You Craft Me Up!

Christmas Craft Night!!!

2011-11-22T12:44:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, I said I was going to take a break from Craft Nights for awhile...

...~~But I'm a crazy, psycho pregnant chick that craves chaos!~~

...But when I came across these ideas- I couldn't resist sharing them- and they are very simple this time! ~~so simple we could call it crafting for idiots!~~

Christmas Craft Night

When: Tuesday December 6th

Time: 7:00 pm - 11:59 pm

Where: Herriman City Hall

(13011 S Pioneer St Herriman)

Who: Anyone who wants to join us!

What:

Calling Santa Sign

(White vinyl)

Cost: $10

(measures 11" tall and 15" wide)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wrapping in Progress Door Hanger

(White vinyl)

You could also do a year-round version

(I will supply brown and black paint)

Cost: $5.50

(measures 5 3/4" tall and 5 1/2" wide, plus length of ribbon)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Christmas Subway Sign

(White vinyl)

Cost: $10

(measures 15" tall and 11" wide)

If ordering:
PLEASE DO SO BY LEAVING A COMMENT ON THIS POST!
It's about the only way I can keep track of all the orders- Thanks! :)

***All orders & money need to be in by
Thursday the 1st!!!***

As always, I will supply everything you need!

Just bring an apron (optional) and a treat to share (also optional)

For you out-of-towners!!!

I am willing to ship, but this time I am limiting my orders to vinyl only

(All the wood can be purchased at Home Depot and they can cut if for you)

~~I dont want to freeze my butt off in my garage more than I have to!~~

Shipping Prices:

Calling Santa vinyl: $7 (this includes the $1.50 shipping cost)

Wrapping in Progress vinyl: $3.50 (this includes the .80 shipping cost)

Christmas Subway vinyl: $7 (this includes the $1.50 shipping cost)

The two large signs are cut from a 1"x12" board (comes in multiple lengths) and measure 15" long

The wrapping door sign is cut from a 1"x6" board (again several lengths are available) and is 5 3/4" long

The paint color I used is POSH RED from Lowes (you can buy the $2.99 Valspar sample jars)

Also: I more than likely won't be able to get shipments out till the 10th

If placing a mail order:

PLEASE email me instead of leaving a comment!

youcraftmeup@yahoo.com

Everyone is welcome, I live in the south end of the Salt Lake County if you want to join us!

Email me at youcraftmeup@yahoo.com if you have any more questions

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Inspiration

2011-10-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine (she works with my hubby) Donna Call made these adorable pumpkins with her daughters- I just had to show them off since they turned out wayyyyyy cuter than mine did! I want everyone else to see another inspirational idea to copy- thanks Donna!

LOVE THEM!!!

For those of you waiting on your mail orders- I am shipping them out today! (monday oct 3rd) so sorry for the delay and thanks for your patience- this one became way bigger than my capabilities :)

Change of Date...

2011-09-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

My deepest apologies to everyone who hasn't gotten the word yet

Craft Night is Moved to September 28th!

Same place- Herriman City Hall

Same time- 6:00 pm - midnight

THERE WILL BE NO CRAFT NIGHT SEPTEMBER 14TH!!!!

Sorry- I got about triple the orders I expected so I had to push it out.

Making your own pumpkins

2011-09-07T14:55:00.000-07:00

I forgot to add this part to the last post

K- for those of you doing these on your own...

Go to Home Depot and buy a 4x4 (it will be 8 feet long)

It will be enough for two pumpkin sets (so 6 pumpkins total)

If you don't have your own saw- then have the nice people at Home Depot

cut the 4x4 at these lengths:

13 1/2"

15 1/2"

and

18 1/2"

That will be exactly half a 4x4.

Hope this helps!

Also- the stems are just tree branches cut 2-3" long

To see how to distress the wood (all those grooves) see the video in the
previous post.

How to distress your pumpkin blocks and attach stems

2011-09-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

Ok- for some reason the recording we made of this turned sideways and we couldn't get it to turn-

so cock your head and you'll get the point! :)

Also- to attach the stems:

Nail in a small 1 1/2" - 2" finishing nail into the center of the top of your pumpkin

Only about half way

Pull nail back out

Now- turn nail upside down (head first) and hammer back into hole you just made

Now you have a tack of sorts to attach your stem

I put a glob of liquid nails on mine to help secure- but you could use hot glue or wood glue as well

center stem on nail and hammer down carefully

You are done!

Craft Kits

2011-08-21T20:49:00.000-07:00

For those of you wanting kits mailed...

I need an email address to contact you!

I've had several of you say you want kits and want to know what to do next- but I have no way of contacting you. Hopefully you will see this so you don't get forgotten :)

Fall Craft Night!!!

2011-08-13T17:01:00.000-07:00

Today- September 1st is the absolute LAST DAY
to sing up! Sorry! I just have a ton of orders and
need to draw the line somewhere :)

If ordering:
PLEASE DO SO BY LEAVING A COMMENT ON THIS POST!
It's about the only way I can keep track of all the orders- Thanks! :)

Wow- I feel like I need to dust off the cobwebs on my blog! It's been awhile- but boy have I enjoyed my summer with my three kids :) I am a mom first- and I don't want regrets later :)

When:

September 14th (Wednesday) 6:00 pm- midnight
(but you don't have to stay till midnight- it's just how long we can stay)

Where:
Herriman City office Building
(13011 S Pioneer Street, Herriman)

What:
(the best part!) :)

PUMPKIN PATCH

These are tall! The tallest is 19" and the smallest is about15"

Cost: $15
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTUMN BLESSINGS

or w/o ribbon

Cost: $10
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOO

Each letter is 12" tall and 7-8" wide

There will not be paper options this time!

If you want a different paper than what I did, you will need to bring your own

(if you do want your own- please please indicate that on your order!)

Cost: $15
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Orders and money are due by Sept 1st
- but the earlier the better-

(these crafts have a lot of prep this time)

Everyone is welcome, I live in the south end of the Salt Lake County if you want to join us!

Email me at youcraftmeup@yahoo.com if you have questions

What your money pays for: I do make a profit on these craft nights. This is what your money pays for (just in case you want to know) wood, blades (I go through a lot of these) sand paper (go through this like crazy too), scrapbook paper, mod podge, paint. paint brushes, table cloths, drop cloths, cups, wire, ribbons, ink pads, the rental for the room, and a few other misc things, and my TIME! :)

If you are interested in kits being mailed to you:
PUMPKINS: I can't mail the pumpkins, they are too large, but I can give you dimensions and
Home Depot will cut them for you, and I can mail you the stems, wire, ribbons, and sign.
AUTUMN: Two choices here- you can get the wood yourself and I can mail vinyl,
or I can mail entire kit (but it only fits in the $10.95 flat rate)
BOO: This too only fits in the $10.95 box, but I do believe I can fit 2 per box- so if you find
a crafting buddy- you can split shipping.

I will not ship orders until I have received payment- sorry- learned that one the hard way :)

Email me if you have more questions!
youcraftmeup@yahoo.com

Can't wait- I LOVE FALL DECOR!!!

Patriotic Craft Night

2011-06-14T17:50:00.000-07:00

Tuesday June 28th @ 7:00 pm till midnight

Herriman City office Building (13011 S Pioneer Street, Herriman)

If signing up- PLEASE leave a comment on this post- it's hard for me to track the orders when some are on FB- texts, blog, or just in passing. Thanks!!!

A little late in the game, I know...but I figured it will still be before the fourth, and since here in Utah we celebrate the 24th as well- we leave our patriotic stuff up all month!

(and if you're like me, I leave mine up till Labor Day)

As of now I am thinking the last week in June, so either the 28th,29th, or 30th

I need to check with Herriman City and see if I can reserve the room any of those dates

Wood Block Flag

Cost: $9

about 9" tall and 14" long

USA letters

Cost: $11

about 11" high and 8" wide (each letter)
I made mine 5 years ago, so the paper now is way cuter than what is on mine!

LIBERTY or FREEDOM blocks

Cost: $9

(PLEASE specify which one you want, or if you want it double sided!)

These can be double sided- if you want them double sided the

cost is $12 (for the extra vinyl and paper)

I will need all orders in by Thursday, June 23

Also, this time I am asking that I receive payment BEFORE craft night

Everyone is welcome, I live in the south end of the Salt Lake County if you want to join us!

Email me at youcraftmeup@yahoo.com if you have questions

Winner of Sure Cuts a Lot!

2011-05-22T22:11:00.000-07:00

All I have to say to this winner is,

LUCKY!!!

Can I be jealous?

Funny thing is I totally am!!!

Anyway- the winner of

Sure Cuts A Lot 3 is...

Tanya!!! from Sew Many Dreams

Email me at youcraftmeup@yahoo.com to claim your prize!

Also, as the winner you will need to display the SrappingTable.com logo

on your blog for 30 days.

Thanks everyone for all the support this past week!!! I have had a complete

blast! I just wish you could have all been winners- seriously, I felt guilty each

time I had to pick someone- thank goodness for Random.org - helped ease the

pain a bit! :) Stay tuned for more fun this summer!

Winner of the Glitter Toes Set...

2011-05-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

...my apologies- this weekend ended up being crazy!!!

Without further ado, the winner is...

Kelly from Running with Glitter

(I swear that is completely coincidental!)

Congrats!

Shoot me an email @ youcraftmeup@yahoo.com

and I will get them sent off!

Winner was selected by RANDOM.ORG

And the winner is (part 3)...

2011-05-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

Sorry I'm a little late on this- I was enjoying my company and lunch too much! :)

The winner of one of my creations is...

Diane L.!!!

Contact me @ youcraftmeup@yahoo.com

I need your address and your choice!

Congratulations!

Winners are selected using RANDOM.ORG

Giveaway #5!

2011-05-19T21:32:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting all week for this final giveaway!

Many of you know, I have a cricut, and absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

The main reason why I LOVE my cricut, is thanks to my software

SURE CUTS A LOT!

Sure Cuts A Lot is a computer software program that allows you to use

any font you can download (or that's already on your computer) on your cricut- or silhouette.

Seriously! NO MORE CARTRIDGES!!!!

That also means any dingbats, or other images you can download (literally thousands! and they're free!)

- it is so fast and easy- I never use my cartridges anymore- I just plug my cricut into my computer

with my printer cable and select "CUT" and walla! I save a lot of vinyl and paper this way too.

~~Enough of my ramblings that you don't want to read anyway~~ :) For my final giveaway

Michelle from ScrappingTable.com is offering...

Sure Cuts A Lot 3 software!!!

(this is for the Silhouette SD, Pazzles, E-Craft, Gazelle, Black Cat (Lynx or Cougar) or U.S. Cutter)

This version DOES NOT work with Cricuts

I am so excited about this, because I know how much I love mine- and I know you will love it too!

For those of you interested in the version that works with your cricut (sure cuts a lot 2) go HERE

There is a limited number left and once they are sold- they will be gone!

So don't delay getting it- you won't regret it!

To Enter this contest, LEAVE A COMMENT and you must be a follower

the winner will need to display the ScrappingTable.com logo on their blog for 30 days

(I am proud to display it- I LOVE it that much!!!!)

The winner will randomly be selected Sunday afternoon.

Good luck to you all!

A GINORMOUS THANKS to Michelle!

This is so generous of you! Thanks for giving me and my blog this opportunity!

ScrappingTable.com is the leading authorized reseller of Sure Cuts A Lot software worldwide.

