Doily Garland {for Heart Week}

Surprise.  Another garland.  Oh, and with hearts.  Double surprise.  Actually, let's make that a heart garland with a science fair project underneath it.  I'm learning so much about how/why hair grows thanks to Lil O.  Did you know that caveman were hairier because they needed the extra warmth and the hairiness made them look larger to other animals & prey?

Now, the supply list for the heart garland....heart doilies and string.  Woot!  Again, uber-easy, which is not why I pick my crafts lately, but it seems I only have a few minutes here and there to make 'em.  I picked up the doilies at our local, Giant - it's a grocery store in case you don't know the chain.

To make the garland, weave the string in and out of the doilies.  I found using some tape at the end of the string helps give it some pointedness - like a needle.

I would have taken a photo of the entire garland, but our kitchen is a mess right now and that photo would have busted the illusion I am tidy.

I am tidy.  Just not all of the time.  Remember Perfect passed away over a year ago.

Ha!

Jen

Paper Heart Chains {for Heart Week}

You know I love a good garland.  This one is soooo easy you don't even need text-based directions.

In fact, it is so easy that at my house, we have a zillion of these heart chains floating around and hanging.

See the photo tutorial here.  If you search on Pinterest for "paper heart chains," you'll also see wreath versions of this.  Supply-wise, buy some craft paper (we bought red and pink cardstock at Joann Crafts), scissors or a paper-cutter (which is one of my favorite inventions) and a stapler.

As mentioned, our house is full of these heart chains as Lil O is quite a pro.

Love that kid and this easy heart-week craft,

Jen

PS - Did you know I don't even like Valentine's Day?  But, I do love a good heart - literally, figuratively and shapely.  Ha!

DIY Frosted Glass {for Heart Week}

I love a project that is easy and fun, plus the supply list is short:  glass vase, frosted spray paint and stickers.  That's it.  We bought all our supplies from Joann Crafts using a coupon for everything and/or the items were on sale.  I think I paid $2 a vase - they were half off that day.  The frosted spray paint was normally $6, but I had a 50% off coupon.  We used letter stickers from the scrapbook aisle - they were 40% off that day.  Inexpensive.  

Using this tutorial from A Beautiful Mess, Mr. UpCyclist's family - mom, sisters and dad, plus Lil O - and I all made vases.  I filled mine with cookies and heart Peeps.  Then, I wrapped it up to gift to my coaching peeps - I adore them and they all just finished their last coaching class.  Yay!

Here's what it looked like in our basement when I spray painted the vase.  Note to self:  Don't spray paint in the basement.  It smelled like fumes all week!  Mr. UpCyclist shook his head at me.

The only con to this project is the edge of the letters (once you peel off the stickers) isn't totally clean. In the photo above, you can kind see what I mean.  But, I still think it's a fun idea.

I do have some frosted spray paint left.  What else should I make?  Maybe more vases?  A cookie jar? Fun plate?

Oh, I know.  I could make cool teachery gifts.

xoxo,

Jen

You Rule Valentines {for Heart Week}

Thanks to fabulous student, CR, who sent me a ton of Valentine's Day ideas, Lil O had lots of choices of what kind of Valentines to make this year for school. Since Lil O is practical like me, she choose these "You Rule" valentines from Isadora at Relocated Living.

Aren't they adorable?  We ordered wooden rulers from this Amazon affiliate link (36 rulers for $13.00; we split the pack with Lil O's best friend).  They literally arrived in one day (and I'm not even an Amazon Prime user!).  We used the free printable from Relocated Living and printed the text on cardstock from Joann Crafts.  And with a gel pen we had at home, Lil O signed them.

You can find all the instructions and the printable at Relocated Living.  Thanks, Isadora and fab-student CR for the suggestion.

Happy Heart Week,
Jen