edible easter nest :: diy

these edible easter nests are the perfect combo of salty & sweet.  simply melt some white chocolate, then stir in broken pretzel sticks.  form into a nest and add egg-shaped candies of your choice.  yuummmm...

indoor clouds :: diy

indoor clouds?! what?!  yes.  aren't they fun?

here's what you need & how to make them:

• white paper lantern
• glue gun & glue sticks or spray adhesive
• stuffed animal stuffing
• clear string

1. assemble your paper lantern
2. fluff your stuffing and adhere around lantern with hot glue or spray (spray adhesive is faster but messier)
3. hang with clear string

some people dare to put lights in them, but i fear fire so i opted out.  if you figure out a safe way though, let me know because i'm sure it would be beautiful!

xoxo

spring snow at night :: night photography :: winter photography

the night of our 'spring blizzard' last weekend, hubby and i helped family and friends out by snow-blowing their driveways.  i was reluctant to get out at first, but after he got me in the truck, i really enjoyed myself.  as we drove around town, the view was lonely and beautiful.  the snow was peaceful.  and it's too rare that we spend time together just the two of us.

xoxo

spring snow :: nature photography :: winter photography

sometimes i feel like my blog is an outdated weather report due to my love of nature photography.  if you haven't heard, the midwest got pummeled with 16 - 18 inches of snow over the weekend.  now, i'm ready for the spring just like every other person, but i will admit to enjoying this last visit from winter.  our family did a little night-sledding last night which always makes me feel like a kid!  we cozied up to the fire and we filled our tummies full of hot chocolate with an overwhelming amount of marshmallows.  we snuggled.  we bird-watched.  we were lazy.

it was wonderful.  xoxo

water flower :: macro photography

last week, my 2-year-old burst into the house full of excitement because he had found flowers in the yard.  the blooms were barely larger than his fingernails, so delicate and bright white.  the stems were weak and floppy but i, as any good parent does, made a big fuss over these and promptly filled a glass full of water so we could display his collection.  i then placed the glass in the sunroom on top of the piano and we headed back outside.

saturday morning i woke up and headed into the sunroom with my coffee.  i had forgotten all about the flowers so i was stunned at how lovely they looked with the light shining on them in their water.  the blooms had opened and they floated just perfectly along the fill line.  if i looked very closely, i could see the bubbles of water collecting along their soft petals.  they were breathtaking.

so... i grabbed my camera.

squeegee art :: paintings

i love experimenting with new ways to create abstract backgrounds for art.  here i used a squeegee. crazy right?!  i like the way it blended the colors together... pulling the paint in some areas but not all.  it's linear too, which i think gives it a modern feel.

do you have a painting secret?  i'd love to hear it!  

flower sticker jewelry :: kid project

have you ever looked closely at the sticker section in your local craft store?  i mean, you know, since you were 8?  when i walked through, i was surprised at all of the fabric stickers!  everything in this statement necklace above can be simply peeled and stuck on!

we did this for a kiddo's project in our last class.  such an easy and fun project for little ones.  however, i did reinforce my flower stickers with fabric glue just to be safe.

i think this would be a wonderful gift for little ones to make as a gift for mother's day!  this project could also be even more simplified by just cutting a single strip of felt and then making a cuff bracelet / corsage.  if your little one made a corsage they could even gift it as an easter dinner host gift!

p.s.  although adorable, these stickers can be quite expensive.  be sure to catch them on sale!  

march :: nature photography

moss chandelier :: diy

how fantastic would this look hanging over an outdoor sitting area?!  i'm obsessed!

here's the diy:

you will need:

• metal circle
• thin & thick wire
• chicken wire
• sticks
• moss
• hot glue
• foam semi-sphere
• crystals

1. cut the chicken wire to the diameter of your metal circle
2. attach with thin wire
3. shape your thick wire.  i used three pieces, but you can make it as extravagant as you would like!
4. poke and glue your shaped wire into the foam piece
5. now, place your foam inside the chicken wire circle and then begin adding sticks so that they cross over the chicken wire and into the foam, essentially holding the foam in place
6. using hot glue, adhere the moss to the foam
7. hang your crystals using the thin wire

what do you think?!  do you love this as much as me?

handprint tree :: project with kids

i don't know about the kiddos in your life, but my boys love to finger paint.  i guess it's the mess they enjoy!

the other day, the "monster" created this tree and i thought it was such a fantastic idea!  i've seen handprint trees before where leaves are painted with cue tips or thumbprints, but i had never seen branches created by  tracing the creases in a hand.

anyway... i wanted to share (and brag a bit too).  xoxo

art with font :: graphic design

have you seen the lovely aierbazzi font?!  instead of outputting letters as you hit the keyboard, it displays tree branches and/or flower blooms.  i think this is an awesome idea to make a personalized gift for a friend... or even new baby!

i used photoshop to add some texture & color behind my aierbazzi, but even just simple black and white would make a statement.

fun, right?!  now you can be the graphic design artist you never knew you were!

artful supplies :: home photography

as promised, here are the lovely photographs of "sparkly cousin's" art studio!  i chose close-up images because i am always impressed by how organized she is.  the girl should offer a class in sorting.  you know how the rich and famous have people come clean out their clothes closets?... well, i believe, "ol' sparkly" could make a happy living sorting school supplies.

i hope yesterday and today's photos inspire you into a weekend project of beauty.  they certainly have made me want to drink a little wine and craft away!

happy friday friends.  xoxo

shabby whimsical :: room tour :: home photography

breathtaking... right?!  this gorgeous bedroom is home to my 'sparkly cousin'.  her style always inspires me and once i walk into her room there is nothing i want to do more than snuggle in and drink coffee (or the occasional glass of wine).  i sit in awe and it seems i never stop noticing the next beautiful detail.

want more?!  of course you do.  photos of her art studio coming tomorrow...

xoxo