Cast a Love Spell

Adam is super interested in Harry Potter books/movies/wands, etc.  We have bought several HP wands from this Etsy store:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackPearlShop?ref=related-shop-1&ga_search_query=black+pearl+shop&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery.  They are super awesome and worth the price.  Adam likes them a lot, and when I came across a photo tutorial on Pinterest, I knew he and I were going to have to make some.  So then V-Day rolled around, I told him we ought to make some for his class with a cheesy line, like "Watch out for the Love Spell!"  While he was interested in making the wands, he did not like my catchy phrase!  Oh, well, what can I expect!?  He's almost 11.  Anyway, here are some pictures of our wands.  I think they turned out great, and he said his friends really liked them.  He even gave one to his Language Arts teacher who said it was the best non-edible gift she had received thus far (the day before Valentine's Day weekend with her family).  :) 

Let's Eat Menu Board!

Last week I whipped together this menu planning board fashioned after some pictures I had seen on Pinterest.  This menu board was a gift to one of my friends as she is getting married this month!  The "Count Your Blessings" tea towel is from latterdayhome.com.  And the little recipe box is something I picked up from Hobby Lobby.  All the accessories for the menu board also came from Hobby Lobby (except for the scrabble letters which came from Etsy.com a couple of years ago).  The cookie sheet is from Target.  Happy crafting!!!

A Handmade Christmas for the Kids

Typically every year I make a lot of my gifts for friends and family.  However, this year, with babysitting three days a week for 10 hours each day, and not having the down time we had last year after Brent's hip surgery, I found I was really too busy to get much done craft-wise outside of my Etsy shop orders for others.  So, I chose just one gift for each of my kids and went with that for a handmade Christmas.

The first is the fabric alphabet set I made for Shelby.  I had inherited a lot of scrap fabrics from my grandmother this past summer, and I really wanted to recycle it into some cute things for my family.  I researched some pins with tutorials about fabric alphabet sets on Pinterest, and I then did what was comfortable for me with a combination of steps from different tutorials.  Overall, I was really pleased with the outcome of my product, and my grandmother was impressed with the idea and wanted a set for herself!  :)

For Carly, I scrapbooked a page of pictures from Taylor Swift's concert that Carly and I attended earlier this year.  I also included her ticket from the concert, and an actual autograph from Taylor Swift addressed to Carly that a friend gave her for her birthday a few years ago.  (Before Taylor Swift became really popular around the country, she had stopped in my town...yes, just one mile away!...at a local grocery store to sign autographs and release her first cd.  Oh, how I wish I had known how famous she'd become...I would have been there myself!)  Carly now has the shadow box framed page on her wall to remember that special day we shared as mother and daughter.  :)

For Jayna, I had pinned some peg doll ideas because she really loved playing with a set I made identical to our family before Shelby was born.  So I pinned a few and when it came time to choose, I decided since she loves princesses so much, why not "the Princess and the Pea" to add to her collection of princess stories?  She didn't know the story yet so I ordered the book off of Amazon.com and set to work on the peg doll set.  Again, I used fabrics from my grandmother to "dress" the dolls and the "quilt" the mattresses.  Jayna has loved it so much and I'm really glad I didn't second guess my crafty abilities and went through with the plan.  I will make more for her in the near future!  Just pinned another set I'm sure she'll love....  ;)

When it came to Adam, well, boys are just harder to craft for, and there's not as much "cute-sy" stuff for them.  But when I saw this pin, I knew it was the gift for him.  http://www.meggipeg.com/2012/04/boy-bedroom-makeover-scout-blanket-with.html  I have so many extra patches that do not go directly on his uniform, and also some that Brent acquired as a Scout, so I have begun working on sewing them all to a blanket.  I have the trim almost all done along the edges as well.  While I haven't completed Adam's project to date, I did show it to him close to Christmas and he was happy with it.  I look forward to giving him something special and that accounts for time he has spent learning things with Scouts.  I also think it will be nice if he has sons that he can hand this down to them and they can add their Scout badges as well. 

I had about a week to work on my children's gifts for Christmas after I had completed my Etsy orders, so it wasn't much time to finish everything I wanted for them. 

Sunshine in a Box!

