ETCETERAS: Felt & White Birch Mushrooms

There’s something about mushrooms that are irresistible to me. Besides of course eating them, I love the look of mushrooms in fairy gardens and woodland décor.

Etceteras: paper clips

Embellished paper clips may be leaning toward the “over the top” category but I think they’re fun. I’ve been thinking about ways to jazz up a paper clip and wanted to do something a little different.

I decided to peruse the aisles of the local hardware store. Not the big depot hardware store but the little local one that still sells nails by the pound in bins.

Success. I left with my finds. A packet of #10 plated flat washers and little cork pads. I’m not sure what the washers are used for – some kind of building thing. The cork pads are used for protecting a tabletop from vases, lamps etc. Who knew?

Embellished paperclips - over-the-top fun!

Upcycling: coffee filter flowers

I got a new coffee maker. It takes #4 cone filters. That left me with an enormous supply of basket filters. I’m sure there are dozens of things you can do with basket coffee filters. After all, they’re already cut into a circle when you flatten them out. But here’s what I came up with.

Here’s how you can make these paper flowers.

For a large flower use about 10-12 coffee filters. Lay them in a stack and flatten them out. Punch or cut two small holes in the center of the filter. Thread a wire or pipe cleaner through the holes and twist tightly.

Start folding the filters one by one. It’s really just trial and error. You sort of crinkle the bottom and fluff each one.

If you want to put your flowers in a vase, use a longer piece of wire and cover with florist’s tape or you can hang them from a tree for a festive garden party feel.

Now I just need a cup of coffee.

The Dirt: a zen garden terrarium

I think I almost missed the terrarium train. They seem to be popping up everywhere and I’ve wanted to make one for the longest time. There’s something about each little miniature world that’s so appealing.

When I saw the adorable terrarium that Kate at Tiny Warbler made, I knew I had to have one.

For my terrarium, I used Elfin Thyme (a decorative herb), polished pebbles and a little temple to create a tiny zen garden.












I followed all the tips and guidelines for making a terrarium. First layer pebbles to keep the roots from soaking in the water, followed by moss to keep the dirt from falling into the pebbles and finally add the plant. That’s it.

I’m feeling more serene already.

Inkling: drink umbrellas

There’s something about a beverage that comes with a little umbrella that makes the drink taste even better and more refreshing.

I saw this diy craft on Martha Stewart’s craft of the day. She used origami paper but I wanted to use tissue paper like the original tiki drink umbrellas.

Here’s how I made my drink umbrellas:

I knew that tissue paper would be too flimsy, so I glued tissue paper onto plain printer paper with a glue stick.

Cut out a 2-1/2 inch circle and then cut a 1/8 pie wedge in the circle. Glue or tape the sides together forming a cone. Put a dab of craft glue inside the point of the cone and insert a wooden skewer.

Place the umbrellas into a block of styrofoam to dry. I didn’t have styrofoam so I used plastic containers filled with leftover beans.

Fill with your favorite beverage and enjoy. Cheers!