TaylorTHIS

Thank you PINTEREST!!

2011-12-27T15:22:00.000-08:00

Again I come to you with something a saw on Pinterest and HAD to do myself!!

Although I live in AZ and for almost nine months out of the year boots and scarves are not a necessity...my closet says otherwise.

I love me some boots and I love me a good scarf.

Problem though...

How to store all those beautiful scarves I have??

Well this is how they usually look...

A basket full!! Which usually causes me to forget what I have or the ones that can be are super wrinkled!! Have I told you I despise the iron?? Well I do!

Anyhoo...

A quick trip to the Dollar Store for shower curtain rings and a hanger from my closet!!

And...

VOILA!!

All of my scarves hung nicely in my closet!!

This project literally cost me $1.00!!

I love the cost, but even more I love that all of my scarves are nicely organized in my closet. I gained a basket out of reorganizing as well, so that was a bonus!

So You Think You Can Sew?

2011-12-22T18:03:00.000-08:00

I am not sure when it happened, but it did! I have stepped up my game with regards to sewing. I blame it on Pinterest, but then again it is easy to blame a lot of things on Pinterest lately.

Anyway...

I decided a while ago that I wanted to try making some things for when the baby came. OK fine I wanted to make burp cloths. These burp cloths to be exact!! Maybe something else if that actually panned out, but for now...just the cloths.

Well as luck would have it my big BLACK FRIDAY purchase...

FLANNEL FABRIC for $1.49yd. Because it was a slight afterthought I did not get in line early and because I was among 200 other women wanting this fabric...well it was slim pickins. I some prints that I liked and a few that were not baby specific, but loved all the same. I waited in line and roughly 20yds later (I got a little carried away) I was ready to start sewing.

I honestly had no idea how little fabric it would take for the pattern I had chosen, so needless to say I will have all the burp cloths I could ever need!!

I might have gone a little overboard on pictures, but I really am proud that I have accomplished what I set out to do. I secretly hope this is only the start of my sewing ventures.

Oh and to get warmed up before I tackled the cloths I whipped up 10 pairs of leg warmers. Of course my Taylor picked the ones she wanted and the rest will go on ETSY!!

My First Halloween Party!!

2011-11-01T13:44:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to throw a Halloween party, but for some reason or another every year comes and goes and...no party.

Well, not this year. I decided to have one and I did. I think my mom would agree with me that we planned and crafted for two months for a party that lasted two hours. And even though there was food that I forgot to put out and games that we didn't even play...all 18 of my little spooky kids had fun. And that is all that matters.

I thought I would share the few (and I mean these were literally the only ones I took) pictures from our hard work.

My tablescape...full of yummy, festive food.

And my "Trick or Treat" table...full of goodies for all of my guests to leave with.

My {Attempt} at a Festive Wreath

2011-10-17T21:48:00.000-07:00

First of all can I just say that this might have been the project where I finally realized that NOTHING is as simple as it seems in my head. My inspiration for this wreath came from where else...PINTEREST! I saw a wreath made with tulle and thought well I ~~think~~ can do that...and I have a lot of black tulle that I have no plans for just collecting dust in my craft room. Well, three trips to Hobby Lobby later and scraping plans A...B...and...C, I finally finished my Halloween wreath.

The most hilarious part about this project is I seriously thought it was going to be SUPER cheap. Let's just say that I greatly underestimated how much tulle it takes to cover a wreath. I stopped counting when I reached 150 yards. I wasn't liking any of the ideas I had so far. I decided tonight that come hell or high water I was finishing this wreath or it was going in the "craft gone wrong" pile.

I used $$Dollar Store cotton spider web over the tulle and used small black plastic spiders as embellishments. My wonderful mom made me the bow which ended up being the final inspiration of the theme. All things considered I am happy with the final product. Tomorrow I will find an actual home for it.

What do you think?

Oh and the other thing I realized tonight (I really didn't just realize this, but tonight it is worth mentioning)...my mom is OOBER Talented. She sees something and BAM...she recreates it. She really is all the inspiration a girl could need.

Just go check out her blog Fresh Cut Flours if you don't believe me.

I am linking up with...

