Penguins, Trains & Graduates, Oh My!

I've just listed some new designs in my etsy shop! As always, if you want them in different colors, just let me know! I have several other designs on my to-do list.... so I'm hoping to have a productive weekend!

*I can add the graduation year on the cap if you want! 2010 or '10

Don't forget to check out my giveaway before the weekend is over!

What I've Been Working On...

I LOVE all the suggestions for cupcake wrappers! I have some of them already in progress, and some were already on my list of TO-DO's! While #1 and #2 are at school, and #4 is napping, I tried to knock out a few on the list.... with #3 'helping' me!
I have more on the way... and I'm always up for custom orders, so contact me if you have something in mind! I can do numbers, words, letters, shapes, etc.

And here's what my hubby has been working on in between studying EP's for a new helicopter. A high chair for our little man... I can't wait until it's done. All he has left is the tray, and attaching the hardware once it arrives. Yay!

100 Followers Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Thanks to all my followers! It's been fun to watch the numbers change each week! So... now that I've hit the big 100, (actually 101 as I'm posting this) I'm doing a giveaway!

I received lots of positive feedback on my DT tree... so, who wants one?!?!
Just like I said I probably would, I went back to the good ol' DT and bought a few more! I've painted them up, and hope to maybe list a few in my Etsy shop! But, one lucky person will get to win one here! And... to top it off, not only will you get the tree... I've made up a few sets of mini ornies to hang on it throughout the year! It doesn't just have to be a Valentine tree!Now, down to business... how do you enter? Let me count the ways...

{*Be sure to leave a comment for each entry. I will use random.org to chose the winner.}

1) Go here and come back and tell me your favorite item OR suggest a new shape/design you'd like to see on the wrappers.
*While you are there, add me as your favorite! And, don't forget to check out the clearance prices of the 'old wrappers'.

2) Follow my blog if you don't already. If you do, just let me know.

3) Sign up for my newsletter on the right sidebar ---->

4) Follow me on twitter.

5) Tweet about this giveaway including the link to this giveaway post. And come back and leave the link to your tweet in your comment!

6) Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in the comment below!

7) Become a fan on facebook.

Hmmm, I think that just about does it! Entries will be accepted through Sunday February 28th. I will announce the winner here on the 1st! Thanks and Good Luck!

I feel a giveaway coming....

I'm so close to 100 followers! I'm thinking a giveaway may be in store once I hit the triple digits! Stay tuned...

Old Crib to Kid's Bench Remake

Here are the old crib pieces we got from another of my dad's auctions for a couple bucks. As you can see, my hubby has already started making the bench seat to go with them.
We have two long sides of the old crib, so he cut one down to 4 feet and started building the rest of the bench.

The crib piece took a lot of sanding. He wanted to make one bench out of oak so that we could stain it, and it would be strong and sturdy. With the other crib side, he will use pine, and we can just paint the whole piece once it's together. And, I don't think he wants to sand each little spindle again by hand. But he did a great job! I love him!
Here is the bench all put together, just needing a little sanding and stain.
And my husband wanted me to take a picture of his aftermath. He says THIS is what it takes to make something nice for your wife. So in translation: Don't complain about all the tools I have or buy, because this is what it takes to build you the things you want!

I don't think I was ever one to complain anyways. He doesn't say much when I get my crafting stuff strung out...or come home with sacks of stuff from Michaels... so I always try to keep that in mind when he says he "needs" a new tool. (As long as he keeps building me fun stuff!)
I love it! Now.... where to put it?

Linked to:

Valentines from soup cans

Better late then never... IF EVER! My poor son has been waiting to have his Valentine's Party since last week. The snow has cancelled school for nearly two straight weeks here. So, this weekend, we were putting all the final touches on his valentines.... only to have school cancelled AGAIN this morning due to an overnight 'dusting' of snow. He is heartbroken.

ANYWAYS....
My son is in a preschool class of about 10 kiddos. I wanted to make some special Valentine's for him to take to his class, as well as treats for his teachers.

As cold as it's been here (compared to what we were used to in Hawaii) we've eaten a LOT of soup. So I've been keeping the cans and using my edgeless can opener (when I remember) to save the pull tab lids. I've also got some Chai and baby formula containers.
I measured the height and circumference of the cans, and cut out some fun pink and red valentine worthy scrapbook paper.
Then I used my ever so handy Mod Podge and painted a wide strip down the side of the cans to anchor the edge of the paper.
I wrapped the paper around, then pasted the end of the paper with another painted strip of Mod Podge.
Then I added some 'flare'.

Cut out some circles with my 'baby' (Cricut) and trimmed them to fit under the tab on the lids.

