Burlap Valentine Craft

A couple of weeks ago I got together with some cousins to make this super cute and really easy Valentine Craft that Chelsea found. Most of the supplies we had lying around, the cardboard, newspaper, ribbon. The only things needed to buy was the burlap and coffee filters.

Here's what my wreath looks like!

Here's what you need:

cardboard

newspaper

burlap (4 feet long-- cut into 2 4-inch long sections -- you will have burlap left over)

Brown coffee filters (about 15-2

ribbon-one to outline the heart and one to hang the craft with

hot glue gun and LOTS of glue sticks

You are going to draw a heart onto the cardboard and then cut it out. You will need pretty good scissors to be able to cut this. The great thing is that it doesn't have to be perfect because the edges won't show!

Rip newspaper into strips then modge podge them onto the heart. In case you have never done this before, once newspaper is in place, modge podge over the newspaper strips as well.

Finish the edges of the heart by gluing ribbon on the outer edge. I used rick-rack but it would also look nice to use tan or red colored ribbon as well.

Cut {or rip) your burlap into 4 inch strips. Then with the glue gun attach the burlap starting at the top of the heart. Glue every 1-2 inches or so folded as you go to give it the gathered look. This part for me was time and glue consuming but I wanted it to look just right!

I got a little carried away with the coffee filters. Take each coffee filter and twist into a point and scrunch the middle so it looks like a flower. Apply the first coffee filter to the place you want the point of your heart to be. Keep the filters close together with no gaps. Make your heart as big as you like. I ended up trimming my heart a little to make it look a little more defined.

XOXO

almost-done projects

I am sure many of you, knowing that I am a busy-body have been wondering what I have been doing with all of my free time since school has been out. Besides spending every waking moment with Carson (my heaven)going to the park, the library and the pool (Carson's favorite). In our spare time I/we have been working on some projects. I don't normally like posting home improvement projects but with the encouragement from some friends, here are the latest projects, starting with Andrew's work.

The first project you saw sneak peek of when I was painting the ceilings. Andrew's dad is a jack of all trades. He was enthusiastic about putting crown in a couple places in our house so we jumped at the chance to have his expertise and his HELP.


The crown was a little harder than anticipacted because who knew that our ceilkings are uneven! So an extra step had to be added to ensure that it would go up straight all the way around the ceiling. It was also super messy...sawdust everywhere! The project is not finished completly because we need to fill in the nail noles and then paint the crown. However, I am so proud of Andrew, it took longer than if we would have hired someone, but we appreciate things more when we do them ourselves!


This next thing is so silly and uncool but I love it! Whenever we carry in groceries or Andrew gets software or has to do a shipment we prop our door open with random things; my purse, a paint can, a shoe and with this, now we don't have to search to find a door stop because the door has its own. Seriously, if you don't have one of these, go get one! Thanks Andrew!


As for me, I have been busy "beautifying" our home.

For awhile I had wanted to recover my ironing board. I had seen a few covers you could purchase but they weren't very cute and I thought that I could make one for less than what they were selling for...and I did!


With the leftover fabric I replaced the existing "blah" curtain and recovered an old board to match for a complete look. I love how everything turned out! I also like ironing slightly more, I'm not in love but I love the fabric so it is more enjoyable for me.

Additionally, I have also made a few aprons (also pictured); one for me and one for Carson. Whenever Carson sees his he says "aarrggh" like a pirate-too cute! I also recently tried demonstrating apron making and I learned that I may be a doer but I am not a good teacher! I think I am burndt out on sewing for awhile.

Another project that has been on my mind that is not finished yet but so close is a picture wall for our master bedroom. Our room is pretty big and we have this big empty wall where most people would but a tv or an armoire. I am one of those people who believe that a room is for sleeping so the tv is off and I don't need more storage space so I didn't really want a bulky peice of furniture there either.

When I did my other picture wall I spent quite a bit on frames and for this one I wanted to keep the project inexpensive (close to #30) so I headed to D.I. in search of some frames that would look decent with some TLC.

Frames: $9 at D.I.

I only wish I would have taken a picture to capture the true hediousness of these frames and the pictures they held! They were gross!


Spray paint: $7.50 at Lowe's


mats: $10 at Michael's
pictures: haven't printed them yet
Time (sanding, painting, waiting, sanding, arranging): approx. 4 hours

Since taking the picture, a couple of frames have been arranged...I'll have to post a completed photo when I finish.

You know that they say; as soon as you get a home exactly the way you want you move...that doesn't seem quite fair and it won't happen anytime soon but I wonder what we'll tackle next...

Van Gogh

Choosing a paint color can be a daunting task. I have been wanting to paint for over a year now and with summer just around the corner and another project on it's heels I am going to tackle this daunting task. My project/spaces include: master bedroom brown accent wall, red ceiling in hall-way/walkway and brown ceiling in entry way--it will look good, yellow half bath, and blue/turquoise laundry room.

So in search of the perfect color we have this handy dandy paint wand that I have been studying for what seems like a year. Now, it could be helpful, but just like a menu at a restaurant there are too many choices. Sure, they all sound good but am I daring? No, I just pick the same old thing-love it mind you-but I am always wondering what could have been.

In this case, I know what I want it's just a tough call.

You read that paint can transform a room-yeah but it could be awesome or really bad.

Let's say it's bad, how bad are we talking here? Bad enough to dare to pick another color and re-paint, not likely. There are just too many choices. I will pick a color and then I see another one that I also like. Then I'll be set on a choice and someone has feedback about the color I have decided on; the brown is purpley or the tan is too pink. It is so much harder than it looks!


Despite my doubts, I think I am going to be brave and just do it...because...

it's too late to have second thoughts now.

I might post a picture of the final project(s) -or you'll just have to come visit!
...and yes, I am wearing "painting" goggles and that is a rag on my head.

A Splash of Color

When we moved in, one thing we loved about you was that your backyard was done and it was low maintenance. Andrew has been helping our friend on-and-off with his yard and their latest projects was sod and we were relieved that we wouldn't have to do this.

With that said, this year is our "outdoor project year" so we had done a little research and decided which plants we wanted to add to our backyard. With this week being spring break for me, we have had bark delivered and went to the nursery with Andrew's Dad and bought our plants; three purple magnolias, three red/pink crabapples, one white flowering pear, and a vine with yellow flowers. Just having them in the yard has brightened it up so much.

Carson has loved being able to get his hands dirty and play in the new bark, we have discovered however that he isn't too fond of mud because if he gets even the smallest bit on his hands he says, "uh-oh" over and over until it gets rinsed off. It has been fun to see him want to help and we have loved that he can entertain himself...for a minute or two.

The only downside to having new life, is the holes that must be dug for them...why does the ground have to be soooooo HARD? The first day Andrew was optimistic and planted four trees...no sweat!

...but he is going on his third day and has dug 5.5 out of the 8 holes but is running into trouble digging by our back fence because the ground is super rocky (they don't call it Rocklin for nothing!)

He has managed to get several large rocks out of the ground and in the process has given his baby smooth hands blisters, a back ache and a few scrapes all over...he has worked on that same hole for hours and is still not done...but he is making progress.
Thanks for your hard work, here's to 2.5 holes more!

Your cheerleaders