"Egg"cellent Easter Card

Remember how I told you not to throw away your scraps from your Easter banner?  (See this post: Fabric Easter Banner.) Well here's why.

Did you know that your Silhouette interfacing can be used to adhere fabric to cardstock? Yep.  Not just to adhere fabric to fabric.  Seems like it would make sense, since this was primarily a scrapbooking or paper crafting die-cutting machine.  But yet, this stuff is great! So, with all those extra little scraps and edges you had left over from your banner making....

Put these scraps to good use!

...you can make a simple and delightful Easter holiday card.

Make this "egg"cellent card with fabric or paper scraps.

Supposing you didn't make a cute Easter banner like in our last post, or supposing you (gasp!) accidentally threw away all your little scraps, you can easily replace the fabric with paper scraps, and just use glue to adhere it instead.  But I think it's easier with the fabric because you can adhere it all in one fell swoop of the iron.  Yep.  Fell swoop.  Irons do that?  Yes.  They do.

Here's your step-by-step instructions.

Fabric Easter Banner

Well my...this post has been a long time in coming.  I have been meaning to share this lovely lil' swag banner with you all weeks ago.  To make up for it, I'll do another post later today of what you should do with the scraps/edges of your fabric from this post--so don't throw them away! :)  Trust me.  An easy use for them. (Check out the follow-up post HERE.)  But for now, here's a little something you can do with your Silhouette interfacing and a little fabric to "Springify" you home for Easter.

Happy Easter banner that makes me happy.

Materials Needed:

* 11 Fabric squares or scraps, about 4x5 inches each (to be safe) (supposing you want a different colored egg for each pendant)

* 1/3 yard of cream colored burlap (for pendants)

* 1x1 foot square of cream colored fabric (for letters)

* Silhouette clean cut fabric interfacing (sewable is fine also)

* Ribbon to hang it from

* Permanent Fabric Glue, like Crafter's Pick (found at Hobby Lobby, etc.  Just be sure it says that it dries clear.)

Stencil Vinyl: Shirt and Mug

Or, shirt with a mug-face wearing it. ;)

Okay, so being real.  Here are a few projects I made this weekend using some of our Silhouette Stencil Vinyl.  Have fun.

Sharpie Mug




First, I'm sure you've seen the whole "write on ceramics with a Sharpie and bake it" craze that was all over Pinterest.  Well, I think it was a craze because it was 1: cheap, 2: easy, and 3: cute.  I have wanted to do it for a while, and finally decided to try it out.  But first, I read up some tips on it to be sure that it really worked and that I was doing it right.

Simple, Quick Playroom Decor Ideas

So, playrooms are great for lots of things:  they are great for making "forts," for lots of pretending, make-believe games and for playing dress-up.  They are also for laughing and being creative, dancing and singing, crafting and coloring, enjoying the company of friends and family, and also a way to try and keep mom and dad a little more sane by attempting to limit some of the more messy chaos of discovery and fun into one room in the house, more or less.  (So we like to think.)  They can become one of the hearts of your house, because this is where so much of the learning, loving, discovering, and just sharing can take place.  Obviously those things happen wherever you are (even in the bathroom, sometimes) but this is one room that is dedicated specifically to your children--to their creativity and to their growth.  (And to their mess. ;) )  And your life is dedicated to them.  Parenthood is truly a miracle and unbelievable gift.

All that said, this doesn't mean that the room has to always be a mess and can't have some semblance of organization.  (I've seen many a playroom more organized and cleaned than various college roommates' bedrooms.)  It also doesn't mean that mom can't have some fun decorating it and adding some of her own creativity to the playroom (or that it needs to cost a lost of money).   I, for one, LOVE whimsical playrooms. The great news is, it doesn't have to cost us hundred of dollars to upgrade our playroom a little.  Really, less than $10.  With the help of just a few of the simple scrapbooking tools we have on hand, we can add a bit more design and cohesiveness to the room.  So here are just a few ideas for how to spruce up your playroom! (If you haven't already seen my previous post on some simple images to frame for your playroom, check out this post: Picture Perfect Playroom. Just dollar store frames and Cricut images!)

