Washi-Covered Easter Eggs

I wanted to "color" eggs this year in a nontraditional way, so I pulled out 

my favorite washi from Tim Holtz, tore it into small strips, and covered some 

wooden eggs. I also painted a few with blush-colored acrylic paint and flecked 

dots on them. I plan to do a tutorial on the weekend for this quick "decoupage" project.
Do you have a favorite technique for "coloring" Easter eggs?

Laura

Tin Can Crafting

It seems that as I create more, I become more creative.

Some days, everything I see morphs into something else. That makes it really

 hard to get rid of anything that can become something useful or pretty--

which is pretty much everything...

Does this happen to you????

Since last Thanksgiving, when I made a lot of Southern casseroles with

 canned things, like creamed soups, I have been saving tin cans.

Now this was driving my husband absolutely nuts, and it pretty much got down to, 

"If you don't get these out of the kitchen, I'm throwing them ALL away!"

Well since I had found this holder at Goodwill, which was the perfect size for my cans, 

I couldn't part with them.  So I picked a few of the most special ones to store, and humored him by throwing some away. (I also had to prove to myself that I wasn't a hoarder!)

My plan was to spray paint and then decoupage flowers on them, but that was more mess than I really wanted to deal with, so I just kept storing the cans. Then a couple of days ago, I 
found these paper-covered cans on Pinterest that I adored. I knew they would be quick to make and no mess! So I set to work with decorative paper and washi. I did spray one lid and glued a knob on. 

Wow! I am so happy with how they look in my holder:

This was SO quick, simple, and SO rewarding! Amy, of Four Corners Design, the originator of this craft made covered ones as gift containers. She added a little bit of shredded paper and nestled the gift inside. A little washi on either side would secure the lid. 

If you try this yourself, be sure to open the cans with a Pampered Chef can opener, which does not leave a sharp edge - pretty amazing actually.

Now off to make more!

Laura

Pin Money

It's hard to imagine that there was a time when woman didn't have money of their own. Some resorted to selling eggs or taking in sewing or laundry, but often that money went for shoes for the children or other necessities of life that couldn't be afforded otherwise. More fortunate women might be given small amounts of money on a regular basis, sort of like an allowance, that they could use for non-essentials, like hair ribbons, barrettes, gloves, and trinkets. Many called this money, "Pin Money." 

I first heard of this term from my mother-in-law, Katie, who kept pin money, and I have heard a few older women speak of it as well. The term is believed to have originated in the time of Henry the VIII:

      Catherine Howard, wife of Henry VIII., introduced pins into England from France. As they         were expensive at first, a separate sum for this luxury was granted to the ladies by their           husbands. Hence the expression "pin-money."

In the 1940s and 50s, special banks were made for pin money. The one below is pretty typical for that period:

I love the idea of keeping a little money tucked away just for little treats, so I decided to make my own bank for pin money from a Trader Joe's cookie tin. I have been obsessed with the "Cocoa Baton" packaging for a while (yeah, it's true). When they came out with this tin, it was a LOVE fest! (Did you ever buy cookies for the packaging???)

 I coated over most of the print with a coat of gesso and then pulled out 

my Character Constructions Cirque stamps and went to work.

 I just love making doll skirts from cupcake papers:

 

This will hold a lot of change from hubby's pockets!

What will I buy with my pin money?

Maybe some new perfume, or new pair of earrings...

I really enjoy just having it around.

What about you, do you save pin money?

Love is in the Air!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I have always loved the romantic sweetness of Valentine's Day.

For me it doesn't have to be just for lovers,

but it can be a day to celebrate love for family, friends, and just life in general!

One of my loves, of course, is paper crafting.

I have loved paper as long as I can remember--even as a young girl.

Paper crafting is more fun today than ever
 with the great range of stamps, tools, and supplies.

I made this Valentine doll yesterday using Character Constructions stamps from
the Cirque collection. Her skirt is made from cupcake holders, and 
the "Be Mine" heart is cut from a box of those candy Conversation Hearts. 

Wishing you all a very sweet and lovely day!

Laura

Who Stole Your Heart?

The big day for celebrating love is almost here!

I adore the romance of Valentine's Day.

Doesn't she look a little guilty?

I'm just loving this chest of drawers stamp from Character Constructions. 

 Are you busy making Valentines?  

Laura

A Valentine Card with Character Constructions Stamps

In the middle of a not-so-creative weekend, 

I had a Valentine's card rolling around in my head.

This Character Constructions plate reminds me of

 my grandmother's chest of drawers.

Did she have love letters tucked away inside?

I wonder...

The chest of drawers is from The Bee Keepers' Tea, Plate 15 and the love letters and French words are from Queen of Tarts Plate 6. Both stamps were designed by Catherine Moore of Character Constructions.

Eat, Pray, Love

Whew! What a crazy week I'm having!!!!

It will be much better after next week.

I won't bore you with the details.

I'll just say that I'm looking forward to February!

In the middle of working on Halloween submissions,

(yes, already)

I needed a break to start some Valentine's projects.

Here is my first Valentine card using Character Constructions stamps:

These images and colors are so soothing to me.

Her dress and apron remind me of my grandmother.

And if I could, I would certainly wear a bird nest in my hair every day

 (with my pearls of course)!

When life gets a little crazy,

I need to be reminded to take comfort and pleasure in 

simple everyday activities:

Eat

Pray

Love

I haven't read the book, but now it's on my list.

Wishing that you too will find something of pleasure in each new day.

Laura