Tea with LaVera

Friday, November 15, 2013

Craft: A Christmas Tree Extravaganza!

I was asked to put together a Christmas Tree for the Whatcom Museums "Old City Hall Holiday Extravaganza." I couldn't resist because Santa's going to be there which means lots of kids who love whimsy.

My Tree is called "Once a Upon a Time I Dreamed."

Garland: once upon a time I dreamed

The Christmas tree is going to be covered in all different paper dolls I have drawn and colored. The fun part is none of the dolls have faces so the purchaser of the tree will have to fill in all the faces with family and friends.

Alice in Wonderland Ornaments

Paper Doll Ornaments from Fairy-tales and History

Like this.

Ornaments with faces added

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

A Fall Walk: Birch Bay State Park

Last Sunday was a beautiful day so my husband and I decided to take a drive. We headed to Birch Bay on the coast here in the northwest near the Canadian Border. We had breakfast at a restaurant right on the beach. Then we drove a short distance to Birch Bay State Park and Camping ground.

Birch Bay State Park

The day was warm and smelled of salt air with a scent of wild roses.

Birch Bay State Park

The sky was a beautiful clear blue which reflected so brilliantly off of the smooth ocean water.

Birch Bay State Park

The sand had been newly arranged by a storm the night before
the only foot prints were those of the birds.

Birch Bay State Park

The long beach curves around the point and

is made up of a mix of sand and beautiful colored stones.

Birch Bay State Park

A river also runs through the park adding another wonder sound.

Birch Bay State Park

Behind the river are the camp grounds surrounded

by large evergreens whose smell reminded

me that the holiday season is almost here.

Birch Bay State Park

The last of the fall leaves clung to the trees

making a beautiful yellow accent to the park.

Birch Bay State Park

Here in the North West we treasure these last few days of sun

because we know it may be months before we see it again.

Birch Bay State Park

For more information please click on the link below.

http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Birch%20Bay

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Craft: Decorating Note Books

I’m going to do a series of Fun and Easy Christmas gifts you can make with or without your kids.

Notebooks

Tote bags

Comic Book Stationary

Painted Candles

Paper Dolls

This week it is Notebooks anyone male or female can use a notebook be sure to customize it with images they like. For example: race cars, bikes, flowers, fashion.

Supplies you’ll need:

Composition Book

Glue stick

Images from: magazines, old books, or newspapers.

Ribbons, etc.

White glue

1) Tear or cut out images that you want to use.

2) Then arrange them near or on your book in order to make sure your colors work together. You will know this by how you feel when you look at them together. If one of the colors jumps out at you or you don’t like one of the items you've picked take it out.

3) I like to do an under layer first. Then build up my design.

Another way is to layer one image over another working your way down the book cover.

This one was made by my Mom

4) Lastly use the white glue and add any thicker trims.

And these two by my nieces.

5) Let dry thoroughly.

I used a black felt pen to make the frame.

6) Do the same process on the back or not. It’s up to you.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Thom Browne Fall/Winter 2013/2014

Happy Fall!

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Craft: Salt and Pepper Tassels

Make these fun tassels out of salt and pepper shakers.

Supplies you’ll need:

A salt or pepper shaker

1/8” ribbon 12 inches long

One foot of fringe

Weldbond glue or hot glue

Needle and thread

1) Fold a foot of ribbon in half and thread the first half of the ribbon through one of the holes at the top of the salt shaker then thread it out the bottom.

2) Then take the other half of the ribbon and thread it through another hole and again out the bottom.