"Star Work" or Artist's Board

This board is similar to a gift we made for my Dad to hang up in his house, which you can see in my previous post "Grandpa's Little Artist."  This board was made using a scrap piece of plywood, some left over fabric from the playroom curtains :), a little batting, and some clamps.  I merely put the batting on top of the board, covered it with the left-over fabric, wrapped the excess the fabric around to the back of the board and stapled it in place on the back.  Then I screwed the clamps into the board, through the fabric.  Voila.  Easy peasy.  Finish off with a vinyl quote above your little artists' display board! For some other ideas of quotes about art that might be fun to put above it, try this link.   Need vinyl colors to match your color scheme?  I can bet you we've got 'em at a good price: Silhouette colored vinyls or Cricut colored vinyls.  (Really, they both work fine in either product.)

Hang children's art on this easy to make board, and use vinyl above it.  "Star Work!"

Height Chart

Have extra vinyl now, of one particular color?  Why not make a "height chart" for one wall to measure your kids up against.

(Is she cute or what? :) ) Use a pencil and a ruler to mark the correct distance for where to place your vinyl.  And, as always, remember the vinyl will come off walls without ruining paint, so fear not to adhere! :) If you mess up, just slowly pull the vinyl off starting on one side.  If it has adhered well, use a blow-dryer to loosen it up a bit.  

Playroom "Rules"

My sister saw this on Pinterest and decided to print it out on some scrapbook paper and frame it for the playroom.  You could, once again, use vinyl, if you so desire.  And obviously you can make up your own "rules."  Have the kids help you create them. 

And finally, here's another simple and simply cheap update to your playroom that can add a splash of color and fun.  

Paper backed bookshelves

Glue or otherwise adhere scrapbook paper (or wall paper, or wrapping paper, for that matter) to the back of the book or toy shelf.  Pull out the shelves from the backing (this is one of those cheap Wal-Mart models where the shelves just slide in) and glue on your matching paper, being careful to not leave any areas uncovered. Slide the shelves back in and you are DONE.  Cute, eh?  

There you go!  And, as always, we'd love to hear some of what you've done!  

A Lil' Card Lovin'

So for my post today I am just going to share a couple of cute cards.  Simple?  Well....one of them is. :) But both are great for weddings, holiday's etc.  And the second works well for a gift card holder. Anyways.  Here's a lil' card inspiration and then tutelage for you.

First card, I just used my eBosser on a plain sheet of white paper, cut a lil' black strip for the bottom, and then used my Silhouette sketch pens to write the Mr. & Mrs. using a free font I got offline called Riesling.  I really like this particular font.  I cut out a very small heart using a scrap of some of my double-sided adhesive and there you have it.  Super simple and yet very cute!  Perfect for a wedding. If you don't have an eBosser, try using a pearl or patterned white paper.  Yay.

Okay, so onto the second one.

I'm just telling you ahead of time--stick with me on this one. This cute card/giftcard holder looks more tricky to make than it really is, but I think you're really going to want to pay close attention to the pictures, as it is easier to show than tell, so to speak.  Just keep in mind, once you get this down you can use this for any holiday, birthday, etc.  People will think you're awesome and should probably move on to being an origami professional.  So let's jump on into folding... (after a picture of the finished product, of course.)

The card doubles as a gift-card holder with it's nifty pocket.

First, you need to start with a 8x10 inch sheet of double-sided print paper.

Picture frame message board

Who doesn't love finding little love notes around the house addressed to them?  And almost everyone has those little "to-do" note pads that they keep around the kitchen, office, bedroom, etc. to write down quick notes, missed calls, or just random reminders.  White boards are obviously pretty popular for just such needs as well.  Well this easy to make alternative is better than a white-board, because it's cuter :), but works just the same.

It's simple.  All you need is an old picture frame that still has it's glass-- I picked this one up at the thrift store-- and some scrapbook papers.  For this particular one, I also added a piece of ribbon and some rhinestones for a little bit more detailing.  

After choosing my papers I cut out this tree using my Cricut and the Wall Decor and More cartridge. I've said it before and I'll likely say it again, I love that cartridge.  If you don't have it yet, check out our website and finally succumb.  

