InspireMe Crafts

Dressed-Up Peeps {Guest Post}

Hey peeps! My friend makes these Dressed-up Peeps and I couldn't resist having her share the adorable creation. They are so cute and great for teachers, neighbors, friends, or in the Easter basket! Enjoy meeting the master creator, Sara…. (that's us with my table at a holiday craft show that she organized)

My first blog post. Ever. Wow! Should I go celebrate or do I get gifts for it or something? Is there a Hallmark card for that? Hmmm…I'll check into that for sure!

My name is Sara, and welcome to Sweet Little Jo……..it's going to be an interesting combination of things created by me….beaded jewelry, sweet treats, crafty things and life…….interesting being the key word…..

My fabulously, awesome friend Tyanne of Inspire Me Crafts asked me to post about my "dressed up" Peeps. I am addicted to them……..very, very addicted to them. Easter has to be my favorite holiday with them. Always has been. My grandmother sent them to us….EVERY EASTER WITHOUT FAIL!!!!! Some people like them hard as a brick bat, but I love them in the "normal" marshmallowy state……

My friend Rachel and I got a wild hair last Easter and decided to dress our bunnies up…so I had to do it again this year!..so here it goes…….

You will need:

Toothpicks
Wax Paper
White melting chocolate
Milk chocolate melting chocolate
Flowered shape, flat sprinkles
Pearl-like sprinkles
….Last, but NOT least……..Bunny Peeps!

(Whatever color you prefer..I do pink or purple for girls…yellow or blue for boys!)

I love the melting chocolate at Harris Teeter, but we don't have one here in Blacksburg where we live, so I make do with Kroger brand. Follow the directions on the package for proper melting.

For the "girls" with dresses and jewels…..

Melt the chocolate according to package directions. Dip the bunny in the white chocolate up to her neck.

Place the bunny (flat on her back) to dry on a piece of wax paper. That simple!!!

When the bunny has "dried"……take a toothpick, dip it in the chocolate and make a line of the wet chocolate at the bunny's neck. Immediately add some sort of round sprinkle to her neckline…I use pearly looking sprinkles….or you can use flat round or flower sprinkles. It IS a little tedious, but sooo worth the outcome. I also use flat, flower sprinkles as her corsage(I ran out of flowers so I used flat round ones in these pictures)……again, use a toothpick to dab a little wet chocolate below her neck and place a flower…let it set..the end result is adorable!! She is ready to party!!!!

For the boys…..

Follow the same dipping procedure for the white chocolate. Let that firm up or "dry". While they are firming up, melt some milk chocolate. When the "boys" are ready to be dipped….pick them up by their ears (hehehehe!) and dip at an angle on one side and then dip at an angle on the other side. It will create a "tuxedo-like" appearance. Place the bunny flat on his back on the wax paper and wait for it to firm up…….if you want to add a corsage…you can do that by just gently placing a flat flower at his lapel. When the milk chocolate firms up…..take the tip of a toothpick…dip it in the milk chocolate and make 3 tiny dots on the white chocolate to look like buttons….let that firm up and he's now ready to party!

Check out all the party ready Peeps……

They won't be perfect, but they will be your creations which is what makes each of them special!

Thank you all for reading my first post!!!! I have a long way to go on my writing, but I am excited about this journey I have started on! Thank you Tyanne for lighting the fire under me!

Happy Easter everyone!!! Happy dipping!

Gotta Make It: Easter Egg Nest & Rice Krispie Treat Eggs

"For I remember it is Easter morn,
And life and love and peace are all new born."  ~Alice Freeman Palmer

Rice Krispie Treats are a weak spot of mine and to be honest I don't think I have met anyone who hasn't been a fan of the marshmallow and rice cereal combo.  The Lil Man and I added one more step to include his favorite sweets....sprinkles and chocolate.  So if you are in need of a quick, last minute Hostess gift or a surprise for a special friend or family member, you'll definitely want to get started! 

