Whiteley Creek Homestead

coiled wire treetop star

I had a coil of wire. Like a Slinky but not. For years, there it was. Housed in a small box alongside my tool box. I knew not its intended purpose nor what I might do with it one day. Until this year's Christmas. I was sure that a star atop our tree felt right. But not just any star. It must be one befitting of a King who was to be born into this world within a setting absent of grandeur and fanfare. The star would represent our Saviour's humble beginnings and sit in a place of honor upon the most coveted uppermost branches. It was a search for inspiration that led me to FOOD52's online shop. There, you will find a beautiful hand-crafted wire star tree topper that I patterned mine after. We cannot create everything. This may be one of those times that you allow someone else to make it for you and feel the joy when it arrives on your doorstep ready to hang upon your tree. When I checked today, the original price was $32.00 and now on sale for $25.60. But, if you so desire to construct your own, this is how I made my star.

First, determine the star's desired dimensions, then draw the shape onto a piece of paper. Next, lay yarn around the star's perimeter to calculate the length of wire to straighten at one end of the coil .

Tape the star onto a board scrap then pound a nail into each corner of the star. Begin wrapping wire around the nail at the star's lower center. Working your way around the star, continue wrapping around each nail until your journey brings you back to where it all began. Secure with a simple twist. Rather than utilizing a frame, you can free-form your star, too. However, the simple and rapid frame construction makes winding the wire a breeze. Remove the star shape from its frame and hang upon the tree. Adjust the coils so they rest comfortably one upon the next. Sweet.

monoprinting

Yesterday, I took a monoprinting class at The Crossing Arts Alliance in downtown Brainerd (Minnesota). "Monoprinting is a form of printmaking that has lines or images that can only be made once, unlike most printmaking, which allows for multiple originals." To print shapes, words, lines, etc on paper, the instructor provided a wide variety of materials to spawn creativity like purchased and handcut stencils as well as items commonly found around the house such as bubble wrap, string, cheesecloth, non-slip shelf-liner, wooden skewers, lace, etc, etc.

This is how we did it: 1) With a brayer, roll desired color(s) of paint onto GEL Press printing plate. 2) Over the paint, lay down item(s) selected to produce a pattern (i.e., stencil, string) 3) Set printer copy paper atop. Press and smooth your hand (or use a tool for burnishing paper) across paper's surface. 4) Slowly remove paper. *If you want to create a layered effect, repeat steps with a different paint color and stencil but use the same paper. Note: Although monoprinting technically means one print, if you press a second and sometimes third piece of paper onto the gel printing press, you can get a lighter print. Or, you can create a "ghost" print by removing the stencil and pressing down a piece of paper.

During independent work time, we made a variety of patterned prints then chose ones to create a collage. Upon spreading out the prints on my work table, three different papers stood out instantly. In my mind's eye, they immediately formed a contrasting bond...a cityscape, a barn and silo, and a field. My collage is not yet finished, as I will mount the prints on watercolor paper then coat them with matte or gloss medium (i.e. Golden brand or Mod Podge), and/or secure them behind framed glass, or make copies to create greeting cards. In addition, I may paint the watercolor paper background, add ink pen drawings  or writing to my collage, or add another stencil layer, but the photo I am sharing is what I finished in class. For the collage on the left, I created the chunky "buildings" in my cityscape by rolling paint across the gel press with the brayer but I didn't entirely cover it. I pressed down a sheet of paper on top of the painted gel press, then removed and allowed it to dry. Meanwhile, you can wash the gel press to remove its paint or, instead, I rolled a second color directly over top of the previous paint. After coating it with the different color, I set a grid-pattern stencil down, pressed the previous paper over top, then removed to dry. For the print on the right, I used two metal stencils. I placed the word "now" underneath what I envisioned to be an old building in a city's warehouse district. You know, the industrial buildings that are being renovated into apartment buildings, restaurants, and shops across the country. The former grandeur and strength of what I see NOW as a "crumbling building" can be seen. That's the intrigue of the monoprinting process. Going in, the end result is uncertain.

bird in nest paper craft easter basket

Looking for a a sweet spring craft that can be easily transitioned into an Easter basket? For bird assembly, I extend grateful thanks to the creator of an instructional video titled "Paper Crafts for Kids - How to Make Paper Bird (Very Easy)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n64xhcD_wg 

To add my own spin, I created a simple nest for it to rest upon and to optionally provide a pocket for use as an Easter basket. I attached my bird to a half paper plate for sturdiness and to provide a surface on which to staple the nest's paper folds.

