Jewlery and Hair Accessories Holder

Lately I have been on a total crafting kick! It's the only thing that relaxes me lately is creating something out of bits of pieces of little somethings.  I've really loved making fabric rosettes and flowers for headbands and hair clips but I had no where to put them! Tragic, I know.  Well I found this snazy picture of one that I found on I heart naptime 

She's amazing right?!

Well I used this as my inspiration and hit the DI and found a sweet wooden frame, and went to work on decorating!

 I was lucky to find this for only a couple of dollars.  It was in perfect shape so all I had to do was sand it down and I painted it over with a charcoal color.  It looks navy in the pictures, but that's because I have to worst camera on the planet.  It's much prettier in person.

The next thing I did was measure out the Styrofoam and add to inches.  This then gave me the measurement for how much fabric I needed.  It was about 1/2 yard, so you don't really need to get that much.  Make sure you have the bottom side of your fabric facing up.

After I made sure it was all smooth and I ironed it out, I simply hot glued the fabric to the stryofoam.  WATCH YOUR FINGERS!  I'm pretty sure I burnt off at least 3 layers of skin.  Fold the corners in first and try to get it as tight and smooth as possible.  But don't worry, it a craft!
Imperfections= Perfections!

Then decoupage and add embellishments to your hearts content! I had a really long frame so I had a lot of space left on the top.  I just got a small piece of wood a had a ton of these wood letters from a previous project.  I added the hardware on the corners to keep the fabric from sticking out and it worked out perfectly.  Then I decoupaged this little clip board and then made some matching clothes pins.  I added ribbon to it, so I could hang hair accessories from it.

Then lat everything out and see what you like!  After your happy with the look attach with hot glue gun.  The last thing you need to do is attach it to the frame and hang it up on the wall

FINISHED!  I really like the way it came out, I just wish that I didn't have these white walls!

Oh well it gives me something to look forward to in the future when we get our own home and stop renting :)

Subway Art

 Something that I've never heard before was Subway Art.  Who else didn't know about this?! Well shame on you all you haven't told me about it because not only is it eclectic but it's versatile too.


The very talented Jen over at Tatertos and Jello gave a wonderful tutorial for a Valentine's Day inspired piece of Subway art.

Isn't she so talented?!  Well I took just a little bit of a spin on it, mainly because I'm poor and vinyl lettering is EXPENSIVE!  She said that you could decoupage words that are printed out from the computer but I wasn't sure how to do it and not have the paper show... Here's my attempt at another tutorial...this time with pictures!

Materials Needed:

• 11x14 canvas
• Acrylic Paint Sealer
• 5 colors ( I did cream, red, light pink, bright pink, and black)
• Light pencil
• Fine Sandpaper
• Painters Tape
• vinyl words
• 11x14 frame
• Paint brushes and sponges

Instructions:

1. Paint the entire canvas the lightest shade you have.  Do this at least 3 times.  You'll be sanding later on so you want to make sure that not to much of the canvas is showing.

    
      2.  After you've painted it a few times take some painters tape and make different rectangles and   
           squares.

        3.  Now paint each square a different color.  Be careful not to glob on the paint but try to get it as
             smooth as possible because you'll be putting vinyls on later.  You'll want to do 3 coats 

       4.  After the paint is completely dry take the painters tape off.  NICE JOB!

   
      5.  Take the light pencil and very lightly outline whatever you'd like to paint on.  I chose hearts
           because it's for valentine's day.  After your happy with the designs paint the insides first staying
           about 1/4 in. away from the edge.  After you've done all the hearts, then go and do the borders.
           Once the borders are done and with the smallest paintbrush fill in the gap between.  Your going
           going to go over the insides one more time because you really want the colors to show through.

       6.  Now make sure the paint is completely dry.  While you wait your going to get your last coat
            ready by adding just a small amount of water to a light shade and mixing it really well.  Now
            take a sponge and paint it all over.  Try to get as smooth of strokes as possible, but don't stress
            you'll be sanding later.

 
      7.  So now it's completely dry your going to go over the whole thing with a small sheet of fine sand
           sand paper.  I went until there were little white specks coming off.  I did a little more because I
           wanted more of a weathered antiqued look.  After you've sanded to your liking, then take a wet
           paper towel and wipe off the excess dust.

