Felt and Fabric Flowers

Knowing that I've got a little beanette growing inside of me, I decided it was time to start making her some accessories! Crafting and putting together these little flowers for her was so sweet. I'm looking forward to adding these little joys to her hair, bookbag, my diaper bag, or pinning them to one of her sweet little outfits. Below are the supplies I used, flowers I made and links to the directions, with a few added tips from yours truly. Enjoy!

SUPPLIES:

fabric, felt (i used all of mine), ruler, hot glue

paper and fabric scissors, pen, needle and thread, hot glue gun, directions

FLOWER #1

The first flower I made took the longestttt.

i left the center bare. looking for a nice little jewel to add.

old pins around the house? we did.. tom took his apart so i could sew these onto the felt backing.

Tips:
This flower is labor intensive, due to having to cut out and glue each petal individually. The directions tell you to use a fabric tacky glue, which I had, but it takes sooo much longer to dry. I like using the hot glue gun for its instant stickyness. ALSO - I created and used a stencil to estabilish uniformity with the shape of the petals. You want them all to look the same.

Directions:

http://news.holidash.com/2010/04/23/mothers-day-corsage/

FLOWER #2

Tips:
As you can see the pink flower on the left is slightly different from the two smaller flowers on the right. Both types are straightforward. You can make one of these flowers in 5 minutes!! I must admit these would look a little better with a few leaves tucked behind them. I am lacking a catalog of felt colors at the moment.

Directions:

http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/2011/10/how-to-make-felt-flowers.html

FLOWER #3

Not my favorite. Infact, I didn't even glue it in place. If anyone knows of a good tutuorial for fabric rosette flowers... let me know.

FLOWER #4

These flowers are my FAVORITE! And to boot, they don't take that long... maybe 30 minutes!

Tips:
The directions called for a fabric covered button for the center of the flower. I didn't have the materials for that... so instead I made little versions of Flower #2. I think they turned out cute!! ALSO when you read these directions you will see that the petals are all strung together on a string.. you tie the two ends of the string together to form the circular arrangement of the petals... One thing I did after that part of the directions was to hot glue, with just a dot, the sides of the petals together so they better kept their shape and wern't able to shift around as much.

Directions:

http://creationcorner.blogspot.com/2011/02/pointed-flower-tutorial.html

I can't wait to see _____________ wear these!!

C.

Location:Teocalli Rd,Crested Butte,United States

pretty.fun!

                               {click to enlarge}

happy 2011: be inspired!

Nursery Mural Painting

This whole project started very casually one day at school. Stacy was like, "hey! could you paint a tree in my nursery?" I thought about it for a second, sure, I've never done it before, but I knew I could. We went to etsy for inspiration, and the rest is history. We borrowed an overhead projector from our school, I blew up the picture of the tree that Stacy wanted, put it on an overhead and the work began. After the very first day, which consisted of only taping off the tree, I knew this project was a big one. All in all it took me about six, five hour days to complete it... I think. I really enjoyed the whole process.  With a minor in Art from Western Carolina, I was excited to get back to a hobby of mine that sometimes can get pushed aside with our busy day to day lives. It was a relaxing and enjoyable process that I would love to do again.  What made this whole process even more special is that Stacy and Bryan are waiting on a phone call any day now to hear that their child has been born. They are on a special adoption journey.. and what a luck baby to have the two of them as parents. Seriously, Stacy is going to be the best Momma. The two of us were almost in tears a couple of times, just thinking about it. The smile on her face when we put all the furniture back in the nursery was priceless. Keep up with Stacy's blog to see their adoption journey unfold. And if you want a mural painted somewhere in your house. Let me know!

email me: christina.spatharos@gmail.com

Step, by step, Stacy and Bryan's new nursery!!

C is for Crazy Calendar

So, I just searched google images for "full may calendar." I was trying to find something that had

scribbles, notes, doc apointments, birthdays, anniverserys, weekend roadtrips :), etc. written all over it. I was just going to put a quick post up about the busy bee I've been theze da

yz and basically let my 8 followers know that I can't

wait until life slows down a bit so I can get back into the

blogging swing of things. The way things are looking I still have one more busy month ahead leading

up to Megan's wedding on 06/25! One thing is for sure, when I get back to my blogging business, I'll have plenty to share. But guess what happened!?!!

