~Fourth of July Craft Idea - Part Two~

Yesterday, I showed you how to make these festive centerpieces for the 4th of July holiday but I couldn't decide if I really liked using the bright red paper and fireburst decoration and so I thought I'd sleep on it.  Well, I couldn't wait that long.. .it was really eating at me that I could do better.  Of course, it may work for some but it wasn't the look I was wanting..so, I took off the fireburst display.  I'll save that for something else.  I took off the red wrappers that were supposed to be whipped topping since everybody knows there ain't no such thing as red whipped topping...unless you use loads and LOADS of red food coloring, but let's not go there.  Just agree with me, okay?

New cast of characters:
*White tissue paper cut into about 4- to 5-inch squares
*Several red and blue plastic straws
*Red candy for "cherries"

I thought maybe I could use just two squares of paper but decided that wasn't enough so I am using four squares of tissue paper.  Layer them kind of like I have shown above.

Cut two straws...I am using one red and one blue...and cut into about 5-inch lengths.  You can make yours longer if you want to.  Oh, I decided to change the straw colors.  The white ones just didn't have enough 'umph'.  That's the beauty of making these types of crafts.  There's nothing written in stone about how they should be done.  You can even use different colored straws if you want! Diversity is a good thing. Isn't that great???

Now take your two trimmed straws, overlap them slightly - they don't have to be exactly centered.  In fact, I like it better if they are just offset a bit.  Anyway....take a T-pin and secure the straws together.

I didn't take a picture of this step, but take your four or so layers of tissue...kinda scrunch them in the middle making a point (just like we did the red paper in yesterday's post).  Using a T-pin on the outside, secure it on the bald spot of your "sundae".  Then put your straws down in the middle of your new "whipped topping", which is white and looks more like whipped topping is supposed to look. :)  Push them in as far as they will go...you might want to use something a little more narrow than your thumb so that you don't flatten your design.

I didn't bother taking out my other decorations but I did reposition them just a bit.  I found some red Blow Pops that I could use for cherries even though they are a mite larger than what a cherry would be.  I unwrapped the candy just a bit so that I could cut off the stick, rewrapped it and secured the bottom of the wrapper with a T-pin.  I think red sour balls would look better though but I didn't have any and I wasn't going to go all the way into our small town...about a 20-minute drive to Wally World... just for a few red sour balls!
Tip:  Are your straws kinda lying down flat and not standing up like you want?  Take a T-pin and stick it in partway in under your straw for support.  Make sure you do it under the tissue paper so it doesn't show.  No one will know the better for it.

I changed out the white star for a red one.  I thought it showed up better.  Tada...and there you have it....two beautiful patriotic "sundaes" for your holiday setting!!!  So tell me, do you think the white tissue paper looks better or not?

I just bought the stacked American boxes at HL and found the other two in storage...quite by accident.  I forgot that I had them!  Guess I had better find me a better storage box for this stuff and LABEL it!  Ha!
I wanted to make a little vignette with my new patriotic "sundaes".

I could have put them on my beautiful table in the dining room, but we're not in there much.  So, I decided to put them on the island in the kitchen where we can enjoy them everyday.

Now back to the subject of diversity on this craft idea.  You could put some more of the candies in your sundae glasses if you wanted instead of the shredded paper.   Use whatever decorations you have...more or less...whatever floats your boat.  Put your own twist on the design just like I did when I "borrowed" this craft idea from Between Naps on the Porch.  By the way, if you haven't done it yet, you might want to meander over to her site to see how she made her beautiful "sundae".

This craft idea also works for other holidays and seasons...Easter, Halloween, a birthday, Christmas, a summer cookout...the ideas are endless!  And this would also make a great little gift for someone who is under the weather or returning home from the hospital...  Use your imagination and share your ideas with me, won't you?  I would love to post your pictures on my blog!  Enjoy.

 

~4th of July Craft Idea~

One of my favorite blogs, Between Naps on the Porch, recently posted an adorable, easy to make, "sundae" centerpiece for the 4th of July.  I slightly tweaked her craft how-to, which you can find on her site also known as BNOTP, but let's start with mine first, shall we?

Note:  The directions are to make two "sundaes" but you can make as many or as few as you would like.  Most of my decorations came from my favorite craft store...Hobby Lobby.

