How To: Make Wood Shim Decor

See? I told you I would be back! And in less than a week, at that! Feeling pretty good about it--I didn't lie to you!

So last week one of the projects I said I would be working on was a wood shim wreath.  Well, I made it. And now I'm thinking that I like it better as decor, rather than a wreath. Even though I'm using it as a wreath.....It's totally inspired me for my other huge undertaking, The Baby.Cheniful Nursery. I'm thinking I'm going to do them in lots of colors and sizes for the wall behind the crib. But I won't start that project until after June 4th, Gender Day!

Chenyways, here's how you make a Wood Shim Whatev (wreath or wall decor, or table centerpiece, etc).

Ingredient List:
1 pack of wood shims (14 total)
Spray Paint of your Choice--I'm favoring orange these days
Hot glue and gun

Step One:
Set up your design. I used the paint can as the base to work around. Row 1: 7 shims. Row 2: 7 shims, staggard. This left my design at 17.5" in diameter. If you're looking for something bigger, use a larger base and buy more shims!
  

Step Two: Get to sprayin, girl! You'll need a couple coats.

Step Three:  Form your design around the base again, hot gluing the ends together.

Step Four:  Flip and Glue.

Step Five:  Glue your top layer, then flip and glue again.  

Step Six:  ROCK IT GIRL!

That's it! Now go make something awesome!
Big (Oooh, this would make a good mirror base, too!) Smile,

How To: Chevron Pattern Easter Wreath

Well, hey girl, hey!

Considering it's practically summer here in Michigan--for real, 86 yesterday--and my daffodils are already up, you'd think we skipped Easter all together.  Nope, not so much!  Still two more weeks to go and I still have my St. Patty's Day wreath up.  I'm calling it my Michigan State University (GO STATE!) wreath--it IS March Madness, ya'll!  (yo, did I just say ya'll?)

Chenyways, I did make an Easter wreath (SHOCKER) and thought I'd show you!

I worked with the top of the wreath facing me.  It's how I roll.

Ingredient List:

Wreath Form (mine came wrapped in burlap)
Plastic Eggs

Hot Glue

Hot Glue Gun

Ribbon

Step 1.   Determine your egg pattern to be used on the wreath.  Here we're using a Chevron Pattern (Charlie Brown Stripe) in assorted colors.

Step 2.  Starting at the top of your wreath, begin hot gluing your eggs into "V Shape" patterns, as shown.

Step 3.  Continue your pattern around to complete the wreath, gluing egg tips together to secure your wreath.

Step 4.  Tie a bow at the top of your wreath to finish it off. 

Step 5.  Rock it girl!  Hang that baby up and enjoy for the next 2 weeks! ;-)

Big (Momma Nature is totally skipping Easter!) Smile,

One Trick Pony?

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Am I?  A one trick pony?  That doesn't sound like me....does it?

I mean, I'm NOT, but right now I feel like one.  Because I'm focusing on Craft Show inventory right now, especially wreaths--cause they take for-freaking-ever--I feel like I'm totally neglecting my blog.  AND, only showing wreaths on my Facebook Page.  (Are you a fan yet?  You totally should be!  :) ) Oh, and because I clearly have some form of ADD, I can't concentrate on any one thing for too long.  So my inventory?  Sketchy.  Even though I've been staying up to all hours of the night....seriously, last Friday night?  Up to 4:45AM!  AM people!

Eventually I'll show the other cool shit I have going on, like:
iPad cases
infinity scarves
pin cushions
little gal aprons 
frames
onesies
holiday cards
coffee cup cozies
bird nest necklaces
etc.......

see?  Totally ADD.  Oh, and they're all in prototype phase.  Ha.

The truth of the matter is, the only thing I have to show you right now are (some) of my wreaths.  So you wanna see?  Totally not exciting, I know....sorry!  BUT, I'm still love them (and it's my blog ;-) ), so, there.

Ah, Christmas.  Right around the damn corner.  Check out the little weave action on this bad boy!
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I used a baby yarn on this--you could literally curl up with this wreath for a winter nappy-nap.