To learn more about ScrappingTable.com and Sure Cuts A Lot,

go to ScrappingTable.com!

And the winner is (part 2)...

2011-05-19T12:37:00.000-07:00

...for the Rhodes Bake and Serve Gift Basket...

contestant #15- Jessica aka "Jessabells"

Congratulations!!!

Contact me asap to claim your prize! :)

And for the cookbook...

contestant #9- BETH!

Congratulations to you too!

Contact me asap to claim yours!

youcraftmeup@yahoo.com

Don't forget you still have a chance to win something with my 2 other current giveaways and the one coming tomorrow! you won't want to miss that!

Winners were selected by RANDOM.ORG

Giveaway #4!

2011-05-18T23:32:00.000-07:00

***You still have till tomorrow (Friday at noon) to enter the giveaway for one of

my very own personal creations! Go HERE to enter that giveaway***

One of my other really popular posts is my DIY Glitter Toes.

So for this giveaway, I am going to send the winner

A full set of glitter and some gel topcoat!

(I know I know, not as exciting as the others, but I had one fall through)

To enter you must leave a comment and be a follower

Winner will be selected Friday at noon!

And stay tuned for tomorrow's giveaway! I've been saving the best for last!

Good luck!

Many of you have asked if there is an easy way to remove glitter toes- there is!!!

I actually discovered this by accident- I found if you soak in a hot bath for about 10 minutes- you can literally just peel them off! There will still be a little residue left- but nothing you can't remove with just a little nail polish remover. This is so much easier than trying to file and scrape them off!

Hope this helps!

And the winner is...

2011-05-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

I'm totally imagining the sound of drum roll here!

Comment #19!

Who?

Go ahead and count to see if it's you

Just kidding!

The winner of the Kitchen Aid vinyl is...

Lauren from Lauren and Eddie!

Congrats!

Contact me at youcraftmeup@yahoo.com by noon thurs to claim your prize!

Giveaway #3!

2011-05-17T22:52:00.000-07:00

***You still have till tomorrow (Thursday at noon) to enter the giveaway for the

Rhodes gift basket or cook book! Go HERE to enter that giveaway***

Man I am having FUN!!! Can't wait till noon when I get to announce my first winner!

For this giveaway, I thought I would do one myself!

Seeing as how this is a CRAFT blog, I thought I would giveaway one of my creations!

The winner of this giveaway, will get to choose one

craft from the list below.

I will either make it for you, or send you the unfinished product for

you to finish- whichever you prefer!

Here are the crafts you can choose from:

(click on the picture to see the entire post)

3 chunky wood flowers

St Patrick's "Luck"

Valentines Crafts

Christmas Joy or Jingle

A set of 3 of my "emergency room pumpkins"

The small plaque on the stand

or this boxwood wreath!

Good luck choosing one! And good luck winning one!

(you don't have to make your choice now)

Remember, to enter, LEAVE ME A COMMENT, and you must be a FOLLOWER!

Winner will be announced Friday at noon!

Giveaway #2!

2011-05-16T22:07:00.000-07:00

***You still have till tomorrow (Wednesday at noon) to enter the giveaway for some Kitchen Aid bling!
Go HERE to enter that giveaway***

I didn't even have to go looking for the sponsor for this giveaway, they came to me! When Stacie from Rhodes Bake & Serve Company contacted me, I couldn't believe it!

It all started with my post for this calzone made from Rhodes Frozen Bread Loafs:

Stacie saw this post and offered to giveaway a wonderful Rhodes Bake & Serve Gift Basket!

(she offered to mail it to me, but I told her I probably wouldn't give it away if I got it!!!)

The gift basket includes a Rhodes Cookbook, an oven mitt, and a couple other things (not exactly sure-but it will make for a great surprise!!!)

This is a giveaway I wish I could enter myself!

To enter you must leave a comment, and be a follower! (upper left hand corner of blog)

Yes it is really that easy!

The winner will be randomly selected Thursday May 19th at noon

BUT WAIT...

Stacie is also offering another Rhodes cookbook for a second lucky winner!

(so see, your odds of winning just increased!)

And just to give you a teaser of some of the amazingly delicious recipes in here

These LEMON PULL-APARTS are to die for!

And who doesn't love doughnuts???

My family LOVES to make to make these mini grilled rolls- but we add pizza toppings
and grill them! (thanks to Rachel my neighbor who gave me that idea!) :)

So so yummy and so easy, the kids have a ball making their own!

I could go on and on with pictures of all the yummy recipes! I guarantee who ever wins

either of these great prizes is absolutely going to love it!

Thanks again Stacie! I am so grateful for your giveaway!

Good luck to you all!

P.S. Did you know you can sign up for a weekly recipe email from Rhodes? I just found out!

Go HERE if you want to get in on the emailed recipes

Giveaway #1!

2011-05-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

I am SO exited about this giveaway! When I first decided to do this months ago, this is the first idea that came to mind.

The post that put my blog on the map (even if it's the smallest dot on that map!) is my Kitchen Aid Makeover post.

I still get hundreds of hits on it weekly, and it's been fun to see how everyone is revamping their own machines now!

~~And not to brag or anything,~~ Shelley Smith from House of Smiths saw the post, and came up with her own inspiration! Seriously??? The QUEEN of design got an idea from me??? I was star struck to say the least!

So without further ado

Today's giveaway is Kitchen Aid vinyl from the beautiful and talented Shelly @ House of Smiths!

You can choose from 3 gorgeous designs!
(plus you get to choose your color! go HERE to see colors)

The Curly Sue:

(my personal favorite!)

Sophistication:

Subway:

To enter, LEAVE A COMMENT. You need to be a follower! (upper left hand corner of my blog)

Winner will be randomly selected and announce Wednesday at noon!

And I'm sure Shelley wouldn't mind if you followed her either! If you have never seen Shelley's blog, it's a must! (although I can't imagine anyone out there who hasn't heard of her!) When you go to her blog, check out these amazing projects she has done!

Love her new photo wall!

Seriously, WHO has a pantry like this???!!!

I would do laundry more if my laundry room looked like this

Sighhh!

I am so coping this for my laundry room!

A HUMONGOUS THANKS

Shelley from House of Smiths

you are the best!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!

iT's TiMe tO...

2011-05-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

It's finally time! A few weeks ago my blog turned one year old!!! ~~But of course I am a procrastinator who never gets anything done on time~~ It has been a busy few weeks getting ready for craft night, trying to get some spring cleaning done, and starting my first ever square foot gardens. ~~Let's be honest, who wants to sit at a computer blogging when you can be sitting outside eating cafe rio and coke slurpees with the best neighbors EVER!~~

Nothing wrong with trying to soak up every last bit of coveted sun after such a long, dreary, wet spring, right??? :)

Now that I am finally getting a flip flop tan line, I will sacrifice some time to PARTY!!!!

Starting MONDAY MAY 16th- I will have 6 days of GREAT giveaways- ABSOLUTELY 100% FREE!!!

Nothing makes me happier than FREE stuff!

Only Catch- you have to be a FOLLOWER to enter~ if you aren't- it's as easy as hitting a button :)

SEE YOU ALL MONDAY!!!

May Craft Night

2011-04-20T16:30:00.000-07:00

Wednesday May 18th @ 6:00 pm
Herriman City office Building (13011 S Pioneer Street, Herriman)

If signing up- PLEASE leave a comment on this post- it's hard for me to track the orders when some are on FB- texts, blog, or just in passing. Thanks!!!

Sorry it took so long to get this together- still trying to find my motivation with all this gloomy weather! I feel like I live in Oregon or something! :)
I don't have a for sure date yet- I am thinking the second Wed or Thurs of May- I need to see what dates are available for the city office we will use.

FAMILY is everything:

Another color example:

These are large- about 12" high at the highest point and a total of 21" long

The letters are vinyl

Cost: $16

FLOWER POTS:

Cost: $6 each

(if you do three- I will do different size pots- if you do one, I will assume the shortest unless otherwise stated. The tallest stands about 14" tall)

I am in the Salt Lake City area if anyone is interested in coming who isn't a neighbor of mine! Everyone is welcome! :)

***I am willing to ship, if you are interested, I will probably have you pay me in advance. My email is youcraftmeup@yahoo.com

What your money pays for: I do make a small profit on these craft nights. This is what your money pays for (just in case you want to know) wood, blades (I go through a lot of these) sand paper (go through this like crazy too), scrapbook paper, mod podge, paint. paint brushes, table cloths, drop cloths, cups, wire, ribbons, ink pads, the rental for the room, and a few other misc things, and my TIME! :)

Easter Eggs- Swiss Style!

2011-04-17T00:59:00.000-07:00

My husbands ancestors came from Switzerland. They joined the Mormon church, crossed the Atlantic and then the plains to Utah, and then headed south to settle in Santa Clara, Utah (St George area) They didn't bring much with them, but they did bring their traditions- one of which was dyeing easter eggs with roots and leaves and blossoms. When I married my husband, this quickly became my favorite tradition from his family.
This post is slightly selfish- I want to document the process so that I never forget how, and so my children will be able to pass it on as well.

Here is what you will need:
*Red Root
*Foliage (clover leaves, peach tree leaves, lilacs, dandilions, hedge, green onions, or just about any kind of vegetation)
*Uncooked Eggs
*Thread (spools of various colors- each person chooses a color so that their eggs can be identified)
*PATIENCE!!! :)

1. First and most important- find some red root. My MIL calls it "Pig Weed" but I have also heard it called "Santa Clara Red Root" For those of you not in southern Utah- check online and see if you can find a root that grows in your area that will dye red. (or you can use onion skins, or beets)

Here is a picture of the weed:

It is most commonly found in ditches along farm fields.

When digging it- you want to look for the orange root at the base of the foliage although that isn't the part you want

What you want is the dark, thick, and barky looking root that is deeper down

(we gathered a good grocery sacks worth)

2. Once you have your root, remove the foliage, rinse off the dirt, and cut into 1-2" pieces.

3. Put in a LARGE stock pot, and cover with water (about 1" above the roots)

4. Bring the roots to a boil and simmer covered for 1 hour (to release the dye)

5. While your roots are simmering, you can start the decorating- put all your gathered foliage on a large table

6. Start adding the leaves and blossoms, securing them by wrapping the thread tightly around the egg- adding more foliage as desired (you will want to be generous with your wrapping- you don't want it coming undone while it boils)

When you are done wrapping the egg, just break off the string- if you were generous you won't need to worry about tying off the string- it won't come unraveled

Be super careful!!! Remember- these are uncooked eggs!

7. Cook your decorated eggs for 10-12 mins so that the eggs will be thoroughly cooked. (cook 10-12 eggs each batch- you can use the same pot of roots for multiple batches- and leave the roots in the pot the entire time)

8. When done, carefully remove the eggs and place in cold water to cool.

9. When cool, very carefully start unraveling the thread. (we found it works great to set the egg in the grass and pull the thread - the egg will roll around in the grass- that way you won't accidently drop and break it)

10. Wipe your egg clean and polish it with a paper towel that has a drop of oil on it- this will give it a beautiful shine!

The best part is unveiling the surprise design! They are so pretty!!! Here are several pictures (my wonderful SIL took pictures!) Picture Overload- I just couldn't decide- I liked them all! No egg is ever the same as another!

The green in this is from dandelions I believe

Notice how each egg dyes differently- the red varies from one egg to the next

One of my favorites!!!

