More Fun with Washers

After our first craft with washers, I decided to keep going. We had plenty left over and I saw another idea on Pinterest to paint them with fingernail polish. I then decide to monogram them, so I printed out letters on the printer and Modge Podged them to the washer. Then I had to tie them up with string. My daughter has worn her's everyday since I gave it to her, so I guess it was a hit!

A Little Bling

I saw the idea for some jewelry my daughter and I could make using washers and ribbon. It was quite funny when I went to the hardware store to find the washers. I was looking down the right aisle, but couldn't seem to find them so a worker asked me if he could help. I told him I was looking for washers, but he asked which size. Holding up my fingers to make a "O", I said, "about this big." I told him it was for a craft project so he didn't think I was a complete moron. It took me a while to figure out how to braid them through the ribbon to make the pattern, but after four or five attempts, I finally figured it out. My daughter, who just wears the necklace (but didn't participate in the craft), loves it. I also made some for her friends as gifts and smaller ones for bracelets.

Little Men

After making some baby shirts some time back, my sister put in a request for a set for my nephews. I figured I would make some for their Christmas gifts. Knowing their parents were both Gator and Bulldog fans, I decided to make one of each. I then made a blue plaid one, since what little boy doesn't look good in navy. I have to say, the shirts are cute, but look even cuter on the boys!

Craft-astrophy!

I found the idea on Pinterest for some candy wreaths. I thought they were adorable and wanted to try it out. I was going to hot glue them to some red ribbon wrapped wreaths and add a green bow. I figured I would seal them so I started to paint them with Modge Podge...only, they started to run and turn pink. Then I got the bright idea to spray them in Polyurethane. I let them sit outside to dry and everything was looking great. The tops were drying nicely. I let them sit overnight before I added the green bows. I guess it was a good thing, because when I went to work with them the sides were a big goopy mess. They were sticky and the coating had melted them. What started as a good idea failed miserably. I guess candy and crafts just don't mix!

Little Gifts with a Big Impact

I wanted to make some gifts for some special folks this year and had my heart set on wreaths. I found some small wooden wreaths in the floral section of the craft store. I decided to wrap them each in ribbon, I found all different types of green ribbon for the wreath with a red bow accents at the top. It still needed more. I added a red felt flower to each to make them pop. I was excited with the final outcome and I ended up with many different variations to share.

Updated!

I love my new wreath, but something was bothering me. The black R on the black front door, had lost its impact. It needed some pizzazz! I decided to add some bling and berries. So much better!

Welcome Christmas!

I spent the weekend after Thanksgiving decorating the house for Christmas. I was so excited to put up the tree, decorate the house, and put my wreaths in each window outside. Then it hit me, I've spent all year making wreaths for each holiday and I don't have one for Christmas...let's get the ideas going. I went to the crafting mecca, Hobby Lobby, to find my supplies. I really like the look of burlap (thanks to my sister), wanted to add some red berries, and wanted to monogram it too. I pulled together all these ideas and created a monogrammed wreath with ribbon created holly leaves accented with berries, all sitting on a burlap wrapped wreath. I then hung it using a cheerful polka dotted ribbon. Now I can properly welcome my guests and I feel like my decorating is complete!

Christmas Mantle

Last year I wanted to create a Christmas Mantle that was not the norm...I decided to create some Christmas artwork and paint canvases to give my boring mantle some personality. I wanted at least one to have spiritual meaning, so we had a constant reminder of why we celebrate this time of year. I decided to paint one plain red (The coated needed for the background of these canvases took the most time. They need a lot of paint!) and hand painted the phrase, "For unto us a child is born..." For the two smaller ones I wanted to add some dimension. I decided to get some plastic candy cane sticks (harder than you think to find). I found some plastic candy canes, and after almost losing a finger, cut off the curved part. I then took a small wooden disc and painted it white to help center the sticks to create a sunburst. I found a wooden R and painted it and decided it would look good on an ornament for the third canvas. This year I decided to add some additional items to the arrangement (in addition to my stocking hangers). To give it some height, I added a wooden reindeer and a white birch tree. The tree wasn't high enough, so I put it on a candle holder to give it some flare and hight. The final touch was a Christmas Cactus, since it went with the season. Since I have a window above my fire place (weirdest place for a window and quite the decorating challenge!), it creates the perfect spot to boost plant growth. We'll see if I can get this Christmas cactus to bloom again!

