Monsoon Season 2014

In the desert we have monsoon season, this year it has been quite spectacular! Most recently, we have had rain and storms on and off for the past three days and I love it! The smell of the desert is amazing.

And to make things even better I was able to catch this shot on Sunday night!

Saguaro as seen from my backyard during a recent storm

That saguaro resides in our backyard and I am just in awe of the horizontal lightening in the background. In addition to this shot, there are many that are either all black, no lightening, or completely white, too much lightening. I think I will stop here and never take storm shots again as I am sure it will be hard to casually catch one like this again.

Doll Clothes: American Girl Beforever Inspiration

Ok, so my daughter has an American Girl doll and I must admit I am glad that she does. It's fun! She loves to play with it and dress it. In addition, we make crafts together for the doll--more on that later. I also spend some time making clothes for the doll. My sewing capabilities are pretty basic but I enjoy it and doll clothes are pretty gratifying. Lucky for me, my daughter just loves anything I make---ahhh, youth!

Anyways why I am mentioning this is because American Girl is revamping it's historical line and with it the characters are getting new 'Meet' dresses. (The dresses that they arrive in.) Here is an image of the rumored new 'Meet' dress for Kit.

rumored: Kit's new 'Meet' dress

I have had this image in my head and I know that there is some debate about its historical accuracy and whatnot. This is not what I am here to talk about, but I am here to talk about this...

I found this fabulous fabric at Joann's and it reminded of this new dress, or more precisely it reminded me of what my mind's eye sees when I think of this new dress. (I don't really hold a solid opinion about the new one, but I do prefer teal over aqua.) In fact, when I brought it to the cutting counter the employee even commented on its vintage vibe. It is so pretty in person.

Keepsake Calico Fabric- Tossed Flowers Red & Teal

http://www.joann.com/keepsake-calico-fabric--tossed-flowers-red-teal/13068671.html

So, inspired by this new fabric I took a peek at patterns and LOOK!!!! this Simplicity pattern 1443 (dress A) looks pretty much the same a the new dress.

Pattern description in Simplicity catalog

rumored new book cover (L) and close-up of Dress A Simplicity pattern 1443 (R)

I am pretty sure I can figure out how to create an inspired outfit! I am excited to give it a whirl. I will report back! Fun stuff!

Fourth of July DIY Burlap Wreath

Happy Fourth of July!

I love our festive 'lizard' that resides near our doorbell.

Ok, I know its way past the Fourth of July, but I wanted to make sure I completed this wreath so it would be ready. I tend to put things off and then only half complete them.

I have a love/hate relationship with this whole burlap trend and working with the material did not help matters. I do love the outcome however, so the jury is still out.

Welcome! Out entry way after a haboob!

I created the wreath after spying some cool ribbon at Walmart and being inspired by all the DIY wreaths out there. I spent about $20 on this wreath. I should have waited for the ribbon to go on sale, but alas, I did not. I did, however, use a killer coupon for the wire frame.

I googled 'DIY burlap wreath' until I found a tutorial I liked the best. My biggest concern was fullness so I went with the tutorial that I felt best addressed that concern paired with ease of project.

I referred to the DIY burlap wreath tutorial from Stone Gable Blog while working on my own. (http://www.stonegableblog.com/2013/10/burlap-wreath-tutorial.html)

I used:
16 in wire wreath frame
4 rolls of burlap ribbon (4in x 10 ft) (1 blue, 3 red chevron)
hot glue gun
black wire
scissors

Here is the ribbon I used. Again, it was from Walmart.

I started my creation the way the blog indicated. Here is it after the blue section was mostly complete. I used the blue ribbon for two sections of the wreath and the red chevron for the remaining ones. (Section = the space between the perpendicular wire that connections the wreath rings together)

After it was complete, I hot glued the loose ribbon ends and tied them with wire to pieces of the frame.

Same wreath, interior door.

I am still going to fluff it out a bit more. I have not decided if I want to add any other embellishment, like a last name initial. I think simple works here. I am very excited about the project and even more excited that I had bought more of the same ribbon and can now make a wreath for my sister! :)

Floatie Pen Collection Display

Floatie Pen Display

My floatie pen collection

Every since I was little I was fascinated with floatie pens. I am not sure how my 'collection' actually started but at some point I realized that I sort of had alot and should display them. As I was searching for a display to purchase, it quickly became apparent that there was no such thing--at least that I was able to locate. So, I made several attempts at DIY displays. One in particular I thought would work, but never turned out quite the way I wanted. (It was using a toothbrush holder. I still believe someone could pull it off, just not me.)

Then it hit me, a picture shelf ledge turned vertical! And I had just the spot in the house to hang it!

Here is how it turned out. I really love it! I have summarized the steps I took to create it. It's super simple!

So, this project turned into an IKEA hack. YAY!  I purchased a Ribba picture ledge from IKEA: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40126069/

I took that Ribba picture ledge and drilled holes into it that would accomodate the pens. I used some painters tape on the front to mark where I wanted to drill. I also added some of the tape to the back. My hope was that this would save the finish. I was not so lucky. Easy fix though, I painted the center piece front and back a coordinating wall color. I started with a 1/4 inch drill bit and tested the pens and went up from there. I believe I landed on 9/32. A 5/16 may also work. I would advise that you go slow and test a variety of pens after everydrill. For the visual learners out there, here are some pics.

Marks on painter's tape helped me make sure I was drilling where I wanted to.

A little touch paint in the center makes it look fancy I think.

I am very pleased with the outcome and it makes me smile everytime I walk past!

Welcome!

Greetings!

My name is Amy Walsh and this is my first time writing in a blog. I am pretty excited. I do not know all the ins and outs and therefore will keep things pretty simple.

The reason I wanted to start a blog of some sort was that I love to do crafty things. I make things for around the house, as gifts and keepsakes. I wanted to share some of the ideas I have and some of the adaptations I have made to other ideas.

This blog will be a very simple recording of different things that I have done. Nothing fancy. Just want a record of some of the things I have created in case others are inspired to create their own items.

Thank you and I hope you enjoy!