Happy Fall, Y'all!

I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of Fall last month, mainly because I saw this cute little printable on pinterest and I couldn't wait to frame and display one personally. 



Can you find my typo?

To make your own printable, go here.  Once I saved the blank version I opened mine up in my paint program and added text boxes so I could write my own bucket list items.  The size of the picture was not big enough to fit the 8X10 frame I already had (and that was conveniently painted a nice pumpkin orange color), so I went to Hobby Lobby and purchased a cute piece of scrapbook paper to place behind my bucket list.  Then, just use a dry-erase marker to check off your bucket list items!

Dream Catcher Necklace

One of my besties asked me recently if I was still making jewelry because she hadn't heard me talk about it lately.  The answer was yes and no.  Do I still like to make jewelry and do I still have all the supplies?  Yes.  Have I actually made anything recently?  No.  Although I hope to do something about that in the very near future.  Her next comment was that after seeing a picture of a dream catcher necklace on pinterest, she had been on a hunt to find one that looked "bohemian" and was not having any luck.  She told me that I should make some and sell them since she couldn't find any necklaces, just the kind one hangs on a wall.

Source: bohogirl.tumblr.com via Misty on Pinterest

                                                         Her pinterest inspiration.

So, being the great friend that I am (ha, ha), I decided to make her a dream catcher necklace for her birthday.  I had never made a dream catcher before, so I had to teach myself by watching youtube videos.  The webbing is pretty hard, and I obviously didn't do it the "right" way since my webbing is not uniform at all.  I have a feeling that it's a craft where over time, practice will make perfect! 

After this picture was taken, I re-did the feathers because I thought they were sticking out too much.

I made two necklaces, one for my friend and one for her sister.  She was pretty excited to see it when she opened her gift, but I keep forgetting to ask her if she has worn hers yet.  If so, I'll ask her to email me a pic of her wearing it and I'll post it at a future date.

In the meantime, I need some feedback.  Would you wear a dream catcher necklace?  Should I make some for my shop?  What would you pay for one?  Any and all feedback would be appreciated.  Thanks!

Painting Pumpkins

A few weeks ago Parker and I had the pleasure of staying the night at one of my best friends house.  It provided some much needed girl time that I had been missing.  Back in the day, Misty and I would have spent the evening with a glass (or two) of wine before heading out to dance the night away.  Fast forward to the present, and since we are both mommy's now, our late night evenings now consist of a glass (or two) of wine (hey, some things will never change), painting pumpkins, and watching a season of Newlyweds on DVD (Misty and I are still hoping Nick and Jessica will some day re-unite.  We can hope, right?)

We began the day by letting the kids paint pumpkins of their own.

Then, topped the night off by painting our own "grown up" pumpkins.

I wish I could say that the inspiration of painting pumpkins came creatively to us, however, I think we were both inspired by pinterest (what else?).  Here was my inspiration:

Source: feelinglovesome.blogspot.com via Felicia on Pinterest

Here are mine and Parker's finished products!

*We sprayed the big pumpkings with a clear coat afterwards.  However, we didn't clear coat the kids pumpkins.  They used finger paint, and I would highly recommend using a clear coat if that's your paint of choice.  Parker's pumpking has been sitting outside for a few weeks and the paint is peeling off.*

Being Crafty

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm not much of a crafter.  However, I see amazing things all the time on pinterest and it makes me want to be a crafter.  So, here's a quick glimpse of one of my latest crafts, totally inspired by pinterest!

Being the non-crafter that I am, I quickly realized I totally screwed it up!  I figured since the max number of days a month has is 31, that I should only use 31 squares.  But, I failed to remember that calendars typically use Sunday as the first day in the top left corner.  Opps!  One day I may add some more squares, but until then I'll just have to change the order of days at the top each month! 

If you want to make your own Dry Erase Calendar, here's what you'll need:

1.  a large photo frame  (I got mine at Wal-Mart for about $6.00)
2.  paint color samples (I got mine from Wal-Mart...FREE!  I did have to cut them down to size)
3.  Dry erase markers  (I got a two pack at Wal-Mart for $2.49)
4.  Some type of paper for the back ground.  I used silver gift wrap (I got mine at Hobby Lobby for $5.99, but I printed off a 40% off coupon prior to shopping so only spent $3.59)
5.  Tape  (surely you have some tape laying around)

All I did was tape the wrapping paper to the back board of the frame.  Then, I placed the squares evenly on top.  Once they were arranged to my satisfaction, I taped them down.  Last, write in the info of the current month!  Easy peasy!

I am in a mild panic that the year is almost over and I have not even come close to crossing off every item on my yearly goal list.  One item is to give my kitchen desk space a face lift.  That's where this item comes to place!  The desk is still a hot mess, so Greg is refusing to hang my calender until it has been tidyed up.  I made it about two weeks ago.  So, lets just say the calendar is leaning up between said hot mess and my home lap top.  Pics will be posted when it gets a proper make over!

Gettin' Crafty

Aside from making jewelry, I'm not the typical crafty type of gal.  And, I haven't even had the chance to make some fun jewelry in a long time.  However, a month (or two or three) ago, I had someone contact me via my etsy store and asked if I could make several of these particular little gems for her upcoming wedding.

I was ecstatic!  A valid excuse to dig all of my jewelry making supplies out from their hiding spot, plus my first custom order! 

All together, I made three adult and two child sized bracelets.   My picture's not the greatest, but trust me, they were pretty cute!

Way back in February I made this cute beach arrangement!  I'm slowly trying to give my home a beachy feel, and this work of art makes its home on top of my refrigerator.  The "real" sand actually comes from the beach near my house!  A big thanks goes out to my mom, because as she witnessed me at Walls (one of my fave stores!) with my internal struggle as to whether or not I should splurge and spend $25 on the vase, she finally said she'd buy it for me!  (Yes, I am a tight wad)  I'm so glad she did!

Now, for some more current projects!

A few weeks ago we went to a beautiful wedding and this is the item I made for the bride and groom.

I have been obsessed with family name signs for a long time now, and still don't even have one of my own.  However, I've ordered several off of etsy for various wedding presents, but I saw a great tip on pinterest about how to paint letters onto wood.  I figured I'd test it out, and this was the result.  Not super great (I wish the letters were a little bigger), but it worked!  And, I saw the bride recently and she told me it was hanging up above their door, which means it didn't end up as firewood, which is great!

The piece de resistance is the satin minky blanket I made for my sister-in-law.  I followed the instructions that I again found on pinterest.  Now, let me just say, that although I know how to sew, I do not particularly like to sew.  And, I don't do it often enough, so when I do try to whip out an awesome creation attempt to make something, it always seems like I have to re-teach myself a tip or two.  Thankfully I still have the owners manual of my sewing machine along with the required sewing book I had to make in college.  Several days and a few glasses of wine later, I wound up with this.

To find the instructions on how to make your own blanket click here.

Granted, I'm afraid it may not last through more than two trips to the washing machine, and if one were to look at the corners carefully one would see that the ruffles are tacked inside (that's what I get for thinking I would "make it easier" on myself....note to self: next time just make one continuous stitch).  Oh well.  I'd say she was happy when she opened her gift at her baby shower and I hope the softness of the fabric makes my sweet new niece happy!

 

May your life be sewn with Love.
 

Yesterday I ordered the last supply I need to begin a venture on a new craft.  I'd tell you what it is, but it will also be a birthday present, so I better wait to post a pic or two later next month.  Tune in!