{the "clean-out-your-closet" necklace}

I adore Lei's style over at My Many Colored Days, and this necklace is fabulous! I think I need to make this for myself for Valentine's Day.
Her tutorial is HERE.

P.S. I changed the look of my button...I've been trying to learn more about Photoshop, and my blog changed as a result. :) Please feel free to grab one!

{adorable giveaway}

I absolutely LOVE these felt playhouses by missprettypretty. My girls would just die over something like this...SO fun!
Taylor, at MaryJanes and Galoshes is having a giveaway, where you can win one for your very own! Click HERE to enter today!

{newspaper heart blocks}

I have been wanting to do a project with newspaper forever! I had some extra wood blocks laying around, and when I saw THIS post, it all came together. I love, love, love how they turned out!




ITEMS YOU NEED:


2x6 board, cut into 5 1/2 inch squares (When you buy lumber, it's always about 1/2 inch smaller than it says--so a 6 inch board is actually around 5 1/2 inches.)

• cardstock
• Mod Podge and foam brush
• newspaper
• scissors
• paper trimmer
• ribbon or other embellishment
• Distress ink

DIRECTIONS:

• Paint and distress wood blocks.
• Router the edges if desired.
  
• Cut cardstock to be just a little smaller than the edge of the routered edge.
• Distress the edges.
• Cut out heart from newspaper. I used a section from the classifieds/tv guide, where the print is small and more even. Distress edges.
• Using double stick tape, adhere the heart to the cardstock.
• Mod Podge the cardstock to the wood block, using even strokes. Let dry.
• Add desired embellishment.

P.S. I started out blogging under a pseudonym--sweetpea, mostly for the sake of anonymity and security, since I don't have a common name. However, I have decided that I'm ready to use my real name. So...my name is Kierste. :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

{a "heart"y lunch}

I love to sprinkle in a few fun "heart" lunches the week or so before Valentine's Day. Anything is cuter when cut into shapes, and I routinely use them to make lunch. Somehow when a sandwich looks like a star, or a gingerbread man, it's much more appealing. Well, this is no different! This week I made an easy, but darling meal, and it would not only be perfect for your little ones at home, but even for a party or other get together.

MENU:

• mini heart pizzas
• xoxo veggies & dip
• pie crust hearts with cinnamon & sugar cream cheese

Mini Heart Pizzas---

• 1 tube crescent rolls
• pizza sauce
• mozzarella cheese
• toppings of choice
• heart cookie cutter

Place two crescent rolls side-by-side, and pinch the seams together. Cut out heart-shaped pieces of dough, and carefully use a spatula to place them on a sprayed cookie sheet. Top with pizza sauce, cheese, and other items. (I have cheese-only girls!) Bake according to directions on can, but lessen the time by a few minutes. Bake until the bottoms are brown. Serve warm.




XOXO Veggies--

• baby carrots
• sliced cucumbers

As you can see, this is super easy, but how fun!! Serve with ranch dip, or dip of choice.


Pie Crust Hearts with Cinnamon & Sugar Cream Cheese:

Who doesn't love taking all those extra bits of pie crust, sprinkling them with cinnamon & sugar, and baking them in the oven? This is a take on that, Valentine-style. To serve them, I stacked them on a place with a dollop of cream cheese on top, but how fun would this be to serve like chips & dip?

• unbaked pie crust--as much as you need (I used Pillsbury, but homemade would be wonderful too.)
• cinnamon & sugar
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1/4 c. white sugar
• 1-8 oz. package cream cheese

Lay your crust out on the counter, and cut out as many hearts as you need. Sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar. Bake according to crust directions, but lessen the amount of time. Bake until golden brown, then let cool.
With a mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugars together, then add some cinnamon & sugar. Mix well. Serve with pie crust hearts, and sprinkle even more cinnamon & sugar on top!





ENJOY!

