Words FOR Friends

     So, ya know that thing called Pinterest!?  Well, I sometimes wish I had no other responsibilities besides pinning, crafting, and baking or cooking the treats on there.  Oh, and of course traveling to all of the exotic beautiful places, too -- especially the tropical ones!!  Reality check -- I have three kids, a big Goldendoodle dog, a mom who needs my care, and a husband who is sometimes like another kid.  However, I have managed to do a few crafts and make a few recipes which you can see here and here.
     One of my BFFs, Donna, had a birthday about a month before Christmas.  Somehow she and my other BFF, Nancy, were able to get together for a rather last minute GNO (Girl's Night Out) on her birthday eve.  Donna LOVES the game Words With Friends.  Well, guess what!?  She's also really really good at it.  I mean, I knew she was "smart", afterall she went to The University of Michigan (Go Blue!), but she comes up with 80 - 120 pt. words quite frequently.  I especially laugh when they are words that I am quite sure I have never heard her use in a sentence, in the 35 years I have know her.   She's good and frustrating to play, which brings out my competitiveness and yet I always lose to her!!  The real kicker...I told her about the game in the first place and now she just keeps wanting to beat play me.
    So, I've wanted to make her these Scrabble coasters from Pinterest and thought she just might be the one to appreciate them -- for the girl who has everything!  Oh, and she might like wine, too!!?

 

     I pretty much followed the directions, however I used those rubber foam sheets for my backing instead of cork (I used brown).  I think that worked out ok.  I do regret using polyurethane instead of shellac as a sealant.  It changed the color of the tiles, and I liked the original natural color better.  I also made my coasters a bit bigger, 5 tiles x 4 tiles instead of 4 x 4 tiles in case she wanted to use them with a big coffee mug.  As with most things, I did this project in a bit of a rush and the coasters were barely dry when I gave them to her.  Allow yourself more drying time than I did and you will have a neater finished product!!!
     She seemed to love them and was amazed that I "made" them.  She was also drinking wine at the time, so more easily impressed perhaps!?  (Ha!  That was part of my plan!!)  I did manage to squeeze in a few of our favorite words as best I could.  Her husband is an MSU grad, so thus the reference to MSU.  I'll spare you the other personal references, but you might be able to spot them yourself!!
     Are you a Words with Friends or Scrabble player??  It was a fun easy little project and perfect if you are a "wordy" or want to give a gift to someone who is!!! 

 

 

Christmas Countdown...It's On!!

     Hi!  I'm back from my unintentional blogging break to start catching up and sharing.  Thanks to those who "noticed" I was missing!!!  I will be posting lots of miscellaneous "stuff" in order to catch up, but the most timely as of now is that tomorrow (ready or not!) is December 1st and for many the official countdown begins!!! 
     I don't know what is wrong with me, but I am stuck somewhere between LOVING that my kids are getting older, i.e. they pick out their own clothes, do their own homework, dress themselves, can make their lunch, and they never ask how many days until Christmas, AND WISHING they were still little, I picked out their cute outfits, dressed them, made fun lunches, help them with their homework, and constantly asking how many days until Santa comes!!!  I think the holidays make these changes more obvious -- even starting with Halloween!!
     I recently found myself spending way too much time trying to find an "Elf on the Shelf" on the internet for less than $30.  I soooo badly want to pose that bad boy around my house for my kid's amusement.  Oh, do I have some ideas!!!  But wait, hold the bus!!  My kids are 15 and 12 1/2....is this really the time for me to jump on the Elf on the Shelf bandwagon??  Probably not.  However, if I can get my hands on that little Elf for $20 -- I will !!!  
     The other thing I miss about not having younger kids...  Older kids "know" everything.  If they happen to see me printing a sheet with numbers on it.  "Oh, is that for Christmas??"  My daughter is on Pinterest.  Sometimes I forget this...  "Oh, are you going to make that thing on Pinterest?"  They also use the computer that you might have typed some Christmas activities on.  "Oh, I saw that list of Christmas stuff we are going to do!"  Gone Almost gone are the days when I could surprise them easily.  Ya know, put their Christmas presents in the shopping cart right behind their head.  Or, "look, there's Santa" while you do your miscellaneous secret stuff.  Then there's the whole "how many more days until Christmas"??   We have had a Christmas countdown tree for years. It's a tree with numbered pockets down below and Velcro ornaments for each day. The kids have always liked it.   I like it, too, but it's kind of outdated looking. I've tried to spruce it up with some newer ribbon, but to me it still screams "90s". I also know that Christmas is all about traditions, but I really didn't want to hang that bad boy up again.

