Firecrackers

ignore the dust (:

Last year I made these fireworks. I used a wrapping paper roll because the cardboard was pretty thick. I used mod podge to adhere the paper then embellished with wire, ribbon, and embossed stars. They are a fun addition to our 4th decorations.

Name Board

My mom had this board that was used as our Family Home Evening Board for many years. I thought the shape was really great and wanted to make something new for her.

My mom really likes country blue so I painted and then distressed and stained it.

Next came the lettering. I used the Storybook cartridge for Borgersen and the swirl. The cursive was the Jasmin cartridge. The numbers were alphaliscious b/c I thought they were cuter than the plain print.

To apply the vinyl I took off the negative vinyl and then used clear contact paper as transfer paper. It worked really well and is less expensive than transfer paper. I used the card to be sure it stuck evenly to the contact paper and then to the board.

I L.O.V.E. how it turned out!

polka dot runner

I have been looking for a runner! Now I just need to find some rugs.

I love the turquoise with the polka dots.

Tutorial HERE.

Home Decor Ideas

One day when we buy a home I won't know what I want to do with it because I'll have too many ideas! I saw both these via U create and loved them.

Framed Bathroom Mirror

Beadboard Ceiling

For Mom

So I wanted to make a special card for Mothers Day this year. When I saw these brag books at eighteen25(fun blog!) I thought they were perfect.

~

I didn't quite make it as much of a brag book as a super personalized card for them. I hope my mom and mother-in-law love them.

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I made the smaller one 4 by 24 inches with 6 folds every 4 inches. And the larger 5 by 20 inches with 4 folds every 5 inches. I used the Serenade and Storybook cartridges for all the cutouts. I am loving these cartridges! The birds and branches are just too cute. I used my embossing powder to add all the black touches. I sanded the paper and used distressing ink as well.

Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms out there!

hooks

I only have one child in school, but we already have the backpack problem. I am hoping(I won't hold my breath) that with a place to hang the backpacks it will get better. At least I will have a place to put them.

I found these hooks at JoAnns and after my coupon it was about $5. The rest was pretty simple. I took off the hardware, painted it, distressed it, put the hardware back on, then added the vinyl branch and birds. I cut the vinyl with my Cricut using the Serenade Cartridge.

It makes me happy.

Another Frame

I love when people find old windows and use them in there homes. I haven't been lucky enough to come across anything like that yet. It was that type of look or feeling I was thinking of when I did this project.

I had this wreath. But it looked so plain and lonley when I would try to hang it anywhere. So when I found this frame in my closet I had an idea. The glass had broken in the last move so it was just waiting for something new. I painted it black, distressed it a bit, stained it, and used a piced of scrap fabric to hang the wreath from the frame. I think it would have been adorable in an off shade of white, but my walls are already so white I went for the black.

Adorable Heart Quilt

So I was just at U Create going through the last couple weeks of posts when I saw this beautiful quilt. I had to do a post so I could remember where it was so I can go back and make one. I love the colors!
Click here to go to Moda Bake Shop for directions.

Easter Egg & Mod Podge

I haven't been on the ball with my Easter Crafting this year so I thought I would revisit a craft I made last year.

Something unique about this project is the stitching around the edges. After I cut my paper and used a little tape to get the paper to stay in place I used my sewing maching and free handed the wavey lines. Then I used Mod Podge to glue it to the wooden egg I found at JoAnns. Added the ribbon and flowers and done!

I love Mod Podge!

And I am not the only one...Have you ever been to Mod Podge Rocks?

For those of you who are new to this product you should check out this post done by How Does She?

10 Steps to perfect mod podging!

There are idas and projects ALL OVER for this stuff.

My little sister actually introduced me to Mod Podge years ago. The first project I did was to cover clipboards. I was hooked. I wanted to Mod Podge everything! And since have done so whenever I can!

Sparkly Easter Eggs

My friend, Carol, just started a fun new blog to share some of the projects she does.

I loved these Easter Eggs! So Sparkly!

Click on the link above to see how she did it.

Drizzled Easter Eggs

How cool are these!?!

Head over to Crap I've Made to see this fun post.

She also has directions for an awesome Egg Drying Rack.

cupboard doors

Got any cupboard doors handy?

Yeah, me neither, but this post HERE at the Creative Crate makes me wish I did.

Aren't they just so cute!

I think so too.

tote bags

The kids we teach in primary are 7 turning 8 so we wanted to do something special for their birthdays. We thought a bag for their scriptures and things would be appropriate.

