More Crafts!

Block Frame

So I made this by painting a small block of wood and hot gluing twisted twine around the edges.  Then I added a mini clothes clip.  Turned out pretty cute and was super easy to make!  (FYI:  that is not one of our horses, I cut it out of a magaizine. lol)

Stepping Stones

A couple weeks ago I had a strong desire to make stepping stones so I started Google searching my life away.  Then I made them my way.  I bought and mixed cement and packed it into those little water catching trays that go under potted plants.  Then I added whatever I wanted in my own little patterns.  I like them and they are a fun addition to our yard!  My favoreite is the top right one because it has one of Daisy's shoes in it with pretty pink marbles.

Camp Wrangler-Team Yellow

So I spent all of last week helping at a horse camp in Emmett, ID.  It was a blast!  I was like a camp counsler, but at horse camp with young kids I was obviously a Wrangler.  These little buck-a-roos kept me on my toes! 

The camp was done through the Ride for Joy therapuetic horse riding program in Emmett.  Kids who regurlarly ride with Ride for Joy got to go to camp along with their siblings.  The ablities of these kids physically and mentally ranged quite a bit.  Most kids at the camp had autism.  However, all kids shared the qualities of a love for horses, making new friends, and having huge imaginations.  My one camper brought her imaginary horse, Lighening, to camp each day, my other camper had me watching his imaginary video games on YouTube on his imaginary purple computer, and I was given at least one imaginary pet.  Their imaginations were the hardest part for me to keep up with, but I loved their creativity and sweetness a lot! 

These were my campers riding!



They were all so wonderful to look after and work with for the week.  I had the pleasure of wrangling the three yellow campers.  They were 6, 10, and 17 years old-2 girls and 1 boy.  Two of them have ridden with Ride for Joy over the years while the one, to my understanding, got to ride for the first time ever on the first day of camp.  So cool!  She was so brave, didn't have any second thoughts, listened well, rode well, and improved tons in three quick days!  She also was never ready to get off at the end of her ride to go to lunch.  She was amazing! 

Besides riding horses, the kiddos got to learn stable managment, groom horses, do relay races, and read with therapy dogs.  All these activities were super cool and fun!

How far each kid came over the course of three days and their happy smiles were the two bests parts of being a Wrangler!  I am also enjoying all the imaginary gifts my campers gave me. :)  Check out Ride for Joy's website or check out Ride for Joy on Facebook to see camp pictures from 2012! 

http://www.rideforjoy.org/

Summer Crafts

Here are a few of the craft projects I have made so far this summer.

Welcome Sign

This is a sign I bought cheap at a craft store. It started as plain white with a chain.  I decided to dress it up with some green and purple paint, jewels, and ribbon.  It already had "Welcome" stamped in the metal along with the flowers and vines.  It turned out so cute!

Candle Holders

(1, 2, 3-left to right)
1.  Came up with idea on my own after doing some similar stuff with twine.  I used Mod Podge and wrapped the twine around the class holder.  Once dry, I used sewing thread and some beads to attach beads between the two bands of twine.  I really like the color the random beads add to this one.
2.  Another use of Mod Podge! <3  To make this I used an old Mason jar. I kind of followed a tutorial off Pinterest.  I added a spoon full of Mod Podge to the jar along with 4 drops of food coloring, and mixed.  Then I used a paint brush to coat the inside of the jar.  I let it dry upside down for 30 minutes before putting it in the oven right side up to be heat fixed at 170 degrees.  I put it in for 20 minutes and then kept checking it after that time, and took it out once all the Mod Podge had turned clear.  I finished it off with some twine and bead charms.  I lit a candle in it and it held up just fine!

3.  So I got this idea off a friend's Pinterest page.  I painted Mod Podge onto the glass and then wrapped the twine tightly around the holder.  After it dried, I hot glued this pretty turquoise bead on it.  Very westerny to me!

Red Neck Wine Glass

So I'm not a wine drinker but I thought this idea was so cute and fun when I first saw one at a store for 15 bucks!  I knew I could do it for less.  I picked up an old glass candle stick holder and some bonding glue at the craft store.  Then I added 4 bullet shells from my boyfriend's gun (that I shot) into the candle holder.  Then I glued that to an old Mason Jar.  It takes about 3 days for the bonding to cure.  I'll enjoy some beverage in this classy glass!

Stay tuned for more of my craft projects...stepping stones, wood block picture holders, and an old window frame turned into an entry hall coat rack!