Happy Opening Day for the

2011 Baseball Season!

Nothing better that a good baseball game at your favorite ballpark! The opening of the Baseball Season means Summer is coming....my favorite time of the year. We are big baseball fans in this family! Every year on opening day we celebrate with an all-American Baseball themed dinner. Hot Dogs & Apple Pie Here are the games that are on today!

*We're actually really looking forward to watching the Seattle Mariners who play tomorrow

In honor of today, lets sing a little song...

"Take me out to the ball game.

Take me out to the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,

I don't care if I never get back.

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win it's a shame,

For it's one, two, three strikes you're out at the old ball game."

Carrot Topiary

I found this felt, sparkly carrot on a stick while I was getting supplies for my bunny topiary at JoAnn Fabrics. It was half off, and I had an extra white bucket on hand to make a quick topiary out of this cute carrot! Here's the white bucket...Gotta love the TARGET dollar section! All I did was stuck in the foam, surrounded it with moss.... and you have another cute, simple and very inexpensive Easter decoration. *the bunny on a scooter I got from a store in Enumclaw, WA called Plateau Trading Co. about 3 years ago.

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

Hippity, Hoppity Easter's On It's Way

*The first of my Easter decor*

I know, I know...there have been so many of these bunny topiaries done, but It's just too cute not to share. Here is my version.

I picked up these supplies:

Mossy Bunny on a stick(Pier 1 Imports $2.99)

Galvanized Bucket(local dollar store $1)

Moss & Foam(JoAnn Fabrics $3.99)

Hot Glue

First, cut your foam down to fit into the bucket.

To make sure it was a snug fit, I stuck some plastic bags on the sides of the foam. Good way to recycle some plastic bags! Stick in your Moss Bunny on a stick then start hot gluing the moss till you get the look you like. Pretty simple! Here it is completed. Very simple, and no frills! I love a more natural look. Check out this cute little Bunny I got at a local store called Real Deals *if you have one nearby, you should check it out....cute stuff! I found him in the 50% off discounted seasonal stuff back in January! I love finding good deals. More cute Easter stuff is on the way...

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

Gifts For My Sisters

I made these coasters a while back for my friend Alisha's Birthday. I took all the pictures to blog about them, and forgot to take a picture of them completely done. So, I found the opportunity to make them again.

I just had to make some for my Sisters Erin and Darcy. Hopefully they're enjoying them as we speak. Here's how I made them.

These are the supplies you'll need:

Mod Podge

Tiles(got mine for 5 cents a piece at the Habitat Store)

Scrapbook Paper

Sandpaper

Felt Pads

Sponge brush

First, you'll want to cut your paper just a bit smaller than the size of the tile. A paper cutter would work great for this, yet I didn't have one so scissors work just fine if you don't have a paper cutter. Brush on a thin layer of Mod Podge to the cleaned tile. Lay the piece of cut paper onto the Mod Podge painted tile. Smooth it out with something like a credit card. You don't want any air bubbles. Repeat this process with all your other tiles. I did a total or eight. Four for each Sister. The edges of my paper hung over the tile a bit too much so I took a sanding block or you can use sand paper and just sanded the edges till you could see a border of tile from underneath the paper. * I hope these instructions are making sense =) Paint on an even, thin layer of Mod Podge over the paper. Be sure to paint in one direction. It gives it a nicer look when the Mod Podge is completely dry. Let the Mod Podge dry for about 10 minutes, then paint on another layer, dry for 10 minutes more and paint on a third layer. Then let dry for about 2 hours before using. Finally, you'll want to put on some kind of protective padding for the bottom. You can use anything from these felt sticky pads like I did or you can use cork or even rubber pads. Whatever you like. They work perfect for your morning cup of coffee! I hope my two Sisters are enjoying these coasters. I might just have to make myself some. I think they turned out pretty cute. These were very frugal, very easy and the possibilities are endless. Maybe some picture coasters in the near future?!

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

Forced Spring

I have to admit, Spring is just not my favorite season. Living in the state of Washington, Spring means rain and lots of it. After a few months of Winter, the last thing you want is more rain, wind and cold weather. However, there are a few positives to the Spring months.

Such as:

My Birthday, Easter, Baseball, and the best of all...Flowers!

When we were back in Western Washington, my Uncle Greg(who owns the Old Goat Farm) gave me some branches from his trees to force bloom! The flowering plum will always remind me of home. I just love the beautiful pink blossoms. Here are some before and after pictures of the branches I have forced to bloom.

{BEFORE}

{AFTER} {BEFORE} {AFTER} Here are a few photos I took while visiting the Old Goat Farm this past weekend. Spring flowers are just so pretty.

These cute little white ones planted in Terra Cotta pots.

Boxwood becoming topiaries. I just love the moss on these pots.

Check out these mini Iris flowers. Aren't they so cute?!

And last but not least, one of my favorites....Daffodils. I just love the bright yellow.

What are your favorite things about Spring?