy for the next little while so I am off to bed. Black Friday was exhausting!!

The Posh Pumpkin

The Posh Pumpkin

I am so excited to share one of my favorite projects with the followers and girls here at Simple Simon. I am new to blogging, writing tutorials and using the computer for something other than online shopping and pinterest, so this should be interesting! These pumpkins are perfect for teacher and neighbors and make a spectacular centerpiece.

You will need

As many pumpkins as you want (I like real but fake is totally an option)

1 can each of gold, silver and bronze spray paint

a tarp or trash bag to paint on

3 fall leaves per pumpkin (not too crumbly)

1 bottle each of acrylic paint in silver, gold and bronze (or any metallic)

1 package fresh cranberries

1 package pearl pins

I was in a hurry as usual so I just laid out my paper towel and paint and used a sponge brush to paint my leaves. You really can't mess this up! Mix your colors and coat your leaves as much as you want.

Now comes my favorite- spray paint. It is seriously a good thing I had very strict parents because I really could have had a great graffiti career. These do not have to be perfect or even, you want them to have variation and depth.

Next, you attach the leaves by pushing the pearl pins through the cranberries. Make sure to avoid using the squishy cranberries. Use the really hard ones. You can even scatter cranberries with pins all around your pumpkins or in clusters. I didn't because I had to transport these to 3 different schools and they are more fragile with cranberries all around.

Thanks for letting me share and Happy Thanksgiving!!!