Return of the Prodigal

We had an outstanding holiday in Hawaii earlier this month, relishing in the constant warm weather (80s every day) and mostly sunny skies.  Being from Seattle, March is a trying month around here.  One can handle only so much gray, drizzle, and mold before going a little bonkers.

My post-holiday return to blogging was also impacted a bit by the horrific earthquake and tsunami in Japan. My heart, like many, has been heavy with the tragic news flowing in every day. We were very fortunate to have little impact on our actual vacation (and safety), besides closed beaches the morning after the earthquake. 

On a trivial note, yesterday I received a little package from Hey Yo Yo that I've been impatiently waiting for since last week - a few more items to add to my party-planning supplies for the Royal Wedding tea party in a month. 

Fabulous red and white striped paper straws and the most adorable cupcake wrappers and toppers made by Meri Meri.  I can't stand how cute they are!! 

The sweet little business card tucked in with the purchase

Now onto my project of making Union Jack Bunting.  I already hit up my favorite craft store for paper products, and now just need to carve time in my schedule to wield my x-acto  knife safely away from the small fry.

Another Banner - for Valentine's Day

I love making holiday banners for the kids. In an instant, our home goes from everyday to a "big" celebration.  This time I chose some little less than traditional colored papers from my favorite craft store, and then added a few die-cut letters and hearts to add lots of love to our home.  Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Paper Crafts

My daughter celebrated her second birthday in September and one of the gracious guests brought a gift in this box, crafted with scrapbook paper. I immediately adiosed it away from the small fry and put it with my treasured possessions.


It got me thinking about all the amazing things that can be made with paper. I'm a deer in headlights when it comes to sewing and many other handycrafts, but I can brandish a hot glue gun or x-acto knife with confidence.

I made these little banners for Halloween (love the giant flat-screen, don't you?!? (yuck)) and immediately the toddlers became very excited for the upcoming holiday.


I also created them for my son's 3rd birthday (The Red Balloon Birthday)


However, I'd love to up-the-ante and make some other fun home decor items. I found Papercrafting In No Time while visiting our local Packaging Specialties, and since Christmas is still a little while away, I had to buy it for myself.

The others will remain on my Christmas list for Santa to put in my stocking:

Paper + Craft by Minhee Cho and Truman Cho

home, paper, scissors by Patricia Zapata

wallpaper PROJECTS by Derek Fagerstrom

Fun Find

While sauntering through the shops of a local neighborhood this afternoon, I saw what I hope will be a fun new craft/project -- these terrific iron-on fabric transfers from Sukie:

Immediately I thought of adding them to onesies, tote bags, and possibly curtains. Some of the reviews comment that it's difficult to get them to work well, but I figure that I'm up to the challenge.

Project!

I'm frequently found cruising the Internet highway looking at clever ideas that other bloggers have spied or created themselves. I usually bookmark the page and then go on my merry way, intending to make time in the future to make the particular craft.



I saw this on a blog a few years ago (I can't remember which one - sorry) and even went to a craft store to purchase the quilting rings. Alas, this winter when we were cleaning up our attic, I happened up on them in a dusty, lonely box. Since I am now blogging about this, perhaps I should follow through and find some terrific vintage fabric to "frame" with the rings.