Hi there! And welcome to Craft Goodies. I'm thrilled that you've stopped by and hope you find something here that makes your visit a great one...

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Grapevine Easter Basket Tutorial...

Hey guess what, it's Thursday!
I  got a bit consumed by an order yesterday and pretty much missed the entire day...whoops!
 
I'll  make an attempt to make up for it with 3 posts today!
What? THREE?
 Oh, yes you read that right. Pretty sure that's a personal best for me, so let's get on with it.
Here we go with post numero uno...
 


Kinda cute huh? I'm so loving it, and it was super easy to make.
Cute not just for Easter but for the entire spring season, and ya, I'm thinking it'll make a come back in the fall.

Let's get you one made.
 Here's what you'll need:

Little note here, the basket pictured above used 2 six foot grapevine garlands and craft/floral wire,
flower stems and sheer ribbon.
That's it. 


When I went to get 2 more garlands to make this tutorial, they didn't have any!
 Ugh, what to do?
I ended  up buying four grapevine wreathes instead.
 Three the same size and the fourth the next size bigger.
I used the remaining piece of garland I had for the handle, if needed, get another of the larger wreathes to cut for a handle.


Make the base by wiring the smaller wreathes together.


Start with two, tie off in at least three places being sure the wire twists are inside and the ends are tucked into the wreath.
I went up and through the wreathes so that the wire didn't show on the outside of the basket.


**If you're using the garlands, shape the vine into a circle the size you want and wire together.
Make another circle layer and wire that one to the first.
Keep going in that manner (form a circle, wire it into place) until your base is as tall as you'd like.



 
Once all three wreathes are wired together, add the larger wreath to the top and wire into place.
(Somehow I managed to not take a picture of  that part, sorry)
**If you're using the garland, cut any remaining vine from the basket base. Wire together a seperate circle just larger than the base, add on more layer, wire it together then cut any remaining vine off.
Wire the larger circle to the top of the smaller circle base.
 
From there you're going to make the handle.
 


Cut the last wreath so that you remove about 1/3 of it.
(You need some twigs to sit down in the basket, if you cut it in half your handle will be very short.)
Sit the cut wreath into the basket vertically and wire the handle into place.
**For the garland, cut a piece of vine the length you wish and wire each end into place. I doubled mine just so it was a bit thicker.
And you're done. 
Your basket is ready to be filled.


You can place a vase down inside the basket and add some fresh flowers or go with the Easter thing and add some painted plastic (or real) eggs...


Can't you just see it full of fall leaves and acorns too?
So  quick and easy, make a bunch!

Happy Crafting... 


Visit thecsiproject.com
This week's theme is Easter, come and play along with your Easter themed projects!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Tuesday Treats featuring...YOU!

Can I just tell you how much I LOVE Friday's linky party?
It's like someone just handed me a present full of unbelievable ideas with a note that says,
"Here you go, be impressed and inspired!"
 
Thanks to those of you that take the time to link up. I may not get to comment on all of them, but I do visit and check out your posts.
{I seriously spend a lot of time reading all about you, I love getting to know you through your projects}
 
Anyway, here's a few of my favorites...
 
My girls and I made a few of these on Sunday. Such a great idea and so much fun!
This fantastic fun comes to us via
Occasionally Crafty 
 
 
Jenn from Clean and Scentsible
is a calendar goddess and they are SO cute!
I love the umbrellas.
She posts the new ones the first of each month and are so very worth taking a peak at...
 
I am having a serious love affair with little chicks this spring. I can't seem to get enough of them, so this post just screamed out to me...
 
I LOVE IT!!!
They are so cute, and sound really easy. I'm thinking they might make an
appearance at my pre-school party next week.
You can find all the how-to's at
Last Minute  Mel
 
and one more just cause...
I'm dying to get my back patio into proper "sitting" form.
Something like this would be perfect:
 
Find a great inspirational post on lighting refurbishing at
Claremont Avenue
{It's gorgeous lit up at night!}
 
Again, thanks to all of you for linking.
If I featured you, grab a button and wear it proudly!
Craft Goodies

I can't wait until Friday...
Happy Crafting!
 
 
 

Tuesday Treats featuring...Measured by the Heart & Easter Printables!!!

Hi everyone *waves* I’m excited to be here at Craft Goodies.  Isn’t Wendy the greatest!!
Let me introduce myself.


