Marriage and crafting vs. oil and water

This is how most conversations go with my husband

ME: So what are you going to do with that ______(insert : peg board, shelving, old bolt bin, etc. in this case... old ugly invoice drawer thingy) Always of course using the tone of complete disinterest and never giving it a proper name. This degrades item to complete uselessness.

HIM: I didn’t need it for anything, but I was just sure you being a creative genius could do something amazing with it. Let me pack that up for you.

ok, ok, I promised to be real. My husband is wonderful, but not a saint.

Him: Probably take it to the dump. Why?

ME: I was just thinking if I painted it, it might work for my _______ (let’s say stamps in this case, really it doesn’t matter I think he is still trying to figure out what half my crafting “junk” is, and maybe I am too.)

HIM: You can’t paint real wood. It ruins it.

ME: Opposed to throwing it away?

HIM: (deep sigh) I will bring it home tonight.

ME: Thank you :)

WOOHOO!! Point goes to team Wife.

Crap! now what am I going to do with it???

First, prime cabinet and drawers. Second, paint your favorite color.

Third, white wash(mix white paint. glaze, & water). Fourth, think how to jazz it up more.

Fifth, Mod Podge scrapbook paper on drawer fronts. Then, glue coordinating ribbon on drawer pulls, and adhere drawer pulls to the drawers. Finally, put it to good use.

Family Treasure

Transform a clearance metal frame into a personal

Family Treasure.

I feel fortunate to have such a fun picture of my grandparents. I have always treasured this picture, and every time I walk past it I smile. Not to mention it was fast and easy to make. I first converted photo into black and white and had it printed into a 12x12. I then found a rub on that I liked. ( seize the Moment ) and rubbed it on to the bottom right hand corner. Making sure your lettering will stand out on the photo enough to be seen, but not over-shadow your photo. I then aged around the photo with ink and used glue dots to adhere it to frame. People always think it is just a decor piece that I purchased, and are surprised when I tell them it is my grandparents.

Before

After

PLEASE DON’T GO

No this blog has not been wrecklessly abandoned.

No, we have not retired from creating messes masterpieces.

It has, unfortunately, been out prioritized by our insanely busy lives. To be honest... we are usually playing around too much and forget to take pictures and exact measurements to post for clear instructions, and if I must be really honest...... Robyn has had to do a crafting intervention bringing direct (and slightly uncomfortable, may I add ) attention to my crafting ADD. Apparently, I don’t finish projects before I start a new one or two ok three or four...etc. etc. We have managed here and there to make some fun stuff just waiting to be blogged about. If we can both stay home long enough to do it. We have really dropped our blog ball since we came home from Alaska. The think tank was overflowing, kinda like our bladder after a Sonic Route 44 and a 5 hr drive. Yes, it was that full. Since then, Rob has made numerous trips to St. George, Logan, and California, and I have managed rack up some serious air and road miles going to Chicago, New York, Toronto, and am now driving home from California. I figured I could make good use of 30 hours in the car over the weekend.

Never fear !!! We will be back with a crafting vengeance so PLEASE don’t unfollow us.

There is a thief among us

I am consistently getting my lists stolen. ‘To do list’, ‘Grocery list’, ‘Chore list’ etc..etc...You name it. If I write it; someone steals it. Around midnight last night I attempted to gather my to do lists that had yet to make it on the to done list, and...you guessed it. STOLEN! ugh! Again!? I decided to fore go calling and reporting it to local authorities. (They clearly had yet to catch the ‘list thief’. Between us, I think they may have been a little nervous going after a criminal so brazen.) As I began to inventory what needed done for the up coming week I decided to put it on something that could not be lost stolen. I have been planning on making a very large version of this for my wall in the mud room, but clearly needed something now. I also think these would make for a cute inexpensive gift for teachers since we are embarking on the end of another school year.

DRY ERASE BOARD

QUICK ANDEASY

1-2-3

Materials needed:

* picture frame

* paper big enough to fit inside frame

( you could also use material.

I am using a piece of wrapping paper)

* scissors

* tape

* Dry erase marker

1. Begin with a picture frame. New or used frame with glass not

plasitic. (dry erase marker doesn’t come off plastic very well)

2. After taking frame apart, cut paper to fit matte board. Then cover one side of board and tape down to hold paper in place

( If your paper has a busy pattern, you may want to cut a solid color and tape it where you will be writing most. Otherwise, it will be difficult to read.)