Trees, Trees, Everywhere Trees...

Last year mom found a great craft project for her girls to try during one of our girls night out--Christmas Tree cones. We took poster board and created cones, then sprayed them with adhesive, and covered them with fabric. Then we decorated the trees with sequins, ribbon, and trimmings to give them pizzazz. While that sounds so easy, it was not! We spent an hour getting the poster board to cooperate and cut the bottoms square so we didn't create any leaning trees. Then we spent another hour spraying the adhesive and and getting the fabric on them, just right, without wrinkles or folds. Once we achieved our nine trees (three each), we sat back and admired our work. Mom was so proud of us. She was so excited and boasted these are selling for $50 on Etsy! I asked how much she spent all on all the fabric and supplies, and she said it was under $60...so we had to laugh. Luckily we got two more sets for the same price! I then decided a wanted a smaller set (the first set had the largest one at over two feet tall) for my kitchen table. I learned from our test and it was much easier (and cheaper, ha!) the second time around with a smaller goal. I now am enjoying my second season with my two sets of trees. I just need to figure out another room I can add them to!

Give Thanks

After the Halloween mantle came down, I must admit, I was a little sad. I had to hit Pinterest and get some ideas to transform it for Turkey Day. I always loved the phrase, Be Thankful, so that's were I started. I printed out a font that I liked on the computer and put a piece of burlap over it. I then took a sharpie and traced the letters and framed it. I also found a great printable to define Thanksgiving, along the same font and on a burlap background. I just printed it out and framed it as well. Finally, I found some pumpkins I had used in the past, and put them on candle holders. I pulled the whole thing together and really like the finished product!

Block Art

I found these blocks in the Halloween decorations last year. The front says Happy Halloween with a witch in the middle. I thought they were so cute, I wanted to keep them up a little longer...so, I turned them over and painted the black ones brown. I modge-podged some scrap book paper and found some great copper glittery letters. Give Thanks is a little shorter, so I improvised and added some leaves and a bird. Now I can keep them up a little longer, and appreciate that I recycled store-bought decor into a craft of my own.

Count Your Blessings

Last year mom and I embarked on a evening of Wine and Design at the pottery studio.

The instructor walked us through each part, from taping the edge to get a clean line, to tracing the letters to make them perfect. I then used some puffy paint to help add some dots and character.

It was a great evening and I walked away Count Your Blessings plate (well, after they fired it for me!). I was so excited this year to break it out for display after Halloween. It's a great reminder that we should be thankful for all we have!

Zig Zag Pics

I wanted a bulletin board in my office at work to spice up one of my walls. I found some fabric scraps and picked out some bold ribbon. I used my staple gun to tack the whole thing down to a batting-covered canvas. Now I can display some loose photos neatly with some flare!

Halloween Treats

It was time to decorate for Halloween and I was a bit disappointed when I got down my boxes from the attic. I hadn't crafted anything for this holiday yet and the boxes were a clear indication of that. I needed a mantle statement! It was time to get on Pinterest and get some ideas. Three things came into focus, a chevron pumpkin, a "boo" print, and "trick or treat" garland. The printables I usually found don't print as nice as I need them to...today wasn't any different. It was time to make my own. I found some scrapbook paper and some letters. I then printed out the trick or treat letters on my printer and cut them out. I had some fabric to use as the background and got out my glue stick to bring it all together. I gave up on taping the pumpkin, like Martha Stewart would do, and just decided to paint the chevrons myself. My three little pieces came together with my other mantle items and now I can be happy to walk by my Halloween display. Yay!

