Spring Into Balsam Hill Florals!

Vernal Equinox is just days away, but it will take several more weeks before my flower beds, boxes, and potted posies are in full bloom…

And, since no one has ever accused me of being overly patient, I’m getting a head-start on spring with some gorgeous faux spring florals from Balsam Hill.

It’s been a long, grey winter, and I’m in a bit of hurry to experience bright sunny days. My friends at Balsam Hill are helping me with their vibrant Spring faux floral sets! Aren’t they amazing?!

These pictured are from their Sunrise Blooms collection; I’m particularly fond of the bright orange and yellow hues - like little rays of sunshine!

I’ve strung the garlands, hung the wreath, and settled the coordinating arrangement around my front door, and now every time I step onto the porch I’m greeted with such a happy sight! From branch to petal, each are handcrafted into such beautiful lifelike florals you’ll feel like Mother Nature has paid you an early visit and festooned your home in her gleeful glory. (Because while it’s not nice to fool Mother Nature, she’s been known to enjoy pulling the wool over our eyes every now and again!)

Balsam Hill has a wide selection of vibrant blooming Spring florals, each piece beautifully capturing nature’s elegance for that little touch of springtime cheer to last throughout the entire year. (They even have out-door safe collections.)

While we may still be limiting our gatherings to immediate family and those in our personal COVID bubbles, you should still treat yourself, like I did, to some happy moments on the sunny side of life with Balsam Hill Spring Décor.

Color your Easter easy by visiting Balsamhill.com today!

Balsam Hill Faux Spring Florals

The 'Making It' Guide to Crafting | January Book Club

ORDER The ‘Making It’ Guide to Crafting

It looks like we're all going to be stuck at home for a while longer. Whether that's with or without extended family or with or without children, we need Something.To.Do.

Which is why I've chosen The ‘Making It’ Guide to Crafting for January’s Book Club read; with comedic duo, Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, as hosts.

The book is a complementary volume to the NBC show, Making It. Think,The Great British Baking Show, except with makers and doers. Contestants move through challenge after challenge until it comes down to the final competition, and only one goes away with the Maker's crown.

"With the all-star duo of Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman leading the way with puns, advice, and good vibes, Making It became the competition series we didn’t know we needed, stealing our hearts and encouraging our most creative ideas.Tapping into that success, this well-rounded crafting guide will offer in-depth looks at some of the best DIY crafts that were featured on the show and inspired by the Makers themselves.

Introductions to woodworking, fiber arts, paper crafts, and more will enable readers to experiment and customize their own creations at home. And the projects are accessible to all skill levels, so you can get just as crafty as the Makers did. Drawing on the show’s hilarity, creativity, and overall positivity, this crafting guide will inspire and energize you to DIY whatever you put your mind to."

I'm hoping to inspire you to try something new, to get your hands and your hearts busy making, and craft your way into a healthy and happy new year!

Get your copy of The ‘Making It ‘ Guide to Crafting

Christmas Craft | Spiced Candle in a Jar

My granddaughter, Nadia, is the source of inspiration for this crafty blog post! Her mama, Riely, is an incredible talented maker, and a hands-on kinda mom who’s been doing a terrific job of coming up with interesting and fun home-school activities that reinforce curricula.

Here’s a lovely little project they completed recently that Nadia shared with me. I’m hoping to find a sample of her efforts under my tree on Christmas morning, and think it’s a terrific activity for adults and big kids alike!

It’s super simple, yet oh-so-elegant, and a wonderful way to fill a home with beauty, light, delightful scents, and love - so much goodness in a little canning jar!

(Candle-making kits, like the one shown, can be found in craft-stores and on-line.)

Supplies:

• soy-based candle wax

• a melting vessel, stir stick

• essential oils

• aromatic herbal tea of your choice
  (like Bigelow Tea - one of my 12 Stocking of Christmas Sweepstakes prizes!)

• small jelly-sized canning jars with lids

• candle wick & wick tool (a pencil or cooking skewer also works)

• twine or ribbon for decoration

Directions:

1. Assemble your supplies

2. Put down newspaper or craft paper to protect your work space.

3. Follow package directions to melt the candle wax (a tried and true family method is placing the wax in an old tin can, and placing the can in a pan of boiling water - don’t let the water come up and over the tin can.)

4. Scoop a few teaspoons of aromatic herbal tea into the melted wax.

5. Add a few drops of essential oils to the mix - more for lighter scents, less for heavier. Stir well.

6. Attach a measure of candle wick to your wick tool, (or tie it to a pencil or wooden cooking skewer.) Hanging length should match the height of the jar you are using.

7. Pour wax into little canning jars, suspend the wick in the center of each, resting the wick tool, pencil or skewer across the top of the jar.

8. Allow to set.

9. Release the wick from the tool (pencil/skewer,) and trim to about 1/2 inch above the top of the candle.

10. Place the lid on the candle, tie a piece of ribbon or string around the jar and label as you wish.

11. Gift away!

and Nadia!