Subway Art

2011-10-06T15:29:00.000-07:00

I have been playing around on photoshop lately, but trying my hand at little projects rather than editing photos.

I have been decorating for Halloween all week and trying to add something more each day. It is only now that I appreciate my old house that was only 1600 sq ft and all one level. Decorating 2400 is turning out to be a lot more difficult.

Anyway...

I whipped up a little subway art for a picture frame that I have and thought I would share.

I am happy with how it turned out and am thinking it will look a lot more festive than the picture I currently have on display.

Teaching This Girl {NEW} Tricks

2011-09-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

I am not even going to attempt to tell you where I have been for months. I have no good excuses, but I am back and that is all that matters.

So 5 Christmas' ago...my mom bought me a sewing machine!! If there is one person that without a doubt always has confidence in me it is my mom, she seems to think I can do everything she does! I don't always agree, but anyhoo...

A couple years after getting the sewing machine I finally opened the box. My mom came over and taught me how to use it.

Fast Forward a few years and again the dust had collected and I had forgotten how to use the machine.

Well, I don't plan on forgetting this time. In fact I am excited to learn more.

Last year my mom started making leg warmers for Taylor, but kept telling me that I could do it. And now I can!!

Here are a few that we made this week...

Can you tell which ones I did??

I sure hope not!! I would like think I was an A+ student. Check out my Etsy shop for these and lots more prints.

A Full Shop

2011-06-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

I spent part of my weekend doing ETSY shop clean-up.

And wouldn't you know it....I made some sales after doing so. People have offered tips in blogland that to have a successful etsy shop you must have LOTS of product...and my wonderful mom has always told me to list OFTEN.

Well...since I have a craft room filled with hair clips...all I really had to do was take pictures and start listing.

Thought I would share a little of my latest...

Of course you can see lots more in my shop!!

Easy Crayon Copycat...

2011-06-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

While perusing one of my favorite bargain blogs MomsbyHeart I found this post and had to try it.

Any mom of toddlers has a bin, box or bucket full of crayons. So...any mom with said bin, box or bucket knows that there are probably a bunch of broken ones.

I followed the quick simple steps and VOILA...

I had 36 new crayons that the kids thought were cool. They are not your standard crayon, but the kids were impressed and immediately wanted to color!! Mission Accomplished!!

Note...if I did it again I would make them bigger. I only had small foil muffin tins, but I am pretty positive that the dollar store would have a bigger size!!

Teacher Appreciation....

2011-05-03T17:52:00.000-07:00

Although she isn't my teacher....I am SOOOO appreciative of the work that Thomas' pre-school teacher does none the less.

I like any excuse to venture into my craft room and when I find a project that has a due date...I can usually get some UNINTERRUPTED time. BONUS!!

I found the cutest school themed paper pack at Ross (I have decided they pretty much have everything) for $5.00. I could not pass up over 30 sheets of scrapbook paper for that price...especially when it was so cute.

I decided to make a card for Thomas to sign...the one pictured at the top...but didn't stop there. I decided to make a set of note cards and a set of regular cards. I am putting together a little appreciation basket for her and you can see the other goodies here.

I sure hope she likes her goodies!!

Linking too....

An ABC Labor of Love {With A Little Help}

2011-04-22T17:56:00.000-07:00

So back in February my mom sent me a link (she does this often) of a something she thought I might like...

Like most of the links she sends me, I ~~liked~~ LOVED it! This was the link she sent me...Girl In Air

And this is what I fell in LOVE with...An Alphabet Wall!

Oh and this one...from A Time For Everything

Oh and how about this one from ohdeedoh

Well, I just had to do this!

I started collecting letters and getting creative. I purchased quite a few of my letters at thrift stores and what I couldn't find I headed to JoAnn Fabrics.

And two months later and with some help from my mom...I am finally finished.

I thought this would be perfect for the wall in what is now my kids' play/TV room.

What do you think?

Some of the letters I painted, some I covered with fun scrapbook paper, I even covered one completely with bling. It really was a fun project and my hubby was actually happy to help me put them all up on the wall.

Here are a few of my favorites...

The 'U' I covered with white silk flowers and then used whites buttons for each of the flower centers.

