Claire Emma Miller

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Party Invitations

2012-02-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

A few weekends ago, we celebrated my son's first birthday with a small gathering of our family and friends. I hadn't been interested in a theme until my friend had (very wisely) pointed out that even though it was only to be a small affair, she *knows* me and that I would regret not making it special.

One of my son's favourite books has always been The Very Hungry Caterpillar. We read it EVERY day and I retell the story from memory often more than once throughout the day (if we're out for a walk or while I am changing his diaper etc). I knew straight away that the caterpillar would be my theme. I trolled Pinterest for ideas and came up with quite a few good ones. I needed to stick to a tight budget too, which meant that I was going to be making a lot of the decorations! And the invitations...

I bought a few sheets of cardstock from michael's (4 for a dollar, during a sale, 59c regularly). Dark green and light green (to give the caterpillar's body contrast) and a nice dark red for his adorable face. To make his little feet, antennas, eyes and mouth, I raided the stack of construction paper in our house. The little pastel brads were also something I had already but they can be found at Michael's for (I think) $2.99 (use your coupons!!). So, all together, 10 invitations cost me $2.12 to make. I bought a pack of nice envelopes at the dollar store and bam, they were all set.

Here is the finished article (already added to his scrapbook, with the candle from his cake and the little party hat that I made him).

Decorating for a Caterpillar Party on a budget is actually esaier than one would think! Of course, the colour theme is red and green and shopping for red and green things is really easy during the christmas season. I took advantage of the christmassy colours to add to the little details (like red and green pretzel M&Ms and Hershey's Kisses). There were only a few actual images of the Caterpillar himself in our home. Including this banner that I made:

And this big Caterpillar hanging from the ceiling in our living room:

And this star, that I found at Dollar Tree and modified a little :) to hang on our front door:

If you have any questions about what else we did or any suggestions to add to this post for others who may be planning a Caterpillar party, please comment!

Kinda SIlly, Kinda Cute ;)

2012-01-20T11:30:00.000-08:00

My little cupid - I made a few valentine's day cards for some of our loved ones ;)

Give Away Winner!

2012-01-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, everyone. And thank you to those who entered my giveaway and shared the link all over the interwebz :D Love to you all!

The winner is Call_Me_PS, my dear friend Beth! Congrats, Beth! I look forward to making a frame for the precious and priceless Eowyn and Inara <3

Cinnamon Ornaments!

2011-12-17T11:33:00.000-08:00

I found this idea on Pinterest, from thepinkcouch.blogspot.com

It is SO easy!

Cinnamon Ornaments - the dough turns out like play doh and is very easy to use.

Basically (for about three ornaments) you need half a cup of cinnamon, 1/3 cup of apple sauce and 2 tablespoons of white glue (add a bit more applesauce if it's too dry or a bit more cinnamon if it's too wet). Then roll, shape (using regular cookie cutters) and bake on 120 for about half an hour!

I'll be using these as tags for presents from santa for Ashlyn and Rowan. Because I know my stepdaughter (the child is ruled by her stomach) I wrote very clearly on the back "DO NOT EAT". Rowan's will be attached to a stuffed penguin wearing a santa hat and Ashlyn's will attached to a bag of a mini crimson gold apples (random gift, I know but my girl loves anything tiny...)

(FYI: I used fabric paints to decorate them - I figured the "bubbly" texture would look more like frosting)

Ice Wreath

2011-12-13T09:48:00.001-08:00

GIVE AWAY!

2011-12-12T07:39:00.000-08:00

The Prize? A wooden frame, decorated to your specifications and delivered via USPS (anywhere within the continental US) to the recipient of your choice!

How to enter? EASY! Just leave a comment on this post and tell me 1. who I will be making your frame for and 2. how you would like the frame decorated/personalized!

The rules and details? Giveaway is open now and ends at midnight on December 31st, 2011. Winner will be picked at random and their name will be announced on January 1st. Open to US readers only One entry per person.

Good luck!

