Smash

Do you Smash? I love this new idea for scrapbooking.

It is so much easier.  You don't have to think about where to place a bunch of doo-dads.  Got pictures?  Got tickets?  Smash 'em in a book.  Done.  I love little pockets and washi tape.  This album is perfect for the tiny pictures from my Instax Mini Camera.

You can buy these little quote pages, also.  Love that.  I happen to have a pretty funny kid who says things that I like to record to embarass her with later.

  You could buy a Smash album, but I used this address book from Michael's.  I just covered the words "Address Book" with a chipboard piece from Basic Grey.

Happy First Day Teacher Gift

Ready or not-school starts! My daughter has already gone back-to-school. And she was NOT ready.

When she got to school, she was seated at a table with several girls in the back and she was happy. Later, she was moved to a table in the front with mostly boys. Not Happy. In fact, she said, "I was so mad, I almost blew a casket!!" 

She needs to go to school, y'all.

After finding enormous paper clip photo holders at Tuesday Morning, I thought I would make "Happy First Day" cards for her teachers. I bought all they had, but when I went back, they had more in an oil rubbed bronze color. 

I used a Crate Paper Acorn Avenue Collection set with other stuff I had. Since these were teacher gifts, I thought it highly appropriate to use the library pockets with a card inside. I was given these library pockets my first year teaching by our super helpful librarian. Thanks, Judy!! I used them a lot, and I am STILL using them!

When I was a teacher, I would've loved this token of appreciation.

Make a teacher smile today!!

linked up to www.chiconashoestringdecorating.com

linked up at www.paperissues.com

Crib Bench

Originally, this bench was going to serve as a drop zone by the back door. We made it not very deep so it would fit in the hallway and hold stuff you need to put down as SOON as you walk in the door so you can run to the bathroom because you waited instead of using the not very clean public restroom. Annnywho, it would have had a coat rack above it.

The house we ended up buying had a built in drop zone (also called a mud room even though it is not a room). So then the bench was supposed to go here. In the alcove by my new front door which is perfect for a bench made from an old crib that I found on the side of the road. (Yes, I did pick it up. Pride is such a silly thing when you think about it.) I had it all planned out in my head. And then we moved it there and realized it is way too long for that spot.

So now it lives on the back patio.

With the cute new pillows my sister got me for my birthday from World Market.

I have to admit, I kinda like it with my pink knockout roses. 

But now I am back to square one with the front door situation. 

As my daughter would say,

Dagnabbit!

Linked up at http://creativecountrymom.com

Hot Air Balloon Party

First birthdays deserve a great party. Don't you agree?

What could be cuter than a hot air balloon theme for a party?

Custom hot air balloon invitations were made with Dear Lizzy paper and vellum. We put pictures inside of baby girl in the basket above.

I mean seriously. Miniature hot air balloon mobile? Cute!

Up, Up, and Away Banner? Super Cute!!

Custom DIY hot air balloon decor by Jordan? Super Duper Cute!!! Down to the miniature tassels hanging from the twine wrapped basket.

Monogrammed goodie bags stufffed with-what else?-hot air balloon tissue paper! Inside the treat bags were gift cards to the Cookie Company. I love that idea by Jackie.

Twinkle lights, pennant banners, hot air balloons made from paper lanterns with washi tape stripes and baker's twine string. Uber Cute!!!

I think every party should have chevron and striped paper straws. Even if nobody actually uses them. And  a cute little mini bucket to put sharpies in so guests can write their name on a cup and not waste another one when they lose it in the mix of everyone's cups of delicious punch.

Balloons to draw attention and make it obvious where the party was taking place. Did you know Dollar Tree sells balloons??

Birthday lollie with a paper straw stick. To die for!

Linked up at tatertotsandjello.com and paperissues.com.

Not Bulletin Board

Have I mentioned how much I love consignment sales? Almost as much as I love Goodwill. I found this huge 90's era wall art frame with glass for $20. Original price tag: $125. Back when navy and maroon flowerdy art was in style.

I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do with it, and I admit it sat in my attic for several years. Normally, I only buy if I have a specific DIY project in mind.

A chalkboard might have worked, but I didn't need one and hated to paint glass. So often, frames are only a good deal when the glass is gone.

I even considered giving it away at one point because it had a chunk taken out of a corner. How many chipped frames do you store in your attic? I tried to fix it with wood filler. Didn't work.

But I am not a quitter.

I tried drywall spackling next by wetting my finger and molding it into the shape of the rope trim a thin layer at a time.

Next, I sanded it carefully, smoothing it into shape.

The next part of this project was to wrap the foam core "painting" with two layers of burlap leftover from a wedding my sisters and I decorated. You can see the wedding here. The frame was painted ivory and I might wax or glaze it, but I kinda like it this way. At least for now.

 

Admit it, you can't tell where the missing chunk of frame was. I have skills.

Pass or Fail?

I like to hang pictures on it with the cute navy ikat washi tape I recently purchased from Michael's Craft Store. I love navy all of a sudden. But not maroon. Or flowerdy art. 

I can also write on it with dry erase marker so my husband can remember the zip code where his company's home office is. He said I should just go buy a new frame. Too much trouble he said. Boys just don't understand.

Linked up to http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

ABC Birthday Party

This one loves letters, so we threw an ABC party.

Which means you need a custom door hanger instead of a wreath.

And a handmade ABC mobile with letters cut out with the Cricut machine hung with baker's twine. 

And of course, goodie bags decorated with patterned paper.

And a huge M. What is it about monograms?

Especially really big ones. Look closely (even though it is fuzzy because my $300 flash wasn't working.) It is decoupaged with tiny letter squares cut out of the scrapbooking paper.

And a DIY Birthday banner!

And a cake with letter confetti strewn on the table. I love table scatter.

And fruit kebobs. I love the word kabob. Or kebab. Jury's out on how to spell it.

This custom birthday party was so fun to create!!!

To make the door decoration, I used this scoring board, which I purchased myself. In my honest opinion, it is not necessary, but it is helpful in keeping the folds evenly spaced. I don't always use it, but when I make something for other people, I do.

DIY Upholstered Headboard

My mom's bed recently got an update.

This one didn't take very long, so it must be pretty easy. If you have a bed without a headboard, an upholstered one is a great way to get a finished look. This is a quick way to stage your house for sale as well.  Not only is it easy and inexpensive, it doesn't take up much space in a small room. My own sleigh bed takes up a lot of floor space and I am thinking of doing something more like this. But I paid so much for that extra large headboard and footboard. I've looked at a lot of real estate lately, and I hate to sound like a snob, but outdated decor is a real turn-off. It makes me think-if you are not motivated to change the flowered duck wallpaper border, what else are you too tired to fix? A leaky pipe maybe? A hole in the roof? The doggie door that lets in killer raccoons? I'm not much of a risk taker.

I love the fabric. What a great way to add some pattern. Most people might be scared to buy a patterned fabric headboard, but I think you could do this cheaper than buying  new bedding. The best part? You can pick from any style, color, or pattern of fabric that you want and lets face it- there are sooo many stylish ones out in stores right now. 

The weather is nice, so go outside and get your DIY on!