It had been a long time since I got my fingers messy and dug into a real DIY project. With a little one running around, I felt careless for creating additional mess. I had also reached a point of believing it really was easier just to buy the finished product than save a few dollars to make it.
That mindset worked just fine… until I couldn’t find the finished product I needed.
During our trip to Waco last month, my mom and I found these cute rafia carrots. I only bought one bunch and immediately wished for more as soon as we got home.
I assumed Amazon Prime could work her magic and deliver another bunch to my doorstep in two days, but she was stumped! No similar carrots to be found anywhere online.
So after a trip to the Dollar Tree and a vague plan, I gave in to that DIY tug on my heart.
Sure the laundry needed folding, floors needed mopping and messy closets needed attention, but my heart needed some attention, too.
That DIY-loving, crazy-project-dreaming heart of mine thrives on the creative process. And when I suppress those desires to get messy and create? I suppress the “me” that God so intricately designed. And you know what? That’s the “me” that makes me the best mom, wife and friend.
As moms, we let ourselves believe that hobbies that bring us joy are selfish. “If I’m doing this for me, then something else is probably sacrificing.” I know I often believe it.
But these six little carrots remind me that self-care is not selfish. And self-care doesn’t necessarily mean a bubble bath or pedicure. Sometimes, self-care is making a mess while my little helper totes around his own foam paint brush during an extra episode of Curious George.
Do the things that make you “you”. That’s the momma that YOUR kiddos need!
How to Make Faux Farmhouse Carrots
Gather: tissue paper or newspaper, packing tape, green stems, Mod Podge, twine, foam brush, orange paint.
- Fold the tissue paper into a layered triangle. I folded one piece of tissue paper in half twice, then diagonally in half three times. This step depends on how large you would like the carrots.
Mine are about 5 inches long. Don’t worry about being exact or creasing the folds – you want good volume for your carrots!
2. Tape a few stems to one side of the triangle as shown. Artificial greenery or rafia work great. I used leftover pieces from Dollar Tree flowers.
Keeping the base in place, loosely roll the paper around the stems like making an ice cream cone. Tuck the top corner in to create the thicker carrot shape up top.
3. Wrap packing tape around the entire carrot to hold it in place. You can twist as you go to keep the bottom a bit thinner.
4. Apply Mod Podge to the point of the carrot with the foam brush.
5. Holding the twine as shown, begin to wrap the carrot from the point up. Keep applying Mod Podge as you wrap with twine. Every so often, add a dab of Mod Podge on top of the twine. The Mod Podge will dry clear and will help keep the twine in place.
6. As you get to the top, cut the twine and wrap until you have a .5-1 inch tail. Tuck the twine inside the top of the carrot and apply Mod Podge on top to hold in place.
7. Let dry fully!
8. The next few steps are up to you – I lightly painted my carrots burnt orange.
Once the paint is dry, use the carrots as filler in a bowl or string them with eggs and beads for a festive Easter garland!
The joy is in the process
These little guys are not perfect – they are organic and rustic and make me smile every time I look at them. They are a sweet reminder that the joy is in the process, not just the finished product.
Do you find joy in the creative process? I’d love to hear how you create!
