easy peezy lemon squeezie

Subway art signs

2010-09-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

I think I can

I think I can...

a few years ago I saw the movie Monster-in-law with Jennifer Lopez and in the movie they had these great subway art signs. ever since then I have been obsessed with making them. originally i wanted to make one for my hometown...Charleston, SC and I definitely still am on that idea but first i want to do one with urban words. i live with a male roomate, i'm fairly young, and i have no kids so i think i can still get away with this one for now. plus i think it will be cool to look back on in later years and see all of the groovy words being said at that point. maybe my future kids will get a kick out of it.

this is one found at pottery barn but do i pay PB prices?? no sir. if i can, i make and i think i can. there are tons of people making subway art signs....very cute ones too but i'm going to base mine off of the pottery barn sign.

my plan is to use freezer paper and print my letters from my cricut, iron them on to canvas. paint the canvas black and peel off the freezer paper. Then wrap my canvas around a wood frame and staple like crazy. i may attempt some aging or something to make it a little more authentic but we shall see. i'm excited and i can't wait to make it and post it....and put it up in my house of course. wish me luck!

ornament wreath take 2

2009-12-10T10:26:00.000-08:00

After spending hours and hours on my first ornament wreath, which turned out beautiful despite all the bad words I yelled while doing it, (Come to think of it, I probably sounded like I had turrets (is that how you spell it?) syndrome.) my aunt decided she wanted one. And I said yes. BUT, it wasn't that bad at all. I got the hang of it and I don't think I said one bad word while making it. I know this picture isn't great but there it is...without the swag.

dollar tree skirt

2009-12-10T10:15:00.000-08:00

Well...we really needed a tree skirt at our house and I am so fickle and funny about those kinds of things. I refuse to spend tons of money on a tree skirt when next year I know I'm going to not like it and want another one. So...I bought one for a dollar at the dollar tree and I just glued some ribbon on the edges and you can't really see it but I also glued pearls onto the middle of the snowflakes. It's still pretty simple, but at least next year when I want another one I won't feel so bad because it only cost a dollar!

time flies.

2009-12-07T10:29:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it is already the 7th of December! OMG. I have so much to do and practically zero time to do it in! Christmas presents to make, an ugly christmas sweater party to plan, crafts, and decorations, and lights, oh my!

Anyway, it was my goal this weekend in the midst of my girlfriend getting married on saturday and recovering from the reception on sunday that I would make an advent calendar or christmas countdown . I really just wanted something basic for my roomate and I to count down the days until christmas. So...I got a cookie sheet from dollar tree, glass marbles, also from the dollar tree. Some scrapbook paper, my cricut, mod podge and ribbon and I set in to make this cute little countdown.

It works for us and also adds to the cuteness of our holiday decor!

Message in a bottle!

2009-12-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

My friend Kim (who has a blog over at typepad that I have no idea how to link to) makes some of the cutest things in the world. She brought over this hand sanitizer one day a couple weeks ago and I had to blog about it. Unfortunately I could not get a great picture of it but I'll try to describe the best way that I can. It's such a cute idea and something that would make a great christmas gift!

So basically, as memory serves, she typed up this really cute quote-like thingy that talks about all the different kinds of hands (serving hands, helping hands, uplifting hands, loving hands, etc.) and it's titled Hand in Hand. Then she printed it using an ink jet printer on a clear over-head projector paper thing. Then she rolled it up a little so it would fit in the hole of the sanitzer bottle and once it got in, it opened back up. I believe she then poured the sanitzer in the bottle....I'm not sure about that part. Anyway, I thought it was adorable and you could print anything you want or even print different clipart pictures. Maybe tie some ribbon around the neck. Cute Cute.

Quick and CUTE fabric bracelet

2009-12-04T10:05:00.000-08:00

I tend to lose attention very quickly and therefore usually end up trying to do 5 different projects at one time. Last night while in the middle of making flower girl head pieces I had to do some other things to keep me from going insane with boredom of one project. So, I grabbed a few pieces of cute fabric and hot glued the tops together and braided them. Glued some pearls on it and bingo bango. I think I'm going to make some skinnier ones with coordinating fabrics to make a set of 3. I think these would make pretty cute christmas gifts and it only took me about 10 min from start to finish.