The 'X' was my moms idea and she was even kind enough to paint the scissors for me. She purchased the scissors in the unfinished wood section of Hobby Lobby.

The 'J' I painted white and used some colorful fibers I had and just wrapped them around. I had thought I would wrap the entire J, but liked the way it looked at this point so I stopped.

I loved this project and it is definitely a conversation piece!! If you have kids and a blank wall that needs something...you should do this!! Heck...you don't really even need the kids...just the blank wall!

I'm linking too....

Fun Find and a Sneak Peak...

2011-04-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

So my mom went to her first estate sale last weekend was pretty excited with her finds...so excited that she took me back later that day. It is a little weird just walking through someones home, but the weirdness went away.

And today her and I hit three more. My mom definitely came home with a little more than me, but I was quite happy with my two finds. This $2 clock that I loved and snatched up right when I saw it and two brand new cans of spray paint..$1 each.

I am not sure where her home will be, but I am thinking entry way table.

And...

I thought I would share one picture from my kids room I have been working on. Thanks to something my mom picked up for my yesterday, I should have pics of the major conversation piece tomorrow.

Here is a sneak peak though...

I made the little numbers subway art with my photoshop and used a frame I had picked up a while ago. I wish it didn't look so dwarfed in the picture, but oh well. I love that I decided to make this formal dining/formal living (not sure which it is) into the kids room.

Those two pillows in the picture are from Ikea and were the inspiration for this room. I just loved all of the bright colors.

Stay tuned....

My Cookie's Sweet Shop

2011-04-03T19:55:00.000-07:00

My baby girl turned 3 on Saturday and today we had her party. I think she was pretty happy, but she is 3 so truthfully we probably could have done anything and she would have been happy.

I decided a while back that I wanted to have a little Sweet Shoppe Party for her and that we did. I started collecting candy and makes decorations weeks ago and today I finally got to put it all together.

I did a little "Thank You" table full of yummy treats for all of our guests to take when they left.

Of course my talented mom over at FRESH CUT FLOURS made her DELICIOUS cookies for me. And although you may think I am bias because she is my mom...I am not!! These cookies are to die for people and if you haven't seen her blog...then you need to stop reading this and go check it out. What are you planning? Chances are you need a plate of cookies!!

I even made some faux lollipops and created a little lollipop garden which doubled as a ring toss game. And if you play games at my parties everyone wins thanks to the wonderful dollar store.

Even my lampshades got a little updo for the party.

Happy 3rd Birthday Taylor "Cookie" Lynn Moore...You really are a wonderful light in our lives. We love you!!!

I am linking too...

My Dollar Tree Easter

2011-03-21T18:24:00.001-07:00

Anyone that knows me or anyone that follows my family blog knows that I am in LOVE with the dollar store...Dollar Tree to be more specific. I probably visit once a week, but depending on what I have going on it could me more like two or three.

After the kids are in bed and my hubby is fed...it is not uncommon for me to sneak off to "Pick up a few things".

A while back I started Dollar Tree Tuesday on my family blog to show everyone my awesome finds, it just never disappoints. It just so happens that this week my finds found their way into my craftroom in the way of Easter decorations.

These are some of the things I picked up...(not pictured: wreath, colored floral wire and decorative white rocks)

And these are a few of the things I put together...

I just loved these glitter covered, Styrofoam eggs. I knew I could find something to do with them, I ended up finding two things. A few weeks ago I picked up the colored floral wire I used on the wreath. It took a little time, but I was happy with how my letters turned out.

I used that tissue paper for my new favorite craft...TISSUE POMS!!! I just forgot the picture (I will try to get one tomorrow). I have made them in all sizes and colors and after LOTS of trial and error...I have finally figured out the best way to make them. I am using them for Easter decorations, but they are so cute I will be doubling them as decorations for Taylor's Candyland themed birthday.

I'm Linking up with...

Hair Bow Holder

2011-03-04T19:12:00.000-08:00

So I have these things...

I guess you would call them wire storage cubes, well that is what I would call them anyway.

Well, these cubes which are made up of squares have been used in almost every room of my house. It has been so long since I bought them I really couldn't tell you what they cost...something like $20 for a whole box. Anyway, I have used them for their actual purpose which would be organization, but I have been finding new uses for them.

