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.