Big Button Challenge

I was recently asked to be a part of Lisa Clarke's Big Button Challenge. I've never participated in a creative challenge & was excited to take on this crafty adventure. (And the fact that I was one of 5 artists asked? Well, I just felt super special!)


I chose a fun pink & green button from Lisa's collection & began the very interesting process of creating a piece inspired by something. I don't think I've approached too many projects in this way. It was fun! There were many twists & turns along the way & it really is a challenge to dialogue with yourself about which direction to go in, which layout to choose.

I decided to create art with the button. I used a metal vintage embroidery hoop & sewed all sorts of random embellishments onto the sweet vintage yellow & green floral fabric. I had a vintage zipper, vintage thrifted yo-yo's, vintage seam binding, vintage buttons, new rik-rak, new tulle, & of course the adorably stripey new Polka Dot Cottage clay button!

I feel that the piece is very much in keeping with my WhiMSical, yet romantic self. And even though it is a busy little piece, the button still remains the focal point.

It's been exciting to see what the other artists have created! Lisa has 10 participants in her challenge & will soon have a vote up on her blog. I'll let you know when that happens.

UPDATE: My Big Button Challenge piece is up on Lisa's blog now.

Lucky Me!

It's still officially my birthmonth. The last day, but still. And I was SuPeR surprised by the package I got yesterday from CarrieSue of Pretty Fickle. Everything was wrapped so sweetly. She is quite clever in her pincushions disguised as snack foods! Isn't that the cutest donut pincushion you've EVER seen??!!

It's a party year-round at the 'WhiMSy love' house so the yo-yo garland went up right away!

The adorably sweet owlie scrabble tile pendant was handmade by It's All About The Print.

The birthday note she sent even made me laugh! I had to share...

Written on the card was a rousing round of "Happy Birthmonth To You!", & then her kids added things like:

"...& many more, on channel 4!"

"...& Scooby Doo on channel 2!"

"...& Frankenstein on channel 9!"

"...& Big Fat Lady on channel 80!"

I hadn't even heard of most of these ad-libs. But believe me, I took notes & am adding them to my 'Happy Birthday' song repertoire immediately.

I feel like the luckiest goil in the woild!

Be sure to check out Pretty Fickle for your own yo-yo garlands & foodie pincushions!

Tuesday Bits.

Yesterday my Cupcake Planter Tutorial was featured on Tipnut.com!! I'm totally psyched!

Also, my 4 year old & I rode scooters to pick up my 6 year old from school. I thought I was going to die many times. But I didn't even fall once. Almost though...lots. There was a bit of squealing too.

And I don't care if they are weeds. They're kinda perty. And a lovely yellow too.

I'm working on compiling a list of all the crafts I've done through my years as MOPS Creative Activities Coordinator. I've had several interested MOPS peeps asking about the crafty ideas I've done in the past, so I thought I'd make it available as a way of inspiration & help to any MOPS groups seeking ideas. It'll be up in the next couple days--with links or brief 'how-to' descriptions.

Oh!! And lookie what happy mail came yesterday!!! I received a birthday giftie from the sweet Nadine of nadine bozek photography. She saw her Happy Cloud print listed in my 'Birthday Wish List' picture mosaic through Flickr & decided to surprise me. I LOVE all the Happy Cloud goodness!! Thanks so much Nadine!!

OK, I'm off to clean the house. Mr. WhiMSy love & I have hired a babysitter this evening.
The house pretty much gets its best cleaning done when I know people are coming over.

I will blast the tunes on the stereo & pretend I'm somewhere else, doing something else besides cleaning.

Seattle Adventures!

This past weekend I had an AMAZING time! Not only was it a break as role of "wife" & "mommy" (which every wife & mommy needs), but I got to hang out with some really cool kids & unexpectedly became totally inspired.

First, meet the kids in our group...

BACK ROW: Jaachim, Ekelemchi, Nikki (me!), Tazina & Ali.

FRONT ROW: Mechi & Jaclyn

These kids are part of an organization called Skills Development Center in Kennewick WA.
A few kids in our group are refugees from Sudan & Sierra Leone.

