MAP it...

This is a project my mom bought the supplies for and I went ahead and did it for her while she crocheted my some slippers when they were here visiting in July!  Ben Franklin Crafts had it on display, so we recreated it.

Here's what you need:

Canvas

Map

Paints

Stickers

Wire

Needle

Glue

Wire picture thingy in any shape desired

Here's what I did:

-First, I traced the wire map shape onto a regular paper map (another reason why beign a AAA member is worth it...free maps for...your travels or crafts!)

-Then I painted the background to kind of look like water.

-Then I glued the map down.

-Then I placed the stickers all around the map where appropriate...for example, one said Grandma's something or other, so I put that one about Montana, the peach one I put by Georgia, Iced tea by the South, etc...
-Then I mod podged the entire top and let it dry.
-Then I wrapped wire tightly around the edges and center of the wire map to hold it down, just in like 6 places.

-This is the finished product.  Mom's gonna hang it in her motor home and put pics & postcards from places they visit.

  Fun, huh?

The 4th of July/ Fireworks Stand

Well, this 4th of July was different than any other I have experienced as an adult.  First, I am working a job where I don't have vacation days let alone the whole summer off, so it was weird to not be on vacation.  

But, we also were deeply entrenched in our church fundraiser fireworks stand.  We unloaded all of these from 4 semi-trucks, organized, unpacked, priced and sold all of this stuff.  It was insane, but pretty fun and a great fund raiser!  We spent most of the weekend before the Holiday here working away for the Lord.

On the actual holiday, we went to Bothell's parade and then had a BBQ with our good friends, the Dockters.  Here is a pic of us gals at the parade.

And, Matt and I here at the parade.

This was Matt's favorite firework.  It was a 500 gram cake that had lots of fun shots and color.  I don't feel like the "redneck ruckus" name was justified.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we did...

jewelry this spring/ summer

I've been on a pink/ coral kick lately...and I have been loving COPPER, so here are some of my latest creations.  The far right are wire-wrapped peacock feathers and they are a hit!  So many compliments.

GO TEAM!

I've been looking for a way to celebrate our favorite teams here in the Konrad household...and I think I found it!  As many people know, my husband is obsessed with Alabama Crimson Tide Football.  We named out dog after their head coach!  But, I am an huge Seattle Seahawks fan, so I decided to make a half and half wreath!

I used the idea of the fabric strips, but I only used ribbon.  Here are the ribbons I used, plus some organza shiny stuff that I found in the cheap bins at Joanne's.  I cut each ribbon into 7 inch strips and tied them around a metal ring.

Then, I painted the appropriate letters to say which teams we love (BAMA and HAWKS).

Then I carefully adhered the letters to the matching side of the wreath.

And, this is my finished product.  I didn't have a wreath for my wall for the rest of the summer, so this is what we will be using to get us excited about the upcoming football season and who knows...maybe it will go somewhere permanently.

I am pretty proud of how this one turned out.  I was a little leery with the two color schemes and the fact they they kind of don't go, but my Christmas decor at those colors too!

More B-Day Reminders

So I made myself a birthday reminder earlier in the year and I thought it would be a nice gift idea.  I made our moms each one for Mother's Day.  My mom has roosters and chickens in her kitchen, Matt's mom likes sunflowers and yellow!  On theirs I put a lot more dates than mine.

"pillow case/ table cloth/ whatever fabric you have laying around" shirt

I have seen so many options on Pinterest for altering old ts or making cute tanks...however, for us big girls, it is hard to find stuff that fits.  I decided to try the traditional pillowcase shirt, but I just used fabric that I had lying around.  I've made three!  They are a little funky, but they fit and I like 'em!

Here's what you need:

about a yard of fabric

thread

ribbon

sewing machine

scissors and cutting utensils.

Here's what I did:

1. Take the yard or fabric and fold it in half...the other direction than the direction it is already folded.

2. Then sew up the sides. (at this point it is like you have a pillow case, but my opening is on one of the long ends) 

 3. Then cut at a diagonal the corners. (to make an opening for the arms)

 4. On the other open end, hem all the way around the bottom. 

  5. Fold in the edges in the arm holes, where you cut on the diagonal and sew a "hem".

 6.  Sew along the bottom of slit, to ensure the fabric will not fray, and double up at the bottom of each side of the arm area of the fabric.

7. Cut a small triangle out of one of the sides. (This will form an eyelet opening for the ribbon to be strung through)

 8. Fold in and sew and then fold down about an inch and a half around the entire top and sew all the way around. (this is to form your tube that the ribbon will be threaded through.) 

  9. Thread a safety pin with your ribbon/ sash and thread through the opening around the top.

  10. This is what it looks like when it's done!

They are pretty baggy, But I wanted something that didn't hug my mid-section like everything off the rack.  I put pleats in the front of the shirt along the bottom hem to make it a little more fitted, but I left the back alone so that it hangs and covers my bottom well!  I think it looks cute and I got some compliments that they would have never known it was home-made.

Green thumb?

I think not!  

However, I have had some success.  I got this one beautiful rose from my rose bushes.  I planted 4 bushes.  One got eaten by something.  I don't know.

Then, my vegetable garden looks beautiful, but it hasn't produced as much as I had hoped.  Soil Ph must be off?  We have tons of lettuce and peas.  And one pepper with lots of buds for more!  I have some starts to cucumbers and zucchinis as well!  We will see, crossing my fingers.

WORD!