Calico

2011-12-01T17:17:00.001-08:00

Here's a fancy frame for a fancy girl :D

Christmas Craft Idea

2011-11-15T11:16:00.001-08:00

I cannotcannotcannot throw away mason jars. They're like art to me. Even the ones that store-bought pasta sauces come in. Normally they get used as candle holders on the patio during the summer or as containers to hold *everything and anything* throughout the house but, with Pinterest as my inspiration, I decided to make a christmassy centerpiece using one. This is the result:

If you don't count the cost of the pasta sauce ($4) or the lights that I bought on clearance last year (50c) or the ribbon that I had in my stash (>$1, because I only buy ribbon when I find it on clearance!), this project cost me $1 to make. Thank you, Dollar Tree for your not-as-crappy-looking-as-usual faux poinsettias :)

Thumb Print Tree Canvas

2011-11-06T12:44:00.000-08:00

A new addition to my collection! These make a great holiday gift for the grandparents. Here's how it works: I'll paint the tree onto a canvas for you. I can add text (names, dates etc) or small details that are personal to you (a favourite flower or bird, an initial in the bark of the trunk etc). Then my work is done! And that's where the fun begins for you and your family. Your thumb prints become the leaves of the tree. What you're left with is a completely unique and very personal piece of art! Not fine art, of course ;) We'll call it "fun" art!

Small canvas (for the thumb prints of one child/baby) - $6
Medium canvas (for the thumbprints of two people) - $8
Large canvas (for the entire family!) $12

Another Pinterest-inspired craft!

2011-10-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

In the same vein as the popular wedding thumb print trees (guests add their thumbprint to a big tree, which will eventually serve as a piece of art for the newlyweds' home), this Mommy & Baby thumbprint tree is super easy, really quick and totally adorable :)

You'll find $1 ink pads at michaels. I used a light green for my thumbprint and a dark green for Rowan's.

Holiday order deadlines and a cute little idea for a home made gift :)

2011-10-10T10:53:00.000-07:00

If you're interested in ordering a frame or anything else for the holidays, please be aware of the deadlines!

My deadline for guaranteed delivery for international orders is 25 days before the holiday. For the continental US, it's 14 days. And locally (within the tri county area), it's 3 days. I may be able to make exceptions and rush an order in a gift emergency (and lets face it, who doesn't have gift emergencies around the holidays?!) so don't be afraid to ask!

Now, check out this little cutie!

I bought a three pack of mini flat canvas ($2.99) at Michaels yesterday and today, I made the inprint of my baby's foot and turned it into a christmas tree. Three christmas trees, that is :) Cute, hand made and totally unique gifts for the grandparents for a dollar each? Not bad, huh?

Quick and Easy Wall Art for The Sentimental Fools Amongst Us

2011-10-09T10:34:00.000-07:00

Three sheets of card stock, scissors, glue stick and an old frame. Voila!

Halloween Craft Idea

2011-09-30T10:02:00.000-07:00

This metal wall hanging was $2.99 at Micheal's (not including the 40% off coupon!!). I already had the white paint. And the little feet ;)

A New Dawn...

2011-09-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

I have neglected this blog. It is true. I have been busy with life. I still get orders, of course but I just sometimes forget to blog about them and by the time I remember, I have already sent them off to their recipient. But I resolve to start updating more often. And from now on, you'll be seeing more crafting ideas. Pinterest has resparked (is that a word?) my interest in projects! And Rowan (who is is now eight months old!) really enjoys doing simple crafts with me. So today's update is about that. A craft that we did together. The idea came from Shannon (thismamasstory.blogspot.com) who pinned it on Pinterest as a idea for her classroom. And here's how it went for us....Mess Free Fall Leaves For Babies and ToddlersWhat you need:Zip sandwich bagsvarious leaf shaped paper templates (note: use a paper that's a bit tougher than computer paper - lesson learned!)fall-coloured paints (any kind - they won't get on your child's skin, unless your child can open the zip bags!)I started out with these shapes

Then I put a couple of drops of paints on each leaf and put two leaves in each bag

Then I let Rowcasso go to town (he had fun - he kept standing up on his knees and then crashing his hands down on the bags. It was the most violent painting I have ever witnessed..)

Then (the messiest part, for me anyway), I took the leaves out of the bag and allowed them to dry

And finally, once the leaves were dry, I hot glued them together to form this pretty little wreath :)

A little work for a really neat piece of art for baby's first fall <3

A Big Project!

