Saturday, April 7, 2012

The One Where I Forsook Blogging for Traveling, Pinning, Playing with Coffee Filters, and Other Things


Well, hello.

I took an inadvertent blogging break there.  Almost 6 weeks--yikes!--between any real posts.

With spring's early arrival in North Carolina, I find myself outside as much as possible, taking walks on our country road.


I may have to mow the yard every five days, but I'm loving how green everything is!



And I've been up to a few fun things, which have kept me away from blogging...

The first was going to the United Kingdom the first half of March!

I was incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to travel with two girlfriends to England and Scotland.  We left the husbands and kids at home, boarded a transatlantic jet and visited:

London








The Cotswolds





and

Edinburgh







Since returning home, I've been slowly tackling my office/craft room.  Here's a shameful view of it a few weeks ago. 


I swear I'm not a hoarder or slob, except, obviously, when it comes to this room.  However, supplies and fabric are being organized, furniture has been moved, and within the next month I shall unveil the new and improved space!

I've also been spending far too much of my internet time on Pinterest.   I can honestly say some of the pins have been pretties like fabric, project ideas, crafts and houses.  You know things that are normal and age-appropriate for grown women.

But, really?  Mostly, I've been pinning Handmade Ryan Gosling and Hunger Games memes. 

via

via
But we won't judge me dwell on that, okay?

Finally, in the last week, I've been making oodles of coffee filter posies.


See, I volunteer and serve on the board of my local Friends of the Library.  April 8-14 is National Library Week and a few months ago, I proposed the idea of holding an appreciation breakfast for the staff on the 10th, which is National Library Workers Day. 

Among other tasks related to the breakfast, I volunteered to make centerpieces.  Since the weather has been so wacky and we weren't sure what flowers might be available from members's gardens, and since the cost of real flowers add up quickly for a non-profit organization, I said I'd make coffee filter flowers instead. 

So pretty, no?



I used an amalgamated technique from tutorials by Aunt Peaches and Homemade Serenity.   The flowers are easy and fun to make.  The assembly is a little time-consuming, especially considering how many centerpieces there are. But to have flowers that last--theoretically--forever?  Not bad.

Well, I hope everyone is having a lovely Easter weekend.  I promise it won't be another 6 weeks 'til you hear something substantial from me.  Actually, I'll be back Monday as I received something very exciting in the mail last week and I can't wait to share it with you!

-Erin




8 comments:

  1. Welcome back! I'm loving the early spring here too. Your coffee filter flowers are stunning- a lovely alternative to cut flowers and just as pretty!

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  2. i love the flowers! they are so cute! and next time you go to england i wanna come!

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  3. Welcome back Erin!!! THose pictures from your trip had me drooling! All are places I dream to go some day (and WILL). Dude - those coffee filter flowers are by far the prettiest I've seen. WOW!!!! YOu have some serious skills!
    Happy Easter friend, Ali

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  4. I came to visit at the right time. Been MIA myself.
    Awesome post. How lucky indeed to have such an awesome trip!
    Can you email me the instructions for coffee filter flowers? they are gorgeous!!
    susanscraps AT comcast DOT net.

    Thanks so much, Happy Easter!
    Susan

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  5. Wow,lucky you to travel with girl friends. Love the flowers.

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  6. How wonderful to take a trip with girlfriends... ! Yes, I had been looking for you and wondered! The flowers are really great, and what a good idea. Look forward to your news.

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  7. Erin,

    We all need to step away now and again. What a wonderful opportunity you had going to Europe with friends! Your coffee filter posies are charming. Glad to 'see' you again.

    Your Friend,
    Deborah

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  8. looks like you had a great trip! um...where are the Cath Kidston pictures??? ;)
    your craft room is cracking me up...i kinda love that it's a complete tornado! i bet you do not love it though... ;)
    love those paper flowers, so pretty!!
    sigh...i also love Ryan Gosling.

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