SilverCrow Creations

I am definitely not someone you would find wandering around a Wal-Mart, and while I do still occasionally shop at places like Target I try to limit my big box store spending as much as I can on my budget. I have a great love for independent stores, especially ones that sell quirky and one of a kind goods. I have found in the past couple of years that there are some great web stores out there that offer unique products, and SilverCrow Creations is one of those web stores. Loaded with just about anything and everything a person could dream of, they have an awesome bead and charm selection, actual vintage goods, a variety of rubber stamps you won't find anywhere else, and tons of cute and unique gift ideas. I absolutely love shopping on SilverCrow and love that each of my receipts I've received has a hand signed Thank You. So I encourage you to check them out, I promise you won't be sorry you did. SilverCrow has a lot to offer in the way of unique Halloween goodies and Day of the Day too! ..as seen below..


I know I've been slow getting projects and recipes posted, but I've been working hard on some new projects and I have several great projects to post this week, so stay tuned!

Halloween costumes part 2

Here is another simple costume idea that I wish I had pictures of, sorry people! But I'm sure you can use your imagination right ? Seeing as there is not much interest in the costumes I'm only going to post one. If anybody tries any of the costumes I'd love to hear how you did it, and if you changed it anything, and send me a picture and I'll post it! Same rating system from costumes part 1, I will give each costume a number between one and five, one is super simple and five takes a little bit more effort.

LadyBug:3
-headband
- black chenille stems(pipe cleaners)
-black pom-poms
-a hot glue gun or craft strength glue
-red shirt, sweatshirt, jacket
-black felt or fabric
-glue, hot glue gun
-usual sewing supplies
--Optional: Black pants

I was actually a ladybug one year when I was a kid, although my costume was made by my Mom and was much fancier than this. The part of this costume that will take the most work is the headband, I suggest starting with a black headband but if it's not you can always wrap it with black ribbon and glue it down with a hot glue gun. Take the two black chenille stems and wrap each one around the head band at least once and glue them into place so they don't move around. Let that dry. After the glue dries take the two black pom-pom's and glue them onto the tips of the chenille stems, and let them dry. Now with your black fabric/felt trace two circles (or however many dots you want) using a cereal bowl as a template and a white pencil or tailor's chalk. Cut out the circles and sew, or glue them onto the back of your red shirt or sweatshirt, and you have a simple ladybug costume!

Angriest Pincushion around...

Since I posted my little pincushion friend several weeks ago now, I have had several inquiries about his existence, and it has been brought into question whether I created it or not, and yes I did. The only thing I didn't create was the pincushion itself, that was bought at a fabric store. With my limited resources I photographed the cushion with a semi-crappy digital camera, and some special lighting (a really big flashlight) to get some better contrast without drowning the image out with my camera flash. Mr. Cushion's face came from my imagination onto a piece of paper where I then painstakingly cut it out using tiny manicure scissors, glued it on to the pincushion and then as an after thought I added the speech bubble above his head (taped to a pin). Throw in a couple of vintage wooden thread bobbins and I call it good, cute, brilliant...whatever.

Now as for the idea of the Angry Pincushion, I can't really pinpoint (haha, oh please) where it came from. Like most of my weird ideas they just pop into my head, which is why I always carry a pad of paper with me to write down ideas before I forget them. The original name I had chosen for my blog was taken, as I found out when I was signing up for Blogger, so I came up with this The Angry Pincushion, and I'm glad the first name I chose was taken, because this one is much better! Have a great weekend everyone, I promise there will be new projects next week!

Martha does Halloween

To those of you who hate Martha Stewart, look away! I happen to love Martha, okay maybe I don't love her personally, but I love the people who come up with her super creative and amazing craft projects, and delicious recipes. One of the things Martha does really well is Halloween, and I think her book of Halloween projects is one of the best holiday how-to books of all time. It has great decorating and party ideas, creative costume and face painting how to's, and recipes that are as yummy as they are ghoulish. I highly recommend it to my fellow fall/Halloween lovers, especially if you are throwing a Halloween party. I am strongly encouraging you to stop by the library and check it out, pick it up at your local bookstore, or buy it from Amazon, I can assure you, you will not be disappointed!

