Spring planting for a beginner

While I absolutely love looking at beautiful landscapes and gardens, I knew that my brown thumb was an inhibitor for me. Being the persistent person I am, I couldn't face not trying to do a garden or landscape myself, so I began planting. Once I realized I could keep plants alive, I tried to see how long and which ones.

When we bought a home last year, the side garden was a disaster. I tried to upkeep, but those darn weeds kept coming up. I HATE WEEDS!

I finally put my foot down and did something about it over the weekend. This particular area of my home only gets about 2-3 hours of sunlight, so I can't really do those beautiful flowers that need full sun. After visiting the local nursery, here's how I designed my garden and the progression in phases:

BEFORE (see what I mean?):

PHASE 1: Laying out the design for planting

PHASE 2: Planting 

PHASE 3: Add mulch and stepping stone and SMILE BIG because it's DONE!

What do you think? I'm really proud of this because this was my first gardening attempt =). Still a few things we need to add, but overall, I'm satisfied.

Next project: Square Foot Garden - already purchased the wood, soil and seeds...here I come!

5x5 Mixed Media Art

Full Sail University is hosting a Summer Art Show called 5x5 @5pm. All we had to do was pickup a canvas, create an original work of art and submit it for the show next month. It will be available for sale where all proceeds will go to benefitting the FS students. 

So naturally, I reserved a 5x5 canvas and created a mixed media piece which I always enjoy doing. I started by choosing the scrapbook paper I wanted and cut out a design I liked. I began using Mod Podge and glued each piece down. I decided not to paint any part of it, so I used paper even around the edges. 

Then I sanded down the corners and edges of the canvas and distressed it with an ink pad. I followed up with a Q-tip and ink highlighting the lines. Finally, I finished off with a brown ink pad and just spread it across the entire canvas to give it a more distressed tone.   

April Craft Day

Now that we're in May, I feel a little behind for not posting the pictures of the April Craft Day from a few weeks ago.

The focus was the Spring Bird I had made a few weeks ago; however, only two of us worked on the bird, while others brought their own craft to work on. I focused on making the second bird as a gift.

I enjoyed making the second bird so much that I my original one for sale on Etsy, as well as the option for a custom one.

Here are a few shots of what everyone else worked on.

Spring Bird

Create a cute spring bird that decorates your home. Super easy and fun to do. 

Here's what you'll need:

• Wooden bird (Michael's has it for $2.99)
• Scrapbook paper
• Mod Podge
• Gesso (optional)
• Varnish (optional)
• Sandpaper
• Black inkpad
• Q-tip
• Buttons
• Glue Dots

First, apply Gesso to the wood to allow for better adhesion of the scrapbook paper (this step is optional). Then, begin cutting out different shapes of scrapbook paper and applying them one by one on the bird where you want them with the Mod Podge. 

Once you have covered each part of the bird with the paper, wait a few minutes for it to dry and begin sanding down the edges to trim off any extra paper and give a white border to the bird. 

Then, get the inkpad and start rubbing it along the lining of the bird that you just sanded down to give a distressed look. After, I outlined the paper with a marker and went over it with a Q-tip and ink to smudge it and bring out each individual paper. 

Finally, I finished it off with a varnish to seal and protect the paper and then added the buttons for eyes with Glue Dots.

March Craft Day!

As always, my monthly craft day is intended to bring ladies together to enjoy each other's company and craft. Many times people bring their own craft to make and this month was no different. I was the only one that crafted the Pinterest craft and I loved the way it came out. 

Nikita designed and painted this cute picture frame.

This was Felicia's first time at crafting and she designed a frame.

My fellow crafter, Kelsey, worked on a furniture piece she's redoing. 

After what seemed like forever, I finally had finished wrapping and gluing the twine onto my white letter. 

I made the flower from two different felt colors and then glued the buttons in the middle. I love the way it turned out!