Travel Sign

I was given this awesome piece of wood from a friend

who works at a cabinet shop. 

She gave me a whole bunch of scraps, 

but I just love this one because of that huge knot! 

I knew I wanted to make something out of it, 

but I just couldn't think of anything, 

I have had this since Christmas last year. 

Seriously, brain block!

Then finally I thought of something fun. 

I cut off the dove tails, or the little things on the end, and sanded it.

I printed out the word that I wanted, 

and because I don't have a silhouette, or cricut, I used the

old fashioned way to trace the letters.

I know, real high tech. 

You could also, print the letters on the maps 

just make sure to print the mirror image! 

Psst...

Don't tell my husband, that I used the road map from the car!

I don't think he will notice!

At least I hope not.

I drew a straight line then added little tick marks where the letters would go.

I wanted to get the spacing right.  

I decoupaged the letters on,

then did a couple more layers of decoupage. 

The letters in the above picture are not decoupaged, 

just so everyone knows. 

TA-DA! 

Know I have to decide what to do about the knot, 

my original plan, was to take out the parts of the "R" and the "A"

that are in the knot, just to show it off. 

And distress around the knot, to make it look "traveled".

But once I rip them out, I can't put them back in!!

What do you think?

I need some help here.

She gave me plenty of help too, 

She just had to be in one picture. 

But that's ok because she is cute!

Jute Decor Balls

Probably not what you thought. 

I am finally trying to fill my tall glass vases, 

that I have had for about a year now.  

When I was cleaning my daughters toys I found this tennis ball. 

Then I thought of this tutorial from V&Co.

I only had 1 small tennis ball, 

but it's a start! 

I found this jute line

in the hardware department of WalMart. 

It was tons cheaper than any thing you would find in the craft department.  

Ta-DA!!

Now I just have to make about 5 more. 

I think I might take a stroll by the tennis courts,

and dig in some bushes. 

Will that make me look homeless?

Simple Christmas Garland

Green 

Red 

make... 

Just a simple garland that can be done with any age. 

My daughter had so much fun making this.

And it was a fun decoration. 

Crafting Space

(I can't find the before picture.)

But I did say that I would post what I have done with my craft room.

And here it is! 

I love it!

I love having nothing on the table besides 

my sewing machine and serger. 

I highly recommend doing this to any room.

Yes, this is a dinning room table, but 

hey, I got it for free. 

And it has enough space to do everything I want. 

Hopefully soon

(no not really soon, but within the next year)

This table will be white,

or maybe a fun color, like apple green, or orange.

I don't know.

Any thoughts on the table color?

I know as a craft table is needs to be a blank surface, but 

I want something fun!! 

Entertainment Center

You have already seen this picture of our new entertainment center but...

You haven't seen these! 

I know I can't hold the camera strait.

(think we need a bigger tv?)

There is still much decorating needed, but it is almost done! 

Just a few simple things to be done.

Now that we have something like this it seems so adult.

So "un-college student" like.

I'm not so sure I am ready for that! 

Dollar Store Wreath

I have been very inspired with what people have been doing with dollar store wreaths, 

so I decided to add my idea to the pool!

Here is what I did...

the fabric was left over from making valances for my kitchen. 

They are about 1 1/4" wide by 45 long. I used 2 of them for the wreath.

Some hot gluing later

Took some coordinating scraps

And tied them around the wreath

TA-DA!

Easy, simple wreath. It is hanging over my kitchen sink, and I love it!

 Have fun!

Garden Pot Upcycle

I got this pot from Joann's a while ago and it has had plants in it, but since we have moved the plants were left in Colorado and besides the snow wiped them out. Anyway, this grayish blue didn't match the colors I was going for, so I painted it!

If you are a fan of Michael Miller, you might recognize the print! I actually cut out a little stencil then traced the stencil around the center of the pot. I love it and it looks awesome on my pot shelf. Now just to figure out what to put in it! 

What I made!

So this is what I made with those paper towel rolls and tp rolls too! This is where I first saw it, http://www.growingupcreative.com/2009/10/eco-kids-craft.html 

she does an amazing tutorial. This is what I came up with. I painted the outside and inside because I didn't want them to look too much like cardboard. 

I think my hubby likes it!

Black, Gray, White, and Yellow....I think not!

I was desperately trying to stick to this color theme for my living room, kitchen area, but my husband brought home from work brown leather couches, for free. What am I supposed to do with that? I have heard that leather is the best upholstery to have with children, but who can afford it? Now I have leather couches that are from an older couple so they are not all that worn out but they are brown! What am I supposed to do? Seriously? Yes. you think upholstery project! I thought that too, but leather? I can't afford to upholster one huge couch and one over sized chair in leather, like they are now. Any ideas? I  refuse to get slip covers sorry. When I have a daughter whose "hobby" is to jump from  couch to couch there is no way slip covers are going to work. Oh did I mention that both the chair and couch recline? Which makes it, I think harder to come up with ideas on how to work with this. grrrrrr.....

Useless? I think not!

I have used these before for some vases on my pot shelf, but I never thought about cutting them until I realized that my scissors are just hanging by their handles. So take old crystal light, or generic brand drink mix containers and have fun! 

Scrapbook paper is awesome, so many uses. Anyway, I was going to glue the paper down then I got lazy so tape it was! But hey it totally does the job. Now I just have to get a plate from the dollar store or a lazy susan spinny thing and it's done. 

I am so bad I never post any of my completed craft projects! Please forgive me!

Another pot shelf idea

This is yet another idea for the pot shelf that I have. I think it is going to be awesome! Forgive me for not having any finished pictures... I actually haven't finished it yet. Because I need more supplies. But it will come soon!

Here are my supplies, well most of them anyway. Paint samples and a scrap piece of wood.

Because we just moved into a pretty modern place I wanted a modern color scheme. Of course, right? I found this fabric by Michael Miller, which I absolutely love and it just happens to be black and gray so now I am just adding a little yellow and the walls in our condo just happen to be off white, creamy color. Just perfect! Here's what I did (and am still doing!)

Painted the wood black, I did a little extra around the edges, and took this picture while it was wet, that is why it is so obvious.

Then added the paint samples!
I still have yet to add another layer of paint samples and another layer of decoupage. But it is coming! I am trying to finish it before my mother comes on Sunday! I don't think it will happen!

What can you make...?

What can you make with random kitchen trash? Well this is what I can make and how I make it!

I take of the wrapping using a seam ripper because I want the approximate size of the cylinder. Because I wanted them completely covered I had to add about 1/2" to the top and I added about an 1" to the length of the paper because I wanted some overlapping to happen. So when I glued the paper to the cylinder it would be nice and secure.

After:

Using some scrap ribbon and some scrapbook paper this is what I came up with. I am going to put them high up on my pot shelf so I didn't bother cutting the top of the Clorox wipe container. I plan on putting some flowers or something tall in them to add some height on the shelf. Picture still to come!