Diy~ Magnetic Meal Planner

So easy your kids could make it or at least help out with it to get their excitement up.

I figured I am ALWAYS making schedules and jotting things down on the expo board, my purse notebook, big notebooks or typing it in my tablet or phone and for some reason I just can NEVER stick to the schedule.  Every part of me wants to be an organized person.  There is that old saying "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em".....well that is not me.  I tend to stick with I know or in this case, it really comes down to me having to adjust to how I am and make something work with my current....never being able to stick to a schedule personality.   First thing is first....before anything else everyone has to eat and cooking is something I just can't get away from so I decided to start there first. 

What you need:

A magnetic Expo board

Print outs of your meal clip art

1 sided self-laminating sheets

Magnet backs

*Once you decide what kind of images you want to go with your meal planner then print them out.

*Next, smooth them on your self-laminating sheets and cut them out

*Put the sticky part of your magnet on the back of your cut out

*Put it on your expo board and jot down the times for you meal schedule and what you are having.

If it needs to be changed then you can change it by simply rearranging your magnets OR just erasing.  I like this option because it really saves on buying paper...helping save some trees!  

The great thing about it is my 7 year old is always asking what did you put in my lunch box mom...well now she can have some extra reading and know what is in her lunch box.  She will know all she has to do is look at the board.

Sorry, it is a little messy.  I was in a hurry and jotted it down quickly.  Sometimes it comes out neat and sometimes it doesn't, but either way this is the basics of what we are doing.  

A little more about our daily routine:

My husband leaves for work around 3:30 am and gets home any where in between 4-8, so he has super long days.  At the time I made this board my daughter was still in school and I make her lunches rather than buying them or her eating at school.  Once school starts I will have 2 little ones with lunches plus my husbands.  Our schedule changes pretty often and our times are adjustable with this board, which really works for me.  

How do you organize all of your meals for the week?

Captioned Clay Pots

What inspires you?  Do you tend to go towards the poetry side when jotting things down or do you need to put a little more thought into it?  I would love to say I had a poet within, but sadly I do not.  I tend to be the one that puts a little more thought in it and has that pile of paper crumpled up on side of me.  Just kidding, I use a pencil or S Note on my Tablet.  

 I am a vintage lover and a lover of this quote in particular:

"FAITH MAKES ALL THINGS POSSIBLE,

LOVE MAKES ALL THINGS EASY,

HOPE MAKES ALL THINGS WORK"

- Wall Quotes Canvas Banner

So grab a clay pot, some inspiration and get to creating!

 HOPE, FAITH, LOVE and FAMILY was the affirmations we chose to go with.  All of those are feel good words and are sure to make anyone smile.

You are just going to love this and I know even if you are not a crafter, this should be a breeze of a project.  The longest this project takes is waiting for it to dry.

Here is the how to:

Clay Pots

Some kind of glue to write with

Newspaper for your work surface

Toothpicks to adjust your writing if you squeeze out too much paint

Sponge Brush and Paint Brush

Scrapbooking paper- 8.5 x 11 cut length wise. 

The 4 papers- 4 that were placed on the shelf right by each other was my coordination inspiration. :)

*They are were my favorite and all scrapbooking paper is coordinated with matching colors and designs so you can't go wrong by choosing ones closest.

Paint- Craft Smart{Red} and Apple Barrel {Red Apple} blended

Matte Mod Podge

Step 1: Choose and paint out your words; let dry.

 Step 2: Blend paint and paint a few coats of paint over your letters. The glitter paint was a bit harder to paint over, because it kept popping through.  If you want that sparkle then I wouldn't worry about it too much. I did 3 coats of paint with a sponge brush. {Sponge Brush prevents lines and the sponge design blends with the pot} Let dry.

Step 3:  I cut the paper long ways to avoid bubbles in the design. Cut each strip 4 to 5 times depending on the size of your pot.  You want to be able to wrap it with no space in between the paper and pot.  Once it is measured out apply your Mod Podge on the planter; apply your strips and apply Mod Podge over your paper surface with a paint brush.  Let dry for 24 hours. 