The purpose of the trip was to attend the NW Fine Arts Festival. The kids performed 3 dramas in front of a small gathering of people & were critiqued by 3 judges. Though their scores were not enough to advance them to the National Level, the main goal was achieved: to give the kids an eXpErIeNcE!!

Being able to attend the Fine Arts Festival was an extraordinary experience indeed! I was surrounded by a LOT of talented & gifted people & I was forced to look inward at the talents that I know God has given me. I keep a lot of myself hidden. I know it might not seem like that, but I do. I think it's a lack of confidence or an overly critical view of myself that has caused me to keep these things private.

When I saw all these artsy-type people wandering around & felt the energy there, I was overcome with a sense of wanting to be a part of that same creative energy. And THEN when I saw some of them perform in the songwriting categories, the human videos, the dramas, skits & singing, I felt this even MORE so. I vowed that I would step out & stop hiding. I'm not saying I'm some secret great hidden talent. Because, I'm not. NOT AT ALL. But when something inside of you makes you SO happy & alive, you want it to become a part of who you are.









After an inspiring afternoon, our group went to the Seattle Center for a Space Needle adventure! While eating dinner, we heard the booming sounds of the World Rhythm Festival. Seriously, all through dinner we heard over 100+ musicians playing rhythms on their bongos, congos, African drums & Jambe drums, maracas, shakers, wooden claves & all other sorts of instruments that could keep a beat. They played NON-STOP! Boom Da-Da Boom Da-Da Boom Boom Boom. It was really cool. (And loud.) And as I ate my Subway sandwich, I couldn't help but wiggle & move.

Then, it was a walk to the Space Needle, where I took way too many pics.

Look! I even got a picture of that red blinking light on top of the Space Needle! I remember a book when I was a kid called Wheedle on the Needle about that blinking light.

This is the best fortune from a Fortune Cookie EVERS!

From the view atop the Space Needle I saw a large beam of sunlight shining through the clouds.

The group gave in to my jumpy shot request. I captured them jumping on the Space Needle! How many people can say they've done that??? And just for giggles, a few of us ran around & around the Space Needle.

(Yes, they were sick of the jumping.)

This was part of the structure outside the Science Fiction Museum at the Seattle Center.

This was my view every morning. I got the bottom bunk. We stayed in houses at Cedar Springs Camp in Everett, WA.

One of the highlights of the trip, for me, was being able to attend Mt. Calvary Christian Center in Seattle, where the kids performed a skit for the congregation. They were met with an overwhelming supportive response. Afterwards, the kids were beaming! I loved the singing, the clapping, the joyful shouting, the spontaneous dancing, & especially the old ladies in their fancy hats.

It was a super trip & I'm so glad I was asked to be a part of it! It really felt like a life-changing experience. I'm ready to be unhindered, unhinged, uninhibited. From the INside out.

Week in Review!

This morning I was FINALLY able to sign into my Flickr account---just in time for my Week In Review!!

Ok, so I just got back from an AWESOME weekend in Everett & Seattle! There'll be another post later this afternoon all about my trip. It was a very inspirational time!!

This week, in-between tackling my giant list of 'Things To Do', I was able to see some old friends, meet some new ones, complete my Big Button Challenge piece, & get a bit of craftin' in. I'm gonna continue to tackle that giant list this week. I mean, there will ALWAYS be a list, but this one is just a bit, um......O.O.C. (Out Of Control)!!

Have a happy Monday!!

*Click on the picture mosaic for a photo play-by-play.

A Weekend Away.

Late this afternoon I'll be leaving on a little weekend trip to the Northwest Fine Arts Festival in Everett, WA. I was asked to help chaperone 7 young people & I'm really excited to be going! The students are middle school & high school aged & are part of Skills Development Mission, an organization that "reaches, teaches & empowers under-skilled individuals to become responsible individuals."

I've got 2 camera batteries charged & ready to go. I'm packing a crafty kit to take. (I would seriously feel naked without something crafty to do.) I'm folding the last of my laundry right now & tossing random items in my awesome pink suitcase, hoping some of them happen to match. We'll be sharing cabins & walking to a separate building to shower & potty. Good times.

