Floral Canvas Art - The Great Pinterest Challenge

I love how this turned out.  It was another super easy Pinterest inspired project.  I started by painting an 8x10 canvas with black paint.  Then I gathered up some scrapbook paper that I already had and cut out a circle for the center and a bunch of petals.  I made my arrangement and then used some tacky glue to stick everything down.  Once that was finished, I covered it with a layer of Mod Podge. 

 

This project was inspired by this pin

http://itsdoable.squarespace.com/blog/2012/1/23/its-doablethe-flower-wall-art.html#comments

I am linking up for the Great Pinterest challege {HERE}, but I couldn't get the button to work.

4+ Days Without Blogging - Catching Up

I haven't blogged since Saturday...and that was just to show our Christmas cards we didn't choose.  I've upped my hours at work this week and so I have been busy with that...and Madison was home sick today.  She seems to have come down with the runny nose/cold/cough/sort throat that Chris and I both had.  She rested all day...sipped on ginger ale, and took some meds.  I hope she feels better tomorrow.

I am busy making a big 1 pound pan of macaroni and cheese for an order for one of Chris' co-workers.  They are having a work potluck tomorrow and he ordered a pan of my macaroni and cheese... $30... in my pocket tomorrow.  It is super fabulous...and insanely easy to make...and it will be finding its way to our Christmas dinner table.

I worked three night shifts this week so I made three crockpot dinners - a pot roast, chicken and dumplings, and pepperocini beef.  Roasts were BOGO at the grocery store this week so I incorporated them into the meal plan.

The pepperocini beef sandwiches are amazing.  Make it.  So simple, easy, and tasty.

Source: ourbestbites.com via Sarah on Pinterest

It makes a ton which we used for sandwiches, a container which is now in the freezer for a meal next week, and then I used some of the leftovers to make this tasty BBQ Pepper Pizza for dinner tonight.  I used honey bbq sauce as the pizza sauce, some leftover Mexican cheese I had in the fridge, and I heated up the leftover beef and peppers and topped the pizza with it.  Chris was a little skeptical at first when I told him I used bbq sauce on the pizza... but we both agreed it was amazing and wish I had made more (I only did 1/2 of the pizza in this flavor).  We will definitely be making this tasty pizza again.

I combined some deals and placed two separate orders and was able to purchase 6 different sets of address labels and gift labels from Tiny Prints for just $2.  I ordered these to seal the envelopes of our Christmas cards (which I am still waiting for the cards to arrive).

I made another wedding invitation ornament for my friend Amy who got married over the summer.  I must drop it off at the post office tomorrow... as she lives out of state.

Madison and I were at Michaels last weekend when I realized we did not have a 2011 family Christmas ornament.  I picked this one up for $2.50... but it ended up being on sale once I got to the register.  I came home and added our names and the date.  

Here is Madison last weekend.  We were eating homemade brownies and working on crafts at the dining room table.

Every year I buy my wrapping paper at the Dollar Tree.  It is just going to get torn off.  Here are the rolls I picked up this year.  Wednesday morning I wrapped all of the Christmas presents I bought and put them under our tree.

Speaking of crafts... here is my craft bin..and you can catch a glimpse of two projects I am finishing up.

I made this. I painted the canvas red, printed out my vintage subway art Christmas printable and used Mod Podge to adhere it to the canvas.  I love how it turned out.  I plan on making more next year to give out as gifts.

Invitation Christmas Ornaments - DIY Tutorial

Earlier in the week I discussed how I had a goal to make at least 3 things from my Pinterest boards...and well tonight I made my first thing.

This was so easy to make.  I made this one for a cousin who is getting married this weekend.  As soon as I find my stash of leftover wedding invitations... I will be making one for ME!!

These are selling on Etsy for $10-$20.  Craziness!!

I suggest making your own.

I bought a 4 pack of clear glass ornaments from Michaels.  They were regularly $4.99 are are 50% off through Saturday.

I took the wedding invitation and used my paper cutter (you could use scissors) and cut it into thin strips making sure to leave all relevant information (names, dates, etc..) in tact.

