Diorama

A few months ago my mom asked me if I wanted a round box she had and was going to toss out.  At first I said, 'Nah, that's OK,' but then I changed my mind because I figured I could always find a use for it.  After I got it home, I thought maybe I could try to make a diorama with it.  I kind of remember making a diorama when I was a little kid from a shoe box.  After googling various diorama pictures, I decided to try an underwater scene, looking out from a porthole window.  

I started by lining the inside with light and dark blue watery-looking paper.  The outside of the box and lid are done in silver cardstock.  

I purchased the treasure chest from a pet store in the aquarium department, and removed the little hoses, then glued extra rhinestones, flattened gold bead caps and shells to the base.  Rather than make a mess gluing a sandy bottom in the box, I used sandpaper.  

One of my friends said that my sharks look happy.  I used fishing line, pearl beads and fish ephemera too.

I'd cut a hole in the box lid and put a clear sheet of plastic in like a window, and then used black-topped thumbtacks for the porthole rivets.  I realize that the ship or submarine would also be resting on the bottom of the ocean floor to see this view but oh well!!!  I am pleased with the way it came out.  I would like to add some nautical rope around the outside of the box but I haven't found any yet.  

Fairies in a Jar: Fail

I've been wanting to try the Fairies in a Jar project for awhile.  The following 2 pictures are what are featured online.  So sparkly right?  The instructions are so easy!  Just get a glowstick, crack to activate, then cut the end off and splatter inside a jar and add 'diamond' glitter.  The only info I could glean on diamond glitter is that it's the white & iridescent kind, of which I have plenty.  I also had some glowsticks left over from the 'toilet paper roll eyes' project last Halloween.

I cracked the blue light stick and shook it out and around this jar, then sprinkled in the glitter.  While it did stick to the jar and was sparkly, it was only so due to the external light source in the kitchen.

In the kitchen with only one light on over the stove and no flash.  Blue is real pretty, glitter picking up the stove light.

Looking at the bottom, taken outside at dusk.

Dusk shot too.

 After dark, no flash.  Real pretty blue, but the glitter isn't twinkling.

With flashlight pointing straight down into jar.

Just flash.

With a candle inside which had a cool effect but you couldn't see the blue anymore.

Looking inside with candle light.  That's as close to twinkling fairies as it gets.

I'd say it only twinkles with a light source that's outside the jar.  It was pretty seeing the blue jar, but the glitter definitely doesn't sparkle like the internet photos show.  The twinkles are obviously photoshopped in the first picture and upon review of the second picture, it looks like the glow in the dark paint was dabbed on in dots; it's possible there is glow in the dark paint that has glitter in it.  

The ironic thing was that as I was outside taking the pics, there were lots of real fireflies in my yard.  I'd say just use the jars to catch and release actual fireflies, rather than make a mess with this project!!!

Wareham: Gateway to Cape Cod

My doctor has ordered me out in the sun for 15 minutes a day, due to my painfully low Vitamin D levels.  I found myself in downtown Wareham in mid-June for a dentist appointment so I walked around taking pics.  There's another section of town that has an actual sign that says, 'Gateway to Cape Cod' but it's not in an area conducive to pulling over to take photos.

Apparently the tower is in two different time zones!  Neither of which was the right time.

 I found these two train-squished pennies alongside the tracks.  I used to do this too when I was a kid.

Pretty small Main Street.

Uh-oh....20 minutes till my dentist appointment! I better get headed back to the office!!!

In the dentist's parking lot.

Confetti Bowl

Found another project on Pinterest I wanted to try since I still have balloons left from other crafts.  I found the instructions HERE on how to make a confetti bowl.  I saved the link to my bookmarks, intending to try it at some point.  As time went by, I couldn't really remember what the picture looked like....all I remembered was that I needed to buy confetti. This caught my eye in the grocery store.  Cool! Sparkly confetti!  

I got all my supplies ready and went to look up the link for the instructions.  

When I saw this picture, I realized I totally bought the wrong kind and that the shiny mylar could be very difficult to work with, as opposed to paper dots. 

I started off by promptly spilling it on the counter, and this stuff is as bad as glitter.  As the project moved forward over the course of 2 days, I started noticing bits of shiny confetti all over the house.  

Here's the first of many coats. I kept adding to it all afternoon.  I also discovered that a paint brush worked better for spreading the Mod Podge than the sponge did.

After about 4 coats of confetti, I slathered Mod Podge all over it and waited for it to dry.  After it was dry, I was able to point it towards a light source and look through the back end of the balloon to see where the holes were, so that I could add confetti where needed.  After that was done & dry, it got a final coat of Mod Podge.

 Here's the completed bowl.  I trimmed around the top edge to make it more even.  Some of the pieces just refused to lay flat so there's a texture to it.

Looking down at the inside.  You can see that the shine returns once the Mod Podge dries. 

I'm happy with it.  I'd call it a Pin Win.

Furkids Update

I worked on another Project Book item:  Adding beads to a doggie bandanna.  Actually the instructions were for how to make the bandanna too but I already had some.  I didn't want to go too crazy with the beading, so I just added some edging on the front point and a couple of details on the bandanna itself.

Unimpressed dog is unimpressed.

Feeling emasculated by the flowers.  But the dark blue one I put on Pepper wouldn't have shown up as well on Sagan's dark coat!

Leaving pupkiss on the window as he surveys his domain.  My spring cleaning efforts were in vain.

Beanie is using the couch more these days too.  It should be noted that I never get to use it.  Ever.

Snoozin

Watching me watch 'Made in Canada'.

This one had me in stitches.  Pepper got up on the couch and laid halfway on Sagan, in a ploy to make him move so that she could have the whole couch to herself.  As soon as I snapped this, he hopped off and laid on the floor and Princess P stretched out.  This is the first time she's ever done that.  I have a suspicion it won't be the last!

'Pay attention to me!!!!!  I'm more interesting than crafts!!'  She'll paw at me till I put down my project and pet her.  If I don't do it long enough for her satisfaction, she paws me again.  Only when I give her hugs and cuddles and kisses does she allow  me to go back to work.  Who has who trained?

Came home from the grocery store and they were so excited to show me their latest handiwork!!   "Look mama!!! We maded u a art!  Iz u like?" 

All that craftin' tuckered them out!!