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