MSCE April Days 7 & 8

So the last few days have been hectic, and there hasn't been much crafting around here. BUT - there has been some "creating" or "MAKING" (hence MAKE Something Cool Everyday in April) that I'll share with you...

I started transplanting my seeds from my starter greenhouse into individual pots. I left it later than I should have (again, I've been busy...) so I'm hoping they make it. If nothing else, my green beans are growing STRONG.


My apologies for the crappy photo... it was late at night... obviously... : )

Today I'm cheating a little bit... it was hubby Travis who made something cool. We're working together to lose some weight before the summertime (ah, the contentment pudge gained from our almost first full year of marriage...) by eating better and exercising. Trav cooked up a Weight Watchers lemon herb chicken recipe with asparagus that was delicious, filling, flavorful, AND healthy. I'm lovin' it!


I have a big event I'm hosting at work tomorrow -- wish me luck! Then I'm looking forward to the weekend for some quality time in my craft studio : )

MSCE April - Day 6 - Frustrated Chick!

Yesterday was the first day of MSCE April that I found frustrating.

Although MSCE April is teaching me to be creative in all aspects of my life, and allowing me to take some time for myself, etc. etc. last night I felt a little pressured to make *something.* I put the pressure on myself of course - since the rules of this game are very loose...

That being said, why I chose a project that involved sewing I have no idea - since I am *such* a novice sewer and really don't know what I'm doing.

Anyhoo, I made a little Easter chick pencil topper using felt and embroidery floss.

I got frustrated and threw it down several times, but by the time I was finally done - I was tickled pink. It turned out pretty cute I think -- and my thrill with creating something on a whim far overshadowed the frustration and pressure I put on myself to make it. Hm... I feel like there's a moral in this story somewhere...

Anyways, enjoy my little chicky friend! : )

Make Something Cool Every Day in April -- Days 3, 4 and 5

What MSCE has taught me so far is to realize the creative things I do every day - even when I don't realize it! I've been working a lot with kids lately, teaching classes and encouraging creativity. I'm working on projects without even realizing it - and sharing art and crafts with kids is not only rewarding, but great fun!

On Friday - MCSE Day 3 - I worked with a group of elementary school students at the YMCA. We made flower pens. These are super quick and easy, fun to make, and perfect for gifts. I have a tutorial coming for them later in the week.

The same afternoon, I headed over to the Cook Library Center to work with the kids there. We made handprint lily flowers, to be given to some of our donors at a luncheon this week. The kids were so focused! Find the how-to at Family Fun HERE.

On Saturday - MCSE Day 4 - I hosted an all-day Bachelorette Party for my dear friend Alison and our first stop of the day was at "Paint Your Masterpiece" - a paint your own pottery studio in Lambertville, MI. We each painted a dessert plate for Alison - which she will get to keep. We used the same color palette, but were free to do whatever we want.

I used flower stamps on a sponged background. We also painted personal messages on the back of each of our plates.



I was exhaused on Sunday - MCSE Day 5 - from all of the weekend festivities, but the crafty work continued! My mother and I (who is a fabulous costumer and seamstress) are making the costumes for a dance recital at the YMCA. We have almost 100 girls to costume! They are providing their own tights, shoes, and leotard - and we are making the rest - on a very limited budget.

We headed to JoAnn Fabrics to get started with patterns and fabrics. The theme of the ballet portion of the recital is "Secret Garden" and we're going to work with these patterns for the most part, in a variety of colors and patterns...

(top left corner, no wings)

(far left)

(top three)

I'm working with my dance instructors to determine thematic colors and elements for each class, and then we'll get to work!

Phew - what a long post! If you made it all the way through - great job! Thanks for reading! : )

Make Something Cool Every Day in April - Day 2

I subbed for one of my art instructors at the YMCA last night, and while I wasn't responsible for the project plans themselves, I had the privilege of creating them with the students. My camera battery died, of course, during the classes - so I don't have any photos of the kids in action, but here are some photos of the outcomes...

Easter chicks in eggs, by the Kindergarten Explore Art class. They cut their eggs open and I attached them with a brass fastener so that the egg would open and close.

This was actually their project from the week before with another instructor, but they were just so cute and vibrant I had to post it as well. I love projects including kids' hands - even if they ARE a tad messy!


The youth Multi Media Art class worked on abstract circle drawings using sharpie markers - another of my favorite things for kids to use.

Today I'll be "making something cool" with some kids from a local elementary school, and stopping by the Cook Library Center to "make something cool" with them as well. My camera battery is fully charged - so check back later this afternoon for "Make something cool every day in April" DAY THREE!

Baskets and a CHALLENGE - Ain't No Foolin!

Here's one of the latest in the Easter Basket series. I've worked only in paper so far (isn't it amazing how versatile a single sheet of paper or cardstock can be?!) but will be moving on to other materials next week. I used two colors of cardstock on this one and weaved it - elementary school style! - to form the basket base.



Yesterday I was reading Dot's post at Dabbled - and not unusually - was inspired! Dot has set herself a challenge to create something in some way every day for the month of April - and she's inviting us to play along! And well, you know how much I like playing : ) Sooo... I'm doing it too! I'm going to try my hardest to...

Now, do I truly believe I'll be able to do something EVERY SINGLE day? Nah... but it's the concept that I love. I just need that little push to spend a little "me-time" each day and be creative. In fact, I truly believe that doing so will make me better and more productive in the other daily areas of my life.

In light of this challenge, I took the time last night to use some of Lolly's wonderful free templates to make another variation on the Basket on a Budget - can you tell I'm liking that basket? Anyhow - Lollychops is fabulous, and so are her templates and so was her Big Time Bunny Week - and I've been meaning to make use of her templates for awhile now. I really like the way this turned out...

Joanne at Craftpassion - who I just did a fabric swap with (project coming soon - thanks, Joanne!) used those same templates to make BEAUTIFUL appliques for some baby PJ's. I'm in awe. So talented! Check them out HERE.

Phew! That's it for now! I encourage you all to be creative this month - even if it's not every day - and feel free to share your project ideas with all of us here!

Happy Thursday! : )