For a Good Cause

My daughter and I painted some canvases for an upcoming silent auction at our church. We were challenged to paint using geometric shapes using the base colors of turquoise, brown, and red. We used two different techniques. I used a small bowl to draw a pattern of circles creating a petal effect. I then randomly painted each petal using alternating color. For hers, we used painting tape to map out a cross and then alternative blocks around it. She then painted each and put a black border around it. We liked the end result and hope to raise some money for a good cause!

Money Does Grow on Trees

When my nephew turned Sweet 16, I wanted to do something special. I saw some ideas on Pinterest for everything from an umbrella raining cash to money mobiles. I used the ideas and decided to go with a money tree. I found a cute bonsai tree and folded up 16 one dollar bills and tied them on. It turned out really well and he loved it!

A Little Color Never Hurt Anyone

I was in the mood to craft and I really wanted to refresh the front door wreath. While I love the one that currently welcomes my guests, I really wanted something with a bit more color. I thought I would try a new technique, wrapping the wreath in yarn. I found a bright yellow yarn (at a store I refuse to give credit to, for the sake of tarnishing my reputation...you guessed it!) and dug into my fabric and ribbon scraps to make the flowers. I found a whole spool of colorful ribbon to hang it and I opted to use it for some flowers too. In the end, I kept adding more and more flowers, with more and more color. I like the finished product and think it will be great for what's left of the summer. Luckily for me, the summer in Florida lasts well into October and sometimes November!

Madison's Masterpiece

My daughter wanted to create a special painting for her room. She used her favorite color for the base and we drew circles in pencil and she filled them in with her favorite colors. For the finishing touch, I took a sharpie and drew in the accent lines. It came out better than we expected, but most importantly, we made her happy! (That is quite a feat at this age!)

So Darn Cute

Hello, is anyone out there? I know that must be what you are thinking since this girl got a job a dropped her crafting habit! I am back and trying to commit myself to one craft a week. Let's see how I do...Please help keep me honest :) My daughter and I are attending a baby shower at church and I wanted to make something special for the new mom-to-be. She loves argyle so I brainstormed some different items I could try to make. I went with the embellished onesie, which is hard for boys, but I think I pulled it off. I bought a three pack of onesies, but could only find two argyle prints. I added some cute little ties to two of them. Polka dots work just fine, so I monogrammed the third one. I bought the iron-on adhesive to make the items to stick. Then I finished them off with a zigzag stitch in a complementary color. I love how they turned out, hope the new mom does too!

Proud to Be an American

I love all patriotic holidays and love taking time to celebrate America. I wanted to make a wreath to show our colors and make a statement on our front door. This was an easy project that just needed ribbon (red, white, and some sort of navy and white combination), a Styrofoam wreath, and gunny (AKA my glue gun). You just cut strips of ribbon and wrap the wreath tightly alternating colors. I hung it proudly! Also, I get to break it out for two more holidays to come this year!

Tick Tock, I Needed a Clock

Not one of my best qualities, but I seem to be obsessed with time...how much do I have, how much can I fit in, why has so much of it gone by already! I am constantly in search of finding the time (yet I never wear a watch) and use my iPhone, computer, or office phone to give me the right time. It wasn't cutting it at work and I needed something more. And you know me, I couldn't just head to Target and buy a clock. That would have been too easy. I set out on Pinterest and found some neat sunburst clocks, much like the mirrors I have made. Only, these used rolled up paper. Since I'm a marketing nerd, I thought what would be better than taking an old marketing text book and putting it to good use. I pulled out pages, rolled them up and glued them to the back of my new red clock. It makes quite a statement in my office and certainly sends the message I care about my time!

