Easy Valentine's Decor with Stand Up Letters

Hi all, hope your week is going well.  I told you I would be back with some more Valentine's Day decor goodies.  So today I have a super simple decor piece if you have a Silhouette.  This would be easy to replicate with a Cricut, but I have the source to the Silhouette file here.  

So do you see the word LOVE on my mantel.  This was a super easy project that I found on Pinterest.  Here is a close up of my version:

This was done with two pieces of Silhouette cardstock for sturdiness.  I covered one piece with white cardstock for the contrast piece and them used some glitter valentines cardstock for the letters.  The best thing about this is that someone else made the letters for this.  Here is the pin with the Silhouette cut file that I used.    She used the letters for gift wrapping, but I thing they look great as an addition to my mantel.
Hope you get to use this super easy cut file.  I am off to design some Valentines for my kids class parties.  Have a great day.  

Valentine's Day Series - Mantel Decor

Hi all Happy Monday!!!  I hope you have all had a great weekend.  I have to admit I didn't really watch the Super Bowl, I crafted instead.  My hubby was out of town, so I didn't feel the need to watch and I actually finished my Valentine's Day mantel with enough time to enjoy it.  Starting to feel the love already.  

So here it is.  I am really loving it, although I may add some white candles if I get the chance.  The word art projects I did last year.  You can see the post here.  I decided I would use them again instead of constantly making new stuff.  The big new project this year was the flowered heart and I am going to give you a tutorial on how to make it today.  It takes a little time but is super easy and really makes a statement.  So here we go .... Flowered Heart Wreath Tutorial Supplies Needed:

• Foam core board from the Dollar Store
• Pack of 150 white coffee filters from the Dollar Store (I used all of them)
• Heidi Swapp Color Shine
• I used 3 bottles in 3 different colors:  Primrose, Sweet Cherry, and Peach
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Tape

Instructions:

First you need to make the flowers.  I made them out of coffee filters and Heidi Swapp color shine.  For a wreath this big, almost the length of the foam board, I had to use 3 bottles.   Here is the pictorial of how to make them:

1.  First you need to dye the coffee filters, unless you want all white flowers which is fine.  I used the color shine spray because when you spray the filters and they dry really fast.  A cheaper way to do it would be use food coloring to dye them.  Most people dip dye their filters and set them to dry, I find that this takes too long so I spray them.  

2.  The next thing is to gather your filters, scissors, and stapler.

3.  Stack 6 filters up, this is how many each flower takes.  You could use more or less depending on how big you want your flower.

4.  Fold your filters in half making a semi-circle.

5.  Fold you filters in half again making a sort of triangle.

6.  Cut a design across the rounded edge of the filters.  I used a three scallop design but you could use whatever you would like.  This will determine the shape of your flowers.

7.  Unfold the filters and keeping them stacked, pinch the center to gather them.  Then staple at the gather.  This does not need to be a perfect gather and is not a science.  All my flowers where gathered in different ways and they all came out beautiful.

8.  Pull the first coffee filter layer up towards the staple and scrunch to make the center of the flower.

9.  After the center is pulled, pull the next four layers up towards the center and play with the layers until you get the look you want.  The final layer I keep down and twist to form a stem.  I use this stem to adhere to the foam board.

There you have it, repeat these steps until you get them number of flowers you need.  I needed 24, but it will vary depending on how dense you want your wreath and how big you cut your heart.  The next step is to assemble the wreath.  Here is the pictorial for the assembly:

1.  First you need to draw your heart, or any shape, onto your foam board.  I chose an asymmetrical heart shape.  You need an inner heart and and outer heart.

2.  Cut out your outer heart first.  I used an exacto knife for this, the scissors kept getting caught.  Then cut out your inner heart and you should be left with something similar to the picture above.

3.  Next cut a whole where you want to place the first flower.  With a heart shape I suggest starting at the top point and working out.  The way I did this was to place the first flower and then work outward, one flower on each side at a time.  I highly recommend cutting your wholes with the flowers on because this will allow you to see how densely placed you want your flowers.  

