craftity craft craft

If you have been reading Suaviloquy for a while, you know that I love to have fresh flowers at my "work station". I love looking for new arrangement ideas and then going to the flower market. I thoroughly enjoy the process of actually arranging the flowers. It's quiet and soothing.

The ceiling in my kitchen is really high. For some time now I have been wanting to make an arrangement that is really tall. The only problem is cash. In order to make an arrangement as big as I want it is going to cost a lot. And by a lot I mean, like probably over a hundred and fifty bucks. Sugar Daddy would not go for it I'm afraid.

But today I came up with a super cheap alternative. I went into my back yard and clipped some dead branches. I spray painted them silver. Then I got out some pink tissue paper and made a bunch of little cherry blossoms. I raided my Christmas ornaments for birds. I put little glittery hearts on them to make them love birds.

The result is a very wintry arrangement that works well for Valentine's. And, I didn't spend a penny. Aren't I thrifty?

Please give me kudos for my thriftiness. It's not one of my strong suits and I am a little insecure about it. I do shop at discount stores though! I should get points for that don't you think?

I am also working on this little project with Thom. To make these hearts, all you have to do is iron crayon between two pieces of wax paper. It is a great project for a kid Thom's age. He LOVES making crayon shavings with a butter knife. You know, as a boy any excuse to use a knife is a good one.

Got any fun Valentine's craft ideas for kids? Let's see them!

the scoop on the big party with a side of design sunday

Every summer we host a dinner party for our friends. We haven't had one since we moved into our new house. It takes time to get to know people. For me, it takes a while to make friends. I am, by nature, a shy person. I decided when we moved that it was time for me to break out of my shell, turn over a new leaf, and make a specific effort to form new friendships. It hasn't been easy for me. I have to force myself out of my comfort zone on a regular basis.


But here's the thing- in the last two years, I have met more interesting people than I ever expected. I have become friends with people from all walks of life. There are a few areas where I feel that I have been blessed beyond what I deserve and my friends fall into this category.




I had around forty guests at my party last night. I had friends from England, Australia, Vietnam, Canada and South Africa. I had Catholics, Mormons, Jews and Protestants. I mixed the Democrats with the Republicans in hopes that no one left offended. And to my knowledge, nobody did. My friends mixed and mingled and formed their own new friendships. For me, just watching my friends become friends made it a really fun night.

This year I decided I needed to do more than just a host a party. I solicited handmade items to be raffled off at the end of the evening. I made a couple pieces of jewelry and put together a "box of romance" with about five different gift certificates in it. My sister-in-law of Whatnots jewelry donated a gorgeous necklace that was very popular. I had embroidered items from Deliciousdesigns and a handmade crazy apron from my good friend Jenny. Tami Foulger is starting a small flower design business. She has a background in interior decorating but she has also worked as a florist. She went with me to the flower market and helped me with my center pieces. She also donated this fabulous arrangement to the raffle.

Tami is my pick for Design Sunday. She is really good at non-traditional flower arrangements. She has a great eye for color and texture. If you live in the San Diego area, and are interested in her work, leave a comment and I'll get you her contact information.

After all was said and done, we raised $220 dollars which I will be sending to Craft for China.