Go Read in Your Nook!

Ok, so I found another project for this summer.

I have a feeling that I will need to make TWO of them.
DUH!

Ana White has some amazing projects that any weekend project warrior could tackle.

Jen Adkins & Lori Winger:
I am forewarning you not to look unless
you are ready to go get the supplies and have at it.

Bring on the drills!

Once You Start You Just Can’t Stop with One

Blog hopping a few days ago (aren’t I always) I stopped my my sil’s blog to check out the new post. I’m just going to cut to the chase…..she got a CRICUT. That was Saturday.

Oh, be still my heart.

They were on sale last week at Joann Fabrics. I would never think of asking my husband if I could have the money to got one of them babies.

So Sunday I was spending a few minutes (ha) checking my email/FB/blog hopping. I received an email from Joann Fabrics. Click “open”, scrolling, scrolling, scrolling….oh my goodness they are still on sale.

Rob is sitting on the couch pretending to watch the NASCAR race, but really wanting to let the drowsiness of the afternoon overtake him. Then he pipes up and says “do you want one?”

DUH!

Really? I look at him like he is some other person. Some alien. Yeah, right, like you would let me buy one.

“Let’s go get it”, he says with a grin on his face.

No strings, no promises, no nothing. Just I love you and I want to do this for you. I have a great guy.

Now my big dilemma is that it has been in my home for 2 days and I have not cut one piece of paper.

1. Do I start now in the chaos of fixing dinner, getting the kids baths, reading a bedtime story and saying prayers.

or

2. Do I want until they are tucked in bed so I don’t have to raise my voice to them to stop touching mommy's new toy.

For sanity sake I’m going with #2. Because you now once you start you can’t just stop with one.

July Birthdays

July is a busy month for us as far as birthdays go.

1. Niece
2. Nephew
3. Friends Son
4. My own Son

I am trying to make gifts for a few reasons.

First, it's fun.
Second, it's cheaper than buying a gift, usually.
Third, it is always made with love & I think that I am more excited about the gift than the birthday gal/boy.

I have run into a road block, though, with my first gift, and I need your advice.

If you were an 11 year old girl, which ribbon would you like with this fabric?

Here is another pic a little closer.

Don't ask what I'm making. It's a surprise

I have until July 7, but I would really like to get it finished by the end of the week.

Leave your thoughts, send a link to your friends & ask them to pick.

Not to sway anyone, but I am leaning towards the green. We'll see which ribbon gets the most votes.

Reclaimed Shutters

Okay girls, cousin, sil, mom, aunts...who wants a shutter?

You know, the ones that I snatched up from someones garbage on the way to have dinner at my parents house. I have 5 pair (10 singles), but I am keeping 1 pair (2 singles) for myself. First come, first served. No pushing, shoving, ditching.

Dimensions of each panel: 35 1/2 in. tall, 11 in. wide. 3/4 in. thick.

Here are a couple of ideas for the shutters:

1. Living In Color at the Nesting Place. She painted it a lovely aqua and placed it against the wall on top of a dresser that looks a little like the one that my aunt Randee bought at a yard sale last week. Okay, made it is just the fact that it is white with 3 drawers. My mom has one, too, and I am hoping that I inherit it. Love ya mom!

2. Flea Market Shutters & Frames and Shutter Style on BHG.com at the lettered cottage. Now, if I could just find a mirror that big really cheap...like, as close to free as possible. ('80's valley girl coming out, sorry about that.)

3. Studio Inspiration Photos at Twice Remembered. Just a cute place to put those special cards or a pretty postcard that you have no intention of sending because you bought it just for the picture on the front.

If you find any other ideas for the shutters let me know.

That's all I have for today. Make the most of your weekend with family & friends. Even if that is just sitting/laughing/talking.

Pillowcase Dress Refined

I found Nap Time Crafting through UCreate. She has a great tutorial for "pillowcase dresses (pc.d.)."

I made a pc.d. few weeks ago for my daughter from the instructions that I found on a room somewhere, with a few alterations of my own. For example, instead of placing the ribbon on the side to tie I put it in the back. I did use a regular pillowcase, but I found that it was too wide for Rory's frame.

I can't wait to try the refined instructions.

I'm such a Moocher

I saw this on a blog, which, surprise, I can't remember where.