4.  The flowers go into the wholes with the stems I told you about in step 9 of the flower instruction above.  Once you have them all placed, the back of your heart should look as follows.

5.  The final step you want to do is to tape the stems to the back of the board.  This is just to help them stay in place.  I used duct tape because that is all I had in the house.  I would actually recommend using clear packers tape for this because it was really hard to get the duct tape to stick.  

So that is that, I hope I have inspired you to create your own holiday decor.  It really is fun to have the house look different for every holiday.  The kids love it.  I hope to have some more Valentine's Day posts up this week.  In the meantime enjoy your day and don't forget to craft.  

Grateful Journaling

Hi all, Happy Monday!!
Not really ... we had a two hour delay again today, these really mess with my day!!  Especially since it is just raining.  Anyways, I have been reading lately that grateful people tend to be happier people.  Now I am not saying I am not happy but I am trying to be more intentionally grateful to help me in those times where I feel like to world is against me.  So with that in mind I needed a place to write my grateful thoughts down.  I didn't want a book but something that would be a decorative fixture on my bedside table in addition to being functional.  Here is what I came up with ... 

So I started with this box ...

It was a Christmas box from years ago, that had been sitting in my craft room just waiting to be repurposed.  I used a stack of fabric paper that I had bought year's ago to cover all sides of the box.  The fabric paper is really neat because it is thin paper with a sticky backing.  I then used my Silhouette to cut the month dividers.  They are found here and here in the Silhouette Design Store.  The final step was just to cut paper cards to journal my grateful thoughts.  I am not going to force my thoughts so I don't think I will do it everyday, but try as much as I can.  I can also use to to record any things my children do that I want to remember.  
Hope this inspires you to stay grateful and journal those thoughts.  Have a great day, and week if I don't get to another post this week!!!

Happy New Year and a Planner to Get Started

Hi all
Happy New Year!!!!  So I am back and hope to revitalize my blog with lots of great projects.  So I have been missing for a while because I have had to get a handle on all the new responsibilities I have taken on as the parent of an elementary school girl.  I have been heavily involved in my daughter's school through the PTA and helping run the school Math Club.  I had to get a handle on these things and how they fit into my schedule.  
On that note of schedules, I have created a planner for myself that will allow me to keep on track and stay motivated towards my individual goals.  It took a couple hours to create, just because I included daily sheets to keep my to-do list manageable.  So here it is:

So the outside planner size is 10" x 7.5", with the inside pages at 9.5" x 7".  I like this size because I can put it into my purse without much hassle.  To make the covers I took two sheets of Silhouette chipboard and glued then together, after I cut them to size.  I then choose some Heidi Swapp scrapbook paper to cover both sides of the chipboard.  I did this twice to create the front and back of the planner.  I chose to glue the two sheets of chipboard together because I felt that the chipboard was a little flimsy, and I wanted something sturdy.  I then decorated the front of the planner with some flowers I had on hand, and used double sided adhesive with glitter for the year.  Here is a snapshot of the inside of the planner:

So I created these pages with my Silhouette design studio software.  I then printed them off front to back and a ton of them.  This planner as it stands only has daily pages up until June.  I was trying to cut down on the thickness, considering I had to use a 2" binding coil.  I used weekly planner pages astwell from http://www.imperfecthomemaking.com/2012/01/free-printables-to-help-organize-your.html just printed at 80%.  I can't remember where I got my monthly calendar pages from.  I then used some store bought dividers, cut down to the correct size.  
This planner was a ton of tedious cutting of pages, but I really like the end result, especially the size.  So that is what I have for you today, I hope you are starting your new year great and don't forget to make some time to craft.  

Homemade Easter Skirts

Hi all, happy Wednesday.  I hope you are having a great week.  We are having a pretty good spring break here.  Especially since my oldest said "This is the best spring break ever"  and that was before we went to the dollar store to get kites.  So glad to hear that we don't have to do much to be happy!!!  Anyhow, in continuing with the Easter theme this week, I have some homemade Easter outfits.  Well, half home-made!!