I'm Seeing Circles

This is BY FAR one of my favorite projects! I stole the idea from Pinterest and G. G's version is much larger and sits on her mantle surrounded by a gorgeous yellow frame. Mine is a smaller, but all I needed for a splash of color on my gray walls. I'm bringing life to my cube, one art project at a time! This one involves acrylic pants on a canvas. I measured the circles using the lid of my tumbler and marking them using a pencil. I then randomly filled in the petals with some vibrant colors and made sure to cover any pencil marks. I love looking at it and it certainly brings me to a happy place when I get stressed. Perhaps this is what heaven looks like!

Fabric Wall Art

The gray walls of my cube were getting to me...so I made some more art! I took some of the fabric scraps I had used in some of my previous projects (look familiar?) and bought some simple canvases at Michael's. I got to get out one of my favorite tools (because it is so stinking easy to use and it does exactly what you want it to every time!), the staple gun. Funny story about the staple gun, mom is no longer aloud to use it since she used the wrong end of it and shot a staple into her hand...but I digress...I took the fabric, ironed it, and stapled it around the canvases like I was wrapping a present. I love the outcome, but love the comments even more! I've been getting some foot traffic lately to check it out. I think I'll make some more!

It's a Girl!

One of my dear friends found out she was having a girl and I thought I needed to make some baby clothes! I really wanted to make her a gator dress since they are both huge fans. I also love the new headband trend for babies and wanted to decorate a onesie. I was very ambitious trying to get it all done before the shower, but I did it! I was so happy to make something for my new little family member and I can't wait to see her wearing them! Mom-to-be loved them as well!

Desk Art

Since I was starting a new endeavor, I wanted some new artwork for desk. New art for my fresh start! I had some frames with some old pictures, but instead of updating the photos, I wanted to add some color. I found some fabric swatches I had from my other projects and some scrapbook paper. Then it was time to add some inspiration. One of the things I've always thought was important was to, "Do what you love and love what you do." I found some scrapbook paper with letter that looked like vintage typewriter keys. I cut out each letter and glued it to one of my favorite fabrics. I then just dressed up the other frames and viola!

The 20 Year Zipper

"I think I remember..." Those were my last thoughts as I tried to remember how to sew in a zipper. Since I had not attempted a zipper since high school, I really had to reach back into the archives to remember how to do it. G and I were attempting a new sewing project, only this time we wanted to add to our wardrobes. She found (what we thought was) an easy skirt tutorial and we started...two hours after figuring out the what pieces were needed, the sizes of each, and finally cutting everything, it was time to sew. Our first attempt was WAY TOO WIDE, so we have to take them in about ten sizes. It was certainly a work in process, but in the end they were wearable! I think next time, I'll just get something off the rack!

Super Women with Super Purpose

I just spent an amazing weekend with 77 women for a church retreat. I was on the team who helped host the event and it was uplifting and inspiring to work with such a great group of women. My friend and I wanted to make the ladies a gift for all of their hard work and because (according to Bev) sometimes you just need things because they are cute! We made each of them a little purse to carry around the items they would need for the weekend (cell phone, schedule, pen, rooming list, notebook, etc.). They were a huge hit and someone at the event even asked if all the participants could get one next year...ah, I think I better start now! I lined each bag with the fabric used on the ruffle and cheated a bit by using a wide ribbon for the strap. My next version will have a small pocket for your cell phone!

Play Ball!

A dear friend of mine was checking out my Etsy page, but couldn't find the "Baseball Mom" pin I sometimes wear. I had to explain to her that I bought it at a craft show (the horror!). I know, don't let that get out! She then challenged me to make one for her, well, actually three as Mother's Day gifts. After studying it, I thought, bring it on! I got some wooden cutouts from Michael's, acrylic paint, and paint pens. I wasn't sure how it would all come together, but in the end I thought I should make one for myself...I liked mine better than the one I bought. She was thrilled, and I'm sure we'll be seeing some more Julie-inspired projects to come! Love you, Julie!