First, I created patterns for the bird's body, wings, beak, and tail feathers by folding paper and drawing desired shapes and sizes then cut the shapes from construction paper. Next, I glued all bird pieces together except the front wing which allows you to reach under it with a stapler to secure all layers of the bird to paper plate. Finally, glue the front wing to bird's body to conceal the staple. 

Lastly, I used brown packaging paper that was wrapped around items in my Vitacost order to fashion a nest by stapling it around the edge of the paper plate.

If using for an Easter basket, I found authentic-looking bird eggs at Target. Lindt Mini Eggs Solid Milk Chocolate Eggs with a Crisp Candy Shell. After Easter, set out empty-nested bird for lovely spring decor.

dried grass and leaf bird nest easter basket

In March, before the first sign of tree budding or greening of vegetation, I walked along the edge of our woods to gather crisp oak leaves and tall thin spires of dried grasses. To create a bird's nest.

Formed in an aluminum foil lined paper soup/cereal bowl, glue-soaked tufts of dryer lint act as a sponge to bind the grass and leaves.

I repeated layers until the nest began to retain its shape and form a solid base upon drying.

Filled with eggs naturally-dyed and speckled Jelly Belly Organic Jelly Beans tucked alongside, it became an Easter basket. Mimi's Sketchbook has graciously provided concise step-by-step YouTube video instructions titled, "How to Make a Bird's Nest."

 

fox valentine

I could not resist. A valentine fox made with strategically placed hearts. Eyes that melt, as long as you don't gaze too long and deeply into them to see a not-so-Pollyanna-ish motive under the surface. Nearly nine years ago, there was a fox that didn't bother to read the memo sent out regarding the invitation only guest list. He showed up unannounced at dusk that evening in July bent on causing trouble. Dick's long range aim with his .22 caused the fox to loosen its grip on one of my hens named Opal. Relatively unscathed but visibly shaken, she continued to live a long, though much more wary, life.

After cutting out the pieces to make yesterday's emoji valentines, I went to Michaels and purchased a 3/4" punch circle cutter for this fox valentine's eyes and an Elmer's Washable Clear Repositionable Glue Stick. Circles are difficult to cut freehand. Not impossible, but the punch circle cutter vs scissors... Go get the punch circle cutter. The instructions and PDF to make this fox valentine were created by Tammy over at Housing a Forest. Thanks for sharing your creative talent, Tammy!

emoji face throwing a kiss valentine

"As per Smithsonian, the smiley face as we know it today was created by Harvey Ross Ball, an American graphic artist. In 1963, Harvey Ball was employed by State Mutual Life Assurance Company of Worcester, Massachusetts (now known as Hanover Insurance) to create a happy face to raise the morale of the employees."

Emojis, used in emails and text messages to convey an emotion using a symbol rather than words, may be a throwback to the smiley faces of my childhood, I'm thinking. 😊 On Pinterest, a particular emoji got my attention. According to emojipedia.org, "This emoji is a face blowing a kiss; but officially called Face Throwing A Kiss. One eye is open, the other is winking. A heart is shown leaving the kissing mouth." Upon clicking Pinterest's Housing a Forest link, I read the simple instructions and printed the PDF to make an emoji face throwing a kiss valentine then gathered supplies and organized my work table into an efficient assembly line. I got busy. Snip snip. Ka-chunk. Ka-chunk. Ka-chunk. Seven grandchildren. Seven valentines. I happened to have a punch cutter that was the exact size of the red heart, and, although I didn't have a circle cutter for the eye, I would recommend both.

This project transported me back to my elementary school days when I transformed a shoe box into a truck and an oatmeal box into a silo as a receptacle for classmates to slip valentines into. As I cut, punched, and glued, the radio station I chose to listen to provided music that I remember my mother playing as I was growing up...Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, so it was the perfect environment for my mind to happily wander. But, I found my way back. 

