Thursday, January 26, 2012

Love is all you need

I got this gray and white chevron fabric for Christmas and I used it to cover some pillows in my living room.  I decided to use some extra fabric on this wreath.  I first was inspired here to wrap fabric on this styrofoam wreath for Halloween.  (Don't take note of my dirty door, it's still winter and I don't need to wash it for another 3 months, right?) 

Then adding these letters made it more festive for Valentine's Day.  I used pages from an old book but you could also photo copy a book instead of cutting the written word! Anyway, I need to hot glue the pendants on since my door takes a beating from the wind and now the words look like the beginnings of a Scrabble game!  

On a side note, this little darling threw-up 11 times (yes 11!) last night and didn't cry one single tear!  Can you say tough cookie?  Not me, I feel like crying because I finally fell asleep at 5:30 but was up at 7:30, being a mom is pretty rough at times.  Can you see the curls in her hair?  We did the cool headband twist last night from this site but with all the trips to the toilet, the back fell out and we only got curls in the front.  Maybe we'll try it again this Sunday.  

Hope your household is healthier than ours!
xo
Melanie

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Valentine's Cards

I hang my Christmas cards on my stairs at Christmastime.  So a couple of years ago I decided to hang my Valentine's cards on the stairs because I wasn't ready for my stairs to be bare.  Each year we add to it!

I decoupaged some laundry pins with some Valentine's paper to hang the cards on twine.  The other side of these are covered in Christmas paper.  Just simply trace a pattern and cut out a bunch of strips and mod podge into pins.  Voila!  So simple and cute when hanging things up.

                                                    xo - Melanie


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Ombre Hearts


Every season and holiday I like to change out my shadow boxes. This month for Valentine’s I decided to do some hearts in ombre.  I used paper I had on hand and cut hearts out with my Circut using the George Basic Shapes cartridge.  I really like how it turned out! Now I’m trying to think of some other things I can ombre…..I’ll keep you posted!
Have a beautiful day!
Melanie


Monday, January 16, 2012

Pom Pom Tutortial

I love tissue pom poms, they make rooms and parties look so festive and fun!  They are an inexpensive way to add some oomph!  I have one in every color hanging in my children’s playroom and then when I host a shower or party I just pluck some off the ceiling for the  decorations!
They are really easy to make and with a helpful tip from my super talented friend Natalie they turn out awesome every time.  I’ve made a step-by-step tutorial that should be easy to follow:
1. Buy two packs of tissue (you need 14 sheets)
2. Stack all 14 sheets
3. Stagger the tissue sheets randomly, this makes for no gaps in your finished pom pom. (this was the tip from my friend)
4. Start  to accordian fold, I usually do it about 1 1/2″ wide.  Keeping the tissue on the table while you fold is easier and keeps the tissue together.


5. Gather folded tissue together
6. Tie in the middle with floral wire or twine or whatever.  Make a loop so you can tie your fish line to it to hang.
7. Cut ends into a point.  Do it a couple layers at a time, otherwise it’s too hard and won’t turn out as pretty!
8. Make sure all ends are pointed, I end up cutting a pretty deep point.


9. Fan out one side.
10. Gently pull one layer up at a time.
11. Be careful not to crinkle the tissue too much and if you tear some of the layers, no biggie they will blend.
12. Pull 7 layers up on one side and then pull the other 7 layers up to the other side. It should be evenly poofy like this.


13. Find the loop before you pull the other side up, otherwise you will have a hard time finding it.
14. Voila!


Happy Crafting!
Melanie


Big Top Birthday

My little man Noah turned one this month!  I had been planning his party for months, I couldn’t decide between a mustache bash or a big top theme….so I incorporated both!  I of course was on a budget so everything (minus the candy) was less than $20.  I borrowed my neighbor’s Cricut cartridges (Billionaire and Carousel) to cut everything out and used paper I had on hand and ended up buying some from Hobby Lobby.

 Click here for the free circus (cast iron) font.

What party would be complete without a candy bar?


I had various games for the kids to play.  I borrowed another neighbor’s bean bag toss game, made knock the cans out of Progresso soup cans, pin the mustache on Mario, face painting and the photo booth.

I had my little artist neighbor boy draw this picture of Mario for me.




I made all the party hats by hand, click here to get the how-to.  I used yarn instead of crepe paper for the toppers.

Our cute mom.


                                Happy Birthday to my sweet little boy!

                                                           xo