My name is Connie and I blog over at Measured by the Heart.  My blog is a big jumble of everything because well, isn’t that life.  I do some furniture make overs, hair tutorials, blog design, crochet patterns and book club.
Wait, did you just say book club on your crafty mommie blog?
Why yes, yes I did.  Thanks for asking.  I host a monthly book club on my blog and I am so super excited about April’s book club selection!!  I would love it if you would come over and check it out.   Even if you don’t participate in book club, you have to read this book.  Yes, I love it that much and so will you!!
For all you Craft Goodies readers I made some Easter Printables.
easter printable 4easter printable 3easter printable 2easter printable 1
easter printable
Click on each picture to download a high quality print!!     
{Once the website opens, hover over the picture and then you can click file-download}
These would be super cute framed in a row down a hallway or up the stairs.  Even way cute as a four square above a desk.  So many possibilities!!
It’s been great spending time with you guys today.  I hope you’ll stop by my blog and take a look around!! 
A BIG thanks to Wendy for being such an awesome chicky!!
{get it Easter theme hehe}
Photobucket

Connie is awesome!
 I'm so glad I've gotten to know her a bit better. She has a fun blog with lots of great "mommy" ideas, and she gets bonus points for having all girls too!
I'm excited to be a part of her book club, (more excuses to read a good book!) If you're interested in participating there is a permenant link to the club on my sidebar.
Go check her out, be sure to say Hi!
And thank her for these SUPER CUTE printables, I'm off to Walgreen's to print mine...
Thanks Connie!!!

Happy Crafting!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

More Super Salads...Keep them Coming!!!


  I'm still in a summer sort of mind and really want to create a great recipe link for all those amazing salads out there, so I've found a few more to add to the collection!
 
I've also reposted the link if you've got a great salad you want to share. I've tried a few of the already linked ones...haven't been disappointed yet!
Thanks ladies for sharing your goodies! 
Unbelievable Chicken Salad

Unbelievable Chicken Salad

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup cranraisins (dried cranberries)
Mayonnaise
1 small package chopped walnuts
1 tall stalk celery, chopped small
Salt and pepper to taste
Boil chicken breasts until tender; drain and cool completely. Dice chicken into small bits. Stir in cranraisins, walnuts and celery. Mix in enough mayonnaise to make salad spreadable, using 4-5 tablespoons. Salt and pepper lightly. Refrigerate about 1 hour; stir again before serving with butter crackers.
Nancys Layered Fruit Salad Recipe

 Layered Fruit Salad

20-oz. pineapple chunks or tidbits (undrained)
22-oz. mandarin oranges (drained)
One small box instant vanilla pudding
2 or 3 bananas sliced diagonally (optional)
1 pint fresh blueberries
12-oz. whipping cream (lite or plain free may also be used)
1 pint fresh strawberries (sliced)


Place pineapple with the juice in 3 quart glass bowl. Add the oranges & sprinkle dry pudding mix over fruit and stir well. Refrigerate for 20 minutes until set. Layer bananas then layer blueberries, 1/2 of the container of whipping cream and then layer strawberries. Add remaining whipping cream over the top and garnish with mandarin oranges, blueberries & strawberries. Refrigerate for 2 hours
 
Happy Crafting!
 


Friday, April 8, 2011

T.G.I.F.-Thank GOODIES it's Friday #12 & Usborne Books Giveaway! (CLOSED)

Happy Friday all!
It's weekend time and this is going to be a good one. We're kicking it off  with a fun giveaway from
Usborne Books! and the T.G.I.F. linky party!
Usborne Books is a world leader in children's educational products. They produce top quality materials in a variety of topics and interests and can cater to every age and stage of childhood.
They carry a line of books specific to infants and toddlers through ages 12+.
All with the purpose of making our children lovers of books and reading! They carry picture and story books, chapter  books, coloring and activity books, science and research materials, flash and activity cards. International best sellers as well as titles that link to on-line sites for more research info.
Here's a bit of info from the company themselves...
"We spent considerable time analyzing the vision for this company and what its purpose is.  Yes, we sell the very best children's books in the world, but we feel we have a higher purpose.  We feel we are part of the overall education and literacy movement in the nation, and we feel our products can make a difference in the lives of children.  Our Mission Statement clearly defines the vision of our company




UBAM MISSION STATEMENT:
"The future of our world depends on the education of our children.  UBAM delivers educational excellence one book at a time.  We provide economic opportunity while fostering strong family values.  We touch the lives of children for a lifetime."
Books are such a great thing to have in your child's life, better than any toy you will ever purchase.  Did you know that it's a proven fact, the more books you have available for your children to read in your home, the better they will perform on standardized tests as well as through out their school career!  
So the giveaway?
You can win your choice of books up to $20!!!
Here's how to enter:
1. Be a follower of Craft Goodies
2. Check out the Usborne site and leave a comment letting me know what books you'd select if you won.
(3. Enter the linky party for an extra entry!)

