valentine packages :: gift idea

this valentine's day, how about surprising some friends with a cute package of thoughtfulness?!

the one pictured above includes:

• mason jars with chalkboard labels
• chalk
• paper straws (aren't they adorable?)
• jones flavored soda (wrapped with paper doilies)
• candy and treats

and, the one thing i forgot to add was a toothbrush and some insulin. ha!

may day basket :: diy

awww... may day.  it's the perfect day for a random act of kindness.  the boys and i are already working on our list of friends we plan to surprise with a gift on their door!

here's an easy diy may day basket that you can fill with a fresh bouquet of flowers:

1. cut burlap (or fabric of your choice) at least twice the height as a plastic sandwich bag
2. sew along vertical edges, leaving an opening at the top
3. flip rightside out and modge podge a doily, sew on fabric flowers, paint or decorate
4. sew or staple ribbon on the inside hem
5. place plastic bag inside so that you can place your fresh flowers in a touch of water without soaking your fabric
6. add a small note with a cheerful spring message

message in a cup :: diy

does your mother drink coffee or tea?   if so, how lovely would these little message cups be for an easy gift?

i found the "markers" simple to use, although they are a bit expensive.  you can also find ceramic & porcelain  paint at the craft store that works nicely too.  read the instructions fully however because depending on what brand of marker/paint, you might have to bake the items in the oven for a bit so the paint adheres properly.

if you do this project yourself, please post pics for me to check out!

spring easter nest :: diy

i shipped a few of these out to some friends earlier this week, so hopefully they've received the packages and i'm not giving anything away here!  anyway, i wanted to share with you how i made these cute little nests:

1. form spanish moss into the shape of by hollowing out the center of a bundle
2. spray the entire nest with adhesive spray
3. add leaves, sticks and other things from nature to make the nest look more realistic
4. let dry completely
5. apply acrylic matte spray to seal the nest
6. decorate.  i painted wooden eggs and stamped names on them, but you could add a little bird, candy... the ideas are endless!

happy spring!

may day

may is a special month...  lots of family birthdays, dinners on the patio, wildflower walks, mother's day, and of course lots of gardening.  to celebrate the first day of this great month, my son and i choose a few family members or close friends and deliver "may day" baskets.  this usually leads to a lazy day of visiting and drinking lots of ice tea - milk & cookies for "the monster"... we love it.

my enjoyment of this day started when i was a little girl and tradition was to leave flowers on the doorstep of a friend.  i would walk thru the woods behind my house and pick flowers (probably weeds), create my arrangement, then ring the bell and run off.  it was always thrilling to run fast so that i could hide before someone opened the door and found my gift.  when "the monster" gets a little older and fast enough, i plan on bringing back this tradition!

this year's baskets included:

• 3 different types of annuals to plant
• homemade pinwheels
• bug spray
• gardening gloves
• a brush to wash dirt out from under nails
• hand lotion