* I made these to go inside my moms kitchen window for herbs, however I am not sure how long they would hold up outside. I am sure it is very possible they would be fine.  You can always apply material rather than paper and the Mod Podge works with material as well.  They would be able to be placed outside and rained on without an issue.  I am not all to sure on mildewing of the material depending on weather conditions.  This was my first time making these, so my experience with how they hold up is very low.   

I hope you enjoyed this crafts and I look forward to bringing you many more coming soon.  

MEET GINGER!

Her latest post is:

How To Get Silky Smooth Legs

I want silky smooth legs....I am headed to check it out some more and hope you will join me.

A Mother's Love- Art Activity

A Mother's Love Project how to:

Trace your little ones left hand and your right hand on a solid colored paper and cut out.

Paste to your favorite designed scrapbooking paper.  You can frame it, laminate it or just hang it as is on your wall or fridge.   Cute right!  My mom actually did this with my youngest sister and I just had to share it with ya'll. 

Make Your Own Ribbon Pony Tails!

Little girls are so lucky, they get to wear all kinds of pretty little pony tails and bows.  Normal bows do cost a bit and it is either you love it or not so much.  Make your own hair bows and save money and customize it to your outfit or liking.  Ribbon is pretty easy on the wallet and has endless possibilities.  Check out these cute hair bows the girls are sporting. 

Pretty simple right. You could do even more than just 2 different types of ribbons to make it more colorful or more full.  We haven't had any issues with the ribbons falling out or coming undone, so tie 'em tight.   I hope you have fun making some new ribbon hair pony's!   Stay cool and I hope you are enjoying your Summer.   I am currently on the Mississippi Coast spending some much needed family time with my mom, sisters, brother and everyone else.  I pop in here and there, so if you are wanting to chat or sign up for something just shoot me an email.  Away from the blog for the moment. 

Make Your Own At Home- Weed Killer

(this particular color was a result of apple cider vinegar and distilled white vinegar with the blue Dawn)

RESULTS ARE IN!

I sprayed down the weeds in the morning before it started getting warm around 10 am.   Spray the center really well so the root gets saturated.  I did read about the weed killer not harming the surrounding grass, however be careful not to spray the grass because it will kill it.  I had TONS of weeds, so I sprayed and refilled and then resorted to pouring because my hand was killing me from squirting so much.  If you should be so lucky not to be infested with weeds then the spray bottle will work great for you.   We cut the grass and all the weeds were gone AND the grass was not badly damaged.  I sprayed a day before we actually planned on getting the yard cut.  It was not very noticeable at all after all the shriveled up messes were mowed down.  The above photos were tests spots and not where there was a bunch of green grass.  All of the weeds shriveled up and turned black and it has been about 1 1/2 month and those particular previously sprayed weeds have not returned.   I wish it would send the memo out to the other weeds so we can be done with it.  I doubt that will happen so spray on! 

*Repeated use of the salt can be toxic to the soil. *I HAVE NOT HAD TO REPEAT*

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Carnival Themed Giant Popcorn Box

What do you need to make a giant popcorn box set up? 

Red and White Vinyl Table Clothes

Xacto Tool

Giant Cardboard Box

Tacky

Doublesided tape

Clothes Pins

Decide how wide you want your strips and draw them on a poster board and cut your template off of the poster board and trace with a pencil on your vinyl tablecloth.  Once you get all of your red strips traced, you can cut them out.  I traced the top half and then the bottom because the poster board was shorter than the length I needed.  

You want your box to actually look like a old school popcorn box.  Well, I did because I have this tendency to want things one particular way.  In order to get that cute little ruffle type design at the top, I used the same exact template I used for the red stripes for the outside of the popcorn box.  I traced the rounded design at the top of the box and then to get a smooth design, I cut along each design with my xacto tool.  It worked beautifully because it was new, so if you plan on taking on this project get a new blade.  I tried scissors and the cardboard was too thick.  

Wrap your box with 2 vinyl white tablecloths and staple in the inside of the box so everything stays put and is hidden at the same time.   After you attach your white tablecloth to your box line up all of your red strips and place the clothespin at the top to hold it in place.  I placed double sided tape under the strips, but they really only worked at the top and for some reason the rest kept coming undone.  I resorted to blue tacky and it actually came out looking like a part of the design.  Once you get them where you want them, adjust your bottoms and cut them.    

