Something Special Saturday - 5/28/11

YAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!  SCHOOL IS OUT!

In two more months, I might not say that with quite so much enthusiasm, but it sure is how I feel today!  As much as I appreciate the wonderful opportunities my children enjoy from our excellent local schools, I do a happy little dance at the thought of having them home to stay for a few months.  I love the simpler days of summer and the way it seems to free up our schedule.

That being said....I like to have a little structure to our days.  Flexible structure, but I like having a few ideas of what we're going to do each day.  This year, I have visions of craft projects to go along with the books we'll be reading.  I've been pinning lots of ideas on my Pinterest boards.  I'll be honest, I've selected the crafts before the books.  But hey---I'm an English major.  I'm all about finding layers of meaning in literature, right?  I bet I can find a layer or two in any book that goes along with the following fun art activities.

Painting with wax on rock from 5 Orange Potatoes.

Paint with marbles from The Mother Huddle.

Spring Decor: Burlap and Birdies Wreath

I made a spring wreath today for my front door.  Want to see?

It was pretty easy, once I worked out a few details.  These were the basic supplies:

1 large styrofoam wreath form

Burlap 

Fabric Quarters

Weathered Wood & Wire Picture Holder

I've been in a bit of a funk lately, have you noticed?  I'm suffering from a severe case of writer's block, crafter's block, DIYer's block, and housekeeper's block.  It's been terrible.  You are welcome to bring casseroles.

Anywho, I was wracking my poor brain for inspiration and thought to look back in my blogging files for unpublished stuff.....and, looky here!  I found somethin'.

Pottery Barn Rock Off

The Pottery Barn catalog arrived in our mailbox not long ago.  The one that features all the very hip, very now, very expensive new ways to decorate for Halloween.  It is probably a good thing I have learned to live on a budget, or else I might want to spend $16 for a set of 4 of these chalkboard rocks.  They looked so cool in the PB setup.

I'm sure there are men out there in the world, right now, who are staring incredulously at their credit card bills and questioning the sanity of their wives.  "You paid $16 plus $5.95 shipping for a bag of 4 black rocks?  Couldn't the gardener find any you liked?"

The Bionic Man will never need to have a conversation with me like that, because I have a can of black chalkboard spraypaint.

Naturally, I had to outdo Pottery Barn, so my chalkboard rocks are colorfully decorated.  That right there is a pumpkin on a chalkboard rock.  To really compete, I think I'm going to have to find larger, smoother stones.

Anyone have a stone to throw my way?

I'm a Guest!

I feel so lucky! Today, I'm  guest poster over at Sugar Bee Craft Edition. It's my first time as a guest blogger.....and I'm thrilled!  Sugar Bee always has terrifically crafty ideas, and hosts fun weekly linky party known as Take-a-Look Tuesday.  If you have a minute or two, go visit today.  Enjoy all the fun craft ideas, and find out how I made this: