Halloween Decor

Halloween Door Decor

I felt the need to make something to hang on my front door. 

Halloween isn't my favorite holiday, but I decorate for my kids, and it gives me a reason to craft..not that I need a reason :)

So this is what I came up with:

I bought some scrapbook paper at Michaels...5/$1 can't beat that price!

And I broke out my spider punch...love this thing! Which is funny cause I HATE spiders..weird

I had this 8x10 frame lying around that I purchased at the Dollar Tree, so I used it. I put some paper I already had in there and then cut out my spiders and attached them to the paper using glue dots.

After all that was done..I didn't like the frame..too dull.  So I used some light green acrylic paint, brushed in on and then wiped some off with a dry paper towel.  That way you could still see some of the wood thru the paint.

Here you can see I added the word "EEK" to the bottom right hand corner.  

I used foam letter stickers, so easy.  Again I bought these at the Dollar Store.

Still looking bare to me...I broke out my T-shirt scraps and made some simple rosettes using purple scraps and added some color coordinating buttons, all using my glue gun..I love my glue gun...

With the rest of my purple T-Shirt scraps I cut three long strips, braided them and then hot glued them to the back of the frame so that I could hang it on my door.  Turned out great!

And here's the finished product!  I think it turned out pretty good if I do say so myself!

Oh, I also hot glued a piece of thin foam to the back four corners of the frame, so it wouldn't make noise when opening and closing the door.

Since I already had all the supplies just lying around, minus a couple pieces of paper I bought, this project cost me next to nothing.

Happy Crafting!

What's for dinner?

"MOM...What's for dinner?"

Seriously I hear this all the time...I'm sure most of you do as well.

And by "all the time" I mean everrrrry single day!

So last year I made this Dry Erase Menu Board, now I can put what's for dinner for the week and if I get asked the infamous question..I just say "Refer to the Menu Board" :)

Plus it helps me stay on track for what I had planned for the week so food doesn't go to waste.

Supplies:

Frame

Magnets

Dry Erase Pen

Glue Gun

Menu Sheet 

So here's what I did:

I bought a cheap frame at the Dollar Tree.  You could totally spend more, but I wanted it to be light weight so I could put it on the fridge, and inexpensive.

I designed a sheet to put in the frame. You can get it HERE.

Or I have this Fall one HERE

I glued some magnets on the back w/ my hot glue gun so I could stick it to the fridge.

And DONE! 

Now I can change out the menu if I get sick of the design or want to make it festive with the holidays.  So easy, and so much fun.  My oldest son loves the fact that he can go see what's for dinner.

You can really go to town with the decorations, add some Yo Yo Flowers to the corner of the frame, or any other embellishments that you prefer.  You can customize it just for you :)

Happy Crafting!

Ready for a middle school flashback?

How to fold a note...the middle school way

Back before Facebook, Cell Phones, Text Messaging and Email..

We wrote notes!

Buuwahahahahhaa! 

These notes bring back so many memories for me...our school was really big on these little bad boys, and I must have written and folded thousands of these in my day.

I got to thinking about all my friends growing up, and I feel really lucky that I am still so connected with some of my favorite friends over the years.  Facebook is a fabulous thing, I love talking with old friends!

I had a girlfriend over the other day, we've been friends since 3rd grade and we got to talking about these notes..she still has all of hers! I can't wait to read all the drama infested stuff I felt was important in my middle school years..buuuawhahahahaha..or maybe I don't wanna remember!

So let's get started shall we?

Step 1: Write your drama infested note, professing who you love that week, which one of your friends you hate today but will be friends with tomorrow..you know..the usual stuff :)

Step 2: Fold over the Right Corner

Step 3: Fold over Right side again so that you now have this shape

Step 4: Flip over..QUICK HIDE YOUR NOTE..the teachers coming!

Step 5: Fold up bottom portion like so..I'd say about a 1/3 of the way up

Step 6: Fold the bottom up again

Step 7: Fold that little Triangle piece up and under the fold there.