3. Put frame back together and start writing.

CRAFTING IN THE CLINK

My beloved late sister Ang would frequently threaten her children that she was going to commit a slightly heinous crime to get a much needed and well deserved break in prison.  So, somehow in one of our many random and brilliantly thought provoking conversations we somehow arrived at the conclusion that she may have been onto something.  Clearly, the biggest road block in the crafting world is free time.  You see where I am going... don’t you?  The fabrication of many creative license plates adds merit to this school of thought. I am thinking it needs to be taken to the next level.  Consider this for a moment.  Acquiring the skill of using mundane everyday objects to make something useful and beautiful requires a great amount of innovation and some willingness to let things that actually need to be done get moved to the tomorrow list once again. Nothing like some solitary confinement to give the brain the space it needs.  To be honest, I do question my ability to get myself into solitary confinement.  I was born to be a good girl. My unfortunate compulsion to follow rules with exactness, however, may be a be a blessing in disguise. I could be rewarded with greater access to the above mentioned everyday objects.  With time and good behavior I may even get clearance for brief supervised scissor visits.  Give me some slightly greying  white sheets, standard prison issued orange jumpsuit, and my place would sing with spring time! Martha Stewart’s cell would have nothin on my pad! 

ROB DOG

BLOCK 11 CELL 15

Don’t get me wrong I do believe there is clear evidence supporting the ideology that Prison could be a very productive place to craft.  I undeniably feel  a little solitary confinement could possibly induce a plethora of creative neurons firing into action.  The idea of being sentenced to 5-10 years of uninterrupted crafting is a no brainer.  Meals fully prepared, free internet, and large tables just yearning for glue, glitter, and gadgets makes for a  solid case.  I surely would have no problem trading  gum for glue sticks.  However,  the lack of sharp objects poses a conundrum in and of its self.  Unlike Robby, I am pretty sure I will not earn the coveted scissor time.  I also question the strength of my teeth to gnaw through prison issued textiles. The 50 thread count sheets, maybe, but have you seen those jumpsuits? I am pretty sure they are made from rough canvas.  I am also sure my mother would not be happy if I knowingly damaged my pearly whites that she invested a substantial chunk of money into.  Not only do I  without a doubt do my best work in stretchy pants, but orange is nowhere near my color pallet.  I do also have some concern as to how long before my inner monologue became my outer monologue, and eventually ending in a yard fight.   Productivity for sure would suffer with my eye swollen shut and a bruised hand.  But hey, you should she the other gal. 

 So, I have to say I am straddling the fence on this one. 

 But, not a the prison fence... that would for sure hurt.

BRIDGE DOG

BLOCK HIGH SECURITY

CELL  SOLITARY CONFINEMENT (AGAIN)

TO PIN OR NOT TO PIN

Not sure how many of you have heard about Pinterst.  I think it is like facebook, but for people who don't want to read.  I, myself, am drawn to the pretty pictures.  Before I was "allowed" into the club. (yes there is a waiting list) I wanted to pin everything, but now that I have my own boards I have become a
Pinterest Snob.  Not just anything is good enough to be on my board.  As I scan the boards of images in search of only superlative photos.  I can't help but pass some judgement on some of the stupid things others have 'Pinned', and ask myself "WHY?"  Why on earth would you waste not only the strength of clicking  the subpar icon,  but most of all....your creditability.  So with that ...I have made my own subpar icon and am very interested to see how many "Repins" it gets.  wish me luck!
BRIDGET

detailed pinwheel tutorial

I apologize for my delay at posting clearer instructions as per requested by my favorite follower.  ( Don’t be a hater.  Anyone can be in the running for my favorite, but you have to post things like Domestic Diva.)  To my credit I did do this last week to find it didn’t actually post.  Third time is a charm right?

Take your square piece of paper and draw an X corner to corner.  In the center draw another X about 1”. ( I have used marker for tutorial purposes only.)  

Cut down large X stopping at small X.  

Poke small hole at every other corner and center of small X.

From here take brad ( I have used poky thing for tutorial purpose only) and poke through one of the corner holes from the outside of paper.  Continue until you have all four corners together as in 3rd photo.  

Then, continue by pushing brad through center of small X and securing tabs.

Finally, hot glue pinwheel to dowel or run ribbon through it for pinwheel garland.  If you want pinwheel to twirl then use thumbtack instead of brad and push partially through wooden dowel.

Yes, I do exist! And I DO create!

