Chalkboard To-Do Chart

I don't know about your kids, but mine are a pain when it comes to getting things done.

"Did you brush your teeth?" I ask. "Why?!" they yell. "Why?! So your teeth don't fall out of your head! Do it!" I yell. This is our morning routine. It also happens when I ask them to take a shower. You would think it was the end of the world.

So I decided to make a to-do chart. I had some chalkboard paint and clipboards for a possible craft project, so I hijacked them for this instead.

No, I do not make them shower twice a day!

I have it twice so that they can pick when they want to do it, before bed or before school.
I did two coats of paint, following the package instructions.

I added vinyl that I cut from my Cricut.

I could have left it blank and written in the stuff with chalk, but I decided this was an easier idea.

I plan on hanging these by their bedroom so that they see it and can mark stuff off as they do it.

Wish me Luck!!

Felt Flower Tutorial

In previous posts here, here and here I have used felt flowers. I did a small tutorial but I wanted to try out a video tutorial, so here it is!

Purse Frenzy!

I am in a Purse/bag frenzy!!

I LOOOOVE purses. I want to buy them all! But I have not money...what to do?

Make my own!

So I checked out several websites and tried to get a FREE pattern for a cute bag.

One of the mostest cutest patterns I found was at Made By Rae. She has a super cute bag, the Buttercup bag.

I made it and it is so cute! I made a few changes to the original pattern. I enlarged it, added an inner pocket with a zipper and lengthened the strap. Here is my version.

I also found a super cute tutorial at La Maison Reid. She made a Burlap bag that is to die for!
This is her bag.

I did not happen to have any burlap laying around but I did have some jean material.

I thought I would give it a try. And here it is.

Not quite the same. I think because of the material it took on a totally different shape. It looked kind of crazy so I made a few changes. I squared out the bottom corners and shortened the top rim. I added a jean rose to mine just like she added a burlap rose to hers. I like it!

So that is it so far. But I am not done! I have several more to make and then I think I will try to make my own pattern and tutorial.

These ladies inspired me! Thank you!

Teacher Gift

Today I have my Activity Days Girls activity. It is a church activity for girls between the ages of 8-11. I have about 10 girls and we decided to have an activity where we made a gift for the girls new teachers. I wanted to do something really cute but sometimes that doesn't work out so well for this age of girls. I saw this idea at Brown Paper Packages but needed to change it up a bit. I don't have a saw that can cut a large 4x4 post but I can cut a 2x4. So I cut a 2x4 into a 3.5' square and went from there.

We added a cute little note as well. It reads:

An APPLE a day will keep the insanity at bay.

So keep this APPLE near and you won't have any fear.

We attached it to a red piece of paper and punched a hole in the corner to tie a ribbon.

I painted the block barn red.

Applied white vinyl "A" and "a" to each side.

Tied a cute ribbon around the block and tied the note to the block.

So here it is. I think it turned out cute. Easy for the girls to make and a fun gift for teachers.

New Fitted Skirt

Here is my first fitted skirt.

I put in a zipper! My first time! I didn't even mess up!

I will kind of tell you how I did it and the mistakes/changes I would make next time.

I don't shop in the junior section. I have three kids and all came out via c-section. So needless to say I have a gut. I purchased 1 1/2 yards jean material {it had a bit of spandex} matching thread and a matching 9in zipper. If you are skinny minnie then maybe you don't need as much fabric.
I made my own pattern by measuring around my waist and adding 2in for seam allowance/mistakes. I made my skirt flare a bit, but not much. You could do it any way you like.

The zipper wasn't really that hard! What was I so stressed about? I followed the tutorial at Sew Mamma Sew. After putting in the zipper I realize that I could have got a shorter one. Maybe a 7in. next time. I also sewed it in a bit low. I will have to get a little hook thingie to put above the zipper.

After cutting my pattern I followed the tutorial and put in the zipper. Then I sewed up the other side. I either really messed up my measurements or I can't count, but I had to take that side in almost 4 inches! It was okay though. All I had to do was sew a new seam and cut out the excess.

After I got it fitting well I started on the hem. I did a 1 inch double fold hem. I hated it! I looked bad. I really wanted to do an invisible hem but didn't know how. It is times like these where it pays to be obsessive compulsive. I got out my sewing machine manual {10 years old and 5 moves later} and found out how to do it with the machine foot I had. I really didn't want to go buy a special foot just to do this skirt. I practiced on a scrap fabric first and then jumped it. The pictures here show the before version. The after looked much smoother and more professional.

So here it is {BAD hem!} in all it's glory.

BTW, this is the most you will see of me.

Maybe next time I will do a REAL tutorial ;)

Magnetic Notes Stand

So today is really HOT! Like 110 degrees hot. The kids wanted to outside but it was just too much for them. My 6 year old asked his best friend over to play and they soon were tired of playing with toys. I decided to do a little craft project with everyone.

This is the project, washer necklaces. Each kid picked out what they wanted their necklace to say. The boys helped me hold the metal stamps and we hammered away at them. The little friend that came over was so cute. He asked if we could make one for his little sister at home. Of course! What a sweet boy!
This little friends mom is a friend of mine. She is super nice and lots of fun. I don't have very many friends {yes I know you are shocked} so I love to give them little crafts that I make. Lets face it, my house can only take so many crafts!