 There was a part of a tablecloth place on the inside that overlapped a table that was placed in the inside  to hold the popcorn and stabilize the box.  

It was hard to get it as perfect as I wanted it because all my boxes came in late.  I needed larger boxes, so I was waiting for my husbands job to donate boxes for the event.  I got them 2 days before the event....which did not provide very much time to get everything I needed done.  Everything got done and the giant popcorn box was a nice addition to the party.

Circus Clown Fun Face Photo Board

Just like the Circus Monkey Fun Face Photo Board, I did the same thing with getting my design.  I did the light tracing from the computer and drew on squares of computer paper and put them all together in the end. 

So cute right!  This one was my favorite.  I love all of the colors.  I added a little trick flower with the pump for more of a clown person.   I found it for $1 at The Dollar Tree.  I thought about putting water in it for extra fun, because I knew people would squeeze it, but I thought about the marker and it would ruin the artwork.   Other additions was a felt strip for the hat, felt for the vest and dots from the background for his clown tie.  Pretty cute and simple.  I am sure there is possibly a less time consuming but more costly way to do it.  I went harder route because it fit in my budget.  I was so happy with the end result and I just couldn't stop smiling.  Let me know if you ever try this out, I would love to see it.

Circus Monkey Fun Face Photo Board

This was a VERY large box.  It actually opened up it reached about 12 feet across and  was about 5'5" high.      Don't quote me on that exactly though, because it was over a year ago.  

I searched the internet and coloring books for a design that would fit the theme and I ran across this one. 

At the time my printer was out of ink, so I did the old fashioned light tracing.  I placed a piece of computer paper on the screen and traced as lightly as I possibly could.   That is why it is a bit messy.   However, it just goes to show you that you can have something cool and not have to spend a fortune or need special equipment to do it.

I am sure there are easier and more expensive options, but sometimes you just work with what you have.  In order to get the shape of a little hand, I traced my then 3 year old sons hands and they worked perfectly.  I did the eyeballing drawing per square in order for it to fit on the larger board.  

So that is the process of getting my forms set up for the board.  Lots of tracing, sizing, measuring and measuring and erasing again.  For decorating I used markers, glitter and felt. I added a bow and a hat to my little monkeys to make them even cuter with more of that jazz factor!  I hope you enjoyed this.   

Make Your Own Themed Cupcake Toppers~ We Made Carnival Toppers

Have you ever spent a large amount of time trying to find the perfect cupcake topper for your special event? I know I have way to many times!  I have went to store after store going crazy and stressing out trying to find the perfect cupcake toppers.  Next step is to turn to the internet to see what I can find. Stress no more...make your own cupcake toppers.  Last year at our Central Foothills Mommies Birthday Bash #6 we went with the carnival theme.  First thing is first....birthday cupcakes.  One of the ladies decided that the cupcake toppers would be the best idea.  They turned out really great.  I am sure you want to know how they were made, so you can make your own.  Fret not, you can always count on me to share whatever finding and alternatives to anything I come across. 

It was actually super easy, tedious, but easy.  You print your image out on card stock paper and cut length wise and place your circle cutter over the image and punch it out.  

You need: 

 2 circles and 1 toothpick for each one of your cupcake toppers.   

I could have used hot glue but I wanted the image to be completely smooth so I used regular Elmer's glue.  I believe I ended up making about 60 cupcake toppers = 120 circles.  If I remember correctly it took about 3 hours total of cutting out and putting them together.  I placed a small dot of glue on the toothpick, lined up the circles right under the middle of the circle and held it tight for a few minutes until the glue started to take. 

I let them dry over night and they were all complete. 

The possibilities are endless.  It really was worth it once I saw them all put together and making all the cupcakes so festive looking.

Carnival Themed Party Decorations COMING: 
Monkey Photo Board
Clown Photo Board
Giant Popcorn Box
Cotton Candy Sign

Find Out How Your Foot Pronates

Pronation is when you turn your feet so that the soles face out, supination (or underpronation) is when you turn your feet so the soles face in.