The cast of characters:
*Two sundae style or milkshake style glasses
*Several bags of patriotic style bite-size candies (I used butter cream candies)
*A 4-inch Styrofoam ball (cut in half)
*An assortment of patriotic decorations ~ I am using pinwheels, decorative metal stars and fireburst style decorations
*Pieces of scrapbooking paper in various colors of red, white and blue (some solid and some printed)
*Several colorful plastic straws
*Several 4-6 inch pieces of colorful paper, tissue paper or tulle to represent the whipped topping
*Two pieces of red candy or truffle to represent the cherry on top
*T-pins, ballpoint pens
*Temporary double-sided tape (optional)
*Craft glue OR hot glue gun (optional)

I used my handy-dandy paper shredder that not only shreds the paper but crinkles it as well...much cheaper to make my own instead of buying it already shredded!  My sundae glasses are only 6 inches tall and work great for a small centerpiece, but I wanted something a bit larger and went to Wally World (aka Wal-Mart) and purchased these milkshake style glasses that were 7 inches tall for a larger "sundae".

Cutting my Styrofoam ball in half, I then took about 1-inch strips of temporary double-sided tape and placed them around the flat side of the ball.  I found it much easier to do it this way than using one long strip...or else it will be kinda like putting a square peg into a round hole :/  Removing the glossy coating requires lots of patience or really long fingernails -but so much easier in the long run if you want it to be temporary.  Otherwise, use a hot glue gun to make it permanent.

                                            Either way, press the ball firmly on top of the glass.

This part is easy...start around the bottom of the ball attach and work your way around by using T-pins or ball point pins to attach your candies.  Overlap the candies slightly to hide the Styrofoam.  The pins make it easier to adjust placement if necessary.  You could even add more candies if you would like!  Note that I alternated the patterns of the candy to give a more colorful effect.  Oh, if your candies have a lengthwise seam, make sure they are on the bottom side and not exposed.

Now start the second row overlapping the candies somewhat.  If you want LOTS of candy, then make tighter rows.  As you can see, I used four rows to cover the Styrofoam.

There's a little bald spot on the top!!  Don't worry...it will be covered up by the time you're done.

I didn't have any tulle, so I decided to use the red wrapper from my fireburst decorations.  It's not the right color, I know, but I wanted to see what it would look like. :)  I scrunched it in the middle and attached it to the bald spot on the Styrofoam  Note:  Use the T-pin on the outside of your point so that the scrunch will keep its shape.  Bend your plastic straw, slightly off center, and secure the straw to your sundae by using a T-pin in the crease of the straw and place it into the middle of your "whipped topping".

I couldn't find any red candy at the moment, but secure a piece of red round candy down in the center of your "sundae".  You may need to use some glue to do that. My metal star and pinwheels were just a tad long, so I used a metal clipper to cut off just a bit and then inserted them where I wanted.

Now I thought I would try to use these little babies.  I had to twist and turn to get the firebursts out of the hockey puck-like base.

I had intended on taking them apart and scattering smaller pieces around my "sundae" but the wire was rather heavy and it was very well secured.  So I decided to try it with one large fireburst.  

Taking the red paper, I scrunched it in the middle making a point and cut off just enough of the tip so that I could push my fireburst through the opening about an inch.  Using your hot glue gun or some craft glue, secure the scrunch of your paper to the straw so that it doesn't lose its shape.  Now push it into the bald spot of your Styrofoam.  Using my metal cutter, I cut off just a bit to shorten the sticks and then added them to my "sundae".  This ended up not really looking like a "sundae" but more like a festive table decoration, so I didn't add any straws.  I still wasn't too sure if I was going to like this one but that's the joy of applying things temporarily..you can always change them out!  Hehehe...

 So here they are!  What do you think?  I know I'm going to have to sleep on the idea of using the festive fireburst and red paper.  I'll let you know tomorrow.

 

~ Welcome to Dawggone Cute Creations! ~

Hi there!  My name is Velma and I am so pleased that you have stopped by for a visit.  The name Dawggone Cute Creations came about when I got a cute little Havanese puppy that I named Banjo.  I fell in love with this little booger and thought how fun it would be to start an online shop creating accessories using dog-themed fabrics and so I started making vintage style aprons, tote bags, camera pursebags, doggy harness clothing and accessories.  Well, not everyone is a dog lover so I have added a line of accessories using adorable and fun fabrics.  Thus, the name of my online shop is also the name of my blog.

So, what is this blog all about you ask??  Well, of course, I will be sharing some of the new creations that I add to my shop. I look forward to sharing craft projects that I make for my home and sewing projects that I make for my family. I will do a tutorial from time to time about some of the sewing tips that I have learned over the 40+ years...whew, that's a long time!!

I have also had about that many years of cooking experience and will be sharing favorite recipes not only from my cookbook collection but those I have "borrowed" from others and those that have been in my family for many years, traditional holiday dishes and so much more.

Over the years, God has allowed me to wear many hats...some of them for a short time and some for many years.  Being a wife, mother, grandmother are the hats that I am most proud of and which I am most blessed to experience.  At this time in my life, wearing the hat of grandmother or "Mammer" is the one that blesses me the most!