On the lookout for...

... like minded peoples who would like to share their ideas, pictures, recipes, and step by step projects. I would also love to hear your feedback on this blog, or my projects, recipes whatever. Nothing mean, or rude please, us crafty types are sensitive people. If you try something from this blog I would really like to know how it turned out, send pictures if you can. If you are an entrepreneur and would like your creations, web store, or your etsy shop showcased, drop me an e-mail please!! My e-mail address is sproutedwings@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you :)

Easy Halloween costumes part 1

Yesterday I sat down with a pad of paper and a pencil and came up with some ideas for for exceptionally easy to make and low cost costumes Now I'm usually the type that likes extravagant, detailed Halloween costumes, that take hours upon hours of labor. Unfortunately at the moment I neither have the funds or quite the skill of my Mother (she has made all of my extravagant costumes ) to have such a luxury. So I've come up with a few ideas . I wish I had some pictures of these but for now a description will have to do. I've devised a little ranking system to help you out. By every costume description I will give it a number between one and five, one is super simple and five takes a little bit more effort. I'll post more ideas this Saturday.

M&M: 3
-So you'll need a candy colored shirt, sweatshirt, jacket.
-A piece of white felt or fabric, a sewing needle and white thread, or sewing machine of course.
-Scissors, pins the usual sewing things.
--Optional: candy colored face paint and hat.

Who doesn't love this candy! This is both great for kids and adults. If you have a candy colored shirt, hoodie or coat you don't mind sewing an M onto this will be a cinch. If you do not already have a plain shirt/sweatshirt you can find plain tees and such at just about any craft store for pretty cheap. Of course M&M colors are Red, Blue, Green, Brown, Yellow, and Orange. Find a template or stencil for an M&M looking M, or just look at the candies and freehand it onto a white piece of paper, cut it out. pin it onto the white fabric or felt and cut out your M to be stitched on your shirt. Then sew the M onto your shirt, by hand or on a machine. To finish the look you could paint your face, and wear a baseball cap the same color as your shirt, if you wish.

Presidential Candidate: 1
- Suit, dress shirt, tie, or a power suit ladies! Dress shoes.
-A Presidential smile!
--Optional: flag lapel pin

This is a good one since the election is just a couple of days after Halloween. I think this would be an adorable kids costume as well as a humorous adult costume.


Pillar of Salt: 1
-White sheet
-scissors

Okay, this one might sound a little weird but I once got an award for this one when I was a kid at a church Halloween party for stumping the minister. Can you guess what famous pillar of salt I might have been ? Lot's wife in the bible is turned to a pillar of salt upon looking back at the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah being destroyed by God (Genesis). If you do happen to have a church going's on for Halloween this will be great. You can cut a hole, or a slit for the eyes so you can see, if this is going to be worn all night.

Bestest Spinach Artichoke dip ever...

After eating my friend Kim's Spinach Artichoke dip at a party a couple of years back I was in love and had to have the recipe! It's great party food, and simple to make. So here it is thanks to Ms. Kim!

You'll need-

1 16 ounce tub of lite sour cream
1 16 ounce tub of whipped cream cheese
1 block frozen spinach (usually 10 ounces)
1 can artichoke hearts
1 packet dehydrated vegetable soup mix
1 tsp. lemon juice (optional)
Shredded Colby Jack cheese or Cheddar

Rinse spinach until no longer frozen. Drain artichokes and chop in small pieces. Mix all ingredients but the cheese together in a large oven-safe bowl. Sprinkle top with shredded cheese and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until cheese on top is melted.

Or, you can put the mixture in a bread bowl and bake at 425 degrees until the bread is crusty and the dip is warm.