COLORFUL SPRING INSPIRED CRAFTS

I don’t believe I even have to remind everyone to keep an eco-friendly mind when working on any of these projects. Start by using supplies from around the house or borrowing scraps from a crafty friend before you buy new. And if you do buy your supplies think thrifty first, try your local second hand store or the scrap bins at a wholesale store first to see if they have what you’re looking for.

I've been experimenting with my formatting so just click on an image and it will direct you to the website filled with instructions.

COLOR ME SPRING

I was inspired this week by some beautiful interior design photos of a children’s bedroom I came across on Flickr. The photos are from Lynn-Anne who runs a family owned business, LAKBdesigns in Charlotte, NC and sells vintage items with her daughter on Etsy. Lynn-Anne says she was inspired first and foremost by her daughter, Caroline, and the space itself when designing this room. The color pallet started with the polar bear oilcloth Lynn-Anne brought back from England and the beautiful second hand quilt from the 1930s. A lot of the pieces in the room were holdovers and second hand items that were very affordable. You can find out more about the inspiration, challenges, resources, and advice Lynn-Anne has about designing a room like this one at Ohdeeoh.com.

LAKBdesign
Flickr Photostream
Fergusandme Etsy Shop

Stick around this week as I explore craft projects, flower arrangements and thrifty finds inspired by this colorful spring pallet!

MOTHER'S DAY DECORATIONS

Now that the crafty Mother’s Day gifts are done let’s talk about the celebration. I’m not a cook myself, nor is anyone else in my family, so when it came to Mother’s day growing up my mom still cooked just like any other holiday. I do not recommend this! If you’re like me and have butter fingers in the kitchen the only advice I can give is to get take out, eat out, or get one of those great frozen lasagnas from the store, anything so that your mom doesn’t have to cook and worry about all those dirty dishes. Once you have that figured out then you can get back to worrying about the fun stuff like decorating. Here are a few ideas to help spark your creative mind. A theme is always nice and a great way to find focus….family, flowers, spa day, colors, etc.

These are some garland ideas I just adore from Melanie, guest blogger on Oh, Hello Friend

Another inspiring Mother’s Day garland from Paper Girl on Flickr

Decorative chair covers can be made with simple ribbon, fabric, paper and even a pillow case or a twin sheet.






Origami Flower Bouquet from Amandakay82 on Flickr. Click HERE for instruction on how to make these beautiful tulips. Or if you want to mix it up a bit try mixing in a few lilies. Click HERE for more easy instructions.


Felt Flower Bouquet from American Crafts Studio. If you think outside the box, these beautiful flowers can be make with any scraps of fabrics, paper, felt and buttons you have laying around the house.
And don’t forget those great tin can planters you made! Here are some great spring decorating ideas from Country Living.

And last but not least, it wouldn’t be Mother’s Day without throwing a little Martha Stewart into the mix. I grew up reading the magazines and watching her show every Saturday with my mom. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t even know the magic that is Martha.

Lilac Flower Arrangement

Butterfly Paper Lanterns

Rose Napkins

ETSY FAVORITES: MOTHERS DAY GIFTS

Because I live a long distance from my mom and my family I have to be somewhat thoughtful of what I buy and how I have to ship it. I love Etsy.com because it allows me to shop a large selection of beautiful handmade crafts that I can purchase and have shipped directly to my family. These are a few of my favorite custom Mother’s Day, birthday, or any day presents!

Custom Silhouette Brass Pendant by Le Papier Studio $24

Personalized Family Charm Necklace by Wise Gal Designs $67

Personalized Family Dishes by Mud Hutt Studio $38

Custom Photo Charm Necklace by Tickle Me Pink Boutique $20

Custom Whimsical Portrait by Dana Laymon Photography $20

Personalized Bottle Cap Bracelet by Betsy's Drawers Boutique $35

ETSY HOW-TUESDAY

Etsy's How-Tuesday Blog has some more great Mother's Day craft projects I couldn't pass up sharing. My personal favorite is this handmade necklace. It is simple and personal. Click HERE to find more great Mother's Day How-To projects including parchment flowers, garland, hand painted tea cup & saucer, origami and much more!

MOTHER'S DAY CRAFT PROJECTS

Since it is the week ramping up to Mother’s Day and we’re already talking about gardening today, I thought I’d start by sharing a few easy projects from Kaboose. These are really simple, eco friendly, kid friendly projects that can be as basic or intricate as you make them. Almost all the materials are things you might find laying around the house.

Tin Can Herb Pots

Egg Carton Bug Mobile

Lady Bug Garden Pets

Milk Jug Flower Pot

Egg Cup Insects

WEEKEND PROJECT UPDATE

This weekend I finished planting my seedlings outside. I am hoping they will grow big like the basil I planted a few weeks ago before it gets too hot. My weekend project I completed was a barn wood planter for herbs I made out of scraps left over from another project, a bookshelf. I also had some spare wheels from an old project that I reclaimed and used so I could move the planter around once it was filled with dirt. Before I filled it I sealed the inside and out with an orange furniture wax that will help prolong the life of the wood from water and weather. The wax also helped to intensify the red and other colors present in the old barn wood. This particular barn wood came from our family back in Idaho so it will be an enjoyable greeting in the mornings when I have my coffee on the patio. I hope that it will soon fill with lovely herbs and flowery scents.




The matching bookshelf in the entrance: