Make-it-Monday: Creating a Flower Crown

Remember the charming, crafty Caleigh? She and some girlfriends have been sporting lovely DIY flower crowns when they go out on the town.

She wore this one when she came to see Hair

Naturally, I invited her over so she could teach me her ways.

This craft really couldn't be simpler or cheaper. All you need are...

• A hot-glue gun

• An elastic headband (or length of elastic fitted to your head size)

• Fabric flowers

Congratulations - you can make a flower crown! Just arrange the flowers in your desired pattern and glue them to the band. Easy-peasy.

Since Atlanta has practically skipped summer (our fair city thinks it's October already), I decided I'd give my crown an autumnal feel. I picked some orange and red leaves, and based my color scheme around them.

Caleigh made hers a little more uniformly. She alternated large white flowers with smaller blue ones, and likes to wear hers high, well above her hairline.

Nearly-Former Roomie (we're moving) used smaller flowers for a softer, more romantic feel.

Photo credit: Caleigh Allen

If you're looking for a really simple, intensely girly craft to do this week, I recommend the flower crown. You can make one for yourself, and then go crazy creating them for friends. Just make sure you wear them the next time you go to dinner!

They're a guaranteed conversation starter
Photo credit: Caleigh Allen

Make-it-Monday: Customizing Sunglasses with Nail Polish

It's been a crazy few days, but I'm back where I belong - sitting in the King Bufu chair, sipping a homemade latte, typing a post, and halfway watching an episode of Supernatural (I'm on season 4! Halfway there!).

In honor of my mini-vacation, this shall be:

(Mostly) Nashville Week!

But today's post isn't about Tennessee, so settle down. This is a hometown craft. Get ready, though - the rest of the week is going to take you roughly four hours north. Pack light; there's a lot of us, and we all need room to stretch our legs.

Make-it-Monday: Homemade Jewelry

Last week, I told you that I occasionally turn single earrings into pendant necklaces. It's pretty much the easiest thing in the world, and I'm going to show you how you can do it, too. All you need is:

• A McDonald's tray your boyfriend stole in high school (it's your crafting surface)

• Jump rings

• A clasp of some kind (I like lobster clasps)

• Matching chain

• A charm or pendant

• Jewelry pliers (You can really use any kind of pliers - or your fingers, if they're strong. Or your teeth, if you hate your dentist.)

All of these materials are available at Wal-Mart, Michael's, JoAnn's, and Hancock Fabrics. They're pretty cheap, and come in packs of multiples, so you can make more than one piece when you buy the supplies. 

Make-it-Monday: Blue Skies, Blue Heart

I'm a little down, everyone. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson closed yesterday, and I've got the post-show blues. Six weeks is a long time to run a musical, and it's wormed its way into my life in a significant manner. I'm going to miss the cast, the crew, the set, our themed mic checks, the goodies always waiting in the kitchen, and smearing blood all over a friend's arm every night. Rachel Jackson is quite a lady to inhabit - I'm gonna miss her most of all.

Rehearsal moment.

The Jacksons, incognito.

Merry Effing Christmas from the Jacksons
(Photo credit: BreeAnne Clowdus)

Hashtag, TheAmericanDream.
(Photo credit: BreeAnne Clowdus)

Final preview, a chemical explosion forced us out of the building.
The show still started on time.

Final notes session.

Sexy tour guide.

Sexy Andrew Jackson.

If illness is not metaphor, then why do I feel sick when I look at you?
(Photo credit: BreeAnne Clowdus)

"I choose you." / "Thank you."
(Photo credit: BreeAnne Clowdus)

Don't fret - I'll be back to normal in a few days. I'm running a children's show, after all. Being Anne Frank will lift my spirits.

Courtesy of Caleigh. 

I promised I'd show you all the Valentine's Day present I made for Dan - but I forgot to take pictures before I left the house. Oops. Instead, I'll show you the infographic that inspired the project:

Click pic to see the full post on P.S. - I made this...

I was smitten with this idea from the moment I saw it - such a simple, personal gift to give my Very Excellent Boyfriend! I bought a lovely frame from TJ Maxx, kissed away, and now it sits on his bedside table. I'll share a picture of the finished product when I get home.

It was a frugal Valentine's for Very Excellent and I. I'm very low on discretionary income, and he's too polite to shame me with expensive gifts when I can't respond in kind (how sweet). But I can't say I minded. There's something special about a low-key V-Day. I don't need him to spend money on me - I just want to spend some time together. He made that happen with a surprise oyster dinner at home, and a few episodes of Friday Night Lights.

Favorite!

No V-Day is complete without candy.

Gracie Bell!

The baby's eyes in that screencap are making me feel a lot better. Maybe I need to spend some time watching baby videos on YouTube - that'll chase the last of my melancholy away.

Make-it-Monday: The Art of Giving

Today, I'm highlighting the creative efforts of my darling Little Sister. Remember her?

You remember.

She is a great gift-giver. Two years ago, she got me a replacement Beauty and the Beast lunchbox after my old one (the one I used in preschool) was lost.

Lunch as old as time.

This Christmas, she got me a gorgeous faux-fur circle scarf, and a beautiful vintage necklace.

It's just the most.

Isn't it lovely? It's quickly become one if my favorite accessories.

Yesterday, I went to my parents' house to watch the Superbowl, and Lil' Sis further proved that she is the Ultimate Giver.

When I walked in the door, I found this gift waiting in the office:

Love the bag, BTDubbs.

But when I opened it, this was all I saw:

The floor? Well what do you know, a string...

Follow the cotton thread road!

It lead me to the hall bathroom.

I continued to the living room - but oh no! There was a fork in the road! Which road to take? The left, or the right? I veered to the right, and the trail stopped behind the TV.

Okay, fine. Left this time - behind the couch. 

Up the stairs! I flipped on the light and saw this little white note on my pillow:

The fan! I flipped the switch, and after a moment, another message fluttered from the blades.

I scrambled back down the stairs, shouting, "But there are TWO CARS!" We dashed into the garage, and I saw the note perched on the dash in the Corolla. I flung open the door, and the light burst on to reveal the writing:

I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN.

GUH, sometimes being right is SO HARD. Fine, I cut my losses - to the van! And this time, finally, I saw the prize.

The final gift was wonderful - the ENTIRE Muppets collection from OPI! - but the scavenger hunt was the best part. Count on Lil' Sis to take gift-giving to the next level.

That, dear readers, is how you make a present into an experience.