RICE KRISPIE TREAT EGGS:

1.  Follow directions on package of cereal or marshmallows to make the treat.  Lay out wax paper.  While treats are still warm, place some butter on your hands and start shaping the rice krispie treats into egg shapes.  We did some bite size ones for the egg nest and some bigger ones to dip and sprinkle.  Once the egg krispie's have cooled, heat some chocolate according to the directions.  For the larger eggs we dipped them in and then added sprinkles.  For the little eggs, I used a cooking brush to apply the light blue chocolate to resemble a Robin's egg.  Place on wax paper and let the chocolate harden. 

EGG NEST:

MATERIALS:  Tuna can, yarn, glue, tissue paper

1.  Use an old tuna can (that has been rinsed and washed of course :)) for the base of the nest. If you don't have any left over tuna cans you could use a small bowl found at the dollar tree or even a plastic one.  Glue one end of the yarn to the can to secure in place.  Start wrapping it around and around until you can't see the tuna can underneath anymore.  Glue the other end of the yarn into place to secure.  Add some tissue paper to the inside.  Add egg krispie treats.  Give to a friend :). 

Enjoy and have a wonderful Easter! 

Be inspired, get creative, and have fun!

Gotta Make It: Terra Cotta Pot Easter Bunny

"If it weren't for the last minute, I wouldn't get anything done"

I must admit...I'm very proud of this project.  This was one of those accidental projects that was just meant to be. At the Dollar Tree I got 4 Terra Cotta Pots for $1.   I used one in my Easter Topiary project so I was trying to figure out how to use the other three.  Well..here it is!  The cutest Terra Cotta Pot Bunny ever. This Easter craft would be great to do with kids of all ages....my almost 2 year old son did the painting.  I just added a little 'touch-ups' when he was done. :)  I promise that its really easy, even if my "how-to" looks a little long. 

MATERIALS:

3 Terra Cotta Pots (I chose 2.5 inch one)
White (or off white) craft paint
Paper
Ribbon
Wiggly Eyes
Pink Pom-Poms
Cotton Balls
Glue, scissors, black felt pen, paintbrush

HOW-TO:

1. Start by putting glue around the large rim of one terra cotta pot.  Take the 2nd pot and immediately attach the large rim to the previous one (the second pot is basically upside down on top of the first). This creates the bottom portion of the bunny.  Then take the 3rd pot and apply glue to the small bottom portion.  Place on top of the 2 attached terra cotta pots.  Let dry.  Look at the picture if there is any confusion.  NOTE:  I chose to use the glue gun because I didn't have any other glue that was strong enough. It worked great if you are careful when you apply it.

2.  Paint the three pots.  Also paint the top inside portion of the top terra cotta pot.  Let dry (this doesn't take long).  NOTE:  I chose a slightly off-white color instead of a bright white and I really like how it turned out.

3. While the paint is drying start to cut out the body parts for the bunny.  You'll need two ears, two arms, and two feet.  Be creative with the paper you choose.  I chose an off-white paper and the pink and white polka dots.  I inked the edges of the paper with a pink inkpad (the kind you use with rubber stamps) to give it a softer look.  Draw in any fingernails or 'toenails' on the bunny.

4.  When the paint is dry, attach the bunny ears to the inside of the top terra cotta pot.

5.  Attach the top of the arms (shoulders) to the side of the bunny (leave the 'hands' unglued at this time).

6.  Attach the feet of the bunny underneath the bottom terra cotta pot. 

7. (OPTIONAL) I added a ribbon bow-tie to my bunny.  I first attached the ribbon around the 'neck' of the bunny (where the two pots meet).  I then created my bow-tie, by cutting the ribbon on diagonals and gluing them together.  Then I attached the bow-tie on top of the ribbon. 