DONE!

Now have fun with the doodling :)  

Awww man..good times!

Having a 6th grader of my own really brings back memories...It's so weird to watch him engage with his friends, I swear it was just yesterday that I was that very same age...ugh, time flies!

Have a great weekend and Happy Crafting!

Post-it Gift

Post-it Gift

Hello Everyone!

Fist I'd like to apologize for being absent for almost a week...I've been so busy with orders, the family caught a cold, and getting ready for my upcoming craft shows.

When talking to one of my oldest and dearest friends last night, she told me that I better get my booty in gear and post a craft on my blog cause she looks forward to them everyday...thanks Bre!

Ok, here's what I did :)

I bought these plastic frames at the Dollar Store, one is a 3.5 x 5 and the other is 5 x 7.

Turns out I like the smaller one better, I think it takes up less space, and the post-it fits perfect :)

I also bought this 4 pack of post-it notes..there is yellow, blue and pink.

I decided to make this for one of my son's male teacher so I picked the blue post-it notes and cut coordinating scrapbook paper to 3.5 x5 size.

I thought an outside pic would be good, but NOPE too bright, the sun reflected off the frame.

I added his teachers name in stickers to the paper, slid the paper in the frame, and then took the paper off the back of the post-it and stuck to the frame...Ta Da!

But I couldn't stop there...I mean come on..there are so many options here...

I printed out the quote "To teach is to learn again." on card stock, wrapped it around the frame with color coordinating ribbon and now my post-it gift is complete!

Don't you think this would look great on his teachers desk?

I'm telling you, this was SOOOO easy..in fact I am going to be making a TON of these I can assure you.  Every teacher, family member, friend, and possibly every stranger walking down the street will get one of these bad boys!

These would make excellent Teacher Appreciation Gifts, Holiday Gifts, Birthday Gifts, Just for Fun Gifts..you name it.

Happy Crafting!

Origami Paper Bookmark

Origami Paper Bookmark

Here is a tutorial on how to make this VERY simple corner bookmark out of paper.  

They are so much fun and this is easy for kids to make too :)

The one above I made to look like The Angry Bird...isn't it cute!?

Close up of the bird...cause the birds the word

Here's the back...or it could be the front..totally up to you....10 points if you can guess which book this is!

Ok here's how you can make your very own book mark.

I took step by step photos, so let's get started shall we..

You will need a square piece of paper...this one is 6x6..the bird was 7x7

You can make this as big or small as your little heart desires..however I suggest starting with a big piece of paper the first time just so it's easier to fold till you get the hang of it.

Fold the paper in half to form a triangle...

Now take the right corner and fold it up to the center point of the triangle..and the left corner and fold it up so that now you have a square..

Unfold the last step..now take the top part of the triangle and fold down to the center...leaving the back side alone.

Now take the right side and fold it up behind the white piece..and then do the same for the left side...

Still with me?  See in the right orange piece?  The rest of it is tucked behind the white triangle.

Now that you have both sides tucked in you are all done!

Slip the page in there and your good to go. 

This can be the front or....

This can be the front...up to you..to each his own.

Yup..I'm a goober, totally spelled my blog name wrong..it's one of those days lol!

You can decorate with stickers, jot down notes from your book, reminders, decorate with markers...

the list goes on and on.

Have fun with your bookmarks, get your creativity on!

Happy Crafting!

Duct Tape Mouse Pad

Duct Tape Mouse Pad

The Hubs bought me this super cute little wireless pink mouse for my laptop..Isn't it cute?!

So yeah..I could go out and buy a cheap mouse pad..but that's just not my style...

Instead I grabbed some carboard, duct tape, clear contact paper and a pig sticker and made..

This cute little number!  Sorry the pic is dark..the sun is going down so I lost all my natural light..

After adding Duct Tape to my Cardboard I put this cutie little piggy sticker on.

