Instagram + Bottle Caps = GENIUS

Although I will admit that Instagram has lessened the amount of pictures I take with my "good" camera, I still can't say anything else bad about it.  I have captured some pretty great moment of my kids, that if I being honest probably would not have been captures otherwise.   I love all of my pics so much that I made a 2012 book of just Instagram pics through Shutterfly.  AND...because I loved how that tuned out SO MUCH... I made another one for 2013. 

But because a book just isn't quite enough for this proud mommy I decided to make Instagram bottle cap magnets using my CAMEO.  The pictures from Instagram have very low resolution, so anything printed larger than 1" just won't look that great.

BUT...

Bottle caps are just that...1"!!  Perfect for this!!

This project takes a little time, but is super easy and worth it!!  I picked a few of my favorite images from my phone and emailed them to myself.  There may be another way to do this, but this is how I did it.  After emailing them to myself and saving them to my computer I got started.

I made my workspace 8.5"x11" because I would be printing.  I clicked on the open folder icon to find my image.  Because you are working in Silhouette it will automatically open only Silhouette files.  You will need to change that to "All Files"

Once you have selected All Files you should be able to find you images.  Select one of the images and click OK.

Your will open in another window and be very large.  You will want to select the image and resize it to 1.15"x1.15".  The image will appear very small, but don't worry.  Right click on the image and select Copy. 

Move back over to your original, empty 8.5"x11" work space and click paste.  You will repeat the above steps until you have resized all of the images you want.  Quite a few images will fit on a page, so be thinking about friends and family you might need a quick gift for.

Once you have all the images you want select print and the page will look something like this.  No need to add registration marks because you will not be using the actual cutting machine for these.  Although I could have used the machine...I have a 1" circle punch and it is SO MUCH FASTER!! 

 This is what you will end up with...

I purchased epoxy 1" circles from Hobby Lobby.  The regular price is $2.99, but the "Spare Parts" go on sale 50% off almost every other week.  The package comes with 24 stickers, so you can make quite a few with only one package.  You will also need plain bottle caps (you can also buy these from Hobby Lobby, but I purchased in mass quantity from eBay), small round magnets and E6000 glue.

 

Place your epoxy sticker right over the image.  The image is slightly larger than the sticker...don't worry about that...just make sure the epoxy sticker is centered.  The bottle cap is just slightly smaller than an inch, so your image should push nice and tightly right in.  You will not need any glue to keep the image in the bottle cap.

Use your glue to adhere the small magnets to the back of the bottle cap.  Let them stand for 15-20 minutes and...

 

VOILA...

Although I am not a gigantic fan of stuff on my refrigerator I am also a mom of 3 kids.  There is always a masterpiece or something from the school that needs to be displayed.  I figure if I have to use magnets...why not at least have cute personalized ones?!

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And the winner is...

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.

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Think Pink...

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.

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50% off Day

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!!

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A Yummy Giveaway...

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.

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Great Mail Day

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.

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I WON!!

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!!

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What's New Wednesday...

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.

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