Easter Flowers

I used a picture on Pinterest as inspiration for my Easter centerpiece.  The hardest part was finding the two glass containers to create the arrangement.  I bought a large glass container that is normally used for storing flour or other kitchen items.  Then, I needed to find a smaller vase to fit in the middle of the large glass container.  The tricky part was making sure that eggs could fit around the small vase without breaking.  Once I had the containers, then I just made a dozen hard boiled white eggs and a dozen hard boiled brown eggs.  I dyed 6 of the white eggs pink and then carefully placed them all inside of the large glass container, but outside of the smaller vase sitting in the center.  Next, I filled the center vase with water and created a floral arrangement with white and pink flowers.  It was an easy project and I love how it turned out.  Thanks to Pinterest for yet another great idea! :)

Flower Pot

For Mother's Day, I made flower pots with pictures of my kids on them for the grandmas and great-grandmas.  Since I am on spring break, I decided to make them early and give them out on Easter.  They can enjoy them for an extra month! :)

How I made them:
1)  Bought a ceramic planter and saucer
2)  Printed wallet size black and white photos of the kids (my pots needed about 20 pictures to cover)
3)  Painted them both completely (inside, outside, top, and bottom) with a white acrylic paint
4)  Dried overnight and then used hot glue to adhere the pictures to the pot
5)  Sprayed a clear acrylic coat of spray to the entire outside of the pot and let dry
6)  Tied a thick ribbon around the top lip of the pot (I glued a few of them without a bow too)
7)  Put a coffer filter in the bottom of each pot to help keep the planter clean when watering
8)  Added a cup of potting soil to the planter
9)  Planted the flowers in the soil and covered with additional potting soil
10) Water and enjoy! :)

Here are some pictures of the 6 planters I made for Mother's Day!

Clear Christmas Ornament

Steps:
1) Buy large, clear, glass ornaments from a craft store.  (I got them at Hobby Lobby)
2) Find a picture online and print it in a 4 by 4 inch square onto photo paper.
3) Cut your picture into a circle with a 4 inch diameter.
4) Roll your photo up small enough to fit into the tiny hole at the top of the ornament. (Roll it so the picture is facing inward)
5) Slowly place the roll into the ornament hole.  (Make sure it does not unroll as you are doing this or else you risk scratching your photo)
6) Once it is in the ornament, you will need to use an object (such as a pencil) to unroll your picture.  This takes some time to complete.  I find it helpful to try and push the picture the opposite direction it is rolled first in order to get the fold out. 
7) Eventually, you will want to get your picture in the center of the ornament.  (Once you put the top of the ornament back on, the metal from the top will help hold the picture in place.
8) You can add things to the inside of the ornament as well.  (I have made them with little berries inside, which turn out cute!)
9) Tie a ribbon (without wire) into a bow around the metal loop at the top of the ornament.
10) Proudly display your homemade ornament!

Resin Coasters

Steps:
1) Buy tiles from hardware store (I got mine for 15 cents each at Lowe's)
2) Buy resin to coat your tiles (I bought it online at this site)
3) Print the pictures you want to use on photo paper (or Walgreen's)
4) Cut pictures down into squares that will fit on the coaster.  (A little smaller than the coaster)
5) Use a glue stick to adhere the photo to the coaster
6) Set up your coasters in a place that they can stay and dry for 2 days.  Cover your work area with cardboard. (Make sure the cardboard is very flat)
7) You will need to put a disposable, plastic cup upside down on top of your cardboard.
8) Center your coaster on top of the cup.  (This is so the dripping resin drips down onto the cardboard and does not stick the coaster to the cup or cardboard.)
9) Mix the resin according to the instructions.  (You will need a Popsicle stick, mixing cup, and gloves)
10) Pour the resin onto your coasters and spread it out evenly with the Popsicle stick over the top and sides of the coaster.  (It will begin to drip down off the coaster, which  is fine)
11) After you have them all coated, bubbles will start to form on top of the coaster.  You will need to take a straw, get close to the bubbles, and carefully blow them out.  (It is pretty amazing how easily they disappear!)
12) Keep checking your coasters for about an hour and blowing out any bubbles that show up.
13) Look under the coaster to see if resin is building up on the edges.  If it is, get rid of it with the Popsicle stick because it will make the coaster uneven if it dries that way.
14) Let coasters dry for 24-48 hours in their current position.
15) Remove coasters from cups and attach tiny felt circles (ones for furniture) to all four corners of the coasters.
16) Coasters are ready for any hot or cold beverage!  :)

Homemade Mugs

Steps:
1) Buy light colored mug that is microwave and dishwasher safe with smooth sides (Dollar Store)
2) Buy Lazertran Waterslide Decal Paper for Inkjet printers from an art supply store (Blicks)
3) Choose a picture for your mug and re-size it to fit if necessary
4) Add a border around your picture (it prints and bakes better with this)
5) Print out your picture on plain paper first to make sure the size will fit on your mug
6) Once the size is correct, print your picture onto the creamy, smooth colored side of the decal paper
7) Be very careful once it is printed because it will be wet for about 10 minutes
8) After it is dry, cut out the picture around the border
9) Soak in warm water for about 30 seconds.  It will start to roll when you put it in the water, so make sure to unroll it gently as it is soaking.
10) Place the decal (with the back still on) onto the mug.
11) Gently slide the backing off of the decal while carefully pressing the decal down on the mug with a paper towel to get rid of air pockets.
12) Continue to press with the paper towel until all of the folds and bubbles are removed.
13) Use the hot setting of the hairdryer to adhere it to the mug and get rid of all of the air pockets and folds. (Takes about 30 seconds)
14) Let it dry for at least an hour.
15) Put mug on a baking sheet and place in a 200 degree oven for an hour.
16) After an hour, increase temperature to 300 degrees for another hour.
17) After an hour, increase temperature to 350 degrees for another hour.
18) After an hour, increase temperature to 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
19) Carefully remove mug and do not touch decal until completely cooled.
20) Wipe off any brown residue from the decal with a wet paper towel.
21) Only hand wash your mug!