Crocheting | Lucie's BALLZ

Making these was something I stumbled across while making something completely different. 

I was looking for crochet patterns on making little monsters for my son, and my guys children.  I found a great, easy video and before long, I had created some adorable little monsters [to which I will post and give credit to coming soon]. 

But, in the midst of creating these monsters, I had figured out how to make a ball.  I know that sounds simple enough, but after showing my creation on my Instagram account, a friend asked if I could make one for her cat, Lucie.  I started getting cute ideas of filling them with catnip and jingle bells [which actually didn't make the final cut on the original BALLZ].

I happily went to town making these cute catnip balls, mixing the plush with catnip in a lunch baggie, stuffing the balls, and then allowing the balls to "soak" in the lunch baggie filled with catnip.  I soon shipped them off... three BALLZ and a short handwritten note to Lucie.

Introducing: Lucie's BALLZ

A few days later, I got a picture of Lucie and an adorable video of Lucie and her mama opening up her package! 

[Please watch the video.. it's so sweet!!]

All tuckered out after all that excitement!!

Lucie's "glazed over" look ... silly (and beautiful) cat!!

 

If interested in having some made, email: firefliesandsweettealee@gmail.com

 

♡tlee



Baseball | DIY Laces bracelet

I enjoy ripping apart baseballs and making something from them [of course the whole time my son is watching in agony, as if he feels the pain and anguish from each ball as it's being torn apart, and questions my motive the entire time].

Once I figured out how easy and kind of fun making bracelets out of the laces was, I became a laces bracelet machine.

I keep mine simple but I've seen some that have their child's number on them, or bedazzled somehow.

[The next go around my baseball mama bff, Jeanne, and I are going to make cuffs out of the leather and bedazzle the heck out of them!]

First, I always make sure the baseballs I'm using are genuine leather.  That synthetic type, I don't know if this is just me, or what, but it doesn't seem to wanna work with you as much, not as pliable, etc.

Grab that exacto knife and CAREFULLY cut the leather around the lace, leaving enough room to where you can trim it down at the end.

Once you've cut the lace from the ball, cut the lace in half and cut off maybe an inch of the leather from the ends, so you have enough thread to 1) make a loop on one end, and 2) tie on a button of your choice.  Make sure to play with the placement of each as best as you can so it's not too loose and not too tight!  Before you put the button on and tie the loop, I soak the laces in HOT water for a few minutes, then in Vaseline for a couple days.  I did mine for a week, I'm sure you can do take it out in two days.  Wipe off the Vaseline as best you can, then pin it to a cork board, or something you can use to stretch it out straight for another day or two.

Once it's stretched out & straight, you're ready to decorate how you will, and show your support to your little league baseball or softball player!! 

Simple as that!  Enjoy!!

♡tlee

Crafting | DIY Ombre painting and song lyrics - fun personalized crafts!

Hands down one of my all time favorite songs is Van Morrison, Moondance! And although it was Morrisons version I fell in love with, my favorite Irish singer, Ryan Kelly of Celtic Thunder did an amazing cover. I had that song stuck in my head ALL day last Thursday.

Digging through my crafts, I realized I had this fantastic piece of wood from Michaels that I've yet to do anything with. All of a sudden it dawned on me!

"It's a marvelous night for a moondance."

Yes!

I had had a similar epiphany with a blank piece of canvas. I got out my paint and brushes and went with the flow.. light to dark orange ombre with the lyrics You are my Sunshine in a bright blue. Brilliant!

(Most everything I hang is crooked bc I have a 7yr old who hardly ever walks lightly, and in case you were wondering, that heart picture is super easy and fun to make, I love to work with buttons!)

And it was after that painting that I realized ombre painting is fun and simple. You grab 2 or more colors and just paint and blend. I don't even rinse out my brushes, which I think helps the blending process. I am a bit messy when it comes to painting but especially ombre! I had paint on me, my son (who insisted on sitting beside me as he read), the table, the floor, wall and dog.

I sometimes free hand words/letters but I knew I wanted this more "elegant" than "laid back" so I printed the lyrics, scribbled with pencil on the back then taped the paper to my project and traced away. This idea I picked up from this lovely blog.

The end product, in my opinion, is gorgeous and I absolutely love it.

From start to finish I want to say it took round about 5 hours. I was up until a little after 1am completing this.. mostly due to the fact I have OCD and it's hard for me to stop something that I've started and that I'm super excited about.

I had a friend mention I should custom make these and sell them around the Christmas craft circuit. 

Hmm, I just might. 

If anyone is interested, email me at tlcawthorn@gmail.com and please put CRAFTS or something in the subject line!

♡tlee