catch a SALE

Potterybarn is having a great sale on their backpacks and lunch boxes just in time for back to school shopping.  Don't miss it!

soap opera

It's been one busy summer so far and I am rather enjoying this fast paced lifestyle, although I would not want it like this all the time. It's a challenge cramming all-day smiles and laughter into a 24 hour window. lol We ventured out to our first ever soapbox derby and the kids loved it! These were adult contestants and the cars were unbelievable. I wish I could have took pictures of all of them but there were close to 100 and the crowd was so thick it was hard to even snap a few pictures here and there without getting arms and legs dangling through your subject.

Romeo is a trooper for taking his three girls out to such an event. It was hot, the walk was long and the people were...different. We did have a good time and we were able to stroll around in an outdoor fresh market after the show. That was a lovely surprise!

I hope you enjoyed Father's Day weekend with special loved dad's, granddad's, and such. It was a full but fun weekend for us but I would not have traded it for the world!

Learn, Play, Create - Father's Day

I thought I would share a cute Father's Day gift idea here on the blog.  If you are looking for something quick and easy to make, here it is!

MATERIALS

10x20 canvas

acrylic paint

glitter

tree shape

numbers

I purchased a 10x20 canvas at Hobby Lobby for $8.99 and then applied this weeks 40% off coupon...great deal!  I used my Silhouette machine to cut out the tree shape and the 2012 numbers.  I cut the tree out of contact paper (love that stuff) and the numbers from scrapbook paper.  You could also use a tree shape template with decorative scrapbook paper and numbers stickers as well.  Once it was in place on the canvas, I began mixing the paint colors that I wanted to use.  I applied the paint to the tips of my kids fingers with a Qtip and gently pressed them onto the canvas.  After the fingerprints were finished and the paint was still wet, I quickly doused the canvas with glitter.  Voila, you're done!

You could also apply this idea to a card, framed artwork, tile, and much more.

Enjoy your Father's Day weekend with Dad, Grandpa, Uncles and all those other super cool men who have spread a little love into our lives and the lives of our children.

"gimmie that, no-no, good girl"... (insert tail wag)

It doesn't take much to talk me into taking up furry little friends for household pets.  Once I laid eyes on this little fluffy ball of cotton, I was smitten.  The girls have been begging for a new puppy and I have had a bad case of baby fever for awhile.  So, we cured our ailments!

Maggie a.k.a Mags is a great little pup. 

She's getting use to our routine and we are trying our best to keep up with her. 

She is full of energy and loves to bite, pull, and tug on anything within paws reach. 

Our flip flops seem to be her favorite ( note post title above). 

I hope your summer is going well.  It's been sticky hot here with a mix of rain the past couple of days.  The kids have been in summer camp this week.  Vacation plan are on the horizon along with swimming lessons and other summer fun.  Daily water fun with Maggie in the kiddie pool has become the girls new way to stay cool.  It's quiet entertaining!

Learn, Play, Create - Clip it!

Happy Monday!  It's a rainy Monday here in the south so crafting indoors is a perfect way to enjoy the day.  Today we will be learning how to customize a simple clip board.  When your project is complete you will have something that your little one (or yourself) can use for all sots of things.  Like I said, this is a simple version.  There are no sticky glues, paste or drying time needed! 

~~This project should be completed by an adult~~

 

MATERIALS

wood/laminate clipboard

straight edge (razor) cutting tool

large cutting mat

contact paper

ribbon or tulle

dry cloth

scissors

 

To get started, unroll your contact paper over your cutting mat.  Make sure that the the grid or bottom side of the contact paper is face up.  Lay your clipboard on top of the contact paper.  The backside of the clipboard should be touching the backside (grid side) of the contact paper.  Line up the clipboard with the grid lines on the contact paper.  If your contact paper has a directional print, make sure that the direction of the paper is going the same direction as the clipboard.  Making sure that your cutting mat and contact paper are in place, carefully cut around the edges of the clipboard.  Go slow and be sure to hold the clipboard so that it doesn't slip while you are cutting around it. 

Once your contact paper has been cut, peel away about 2 inches of the bottom edge of the backing of the contact paper and start laying it/sticking it to the bottom edge of the clipboard (the right side of the clipboard, not the back).  Be sure to line up the edge and sides.  Once your contact paper is lined up and you have a good start, begin unrolling more of the backing off of the contact paper.  Use the dry cloth to smooth out any air bubbles as you unroll and stick down the contact paper. 

Once you reach the top of the clipboard, around the metal clip area, use your straight edge cutting tool to cut around the metal clip.  Making small cuts around this area will be helpful.  One your contact paper is stuck onto the surface of the clipboard, be sure to use your dry cloth to smooth out any remaining air bubbles. 

 

OK, now it's time to add ribbon or tulle to your clipboard.  You can use any size or length that you would like.  Simply cut and tie it around the metal clip.  I used 3x7 in. pieces of tulle on the clipboard pictured above.  You can also attach a pen  to the clipboard by using a long piece of ribbon and tying it to the metal clip.

Enjoy!!