Here are two custom orders from my girl Kacy.  I LOVE when I get TOTAL creative license :-)  THANKS GIRL!


Not your Gramma's Christmas Wreath!  This, my friends, is a damn Winter Wonderland Wreath.  Sure to get you to Valentine's ;-)  (hint, hint Kacy.)
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A less crackhead version of THIS GIRL HERE.

Dontcha just LOVE glitter?  

Once Kacy saw this wreath in real-life--sold to the fabulous MSU-Loving-I-Bleed-GREEN Kristin--she needed a fall wreath, too!  Keep up the competition girls! Pin It

Girl, you know I love me some burlap!

that's a little embroidery hoop and a ruffled burlap flower.

And now, back to work!  

Big (oh my GOD, I hope I sell something!) Smile,

All that Glitters, Indeed.

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Oh Hey!  Wanna see what happens when I wake up at 3:30am and can't get back to sleep?  This, amongst other things:

Oh yeah, that's a string of sequins wrapped around the wreath.  And yes, that's glitter on those felt flowers.  Put there myself around 5am using spray adhesive, dollar tree glitter and a good lean over the toilet.  Won't J Chen be surprised!  My hands are covered (read glued) in glitter as well.  Should bode well for my professional career at Corporate America, USA.

I didn't intend on this wreath going all Ke$ha, (OMG, LOVE HER!) it just happened.  I can't explain it.  But you know what?  I kinda LOVE it.  I might have to keep this for myself.... You see, I'm currently gearing up for a bunch of craft shows, and I'm not sure that this would sell?  Like, it's CLEARLY fabulous, but likely only to crazies like myself. We R who we R.  :-)  (another Ke$ha ref, just in case you weren't up on her crazy!)

a little glitter shot for you--you're welcome.

Ah yes, a face only a mother could love.

Oh yeah, and if you don't hate this bad B, leave me a comment, ok?  :-)

Have the best day ever!

Big (throw some GLITTER make it rain) Smile,

6 New Fall Wreaths!

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Girls, it's FRIDAY!!!!  OMG, yay.  YAY!  And it's perfect fall weather too boot :)

So yeah, let's talk about it.  Let's talk about some pretty fall wreaths I whipped up to take to Amanda McGrail Salon :)  I told you the other day about how she's giving me a space there ( FOR FREE!!!) and we decided to incorporate wreaths and some sunburst mirrors :)

So I made some wreaths--6 to be exact--and guess what?  Didn't use ANY yarn.  Nope, not even a little.  No yarn wreaths here.  Ok, I'm sure they'll be back......You know how much I love my yarn wreaths :)

What's you opinion on burlap?  Cause I flipping love it!  Like, hard.  Real hard.  (that's what she said!)  Chenyways, I had some scraps from a thrift store find and used all the red in the bag to make this one:

Welcome, Fall!

Then I ran out to the hobbit hobbit and picked up a couple yards of tan burlap and worked on these guys:

look at this cutie!  It's like a little 6inch donut that I want to gobble up!
What up FAT KID!?!

Added a little romantic flower to tone down the harsh burlap.

This baby got a lot of felt flower love!  

Did I mention that I love fall colors?!?

Now this one.  LOVE it.  It's simple.  Yet kinda rustic with a splash chic.

yeah....she's a pretty girl!

I did make a couple others as well.  This one I went with the traditional grapevine--not my usual style--but I like it!!!  Probably the closet to country you'll ever see this girl create ;-)

I don't know, it's a cute country wreath.  Please don't count
all the rosettes--I don't even want to know!

Now this last one I ended up keeping for myself.  Mostly cause I didn't know if anyone else would see the charm in it, or if they would think it was ugly unusual.  Let's be clear, I DO NOT create ugly.  I'm just saying...and maybe I'm over thinking it?  I think it looks great!

See, it's not ugly!  I used a damask fabric in orange and brown to wrap the wreath.

Then I added these 2 cuties--what's not to love?!?!

Alright, that's it for now my friends.  Hope I inspired you a little--if not, well, hey thanks for sticking around to read this last paragraph!  :)

Big (It's FALL!) Smile,