Now they are ready to fill with some Valentine treats! I used E6000 to seal the lids back on. I've heard that the glue can sometimes be too strong and effect the taste of the candy. I used all prepackaged candy, so I hope that doesn't happen! Then I tied some red raffia to the tab on top.My son had the brilliant idea to tape his Cars Valentine's and pencils to the sides. All my ideas to attach them weren't quite up to par. He is so smart! They don't really match, but he's a boy, and I guess I can't always have my way!!!Here are the cookie bouquets I made for his 2 teachers also using recycled cans for the holders.
And if that isn't enough... he also was on the schedule to bring treats this week too! So, why not go all out and do valentine pink/red/white swirl cupcakes with frosting and topped with a sugar cookie and heart shaped wafers I found at Michaels.
Let's just pray they have school tomorrow so that all these goodies get eaten!! I hope you all had a very happy and LOVEly Valentine's Day!

Bedroom set Makeover

We brought back an old bedroom set from my in-laws when we moved to VA. It was my husbands bedroom set growing up. We decided to give it a little makeover for our 'tween' daughter. Here is what the dresser looks like now... the before, if you will. It has yet to be made over.
Here is the painting process...

For starters, we sanded and painted the bedside table a glossy black. Then we got some fun silver hardware.
Here is a lamp I got for $0.50 at a yard sale back in Hawaii...I painted it the same glossy black, and covered a lampshade in fuzzy zebra print paper.
Not bad for $2.50... I just need to find some fun black fringe to put along the bottom.

Here is the bed all painted and put back together! We are waiting for her comforter set (on backorder) I love how it looks! Frankly, I'm quite impressed... it looks like a brand new bedroom set!
I've linked to:

Old Bassinet Upcycle

When we were home this past fall, we got a few 'treasures' at my dad's auctions. We got an old bassinet, similar to the one pictured to the left (I forgot to take a before picture).

My husband took the ends and one long side piece and made it into a storage bench for the kids' winter gloves, hats, scarves, etc.

I painted it up yesterday and this morning, the kids helped put the winter apparel in their new home! I love it! Now I just need to add some flare to the new green shelf I put up above it!
Today, since we have so much snow, and more in the forecast.... hubby doesn't have to go to work AGAIN today. So, we have another old crib we are going to make into a couple benches. I'll try to take more pictures of the process for you to see. So, check back in a couple days to see that transformation!

Vanilla Joy Giveaway Alert

I follow Vanilla Joy and you should too! She is giving away 3, yes THREE Cricut Cartridges. Check out her blog here to find out how you can enter to win.

While you are there, check out her tips on organizing your crafts and crafting space:
CRAFT ROOM ORGANIZAION
CRAFT ORGANIZER
CRAFT STORAGE
SCRAPBOOKING FURNITURE
CRAFT ROOM FURNITURE

Mod Podge Wall Art

My little girl's room has been hurting for some wall art. Not to mention... screaming and begging to take off the border on the top part of the wall. Ugh.. but that will have to wait for another day. The only time I would be able to do that is nap time.... and that doesn't quite work out too well.

So... wall art it is! I gathered up 9 clearance plaques I found at Target back in Hawaii. They were only $1.87 each. I have tons more. My poor 12 year old daughter was just mortified when I was loading up stacks of these babies in the cart. She "DID NOT KNOW ME!"

Anyways, along with the 8x8 plaques, I used mod podge, craft paper and a paint brush.

Here's the proof of the deal I got.

I cut my craft paper to fit over the picture on the plaque.
Then brushed on a layer of mod podge over the plaque.
Smoothed on the craft paper...

And that was it! Easy peasy! Now, to hang them on the wall. I had my hubby help out since he is the master of measuring and hanging things on the wall STRAIGHT!I LOVE IT!

Wall Art for my Huge White Wall

See my huge open bare white wall in my living room? It's been driving me nuts. We are renting, and as much as I'd love to paint it, we don't have a ladder that would reach the heavens. So.. a while back, I got some 2 pack blank canvas at Michael's. Buy One Get One Free!

4 Large Canvas = $15

I tried to paint some designs off my rug... my inspiration... And then my fabulous husband, assisted by my little 2 year old, hung them up ever so perfectly!

And now... my huge blank wall isn't quite so blank!

Ornaments for my $1 Tree

Okay, so I couldn't stand it. My little DT tree that I transformed HERE needed some L-O-V-E. I ran down to my craft room and cut out 3 different sizes of hearts on my cricut. 1/2, 3/4, & 1 inch hearts. I glued on some string hangers...

Blobbed on the glue on one side of each heart (to cover the string hangers)...

and drowned them in glitter.

Then I scattered them on my little tree.

I {heart} my little heart tree!

DT tree: $1
Antique white paint: on hand
Black pot paint: on hand
paper, string, glue, glitter: on hand
Total cost for this tree: $1