Blingy B-O-O!

Have I mentioned lately how much I am loving Mod Podge??? Well if I haven't I'm making it official now - I think I'm in love. Of course our relationship is still new and there is still so much for me to learn, but for now I am as giddy as a child on Christmas morning and as starry-eyed as a fan meeting their favorite superstar.

Since Halloween is right around the corner, I am trying to get some Halloween/Fall deocrations completed. Two weeks ago I posted the couple Halloween things I made. I then posted the 'Trick or Treat' sign on my facebook page and people fell in love - I ended up with three orders (YAY me)!

Since I had another small plaque on hand, I thought I would use my new love to create my next Halloween sign. A blinged out BOO plaque - check it out!

My little "BOO"

A close up of the little ghosts

With some spider ribbon to tie it all together

No good ghosts is complete without a bit of "bling"

I really wish I had more time in a day (or several days) to put all of these wonderful ideas in my head together, but for now I must be happy with what I can get finished. Now off I go...I have a few more 'Fall' plaques to finish, and hopefully some other decorations for the house.

Halloween Craftiness!

Well, I've been so busy over the last two weeks. School is back in session and that not only means getting the little prince together each day but it also means the same for me since I teach where he goes to school. I am certainly going to miss our 'lazy days' of summer and the time I had each morning to craft.

Getting a handle on our new schedule may take some time but I think I've now figured out a way to carve out at least two mornings a week to get some work done (let's see how this pans out) and it starts with some Halloween crafts.

No tutorials today, just some pics of a couple things I was able to get finished. There are a few more in the works but for now, check these out.

My little pumpkin hair clip. I was so happy with how well this turned out. Now to figure out how to make a Christmas tree one...hmmmm.

Cute clip with a bell on it using the same pumpkin ribbon

A Trick or Treat sign made with a small wood plaque, some curvy wooden letters and grosgrain ribbon

A close up view - love the way it turned out

I've been thinking about putting together a little Halloween party for the little prince and his friends so stay tuned for more Halloween craftiness.

It's All in the Polish!

When it comes to crafting, I never know when inspiration will strike. Sometimes it happens watching a commercial on television or thumbing through a magazine, but it has never come to me while I was heading off to the wonderful world of dreamland and singing the praises of 'Mr. Sandman'.

Well, that's exactly what happened with this craft. I was somewhere between semi-consciousness and completely asleep when I began thinking about nail polish. More precisely, the concept of a glamour-ific, glitzy-filled party that involved feather boas, glitter and tons of nail polish! After talking with a co-worker about what she wanted for her daughter's party, I began to think how much fun it would be to put together a party like this but also what kind of fun decor one could make around a nail polish theme.

Now if you haven't figured this out about me from previous posts, I try to do as many of my crafts as I can on a budget. Working part-time has been a blessing but I certainly miss the full-time paycheck so crafting has to be either free or very minimal. This one falls into the free category ~ everything I used for this I already had on hand.

All the supplies needed to get started. The empty bottle was my son's Marvel Heroes vitamin bottle


Using the exacto blade, I cut a little circle of plastic out of the cap. I cut the paint brush to size and used my glue gun to adhere it to the top

I used glitter glue and Mod Podge and painted the inside of the bottle then quickly filled it with pink tissue paper to give the appearance of nail polish

Now it was time to bring this whole thing together. I got on my computer and designed a label for both the front and top of the bottle and boy oh boy, I love how cute it is!



I simply had to add some "bling" for major FABULOSITY factor and of course no polish is complete without the color name on the bottom of the bottle. This was a fun, quick and easy craft and can't you just imagine the possibilities for a little girls' party? Perhaps you will see this in a future party I help to plan!

Message Board - Take 2!

Time for take 2! After reviewing the tutorial again, I gave it another try and this time I'm much happier with the end product.

The board and scrapbook paper

Paper cut to size and the area cut out for the vinyl chalkboard

Painted the edges with a pearlized black acrylic paint, making sure to paint a small edging around the top of the board

Covered the chalkboard with painters tape while I sprayed with clear acrylic

Found these great beads on clearance at Hobby Lobby to use for the handle. I placed them on galvanized wire and used jewelry wire to create the design.

The finished board and beaded handle

Perfection? Not quite, but it's certainly close - or at least closer than the last one (LOL!). As with anything, there are lessons to learn and this project is no exception, but I'm pleased and I hope my sister will be too!

Art Center

The little prince has officially turned into a 'big boy'...at least that's what he keeps telling me (haha). Several months ago we took a trip to Ikea and he picked out his new big boy bed which he calls a ladder bed but most of us know it as a bunk bed (smile).

Ever since the bed arrived I've been saying that I was going to do some redecorating but I've been slacking - that is until now. The room isn't completely done but I did finish his art center and I'm feeling pretty good about the outcome.

My inspiration came from Jenn at Clean & Scentsible. She did a kids art display in her boys' room (here) that I instantly fell in love with and knew I had to recreate for my son's room. Check out my latest project:

ART letters - I found these great curly-q letters at Hobby Lobby for 50% off; great deal

The frame - also found at Hobby Lobby for the best deal ever...90% off in the clearance section

I also purchased matting at 50% off - now do you see why I love this place so much? (lol)

I spray painted the frame with a Krylon blue glossy paint

I used Elmer's wood glue to adhere the matting to the frame (hard to make a straight glue line when taking a picture...lol)

After measuring the frame and cutting the corkboard, I used my glue gun to secure the corkboard to the matting

A completed board

The ART letters painted and sprayed with clear acrylic

Voila ~ I LOVE it!

The big reveal (hehe)- my BEFORE AND AFTER


Stay tuned for pics of a completed room, but for now.....