Flashback Friday....Chalkboard makeover

This project has evolved over two years. Chalkboards have been the rage in homes for several years now. In 2009, I wanted to jump on the bandwagon and make a chalkboard for my home. I had made one plate chalkboard in the kitchen, but I wanted something bigger. Finally, I rediscovered this picture that was under our bed. The glass was broken, the picture was scratched really bad, so I decided it needed a new life.


Before:

I bought some chalkboard paint and this is how it looked for a year! Now you know why you don't see more projects. I have too many started and not finished. Geez!

During:

First day of summer break 2009

Here is how it looks today! I love it. I painted the mat a pretty green with some free paint from Glidden, but was not satisfied. I then added some ribbon on top and love it. I also spray painted the frame black. Here is the new and improved chalkboard...

After:

How many chalkboards are in your home?

100 Days Of School! (Actually more now)

100 days of school have come and gone. I cannot believe there are only 52 days left of this school year! For Kindergarten, celebrating 100 days of school is a big deal. Each year there is a family project that is required. This year we were suppose to make a poster celebrating 100, and are required to have 100 items on our poster. I remember doing Cameron's K poster. We glued 100 school related objects on a foam board. It was cute! This year for Caden we decided to use a picture.

First, I took Caden out in the snow for a little photo shoot.

Next, we gathered all the supplies: lined poster board, paper cutter, glue, brush, foam board, and an 8 X 10 picture.

Then, Michael and I cut the picture into 1 x 1 inch squares. After all, it is suppose to be a family project. If you do the math then you will know it does not come out to 100. So, we added square stickers to the poster that said Caden's name and "Winter 2010" to make it 100.

While we were cutting the picture, Caden was cutting some foam board into squares to help give some of the pictures a 3-D effect.

After that, Caden started gluing down the squares, as I made sure he had it in order. The grids on the poster board were a huge help to make sure the pictures were spaced correctly.

Caden gluing on the squares.



Finally, the finished project. It was a hit with all the teachers!

Modge Podge Mania...I Finally Made it to the Party!

I am excited to have finally jumped on the Modge Podge bandwagon. Before blogging I did not even know what it was. Xazmin @ This is the Year hosts a fun Modge Podge party once a month. This is my first time joining the party, and now I am hooked.

Now, I realize I'm a little late for the party. Oh, and Valentine's day has come and gone, as well as the candy I'm sure. However, I am here! For my project I found a couple of cute tins at the Dollar Store a while back. Then I pulled out some Valentine scrapbook paper I already had on hand. Well, I modge podged the tins into something special...a Valentine treat for the boy's teachers. They loved it. Cameron's teacher really loved it. She loved the vintage paper and was surprised to find out I did that.

It's not the best pictures. I am still learning to take pictures without the flash and my house is dark.

Before: Pretty cute, but not the look I was going for.

This was the easy part.

After: Now, I'm liking it.

Mmmm, even better!

Ready to be delivered.

I'm linking up with Xazmin's at This is the year. Check out the other great projects!

Valentine's Day

I had a wonderful Valentine's Day! On Valentine's day morning Michael fixed heart shaped waffles and bacon. I drizzled chocolate on the waffles and put strawberries on top to add that something special. I also had a red themed tablescape.

After breakfast, we headed off to church to teach our class. I really love this age group and particularly this class. They are so sweet and so CUTE! I wanted to make a treat for the class.

What is better than decorated sugar cookies? How about heart-shaped sugar cookies on a stick. I made these for my Sunday school class and for my niece and nephew then stuck them in a heart-shaped basket. How cute would this basket be painted!

I have to thank my friend Kenlie for the great recipe! If you need a great sugar cookie recipe here it is:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 3/4 cups flour
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cream butter and sugar, add egg and mix. Add remaining ingredients and mix until smooth. Refrigerate dough 2 hours. Roll out dough 1/8 in. thick on lightly floured surface, dip cutters into flour before each use. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Place on cooling rack for 5 minutes, remove from sheet and cool.




After church, we went to my mom's house. She fixed us a wonderful lunch like she does every Sunday. We played a fun game of Shanghi and visited for a while.

Once home Michael wanted to make us a nice dinner. He made baked chicken, biscuits, greenbeans, and potatoes. It was a nice treat. I love when he is the chef for the night.

I also gave the boys and Michael the gift I made them. I sent the boys candy with a sports drink and balloon to school on Friday, but I wanted to do a little something on Valentine's Day too. I saw this idea at Jen's and fell in love. It is a Valentine coupon booklet. They were so fun to make and the boys loved it. Michael liked it too and told me how creative I am, and how he appreciates that in me.

These are so cute and fun! I love them. If you have not been to one of my favorite crafty blogs you have got to go today! My darling friend Jen @ TatortotsandJello even has an Etsy shop. She has made me two necklaces that I love.

It was so funny. I guessed which coupons my boys would like the best and I was right. Caden: Chuckee-Cheese, One box of cereal...your choice, and a dessert of your choice. Cameron: Wii game rental, cereal, and Lokomotion. I only buy the healthier cereals like Bran Flakes, Kashi cereals, etc. My boys are always wanting to buy Reese's Puffs or something else when they are with me. That is why I knew that coupon would be a hit.

