St. Patrick’s Day Door Decor

{giggle} I’m actually copying the title from Amanda’s blog post that prompted the creation of our four-leaf clover.  Only, her post was about Valentine Door décor.  Amanda posted a few photos, ingredient list and instructions to make an adorable heart for your door for Valentine’s Day.  When I read it, I knew I didn’t have any spare time to make one for our door for Valentine’s Day, but my head just about exploded with ideas for other holidays and seasons. 

We went to Wal-Mart one day last week specifically to pick up what I needed to make this four leaf clover.  I also picked up the little gold coins at Michael’s thinking they’d be cute.  I came home and googled shamrocks, then I drew…redrew…re-redrew…and generally obsessed about the shape of our four-leaf clover.   Face it.  I’m not an artist, it’s not going to be perfect.  Get over yourself, Gina. So, I got over myself, drew, painted, cut, pounced polka dots, painted wood beads and a folk art star and set out to create our door décor for March…

And there ya have it.  I got silly and made myself laugh – and you know it’s hilarious when you make your own self laugh (what do you mean not always, Gina?)  Anyway, I took our very German last name, threw an O’ in front of it and strung it on the ribbon.  Had to use a heart for the apostrophe because apparently the alphabet bead makers don’t think apostrophes are necessary.  I’m sure the O’Malleys and O’Shannons and other O’Eggs in the world would disagree. 

I used Apple Barrel paint for the clover, polka dots and stitching.  Once it was completely dry, I sprayed it with Rustoleum spray lacquer.  I stapled the front and back together, leaving an opening, then used Wal-Mart bags to stuff it, stapled some more and then one more coat of lacquer.  I punched two holes (wish I’d made them further apart and less “even” so the clover would hang whopper-jawed, because I love that “crooked on purpose” look for stuff like this), knotted the ribbon, strung on beads, glued on the “shamrock coins” and star.  Once the glue was dry…onto the door it went.  The kids cheered.  That’s all that matters.  Who cares that it isn’t perfect.  They love it, that’s what matters. 

I’m already stewing on April/Easter.  I’d love to do two tulips and two eggs strung together (much smaller than this guy…this clover is about 36-inches across, measured on the diagonal). And then a big flower, and a flip flop, and a beach ball…see?! I told you! My head just about exploded from the ideas (including ideas for our college friends for their dorm room doors)!  I can’t wait to make more of these through the year.  Thank you, Amanda, for the great idea!  And oh my gracious, I just had an idea for next March…think March Madness.  Oh…fun!