The blue comes from peach tree leaves! So pretty!

The stripes were done with green onions

Love this one!

I found this picture online- the eggs were dyed with onion skins and beats- so if you can't get any red root then this is another option

If you want to preserve these beautiful eggs for display- just write on the carton "do not eat" and put in the back of your fridge for a year. The insides will solidify and become dry (sometimes you can even hear the yolk rolling around like a rubber ball! If they crack they don't stink- the insides will be too dry.

I hope you all have a very HAPPY EASTER!!!

old vinyl sign

2011-03-31T20:44:00.000-07:00

How many of you have vinyl signs that no longer match your decor, but that you still kept? I kept this one for about 6 years tucked away in a closet. I originally painted it red to match my daughters nursery, but when she went to a big girl bed, her room turned to pink and green. I kept thinking another girl would come along, but got two boys instead, so I never got to use it with the cribbing again.
Then one day I heard someone mention that you could paint over vinyl and I decided to give it a try! It worked pretty good, I won't lie, it was tedious, but I didn't have anything better to do that night so what the heck right? :)
So this is what it originally looked like- loved the saying but not the color

To paint it I used the left over paint from painting my daughters room. This is the first coat:

It took a couple of coats, and each coat I did, I had to take Q-tips dipped in water and trace the letters to remove the paint. This was the slightly tedious part, but I kind of like tedious :)

Originally I tried just wiping it down with a rag to remove the paint from the vinyl, it worked, but too well. It removed the paint from all around the vinyl as well, so I changed to Q-tips

Lots and lots of Q-tips later!!! :)

I actually really liked the slight red outline of the letters, helped make them pop off the green!

The finished sign in it's new room, I like!

Would I do this again? Sure, I'm a cheap-wad so probably! Then again, I can now do my own vinyl for cheap, (thanks to my cricut and sure cuts a lot!) so maybe next time I will just redo my own vinyl. It was worth it though!

Blahhhhh....

2011-03-21T20:40:00.000-07:00

So I have a confession to make...I SUFFER FROM SEASONAL DEPRESSION!!! :) Really, I do! I don't get too sad, or angry (my kids would probably say otherwise!) but I do loose all and any motivation- hence the lack of blogging, or crafting, or doing anything for that matter! :) So my apologies to my readers, especially my new ones who are probably thinking, "why the heck did I click follow on this lame blog?" But SPRING is in the air, and already this week I am feeling an urge to do some spring cleaning, until I get up and all the urge is gone. I need to live in St George!!! :)
Anyways! Time to spruce things up a bit! I promise to do something creative soon- but in the meantime, I need some help-
May is my 1 year anniversary of this blog, and I want to celebrate with a bang!!! I want to do a week of giveaways, so I am looking for anyone who might be interested or who might know someone who would be? I have a few already, but need some more. If you are interested, please email me @
youcraftmeup@yahoo.com

No I am not really crying inside, I just thought these were funny :)

Thanks for your help- and I promise to post soon! :)

St Patricks (repost)

2011-02-07T14:31:00.000-08:00

This is a copy of a post I did on my St Patricks crafts from last year- but since no one really saw this post, thought I would do it again! :)

Several of you have asked if I will do a craft night with these, unfortunately I will be spending a week in paradise, and won't have time to do one! :D BUT- I am cutting some shamrocks for someone else's craft night and would be more than willing to cut stuff out for you too, if you are brave enough to do them on your own. :) Just let me know in the next week if you want something and I will cut it.

The "LUCK" letters were cut out with a scroll saw (can I just say I LOVE my scroll saw?!) I also cut the clovers out with it. I painted the letters, then traced them on paper, then mod podged the paper on. One of the clovers has bead board paper on it (available at Home Depot) and another is glittered.

A closer view - I distressed the letters with sand paper and then inked the edges with a dark brown ink pad.

Hah! Like the yellow putty holding the letter upright?! :)

The glittered and bead board paper shamrock

Then I printed the word "lucky" on green vellum, and used spray adhesive to attach it to a painted board.

Shamrock cut out with scroll saw (I'm tellin' ya, I couldn't live without that saw!)

For more info, Contact me @:
youcraftmeup@yahoo.com

It's craftin' time!!!

2011-01-26T09:50:00.000-08:00

I am so excited for Craft Night tomorrow!!! There are some of you that are coming that I have never met- and I'm excited! For those of you who are not my neighbors and don't know my neighborhood- contact me at youcraftmeup@yahoo.com and I will give you directions.
For those of you my neighbors- meet at the church at 7:00. You can also come by early and pick up paint and your project if you want to get an early start. Feel free to bring a goody to share (not required!!!) I always think eating is just as much fun as crafting! :)
SEE YOU THERE!!!
If your name is NICOLA- I am not sure how to contact you and have a few questions for you, so please email me, or leave me a comment with your email.

Is it just me???

2011-01-14T21:42:00.000-08:00

I have this curse- and it gets me every holiday- I swear. The curse is that, without fail, and despite my best intentions, I inevitably ALWAYS leave out some holiday decoration on accident. And the funny thing is that it is usually one of the MOST OBVIOUS things! And the other funny thing about this is that I usually don't notice that OBVIOUS thing till someone else points it out to me. Like, "your Halloween wreath looks great with all your Christmas decor!" Seriously, it's usually that obvious!

One year I had a 4 foot tall Halloween Witch right next to my front door clear till Christmas (and I had no clue!) her black and orange and green striped outfit just blended right into my beige wall color I swear!

So, for the last year, I have searched my house high and low after every holiday, hunting down the elusive piece that will be forgotten, and I thought I was doing really well...till I noticed this:

Yes- it is January 14th- and that is a scare-a-crow! And he is on my pantry door! I must pass him at least 50 times a day! LOL- funny thing is, I took the time to take the picture, and now write this post, but have I taken him down? Ummm no! How much you want to bet he will still be there Easter time? :)
AM I THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM???

Valentine’s Day Craft Night!

2011-01-10T21:33:00.001-08:00

So the voting wasn’t a landslide like I thought it was going to be! So I will offer all of the crafts except the wood sign (sorry! There were only 5 votes) So, the time has now come to sign up for the crafts!
Please sign up by leaving me a comment, here on my blog! That is the easiest way for me to keep track of orders. :)

LOVE blocks

Cost = $5

LOVE letters

Cost = $16

BE MINE blocks

Cost = $10

HUGS & KISSES blocks

Cost = $6

As of now, I am planning on doing it on Thursday, January 27th @ 7:00 (unless you would all rather start earlier @ 6:00.
Please sign up ASAP so I can get started on the orders- I am going to need all the time I can get (it’s only 2 weeks away!!
Also, I will offer a black and white and red paper option- so let me know if that is what you prefer.
DISCLAIMER! I made my blocks and letters 4 years ago, so I will not be able to get the exact same paper! But you know me, I will have plenty of cute options for you to choose from, and I will stay true to style and get the closest possible to my originals.

CAN'T WAIT!!! I LOVE craft nights!!!

***I am willing to ship, but last time someone never paid me ($40 out of my pocket) so if you are interested, I will probably have you pay me in advance. My email is youcraftmeup@yahoo.com

One last thing- I am in the Salt Lake City area if anyone is interested in coming who isn't a neighbor of mine! Everyone is welcome! :)

Craft Night Poll

2011-01-03T20:54:00.000-08:00

I want to do a craft night but haven't made up my mind- if you would like to do anything- just vote on what you want and I will do the top 2 or 3 choices. Can't wait! I love craft nights! BTW- you can vote for more than one!
Also- all mine are a brown and pink design- but I will offer a black/white/and red as well

Shout out

2010-12-22T11:46:00.000-08:00

I would like to give a GIANT, OVERSIZED, HUMONGOUS, THANKS to KIM at 733 custom blog design!!!
She is the one who restored my blog for me- out of the kindness of her heart! I can't tell her enough how grateful I am to her generosity! When she saw I was having technical difficulties, she offered to help. I emailed her my blog info late one night, and figured it would be a few days before she'd have time to help, but nope! - when I woke up the very next morning- my blog was fixed!!! Holly Cow Woman- you rock!!!
So- if any of you are looking for some custom blog design (I know I am!) Then stop by and check out her blog- she has amazing talent and great prices! Keep an eye out in the near future for my blog makeover- I just need to figure out what I want her to do first. :)
THANKS AGAIN KIM!!!

AHHHHHH!!!!

2010-12-10T14:18:00.000-08:00

I need professional help- I can't figure this out!
Somehow I have erased my blog template and I can't get it back!!! This is why I shouldn't be allowed to touch computers...Have no idea when I will have a cute blog again. :( I have lost all my linky things, my followers, everything!!! I HATE computers sometimes! Feel free to cry and pull your hair out with me!

American Girl Doll

2010-12-08T09:33:00.000-08:00

The dreaded birthday wish at our house was the American Girl Doll! For the past 4 years I have been crossing my fingers that she wouldn't want one, but it didn't work this year! :( Seeing as how the doll alone ate up more than we spend on birthdays, my daughter wasn't getting anything else. What fun is a doll without clothes to change though? Thanks to JoAnnes and their $1 patterns, I picked up a few of the 18" doll patterns by Simplicity. I got enough fabric for a pair of jeans and a shirt for less than $2- and went to town! I decided to duplicate my daughters favorite outfit- because I knew she would wear it on her birthday. Good thing I was right! It was priceless seeing her open her doll, and the surprise on her face when she saw they matched!!!
The simplicity doll patterns were super easy to do, and I am excited about making more!
For the shirt, I just found a pattern that was close enough (it was a basic peasant shirt- and I just added elastic to the waist band and then I just added the ruffles and sequins to match my daughters shirt) So Cute!!!
I LOVED doing the stitches on the jeans - so easy and cute!

Rag Stockings

2010-12-06T21:58:00.000-08:00

When I told my husband that I wanted to make our stockings, his only request was that they be BIG! So BIG they are! :) (better for stuffing!) I made the first three stockings six years ago, when we only had our baby Rachel. From the get-go I decided to make them all different so that I wouldn't have the stress of buying enough fabric, or having a surprise child later on, and having to do a stocking that didn't match- so I eliminated that problem by just making them as the kids come! I love our stockings- and I especially love how you can tell how the styles of fabric have changed over only a few years! :) Mine is the not-so-cute red and green, my husbands favorite color is blue, so that is his, then it goes in order from our oldest daughter to our two younger boys.
I have saved the pattern so that with each kid I just have to make a new one. They are so fast, simple, and inexpensive to make.

If you would like a pattern, I will send it to you for $3 (to cover paper and shipping costs) I will cut it out of sturdy cardstock and I will mark the joining seams, and include basic instructions. Happy Holidays!!!

Extra Vinyl

2010-12-05T15:44:00.000-08:00

So I learned that vinyl should be left to the professionals! :) While cutting the vinyl for the stockings were hung sings, I made a mistake and cut it too big. If anyone would like to buy the vinyl from me, I will sell it at cost = $9. You can still use it on a 4 foot sign like the ones we made, you will just have to leave out the word "all" and the "..." at the end. So it will read. "the stockings were hung" Plus I have extra stars that you can disperse around the lettering to make it extra festive. I have sold 2 already, so I have 5 left if anyone is interested. I don't think it would cost more than a dollar or two to mail either.