Then added my Clear Contact Paper over the top to add smoothness for my pretty little mouse to glide over.

This is one of those projects that I wish you could see in person cause it looks so much better..oh well..you get the general idea :)  And looking at this pic my sticker looks uneven..drats!

All in all, it took me minutes, it matches my mouse and I am pretty happy with it...I even got a two thumbs up from my oldest son (he's so good to me!)

Have a good night!

&

Happy Crafting!!

Duct Tape Key Wristlet

Duct Tape Key Wristlet

At this point most of you realize my love for Duct Tape

I am always looking for new things to make using Duct Tape and last night this came to me..

a wristlet so it's easier to hold onto my keys

I don't know if  "wristlet" is the correct word for it, but it's what came to mind :)

This is really simple to make..

I just used Duct Tape and a Key Ring (clip optional)

Measure out 12" of Duct Tape (or longer if you want)

Fold the tape towards the middle hot dog style

Then fold the other side the same but over lap the tape a little so that there is so sticky on the tape

You should now have one 12" long strip of Duct Tape w/o any sticky showing

Make a loop with the Duct Tape and put the two end pieces thru the key ring, wrap around and secure with a strip of tape.

DONE!

It takes just minutes.

Hope you enjoyed another one of my Duct Tape crafts :) 

I just wanted to give a little shout out to Rachel over at

 i heart crafty things

Her blog is awesome and she is super duper nice..if you have small children you should really go check out her blog.  She has some fabulously fun things to do with your kiddos..you'll love it :)

Happy Crafting!

Have a fabulous day!

Indoor "Sand Box"

Indoor "Sand Box"

I posted this on Facebook last year and my friends LOVED it, so I thought I would share it with you :)

All that is needed is this project is uncooked rice...and a big plastic tote.

I like the flat ones that people use for wrapping paper but you can use anything.

I've also used this:

Today I used a smaller Tupperware container...I like to shake things up..

I gave him a funnel and he put his cars in there..and was actually quiet for like 15 minutes..

that is a REALLY long time for him lol :)

This is last year..I used two huge disposable foil pans from the Dollar Tree..which worked out GREAT!

I gave them sand toys, kitchen measuring cups, and funnels and they had so much fun.

I don't know when the last time you stuck your hand in a pile of uncooked rice was...but it feels FANTASTIC!

I mean that's why so many people use rice as sensory boxes for little kids, the rice feels so soothing when it drops through your fingers...

You can do this outside as well, that's why I like the big long tote, it comes with a lid.

You can fill it up with beans, rice, small rocks or sand. 

We love filling up the totes with mini pebbles too..Jackson put all his construction hot wheel's in there and played with that a lot.

Have a fantastic day!

Duct Tape Ring

Duct Tape Ring

Hello!

Hello!

Hello!

Today I made a Duct Tape Ring for the first time :)

You know me and Duct Tape! 

Here are some pics of the finished product...

This is Stage 1 of the ring...It was cute..but I wanted it a little fuller...

P.S. My hands look so wrinkly..ewwww

It was right before this Stage that my youngest son decided to take my brand new can of hairspray and spray it all over his toys in his bedroom..Yeah..good times! 

On to Stage 2...

I like this fuller look better..don't you?

This is ALL Duct Tape..even the band :)

So stink'n cute! 

Ok I have to be honest..I made a ring right before this one..and it was UGLY..

It was way too big and I tossed it in the garbage half way thru the process.

My oldest son thinks I'm nuts when I throw things away..but hey..for me it's out of sight out of mind.

And it was seriously awful!

Speaking of Duct Tape..

I had a Girls Night a few days ago and I used Duct Tape in my decorations..

I wrapped Pink Polka Dot Duct Tape around the water bottles!

Closer look...

Ok..

Time for a shout out about Child #2..today was his first day of Pre-School..

It's a little fuzzy cause the kid never stops moving...but at least I got a pic!

He had a great first day back at school and can't wait to go back.

Thanks guys :)

Have a great day!