After the boys were in bed, Michael and I wanted to watch A Walk in the Clouds, but our VCR is broken, so we watched Fireproof. We also had a wonderful heart to heart talk as we cuddled on the couch. Michael is turning my blog into a book for my Valentine's day gift. I am in the process of doing this, and I could not think of a better gift. I love my main squeeze!

Will You Be My Valentine?...Class Valentines

I love homemade Valentines. I love making them with my boys. Last year we made homemade heart crayons as Valentines for Cameron's class. This year we decided to use photos. I have taken a ton of photos this past week. First, for Caden's 100 day project that I will share soon, next for the Valentine photo shoot, and finally for the Valentines for school. Oh, and I cannot forget the snow pictures since the boys were home again three days this week. NW Arkansas has been crazy this year with all the snow. However, we have really enjoyed it.

Class Valentines...I adore these!

I went to their Valentine parties today, and they were a big hit!

I've seen this done in different variations like my sweet friend Liz. She has an adorable one too that you should check out!

I am linking up with Jen's Weekend Wrap Up Party.


Are you ready for the day of LOVE?

A Christmas Surprise

Remember my exciting find this past summer? I picked up this great gumball machine for $1.00. It even had money in the bottom of it! Well, I knew when I found it just what I would do with it. I saw the idea about a year ago on a DIY blog and then here, and loved it.

Here is the before:

After: meet Dino!

The fish tank...it is so stinkin' cute!

Dino's pretty cute too!

The boys were so excited about the fish. Caden hugged me and told me again today, "thanks for the fish." I'm excited it has such a cute, unique home!

My Favorite Season

Happy Fall Y'all!

My boys stuck in the hay!

Last Day of School...Summer Awaits!

Tomorrow is the last day of school for my 2ND grader! I cannot believe how time flies! It seems it was just yesterday when I walked him to kindergarten on the first day. Cameron was so brave. Of course I had to cry when I got in the car to go home. My precious boy was growing up! Now he will be moving on to a brand new building...no more primary...but intermediate!

I plan on enjoying my boys every moment I can this summer!

Cameron has been blessed with awesome teachers every year! We love Mrs. Baker. The Lord has answered my prayers! Tonight we made her one last gift. We will also be giving her the pictures to go with it!

A CANDY GRAM

We made a candy gram. I saw this idea at Shauna-Na-Na's. Cameron had a lot of fun with this. Writing is not his favorite thing to do...but he was excited and did fantastic!

The candy gram says: Dear ----------, Being your student was 'mounds' of fun and 'snickers'. You have helped me be a 'smartie' 'now and later'. You are always an 'extra' 'whatchamacallit'...oh yes, an 'xtreme' teacher, like the time we did a sound wave x 'spearmint'. It was awesome! My wish for you on 'pay day' you will be able to go on a shopping 'spree' extravaganza to find 'good and plenty' bargains, or a trip to the 'milky way'! I hope that summer is not too much of a 'fast break'. I hope you get to 'take 5' minutes to yourself. Put your feet up, relax, and say 'mmm & mmm'. Love, Cameron

The possibilities are endless! If you decide to make one...have fun!

Summer Break Ahead.........

Ribbon Craft Challenge

My creative friend Heidi at Blue Eyed Blessings has a monthly craft challenge. This month the challenge is for us to craft something with ribbon! Well, when I made some of Bakerella's cake pops I was trying to figure out how I would present them. I thought about buying a mug to send them in. I really wanted to send them the next day, and wasn't up to running to town 20 minutes away for an ordinary mug.

I then remembered I had saved some tin cans. I spray painted the can to match the cake pops. Found some cute ribbon that would coordinate. I also tied pink and brown ribbon around the cake pops. This is the simple, frugal idea I came up with to give to my son's teacher for Teacher Appreciation week. It was a lot of fun, and she loved it!

I also made a prayer journal last year. My DH sent me away for some alone time. He put me up in a nice hotel. Time for me...time to grow closer to the Lord...time to fill my cup...time to be rejuvenated! It was wonderful and a perfect time to make my journal. I bought a plain notebook. Covered it with scrapbook paper. Then, I used a beaded ribbon to embellish my journal...I love it!

Want to see more fabulous, fun ribbon projects...be sure to stop by Heidi's!

Have a great day!

Teacher Appreciation Week, Chalkboard Inspiration, and More!

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. I am amazed at some ideas I've seen recently. My friend Shawn really outdid herself. She did some amazing things. Check it out...if you missed this year keep these ideas in mind. Or, of course an end of the year gift would be appreciated too. As a former teacher it really touched me. I also found an incredible idea from Everything Pink. You have to check this out too. I am going to start doing this next year. I LOVE it! I even teared up!! Yep, that good! Teachers are often taken for granted. Show your appreciation to the teachers that spend most of the day with your child!!