Craft Night List

2010-11-28T20:21:00.001-08:00

Everyone who has signed up for a craft or two...PLEASE double check this list- many of you contacted me on here, on my FB page, texted me, or just told me...so I want to make sure I have everyone and that I have your orders correct. Here goes

Calah Dibble JOY
JaNece Mendoza JOY and JINGLE
Kathy Alldredge JOY and JINGLE
Kami Johnson JOY and JINGLE
Kayla LaCaze JOY and JINGLE
Richel Olsen JOY and STOCKINGS
Traci Gossman JOY and JINGLE
Erin Winzeler JOY
Molly Horn JOY and JINGLE
Melinda Hagga JOY and STOCKINGS sign
Mandi JOY and STOCKINGS
Tiffany Bowling JOY and JINGLE
Windy Kener JOY and JINGLE and small STOCKINGS
Eunice (JaNece) 3 JOYS and 1 JINGLE
Sheri Jonhson JOY and JINGLE
Melissa Bateman JOY
Alisa Didenhover JOY and JINGLE
Olivia JOY and JINGLE (2 of each)
Emily Putnam JOY
Dara Lythgoe JOY and JINGLE
AnnMarie Wood JOY and JINGLE
Kasey Peterson 12 JOY and 6 JINGLE and STOCKINGS
Liz Merrit JOY and JINGLE and STOCKINGS
Amy McMullin STOCKINGS
Sara Furner JINGLE
Whitney JINGLE
Shantelle Zimmerman 3 JOY and 2 JINGLE
Caryn Reese 4 JOYS and 2 JINGLES

Also, We are doing these this WEDNESDAY the 1st at 7:00 pm in the gym at the church by In-N-Out. For those of you who can't make it that night, we will do a day one, maybe Thurs or Fri. Also, for those of you doing multiple, if you want to come by and get your stuff early, you could start getting it painted so you have plenty of time. Let me know if you plan on doing that so I can have your kit sanded for you. Can't wait!

Frequent Questions...

2010-11-15T14:25:00.000-08:00

MAILING KITS: I can fit both the joy and jingle kits in one flat rate box (the $10.90 one) None of them will fit in the smaller flat rate. So just decide if it is worth it to you for that cost. If so let me know and I will send it!

If your name is KIRSTEN, PATRICK AND JENNIE or JOEL's MOM - you left me a comment with a question and I have no way to get a hold of you! If you see this, please leave a comment with your email address or another way to reach you and I will gladly answer your questions! :)

Santa's Workshop!

2010-11-14T22:34:00.000-08:00

How about another craft night?! Wednesday December 1st at 7:00 (or come when you can) We will be making these:
Sorry for the crappy lighting- I couldn't get it to work very well
JOY letters:

COST- $14These are 11 1/2" tall and you can embellish them as much or as little as you want. I used a more traditional paper mix, but I will also have a more whimsical mix available as well (it has a sky blue in it for those of you with blue in your decor)

JINGLE blocks:

COST- $12These range from 9" -5" tall and again you can embellish as much or as little as you want. I wanted mine to coordinate with my JOY letters, so I matched the paper (not necessary)

Stockings Were Hung Sign
COST- $35 (due date to let me know is this Monday the 15th - just on this one)

As always the cost includes everything you need. Paper, ribbons, paint, everything!
You do not have to do both, you can just do one or the other if you want. I just did the JOY letters because so many of you have been requesting letters.

Please let me know ASAP since we have a busy thanksgiving week coming up and I would like to try to get most of the wood cut before I leave for the holiday.

Here is a picture of the more whimsical patterns: The paper in this photo and on my blocks and letters may not be available in large quantities, so let me know what paper type you want when you sign up and I will do my best to get it

Just so you know - I do make a small profit on these craft nights. This is what your money pays for (just in case you want to know) wood, blades (I go through a lot of these) sand paper (go through this like crazy too), scrapbook paper, mod podge, paint. paint brushes, table cloths, drop cloths, cups, wire, ribbons, ink pads, and a few other misc things, and my TIME! :)

The Stockings Were Hung...

2010-11-11T17:43:00.000-08:00

I have had several people request this project, but I wasn't going to do it because it was so expensive (mine cost me $50 to make!) But, today I did a ton of searching online and I was able to find knobs for cheaper and if I do the vinyl myself (I paid $17) we can do it for $35! I know it is still expensive - but it is the best I could do. So for this project I am placing a deadline of this Sunday the 17th for orders, so I can get the knobs ordered. Also, if you order one THERE WILL BE NO BACKING OUT! The cost to me is to expensive to eat, so sorry, if you order one, you can't change your mind as of Sunday! :) Let me know asap! (as always the cost includes everything you need)
Keep in mind this is a LARGE board! It is 1 foot high and 4 feet long. Also, the cost includes 8 knobs, if you want more, add $1.25 per extra. Sorry, if you choose to do less than 8 the cost is still the same, because I can only get the price by ordering a ton.

So Sad...

2010-11-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, my adorable daughter dropped my camera and broke it!!!! (how sad is it that my first thought was, "oh no! I won't be able to post on my blog!" - shhhh...don't tell!) And then as if that weren't bad enough, our computer (which isn't even a year old) just got a very nasty virus and now we don't dare even turn it on!!! So I have no idea when I will be able to post next - so hang in there. I will get back to you all with some fun ideas soon. I am currently redoing my daughters room, and it is killing me that I can't take photos along the way! I guess you will just have to get basic before and after shots this time! Feel free to cry a few tears for me! :)

PuMpKiNs

2010-11-02T16:30:00.000-07:00

For those of you who missed my guest post on SOMEDAY CRAFTS, here it is! These are a great fall, halloween, and Thanksgiving decoration, so NO it is not too late to do these!
Here is the project I am doing for you today! Paper Bag Pumpkins!

Most of the supplies you probably have already in your house, so you can make them for FREE! (or next to nothing if you have to buy paint and wire)
I made my first set 9 years ago when I was a newly wed and had no decorating fund, and believe it or not, they have survived those 9 years and are still going strong! In fact the first year I had them my husband told me to just throw them away and remake them the next year because they would never survive a year- boy was he wrong and was I glad I didn't follow his advice! :) Lets get started...
What you will need:
*brown paper bags (I use the kind from the grocery store- you can use the small lunch ones, but your pumpkin will be super small and not as sturdy) If you want them really big, you can buy the super large paper yard- or leaf bags in the gardening center.
*Rubber Bands
*Paint
*Wire and Rafia, or ribbon (totally optional)
*Filler (I use grocery sacks, newspaper, or paper shreds from my shredder)
Step One- prep your paper bag by carefully removing any handles, then slowly and carefully open up the seams on the bottom. You should have a nice square paper tube when done.

Step 2- Scrunch up your tube and twist and wrinkle it (this will make turning it inside out later much easier and it also gives your pumpkin a great texture) I do mine length wise.

Step 3- Gather up one end of your bag- being careful to get all edges in- and tie it off tightly with a rubber band about 1-2" from the edge.

Step 4- Now VERY CAREFULLY and slowly turn it inside out. I find it easiest to sort of "plunge" the rubber band end downward while I carefully pull the edges of the other end up and around (it will make more sense when you do it!) This is the part that you have to be most careful because it can tear pretty easily during this step.

Your paper bag should now be kinda bowl shaped with the rubber band part at the bottom on the inside.

Step 5- Fill your pumpkin with bags, or crumpled up newspaper, or paper shredings. The more tightly you pack the filler, the sturdier your pumpkins will be - just don't fill it too full or you cant close it.

Step 6- Now gather up the edges same as you did in step 3. This time you will really need to make sure that all the edges are pulled in. Gather it tightly and tie off with another rubberband. (this part forms your stem, so you will want it atleast 1" long)

It should now resemble a Pumpkin!

Step 7- Paint your pumpkin with orange paint, then add a little brown to the high ridges for some shadowing if you want. I also like to paint my step brown. (you don't have to get the paint in every little crevice, infact it looks really cool if you don't)

Let the kids join in on the fun too!

Step 8- Wrap some wire around the stem and curl it with a pencil, and if you are good with wire, you can form some leaf shapes like this.

Top it off with some Rafia or ribbon would be super cute too!

Easy Peasy, right? Over the years I have had more comments on these pumpkins than any other decor I have, and people are always shocked to find out they are made from paper bags! The paint will harden them and give them a "leathery" feel. Hope you have fun doing this, and include your kids! My kids love doing these! It also makes a great group craft night since it is so cheap- so get together with your friends and make some great pumpkins for your Thanksgiving centerpiece!
Stop by You Craft Me Up! for more great Holiday ideas!
Thanks again Michelle for this opportunity! You are the best! :D

Guest Blogger

2010-10-24T18:23:00.000-07:00

I am sure most if not all of you frequent Someday Crafts - I love Michelle and her blog! I feel so lucky that I got to be a guest blogger on her blog today! Check it out HERE. Make sure to check out her other great posts, and tell her how great she is! :) Thanks a ton Michelle for the opportunity! This is the project I did- Paper Bag Pumpkins!

Ghost!

2010-10-19T10:08:00.000-07:00

1-2 hour project

I made my first ghosty 8 years ago to go with my graveyard. At my old house, I had HUGE trees surrounding it, so I used to hang it by a cable that went from my roof to the tree. It looks so cool that way- he would really "fly" around in the wind! But when we moved to our new house, we didn't have any way of hanging him, so I had to resort to a 10' piece of re bar (only about $3 at Home Depot) He has withstood the years of elements and is a must for our spooky graveyard. The rest of the year he haunts my garage. :D
Here is what you will need:
*garbage or grocery sacks
*stiff paper roll (I used the one from my plastic wrap - it is super sturdy) or
you can use a regular paper towel roll, just reinforce it with duck tape.
*Duck Tape
*Wire (bailing wire is a nice thick and cheap wire - you can buy it at Lowe's or
Home Depot for under $5 and I have had my roll for 9 years)
*Muslin (3-6 yards depending on how large you want your ghost - buy the cheapest)
*Cheese Cloth (I buy the 6 yard package with a coupon at Joann's for about $4 - that
will be enough for two ghosts)
*safety pins

Okay, first thing is, fill a shopping bag with several balled up grocery sacks, the more you put in the bigger your head will be. Center your paper tube in the center and stuff around it

(I taped a hard plastic lid to the top of my tube to prevent the re bar from puncturing the top of the ghosts head- I learned that lesson the hard way with my first one)

Pull your bag tightly closed

Start wrapping the head with tape (this will make it last for years like mine)

Add one more grocery bag over the taped head to help conceal the dark tape.

Now take a piece of wire and wrap the center around your tube one or two times, cut each arm the length you want(mine are about 2' each)
Put one more garbage bag over taped head to conceal the dark tape
Start wrapping wire back and forth over each arm several times, I did 5 times to really secure it well. The more wire you do, the sturdier your arms will be when it comes to holding up under the weight of the cloth. NOTICE! if you are going to hang him, this is where you will need to make a loop of wire and securely tape it with duck tape on top.

Take your cloth (I used 3 yards of muslin, and several other fabric scraps that I had around my house- I wanted a few different shades of white and cream) and drape it over the head, making sure front and back are pretty even.

Now start taring your strips, cut slits and different intervals (1" - 2" - 1/2")
and tare it up to about 1-2" away from the arms and base of the head.

Add more smaller fabric strips and repeat till your ghost is as thick as you want.

