Spotted Canary Blog

 The Best Kind of Mother’s Day Gift…  

 
…is a gift hand-made by her baby. And that’s you!

 
We all know that our Moms keep everything we make. In their jewelry boxes are their diamonds and pearls and the macaroni necklace we all made special, just for them, in kindergarten. But now that we’re older, we’ve gotta up our game!

 
I don’t know about you, but my Mamala is a great cook, and I love to learn her recipes. Holidays in her house are always full of way more food than anyone could possibly eat. I mean, we’re talkin’ enough grub to feed a small country, mkay? Needless to say, there is a mountain of recipes to sift through. And as I have started to host several of the holidays at my own home, I have added quite a few recipes to that mountain.

 
So I got to thinking that it would be nice to compile all of those recipes into a super special, hand-made, one-of-a-kind, incredibly girly, not to mention shabby chic little recipe box. Perfect to go with my Mamala’s décor and add a little something special for the kitchen that looks a little better than that macaroni necklace.

 
And I love it.

 
It’s really just a matter of finding a pre-made recipe box at your local craft store and covering it with whatever goodies you like, or that you think will match perfectly with the décor surrounding it. I happen to looooooove the Merryweather Collection from K&Company and knew that it would be the perfect match for my Mamala. I’ve included some tabbed dividers and recipe card templates for you to print out to organize your box as well, so you can stuff that little lady full of your favorite recipes!

 
Now if I could just figure out how 31 Flavors makes their peanut butter chocolate ice cream so dang good! THAT would definitely make its way into the box!

  
Now get to work and have fun! You can find the shopping list and instructions (here).
 

Happy Mother’s Day, Mamala! Loooooove you!!

 
Xoxo
Britt

One of my favorite things to do on a Saturday afternoon is to go browsing around at area thrift stores. As an altered artist this is like going treasure hunting. I never know quite what I will stumble upon that will inspire me!

While I was out "thrifting" recently I spotted this garden storage box.

I just knew it was my lucky day to find something so unique. I had to have it!  

All that I could think about when looking at the box was the Susan Winget Botanicals Collection by K&Company. The beautiful muted colors and nature inspired theme of floral & fauna was the perfect match for this box.  

Besides, I had wanted to create an English garden seed box that would store my seeds as well as add a decorative touch to my home!  

Click here the shopping list and instructions.  

I challenge each of you to take a walk through your local thrift store to see what kinds of goodies you can find to alter. Each time I go to my local store there is a completely new selection as folks continue to donate their "junk" which then becomes my "treasure." At first it may take you awhile to see things in a new way, but I guarantee once you start spotting favorite treasures to bring home to alter there is no turning back!

Looking forward to seeing your great thrift store finds posted in the Spotted Canary gallery!

Happy Crafting,
Lisa

Fringe scissors are one of my favorite crafting tools.  But like shaped punches, often I'll get into a rut with such a specific tool, and run out of creative new ways to use them.  But this Halloween season, the Spotted Canary Design Team has come up with tons of creative new ways to use your fringe scissors.  And most of the ideas aren't limited to fall festivities' they'll translate to year-round crafting as well!
 

 
Witchy Woman

A rolled paper flower and paper fringe brim accent this boo-tiful witch hat!  Both are created from simple fringed patterned paper, but take this DIY witch hat from simple to spook-tacular!


View the Hocus Pocus Witches Hat instructions here.

Grass on the Graves

Create glittery textured grass to cover the headstones on this dazzling couture Halloween wreath.  After fringing the sparkly paper, snip it here and there with your detail scissors to add depth and a more realistic grass texture.


View the Spooky Halloween Wreath instructions here.
 
It’s In the Bag

No tricks here – these elegant Halloween goodie bags are a treat!  Beautiful black and white patterned papers are fringed across the top of each bag, and they pop even more with the addition of lime green accents.

 
View the Elegant Black and White Treat Bag instructions here.

Bubble, Bubble, Toil & Trouble

Fun & easy tissue paper fringe makes mini cupcake picks no trouble at all.  Once you've mastered this simple technique, use it for festivities year-round for a pop of color or a vintage twist.

 
View the Bewitching Mini Cupcake Picks instructions here.

You'll also find a photo-tutorial for tissue paper fringe and another way to use this fun accent here.

 
Feel Like a Nut?

Turn plain old peanuts into adorable “Vampy Nuts” – complete with graves!  A few snips with the fringe scissors create a faux 'iron gate' around the grave site to keep your nutty little vampire secure in his final resting place.


View the Vampire Peanuts in Graves instructions here.

The Treats Have Eyes!

These googly-eyed monsters could use a trim – but they sure are sweet!  Extra-long fringed 'hair' sits atop large google eyes to turn simple chocolate nuggets into a monstrously magical Halloween treat!

 

View the Googly-Eyed Monster Treats instructions here. 

  
I'm sure by now you are inspired to pull out your fringe scissors and whip up some last-minute creepy creations, or get an early start on your Christmas crafting!  Be sure to post your fringe scissor ideas in the Spotted Canary Creative Gallery!  And if you don't already have this fun and versatile crafting tool, you can purchase a pair of fringe scissors in the Spotted Canary Shop here!