2011-08-19T12:06:00.000-07:00

So, the play/bedroom is pretty much finished! And, even if I do say so myself, it looks delightful. There are a few things that I still need to do. My seamstress friend is making some pillows for the bed/sitting area and I need to put the new bookcase together and replace the wobbly little one that you see in these pictures. Otherwise, it's done!

A Work In Progress!

2011-08-12T18:18:00.000-07:00

Long time, no update. I know, I know! Rest assured that I *am* working on things. But I am just not blogging them. This project, however, I feel like sharing.

Here's the thing: our house has two bedrooms. We didn't think we'd be having a baby for a while when we picked this place. So of course, the second room went to my husband's daughter. Three years later, I was pregnant. The plan was to repaint it in a neutral colour and have the baby sleep in there once he or she was past the cradle. But times have changed. My stepdaughter chooses to not be here as often as she was. Which is fine but that left "her" room sitting empty for big chunks of the month. And, since our place is so small in the beginning, I was really beginning to resent that wasted space. Especially now that the baby is beginning to become mobile! He needs (and deserves) his own space. But I had to be careful not to make my stepchild feel like she's getting the boot.

Here is the room, the way it was when I first decorated it in 2007

Pink, right?

It became clear to me very early on that Rowan loves fish. So my brain started creaking and I began having fantasies about making him an under the sea bedroom. Of course, he is still sleeping in bed with me. Bed sharing works for us right now but that doesn't mean that 1. he won't ever be sleeping in his own room and 2. i don't want him to have a space that is his own for place, toy storage, naps and quiet baby reflection.

So a couple of weeks ago, we began the task of covering the pink. It wasn't easy, let me tell you. Four coats of primer later, the pink was (mostly) gone. And a couple of days ago, I began creating my vision. Of course, my vision has changed over and over. Now I am going for a cross section of the ocean and sky. Above, we have a sail boat and a dolphin leaping and a beach scene. Below we will have schools of fish, a yellow submarine (!), an octopus (because Baby loves Otto the Octopus, a character in one of his books), a treasure chest, an anchor on a chain (coming down from the boat) and, my favourite, beneath the leaping dolphin, a mother dolphin nursing her calf (a personal nod to my little nursling). As it stands now, I am about 25% done. Maybe 23%. I plan on getting A LOT done this weekend. But this is what we have so far...

The beach. A surf board (which needs more work and will have a A - for Ashlyn - in the style of the Quiksilver symbol), a palm tree and tomorrow there will be some shells and a little crabby crab.

The dolphin. I realize he is not proportional. His snout is too long and his tail is too big. But I like him anyway.

The boat. It has a Union Jack flag (because I'm a Brit) and I plan on painting "The Cornelia Marie" on the side as a nod to the late Captain Phil Harris for my Deadliest Catch super fan hubby.

Space! The Final Frontier!

2011-05-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

Sawyer isn't born yet but his mom and dad already know he'll be out of this world!

This photo was my inspiration. It is so nice to see a little boy's nursery that's not dinosaurs or trucks!

And this is the finished article. It'll be rocketing off to Texas in a few days so that Sawyer's auntie-to-be Audrey can give it to him :)

2011-04-22T06:49:00.000-07:00

Made for a little honey named Ava.

I adore this bee. He is inspired by one of my best friends. It's a long story :D

Something a little different ;)

2011-03-26T17:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took the baby to buy some shoes (baby shoes - oh my god! Too much cute, way too expensive and completely unnecessary!) at a little boutique in town called Michelle's Shoes. If you're an East Sider, I highly recommend this shop. The service is impeccable. They are so friendly and kind to kids and it's a really fun place to shop. Also, if you buy six pairs, you get 50% off one pair.

Baby Miller got some cute additions to his wardrobe. These delightful little pure white softies were made for his Mummy to decorate though! I am officially adding these to the list of things that you can order from me! Comment or email for prices and let me know what design you would like!

Follow The Yellow Brick Road

2010-12-02T12:42:00.001-08:00

Oh boy. This frame has caused me some stress!

IT's for beautiful little Stella F, who was born two weeks ago today. Stella's mom Alison is a Wizard of Oz nut and her obsession is being passed on to her first born :) I hear that her nursery is completely Wizard of Oz and her baby shower theme was of the same. I will have to try and get hold of a copy of the shower invite that Alison's brother Matt (my hhusband's bff) made. It is absolutely incredible!

