catch that leprechaun!

those little leprechauns are tricky...and with all the gold at stake, its time for a leprechaun trap!!

family fun had some super cute ideas.

the old "hat pit trap" just might do the job.

if your leprechaun is a little smarter, you might have to move along to the rainbow cage drop!

...and if all else fails, give the old "trap door trick" a run!

good luck...and don't forget to share the gold if you find any!!!

take a look at instructions for making these little traps HERE.

danyele @ a thorn among roses

{A Refreshed Crafting Spirit}

With Spring time officially right around the corner I'm feeling a sense of renewal coming on. I need to do a lot of Spring cleaning - BUT - to get me through I am going to put some fun things on the good ole "To Do" list!

I thought I would share a few contenders I've come across with you....

I have a hanky collection and this looks like a lovely use for them....sweet little pillows...

Are these booties not the most precious little things ever? Mmmm!

We are not losing any teeth yet, but I think these little lovies are the perfect place to put those lost teeth who are waiting for the Toothy Fairy...

If you would like to add any of these fun projects to your "Spring Cleaning" list you can get all of the details, here, here, and here. Or just visit Martha directly for loads of other fun options!

{Easy Peasy Valentine's Day Crafts}

I have to say, Valentine's Day does not get as much attention from me as it should. It's such a fun holiday, however, with our anniversary a few days after and Ryder's birthday a few days after that, I spend my time focusing on those two days instead. Valentine's Day sneaks up on me every year. LOL

I thought I would try to find something fun for the kids and I to do today that would be pretty easy since we are still on the mend. So, you know I turned to my fave crafty diva - Martha Stewart. She never lets me down. :-)

I think we will make these Valentine's for Brian today, to let him know he's "hands down" our favorite Daddy & Hubster.

If I had a little more time and my brain could focus, I would love to make this card. I think it is SO pretty....

For details on how to make this pretty quilled Valentine, just go here.

I think this Valentine is so decorative and festive. They simply decorated a clothes Pin with hearts and used the pin to keep the gift bag closed. So cute & it works double duty so you know I love that!

To make the clothes pin Valentine, just go here for all of the details.

I hope you're having a wonderful day!

kacey @ chronicles of a mommy

trio of trees...from cheri

i ran into cheri's blog when she left us a comment here at PCAH. she has some super amazing, and easy, projects that i fell in love with! i asked...she agreed...so here's a fab post direct from her blog...

I bought all the supplies to make this little "TRIO OF TREES"

I used 3 styrofoam cones, 1-8 inches and 2-5 inches.

Chenille yarn in 3 colors (you can really do any colors)

straight pins with colored round heads

3 picks

glue gun

Glue the yarn on each cone, starting from the bottom, makes it easier.

Then randomly stick in your straight pins (or christmas balls)

You can do lots or a few of the straight pins...I like mine less busy! Stick your picks in the top...and you have a Trio of Trees!

Maybe I will keep this set for myself!

So many parties...I LOVE parties. So I had to join the fun...

go and see cheri HERE.

danyele @ a thorn among roses

kids thanksgiving table ideas...

if you are like us, we have a kids table...and well, the kids are not always thrilled to be shoved over to the side and in the other room. i was thinking, this year the kids table should be fun. and then i found these little ditty's!!!

nothing says thanksgiving like turkey!
a super fun and easy craft to do while you are making final preps for dinner! it takes a few simple things and viola...amazing turkey centerpieces for the kids table...MADE BY THE KIDS!
{directions HERE}
a little more turkey at the table?? this little project is super fun for the little ones in the crew!


cindy at skip to my lou, had this incredible idea. it's a full table setting already set up for you!!! cute and fun, and a great little craft too! grab the printables HERE!!!

if your kids are into nickjr, head over HERE for some fun ideas with wubbzy, max and ruby, and dora too!!!

really, thanksgiving is just around the corner!!! i can't believe it either, but it is!!! let's get ready!
danyele @ a thorn among roses

place cards

i love these ideas from martha stewart on place cards for the upcoming thanksgiving holiday.

the first is super quick...easy and simply beautiful! and the kiddos can help find the leaves in the yard!

i love this place card idea...first, the kids and make it...and it sparks conversation! make your standard turkey place card and use the "feathers" for trivia...it's a great way for the kids to get to know fun details about grandparents...and vice versa!

how about a super cute and easy little project using an edible addition?

for full details and how-to's go HERE.