I recently had a dear friend with a birthday and I knew exactly what I was going to do for her.  She is so upbeat and positive and so kind and generous...I needed to return some "sunshine."  I found this idea on Pinterest first.  So I mimicked it and here is what I came up with.  I just found an old cardboard box and decorated the outside with some scrapbook paper and die cuts from my Cricut machine.  Then I filled the box with paper filler from the Dollar Tree in the bottom; layered with yellow candies; then yellow lemon soap and the like; then I found a Willow Tree actually labeled "Sunshine."  My friend collects them and she loved it!  Then I found the perfect birthday card that told her thanks for being a bright light in my little part of the world.  She truly is.  And I am so glad I found this idea to share with her.

Pinterest Party - Burlap Wreaths

I hosted my first Pinterest party; it being the second I have participated in since my pinning obsession began a couple of years ago.  Who doesn't love Pinterest?!  With Spring on the way, and my Easter décor coming down next week, I decided to invite some friends over to create wreaths inspired by this one:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/93952197/rustic-burlap-ivory-and-jute-wreath-love.  This Etsy seller has several beautiful, rustic wreaths available if you aren't into trying your own...but I love trying new crafts so I wanted to do it myself.  I had most of the supplies already on hand, too, so that helped inspire me to try my own.  Here are the ones I made...yes, I made two.  I couldn't settle for just one and I wanted to try a couple of different times to be sure I made a good one. ha!  So here they are.  Sorry I do not have pictures of my friends wreaths - they turned out really great! 

Menu Board - Pinterest Inspired

In February, a group of my friends and I got together to complete a couple of Pinterest-inspired projects that we all agreed we liked.  The one I worked on was a "menu board."  See here:  http://www.cgdickson.com/2012/01/08/the-ultimate-menu-board-2/.  I thought it was an awesome idea and it truly has been helpful the past couple of weeks I've had it up and "running."  My kids enjoy getting to pick dinner on one of the days of the week.  Sundays are almost always "Breakfast for Dinner" and Fridays are almost always "Go Out."  But either way, it helps make cooking for the rest of the week easier.  And at least I don't have to think of what to fix!  ;)

Scrabble Coasters

Hello! Things have slowed down a bit after two vacations in three weeks' time so I can post a few projects.

This one I recently finished for my new sister-in-law.  She had a unique outdoor wedding and reception with ideas from Pinterest, and I asked if I could help...from a few states away.  She assigned me the task of making 62 Scrabble coasters to be used as seating markers and guest favors that I could bring to town with me for the occasion.  She gave me this tutorial to follow:  http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/diy-wedding-ideas-scrabble-coasters-tutorial/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IntimateWeddings-SmallWeddingBlog+%28Intimate+Weddings+-+Small+Wedding+Blog%29  I followed it with the exception that I used wood stain as the alternative (that she lists) to staining the names and I used wood varnish, but not the specific "marine" one the lady lists on her tutorial.  I also purchased all of my scrabble tiles from one supplier on Etsy:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/XOSupplies?ref=pr_shop_more.  She was terrific to work with and a fast shipper!  I will order from her again, for sure!  I bought 1,570 tiles in multiple orders.  The cork I bought in rolls at Target in the office section, and I also bought my wood glue at Target.  The stain and brushes and all of that I had on hand already from past projects.

I had fun making these, although I had to kind of watch the weather to complete them as I am preggers and wanted to make sure I was in a well-ventilated area, a.k.a., the outdoors.  I also wore this awesome mask I have been using throughout my pregnancy (since I discovered my pregnancy, anyway) for every paint and stain project, along with some protective gloves that go to my elbows, and of course, I had on my apron!  Otherwise, this project was simple and fun.  I was careful not to spell out any bad words in the miscellaneous scrabble pieces, or at least I tried!

I think these would make a great Christmas gift or for other type of parties. Thanks for looking!

Peg Dolls for Fun!

