Tuesday, March 30, 2010

SPRING letters

Julie already gave you the tutorial on how to make these Spring letters.
I just wanted to show you my finished product.
Oh, instead of buying an easter or spring sign to go in the middle of the shelf, I went the frugal route and used plastic easter eggs. Hint: used tape to get them to stay in the desired position and not roll off.
Easter version of these masonite signs. I think I might make some for every holiday since they are so easy. Click here for the instructions.



Quick Easter Blocks

These Easter Blocks were pretty easy to make. Sorry I don't have exact instructions how to make them, but here's the best I can do.

We cut a 2x4 into 6 random sized blocks, just to fit our fancy. Then we sanded them.
Then we painted them. These colors were pretty in the bottle and a brighter after they were done drying. I think if I could redo, I would probably go more pastel colored. Arrange them into the order your want.
Then we cut out vinyl letters and hot glued cut ribbon on each block.
Easy Peasy!

These are way cute in real life, these photos just don't do the ribbon's cutness justice!


Happy Easter Crafting

Easter Roundup

We're linked up at the Easter Roundup. Thanks to Craftaholics Anonymous, she always does such cute roundups making it easier to find cute holiday crafts, gifts, table settings, etc. Check it out and possible find something fun to make for Easter, there is no shortage of ideas!

Felt/Fleece Easter Wreath

Remember when the Idea Room showed you how to make the heart wreath made out of felt? Well, we took the same idea and made a pastel easter wreath.

Supplies needed: felt circles (three inch) from desired colors, (hint! pastel yellow and green are nearly impossible to find, believe me, I hunted down each store in town, plus the internet. So we opted to use fleece too. It worked out great! The yellow and green are fleece, the others felt. Save yourself LOTS of time by reading this, trust me.) Styrofoam wreath (I can find these at the dollar store now!), straight pins and ribbon to hang it once you are done.

Same instructions as before, fold the circles into quarters and pin them onto the wreath. A bunch of us got together and the kids played while we made the wreaths. Thanks to Jenn for having this super awesome lazer cutter that cut the circles for us, seriously, saved tons of time. If you don't have a super cool friend like Jenn, then the good old fashioned way of tracing and cutting them out by hand will do.

**Note** We tried to be frugal. Each person that did the wreath, supplied one of the colors. We each bought a yard of one color (used our 40% off at Joann's). turned out, after equally dividing the circles into five groups, we had enough to complete our wreaths and oodles left over. I might be able to make another wreath or some of the ball ideas from The Idea Room or even her topiary. So if you don't want that much left over, I bet 1/2 yard is ample.

Super easy, even the kids helped. Lyla liked to put the pins in the Styrofoam wreath.

Tara, Hillary, Julie, and Jenn. We missed you Martha.

Frame a Face

Having fun, being silly, getting together, kids playing well........
the best kinds of crafting days.


LOVED the colors and how it turned out. So bright and spring-y. Mine will stay up a little after Easter because it makes me so happy.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

All Things Spring!

The BEST part of living in Southern Utah is the weather.  Spring is here and I am LOVIN' it!  I can't help but open the doors to the backyard, let the kids run wild, sit in my kitchen and CRAFT!  I can see and hear the kids, smell the spring air and do what I love most!  Here is what I created this week.

SPRING "BLOOM" FRAME


This is my version of the cute frame I posted earlier that my friend Kellie had made.

Supplies:
8x10 plaque made from MDF Board
Scrapbook Paper
Ribbon/Fabric
Vinyl
Distress Ink
Spray Adhesive

Directions:
1. Cut the scrapbook paper to fit the mdf board and distress the edges of the paper.
2. Use spray adhesive or Mod Podge to adhere the paper to the frame.
3. Wrap ribbon/fabric around the frame and tie in knot/bow.
4. Cut out flowers (I used my Cricut) 3 different sizes and use a brad to connect them.  Distress edges.  I free handed a leaf (they don't have to perfect!) because I felt the picture needed some green.  Hot glue flower(s) on.
5. Cut out your vinyl (I used my Cricut...again) to say "BLOOM" or whatever you would like.  Attach and you have your own Spring frame.  Total cost for this project: FREE.  All of it was in my craft closet!


