2011 . . .

"She went out on a limb, had it break off behind her, and realized she could fly."

Kobi Yamada



My thoughts exactly . . . Welcome 2011!

A Sunday Afternoon Craft . . .

Well, I painted my front door black and I love it. The only problem is from the road it looks like a big. . . black . . . hole. It really just looks like there is no door. I love how it looks but it just needed something. I decided that I wanted to make a fall wreath and saw a square wreath on someone's blog (sorry, can't remember whose it was - would love to give credit so if it was yours please let me know!)

I didn't want to spend much money because I'm "frugal" like that - so my budget was $10.00. I bought 5 stems of leaves from the Dollar Tree (but only used 4), a roll of ribbon from the Dollar Tree, 6 picks from Michael's (4 at .59 each and 2 @ .99 each - in the Christmas section but great fall colors), and the cardboard I already had at home.


I simply cut my cardboard into a square"ish" shape and cut out the middle (trust me, I didn't measure and it is no where near a perfect square - but in the end it makes no difference). I pulled each of the leaves off of the stems and separated into colors (I am usually not that organized but felt the need to do that this time!) Then, I simply went around the board hot glueing on the leaves. I did find that the leaves on the top looked better when I cut the stem off of the leaves some so they wouldn't show. The ones underneath you can't see so I didn't take the time to do that, plus the plastic "veins" helped the leaves keep some shape. I am tickled with how it turned out.



It looks so good on the front door, you know. . . the front door you can now see!

I'm linking up to these parties:

Getting ready for fall . . .

I am so ready for fall weather! There is nothing better than a brisk autumn day with a cool breeze blowing. Also, I love to decorate for fall. I love the colors and the decorations that come along with the fall season. I made two very simple projects to sit around the house. Seeing these really gets me in the mood for fall!

A Simple Sign

A Simple Monogram

Hope you enjoy all fall has to offer!

Let the Chaos Begin. . .

So, school has officially gotten back under way. Both schools - where I work and where I go. I can't believe that I am working full time, taking 3 graduate classes, and doing an independent study. But, I'm almost at the end. Still looks like I will be student teaching in the spring.
I have had a good time crafting lately. Haven't done tons but have done a few things. I am still loving my Cricut and would recommend it to anyone contimplating the purchase. Here are some of the latest things I have made.

These first two are cake toppers or to be used for centerpieces at a party. The each measure about 5 inches and are attached to lollipop sticks to place on the top of the cake.




This is a favorite of mine - personalized trick or treat buckets. They can be made with names, initials, or words with ribbon and dots added. I have about 13 orders I am currently working on. Glad others thought they were cute, too!

I steal. . .

OK - before anyone calls my mom and tells her I have publicly proclaimed to stealing I should clarify. I don't steal things (nope, been back in the store several times to pay for the $0.25 pack of gum that has fallen in the bottom of the cart and I haven't paid for). I like to steal ideas - but I like to think of it as borrowing. But that's what blogging is for, right, to get new ideas. I definitely don't claim them as my own ideas (unless they are and those are few and far between). Good, now that we have that clarified, have a look at my newest "borrowed" idea. I have seen these in several posts on several different blogs - ok lots of posts on lots of different blogs. I like things that are inexpensive. I like spray paint. I like the color black. I like gorilla glue epoxy. I need one more thing in my house (ha! that's a joke but it fit in with the rest of my I statements . . . ) Anyway, here is one of my latest crafty projects - made with an old cheese dome and some type of ceramic candle holder thingy.

Before:



After the Epoxy:


After:



Do I need it? Nope. Do I really have anywhere to put it? Nope. Do I love it? Yep. And in the end isn't that really what matters?

Summer, Summer, Summertime. . .

Today is Saturday. I finished 3, yes 3, classes yesterday. In 5 weeks. With lots of projects. It wasn't easy but its done. My next class starts on Monday - yep this coming Monday. No break for me! But that's ok - its what I need to do. Hopefully these next few weeks won't be nearly as stressful as I am only taking one class instead of three.
I have had a little bit of time for crafting - not a lot but I have managed to "play" some. Here are some of the newest paper creations I have been making. These are cute door signs or room hangers and are almost right at 7.5". (By the way, I love the Cricut my husband got me for Christmas!!)





These have been so much fun to make. I am adding to my etsy stores so check them to see what I've been up to! Hope you're having a super summer!

Hello . . . Anyone there?

Oh yes - I'm still here and doing fine. Just been busy - flat out busy. This semester in school (remember, I'm still working on my master's) had kicked my tail. I don't know why, but it seems this has been a hard semester for me to get things going. Or maybe that's the problem, I have too many things going. I like to get started on lots (you know, that good intention thing again) but don't seem to get a lot done. Currently the only projects I am working on are getting a new set of doors for the back, getting new fencing put up at the front of the house, redoing my laundry room into my crafting room, crafting like crazy, working full time, going to school and trying to keep my life in order. You know - just the basics! Ha! I have lots going on but that's the only way I know how to do things - dive in head first. Speaking of, I am so ready for summer vacation and the pool being warm enough to get in and relax. I plan on doing lots of that in between the 5, yes 5, classes that I am taking this summer. That's ok though, I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's not quite a steady light yet but enough that I get a glimpse every now and then. . .