Look at that SPIDER in the window!

I have one of those long windows next to my front door. I thought I should do something cute with it and this is what I did.

SPIDERS!!!


I used black yarn and created a web on the inside of the window.

I just taped it to the inside on the edge.

I cut some vinyl spiders on my Cricut in a few different sizes.

Applied them to the inside of the window.

All done. Fast and easy. And best of all it didn't cost a thing!

Our Eternal Family 2x4

2x4 Tuesday!

I got this idea from How Does She... I loved the idea and wanted to do it for awhile now.

A few months ago a young man in my ward (church) died. He was the son of a friend of mine. He was the youngest, 17 years old, of her children and a sweet young man. I wanted to make her food and comfort her, but she had plenty of food. So I thought to myself, "What else do I do well that I can share with her?" CRAFT! So this is my gift to her. A family tree of sorts. The wires hold pictures and are removable. Corey is the young man that died, and I decided to do his name in white because he is now with our Heavenly Father.

I started with a 2x4 and cut it into six pieces; 8in, 7, 6, 5, 4, and 3in. pieces.

I sanded the edges and drilled holes in the ends to hold the wires.

I chose paper and cut it to the correct sizes.

I used Mod Podge to apply the paper. After it dried I sanded the edges again to rough up the paper a bit.

TIP: Use a ruler to press the paper into the Mod Podge.

Here they are all done.

Next I cut the names out on my Cricut. I used the Kristen font.

Then I applied them. Sometimes I applied the letters one at a time so that they were all crazy and off center.

Here it is all done. I added a dot of hot glue between each board to keep them in place. It won't hold forever. If you want it to hold forever than make sure you use wood glue.

Next I cut and twisted my wire. You can find this wire at Home Depot/Lowes. I found mine in the rebar area. It is called rebar wire. Mine is a huge roll and only cost $4.

Grip the end of the wire and twist it around the tip of your needle nose pliers.

Pull out your pliers and pinch the swirl together. Now it will hold a picture.

All done. I put a wire in every hole but they are removable.

I added a ribbon around the stack to hold it together and to add a bit more softness.

I hope my friend enjoys it. She is going through a rough time, one that I cannot even imagine, but maybe she can put some pictures on this and remember all the time she had with her son. Most importantly I hope she remembers that this is not the end, she will see him again.

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!!

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.

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!