Let the Countdown Begin!!

    Rejoice!!   I loved when I saw this Christmas Countdown idea at Hi Sugarplum!.   Modern, simple and practical with the added twist of being able to put items inside the tins. Her tutorial is really excellent, so I don't feel the need to break it down for you.  Oh, except I should say that even if it's late at night when you are making it, you're tired, and your magnetic strips appear to be sticking to the back of your tins, hot glue them anyways!!   I tried to skip that step and here's what I got...

Without Hot Glue!!

Oh, and I do not have a circle punch, so I just simply cut out my numbers.  Keep in mind that depending on how many kids you have, the candy has to be fairly small to fit inside the tins.  If you have a million kids, ya might have to go with M&Ms!!?? 
    Yet, in spite of all of that, I whipped up this little countdown simply because I thought it was fun and even though the kids already know that there's candy inside, are old enough to count it down themselves, and saw my typed up list of Christmas surprises along the way -- well, I will still feel good spreading some good old fashioned "Christmas Joy" with my big ol' kids this holiday season!!!

     How do you Countdown to Christmas -- are ya ready??


 

25 Days

 

Look for Less...and Fall Mantel!!!!

     On a couple of recent trips to the Pottery Barn, my eyes were drawn to their Antique Mercury Glass pumpkins.  What can I say?  I like a little shine (and bling!)!!  However, a quick check on the price snapped me back to reality.  Sure, I could splurge and pay their price -- but in this case I really could not justify it.  Later, I found on Pinterest a pin that said to just spray dollar store pumpkins silver, but there was no tutorial.  But those things got me thinkin'...

Pottery Barn
$39.50 and $24.50
Photo www.potterybarn.com

 

     I bought some Silver metallic spray paint and saw these foam pumpkins at the dollar store.  So, here are the supplies I used:

-- 1 can Krylon Silver metallic spray paint* (approx. $6)

-- 1 (or more) foam pumpkins from Dollar Tree $1 each

 -- a paper grocery bag, newspaper or cardboard box
to protect your work surface (free!)

*optional leftover Rustoleum Metallic Oil Rubbed Copper Spray Paint
 (free from another project)

     I think y'all know, I am not an expert on any of this, but this is what I improvised.  I figured I would use up my leftover bronze spray paint and maybe it would serve as a  base/primer to the silver.  I don't think it was necessary, but that's what I did.  First I sprayed the top halves of the pumpkins.  Once dry, I flipped them over and sprayed the bottom halves.
     Once those were dry, I used the silver spray making small quick whisps of spray paint and leaving a tad of the brownish color showing.  I felt it might give it more depth. (I personally like the look with less silver paint, but choose the look you like).  Once dry, I did a few quick touch ups as needed and that was it!!  They dried within minutes on the foam.

Pottery Barn Look for (a lot) Less

      Although I will not fool myself into thinking they are exactly the same as the Pottery Barn version, I am happy with the look knowing they are waaaay more affordable and they are not made of glass so no worries about breakage!!
     The possibilities are endless on this.  Obviously, you may choose to find a much nicer ceramic version of a pumpkin or a foam version with more character than mine.  I have also heard there is a "Mirror" Krylon spray paint out there that you may want to check out or even use silver leafing.  There are lots of techniques you can try to achieve the look that you want.

     If you try it, let me know how yours turn out!! 

Happy Fall!!

