DIY Chalkboard

One of the wedding crafts I was working on earlier this year was a DIY Chalkboard.
The initial plan here was to just buy a chalkboard, but have you scoped the scenes for them?!?
I could not believe how much $$$ people wanted for something as simple as this, when you can easily make it yourself.

So if you're looking for a simple wedding craft, a little extra pizzazz for that birthday or holiday party, or just want something to throw in the playroom to let your kids have a creative outlet, this is right up your alley!

You'll Need:
1, piece of MDF, Shelving, whatever kind of wood-ish board that fits the scale of how large you want your completed piece.  My board is approximately (16 x 24)
Wood glue
Clamps
2, 2x8 pieces of wood, optional
Primer
Chalkboard paint, I used Valspar
Paint rollers
Stain or alternate paint color (if framing your chalkboard), optional

Let's get started...

Prime all your pieces and let them dry 100%. 

 If you're framing your chalkboard, I recommend using a thicker piece of wood.

 Once all the pieces have been primed, paint your main "chalkboard" piece with chalkboard paint.

After the chalkboard paint has dried, you are ready to cut out your frame.

Which I should say - "Thank you, husband."

Apparently, he didn't trust me with his power tools.  Sniff...but really...I don't blame him.  Haha

He 45'd each end piece so that the seams would be, well...seamless.

  Since mine was for a wedding, he also routed to outsides for me, to give it a higher end look.

I heart it.
*Squee*

Once all the pieces are cut to size, paint or stain the "frame" in the color you'd like.

Dry completely, then attached the backside of the "frame" with wood glue to your completed chalkboard piece, and clamp down around the sides to keep it in place.

Wood glue, if you've never worked with it before, does take awhile to dry.
I love this stuff and use it for everything tho, because it works so awesome!
Just make sure you dry it completely.  I left mine overnight and the entire next day.

 Once it's dry, remove the clamps.

Sit your piece upright, slap on a message, and enjoy your new piece of art.

Traditions - Santa's Cookie Plate

 

When my daughter came along, like most mother's, I couldn't wait for her 1st Christmas!  I adore this time of year; and Santa...oh, there's so much to be said about this jolly ol' fellow.  He and his helpers prepare all year long and then, when Christmas Eve comes, he travels all over the world in one single night to deliver special gifts to children.  There's something to be said about that.  Especially this time of year.

Like most families, we leave something special for Santa and his reindeer to keep them going strong for their long night of travel.  What do you leave for Santa?  What about his reindeer?

We typically sit out a tall glass of milk, cookies, and carrots.  Mmm!

This year, since my daughter is old enough, I wanted to create a cookie plate for Santa, that we can use for many years to come.

If you're a traditionalist too, or just like to have plain ol' fun; Head on over to Holiday's Homemade for the full tutorial.

This project is perfect for you, and this idea would be great to do for birthday's too!!

Santa Wreath

Only 10 days, 14 hours till Christmas, but who's counting?! ME!! ;)

Don't forget to come see me today!  I'm hosting at Holiday's Homemade, and I've got a Ho! Ho! Ho! Hooooliday Wreath! 

 See ya there!

Faux Bedskirt

I have been wanting a cute bed skirt for my daughters room.  She has had her big girl bed for 6 months now, and she loves the bedding, but me being me felt like something was missing.

Even though no one else cares if she had a bed skirt (including her!), I wanted it.  I think it can really make a room (sometimes).

With Christmas being less than 2 weeks away (Wee!!!), now was not exactly an ideal time to be spending $ on something like this.  Especially since the one I want is a bit pricey!  eek!

So, I'm improvising for the time being, and decided to use an old curtain we had downstairs in our basement.  It was just taking up space, and it happened to turn out pretty perfectly.

Since so many of you have enjoyed her bed roll up I created, I thought I would share this project as well.

So far, I really like it.  It's been on there for 2 weeks now, and it has stayed perfectly in place.

I have been toying with the idea of just leaving it, but maybe dying the curtain a different shade.  The khaki goes really well with both sides of her bedding, but like most little girls - She adores pink!

Maybe something like this will work for you?

Just steam or iron out the wrinkles

Not too shabby for a free project.  Momma likes!

Humidifier vs. Vaporizer

We're quickly approaching flu season, and with the winter months approaching, the air is starting to turn dry and brittle.

As I'm sure most of you have heard at one point in time from your Doctor or maybe even a family member, humidifiers and vaporizers are great!

Both add humidity into the air, which makes for easier breathing.  It's perfect to use for all age groups, but I especially wanted to point out how fantastic they are if you have a sick infant or toddler at home.

