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).  :) 

My Husband is a Crafter, too!

So, yeah...my husband is awesome!  Let me brag for a post.  He really is a good carpenter, among other talents.  He is an engineer by day, but he does jump into the jobs I give him on his "honey-do" list at home when he can.  He helps me manage my Etsy shop by sawing, routing, etc. my birthday boards.  He's taught me how to use tools, too...which he has many.  When we were dating and I was 16 years old, he presented me with an awesome cherry chest which I still have to do this day.  He really has impeccable craftsmanship.  So earlier this year, we were discussing how to better organize the many pairs of shoes that belong to the 6 members of our family.  My kids are growing and the wicker basked we've used since my older two were babies just wasn't cutting it anymore.  We decided he'd take the challenge to custom build a storage shelf to fit 6 baskets I had found at Target.  Well, after planning and shopping, this is what he built!  Isn't he amazing?!  I love it.  He even bought milk paint and waxed it for me as I requested.  Next up:  built-in bookshelves around our fireplace.  I love him!  ;) 

Easy Wooden XOXO Blocks

Grab some 2x4, acrylic paint, vinyl, and ribbon, and you've got these blocks! I had the 2x4 blocks already pre-cut into these squares for a previous project that I never got around to doing. Then I painted them with a couple of layers of acrylic paint in Primary Red and Carnival Pink each. Next I used my Gypsy, Expression, and Mini Mono, Plantin Schoolbook, and Storybook cartridges for the scalloped square and letters in white vinyl. I placed the vinyl on the blocks, tied a cute dotted pink bow around one end of one block, and done! Cute blocks adorning one of the shelves of my fish tank in the living room. :) Very easy and super cheap. And festive for February!!