{playroom...part 1}

Last year, after we discovered we were having another set of twins, we decided to make the upstairs playroom into the nursery, and finish the basement (on our own--definitely broaching unknown territory) so we would have a large playroom and family room down there.
It has been quite a journey, and although we still have more to do (finish painting trim, put the ceiling in, add baseboards, and finish the bathroom), we are getting close, and the kids are enjoying their space. When our lovely tax return comes, it will go towards furniture and other accessories, and I can't wait to get it all up and functioning.
However, over the past month, I have been busy decorating some of the empty walls, and adding some things I knew my kids would love. And who needs to wait to decorate? That's the fun part!

Here are the components of the two walls:

1. Framed magnet board & white board:



I LOVE these. We did this in our original playroom upstairs, but used magnet spray paint instead of the sheet metal. The sheet metal definitely works better--much stronger, and more workable in a playroom. Here's how we did it:

ITEMS YOU NEED:

• 3/4 inch MDF, cut into the lengths and widths you need (a large hardware store will do this for you)
• spray paint
  
• sheet metal (**Check out your are for sheet metal companies. They will be able to cut your sheet metal to the exact size you need it, rather than having to use 2 pieces from the local hardware store. This eliminates a rough seam, and having to figure out how to cover it to protect little fingers, and for aesthetics. Thanks to a friend's referral, I found one here where I live. It was slightly more expensive than buying it Home Depot, but it was the right size, and MUCH thicker and more durable.)
  
• shower board (that white, slick stuff that's for shower walls--the hardware store will cut this too!)
  
• air nail gun
  

1. Measured the wall, figured out the space we could fill.
2. Using the MDF, create a frame to surround your sheet metal and shower board. One of my favorite tools ever is the pocket jig--if you want to make frames, this is a tool that can't be beat. It makes it much more streamlined, and secure. You don't have to miter the edges--you can just square them off. OR...you can cut your pieces and put them up separately, if you're not sure how to make the frame. Then paint!
3. Once you have your frames (or wood pieces, cut to size), you're ready to get them on the wall. If you have a air nail gun, or access to one, I highly recommend it. It makes the work so much faster, and cleaner. It takes 2 seconds to get them secure and in place.

**If you have any further questions about how to do the frame, or getting it on the wall, let me know.

2. Raingutter shelves

These have been all over the place, but THIS is the tutorial I looked at. We didn't follow it exactly, but they turned out great!

3. Table & Chairs



This has to be one of my favorite parts. I have been eyeing small table & chair sets forever, but just couldn't bring myself to pay the money for them. So, I used an old end table that I had, after I discovered it was the perfect square size, and height for my little girls. LOVE it! Using my 40% off coupons, I bought bare wood chairs at Michael's, then spray painted them red, using Rustoleum's Colonial Red (from Home Depot). My girls love these...perfect for books, puzzles, and tea parties!

4. Art clipboards, with clothespins:




Remember THESE art clipboards I made last year? Well, I removed the clips, and added THESE decorated clothespins. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

5. ABC's





I found these fabulous ABC tiles on the clearance shelves at the Pottery Barn outlet, and I loved them as soon as I saw them. I knew I wanted to implement them somehow in the playroom, and I love how it turned out. This is SO simple--and instead of nails you could use clothespins.

ITEMS YOU NEED:

• 3/4 inch MDF, cut into the length and width you need (remember...your hardware store should do this for you!)
• spray paint
• 2 inch nails
• air nail gun

DIRECTIONS:

• Spray paint your cut wood--sand and distress as desired. I would use either a Ralph Lauren glaze, or a dark stain (I love Minwax Provincial).
• Pound in your nails, or hot glue on the clothespins.
• Using the air gun, nail the boards where you want them on your wall, making sure they are level.
  
• Add your embellishments!

This has been SO fun to do. Coming up next...the girls' playroom under the stairs, and another wall or two!

{250 ways to say i love you}

(image from www.candyfavorites.com)

My friend smartmama is, well, smart. She really is incredible, and you will just have to go see what I mean. Her art, cakes, writing and philanthropy...she is just one of my favorite people. You can find her HERE.

A couple of years ago, she blogged "250 ways to say I love you", and they are fantastic! If you are looking for ideas for Valentine's Day, this is the place to check first. The best part though, is that these ideas can be implemented all through the year!

LIST HERE: 250 WAYS TO SAY I LOVE YOU!!

