this is my department (craft blog)

A-Frame Tent Cheap!

2012-01-11T01:12:00.000-07:00

This is what my kids got for Christmas, a tent. And NO Santa didn't bring it, mommy made it... I just couldn't give the Fat Man credit for this one.

So here is what I did, I started out with this tutorial... DIY A-Frame Tent

but did it a little bit different. She uses a wooden dowel on top, and elastic for the ends of the tent. I decided that I would rather replace PVC than a wood dowel if my kids get crazy with it. Also I thought that I could make my cover less droopy if I hemmed the ends and put PVC through it.

So here are the materials that I used:

2 pieces of wood, 1x3x10 (had Home Depot cut them in half) and (if they are not sanded you can tell them to smooth them out for you too)

2 pieces of 3/4" PVC 10 feet long

6 end caps for the PVC

material/sheet (I got my material free from a friend, but you could get a sheet second hand and it would not cost much)

twine or hemp (on hand)

drill with crown drill bit

sand paper

So since my fabric was free and I had hemp and tools, my total was $13!

First off I drilled a 7/8" hole in my boards. Sanded them, then I wrapped and tied the hemp around the boards as shown. This was ingenious... I knew it would hold my boards together and make the hole a little more snug but I didn't know that when you put the PVC through and spread the boards it squeezes the PVC tightly AND makes it so that the tent can't collapse, ingenious, like I said.

As for the PVC I cut one of the 10' pipes a little LONGER than 5' for the top so that we could hang things on the outside of the tent. Then for the other pipe I cut it exactly in half so I had two 5' pipes for the bottom of my material to hold it tight.

So you put your PVC through and then spread the legs place the end cap on the PVC and repeat for the other side.

Throw the material over and feed the pipes through the bottoms and TA-DA!

What I love about the pipe being on the top of the tent is that the kids can hang flashlights from carabiners, which they love.

And this is all the space you need to store it!

Ugly Sweater Make-Over

2011-12-16T21:42:00.003-07:00

I found this lovely acrylic sweater at Savors for $5

Before:

Then added some uglyness. Just added felt and buttons. The Santa pockets were on a dollar store stocking. I had to hot glue it because the iron on "Heat n Bond" wasn't ironing on to the acrylic.

After:

Here it is in action, because you don't really notice the shoulder pads unless it's on. Mine wasn't in the running for the ugliest but my husbands was... his was ugly enough the way it was. Although the pointsettia pin I made was a nice touch though.

How to Pin on Pinterest

2011-12-15T08:58:00.001-07:00

Ok I will start my comeback with something that has been BUGGING me for a while now. Let me explain... have you hear of Pinterest? If you haven't... where do you live? Oh how I LOVE Pinterest for my own personal benefit! I am a visual person and "pinning" things that I want to refer back to is about the best thing ever. I used to "star" or "label" things in Google Reader... my other love thanks to Erika at Oops, I Craft My Pants for opening my eyes. BUT the thing about Reader is that I couldn't SEE the things that I had star-ed or labeled, and then finding them again was quite hard to do. So Pinterest solves that for me and I love it!

Now with my LOVE of Pinterest I HATE when people don't pin right!

Let me ask, have you ever seen someone else's Pin that was the cutest project, I mean you could DIE it's so cute, you were SO interested in this particular project. Maybe you just wanted to see the picture up close, or maybe more pictures of it, OR maybe you were hoping for an actual tutorial. And while the page is loading you wait in anticipation to see this glorious project in further depth. Then to your dismay you don't see it, it may not even be on the first page of posts... then you start to wonder maybe this project was posted a YEAR ago and how much longer do you have to scroll to get to your beautiful project that is now fading as you shuffle through other not-so-interesting posts. Don't you just HATE that! If only the Pinner had just pinned it right, you now would not have to go on a wild goose chase for the cute thing that you had seen, searching the site for something your not quite sure you even know what it is now. This is why I made this post.

First there is a "Pin It" button that you can place on your toolbar that is super handy, although this should be used with some discretion. The "Pin It" button is for when you are on a site (any site other than Pinterest) and you find something you like you can pin it from the site, onto your pin board. It is found by going to "about" on Pinterest and going down to the "Pin It Button". Then after you have installed it, it will appear in your toolbar like this.

WARNING: The "Pin It" button is where one can go wrong with Pinning, mostly as it pertains to Pinning items off of blogs.
SO what is the RIGHT way to Pin?
If you are looking at one of your favorite blogs and you find something that you just LOVE and have to Pin, BEFORE you hit the "Pin It" button you need to make sure that you are on the actual post of the blog and NOT on the blogs home! To do this click on the title of the post. To make sure you are NOT on the home page look up in the web address box. It should look like this...

NOT THIS

But another way to tell is if you have pressed the "Pin It" button, there should only be a limited amount of picture that come up that are available to Pin. You should NOT have an infinite number of pictures. The only way you should pin a home page is if you love the whole site and want to refer back to the whole site. Like and organization site or tips for cleaning site... things like that. If there is a certain project or design that you love you MUST be on the post.

RE-CAP Pin posts not home pages!

Ahh, I'm so glad to get that off my chest!

It's Been Awhile

2011-12-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

I know that I have not been posting... trust me it is not for lack of crafting but I just haven't taken the time to actually take any pictures of my crafts lately. Mainly because of this little one! Yes he is 2 months now, and I feel like I'm finding my grove now.

Twin Girl Onesies

2011-10-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

I made some super cute twin baby girl onesies. I used some lace and a strip of ruffled fabric. I like that they are similar yet different so that the twins can be identified yet still matching.

I dyed the onesies myself and left one in a bit longer so that they would be matching pinks yet slightly different shades.

Can't wait to gift them!

Witch Shoes and Broom

2011-09-28T17:33:00.001-07:00

Oh how I love Halloween! I love the decorations, the fun, the candy, dressing up... EVERYTHING! I love that there is no meaning to miss, or make sure you focus on. It's just dress up, have fun and get candy! Don't get me wrong I love the meaningful holidays too but Halloween is so great! Plus the more dirt, leaves, and cobwebs the better! To start off my Halloween decor I HAD to do this! The thought has been stuck in my head for days and I could not rest until it was made a reality! I was in such a hurry to get it out of my head I didn't take step by step pictures, too bad. SO here is what I did.

I went outside and examined my trees for a branch the was just crooked enough to make a great broomstick. Got out my ladder and saw and cut it down... Shh my husband doesn't know that yet. I was laughing at myself as my 8 month pregnant body was outside in my PJ's up on a ladder while the HOA landscapers where down my street doing their rounds! Anyways, here is a hint I made my broomstick as tall as I wanted the whole broom to be so that the bristle would have some extra sturdiness.

Then I found two small brooms (which were hard to find) at Dollar Tree, made entirely out of the bristles. I cut them in half and hot glued and then tied on the the stick.

Then I went to Goodwill... any second hand store will do. Find a pair of shoes that look like they can pass as witch shoes. I found this pair pretty easy, didn't even search around and since I wasn't worried about the size it was super simple. Originally the shoes didn't have a buckle so I went to the belts and amazingly I found two of the SAME belt in black! Got home buckled my belts cut them and hot glued the cut ends underneath! TA-DA witch shoes from the thrift store!

