Nature's Birdbath

There is a gorgeous plant called Colocasia.  Its common name is "Coffee Cups."  This green plant's natural shape makes it a perfect bird bath after a rain. 

It makes a great container plant perfect for front porches. It loves dappled shade and grows to 5 feet tall. Pair it with some low, colorful flowers and it becomes a modern topiary that invites bird watching!

Wall Mural Inspiration

Recently we went to Kaleidoscope in the Hallmark Crown Center in Kansas City.  Kids can go there free of charge and they have craft stations set up and the kids can take with them any craft they make.  I remember going there when I was a kid and I have fond memories of it.  My love of art, crafts and diy started young!!

The space itself just sparks creativity and serves as inspiration for a kid's bedroom or playroom.  I posted about our workspaces awhile ago and how they inspire our creativity.  But after I saw the workspaces at Kaleidoscope, I want to do a wall mural or painted piece that is crazy and fun - something that may not fit in with the rest of my decor. Like this wacky clock.

I absolutely love these marker caddies, made to look like condiments and food.  This workstation had a picnic theme.

Maybe a crazy sculpture would look nice in the corner...

But my favorite area was the one with the incredible wall mural.  I love the whimsy and fantasy aspect to it.  And the colors!!  Definitely something to use as inspiration for a possible mural in our house...

Simple but Sweet Summer Lanterns

Mom recently made some really cute, simple and inexpensive summer lanterns out of jars, some screen and a little wire!  These lanterns are super sweet and I promptly hung them in my front yard tree.

She combined two craft projects into one.  She has an old Better Homes and Gardens "Celebrate the Season" book from 1998 (!!) and an article she tore out of Woman's Day magazine from 2004.  Just goes to show you how crafty mom really is!

Here's what you'll need to make them:

pliers, scissors, compass (string tied to a pencil, thumbtack)
piece of scrap paper
small jar
heavy rubber band
stiff screening (metal)
18-gauge wire (2 pieces)

Part 1:

To figure out how big the screen should be, multiply the height of the jar by two, then add the diameter of the bottom plus two inches.  This is the diameter of the screen piece you need.  Cut your string to the length of the radius (half the diameter you just figured out), and pin (or hold) the other end to the center of your scrap paper.

Bet you didn't think you'd have to be a math major to do this project!!

Draw a circle on the scrap paper using your homemade compass.  Cut out the circle and use this as your screen template.  Cut out the screen.

Place the jar in the center of the screen and form the screen around it. You may have to use the pliers to crimp it a little to make it stay in place.  Use the rubber band to hold the screen on, right under the lip of the jar.  This helps form the screen to the jar.

Thanks, Better Homes and Gardens!

Now on to Part 2:

Take off your rubber band and the screen.  Wrap a piece of wire around where the rubber band was and twist so it is secure.  Use the second wire to make a handle to hang your lantern by twisting each end around the first wire that is wrapped around the jar.  Also make sure this wire is secure.  Put your screen back on, using the pliers to crimp it a little into place.

Disclaimer so you don't burn down your tree, or your house, or your neighbor's house:

Make sure your wires are secure, and hang the lantern on a leafless, sturdy branch, far enough from the end of the branch so the lantern does not fall off.

Thanks to Woman's Day!!

Easy enough!  Here are more pics for you to enjoy!!

Lantern without the Screen

Building More Character with Lighting

It's amazing what becomes invisible after you look at it day in and day out.  That's what happened with our lighting.  After 10 years of living in our house, we finally replaced what I call the "asylum gray-colored" ceiling fans that were in all three of our bedrooms.

BEFORE:  Old "Asylum Gray" Ceiling Fan

They were so depressing!  I can't believe we kept them for so long.  The new fans look so much better and make everything around them look better!

AFTER:  Beautiful New Bedroom Ceiling Fan

AFTER:  Fun New Playroom Ceiling Fan

We continue to slowly build the character of our house with one small change at a time.  This weekend we made some pretty big changes.  Four new ceiling fans, two new hall lights and one replacement pendant.

Our dining room also has a new ceiling fan.  I know, it's a lot of ceiling fans.  And according to some designers, ceiling fans are a design no-no.  But in the Midwest, humidity rules some of our design choices.  And we need ceiling fans to fight that humidity!!

Our dining room fan had seen better days.  The shades were stained and falling off.  And the style didn't really appeal to us or compliment our style.  And yes, three out of the four light bulbs were burned out!!

BEFORE:  Looking Sad and Past Its Prime Dining Room Fan

But we found one that looks good and goes with our style!!

AFTER:  Lovely New Dining Room Light

By the way, not only were our fans pretty ugly and sad, they were dangerous!!  Holding them up were the tiniest screws I have ever seen.  Below is a picture of one of the screws holding up the old fans and next to it is one of the screws that came with the new fans!!  WOW!

Tiny Screw, Big Problem!!

Well, one character-building exercise done, many more to go!!  But it's working.  Things are really shaping up!