Last week I received several emails from people who had seen projects offered here on my blog and decided to create their own version. I can't tell you how fun it is for me to see this, really, it is the highlight of this little job of mine. For those of you who haven't been around my blog since its early days, the name, Two Straight Lines, comes from the children's book Madeline. "In two straight lines they broke their bread and brushed their teeth and went to bed"-- the idea is that we are all going on this little adventure together. So, if you create a project inspired by one of mine, do share it with me. That's what is so unique and special about this little world we've crafted for ourselves.
Although most of my real life friends don't share my interests, I am lucky enough that my closest friend does, so when I have an idea or find a great new craft item, she is the one I call to obsess over buttons and glitter and such. And to top it off, she is married to my uncle (my Mom's youngest brother is about my age), so I get to see her at Christmas time and family reunions too. She is a bit more reserved than me, so you aren't likely to find her on the internet blathering on, but I assure you, she is just as crafty. Above are the crepe paper flowers and aprons she made for her daughter Chloe's cooking themed 8th birthday party. And the wooden spoons are the invites, right Alicia? (BTW, Chloe helped with the flowers and Alicia said she ruined a few petals getting the hang of it. The key is not pushing the t-pin right through the bottom of the crepe paper circle!)
She and I have been conspiring over Chloe's birthday parties for years. Way before I had kids when I lived in Boston, I would make the trek home to Indianapolis to help with the festivities. My suitcase was usually packed full of things that would raise a few eyebrows in airport security these days. Someday I'll try to share pictures of the things we made for those first few parties.
Here are the party guests and birthday girl modeling their aprons-- and the crowns were an easy party craft I came up with. You know those rolls of corrugated stuff that teachers use to border bulletin boards? I picked up a roll of it at JoAnn's during back to school time, and discovered it made cute crowns, decorated with chipboard letters (in the scrapbooking area) and fastened at the back with a decorative brad. These could really be adopted for any theme, and decorated with anything you have on hand.
And a few more links to the lovely ladies who shared their projects with me-- simple blinds by Liz Morgan and the paper dolls that Maggie turned into her new blog banner. Thanks so much.
Update: I forgot to mention that Alicia made the aprons from Martha Stewart dishtowels from KMart. She read this tutorial, but ultimately made them her own way with twill tape at the neckline and for the ties. It looks to me like the twill tape snaps to the top on one side. And I forgot to give her credit for the lovely photos.