So, ok yeah, I have thus far been content to let my friend Bridget monopolize this blog. Well, sometimes that's what friends do ya know? It's not like she has been casually trying to mention it every once in a while that WE really need to get going on our blog or anything. Truth be told (insert whisper here) she just really likes to have the spotlight all to herself. Ok so maybe I  have been a tiny bit intimidated by her humorous posts and her obvious talent and intellect in the crafting department. But hey, I have to remind myself that I am usually involved in those great projects and I do happen to give her some of her humorous material. The fact is that I am one of those people that are much funnier (I think that is officially a word now) when I have someone to get me started. My Krazy friends get going on a subject and, if I am tired enough or if I have had enough diet pepsi, I can actually be funny. Just the other day I cracked myself up all alone in my room even! Oh, wait....I don't think I was supposed to share that until my next therapy session! In the DIY world I can actually hold my own too. I (ok, we) have actually been known to produce some fabulous cupcake towers for a couple of beautiful weddings. I have posted the above evidence to prove it. Please don't hesitate to leave some great comments to boost my self esteem so that I am able to rid myself of my blogging inhibitions and give you people full access to my dimentia! Check back to monitor my progress. You won't regret it! K, I have to go call her and have her read this to make sure it is good enough to post!


BUTTON, BUTTON WHO'S GOT A BUTTON??

US!!!

I know what you are thinking "What's the big deal with getting a grab button?"  For us it was a mountain to cross.  Yes we are crafting genius', but computer programers... not so much.  Thanks to team work and ok Roby's  'Beautiful Mind'  we now have a button.  Once again, proving to ourselves...."We can totally do that!"

So GRAB OUR BUTTON .   no seriously grab it.  DO IT! 

SPRING INEXPENSIVE CENTERPIECE

Ya know how after a 12 hour shift scraping dime size pieces of wallpaper off of the In-Laws house, you come home and just have the urge to make a pinwheel?   No??  Ya me neither.  Truth be told... I as always, for good reason I am sure, had procrastinated getting my centerpieces done.  I owed one of my BFF's several crafting IOU's.  She had the wonderful opportunity of being in charge of our church's women's night.  Which then gave me the wonderful opportunity to be her big helper.  I know what you are thinking...How could they be so lucky?
Yaddy, Yaddy, Yaddy...on March 23, at 3:00 a.m. my pinwheel centerpiece was born.
(Early too may I add?  They really didn't need to be done until 10:00 a.m. that morning)

*Table runners are wrapping paper ($2 per roll) we cut to size (FYI: make sure you double check size of paper and size of tables)
*Green plate  ($1)
*6 glass vases I had just waiting to get out of their bubble wrap once I remembered where I had put all of them.
*misc. items flowers, ribbon, and tulle
*cutest stinking pinwheels you have ever seen

Let's get started....
1.

~ I first painted my wooden dowels and a few brads with Lavender. FYI:  Lavender is the new Pink!
wooden dowels and paint can be found at your local Hardware store.  I prefer ACE Hardware because I  get everything at cost.  You should also because they are voted #1 for customer service. :)

2.

~ While they are drying.... cut your second favorite paper into squares. (Not your very favorite paper because that paper is just too cute to ever use.  You know what paper I am talking about.)   If you are like me and only have one sided paper  then use spray on adhesive to adhere papers back to back.

3.

4.  Take all of your squares 4X4, 6X6, 8X8, 12X12 are the sizes that I used.  (smaller than 4x4 is difficult to work with.)
~ Make an 'X'  by drawing 2  lines from corner to corner
~ cut on lines leaving about a 1" square in center.
                                             

~Using a matching brad.. poke a hole in every other corner, connecting 4 out of the 8 triangular corners.  Then push brad through center.  It is easier if you pre-poke holes with a large needle or one of those poky things like in photo above.

~ hot glue pinwheel to painted wooden dowel

5.

~  I use styrofoam chunks to hold things into place.  "Why?" you ask.  A) "Why not? "   B) because I have pieces laying around from another project  C) because it's 3:00 a.m. and I am running out of time, options, and patience.  Your answer?  (insert Jeopardy music here)
Answer: ( D )   A-C  are all true.

~ Add ribbon and/or flowers to dress up outside of vases.  Then add some of your tulle leaving space on top of styrofoam to push dowels in.  Make sure wooden dowels are at different heights and you should use an odd amount whenever you are grouping items.  Push pinwheels into styrofoam then fill with more tulle as you like.

6.  Assemble on table, then, sit back and enjoy.

PHEW! Done!  well not quite.  Now, what are you gonna do with over 30 pinwheels?  WAIT!!!  Yes, I have an idea.  Imagine that...