First use...

To hang all of my jewelry.

But most recently I converted one square into a bow holder.

Each square 13.5" x 13.5" made up of smaller 1.5" squares, so I bought some cute ribbon and weaved it through. Using my favorite tool...MY GLUE GUN...I glued the ribbon on the reverse side tightly.

And here is the result...

What do you think??

I decided one wasn't enough, so I am making two more.

Cyber Inspiration

2011-02-22T14:40:00.000-08:00

I saw this super cute frame done by Red Heads Craft More Fun. Such a cute and easy craft project. I purchased the frame from the Dollar Spot in Target...which just like the Dollar store...I LOVE!!

I decided to expand on my St. Patrick's Day decorating.

And...

VOILA!

Goin' Green

2011-02-17T15:32:00.001-08:00

Because I tend to drop the ball on every holiday except Christmas, I decided that the second I even THOUGHT about the next holiday I would just start crafting.

As a mom of toddlers there are two things I am short on...TIME and MONEY!! This little wreath cost me nothing except supplies I already had in my craft room.

I turned this...(and another jar full of green ribbon)

Into this...

If there is one thing I am not in short supply of...

It is RIBBON!!

My dear hubby did the hard part and bent four dry-cleaning hangers into a circle. You really could use as many or as little hangers as you want. I chose four because that is how many I had that were the same size, no other reason.

Then I just started tying. I used all shades of green and every type of ribbon I had until the hangers were completely covered. That is it!!

Voila...a cute little St. Patty's day wreath.

Supplies:
4 dry-cleaning hangers
lots of ribbon

Have you thought about St' Patty's Day yet??

I am linking to...

A little something for my girl...

2011-02-13T18:45:00.000-08:00

Well I am finally back to the crafting world.

The long and short of the last few months...there were some holidays, some birthdays, a trip to Seattle and a move. It is nice to finally be on the other side of this busy time. I am starting to see some much needed "Me time" in my future.

I started this little project before we started the moving process and finished it up today. The only thing missing is the pictures, but that is the easy part for me...I have 100's.

Finishing a page for either of my kids' scrapbooks makes me want to lock myself in my craft room and never come out.

Anyway...minus the pictures here is the final page.

A different kind of craft...

2010-12-09T16:33:00.000-08:00

To be fair to both myself and my readers I thought I would share what has kept me busy this week.

Not so much a crafty project, but definitely a project.

In efforts to become a better photographer (someday I hope to do it for some extra $$$) and practice editing the pics I take, I offered to take family photos of our good friends the Harding's.

I thought I would share some of the pictures. And PLEASE feel free to leave feedback in the comments (good or bad ;)!

A big thanks to the Harding's for the practice.

Ahoy Matey!!

2010-12-06T19:49:00.000-08:00

So one of the "things" that has been on my plate the last month finally got taken care of this last weekend.

We threw our son Thomas a birthday party at our house and like all parties of the past and I would imagine future...I WENT OVERBOARD!!

Now...let me tell you that it was completely out of character of me to do so much work ahead of time. I am quite the procrastinator normally (not proud, but honest). Anyway, I surprised both my mom and my hubby by getting started on everything I wanted to do for his party weeks ahead.

Like his Halloween costume he wanted a Pirate themed party. I won't lie, I threw out a few suggestions in hopes he would choose something I could run with. AND HE DID!!

Had to share some of the decorations and give a shout out to my wonderful mom and FRESH CUT FLOURS for the most amazing pirate ship cookies.

In the end I had one very happy little 5 year old!!

I am linking up with...

Gone, but not forgotten...

2010-12-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

Having a crafty blog has an enormous amount of pressure that comes along with it. A good kind of pressure, but pressure none the less. If there is anyone that actually has stuck around, I have not stopped crafting I have just been a bad blogger. My plate has been 100% full the last month, but I am happy to report that I am back.

And...

I even have something to share.

A few months ago I picked up this little find at the goodwill for $3.99.

I am not entirely sure what it's intended purpose was, but after staring at it for a while and perusing other crafty blogs I decided what I wanted to do with it.