More times than not, children in this age bracket are unable to take medication because of age limits, so humidifiers and vaporizers are truly great home remedies!! If you're like me, you consider them to be a God send! 

So...My question is - Do you use a humidifier or vaporizer to add moisture into the air? Do you have a preferred method?

As I've asked this question to several of my friends and family over the course of the last several months, I've really noticed that it's quite the controversy! You're either Pro Humidifier or Pro Vaporizer.  They're really doesn't seem to be any common ground. 

Which are you?
Why is that??

School me.  I want to learn!

I'm sure I don't need to put the fine print here, as all my readers are intelligent and have plenty of common sense, but as a precautionary - Please talk to your doctor 1st before using a new product.  They have far more knowledge than I or the web can provide to you and have the best advice for what is best suited for you and your family.

Tomato Cage Witch Hats

Looking for some fun Halloween Decor, but don't want to break the bank?  You came to the right place!

Today I'm going to show you how I pieced together these Witch Hats using items that will come from your gardening shed, sewing basket, and the Dollar Store.  Wee...

Come join me, and let's create!

Today;

You'll Need:

Tomato Cage(s)
Weed Fabric
Scissors
Zip Tie(s)
Straight Pins
Sharpie
Duct Tape
Electrical Tape
Wire Ribbon
2 ceiling tiles (Ok...You got me.  Not from $ Store.  It's better! Home Depot - 38 cents - Holla!)
Sheetrock Saw or Razor blade
Spray Paint
Wire Clothes Hanger(s)
Spooky Spider(s)

To begin, you'll bend all 4 feet of the tomato cages, tip to tip, in the center to create a triangle affect.  Wrap a zip tie around the feet, and here's your base.

If you so desire, wrap with duct tape as well.  Only one of my cages got this, as it was an after thought :)

To begin building the hat, drape your weed fabric barrier over the entire cage, leaving additional length on each side to tuck into the bottom, before you cut.  My rule of thumb, is it's better to have too much, than not enough.  So I left approximately 12-15".

Now you should have one droopy looking mess, but it gets better, fairly quickly.
Here's where an assistant is most helpful.  I had help with my 1st one, and was on my own for the second.  If you're on your own, words from the wise is to do prep ahead of time.  I had several medium size duct tape pieces, pre-cut, so that I could just grab and go.  It was really helpful, so  unless you have a Vanna White, remember this tip.  It will save you some frustration.

Continuing on with the hats...

Flip the Tomato Cage upside down, so it is sitting on the triangle tip you created.
Start folding the fabric down around the metal of the cage base, and duct tape around the bottom as you go. 

Don't worry about the sides not being pieced together yet...we'll get to those later, and don't try to skip ahead and think doing the sides 1st is easier.  It's not.  I tried it.  About 12 times. :) :) :)

Notice how the duct tape in secured on the tape and the metal itself.  Very important. 

When the base is duct taped all the way around, use a sewing pin, to connect the 2 fabric sides together. See how they overlap here.  That's where you pin.

 

Sit the base of the cage, on the ground, grab your sewing pins, and start on your sides.

The idea here, is to tuck the fabric in and wrap it around just like you would a present.  Once the fabric is in the proper placement, pin down the sides...

 

To pin: Use the cage as a guide.  Where the bars go cross ways, that's where you'll put the pin in.  So pin just above the bar.  If you go directly behind the bar, it helps the pin go straight into the bottom piece of the fabric.  In my mental state, this made me feel like I was building a fairly awesome structure, and like maybe I should be an architect some day.  I think maybe I'll stick to my day job ;)

 

So now that the sides are pinned, I'll show you a neat little trick that I use for all sorts of stuff...It requires a SHARPIE! I love these things...Such an easy way to hides those bright colors that we want hidden, and takes all of 3 seconds.

Color your straight pin heads.  Completely optional but blends in perfectly if you do

Now that the sides are pinned, your hat should look like this from the outside...

Hey...I never claimed to have superior wrapping skills :)

and like this from the bottom, into the cage.
 

 

I chose to also add electrical tape to the tip of the hat, so the legs wouldn't poke through the fabric.

Time for the base of the hat.  I have to be honest here, this was a mess, so don't do this in your Sunday best...

Using a black marker, I drew on a circle.  Using sheet rock saw, I cut it out following my stencil.  

  

 After your circle is cut.  Spray paint it black.



Now it's time to fancify these wicked cutie's...

I took apart a wire clothes hanger (using a pair of pliers), shaped it, and wrapped the non-hook end of it around the tip of my hat, then pinched it taut with the pliers. 