I may make a sign to go with it, or I may just leave it... I really like it the way it is... we shall see!

T-shirt Refashioned

2011-07-30T17:20:00.002-07:00

I thought I'd dress up a plain T to be just a bit fancier!

Start with a plain t-shirt.

Folded the shirt in half and chalked a line in the middle.

Line up your buttons where you want them and chalk a line there too. My buttons are all different sizes and some are plain white and some are pearly. I did have enough of the same kind but it wasn't as cute!

Then sew on your buttons and sew on some lace!

Ta-da! So simple and easy!

Linked up with:

Skip to my Lou

Creations By Kara

Paisley Passions

Meal Schedule

2011-07-19T10:20:00.002-07:00

When it comes to meal planning there are a ton of different ways to do it.

I usually use my Google Calendar to plan my meals, but I taught a class on meal planning and decided that I needed a cute display and came up with this...

Start with a dollar store frame (take out the glass). And print out a cute calendar, I found mine HERE at Anything but Perfect. And more HERE!

Place a couple of sheets of tin tiles behind your calendar, and your almost done!

Then you need to make a list of all of your 30 plus favorite meals that you know how to make... type out a list of them, here is mine if you want. Print them out on a few different colors of paper, you will need to space/size them to fit on your calendar. Then make magnates out of them. I traced some with pebble marbles, cut out, and Mod Podged them to the back.

Then hot glued a magnate to the back.

Others I just stuck a magnate on the paper.

So WHY meal plan?

You know what to buy at the store because your meals are set and you know what to get!

It makes being in the kitchen more enjoyable.

Your eating more of a variety, and it should be healthier and cheaper, because of your planning.

And the best part is NOW you KNOW what's for dinner!

Try throwing in a "New recipe night" or maybe buy something that you have never cooked before (because it's on sale) and try cooking it. Always have a "fill in meal" or a "fall back meal" something that is easy and requires no prep, so that way if you had a "leftover" night but you have no leftovers you still have a meal. Like potstickers that you pull out of the freezer, or cans of soup. Canned beef is a great one to have on hand... you can mix it with BBQ sauce and throw it on a hamburger bun (that you keep in the freezer). Or you can take that same can of beef and mix some green chili sauce with it, bust out some beans and tortillas and you have green burritos.

Cricut Giveaway!

2011-07-07T19:27:00.002-07:00

I just wanted to spread the word, the odds are good and there are 5 more days! The giveaway is over at Turbo Bubblegum!

Cute Baby Girl Onesie

2011-06-17T06:02:00.001-07:00

Made this today, I can't wait to gift it, I think it's so cute!

Twisted rosette headband

Lotus Flower Bow

2011-05-20T14:57:00.008-07:00

Here is a super simple flower bow that you can make in no time at all!

Really the hardest part is making sure your fabric is 2 sided!

I inherited a grandma's sewing stuff and in all of it I found this...

No it is not a roll of toilet paper, it's bias tape!

Since I don't think I will ever be lining anything with this it's perfect for my project!

As for you doing this at home... you will have to cut 2 inch squares out of a any double sided fabric.

Fold your squares in half diagonally but off mid-line as shown,

and then in half again.

Then take a needle/thread and sew it in place. I swear you don't need to know how to sew to do this! It doesn't have to look pretty no one will see the sewing! It's just really putting the needle through the center, up and down... you can do this!

Then continue sewing new squares on, half way through your flower will look like this.

This is about 7 or so squares it's not exact just until it looks good.

Then add 7 to 10 more and you will end up with this!

HINT: When you are done always keep your thread on so that you can sew your flower to your clip. Why... because hot glue is nice but when it's sewn you know you have reinforcements!

After I have it sewn on to my clip then I slip in the glue.

After it's on a clip you have a new pretty flower for you or your pretty girl!

Linked up with:

Sister Stuff

Boy's Tie

2011-03-25T12:51:00.001-07:00

I love seeing little boys in ties but they grow up so fast that in about a week they are too tall for their short little ties! And I am way too cheap to buy fancy ties SO here is my solution... dollar ties!

Here is what you do, get a tie from the dollar store. The 99 cents only store usually has good looking ones.

Turn the tie around where the skinny end is and tie your tie the way you like it... I did a double windsor knot and then pulled the tie to look like this...

So the skinny end of the tie is now the front of the tie and the long tail in the back will be cut off. Pinch your tie so that the natural folds are touching

and then cut.

Since this is the back of the tie and no ones really going to be seeing it, it doesn't need to be perfectly finished off just Mod Podge the end so it doesn't fray.

Then cut your loop and Mod Podge the ends too.

Next put some elastic in between,

and sew, and TA-DA!

Just slip it over the cute monster's head and look how sweet he becomes!

Linked up with:

Paisley Passions

Eye Spy Bottles

2011-02-22T12:23:00.005-07:00

For the last couple weeks I've been making these, Eye Spy Bottles.

I am using it for a youth activity first but then I think they will make great gifts after we are done!

So the idea is to hide items in the bottle and then as you shake it up your able to find the things inside.

I used Gatorade bottles because the mouth of the bottle is wide and I was able to fit bigger things inside. I Mod Podged the tops with some cute paper to cover the big G!

Here are the items that went inside, we are focusing on individual worth so...

flowers, stars, finger print, wedding band, bow, jewel, softball, pearl, light bulb (let your light so shine), 3 warm fuzzies, a ruby...

a baby, music note, pencil, scriptures, graduation cap/family picture, gift, princes/mirror.

The items that weren't 2 sided I glued another item to it. Like the princess and the mirror.

My favorites, maybe cuz I spent the most time on them.

The Book of Mormon

and the journaling pencil.

So just take your bottle fill with bird seed and every once in a while put a few items in. Leave a little wiggle room so that you can find the items.

Next I printed out a list of the items and then mounted them on cute paper.

Now to attach the list, I made the ribbon long enough that when you pick it up and shake it, the list isn't in the way. Hot glued the ribbon on my list.

And hot glued the ribbon on the inside of the cap just to make sure it stays. Then when you screw on the cap it's automatically there.

And TA-DA you have a cute eye spy bottle. Fun for all!

Gummy Roses

2011-02-15T10:01:00.003-07:00

This is what I made my hubby for Valentine's Day!

A dozen gummy roses! My husband loves gummy stuff and so I got Fruit by the Foot cut them down the middle in a wave and rolled them up! (If you can find Fruit by the Foot WAVE than you don't have to cut them)

Here it is with the kids balloons and Valentine's!

Valentine's Day Crafts

2011-02-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the Valentine's Day crafts I've done.

XO Love Garland

Made from red, and pink paper and toilet paper rolls.

Now all I need is a cute wreath or something for that empty nail on my front door!

Heart Door Hanger

Made from flet, floss, and ribbon.

Cards

2011-01-31T15:18:00.003-07:00

I feel like I've been crafting away but not sharing all of my crafts with you so I have some cards I have made recently and more crafts to come!

I had some scraps of the cute pink paper and so I thought I could make something pretty. Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner... I may use them for that. But really they could go for anything if you want something pretty that is.

This flower really needs a close up! (Here is my secret: 4 small squares of double sided paper, folded twice and ta-da!)