and living locurto has some awesome FREE downloads for place cards, among other things. go HERE and see them...tell her we sent you!!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

new fashioned window

crafty sewing alert...my tribute to cheapness and 30 minutes of fun!
{you have been warned}

this is the window over my kitchen sink that looks out in the back yard...my "check on the kids" window!
the thing about this window...its literally the first thing you see when you walk in my front door...bc the hallway funnels right to it...and it just didn't have enough pizazz...so i decided to change it.

so some hugely discounted fabric...texas shopping find with my SIL meg...and viola...the after!

it had to be fast and simple, bc, well, that's all i have time for, so i literally folded the fabric in half, hemmed each of the raw edges and sewed them in a rectangle. simple.

then the pizazz...the fringe...isn't it fabulous?
i pinned it on the front at the bottom and sewed directly over the top...thread color was close and you can't even tell! woo hooo!

final touch??? the cafe rod cover...ok, first, the cafe rod is from wal mart, used ont he initial window covering i made...it's a $2 cafe rod...ugly white with gold ends!!!
it had to be covered!

i took a scrap of the fabric from the curtain, sewed a tube and flipped it opposite of the curtain fabric.
the inside out fabric added the perfect touch of "different" and class to the window.

i bought a bag of black curtain clips {$4} and hung it up...and it's done.
{in way less than 30 minutes too}

you can do this...i promise. semi straight line sewing, no pattern...just go with it!
you never know what you can create until you try it!

danyele@ a thorn among roses

{Party People!}

I have to admit it, it's no secret to those around me or who live with me. I get a little {crazy} when it comes to birthdays. I subscribe to the idea that birthdays are a very big deal. And I mean a VERY big deal.

I'm already thinking about party themes for my Twinkies 2nd birthday which is in September. Please don't judge me. Planning + Organization + a little Craftiness = FABULOUS!!!

So, while it is still a little premature to share some of my party ideas, I thought I would share with you a few birthday hats I made for my dear friend's little twin girls 1st birthday. It is so easy, and you may have most of the supplies on hand.

Here is what you will need:

Craft Foam - Cone Shape

Glue
Stapler
scissors
elastic string
scrap fabric
ribbon
fuzzy trim
pipe cleaners {on a side not, I totally crack up when magazines call them "chenille stems"}
Paint {optional}
Glitter Spray Paint {optional}
Craft Flowers {optional}
Brads/Buttons {optional}
Goldfish or other snack item to bribe small children while you work...or for yourself.

Here is where you start....

I like to get all of my pieces and parts together 1st and then decorate, organization is key party people! I pre-painted these hats hot pink using craft paint. If you decide to work with any type of embellishment, start assembling them if required. I wanted to use craft flowers and a brad to embellish the top of the hat.

Using your craft fabric cut a design you would like - the options are endless! Bugs, cupcakes, numbers, etc. I chose a butterfly.


I drew a butterfly on my fabric, cut it out and then glued ribbon as the body of the butterfly.

Snip the top of the cone shape so that you can thread pipe cleaners through the top of the hat. I chose about 5 pipe cleaners and twisted them together on the bottom so that they do not go completely through the top. You could also use tulle for your Little Princess.

Cut elastic string to size. Staple the string onto the sides of the hat. Keep the staples as close to the bottom of the hat as possible so that you can cover them with your trim. After you have stapled, knot the elastic to ensure it does not slip.

Now, start applying all of your decorative parts and pieces with your craft glue - craft flowers, fabric cut outs, trim, etc.

Voila!

egg-tastic

egg coloring is a super fun and sometimes very messy time had by all. so this year, here are a few tips to keep things fun, pretty, creative and a little neater...

start off by making the perfect boiled eggs. cover the eggs with water in a pot and bring to boil. once it's at a boil, turn off the heat, cover the pot and let sit for 30 minutes.

blowing an egg...i have to admit, this one scares me. family fun swears this is the secret...
first shake the egg (uncooked) to break the yolk. Then use a small nail to make a hole in
the top and bottom of the egg. Blow gently until
the egg is empty.

dying your eggs can be done with standard food coloring...or you can buy the "name your fav character" dying kit at the store.

now it's time to spice those eggs up...family fun has some really fantastic and family friendly ideas for the kiddos...

wrap rubber bands around egg, covering completely and dye. let dry...and you get this beauty.

to create this beauty...you drizzle rubber cement on the egg and let dry...then dye it...remove the rubber cement...and viola!

when dying the eggs, use tongs to add and remove eggs from dye...and slap on some rubber gloves to protect those pretty hands from the blue dye!

For a quick egg-drying stand, use a paper towel tube cut into sections...and place eggs on top.

more fun and creative egg decorating how to's over at family fun...

danyele @ a thorn among roses