Add the cheese cloth and cut and tare like you did the muslin. Depending on the width of your ghost and your cheese cloth, you may have to use two lengths, just overlap them over the head if you have to do that.

Now to secure the fabric, I add a few safety pins as close to the wire arms as possible to make sure the fabric doesn't slip off in the wind. Another way to do this is to tie a knot in a front piece with a back piece (wire in between) Hope that makes sense - I forgot to take a picture! It should look something like this:

Now either hang him or put a piece of re bar up through the tube. You will just love the way he will float in the wind!

Happy Haunting!!!

Spooky Graveyard

2010-10-18T19:24:00.000-07:00

I had planned on doing a tutorial on these, but I ran out of time this year. I promise to do one next August to give you plenty of time to make your own! But, just to get you excited, I will post some pics this year!

I LOVE my headstones!!! My graveyard started 8 years ago when I was still a newly wed. I made the first 5 original ones out of 2" Styrofoam (the usual white kind that is crumbly) I learned a lot- mainly that it was harder to cut and not as durable. Later I made the rest out of insulation Styrofoam boards. (usually blue or purple) You can buy several different thicknesses, but I prefer 2" or thicker. It ranges anywhere from $15- $35 for a 8'x4' sheet. You can make about 10 or more out of a sheet that size. I usually call up my local hardware store and ask if they have any broken pieces they will sell at discount. I have never paid full price for mine.

Read the names- they are pretty funny!

Chief is our family dog- kinda morbid I know! but what is worse is there is one with my husbands name!!!

If you can't wait till next year, there are several good resources online for how to make these - but be warned, it is a full day or longer project. (but totally worth it) I have had my graveyard for 8 years now.

Unfortunately I have had to say goodbye to 5 of my cherished headstones. Little boys have a hard time resisting them sometimes. I still think it is worth putting them out - my kids and all the neighbor kids can't resist playing zombies in the graveyard. (you would seriously think I was erecting a ferris wheel every year when I put it out when you see the amount of kids it attracts!)
Stay tuned - on Wednesday I am going to post how to make the ghosts!

Spray Paint Halloween Pillows

2010-10-13T22:15:00.000-07:00

LOVE THIS!!! This project was so much fun and easy (and cheap) that I want to do tons more! I payed under $10 for all four pillows! They turned out so much better than I thought they would! A few months ago I saw a couple blogs that had spray painted pillows on them, so I decided to give it a shot since that is about the only thing I hadn't spray painted yet!
Here is what you will need:
*Duck cloth (or plain outdoor canvas)
*Freezer Paper (must be freezer paper, not wax or parchment)
*Spray paint
*Frog tape - if you do stripes (it works so great! The paint will not bleed! You buy it in the paint department)
I didn't want to make new pillows that I would have to store (I am running out of room), so I decided to just make slip covers for the pillows I already have on my porch. My pillows are 16x16 so I cut the fabric into 17x17" squares.

I then cut out stencils on freezer paper using my cricut. You could also do this by just free handing your design, or printing out images from the Internet and cutting and tracing them onto the freezer paper. The polka dots are 2"
The "BOO" font is Jackolantern from Dafont.com

The scull and webs were from dingbats I found on Dafont.com. Just click on Halloween fonts and there is tons of fun stuff.
I then ironed on the freezer paper cut outs. At first I put a cloth over the paper to iron, but the paper didn't stick, you have to iron straight on the paper for it to stick. (shiny side down!) My iron was as hot as it goes and it worked great.
This is Frog Tape. Make sure to press it down firmly. I didn't measure my dots or stripes, I just eyeballed them and you can't tell they aren't perfect!
Now for the fun part, spray pain!!! I used satin black and cinnamon stick in satin as well.

now for the reveal... I was so dang excited when I first started peeling off the paper - I couldn't believe how great it worked!!!

The black didn't work quite as well, the color isn't as consistent as the orange, and my spider web bled a little because my son got a hold of the stencil and wrinkled it so it wouldn't iron flat. Oh-well, still madly in love!
I then just put right sides together and sewed a half inch seam on three sides.

Turn right-side out.
Stuff in pillow...

Tadaa!!! I love, love, love, love, love, LOVE them!!!! (did I say I how much I love them?) :D

I am going to put some velcro or snaps along the bottom edge to hold them shut, but that will have to wait for now, I couldn't wait to put them out.
Sorry for the picture overload, but I am in love! :)

This project can be seen on...

Thank you! Thank you!!!

Autumn Table

2010-10-03T20:19:00.000-07:00

For this idea you will need to have a glass table top or a clear vinyl table cloth. I have a glass table top because I have one of those tables with the bead board looking slats on the top, and my kids are little artists and love to draw and play with play dough, and all that stuff. I learned real quick with this table what a pain it was to clean crumbs out of the cracks, so within a week of buying it we bought a piece of glass for about $70 to fit the top.
ANYWAYS...when it's fall, this is one of my kids favorite decorations. We take off the top and scatter fake fall leaves everywhere! We then put the glass back on and have a beautiful autumn table that we get to enjoy through Thanksgiving.

Spider Egg Sack Tutorial

2010-10-02T16:04:00.000-07:00

These are super easy and inexpensive to make. Also fast (like 10-15 mins) I originally got this idea from the same 2003 Martha Stewart Magazine as my spider porch below (which apparently is the cover of this years magazine) so if you want more details just check it out while you wait in line at Walmart! :)
What you will need:
*plastic grocery sacks
*quilt batting
*white knee highs (or old white nylons)
*large and small plastic spiders
*hot glue
*tape
*fishing line or thread

Let me explain a few of the supplies - Martha suggested using a styrofoam egg- I figured why waste my money on them when I can make my own out of plastic grocery sacks and a little tape!
Also, get your knee highs at Walmart (you get 2 for 25 cents) and for the small spiders, if you can't find them or they are too pricey, just cut the legs and butt off the bigger ones. (that's what I did) Also, if you can only find the rings, that's okay, just cut the ring part off
Now for the how to:
Take 1-2 grocery bags (I used two) and wad them up and tape them into an oblong egg shape. Masking tape works the best - I just couldn't find mine.

Then take your batting and peal off a thin layer. The thinner the better, you don't want it as bulky as this one in my picture.

Wrap it around your sacks with a "tail" at the top. (Mine doesn't really do that, I was in a hurry to get some pics for this post and was just kinda faking it!) You can trim off some excess so it is a nice taper. Hot glue together just enough to hold it in place.

Now just cover it with the baby spiders. I like to do a lot at the bottom and thin them out towards the top (like it's bursting with the weight of them at the bottom - ewwww!)

You might need a helper for this part. Open your nylon nice and wide like you would when you put them on, and slowly pull it over the bottom of your batting ball all the way to the top. Go slow so your spider legs don't snag and run your nylon.

I add a few little bits of batting at the top to fill it out a bit and make the nice taper to about 2 inches from the top.
Now glue on your mommy spiders (and a few babies if you want) to the outside. Again cluster them pretty thick (climbing all over each other) at the bottom and have a few stragglers towards the top. (I couldn't find my bag of bigger spiders when I did this so just pretend!)

Now just tie some fishing line or doubled up thread to the top and tie it off tight. You can now hang them! The more you make the better the screams! :D

Some hanging tips. I have a metal sheeting ceiling on my porch that has a seam (you have to look closely to find it) about every 18". I use a bent paper clip as a little hook and slide it under the seam and it holds. I also hook them over the staples that hold up the ceiling. You could also use tape, or if you don't have a metal ceiling, nails or thumb tacks. I also thought of using those strong magnetic hooks but mine wasn't magnetic. Just some thoughts.

Hope you and your little trick-or-treaters enjoy these as much as we do! Mine are 5 years old and still going strong!
For more pictures of how to display these go to my ARACHNOPHOBIA PORCH post HERE

Arachnophobia

2010-09-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

Halloween has been my favorite holiday since I was about 6 or 7. I have twice as many Halloween decorations as I do Christmas. In fact, my husband had to build shelving in my garage just to hold my decorations! (Love you babe!)
This idea originated from Martha Stewart 7 years ago. I vowed that one day I would have a big porch just so I could decorate it like this - so 5 years ago I made it. It has evolved some over the years, and I LOVE the results!!! I never tire of all the screams from neighborhood kids who come over just to scare themselves!
This is a picture from the original article that I got the idea from.
(Martha Stewart 2003)

Originally my spider webs were made from a big roll of screen that I painted the web on, but it is super windy where I live and no matter what I did, I couldn't get them to stay up more than a day or two. Plus unlike the MS picture, you couldn't see the white lines at night. This year I found these great webs at LOWES. They were $8 a piece, and at first I thought, "I can make those out of rope or something." But then I realized by the time I bought everything and made them, I'd have spent that much, so I just bought them! (WHAT??? yes I confess, I bought them! But where else would I find cute thick tinsel yarn like this?)
I also saw the same ones (but black) at Micheals, for the same price (plus there are coupons) but I wanted white. LOVE them!!!

Stay tuned for a tutorial in the next few days of how to make these disgusting hatching egg sacks. Ewwwwww!!!

I found the best place to buy spiders is at the dollar store. And buy them I did!!!
I just use regular clear gift wrapping tape to tape the sacks and spiders to my vinyl siding ceiling. The tape holds up great all month, and comes off without any problems.

Tie fishing line (or any clear beading thread) to larger spiders and tape to ceiling.

Spiders everywhere!!!

Kinda gives me the creeps to sit in my rocking chair!

Did I mention that my biggest fear is spiders? Really is! But now the real ones blend in with all the fake ones, and what I don't know doesn't hurt right? :D
Happy Spooking!

I just love Michelle at Someday Crafts! Thank you!

TrIck oR tReAt

2010-09-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

Can't say this is my favorite project, but hey, it was free!!! My friend's husband does bank homes, and he let her and I go into the home to get what ever we wanted before he started chucking stuff. We found some pretty good treasures! I over looked these canisters several times, and just as we were leaving, inspiration hit - "I can spray paint those!" (I know - shocking it took me that long!)

So here are the beauties before:

I debated back and forth whether to paint them orange and make them Jack-O-Lanterns, or Black with "B-O-O" or black with "trick-or-treat" I finally decided on the trick-or-treat.

First they needed a good bath in the dishwasher, then I pulled out my trusted can of spray paint (high gloss black) After about 2 coats, they were ready. Kinda forgot to get a pic of them all black - oh well, you get the idea

Did you know that spray paint mist kills flies? Yup this one dropped dead right as I was spraying!

I then spent way to long trying to pick the perfect font (again - not sure how happy I am with the results, but I like it enough) I find all my fonts at DAFONT.COM They are all free and super easy to download. This font is Andrea Karime. (to download the font, click the name, or go HERE)
I have the program Sure Cuts Alot (thanks to my sister Annie) and so I just typed the words into that program, plugged my cricut into my computer with my printer cable, and pressed cut - that easy!

Oh - I decided to spray paint the letters instead of using vinyl. So I cut the words out on Contact paper and used it as a stencil.

I very carefully pealed away the paper, and adhered the contact paper to my canisters, pressing firmly and pushing out all the bubbles.

