up-cycled glass >> vase

Bought your madre some flowers (or a shoot of lucky bamboo) for Mother’s Day (TOMORROW!!!)? Don’t have a pretty vase for them? Here’s a quick and painless vase DIY.

happy frappy vases

You know what those are? FRAPPUCCINO containers! The ones you buy at the drug store when you’re craving Starbucks, though you KNOW they aren’t even close to the real stuff…those! Jason bought me a pack before he left to Vegas (because he’s smarrrrt!) last time and I think I drank all of them in one day. Ooops! I lost one of the containers to smashage AKA the elbow bump to my kitchen floor.

Put them opening down on some newspaper and SPRAY PAINT the heck out of ’em. Actually, put on a light base coat and let it dry for a few minutes THEN spray paint the heck out of them. Let them chill out for a few more minutes until the paint is no longer sticky/wet and then transfer them to a place to dry overnight. Make sure to inspect the vase for any lighter spots and touch those up before letting it rest.

The results are pretty spectacular–they look like colored milk bottles! Spray painting glass containers is nothing new, but I think the frappuccino containers have a beautiful curvy shape! SO…if you need a little vase for your mama’s Mother’s Day flowers, I suggest heading out and picking up a faux-frappuccino at your local drug/convenience store. I used spray paints I had on hand. You don’t need very much!

It’s Saturday, though, so you better get started! ;)

The baby gets a silhouette!

This weekend, I finally set about making a painted fabric silhouette for Andrew. I made Nathan’s in late April 2008. He was almost 3. Considering Andrew is that same age, I thought I should get on the ball and make his.

I hung it up, yesterday:

93.365: we will become silhouettes

I used the same method I used to make the other: I stretched some fabric over a 12×12 canvas and stapled it on the back. Then, I printed the silhouette onto freezer paper, cut it out, and ironed it onto my fabric. I used acrylic paint and foam brush to paint around the stencil. Let it dry a bit, then peeled off the paper. I coated it all with some glossy mod-podge.

A few things:
–I still got air bubbles! Big boo to that, but you can hardly tell unless you’re right up on it (get off my wall!).
–The orange floral fabric is a little busy, so I’m going to have to outline the silhouette a bit to give it more definition. If I could do it again, I’d probably reverse it–iron down the outside of the stencil and paint inside the silhouette.

Do you have any silhouettes of you or family members?

I have a few more projects to share, this week. I can hardly wait! They include an embroidery project, a knitted pillow, and my adventures in gardening. Stay tuned!

p.s. I am an April sponsor for my girl thursday and I am in fabulous company! You should check out THIS POST for coupon codes to some wonderful shops, including goodknits! Don’t forget: in celebration of Spring and friendship, all orders will ship with a little braided friendship bracelet. :)

Have a great week, everyone!

love & lovelove

35.365: lovelovelove

Okokok, it’s winter–I get it!

The weatherMEN in this dear city all had snow in their forecast for us, this morning! They closed the school district, declaring a snow day. My son was supremely excited! He even went to bed at his normal time in order to wake up early and frolick in the snow.

Alas, there was NO snow, this morning. Nada, zip, zilch. Oh, but don’t you worry your pants off, there was plenty of ice to entertain him for a bit. My sister didn’t have to work on account of the ice on highways, so she took him around the house, picking up frozen leaves and whatnot.

morning painting

After breakfast, we got to work making Valentines for his classmates. I used the idea found here (via this February round-up of sorts on Smile and Wave) and we made enough for the whole class and his teacher. After we finished, I grabbed a blank sheet and started with lines. He added hearts. I wrote “love” in cursive, so he wrote it twice in his adorable handwriting. He outlined my hearts, I outlined his. It was a collaboration of the best kind.

more love love

<3