Moroccan Flare

I decided to change out the curtain rod in the dining room and when I took down the old curtains, I realized how the Florida sun had beaten them up. They were quite faded and dull looking, so to fabric.com I went! I wanted something that was somewhat of a Moroccan design and found this print. I created two rectangles and use the curtain clips to hang them. The fabric is very sturdy and should last me a while!

The Project From He%%

I love my house! I love the people I share it with, the neighborhood we live in, and the way I have changed it to be our own. BUT, one of the things I have NEVER liked about my house was the cabinets...the same cabinets that are in the kitchen and three bathrooms. Beige blah, pickled oak, white wash...what ever you want to call them, I call them ugly! The master plan is to one day update the kitchen, so I'll be happy to get rid of them then. In the meantime, I'm trying to update the bathroom ones so they grow on me. For that to happen, we need a small miracle or just some paint! I opted for the paint. I decided to tackle our bathroom during spring break while my family was on a camping trip (because, I don't camp!). It was quite an undertaking and took me the full three days. I had to take off all the hardware and doors and then sand everything down. I then used a de-glosser to take off the finish. That's when the fun of painting began. It took a full two coats of paint on everything because the wood underneath was so light.

Once I finished and let everything dry overnight, I added another two coats of Polyurethane. This seals everything and keeps the paint from chipping. I then was in search of just the right knobs to help finish them off. I found some porcelain knobs at Hobby Lobby that I fell in love with. They also had a brass trim that matched the existing hinges. I am so happy now when I walk into my bathroom and it makes quite a statement!

The Pizza Stripes are Gone

For years I've had a cornice in my kitchen above my sliding glass door. It helped add some pizzazz, but this had fizzled out for me in the last few months. With all the great new fabrics I was placing around my home, the striped kitchen cornice was started to look like a pizzeria. Time to hit Fabric.com! I found some beautiful yellow and white fabric that didn't match the kitchen, but it "goes." I wanted something that was bright and cheery but not in your face. It was an easy fix, I just took down the old one and staple gunned the new fabric right over the pizzeria stripes. Then, viola! We had sunshine in the kitchen!

Found One!

So, after my last gallery wall I was in search of more walls...I found one in my dining room that was in need of help! I wanted to create a family gallery wall that would pull in things that are important to my clan. I also really wanted to create something to show when we it all started. I found some tiny canvases at JoAnn's and had to have them. I then took a sharpie to them and wrote out the year we began our lives together. I had some other pieces that were hanging out in the house, but not really living to their potential to help pull it all together. Ta-da!

I'm Just Nesting

This is a really good term to describe the state of my life right now. When I'm not working, I can't sit still so I craft, or "nest." I try to make my home more comfortable and more cozy for our little family. For Easter I thought this dessert was perfect, given my current state. They are much like rice crispy treats, only you use chinese noodles instead of cereal. They are so cute when done, and my kids love making them! They are also the perfect treat for the salty-sweet taste buds!

The Happiest Day of the Year

This year I really wanted to make Easter special. I also wanted help remind my family why this is the best day of the year. I found a centerpiece on Pinterest much like the one I made, only it grew real grass. Well, I tried that but the seeds didn't take. I had to go to plan B and use some Easter grass I had on hand. To make the crosses, I used a branch that literally jumped out at me. When I was on a bike ride with my son, this branch jumped into the spokes of my tire. I hung onto thinking it was meant to be and it would help me make the crosses I needed. I then got out my new best friend, gunny (the glue gun) and started putting it together. I used twine to tie the crosses together and a plastic egg for the "tomb." I was happy with it in the end!

Sunburst Mirror - Take 2

I had some left over dowels from my original sunburst mirror so I thought I would make another one. This time I decided to space them further apart and use a smaller mirror. Now it's in my great room and it makes a cozy corner that I can admire when watching my favorite shows!

Make Yourself Happy

I was having a really bad day and I needed a boost. What a better remedy than working with a fabric that makes you smile? I had ordered some fabric on fabric.com and when it came in, it looked so happy! I thought I really need to put this where I can see it all the time. I decided what's a better place than my kitchen command post. It needed a boost, so I used three tension rods and sewed a little roman shade. I love looking at it and it makes me smile every time I see it. The bad day passed, but the smiling roman shade will be around for a while!