Look at the soles of your shoes. If they are obviously more worn on the outside of the heel you're a supinator. If  they're obviously more worn on the inside of the heel, you're a pronator. If the heel is worn fairly centrally, you're neutral.

I went to a local store called Fleet Fleet for an evaluation, but I wasn't satisfied with the service.  They wanted to sell me more stuff than evaluate my stride so I could get good shoes that would reduce my shin splints and knee pain from running.  If you have a place that does do the evaluation then that is awesome, but if you do not there is a easy way to see what your style is. 

Wet the bottom of your foot by dipping it in water. Place a piece of paper or a brown paper bag on the floor in front of you.  Step forward in a normal stride, rolling your wet foot on the paper.  Follow through with your stride by stepping forward with your other foot to get a better personalized picture of your pronation.  

Examine the wet mark on the bag or paper:

Full foot indicates overpronation

Narrow arch -sometimes with a separation between your heel and the ball of your foot -- indicates supination. 

Normal pronation image will show about half of your arch

Here is mine:

I used construction paper.   As you can see my pronation style is supination (or underpronation).

Check it out...it is pretty neat.  You don't have to go anywhere to find out now. :)

Make Little Girl Balloon Flip Flops

It is getting warmer and we all love flip flops.  Personally, I wear flip flops 95% of the year.  My toes love the breeze.  Last year I saw a little girl making these balloon like flip flops when I was waiting to get my hair done and I even bought the water balloons to make them and I just never got around to it.  Old Navy had a sale on their flip flops the other day...sadly not the $1 sale but 2 for $5 works for me.   I refuse to buy something when I know I can make it myself.  Sometimes that is not always the most cost friendly option and in those times I make it or wait until it hopefully goes on sale.  

Let's Make Some Cute Flip Flops!

1 pair of flip flops

A large bag of water balloons

Hair band

Sounds simple enough right.  It is and even the most uncrafty person could make these they are so simple.   Size up the back of the flip flop with the foot you are working with so it is not to tight but just tight enough.  Tie a really tight knot as far at the end of the band as possible and then do it again to make sure it stays.  Repeat with the other side and the other flip flop.  Now, if you have a child that has a little bit of a problem walking in regular flip flops, problem solved.  I decided to go out on a limb and try to add a band to the flip flop, because I have one of those flip flop challenged children and she is unable to wear backless shoes or flip flops to school.  

I had actually purchased 1 small bag and 1 big bag of water balloons with the spouts in them last year at Dollar General during the summer time.  It was $3 total and I had some left over.  I did start running out of a few colors and luckily I had the 2nd bag to help me out. 

I started out at one of the sides and worked my way up.

Pink

Yellow

Green

Orange 

Blue 

Purple

The order was something like that.  I did about 2 repeats until I got the the tied part of the head band and I tied around 2 or 3 balloons over the tied part to make sure it was secure and covered.    I did a double knot on each balloon.  It depends on how you want yours to look with the balloon layout.    You can tie your knot starting with the end of the balloon on the inside or facing out.  You can alternate if you like.  I kind of alternated to get the look above.  It is not really set in stone once you tie your balloon off and you do have a little wiggly room to adjust the balloon look.  Play around with it and you will figure it out after a few balloons.   I hope you have fun making some cute little girl balloon flip flops! 

Glittered Spring Eggs

Normally, you see lots of the glittered eggs in the stores for sale during Easter and I decided that I just was not going to buy any of them.  By now, if you stop by pretty often, you know that I would rather try to make something on my own if I can than buy it.  This time was no different.  I know it is a bit late....and even though I did make them before Easter, I wanted to make it a Spring post.    Little baby chicks and many other little baby animals are all be being born so I will just go with that.  :)

Grass Heads for Earth Day

Earth Day is on the 22nd so we decided we would start early on our Earth Day project.  

We gathered up our supplies: 

The Bare Spot Repair is like less than $5 at Walmart.

Potting Soil I got for like $3.

Potting cups-$2 for 9 cups.