So, I was searching google images.... browsing over multiple calendars and the first cute one I click on is an etsy seller! It was meant to be. So instead of posting something really lame like hey look at this busy calendar and I'll be back.... I get to share Stephanie Fitz etsy world with you! She is a cute little illustrator. Here is what I've found:

{ May and June busy busy }

{ forest friends + teacups! i like it. }

{ sleepy bunnies - made me think of one of my good friends Christy who is putting her first nursery together! }

{ just a cute doo dad }

{ animal alphabet ~ need this for my future classroom }

{ out of season a tad, but one of my faves }

{ i love a cute note card ~ makes you want to send them more often :) }

Anywho ~ I'm wishin' I had more time to do this fun stuff all day, but I am up to my eyeballs in happenings these days. I hope your day is full of sunshine. I will return.

- Christina

Sunday blog stroll

Yes, it is Sunday morning... Waking Michael up from slumbering is a difficult feat. So, instead of having that struggle this morning, I just decided to take a Sunday blog stroll, while he slept in a little longer. I found myself at one of my favorite blogs: Geninne's Art Blog. She does mostly birds, but I've tried to include a variety of her subjects. See why I love...

{ stacked fish }

{ collage bird }

{ peacock tree }

{ magnolias: digital art }

{ elephant }

{ bird tree love }


Just a quick sampling of all my favorite lovelies from Geninne's Art Blog.
She is my woodland art heroine. Now for some Sunday morning coffee :)

- Christina

Foothills bound.

Happy weekend to you, my friends!

It's Friday once more! This weekend I'm headed to the foothills of those grand appalachain mountains. {Rutherfordton to be more exact} Michael says he has some activities in store, so I am anxious to see what he's planned! One thing's for sure: I love those mountains. Here I've found some mountain inspiration from Rachel Ann Austin. She's awesome. I'll see you Monday, but until then have a happy weekend!







Rachel Ann Austin's website is full of "paintings and other lovelies." I think that's a pretty accurate description. Her "map paintings" are so unique. I love their simplicity and charm. On May 1st and 2nd {which i just realized starts tomorrow!} her website will turn into a "Crafty Wonderland" with over 200 vendors! I'm looking forward to stealing some time away from Michael to check it out!

{ also check out this etsy seller: aruppel ~ i love trees. }

I hope you have a merry weekend!

- Christina

Sketchbook Campaign.

I love making art. And the best thing for an artist to do, is keep a sketchbook. Though my sketchbook is lacking volume these days, there was a time when I raced to finish one and move on to the next! A sketchbook is limitless and knows no rules. I put everything in it...
magazine clippings, thumbnail sketches, yarn, candy wrappers, tracing paper, carbon paper, etc., etc... If it inspired me, it made it to the sketchbook. Give me a stapler.

{ love your sketchbook }

My sketchbook's main function was a place to plan and organize a project. In high school, I took every art class that was offered... and the nerd that I was, became president of National Art Honors Society. Oh, man. I really didn't do much, it just looked good on paper.. then college came, where the majority of my freshman and sophomore years were spent in the brand new Art building. {hours and hours were spent there}. Art at the college level was amazing. I loved how hardcore it was.. and the nervous/exciting feeling of a critique. I began college as an Art Education major, and though I ended up getting my degree in Elementary Education, I still had enough art credits to snag a minor.

So, here I am today, no projects to plan ~ no deadlines to meet ~ no teacher to impress... and a near empty sketchbook. What is wrong with this picture? A lot. I've always known that I wouldn't be able to shake this art thing that I love so much. I'm pretty sure it's with me till the end. However, I am horrible at picking an avenue to channel my artistic nature. I love it all and I want to do it all... which is near impossible {but i still have my fingers crossed}. So until I figure it out, I'm challenging myself to love my sketchbook a little more. It is my hope to add new inspiration once a week. Heck, I get inspired 20 times a day, so this should be easy.

...and I did say near empty... I have a few doodles in there. One that I'd like to share, as I kick off my sketchbook campaign. It's a work in progress that I started a few months ago. It was
my original idea to turn this old mailbox into a watercolor painting. However, before tackling the painting head on, I figured it best to study up on this rustyold metal treasure. The birth of this drawing emerged.
I hope you like.

{ still have a ways to go }

Create your own beautiful,
Christina

Watercolor Weekend.