Groovy Curtains

My new little office needed some color and I wanted something in gray and yellow. I found this great fabric (again on fabric.com) that is called Groovy, that has yellow, gray, charcoal, and turquoise. I had the curtain rod, I just had to purchase the clips and make the curtains. I was so happy with the outcome!

Loving the Chevron Trend!

I love the new chevron trend and seeing bold colors against a white background. I found this yellow and white chevron fabric on fabric.com (my new favorite site) and really just wanted a pillow. I had a pillow that I wasn't crazy about on my couch, so I recovered it and love the outcome!

Tomato, ToMATO

For our anniversary I asked for a plant (since it lasts much longer than flowers...) and my adorable husband made me a patio tomato garden. He did his research and he found the best thing to use is five gallon buckets and drill holes in the bottom to let them drain. He is very practical, something I love about him, and he used some of the buckets we already had--two of which happened to be cat litter buckets. I had to chuckle when I got home because of the Tidy Cat and Fresh Step advertising we were doing on the back patio. Of course, I had to dress them up and put my own touch on them (and help them to match my decor.) For some reason, the new duct tape trend popped into my head and I went with it. I used red duct tape to wrap the buckets. I then discovered you can purchase duct tape sheets, so I used that to cut out letters so we could put names on them. We decided to each pick one and name it for ourselves, hoping it would grow the biggest. My son named his Bob, my daughter used Tomato Dude, and my husband and I claimed Big Boy (since that's the type of tomatoes they are). The race is on! Go Big Boy!

Monogrammed Wreath

A friend of mine is celebrating her birthday next week so I thought I would make her something special. I found some scrap book paper that I fell in love with and then had to figure out something to do with it. I decided to mod podge it to a letter and then use it on a wreath. The cream and natural rosettes worked well with the navy blue and it just came together. I hope she is enjoying the wreath and it gives a warm welcome to all her guests!

What Are We Doing This Week?

I cracks me up when I get a call on my cell phone from my family asking me where I am...Really? So the three times I told you I was going out to dinner with friends, you didn't hear me? Ha! To help solve that, and get everyone one on the SAME page, I created a family schedule. I use it to write down who is going to be where on each day. This one uses scrap book paper on the inside of a frame. Then you just use a dry erase marker on the glass and update each day of the week. I hung this right by the garage entry door (the entry and exit place for everyone in the family) so it's easily accessible...and no excuses for not seeing it. I hope it works!

Chalk It Up to Good Times

I wanted to make something fun for my parents retirement party and thought barware would be a good place to start. I thought it might be fun to decorate a wine glass for mom and and beer stein for dad using chalk board paint. Luckily for me G had some on hand! I found some really nice glassware and then used painters tape to make boxes on each of them. It takes about three coats of the chalk board paint to coat the glass well. You then have to let it set for twenty-four hours. The key to the whole project (ask my sister, she knows from experience...) is to score inside the painter's tape before you take it off. If you don't the paint will peel right off! Then write your message of choice in chalk and enjoy! Just add wine (or beer)!

The Infamous Kit Kat Cake

While hanging out on Pinterest one day, I found a Kit Kat cake. I asked my son if he would like to have something like this for his upcoming birthday, and he of course screamed, "Yes!" A few weeks had gone by and it was time to prepare for his birthday and I had forgotten about our little Pinterest conversation. I was asking him what kind of cake he wanted for his party and he gave me a look like, "Are you kidding me?" I get that look a lot from my children so I didn't realize what he was talking about. He soon reminded me about the Kit Kat cake! Like everything else, I had to make it my own...so I added the M&M's on the side for color (oh, and the fact that I ran out of Kit Kats)...It was a huge hit and we have never gone without birthday cake leftovers before!