This is a wall art duo I made for my office!  It is a verse from Philippians.  I covered a wood frame with canvas.  I painted a bit.  Then, I set to cutting out all the letters.  I have a Cricut machine so it was pretty easy, but you could use die cuts at a craft store, stickers, or even stencils and cut out, if you wanted.  I laid them out (getting them all of fit was a bit tricky).  I glued the letters down, and then added embellishments.  I used some flowers, brads, and some fabric birds that I sewed on.  It turned out wonderfully and it looks great in my office.  So many different things you could do with this craft!

Sound Transit is not so "Sound"

Today, I rode the bus and train to work.  It was my first time doing so.  I have to cross through two zones, but countless municipalities to get from home to work.  Driving takes me at least and hour...sometimes two. 

Normally and last time I rode the bus, there were always "tranfers" (free rides for subsequent trips within a 2-hour window) and I always only had to transfer once.  Mind you, I only ride the bus for sporting events to the stadiums because I am too cheap to park, and a couple times to the airport.  And, then I traveled within one zone.

Anyway, this was my first time since they implimented the new and improved sound transit/ light rail here in Seattle!  Here in Seattle, we do not have good public transportation...at least not compared to other major cities like New York or London, but I would say it is better than the Diablo Rojo.  It is always a guessing game as to when and how much you will have to pay.  Sometimes you pay when you get on the bus, sometimes when you get off.  Anyway, they did away with the "transers" so now you have to pay for each leg of your trip is you pay cash.  If you have the ORCA card, then you get a discount, but then it says if you use a monthly plan you get the discount and if you just put money on the ORCA card, it is treated like cash if you don't use a monthly plan.  SO CONFUSING. Anyway, when I got to the landing to board my train (the third leg of my commute), I did not see anywhere to pay for the train.  I only saw a thing that said swipe card here.  (This made me think that there must be hundreds of people who had no clue what was happening because I have a master's degree; come on people, I'm no dummy here!)  I had nothing to swipe.  I saw no where to buy something to swipe.  Thus, I proceeded onto the train, thinking that you must pay when you get off, like some of the busses.  However, when I got off the train, it only said to purchase your tickets prior to boarding...it did not tell me this in Westlake. 

Was I supposed to then purchase the ticket for the ride I had already taken?  I was so confused!  We have a totally depraved-of-"sound"-transit-transit in the Seattle area!

Ignorant bliss,
Christina

Annual Camping Trip

I love traditions and Matt and I have not really created a whole lot of our own.  This year for Memorial Day, we decided to have a big family camp out and start an annual family fishing derby.  We made reservations, divided up the meals, pitched some tents and despite technical difficulties, we had a lovely time cooking over the fire, taking walks and playing games.  

We stayed at Lake Wenatchee State Park, just outside of Leavenworth.  It was a beautiful weekend.  No rain, lots of sun, wonderful scenery and lots of fish caught!

  

Matt's family, my family and the Gagnons were all there (13 humans, 5 dogs, and many a dead fish).  We made trips into Leavenworth and Plain, WA.  You can't miss Shocolate in Leavenworth!  Delicious!

The derby was won by Abby who caught a 4 lb. 1 oz. Rainbow Trout from the dock!  All the rest of us caught maybe one-pounders and we were out in the boat in the deep, cool waters.  

We are looking forward to next year!

Star!!!

I've always loved these big metal star thingies and in honor of the stars and stripes, I thought I would make one for the 4th of July/ Summer season.

Here's what you need:

• paper scraps
• metal star
• ink pads
• glue
• somewhere to hang your star!

Here's what to do:

1. I sorted through all my paper scraps and decided which ones to use!

2. I measured and cut each piece. 

 

3. I edged the paper pieces with dobbers and ink.  First, you add pigment from your stamp pads.  

 

 Then you rub the dobber along the edges.

4. Then, I glued the pieces to the metal star!  

6. It is hanging in the front big window with my little red lanterns!

Here are a few other things I have for the season!  I love my PartyLite Symmetry Pillar Holders.  So Versatile and we had to put baseballs in honor of our Seattle Mariner's!  Go M's!

 

www.partylite.biz/christinakonrad

My FAVORITE Holiday: July 4th!

I am not sure why, but the 4th of July is my favorite holiday!  I love it because it is a time to get together and share special moments, without the pressure of cooking a fancy meal or delivering the perfect gift.  In fact, it is a good time to reflect on the abundant blessings we have as Americans and how we can contribute to the blessings of others!  And, I have a fond love of rustic decor and red, white and blue!

Here's a couple crafts in honor of our freedom!

Supplies:

• Wreath form
• Ribbon
• 12" x 12" sheets (scraps) of scrapbook paper
• Ruler
• Paper cutter
• Bone folder
• Double-sided tape
• Buttons, assorted
• Hot-glue gun

Here's what to do:
1. Cut a sheet of paper into 6 pieces, each measuring 4" x 6", for large medallions. (To create a medium-size one, use 3" x 6" sheets, and for the small size, use a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" sheet.)  Each medallion takes two pieces of paper so if you want 3 of a particular pattern, you will need 6 pieces.

2. Fold each piece of paper going across the length of the paper in accordion-style. Use a bone folder to sharpen creases.
  

3. Fold each pleated piece of paper in half.  I tied the two halves together with a short piece of string.  Then, using double sided stickies, or glue, adhere all the separated spaces together to form a circle. Gently spread pleats apart.

 

 

 

 

I made approx 12 of each size for my wreath.

4. Starting with largest medallions, hot-glue each to wreath in an attractive pattern. Continue with medium and small sizes until wreath is covered.

 

5.  Lastly, add a button to the center of each medallion.



The finished product!