        8.  Let it dry for a few minutes then arrange your vinyls were you'd like them placed.  After your
             set apply the vinyls

        9.  After the vinyl is applied them place the canvas in the 11x14 open frame (so remove the back
             and the glass.

Your all done!

Yarn Wreath Tutorial

Hello all!

Can I just say how much I love valentines day! Our apartment is slowly getting filled with little decorations and one of them include this cute little wreath to hang on our boring white door.  I'm been in such a crafting mood lately! I'm loving it!

Inspiration:  Shout out to Happy Happy Housewife I can't get enough of how cute this is against the navy door.  I've become obsessed with crafty DIY blogs lately.  These women are amazing always coming up with new and thrifty activities!

The instructions are super easy!

Materials:

• 16 inch foam wreath
• 2 different fabric (1/4 yard each)
• The forever trusty HOT GLUE GUN 
• Small wooden letters 
• 5 oz. yarn 

Instructions:

1. Tie a very small knot at the beginning, wrap around once.  Then knot it again.
2. Wrap yarn close around the wreath.  Make sure that you wrap it tight and try your best to not overlap.  It'll take a few minutes to get into the motion, but you'll get the hang of it.  I found that spacing about 1in.  between each rotation around the wreath and them squeezing them in together, was really productive.   REMEMBER: IMPERFECTIONS=PERFECTIONS Don't stress some yarn overlaps.  It's DIY! 
3. Once all your wreath is covered tie another small knot, wrap yarn once again, then knot once more.  Clip off any yarn that may be sticking out from your knots.
4. Paint your wooden letters and let dry.  Paint again.  Let dry.  ONE MORE TIME....Paint then let dry.
5. Make the rosettes:  Small rosettes:  use 2 in. and 1/4 yard Large Rosettes:  1 in. and 1/8 yard of fabric. *If your fabric is fraying more then you like simply singe the edges with a lighter, but be careful! WATCH YOUR BANGS GIRLS                 

• Tie a small knot at one end of your fabric
• Hot glue the knot to the fabric that is left on top.  
• Simply wrap the fabric around the knot while twisting it.  *I like to keep mine tight in the middle and loosen it as it expands
• As your twisting and wrapping be sure to add hot glue to the fabric.  *Make sure you try to keep is as close to the edge of the fabric as possible, so you get as little hot glue showing as possible.
• Once you get about 1in left of fabric simply dap some hot glue to the bottom of the rosette and add the the fabric on top to secure it in place.

     6.  Hot glue the rosettes on and letters
     7.  I hung it up using the left over fabric I had  and VOILA! YOUR DONE

Now take a step back and love your crafty self!

Crafts Helps Heal My Heart

I've had a tough weekend with the loss of my cousin.  When all my homework is done, and I feel like I can't study anymore, my mind is left with my thoughts racing and replaying over and over again.  It's torture.  So I do crafts.  I make stuff for others, and for our home.  I just need to keep my mind and hands busy.  It seems to be working.  Here's a few things and the tutorials for them.

Womans Day Fabric Mated FrameFabric Mated Frame

Decoupage Wooden Blocks

Rosettes on hand sewn pillow

I'm already looking forward to the Fall!

Since I'm taking the last class I need for my associate degree to be completed (finally) and next fall and winter I'm going to be only taking major classes and then some practical classes that I think will be useful for us.  Here's what I'm going to try to get into! Cross your lil' fingers for me!

Home Decor Sewing (HFED 221-02)- yes I want to learn how to be a really good sewer.  I have the basic skills and Ben's getting me a sewing machine for my birfday :) I just think it will be a good skill to have who knows maybe I will be the best sewer ever and make beautiful projects and sell them for tons of mola! Just kidding but I really do want to have this skill I think it will totally save us money! I'm on a kick about provident living right now

           If you haven't checked the site providentliving.org shame on you! DO IT NOW! Seriously get off of this page and go look at it.  It's all stuff that we need to be reminded off

Intro to Business Management 

Business Fundamentals I 


Principles of Business Mgmt 

Human Resource Management  

 

Lava Hot Springs Extravaganza

One of our new years resolutions this year for us is to make the most out of our free time, and to have as many ADVENTURES and EXPERIENCES as possible together.  We've got less then a year left here in good ol' Idaho, so we want to do as many things as possible.  Each month we are going to try something new in a new place.