And it seems to me that every time I have a wedding to go to I have NO cards that would even look good... So I made these. Plain paper, a few shapes, some folds, add some lace and ta-da!

This is just my favorite thank you card and I don't think I'll ever give it away!

Photo Plaque

2011-01-18T11:12:00.003-07:00

Look at my cute photo plaque.

You need a board, paint, Mod Podge, a photo, and stain if you want it.

You need to make sure that your board it free of any bumps or imperfections, your picture will not be flat if there is.

Wipe off all of the dust.

Paint your board the color you want.

Mod Podge your picture to the board.

Next Mod Podge over your picture.

Add a second coat of Mod Podge, and wait for it all to dry.

After the Mod Podge has dried completely you can stain it. Here is the difference.

Paint the stain all over the top and wait 5-10 mins and then wipe off to desired color is obtained. For mine I used my rag to wipe off the excess and then dabbed it to give it a sponged affect.

If you are going to stain it after the Mod Podge is dry MAKE SURE that you seal the edges of your picture REALLY well with the Mod Podge.

Or it will end up looking like this... my stain seeped under my photo and stained my picture.

I think I will finish it off with some ribbon to cover the stain blotches.

For the most part they turned out well!

Happy Podging

Linked up with:

Creations by Kara

Sisters Stuff

Cute Toes

2010-12-23T17:10:00.003-07:00

Deck your TOES with boughs of holly! Fa la la la la, la la la la!

I'm going to show you how to do it! I didn't take step by step pictures so I'm showing you with computer animated pictures.

Start off with silver and then once that's dry take a toothpick and make three red dots of holly berries at the corner of your toe.

Then cut one end off of your toothpick, take some green and make two dots where you want your leaves to be. With the pointy end of the toothpick slide from the middle of your bottom dot out through the second.

Then repeat for the sides.

TA-DA! Cute Christmas toes! (Real paint this time!)

Last Minute Holiday Treat

2010-12-20T08:14:00.009-07:00

Have you had ideas of grand desserts that you would pass out with your handmade cards, wrapped with ribbon and glitter. Well me too, but the fact is you have run out of time! Let's make something yummy that is quick and cute and will still make you look impressive. Here it is:

Celestial Chex Mix (my way)

3/4 c butter
1 c white kayro
1 c sugar
4 c rice chex
4 c corn chex
4 c cinnamon chex
2 c shredded coconut
1-2 c sliced almonds

First you are going to want to toast about a third of the coconut and ALL of the almonds, (to toast spread out on a foil covered cookie sheet and broil for a minute or two. TIP: do NOT do anything in between putting them in and taking the out! They will burn!) Then in a large bowl combine cereals, coconut and almonds. Next in saucepan combine butter, sugar and kayro. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes stir constantly. Pour over cereal mixture, coat and mix. Last spread on wax paper till slightly dry to touch, separate into bite-sized clusters.

It goes together fast and it is SO yummy, now all you need are some cute bags. Staple a paper with your name on it and TA-DA! I thought it would be a good thing to make and have at home so that when those unexpected friends come with a treat, you have one to give them!

Linked up with:

Skip to My Lou

Sew Chatty

Creative Itch

Cute Magnet Board

2010-12-13T10:18:00.006-07:00

This is what I made for my sister in law for Christmas. This year for the gift exchange we set a dollar limit on the gifts, and I came up with this magnet board/recipe holder.

I totally forgot to take a before picture but it looked a little like this ming porcelain plate except it was tin and you could tell it wasn't porcelain. It was a whopping .50 cents at a thrift store.

source google image

I spray painted the edges white, and found some cute scrapbook paper, which I then Mod Podged to the middle.

Lately I have been kind of obsessed with keeping all bottle caps off of our drinks and so I took a few Izzy's caps. (I love izzys)! I covered one of them just so I could have more orange but I didn't even have to cover the others because they are so cute. The things that I had on hand made it easy to stay in the budget but if you had to buy the Izzy's, paint, paper, magnets and cloths pins you would still have a pretty cheap gift!

Covered a couple clothes pins and stuck magnets on them and TA-DA! A very cute $1 gift.

Linked up with:

Skip to my Lou

Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Between Naps on the Porch

Fine Craft Guide

Creative Itch

Sew Chatty

Snowflake Decorations for Cheap!

2010-12-06T15:31:00.003-07:00

I love decorating with snowflakes around this time. Maybe it's because where we live in AZ there is no snow: it's a chilly 71 degrees outside right now! And I love hanging stuff from my ceiling, it just makes things look so much cuter!

So here is my winter wonderland! Want to know how to make the big snowflakes? I'll show you!

Here is what you need: White lunch bags, scissors, tape, and string.

Fold in different places and cut whatever feels good. Let me give you a tip: there is so right or wrong way even if you think the cut looks silly*, once they are open they look great. And snowflakes are all different so have fun experimenting with different cuts.

On some of my snowflakes I alternated two different cuts and on some I didn't.

(*See how mine look like chicken and boobs... they turn out cute when you open them.)

Once you have cut your bags to your hearts desire, now it's time to start taping. Don't open your bag, just tape the edges together near the bottom. You will be taping one side each, to the other.

Make sure your bottom is folded up still and pinched with the sides as you tape.

Let me show you a little closer make sure the V is pinched down before you tape.

You don't want the V.

Bad / Good

Once you have taped all of your bags together it should look like this

Here is a different design.

Then hang! Ta-da!

I love it! It would be so cute if you were having a party to put them up all over with some of those tissue paper pom poms.

So let it SNOW. let it SNOW, let it SNOW!

Then I tied it into my other decorations by wrapping some presents with snowflake paper.

Linked up with:

Skip to my Lou

Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Between Naps on the Porch

Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T16:19:00.002-07:00

I thought I should show off what I made for Thanksgiving before I move on to all my Christmas stuff!

Ideas from Tip Junkie

Suggestions for Christmas

2010-11-24T08:21:00.002-07:00

Picture source

I know that not everyone celebrates Christmas but there are a lot of you that do. I have recently learned, from a few wiser than I, GREAT ideas for Christmas. The first is for giving gifts to your children... each child gets 3 gifts, each in a different 'category'. They give one gift for fun, one spiritual gift, and one gift to develop that child's talent. I love this idea, and will be starting this tradition in our family!

The second was an idea from my mother in law, and it will take from now, STARTING TODAY, to Christmas to change for the better to be able to "Give a gift to the Savior" this Christmas. The ideas is that it takes approximately 30 days to change a bad habit and to start good habits in the classical conditioning of the mind. So for the next 30 days STOP one bad habit, and START doing something good and work on it each day. Then by Christmas you will have a gift to give to Jesus. I also think that the Christmas spirit will be working everyday till Christmas so it won't be so hard to remember the "true meaning" of Christmas! And to help you start READ THIS, it is one of my favorite things to read to motivate me to get me in gear, even if you are not of the same faith it is a good read.

What are some other traditions that you do?

50 Free Cards

2010-11-21T17:07:00.005-07:00

Have you heard, Shutterfly is giving away 50 FREE Christmas cards! If you have a blog check it out HERE.

If you have never seen their cards you have to check them out! They have Christmas Cards and Photo Cards. I can just picture my family on this one I think my kids bright blue eyes would just pop! Oh and the next birthday party you plan, THESE would just be the "frosting on the cake!"

