Cabinet Door Upstyle With Cute Hooks

Sorry to those of you who got this post yesterday without the pictures- I'm running a bit behind around here!

A little craft project for everyone.  Take an old cabinet door- at habitat for humanity restores they are about three dollars.  Paint black.  Paint cream.  Sand off edges to rough it up and let some black show through.  Add a stencil or some adhesive vinyl cut into the design of your choice-

 Attach adorable Hobby Lobby knobs- they have such a cute selection!  Hang on your wall- all done!
Oh yeah and this makes a pretty nice place to hang scarves, necklaces, umbrellas, hats, etc.... have fun!

In other news:  when we deep cleaned our front room I went ahead and put up the Fall decorations- I guess I'm an eager beaver for cooler weather.

I went to Curves for a workout today and I can barely move my arms- as far as workouts go it was fast and fun -there is no time to get bored- nice for my bouncy brain that goes into a foggy stupor with most forms of exercise.... I might even go back tomorrow....

9/3/10  I've linked up to finding fabulous for their frugalicious Friday -it's a fun link party showing the frugal projects that are happening in blog land

Also linked with A Little Knick Knack.

9/10/10  I received the the nicest shout out from over at Better After- love her blog!
                                  

Making Fuzzy, Flying Critters

Last Saturday my little six year old decided he wanted to make a family of flying critters.  I pulled out the kid's craft supply box and he looked through it.  I suggested wrapping colorful pipe cleaners around a pencil to make the body shape and he figured out the rest. 

We couldn't stop with just one because- as we all know- you have to have a family!!!  So, we had flying critters all around the house. 

We tied a piece of black thread- about 18 inches- to their noses and tied the other end to a toothpick.  When you hold on to the toothpick and swing the thread over your head - lasso style- the black thread kind of disappears and you have a fuzzy, flying critter.  Aren't six year olds brilliant?!

Halloween Decoration: Haunted House Silhouette on Plate

I'm refraining from putting out my Fall decorations- it's still a 100 degrees outside- well, maybe just a few for a photo shoot- but I put them right back.... It's not to early to make a few decorations though, right? 

This little plate was a nifty fifty cent thrift store find (at least I think that's how much it was- it's been kick'n around this place for awhile).  I used my Silhouette to cut out a haunted house from adhesive backed vinyl scraps.  Now it's perfect for Halloween.  You don't need a fancy cutter to use the adhesive vinyl if you have a steady hand, a self healing cutting mat and an exacto knife- you could make it work for you.

I found this website, expressions vinyl, to order a variety of colorful vinyls from and am excited to try it out- much cheaper then the craft stores.... and they carry iron on vinyl and adhesive tape and.... oh, the dangerous possibilities.

8/26/10  Check out Thrifty Decor Chick's Fall Link up party for lot's of

fun Fall Decorating Ideas.

9/1/10  Do you ever stare at something for a bit and realize it still needs something- this house needed bats-

much better.

Do You Know Someone Who Has Suffered a Tragedy and Needs Comfort

This short video was recommended to me by several people before I finally took the time to watch it- AMAZING.  This man lost half of his family as a result of teenager drunk driving- his story is inspirational-  I hope it helps someone.                                                                             

                                                                                                

Chalkboard & Wedding Centerpiece For Sign In Table

Photo by Bellissima Portraits

At Hobby Lobby in their 80% off section I found UGLY 12x12 square metal wall hangings for $2.40 each. They just needed spray painted with chalkboard paint.  I also attached adorable pictures of the bride and groom with cute magnets made from clear stones and scrapbook paper   (I'd suggest using a powerful magnet as it has to be strong enough to attach through the picture and several layers of paint).  Last, I used some colored chalk to doodle a welcome.  As you can see we forgot to bring a cute pen!

Here is the before of the floral containers:

The metal container the above flowers are in was a 50 cent thrift store find that was mustard and red colored-  and- go spray paint!  I just painted them silver.  The silk flowers were purchased from Hobby Lobby at 50% off and my talented sister-in-law created the beautiful arrangement- thank you talented sister-in-law!!!