{burlap flowers}

HOW adorable are these burlap flowers? They are so incredibly easy (and cheap) to make, and are super cute. They really make the perfect accessory--whether pinned on a jacket, attached to a headband, or clipped in your hair. In addition, because burlap is such a neutral color, it makes it a very versatile piece, and can be worn with numerous colors and styles. I am in love with these!! I am a huge fan of anything burlap, and when I wanted to use up some scraps I had that weren't big enough for anything else, I knew this was the perfect thing.
My little Emma is modeling the headband and flower, but you can bet I will be wearing them too! These are darling on big girls and little girls alike. I also used my jacket as an example, but think how cute it would be on a little girl's coat (I'm already thinking of making more for my girls' peacoats), along the edge of a white shirt, or even as an added embellishment on a pair of jeans?




ITEMS YOU NEED:

• burlap--scraps work well!
• flower template (I found one online)
• scissors
• buttons
• needle and thread
• pin with a back on it
  
• small piece of felt
• headband
• alligator clip (these are pretty cheap at Sally Beauty Supply, or similar store)
  
• hot glue

TO MAKE FLOWERS:

• Using double stick tape, adhere your template to the burlap, then cut it out with scissors. I found this works much better than even tracing it on with a pencil--the tape will keep it in place while you cut out the flower.
• I made 2 different kinds of flowers...1: a layer of 5 flowers, all the same size, and 2: a layer of 3 flowers that are all different sizes, with the bottom flower being the largest and going smaller each time.
• Stack your flowers, and sew your button in the center.
• Bend up the edges of the petals, so it looks a little more crinkled, giving it more depth.

FLOWER PIN:

• Hot glue the small piece of felt on the back of the flower, then glue on your pin. I'm not sure what they are technically called, but they are the pins with the small backing that you can attach to something.
  

FLOWER CLIP & HEADBAND:

• Hot glue a small piece of grosgrain ribbon along the length of your alligator clip, and then a small piece of felt on to the bottom of the burlap flower.
  
• Now you can glue your flower to the alligator clip!
• For the headband, just hot glue the flower directly to it. You could also cover your headband in ribbon or fabric first!
  

{family meal planner & shopping guide}

When I'm getting ready to go grocery shopping, I always sit down, make a menu, look at the ads, and then make my list from that information.
Well, I don't know about you, but I have more than one cookbook I use on a regular basis...a favorite recipes binder, a church cookbook, and couple others that I love. This means that when I sit down to make my list, I'm pulling out a stack of cookbooks to go through to find a specific recipe and the ingredients required.
So, I decided to do something about that. I came up with "The Family Meal Planner", and I love it! I got that stack of cookbooks out, found all of the favorite, tried & true recipes our family eats the most, and got to work. Now I can just pull out my meal planner, decide what our menu will be, and have a ready list of ingredients all in one place.
Initially, I was going to use 3x5 cards, which I still think would work well. However, my lovely printer wouldn't accept that size of paper, and although I could have made it work with a lot of effort, I decided to opt for 4x4 pieces of cardstock. I love anything square though, so I'm glad it ended up that way. I also designed it so I can add a new recipe on at any time.




ITEMS YOU NEED:

• cardstock
• scrapbook paper, and coordinating papers
• cookbooks, favorite recipes
• silver clasp ring
• distress ink
• ribbon
  

DIRECTIONS:

• Open a blank Word Document. I formatted it into 2 columns, and fit 4 recipes per page.
• Print onto cardstock.
• Cut into 4x4 squares, with one recipe per square.
• Cut your scrapbook paper into a 4x4 square, and embellish as desired. Distress edges.
• Using a hole punch, punch a hole into the left corner of each square. To make sure all the holes are in the same place, try this: punch a hole in the first square, then place each additional square one at a time underneath that first square. You will be able to then punch a hole directly over the top of the original hole.
• Stack all your squares together, and place on silver ring.
  
• Tie ribbon on ring.
  

{twine frame}

I seem to have this never-ending supply of frames that I don't love, don't use, and are just sitting in my craft closet. This one in particular I didn't know what to do with, because I couldn't just cover it with spray paint. It was this kind of leather material, that was falling apart, and it was looking like there was no hope.

