desk organizer? :: inspiration

this was one of those projects that turned out completely different from what it began as. i saw this on pinterest and decided to give it a try. except after i rolled the magazine strips and started gluing, i decided i didn't like my version. and... quite truly, i had lost patience with cutting, rolling, gluing, over and over again.

after sitting back and looking at it for a while, i really enjoyed the horizontal version much better. the rolls shooting up felt like a city skyline to me. then i thought to myself, "but, what am i gonna do with it?"

a couple more cups of coffee and i had it figured out. alas... my new paintbrush holder. how do you like it?!

golden eggs :: inspiration :: home decor

nests make the perfect spring decor, don't you think? i tend to make one each year for our family table and this year, i painted my wooden eggs gold. i mean... why not?! they look so pretty with the black & white feathers nestled in an antique bowl.

my boys keep trying to trick us though... occasionally they will sneak one in their pocket in the mornings before going out to our chicken coop to collect the eggs. then one of them runs in yelling about how we have a chicken that is laying golden eggs! you should see their faces as we play along, pretending to be amazed.

it's all fun and games until one brother throws a lovely golden egg at the other. when it doesn't break, their jig is up.

mommy gets her decoration back.

new fobots :: inspiration

i've been on a fobot kick again lately. these three amigos are my favorite! meet: 'professor weirdo', 'duuuuude, the skateboarder' and 'spring bunny'.

xoxo

daily thought :: inspiration

don't you agree?

cardboard box ramp :: diy :: inspiration

a prepared donation :: personal story

not too long ago, "the monster" was looking out the window as we drove and noticed a homeless man.

"mom", he said, "we should give that man a ride; i think he's cold."

well, of course he was cold, it was probably negative something out and he was homeless. no home. no car. hell, i didn't even see a blanket.

for a second, i pictured myself pulling over and offering to take the man to get something to eat. he would climb in the car, smell terrible most likely, and freak my kids out. freak me out. plus, you know, he could rob or kill us. i was afraid. yeah, i was too scared to do that.

second option: i could pull over and give him money. then, the man could buy his own dinner in a warm restaurant... or buy drugs. or alcohol. yeah, scratch that idea too.

i walked through my fears with "the monster" and explained why we couldn't help the homeless, car-less, blanket-less man on this negative degree day/week/entire winter. then, "the monster" had a great idea that propelled me into a moment of pure pride of my son's huge heart. he thought we should put together packages of food and pass them out to all the homeless people in the city.

well, i'm not totally sure where to find all the homeless people in the city, but we did put together little packages of snacks, water, tissues, etc. now, we will always have them in our car and when we find a homeless person asking for help, we can help them! we can provide for them without fear. and, my son can learn what it feels like to do acts of kindness... like his huge heart is pulling him to do.

i encourage you friends, to do the same. clean out your cupboards and make little packages for the homeless and/or needy. carry them with you and help when you can. it's so simple, yet so huge. xoxo

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!

snow day valentines :: kid projects

the kiddos have been off school the last couple days. the first day, we could play outside in the snow. today, however, the temps have dipped below zero so we're stuck inside. are you? if so, i thought i'd provide a little inspiration for you and your bored little ones.

both crafts are super simple. the first uses a toilet paper roll as a paint brush or stamp. just fold the tube as a heart and dip in paint. my boys stamped heart shapes all over construction paper and then we used that as a background for multiple valentines.

the second involves cutting, so it is best for 4-years and older. we folded a piece of paper and then traced our hands, with the thumb and index finger pressed against the folded side. then cut and unfold. when turned upside down, the space between these two fingers creates a heart shape.

what have you been doing to pass the time?

paper roll owls :: project with kids

i keep finding endless crafts to do with paper rolls.  above, the boys and i made our little owl family for fall decor for our living room. i think it's funny that "the monster's" blue owl looks like an angry bird.

xoxo

found objects :: inspiration

don't these little fobots make you happy?!  making these little guys is my new obsession.  i literally pace around my shop basement, kitchen or work room searching for arms, legs & eyes.  at garage sales, i buy the most obscure thing simply because i believe it might add a little personality to one of my fobots (found object robots).

i think they would be adorable in a children's room (up high on a shelf of course)... or even perched up on a fireplace mantel for conversation starting.

so, what do you think?  do you have a favorite one?  xoxo

mossy school desk :: garden inspiration

since opening the shop, kind and generous souls offer to me the rich history tucked away in their attics.  some items are in beautiful condition and others... well, not so much.  but, because i have hope and optimism, i usually take anything they offer with thankfulness and decide i may use it for something someday.

my dentist gave me this desk.  it had been sitting outside, in his garden, for years and was falling to pieces.  the wood was rotting and he thought maybe i could use the iron legs for a project.  after staring at the desk for a couple months, i decided to leave it as is, but cover with moss.  what do you think?!

i imagine this under a big willow tree in a vine-covered yard, next to an old stone fountain.  it's magical and dreamy...  like a secret garden.  or the garden in 'great expectations'.  it belongs somewhere incredible.

if you are in town, you should stop by urban sassafras to check it out!  you will love it, i promise.

tire swing :: kid projects :: inspiration

"It is a happy talent to know how to play."

 ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

blueberry lemonade :: inspiration

happy weekend friends!  i hope it's the kind of saturday that you enjoy the outdoors, play with the kiddos, and watch the sunset relaxing with something wonderful like a blueberry lemonade.

repurposed canvas catch-all :: diy

i loooooooove these.  love'em love'em love'em!  these old canvases have been turned over to make interesting and useful catch-alls.  what a perfect idea for the mudroom to keep mail in.  or the bathroom to hold magazines.  or the kitchen for homework.  the options are plentiful!

happy friday friends!  xoxo