With the hook end, I stuck my styrofoam spider onto it for additional support.

For the bow...
I used wired Halloween ribbon.
For the bow around the hat, I went up approximately 6" up from the base, and tied a bow (like you would tie your shoes) and fluffed it out.

And there you have it folks...

Spookey Ookey Hats, that's sure to please your Halloween Crowd (or passer by'ers)!

 

Wicked Witch Wreath & Witch Leg Tutorial

We've made it to October!  *Deep Breaths in* Can you smell that crisp fall air?!  It's wonderful!!

In celebration of such a fantastic month, I'm going to show you how to piece together this charming Witch Wreath for Halloween!

Isn't she cute?!  Poor thing was squished by the "ENTER IF YOU DARE" sign.  I guess she'll learn to pay more attention next time ;)

If you'd like to make a wickedly fun witch wreath too;


You'll Need:
1 Wreath Form
4 colors of Tulle, at least 6 yds each, cut down to ~15"L x 6"W pieces
rotary cutter/scissors
1 scary sign
1 witch hat
1 witches broom (Target)
Scrap Fabric
Polyfil or grocery sacks
Wire (I'm sure pipe cleaners would work!)
needle/thread
fabric glue (if you're not into sewing)
wood glue
straight pin

Separate all your tulle colors.  You're going to work piece by piece in a synchronized order...My order was Black, Green, Orange, Purple...Black, Green, Orange, Purple...

Now we're going to start wrapping the wreath:

It's almost like you're tying your shoes...put both sides of tulle together, and tie into a double knot

Continue all the way around, repeating the same pattern you've created, until the entire wreath is covered in tulle.

Now lay your sign crossed the top of your wreath.  Using wood glue, apply to the back of your sign, and press the sign firmly into place.  *Tip* Lay something of substance on top of the sign, making sure it's not too heavy and won't break through.  Leave to sit overnight.

This looks just as cute with just the tulle if you're wanting something on the quicker side.

While your sign is drying to the wreath, let's move on and start on the witch legs...

Cut your fabric scraps down to size.  I used 12x2, but use whatever looks best to you.

Fold, so that the wrong side of the fabric is showing. Now sew a straight line around the longest outer edge only.  Turn fabric right side out.  It helps to use scissors.  Check here for details...

This photo shows, what it should look like after being sewn, and what it looks like flipped right side out:

If you're not into sewing, just add fabric glue and stuff.  Easy peasy!

Start stuffing the legs about 1/2-3/4 of the way full with poly fil, leaving about an inch and a half at the bottom unfilled.  *Tip* This process goes faster, if you use a pair of scissors or a pen/pencil as an assistant.

Top shows 1.5 inch that was left unfilled. Additional half will be filled in a few minutes, but 1st...

We're going to add our wire.  To do this, run the uncut wire down the inside side of the leg.  You'll do one at a time.  Once the wire has about an inch overhang, snip with wire cutters.

Now continue to stuff the legs, until you (once again) have about 1.5 left un-stuffed.  So you should have 1.5" un-stuffed at the bottom, and now the top...

Choose an end to be the feet, and start to curl the fabric in a roll type fashion, tucking the fabric in as you roll.  FYI: You don't want a full circle...just enough to make it curl.  I wanted mine to resemble the Wicked Witch of the East, right after the house is dropped on her...hehehe

Now it's time to attach the legs to the wreath, which is really quite simple.  Just squeeze them in from underneath the sign, decide the placement and attach, using wood glue. 

Again, you want something that has some weight to sit on top (vegetable can), so they don't move. They will need to sit overnight.

Once that's dry, we're ready to attach our broom and hat.  I purchased the hat at Hobby Lobby.  Got a steal of a deal.  They wanted something like $3.99 for 4 of them!  Craziness, I tell you...craziness!!!  I'll show you what I have planned for the other 3 coming up soon :) :) :)

So lets start with our hat, shall we?

It's quite simple.  Grab your straight pin and your hat, find the placement you like, and at an angle, insert the straight pin into the sign.

Now onto the broom:

You'll need your hot glue gun...
Put a decent amount of hot glue on the beginning end of where your brushes on your broom stick begin.

Press firmly for a few seconds into place.

Now moving back to your wood glue.  I wanted my broom staggered, so I put mine at an angle.  So I put the glue directly on my sign and pressed the broom firmly into the glue.  Again you'll want to sit something with weight on top.  This time I used a bag of rice.  Wood glue takes FOREVER to dry, so once again, I left it overnight.

Woke up, the next morning...and Viola!

One completely spooky holiday wreath! EEK!!

Happy Crafting...