With two toddlers I thought it would be perfect for a Christmas countdown. I had actually seen a Halloween version (I would love to link back to that blog, but I have know idea where I saw it...apologies) and thought it was a very cute idea.

I picked up the little Merry Christmas sign at Hobby Lobby for $4.99. I used some good ol' E6000 and glued it to the top, taped off the back piece and painted half chalkboard, cut out some vinyl lettering with some scraps of vinyl and....voila!!

For My Princess

2010-10-20T16:33:00.000-07:00

Well my lack of blogging has a very legitimate excuse. My hubby's family was in town last week and although it was a really great week, it kept me completely out of my craftroom and out of touch with blogland. Totally OK with me, but I have a lot of catching up to do.

I did just a little crafting before everyone came into town and hopefully I can finish up those projects and share in the next few days.

However, I had one free night last week and decided to try my hand at a tutu for Taylor...

What do you think??

I can't wait to see her in it at dance class next week!! She might be more excited than me.

And the winner is...

2010-10-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

Lucky number 4...DeeDee!! Congrats my dear...Pick out any listing from my etsy shop and send me a message on my etsy shop or leave me a comment here.

Now, let me just tell you all (anyone that may be reading) because I only had seven comments I did not use random number generator. I went the old fashioned route and put seven numbers in a hat and my hubby drew the number. I had to just laugh at myself for the number of comments I got.

Oh well....

I guess the fewer comments, the better chance anyone who did comment had to win.

On a completely other note I have something wonderful to share with you all. My mom is holding an ebay auction for 100+ handmade greeting cards, all proceeds benefitting Susan G Komen. Of course you probably think I am bias, but this is an AMAZING auction. All cards are handmade and one-of-a-kind. You simply must check it out. You wouldn't need to purchase another Hallmark card for a few years.

Think Pink...

2010-10-06T18:03:00.000-07:00

It is rare any more that you find someone who has not been touched by cancer in some way or another. Hopefully one day research and awareness will change that. In the meantime though I thought I would put together a post that is devoted to...

Thinking PINK!!

When I am not perusing blogs you will most likely find me perusing ETSY. I absolutely love all of the creativity that is out there and I am inspired on a daily basis.

I have decided to feature some of the wonderful items I have found that are 100% THINK PINK!! Along with a picture I have included the link back to the sellers etsy site. I hope you enjoy and maybe find something you can't live without!!

I am in love with this bookmark by Alison Kelley Designs

This Coffee Cozy by Sewing Granny would be perfect around my Starbucks everyday!!

This Hope necklace by Giggles and Grins would look great with a little pink-T, DON'T YOU THINK??

How about this Key Fob Wristlet by FOBulous? I wear my work keys around my neck, but I might have to make a change.

Go Green?? How about going PINK... with this set of 3 Reusable Bags by Mels Sells

Even if you don't purchase one of these wonderfully pink items...be sure to wear your pink all month long!!

Oh and don't forget to enter my very first giveaway on yesterdays post.

I am still here...and my first giveaway!!

2010-10-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

I have just been a little busy lately. OK no excuses...

What's been going on??

Well, I have been completely consumed by hair clips over the last few weeks. I have done some thrift store shopping with my mom at least once a week, but other than that I have dedicated most of my free time to hair clips.

I was contacted by a lady in Prescott, AZ about selling my hair clips in her shop and my mom and I sold at a boutique sale last weekend. She sold aprons and I sold hair clips. I am pleased with how the boutique sale went considering I was not the only one selling hair clips.

The temps in AZ have still been hovering around 100 which has put all projects on hold. I am hopeful that they will start to drop and I can get working. My hubby needs to start seeing some completed projects or his irritation level with my buying great thrift store finds will start to climb.

Thought I would share my newest hair clips and offer my first giveaway....

Just leave me a comment...

Simple as that.

Just say hello, tell me which hair clip you like or what you have been up too!! The winner will win any hair clip listed in my Etsy shop. And don't worry I will be adding all of the clips listed in this post, plus a whole lot more in the next day. Become a follower for an extra chance to win.

I will draw the winner next Monday night!!