My sister picked up this metal stand thingie in Utah for me. I really didn't feel like I could use it for myself so I decided my friend would love it. {cross your fingers!}

So I started by printing out her last name on my Cricut in vinyl. I used my Sure Cuts Alot program to make it the right size. {I love this program. If you want to learn more about it go here}

I cut it out and pressed it down with my scrapbook scrapper.

Next I sanded my wood and started to paint. I decided to go with a classic black. I ran out of my clear gloss spray paint on my last project so I wasn't able to gloss it up.

Remind me to buy some next time I go to the store. ;)

I fit my vinyl on the front of the board.

Then pressed it on.

I needs something else... felt rose magnets! Of course!

I cut some white and black felt roses. See the tutorial here.

I took some old magnets and ripped the magnets out of the plastic. It took a little work, a hammer was used.

Then I hot glued them onto the backs of the roses.

Much better!

And here it is. A super easy and FAST craft. This took me less than an hour with drying time.

My friend appeared to love it. Smiles and hugs all around!

While I was soooo sick I was given a few awards!!! Yeah!!!
The first was from Allison at A Glimpse Inside. Thanks Allison!


And the second award was from Robyn at Something Pretty. Thanks Robyn!



So here are the rules:

1. Thank and link back to the person that gave you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass the award to at least 4 fellow bloggers who inspire you.
4. Let them know you gave them an award.

So here we go! 7 things about me....

1. I was born in Greeley, CO but was raised in Reno, NV. Although I didn't appreciate Reno while I lived there but I certainly do now. It is great! If we could move there we would.

2. I did not finish college. I met my hubby and we decided to put him through school while i worked and started our family. i somewhat regret that now but oh well.

3. I LOVED High School. Go McQueen! I was not popular, but I don't think I was shall we say a "dork". I had lots of friends and everyone knew me. I was very lucky in that regard. I only hope my kids have as much fun as I did.

4. I would love to go on a cruise, anywhere! My hubby and I have never been on a vaca together. We didn't really even get a honeymoon. Some day!

5. My new favorite commercial is the Direct TV with the Russian and the little giraffe. It is so funny! You have to watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkMsSIjQXxo

6. I want another baby... that was hard to type. BUT, we don't have the money for another and I do not want to be pregnant. Kind of hard huh. Me and pregnancy don't work well together. Makes me sick just thinking about it. Oh, but babies are so perfect! Oh well. I am blessed with three and I will be happy with three.

7. I need to go on a diet. Sorry, no more details on that one.

I will pass this award on to the following bloggers:

1. Amieann at Pinkapotamus

2. The Pretty Poppy

3. Amanda at The Hand Me Down House

4. Jennifer at Paisley Pink Polka dots


Thanks again girls!!

Felt Pillow

I decided to make some cute throw pillows for my daughters room makeover. I am in love with felt right now so I decided to use that. I got my felt from Joann's in the fabric section. It comes in yard cuts. I got several colors; white, fuchsia, pink and purple. All the colors that go with her room. The felt was 30% off also. Woohoo!

Now remember, this is the first pillow I have ever made and I am not a sewing diva. It is a little big I think. I may take in the sides a bit so that it looks more fluffy.
I think the flowers turned out pretty cute!

I need to sew circles a little better ;o)

Hope you like! I am going to make another one and I will do a little demo as I go. I will post it next time.

Soooo Sick!

To my 20 followers (yeah me!), I feel I must apologize. I am truly sorry for not posting anything these last several days. I have been super sick. Strep throat, two antibiotics and several days in the guest bed room asleep like the dead. {Really, you did not want to see me.} I am almost recovered, enough at least to write this. I will try to come up with a REAL post in the next day or so. Please be patient and don't leave me!

I shall return!

Puffy Fluffy Dessert

This is THE BEST DESSERT EVER!

The real name of this is probably much more mature, but i call it Puffy fluffy Dessert.

It is puffy and fluffy so why not. {I like to use descriptive words}

This is super easy too. Takes very little time and practically no effort.

So... I forgot to take a picture before we started eating it. You understand right?

Recipe for Puffy Fluffy Dessert

Crust:

1 cube margarine, melted

1/2 cup nuts (any kind you want)

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup flour

1st Layer:

8oz cream cheese (I use the low fat kind)

1 cup powered sugar

1/2 of an 8oz tub Cool Whip (I use low fat kind)

2nd Layer:

1 3oz pkg instant chocolate pudding

1 3oz pkg instant vanilla pudding

2 1/2 cup cold milk

3rd Layer:

other half of the 8oz cool whip

Directions: Mix crust ingredients well and press into a 9x13 greased pan. Bake 350 for 12-15 minutes. Cool completely before adding any other layers.

Mix 1st Layer with beater and spread over cooled crust.

Mix 2nd Layer until dissolved. Put in fridge 10 minutes until pudding forms. Spread on top of 1st layer.

Spread 3rd Layer over top. Sprinkle with shaved chocolate, nuts or whatever you like.

Let cool in fridge about an hour [you don't have to] and EAT!!!!