Then...I remembered the twine. How I love that stuff! You might look at this frame, and wonder how long it actually took me to cover it, but surprisingly, it only took about 10 minutes.

I adore how it turned out, and with a darling flower as an embellishment, it is the perfect thing for the table in my music room.

ITEMS YOU NEED:

• old frame
  
• twine (jute) --I used a little less than half a spool on a 5x7 frame.
• flower
• hot glue

DIRECTIONS:

• 
  Leaving your twine on the spool, take one end, loop it around a corner of the your frame, and tie a tight knot on the back side, leaving a long piece on the end. (this will come in handy later)
  
  
  
• Continue to wind the twine around and around the frame, (you have to pass the spool through each time), pulling it tight each time.
  
  
• 
  To do the corners, try this: Wrap the twine until you get to the edge of the corner, then skipping the corner, wrap the other edge of that same corner. Then continue to do the corner itself. I know--that probably sounds confusing, so hopefully the picture will help. Also--please ignore the fuzzy picture, I'm sorry! I didn't realize it was fuzzy until I was all finished!
  
  
• Once you have wrapped the whole frame, and you are back to where you started, take the end of your twine, and tie it to the long piece you left in the first knot you tied. This should be on the back side, and will keep your twine in place.

• Hot glue your flower in place, and you're ready to display!
  

{clothespin valentines}

I adore clothespins, and how fun are these darling valentines? Super easy to make, and totally affordable. You can buy packages of 100 clothespins for a little over $1!

ITEMS YOU NEED:

• clothespin (Remember these? Directions HERE) They were perfect for this!
• cardstock; one neutral, two coordinating colors
  
• distress ink
• double stick tape
• paper trimmer
• printed words (I used fonts "A Little Pot", and "Century Gothic")
• small plastic treat bags (I bought mine at Michael's. I think they were around $4 for 50 bags--around 1 1/2 inches wide by 3 inches high.)
• candy (I love the look of the pink & red M&Ms!)
• ribbon, of course!
  

DIRECTIONS:

• Print your valentine words on white card stock. I like the texture of Bazzill, but you can use whatever you have.
  
• Using your paper trimmer, cut out two coordinating colors of cardstock--one slightly larger than the other. I cut my colored paper about twice as wide as the white, to make room for the clothespin and candy.
  
• Ink all edges.
• With the double stick tape, adhere the white card stock to your smaller piece of colored cardstock, then tape that onto the larger piece.
• Place a small piece of double stick towards the middle of the back of your clothespin, then clip it onto the top left of your card. The tape will just give it a little extra security.
• Fill one of the bags with candy, fold over the top, then clip it onto the card using the clothespin.
• I couldn't resist some ribbon! Tie it around the lower part of the clothespin.
  

LOVE these! I can't wait to make a dozen more!

{front door decor}

I love cute front doors. They welcome friends and guests to your home, and can show a little of your personality to anyone that drives by.
I also adore berry wreaths. I just do. I'm not sure why, and it has to be the right kind, but they add just the perfect pop of color. I use red berries in the winter months, and this season I added a fat piece of burlap (another big favorite) and tied it in a knot at the top of the wreath. Love it!
I have also always really liked the vinyl lettering words or phrases, such as "welcome", but never wanted to fully commit to putting the lettering on my door.
So, I made my own version, which is easily removable, and can be changed or switched out at any time. Wouldn't it be fun to have different words for the different holidays, and even birthdays? I think I'm going to make a few more that I can put up at other times of the year. They are fast, easy, and really inexpensive to make. Home decor doesn't have to be complicated...it can be simple, and be done on a budget.



(Please ignore that crooked curtain, it's driving me nuts! Once I noticed it in the picture, it was too late to go take another one. :) )

ITEMS YOU NEED:

• cereal boxes, or other cardboard on the thin side
• scrapbook paper
• ribbon
• distress ink
  
• hole punch
• double stick tape
• wall putty, or strong magnets
• letter templates (i.e. printed off the computer)
  

DIRECTIONS:

• Print out the letters of your word. I used the Cafe Rojo font, sized to 400. I wanted it the letters to be chunky enough to have some substance--a skinnier font wouldn't work as well for this project.
• Cut out the letters, then trace into the cereal box and scrapbook paper. I trace onto the back of the paper, so you can't see the pencil lines, but this means you have to trace them backwards. Don't forget, or your letters won't be right when you flip them over.
• Using the double stick tape, attach the scrapbook letters onto the cardboard letters. Trim any excess. (Sandpaper also works well.)
  