E-Z-P-Z Flower girl head piece

2009-12-04T09:43:00.000-08:00

My girlfriend Ron is getting married Saturday...as in tomorrow. And she needed some flower girl head pieces like asap. So...I put my thinking cap on, went to the dollar store and got everything except the fabric that I needed. All for $3.00! Did I mention I made 3 head pieces????

I bought a pack of princess plastic headbands, the pearl strands, and the ivory tulle. I had some chocolate colored fabric at the house and dark gold almost copper ribbon that works great because her colors are chocolate, golden-copperish, and ivory. I really went into this project not knowing what I was going to do at all so when I got home I just started hot gluing and basically pulled these out my heiney (if that's how you spell it). But I think they turned out adorable with the little veils in the back...can't beat it for $1.00!

poinsetta tree, o poinsetta tree

2009-12-03T10:14:00.000-08:00

Alright...

I know, I know. I absolutely fell off the blogs for over a week. Life happens...sheesh. I'm still working on the advent calendar. But, OMG (sidenote) did you know that dollar tree sold cookie sheets???? That was my excitement for the night.

Anyway...over the weekend, I went into Michaels and saw a fabulous poinsetta topiary (is that even how you spell either one of those words?). The cost was...wait for it....$89.00. So crafty me just decided to buy the stuff and make one myself.

I wish I would've taken pictures while I was doing it but I'll try to recap as much as possible.

I purchased 2 styrofoam balls and a dowel. I got 4, uh, gatherings??? of poinsetta out of their fake flora section which was 50% off and then I grabbed up 4 of the pearl inserty things.

So then I went home and cut each poinsetta flower off leaving about 3 in of the stem on each flower. I wrapped and hot glued the pearl thingy around the ball (don't glue all of the pearls down, you want some to stick out through the flowers). Then I just went around poking the flowers around the ball making sure there were no empty spots.

Make sure to put the balls on the dowel first, leaving about 4 in. in between each ball.

When I was finished I tied a bow in between the balls and just stuck it inside the pot I have right outside my front door.

It was pretty easy, however, I recommend wire cutters for cutting the flowers um unless you love pain or that sort of thing. Also, I would spray something on it to protect it from the elements and that's about it.

I wrapped some christmas lights around mine for night time...it's B-E-A-utiful.

I promise promise that before this weekend is over I am going to have the advent calendar done AND a tutorial on homemade matching present bows and tags! Yay.

So much to do, so much to try...little time.

2009-11-25T13:46:00.000-08:00

Starting in exactly 1 hr and 42 min I will be on vacation from work until Mon....yay! You would think with all of that time that I could complete many many projects. But I just don't know. Where is the faith you ask? gone. Have you seen my schedule lately??

Tomorrow: Thanksgiving with the fam...like all day. Then off to a fashion show at a local club that my friend is helping host along with the after-party (gotta go to that!)

Fri: Black Friday shopping with the women in the fam even though I'm poor and declared it a homemade christmas for me. Why do they want to see me suffer?? All the wonderful things that I will have to look at but not buy. Not nice. After that I will have to jump right into helping decorate a venue for my friend's bridal shower and bachelorette party for the following day.

Sat: Company coming over briefly in the morning to have a meeting. Then my friend's bridal shower and bachelorette party all afternoon and evening.

Sun: is what i'm working with and did I mention that I took Christmas pictures for a pre-school yesterday and promised the proofs back to 30 parents by Mon.???? Ahhhh.

So....with my schedule in mind, I have only one project that I am going to even say that I will attempt to create. Mostly because it's part of my christmas decorations which, did I mention I'm going to try to put all of that up this weekend as well????

If I'm lucky I will be able to make an advent calendar...I'm going to try really hard. I really love the cookie sheet magnetic ones but you know I like to put a little something different on whatever I make. I guess we'll see what happens! (I'm so ashamed of my project to-do list with one loneseome to-do on it!)

