Wool, Doodles and a Gift

I've already started creating this summer.  One of the things I love about summertime is that I have lots of time to craft and create. My first project this summer was to create a birthday gift for my friend Kerry. Kerry has a soft spot for elephants so I couldn't resist making one from recycled wool.  I created this little elephant using this pattern I found on Pinterest.  He was hand stitched with love.

I also zentangled a mini bird house and a photo box to serve as a gift box. The gnomes are little pot hangers. I couldn't resist them, they are so cute. Kerry has a little fairy garden so I knew she could use a few gnomes to decorate it.

After shipping Kerry's elephant I decided to try making another one. I wanted it to be smaller and to have it's trunk up.  I drew a new pattern to create a little elephant. This was the final result; I think he's very cute. Since I regularly craft in jags I have a hankering to make a few more wool softies. Maybe I'll even make a whole herd of wool elephants. Of course what will I do with them all, my bookshelves are quickly filling with little wool creations.

It's Summer Vacation

It's finally summer vacation!  We've made our summer fun lists and we've begun our summer activities. Swimming was on both of our summer fun lists, so we've been out enjoying the pool.

Even Chunk likes to head out to the pool with us.  He can't swim and with that sweet pushed in face and black fur he doesn't do well poolside. He likes to sit under our lounge chairs in the cool, wet shade. We periodically have to trick him into going into the house to cool down but he's like a little kid, he doesn't want to miss out on the fun. I guess he has fomo(fear of missing out.) He just wants to hang out with us, even if the sun and heat are killing him.

The summer bugs have taken their toll on poor Chunky too.  He ended up wearing the cone of shame a few weeks back because of an allergic reaction to bug bites on his face. When he got his cone it just begged to be decorated, so the girl armed herself with Sharpies and set to work to decorate the cone of shame. Between the bugs and allergies the poor little guy has been a mess.  He's taking dog benedryl daily but his face gets swollen and itchy.  The bug bites healed but now he has a new batch, we may have to pull out the cone again. Poor Chunk so far he's not having much summer fun.

End of the School Year

It's the end of the school year which means it's almost time for summer fun. Of course, before summer can begin I have a long list of things to finish at school. Preschool graduation prep was one thing on that list. We've been busy preparing for our preschool graduation celebration over the last few weeks. We've been practicing our songs, making props, signing diplomas, setting up the classroom and preparing for the big day.

After all of our preparations the day finally arrived; today was our big celebration. Isn't this bulletin board awesome?! It was the background behind the kids for our graduation performance. I just love it!!! If I haven't mentioned it before I am very fortunate to have three of the best paraprofessionals ever in my classroom. They are amazing! They each pitched in to help with all of the graduation prep. Chrisann really outdid herself on this bulletin board! We might have to do this every year from now on.

Zentangle Box

I haven't zentangled much in the last six months.  I used to tangle a lot but I tend to craft in jags and I've been sewing more in the past few months. Well it seems I may have entered into a zentangle jag.  I drew on a red tin can for the last swap I did. It inspired me to try zentangling on a different kind of box.  I used a photo box that I purchased on sale at my local craft store.

This is the sage green photo box I started started with. It's plain and boring, not much of a gift box.

With just a black sharpie, some time and positive thoughts I created a decorated gift box for a co-worker who is in need of some positive thoughts and a cheer up. As I drew, I thought about all the worries my co-worker has been facing and tried to pour positive thoughts into each stroke.

I placed my gift inside the box then tied it up with some black elephant ribbon. I dropped it off on her desk before school and left for my workshop. I wasn't at school when she found it, but she sent me a text to say she loved the surprise gift.  I'm thrilled that she liked it. Sometimes you just need a little pick me up; it helps to know other people are thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way.

New Zombie Dolls

I participated in the Zombies in the Nursery swap over a Yarnigras Swapper Spot. My amazing package arrived on Friday. Chris from A Little Creation spoiled me and sent not one but two zombies!  First she altered a doll to create a Jack and Jill zombie. Well really, Jack didn't make it down the hill, so it's just Jill. I think she ate his brains. Chris also included crafty baubles for mommy & daughter crafting, a book with a handmade bookmark, a mini notebook and a few preschool themed goodies for my preschoolers. Chris also works with preschoolers for a living.

 Chris was even kind enough to send doggie treats for Chunky and this amazing Rainbow Dodo bird for my daughter.  She loves it!!!!  My daughter and Chunky send their thanks to you Chris!

And if that wasn't already way more than enough, Chris created the most amazing Humpty Dumpty zombie for me. I am totally in L-O-V-E with him! He is amazing! Look at the little card Chris included. . . it reads "Dawn of the Humpty." He's already on the shelf with my zombie horde.

Thank you Chris!!!! You really spoiled us! 

Recycled Tin Cans & Zentangle Tags

Last week was teacher appreciation week. As a special education preschool teacher I work with an amazing group of paraprofessionals.  I wanted to express my appreciation to these women, so I planted herbs in recycled tin cans as my way of saying "Thanks for all you do!"  What better way to express your appreciation than through a craft that involves recycling?!  It's good for the environment and functional since the herbs can last long into the summer. Not to mention the finished cans are pretty.

For this project, I saved the tin cans from my crushed and diced tomatoes.  After washing and drying the cans I transplanted parsley, basil or thyme into the cans. Then I went to my craft room where I pulled out my fabric scraps, burlap, jute rope and my glue gun. I cut my fabric scraps to fit the cans, then used my glue gun to glue the fabric and the burlap to the can. Next I tied some jute rope around the can and attached some of my zentangle tags. You can find my free zentangle tags here. I'm biased because I drew the tags, but I love them and use them on gifts throughout the year.

Crafting a Baby Gift

As a gift for Baby T, my girl made him a tied fleece blanket. She picked a frog print and a lime green & blue leopard print for the back. I forgot to take a picture of the leopard print back. She's gotten really good at cutting and tying blankets by herself, though she did have some unwanted help. Chunky loved laying on the fleece as she worked.  I had to keep calling him away from the project. When it came time to take pictures he had to get into the picture too, after all he had a paw in it's making.

We wrapped the finished blanket in a bright green ribbon and attached a frog toy, then we delivered it to Baby T. He's so tiny, sweet and beautiful! We both enjoyed holding him while he slept. Now that we have a new baby in the family I think we'll have to find a few more baby crafts to try.