I made these starboard skits all by myself!!!  It is the first thing I have made that can actually be worn.  I was so excited when the came out so good.  This skirt was made by following this Simple Simon and Company tutorial, no pattern needed.  Here are some close ups of the skirts.

So these were definitely the least expensive Easter outfits we have ever had.  The fabric was $8.00 per yard and I only needed half a yard for each skirt.  The shirts are actually boys dress shirts from Target that were on sale BOGO, so only $15 for the shirts.  The shoes we already had.  So the total for two Easter outfits was a whopping $23.00.  Not to bad!!!  
Well I hope you enjoyed today's post.  I know the kids didn't, because it was freezing this morning taking those photos.  But now we have Easter pics to send to the family!!!  Have a great evening.  

Easter Home Decor

Hi all, hope you are having a fantastic start to the week.  I have been spending some time with my sewing machine lately, and can't wait to share some of those projects.  Also this weekend was so great weather wise that we spent the entire weekend outside.  That was really fun.  Oh and we have another big girl in the house.  My four year old got off her training wheels with one push this weekend.  So proud of her but a little sad to see my baby growing up.  
Anyhow, I did make some Easter decor crafts last week.  I meant to make an entire mantel display, but didn't get a hold of any burlap this week.  So I only made two framed pieces.  I think that they came out really cute though.  

Both pieces were made with my Silhouette Cameo.  The bunny at the top was cut from some fat quarter chevron fabric and then appliquéd onto some white fabric.  I used some white yarn for the tail.  The subway are was made using the print and cut feature.  I then created some stitching wholes on the paper and used embroidery floss to create the outline.  
That's all I have for now, I hope to be back later this week with some Easter sewing that I was able to do.  Have a great week.

Decorated Birthday Frame

Hi all Happy Wednesday.  Hope the week is treating you well.  I have gotten back to being a little crafty the last couple nights.  Guess the spring weather has kind of inspired me.  So around these parts it is Spring Fling time and with that comes Silent Auctions.  My daughters school is having one as well as one of my girlfriends' kids.  Although I am a little jealous of hers because it is for the adults only!!!  Anyways, I wanted to contribute to the silent auctions in some way and came up with the idea of donating my crafting services.  I am going to make 10 personalized birthday invites in any theme and some matching paraphernalia to go with it.  A little work on my part but it benefits the kids at school.  I had to come up with a way to showcase my items and decided to make a keepsake birthday frame that the recipient could use to hold a photo after the party is over.  

I found this cute frame complete with chevron mat at Michael's on clearance for $6.00.  I them added the birthday banner, title, and balloons to the frame.  I also made the description with the print and cut feature of my Silhouette.  Sorry about the weird camera angle, it is hard taking pictures of things with a reflective glass surface.  Anyhow, that's all I have for you today, hope you get a chance to craft some stuff of your own today.  

Quick Sewing Journal

Hi all, hope you are having a great Monday.  We are doing great because we finally have some nice weather.  The weekend was miserable with the rain and snow.  As I am typing this I am sitting outside watching the kids ride bikes.   Today I have a really quick project to share with you.  Recently I have started sewing, and I need a way to keep track of my projects and the math associated with them.  So I made this really quick journal.  

It was super quick.  I used a stencil with some white paint and Heidi Swapp color shine to tint the paint.  The scissors and thread spool were cut with my Silhouette Cameo.  Click the links to find them in the online store.  The I heart sewing saying can also be found in the store.  I then just adhered everything to the cover of the notebook.  Easy Peesy!!!!  That's all I have for you today hope you have a great evening.  

Just a litte Leprechaun Gift

Happy hump day everyone.  Hope your week is going great.  It seems that here we are on our way to a warm up, yeah.  So today all I have for you is a quick little Leprechaun gift.  Monday I showed you that tray of cupcakes that I had made for the kids, and adults.  Well I can't keep that many cupcakes around or else they will end up on my backside if you know what I mean.  Therefore I must gift them, and I tried to make it cute.

