Nursery Personalized Mural

A real tight space with just enough personality to make the room pop without being over the top.  Painting children's murals is what I love the most about being artsy.

 

 

Military Throw For Kids

It is hard on everyone in the family when a Mom or Dad is sent overseas for a tour of duty.  It is especially hard on children.  I thought of an idea to comfort children with a throw made from their Mom or Dad's t-shirts.  The shirts will bring back memories for the children of when they saw their parent wearing the shirts. And they can wrap themselves up in the shirts.  Like one big hug.

Very easy to make.  Have the kids pick out their favorite t-shirts.  Cut the shirts in equal sizes and just sew them together.  I left the edges raw and rough.  

The throw is so soft and will surely make the kids feel comforted.  You could even use iron transfers and put family member faces on the throw.

Very easy project...and if the kids are old enough to reach the sewing machine pedal...you can help them make it.

 

A great idea too for parents that travel a lot. 

Halloween Witchy T-shirt

I love to paint t-shirts just as much as I do canvases. With Halloween approaching, I grabbed some fabric and paint and went to town.  And from the looks of it, the shirt is a hit.

Hummingbird in Flight

Parting of the Red Sea Painting

I was trying to accomplish an abstract painting with a feel of strength, passion, and color.  Hence, Parting of the Red Sea was created.

Roll Tide Alabama Fan Painting

LeAnne is probably one of the biggest Alabama football fans I have ever met.  So, when she asked me to paint her a canvas I thought...Roll Tide.  The mascot elephants are probably my favorite aspect of the entire painting.  But I really love the colors of the entire painting.  Best yet, LeAnne loves it too.

Boca Beach

I was told the house was done in yellow, blue, green and was eccletic in style.  Without any interior photographs to base my painting on, I decided to incorporate all the colors in a style that would work and not conflict. 

So this beach abstract is heading to Boca Raton.  Can't wait for the return picture of it hanging in its new home.

Lips Luscious Lips

My art room walls are filled with my paintings of women only.  I don't know why I find inspiration by the funky women I've painted, but I do. 

With all the celebrity collagen lip plumping,  I decided why not hang a Trout Mouth among my collection.  So, I got out my brushes and went to town.

Hummingbird on Neon Painting

I try to paint as often as I can.  Sometimes for enjoyment, sometimes for distraction. 

Today I wanted to venture outside my comfort zone. So, I picked bright and neon colored paints.

It is very different from my usual style.  But I really like it.  A boost of energy.  Like a shot of 5 hour energy without downing a drop.

Jewelry as Art

My mom is in the process of cleaning out her excess.  She started with her costume and vintage jewelry and I was the lucky beneficiary. 

It was all so pretty.  But I don't really wear jewelry.  This got my mind racing....creatively. 


I had just bought a huge frame from a garage sale for a buck.  I had plans to paint a canvas for it, but thought it would be so neat to use the frame as a canvas for the jewelry.  By doing this, I could enjoy the jewelry every day.  And I do.

Fabric Painting

I love to paint on all types of material.  You don't have to buy fabric paints either.  I use regular, cheap acrylic craft paints.  Just wait 2 days after you paint your material before you throw it in the washer.  Also, before you wear it, toss it in the dryer for 10 minutes to heat set the paint.  Then you are good for all the washing and drying you want.  I really love to paint t-shirts.  You can pick up an inexpensive one at Walmart for 6 bucks and turn it into a designer looking shirt.  I've worn this one dozens of times and it still looks like it did the first day I painted it.

Tote bags are really fun to paint.  Michaels sells them for a few dollars.

My latest challenge was painting pillows.  A portrait painting of sorts.  He's checking out my work.  Perhaps, even worried I brought home another 3 legged dog.

Lifes a Beach

I had the absolute joy of meeting my sister-in-law's 2 year old niece on the beach this weekend.  My sister-in-law's family flew to Florida to visit and spend time on the World's Most Famous Beach-Daytona Beach.

This beautiful little girl ran up to me like I was her long lost friend,  She wrapped her arms around my legs and screamed, "Hiya Cynnnnnnnnde."  She grabbed my hand and quickly walked me to the rest of her family.  Well, as quickly as she could.  I was holding 2 beach bags, a chair and 5 tiny fingers. We picked a spot in the sand and opened my chair.  As soon as  I sat down, she immediately plopped right into my lap, took my hat off my head, put it on hers and once again said, "Hiya Cynnnnnnnnnnde."