Hi! I've been creating...and one interest has been these peg dolls. I originally saw the idea here: http://tomiannie.blogspot.com/2011/08/peg-doll-family.html and have been in love since August 31st...haha! So I tried to pester Tomi Ann to make me a set cause she is so extraordinarily talented at crafts, but she had faith in me to try...so I did. And I have to say, I am happy with the outcome. :) I did use her suggestion and buy the peg dolls from Etsy dealer GooseGrease and bought the unfinished, naked ones to try my hand at this. I used non-toxic acrylic paints, and I have yet to seal them up with mod podge. I wanted pictures first. My lighting is horrible...but I think you get the idea of my "family." Brent always has WVU gear on; his alma mater. I wear my pearls more than anything with lots of muted shades, and I couldn't leave off my glasses since they never leave my face...sometimes I fall asleep with them on! Carly loves anything with a peace sign, and to look very girly. Adam is a Tiger Scout. I wanted to do his whole uniform top, but there were too many details for a tiny peg doll and I just do not have steady enough hands or patience! And Jayna is our little princess. Her crown is slightly brighter than her hair, but it's the best I could do! And her skirt is actually sparkly pink paint, but again, the lighting....so what do you think? I tried my best and I think they look similar to us!

A New Fall Wreath

So, a few things have been keeping me busy from crafting -- just to mention a few: canning, vacation, and sending the kids back to school and setting our new routine again. But last week I was able to put together this wreath, a slight variation of this on-line tutorial: http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2011/08/v-and-co-how-to-hydrangea-wreath.html. I didn't heed her advice and buy enough hydrangea stems, so I ran short and opted to just try something different. Therefore, see the burlap flowers? I decided I would try my hand at those since my dear friend made a wreath -- with burlap flowers -- for me last Christmas (see the center of my blog header? I love that wreath!). And I think burlap fits well with the look I was going for: Autumn-like and to coordinate with the bathroom I painted two years ago and have never really decorated since I couldn't decide what to do! The burlap flowers were easier to make than cotton or felt rosettes because the burlap is more bulky and quicker to wind up. I like the overall look of it in my bathroom (it's a 1/2 bath in our downstairs -- that's why the wreath is touching wall-to-wall!). The burlap I bought in the scrap bin at Jo Ann's a couple of years ago; the hydrangea stems and other stems I got at Hobby Lobby on sale last week; and the buttons and pearls I had in my stash. (PS - The tile "because nice matters!" was made by the same friend who made my wreath. She's so talented!)

Easy Headband Tutorials

I've seen a couple of tutorials for fancy-shmancy little girl headbands...and I decided to try them out today since I already had everything on hand (and because I was up until 1 a.m. canning garden food last night...I deserve some craft time! ha!). I used the following tutorials if you are interested...and tweaked the vintage rosette one a little more to my daughter's "princess" style. http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2011/06/creative-guest-budget-beautiful-diy.html and this one: http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2011/06/creative-guest-budget-beautiful-diy.html I'm definitely going to make more of the frayed headbands...they are just too cute in person and you don't have to be all dressed up to "dress yourself up." Know what I'm saying? Thanks for looking!

It's All in the Details

Today's birthday celebration for Carly will be "all in the details." We decided since we are taking a Summer vacation this year, we won't be having all of the kids' really big parties with friends. Instead, we'll try to make them each feel unique at home with a smaller family celebration. So for Carly turning 9 this year, I wanted to make it big in an elegant, homemade kind of way. Does that even go together? Elegant and homemade??? Well, I tried to pull it off, and for the most part I think I did. For starters, I found this tutorial here: http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2010/08/blog-post.html a couple of weeks ago and began making some flowers. I already had EVERYTHING on hand and didn't have to purchase a thing. Score! These I laid in the center of the table, kind of random, like a table runner. (The tablecloth I borrowed from a kind friend willing to share for Carly's celebration. Score!) I also altered an old tin watch box for Carly's gift from me -- a glass heart pendant and necklace. I think everything I used came from Hobby Lobby on that...except the purple gems were from Target, and the scalloped circle and #9 I cut with my Cricut using the Simply Sweet cartridge. But again...I already had all of that on hand...except for the necklace! That's new for Carly! :) So score there on keeping it cheap! To make the large tissue paper flowers (pom poms) hanging from the ceiling I used this YouTube tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDAgjtScFpU. I think they add a nice touch to the room! And the tissue paper was cheap...I think I spent maybe $5 to make those. Score! To add a little detail to the dining chairs, I tied bows in netted tulle around the back tops and it did dress them up. The picture doesn't quite show it! But cheap...cause I have some left over and the chairs were dressy! Score! For the crown, my daughter loves purple so I used purple fabrics; purple felt; and Star Dust Stickles glitter glue. The lace came from Hobby Lobby. And I made those rosettes -- tutorials are on lots of different craft blogs for that. Anyway, all of it was really fun to make (ESPECIALLY THE CROWN)...spending nights while the kids were in bed, and I was watching my favorite t.v. shows. Carly will be home in a matter of minutes, and I can't wait to see her reaction to the way the dining room is set up...just for her!!! And a lot of it she can recycle and use to decorate her bedroom for an updated look. (PS - I am linking up to Lil Luna this week to share! I hope someone likes some of the ideas and can use them for baby showers, birthdays, parties, etc.)