Tea Party for Two

2010-09-07T16:05:00.000-07:00

So, last week I showed you my first re-do project. I was very happy with how it turned out and it has a home on my counter for all things mail/junk. I have now completed my second project (don't worry I do not plan on telling you every time I finish something what number it is) and I am so excited to show you.

For a long time now I have been looking for a little children's table. I have priced them from a few different places and haven't found anything that I liked for less than $100. That is not an option for me. And even if it was...who spends that kind of money on something that your kids will undoubtedly mess up.

Enter my new favorite place...

The Goodwill!!

My mom and I found this cute little table and chairs for $17.99.

After deciding that I could handle this little redo I bought it.

This was my first date with spray paint and can I just say...I am shocked we had a second date. After five minutes I quickly decided I am the WORST spray painter EVER!! All you wonderful bloggers out there that do this stuff all the time make it look SOOO easy.

I bow!!

After regrouping and doing a little breathing exercise I went back at it and finished.

And I couldn't be happier. I want to have a tea party, too bad Taylor is just a little to young

I spray painted the chairs and sides of the table and I decoupaged the absolute cutest paper to the table top. I mean who doesn't LOVE Doodlebug paper?

With just about the same amount spent on supplies, the table probably cost me $40. I would have considered paying a whole lot more if I had ever seen something like this in a store so it was totally worth every penny.

I am linking up to

My First Re-Do

2010-08-31T06:20:00.000-07:00

I started this blog to do all sorts of projects, not just hair clips and scrapbooking. I have completed my first re-do.

I purchased this tray at the goodwill for $1.99. Of course I really did not know what I was going to do with it, but I figured after I put it in my craftroom something would come to me.

I figured I would keep with my theme of using supplies that I already have

Soooo

Re-do with paper it was.

I am so excited about the way it turned out. After all was said and done I decided that it would make the perfect "Catch-All" for my kitchen. I added a little vinyl lettering to make it official.

I am linking up to

50% off Day

2010-08-30T19:19:00.000-07:00

Mondays have become our "Junkin" Day...My mom, Taylor and I. Usually we hit up the a goodwill or two, maybe ReStore or the Salvation Army....or some place new. Where ever the car takes us. Today my sister joined us which was great because I rarely get to hang out with her...you know she is a full-time career girl and all.

Anyway...

Today we hit an antique mall that we had never been to before. Lots and lots of great things, but I really need to get a babysitter for trips like this. Although Taylor is always pretty good when we go out, an antique mall becomes a very scary place when you throw a toddler in the mix. Next we hit the Salvation Army and along with it being a lot less scary with the toddler...IT WAS 50% OFF DAY!!!!

YIPPIE!!!

I thought I would share my finds for the day....

The first time my mom and I went to the Salvation Army we (maybe it was just me I really don't remember) had no idea what Bric-A-Brac was. We soon figured out...it was pretty much anything that was not furniture or clothing.

I have been needing a little fruit basket for my counter... I thought this little stainless steel one was cute...and right in my price range. HeHe

And my best find of the day was this

I have been looking for a punch bowl with glasses that hang off the edge of the bowl. Not only was this just that, but I fell in love with the look. It is actually going to the home of a friend, but I love it just the same.

TOTAL SPENT....

$7.50!!

Pretty darn good day if you ask me!!

A Yummy Giveaway...

2010-08-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

I know that I am probably bias, but I can not tell you enough how talented my mom is. She has been quite the handy grandma to have around oh and extremely helpful.

And...

She has done it again.

Introducing... FreshCutFlours

She has started a little cookie business and a blog to go with. Stop on by and check it out. She is having a little giveaway that I think you all will enjoy. Take it from me...her cookies are delicious and her aprons are super cute. I am actually not quite sure how the winner will choose.

Great Mail Day

2010-08-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

I admit wholeheartedly that there are times when I go a week without getting my mail. See when your mail is under lock and key there is no worry that it will disappear. And add to that the fact that most of what is in my mail box is bills and junk mail...there really isn't anything that anyone would be dying to get their hands on anyways.

Mondays are the only day of the week that I have to get the mail. Every Monday afternoon my hubby is chomping at the bit to see the ads for competitors and Monday is ad day. So, since I had forgot he went to the mailbox when he got home last night...

AND...

It was a great mail day!!

Only one bill. Yippie!!