 SPRING RIBBON GARLAND


My entry table needed something.  A little spring garland maybe?

Supplies:
Wire hangers.  I used two because that's all I could find in my house!
Ribbon
Fabric
Twine

Directions:
1. Disassemble wire hangers and straighten them out.  Well, kinda straighten them out.  I left all the bends and curves in them.
2. Bend ends under in a loop.  (This is for safety purposes.  I can just see my kids....stabbing each other with sharp ribbon garland.  Can you see that one on the news?  Child stabbed by sibling with hanger made into garland!)
3. Cut several strips of fabric, ribbon and twine.  I cut them all about 4-5 inches long and 1/2 inch thick.  Really whatever your preference.
4. Loop around wire hanger and tie a knot.  Continue until wire is full and desired thickness is achieved!

That easy and once again, total cost: FREE!  Just use what you have around the house!


SPRING TWINE VASE


I saw this great idea on Brown Paper Packages and just had to make it!
She used real flowers, but real just doesn't fly in my house.  I also used what I had around the house (I am super cheap and don't want to spend any money) and I found this galvanized tin pail/vase thing in the garage.  I seriously think I bought it 8 years ago and forgot about it.  But, with a little twine, ribbon, paper clip, paper and calla lillies, this ugly tin pail vase thing is just screaming SPRING!

SPRING "GROW"


Now, this creation was inspired by the Visiting Teaching Message in the Ensign for the month of March.  The message talks about strengthening faith in God and Jesus Christ through personal scripture study.  I guess for me, reading the scriptures has helped me "GROW" on so many levels I can't begin to describe my feelings.  I felt it only appropriate to remind myself that if I do not study the gospel, I will not "GROW" to become the woman, wife, mother, and daughter of God that my Heavenly Father wants me to be.

Supplies:
2x4x6 Wood Block
Wood Stain
Tulips
Scrapbook Paper
Vinyl
Spray Adhesive or Mod Podge
Hot Glue and Glue Gun
Drill

Directions:
1. Cut your 2x4 down to size and stain.
2. Drill three holes on the top of block.  Make sure to drill the holes large enough for the stem to fit.
3. Cut out scrapbook paper and distress edges.  Adhere to block using spray adhesive or Mod Podge.
4. Trim your tulips to the height you would like.  Put hot glue into the holes in the wood block.  Stick the stem of the tulip into the hole.
5. Cut your vinyl (I used my Cricut) and attach to the scrapbook paper.

So, get to creating some cute SPRING crafts!  I would LOVE to see your finished projects!



We are linking up to Craftaholics Anonymous for the Easter Roundup!  Go check out all the cute Easter ideas!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Ribbon Bows

We saw this cute DIY for hair bows and had to try it out. It was fun and easy enough. I still need a small center for the pink and blue ones, but they turned out good. I REALLY loved the blue one.


I might use the bow until my daughter grows into it! I can't wait to use it.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

BLOOM

I am loving this frame my friend Kellie made for Spring!
Check out her tutorial here.
Thanks Kellie for this cute idea.

FABULOUS Cake & Cupcake Stand



Want a FABULOUS stand to hold your FABULOUS cakes and cupcakes?  Here's how!

Supplies:
1- 10.5" MDF Board Cirlce
1- 6" Finial (I found mine at Home Depot)
1- 5x5" MDF Board Square
Drill
Wood Glue
Paint
Finish Spray
Ribbon & Embellishments


Mark the centers of your circle and sqaure base.


Drill a hold half way through the square (in the center!) with your drill.  Make the hole just a little smaller than the screw in the bottom of the finial.


Apply wood glue to the base of the finial and screw that baby into the square base...using all your might!  Apparently I was having a difficult time with this part.  I probably should work out a little more.