Anyway, this frame started out COMPLETELY differently. A few weeks before Stella was born, I had already decided on the design. It involved ruby red slippers. But as the frame neared completion last week, I suddenly had a complete meltdown and decided that it was hideous and not a fitting gift at all. Hormonal meltdown? Maybe. But I am very glad that I decided to start over. I completed this frame a little while ago and I am very happy with it. Stella's name "over the rainbow" is not by coincidence. I wanted her name to be the focus. Not ruby red slippers. Or flying monkeys. STELLA!

Anyway, I hope that Stella's mom and dad will like this frame and that it fits well into their own personal Oz!

Wall Letters

2010-12-02T12:39:00.000-08:00

This are for Avery and Logan. They were orginally plain white letters that hung on their bedroom doors but now they have a little more zing :)

Lilla & Sean, Christmas 2010

2010-11-28T14:44:00.000-08:00

I am slowly but surely plowing through all of the pieces that I need to get done before christmas. I do love to paint but now, at almost 31 weeks pregnant, my enthusiasm, time and energy for most non-baby related stuff is limited. Today I completed this piece for Lilla and Sean's mom and dad for christmas. It's not too busy but I think that "simple" works for a frame this size. The crystal tree ornaments are real, by the way :D

For Sale - You Choose The Theme, I Make It Happen!

2010-10-20T09:38:00.001-07:00

Christmas is coming. You know this, right? Just reminding you :)

Perhaps you're redecorating your toddler's bedroom to make it more "Big Kid"? Or you're just looking for a unique piece of storage furniture that blends well into the design you've already picked out?

This dresser (measurements: Width: 24 3/8 ", Depth: 11 3/4 ", Height: 27 1/2 ") can be decorated to your most specific desires, all for approximately $85 (added hardware will cost more).

If you're interested, please contact me via comments or claireemmamiller@gmail.com. This is not a one of a kind piece so if you need a pair or more, i can make it happen!

Poppy!

2010-10-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

My niece Poppy will be turning two in a few days. She's really an adorable little thing and Adorable Little Things (particularly those related to me) deserve Adorable Little Things.

So I made this for her. It has a poppy on it. A poppy for my Poppy :) Thank goodness her name wasn't a more complicated flower, is all I can say....

And this is her. Did you taste the sugar?

Blue & Brown

2010-10-08T05:38:00.000-07:00

This is for a yet to be born baby boy. I didn't get many details but brown and blue were the requested colours so.. ta-da! The baby is due a couple of weeks before Baby M. Making stuff for other babies that are due right before mine gives me hives :D

Halloween

2010-10-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

This weekend is our baby shower. I know, right? It seems like yesterday that I peed on a stick and nearly fainted. Now we're over half way done and about to have a party to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Baby Miller.

Our close friends Matt and Laura S are hosting the shower for us and I wanted to do something nice for them to say thank you. And, since they already have a couple of my pieces in their house, I thought I might add to the collection with this:

Paints used: Modern Options Silver-Blue, Americana's Wisteria and Bright Yellow, Craft Smart's Orange, Black and Vanilla, Folk Art's Violet Pansy and Apple Barrel's Kelly Green and Regency Blue.

Note: if you are interested in a frame like this (in a halloween theme or for christmas) please let me know. They are $16 and if you order your halloween frame before October 18th, I will guarantee delivery before the 31st! Also, please stay tuned for my holiday order deadline post!

Also for the shower, we're having a diaper raffle. Guests can bring a pack of diapers and be entered to win a prize. I like this idea so veryveryvery much because diapers? 'Spensive. So, since I'm in charge of the prize (the only thing my darling hostess will allow me to do!!!) I decided to make a certificate for a hand-made item. A little scrapbook paper, some crystals and a onesie charm later, I came up with this:

It will be tied to a bottle of nice wine with a big ribbon and presented to whomever wins the raffle.

As for other projects, I have a few that I am working on. A frame for an unborn baby boy, a frame for a one year old and a Wizard of Oz frame for a soon to be born baby girl. Expect to these those very soon!

Big Sister Tshirt.

2010-09-27T08:38:00.001-07:00

So this isn't a piece of painted wood. And it's not for sale either. Well, THIS one isn't for sale but if you like it (or would like one similar) then I am sure I can make it happen for you!