AHHHHHH!!! I took off the lid and this little nasty guy was running in circles around the canister! EWWWWW! I guess it wouldn't be a Halloween project with out a spider! :)

I didn't want my beautiful paint job to get ruined - so I wrapped a grocery sack around the canister and taped down the edges. (looks like they are going into surgery)

Now the fun part - Spray Paint! (this time I used my leftover appliance enamel from painting my KitchenAid)

After a long wait, I finally pealed back the contact paper.
Final results:

Not the best (it blead a lot more than I had hoped- but at least it was consistent- kinda adds to the Halloween look)

I like! Like I said, not my favorite ever, but definately keepers! Now I just need to fill them with yummy candy! (or maybe a nasty trick!)
Go find something to spray paint! It's fun!!!

Answered Prayers and a Tribute

2010-09-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

ADDENDUM: I just have to share this comment that a reader left me, I am so grateful for it, she said it best: Jeanette said...Just wanted to add, after going back and looking at the photos you posted again, I love how the temple is a beacon of light, shining even brighter than the fire, letting us know where the real power lies. Not in devastation, but in hope and faith.

Wow!!! What a night! I live about 2 miles from the massive Herriman (machine gun fire) All night I watched out my window the devastation, it was quite frightening seeing the fire come so close to homes. My family and I said many many prayers last night that the homes would be spared, that the families would be comforted, and that the firefighters would be protected. Our prayers were not the only ones. Herriman is an extremely religious area, and I can only imagine the hundreds of thousands of prayers that were said last night. Our prayers were truly answered! Last night as I watched the fire raging, I thought that there were going to be at least 100 homes lost, if not more. This morning, they announced that only 4 homes (they are now saying 3 - one was on out building) were lost! I couldn't believe it! I watched a video taken this morning from a news chopper, and there were homes that were completely surrounded by burnt land, and the house was still standing. Many homes had flames that burnt up to 5 feet away and the home never burnt! They were saying that it was a miracle that more weren't lost, but I know it was a loving Heavenly Father who protected those homes and helped those firefighters do what they did to protect property. It is humbling to see how quickly a fire can roar down a mountain side. Some people were literally running away from the fire as it came towards their homes. I just had to say how grateful I am that our prayers were answered, and that everything looks like it will be okay. My heart and prayers go out to those who did loose so much, one family lost their home of 35 years, and left with only the shirts on their backs, they couldn't save anything because it came so fast. Thank you to the firefighters, police men, CERT volunteers, and National Guards men who are fighting this fire! And thanks to the families of these people who are serving us, I can't even imagine the fear they have felt over the past 18 hours.
Here are just a few photos of the fire. Just a little too close to home for comfort!

To see more photos, go to KSL.com, or FOX13now.com

To Die For Calzone!

2010-09-15T20:03:00.000-07:00

I am always getting requests for this recipe and some of you have asked me for instructions, so here they are! It is super easy and way yummy -
Recipe:
* 1 Rhodes dough loaf (they come frozen like the rolls)
* 1 small can tomato sauce
* 1-1 1/2 Tbsp italian seasoning (no it is not the same as the italian dressing dry mix)
* 1/8 tsp minced garlic
* canadian bacon, pepperoni, motzerella and cheddar cheese (any other toppings you like)
* garlic salt
* parmissian cheese

A few hours before you are ready to make it, put a loaf of Rhodes dough on a plate, spray with non-stick spray and cover with plastic wrap. Let defrost and rise till double in size:

Cover cookie sheet with tin foil, spray with Pam, then roll out dough on a separate piece of foil cut the same size as cookie sheet and sprayed with Pam. Roll dough to fit the piece of foil.

To make the sauce, take 1 can tomato sauce and add 1- 1 1/2 Tbsp Italian seasoning, and 1/8 tsp of garlic. (I buy the jar of pre-minced garlic, its cheep and lasts forever) Mix together. Spread in center only of dough, leaving about 1" at each end. (you will only use about 1/3 of the sauce, you can freeze the rest for later)

Add your toppings. We have found that we prefer only Canadian bacon and pepperoni, we love supreme pizza, but we like our calzones the best simple like this. If you buy the same meat as I did, the box of Hormel pepperoni has two sealed packages in it, so it lasts for 2 calzones, plus the Land O' Frost canadian bacon is enough for 2 as well. (I just cut the bacon in quarters because it is really big) - you can see it in the picture. I have also found that it tastes so much better if you use freshly grated cheese, I used to buy the pizza blend bag of cheese, but it just isn't nearly as good. I grate and freeze my motzerella because I pretty much only use it for these. Grate about 1 cup of each cheese.

I put the bacon all the way across, I just took the picture so you could see. They both fit perfectly 3 across.

Add your cheese and then pull up the sides and pinch tightly together. (sometimes you have to pinch it a few times to get it to seal.) Pinch the ends and fold up.

lol - notice the belly, It's too big to keep out of the picture!

Flip calzone onto greased and lined cookie sheet. (the pinched side needs to be down, that is why I roll it out and make it on a separate sheet of tin foil.)

Poke holes in top with fork, spray with butter flavored Pam, or brush with melted butter. Sprinkle on garlic salt, then parmessian cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Note: It helps keep your pan clean if you fold up the edges of the tin foil, because sometimes your calzone will leak while baking.
I hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as my family does!

I Do Believe In Spooks...

2010-09-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been MIA as of late, I needed some time to just relax and enjoy the last few days of summer with family and neighbors! But here comes my favorite time of year, so hopefully I will have plenty of projects to share!

I had so much fun with the last craft night, so I am anxious to do another! Hopefully it isn't too soon, but I want to do this Halloween craft, and if you want to enjoy it this year, we need to get it done.
Here it is:

The cost is $12 (sorry but this wood is pricier than a 2x4) It is about 6" high and about 3 1/2' long. It will be pretty much the same process as last time, paint the board black, sand it, and mod podge on the letters. Easy Peasy!
As usual I will supply everything, wall hooks and all, you just need to show up!
I am debating doing it on Thurs the 23rd, or Thurs the 30th. So for those of you that sign up, let me know which date you prefer and I will pick the date that the majority chooses. Can't wait!

For those of you who want to make one, but can't come: The font I used is ZOOBALOO from cricut. *I used the dot from the letter "i" for the "eyes" in the word "spooks" I just use a light cream card stock, and a 1x6 (or a 1x8) board from Home Depot or Lowes. (if you don't have saws, they will cut it to the length you want for you) I also used a dremel to antique the edges, but that is optional, I just like the "spooky" look it gives the board. Paint and distress your board and mod podge on your letters!

I always feel so special when someone features my projects! Thanks ladies!

HAPPINESS!!!!

2010-08-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

Wow! Never thought this day would come! Whoever said money doesn't buy happiness, has never bought a cricut!!!

I went to Roberts this past week and took advantage of their amazing 50% off everything (no exlusions!) sale. I had to wait in line with my treasure for a good hour or more, but so worth it! (plus I met some fun people while waiting!) I got a cricut expression, plus three cartridges (all normally $60-$70) for $250! Wow!!!
Sighhhhhh...I am in LOVE! :D

Quick & Easy Gift Idea

2010-08-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

(this is one I did for me a year or so ago)

I needed a quick and easy gift to donate for a Relief Society Bingo night that my ward was doing. I have made several of these signs over the years, and thought they would be a perfect prize for the bingo champion! They also make great, inexpensive gifts. (like less than $2 a piece!) And the best part, if you don't have power tools, no worries - the guys at Home Depot or Lowes will do the cutting for you. Okay, here's the how to:
Things you will need:
* a 2x6 (about $3.50 for a 6' piece)
* paint
* 12x12 scrapbook paper
* contrast paper
* sander or sand paper
* mod podge
* apholstry brads ($1.24 for a 25 pack at Lowes)

1. Cut the 2x6 with a miter or chop saw to 12" long. If you don't have one, just ask them to cut them for you when you buy it - they will be happy to do it for you.

2. Sand the edges smooth and paint with color of choice
(I love this Valspar Satin paint $8 for a quart @ Lowes - it dries fast, goes on smooth, and usually only requires one coat)

3. Sand the edges for a distressed look

4. Cut background paper to a 4 1/2 x 11" rectangle (I inked the edges of mine with a brown ink)

5. Use vinyl (will up the cost) or if you're cheap like me, just use paper. If you don't have a cricut, no worries! Just get it to the size you want in a word document, and go into the "font" section and choose "outline" Then print it out on cardstock and cut it out with scissors (that's what I did, and it didn't take too long- plus I saved my file so if I do it again I am all ready to go) - if you look closely you can see the faint outline of the letters

6. Ink or stain (my stain was all gone since my son decided to drink it!) the sanded edges of the wood

7. Mod Podge the BACK ONLY of your background paper, and adhere it to your painted wood.
8. Align your letters how you want them and mod podge the BACK ONLY again of each letter, gluing them down to your background paper. (if you mod podge over the top, you will get wrinkles, and it won't look as nice)

9. Hammer in the upholstry brads to the corners of the paper (I like the bronze ones from Lowes)

Enjoy! These didn't turn out as well as some of the others I have done. The words kind of get lost in the background. (I usually use a bolder font so they stand out more) Oh-well. You get the basic idea.

So if you are looking for a cheap gift idea that is easy to mass produce, hope this helps!

Paper = about $ .50
Wood = about $ .55
Brads = about $ .20
Total = $1.25 (that is if you already have the paint)
NOT BAD!!!

Fall Craft Night Date

2010-08-16T22:27:00.000-07:00

For all of you who have signed up to do the pumpkin blocks, I am planning on doing them next Thurs. the 26th. Let me know if that works for you or not, if the majority can't make it then I will pick a new date. Originally I wanted to do the 25th but my husband won't be home to babysit. I am thinking 7:30 or 8:00 so that kids can be in bed and husbands will be a little more willing to babysit. :D Can't wait!

Question

2010-08-16T15:43:00.001-07:00

Anyone know where to buy Mod Podge Dimensional Magic? I live in the Salt Lake area and can't find any! I am hoping for a store with coupons. :D

Emergency Room Pumpkins

2010-08-10T16:52:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! What a crazy few days I have had! I started these pumpkins last week, and was hoping to post them a few days ago, but they have been the cause of 2 (yes TWO!) ER visits!
When I started these pumpkins, the cost was $0 because I was just using scraps and paint I already had, but after two ER visits, and the ruined clothes and porch, I would have to say they cost me a whoppin' $150!!! Probably the most expensive craft I have done yet! :D
So, here is where it all started...I am shopping at Hobby Lobby (big surprise) when I see these:

I instantly fell in love and thought, I can make those!

I bought them to duplicate (shhhh...don't tell, I still have to return them) $3.99 each!

I raided my scrap wood bin, then free handed the pumpkins on the wood.

It took all of 5 mins (if that) to cut the pumpkins out with my SCROLL SAW (can I just say I LOVE my scroll saw?!)

I then took my DREMEL with a drum sander bit on the end and gouged the edges and rounded details. See the difference?

For those of you who don't know what a dremel is...

Next I painted them black (not completely) just where the crackle would go.
Once the paint dried I put on the crackle medium

After about 30 mins of dry time, I was able to paint my pumpkins orange. (I mixed a couple of different versions of orange by adding brown and red)

I love the way crackle works! (I have to confess, I haven't used my crackle in 8 years or more, remember when everything was crackled? I guess it has made a come back!)
I am lovin' the results!

I let them dry overnight (and finished reading the Maze Runner while I waited!)

I free handed the damask designs on with pencil (I copied the ones on the HL pumpkins) and I also copied some damask designs from some scrap book paper I had.

I then took brown paint and hand painted over my pencil designs. It was a little tedious, but didn't take too much time - maybe 30 mins tops...