Talk about a welcome.

Imagine what our world would be like if we were as accepting and loving of others as children.  In the eyes of a child, the world and everyone in it is perfect.

 For a child, Life's A Beach isn't a saying...it really is.

Beach Sunrise

I live just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. Many mornings I watch the day start with my toes in the sand.

The power of a sunrise is amazing.  Every time.

Yes, it's early.  But you will never regret it.

Paper Roses Heart

If you are looking for a rainy day project for you or the kids, this may be it.

It is so easy and can be made without ever leaving home.


All you need is a piece of cardboard, an old book, ribbon and glue.  I used an old shirtbox for my cardboard base.  I folded it in half and cut half a heart.  All the paper roses will be glued to this base.

Next.  Tear out a page from your paperback.  You can trace a spiral and cut from that or free hand it.
Then just roll it up.  I did my rolls a little uneven so they look more like a rose.  Dot a little glue along the way as you roll it.  After this just squirt some glue on the bottom of your rose and stick it on the cardboard. 

Glue a ribbon to the back and hang it up or give it as a gift.

ASPCA shuts down sanctuary

The ASPCA, Peta and 7 other national groups are in the process of rescuing over 700 cats from a sanctuary in northwest Florida.  It is absolutely heartbreaking how one person with good intentions has caused the death of so many he tried to provide a sanctuary for.  The sanctuary is Caboodle Ranch. 

If you can help in any way, it is needed.  Especially adoption of one of these poor kitties.

http://www.peta.org/features/caboodle-cat-ranch.aspx

The photos are not easy to look at.  This has been an ongoing undercover operation. 

Many of the cats are healthy and former housecats whose owners turned them over to the sanctuary.


They deserve a second chance at love, safety and health.

Feeling Crafty

I am a HUGE fan of Pinterest.  I love to see what fellow crafters are doing and  then try out their ideas and add to them.  I am especially drawn to the ones that are easy enough to do fast and with limited effort, yet look awesome.

All you need for the first two crafts are x-large t-shirts...stains and all. 

Cut from the bottom of the t-shirt in lines about an inch or so.  They don't have to be exactly straight.  Pull the loop and it will stretch and the edges will curl in.  Repeat all the way to the underarm and stop.  Put all the loops together and use one of the loops to tie them together.  I put an old piece of jewelry on mine to jazz it up.


The second t-shirt makeover takes a little more time, but it is equally as easy. Cut small circles using an old t-shirt and pinch in each circle at its bottom.  Sew that pinched in area to the neckline of your own t-shirt. I saw t-shirts just like this in a designer store for almost a hundred bucks.  I used a faded old t-shirt from my husband's closet and a plain t-shirt I already owned.  So FREE.

The last craft uses felt.  This is a new crafting material to me.  But so very easy.  Cut 6 different size circles, from large to small.  My largest circle was 6 inches.  My smallest circle was the size of a small spice bottle bottom.  I cut 14 of each size.  After you have them all cut, scallop the edges with scissors.  Cut a long strip of felt to glue the flowers on.  Just measure around your neck and decide how long you want the scarf.  Now the fun part.  Take the biggest circle and lay it flat.  Then take  the next largest circle and gather it at the bottom with your fingers and sew a small knot in it.  Hot glue it on the biggest circle. Repeat for next size circle. Keep going until you get to the smallest circle.  This will be the flowers center. Once that's glued on, you have a beautiful rose.  The last step is to hot glue the entire flower on your strip.  I love a little sparkle.  So I added glitter and gemstones to mine.

Have fun!

Why does my marriage last?

In just this past month, three of my friends marriages have ended.  That may not seem like much to someone with a lot of friends.  But, I am not a social butterfly, so it's huge.

I starting thinking about my closest of friends.  Just how many of  these friends are still on their first marriage?  The answer...one.  Wow.  Kinda sad.  Or is it?