Let me just say that I love planning these fun little excursions and I get so excited!!  

For December.....we had an awesome time in Jackson Hole Wyoming (see previous post for the fun details), and just a few days ago for one of our January Adventures we went out to Lava Hot Springs, ID and went cross-country skiing and then had an amazing time at the hot springs.

When we were driving out to Lava Hot Springs I couldn't stop thinking about how beautiful it is out here.  Idaho beauty is different from other places I've seen, it's just so unique and well....there isn't a whole lot out here so you really get a better understanding how much God loves us because he has created such beautiful places.  

CAN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS VIEW!

After driving and getting us lost (once again) we finally got to our little site to go cross-country skiing.  It was such a blast! I hadn't been for about a year, and Ben had never been so this was going to be a fun time!  

First time up!

First time down, just a few minutes later

 

 

 

 

 

    

We had such a fun time skiing.  Another goal of mine is to take more pictures! I want a really good pictures from every adventure we take!  This one bellow is probably my favorite

We're such goobers! 

After fooling around for a while on our skies we decided to make some snow angels and do a little sledding.  They had sleds that we could use that they kept in the warming hut, so it was pretty SWEET!

Of course we have to take goofy pictures and act like complete boobs....and for your enjoyment 

We hit up the Chuck Wagon Restaurant afterward, and surprisingly it had one of the best burgers I've ever had.  It was so thick and juicy, with bacon, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, a lot of onions, it was so DELICIOUS.  YUMMY! We definitely deserved it after I good workout! 

Before heading home we spotted at the local natural Hot Springs that they are know for.  I would recommend anyone going to these! It was HOT! Litterally, it was so cool though and it felt like it was burning my skin at first because they are outside so you are walking outside in below freezing temps, in a bathing suit, then you hop in a pool that is over 100! 

It was crazy how steamy everything was...

 

Every played the game where's waldo?? Try the game WHERE'S BEN?!

Let me tell ya! It was worth the drive! 

The pools are all natural water with no chemicals! When we got out you feel like your skin just got exfoliated.  I think my favorite part was that there wasn't a ton of people there so it was pretty private ;) and the bottoms of the pools are made out of gravel, so it just feels to natural and good on your feet.

It was such a wonderful day! I can't wait for our next little trip! :)

Jackson, WY Adventure

So we decided that we needed to start doing more activities while we are out here, because we only have one year left.  Each month we will pick at least one activity like skiing/snowboarding, museum, concert, hiking etc.

December was the month for Wyoming!

Probably not the smartest idea I've ever had going directly through the Teton Pass and the Swan Valley Pass in the middle of winter.  It was so scary!! I'm not even exaggerating there are people walking on the side of the road to go skiing and snowboarding on this curvy narrow mountain that you could just fall off of.  Then take into consideration our car being really old, the front tires are completely worn down, and the front brakes are going again.  I'm pretty sure that I had multiple panic attacks on the way down the mountain especially when our car started to fish tail a little bit!


When we arrived safely at our destination this is the wonderful view that welcomed us into the town.

BEAUTIFUL!

When we got to Jackson we took a walk through the visitors center and saw all off the displays that they have about the wildlife.

  After we went on a sleigh ride through the elk reservation.  It was FREEZING I nearly lost my nose it was so cold.

It was so fun though! We got just a few feet from the Elk, and learned all about them and it was interesting.

Afterward to warm up we went to Billy's burger and had the biggest cheeseburger with lettuce, onions, mayo, ketchup, mustard, a huge beef patty, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, and jalapenos.  Along with some waffle fries and a diet coke it was the perfect ending to such a fun day with my hubby :)

We were planning on staying for the fireworks and the torchlight parade down the mountain, but we (meaning I) was just too scared to be driving through those mountain passes at 10pm at night, so we headed on home.

Before we left though we got another picture in front of the arch, almost one year later from when we took our first one :) the top is from a year ago, and the bottom one is from yesterday