Wire Pumpkins...courtesy of Dollar Tree!

I'm joining the "Under $10 and Under 1 Hour" party over at 320 Sycamore with these easy-peasy wire pumpkins using wire from Dollar Tree.
The inspiration comes from Jessica @ Mad in Crafts.

They are so quick and easy to put together...

Using this floral wire from Dollar Tree (comes in several different colors), wrap it around a cylinder shape of your choice - a toilet paper roll, a prescription bottle, a hairspray bottle, etc. Whatever you have on hand.
The smaller the cylinder, the smaller yet more full your pumpkin will be.
I used a can of air freshener for the larger pumpkin and a prescription bottle for the smaller pumpkin.
Remove the coil from the cylinder and using a twist tie (reuse the twist ties that come with the wire!), tie the middle of the coil together.
Leave some excess wire out to make the twisty stem of the pumpkin.
Then pull the wire around to round out the pumpkin shape.
You can get a picture tutorial of this process over at Mad in Crafts.

Aren't they so cute?
(please excuse the dusty shelf...)

$1 for each pumpkin.
Maybe 5 minutes to put together.
Definitely Under $10 and Under 1 Hour!
Thanks for the inspiration Jessica!

I think I'll go dust that shelf now...

A Patriotic Wreath

I had a foam wreath form left over from my Easter Peeps wreath that was just crying out to be used creatively. Now I must say that I am not as in love with this wreath as I was with my Peeps wreath, but it is growing on me. I found my inspiration HERE as a Halloween wreath. Here is how my red, white, and blue version turned out:

I ended up using satin ribbon, but if I were to do it over again, I would stick with the grosgrain ribbon like the original inspiration wreath. And I think the ribbon strips are a little long...I would probably trim a few inches off. But it does add a patriotic touch to the front door:

What do you think?
Does it work or is it a little too much?

Happy 4th of July!

When life gives you lemons

I needed a quick wedding gift this weekend - here is what I came up with.

Considering my current love for all things lemon, I typed out a homemade lemonade recipe and attached it to a glass pitcher full of lemons. Top it off with a luscious, satin ribbon bow and you have a thoughtful and very useful gift. Everyone can use a pretty glass pitcher, right?

Summer Fun Kit

Since Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, I thought I would put together some easy summer fun kits. I always think of things I should have brought with us when we take an impromptu trip to the park and I thought it would be nice to have it all together in one place. I assembled two kits - one for the car and one to be kept near the front door. I mainly used items I found at Dollar Tree or in the dollar spot at Target.

The Car Kit

I put a frisbee, some sand pails and shovels, a bubble wand, sand/dirt digging tools, a bucket of sidewalk chalk and some sunblock together in a red basket from Dollar Tree. Now that I have this stowed in the back of my car, I am ready for any summer outdoor adventure with Spencer.

The possibilities are endless!
You can completely customize this to your family's needs.

Here's a smaller version I put together to be used at home, stored near the front door. It always seems that Spencer asks me for the same things when he is playing outside: sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and something to water the flowers with. Now I don't have to go searching all over the house and the whole basket can be brought outside. I also added a container of sunblock too as a reminder to put some on when playing outside! This is great for when mom isn't home and dad is entertaining the kiddos oustide.

Finish it off with some ribbon and you are ready for some summer fun!

What items would you put in your summer fun basket?