8.  Cut out an Easter egg.  I glued the bunny hands to my paper egg and the top part of the egg to the terra cotta pot. 

9.  Add wiggly eyes underneath the rim of the terra cotta pot.

10.  Add a small pink pom-pom as the nose.  Draw in the mouth with a black felt pen.

11.  Don't forget to add the bunny tail with a larger pink pom pom on the back. :)

12.  Put cotton balls in the top of the terra cotta pot. 

12.  And finally....enjoy! 

I hope my directions made sense.  I'm trying to improve my 'how-to' directions, but who knew it was so time consuming!  I like the creating part..not explaining how :).  Hopefully if there is any confusion the picture can clear it up.  I really hope you enjoy this one.  Please, please, please, send me some pictures if you decide to do it. I would love to see the creativity of everyone and possibly even share them with everyone! My email is inspiremecrafts@yahoo.com.

Take care and until my next last minute project comes to me...

Be inspired, get creative, and have fun!

Gotta Make It...with the Kids: Easter Egg Magnet

"God doesn't give us what we can't handle; God helps us handle what we are given"

LOOK!  We are feeling better today.  We were actually able to get out of the house, do a project, and I actually had my 'normal' son back!  It sure was good timing, because between the both of us not feeling well, not getting sleep, little man teething, and having horrible cabin fever I was about ready to have a nervous breakdown.  But we got through it and today was a great day!  Yay!  We decided not to push it too much so we did a quick and easy Easter craft for kids any age.  This craft was perfect for my little man because he is 22 months old and we are working on shapes and colors.  I took some various colored foam (from Dollar Tree of course.  You get about 10-15 sheets for $1) and I pre-cut the egg and shapes.  Then I let him get after it.  Usually I put the glue on the shape and let him place it where he wants, but today he really proved to me that he is growing up.  He wanted to do it all on his own and he did!  When he was all done creating his masterpiece, I stuck some business card magnets on the back. These are great because you just peel the protective sheet off and stick it to the object.  You can't get any quicker and easier than that!  We then added a little note for dad, and put it on the fridge for him to see when he got home. 

This isn' t any extremely creative idea, but it just shows that for the little ones almost anything is fun for them. For only $1 we had an absolute blast, put a smile on his daddy's face, and practiced our shapes and colors....just priceless :). 

Be inspired, get creative, and have fun!

Gotta Make It: "Some Bunny Loves You" Card

"The best thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother" - Abraham Lincoln

So if you are a return reader, you know that I am not much of a card maker and scrapbooker...I just envy the ones who do. I just like to use scrapbook paper and embellishments for other projects. But my husband suggested an idea and I just had to do it and make it nice and cheesy!  If you like to be cheesy every once in awhile (or all the time), then take the concept of this post and run with it!

It all started with the bunny.  My husband said we should put our son's picture as the face of a bunny.  I set off by finding a picture of a bunny that I could use to freehand the drawing.  Not really thinking this project through the whole way, I chose the pink and white polka dot paper because bunnies to me are always pink or white -  slight problem when your bunny is a boy. :)  But too late.  It might have been better to branch out and do a pale green or yellow bunny.  Lesson learned....think a little further ahead on my next project.  Next I cut out our son' s picture and glued it to the bunny.  To make it nice and cheesy I had the bunny holding an Easter egg that says "Some Bunny Loves you very much".  The grandparents will LOVE this! 

Use that as your basis and make a festive Easter card for your loved ones!  In fact, this is a great Easter craft for kids.  Have them transform a picture of themselves into a bunny! 

Be inspired, get creative, and have fun! 

Gotta Make It: Easter Bouquet

"There's nothing in a caterpillar that tells you its going to be a butterfly" - Buckminster Fuller

Here is a project that will cost you below  (or very close to )$10 and will make quite the statement! 

It all started at the DollarTree...of course! (FYI - I have no affiliation with them and am not getting paid from them to give these ideas.  In fact, they probably have no idea about how much I talk about them.  I am just a budget conscious mom who loves to do crafts while staying in the family budget) I came across an oval potting tin and knew that I could decorate it with paper or fabric to make it much more adorable.  My next issue?  What to use a decorated tin for?   I chose to do an Easter Bouquet, but you could get the kids involved and decorate it for a personalized  Easter basket, put some planting materials in it and give it as a gift basket, use it as some spring decor in the house, organize and separate toys, etc. Get creative and think outside of the box!