Shutterfly is also great for gifts for the holidays, a calendar for your husbands office, a mug for grandpa! And I love giving photo books to friends and family, it's such an impressive gift that is shared over and over.

I use Shutterfly for ALL of my pictures. I am not kidding all of my pictures are backed up on Shutterfly, if the picture is not uploaded to their site it's still on my camera so I will not loose any if my computer crashes. Plus I love all of the extra stuff you can make with your pictures, did I mention I love Shutterfly, cuz I do!

Kitchen Makeover

2010-11-13T17:15:00.001-07:00

It's been a while, yes I know, we have been sick and I haven't felt like doing much but watch movies all day long. Although, I think we are pulling out of it and getting better so I have no excuse now.

I have been waiting FOREVER to show this off so this will make up for lost time!

In our neighborhood they have a 'big trash day' once a month, where you can basically put anything you can't fit in a trash can on the side of the road and someone comes to pick it up and takes it away for you. Well before official trash guys come it's free game! So this is what we picked up a while ago for FREE!

It was in alright shape but the plastic is old and was cracking off the handles,

and the stickers were all gone.

So I took it and turned it in to this!

Water and ice dispenser

Dishwasher buttons.

Oven and burners dials.

Made burners, with tin foil and orange paper.

Added buttons for the microwave.

Covered the handles with packing tape and then Mod Podged fabric over them.

Then made it so there was a landscaped picture in the window.

I did spend $1 on the light above the stove.

I love how it turned out!

So thanks person in the neighborhood that didn't want this anymore, we love it!

Linked up with:

Keeping it Simple

Boo Season

2010-10-13T10:53:00.001-07:00

BOO!

Well it is that time again! One of my favorite things to do in October is to "Boo" people! You know where you make treats and a cute little saying that says that they have to boo two others. Well we have been making treats and booing people lately and the kids really like helping mix the treats, licking bowls clean, eating the left over treats and then of course Booing houses! So here is my Mommy tip: find ways to let your little ones help... even if it means making a mess or getting caught at some of the houses, they will feel the joy of helping and serving others!

Here is another fun project that is easy and a good one for little ones to help.

Here is what you need: white paper bags, some black paper cut into eyes and mouths, and tape (or if your kids are older and can use glue that works too).

Oh and you'll need a cute kid or two to help.

Put the tape on the eyes and mouth and stick them on the bags.

This is what we ended up with.

We also made bats!

Our house looks way better with our paper decorations up!

Linked up with:

Creations by Kara

Halloween Wreath

2010-10-07T17:52:00.006-07:00

I know I have been missing in action for a while... long story short, A LOT of failed project that have taken a long time and in turn it's taken me a long time to recover! But I'm back and do I have the cutest Halloween wreath EVER?! Inspired by this, I made THIS!

So here is what you need: a $1 wreath, $1 Happy Halloween foam sign, $1 ball of yarn, some monster green "Fun Fur" (which is on sale at Joannes starting tomorrow!), and googly eyes.

First start wrapping the wreath with your yarn. You don't have to be too careful like I was to make it perfect, because you won't be able to see imperfections!

Tip: Place the wreath between your knees and use both hands to wrap, it's WAY faster!

Then once you wrapped the wreath completely grab your "Fun Fur" and start wrapping in a random order. I was spacing my wraps from 1/2 inch to 2 inches apart. Then I'd switch the angles, until I liked the manginess of my monster wreath.

Then I hot glued my googly eyes on at random. Then to hang it I just took the ribbon that was on the Happy Halloween sign, fed it through the middle and hung! Pretty simple and super cute!

Linked to:

Between U & Me

Paisley Passions

Tales from Bloggeritaville

Talk of the Town Salad!

2010-09-18T00:40:00.002-07:00

Ok so I've kind of been on a food kick lately, I swear I do crafts too just the ones I'm doing right now are taking forever!

I have a salad recipe that I guarantee will be a hit at your next party! The first time I had it was at my friend Lindsee's baby shower... my friends and I could not stop eating it! Now, ever since, I have been making it for my own indulgence. Well last night I took it to a party and it was a HUGE hit! So ladies here you are:

1 bag of Baby Spinach

half a pound of pasta (al denta), I used Rotelle last night but any kind will work.

1-2 grilled chicken breasts cut in pieces (fresh n easy has herb chicken already cooked and sliced)

10-15 cherry tomatoes cut in half

cut up Mozzarella Cheese, when I don't have a block I use string cheese.

Dressing:

half Pesto, half homemade Ranch to make about a 1 cup - 1 1/2 cup of dressing.

Tip: I usually put my pasta in while it's hot that way the spinach wilts a little. But putting everything in cold works fine too. And if you are making it for a party you may want to double or triple it, it disappears fast!

Linked to:

All Thingz Related

Patriot Day

2010-09-11T14:10:00.003-07:00

Ok I know that it's not the best picture and all but it's kinda hard to take a pretty picture during a party when people are hungry and ready to eat. I made this for Patriot Day!

Made regular red Jello topped it with whipped cream and blue star jigglers, I think everyone enjoyed the jigglers more than everything else. Next time I will just make red and blue star jigglers and serve it with some whipped cream.

May we always remember that we are free, and that in God We Trust!

Chicken Basil Sandwich

2010-09-08T15:33:00.001-07:00

I love avocados, and bacon and the smell of basil! Add a few fillers and you have this!

I used to work at LifeTime Fitness its been years, but ever since I stopped working there I have been craving one of their sandwiches. Since I'm not going to pay $50 a month to eat at their cafe, and NOT workout I decided to finally satisfy my craving. Not to mention they probably don't even make it anymore.

Instead of making the sandwich exactly I have improved it by adding my own spin.

Here is what you need:

a hard roll (I used bolillos from Fresh n Easy), grilled chicken with herbs, basil, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, avocado, crumbled bacon, and mayo.

First, mix up some mayonnaise with desired amount of bacon... in my case more than the mayo! Put it face down on your Foreman Grill or panini/waffle maker.

While you cut the mozzarella, avocado, and tomato, heat up your chicken if it's cold.

Then load up the sandwich.

Put the sandwich together and slap it back on the grill.

When the cheese is melty, and the bread toasty, it's done! And so YUMMY!

I'm pretty sure you'll have to make this one again and again because you'll be craving it after you've tasted it!

black to BLACK!

2010-09-01T12:19:00.001-07:00

So I have been bursting with excitement for a while now, and now I will share the news... Have you heard of Totally Tutorials?... if you haven't, where have you been? Well, she hosts exchange programs and I'm a part of the Simply Spray exchange!!! I'm so excited, when I signed up I spent some sleepless nights coming up with things that I could do if I got picked! And I got picked! I received a box with cans upon cans of Paint it Black Simply Spray fabric spray paint. I was so happy when I read the email that said, "Congratulations! You have been selected to receive FREE Simply Spray Paint It Black Soft Fabric Paint. Thanks so much for applying to do the Free Exchange..." my eyes couldn't read fast enough before I squealed, jumped up and down, and almost cried! Yes I couldn't be more excited and have so many ideas to come.