Next I used a pen to curl the strips.

Then I opened the top of the ornament and stuffed in the paper pieces.

You could also make them using shower invitations.  So if you have a leftover invitation, this would be an easy ornament for you to make for your tree this year.

Decorating Ideas via Pinterest

I have a wall in my kitchen just about this side that I am seriously considering doing this on.  What do you think?

 

I have the board and the star fish to make this for my bathroom... I just need to do it.

I started to make this before the move.  I have the canvas painted with the branches.  I just need to add the flowers.

I am definitely doing a plate wall. I have a small wall space to the right of our sliding glass doors in the dining room.  It's going there.  I have picked up I think 8 plates or so already.  I need to buy the hangers.

I am not sure what quote I am going to use, but I definitely think this project is in my near future.

My First Trip to Hobby Lobby... I am in LOVE!

I had never heard of Hobby Lobby until I started reading blogs...then it seemed like everyone was getting this fabulous stuff at a place called Hobby Lobby.  I had to go.  The bad thing one...there wasn't one anywhere close to my house.

{top left - bottom : I loved this framed cupcake print, tons of knobs...wish I knew how many I needed for the new house, fabric, and tons of signs}

So on Thursday on my way to my parent's house I stopped at one.  I don't think I will ever love another store the same...it certainly is giving my Target a run for its money!  If you have never been to one, google it, find one, and go.  I got some great buys including new fabric for our new living room!!! Woohoo!!

This is what I picked up -

{I got these pink and green bins for my new office...on SALE for $5.00}

{This cool memo board for my office}

{Green, pink and yellow fillers for my glass jar on my bookshelf jar, little nut cups to bake mini cupcakes in, and some round cookie cutters to attempt to make iced sugar cookies}

{Mini cake boards for a wedding I am doing and stamps for a fun project I saw on a blog...can't wait to get home and use them}

{new fabric for my living room.  I love the fun bright colors and it was only $8.99 a yard... I've been looking for months and just bit the bullet today.  I cannot wait to put it all together}

Do you ever go to Hobby Lobby? If so, what do you love most about it?

We're Hosting a Pool Party

I agreed to let Madison host a pool party to celebrate the end of 6th grade.  The neighborhood we lives in has a pool and a room they call a cabana you can rent for parties.  So this week I reserved the cabana.  Tonight I designed the invitations.  I just need to print them and have her pass them out.  Here they are {with our personal information blacked out thanks to Picnik}-

I have been busy searching Pinterest for all sorts of ideas to make the pool party amazing. I have been filling up a board with pool party ideas.  

 Here is some of my pinspiration...

I am definitely going to make these cupcakes.  I just love them.

Then I am going to make these popcorn paper cones...except I am going to use bright and fun colors for the paper.

Then I am going to give these out for favors...except I am going to make a bright and colorful topper and I am going to include bright colored gumballs.

I still have some more planning to do and definitely some crafting...but wanted to give a sneak peak of what I have in the works.

Also, don't forget to enter my fabulous Print Candee Giveaway!!

Christmas Crafts

While dinner (balsamic onion grilled London broil, rice pilaf, and green beans) was cooking tonight I finished up this holiday craft I had been working on.  I painted a small 4x4 canvas I picked up for $1 and then added the dots and the R for our last name...or I may send it to my sister...her last name starts with an R too.  I added the beaded wire to the top and now its ready to hang.

I also made this the other week.  I painted the letters myself and then added the accents in lime green and red that I picked up from Michaels for around 50 cents each - they were on sale.  I had to have my friend Kara make the bow for me.  After countless google and you tube  searches I was still unable to make one myself that I was happy with.  This is my first wreath...and looking at it there are some things I wish I had done differently. Here is my Christmas wreath -

In October I made two Halloween signs.  Here they are -

I love taking a trip to AC Moore or Michaels with my weekly coupon and seeing what neat things I can make.  My new projects to start are a happy holidays sign like my Halloween one and a cute blessing ring project I saw on another blog to make with all of the cards we received from our wedding.  Do you like to make crafts? What is your favorite store to shop for craft materials at? Leave a comment and let me know.