I also had several friends who had a birthday this week. So, I decided this would be the perfect time to make Bakerella's adorable cake pops! I ended up giving both of my friends the cake pops. I also sent Cameron to school with some cake pops for his teacher. It pales to the comparison of the ladies I mentioned, but hey...I tried. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it. They were harder to make than I thought...but were a lot of fun! I'm also going to be sending a candy bar bouquet to his music, art, GT teachers. I am friends with all three on facebook. I was thrilled when his music teacher did the "5 favorite Candy"...now I know exactly what to send her!!

A tin can, spray paint, ribbon, and tag...there you have a cute, frugal holder for the cake pops!

Just a fun presentation.

Chalkboard Inspiration

Have you seen all the chalkboard inspiration that has been floating around for a while? Well, I decided to try my hand in making a chalkboard plate. I saw this at Shaun-Na-Na and thought it was such a cute idea. Here is a plate I made for a friend's birthday.

Oops I didn't erase very good.

I loved this plate. When I flipped it over it had this perfect square. Now if she gets tired of the green, she can flip it over for a new look. How cool is that?

I mentioned there was more! That's right I am so excited to receive this AWARD from my friend Tanielle! Thanks...your awesummmm!!

I am not sure why she thought of me as a Queen of ALL Things Awe-summ??? But, I am honored. I love it...Love the bling!

I am suppose to list 7 things that make me Awe-Summ and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers you love. Make sure to tag your recipients and let them know they have won! Also link back to the Queen that tagged you. Here I go...What makes me Awe-summ??? Well....

1. I have a relationship with Christ. Without Him...I am NOT Awe-Summm!
2. I love my husband and kids...they are everything to me!
3. I love to plan parties and make cakes.
4. I am good at organizing...no not everything is organized right now!
5. I have a great smile and laugh.
6. I like to use my God-given gifts and talents.
7. I have fabulous, cool friends in blogland!!!!

I choose...(If you are a MOM you deserve this award!!!)

• Mimi at He & Me +3
• Pam at Cocomama
• Tanya at Miller Racing Family
• Rebecca at Texas Darling
• Carrie's at Carrie's Little World
• Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
• Mrs. Sandy at One Day at a Time

*Have a fabulous weekend!!*

You Melt My Heart....Valentines

We made these Valentine's for my son's 2nd grade class. The idea came from an old Family Fun magazine. It is a great way to recycle broken crayons. The kids love them.

This is what you need:
1.) Your supply of crayons....the broken pieces.


2.)


A couple of really good, cute helpers to help peel the paper off.



3.) Heat the oven to 250°. Place the broken crayons into a heart shape muffin pan. Bake until the crayons melt, about 10 to 15 minutes. Tip: Place a sheet pan under the crayons to catch any drips. Also, pick the pretty colors and put them in first.


4.) Once they're cool, remove the hearts from the molds and smooth any rough edges by rubbing them on a piece of scrap paper.


5.) Use small pieces of foam tape to stick each heart to a 3-inch circle cut from card stock, then add your message. "You color my world" and "You melt my heart" are the two phrases we used.




Have fun using your new multi-colored crayon!

Christmas goodies....

Here is a little peak at some of the things I made for Christmas this year. Or some projects I finished.

Project 1:
$1.00 Soap. This year we made $1.00 soap again for Cameron's class. The kids and parents really raved about it last year. They thought it was so cool! It was a big hit again this year! Kids and parents alike were talking about it. At least 10 kids went up to Cameron and told him "Thank You" or told him what they thought about it. Several parents and Mrs. Baker commented to me about it. Teresa said, "Ahh, trying to make all us other parents look bad?" (hee hee) I overheard another Dad saying, "Wow someone is really creative!"


These were made for my Sunday School class. The soap we made for school looked a little different. The ribbon for school was a Christmas ribbon with a tag that said "Merry Christmas, From: Cameron".

Project 2: Christmas mice!
When I went to my neighbor Coleen's Christmas Party this year, someone had made these and I knew I had to make them with the boys. Too cute and yummy too!

The Grandkids fixing to eat a mouse!


These were Q-ter (Cam's spelling)...but they got jumbled around and eyes and nose were messed up a little.



Project 3: A recycled can turned into a surprise for my Sunday School class. Included in the can was $1.00 soap with "Jesus loves you" ribbon, Magic towel with the birth of Jesus on it, Hershey kisses, a candy cane, and a "Happy Birthday Jesus" balloon. These were a lot of fun to make!
















Project 4: Finished painting the china hutch. (Thanks honey!) I love it! It makes all of my dishes stand out and sparkle. It ties in with the rest of the black I have in my house. Love it! Yes, this is the project that made me very sick for a week...trying to spray paint it. Michael kindly painted the rest with ....
TA DA....regular paint! NO bad fumes!


Before it was just the same as the paneling you see. Eventually I want to sheetrock or paint all the walls.


I already have so many project ideas for Christmas gifts for next year! This year my goal is to do one a month! (One idea...multiple gifts) That way by December we will have so many homemade gifts from the heart to give to family, friends, and whoever the Lord wants us to! Of course they will be stored in my very handy Gift Closet!....NO PEEKING!

I love making and giving gifts! Happy Holidays!