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On anther note, I have had probs with pics on blogger. Anyone else? I couldn't maneuver them. How frustrating. But it seems fixed now.

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I also haven't been able to sign onto my Flickr account for a few days. Something with my Yahoo! is messed up? "Customer Care will get back to you within 24 hours." 48 hours later...& nuthin'. Ugh.

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Oh, also, this is so random, but I've been asked to do a guest blog spot on a crafty blog, but I'm not sure what to talk about. It sounds like I can talk about whatever I want. But I want it to be something interesting, helpful, useful, entertaining, informative & personal. Some suggestions given were: "an experience with crafting, how you work within a craft budget, how you began crafting, an opinion piece on craft trends...". But I'm not sure any of those "grab" me. Do you have any suggestions? Come on people, inspire me!

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The picture up top is of some handmade bubble mailers I made this week. I was in a bind & needed something pronto. I can't find the exact tutorial I learned from, but there are TONS out there. Just google. And be prepared to be overwhelmed with the many versions. Most of them tape the sides. I sewed.

Well, I will miss you all! Have a happy weekend! See you on Monday!

A Farewell to MOPS.

My time as Creative Activities Leader with my MOPS group is almost done. (Mothers Of PreSchoolers). I have decided to pass the crafty torch.... It was a HUGELY hard decision to make.

I've been a part of MOPS for 5 years--4 of those years spent teaching crafty stuff each month. When I found MOPS, I was a new mom to 2 kidlets, & I found a definite escape & solitude at these once-a-month 2 hour meetings. I looked forward to this tiny window of time & found a safe place to share my current struggles (what sort of sick joke is this whole potty training business anyway?!, etc.), & even listen to other mom's experiences (& secretly found deep satisfaction when their stories were worse than mine!). It's where I learned that I wasn't the only one who battled the awful "mom guilt" that crept in at such inopportune times. It's where I learned that my new mommy counterparts craved adult interaction just as much as I did. It's where I realized that it was OK for me to not know what the heck I was doing, & being my best as a mom was the most excellent thing I could offer my children. (And one days best might differ from the next days best.)

Being in leadership as the Creative Activities Leader has helped me to step out of my comfort zone & I've gained so much confidence in myself & I found some really cool friends. I've always LOVED making stuff, but I didn't know how much I loved teaching other people how to make stuff until I was a part of MOPS. And it was a great excuse to learn some new techniques I've always wanted to try. I've served alongside a great team of ladies & it will not be easy to say goodbye.

Next May is my last meeting. And in June, for the weekend retreat set aside for planning the NEXT year's agenda, I will be an honorary attendee alongside my girls Tia & Jules (who are also graduating)---mostly there to whoop it up, have some giggles & celebrate the awesome times we've had!

I have been very happy to have my blog serve as a pit stop to those MOPS moms who have traveled, stumbled or purposefully found their way here for crafty ideas. My kooky craftiness will still be in full effect, so have no fear! I hope this blog can continue to be a place of inspiration for your creative activities each month. I LOVE getting your emails, answering your questions, giving advice & hearing the results of your monthly crafty MOPS endeavors.

I will always be a fan & cheerleader of MOPS. I hope I have left a crafty mark on my group & I hope they never forget "Nik Nik the Crafty Chik". Because, if I do say so myself: "I rocked it."

I bought WHAT?

I ♥ thrift shopping. It's one of my favorite pastimes. At least once a week, I make it a point to thrift. I love the treasure hunt. I love the deals. I love digging & searching. I love making up stories as to WHY someone would get rid of something or WHO it belonged to or WHAT value some person in the past held to the item I had found.

I often come home with some odd collection of random finds. And last week was no exception.

I am immediately drawn to anything with a vintage feel or aged appeal. So, when I saw this vintage golden yellow rose peeking out from under a pile of doilies made in China, I grabbed it right away. Oooh! Look at that black tulle & the sparkly gold & green rik-rak!! What a cute apron!! I took it home & carefully looked it over as I do all my thrifted loot.

