Decorating Easter eggs with scarves and turmeric

Search pinterest “how to dye easter eggs with silk ties” and you’ll get a ton of results on this fun decorating idea.  I didn’t have silk ties but, I found some old scarves and put the method to the test.  It worked like a charm!  I also used the simple method of using a rubber band on eggs and dyeing them in turmeric.  It was amazing the deep yellow color I got just out of 20 minutes of soaking.  Will definitely use this technique again, and plan ahead with a trip to the thrift store searching for silk ties!

365 Project: Opaline Cafe & Bakery #seattle

Following Yelp reviews, we stumbled upon this little bakery with a tiny dining room in the back allowing a full view of glass blowers at work. It was fascinating and fun for both my daughter and I. And, it’s free, although we grabbed a bite and chai at the cafe. Such a fun find!

Nora’s owls…a sweet drawing for me :)

I thought it was so sweet when Nora handed me an envelope labeled “To: Mom, Love: Nora” in a giant red heart. Then inside was this sweet drawing of owls, which she knows I love.   It’s not my birthday. There was no occasion to prompt this act of kindness.  She just felt like drawing it for me.  When being a mom feels like a never-ending thankless job, these simple gestures mean so much.   Love this…love her! 🙂

365 Project -161: House concert w Joy Kills Sorrow (June 10, 2013) #joykillssorrow #portangeles #picoftheday #iphonography

Applying different effects using Camera+ on my iPhone.

365 Project – 55: Shit For Free – Casco Antiguo, Panama (February 25, 2013) #panama

365 Project – 358: Easy, frugal kid-friendly homemade keepsake ornament (December 23, 2012)

Shutter Speed: 1/50, Aperture: F/11, ISO: 1600

Since Nora was born I’ve been making these easy homemade decoupage ornaments. And, the last few years Nora’s been involved with this fun holiday craft project. You can use anything you want to decorate these ornaments but, we always use a photo and cut out the year and age to put on one side of the ornament. On the other we cut out words or pictures that either describe Nora at that moment or words/pictures she picks just because she likes them. What I love about this project is that it can be messy and sloppy and the ornaments still turn out adorable.  The Mod Podge works as glue as well as a waterbase sealer.  The only part where you may want to help your young child is painting on the photo.  The glue dries on clear but, you can see the grain so achieving even, uninterrupted strokes over the photo will give it more of a “clear coat.”  Nora is 7 now and it’s been fun seeing these homemade ornaments hanging on the tree, standing up to the test of time.  And, mod podge is non-toxic making this for a very kid-friendly project.  (you still may want to ask your kids to wash their hands before putting their sticky fingers in their mouths!)  My 16 oz. bottle of Mod Podge has lasted me 7 years so far and I think I have one more year to go with this same bottle!  Okay, put on some holiday music and enjoy this fun kid activity!

PROJECT TIME:  5 hours which mostly includes time waiting for each side to dry.  30 minutes: actual cutting, gluing, “painting” time for one side.  2+ hours for drying one side.

Note: So, we’re not actively waiting during the drying time, we make this a 2 day project, letting the first side dry overnight, starting the next the next side in the morning, then, waiting 2+ hrs or overnight to flatten/hang the ornament.

ITEMS NEEDED

• Mod Podge Matte-Mat (or any matte decopauge or waterbase sealer)
• Foam brush
• Photo (s)
• Magazines for cutting out words/pictures
• Old yogurt containers
• Construction or scrapbook paper
• Waxed paper
• Hole punch
• Ornament hanger
• Optional: decorations such as glitter, stickers, etc.

Shutter Speed: 1/50, Aperture: F/10, ISO: 1600

INSTRUCTIONS

LAYOUT

1. Design your ornament but, cutting our your pictures and words.  In my opinion, less is more on the photo side of your ornament.  I tend to lean towards just a photo, year, and age.
2. For the back side of the ornament decorate as desired.  Cut out pictures of have your child draw a picture.  That’s a nice way to memorialize his/her artistry at that age.  Crayons or colored pencils are best for drawing.  Pens or markers tend smear when putting on the Mod Podge.
3. Finalize your ornament design, front and back, including where you will place your hole punch.  Punch the hole before you start gluing and avoid punching too close to the edge.

GLUING

1. Lay out some waxed paper, pour a small amount (1/4 cup) of Mod Podge in a yogurt container, and start assembling the first side of your ornament.  Lightly paint the glue on the back of your photo, words, etc. and position them on your ornament.  Press on each piece to push out thick glops of glue.  It’s okay if your words get crinkly.  It doesn’t have to be perfect.  Press evenly on your photo to push out excess glue.
2. Now from top to bottom, left to right, apply an even coat of Mod Podge on top of entire side of the ornament.  When painting the photo try to make even, straight, uninterrupted strokes.  At this point, sprinkle on other embellishments such as glitter.  Let dry at least an hour (while you bake another batch of holiday cookies!).  I personally tend to make one side at night then the next morning I finish gluing the other side.
3. Repeat steps 1. and 2. above for the other side

FINISHING

1. After each side is COMPLETELY DRY and no longer tacky, I place the ornament between a clean piece of waxed paper and press a heavy, flat object on top (heavy phone book, cookbooks, etc.) to flatten out any curled edges.  30 minutes is plenty of  time for this.
2. Add your ornament hanger through the hole punch and hang your keepsake ornament on your tree!!  🙂

Shutter Speed: 1/50, Aperture: F/3.5, ISO: 1600

See more of my 365 Project: Untouched photos from my Nikon D5000 with 50mm lens

365 Project – 320: Beach rocks with a message (November 15, 2012)

Shutter Speed: 1/50, Aperture: F/4.0 ISO: 200

See more of my 365 Project: Untouched photos from my Nikon D5000 with 50mm lens

365 Project – 318: Have a blessed day! (November 14, 2012)

Shutter Speed: 1/125, Aperture: F/5.6 ISO: 400

While looking for heart-shaped rocks at the beach today, Nora and her friend found a rock with “have a blessed day” on it. They continued to comb the beach and eventually found “joy” and “be nice.” It was such a fun, unexpected scavenger hunt. Hmmm…I wonder if the person that wrote these thoughtful beach messages will see this post? Wouldn’t that be cool! Someone did a sweet job spreading some joy and inspiration at one of our favorite local spots, Ediz Hook. If you’re in Port Angeles, head on down to the beach and look for these rocks…and, bring your sharpie and spread more sweet messages for others to find. Let’s all remember to be thankful, during this season of thanksgiving, and always. 🙂

See more of my 365 Project: Untouched photos from my Nikon D5000 with 50mm lens

365 Project – 298: Overexposing maple leaves to get a watercolor effect (October 25, 2012)

Shutter Speed: 1/320, Aperture: F/5.6, ISO: 400

I intentionally overexposed this photo to achieve almost a watercolor effect. It has a handmade paper effect to me. Just use a white/cloudy background to get this look. 🙂

See more of my 365 Project: Untouched photos from my Nikon D5000 with 50mm lens

365 Project – 210: Dark Knight sand sculpture at Arts in Action – Port Angeles, WA (July 28, 2012)

Shutter Speed: 1/320, Aperture: F/16, ISO: 400

Port Angeles, WA hosts the annual Arts in Action festival and its impressive sand sculpture competition. At the Port Angeles waterfront, musicians provide live entertainment and food and crafts vendors line the waterfront pier, all flanked by sandy Hollywood Beach, the gorgeous, flat stretch of the Olympic Discovery Trail and vistas looking across to Canada. It’s a festive and beautiful time to visit our quaint town!

See more of my 365 Project: Untouched photos from my Nikon D5000 with 50mm lens