Also, I'm looking for any handmade christmas gift ideas. I have a few which I plan on posting about next week but I want more!!!

I hope everyone (all 4 of you...lol) have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Make sure to Gobble til you Wobble!

P-NUTbutter Blossoms...mmm

2009-11-25T08:32:00.001-08:00

This cookie has been one of my favorites since...I don't know, forever possibly?

Anyway, I had to make something for a work luncheon and not only are these one of the yummiest cookies ever (peanut butter+chocolate=delish), but they are a cinch to make. Literally, only time it took was the time for them to cook! Thought I'd post them...plus I am actually putting effort into my blog pictures so I thought this picture was pretty good!

Well...Happy Wednesday!

I did it! Take 2.

2009-11-23T11:34:00.000-08:00

Ain't it just about the cutest wall art you ever did see???
Lol. Well, it is actually just as easy as it is cute. I bought 3 canvases from Michaels? Maybe A.C. Moore...I can't remember. Anyway, it was awhile back because I knew I wanted a look like this over my couch. I know my pictures are rather sucky but the colors are the basic colors that my whole downstairs is decorated in....brown, burnt orange, deep red, mint green, golden yellow and a little aqua turquiose. I promise there is no pink even though it does kinda look that way. So most of these circles are layered scrapbook paper. I took some elements from one paper and combined them with another to create a different look. And then I just mod podged them down onto the canvas.
One thing I didn't do that was part of the post that I got this from was to cover the whole thing with mod podge when I was finished. Now, I love this glue like it is a long lost lover come back to me, but it makes me anxious when it comes to putting it on top of paper. Every time I've tried it, the paper wrinkles up and does not look very attractive if you know what I mean. So maybe one of you wonderful crafters can offer up a tip.
I do plan on covering all the canvases with some type of protectant ( is that a word?)...maybe a clear gloss or something. But, this project was fast, easy, and made a huge impact in my living room. I heart diy home decor! =)

Oh yeah, I have since added 2 end tables and 2 very attractive lamps like the one sitting on my couch to either side...I promise it's not as empty as it seems in the pictures. I photograph other people well...I'm a photographer. why can't i capture my projects with as such diligence, I don't know. maybe it's the excitement...i just wanna make it and post it for everyone to look at and hopefully try!

I did it!

2009-11-23T11:10:00.000-08:00

unfortunately my computer is way older then it should be according to my expectations and the memory card reader has stopped working...boooo. So, I had to wait until today to post about my weekend projects! I finished them both this weekend....and trust you me, I definitely had to talk myself into that ornament wreath. I just knew I wouldn't be able to sleep unless I crossed it off the list! So here they are....

ahh the wonderful ornament wreath....you wouldn't believe the curse words uttered during this project. It's very lovely to look at but probably shaved a few months off of my life expectancy. I had to get into a groove. The first picture is of me, like a school kid, all excited about doing an art project...boy am i naive. The next picture is of all of my supplies..all from the dollar tree might I add. I freakin love that store. The last picture was several hours later upon completion...notice the school kid grin is way worn off.

Oh well...it turned out totally cute and I can't wait to hang it on the door. My favorite part about it is (or is it are?) the bells I put on it...like music to my ears! Oh I almost forgot...I added the extra ornaments on the bottom to give it a little something different...kinda like a wreath meets a swag I guess. Anyway, that's the ornament wreath!

weekend projects.yay!

2009-11-20T11:20:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you guys but I love lists! They're freakin great. Grocery list, shopping list, to-do list, to-pack list, chore list...I could go on forever! Without them, I'd be lost =) There's just something so releasing that comes from crossing things off of a list. So...in honor of my love for accomplishment, I decided to try and come up with a list of projects at the beginning of the week for me to try throughout the week. However, before I fully commit, I thought it'd be cool to take a test drive. I came up with 2 projects for me to do this weekend. My goal is going to be to make these projects but my way. I love both of these ideas...they are easy and adorable...perfect. So, we'll see what I come up with. I'm excited.

This is the first one....the wire hanger ornament wreath.

I found this ornament wreath here.