One of the most favorite hats that I have worn is that of a bed and breakfast owner.  What I had to do to get my house ready to receive guests; decorating rooms; preparing meals, encouraging guests to write in the journals...these are just a few of the things that I want to share about a most interesting and blessing-filled time in my life and I look forward to sharing many of those wonderful experiences with you.

I love antiques and all things that are old, shabby, worn and even chipped.  I'll share with you those things that I have collected and those that I find when I'm on the hunt.

I love to collect poems, quotes and inspirational thoughts that make me smile, laugh and even cry; some that touch me deeply and some that change the way I think and act.  I look forward to sharing those with you and maybe you'll share some of yours with me.  We can smile, laugh and even cry together!!

Having this blog allows me to not only use it as a creative outlet for the things I love ...living the country life, my scrapbooking hobby, traveling in our RV, sharing stores about my immediate and extended family; how I went about making my new farmhouse style home look old; laughing at myself and at life, sharing stories or experiences that touch me and may even make me cry; and about living this wonderful life that God has given me!

More importantly, I look forward to using it as a type of diary for my children and grandchildren ...a collection of memories, thoughts and inspiration.  Maybe it will answer questions that may cross their minds from time to time..."Why does she have that old cookbook?  Why did she start the ironstone collection?  Why does she like antiques?"....things that I may have talked about may be forgotten over the years but they will have this blog to remember when I am too old mature (as my Dad likes to say) to tell the stories or after God takes me home. Though not perfect by any means, that they see a reflection of Christ in me...who I am, what I believe, how I live, what I have become..this is the most lasting memory that I want them to have of me.

Whether you are part of my family, an old acquaintance, an old friend or a new one....my prayer is that you find my blog interesting, touching, a learning experience, funny and inspiring.  I would be so delighted if you come back time and time again to see what I am blogging about next.

I look forward to meeting you and having you as part of my blogging family.

I pray you have a sunshine-filled day today ~

~A Little or Maybe A Whole Lot About Me~

Hello!  My name is Velma and I live in central Oklahoma.

I have been blessed as a wife of 38 years to my dear hubby, Mr. Bill; mom to three wonderful children who are all grown and married with children of their own; Mammer to five adorable and possibly spoiled grandbabies; and Momma to one, definitely spoiled, Havanese dog named Banjo.

In my junior high Home Economic classes, I was taught how to take a little fabric and thread to create something beautiful and not only  fell in love with that concept but continued taking more Home Ec classes and used it as my major in college.  By using my hands and the talents that God has given me, I have learned how to create things for my home, making clothes for my family and making crafts to sell as a hobby.  I have also learned how to quilt and crochet.

In my Home Ec classes, I also learned even more cooking skills that were not taught to me by my mother.  I learned how to to take a little bit of this and a little bit of that to create yummy dishes.  I grew up in a home of not only simple, country style meals but Hamburger Helper, canned biscuits and cake mixes.  So cooking a lot of foods from scratch truly intrigued me and I fell in love!

I love all things old...the smell of old wood, furniture that is worn and even chipped, vintage linens. My style is rather eclectic...I love antiques, vintage, farmhouse, country and even a little cottage.

The very early years of my life were lived in the country, but my parents chose the life of living in the suburbs instead and that is where I spent my growing up years.  But the desire for living the country life never left me.  I was blessed to meet  and marry my sweetheart who also loved the country life and that is where we have spent most of our married years; over the last several years it has been on 160 acres a little ways out of the town limits and a good ways from the city limits.  This blessed country life is where I hope to spend the remainder of my days.

I love gardening and digging my hands in the soil but my health prevents me from having a vegetable garden, so I am limited to growing flowers.

I love to laugh.  I love to have a good time.  I cry easily.  I love to give hugs and kisses, especially to my grandchildren.

I love poems, quotes and phrases that make me stop and think, that make me smile and sometimes make me cry.  Did I say that I cry easily?

I love to read...nothing heavy, mostly historical novels; my Bible and sometimes books that make me grow as a Christian and individual; sometimes something about an interesting person.

I love taking pictures (though not an excellent photographer) and scrapbooking!

Though I don't get to do it too often, I love to travel and now we have our RV to take on trips; many short and some long.

I love my Lord and Savior who has blessed me immensely in my life.  He is my Rock and my Foundation.  He is my Light and my Fortress.  He is my Father who holds my hand as I walk thru this life and He embraces me in the storms of my life.  He loves me deeply and is patient with me as He continues to mold me and make me in His image.  He is my All in All; without Him, I can do nothing and without Him, I would be empty.

I am so delighted that you have stopped by for a visit.  I hope that you will stop by often and would love to have you follow my blog either by email or thru Facebook.

Have a blessed day ~

~ Under Construction ~

Well, hello there!  As you can see, my blog is under construction.  I hope you'll excuse the constant remodeling that is going on.  I invite you to come back soon for a visit and that you'll stay awhile!