The kids filled the cups 1/2 way and put a nice sized pinch of grass seeds in to make sure we have some extra grassy heads...and just incase some didn't sprout.  

Cover with soil until the top and water your soil.  We are watering ours daily right now. Nothing has sprouted yet, but it is getting warmer and they kids hope to transplant the grass in the yard hopefully by time Earth Day comes around.  They planted 2 each so they can glue a face on front & possibly give it a hair cut. 

Here are our cups and we promise to share once we have a nice cup of "GRASS HAIR."

What do you have planned for Earth Day this year?

Saint Patty's Day Hair Barrette

I made this for my daughter recently to wear to school on St. Patty's Day, BUT I didn't realize it fell on a Sunday.  She still wore it and loved it.  I thought about doing the whole clover hair design with the separate mini pony tails, however, I just know she would come back home looking like she was struck by lightning.   I have no clue what she is doing at school, but some days she comes home and it looks like her hair has never seen a brush. Crazy child. : )

Okay, so here is the cute little clip I made. 

2 piece of white pipe cleaner 

2 piece of light green pipe cleaner

2 strand of thin green ribbon a little longer than the pipe cleaners. 

 Braid 1 white, 1 green and 1 ribbon strand together loosely.  The first set will make 2 loops and shape the last one to shape. Twist them into a clover shape.  Cut the extra pipe cleaner/ribbon off. 

Triple fold the orange ribbon after cutting and burning the ends. Hot glue to the barrette.

Place 1 gem/jewel in the center with hot glue.  Go around with gold glitter puffy paint. Place 1 line of gold glitter puffy paint in a line on the orange ribbon. Let dry.  

It was not heavy at all and turned out cute as a side hair clippie. 

* I decided that sparkly, pearly white ribbon you see in the above photo did not fit too well so I omitted it. 

Mustache Cash Stash- Novelty Straws

The kids heard mustache cash stash on a cartoon and it stuck.  I decided to give the whole mustache thing a go.  I ran across this scrap booking sheet at Micheals and knew it would be perfect.  These were super easy to make and they would be great at a get together for a laugh. 

Monogramming & Faux Mercury

Great ideas for the special occasions of the year or a early start on next years Christmas decor.

I saw this copy cat version of a Glitter Monogram PB ornament on itsoverflowing.com and I really liked it but as you know I love to make anything my own if I can. 

The lettering was Cambria @ 200. 

The back was an off white card stock.  Take an X-acto knife to the corners of the glasses to get your shapes.

Mod Podge your circle onto the card stock.

Mod Podge over your letter to have make sure no sides are popping up.

Trim around your circle with design scissors

Crystal Glitter Puffy Paint with Silver Fine Glitter

Mini Bell

Hole Puncher

Jute

* After the monogrammed letter is dry, trace around your circle with puff paint & sprinkle on your glitter. Turn upside down and tap off excess glitter.

* Take your finger and dab on the puff paint around the bell & dip your finger in the glitter and apply to the bell. I did it this way to avoid a non jingling bell.  -Don't get glitter in the bell or it won't jingle.

*After everything is dry punch your hole and string your bell onto the jute & pull it to the back of the circle so the jute doesn't show on the front of the ornament.

I am happy with the way this Glittered Monogrammed Ornament came out but it would have just been so perfect if I would have replaced the lettering with a foam circle for more stability & attach it to the top after the glitter circle has dried- with the addition of red font.

Any gift could have a monogrammed lettering tag.  So create away & make some beautifully decorated gifts.

 Some Faux Mercury Fun!

Pottery Barn Faux Mercury Bell inspired Bells

PB Mercury Ornament

Mine turned out a bit differently.  I practiced & practiced with different glass things & it is much harder than it sounds.  Very messy & lot of paint buzzes & headaches before its over.

When your Looking Glass mirror paint is sprayed in the bell it instantly runs.  I started turning in circles & grabbed the hair dryer to dry the inside faster.  When it is sprayed it is dark but as it dries you can instantly see the mirror effect.  I tried to lightly spray the inside of the bell, but it had to be through the hole in order for the outside not to be sprayed with paint.