(Hmmm...)

This "apron" had also come with a miniature table runner. Or something resembling a miniature table runner. I was a bit puzzled.

(These apron strings are a bit too small. Please don't tell me a human actually exists that could wear this thing! Wait. These strings don't cinch the same as an apron might.)

The shape of the apron was a tad bit odd too.

2 DAYS LATER.....

(Oh. Hold it. Hold on a sec here. I think I know EXACTLY what it is....)

Yep. Perfect fit.

Mystery solved. And though it's everything vintage & cute & lovely & adorable, I just can't keep it in a house with 2 little messy girls & a man.
So, these pretties for your potty are in the shop now!

Cupcake Planter Tutorial

This is a project that I thought of last summer---when it was too hot & too late to grow anything lush & green in a pot. SO, I had to wait almost a whole year to put my idea into action!! It's a mild statement to say I'm SUPER DUPER EXCITED to finally do this!

Supplies: shorter stubby terracotta pots (I found some at Home Depot & some really cool short stubby ones at Fred Meyer), spray paint, acrylic paint, clear spray sealer, rocks (for drainage), potting soil, plants, drill (with 1/4" drill bit), 1/4" dowel (Hardware store or Walmart), saw blade, round wooden balls (hardware store). Also needed, but not pictured: wood glue, paint brush.

OK, the painting part: I used spray paint. I like a quick job. BUT, the terracotta pots are very porous & you're not going to get an even coat with the spray paint. I sprayed my pot 2 times & I like the uneven faded look of it. If you want a more even, solid covering of color, use at least 3 coats of acrylic paint or latex paint. (Got any extra exterior housepaint in the garage? Perfect!)

My pots will sit outside. They'll eventually show the effects of the weather & daily watering. Definitely paint the inside of the pot as well as the outside. This will help keep the moisture from damaging your artwork. If you keep your pot out of direct weather elements this will help it to keep cuter for longer too. Paint your dowels also. I painted mine with brown acrylic paint so it would remain inconspicuous in the pot-o-flowers. You'll be trimming the dowel to the correct size later. And finally, paint the round wooden balls red. I spray painted mine. AND, I sealed them with a clear spray paint sealer.

When the "cherries" are dry, drill a hole in the bottom. Or you could do the drilling BEFORE the painting. I guess I did it backwards. Mine came with a tiny hole pre-drilled in the bottom, but it wasn't nearly big enough.

Fill the hole with wood glue & insert the dowel. Poke it in the ground to dry.
Now you can work on the details of your pot, which you'll paint with brown acrylic stripes to resemble a cupcake liner. When the stripes are dry, seal the pot--inside & out--with the clear spray paint sealer. This is probably the most important step. Without a good seal, the water could cause your paint to bubble or eventually chip & flake off. Lots of coats of paint & a good sealer are the key to keeping your terracotta pots lovely for a long time! Now, take a break & munch on an ice cream sandwich. Num...

When everything is super duper dry, (OK, I'm impatient. Mine was mostly dry), you can cover the drainage hole with a few pebbles.

And then gather the curious neighborhood kids to help you with the rest. That's what I did. Well, I guess I didn't have to "gather" them. They just came over to see what I was up to. Even one skateboardin' boy said, "I want to paint some pots & fill 'em with flowers too!"

For some reason I had trouble deciding which plants to purchase for my cupcake planters. I wanted something that could be pruned to a roundish shape. I ended up finding this really thick, really lush plant called "Lobelia" Riviera Rose (at Fred Meyer). I also picked out some white Alysum for my smaller cupcake pot. I've never "pruned" them in a specific shape before, so we'll see how it goes! After you plant your flowers, take some scissors or pruning shears & clip away any stragglers. I kinda butchered mine, but hopefully they'll continue to grow nice & thick.

At this time you can measure your plant to see how tall your cherry should be.

Ta-da! That's it! The little flowers will look like sprinkles all over the cupcake.

I'll be sure & take pictures as flowers bloom & the pot fills out more.
Wasn't that fun?