• I used my Cricut with the deep cut blade(at 2) to cut the fabric with the Heat-n-Bond ironed onto the back. If you don't have a Cricut you could always just cut out a letter from a stencil.
• Then I ironed the letter(cut at 5 in) onto the bag.
• To add some texture I used embroidery floss to stitch around the letter with different sizes and styles of stitches.

I didn't think the boys would enjoy the bright cute colors like the girls would so I also bought some plain colored bags. They are longer so I'll cut them down closer to the same size. I am excited to get them all done because they are all going to look so cute and fun with different colors and fabrics. They would be really cute with a flower or ribbon or rick rack! I love all the options!

What you'll need:

• bag
• fabric
• Heat-n-Bond
• embroidery floss & needle
• any accessories you want to add

Valentine 2x4s!

This week between episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show I have made these super cute blocks.

Yep, you heard right, The Dick Van Dyke Show.  I think it is great.  I love the black and white, and the flipped out hair styles, Mary Tyler Moore, the adds for laundry detergant and the beginning of every episode(you can SEE the difference), and the way he can come home and ask his wife, "Why aren't you slaving over a hot stove making my dinner?"  It is hilarious. 

Back to the blocks...

Just a couple of different ideas.

(These bears were so simple too. 

I just took bears we already had, cut out felt hearts, added some stitching, then attached them to their little hands.)

I cut the 2x4 and sanded them smooth.

After a coat of paint I sanded the edges.

Then stained the wood to give it a richer look.  This really made a difference on the white block b/c it helps the wood to stand out against the white.

I used the Doodlecharms cartridge for the hearts and the Alphaliscious cartridge for the font.

These blocks have been so much fun to make! 

I think the little sweet heart block is my favorite.

I linked to:

 and

Valentine Picture Frames

This project is so simple! 

Ok, pull out your Cricut, a frame, and some ribbon.  I found this frame at the dollarstore.  It measures 4 x 81/2. 

To cut the vinyl I used the Alphaliscious cartridge and cut the letters at 3 inches.  The hearts were from the George cartridge cut at 1 inch.  (When cutting vinyl I have found it is easiest to use a lower pressure(2) so you only cut through the vinyl.  That way it peels off like a sticker.)  Using transfer paper would be a good idea too, I didn't, but just because I don't have any on hand.

I used the line on the matt to line up the vinyl.  Making a line with masking tape would work well too.

I removed the screws and backing then used hot glue to attach the glass and ribbon to the frame.

Easy, cheep, and cute!

Go make one, then show me your ideas.  There are so many options.  In fact I have another idea with this project I'll show you as soon as I make it to the craft store!

I linked to:

 

burlap ♥

Have you seen these cute burlap hearts? 

Craftaholics Anonymous has a tutorial click here.

I was sitting around last night and thought, I'm going to make one. 

So I pulled out some wire and the rest of the burlap I had on hand and this is how it turned out.  I already have a cute something on my door so I thought I would scale it down a little. I cut the burlap strips about 1and a half to 2 inches wide.  I didn't really measure, just cut away. 

So easy and cute!

8x10 Chalkboards

These smaller chalkboards are great for playing with anywhere! 

My kids had a great time playing with them in their beds last night!  A long car trip would be a perfect time to pull them out.

I followed the same idea from the big frame, but added a padded bottom to make them more comfortable and cute!

For the pad I started with a piece of cardboard I cut to the same size as my frame.  I got these wooded frames at Wal-mart for $3 each.

Then I cut the batting to size.  I actually cut a long strip of the batting and "rolled" it up several times.

Cut the fabric a couple inches larger than the board and batting.

Using hot glue I went around the edges gluing the fabric to the cardboard keeping the fabric taught.

To give it just a little more I measured the center of the pillow and with embroidery floss and a large needle I stitched a few stitches.

Tie it with a good knot.

It adds just the right touch, don't you think?  You could add a button, or do two stitches.

I sanded down the corners of the frames.  They were a bit sharp.

This ocean blue is a favorite of mine.  I am on a bit of a teal and red kick.  They are so fun together!

I did sand a couple of them to give them that distressed look.  I followed it up with a matte top coat.  Kaylee wanted hers sparkly.

I cut the chalkboard to fit inside the frames and glued it in with the same construction adhesive. 

*Again, put the board in the frame, then glue it so the glue doesn't ooze out onto your project.

After the glue was dry I used hot glue to attach the pad onto the back.

There you have it! 

A fun portable chalkboard.

My niece will be getting one for her birthday!