January 2007

January 2007

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

recycled fabric wreath - Girl Scout craft

I came up with this craft project for my Girl Scout troop because they enjoy crafts but I needed them to discuss Bronze Award ideas and come up with a project while having a craft to work on at the same time.  I wasn't sure how well 10 yr-olds were at multi-tasking.  This project was easy enough for them to work on and think at the same time.
 
It starts with a plastic lid from a whipped cream container or coffee can - any size can be used.  Cut the inside away to leave an outside rim.

We had 50 strips of material cut to fill this rim - tulle, stiff lacy fabric, any stiff fabric or even strips cut from plastic shopping bags will work. My strips were about 8 inches long and about 3/4 inch wide. I wasn't very particular in making them all the same exact width.
 
Strips are tied onto the rim by folding each strip in half and slipping it under the rim with the folded end on inside.



Bring the cut ends over the top of the rim and through the loop of the material, then pull to make a knot.




 
Continue tying strips on rim until it's as full as you'd like.  The strips can be pushed together as you work to fit more on. 
 
This is the finished wreath - I used a scrap of shiny material to make the bow.
 
 
 
This wreath is a sample I made for the girls to see what different materials would look like.  Most of them chose to mix materials together.  The beige strips at the bottom are from a plastic grocery bag.
 

 


 
 
 



Saturday, February 2, 2013

It's the little things in life

It's the little things in life that count -
this is such a common statement.
It's true in so many ways - the little moments in life that might pass you by if you're not watching.  The smile of a baby, the purr of a kitten.  The brief scent of flowers on a summer's breeze or the smell of new fallen snow.  
We are all so busy in our lives, we don't stop to "smell the roses."  How many little moments pass us by without us noticing?  
I love noticing the little things in life, but I also love the little, miniature physical things you can buy or make.  Doll house furniture, miniature fairy gardens, anything little captures my attention.  
These little colanders were a Christmas gift from my daughter. She knows me so well.  I have them on my kitchen window sill where I take pleasure in seeing them every day.  I even use them!  They're great for rinsing a handful of strawberries, or grapes. Or to use as a tea strainer, or set tomatoes in to ripen.  I just love them!!
What little things in life do you enjoy?