Play as U Paint

Good morning Bloglanders

I hope you are having a FAB week. I got into my Summer prep as we had the most wonderful, sunny weather over the weekend and then it started to rain ................................

Plan B. I left all my summer goodies on my craft desk, got a fire going in the fireplace and started painting and coloring.  With all these coloring books around, there is no excuse not to be creative!! As I'm sorting through stuff that I want to keep and purge  in an attempt to downscale, I stumbled upon these watercolour mini paintings that I've done and decided to frame it.

It's not perfect - but then, I'm not a "painter". (Actually I'm a winemaker!) and up on the wall nobody will even notice my imperfections.

Did you see??? .................................. I even signed my work-of-art!!  Let me tell you how easy it was.  I got butterfly images from a book, made pencil drawings on watercolour paper and started painting. As easy as that.  I fitted 4 images onto 1 x A4 sheet of watercolour paper and will show the rest of the collection once I've got them framed.  My frames are shop bought and should I wish to change the images in future, it will be easy.

This week I'm submitting my work-of-art to the SimonSaysStamp Wednesday challenge: 

                               NO DESIGNER PAPER

Easy challenge. It's SO hard to get designer paper down under in Sunny SA that we tend to DIY anyway!!

If you have enough on your walls, my butterfly would work just as well on a card or tag. Just stamp a sentiment and you're good to go.

Thanks for looking at my blog today. I'll be back later this week with the rest of my butterfly collection. In the meantime, have FUN and craft on.

Bracelet Revamp

Good morning Bloglanders

Today I'm here to share my bracelet revamp.  Wynand and I went camping over the weekend ...............

Totally awesome!! Lots of time to read, sleep, eat, hike and think creative thoughts.  As as always, I packed something to do. This time I took a cheap bracelet and decided to give it a new lease on life. Here is my "before" pic:

An my equipment:

Now - I'm NOT a "beader" but I went through my sewing stash and got a whole lot of usable left-overs. Also, the tools are the standard ones that I keep to bend and cut whenever needed. Everything went into an VERY old Tupperware holder. Yes, my son actually used this in pre-school and he's 28 years old!! I just gave it a good wash in my dishwasher and it looks brand, spanking new.

The strawberries and Pomegranate mocktail is just part of my summer repertoire - you will meet them again in my pictures.

Back to my bracelet. I just cut the elastic on the original bracelet and threaded everything I wanted into a new one. Done!!

And a close-up:

Now my bracelet is much bulkier and I love the silver with pops of pinkish red beads. Much more my style! Best part is that it didn't cost me anything.

Well, I'm  off to do some much needed sewing. As you can see from my pictures, it's spring down under in Sunny SA and I need some spring / summer clothes. I went through my Pinterest pins (under Prinses and Clothes)  and made a moodboard of what I think would fit / look good on me. Want a peek?

I'm starting off with the top left one. There is still black fabric in my stash from the 8 x bridesmaid dresses I made for my son's wedding - will be perfect!! Remember the wedding????

What a wonderful day!

That's it!! I'll be back to share my progress. In the meantime, have fun and thanks for looking at Play as U GO.

Sunday Summary Week 38/2015

Hi there Bloglanders

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!! It's S-P-R-I-N-G down under in Sunny SA and we are spending LOTS of time outside.

We were invited to dinner and to watch the Worldcup rugby match between the Springboks and Japan at a friend's house. I decided to make cheese straws. The recipe is from a local TV show "Siba's Table". It was SO easy to make and it tasted yummy. You can see the recipe here and watch a video as well. Enjoy!! I love Siba's recipe's!

Here is my version:

I Stitched a baking paper pouch and tied it with sting. It looked SO homemade and it's perfect to put on the table for the rugby crowd. No dishes to do afterwards!

All the children joined us for brunch at a nearby wine farm. It was wonderful outside and I loved having them over.

I had the crumpets with Brie, bacon, pear, cream cheese and blueberry jam. Delish! Sorry, I couldn't wait to tuck in - my picture was taken after I've finished off about three quarters of the plate.

And I made a video of pictures of my garden. I can sit outside and look at the flowers all day long ..............

You can look at the video on my Instagram feed.

And we went camping. Wynand is always up for some fresh air, lots of rest and the great outdoors. I eat, read, sleep and think up some creative ideas.

This week I had a GREAT post over at Craft Storage Ideas.  All about traveling with your kids and their crafts.  If you missed out - head over there and see for yourself.  I'll be trying out one of the ideas myself and will tell you all about it right here on Play as U GO. Want a peek?

Image & Project Source:
Road Trip Travel Tray from TwoSistersCrafting

On that note - thanks for looking at my blog today. Have a wonderful week and please check back as I have lots more to share right here on Play as U Go. In the meantime, have FUN and try something new - TODAY!!

Monsters and Robots

Hi there Bloglanders

Today I'm sharing my contribution towards my friend's little boy's birthday. The theme of  the party is:  "Monsters and Robots".  As both my boys are all grown up I'm not that into any of these anymore.

I decided to get something small and EXCITING for the birthday boy, a gift card for his mom to spend on new summer gear for him AND to use what I have to make a pretty and exciting themed gift. Everything was packed into a recycled tin suitcase.

Afterwards this would make for a GREAT carry case for small toys or a lunch box for pre-school.

For my tag I used robot stickers from my stash (YES!!!! I still had some) and paint sample cards that I've kept from last year's home reno.

While everything was out, I decided to do a few more. You never know when the next little monster comes along!!

