Chevron Cork Coasters

Introducing my latest creation...

RED.

 CHEVRON.

 COASTERS ! ! !

Are these hot or what!?

I needed a coaster, just a single coaster.  That tissue thrown underneath my cup just wasn't cutting it anymore. After I delivered Baby J, I became addicted to ice water.  Nursing makes you so thirsty.  I especially like to keep a glass on my nightstand, but quickly realized I would need something to protect it from getting drenched by my sweating beverage.  So I made a coaster, and it was cool.  I thought to myself, someone else might like one of these too.  So I made some more!  And that is how the lipstick red chevron coasters came about. Save yourself the time and tedious effort of tracing a pattern onto contact paper, cutting it out, adhering it to the coaster and then painting it by PURCHASING some already made!  Or if you're feeling froggy, make your own-I won't be offended (cuz that's probably what I'd do).   

Picnic Basket Tutorial

Summer time is sunshine, kite flying, sunburns, laziness, ice cream, bbqs, bike riding, hiking, family, and picnics!

I love laying in the park on a warm summer day after eating a crisp sandwich just soaking it all in.  Summer is the best.  And so are picnics.

To make a nifty picnic basket like the one above you will need:  a basket, a piece of corrugated cardboard, spray adhesive, fabric, purse handles, a glue gun, and a sewing machine.

I started by tracing the top of my basket onto a piece of corrugated cardboard.  Be sure you trace it so that the lines on the cardboard are going in the direction you want your lid to fold.  Cut it out.

Fold the lid so there is about 1 1/2 inches in the middle.  Unfold it.  Fold it.  Unfold it.  This will give it it's form. 

Then cover with fabric however you wish!  I used 1/2" strips of fabric glued with spray adhesive.

Now for the handles!  I purchased a set of braided microfiber purse handles at JoAnne's for around $3.00.  I attached them by sewing a small piece of fabric near the edge of the canvas lining.

Then inserted the rings of the handles and sewed the other end.

Lastly, I hot glued the lid on to the basket at the 1 1/2" middle.

And there you have it.

I linked up to the Parties and Picnics Challenge at:

Create With Me Project and a Thrift Find

Isn't this pillow so fun?! I love it.  When I saw that UCreate's "Create With Me Project" were throw pillows and one of them was the Shag Pillow by V and Co I knew I had to get in on the action.  The tutorial was put together nicely and the pillow was fairly easy to construct, just a little tedious.  I made it for this rocking chair I found at the secondhand store for only $3.00!!  There were actually 2 of them and I bought them both!  Thank you Isaiah and Alyza!  I gave new life to the green one by sanding it down and painting it a cream color.  I had no idea it would be so much work, but am pleased with the results!

I started sanding down the purple one when I noticed a field of purple flowers down the street that I thought would be perfect for a photo shoot.

Then I decided I sort of like the purple so I haven't finished sanding it.  Best thrift find I've had in a while!  

Colorful Bubble Magnets

Magnets are a great way to add a splash of color to your kitchen.  These fun bubble magnets are not only colorful, but they have measuring equivalents printed on them.  How useful!  Sometimes when I'm cooking, a recipe will call for 4 teaspoons or 1 pint.  And I can't quite remember what the equivalents are.  Now that I have these handy, just a glance at my magnet board and problem solved.  I save myself a little time!

The yellow ones are my favorite!  So bright and cheery.

Sets available in 5 different colors (red not pictured) for $13.00 at On a Whim.

Pretty Envelopes

These pretty mailers are an inexpensive alternative to the boring white plain envelopes I couldn't find last week.  I had made my dad a card and after unsuccessfully searching high and low for an envelope, I resorted to crafting my own.  Then while at the local craft store I saw that 12X12 scrapbook paper was on sale- 5/$1.00 and spent a few hours making a stockpile.  If you've never made an envelope before, it is super easy.  Carefully undo one of those boring plain ones, trace it onto patterned paper, cut it out, fold it up, and glue it together!  I made different sizes by adjusting the scale when copying the pattern.
Linked up to:
http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/
http://todayscreativeblog.net/

Father's Day Gift Idea: Motivational Poster

Do you ever catch yourself smiling or laughing at the mere thought of something?  Abby Kyhl captured this moment at our newborn session and it is one of my favorites.  I wonder what she's thinking about?  Since Father's Day is coming up I thought I would make a motivational poster for this sweet baby's incredible daddy.  New office decor?!  I think so.  You can make one too by simply using Microsoft Power Point.

The How-To:
- Open up Microsoft Power Point.  Click on Design ==> Page Setup.  Change the width and height to whatever size you would like.  I made mine 8"X10".
- Still under the Design tab, click on Background Styles (far right) and change to black.
- Insert a picture.  You can add a white border by clicking on the picture and then Format.  Choose from one of the thumbnails.
- Think of a word that describes the photo and a caption to go underneath.  Type it in the text boxes that are already there and save it as a PDF (if you save it as a JPG it will print out fuzzy??).  I recommend having it printed at a copy store.  Walmart doesn't print PDFs so I printed my at Staples.

If you make one, let me know.  I would love to see it!

I linked to http://todayscreativeblog.net/
http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/2011/06/too-cute-tuesday-linky-par-tay-35.html

J is for Jayna--Scrappy Monogram

Yay for fabric scraps.  I love using them up!  Grab some and cut them into long strips about 1/4 of an inch wide.

 Purchase an inexpensive monogram at your local craft store as well as some Mod Podge if you don't have any.

And start wrapping!  I applied a little Mod Podge on the end of the scrap, pressed it down, and wrapped away.  My scraps weren't very long so I used a bunch of short ones.

And Voila!  I think I may add some embellishments.  Like maybe some twine wrapped around the top right side with a fabric flower or something.  What do you think?  Does it need a little something more?