"Let's Stick Together" Valentines

It's that time of year again--where kids are making adorable little valentine boxes and passing out valentines to friends, classmates, etc.  I still remember all the candies and how much I loved getting all those valentine's cards.

Unfortunately, I actually really dislike those conversation hearts that are so prevalently attached to said valentine cards.  What I did always love as a child was when I got stickers. Yes, stickers.  I loved putting them in my "sticker book."  It hardly even mattered what the stickers were, so long as I could put them in my cool book.  And I'm sure my Mom loved it when I showed her EVERY SINGLE ONE that I added in. :)  (Maybe not eeevery one.)  Really, she loved that I got something other than candy. :) This next simple Valentine would have met both our needs. 

In these next few posts I'll share a few last minute Valentine card ideas for you, if you are still in need, in.  

Wooden Valentine's Day Crafts

So, every year as February rolls around I find myself wondering what the punctuation is for...this upcoming holiday.  :)  Valentine's Day, such as in the Day of St. Valentine?  Or, is it Valentines' Day, as in the day for Valentines (sweethearts)?  Or, is it just Valentines Day, as I see so often?  Well...I finally looked it up online and what I found was that both the first and last are appropriate...depending on what you want it to mean. ha.  Guess that answers that.  Anyways.  On to crafting!

This week I just have a few ideas for some simple wood-block Valentine's crafts.   Each is pretty self-explanatory just by looking at it, but hey, I've got to write something, right? :) Feel free to just look at the pictures, but know we have

This first one is just rectangle block painted red with white vinyl "be mine" applied on top.  I added a small ribbon tied around it all just to finish it off.  The "be mine" phrase can be found on the Silhouette online store (along with a lot of other cute looking versions).

I sanded around the edges first...

 ...and then did some sanding around the edges afterwards as well just for a little extra.  The end!  Takes only as long as it takes for the paint to dry.  Easy, right?  (You can certainly just use sand the edges by hand using sandpaper.)

For the next project you need four square blocks, two colors of paint, and some patterned scrapbook paper.  I painted my "x" blocks brown, and my "o" blocks (or "heart" blocks) red.  Then did alternating colored papers (red and brown based) cut just a few millimeters smaller than the size of the blocks. Use Mod Podge to adhere the paper: first apply it on the back of the paper (or front of the block), press out any air bubbles, and wait for it to dry.   Once it is dry, cover it with a layer of Mod Podge on top to seal it off.  It will dry clear.  Next, cut out two "x's" and two hearts (to use as "o's") using a basic unifying colored vinyl.  Place one on each block, tie a ribbon around the four blocs, and voila!  A lovely and simple valentine craft and decoration for you home.  Great idea to make and give to friends.

Happy Valentine's Day!  Or, Valentines Day!  Or...Valentines' Day.  Or...Day of love! :) xoxo.

Countdown to Kisses Advent Calendar

With it almost being time for Valentine's Day, I thought this wonderful little advent calendar would be a fun addition to your loving decor for the holiday.

Countdown to...Kisses. Valentine (and other) advent calendar

One of the great things about it, is that the "Kisses" word is also just hung, so you can reuse the board to countdown to whatever holiday you like!  Just change the word.  ("Christmas," "Thanksgiving," "Our Anniversary," etc.).  I love things I can get many uses out of.  Countdown to...perfection. ;)

Chalkboard Vinyl Placemats

Well, since I used Chalkboard Vinyl last week, I decided to do one more project with it today.  This is a super simple project that should take you all of 5 minutes to make.  And friends will be asking you where you got these at.  These placemats are great for kids (something they can play with while waiting for lunch, etc.), but are actually also fun for grown-up dinners.  I've seen them used as place-settings for Thanksgiving, with "I'm Thankful For:" written down one side, and everyone allowed and encouraged to write things down on them.  I've also had some friends over for dinner and used something similar to this as a fun thing to keep people entertained and conversing over topics around the table.  If you've ever been to Macaroni Grill--with their paper table cloths you are meant to color on (this is a nice restaraunt)--you'll get the idea.  But yes, fun for kids, and yet can be kicked up a notch for classier, yet fun, table settings as well.  So, without further ado, here's to making these very simple placemats.

Chalkboard vinyl placemats--great fun for the kids! Try colored chalk markers.