Next week is our baby shower. I really wanted to find a cute but stylish Bg Sister tshirt for my stepdaughter but unless you're shopping for a smaller kid, the pickings are slim! I decided to make one for her instead. So with a few supplies and a plain white tshirt from Michael's, this is what I ended up with.

It'll look perfect with blue jeans or a fancy skirt (whatever she wants!)

I sewed on some little silver onesie charms around the neckline. My girl's a fan of jingly and silvery stuff so I created the feeling of a necklace in the hope that she won't feel too immature with onesies on her chest :D

Aren't they adorable?!

Ramya

2010-09-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

This frame is for my stepdaughter's friend, the beautiful Ramya, whose birthday party is approaching.

All I was told was that her favourite colour is pink. That's all I got. So pink featured prominantly in this piece. As did a hotch potch of other colours too! The layered and cascading hearts were not what I had in mind when I started. It started out with a couple of hearts here and there. But then I started adding more and more. And once the whole thing was finished and glazed, i added some multi coloured crystals too. It's very girlie but not too immature for a tweenie lady. I hope she likes it!

The paints I used? Craft Smart's Turquoise, Orange, Lavendar and Light Pink. Apple Barrel's Fuschia, Canary Yellow and Black, Folk Art's Violet Pansy and Delta Ceracoat's Bright Red. PHEW!

Baby Miller

2010-08-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

So as you know (or maybe you don't and if that's the case, here's your announcement!), we are expanding our family by one in a few months (a little over five to be precise). Of course, any child of mine will be showered with loads of handmade stuff. However, so far I haven't made as many things for our baby as I would've liked. Mostly because we are not yet sure what we're having! Not that I go by the generic "blue is for boys and pink is for giiiirls" mantra. But still, I don't want to end up with a hot pink item and then find out that Baby Miller is a dude. Which is why this wall hanging is neutral :D

The words, "You Will Never Know Losing Love From Me" are from a song called Tiny Heart by an amazing band called Flyleaf. Mr. M is a huge fan and I have become one over the years too. Shortly after I found out I was pregnant, I was listening to this song in the car one day and I just began crying my eyes out. Those words were just so poignant to me and that one line descirbed exactly how I feel about my child. I decided pretty early on that I somehow wanted to incorporate it (in some small way) into something that Mini Miller will see every day. And I am so glad I did.

And here it is!

And here is a close up of one of the metallic hearts.

And, here are the lyrics to that beautiful song.

"Tiny Heart"

Tiny heart
Stuck inside yourself
When will you open up for me

I love you so
I wanna meet you again
Before one of us must go

Your lips touched every hand but mine
If you choose me, I’m waiting for you
If you choose me, I’m waiting for you
Always waiting

Tiny heart
You're not by yourself
When will you recognize the beat

Of my own heart
Grieving in your hand
You crush me when you run that way

Your lips touched every hand but mine
If you choose me, I’m waiting for you
If you choose me, I’m waiting for you
Always waiting

You will never know
What you have done to me
You will never know losing love from me
And you will never know a single day alone

Tiny heart
Stuck inside yourself
When will you open up

Your lips touched every hand but mine
If you choose me I’m waiting for you
If you choose me I’m waiting for you
Always waiting

Raegan

2010-08-23T07:39:00.000-07:00

Here's a little treat I made for the lovely little Raegan, who will be turning one in a few days. Her mom Shannon is one of my most dearest friends, a person who started out as an online Stepmom pal but turned to an in-real-life friend and whom I love loads!

You've gotta love those little bugs!

Personal Baby Gift

2010-07-20T07:50:00.000-07:00

This frame is for my brother's kid. Her name is Maisie and she was born on July 5th.

The polka dots were a mistake. I originally wanted three brown polka dots in the bottom right hand corner and was going to do a bunch of pink polka dots of differing sizes on the brown part. But when I did the first three brown dots, my stepdaughter exclaimed, "Aw, puppy paw prints!" So yeah, no. But I am quite happy with the way it turned out. I know it's rather plain and simple but I like it anyway. I have no idea what colours they decided to make her bedroom so who knows if it will fit in. But somehow pink and brown seems perfect to me.