This giveaway will close on Thursday, April 14th, at midnight.
 I'll announce the winner on Friday, April 15th.


There you go! Quick, easy, and painless!
I ordered a bunch of these a month ago. My kids LOVE them.
(I also got a bunch of the activity books for Easter baskets)
Have fun checking them out!

And don't forget to link up your awesome-ness! I missed last week  and can't wait to see what you've been up to...LET'S PARTY! 




Thursday, April 7, 2011

Wood You Like to Craft? the Craft Goodies way...April Project!



Hey friends,
Just a quick reminder that this month's Wood You Like to Craft? linky party starts Friday 4/8 at Sassy Sanctuary and will remain open for one week!
If you played along or plan to be sure to link up your project. 5 will be high-lighted with the top pick winning a super fun prize.
All 4 versions are up over at Krysal's blog, go check them out if you need some inspiration...here's mine...
 
I'm linking this project to the CSI Easter Challenge


Visit thecsiproject.com
 
 
"I'm so excited to be here to share with you my take on Krystal's Candlestick Rabbits.
I knew what I wanted to do the minute I saw them...
 


So what did I do different? Let's find out...
 



First, I didn't use candlesticks!
 (I think I have an issue with size, maybe it's my awesome-not-quite 5'2" stature that makes me feel the need to up-size, but once again I went BIG!)
I purchased two 29 inch table legs from Lowe's.
They had quite a few to choose from, ranging in height from 9 inches to 36 inches.
 And in several different styles, some more rounded, some a lot less ornate.
The cool part is the ends are all finished with a sphere-ish end and a squared flat end-perfect for a rabbit head and a base to stand up on!
I didn't need any other wood pieces because of the shape of the legs.
 I did cut the base on one to shorten it a bit and cut off the extra "bump" from the tops.
I painted and sanded and then got to decorate...
 


The cheeks are "blushed" with pink ink. The nose and carrots are polymer clay. Black thread for the whiskers, painted eyes, and drawn on mouth and freckles.

The ears are cut and sewn muslin-stitching on the outside and ruffled a bit for shape. Blushed with ink in the inner ear, and slipped over a wire loop to help hold them up.

I used a "boring bit" to make a 3/4 inch tunnel in the top of the piece to give the ears a place to sit.  Everything is hot glued into the tunnel so the ends don't stick out and it helps to give a strong support to the ears. Sorry, forgot to take a picture of that...

Then it was just raffia, some ribbon, and a few flowers to finish them off and TA! DA!
2 super cute, slightly tall, adorable rabbits!
{Even my not-so-in-favor-of-my-projects daughter walked by and said,
"GOSH! Those are cute mom!" BIG TIME compliment...}


Thanks Krystal, for a great project and for letting me be here today!
I can't wait to see what other ideas you've inspired...
Happy Crafting!"




2x4 Spring Chick Tutorial


This one's quick and easy, and super cute when finished-all fluffy and soft!
(except for the wood block part...)
 
Here's what you'll need:
 
 
2x4 block cut to 5 inches tall
a handful of yellow feathers, I used 12
beak and feet cutouts
(mine are 1/2 inch MDF, you could use foam, chipboard, or paper)
orange paint and brush
2 black furniture tacks
ribbon
 
General Supplies:
glue gun
scissors
hammer
sandpaper
 
*I needed a gift bag for a baby shower so you'll notice I'm not using a block, but a paper bag. The process is the same, just lighter...)
 
Start  by sanding the edges smooth on the block and your cutout pieces.
You can paint the block yellow if you wish, I didn't cause well, unless you're looking at the back side, you can't see it!
 

Using your glue gun, attach the feathers.
 Think of your block as a clock, start at 12 o'clock and work your way all the way around. Use the scissors to shorten the feathers as needed, be sure to save the cut pieces!
They work perfectly to fill in gaps.


The feather ends should all meet in the middle, just above the center of the block.
You'll cover them up with the beak piece...


Paint the beak and feet pieces orange. Sand or ink the edges and then glue them into place.



The beak will cover the feather ends and the feet should sit off center just a bit up from the bottom edge of the block.

Using the hammer, set the eyes into place...


Add a sweet little bow and your little chicky is done!
*I slipped a little flower under the "wing" in the top picture*
SO "TWEET!"

(Hehe! Look how cute they are as gift bags. They might be cuter than the intended present...)

Happy Crafting.
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