I found this cute cupcake box in the Silhouette store here.  I changed it up a bit by adding the shamrock to the band.  These were easy to assemble and make a really cute gift.  
That's all I have today, hope you have a great day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day - T-shirts and Bloopers

Good evening everyone.  Hope you have had a fantastically green St. Patrick's Day.  We had a pretty good day here except for the snow!!!!  Really sick of the snow!!!  Anyway, we made it a fun day, except for the cleaning.  Because the girls were supposed to go to school today, I made them some shirts that would keep them from getting pinched.  My youngest was especially scared of being pinched this year, so I went with that and made her a "Pinch Proof" t-shirt.  

I used my Silhouette to cut out this shamrock from some fabric that I had purchased last year.  I then appliquéd it onto the t-shirt and used the embroidery feature on my sewing machine to add the Pinch Proof text.  

For this t-shirt I used the same technique as above with the shamrock.  I then made a stencil with some freezer paper and my Silhouette for the words.  I coated the stencil with some Fabri-Tac and then sprinkled some green fabric glitter.  Super simple, but we will see if the glitter lasts through the wash.  I was trying to avoid using the E6000 glue because it stinks so bad.

I also made some simple hair bows with some some leftover green ribbon and some strips of the shamrock fabric.  

Here are my cuties.  I am not sure why Corianne always looks like she is about to cry in these photos, I really don't make her take the photos!!!

See now she looks happy.  Rainbow cupcakes will make anyone happy and smiley right.  So that's all I have for today, hope you have a great week and it is warm where you are.  I am going to leave you with a blooper photo of what happens when you leave your embroidery machine unattended.  

Her t-shirt went from long sleeve to 3/4 sleeve because of this!!!!  

Did you know Girl Scout Cookies are Here!!!

Hi all, how's the week going?  My week has gotten drastically better since I don't feel sick anymore.  I even went to the gym this morning.  Yeah!!!  So are you sick of Girl Scout Cookies yet?  I hope not because we have a booth sale coming up this weekend.  It is one of the last weekends of the season, I am just hoping not to many people in our area gave up sweets for lent!.  
So with that I had to make some cute and practical stuff for our booth.  The first being a table cloth.  We are a Daisy troop so we don't have any supplies for the troop as of yet.  I decided that I would make a table cloth that we can use in the coming years and can be re-used once my younger daughter joins the Scouts.  

Please ignore my horrible ironing skills.  I suck at it and hate it all at the same time.  So to make this table cloth I went to Jo-ann's and bought 2 yards of blue cotton canvas for $5.00.  I then spent $10 on some flocked heat transfer vinyl from Silhouette.  I actually bought it on Amazon, so it was shipped for free.  The next thing I did was go to the Girl Scout's website and download their logo.  I then opened the logo in the designer edition of Silhouette studio and used the trace function to make a cut file of the logo.  I will make a tutorial of this soon, I always forget when I am in the middle of a project.  Anyhow, I then cut the logo, and the text and ironed then onto the blue table cloth that I had hemmed.  One thing I did learn:  The instructions on the vinyl say to place a towel between the vinyl and the iron.  I tried this and it did not work, or I wasn't patient enough, so I just put the iron directly on the vinyl.  It came out fine, and the plastic transfer material didn't melt.  
So the next few things I did for the booth are straight from Pinterest, and not too much creativity on my part.  I am not very creative when I am sick!!!.  Here is my Pinterest page with the Girl Scout stuff, so you can find the sources.  

I made some lanyards for the girls, so they could easily calculate how much the customers owe.

I made this cute table topper with some scrapbook paper, vinyl and a dollar store tin.  

Here is what the booth should look like during our sale.

