Super Simple Sweater Bangle

The project started as something different...a rosette headband made from an old sweater shrug I never wear.  Well, it turned into an epic fail!  The rosettes turned out ok, but I used too much glue in spots and because the sweater is black, it shows.  Boooo!

Anyway, here is the sweater shrug I used...

And, my fail...

At least she doesn't really care about the glue and will wear it proudly.  :-)

BUT, I didn't let it get me down!  I grabbed one of my wooden bangle bracelets and literally just cut the bottom of the sweater and wrapped it around the bracelet and glued the end.  That is IT!  I think it looks really cute.  It couldn't get much easier. 

I happen to like it plain, but I thought you could jazz it up with a flower...I bought this one a while ago and attached a pin to the back, so now it's a removable option.

Linking up!

Master Bedroom Makeover - Some Goodies

I am probably doing my Master Bedroom Makeover in the reverse order most people would, but we won't be able to paint this room til February as my husband and I are both having outpatient surgeries done in January...what fun?! 

So, to keep me occupied and happy, I have been busy shopping for decor! Retail therapy anyone? I call on it often...ask the hubby! But I say if it works, don't fix it, am I right? :-)

So, here are my latest finds...

The curtains, found at Kohl's online, on sale for $22 a panel...love the simple stitching.  And, I almost fell over when my husband actually said (out loud) that he liked them! He never sees my vision in the process, but he likes my stuff when it's complete...thank goodness.  

And, my light yellow blanket found at Amazon for $24.99 for the foot of the bed.  I think it will look nice paired with the decorative pillow I made for the head.

And I can't wait to start working on the project I have in mind for these babies I picked up at Kohls for $7 a piece...

I'm off to do more shopping...have a wonderful weekend!

New Year, New Look

A BIG thank you to Designer Blogs for the cool new look for my blog!  This just feels more like ME...it's fun and colorful, which is just what this blog needed, I think.  

With 2012 fast approaching, I want to wish you all a safe, healthy and happy new year!  I will be focusing on the "healthy" aspect for sure.  Less hospital visits in 2012 we hope!

For the record, my resolution is to be more frugal...this pleases my husband immensely.  Hoping the blogging world will be a key resource in helping me achieve my goal.

 I'm off to start my "to do" list... 

Top 10 Posts for 2011

Well, for my first full year of blogging I would say I fared pretty well...I have 123 awesome followers and it has rejuvenated my creativity, something I hadn't tapped into in quite some time! 

At the end of the year, to ring in 2012, I decided to list my top 10 posts for the year.  Here they are...

The first is my most popular post, the $2 Frosted Centerpiece.  This was so easy to do and cost me next to nothing, thanks to the thrift store and items I had on hand.  

Second, my Daughter's Pink Wreath.  I just LOVE this wreath...it took a while, but it was so worth it!

Third, my son's Super Mario Bros. Art.  These were lots of fun to make and they were a HUGE hit with my six year old!

 Fourth, my daughter's Fourth Birthday Spa Party...it goes without saying that I had a blast planning for this. And, FYI, I have already started planning and creating the 5th birthday party in June...Candy Shop!

Fifth, my Easter Centerpiece.  You may recognize the goblet from my #1. :-)

Sixth, the Personalized Sign that was SO cheap and easy to make.  And the end result was fabulous!

Seventh, these 25 cent headbands I made for my daughter's Spa Party.  Such a big hit and started my rosette obsession! 

Eighth, these Initial Peace Signs for my girls' room...they were FREE!!  And they look awesome!

Ninth, my cute decorative throw pillow for my Master Bedroom in progress...can't wait to keep blogging about it into 2012, as it is my winter project!

And tenth...last, but certainly not least, my no sew papasan makeover.  This turned out better than I imagined, and no sewing involved!

I just love channeling my creativity and sharing it...can't wait to continue the blog into 2012, with a blog makeover 
COMING SOON!

I also created a new website, so check it out when you have a minute or two!

Have a safe, healthy and happy new year!  

Linking here...

Master Bedroom Makeover - Decorative Pillow

My winter project is underway...I have thus far ordered a damask wall stencil, a white down comforter, a yellow throw, two gray throw pillow covers, three very cool silver frames, curtains and the materials for this little number I made today.  Don't worry, I will share the other stuff as it comes in.  :-)

Update (12/30)...here is a look at some of the goodies.

For now, my cute throw pillow which will accent my pretty, clean, white bedding.  I bought a small pillow on Amazon for $13 and a ton of yellow ribbon for $8. 

I started by stitching the ribbon to the middle of the pillow (I am not a seamstress by any stretch of the imagination, as you will read further on in this post, so don't be scared if you aren't either!).

 And this is where I put away the needle and thread and manned my glue gun!  I just twisted and glued, twisted and glued...it's as simple as that.

And when I was finished with the flower, I decided I would like to add a stripe, don't worry, I glued this too!  If this pillow wasn't strictly decorative, I would think about stitching it, but it will go from the bed to the bench and back again, day after day after day.  No worries on whether it will hold up or not.

