Been away

Life has taken me away from my blog for a long time. I have really missed sharing some of the fun stuff I have learned. So, I thought that maybe I would come back.

I considered starting a new one, but then I just can't part with the post I have done.

Keep an eye out for new stuff to come!!!


See you soon,

Fun with a book!

My dad is an avid reader. He goes through times that he reads almost a book a day. That said, you can't just buy him a book for his birthday or a holiday. The other day I was in the Goodwill store and they where having a great sale on their books. 5 for $1.00. I picked up a book for my dad...sure enough, he had read it.
So, what to do with a book he had already read that was a great deal?

Have any of you ever watched the movie "The Shawshank Redemption"? Remember what was hidden in the bible? Yeah, I got that idea.

I decided to keep some pages free at the beginning of the book and use the rest to make a secret compartment. First I put a piece of wax paper after my last page of "free" section and after real last page (in front of the back cover). I then used my  mod podge to glue the pages between the wax paper together. After you apply one coat, let it dry with other books or something heavy sitting on top of it. This will insure the pages are pushed together while they dry. Add a second or third coat. Then you can begin to carve out the inside. Let me just say that this is not any fun. I have kept all the page pieces to use on other project as well.

Once I finish carving out the inside, I will mod podge the inside. I will use sand paper to make sure the sides are smooth. I might even paint the inside with acrylic paint just for a "pop."

I will show you some of the other crafts that have come out of this project!

I have two days a week that both kids are in a program at church. Yay for me time!!

Thanks for coming by,

Butterfly Hole Punch 2

My daughter and I go to the dollar store at least once a week. On our weekly trip I ran across some long frames that I thought would be perfect for a project I had in mind.  A while ago I saw this (butterflies in a frame) project featured on the blog One Pretty Thing. (Which I check on almost a daily basis.)

One more thing: Whenever I go to Home Depot, I always have to go by the paint section. I am not really sure why, but it is my favorite. On one of my trips I brought home a booklet with paint ideas for different rooms. I loved the ideas...then I got one more.

I began to punch out butterfies using the paint idea book. There where some beautiful textures and color combinations. The resulting butterflies are stunning. I LOVE them.

The mat in the frame needed to have the dividers removed. I then cut wrapping paper to fit the frame.

Finally, I used small glue dots to place the butterflies. Of course, I am a bit of a freak about them being equidistant. I printed off a table from my word processing software and used it as a guide to punch the holes I needed.

I will  take a picture when I put it up and add it here. I also need to finish the second frame. So, keep an eye out for new pictures.

Thanks!!

Butterfly Hole Punch!

I found a Martha Stewart butterfly punch while I was at either Ross or Marshall's. The price was about $4.00. I picked it up not really knowing what would come of it, but seeing lots of fun in my future.

I had attempted to make a light canvas, but it did not come out like I wanted...so there will be no pictures here. Of course, I had make holes in the canvas to push the lights through. This left a "ruined" canvas. I did not have the heart to throw it away and thought maybe I could just cover the whole canvas in paper once inspiration hit.

Well, call the butterfly hole punch inspiration!! I found it really hard to take a picture of it on the wall. The only time that room gets full light it early morning, and I always forget to take a picture then.

I have some really pretty scrapbook paper. Some of the flowers have glitter on them. I punched out butterflies from a solid color sheet as well. I then just used some hot glue to put butterflies over the holes left from the lights.
Here are some close-ups.

I have a few more ideas brewing...stay tuned!!

Thanks for coming by,

Been away

I can't believe I haven't posted anything in so long. This time of year tends to be really busy for us. Our son's birthday is in May. Our daughter's is in June. Then of course, we have a niece who was born the day after our daughter. My son has a best friend who also had a birthday in June. SOOO I am oficially "birthdayd" out.
Don't get me wrong, I love throwing my children's parties. I love to decorate, make goody bags and the food! I am the kind of person who buys things all year long to go into the goody bags. I begin planning the next year's party as soon as the party is over. I love having the parties at our house. I love having family from out of town make it in for one of our parties. I am just relieved that we are done for this year.
Now it is time for me. I would like to open an etsy store this fall. Come September, I will have 2 days a week when both kids are at preschool for 5 hours. This will be the perfect time for me to really focus on what I want to do. I told my husband that before I open my store, I really want to have more "stock."
Now you know why I have been away. I hope to have a new post once a week from here on out.

thanks for coming by

New Stuff I Have Done

When I came across this tutorial for Clothespin Dolls, I was in love. (Thank you Going Sew Crazy for the tutorial!)  I think these will be really cute as a take home for my daughter's birthday party coming up in mid June. I plan to put a little candy in their "hands" or maybe a "thank you for coming" note.

I picked up a jewelry box from goodwill for $3.00 the other day. There was not really anything wrong with it, but I wanted to give it an "adult" update. I need to add the ribbon around the front and bottom to be done. I am really happy about how it has turned out.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Like always, I have more stuff I am working on.

Thanks for coming by!

Busy...busy...busy

I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted anything. We have been busy little bees. My son just turned 4 and my daughter is about to turn 2. I love big birthday parties, which require some work. I have a couple of things I want to show you, but have not uploaded the pictures yet. The weather man says it will rain tomorrow so I should have time to get some stuff done.

I also got a really nice camera for Mother's Day. The Olympus e600. I LOVE Olympus. I can't even tell you when I got my first Olympus. My 4 year old takes pictures with my old stylus which is a 4 megapixel.

I *heart* this camera!






Please keep an eye out for some updated crafts done!!


Thanks!!