It was posted by Heather from My Frugal Family

This is the second project...a cutesy wallart idea using scrapbook and modpodge! 2 of my favorite things =)

I found this idea for wallart here.

Well, I can't wait to get started. I'll keep you posted! =)

Menu dry/erase thingy.

2009-11-17T22:20:00.000-08:00

After looking all over the blogging world, I found many many ideas for this super easy menu dry/erase board. It literally took me maybe 15 min tops and most of that was because I'm seriously disorganized and it took a a couple min the find the scissors, then the ribbon, etc. You're looking at prob a 10 min project that is well worth it's time!

My roomate and I struggle with grocery bills. It's ridiculous. I go into a grocery store without a plan thinking "oh, i'll just pick up a few things to make a couple meals for the week" and then I leave the store with a bill of like $150. For 2 people! Ouch.

I think it has everything to do with my lack of planning. So...I'm going to try this, and see if this helps. I'm definitely open to any tips!

For this project I just got a frame out of the stack of frames that I saved for "just the right project". It was like 3.99 at goodwill but because it had a sticker on it, I got it even cheaper...like around $1. Anyway, I picked a piece of coordinating scrapbook paper to match my kitchen. Typed up a menu in Word and printed it on my scrapbook paper. Added a few ribbons and WA-LA. Our menu board. Easy Peezy Lemon Squeezie. =)

ok so it's been awhile...

2009-11-16T10:20:00.000-08:00

But I'm getting back into the swing of things! I have a ton of pictures of projects that I've been doing throughout the month but just never had time to upload and blog about.

So...here is post one for today!

Ron's Bachelorette party invites!

This super cute idea is compliments of Kim at Polka Dot Thought! My roomate and I had a bazillion to make so ours are a little more rushed and quickly put together.

Delish.

2009-11-16T10:11:00.001-08:00

The Best Mint Cookie Ever!

I found this recipe at How Does She? And I am freakin excited about trying it. Could possibly have something to do with my addiction to chocolate. Either that or my obsession with andes mints! Anyway, if you love either or, you should definitely go here to try this recipe.

Rolo Surprise!?!

On another baking note, I can't remember where I found the recipe for this cookie, but basically its sugar cookie dough with a rolo candy in the middle of the dough (hidden). Roll the dough in a ball and roll it around in cinnamon sugar. Can you say yum? I'm going to have to take pictures when I make these because, like i said, i can't remember where I got this cookie idea.

feel for lumps...save your bumps!

2009-10-02T11:53:00.000-07:00

I am an avid supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness. I am fortunate enough to not directly know anyone who has ever been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, but it is something that effects woman all over the world and for that reason, I do what I can when I can to raise awareness everywhere I go. My roomate and I decided to make t-shirts to wear throughout October to act as walking billboards I suppose. This is actually the first time I ever freezer paper stenciled anything before..I love it. We made pink ribbons from some scrap ribbon we had and attached them to safety pins. This is shirt #1. We hope to make 3 more. Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest...def something I need to work on!

quick peek.

2009-10-01T21:47:00.000-07:00

This is why my crafting has been slowed quite a bit. I'm still in the major editing phase of the 48 portraits I took last week. It's a lot more work then I was anticipating. These are just a few to kind of get an idea. This is also my very first photo shoot. I'm giving it my best. I think they are turning out quite cute.

Halloweeny.

2009-10-01T15:22:00.000-07:00

So...my mom has her own business and generally is the most uncreative person ever or so she says. Personally, I think she just wants other people to be creative for her. Anyhow, I'm usually always put in charge of decorating the entrance of her building. Now...this is a work in progress but I want to post in stages. The first picture is of a wreath that I made to go along with the garland using the same fabric and extras. I got the garland idea from Blue Cricket Design ......really cute and just made some adjustments, added a matching wreath and ta da...the beginnings of a spooktacular entrance. Oh and the little pumpkins and spiders are just from my handy dandy cricket machine. Laminated first...that's why they're all shiny!

Can't wait to do more...so much to do. So little time!

new friends are great!

