Sunday, June 13, 2010

Baby Toy Box



I was invited to a baby shower but I wanted to bring something different. I bought a pre-made wood box from Michael's and painted it. I cut some playful images of flowerpots and plants with faces from a wallpaper border and glued them to the ends of the box and sealed them with matte Modge Podge glue. I painted grass and other garden details to the ends and sides of the box. I added painted round wood knobs to the underside of the box for the feet.

I enjoy making this box as a baby gift and each time, the parents-to-be are always thrilled with it. After the baby gets a little older, the box can be painted to suit the age at that time. Later, the "feet" can be removed and once the box is turned on its end, it can be used as a small bedside table. I always make the boxes unisex and use bright colors. Bright apple green is my current favorite color for the boxes but it always take my inspiration for the color from the wallpaper "decals" that I use.

This type of box can be used for other things such as a house warming gift or a toy box to hold toys and equipment when traveling with a pet. It's quite a versatile item and reasonably inexpensive to make. I hope you'll give this project a try.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Happy Summer



Hasn't the weather has been lovely lately? I've seen my neighbors busy planting their flowers at the front of their houses and vegetables in their back gardens. Soon, they can sit back and enjoy the fruits of their efforts. I have been busy too planting my favorite Martha Washington geraniums in the planters at the front of the house. My perennials are up again and the grapes and currants are appearing on their branches. I have a rose garden that has several varieties (climbing, hybrid and tea) but my favorites are the David Austin roses. They are an old English hardy variety of rose that never disappoints and blooms late into the fall. The garden is surrounded by lavender which gives off a fabulous scent, particularly in the evening when I'm watering everything. I hope everyone enjoys their gardens as much as I do.

This card was submitted to the Cupcake Craft Challenge, Week 93 with a theme of 'summer delight'. To me, summer is gardening. Here is my recipe:
Designer Paper : S.E.I. - Granny;s Kitchen
DieCuts: Cricut, Walk in My Garden
Ribbon: Berwick Offrey LLC
Embellishments: Martha Stewart Dimensional Daisies
Sentiment: Digital