Styrofoam Pumpkins $1 each at Dollar Tree

Three Little Pumpkins

First Coat Sprayed With Metallic Oil Rubbed Bronze

Krylon Brilliant Silver Metallic

Up Close

The Paint I Used

Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze Spray Paint
(Used as My Base Coat)

 

Pottery Barn Look for (a lot) Less

Fall Mantel
(so far)

 

FALLing Into Waxing Leaves

 

     So apparently many families have a tradition of "waxing leaves" at this time of year.  Personally, I had never tried it but it seemed easy enough!  Besides, my kids are 12 and 15 so I have minimal concern of them burning themselves with this hot wax project.

Left: Silk Fabric Leaf Right: Waxed Natural Leaf



     To get started, all you really need is:

•      The wax which can be found in the canning section of your grocery store, near the mason jars (an area I do not normally frequent - lol).  We used two "bars" of the wax but probably could have gotten away with one.
•      You will also want to use one of those disposable aluminum baking pans (unless you love chiseling wax or ruining one of your regular pans).
•      Gather some pretty leaves...preferably with stems.  Of course, the more variety and color the better.  Oh, and imperfections are what make them look so natural so don't worry!!

     Melt the wax on the back burner of your stove on a very low heat for safety's sake -- and please if you have young kids do this they MUST be closely supervised.  (Please I don't want anyone to get hurt!)

     Make sure your leaves are dry -- we patted ours with paper towels since it was raining when the kids collected them.

     Then, just hold the stem and dip so the leaf part is completely submersed in the wax.  Remove and hold over pan until the leaf finishes dripping and then lay to dry on newspapers and wax paper.  (Somehow we never have wax paper when I need it and aluminum foil worked fine, too.)

     All three of my kids enjoyed doing this and the finished product is really neat!  I heard they should last until at least Thanksgiving time!!   We dipped well over 50 leaves and they look great in person!!

     For now, I just put them in a glass bowl but I plan to scatter them on the mantle and table tops soon!!   More Fall update to come.  If you try it, let me know how yours turn out!!!! 



 

 

 

 

 

 



Four Bars of Wax per Box - Cost About $4

My Aluminum Pan and Two Chunks of Wax on Stove Top

Making Sure Our Leaves Are Dry

Dipping Leaf in Hot Wax
(Wax Was Not Completely Melted But We Couldn't Wait)

Laying Out to Dry -- They Dry Quickly



Placed in a Glass Hurricane for Now

Might String These for a Fall Garland or Scatter on My Mantle*

 

*I have a leaf-lovin' dog so I hope he doesn't eat them and pounce on them like he does when he's outside!!!!!



Easy, Fun...Pretty in the Sun!!

     Time out for a quick sun catcher craft project...copied/repinned from my cousin and aunt who found it on Pinterest.
     (Funny side note:  I remember seeing that my aunt had "pinned" this project and was surprised when I looked to find I did not repin it from her....sometimes during my 1 am Pinterest sessions I actually think I get so tired/lazy that I apparently run out of energy to "pin".  Pretty pathetic, right!?)
     The glass gems are pretty easy to find.  I think even the dollar store has them, although we got ours at Joanns. 

     We also used the clear Elmer's glue

Then you can use lids from things like cream cheese containers, or whatever.  (This turned out to be a great way to clean out my frig, too!)  Cover the bottom of the lid with the glue and then begin placing the glass gems any which way, pattern or no pattern, that you want.  Just be sure to put them "flat side down" into the glue.  

If it makes you feel better, you can add a little more glue after you've placed your glass.  Just don't cover the top of your glass gems.

 Takes a good 2-3 days to dry.  Peel carefully out of lid.  Find a good solid place to run some fishing line through the glue and then hang in your favorite window using a suction cup!!

I think we will be doing this again as it is fast, easy and inexpensive.  Actually, we are thinking of making some of these into coasters!!  There are probably tons of ways to use this simple technique!

Happy pINdependence Day!!

     Hope you are spending your day celebrating our great country's independence with family and friends!!!
     Thought I would share one of my recent Pinterest projects...the easiest one I ever did since the work was already done by someone else and I just printed it and put it in a frame from the dollar store.
     Later today I will be posting some of the things we have done to celebrate!!!  What are you doing to celebrate??

