4 painted wine glass tutorials

So you think you can’t paint?  You may think these wine glasses are difficult to create, but think again! You can paint these beautiful wine glasses for all your summer parties, weddings, and birthdays. The tutorials take you step by step all the way to the beautiful finished wine glass. They make wonderful gifts and it’s never too early to think about Christmas. Since you paint on the outside of the glass in layers, when you look inside the glass you will see the inside of the flower!  Just click on the photos for the tutorial.  If you have any questions feel free to contact me.

 Blue flower painted wine glass

Fourth of July patriotic floral wine glass

White floral wine glass

Red Day lily painted wine glass

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is very important to me and to many.  Today we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Being the child of a WWII veteran, the wife of a Vietnam veteran, and the mother of an USAF airman first class I understand all too well the many sacrifices that those in the military have made.

In honor of those who serve, Sandy Sandler, the owner of Bowdabra has generously pledged to donate all profits from sales on Bowdabra's website today Memorial Day to the Wounded warrior project.  

Have a safe and Happy Memorial Day, and remember at 3:00 local time take a moment of silence to honor those who have sacrificed all for the freedoms you enjoy today and every day.

Four quick and easy patriotic crafts

Memorial day is almost upon us so lets get going on those patriotic crafts.  They will do double duty when you pull them out again on the Fourth of July!  These four for the fourth are quick and easy projects that you can whip up anytime.

The first one is an awesome craft that you can make with your kids for that patriotic picnic! Using duct tape you can make some picnic coasters and napkin rings from throw away supplies.  It's recycling at its best!

You just have to have some favors for that patriotic party so why not make some personalized lollipop party favors for your guests.  It's a fun way to show you care and a super kid's craft too!

Don't toss those K-cups.  Use them to make flowers for decorations, wreaths and more.  This wreath features easy to create K-cup flowers!  Three cheers for the red, white and blue!

It's easier than you may think to paint a wine glass for the court of July.  Try these patriotic wine glasses and start a conversation!

Mini blackboard gift card box for teachers

Well it’s that time of year again…school is getting out soon and you really should be thinking about an awesome end of the year teacher gift. Little Johnny was lucky to have such a wonderful teacher. But think about it, do you really want to give yet another coffee mug? Do they really need baked goods? The best thing to give a teacher is a gift card that they can use on whatever they really need.

Now that you’ve decided on a gift card how can you display it for gift giving? Recycle an old gift card box (You probably have some leftover from Christmas) Gift card boxes have a center section to hold the gift card. If you don’t have one you can easily purchase one. I was lucky enough to find several for pennies at Target that were marked down. This little blackboard gift card box is so cute and easy to make. You can write to and from on the mini blackboard and even make a miniature blackboard eraser and chalk! And of course you can put on the final perfect touch with a Bowdabra bow.  Visit Bowdabra for the full tutorial!

Crock pot N.C. style barbecue recipe

During a trip to N.C. I tasted my first N. C. barbecue sandwich.  Now this vinegary type barbecue isn't for everyone but for this Virginia gal it was heaven.  No syrupy red sloppy sauce, just sweet, spicy and tangy.  And they even had extra vinegar sauce on the table along with extra hot pepper.

Now I know down in the Tar Heel state they make it outside on a real Barbeque grill.  They cook the meat for hours and hours before they pull it and call it done, but who has time for all that?

I figured why not make it in the crockpot and when I get home from work dinner will be just about ready. 

This version is a mildly spicy version but you can up the peppery ingredients if you like it hotter.

Click on the recipe card and print it on your printer at 4 x 6 size or 5 x 7 size and enjoy another dinner easy recipe brought to your by Make it easy crafts and Bowdabra!

Till next time y’all

Patriotic paper napkin butterfly

You can make a whole flock (Is that the right term or should it be swarm?) of patriotic paper napkin butterflies for your Memorial Day and July 4^th celebrations.  They are so easy and quick to make and is a super kid’s craft!  I display them on a little tree I have in my foyer that I decorate for each and every season. Use as a pin by adding a pin, barrette by attaching the jewelry findings.  Tie one to a hairband.  Attach them to bamboo barbeque skewers and stick in a flowerpot. Or you simply set them around as table scatter. The applications for these butterflies are endless.

Supplies:

·      Patriotic paper napkins

·      Small rubber bands

·      Scissors

·      Glue gun and glue sticks

·      Red bump chenille stems

·      Red sparkle chenille stems

·      Ruler

·      Pencil

·      Various findings, pin backs, barrettes, hairbands, bamboo barbeque skewers (Optional)

Directions:

1.     Open the paper napkin and cut to separate the four squares.  If your napkin is print on one side, stack two squares print right side out and do the same to the other two.  Stack them all together.  (See photo)

2.     Accordion fold the stacks all the way across.  Secure in the center with a small rubber band. 

3.     Working on one side pull the paper layers out to separate and fluff. You can make the two print sides meet, puffing out slightly.  There will be two wings made from four pieces of the napkin.  Repeat this on the other side.

4.     Cut a 5-inch piece of red sparkle chenille stem.  Bend in half and use a pencil to curl the ends.  It resembles a V-shape.

5.     Cut a bump from the bump chenille stem and glue the V-shape (Antenna) to the bump. (Body)

6.     Attach the body/antenna to the center of the butterfly wings with a bit of glue.

7.     For a pin glue a pin back onto the back.  For a plant poke glue a barbeque skewer on the back.  For a hairband tie to the top of the hairband with some string or wire.  For a barrette attach a alligator clip or French barrette to the back.