While I'm posting, I will just remind you that I am working on some new ideas for a line of cool and fun gender neutral baby gifts. I've had some interest but again, if you're looking for a gift for a sex-yet-to-be-determined behbeh, then contact me and let's talk!

Free Craft Fair Dot Com

2010-06-16T07:58:00.000-07:00

I am now listed at Freecraftfair.com in the kids crafts section! Visit this site if only for the directory of hundreds of amazing crafters!

Lilla

2010-05-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

This piece is for lovely Lilla, who recently turned four. My first jewelry box in a while! I opted for a larger cigar-style box so that I could use this giant fuschia silk flower. Sure, pink on green ("pistachio mint" to be exact) may not be the best of colour combinations but somehow it works.

Paints used: Americana by DecoArt's pistachio mint and Poodle Skirt Pink and Craft Smart's Pink Rose (i blened the two pinks to get the shade I wanted). Also, modern options silver-blue metallic surfacer and Delta Ceramics Eggshell White.

2010-04-30T08:43:00.001-07:00

~ Meher ~

2010-04-26T07:38:00.001-07:00

Meher is my stepdaughter Ashlyn's BFF (for those of you not in the loop, "BFF" = best friends forever. Now you know!) It's Meher's birthday party this saturday and Ashlyn requested a "very special" frame to present to her forever bud.

She informed me that Meher's favourite colours are light blue and dark blue. Our hunt for a blue gerbera silk daisy proved fruitless so we *decided* ("pouted", "fought back tears" - her, not me) upon ivory instead. I managed to talk her into my favoured brown script, rather than navy blue, using the darker blue (Americana Acrylics "true blue") on the sides of the frame.

Here's the finished article. I added rhinestones on the corners because well... just because.

In the words of Ashlyn, "Oh my gosh! She's gonna *love* it!"

Other paints used:

Plaid White, Craft Smart Chocolate Brown (ftw!) and Modern Options Silver Blue Metallic Finisher.

Wedding Frame and a little something for added, extra cuteness

2010-04-16T08:44:00.000-07:00

I would like to share the entire frame for the soon to be married Julia and Tony but I don't want to ruin the surprise so here is a snippet ;)

I wanted to give it a distressed, antique-y kind of feel and I am not entirely certain that I succeeded. You be the judge.

Also, please check out the frame that my stepdaughter made this past weekend. She commandered my work station and this is what she came up with. Impressive, huh?!

Logan & Avery S.

2010-04-14T07:25:00.000-07:00

I started on these pieces in December of 2009 when my friend Marieth commissioned me to make them for her children. I originally gave them to her unpersonalized and she asked me if I could personalize them for her sometime in the new year. Well, it's *april*.... and I finally picked them up from her and finished them :D

With permission from Marieth, this is Avery holding her picture. She LOVED it!

Logan was at school, so I don't get to share his gorgeous face :(

Emma

2010-04-05T06:25:00.000-07:00

Emma is seriously the happiest baby in the world. She is also heart-breakingly beautiful!

With that in mind, this happy (and everso relatively beautiful!) frame is for Emma to celebrate her upcoming first birthday.

I added the skeleton leaves (by Black Ink) as an afterthought and I'm very glad I did! I found them in a clearance bin at Michael's (49¢, orig. $3!) ages ago and knew they'd be useful one day. I scour the clearance bins when I have time. In fact, the Roseville Michael's has a clearance *room*! I secretly refer to it as "Oh my heaven!"

In reference to my recent post regarding glaze, I learned during this project that Krylon's Glaze (yes, the one whose praises I was singing about twenty four hours ago) does not provide as even of a coverage as DecoArt's Glaze. I ended up using three layers on Emma's frame.

Anyway, I hope Emma (and her mom & dad) enjoys this frame! <3

Joseph

2010-04-05T06:05:00.000-07:00

Joseph's mom and dad are expecting the call any day now to give them the permission fly over to South Korea and bring their little boy home.

I wish them the best of luck as they expand their family and I hope that their journey is safe and without complications!

4/6/10 Edit: I just heard that mom and dad are leaving to pick up Joseph this saturday!

Which Glaze?