Next Tutorial.....
Bring it on home
Bridget

BRING SPRING TO YOUR HOME

BRING IT ON HOME

IF YOU HAVEN’T FIGURED OUT I HAVE THE INABILITY TO THROW ANYTHING AWAY.  THEREFORE, OF COURSE I HAD TO DO SOMETHING WITH ALL THESE PINWHEELS.  FINALLY A REWARD FOR MY PROCRASTINATION.  I HAVE BEEN WANTING TO MAKE ONE OF THOSE CUTE PENDANT BANNERS, BUT HAVEN’T HAD THE TIME. (AND JUST MAYBE I AM TOO STINGY WITH MY FABRIC) SO.. I DECIDED ON THE PINWHEEL BANNER.  IT SEEMS CRAZY MAKING SPRING CRAFTS WHEN I AM STILL WAKING UP TO FRESH SNOWFALL.  HOWEVER, IT’S MY KRAZY ATTEMPT TO FOOL MOTHER NATURE OR MYSELF THAT SPRING WILL COME. EITHER WAY, AT LEAST MY LIVING ROOM FEELS SPRINGY JUST DON’T LOOK OUT THE WINDOW! 

*PINWHEEL BANNER~  LINE-UP VARIOUS COLORS AND SIZES OF PINWHEELS. I RAN A THIN WIRE THROUGH MINE, AND TAPED IT IN THE BACK SO PINWHEEL WOULDN’T TILT FORWARD. THEN, WEAVED A RIBBON TO HIDE THE WIRE. 

*WIND SIGN~ I FIRST FOUND A QUOTE ON-LINE THAT NOT ONLY FIT MY PINWHEEL THEME, BUT IS SURELY TO INSPIRE MY CHILDREN TO SOLVE WORLD PEACE. I THEN PRINTED IT OUT ON CARDSTOCK AND MATTED IT.  I USED GLUE DOTS TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER SO I CAN PEEL IT ALL OFF AND USE THE BOARD AGAIN LATER.  SLAPPED A FLOWER TOGETHER AND GLUE DOTTED IT ON.  

THROW IT ALL UP ON THE MANTLE AND NOW SPRING CAN OFFICIALLY COME. 


BRIDGET

Reality TV

Just how real is reality television?  Do random strangers really fall in love in a week while dual dating with 20 other women?   Apparently, you can be a  Real Housewife, but not be a wife nor have any grip on the real world.  And who would have ever imagined that the last frontier state Alaska would put reality on the map.  I speak with no judgement.  I myself am an avid Housewives fan, and my son not only wants to be an Alaskan bush pilot, but actually prefers discovery channel over Disney.   Lets face it, if I wanted a REAL reality show, I would put video cameras in my own house and watch my life over again.  24 hours of fighting, crying, and drama who wouldn't want to tune into that?   Now, if you would excuse me as I pack to move to Alaska.  We are working on our next venture already...

The Alaskan housewife nanny 911 punk'd Bloggers real world.  TLC surely wont be able to resist us...Check your local listings for time and date.

Avoid men that would catch a grenade for you

Good thing some of these love songs have a good beat. because really?? I would never want someone to catch a Grenade for me, because that just poses a lot of questions. 1st why are we anywhere near a grenade? (like what have you got me into now) and 2nd do you have a death wish? we should be running not trying to catch anything ( lack of common sense ) & 3rd what kind of Thank you note to send for that?  Not to mention the fact he then criticizes her for not being as foolish as him.  My advise for Grenade Boy is "boy, she's just not that into you."     Maybe his next song should be..I would clean a bathroom for you. That's true love!! 
P.S. Honey, I cleaned the Bathroom for you. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Coming Soon

Not sure if it is an ego issue or self-reliance, but everything we see we always look at each other and say "we can totally make that." Whether we should or need to is another story. In a quest to avoid our mundane life of what we ought to do and sometimes need to do, we instead, create. Let's just say this isn't your typical crafters web site. It's a glimpse into our krazy random life. ( yes, there is a difference between Crazy and Krazy. We are occasionally both. )

Brace yourself ! If you are looking for cutesy and heartwarming I suggest you move along. This site may not be for you. We only speak the truth. We can make something out of nothing, and...we are darn funny doing it. If you don't find any humor at one point or another...then you may take a few reflective days to evaluate yourself. Because 'Houston there is a problem' and it's not US it is clearly YOU.

Life is funny. Laugh at it.