• Ink all the edges.
• Punch a hole where you want the ribbon to be, and then tie it through. (optional...I'm not sure I would add it if I was to do it over again. This was not its original destination; I thought of the front door after I made it. I can't decide if the ribbon adds to it, or takes away from it, but I love ribbon so much it doesn't really bother me.)
• You can either hot glue magnets on the back if your door is magnetic. If not, you can see wall putty (which is what I did).
  
• Attach to your door!
  

{EASY frame makeover}

Seriously, this has to be the easiest makeover ever, and I'm in love with it! I had a frame that I liked, but didn't love, but it fit the pictures I wanted to display perfectly. When I placed it in the space I had for it, it just didn't look quite right.

BEFORE:



So...out came the scrapbook paper! This project literally took me less than 10 minutes, but it transformed the frame, and the whole look of the space. I used a solid color--I really wanted the vintage-y look of the distress ink to stand out. Regardless of the paper you are using, the key to this project is the distress ink...it really gives it what it needs to make it work.

AFTER:



ITEMS YOU NEED:

• frame (The frame that will work best for this is a flat frame. You could even use the wooden frames they sell for cheap at Michael's or Joann's...they would be perfect!)
• scrapbook paper
• double stick tape
• distress ink
• paper trimmer
• mod podge & foam brush

DIRECTIONS:

• Measure each side of your frame, and trim paper to fit the space. I cut it to make the pattern I liked, instead of just four solid strips of paper that go the whole length of the frame. It gives it much more of a unique look than usual. You could even mix and match patterns/solids if you wanted to! Many frames will be big enough that you need to plan out how you will place your paper, so lay it out first to make sure it works.
• Distress the edges! Don't skip this step...it really is necessary.
• Using double stick tape, adhere the paper to the frame.
• When the paper is where you want it, apply mod podge with the brush. ( I haven't done this step yet...I'm trying it out in my space for the day before I commit to the color. :) )
• Let dry, and display!

I told you it was easy!

{personalized scripture totes & scripture covers}

When I came across THIS tutorial for scripture covers, I was so excited! I had never even thought about it before, with my girls being so little. ( I don't think my son would have appreciated scrapbook paper quite the same way!) However, with my girls starting Primary tomorrow (our church's Sunday School program for children 3-11), I couldn't wait to start these two projects that go hand-in-hand.

SCRIPTURE TOTES



I found the perfect mini canvas totes (5-pack for $5.99) at Joann's---they measure 6 inches high and 5.5 inches wide, which is just the right size for the pocket size scriptures I bought for my girls. When I first envisioned this project, I was going to make the totes themselves, but when I stumbled across these, I knew just what I would do. This is super easy, super fast, and super cute!

ITEMS YOU NEED:

• canvas tote
  
• fabric
• heat 'n bond
• iron
• ribbon
• scissors
• printed monogram, desired font & size (I used the elephants in cherry trees font, sized to 250--I needed it to be chunky enough to see the polka dots on my fabric.)
  

DIRECTIONS:

• Take the ribbon you will be using on the outside of the tote and wrap it around the tote, to see how much you will need to go all the way around, plus a little overlap. Cut that amount off with your scissors.
  
  
  
  
• Cut an exact amount of heat 'n bond, using the piece of ribbon as a guide.
  
  
  
  
• Iron the sticky side of the heat 'n bond to the side of the ribbon that will be facing down.
  
  
  
• Remove the paper backing, and place the sticky side down onto the tote.
  
• Before you iron, decide where you want the overlap of ribbon to be. I placed it in the center of my bag, so that when I applied the monogram, it would cover the rough edges.
  
• Iron ribbon on, according to heat 'n bond directions.
  