This is where ER visit #1 comes in to play!
So I am just about done painting the damask designs when my little one year old, Josh, bangs his head on the bar stool I am sitting on! (you know how they like to play at mom's feet at all times) I pick him up and see this instant bump right between his eyes with a pretty deep cut.

I rushed him to the instacare by my house, and they said I needed to take him to Primary's in downtown SLC. So we head down there, and wait 5 hours to get two stitches.
He was such a trooper! He laughed and smiled most of the time!

He loved the slurpy they gave to wake him up!

I think he got a little drunk from the drugs and slurpy! :D

Red crayon bandaids are the best!

We were both exhausted by the time we got back, so I decided to finish the pumpkins the next day.
So this morning (the very next day) when I laid Josh down for a nap, I decided I could FINALLY finish the pumpkins. I finish the paint from yesterday, sand the edges up a bit, then it is time to stain.

Being good I go out on my porch to stain the pumpkins. There are only 6 of them, so I figured it would take about 5 mins. I am half way through staining them when my 4 year old has a lost shoe crisis. No big deal right? Just help him find his shoes, then finish the staining. Here Comes ER visit #2! I go inside, can't find them anywhere and decide to look in the room where my baby is sleeping (and of course he is wide awake and won't let me leave w/o getting him out) so I get him out, find some shoes, and go outside to talk to my neighbor who was taking my 4 year old to the park. About 1 minute later, we hear this coughing, I turn around to see my little one year old Josh coughing with a ring of stain all around his face, and stain pouring out his mouth and all over my porch and him. AHHHHHH!!!! I rush to him, my neighbor calls Poison Control for me, and I try to help him. He is coughing like crazy and trying to throw up. PC tells us to get him to the hospital ASAP, good thing it is only 1 mile from my house! I rush him there, PC has called ahead and informed them I am bringing in a baby who swallowed wood stain, they immediately take him back, get his vitals, then nothing. After all that rushing, I end up sitting in a room trying to keep him entertained, and I wait for 1 1/2 hours! The doctor finally comes in saying that PC will call me 6 hours after the incident to check on him and that I am free to go. Seriously ??? I just payed $50 bucks to have someone tell me to wait for a phone call??? They thought they would x-ray his lungs, but then decided not to, and said to wait a few hours to see if his lungs would start reacting to the stain. I guess if he inhaled any it can cause pretty bad pneumonia, so we are still waiting to see. Personally I think he is fine, thank goodness!

The nurses were great and brought him plenty to play with, unlike at primary's!

Josh and I getting pretty used to this ER business!

I feel so horrible about the whole thing! And now I have a constant reminder stained into my porch concrete of what an idiot I am!!!
Once we got home, and I got him back down for a nap, I decided it was now or never to finish them. My stain was gone, but I was able to salvage enough from the shirt he was wearing to finish the last few pumpkins. (how sad is that?) I then threw away his clothes, and mine are next. :(
Last step, FINALLY! :D
I twisted some bailing wire around the stems with some needle nose pliers to finish them off.

What do you think? I think they are cuter than the store bought ones! Even if they ended up costing a whole lot more! :)

I love them on my shelf wedges in my kitchen! Too bad it is only August, I want to leave them there!

Fall will be here soon enough...patience!

Cost:
Wood: Free
Paint: Free
Wire: Free
ER visit #1: $50
ER visit #2: $50
ruined clothes: about $50 :(
Cost: Way too much for little wood pumpkins!!!
Oh well, at least Josh is okay (number 1 priority), and besides, I still think they turned out great!

Moral of the story...don't leave stain out where a small child can get it! And ALWAYS have the # for Poison Control where you can see it!
Happy Crafting! :D

I was featured:

And at:

Thanks Michelle! I'm so honored!

I am joining this challenge:

Stay Tuned...

2010-08-03T20:38:00.001-07:00

I have the next few evenings free to craft, and what am I doing? I am eating out of boredom and reading "Maze Runner" - good book so far. I AM IN A CRAFT SLUMP! It's not like I don't have ideas - I have hundreds of ideas that haunt me when I try to sleep - it's just that for some odd reason I don't want to!!! WHAT??? Did I really just say that??? I have NEVER felt this way! I think I just have been over stimulated by all you amazing crafters out there! (now I know how my babies feel when they have to spend all day looking at the idiotic faces I make and all that annoying cooing I do trying to get a smile! No wonder they get crabby!)
So, bare with me, hopefully I will get over it soon! So Goodnight! I think I am going to grab a bag a chocolate chips and read in the tub! (Hey I deserve it after the workout I did this morning!)

Winners!!!

2010-08-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce the winners! I get to draw 4 since I reached 100 followers! I used Random.org to generate the numbers, and I thought I could put the random thing on my blog to prove that I did it fairly, but I couldn't figure out how to get their little widgit thingy! (I've seen other people put them on their blogs, but apparently I am too dumb to figure it out.) I will blame it on being "left brain!" :) So here are the winners...drum roll...
#5 meeyeehere said...
You have such nice feet. Mine look like Flintstone feet but they get me to where I want to go,toe hairs and all. Anyway, I would love to win a cute anklet! Oh,I follow you and I am happy! Thanks a bunch lady!
#22 Sandy said...
So pretty! I just became follower #75!=) Thanks for the opportunity to win!
#13 Clyde Family said...
Those are so cute. i need to become a follower. i do follow you i just haven't add that i am
#9 Melissa said...
I didn't see anywhere in fine print that family members were excluded so that means you have to include me in your drawing! :-) Besides, I do kind of like your blog.

Congrats to all my winners! I have to say, I giveaways are hard for me, I want EVERYONE to win! And if the bracelets wouldn't take the time to make that they do, I would so send one to all of you! Sorry to those who entered and didn't win!

If you won, I will try to contact you, but please get back to me by Tuesday, or I will draw a new winner!

PVC Pipe Bow and Arrows

2010-07-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

I guess just the bow is made of PVC pipe- not the arrows! (those are dowels!)
Okay, so last summer I was down in St George, playing at a park with my kids. They found a pvcp pipe bow and I thought -"how easy is that!? I can make that!" So I have made a couple for friends and family for birthday and Christmas gifts, and this past week I made 10 for a family reunion. They were such a hit, the kids loved them! And now all the neighbor kids are having a ball playing with them.

They are super easy and pretty cheap to put together.

Supplies you will need:
*1/2" pvc pipe (at my lowes they cost $1.22 for 10 feet (enough for 2) or $2.40 for 20 feet (enough for 5)
*1/2" pvc pipe caps (the rounded ones) they cost about $ .25 each. (optional - I just like the finished look it gives)
*1/2" pipe insulator $ .99 for a 4 or 5 foot section
*nylon string (I don't remember the thickness, but I bought mine at Walmart for 2 or 3 dollars, and it will last for years!) I think it was like 500 yards or something.
*colored duct tape (about $3 a roll at Walmart- you can do about 10 with one roll)
*or spray paint
*electrical tape
*Dowels (I buy mine at Home Depot) they are about $ .80 each (you get two arrows out of each)

Okay, Here's how you make them:
1. Cut your pvc pipe to 42" (3 1/2 feet) I used my chop saw (aka miter saw) to do this, but if you are super nice you can get the guys at Lowes to do it for you.

2. Wrap your pipe with tape, or spray paint it (this step is optional, but I like a cute bow instead of a plain white one with black words printed on it! :)

3. (this is the hardest part) Stand in the middle of the pipe and grab one end upwards to slightly bend it into a "watermellon slice" shape! (sorry - that's the best way I could think to describe it!)

4. With a little hand saw or a scroll saw(what I used) cut a 1" slit on the end of the inside of the curved. Make sense? Just think of the finished product, and that will help you visualize. This is where your string will go.

5. Cut a 4 1/2" length of pipe insulation and center it on the pipe.

6. Use electrical tape (because you can stretch it) and tightly wrap it around the center to make and indent for the grips.

Repeat it centering the tape between the center tape and the edge. You should now have 3 ridges. The tighter you pull the tape, the better your ridge will be, I wrap mine about 2 times around.

7. Using the same electrical tape, start at one end and slowly wrap it around to the other end. Do not pull it tight as you do this - just wrap covering all the insulation.

8. Cut your string to 38". Tie a square knot on each end. (right over left, left over right) You want your finished string (the part between the knots) to measure 34" To secure your knots, you will either want to melt it a bit with a match, or put a dab of super glue on the know (I prefer super glue)
9. Slide the string into the slit so the knot ends up inside the tube. You will have to bend your bow to get the second knot in place. Once you have both knots in the slits, your bow should be nice and tight.

10. Put your end caps on to cover the slit and knot.

Your bow is now complete!

Now for the arrow.
1. Cut your dowels 22"- you should be able to get 2 with about 3 inches left over. I also spray painted mine bright camo so that we could find them in the woods

2. I used my scroll saw for this part, cut a little notch (about 1/4" long) in one end of dowel (this is where you put it on the string)

3. If you want to make them safer, add a small piece of foam, or nerf arrows to the ends of the dowels.

WARNING: These really work! The first time I made one, I tested it in my garage and put a dent in my garage door! These should NOT be used indoors! And instruct the kids to never point them at anyone, pets, or cars! So far my kids can't really launch them far, so we haven't had any problems. knock on wood! :)

Thanks Michelle!

Thanks a ton Ashlee!

Fall Craft Night

2010-07-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

So, this time we really will have a craft night (the last one I couldn't do because I couldn't find a replacement blade for the saw I needed) I am thinking of doing it the last WED of August. I have to check with hubby's schedule before I can set the date for sure. Here is our project:

I know I know, it is still JULY - but Fall is just around the corner! I like to put up fall after Labor day, so if we do this at the end of August, then that will be perfect! The blocks are made from a 2x4 cut out staggered heights and routed.

Notice how one side of the pumpkin I painted a jack-o-lantern face for halloween, and the other side is blank for Sept. and Nov. This is one you can leave up through Thanksgiving! I love that! Here is a close up of the pumpkin - so cute!!!

Project Cost: $10 - remember, that will cover EVERYTHING! you don't need paint, or brushes, or anything - I will provide all of it. (the letters on the blocks are card stock, not vinyl - so I can keep the cost low)
I would like to have a pretty good idea of who will be doing this by August 15th so I can get all the wood cut and routed in time. Can't wait! :)

Follower Giveaway!

2010-07-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

When I first started this blog I decided I would do a giveaway when I reached 50 followers. Well, while I was gone this past week, I reached 55!!! I know, it's not that many compared to all those other awesome blogs, but hey - I am completely honored by the 55 of you who thought I might be worth following! Hope I haven't dissapointed! :) So, here is the giveaway, two Lucky followers will win a pair of handmade anklets:

They are made from glass silver beads so they are super sparkly! These pictures do not do them justice.

One is a small flower design and the second is a twisted tube design.

Here's some even better news, spread the word, because for every 25 new followers I receive, I will throw in another pair! (so 75 I will give away 3 pair, 100 will be 4 pair! - I'd keep going, but let's be real here- I'm not that awesome! LOL)

These will be completely FREE - I won't charge shipping, or anything else!
Giveaway Guidlines:
1. You MUST leave a comment (that's how I will draw the winner(s).
2. You also MUST be a follower.
3. Just be happy to enter a giveaway! :)
I wish you all luck!!!
I will leave this open for 10 days, then will announce the winner on August 1. Good luck everyone!

Stay tuned for a tutorial on how to make these.