Ahhh it's Friday! I've worked 9:00 - 5:00 all week. I'm very thankful for my new job, but I am exhausted. Michael and I will be spending the weekend at relaxation station. The boat is gased and ready to go. Lake Murray here we come! I hope you, too, find some time to kick back and prepare for... Monday. I'll see you then! But, before I go.. I wanted to leave you with some paintings from a self-taught artist, who lives here on Lake Murray. Her name is Lauren Maurer and I really love her watercolors. She makes me want to whip out the paper and paints... maybe I will. Either way, check out Lauren Maurer's blog or find your favorite and make a purchase on etsy!

{ i really love this orchid }

{ storm in acrylic }

{ i like it }

{ sailing by the dam }

Happy Weekend!

-Christina

Asheville+Spring=Lover-ly

Fresh from a fabulous weekend, in the coolest mountain spot I know, I am in love with spring. Everything about it. The welcomed warmth it brings. The cotton candy colored blossoms on the trees. A bird song, or two, or three. And of course, a pair of shorts!

During our Asheville adventure Michael and I slumbered at the Sheraton. The great thing about that was that we could walk just about anywhere ~ and we did. After check in, we got ready for a fun night out on the town and hit the streets. First things first, food, and to be more exact: pizza. We love love love our pizza. As amature pizza conosours, we have to say, the Mellow Mushroom is one of our favorite eats. Typically we go for a pepperoni and pineapple combo ~ but in lue of our adventurous spirit decided to throw some jalapenos on it, too. (delish!) Then, washing our pizza down with a pitcher of brew, we were off to the main event! TEA LEAF GREEN! The night air was cool, as we wandered our way towards a familiar friend: The Orange Peel. I've been going to see shows at the Orange Peel since I was a sophomore in high school. I love live music and adding Tea Leaf to my O.P. collection was rad. Their upbeat vibe and fresh vocals made for the perfect spring concert. We met new friends, jammed front row, had a beer or two and made a merry time of it all.

{the line up at the peel}

{mellow mushroom outdoor patio decor}

Friday night ended with a smile and a song and Saturday began with coffee, shorts and boots. Next step ~ brunch! Michael and I met up with one of my dearest sweetest kindest friends, Amy Beth. She is a breath of fresh air. The three of us ate at Tupelo Honey Cafe. The wait was long, but Amy Beth and I had some catching up to do, plus it was soo worth it. If you're ever in Asheville you should eat here. Michael ordered a screwdriver, Amy Beth a mimosa, and for myself a water (saving the dinero for the good stuff)... Good stuff = "Brian's Shrimp and Grits" = seven large shrimp served over goat cheese grits in a spicy roasted red pepper sauce. Check out their menu! ...AND... not to mention, they served the best biscuits and jam that I've EVER had. (and I scarfed down two of them.. wishing I had one right now ~ that kind of good!) The company, food and conversation was lovely. You gotta love a place where the sides are coined, "fresh farm sides." Once our bellies were full of Tupelo Honey goodness, we parted ways with Amy Beth, and set our sights on the city ~ and oh! there was so much to see!!

{brian's shrimp and grits, at tupelo honey}

Having gone to college just 45 minutes away from Asheville... I knew the direction I wanted to take our downtown stroll. And that was Lexington Avenue. My favorite Ashevillian, fashion guru and longtime college comrad, Danielle, had introduced me to this heaven years back. The rest is history. I'm the kind of person who judges a city's downtown by window displays. Asheville is the king and Lexington Avenue, its fortress. Hours passed on this quarter mile stretch of shopping delight. Michael and I wove in and out of almost every shop, gallery, and boutique... inspiration was around every corner. Each stop was bright with the freshness of spring. Here are some pictures of my freshest finds:

{lg gallery, i love a good painter}

{kress emporium: slices of tree w/ a fun twist}

{kress emporium}


{tera nostra decor ~ amazing furniture all over}


{lexington ave. flare}


{mountain lights, beautiful artistry}


{mountain lights, fairy tale fun mirror}


{chatsworth art & antiques, my favorite kind of find}

This was was the spring day of all spring days. amazing.
For more adventuring on your own visit Asheville or follow the links.
{some vendors don't have direct websites ~ so i've linked contact info}
enjoy!

Christina