Well first things first this is the no brainer thing to do with this lovely can of Simply Spray Paint it black, (I call it no brainer because it's what the can and the website tell you to do with the paint.) But just because it's a no brainer does not make it boring!

I'm sure we all have a black shirt or two that we wear under or over everything and it's been through the wash so many times it looks like you wore it in high school?...

Well this is my shirt, and lets just say it not only looks like I wore it in high school but I actually did wear it in high school! (I wish someone would have told me to dress better back then and informed me that after getting married and having two kids I would still be wearing those clothes!)

The picture doesn't do it justice but it really is dingy. If you look carefully you can see wear I spayed it with water in the left corner which makes it look like it should.

Before:

After:

First I got my dingy ol shirt and since it's stretchy I stretched it over a pizza box, I know I'm real scientific like that, then hung it outside.

Then sprayed it.

Let it dry and wear it!

Back to BLACK, soft and good as new!

Apple-Pickle-Carrot Sandwiches

2010-08-25T15:50:00.002-07:00

OK I know that tuna is nothing new to anyone but I wanted to share how I have started to make my tuna. So far everyone that has tried it, likes it.

Growing up we would put dill pickles in our tuna mixed with mayo and that was it. I never knew that there was any other way to make tuna, never crossed my mind. So once when my mother-in-law asked me what I put in my tuna I thought it was a weird question because I just thought that everyone only put pickles, period. So when I answered pickles and she was still waiting for an answer I said... mayo.... tuna. On her end she was probably thinking "She only puts pickles? How weird!" She had a whole list of things and I found out that I really enjoy carrots in my tuna, thanks to her. And thanks to my grandparents I found out that apples add a sweet crunch. So here is my favorite tuna.

My three year old calls them "Apple-pickle-carrot sandwiches" kind of a long title I know! Grandpa even asked her if she wanted a tuna sandwich the other day and she simply told him, "I don't like tuna sandwiches." The reason: they aren't simply called tuna at our house.

My kids eat tuna sandwiches better than anything else... really... well... lunch food anyway!

It may sound like a weird combo but it is so yummy. You need tuna, half an apple (any color), dill pickles, carrots, and mayo. And I have noticed that adding fruit and veggies to it makes it stretch further and it's got to be more health, right?

Slap-chop it up! So easy and fast. Plus it's fun to let the kids help chop, both my kids love it.

Add a couple spoon fulls of mayo just enough to stick it together.

Slightly toast the bread and eat!

MMM...

I kid you not my kids plates are always clean.

How do you make your tuna?

Drum Roll Please...

2010-08-19T09:56:00.001-07:00

Well girls my first giveaway went well! And 1 lucky person will win all 25 of these cute cards!

Just to let you know that a few people where thrown in the hat twice because they were one of my first 10 followers... LUCKY!

AND THE WINNER IS...

BIGBEARSWIFE

Thank you everyone for participating! Congrats Angie!

Giveaway Last Chance

2010-08-18T07:04:00.004-07:00

Here is another teaser...

If you want 25 cards handmade by me, today is your last chance! The giveaway ends at midnight!

Become a follower and comment, that's it!

Baby Gift

2010-08-16T10:06:00.001-07:00

One of my friends had a baby shower last week and this is what I made her.

A diaper strap and matching changing pad. One cute convenient bundle with everything you need diapers, wipes, cream, and changing pad! No searching around for everything just a blind grab and you're good to go!

And it's reversible! So cute huh!

***Remember to enter the handmade card giveaway!***

Linked up with:

Reminder

2010-08-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

Remember girls you're not entered to win the 25 cards giveaway until you COMMENT, yes you have to be a FOLLOWER but you have to COMMENT!

A GREAT BIG THANKS! (giveaway)

2010-08-11T11:50:00.000-07:00

Ok girlies, let me just say that I am so so happy! I said that I would do a giveaway when I got to 50 followers and guess what... with the subscribers in Google reader plus my followers I have 52!YEAH, YAY, YEAH! Jumping up and down, I feel so special right now! You guys are the best! Really, I'm so flattered that most of my followers are people that I have never met! So thank youand I'm so excited to have you as my "blog friends"! So to say thank you I'm doing a handmade giveaway, I have made, with my own hands, 25 cards that I'm going to be giving to a lucky reader!

(just a little preview)

All you have to do is to be a follower or subscriber and then comment on this post. That's all! I would love to know who some of my subscribers are so if you are let me know!

Edit: The giveaway will close next Wednesday 18th at 12 midnight. I will pick a winner the 19th!

Bulletin Board 2

2010-08-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

Look I'm on the internet at my house!! Yes we finally have the internet, I guess our neighbors got sick of us using their unsecured networks and blocked us out! To tell you the truth I'm surprised it's lasted a whole year! So I'm back, most of you probably didn't realize it but... I am happy that I'm back in business!

What have I been doing for a whole week with no internet you ask? Well I've been getting my craft on, and also going through withdrawals from the internet! I think it was good for me to get away from the computer, it helped put my priorities straight. So now I'm back, improved and ready to show off my stuff. Most of my projects just got started not finished but I did finish a few!

Remember a long time ago when I said I was going to finish my bulletin board well I finally did! I love it, I find myself just admiring it every once in awhile. Now I just need to finish everything else on and by the desk to complete the whole project! I've got a good jump on it all though now!

Much better don't you think?

I ironed ribbon on the edges, gives it a nice finish I think.

Then I took some felt and my fabric that I didn't dye (so it would stand out a little more), and made a flower.

It went from this...

To this...

And finally to this!

(It also helps to take horrible picture the first few times, it makes your final project look really good!)

My Favorite Pork Chops

2010-07-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

Here is another meal from my Meal Schedule it is one of our favorites, I think I might schedule it more often.

Ok so I kinda burnt them because I was grilling and not my wonderful grillmaster husband! But they still tasted SO good!

Close up on the color of these babies!

So here is how you make these delicious pork chops.

I love Sam the Cooking Guy and this is a modified version of his pork chops.

If you want to follow the recipe per Sam you can but I would feel a little funny walking around the grocery store with a 6 pack of beer, but that is just me though!

So here is my recipe:

6 boneless pork chops, about 3/4-inch thick, trimmed
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar

2 crushed cloves of garlic
2 tablespoons fresh ginger root, chopped very fine

8 oz of Apple Juice

Put all the ingredients in a gallon bag. Let the chops marinade for a night and day and then grill 'em.

(I usually buy a huge thing of pork chops and then as soon as I get them home from the store I split them up in groups of 4 or 6 add the marinade let them sit in the frige for a day and stick them in the freezer, it's a quick, easy, YUMMY meal.)

Doesn't it make you hungry, MMM so good.

PS those are my new glasses I just got from IKEA for my birthday and I LOVE them!

Linked to:

Sister Stuff

Your Sweet Card

2010-07-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

Let me first say that this card was just in my head, (I didn't even copy it from anyone!) and it wanted to come out and it turned out SO cute! It did take a couple of tries to get it there but now look how CUTE! (Let's see how many times I can say CUTE!)

So here is how to do it! Take a cream 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper print "Your Sweet" in pink where you want it (trial and error really.) I put my page to landscape and entered down till it looked just under the halfway point. Printed a test sheet, it wasn't quiet down far enough but a whole return would have been way off so I changed the font size of the spaces above it and got it where I wanted it. (That was very long winded just for a simple step sorry!) Now cut the 11" side down to 6" and fold in half.