Dyeing Japanese Lanterns to Match Wedding Colors

I found white Japanese lanterns for a nice price online.  They were available in a variety of colors- but were more expensive that way.  But you can easily dye them yourself!!

Just purchase white paper lanterns ( I found mine at Luna bazaar-) and some rit fabric dye in the colors of your choice. Don't forget that you can mix up custom colors- there are "recipe" suggestions that come with the dye.  You'll need rubber gloves that fit tightly around your wrist (ask me how I know?!) and a plastic storage container wide enough to dip your lanterns in like this--- (see diagram below)

I mixed three cups of boiling water with one package of the fabric dye.  Stir this mix well- until all the color granules are melted and mixed in.  Add this mixture to 3 gallons of room temperature water in your plastic storage bucket.  I highly recommend doing this in your yard- spilling this much dye in your house is a disaster just waiting to happen!!!

Your lanterns will arrive all folded up- leave them that way- and carefully roll them through your plastic bucket.  I spent about a minute on each lantern.  You want to allow the lantern paper to soak up enough colored water to be thoroughly wet without destroying the paper.  Carefully lift the lantern out of the water bath.  The paper is fragile right now so be careful that your fingertips or nails don't poke through the paper- use the palms of your hands as much as possible.  Dump out any water that is trapped in the lantern and lay it out to dry. 

After about fifteen minutes gently unfold your lantern as if you were going to assemble it and shake off any water drops- then gently let it refold up and allow it to continue to dry.

First- I laid my wet lanterns on the plastic packaging that the lanterns arrived in- then I just I just plopped the lanterns on the grass.  I went out and flipped them over once or twice and they were completely dried out in about three hours. 

Gently unfold your lantern and insert the wire frame that arrives with your lantern and you are ready to hang them.  We had an early evening reception so we did not insert any lights- we just used the lanterns to add pops of colors and we hung them from the trees like giant ornaments.

One package of dye would easily color 30 lanterns.  I'd suggest ordering a few extra lanterns just in case a few tear before you get the hang of it- but it's really so easy!!

Oh, and these pictures were taken by Mindy over at Bellissima Portraits.  She's great!

I haven't felt much like crafting lately- I do have a few things in the works.  I did find a nice online bookstore with free shipping- yes, it's called thriftbooks and I found it via the modern hive.  They have several Mary Ellen Edmunds books for $3.95.
                                                                                                        

My Grandson Turns One

My daughters and I did a little photo shoot of my grandson because he turns one this week- it was really fun and we ended up with some photos we really like- hurrah!

Being a grandma is so sweet- this little one is on the move and doesn't hold still for too much cuddling right now- but it's pretty delightful when he comes by the house and waves and breaks into a huge smile- just for grandma!

Babies are for gently loving and cuddling, for kissing and giggling.  I'm a firm believer that you can't spoil a child with too much love, attention and kindness.  Hugs and kisses just make them sweeter.

                                                   

Crocheted Edge Baby Blanket Number 2

There is a baby boom going on in my family so I've been working on some baby gifts.  Here is another version of my crocheted edge baby blanket.

I think the cute bird flannel was from Hobby Lobby (mmm, maybe Hancocks....)  This is how I made the blanket:

First I put the fabric right sides together and sewed around the blanket- leaving a small opening to turn right side out. 

After turning and slip stitching the opening closed I ironed the blanket and marked small dots every centimeter along the edge of the blanket.  Then using the marks I made I swiped the idea from You Go Girl and did a blanket stitch around the blanket. 

Next I chain stitched around the blanket- putting two stitches between each blanket stitch.  Then I made a very simple scallop by making a slip stitch, three double stitches and then beginning again with a slip stitch.

Would a diagram help?

Flowergirl Dresses

Because we were having a casual outside reception we chose simple  $20 sundresses from Target for the orange flowergirl dresses.  We added a ruffle and a ribbon around the waist and they were ready to wear.  Their flower arrangements were slightly different and that added to the casual look we were going for. 

This picture is a quick snapshot that my daughter took before all the actual posing began- can you imagine trying to catch three little boys smiling all at once- yikes!