artsy Amy

Handmade Party Favors

Handmade Party Favors, originally uploaded by Artsy Amy.

During my recent trip to Georgia, five of us girls (various ages) and two goldfish bunked in one room. For my younger two dear 2nd Cousin bunk mates, I made these party favors.

Ok. The base is toilet paper rolls. Don't gag. I sprayed them both inside and out with Lysol and air dried them over a lit lamp. This adequately sanitized the "$hitter rolls" as dear Hubby calls them. The candy inside is individually wrapped. If you want to use something unwrapped, like jelly beans, use a paper towel roll and line the inside as well....just in case. Anyhow, I cut scrapbook paper and used my Xyron 500 to adhere it to the tubes. Using my new fab accessory, tulle, I sewed a seam 5/8th inch in and then turned it right side out. Tie one end of the tube closed with ribbon and fill with Starburst (or candy of your choice), then tie the open end closed with a ribbon. Quick, cheap, cute and a big hit with the kids! Other than the candy, everything else* (*not including the t.p. rolls) was laying around the craft room, aka master bedroom. Re-purposing is a way of life around here.

Craft Show

001 Folk Art Pendant, originally uploaded by Artsy Amy.

Dear Hubby took me to the Homestead Hollow craft show on Friday, June 6th. How sweet! I was disappointed that the two vendors I was looking forward to were not there. Last year, I found a Mom that made soy candles (love them) and an interesting lady that made vintage lockets and jewelry.

Our local craft shows have become booth after booth of the same things; I was bummed that there weren't more original ideas. My major find was this unique folk art pendant at the Blockhead Arts booth. The base is a domino with old dictionary pages decoupaged, then aged with stain and hand painted with a little flower. The artist makes everything with found objects. Adorable and green!

When Country Girls Shop

Country Chic Shirt Mosaic, originally uploaded by Artsy Amy.

As a mom, I'm used to shopping for my Dear Son and Dear Hubby.  I never purposely set out to shop for anything other than fabric or craft supplies!  But on Monday, I went shopping for clothes. 

This is the first time I've shopped for myself in so long!  I decided I would put together a wardrobe for the substitute teaching position I applied for.  Normally, I would never go ahead and act on something until I knew for sure.  Reading Rhonda Byrne's book, The Secret, has taught me otherwise.  I gathered all my nerves and set out to town, in this case Birmingham.  "Town"  is what locals say when referring to a close city.  I used to live in Birmingham.  This still cracks me up even though I've been living here 9 years now. 

Anyway, I discovered something curious during my shopping excursion.  I was drawn to clothing that looked like fabric I would craft with!  Hence, the above purchase.  Red gingham with a red sash, what could be more country chic?

Lounging, Laughing, and Leroy

Lounging, Laughing, and Leroy, originally uploaded by Artsy Amy.

On Monday, we (Dear Mother, Dear Son, and me) traveled to Cartersville, Georgia to visit the family at my Dear Aunt & Dear Uncle's new house, with a fabulous pool.  We donned our bathing suits (scary) and proceeded to lounge around like ladies and gentlemen of leisure for hours.  The only neighbor bothered was a lone llama named Leroy! 

Inspired by family, a new weblog named "How's the Family" has been launched.  The idea had been milling around my brain since talking awhile back with my Dear Mother-in-Law about their upcoming family reunion and how to pull off an easy recipe swap.  After this trip, there were just too many photos (evidence) that absolutely have to be shared!