Enjoy!!

http://www.oursevendwarfs.com/search/label/Fourth%20of%20July

Class of 2012

          As I believe I have indicated before, we have seven neighbors on our street who graduated from high school this year.  Obviously, I have known this was coming for awhile since I've known most of these kids since they were in preschool.  Six out of seven are having graduation parties which left the dilemma of what to give each graduate.  I wanted to keep it simple and equal, but yet maybe something slightly memorable (not quilting blankets for each!).  I know money is normally the gift of choice, so I was looking for a different way to present the money.  To me, sometimes it's all in the presentation!!
    Commencement was held at Eastern Michigan University on June 3rd.  At the last minute, I decided to perform a small "not so random" act of kindness.  Me and the kids went out and bought graduation balloons and tied them to all of the graduates mailboxes on our street so that when they came home from commencement they would see them.  It was fun and did not take long for my neighbors to figure out I was the one who had done it.  They seemed to truly appreciate the small gesture.
     So far, we have been to two grad parties on our street.  We have another party this Saturday (twin grads) and a few more coming up through July.  Megan has also been invited to several parties of other graduating seniors from school.
     After searching Pinterest and trying to come up with an idea that would not take too much time, I was glad to see that Karina from Bunches and Bits had posted this clever idea on a grad gift of money. 
     I did much the same, but added my own twist which is basically the easier version.  I found these cute little graduation boxes at the dollar store so I used them instead.  By the way, five out of six of the graduation parties on my street are for boys.  We have been having fun celebrating and hanging out with our neighbors at their parties and the gifts have been a hit with the grads and the moms!!

     For the record, this year's grads on our street will be attending:

Michigan State University - 4 grads

Central Michigan University - 1 grad

West Point Military Academy!! - 1 grad

     As for me...I've got three years until I have a high school graduate and feel like I should start working on the house, yard and the party now!!!

Red, White....and "Blue"

     Well, I have some posts hanging around, but am waiting for my daughter to tell me what she did with the memory card so I can download some pics....
     Meanwhile.....I saw this wreath on Pinterest (which I think my aunt pinned).  I thought of my mom who loves American flags, red, white and blue and all that stuff.  She also happens to live in an American House and I try to decorate her door for every season and holiday.  Memorial Day is coming...and then Fourth of July. 
     How cute, right!?  A million flagy toothpicks stuck into a Styrofoam wreath sounded easy and perfect for her door.  I opted for a small 10 inch wreath which I picked up from Michael's on a whim and then saw these toothpicks at the dollar store because I was taking my kids to those stores anyways.  (Michael's didn't have the flag toothpicks).   When I want something, I want it like...now!, so I got the cupcake toothpick things at the dollar store, but I think even grocery stores have them.  The nice girl at the dollar store even gave me buy one get one since I told her I really didn't need the cupcake cups. 
     It may seem like the easiest project ever, and it pretty much is, but there is a bit of an art to making sure the toothpicks are facing the right way and inserting them at a bit of an angle into the Styrofoam.  Because I bought such a small Styrofoam* that I had to break off a bit of the toothpick to make it fit in the Styrofoam.  And, yes, I felt like the Rainman with all the toothpicks.  (Ya know, how he can count them in an instant!)
     I was pretty pleased with how it turned out and knew my mom would think it was the neatest thing ever!

Supplies:  Flag Toothpicks and Styrofoam Wreath Form

Starting to Make Progress

More Progress...

Almost Done...Starting to Feel Like Rainman

The finished product which did not photograph well....but it doesn't matter because I can't take another picture.

*You see, there is a sad ending...  When I went to hang it on my mom's door it fell and the styrofoam cracked into four pieces!!!!!!!!!!!!  I'm so bummed and not sure I'm up for another round of Rainman!!  If you make one...be gentle if you use thin styrofoam!!!!

Below is what it did look like, for about 24 hours...

www.laurengeiger.blogspot.com

via Pinterest