Then on some dark pink I printed "{with a cherry on top}" in chocolate brown, this too was trial and error of where I wanted it on the paper. If it's too far in just trim to fit the card.

Now take your cute chocolate and pink cream paper, I found mine at Joann's fabric, and trim down to 3.5" x 6". Glue on the front.

Then embellish with staples! On this part make sure your card it open.

On to the matte of the cupcake, cut a 3.5" circle out of brown. Then cut an inch cream strip and a slightly larger light pink strip and stapled them across the circle, trim the off the edges to match the circle.

Next is the cupcake. I got a piece of cardstock spay adhesive-d tin foil on to the front and back cut out a trapezoid looking shape and then crimped it with my crimping iron! Yes my crimping iron from the 80's because I don't have one for paper, although that would probably work well too!

Hot glue it on to the circle.

For the top of the cupcake I cut freehand, just make it a squiggly half circle-ish cupcake top. Then crumple it.

Hot glue a dark pink button on top.

Pop the top with a pop dot.

I was going to end with this but I found some beads for sprinkles that I couldn't pass up.

So I used regular glue to glue my "sprinkles" on.

It's so cute, I could almost eat it!

Then use two pop dots to pop the matted cupcake onto the card and TA-DA, CUTEST card in town!

Linked up with:

Your Kids BORED Yet?

2010-07-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

Summer is almost over, which means kids are getting BORED!

Here are a few ideas, they take a little prep from you moms but your kids will have LOTS of FUN!

Plant different things and watch them grow! The older kids were really interested in seeing what the seeds looked like. We compared and contrasted trees, flowers, and herbs!

Here is a SUPER fun one... buy some foam sheets and make dress up things. Note: Don't let them color with markers it gets all over the place. If you want to decorate them I would buy the foam shapes, that would have been way easier, and less messy!

All you need is a stapler, foam sheets, stickers and scissors!

Just make sure you staple from the inside so that the smooth side is on their head and not the bumpy side.

The girls made crowns.

And the boys were Ninjas!

They could even be super heroes! The possibilities are endless and they last for a lot longer then paper would.

Sprinklers! I know this one is obvious but my kids had fun.

Paint nails! Put polka-dots or flowers the girls will love it!

Make some cornstarch goo!

Mix Cornstarch and colored water to get some messy fun! Make sure if you want it colored you color the water first.

And if you have never done or seen this you have to watch THIS! And THIS!

Make a treasure hunt! I filled a shoe box with dollar store ~~junk~~ toys and buried it at the park down the street. Just don't forget your camera could be on top of the treasure and accidentally bury it too!

I made a map to take us from the house to the park. And used "maties" and "ye" in the writing!

We had to cross the street, which was of course the "Black Sea!"

I made individual maps for a scavenger hunt inside the house so they could find their bandannas and eye patches. I made the eye patches out of felt and elastic.

I came in talking like a pirate using words like scurvy pirates, maties, and of course "RRR!"

Then once they found all of their stuff I had them grab their shovels to dig for the treasure I had buried the night before.

Have fun with bubble makers.

You need a empty water bottle, fabric, and a rubber band. Oh and dish soap and water.

Found this idea from Fun with Mama

If you want to see any of these as tutorials let me know and I will gladly do it up.

Hopefully you can last till school starts again.

Linked to:

Life in the Pitts: Creative Therapy

Creations by Kara

Kojo Designs

Cookie Cookie Cookie Starts with C

2010-07-15T15:11:00.000-07:00

We have a "Cookie Day" every so often. On Cookie Day we pull the chairs up to the island and mix up cookies in the mixer.

A very good mommy tip is to pre-measure all of your ingredients. The kids feel like they are making the cookies because I don't have to measure-and-pass, they just scoop/pour till it's gone. I put all the sugar in one bag and the dry ingredients in another. Then the sugar bag goes inside the bigger dry ingredient bag so it's easy to grab. Then on the outside of the bag write the kind of cookie, and list the missing wet ingredients (your writing will be WAY cuter if you do the writing before the bags are filled). Then when it's cookie day pick what kind and mix it up!

I usually make a batch, then freeze half of the dough. That way your not making cookies all day! Plus one pan of cookies is enough for a treat! Bad news is I usually eat the frozen dough before they get made into cookies!

Oh and on Cookie Day sing the Cookie Song!

An Award... For Me (sniff)

2010-07-13T14:50:00.000-07:00

Wow, shocked and pleasantly surprised! Thank you Brandi, at Tales of a Domestic Goddess for choosing me for your award!! I think everyone should check her blog out too!!!

Here are the rules -

1. Thank the blogger who gave it to you

2. List 7 things that people may not know about you

3. Pass the love to 15 deserving bloggers that you have discovered recently

4. Let them know that you gave them an award

Now here are my 7 things people MAY or MAY NOT know about me:

1. I stand like a flamingo ALL the time, chopping veggies, doing my make up, etc.

2. I own a 36 year old tortoise, that means my pet is 11 years older than me! And I completely LOVE him, best pet ever!

3. I worked at a law firm as a legal assistant. (Not a job for me!)

4. I've never lived in an apartment, weird I know!

5. I was on a Lifegaurd competition team, yes, you read it right a competing lifegaurd team that save dummies!

6. I don't eat healthy, I try to hide it from my kids when I eat a cookie instead of lunch. And I wait until my kids are sleeping to bust out the GOOD treats.

7. I love LOVE LOVE going to the dollar store!

Now time for the presentation....

ANNNDD I pass the award to....

Made with Love & Glue

Miss Crafty Pants

Oops I Craft My Pants

Dear Lizzy

I am Momma Hear Me Roar

I know that some of these amazing bloggers are too big to pass along blogging chain posts but they are my FAVORITE!

So chicas... now go pass the torch on and ENJOY!

Felt Food

2010-07-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

I have been currently distracted from any other crafts because I've been making felt food.

Bacon & eggs

Chocolate chip cookies, plus the pan.

I made the pan out of a cereal box wrapped in tin foil covered with Mod Podge.

They look so cute in the play oven!

Fourth of July

2010-06-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

I love the Fourth of July! Maybe it's that I love the parties and excuse to celebrate our freedom or maybe it's because my birthday is on the 3rd, and I LOVE fireworks. Either way I love the Fourth and I could watch fireworks forever. Speaking of fireworks, this kind of reminded me of a firework and I had to make it. Plus I've been wanting something on my front door for months now! And now I do.

All you need is a cereal box, foil, paper, glue and tape.

I saw this in FamilyFun, I made it according to the directions but I still had spaces and rather than roll more paper I covered the cardboard with foil like the star and I think I like it better.

Easy, cheap, cute!

Linked up with:

Tidy Mom

Kojo Designs

Six Pack of Fun

2010-06-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

This is what daddy got in our house! He loves cream soda!

The kids colored the labels.

*Found it on Sister's Stuff

Father's Day Card

2010-06-20T09:34:00.000-07:00

All you need is some plain paper and some patterned paper. Cut your 8.5 x 11 plain paper in half length wise. Fold it in half with the fold at the top. Cut slits about 1 inch from the fold. Fold down to make a collar cut out a tie, glue tie into collar. Paste buttons on and your done.

