Pinky Thingy: Spring Cleaning Game Changer

Do you ever feel that you are stuck in a rut?  The weather has you down, perhaps.  The harsh winter we had this year sure was a bummer.  Or maybe you are just bored.  I think lasting ideas mothers can pass onto daughters include how to literally transform household attitudes by announcing their own change in attitude.  It is basically like saying, “Prepare for a new Day!”

Spring time to me is always a sure sign of new beginnings! The trees and flowers bloom so beautifully and there is a kind of freshness in the air that literally puts a "spring in your step!"

As for me, I even like making some spring time changes to the house. Spring cleaning, some new ideas of creativity! Just a freshness that says winter is finally over for this year!

I chose one very simple change to the top of my fireplace.  Call it a "Game Changer," this one is also known as (a.k.a.) "Pinky Thingy."  Can you notice my excitement coming through what I created?

I always like to put my touch on arts and crafts projects like this.  In this case, I chose to celebrate by announcing the coming of spring.  Obviously, there are an infinite number of changes you can make.  But, I’ll share with you how I spruced up my living room and expressed my excitement that better weather was on its way.

I started with some basic things that can be purchased at a zillion places.  I had a candle sitting on a candle holder with a glass topper over it.

I decided it was time to transform it into something more memorable!

I found 3 separate bundles of battery powered lighted branches left over from my daughter's wedding.

They were fairly inexpensive at Big Lots. I'm sure you could find them at any craft store and even Amazon if you enjoy shopping online as much as I do.  Any way, while the store bought branches may come a little tall, you can trim them as you need.  But they already have lights wrapped around them and batteries.  So, instead of the candle, I put the glass topper back on the candle holder and placed the branches carefully in the topper like this.

This was pretty on its own, especially when lighted.  But, there are batteries on the bottom of the branches and you can see them through the topper when you examine it more closely. 

That played right into my artistic affinities.  “What could be better than to set my “SPRING” sign in front of it?” I thought to myself. 

This perfect self-expression of my style and nature came to me already crafted and painted (probably by hand).  But, it could be pieced together from materials found at an arts and crafts store.

Essentially, the unpainted wooden sign “SPRING” is already cut out.  Each letter is probably hand painted a lively color and can be sprinkled with glitter as desired.  While the sign could be fastened to a wooden base using a glue gun, this one was fastened using two wood screws through the bottom of a wooden base, which is also painted a desired color.  There are many, many optional accents that can be added as desired.  This sign came with painted butterflies on wires that were thick enough to penetrate the wooden base.  But, I guess an alternative to a wooden base might be Styrofoam that is also available in different sizes and shapes at many arts and crafts stores.

Next, I rummaged through my old left over material box and found a piece of pink ribbon-like material about two feet long when folded in half to match the living room decor. I did not sew it or anything. I folded it and wrapped it around the top of the glass topper.

My spring decorative project was starting to come together just the way I wanted it! With the candle out, the branches in, and the pink material folded and wrapped around the top, the only step left was... you guessed it, turn on the lights!

It looks great in the day and it will be even greater when it gets dark outside! And it is so refreshing to see something new sitting on top of my fireplace!

There are so many simple, inexpensive and wonderful things you can do to cheer up a certain spot or a complete room. Actually, my next goal is to recover the throw pillows on my couch, and use the same material to tie around the glass topper and make some new dollies for the end table. All with the same material! I love simple and inexpensive perk-ups to the house! It's fun and it can brighten up a room in a very short time!

Enjoy being creative! Look around one room and say, "What would I like to change?" Pull out the old material box, look for some helpful pieces you can use, and with just a little imagination, you can change attitudes, brighten the days to come and convey your feelings about the future in living color!  That indeed is a Game Changer!

Have fun and enjoy your craftiness!!  Let me know how you enjoyed it.