Have I ever mentioned I want to take up sculpture?  No, I mean it, I really do. I want to take a real class someday to study the art form, it intrigues and inspires me to no end. So as I was aimlessly browsing the aisles of the craft store the other day (a frequent habit) I came across some moldable stone clay and thought, hey why not give it a try – I’m adventurous like that with $10 to burn.

What started out as an experiment ended up as something I’m rather proud of, this pretty three dimensional clay petal vase that combines two loves of mine: white ceramic sculptural thingies and very big blooms.

No I didn’t sculpt the vase (ha!  I wish!) that was a purchase from Michaels, but I did sculpt the large bloom mounted on the front out of the white stone clay with my very own fingers.  I’ll show you how.

First, grab yourself a pretty vase or vessel and some stone clay at a craft store.  I used the Premier version and was happy to find it’s very soft and silky to the touch.  Dare I say, sensual?  Hmm, maybe too strong a word, but it’s a really soft texture to work with.

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I have this friend named Terri, we’ve been friends for 15 years.  We met in law school and we’ve seen each other married and become mothers over the years and even though we live in different parts of California, all this time we’ve stayed connected over the phone. Terri and her husband both practice criminal law, and we got to talking a few months ago about how important it is for everyone to have a creative outlet, regardless of your day job.  Having a creative hobby is essential to stress relief and personal enjoyment, and for Terri, it’s knitting.

I am not a knitter, and have no idea how to crochet yet.  I still don’t understand how you can take a piece of yarn and twist in certain ways with needles to make beautiful things, but I really want to learn so my plan is to force Terri to teach me when she comes to visit this spring.

I asked Terri if she could knit something for me just so I could show her off, so she knit me two coffee cozies. I’ve seen them on Etsy but always wanted one of my own.  How sweet and talented is my friend who sent this to me?

Please welcome my good friend Terri and her story on how she knits a coffee cozy. 

“Kate and I went to law school together about a million years ago or at least it just feels like a million years. We were on the phone recently catching up with each other when I told her that I’d taken up knitting. Kate hinted that she’d always wanted a coffee cozy and asked if I would make her some.  She mentioned burnt orange – so I said “Okay, I can do that,”  and looked in my yarn collection to find some yarn in that color.

I knew exactly what I wanted to do with the first cozy: seed stitch. For those of you who don’t knit, seed stitch is very easy to knit and shows off the beautiful yarn. I used a size 7 needle and cast on about three inches.

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and it’s not a holiday I decorate for but my elementary school kids look forward to it.  Apparently, word on the playground among second graders is the passing of the valentines is kind of a big deal.

Typically I buy those store-bought packs of kid Valentines and attach a lollypop, but my daughter was asking for something a little more special for her besties.  I came up with this inexpensive paper treat box made from cardstock scrapbook paper and embellished it with washi tape.

They’ll be perfect for inserting a few sweet treats and a Valentine too.

To recreate, here’s what you’ll need:  11 x 11” cardstock scrapbook paper, scissors, double sided tape, measuring tape, pencil, washi or decorative tape, embellishments (optional).

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It has been said to me by my mate on more than one occasion that when it comes to decor I have champagne taste on a beer budget. You’ll get no denial from me. I’ve long been in love with lacquer nesting boxes like these and these ~ they are such glamorous little vessels for storing everything small from jewelry to keepsakes. I happen to find them completely irresistible, but the problem is they’re pricey, up to $80 a box (or more!) for the designer versions.

So last weekend I decided to do my thang  and mimic the look of these beauties with a few supplies from the craft store.

To make these yourself, here’s what you’ll need: wood jewelry boxes from craft store, small Phillips head screwdriver, paint colors of choice, wood filler, painter’s tape,  medium and small paintbrushes, fine sanding wedge, high gloss coating.

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