2009-09-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

Yay! I have my first follower and that is majorly exciting.

Thanks Kim!

By the way, I love Polkadotthought....it's full of the cutest ideas

long time no see

2009-09-25T11:12:00.000-07:00

It's undoubtably been the longest week in the history of long weeks!

Starting my week off all wrong was the devastating news I received about a good friend ending his own life. It happened all of a sudden...no letter left, no explanations. Of course, that leaves the ones who love him feeling empty and unable to make amends with his decision. This is a hard thing to deal with for anyone of any age, but because we are so young I feel like he cheated himself out of his whole life.

Fortunately for me, I had a huge job this week...which def helped motivate me to get up off the couch from under a mountain of soggy tissues. I had a portrait party with the wonderful and adorable kids at a local daycare...needless to say, 48 kids, 1126 photos and 4 very long work days later, I am just now getting back to my blog.

I plan on posting some of the pics on my blog because, yes, they are super cute. But also, I plan on getting to some of the projects that having been living on my to-do list forever.

It was my goal to get this blog up and running...with the help of my best friend, and make it some place where crafters, photographers, and just fabulous people could come share great things! It's moving slowly...and I have no followers..tear...lol...but we will get there. I'm determined!

cutest lil tin lights you ever did see

2009-09-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

Halloween being absolutely at the top of my favorite holidays, I try every year to add to my decorations...remember I am a struggling college student so cheap is my middle name lol. I found this super cute idea for tin can lights. You can see the instructions here. I haven't made them yet...but don't you worry, I'll be all over it by the end of the weekend. Just gotta find some cans. My roomate and I aren't very big canned vegetable and fruit people...usually buy fresh but I'm sure good ol' mom will have some. yay! I'm excited. =)

words for thought.

2009-09-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

I receive daily words of wisdom and I try to take what I can from them. I figured I would share them with anyone interested!

accountability is necessary to keep you on track. no matter the issue, your livelihood isn't decided by others. work towards it yourself-despise pity!

Mya turned 2!!

2009-09-14T18:56:00.000-07:00

my beautiful god-daughter turned 2 on saturday and instead of giving her a million and 1 toys i opted for something a little different. (she did get like 6 of the same swimming mermaid toy) these are some pictures of the things my friend and i made for her. they turned out so cute!

this is a container that i've had for many years. i used to store little hair scrunchies and things in it. i decided with a little mod podge (a face lift) that it would make a cute container for mya to do the same...that girl has a ton of hair things.

these are some of the hand made clips that my friend and i made to go on mya's bow holder. which, by the way you can find here at make it and love it. great idea...thanks, i loved it!

and this is the bow holder that is absolutely the cutest thing ever! it's perfect for a little girl's room. also in the first picture was a picture frame. again, it was something i had laying around...magic podge and ta da...it looks amazing!

[in-spi-ra-tion]–noun: an inspiring or animating action or influence

2009-09-11T22:21:00.000-07:00

So...I've been inspired!

I've recently spent LOADS of time just checking out everyone's blogs. I can honestly say that I am super jealous! Where did all of this creativity come from??

I can't wait to get started on some of the projects.

I'm most looking forward to making a journal from a marble notebook...compliments of lil blue boo...that girl is so creative!

AND...mod podge is officially my new best friend. I freakin love that stuff. I've been wandering around the house just looking for that next mod podge victim.

Anywho.

Just trying to keep up.

I'm going to hit the sack...I have a full day of crafting tomorrow...maybe I'll have some pictures to post of the neato things I'm making.

goodnight.

wowzers.

2009-08-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

so...this is all just a little bit overwhelming.
i'll def have to work at this to get the hang of it, but i am excited!
i came up with a name for my photography business today...that's good news.
i even checked it on that website to make sure no one else has it.
it feels like i have a gazillion things going on right now.
trying to get my class in order still....
planning the portrait party for the kids....
doing some friends engagement photos....
nana's 75th birthday party planning....
mine and shea's web botique....
oh yeah, and i'm buying a house!
sheesh.
that's more than i even thought. ugh.
well...falling behind so i gotta go.
catch up later!