Saturday, March 31, 2012

Guest Post- {Make Large Peep Topiaries} from The Seasonal Home

Eileen Bickerstaff blogs about “the ART of decorating around the JOY of celebrating... but on a budget” at www.TheSeasonalHome.com. During the holidays, she designs and decorates for both residential and commercial clients, but her favorite things are being a mom to her 4 boys, designing in her home and inspiring creativity in others. Her creative ideas emphasize decorating on a budget and re-purposing!

For my front door area, I was eager to reuse my black footed planters (to create a similar look to last years) for Easter (http://seasonalhome.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/3759/). But of course... it had to be a brand new look AND on a budget (translation - make it myself!) I also had a definite passion for purple this year and here's my inspiration....

PURPLE PEEPS!

Before I could create the entire look, I first had to create a duplicate of my inspiration - the Marshmallow PEEP Bunny.

Using a 50% off coupon, I purchased a sheet of (apx.) 2" x 12" x 36" white styrofoam, drew and cut a PEEP shape and used one of the discarded pieces (as a file) to create nice, clean edges on the finished product.

Next, I painted my PEEP shape with a styrofoam-friendly brand of spray paint (Design Master) in lavender and then while damp, sprinkled it with a light coating of iridescent glitter for a sugary look. I also painted a bamboo wood dowel that I had cut in half and once that was dry, I inserted both pieces into the bottom of my PEEP shape, to create a stand. Chocolate brown (my name - not the manufacturer's - but I thought that might be more helpful) acrylic paint and a small paint brush helped me create the face. Don't they have the cutest faces?!! Couldn't you picture several smaller versions of these in your front yard (maybe in different colors?)

Ok, back to the project (lol).... I spray painted one of my footed, black planters white, and even reused a styrofoam circle (note the hole made by last year's pvc). Then, I placed & gently pushed my PEEP's bamboo legs into the styrofoam circle to secure it in the planter, slipped a purple-themed spring wreath over his head and added extra flowers to camouflage the styrofoam.

I added a bow to my bunny and placed my large, purple yard eggs and several other decorations around to bring my purple PEEP passion together, including using one of my outdoor greenery plants. And I love the mossy, jumping bunnies I found at Pier 1 this year. See what you think...

Don't forget to check out my entire EASTER category on my blog for even MORE creative ideas and...

Happy Easter!

Eileen

SO CUTE THANKS A BUNCH EILEEN for sharing these cuties with all my peeps here on COM.

jen

Friday, March 30, 2012

Home Decor- Easter Entry Table

Hello Friends.

So one day hopefully very soon, I will have a new dresser for you all to see in front of my stenciled wall. Its sitting at my sisters waiting for me to pick it up and give it a makeover. I also think I may paint the mirror. For now here is my Easter "entry table and wall" you all have seen loads of times. ;)

I took one of my Canvas Corp pennants and cut a small strip of fabric and hot glued each end to the front of the pennant. I then used my Martha Stewart "E" stencil and dotted circle stencil with MS stencil brush to embellish the pennant. I used a Martha Stewart hot pink acrylic paint. All my Martha Stewart products can be found at Micheal's and JoAnn's I received the MS crafts from Plaid Crafts.

"E" for Easter!

I took a cheap black frame and some aqua and white acrylic paint mixed with a little water and did a glaze on the frame. I then added some cut fabric and some cut letters from my Cricut to spell out "eggs". EASY!

I stuck the egg sign inside of a large wood rustic crate, and added some speckled eggs.

THE YELLOW THIN TABLE RUNNER, I cut and sewed up all sides. Very easy!

The wreath I bought about 3 years ago. I love it. I cut a piece of fabric and looped it through the wreath and hung it on my mirror.

CAN YOU BELIEVE EASTER IS ALMOST A WEEK AWAY! THEN SUMMER... sheeeesh!

thanks for stopping by.