Don't you just love the robot dog on the bottom tag?? I will probably add it to my pressie as I like to "double tag" and the little monster that's receiving this gift is actually a big doggie fan.

The big benefit about using what you have, is that you have more money to spend on a usable and exciting gift. Packaging nowadays costs a fortune!! And nobody would even know that everything except the gift was free.

This week, I'm contribution my project to the

Robot or Monster challenge at DoubleClick Skittles

Great minds think alike!!

Thanks for looking at my blog today. I'll share my small and exciting boy's gift with you in my next post. Please check back and all will be revealed right here on Play as U Go. Until we meet again ......................... have FUN!

Back to School

Happy Friday Bloglanders

Today, I'm sharing a back-to-school project.  Why??? I don't have children at school any more and down under in Sunny SA our school year starts in January!! Read on and all will be revealed. First my project:

I recycled a perspex chocolate box into a school essentials pack.  My neighbor's daughter started high school this year and I gifted her with a personal planner for her 14th birthday. I thought this would make the perfect mid term add-on.

I've made the subway art in Afrikaans, then printed it on self adhesive clear plastic and added it to the lid of the box. For my non-South-African Bloglanders - SKOOL = School; LEER JOU LES = Learn your Lessons; POUSE = Interval; SOMME = Maths; KLOK = Bell

Here you can see that I've added a bit of tape measure ribbon to add to the "school feel" and my pressie is ready for delivery.

Now for my inspiration. PaperCrafter'sCorner Magazine Monday #116.

I immediately thought about school when I saw this Magazine cover but since I've started this project the funky shapes and colour scheme grew on me. You will see a Project Life mini book with the same color theme shortly. I can't wait to get my hands on all that blue, orange, green and black paper!!

Please check back as I will definitely share it here on my Blog. Have a FUN weekend and see you again on Monday!

Colouring-in

Happy Weekend Bloglanders

Recently I celebrated my birthday and received this from my dear friend, Marelize and her 3 beautiful girls:

I've wanted to try my hand at Adult coloring-in forever and this was it. I'm totally hooked!! But, I also decided to DO something with my finished projects:

I loved this dreamy, spring blooms and decided to cover a notebook with it. It's spring down under and what a better time than now to make lists of new adventures and old ones to re-visit?

While sitting outside in the sun on our porch, sipping my newly invented Pomegranate mocktail, I used my watercolours to paint this page from my book.

Yes, here is the proof!!

Pomegranate juice, ginger ale, soda and Lots of mint and ice.

I do most of my crafting adventures X2. Therefore, I covered another notebook with an uncoloured piece of the same print and will gift this to my neighbor's little girl for her upcoming birthday. I LOVE interactive cards / pressies.

It's totally awesome outside. I'm off to do some more colouring on my porch. Thanks for looking at my blog today. Hop over to PaperCrafter'sCorner Magazine Monday #115 to see what the rest of Blogland did with their colouring pictures.

DIY Spring Jar and Flower home / garden decor

Hi there Bloglanders

Yesterday I showed you my DIY Jar and Flower home (garden!!) decor and a bit of info on how I did it.  As the only picture I posted, was a collage, I received numerous request for a picture showing more detail.

So, Ta-da!!! By public demand:

For Wynand's birthday we had it on our front gate to welcome guests to his party. After that, I hung it on the wall next to our front door where it still is.

I recycled empty jars into vases, filled it with flowers and ivy from my garden and hung everything with wire hangers from Typo and some pretty, pink ribbon. I also made some of the same jar hangers to fill with tealights. Sorry, I didn't take a pic of these but when we lit them again, I will surely do and include a link right here. Check back and all will be revealed!!

I'm submitting my project to the Craftaholics Anonymous Friday Finds Linky Party. I totally love the projects they showcase every Friday. Hop over there and see for yourself what the rest of Blogland did with their creative juices.

That's it. Recycle, reuse, re-purpose and use what you have on hand. Love it!!

Have a GREAT day and thanks for looking at my blog today.

Happy SPRING!!

Hello Bloglanders

In Afrikaans SPRING means "jump" and today I feel like jumping - we are having a beautiful sunny day!! We had lunch outside and I even went outside with short sleeves to try and get a tan for the upcoming summer. Not very successful, but it was nice, warm and FUN.

I actually brought flower home decor to get you into the SPRING mood:

I recycled empty jars into vases, filled it with flowers and ivy from my garden and hung everything with wire hangers from Typo and some pretty, pink ribbon.

Done in minutes!! And so pretty. It's been hanging on my front door for the past 2 weeks and still looks brand, spanking new and fresh.

And now for the card I made for my niece. She is having a "farm" party and I decided to carry the theme through to my birthday wishes.

I used my Silhouette to die cut the shape, a bit of glue and it was done. Now for the surprise:

I love cards that are mini gifts.  This one has some die cut animal shapes in a bag that I've sewn to the inside of the card.  I used an animal die and some self adhesive craft foam. Now my little niece can use the animals to decorate her party bags, put them on cards or give away as is.  I also did an additional die cut of the card and will include that in my package. She can then make a card to give to her horse riding teacher as a gift. Perfect gift to keep an 8-year-old interested and busy!

I'm submitting my project to the SimonSaysStamp Wednesday challenge "Anything Goes". It is a GREAT project and I even made a video showing my results.  I'll offload it this evening and include the ink for you to see. Check back and all will be revealed. My very, very first video!! I told you - Spring is for new beginnings!!

That's it. Thanks for visiting. Have a ball and SPRING!!!