Let me tell you where I got the materials and how much it will cost you.  You might even already have a majority of the materials needed! 

MATERIALS:

Tin - $1 DollarTree (DT)
Floral Styrofoam - $1 DT
Butterfly Stickers - $1 DT
Easter Shreddings - $1 DT
Paper (6 coordinating sheets) $1 DT
Chocolate Bunny $1 DT
Wooden skewers $1 DT
Popsicle Sticks - Recycled , but can get for $1 at DT

The brown/pink ribbon, stickers for 'Happy Easter', and the round wooden beads are the only things I did not get there.  I had these items already, but they probably wouldn't cost you more than $5 all together.  Plus most of these items came in bulk so you are able to make more than one for this price!  Can you believe that I found that paper at the DollarTree?  Who knew! 

If you have any questions about the How-To on this one just let me know!  It was basically just cutting and gluing...easy for adults, children, and the not-so-crafty-but-wish-I-were people out there! 

Be inspired, get creative, and have fun!

Gotta Make It: Easter Topiary

"Live in such a way that those who know you, but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you...."

I've had some requests to post some Easter ideas, and to be honest I just haven't had any 'aha'! moments. I'm going through one of those creative dry spells for this holiday (I'm sure I'll snap out of it soon).  Plus, it just snuck up on me!  I always think of Easter as being in April.

This weekend I started on one project and I really like half it, but I am still trying to figure out something for the other half.  So until I finish that project (hopefully tonight), I thought I would share this quick, inexpensive idea that would be a great Easter gift for teachers, Sunday school teachers, babysitters, neighbors, etc.  You could easily make a handful of these for under $10 if you buy a lot of the materials at the DollarTree.  Even if purchased at your craft store, its still an inexpensive and darling gift. 

MATERIALS:

Terra Cotta Pot ( I used a 2 in tall one sold in a pack of 5 for $1 at the DollarTree)
Floral Styrofoam (sold in a pack of 5 squares at the DollarTree for $1)
Wood Skewer
Artificial Flowers
Large wood bead  or circle Styrofoam (I used a 1.5 in wooden bead.  Sold in a pack of 6 for $3)
Flowers
Ribbon
Paper
Glue

HOW-TO:

1.  Take your wood bead (or circle Styrofoam) and start gluing the flowers to the bead starting at the top and filling them in where needed.  If using the large wooden bead be careful not to glue over the hole. NOTE:  Depending on the type of arificial flowers you buy, you may need to cut off the wire stem.
2.  Stick wooden skewer through the wooden bead (or insert into Styrofoam). Add a couple more flowers if needed.
3.  Decorate pot.  I used ribbon and cut out a simple "Happy Easter" square.  You could paint or decoupage the pot as well. 
4.  Cut floral Styrofoam to size to put in Terra cotta pot.  Insert into pot.  Insert other end of wooden skewer into styrofoam in pot.  NOTE:  You may need to shorten wooden skewer depending on the size of pot and bead/circle styrofoam you use.  I was able to break mine just using my hands.  Superwoman!
5.  Tie a knot with the ribbon right underneath where the topiary and skewer meet.
6.  Add some sort of material to cover the styrofoam in the pot.  I used some Easter shreddings found at the DollarTree.  You could also use glass beads, jelly beans, etc.

There you go!  I chose to use smaller materials for this project.  Mine stands about 6 inches tall which makes it perfect for gifts, but you could also make this on a larger scale to make quite the statement in your home. They would also look great grouped together in three on a mantle or shelf!  This project is great for Easter, but you could also use it for weddings, baby showers, Mother's Day, Grandparent's Day, home decor, etc.  Have fun and stay tuned for some more Easter projects...I know my creative mind will have that 'aha' moment soon!  If you have any ideas or materials that you would like me to try and use for the projects please leave a comment or email me at inspiremecrafts@yahoo.com!

Be inspired, get creative, and have fun!