Blog with Substance award

2010-07-12T17:06:00.000-07:00

I received this most excellent award from Erin over at Making Memories...One fun thing after another. I am so thrilled and honored that she thought I deserved this award! Thanks so much Erin! (it's always nice to know someone likes you! :)

The rules...

1. Thank the person who gave you the award.

2. Sum up your blogging motivation, philosophy and experience in 5 words or less. Mine is. "If I can. YOU can!"

3. Now chose 10 blogs who I (you) think are "blogs with substanc". Here's the cool part because I get to chose great blogs that I love and introduce them to you! Make sure you let them know you are sharing this with them!

Here are the 10 blogs who I think are totally worthy of this award (in no particular order)...
1. Just For Love
2. Multicultural Crafts
3. Sweetpea Photography
4. Home is Where my heart is
5. Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures
6. Thrifty and Chic
7. Craft-O-maniac
8. Me and My Bucket
9. House of Smiths
10. Generally Creative
Thanks a million Erin! Now go check out these fantastic blogs -You will come away with a ton of inspiration and you won't be disappointed!!!

Wall Reveal

2010-07-08T14:14:00.001-07:00

So that night that I did the topiary and plaque and holder- this was my motivator:
Blank not so pretty wall in my basement!

I had already hung the shelf brackets when I realized I needed a "before" photo :)

Ahhhhh! So much better! I hate blank walls! Anyone else with me?

I got the mini shelf wedges at JoAnnes for a killer $4! (for the set!)

One more look at my favorite new plaque (not vinyl!) Go HERE for tutorial

And that FREE topiary! HERE for tutorial

My 6 year old bought me the "J" for my birhtday (she knows my style!)

Total Cost: Shelves= $4, Frame= $1, Topiary= FREE, Plaque= FREE, grass= FREE (thanks Erin!), and "J"= FREE (gift), picture of Dog= .11 cents!
Total=$5.11 Not Bad!
Now go use up your craft scraps!

Thanks Jen! You are always so sweet to me!!!

Free Craft (wall redo part 2)

2010-07-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

My husband travels alot and when he is gone I like to work late into the night crafting! So a few weeks ago he was gone and I had an itch to do something. I went out to my garage trying to get some inspiration. I came across this finial (I took it off an old swivel mirror I took apart years ago) That got my wheels turning, so I grabbed a small (8") piece of 1x1, and a chunk of 2x2.

I routed the 2x2 (for those of you that might not know what "routed" means) - you take a plain piece of wood, and run it through a tool called a router to give it a decorative edge like this:

I then drilled a couple of holes in the base so that my nails wouldn't split the wood, then nailed the base to the 1x1 post.

I drilled a hole in the center top of the post that was the same size as the screw on my finial. Somehow I deleted the picture of the finial on top. Oops. (you will see the finished holder at the end of the post)

Now for something to hang on my cute new holder:
I went online, and googled "printable wall quotes" or something to that effect, and there were hundreds of great designs! This one was perfect, simple, and about family. It was as easy as putting a piece of scrapbook paper in the printer and printing it! I then cut a scrap of wood to fit the paper, and of course routed the board as well.

I painted the wood with brown where I would be sanding (for a distressed look)
After the brown dried I gave it a coat of white paint, then sanded it till I got the look I wanted.

Put on a layer of modpodge and adhere the printed saying:

A little black ribbon is the perfect finishing touch

Like the professional way I attached the ribbon? (thumb tacks!)

Now you can see the finished holder (I spray painted it with OIL RUBBED BRONZE spray paint)

I attached the sign with just a little nail through the ribbon.
I LOVE my new sign! And best part it was FREE!!! (I love vinyl but seldom want to pay for it)

I am linking up to the CSI challenge- wish me luck!!!

Free Topiary (wall redo part 1)

2010-07-08T10:02:00.000-07:00

I don't know if you guys are like me, but I never throw any left overs from projects away. I figure one day I might use it (even if it takes 10 years!)
Here is a topiary I made out of some "craft scraps"
This little ugly plant thingy was left over from a decoration I bought at a garage sale for $1. As ugly as it was, I just couldn't throw it away, and I finally found a use for it!

First thing I did was pull all those stringy stems out with some pliers. It was really easy - they popped right out! (of course I saved them!)

Second I gave the little pot a coat of OIL RUBBED BRONZE spray paint.
While that was drying I went around the neighborhood in search of a dead branch.
It took a little muscle, but I was able to just shove the branch right in.

The topiary part was about an 8" strand of boxwood garland that was leftover from the wreath I made for my front porch. I just kind of wrapped it into a little ball and stuck it on top of the stick.

Isn't it cute? I LOVE it!

The fact that it was FREE makes me love it even more!

Fits perfect on my mini shelf wedges that I will show more of in my part 2 post.

What treasures do you have hiding in your closets? :)

KitchenAid Makeover!!!

2010-06-22T11:10:00.000-07:00

***Since I have had several ask...THIS PAINT HOLDS UP! It is washable and heat resistant- it is not your normal spray paint, it is an epoxy- basically the same paint your car has!***

I don't think that I have been this proud of a project in a long time! Probably by far one of my favorites! (besides my desk!) About 3 years ago, my husbands aunt died and I inherited her old kitchenAid. We guess that it is over 20 years old! I am so grateful, but to be honest - it had seen better days and wasn't exactly the color I would have picked. A year ago I was in Home Depot buying spray paint (surprise, surprise) when I saw paint for appliances! That's when a little light bulb went off in my head! "I can paint my kitchenAid!!!" So yes, it has taken me a year to do it! (does anyone else have that problem?)
So without further ado...
BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

So if you want to paint your KitchenAid, or any other appliance for that matter, here is how...
1. Remove all removable parts. (super easy - like 3 minutes easy!)

Once you remove the back thingy, you will see screws to remove the silver band that wraps around the front - I was originally going to just tape mine off until I saw it only had 2 screws holding it in place.

The bowl holder has 3 screws...

2. Clean all that GUNK out of every crevice (probably the hardest part!) Who knew cookie dough could be so invasive?!?

3. Lightly sand the surface. I used a foam sanding block so that I could easily sand all the curves. It doesn't need much - just enough to rough up the polish. (NOTE: DO NOT sand anything you are not painting- it will scratch it up!)

4. Tape off anything you don't want painted, I did cut the tape around those screws (I just get picture happy!)

I just put a plastic sandwich bag over the wires in the back and secured it with a rubber band! (rocket science- I know!)

Now for the FUN part!
5. Spray paint! I used Rust-Oleum Appliance Epoxy (black gloss)

Follow the directions on the can carefully

***If I had to do this again, I would first tape off the bottom half and spray the top arm thing, then tape that off, and spray the bottom. I found that the "dust" from the spray dulled the shine on the other parts, so it took multiple coats - which makes bubbles if you do too many - which I did, so learn from my mistakes!

Now it is all pretty and shiny black! But am I satisfied? Am I ever satisfied??? :)
6. Tattoo time! (I like to call it a tattoo)
***Again - learn from my mistakes! If I had been smart, I would have realized that I painted the "tattoo" the same color my KitchenAid was originally, so I should have just put the vinyl on first then painted it black! Would have saved me time and a can of spray paint - oh well - be smarter than me! Trust me, it's not hard to do! :)

I found a design I liked on a piece of scrapbook paper from Hobby Lobby. I cut out a small piece of vinyl and taped them both on my window so that I could trace the design onto my vinyl. (the light from the window makes it possible to see through your vinyl)
7. Cut out the design with an exacto knife. Take your time, so that you don't get cuts where you don't want them - your paint will leak through those cuts.

8. Put contact paper, or transfer paper on the RIGHT side of your vinyl. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP! If you don't do this it will be nearly impossible to transfer it to your project -trust me, I learned the hard way and had to redo my stencil!

9. Peel off the back of the vinyl - it should now be "sticky"

10. Apply it to your kitchenAid - it is rounded, so really rub those stencils on, try to flatten all creases as good as you can so that the paint will not leak into them.

11. Cover anything you don't want the contrast paint on (I forgot to take a picture)
12. Spray with a contrasting color (I used the same Appliance Epoxy just in cream)
OHHH!!! And don't forget to spray your cord to match! I just used 99 cent walmart black matt paint for the cord.
13. Unveil your results!!!
(I was giddy with excitement at this point! I couldn't believe how gorgeous it was!!!)

I love the little tattoo I did on the opposite side!

I debated putting another small one at the bottom of the base, but was afraid it would be too much.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Everything has potential!!!
So go spray paint something!!!
Am I the only one who gets giddy after spray painting? I think it is kind of like shaving for the first time, when you are done you want to shave more, so you shave your arms too! I have been searching my house for more things to spray paint!

I am linking up to the CSI challenge- wish me luck!!!

Summer Cake

2010-06-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

I made this cake two years ago for a relief society party. Unfortunately I didn't take pictures of the process, but it is pretty easy to explain. It is actually really easy - just a little time consuming - but way worth it!

What's a burger without fries? (and fry sauce!)

WHAT YOU NEED:
*3 cake mixes. 1 chocolate (burger) 1 yellow (bun) and 1 angle food cake (fries)
*Frosting (I used homemade)
*Fondant (for cheese and lettuce)
*Strawberries
*Cool Whip
*Rice crispies (sesame seeds)

HOW TO:
1. Bake yellow cake as directed in two 9 or 8" rounds (this will be your bun) Fill one pan more than the other (this will give you a nice mounded top for your bun top - and a thinner bun for the bottom. (I cut the rounded top off the bottom only)
2. Bake one 8 or 9" round for hamburger patty (use the same size pan as your buns) - if you want it extra thick bake two and stack together. I only used one.

3. Frost: Add yellow and red die to frosting until desired bun color - frost bottom bun.
4. Mix extra chocolate cake crumbs into your chocolate frosting so it is lumpy, this will give it the burger texture, and frost it on top of your bottom bun. Make sense?

5. Fondant time (this only takes a very small amount) mix in yellow die (and a tiny drop of red) to get the cheese color. Roll it very flat and cut into squares, then cut the squares in half crossways to make triangles.(you don't need a whole square because it wont show)
To make the lettuce die your fondant green and roll out randomly. I tore the edges and just kind of crinkled them till it looked like lettuce.
Put these on top of burger patty.

6. Put yellow and red frosting in tubes and squeeze around edges for mustard and ketchup.

7. Put on the top bun and frost, then add rice crispies for sesame seeds.

8. FRENCH FRIES: Mix the angel food cake according to directions. Add yellow food dye (just a little) you might need a drop of red. Bake it in a sheet pan (large cookie sheet with a 1" edge on it) I can't remember the bake time - but it is shorter than the time for a 9x13. Just watch it. When it is done, cut the cake into 1"x 4" rectangles. I did mine different lengths - like fries! :)
9. For the "ketchup" and "fry sauce" (for us utah and idaho folks)
Ketchup: put strawberries in a blender and puree them. Then add desired amount of sugar. I bought cheap bottles at walmart (dollar store has them also) and cut a larger opening.
Fry Sauce: coolwhip with yellow and red food dye (EASY!)
When you eat the fries put the strawberries and coolwhip on them - so yummy!!!
10. Sit back and enjoy the yummy cake and all the "ohhhs" and "ahhhs!" You will get them!

Thanks to BRIDGETTE and REBEKAH at All Thingz Related for picking this as one of their Favorites! I am honored!!!