  
  
  
• Print monogram out on white paper, in desired font.
  
• Cut the letter out along lines, then continue to follow heat 'n bond directions.
• Iron on monogram, according to directions.
  
  
• Tie ribbons of choice on the bottom of one of the handles.
  
  

SCRIPTURE COVERS




I followed the tutorial found HERE. However, I did make a few changes. First of all, I used pocket-sized scriptures. I love this size--isn't everything cuter when it's tiny? I also eliminated the ribbon to tie it shut and other embellishments. My girls are only 3, and the less they need to worry about, the better. I also distressed all the edges of every paper I used.

These were so fun to do, and I can't wait for my cute girlies to take these to church tomorrow!

{twine-covered cans}

With two babies at home, we go through an ENORMOUS amount of formula. Thus, we have a plethora of formula cans that I've saved, not wanting to throw them out, knowing I would want to do something (or more than one thing) with them.
The first thing I decided to do was use them to add a little more space to my craft closet. I am lucky enough to have a large walk-in closet with storage drawers that houses all of my craft & sewing supplies. It's amazing, however, how fast I have filled up that space! In making these cans for some of my supplies, I emptied out a couple of drawers to make room for other things. Yay! They are cute, and organizational...how can you beat that?
You could really use these for just about anything...art supplies (next on the list), laundry items (clothespins, etc.), pantry storage, or even in the bedroom (lotions, hair supplies) or bathroom.

ITEMS YOU NEED:

• empty formula can, label removed (you don't have to use a formula can. I'm also saving oatmeal canisters...but you could use any type of round or square container that's big enough for your needs.
  
• natural jute (I used 1 1/2 spools for 3 cans)
• hot glue gun
• ribbon
• scrapbook paper
• double stick tape
• hole punch
• distress ink
• small safety pins

DIRECTIONS:

• Cover your can with twine, using thin streams of hot glue to hold it in place. I only used hot glue every once in awhile, making sure to secure the beginning and end really well. I didn't want to glob it down with too much glue. Pull the twine tightly, and wrap it well, and it will stay in place.
• Using the glue gun, adhere ribbon to the top and bottom rims of the can.
• Create your label, and mat on card stock and scrapbook paper. I printed mine on the computer, but you could use vinyl lettering, foam stamps, or other method of lettering. Distress all edges.
• Punch holes in the sides of your label, and tie ribbon in a knot through the hole.
• Attach the label to the twine, using the small safety pins. Ta-da!
  

Now I'm off to my bed...to put my feet up, read the book I've been dying to dive into, and eat a candy cane (maybe a little hot chocolate too.) Bliss.

Merry Christmas all!

{purse-sized photo brag book}

Remember THIS darling purse set that our own Angela created? Well, I was the lucky recipient of one this past week, when she sent it to me as a Christmas gift. SO cute. When I saw the ADORABLE photo brag books made out of name badge holders, I immediately knew what I wanted to do for friend & family gifts. THANK YOU Angela, for a fantastic idea!
Grandmothers, mothers, sisters, friends, youth (Young Women)...it is a great idea for anyone who loves having pictures of their friends & family, but in a way that will easily fit inside their purse or bag.




ITEMS YOU NEED:

-name badge holders
-silver rings (that open)
*You can find both of these items at Walmart, in the office supplies section. Angela said she also has had luck finding them at Target. Funny enough, I first checked at Staples and OfficeMax, and neither of them carried this smaller size. They did, however, carry the next size up--I think it was around 4x3--and if you wanted to do a slightly larger size, it would be cute too.



-scrapbook paper, cardstock
-desired embellishments
-distress ink
-ribbon

DIRECTIONS:

-Cut 2 pieces of scrapbook paper to fit the front and back cover.
-Embellish as desired. I printed out initials on Bazzill cardstock, matted on a coordinating cardstock, then adhered it to my scrapbook paper.
-Ink all the edges of every paper used.
-Insert front and back covers in name badge holders.
-Stack together however many name badge holders you would like for the photo book, making sure that the front and back badges are facing the right way.
-Slide them on the ring, and close.
-Tie 4-5 pieces coordinating ribbon on ring.