I sprayed my 50/50 water vinegar solution in after a few sprays and lightly rubbed the inside with a q-tip which removed a few pieces of paint.  However, it did not turn out the way it should have.  I dropped in some metallic gold acrylic paint/Pearl acrylic for more effect.  Silver lettering coated with puff paint to attach it to the bell.

Attach a bell to the inside of the bells cap. String with jute and its all done.

Stay tuned for the future post on other projects I created while on my Faux Mercury inspirations!

Repurpose Old Books into Christmas Ornaments

Find a book that has pretty good sized pages.  Medium to large books are better.  Fold the page in half toward the center to see the size of the loop.  Cut the same length as a medium sized ribbon.  Run an X-acto tool along side the size you need to make a nice cut. 

12- 5/8" page sections

5/8" wide ribbon: cut into the length of the page

Choose your colors and decide how many pages you want looped or open

Jute cord

Tape

Hot glue

Accessories you want like tied ribbon, bell, cut outs etc.

I taped the end of the ribbon with the page: see photo 1

Start with one piece of looped ribbon & put a dot of hot glue on the bottom

& attach the next loop until all the loops are hot glued together:see photo 4

Pull about 8" of Jute & tie a knot around the end & place in the center of the ornament: see photo 4

Cut 2 pieces of ribbon and X them {shorter than sides} :see photo 5

Attach your ribbon and bell to the front of the ornament.

*If your ornament is wanting to go forward put the bottom of the jute on either side of one loop with a small amount of hot glue.

Happy Holidays.

DIY- Personalized Special Photo Ornament

Start to Finish:

I have been TERRIFIED to send tissue paper through the printer and it ruin the printer. I finally tried it because I wanted a personalized marriage ornament this year.  You have no idea on how excited it made me for it to actually work. I was so excited and still am {until I ruin the printer with tissue paper} that I could dance and I don't even know how to. This was on my first try too. I always have to print something to make sure that I see how the printer is printing...front/back-top/bottom. I should know this by now as many times as I have printed things.

So without further ado.......

Choose your image: Wedding, Anniversary, Birth,  1st Year Christmas, Family, 1st day of school...etc.

I used an image from our wedding that I had practiced doing a subway type art with previously, but was not satisfied with the entire photo. The song we got married to "Would You Go With Me" by Josh Turner. It was just us and baby girl when we got married so we went non traditional style.

Part I:

1. Get a piece of tissue paper{ I used off white Christmas} & cut it to the size of my printer paper.

2. Tape up all of the corners & sides well, so when it runs through the printer nothing snags or causes the tissue paper to get stuck.

3. Size up your bell with the photo on the computer screen to ensure that you get the portion of the photo you want on the bell.

4. PRINT- {it turned out okay, but next time instead of using a piece that was a little crumply I will use one that is not}

5. Put your bell on top of the image section you want on top of a cut worthy surface. I put it on a piece of double folded paper. Trace around the bell with your X-acto tool until you can lift the side of the tissue paper from the ornament. 

6. Remove the portion of the bell and the photo copied tissue paper. Remove the string if it came with one. 

Part II:

1. Apply Mod Podge to the surface

2. Place the image CAREFULLY on to the Mod Podged surface. I luckily didn't have to move mine around, so I am not sure how much working room you would have. I would not think very much due to the delicate nature of the tissue paper. If you have a little bubble or crease you could smooth it out gently with your finger or a soft paint brush to the consistency you want it. Take your X-acto tool and softly remove the string hole of the ornament where the tissue paper is covering. I slightly tapped it and it folded in. 

3. Mod Podge the back of your tissue paper photo and let dry. I was impatient and I let it sit for about 30 minutes and then took the hair dryer on the warm/low setting and dried it the rest of the way.

   It had one line in the middle there, but I didn't try to work it out because I like the old vintage photo look it gives.

4. I strung some Jute cord through the string hole and wrote the date of our marriage on it with a permanent metallic sharpie.

 

 Pretty cool, huh!  I plan to make a few more before the holidays are over.  I am excited to see what other Mod Podge creations I can make.

Happy Holidays.