Idea from Little Birdie Secrets

Bulletin Board

2010-06-07T14:02:00.001-07:00

Well I was going to wait until this was complete but I guess it will just have to be a work in progress. I still need to add some final touches but here is my "new" cute bulletin board.

This is what I started with. A bulletin board I found at Savors for $1.99!

I wanted the frame black so I got a-sanding.

Hand sand the details.

Spray painted it black.

Used a bit of spay adhesive in the middle, laid my fabric down. Folded the edges under and stapled close to the frame.

My final touch will be to cover the staples with some ribbon.

See the final product here!

Sneak Peek

2010-06-01T10:21:00.001-07:00

I made something out of this and there will be more to come soon.

I wanted to have something black with light blue... I didn't find anything that I liked so I found something that I liked in black and white, and dyed it the color I wanted! I love it.

I will show you what I made with it as soon as I put some final touches on it.

Ritz Chicken

2010-05-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

Ok here is a start on the recipes I promised back in THIS post. This recipe is for the start of the month next week. The first Tuesday of the month is Ritz Chicken. One of our family staples, mainly because it's easy, yummy, and fool proof. Oh and because I don't have to use a recipe! It's so simple!

So here is what you need some Ritz Crackers, a stick of butter and chicken. That's it!

Drop Ritz into bag. One sleeve to two sleeves (depending on how much chicken; 2 sleeves do 8 chicken). So if I'm doing 6 chicken I use a sleeve and a half of Ritz. Get the picture.

Crush Ritz so that they are unrecognizable. I've had it where the crackers are chunky and I didn't enjoy it as much. Plus people are more impress when they don't know what you used.

Melt your butter, drudge chicken into butter then in the bag of Ritz, place on the baking sheet. ~Here is my spin I usually pour some Ritz on my pan so that the under side of the chicken has extra.~

I usually have extra butter left which, I then pour on the top of my chicken. Then with whatever crumbs are left I will pack those on the top.

Ok so I almost didn't post this picture because it's not pretty. My butter got away from me but then again... this is usually how my pan ends up and it still looks good at the end. Don't be afraid to get messy.

Bake at 350 for 30-35 min. Or if chicken is frozen 40-50 min.

Doesn't that look yummy! I know! Because I got to eat it after this picture!

Here is my secret in my Meal Schedule I have a star by my Ritz chicken. Which means that I will be using my extras later that week. So with the star by the chicken I make extra chicken (and salad) so I can use it on chicken salads the next day. So Wednesday's dinner is done too! I just reheat my chicken throw it under the broiler for a few to get crispy and TA-DA!

Linked to:

All Thingz Related

Show the Love

2010-05-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

Ok girlies, I see you coming but now it's time to show the love! I have decided to do a giveaway... but not until I have a reason to. My follower count is at ZERO, really, 0? Hhh which makes me feel a little lame. SO I will do an awesomely cute giveaway but only when I reach 50 followers. Oh and maybe you'll have an advantage if you're one of the first 10 followers, like you're name will be entered twice in the giveaway. And trust me you WANT to be in the giveaway!

It's easy fun and free! All you have to do is to sign up right over there -----> and become my follower. And did I mention I love comments? Oh and it doesn't hurt to add me to your blog list and such! If you like the things I do and you don't know me that's great, I love having new friends! If you do know me, well let me just say... you should have already signed up... but I guess will give you a second chance!

Oh I feel better already!

Family Picture Book

2010-05-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

This project I made at Christmas for one of the families that lives out of state. It's perfect for little ones to get to know (or remember) their family that is far away. This is our Stapley Family Book.

You need 12x12in classic woodland paper pad (Martha) from Wal-mart (makes two books)

(I like the paper cuz it isn't too girly and all the paper matches)

Photo book - $1 @ Wal-mart (36 pages)

Pictures of individual family members

Printed names on white cardstock

(Today I like parentheses)

I didn't print it out yet but I plan on having this on the left side.

God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—
This is how He shares His love, for the family is of God.

Sorry I didn't do that before this picture.

I cut the 12x12 paper down to size. I could get 4 sheet of the 4x6 size (I actually think it is slightly bigger than 4x6 cuz I didn't want them sliding around in the sleeves) and 2 slightly smaller ones from one 12x12 sheet. The 4x6ish are the main sheet and the slightly smaller are the mounting sheets for the names, and title pages. It worked out great because I hate wasting paper and I didn't have much extra.

I inked every sheet of paper. (If you don't like spending a million years inking things forget this step.) I do have to say... it makes it super CUTE though!

With the pictures I just made sure they were square. Then it doesn't matter what kind of pictures you get from your family they can be tall or landscape. Don't be afraid to cut off the tops of heads (to a certain extent).

I split my book up by categories ie Cousins, Aunts/Uncles, but you can to it in families if you would like.

I had couples together.

Ta-DA! Done.

Side note: this book is great not only for recognizing family members but also, for little ones to recognize letters and helps with reading. My 3 year old knows who the picture is of and then will trace the name with her fingers, like she is reading.

(Oh and it makes a great quiet book at church too.)

*Mamma-law got the idea from Sister-in-law (who made a Family Memory game)

Mod Podge Initial

2010-05-12T09:55:00.000-07:00

What you need, $3 frame from Wal-mart, white bead board, initial letter, cute paper, sandpaper, black paint, stain, saw, wood glue, staple gun, and paint brushes.

Sand your initial, wipe down and paint.

Trace your letter face down on the back of your cute paper. Cut out slightly inside the lines traced. Trim if needed. Then Mod Podge on to the front of the letter. Distress your letter if wanted.

Cut a piece of bead board to fit your frame (I used the glass to cut the right size). Sand the front of the bead board just enough that the stain will stick. Paint stain on and wipe off to desired look.

I put a bit of wood glue on the initial and then used my staple gun to keep it in place.

Ta-da, done.

*Got the idea from Miss Crafty Pants and then added my twist.

Mother's Day Card

2010-05-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

We just had a card class last night and this is the card I made.

Here is how to make it. I found some cute 12"x12" DOUBLE SIDED paper.

I also got an 8.5"x11" of a cream that went with it.

Trim one side down to 10"

Flip your paper to the 12" side and cut it in half. So you should now have 2 sheets that are 10"x6".

Fold the card not quite in half, so that your top flap is about 3/4 inch shorter.

Then take the 2" piece you cut from the beginning and cut about a 3/4 inch strip.

Fold it into ruffles, they don't need to be even.

Then sew on the front. Make sure your card is open. Use your fold as a guide.

You can use whatever color you have really. I had a blue bobbin and yellow for the top.

The blue blended on the inside, but an accent color would be cute too.

Then I took my 8.5"x11" cream and printed "Mother, I love you" in a 'Pristina' font and set the side margin to 6". Make sure your alignment is set to justify full. I made the font size just big enough to have the song cover about 2 inches in height. I had a space at the end so I put a heart using 'Bookshelf Symbol 7' font the 'w' makes a heart. In a pinkish color the key is Red 255, Green 80, Blue 80.

*If you have never hear Mother, I love you listen HERE!

Trim it down to size after printing it and paste on.