winks, jen

Spring has Sprung, its time to plant flowers with Miracle-Gro Expand 'n Gro

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Scotts® for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Want an easy way to prep your gardens for the Spring and Summer seasons! Well with the help of Miracle-Gro "Expand 'n Gro" it can happen.
This happy season has me filled with the joy of fresh flowers, vibrant colors, and cool weather. I started my spring fever off with Planting some flowers in my porch pot. Amazingly I planted my flowers just 4 days ago and already they have grown up about 4 inches from when they were first planted. I couldn't believe that. I owe it to Miracle-Gro "Expand 'n Gro"
Some Mircale Gro - Expand 'n Gro facts
-Up to 3X the Flowers and Vegetables!* *versus native soil
-Significantly improves soil for multiple years
-Concentrated planting mix expands up to 3X when water is added
-Feeds for up to 6 months
-All natural fibers hold up to 50% more water than basic potting soil
INTRODUCING . . . MIRACLE‐GRO® EXPAND ‘N GROTM CONCENTRATED PLANTING MIX
Miracle‐Gro® Expand ‘n GroTM is specially formulated to help you get big, beautiful results anywhere you plant – whether in‐ground or in pots. Expand ‘n Gro, the latest innovation from Miracle‐Gro, transforms any soil into an ideal growing environment for getting great results and higher yields.
A UNIQUE BLEND OF MIRACLE‐GRO® PLANT FOOD AND COIR
Expand ‘n Gro Concentrated Planting Mix is different from basic potting and garden soils. Because it’s a unique blend of Miracle‐Gro plant food and coconut coir fiber, a compact, lightweight, easy‐to‐carry and easy‐to‐store bag of Expand ‘n Gro can do everything a big, heavy bag of soil can do, only better. This concentrated planting mix expands up to 3 times when mixed with water, feeds plants for up to 6 months, makes native soil more workable and retains up to 50% more moisture than basic potting soil.
ALL‐NATURAL COCONUT COIR IS AT THE HEART OF EXPAND ‘N GROTM CONCENTRATED PLANTING MIX
Coir is a lightweight, all‐natural material derived from coconut husk. Coir consists of 2 components: fiber (both long and short) and pith. Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam, Dominican Republic, and Mexico are the top producing countries of coir. Harvesting coconuts begins with de‐husking. The copra (flesh) and milk of the coconuts are used as food, but the husk itself is also useful. First, long fibers are removed. These will be used in the manufacture of ropes, doormats, mattresses, automobile car seats, and garden pots. The remaining short fibers and the pith, which makes up about 70% of the weight of the husk, are by‐products of the fiber industry. Previously, these materials were disposed of, but now they are compressed and sold around the world as soil amendments.
COIR MAKES EXPAND ‘N GROTM PLANTING MIX AN EFFECTIVE SOIL AMENDMENT
Most native soil, whether sandy, hard clay, or somewhere in between, is not ideal for plants. Improving and then maintaining the condition of native soil can be a daunting task, and many soil amendments last only one year. Bags of traditional garden soil and amendments are messy, heavy, and difficult to transport and store. Lightweight, concentrated Expand ‘n Gro is easy to use, and helps ensure plants get the right amount of moisture and air they need to thrive. The honeycomb shaped, sponge‐like cell structure of compressed coir pith re‐expands when water is added. This permanent re‐expansion of coir offers several benefits for plant growth, including improved moisture control and bulk density. And because coir contains a great deal of lignin, a slowly decomposing organic polymer, Expand ‘n Gro continues to benefit native soil for multiple years after it is first added.
KEY BENEFITS OF EXPAND ‘N GROTM PLANTING MIX: MOISTURE CONTROL & BULK DENSITY
In pots or in‐ground, the absorbent coir fibers help ensure that water is used efficiently. Expand ‘n Gro retains up to 50% more moisture than basic potting soils and then releases water as plants need it, to help prevent over or under watering. Since moisture and nutrients must be able to reach plant roots, proper air space and circulation in soil is critical for plant health. Tilling this planting mix into native soil can reduce the soil’s bulk density – making it up to 40% lighter, and creating up to 90% more air space. The result is more workable native soil with better water holding ability, moisture distribution, and drainage, all of which ultimately creates an improved rooting environment for plants.

Expand ‘n Gro™Expand ‘n Gro™Expand ‘n Gro™

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Amazing Skin Care from Muvazi, I am in love!

Several weeks ago I was sent a beautifully packaged skin care system from Muvazi.I was in love from the moment I opened the package. I love the packaging of each bottle, and jar. Everything is made so pretty and of great quality. What is more important then how it is packaged is how well it works. Nothing dried out my skin, irritated my skin, or was to greasy. Those 3 things are so important to me in skincare. Each time I used the product my skin looked better and better. It felt re-freshed, soft, clean and even.

I followed Muvazi 4 steps for morning and night for the last 3 weeks now. I cannot believe how beautiful my skin is right now. Even how my makeup looks when it is on. Their products sale themselves.

Here I am into week number 3 of using Muvazi. My skin is so clear and even. You can see that I do have makeup on, but I can honestly say that my makeup looks way better after using Muvazi.

WAY BETTER!

To read more about Muvazi you can visit their website.
to learn about their research you can go here.
to read their promise you can go here.

WHY CHOOSE M U V A Z I ?

(there message)

Our products are made with natural ingredients and fruit extracts.

The ingredients are clinically proven to reduce the visible signs of aging, and creates a natural moisture barrier, which restores elasticity
and a healthy, youthful glow.

Muvazi's Skin Care Products won't clog pores, are hypoallergenic,
oil free, dye free, not tested on animals, and
backed by integrity and quality.

Once again, I am loving my Muvazi and think you all would too.

Right now Muvazi is offering all of my bloggy readers a 50% off discount (HELLO HUGE) The regular price for the entire system is $119.95, so their offer to all of you is $69.95 {{PLUS FREE SHIPPING!}} your DISCOUNT CODE at purchase will be "CRAFTO"

I promise you all will love this skin care system.

winks, jen

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

DIY- make a pair of darling -Overall Trousers- for little boys

Hello Craft-O-Maniac Readers! My name is Angelina and I can be found blogging over at "Ruby Jean's"

I am beyond thrilled to be counted as one of the Contributors here on COM. "The Seamstress"

Today I will be sharing with you a "Sewing for Boys" project.

I first started with an old pair of Trousers I had laying around.

I picked out a pair of our little guys pants that have a nice fit.

I turned them WRONG side out and traced and cut 4 pieces total

Hem the Bottom of Pants.

You can run the Elastic all the way through the waistband or only through the back

If you are going to run it only through the back. Be sure to leave openings on both SIDE seams. Secure your elastic to one SIDE seam then stretch it to the other SIDE seem. Secure in place and Stitch opening closed. Then finish with TOP stitching your waistband.