Apply wood glue to the top of the finial and place on top of the circle.  Let dry!
Paint and seal.  I like the Matte Finishing Spray from Krylon.
Apply your ribbon or embellishments.

This project is insanely easy and inexpensive.  Total cost was under $6.00!

Monday, March 8, 2010

more st. paddy's day fun

Thanks Julie for your fun post and explanation of how to make your lucky sign. Here is how mine turned out. I love that it is the same idea, but tweaked to fit your own preference.
To go along with my lucky sign, we made some square blocks to hang on the hooks on my shelf. I just loved Julie's valentine ones and wanted to make some to go along with this green holiday. Oh, and forgive this amateur photographer, the light from the window is annoying, still learning....



I used one-sided 1/4" masonite board left over scraps from another project. It is smooth on one side and fibrous/fuzzy on the other side, inexpensive, but comes in a big sheet at the hardware store. I cut it to the size I wanted, cut scrapbook paper to fit the board and then with the cricut cut out paper letters (in place of vinyl this time), adhered them with the spray on adhesive in a spray can ***LOVE this stuff***, drilled a hole in the tops and attached a fun ribbon.



Cut what size you want. The boards for my sign and blocks.

Oh, and had to make this cute frame to go beside Patrick.
Inspiring Creations has the tutorial. Pretty easy and fun to make.

My Irish blocks didn't turn out quite as cute as Julie's. Wait, who am I kidding, nothing turns out as cute and crafty as hers! She seriously has such a creative mind. I mostly like to copy what she has done. Anyway, take a 2x4 and cute it into different sized blocks, the more random the better. I really was going for the random look. Then I painted them white, hot glued a different ribbon to the side of each block, cut out random letters from different cricut cartridges and put them on. Like the pot of gold? Ya, easy peasy, rocks spray painted gold and placed by my cauldron. Are you feeling lucky? Good then get your St. Patrick's Day crafty groove on and make some of your own sweetness.

Friday, March 5, 2010

St. Patricks Blocks & Sign

In Celebration of St. Patricks Day!
"IRISH" Blocks

Tara had this great idea!  I do believe they turned out adorable!  St. Patrick's Day is a holiday that is often overlooked.  But, I like to think of this day as "SPRING is just around the corner!" 
The blocks are very easy! 
A 2x4 cut down to different sizes and sanded.
Stain or paint the blocks.
Cut out vinyl letters. (Make sure you measure your blocks before you cut them out!  That way you won't end up with letters to BIG for your blocks!)
Cut your paper...if you want and adhere using Mod Podge or Spray Adhesive!  You can just leave them painted too.
Adhere vinyl letters.
Add emblishments...ribbon, buttons, clovers..whatever you fancy!
Ta Da!  Your very own CUTE IRISH blocks!

(FYI- I am thinking about turning mine around and reusing them for spring.  Maybe spell BLOOM or GROW with a flower on one??  This way you get more use outta em')

"LUCKY" Wreath Sign

Well, I have a VERY ugly front door!  We are actually looking in to replacing it...but doors are EXPENSIVE!  Anyway, back to CRAFTS!  I ALWAYS have to have a wreath on my door in honor of the holiday.  If there isn't a holiday...then it is a flag in honor of our country!  So, I have been trying to be frugle and not spend money on covering up our ugly front door by using what I have around the house!  This wreath sign cost less than a DOLLAR!  Love it when I can craft for cheap!

Cut out 14x6 piece of wood.
Cut out shamrock paper and adhere using Mod Podge or Spray Adhesive.
Distress edges with Distressing Ink.  (LOVE this stuff!)
Adhere Vinyl Letters
Drill two holes in the top corners.
Thread ribbon through holes and tie.
Attach emblishments.

This project is super quick, super easy, super cheap, and super cute!

Isn't that just SUPER???  Do you think I have used the word SUPER to many times???
Yeah, me too!

(By the way...I only had to use ONE 12x12 piece of scrapbook paper for both of these projects!  Can't beat that!)