This made me really start thinking.  What makes my marriage not only survive but thrive?  Is it because we dated five years prior to heading down the aisle?  Or is it simply that I chose better?  Or is it that I got lucky? 


And then I really, really started thinking.  How many of my friends have children by more than one husband?  Lots. 


Does this say something about our society?  Are we too quick to give up instead of in? 

Or is it because we expect more because we are willing to give more?

If I could bottle 25 years of pure happiness,  I would be a gazillionaire.  I'm working on it.

Cynde Creates: What's new Pussy Cat

Cynde Creates: What's new Pussy Cat: My husband and I have been long time protectors of pets. We have volunteered endless hours at our local shelter and were part of an incredi...

What's new Pussy Cat

My husband and I have been long time protectors of pets.  We have volunteered endless hours at our local shelter and were part of an incredible group who trapped feral cats and brought them to a local vet where they were neutered/spayed.  We would trap 3 feral cats at a time for the operation. During the course of a year, we provided shelter in our home for over 100 recuperating cats. Many cats were previously house cats whose owners decided to dump them in a known feral cat area.  Knowing this, we were able to re-socialize dozens of cats and find permanent inside homes for them.  Nearly all of the kittens (dozens and dozens and dozens) were hand captured and socialized before finding loving homes. We bottle fed many around the clock. I was overwhelmed by how much support we received from our community with donations to fund the expensive neutering costs.

Such kindness from total strangers to help animals that lived deep in the woods, rarely to be seen.  Such trust from total strangers to give checks and cash to me, someone they did not know.  It's the humans that made it possible to save so many lives and stop the population growth in its tracks.

The cat's left ears are clipped/tipped off to represent they are feral cats.  And you may think the younger cats fair better in a home than the older ones.  But, that isn't always the case.  The front cat, Silly, was 3 when he was trapped and the pretty lady behind him, Mama, was 8 years old when she was trapped.  Mama is now a big lap cat. Silly is a kisser.

 Socialization is a tricky proposition.  Some  of the cats hide under the bed for months before they realize they are safe.  Imagine going from hearing crickets at night to hearing all the scary sounds of living in a house with strangers.  But when they decide they are safe, they feel safe and are ready to meet us.  We let each cat decide when that time is. Several were so full of confidence, we could hear them playing during the night right away.  And within a week they were sharing our pillows in bed.

But none of this would have been possible without so many kind people paying the way.  And I am forever grateful.  I don't even know how to express my gratitude. 

Saving one life may not matter to most.  But it matters to that one life.

All Before 6 A.M.

When you can't sleep, it is amazing the stuff that you can accomplish.  Take this morning.  Up at 2:30 a.m....and it's Sunday.  I woke the dogs up and they weren't so crazy about beating every living creature in the neighborhood out the door.  But, they go with the flow and so we all stare at each other while the rest of the house sleeps.  Coffee helps...tons.  And for the pups, they get a Kong frozen with Alpo.  So, it's equal joy for all.  An hour passes, and now barely over the 3:30 a.m. mark, I need a game plan.  Three cups of hazelnut coffee with white chocolate cream helps set the plan.  Exercise.  What person exercises before any hope of daylight?  I have no idea what kind of exercise, so I surf YouTube.  It hits me.  Try Zumba.  A lot of fun even without the volume.  Can't wake up those still hibernating.  Almost surprised the shaking of the floor didn't cause alarm, because there was a whole lot of jumping going on, if only for 23 minutes.  Piece of cake.  Feeling energized, I search the site for a boot camp workout.  I quickly see it's just a matter of which one.  Pouring a fourth cup of coffee, I get the genius idea to opt for the hour long workout. Why not, I have a steady stream of caffeine shooting through my veins. And now the clock inches to 5 a.m.  Still quiet as a mouse in the house.  When is someone else going to raise from the dead?  Need a new plan.  Maybe the cats can entertain me.  Yeah, that's just stupid.  I can go in the dark to the river walk with the dogs.  I take a vote and the dogs are sitting on go.   Sniff sniff here, sniff sniff there and we are back...and it is now 6 a.m.  Oh, shoot me already. But, wait.  I hear someone stirring.  I am not up alone anymore. Daddy's up!  This must be how the dogs feel while they wait for us to return home. 
From zero to wonderful in an instant.