2010-04-03T15:34:00.000-07:00

I'm working on two different projects this weekend - wooden letters that spell the name of Joseph, an eight month old little boy who is waiting patiently in South Korea for his mommy and daddy in Minnesota to get the go ahead to come and bring him home and a frame for the youngest female in the Miller clan, the beautiful Emma.

During my weekly pilgrimage to michael's last night, I did the *unthinkable* and bought a different brand of glaze. A can of glaze normally lasts me for about six or seven pieces and is almost always the most costly part of my projects. I have always used DecoArt's Triple Thick Brilliant Gloss Glaze ($5.99, for 6oz.) but today I decided to try a different brand. Krylon's Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze is $6.99 for 12oz. and so far, I'm happy with it! The price is right, the glaze comparable in quality to DecoArt's and you get double the product. And it dries SO quickly! So I'm a convert.

Now, if only there were a glaze that didn't smell like demon poop...

I'd buy that.

Emily

2010-03-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

I'm back to working in my kitchen again because my little work station was taken apart so that we could donate our card table and chair to the south east michigan chapter (zeitmi.blogspot.com) of the Zeitgeist Movement's International Z Day celebrations a couple of weekends ago and I just haven't put it all back together. I should really get on that...

Here's the work in process

And a little about dear Emily. Emily is nine, the daughter of a talented guitarist and the stepdaughter of a fabulous, smart, witty and gorgeous lady named Jennie whom I am blessed to call my friend/ally/venting partner.

Simply put, the theme is punk rock. And the hot pink/fuschia is to add a girlie touch.

Here's hoping she loves this and that it fits in perfectly in the house that rocks!

Elena

2010-03-19T06:53:00.000-07:00

This piece is for Elena. Her grandma - my dear friend Krystyna and my biggest supporter! - ordered it for her after she saw that Elena s welcome to my room sign was scribbled on a lowly sheet of printer paper! Perish the thought!

This piece was a bit of a challenge for a couple of reasons. First, Elena's eleven years old and quite the little madam (in the most wonderful and endearing way, mind you!) and I didn't want to present her with something that might be considered immature.

Secondly, painting the script free-hand on the curve of the paper-mache heart was quite difficult! I bought a new brush with a very fine point on it (Loew Cornell, type 5701, Spotter/pointe fine) and it made the job easier but, as always, I was not 100% happy with it.

The flower was a lot bigger to start with. I removed a few layers of the petals to make it fit and make it less overwhelming. Then I added some crystals to give it a glamourous, grown-up feel :)

I'd painted the lavender base a few days ago but procrastinating ol' me took a couple of days to decide on how to finish it. So last night, during NBC's Community (<3), I got to work. It's amazing how easily my work flows when I have the support of Joel McHale. Must add him to my list of inspirations :D

Logan

2010-03-03T10:14:00.000-08:00

Logan is officially one of my favourite one year olds in the world :) That's because today she officailly becomes a one year old!

This is her birthday present! I added a silk gerbera daisy because I think it really pops with the brown paint.

Can you tell that I'm seriously in love with chocolate brown?

Arianna

2010-02-08T07:55:00.000-08:00

In an effort to build my online portfolio, I am making a few free gifts for friends. My first gift is for Arianna. She part-belongs to a fellow stepmom, the wonderful Julia. Arianna's room is purple and pink, one of my life-long, most favourite colour combinations. I hope that she likes what i did! Please excuse the quality of the photograph - my cellphone is pathetic ;)

For Sale - 3D heart, $8

2010-02-04T08:33:00.000-08:00

This 3D heart is already made and ready to be personalized. Sure, it's a whole lot of pink but I can personalize it with the colour of your choice. I'm thinking that black, chocolate brown or dark purple would all be good choices for personalization.

Brenna

2010-02-04T08:31:00.000-08:00

This is specially made for Her Royal Highness, Queen Brenna of Laura's Uterus. The colour scheme of Brenna's Out of Uterus Royal Boudoir will be lavendar and sage. Her crib, dresser and changing throne are dark coffee-coloured wood (seriously, I want this girl's bedroom for myself) so I took those elements and made a frame that will fit in and pop at the same time.

Brenna's name was painted free-hand. It's not perfect and I'm not 100% happy with it. But I'm learning to accept that some things do not need to perfect because this is a completely unique, one of a kind piece for a one of a kind person. Little imperfections could be my signature style!