***I'd like to add (after our homemade steak dinner with vegetables; Sprite with gummy worms in the glass [hey, my kids love that!]; and homemade strawberry cake with vanilla icing, that the family party turned out great. Carly even wore her crown all evening!

Crafting Christmas Gifts - Part Three

Pulling an Oprah, I decided to gift some of my favorite people with my favorite thing for the Christmas tree. (Do you watch Oprah and know what I'm talking about?) With limited time due to the "Crafting Christmas - Part Four" that I'll post next week, I didn't have a lot of time to really make something wonderful for my three good friends. But they mean so much to me...they give me insight, friendship, service, kindness, and support on many different levels. So I wanted to give them something I feel is special to me. Well, when we moved to Ohio five years ago, it was still early in my marriage and consequently Brent and I were still collecting things here and there for our Christmas tree ornaments. I decorate in turquoise blue (one of my top favorite colors); white; pearls; snowballs; snowmen; white lights; silver bells; etc. When we to the mall that first winter here, we discovered an old man who would create glass pieces to sell at Christmas time. I loved watching him, and found out that he made icicles. Real glass icicles. They are absolutely beautiful!!! They are hard to capture the beauty of on camera, but they are really stunning on the tree in person. So I bought my first dozen that winter. That's all I could get at the time. And every winter since, I have bought another dozen to add to my tree. So this year, with five dozen, I have finally filled up the tree from top to bottom (on the front side) with my other "snowy cold" ornaments. (The funny thing is that even when we lived in California, I decorated with snowmen for the tree and winter months...even though I never wore a coat at all. It wasn't ever really that cold there...not compared to here in Ohio or WV. I definitely missed that about the East Coast when we were on the West Coast.) ANYWAY, back to my gift, I felt like it's something really special to me, so I decided to take some old cigar boxes bought on E-bay a couple of years ago, alter the boxes, and fill them with a dozen icicles each for my sweet friends. I hope they enjoy them. I think the boxes turned out lovely, but I think they will like the shiny icicles on their tree at night the most -- I hope! Thanks for looking!

Stenciling with the Cricut

I recently discovered how to stencil with my Cricut, via Tomi Ann here: http://tomiannie.blogspot.com/2010/08/porch-rocker-pillows.html, and I knew I had to try it when I remembered the bag that Jayna has inherited from Carly. It was something Carly received from a Sunday School teacher, and it was an especially nice gift at the time it was presented. Her teacher had put her name on it and a personality trait she thought described Carly. So on the front of it was "Carly - Lovely" in little white letters. Well the letters began falling off soon after she received so I did a quick job stitching them on and left it at that. She used it a couple of years to haul her things to church until I made her this one: http://thecozyhousecrafter.blogspot.com/2010/05/so-i-didtwo-of-them.html. The old pink bag needed some cleaning up and altering. So I took the opportunity to make it something Jayna could use for her book bag. I followed the tutorial that Tomi Ann did in her post about her porch rocker pillows. I used my Cricut and Gypsy to make the designs, used the freezer paper, and I used non-toxic acrylic paint instead of fabric paint, and I am pretty sure it's going to be fine. I really like it and I think Jayna will, too. Thanks for looking!

UCreate June Project

At UCreate (listed at right on the awesome bloggers and crafters list that I follow), Kari has started a monthly project challenge. You can find it here: http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2010/06/june-create-with-me-project.html. For June, we are making altered camera straps with a ruffle. Well, following Char's instructions for both her patchwork and ruffle straps, I made this one! The only thing I did differently was I changed the bottom black canvas straps also...to a ruffled ribbon I got made by Paper Studio in the Hobby Lobby scrapbooking section. I love how this strap feels around my neck! I really wish I had done it sooner because last week on vacation when I was taking lots of pictures my Sony strap kept scratching my neck and irritating me. This was a project well worth spending time making and I am so happy these ladies are willing to share ideas. THANK YOU! Now, I am looking forward to our July challenge....