 I really love the way it turned out and all in all, it took me about an hour to complete.  Luckily my older kids were at the movies and my 4 month old was napping.  Sweet alone time...just me and my glue gun. :-)

Oh and here is one of the 10x10 initial pictures I made and put into the frames.  I think they turned out pretty cool...simple and clean.

Linking up here.

Master Bedroom Makeover - A Retreat in the Making...

I have decided that my winter project will be our Master Bedroom!  This will be a slow process...I will have to do small projects here and there, interspersed throughout hubby's crazy work schedule, school, gymnastics, dance, basketball and diaper changes and feedings!  BUT, I will work diligently to complete this project by springtime (and will chronicle my progress here).

I can do this...I CAN do this!  :-)

I love change, too much so if you ask my hubby.  It's been close to six years now that we have had the same colors, decor, configuration in this bedroom and I am decidedly getting bored.

Sage green walls...HAD to have them.  While I do like the bedding, it won't go with my new color scheme, so I will be storing it...because I just might get bored again.  The furniture is very traditional and if I had unlimited funds, I would definitely be upgrading, but alas, it needs to stay.  No worries, I can work with it!

This wall will be the future accent wall...in a shade of yellow, with a gray damask stencil overlay.  The other walls will all be a shade of gray.  Bright white trim and crown molding will finish it off.

 

The color inspiration...

The bedding will be simple, probably a white down comforter with fun accent pillows and I hope to find a yellow throw for the foot of the bed.

Bathroom on the left, closet on the right...the bathroom will be getting a MUCH needed makeover, too!

I started on some of my accessories, including this wall art.  These were made from digital scrapbook paper and Photoshop.  Our initials...I have the perfect frames for them, too!

And, I ordered this adorable piece from Etsy, except I ordered a gray background, white tree and yellow birds.  I just love it.  :-)

I am going to be tracking the progress of the room as I move forward...I hope you enjoy reading it.

Linking here.

Handprint Christmas Tree

This year I wanted to make a keepsake gift for the grandparents, because we welcomed our third (and, final) child into the world in September.  I don't know if I should admit this, but we gave the handprint ornaments a try (the ones that have been pinned like crazy).  Well, they didn't turn out...Max's (my 6 yr old) turned out too big and Avery's (the baby) dried out because she took a LONG nap before I was able to get her handprint.  Oh well...moving on.  I decided that the kids' hands would make a perfect tree, so we gave it a try.  

A while back I purchased a bundle of 8x10 canvas panels on Amazon and they were perfect for this project.  I got my acrylic paints out, two shades of green, some brown for the stump, red for the ornaments and yellow for the star and that's it!!  

I painted each kid's hand and pressed it on the canvas.  Max first, the biggest at the bottom, then Emma (a different green) in the middle overlapping Max's slightly, and finally Avery's little hand (this was tough with a 3-month old) at the top.  

I think they turned out really cute!

Linking here.

Important Date Art

I pinned this idea on Pinterest a while ago.  Important dates in your life, made into a cool, contemporary art piece.  Your birth dates first, then your anniversary highlighted, and finally your kids' birthdays.  Love it!

I thought it could make a cool grandparent gift...with just a few more dates. :-)  And I made this one a color scheme instead of highlighting just one date.  My parents birthdays first, their anniversary, mine and my brother's birthdays, and the grandkids' birthdays.  

And, here is one with some scrapbook digital paper as a background...I made this for a friend's birthday.

So simple, but I think they will have a huge impact as a 16x20 piece of art!!  And quite a conversation piece, which you gotta love, right?  :-)

Linking here.

Who's the tackiest of them all?

We have waited all year for this night!  The night of the 2nd Annual Tacky Sweater Party...and let me say that this year we stepped it up as hosts and more importantly our guests got crazy with the tacky!!  

First, the preparations...I love this stuff!

 We had an 8 ft. table that was for drinks only...seriously.

These are some of my appetizers...did I mention, I LOVE Pinterest?!

Doughnut reindeer...chocolate doughnuts, red peanut M&Ms, sprinkles and pretzels. :-)

Club crackers with parmesan cheese, wrapped in bacon...yummy!

 My cute mini sausage wreath...sausages, crescent rolls and a red pepper bow!

Here are my ReinBEER hanging in the fridge getting ready for the big party...

And at the party...they were a hit and so festive!

This year, all of our guests voted for their favorite sweater.

And the lucky winner won a MAJOR AWARD!

And now for the fun part...check these lovelies out.

Third place goes to the upside down snowman...

Second place for this beauty...check out the rear. :-)

And, drumroll please....the winner is...

It not only had lights, but it had music (to which the owner danced a little elf jig) and the green pants and the tight turtleneck...man, it was great!  And, the finishing touch...

I think it was well-deserved!  :-)  We had such a wonderful time with great friends and family.  And, man did we get AWESOME!!  

Now, I must go start planning the 3rd Annual...there are only 12 more months!  Oh my! 

Linking up here.