1. You take a magnet. You know, one of those that look like a business card on the front that your 4 year old is always grabbing one for everyone in the family just to be fair (which is the only time that he wants to be fair).
2. Cut a piece of fabric a little bigger than the magnet
3. Slap some Modge Podge on the top of the magnet
4. Place the fabric on top of the slapped magnet
5. Let dry
6. Trim excess fabric
7. Slap more Modge Podge on top of the fabric
8. Let dry
9. Transfer to your fridge

During the second drying time (step #8).
This is 1 of the 6 magnets that I used. When I showed Rob what I had made he had this worried look on his face. He thought I had used them all. The magnet was, is, his reminder of his very first vacation. The very first time that he stayed at the beach, and played with his kids in the sand & surf everyday. Every once in a while he will look at the want ads in a city in the Carolina's. He's hooked

And Our Next Model Is...

RORY! Modeling her "new" Pillowcase Dress...


It seems to be a little big on her. Maybe using fabric instead of a pillowcase for smaller girls would be the best thing.

The shoulder...I pulled it apart a little so you could see the ribbon
I can't wait to get started on making more of these.

I Just Couldn't Wait...

Here is my very first Pillowcase Dress...courtesy of a room somewhere.

Before...
After...Front
Hem...
Armhole...the original tutorial said to use bias tape, but I just used 1" ribbon folded over and stitched with a zigzag.
Back...
Back...up close. The original just had the ribbon joined to one side and tied, or to use 2 ribbons and tie at each shoulder. I know that my daughter would not like that so I cut a slit from the top almost to the stitch and pulled the ribbon from both sides through the slit. Does that make sense? I will try to have better pics of that part with my next dress.

How much would you pay for a dress like this, stitched with love and excitement?

I'm Such a Tease

So I went to the Goodwill yesterday and spent $21 and some change. My cart was FULL!

Now two of the items I picked up were a couple of pillowcases. I'm not going to tell you what I'm going to do with them...you have to guess. You have no time limit, but if you guess right I will make one for YOUR daughter(s), granddaughter...whatever the case may be.
Yes...that says .79 cents!



...and so does this one!

Now where is all that ribbon?!

Craft Night with the Girls #3

Girls, sorry it has taken sooo long to post what we did on Friday night. My brain has been on other things and my body has not been able to sit at the computer for more than 5 minutes (not by my choice, but the kiddos have needed to be kept busy.)

So without further ado I present the "BE" blocks. Brought to us by Not so Idle Hands.

Lori's...she was the only one to make it just like on Not So Idle Hands.

Corrie's...made hers for her daughter Eva's room. Eva's name is on another side. Words that Corrie wishes for her daughter. So stinkin' cute.

Jennifer's...love the color on the wood with the black letters

Marlene's...her letters did not come in the mail in time, but how about that top block. Couldn't you just see a chair with that fabric!

Mine...I'm not done. I always talk more than I craft. I'll finish it tomorrow once everyone is back to school/work.

Me(Beth), Jennifer, Corrie, Lori(our hostess), Marlene(I hope I spelled your name right:])


Okay girls...who wants to host Craft Night in June?

Attention:Craft Girls

You have got to check out the new blog on my list: U Create!

We will never run out of ideas for craft night. I'm so excited...I don't know which one to tackle first.

Have fun!

These are "just because" flowers that my hubby picked up for me a few weeks ago. They lasted almost 2 weeks! This pic does not due the deep, dark purple justice.

Craft Night with the Girls #2

On Friday April 24 a few of us got together for our monthly craft night. It was held by our lovely hostess and best SIL, Jen. She had picked the "Look What I Made" boards from Tuesdays with Molly. We all had different variations on the original.

I, again, did not take me camera. I think that subconsciously I knew that Jen would be snapping away. And sure enough she was. Check out what we did on her blog. There were two post, here is the second one.

The guy in the background is my brother and husband of Jen. He was very much a part of the evening. What with trying to contain 6 kids and 2 puppies. Then there was Ethan, the almost 3 boys boy, who just wanted to use the cordless drill. No really the kids where great. They entertained themselves and a few even helped me with a little bit of painting.

I think that we all had a great time again. Next month we will be at Lori's home. How fun.

Craft Night Update

Here are a couple of pics from our first monthly Craft Night.

Our garlands...

Me (the organizer), Linda (my BFF), Jen (my sis-in-law), Lori (My parents neighbor & the one who I think had the most fun...she has 3 boys), Kristin (our hostess)...

