Sometimes I’m posting every couple days.  Sometimes every couple weeks!   Oh, to be consistent.

Let’s see, what has been happening around here lately…I changed up my blog header (Dear RSS feed readers, have a look!).  I acquired 2 lovely pieces of vintage rayon that I’m in the middle of de-stinking.  I also mistakenly painted the breakfast nook a pale lime sherbet rather than the pale sage I intended.

If you’ve painted a room before, you know the paint looks lighter on the wall than on the chip.  That’s what I kept telling myself as I painted in the afternoon Sunday.  Then I woke up the next day to find a huge container of lime green sherbet had barfed all over my breakfast nook.  As it turns out, the lady at the store mixed the wrong color (off by 1 digit).  When I went back to get a replacement she told me I gave her 2 chips, remember?  Yea, lady, I remember.  I remember giving you 1 paint chip.  (Why would I give someone 2 paint chips if I wanted 1 can of paint?)  Never fear, I did get my paint - in the intended color - and now I just have to get motivated again.

New blog header, new wall color and new swimsuit!  I guess I’m looking for change, maybe some spring weather.  Gosh, the weather in L.A. is tricky in the winter.  It may look warm and sunny outside but then you dash off to a meeting without the proper layers and you are freezing!  (Ok, not really freezing.  Freezing in SoCal is code for 58 degrees.)

Anyway, back the swimsuit, the reason for this post.  (I’m rambling a bit, I know, it’s late!)  I’ve been looking high and low for a one piece.  I’ve always liked the “old lady” ones with the skirts (like the one my Grandma used to wear) but they never come in my size.  I found the one pictured at Target.  It’s not really a one piece: it’s a tankini that’s really long and ruched with a wee little ruffle at the hem.   So you have to wear a bikini bottom with it.  (I guess you don’t HAVE to, but I’d highly recommend it.)  It comes with a removable strap too.  It’s so cute and actually fits me!

Here’s the tutorial I was talking about a few days ago.  A little late, I know, but that’s how it goes this time of year for me. But, never fear, you can make them for next Christmas or for fun, because cute little mushrooms aren’t just for the holidays!

These aren’t cotton but paperclay. They look just like those vintage cotton mushrooms you see for sale, only you make these yourself which means you can customize them however you like: size, color, shape, etc. (Yes, I know, that why we crafters are so crafty!)

Skill Level: Beginner

*This project takes 2-4 days because of drying time.*

Here’s what you’ll need (you can find most/all of these supplies at Michaels):

• Paperclay, preferably Delight because it’s white and very lightweight
• Floral wire
• Red and white acrylic paint (or desired colors)
• Acrylic varnish (I used matte, indoor/outdoor)
• 1 small flat and 1 small round paintbrush
• Small wire cutters
• Something to protect surface
• Cup of water
• Paper towels
• Optional: Alligator clips

The follow pictures are kind of crappy because I didn’t have good light in my work area, but I think you’ll get the idea!

Cut a 6″ piece of floral wire. At one end, twist or curl the wire to form an anchor. Then, take some paperclay (approx. the size of a golfball to start) and form it around the anchored end, leaving about 3-4″ of wire at the bottom:

Wrap paperclay around the wire and sculpt into a vague mushroom shape:

Continue to work the paperclay into desired shape. You may wet your hands a little to help smooth out the clay. Here are 3 slightly different examples:

Let forms dry for 1-3 days. (One day should be fine since these objects are small.)

When ready, use the flat paintbrush and paint the tops red. Apply 2 coats. (According to manufacturer’s directions.) Paint stems white if you used non-white paperclay. Dry.

With round paintbrush, add white dots. I hung mine up to dry in the laundry room, away from a certain cat:

When paint is completely dry, coat mushrooms with varnish. I choose to coat the entire mushroom, but I suppose you can coat just the top. (Painted area.)

Position your mushroom on top of the end of a branch and wrap the wire around it.

****Optional: Wrap wires from bottom of mushrooms around alligator clips. This may extend the life of your mushrooms as the wires will probably eventually break from bending.

You can also try making the wire stick up from the top of the mushroom, or using a loop of heavy thread or string at the top so the mushroom will hang like most other ornaments. OR, skip the wire altogether and glue the mushrooms into your decorative arrangements.

Enjoy!