Oh and my Tannei Casey bag came. And OMG is it ever cute!!! I am in love!! It is so well made and SOOO cute. Although it was a something that I won, I would most definitely buy another one. Christmas list perhaps??

What do you think?? Isn't she cute?? And yes I have already switched purses.

And as if getting my purse wasn't enough, I also got the book I ordered from Amazon. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. My real estate agent had recommended it a while back and then I read this post by Thrifty Decor Chick and knew I needed this book. My story is completely different, but no matter what the story I didn't figure it could hurt to read this book.

I will let you know the verdict once I finish it. Oh and if I can convince my hubby to read it also.

Inspired with a TWIST

2010-08-13T17:50:00.000-07:00

While perusing today I found this post over on Cozy.Cottage.Cute. She was inspired by these two blogs Sixty-Fifth Avenue and The Year of Story to make this beautiful butterfly picture. I love all three versions of this cute idea, unfortunately I do not have the butterfly punch.

Sad!!

Now I contemplated running out and buying it, but I am trying very hard NOT to add anymore to my craft room. So...

I thought about how I could make something a little like this myself. I decided to stick with my goal of using paper scraps that I have held onto with hopes of someday finding a purpose for them.

I grabbed everything that I thought would look a bit boyish once I started cutting.

I used my cricket to cut the alphabet in capital letters, one of each. Then I placed the letters on a sheet of 8x10 paper. Because each letter took up a different amount of space and because there is not an easy division of 26 letters, I came up with putting the "Z" on the last line by itself and adding the last lines to the ABC song.

I think it turned out really cute and now I just need a cute frame to put it in.

Oh and I need some place to put it. I made it for fun with no real idea for where it might go. It would be really cute in a little baby boys room. Maybe?? What do you think??

I think I will try it with some girly paper next.

Thanks for the inpiration girls.

I WON!!

2010-08-12T12:50:00.001-07:00

Well, it would have been a nice SURPRISE when I sat down to do my daily perusing of all the blogs I LOVE...

BUT

Since my mom and I peruse in the same circle, she text me the good news. A nice surprise, but an even better surprise while waiting almost two hours to have my blood taken. NOT FUN

Anyway, Amanda from The Hand Me Down House had a wonderful giveaway and I won. What did I win you ask? I won one of these awesome TANNEI CASEY bags. Love them all!!

What's New Wednesday...

2010-08-11T16:55:00.000-07:00

I have been SUPER busy making hair clips. It is crazy, but I can walk past my craftroom everyday and do nothing, I can think about it but never actually sit down.

BUT

Once I do...

I can't stop. I listed quite a few new clips on Etsy today. You really should be proud of me because listing is my least favorite part of it all. Maybe this is the reason I have way more clips than I do listings.

Anyway...

I must show you what my wonderfully talented mom has been up too....well should I say ONE of the things she has been up to.

Making these...

Aprons for adults and little girls. They are absolutely adorable. Of course I have one of my own even if I am not much of a cook.

Check out her etsy shop for all of the other cute ones.

Work in Progress

2010-08-04T16:53:00.000-07:00

In efforts to stay a little more positive in life I will refrain from using the word hate and just say that I strongly dislike it when I have something set in my mind and through the lens it looks nothing like.

I have never really been happy with the pictures I take of my hair clips. It never fails that I will get a good picture and the color of the clip is nothing like the ACTUAL color. This would be the reason I have 100's of hair clips and only 43 listed on Etsy. If the color is wrong I won't list it...simple as that. I figure everyone is like me and would be really upset if I purchased something and it was a totally different color when I got it.

Anyway...

This is what I have been working on. A collection of Halloween hair clips. I absolutely LOVE Halloween.

It is a work in progress because I had hoped to get a GREAT shot of all my Halloween clips together. Don't ask me why I feel this necessary, but I do. The plain ol' pictures I post on Etsy are just boring to me, but they serve their purpose. Pictures for my blog are a totally different story.

Tell me what you think? How much weight do you give pictures?

Look what I found!!!