Our next Craft Night is scheduled for Friday April 24.

Thanks go out to Kristin's hubby, Mark, for taking the pics. He was a good sport even while I was telling him to stand on a chair to get a good shot of all the garlands. Didn't want to leave anyone out.

Craft Night with the Girls (Adults Only)

First, let me just explain the title. 5 of us got together last Friday night for our first, hopefully not last, craft night. My 6 year old, Rory, wanted to know where I was going. I told her that I was going to a girls only craft night, and then quickly changed my explanation to adult only craft night. Thank goodness I caught myself as quickly as I did because I could see the longing & excitement rising in her face. The let down was manageable.

Apparently the other two mom's with girls were met with the same longing looks.

On to the craft. We made Ragamuffin Memo Garlands! Can you guess where we got the idea from? You guessed it The Nesting Place.

I forgot to take my camera, so I only have pics of my garland that I took once I got home.

We all had different themes.

1. Linda's was for one of her 2 daughters: pink, teal, aqua, yellow, lavender. She found a sign that said "dream" that matched perfectly with the fabric that she picked out beforehand. Girly, yet sophisticated.

2. Jen's had red, dark teal, turquoise, black, some sort of animal print. Super cool. Her's is for her "landing pad/office."

3. Lori was the only one making it for a boy. Boy was it adorable. COWBOYS was her theme: paisley, stars, denim, "Levis" tag, red, blue, rope. Linda is making over her son's room with COWBOYS also. I think I know what her next ragamuffin garland will be:)

4. Kristin, our hostess. All I can say is PRINCESS: lavender, pink, gingham, strips, tulle. She had her daughters name in wooden letters on the wall that she took down, attached ribbon to the back with hot glue and hung them on the garland.

5. Me. EASTER. I have decided that I am going to make one for each holiday/season, and use it for a message center for the family. Not a "you have a doctors appt", but a "have I told you that you are a helpful husband" or "I am so proud that you cleaned your room without me asking." An "encouragement" garland.

I have this wall across from the utility closet. It has a double switch plate and the thermostat. Both in odd locales on the wall. This is were I have placed the "encouragement" garland.









I am hoping to get pics from the other girls to share with you real soon.

It All Started With A Can Of Spray Paint

I saw this at The Nesting Place and was inspired. I had a 3-tierd gold plate stand, which I forgot to take a picture of before I broke out the spray paint. Anyway, check out #4 Spa It.

Now here is what I was able to do...

The plates are from Homegoods. I was looking to spend no more than $2 a plate. They were more than I had wanted to spend, but they were perfect for our bathroom. $3 each...

In it's rightful place. The towel holder is higher than I would have placed it. We are renters at this time, so I'm not moving anything that is attached to a wall.

Next project. Lamps. These have been in our family/living room for about 4 years. I had to buy new lampshades about a month ago because my 4 year old son decided he wanted to finger paint with his Cheetos-coverd digits. There is a floor and desk top lamp.

Before...




After...

Signs & Goodwill

Eli has been wanting a sign with his name on it for his bedroom. I remembered that I had a scrap piece of pine that was left over from a coat rack that my husband had made for me.

Coat Rack...

I had purchased some stencils a few months back at Joann Fabrics for $3 (75% off). I had basic acrylic paint in black & real green. The only other supplies that I needed was some stencil paint. Acrylic is too watery, and made a big mess.
This evening I finished his sign. He was sooo excited.

Eli's sign...

Yesterdy I went to The Goodwill and found a few little fun things. All for $5

8" Silver plate that needs a little TLC...

8" Yellow/Daisy plate...

I think this is a cover for a cheese plate...


Have you been to your local Goodwill store? With all the financial woes that alot of people are experiencing the Goodwill is a great place to shop. However, they seem to be taking advantage of this. They have raised their prices! Our family is not one that needs to shop there because we are on such a tight budget, but my heart goes out to the families that shop there at the beginning of the school year or at Christmas time for their children because they are on a very tight budget. I thought that all items that they sell are donated, but they're not. Another shopper told me that anything that has an orange sticker comes from Target, and they have to pay them a fee. And just because there is a posted price, on say the dresses, they are also "color-coded." I thought I was going to pay $3.49 for a dress, but the cashier rang is up $4.99 becasue it was from a more expensive store.

I'm not griping because I had to pay a little more. I just want them to realize and remember who they are to be helping and that they are just hurting those that they they claim to be helping.