The next part I used a Cricut to cut out my shapes. The M is Jasmine 'shadow blackout'. And the shapes are George, the oval is 'real size' 3" and the flowers are 1" reg. (cream) and 1" 'shadow blackout' (blue). The patterned flower is 1.5" shadow blackout.

Glue them on. The oval the cream flower and the big flower get glued on. Since the cream flower hangs off of the side of the oval I only glued the side that's on the oval.

The M and blue flower get popped.

And now it's time for pop'n everything. I popped the peddles on the blue flower.

Half on the cream.

Now pop the ruffles.

And your done!

Happy Mother's Day!

Ribbon Ribbon Ribbon

2010-05-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

Ribbon can get messy it gets shoved places and forgotten then you buy more (of the same kind) then it too gets wadded up and shoved somewhere else. Here is an easy fix.

Find some cardboard (mine is a baby wipes box). Trace a tupperware lid and make a straight cut for the bottom (the lid should be bigger than any of your spools of ribbon). Poke a hole in the upper middle using a pen, line up the second using the first as a template so the holes match. Mod Podge both sides with cute paper. Then take a cardboard pant hanger and pull off the rod part this will be your dowel. You may need to poke your spools of ribbon with a pen too to fit on the rod.

Then if you don't have spools for some, cloths pin them to the edge.

Easy, fast, free, organized.

I think next time I will try a double stacker.

Popcorn Popping

2010-05-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

Here is a fun mommy tip. Did you know that popcorn is a grain, and is naturally high in fiber? Also that fiber cancels out sugars that you eat? So it's a good snack food for your kids. We usually have the kind with extra butter which probably takes the health factor down a bunch (but for my skinny kids you have to fatten them up somehow, right?) Well anyways. Yesterday for snack time we had popcorn, and mommy took a break and ate it too.

*picture found on Google image

Here is what was so fun about it, you know how when the clouds are really fluffy and you can make pictures out of them. Well we did that with our popcorn. It was fun mommy time and learning time. Some looked like animals we don't always talk about like a platypus. Kya was able to use her imagination and learn new things. Plus we ate popcorn!

Disaster into Genius

2010-04-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

So a while ago I decided that I would start an etsy shop and start selling appliquéd onesies. No I haven't ever posted anything on my "shop" yet but I will someday. I made a bunch of patterns to use for the appliqués, bought a whole bunch of onesies and fabric. Sounds like I'm all ready to start those cute onesies right? Well my plans were thwarted when I realized I don't have a lot of time having two small kids and all. But the thing that halted me even more was one lovely day I decided that I needed to wash my bright white onesies with my new fabrics. Which of course included a dark never-been-washed hot pink. I know if I would have use a bit of brain power I would have never made the mistake. So about 20 new onesies had blotches of bright pink all over them, and not in a cute way. I have been dreading the day that I would have to work on those spots one by one to make the onesies white again. Until the other day my sis-in-law was telling me that she dyed some of her onesies. BING! Light of genius finally kicked on in my head. I can dye all of the really badly stained ones pink and see if I can salvage any of the ones that aren't to bad and make them blue! Totally worked!

My final product.

Pretty awesome huh? Now they are all ready to have cute appliqués on them!

Thanks Dylon fabric dye!

Appliquéd Onesies

2010-04-30T10:00:00.001-07:00

My latest onesie I made for a neighbor. I used my last white onesies on this one.

These are ones I've done in the past.

This one is missing it's buttons.

Scripture Covers

2010-04-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

I covered my daughters scriptures and she loves them!

I just got her a paperback copy and slipped extra cardboard in to make it more durable.

So now its durable and adorable!

Made a few flowers, one for the Velcro strap, and two for the cover.

This one is mine. We did this as a craft activity in my church.

So cute, so fun, ENDLESS possibilities!

Meal Schedule

2010-04-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

I recently made up a calendar of every meal for every day for an entire month. I figured that we could follow this food schedule and then just repeat it each month. I did a WHOLE BUNCH of shopping and just multiplied the things I'd need over the next few months. Which has been a big help to get food storage and meals done.

So NOW, I know what's for dinner!

I am going to share some of my tips, calendar, and recipes in posts to come. Hopefully it will help someone else.

So here is what I've done. I figured out Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner for each day, (figured how much we eat on weekdays, the kids and I, then on weekends remembered to count daddy.) I'm super luck to have such generous and helpful parents and they have all of they're kids over every Sunday night and have dinner. So you may need to think of an extra meal. I usually have a "fill in meal" for those nights you didn't remember to put it in the crock pot or you just don't feel like making the chosen meal of the day. I have a bag of frozen pot stickers for our "fill in meal" it's easy and yummy and no one minds the "fill in meal." We have left over night on Monday's because it usually works best for us on that day. You may need to move it to a different day. And if you have no left overs, that is a "fill in meal" night. I also keep cans of soup handy which also makes for a good "fill in meal."

*These meals are what we normally eat, but I think I would like to implement more meals that have more 'food storage' ingredients.

I made the calendar first and then figured out what I'd need for each meal for the whole month. This may be different for your family. We have two adults and two small kids in our family. I'd say try to stick with the schedule for a week and see how much food your family eats and then calculate the numbers according to your family. It was a lot of work but it was worth it. These are meals I know my family likes and will eat. If you don't like the meals you may want to make up your own using mine as a guide. Here is a tip if you have your menu for an entire month you can watch the deals and sales on the meats you buy and then stock up. I have all my meat frozen and I can either stick it in the crock pot frozen or since I know what the weeks meals are I can thaw it.

Don't forget snacks: yogurt (I freeze mine), cheese, crackers, pretzels, pudding, Jell-O, apple salad, frozen/can fruit, muffins, cookies (make a batch every once in a while freeze the dough and you have a few cookies whenever you want them), cake, vegetables, raisins. I didn't calculate real specifically on the snacks.

Bridal Buds

2010-04-22T19:49:00.000-07:00

Flowers made out of panties and thongs.

Happy. Bridal. Shower.

Glass Etched Pans

2010-04-22T15:34:00.000-07:00

Amor Etch + Cricut + Glass Pans =

LOVE!

Some vinyl, a Cricut, and Armor Etch.

Use a Cricut to cut your vinyl (backwards) stick it on the back of your pan. Apply a generous coat of Armor Etch wait 5-10 min. Scoop excess back in bottle and re-apply, scoop excess back in again and wash glass.

Other tutorials @ Not so Idle Hands, and The Idea Room

Organize

2010-04-22T14:55:00.000-07:00

That is a funny word now that I have to spell it out. It has nothing to do with an organ yet when you spell it out it seems it should.

Anyway on with my tip. I do like to be organized but I'm just not one of those that has months of plans in advance. Which is fine if you do but I just don't. I do keep a calender though and I love Google Calendar. It allows you to make different "calenders" which are different colors and it has a task option, a little check list, on the side you can see mine.

I have my chores that I should do each day on my calendar. These I can repeat however often I want them done. (For those odd jobs you want to remember to do on a more scheduled basis.) Most are rotated every week but I have some rotating every other week and some every 6 weeks or something strange like that. And it emails me each day of the things I'm doing that day! It's easy to use easy to look at and makes my life easy.

My point is that Google Calendar helps me to stay organized even for my chores.