The non-diaper bag

First off, if you are here via a link party, thanks for stopping by, and I hope you stay a little while and have a look around!

Before Brady was born I received an amazing coach diaper bag from my mother and sis in laws. I loved/love it, and have gotten so much use out of it. Recently I had started to want a little change. Something a little different. I love that bag, but since I also use it as a purse, I wanted a little something new after all this time. Something that could function as a diaper bag, but looks a little more like a purse.

I decided to use some fabric that I had been saving for something special. I love this fabric. It was my first try at really making my own pattern. I typically go off of something I saw online, or a pattern I got somewhere. I think it turned out pretty well. I would change it slightly, like the way the pleats turned out, but not too much.

 The lining inside has a large zipper pocket on one side.

 And two large pockets on the other side. With my label of course.

 Making it work, I used a fabric covered button and loop for a closure, but next time I would do a magnetic closure.

 It has a long over the body (or stroller) strap, and two shorter shoulder straps.

 So I really like it, and the price is pretty amazing.

 Best part, it still fits all of this nonsense in there, with room to grow!

 I have gotten one compliment on it, and I will admit, it feels good when you know you made it all! So what do you think? Old lady-ish, or kinda cute?

Linking up to:
http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/
http://todayscreativeblog.net/
http://brandyscrafts.blogspot.com/
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/

Love Art

I guess is what you call it.
Our shelves in the living room were looking bare after the Christmas holidays, so I have to come up with something.

I found this cute free printable and framed it.

And this heart was made using scrapbook paper, and little rosettes made out of tissue paper.

Behind it is a vase filled with candy hearts, vase filler, and pink pom poms.

This wreath went terribly wrong from what I wanted, but it still is up, so I am not caring that much.

I really wanted a wreath covered in these white ball thingys, to be nice and winter like. But I did not have any white paint, so I did not paint the wreath before I started gluing on the little balls.

After they were all on, you could see too much green from the wreath form, so I decided to paint it pink. At that point I did not really care anymore. Ah oh well, it comes down soon anyway.

Well, that is all of the valentines day decor/ crafts I have... this year.
Thanks for looking, and
Happy Valentine's Day!

Ornament Wreath

I am sure you have seen about 200 of these on the web, but I wanted one, so I did. I saw one at Pier One had one for at least $30, it was all red and beautiful, but mine cost $9, so ha!
Here is a link to the original wreath that others, better than me, have copied.

I used one wire hanger, glue gun, a ton of dollar store ornaments, and ribbon.

First step is to hot glue all of your ornament tops to the ornament itself so that it will not fall off. This is time consuming but worth it, and it will ensure your wreath lasts.
Next, make your wire hanger into a circular shape and make it ready for putting on your ornaments.

Put all of your ornaments on. I used 8 tubes of various sizes of dollar store ornaments. I would guess it took maybe 75 or more. The wreath is bigger, so you could use less and make a smaller wreath. As you put the ornaments on they will settle in place and start to hide the wire hanger.

Once you have them all on you can carefully close the hanger by wrapping one end around the other. This can be hard, other wise you could glue or tape the ends together, and hide it with a ribbon.

I added a ribbon, and hung it nicely on my door. It is so thick that with the storm door, the door barely closes, but it works, and I love it. Now I just need to find more time to make all the other Christmas things I want to make! Merry Christmas to all, I hope you are having a blessed holiday season. 

Fall Decor

Okay, so I lied. I did not get to posting this weekend. But today is better than never right?

I literally did this stuff right after labor day. It has been up in the house (getting dusty) since, and I am just now blogging about it. There were a few more projects I really wanted to do before Thanksgiving, and maybe it will still happen, but I would rather get ready for Christmas instead.

Here are some of the things I made this fall.

After having leftover acorns from my wreath, I decided to put them in a vase for a fall touch.

(I made sure all the acorns were very dried out and bug less before bringing them into the house.)

 I tied some twine and ribbon around the base and they have a nice fall feel.

Also with the twine I made some fall frames.

 I found some old frames in the goodwill pile

 I covered the metal one with masking tape, because other wise I was not sure my hotglue would stick

 I slowly glued the twine all around the frame until it was covered.

 And I now have a fall frame that has been saved from the goodwill pile

I used the other frame too. I covered this one in dollar store leaves.

 Excuse the bad picture, but it is covered in leaves, and really cute. Even craft scrooge, Jerm thought it was.

 Because there were a million leaves in one pack, and I bought two, I was able to make a leaf garland for the fireplace.

 I slowly just added more leaves as I was sewing, so easy!

 The last thing I did with the leaves, was just put them in another vase, and of course add twine.

 Pretty vase of leaves

That scarecrow came from this deconstructed dollar store wreath.

 After adding some other fake leaves I had lying around, with of course hot glue, I got this beauty.

 The "Give Thanks" sign was done on a piece of scrap wood. Wouldn't it look so much better in vinyl, with a circut? A girl can dream.

This behind the kitchen sick arrangement, was a dollar store decorative broom I tore up, and plain ole dollar store pumpkins. I like them the way they are but the options are endless.

 Of course our decor includes pumpkin candy corns!

And a garland with more pumpkins around my candles, on the table.

I think that is it! It is really fun to decorate for the holidays, and I cannot wait to add to it year after year. I hope you are truly blessed, as I am this holiday season.

Acorn Wreath

I have been waiting for labor day to be over, just so I could make this wreath. Sadly, what I had dreamed did not come to pass, but I still really like it.

Ever since we went to a park near my mother in laws, and I saw millions of acorns, I knew I needed to make an acorn wreath. I had little helpers, Brady and my nephew, to help me collect tons of acorns. I tried to collect just the tops, but my little helpers got me all kinds.

Once I got the acorns home, I sorted them and I got all of my supplies together. Ignore the paint, and white ribbon, and add spray paint, and a different kind of ribbon. Have I mentioned how much I love those dollar store wreath forms?

I glued the tops of the acorns to the wreath. I tried to be systematic, but I ended up just trying to cover the wreath.

Originally, I wanted to have a natural acorn color wreath, but the hot glue showed through and I could not stand it.

See all the glue? I had to paint it. I choose to spray paint it brown.

I added the bow, and I think it works well. Someone, who shall remain nameless, thought it looked like poo-poo. I think it would look amazing if our door was a different, lighter color. Do you think it is too drastic to paint my door a different color to accommodate my wreath? I think maybe so!

I am happy how it turned out, and I hope you like it!

I have more fall crafts coming soon, check back!

Also I am trying out my first time to join link parties, I could spend hours on the things other creative people link up. The ones I am linking to are below. Be sure to look at all the wonderful ideas. Should be fun! Here goes nothing!