Blue buttons

Easter is almost here and I still have a few things on the agenda....at least I can cross one more off :) 

Easter egg made out of buttons.  I would have preferred to do a pink egg, but I had a kajillion blue buttons, so blue it be. 

 I didn't want to thread each button, but it was kind of plain, so I added knots from lace scraps. Just the right touch.

Egg-celent

During conference this past weekend I was able to get a lot of crafts done, while listening to words from our leaders.  A duo that is perfect for me :)

Next project, covered styrofoam eggs.  I did quite a variation last year, but I saw this idea a few years back and it just wouldn't leave my head.  These were actually acorns, but once covered I knew no one would be able to tell :) I took double sided paper and cut out 100 little flowers using my cricut.  (I fit all 100 on to one 12x12 page using my gypsy.)  Then I used my cute pins from Joann's and individually pined each flower on to the "eggs". 100 was the perfect amount.  I didn't have any extra, and I didn't need any more :)  Easy peasy. 

Vinyl Bunnies

How sweet are these little bunnies?  My friend Natalie is a VERY talented artist.  She designs cartridges for Provo Craft (among other things) and this is one of her images.  It's on a cartridge called "Sugar and Spice"  I loved the cute bunnies, and wanted to incorporate them into my Easter decor.  I got this charger from Hobby Lobby for $1.99, the vinyl I already had :) LOVE that.  

Another project, done!

And my cute eggs from last year found their home.  

Easter baskets

Iv'e wanted to do something cute for the past few years...but never got around to it.  I saw these SUPER cute pails at Target for $5.00.  By themselves they're cute enough, but I always like to leave my "touch" and personalize them.  SO they became this:

I used my crop-a-dile to punch holes through the pail.  I cut an egg shape using my cricut and "A Child's Year" cartridge.  The letters were taken from my "Nursery Rhyme"cartridge, and I used scraps to make cute ties in the front.  We are almost ready!

Train Table up-do

My little girl is a fun mix of tom-boy and girly girl.  She LOVES trains, so this year for her birthday we got her a train table and trains.  I got this table off of KSL.  It was in good condition, and pretty cheap, but I knew I wanted to change the train motif.  I didn't want their table to be exclusively train themed.  I wanted it to match our girl toy room and be cute to build towers, castles etc...on.  So I took it from this:

 to this:

Here's how:
Gather your supplies,
Table
Strips of paper cut at random width's
sandpaper with a heavy grit
modpodge
scissors

I first measured all the lengths of my table and realized they weren't at an even number, they were all at a 1/2 mark.  So I cut my strips at 2'', 2.5'', and 3'' ensuring that I could always end at 1/2 by any combination of strips :)

 Next sand all the areas you want covered so they can really grip onto the surface.

 Then you'll take one strip at a time and mod podge it on to the table.  I did all my strips vertical, at random, so no two sides were the same.  I did try to use the same amount of different prints, they just ended up in whatever order came out. For this step only mod podge the back of the paper being careful to get the whole area down, leaving no room for bubbles.  After you've finished one complete side, let it dry completely (I moved on to another side while one was drying so I didn't waste any time)

This is what it should look like from the front:

 and back

 When it's all dry take your scissors and trim off all the excess, the closer you get to the edge the better, but it doesn't have to be perfect.

 After you've trimmed them all down, take your sandpaper again and sand off all the excess paper, leaving a nice edge.

 When the sanding is all done and you have a nice edge all the way across, you'll add a few more coats of mod podge to seal it all in.  Make sure it dries completely between coats.  I did two top coats, but you could do three.

 Repeat, until all sides of the table are done.  And your finished.  Stand back and admire your work.

Wrapping

One of my crafty goals this year is to wrap my presents a lot cuter than I have in the past.  

I got some punches to make paper flowers.  I don't LOVE how this one turned out...but it is better than what I would have done before. 

I do LOVE how this one turned out.  I think I'll keep this punch, but probably not the other.

I added some leaves, and a little twine.

Very cute.

Boy onsies

I made a few boy onsies for my sister to take to a couple of showers.  First the space set.  One painted, one appliqued.  

Then, my favorite set.  Two painted, one appliqued.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the glasses and mustaches.  And since they're very simple they can pair with anything.

I used the freezer paper method, and free-handed some mustaches.

Same with the glasses.

With the aplique, I just used heat and bond.  I drew my image on the paper backing, (after being ironed on the fabric) cut it out, and ironed it on the onsie.  Easy peasy.

Visiting teaching Valentines Day

I don't take many pictures of my Visiting teaching treats.  But I loved these, so I snapped a few shots.  

The powdered sugar dissolves pretty quickly (an hour-ish) so I had to sprinkle right before I left.  I think I ended up sprinkling them about 3 times :)

"I love you" sign

I LOVE Valentines decorations!  But this is my last project for this year.  I have a couple of ideas on the horizon, but I'm too excited to get going on plans for my daughters 3 year b-day, that they'll wait for next year.  So here is my cute "I love you" board. 

I bought a 6'x12'' board at Lowes, and cut off 14''.  (I'll be using the rest for a LONG overdue project)

I painted it white.  Then I used my friend's alphabet stamp set along with my brown distressed ink.  Next I used pink paint to stamp over the brown "I", heart, and "u".  And then I finished it by sanding all the edges, and adding pink "stain" to all the distressed areas.  (I just watered down my pink paint A LOT to get a "stain" effect instead of painted effect)

Here it is on my wall 

 detail of the sanding and "staining"

 Perfect way to end my Valentine crafting for the year.

A Valentine Headband