Back away from the woman with the glue gun.

I stole this idea. I saw this argyle Valentine wreathe on Etsy and while I fully support handmade goods and people making a living off of them, I saw this and knew I could do it myself. It meant the difference between $45 or $8. The Etsy one looks better, frankly, but I'm happy with mine!

Blogs are making us fat.

I saw this post by my cute friend Heather this week and instantly decided life couldn't go on until we did the same project.

I tried to use stuff we had on hand and really only had to buy the donuts which was screamed "bonus!" However, that meant Heather's looked better than mine. Which I somehow found a way to live with.




Mr. Designer struggled through this project.


Next project on the plan? This post.

DIY: Picture Frames!

I've been waiting for months to display this frame. This was a foam board print from one of our Fresh Art shoots (before it was Fresh Art). Russ couldn't just put it in a frame and hang it on the wall. Which I'm thankful for. But it just meant I had to wait. Blah.

Russ bought all parts for this at the Depot of Home. One part plywood, can of sample paint, and some hardware. Paint the wood and let it dry. Then hand some rocks to your 3 yr old and let him throw them as hard as he can at said painted plywood. Drill a few holes and done.



This is another piece that Rusty-face created on his own. Have I mentioned his skeeels? He originally made this for the youth room at our church offices and I loved it and gently and sweetly asked him to make one for our house. It's one of the first things people comment on when they come to our house for the first time.

Can you tell I'm enjoying my new toy?? Although, others may not feel the same...er...uh...

Pickin' up the slack

Easter and April Fool's Day have snuck up on me this year. Maybe it's the fostering stuff but I found myself scrambling today to think of/find fun ideas stuff to do with Eliot. I grabbed a popular magazine I subscribe to with the label, "Eggscellent Easter Crafts, Recipes and Games" and kept turning the pages looking for said ideas. Yeah, uh...that's not going to cut it. Lame.

So, as a favor to you and future me, I'm compiling all the blog ideas I've seen into one post. You're welcome.

April Fools:

*Heather's post from 08 on a great dinner and dessert idea.

*Heather's post from 09 with another idea to add to the last one.

*And...Heather's post from '10. She kills me!

*Lots of crazy food ideas and pranks here.

*More craft and activities.

*Design Mom had some ideas here.

*Cake Wrecks featured some great food pranks here.

Nicole and hubby surprised their kids with this idea that I think would be a good April Fools joke as well.

*Have a tween? You must look at this Chore Camp brochure! Hilarious!

Easter!

*Sara's cheap and quick easter season clothing idea. Of course. =)

*Let's Go Explore's ideas with plastic eggs (LOVE THIS ONE!)

*When you're done with the plastic eggs, check out this UNBELIEVABLY BRILLIANT idea.

*Chasing Cheerios made these bird's nests as a yummy snack.

*Amy's 09 post on more decoration ideas.

*Easter bunny handprint cards from Chasing Cheerios. And Easter bunny Smores from the same blog.

*Resurrection Eggs (DIY) from this blog.

*These AMAZING yummy rice krispy eggs from a blog I found from hop,hop,hopping around.

*These super cute egg planter thingys from one of my readers.

*A great way to make the easter egg hunt a team effort here.

Seriously, I feel like I just finished a term paper. Remind me to look at this post again in early March '11. Good luck, last minute moms!

My Funny Valentine

Step 1: strip the crayons of the only clothes they've ever known.

Step 2: Shred them (not your fingers) with recently-never-used cheese grater onto wax paper

Step 3: Watch as Mommy carefully uses the iron to melt crayons in between wax paper (keep asking, "Mom, what is that?" which implies the child has never seen mommy using an iron before.)

Step 4: Let dry, cut into heart shapes, punch a hole, cut strips of yarn, tie, and hang in the windows.

I am tempted to leave this post at this point. However, this would be inaccurate to the true experience of doing crafts with boys. At least this boy. Or maybe I should say crafts FOR this boy. Yes, it looks as though Eliot is a very helpful participant. Let me add a few more steps.

Step 2 1/2: Since we're already on the floor, take this opportunity to stop watching the crayons melt and do push-ups instead.

Step 3 1/2: Carpe Diem that ball of yarn! Realize that if you run in circles around the table, you can actually trap mommy.

Step 3 3/4: Realize step 3 1/2 can be done even quicker with your bike.

Eliot was over craft time pretty quickly. We took a few minutes throughout an entire morning to complete something that should have taken 30 minutes. Russ was working in the office all morning and when we finished our project Eliot told him to come look. He kept yelling "Happy Birthday, Daddy!"

I'm closest to God's Heaven in my garden. With the Matador.

The answer to all my problems! Well, not all my problems I guess, just one (not to take away from the impact.)

The problem? My hobby. Earring shopping. It's Guatemala's fault (they have some mad skills down there!) And Ninfa's fault (we all know the best accessory to THE accessory is a cute pair of earrings.) So, yeah, I enjoy a cute pair-o-rings for my lobes.

That came out weird.

So, I've never really had a great solution as to where to house all my lobe candy. (ewww.) No jewelry box ever seemed adequate, mostly because like Moto Moto, " I like 'em big, I like 'em chunky."

So, whenever it comes to mind when I have friends over, I'll show them my pile and ask their advice. I usually hear "Well, I have this blah blah blah that works perfectly!" but their solution was never anything I could do. I don't have extra drawers or shelf/dresser space.

However, remember this weekend? Well, Julie happens to make jewelry so I know her "hobby" is worse than mine. She described an idea she's heard before using common household materials.

Ya'll, the clouds parted and heavenly hosts sang out the halleluah chorus.

Step 1: Find old frames. So, off hunting I went. I found two Goodwill treasures. This robust Matador had a cool frame and then a lovely cross-stitched little number reading "I'm closest to God's Heaven in my garden." (Sidenote: as I was purchasing this catch phrase, the lady behind me started oogling it and said, "ooh, that's beautiful." and then something to the affect of "I wish I would've thought of that." She was my third treasure at Goodwill)


Step 2: Buy screening. This vinyl role will last me til then end of time. It was super easy to work with.


Step 3: Replace Matador and God's Heaven with screen. Staple gun those suckers. Add some wiring for wall placement and SHA-BAMM! 16 year problem solved. (allowed to pierce my ears at age 16...) This isn't the best pic but you get it. Here's the cooler of the two:

(and a special thanks to my spouse for the supportive role with the staple gun.)