Spring Sing Tote DIY

By Janie Dumbleton

When Spring and Summer roll around, there are endless opportunities for spontaneous picnics, beach trips, pool visits, etc. Each of these occasions warrants some preparation, therefore a cute bag to pack food, towels, sunscreen, and all other warm weather necessities is a must-have.

To make a cute carry-all tote personal, gather some cute letter stamps and a plain canvas tote (both available at craft stores) and get to work. This is a quick and easy project that takes about 10 minutes. The result is a fantastic addition to a spring wardrobe.

Typically spring ushers in great new music and albums fit for a summer soundtrack. Choose a favorite album (new or old) and look at the song titles and decide if they are clever enough to display. Decide on song titles from the album and start setting out those letters. With an inkpad (black works best) and letter stamps, start stamping song titles to the canvas tote. Arrange them however you please in order to create patterns, shapes, and so forth. Use the creativity the cold weather had suppressed.

The two totes shown have song titles from Johnny Cash and “Rabbit Fur Coat” by Jenny Lewis and The Watson Twins.

Valentine’s Day Bouquets on a Budget

By Janie Dumbleton

Instead of buying a bouquet of flowers that will last only a few days after Valentine’s Day, say “I love you” by creatively mixing together some everyday materials. With an old newspaper, old magazine, and some colored tissue paper (from past gifts, store wrapping, etc), not only will a dazzling bouquet result, but also a free and eco-friendly gift that stays fresh all year long.

Materials:

-Last week’s paper

-Old magazine

-Tissue paper

-Scissors

-Tape

-Vase or recycled bottle (optional)

First cut varying sizes of “imperfect” circles. Just have fun with the different shapes and sizes. Cut about four circles and stack them on top of one another. With the tip of the scissors, poke a small hole through the middle of the circles. Set aside.

With a page from the magazine, roll the page to make a thin tube, so that it emulates a flower stem. Tape the end so that the stem stays put.

Now stick the newspaper “petals” through the stem. Play around by scrunching and manipulating the paper with your hands to create a flower shape.

Bunch up a small section of the tissue paper to act as the center of the flower. Gently tape the tissue paper to the middle of the floral circles.

Add some leaves to the rolled stem by using the tissue paper as well.

For a little fun scent, gently spray some perfume near the middle of the petals.

Make a few, and gather them for a beautiful presentation on a Valentine’s Day party by putting them in a recycled bottle or gift one to all of your friends knowing that they will have a happy “hearts” day everyday.

Forget Fairy Tales

Forget Fairy Tales

Forget Fairy Tales: A comic series by Christine Stoddard