Stuff for the Studios Part I

I have a confession...

 there's a new guy in my life.

Meet Seamus O'Bitey!

I popped by the farmer's market to get herb plants

and came home with a Lab/Irish Setter/Pittbull rescue

that's making me crazy, sucking all my time, eating my shoes,

and making me laugh constantly.

I'm surprised I got in a project for Thom's apartment!

As you may remember, my sons, Samwow and Thom,

now have bare-bones studio cribs.

The boys have vastly different styles;

Samwow's preference is a palette of khaki, black and white

with a very masculine tone,

while Thom wants to go with a beachy theme.

We're decorating on a shoe string, but the boys are kind of used to that with 

a Momma like me.

My wallet is shut so tight it squeaks.

 Now we all know my proclivity for candle projects.

I make the strangest stuff.

I'll make a light feature out of anything.

So when Thom wanted candlelight for dinner, which is

what he grew up on, I thought of something flameless (campus policy)

that would fit the bill.

His existing centerpiece is seagrass in a square vase, so...

 ...I hit Dollar Tree for something that would work!

 All you need is 2 votive holders...

 ...2 square, tall vases...

 ...filler of your choice to match your decor...

 ...some flickering battery tealights...

 ...and Goop!

I'm a huge fan of this waterproof, silicone sealant adhesive.

This is the best stuff for glass on glass projects.

 Okay, this is a quick one.

Put your desired filler in the vases.

 Run a bead of Goop around the top.

Center the votive holder on top.

Allow this to dry for at least 4 hours.

 I then nestled the tealights in some marbles I had left 

from a previous project.

 At almost 15 inches tall, these have a presence!

 With Thom's burgeoning tropical style, these will 

make a statement.

I think they'd also be perfect for a DIY wedding,

and at $5 a pair, they'll fit any budget.

And now, for your giggle-snort of the day...

Thanks to my good buddy Jane at The Borrowed Abode.

She and her new hubby Ryan are fellow pet junkies,

although not on the crazy-cat-lady-starter-kit level I am.

Bargain Basement Bunny

 Have you done your after Easter discount shopping yet?

Score yourself a plain, or even plain old ugly, bunny on the cheap.

 Nab some pretty napkins while you're at it.

 Mix up a little decoupage medium on the cheap.

 Now, separate the plies (layers) of the napkins so you have just

the thinnest layer with a pattern.

 Tear off strips of the napkin.

Brush some of the glue mixture onto the curved surface, and smooth the bubbles

out with a finger, pressing down the edges.

 Repeat.

 Pay attention to contours and details.

Wet the paper down with more of the medium if you need to.

 Once everything is covered, brush a coat of the stuff over the whole object.

Let it dry and apply another coat.

If you'd like, you can then give it a coat of spray sealer,

especially if this is going to be a garden decoration.

 Mr. Bunneh is going to live indoors though, so it wasn't necessary.

 Have you just created your own little bit of art,

only to box it up for a year?

 Hey, bunnies don't disappear after Easter!

It's still Spring, and we didn't choose anything holiday oriented as an embellishment, did we?

This little rabbit can have a home on my antique icebox for the next few months.

The other two?

Um....not so much.

Going Shopping...for an Easter Centerpiece!

Okay, here are my reasons why you should put that coffee in a travel mug,

get your purse, and hit the Dollar Tree.

No.

Not NOW.

Read the post first.

And for the love of God, get dressed.

 Okay, if you were paying attention and felt like it,

you made THIS.

 Then maybe this week, you made THIS...

...and perhaps were inspired to make THIS. 

 This week, my wonderful, beautiful, ethereal, intelligent niece is coming,

so Savannah and I decided to make sure the house exuded

 Easter splendor!

Oh, right...my sister's coming too.

(Totally, kidding, Jennifer!)

Grab your list, this huge Easter tree was a delicious pittance

like $12 to create!

Add, subtract, multiply, and divide as needed.

Eight adorable gift boxes to a package.

One package of paper grass, a dollar.

Okay, I'm going to stop saying the prices.
It's all a buck.

Heather Rodman, fix your email.
I want to reply to your comments, but girl, you are a NO Reply.

I am not going to write complicated sounding instructions.

Quite frankly, this is too easy.

How long have I had this?
There's a Rag Shop tag on it.

Uh huh.

16 tiny Easter baskets, $5.
I like that.

At 3 for a dollar...

...you can set your heart aflutter.

We had a few extra chocolate eggs.

Wait...what the hell is "extra" chocolate???

I did NOT mean you.
Don't give me that look.

Fun to decorate.
Delicious to take apart.
Sticks from the yard in a vase are a decorating bargain!
And if you paint them to match some inexpensive lighted branches,
your arrangement has a more natural look.
Not to mention,
hey,
lights!
Soooo....

Headed for Mom's house.
BRB.
If not back, avenge death.
(Oh do I have an update for you!)