Making Nests Beautiful One Strand At A Time

I would LOVE to say that this wonderful craft was my own original idea but I can't take the credit. I did find this wonderful idea on Pinterest and have to thank the bloggers over at Jupiter Moon Farm for sharing it with the world.
If you are a lover of fiber, whether you are a crocheter like myself, knitter or even an embroider; you know all too well that there is always extra scraps left over after you create a wonderful piece of artwork. I always keep these scraps in hopes of using them for something later on. Well here is that chance to use those scraps!

I gathered all of my tiny scrap balls of yarn I had leftover and grabbed my little helper to cut 4-8 inch yarn scraps.

Once we had a fairly large pile of yarn scraps in a variety of colors

we put them inside a bird suet feeder we found at our local variety store.

We then hung it outside in our tree and now our friendly birdy neighbors have the opportunity to make the most colorful nests around town!

You Got Mail!

Valentine's Day has to be one of my favorite holidays. I adore all things pink and red, topped off with hearts. This year Xiera had to make her own Valentine box at home. She said she wanted to be unique and bring in something other than a shoebox or oatmeal shaped container. She suggested a mailbox shaped box. I searched and searched online and finally found a website that inspired the perfect box.

I found an old clothing box lid downstairs and cut off three of it's sides.

Then I used wrapping paper, (I found a roll of wrapping paper with roses on it that I purchased awhile back at the local Dollar Tree store.) and wrapped up the largest part of the box lid and the side I did not cut off.

After wrapping, I folded the box into the shape of a mailbox using the side as the bottom of the mailbox. Using box tape, I taped it together.

I then took a piece of pink cardstock paper and traced the end of the mailbox. I drew a few tabs all the way around and a larger one for the end and cut it out taping the tabs to the inside of the box.

Next, I traced the front opening and drew only the bottom flap.

After cutting it out, I taped the bottom flap to the bottom inside of the box.
I took a hole punch and punched a hole on the top front of the box and top of the front lid.

I used a scrap piece of ribbon and threaded it through both holes. This is what we used to open and shut the mailbox, tieing the ribbon into a bow to close the box and untieing it to open. I also used a little box tape around both holes to make them sturdier and less likely to rip and tear.

I took my pencil and poked two holes at the top.

I then threaded a scrap piece of ribbon through both holes and tied a knot. I pushed the knot through one of the holes to make a ribbon handle. I used box tape again around both holes to make the holes sturdy. I used a scrap piece of red construction paper to create a flag. After cutting it out, I realized how flimsy it was, so I glued the flag to one of the leftover sides that I had cut off from the box.

After cutting out, I attached the flag to the box using a brad.
Xiera then decorated it with sequins, buttons, fake flowers, and foam letters and shapes to make it her own.


I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Expressions of Fall Using Yarn

I was browsing online this morning for a few fun craft ideas to do for fall. I enjoy craft time with my girls so I was also looking not only for crafts to do on my own but also some to do with them as well.
The first autumn craft idea I found was this adorable yarn leaf mobile made by Jessica over on Two Shades of Pink.

I just fell in love with it's simplicity and how easy and fun this craft would be with the kiddos. And what a great idea to use up all of those extra scraps of yarn lying around.
The next idea I found also from Jessica of Two Shades of Pink uses the same concept of wrapping yarn but instead of wrapping to make leaves, you wrap pumpkins and gourds.

This yarn wrapped pumpkins and gourds craft might be a bit more advanced for children to do but I am sure they would be more than willing to help out.
This last autumn craft find was made by Bobbi over on Bobbi's Art.

I love this autumn garland. She even posted the pattern for those cute little maple leaves that you can find HERE. I really want to make this and hang it from my hutch this season.