Last but not least, I made some door hangers to let the people we sold door-to-door know that their cookies had arrived.  This helped a ton with the delivery, because we didn't have to stop by people's houses over and over.  They just called and let us know when they would be home.  Also my daughter made thank-you cards to pass out with her orders.  Hopefully this will get us some return customers.
So that is all I have for today.  Hope you have a great week, and wish us luck selling cookies!!!

A Valentine's Post Lost: Fox T-shirts made with Silhouette

Hi all, whew it has been a crazy couple weeks.  Between being sick, girls scout cookies, and other general craziness I haven't been able to keep up with my posting.  So I am back and going to really and try to keep up with my posting.  I hope to also feel better soon, can't stand being sick. 
So anyway today I have what was supposed to be my last post in my Valentine's installment.  I made some super fun shirts for the girls to wear on Valentine's day.  They both are really into "What Does the Fox Say", so I thought it would be cute to make them some Fox t-shirts.  Here they are:

Aren't these just adorable.  I used my Cameo and some super cute chevron fabric from Hobby Lobby to cut out the Cute Fox.  Click the link to take you to the shape in the online store.  I then used my sewing and embroidery machine to applique the fox to the shirt and embroider "What the Fox Says" on the bottom.  The girls love them and continue to wear them all the time.  Next time I do a fabric project with the Cameo, I will try to make a tutorial video to show you how it's done.  

That's all I have for today, hope you have a great day.  

Valentine's Week Day 4 - Easy Valentine's Tea Towels

Hi all, I am back again!!!  I am getting caught up on Valentines Week with this Day 4 post.  I wanted to show you how I have come to love to decorate for any holiday : Making Tea Towels for the kitchen.  You can buy a pack of three white linen Tea Towels from Target for about $4.  Then you just let your creativity take hold.  Here are the towels that I created for Valentine's Day ... 

So I realize that the pictures are kind of hard to see, that's what last minute picture taking gets me.  Anyway the top tea towel was super simple and fast to make.  I used my new sewing and embroidery machine to embroider the cupid and word Love onto the towel.  It was fast and easy and didn't take much effort on my part.  
The second towel I actually made from scratch.  I had some leftover fabric, well a bunch of leftover, from some kids shirts that I will share with you tomorrow.  I actually hemmed the towel all by myself.  It was super simple, but I was nervous, as this is the first sewing project I have made.  After I made the towel, I used my Cameo and some heat transfer vinyl to add the designs on the towel.  
The third towel was a bit more complicated, but I think worth the effort.  I took all my different Valentine's ribbon and arranged them in a heart pattern.  I then used the sewing machine to sew the ribbon to the towel.  This took a little bit of effort, and it is by no means perfect when you see it up close.  But it was good practice for sewing straight lines and using pins.  
That's it, I hope you have a fabulous day.  I will be back tomorrow with my final post for Valentine's Week.  

Valentine's Week Day 3: Easy Mantel Decor

Hi all hope your week is going well.  We are currently digging out from over a foot a snow, with more to come tonight.  It is fun though when you have this much snow!!!  So I missed yesterday because I had to take care of our Troops cookie delivery.  It was a very busy day ...  and might I mention that it is not fun being on a diet when there 450 boxes of Girl Scout cookies in your living room.  Anyway ... today I wanted to share my Mantel Decorations for Valentines Day.  One of the things I wanted to concentrate my crafting on this year was home decor.  Especially for Holidays.  So here is what I created ... 

I really love Burlap, but wasn't quite sure what to do with it.  I ran across a roll of this burlap ribbon and decided that I could stencil it.  When one of my friends was over for a play date we decided to cut the roll in half and each make a banner or table runner for Valentine's Day.  I used my Cameo to cut some stencils out of Freezer paper.  We then used the stencils with some paint and foam brushes to paint the designs onto the burlap.  I think they came out pretty cute.  
I also decided to create the framed art works.  Here is what they each look like ... 

I used my Cameo and the print and cut feature to create these posters.  To add some visual interest, I cut some parts of each of the words out of double sided sticker paper and added glitter to them.  It was simple project, but I really love how they add and anchor point to the mantel.  
That's all I have for now, I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!!!