Star Wreath

My sister came across this really cute star wreath that we decided to make while I was visiting her.  The stars were made out of paper and so we headed out looking for some fun cardstock in patriotic colors and prints.  We never thought it would be so hard to find printed cardstock and didn’t want plain stars, so we bought fabric instead and worked on the star pillow that she posted earlier.  Yeah, mine isn't done yet, but it will be for next year.

I still wanted a star wreath and really liked the idea of the fun patterns that you can find on paper, so I decided to reinvent my own.  This was complete in time for July, I had it finished and hanging on my door with a couple of hours left on the first.  It was pretty dark by then, so I took a picture of it in the house.  I was pretty pleased with myself, usually they will get started and I end up finishing and using them the next year, or the next.

Flower Pillow Part 2

It has definitely been a crazy couple of months.  Work hasn’t been good and I have been tirelessly looking for something new, but to no avail.  My dream is to move to never ending summer in Phoenix, but the job market doesn’t seem to be cooperating.  

During my breaks of looking for a new job, I have been trying to finish up my half started projects and I think I’ve done a pretty good job.  My two nephews finally got their Monster Albums (I have now made six of these quiet books, I found the pattern on youcanmakethis.com and love it after I made a few alterations of course), my youngest niece got an adorable lady bug pillow for her birthday and I finished a really cute portfolio for my oldest niece’s birthday (I’ll be posting that one soon).  I have also finally finished my flower pillow, you were probably starting to wonder if I ever would, don’t worry, you aren’t alone.

Here are the final steps and the final product.  I LOVE it!

Silhouette Projects

 

I’ve been spending the cold wintery spring days playing with my Silhouette. It is so much fun. These are a couple of the things I’ve done. Others are still in process and I will show them later.

My downstairs family room is decorated in a woodsy look so my hubby’s deer fits along with my collection of bears. When I saw these pine trees I knew I had to come up with somewhere to use them. I love them.

This on is headed for AZ but I think I may remake one similar for my entry where it will be at home.

Easy Motto

A few weeks ago I was at a training for scouts and it was mentioned that young adults are quitting at things more so than in the past, and the cause is that we aren't teaching our kids to do hard things.  So, as soon as things get difficult, they give up.

I was continually thinking about this after the training (especially since my hubby made a comment a few days later about how we need to be tougher on our kids and expect more from them), when I came across a sign someone had made that stated "We can do hard things".  I knew I needed this hanging in my home, but that I could also make my own.

I started with a 1x12 scrap I had in my garage and cut it down to size, it ended up being about 16 inches.  I painted this black.  Then I printed out my saying and simply colored on the back of the paper with pencil over all the lines, then put it colored side down and traced over the words transferring an outline to my wood.  Paint inside the lines with white (or whatever color you choose), let dry, and sand.  After it was all sanded, I wiped it off and sprayed it with a clear coat.  Then, simply add a saw toothed hanger on the back.  This will eventually sit on a ladder shelf, but I have to make it first.  It was a super easy project and best of all FREE!  Now it hangs proudly where everyone can see it and be reminded of it daily.