If you're desiring additional ideas, here is a Star Wars-themed printable valentine that I made last year. I found the glow sticks for Yoda at Michaels, but you can sub pixie sticks or bright colored pencils. And here's a Valentine's Day Goodie Bags printable PDF to package brownies. The brownie recipe that I used is here. Note: The bag label PDF provided by Kathleen at Twig and Thistle was originally designed in 2010 and she kindly edited it for 2011. I was hoping that she would provide an updated PDF each February to reflect yet another new year, but sadly she hasn't posted on her blog since February 9, 2012. Maybe you can devise a way to ingeniously update the year printed on the bag? It's certainly worth the effort. The bags are sweet. 

origami market bag

Springtime. Farmer's markets. I'm in. With a few simple folds and some quick stitching, I've got the sweetest bag to hold freshly cut ruby red rhubarb and asparagus, deeply hued leafy greens, a dozen farm fresh eggs (to fill in until my hens begin laying), a loaf of homemade sprouted grain bread, a jar of raw buckwheat honey, and a bouquet of wild flowers for my table.   

Here's where I snagged the brilliant tutorial: http://lolanovablog.blogspot.com/2013/06/origami-market-bag-tutorial.html Today, Jo-Ann's offered a senior citizens (60+) discount of 20% off your total purchase. I cringed to think that I am now considered a senior citizen, but I'm good with the saving money part. For this project, I chose linen from the home decor section. The weight is suitable, the earthiness of natural fiber appropriate, and it was discounted 40%. A total savings of 60%. 1 easy-to-follow tutorial + 1 yard 54" wide fabric = 2 multipurpose bags.

dollhouse kitchen table and chairs

In my previous post, I wrote about the book I am reading titled Dinner a Love Story It all begins at the family table by Jenny Rosenstrach. I wrote about a corner of our kitchen table where Dick and I ate our lunch of fish and zucchini fries. A table and chairs. Seemingly unimportant, but yet all important for sharing time together. In February 2009, I created "Tillie," a clothespin doll. Now, four years later, she has her very own kitchen table and chairs. She has picked a bouquet of wildflowers for her table. Her important table.  

I made the table from a butter box. A special one. From one of my favorite Minnesota dairies.

Here's how I made Tillie. To make the table, I chose to use a butter box because the size fit Tillie's height. I cut the bottom off, snipped the sides to form legs, and glued the flaps together so it wouldn't collapse. That simple. As I created the chairs, I jotted notes. Just like when you tweak recipes so that it can be recreated. Because you will forget. Yes, you will. So, here are my notes. Adjust the size and add your own spin. That's when the fun begins. 

parcel

A trip to our daughter Lisa's home in New Jersey wouldn't be complete without a stop at Parcel, a precious little shop in the city of Montclair. One look at this Christmas window display... well, need I say more? A vintage television console housing a Santa. How sweet.

The sweetness spills over into the shop's interior. 

My purchases this year included a 1930s Thanksgiving teacher's lesson card and a tiny plastic quail (to use in a November-themed shadow box?), plastic disks (for flowers or a miniature farm windmill?), a yard of blue mesh cloth (for window screen in a little cardboard house?)...

and a yard of textured paper (for the roof on a little cardboard house?).  

peace dove

With Heather and Patrick's three kids in tow and their newborn discovering the big world for her meer second time, we ventured out to New Paltz, New York. There we attended a Winter Faire at the Waldorf School where their eldest daughter had been a student. Musicians melodies provided a calming backdrop as kids busily crafted at stations set up in classrooms throughout the massive three-story house. One of my granddaughters chose to sew a dove, so I made one too.

The supplies are very few. A piece of felt, scissors, large eyed needle, a pattern for the body and wings (click to enlarge the left photo below and sketch a quick pattern based upon mine), a stuffing material to give poof to the dove's body, and pearl cotton size 5. In the Michael's store display photo below, you can see what the string looks like in its package. Here's a detailed tutorial if you haven't ever done a blanket stitch or if your skill has grown rusty. It is used to stitch together the two halves of the body.

As my eyes fall upon the gently swaying dove on the Christmas tree branch, it is a reminder of God's comforting words from John 14:27. 

When I find one, my dove will have an olive branch. To represent the Biblical account in Genesis of Noah and the Ark. Of a dove returning to the ark with an olive branch in its beak to let Noah know that the floods had receded. The dove and olive branch symbolize the Holy Spirit and the hope of salvation. A symbol of peace.