2010-08-01T16:08:00.000-07:00

It is a rare occasion that I have a Saturday morning off from work, so last Saturday my mom and I did a little garage sale hopping. I really wish I had every Saturday morning free to devote to this because it is so much fun. I love getting to hang out with my mom kid free AND you just never know what great "treasures" you are going to find. If nothing else we get a few good laughs from the morning.

Anyway...

After checking out some sales we hit a store my mom had found called ReStore. A very interesting store, as it has everything you can imagine for every project you can imagine. Since I am not a ReStore expert I can only tell you this...everything (well at least it looked that way to me) was used, kind of like the Goodwill, but no clothes just stuff for the house and all money goes to Habitat for Humanity. They had everything from old cabinets to random paint.

Oh and FURNITURE!!

Yes Furniture!!

I found this wonderful set for Taylor. It is SOOO girly and cute I had to have it. It came with 8 pieces. A long dresser, a short dresser w/ hutch, a desk w/ chair and hutch, a mirror and a nightstand. It was priced at $350 for all 8 pieces, but it happened to be 20% off all furniture the day we were there so...$280 and NO TAX!! And I walk away knowing my money goes to a great cause. Please excuse the pictures, because I have the pieces all over my house right now the lighting was different in every pic. All the pieces actually do match in color. :)

It needs some work, but that is what I am looking forward too. Turning it into something just for her...my sassy, little Taylor.

I hope to get started once the weather cools down a little. It is just a tad to hot to be sanding and painting furniture in the garage right now.

Just about every state has these stores...so check out their site and find one near you.

A {NEW} Therapy

2010-07-30T17:25:00.001-07:00

It is actually therapeutic to devote a small amount of time to crafting each day. It is just sticking to it that is hard. It completely keeps me from going crazy on the kids, I am not sure how but it does.

Today I pulled out some fabric that I had bought quite a while ago and whipped up a "no-sew" blanket for my Taylor. I have made a few of these and they are great. Very inexpensive and about an hours worth of work (if that).

Of course she loves it already.

For Someone Else...

2010-07-28T17:50:00.000-07:00

Because I am not the only person who makes hair clips it makes me very happy when I am contacted on Etsy. It always makes me feel so good. Someone stopped to visit MY shop and liked what they saw. So much so that they sent me a convo and placed an order.

Anyhoo,

My craftiness today was just that. A little special order for a customer on Etsy.

I really hope she likes them. Although, I made exactly what she asked for so I would be shocked if she didn't.

I appreciate ALL customers, but the ones that return for more give me a little extra smile.

Scraps to Something

2010-07-27T15:20:00.001-07:00

So for quite a while now I have been staring at my box of scrap paper. All my scrapbooking projects have leftovers and I can't ever part with them. I know I am not the only one. With that said though...

I never touch them again!!

I file them in a folder, nicely organized and that is it. I think I could create a serious list of "things" I have SAID I was going to with all of these scraps, but nothing has ever panned out.

But today is a new day.

Six quick "Thank you" cards. I used only leftover scraps of paper from past scrapbook pages and short pieces of ribbon that I was unable to part with.

You just never know when you might need a "Thank you" card.

On A Mission

2010-07-26T16:34:00.000-07:00

So begins my mission to blog about creativity. I can only hope that one day someone is inspired by my blog.

I have been absolutely (in a very good way) amazed by the creative bloggers out there. It seems as though I opened some sort of secret door and have found an ENDLESS stream of crafty bloggers.

Anyway,

Over the last few days I have been hitting up all stores thrifty with my mom. We have been searching for treasures. And...I feel pretty darn good about some of the things I have found.

I found the lamp in this picture today at the Goodwill store. Although I was not apposed to finding something that needed a little TLC, it just so happens that it is pretty darn cute as is.

It fit perfectly on my sofa table in my hallway. It was just what my table was missing. And....only $10

I highly recommend hitting up local thrift stores to get your creative juices flowing. If it wasn't for the "other" projects I have going right now, I probably could have come home with quite a few things.

My {KID FREE} Space

2010-07-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

OK so most of my time is spent with my kids and I would not change that for the world...

BUT

I have decided I need a space that is ALL my own. A space for things that will hopefully make you OOOH and AWWW for reasons besides the cuteness of my kids...kidding, kidding!!

But really...

I hope you enjoy what's to come!!