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Wow. Life got busy there for a while. I haven’t had the time to think about crafting, let alone blogging about something! I’ve been directing a musical for my church.  Our performances were last weekend.  It was a crazy, stressful, wonderful experience that I’m glad I got to have. I’m also really glad it’s over! So now, I’m going to try to get some spring/Easter crafts done before this season passes me by. Today’s project isn’t really seasonal, but I just wanted something fresh to hang up by my door.  This “Welcome Home” vinyl pallet sign is a super simple project you can make too! You will need the following supplies: Pallet Sign

Vinyl Decal (download the file I created here)

Transfer Tape Stain

Polycrylic Sealer

Foam brushes or rags I picked up this premade “pallet” sign from Michaels, but you could easily make your own if you are handy with tools.  I am a lazy crafter, as you all know, so…..

Stain your wood.  I used Antique Walnut Gel Stain left over from my kitchen cabinet makeover (coming to the blog soon).  I just applied one coat with a rag, but you could do more if you want a darker color.

Let dry completely- preferably overnight.  Unless you’re in a rush to make a blog post like me.  I just left it out in the hot Arizona sun for a few hours. Apply a coat of polycrylic to seal in the stain and give the vinyl something to adhere to.  Again, let it dry completely.

Cut your vinyl decal in Silhouette Studio.  Weed away the excess vinyl.  Use transfer tape to pick up your decal and place it on top of the pallet sign, making sure to center it.  Here’s the design weeded and ready to go.

Scrape it with a credit card or vinyl scraper, then carefully pull up the transfer tape, leaving your decal behind. Yes, this is a pallet, so the vinyl crosses the gaps in the wood.  It doesn’t bother me.  If it bothers you, maybe use a flat canvas or large wood plaque instead of the pallet style sign. That’s it- super easy and stunning!  Thanks for stopping by today.  Happy Spring!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That’s what helps fund this blog so I can keep bringing you fun new craft projects to try at home!

Product for this post was generously provided by DecoArt.
Affiliate links are included in this post.

Do you drool over your favorite blogger’s gorgeous craft room?  Guess what?  So do I!


I have an office/playroom/guest room/storage room where I keep my stuff and actually write my blog posts.


Most of my crafting is done on the kitchen table.


Who’s with me?


I really want an all in one space where I can write, create, shoot pictures, and keep all my supplies.  I don’t know if that’s going to happen in this house.  But at the very least, I need a table to work on.


My computer is on a built in unit on one side of the room.  It also holds my Silhouette Cameo and lots of supplies.


But the other side of the room is a nice blank wall.  Perfect spot for a craft nook, right?


Step One- get a table.  On a recent trip to IKEA, I spotted this very basic INGO table for $69.  I knew I could make her pretty.



I mixed up my own shade of Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint by DecoArt.


I used a ration of 2/3 Treasure Chalky Finish Paint  and 1/3 Primitive Chalky Finish Paint.





This gave me the perfect soft turquoise color I wanted.  


Outside, the color looked scary bright, but I stayed with it.  








The chalky finish paint covers beautifully and dries so quickly.  The bare wood table (INGO has no finish on it at all) took 3 coats of paint, but I was able to finish all three coats in just a few hours.


I painted the legs and frame with Everlasting Chalky Finish Paint., and it took 2 coats to cover the bare wood well.


I finished off the table with the Soft-Touch Varnish to protect it.  


I really love how it turned out!  





Now I just need to figure out how to make it the perfect spot for crafting.  What would you do with this space?

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BakeInTheFun #CollectiveBias





If you’re one of the people who can’t stand pumpkin spice, this post is for you!  I actually love pumpkin, but sometimes I get a little tired of that flavor for fall.  Two of my favorite flavors for fall are apples and pecan pie.  So, I decided to join in Mars’ Bake In the Fun sweepstakes by combining my favorites in a delicious treat, using only a few simple ingredients. I was thrilled to see all the seasonal goodies out for baking on my recent trip to Walmart.  Everything I needed for this recipe was easy to find! This recipe makes a fluffy, flavorful cookie perfect for fall! Click here for a printable recipe. Ingredients:

1 box Pillsbury™ Moist Supreme® Caramel Apple Cake Mix (15.25oz)

2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup Mott’s® Apple Sauce Original 48oz
2 eggs
1 cup M&M’s® Pecan Pie flavored Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare your cookie sheet with a silicon baking liner or with non-stick cooking spray.
• In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix and cinnamon.  Stir together until well combined.
• Add applesauce and eggs.  Beat until smooth.
• Add M&Ms and stir gently into the dough.  
• Use a cookie scoop or spoon, drop tablespoons of cookie dough onto prepared cookie sheet, leaving at least 2 inches between drops.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, until bottoms are lightly browned.  Cool slightly before removing to cooling racks.
• These are delicious served warm!

Love all things fall?  Don’t forget to enter the sweepstakes below!  Your own Kitchenaid is the perfect tool for making cookies like these!  I pretty much use mine daily.

MARS Bake In The Fun Sweepstakes

Now, even though it’s fall, it’s still super hot here in Phoenix!  It was 102 degrees yesterday!  So even though the baking cookies made me think of falling leaves and sweater weather, in reality I had to drink an ice-cold beverage with my cookies to cool off!  I love Snapple® Apple.

I’m so jealous of everyone who is actually experiencing a real fall right now.  Send some cool weather my way!


Be sure to check out all the other Bake In the Fun recipes!  So I want to know- are you a pumpkin person, and apple person, or something else?

Want to show off your Christmas spirit?  Make this Jingle Bell Christmas Tree instead of hanging a wreath this year!

Hey everyone- it’s time for this year’s Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!

After you check out my tutorial, check out all the other great ideas my blogger friends have put together for you this week.  Click on the links later in the post to visit- and we have an awesome giveaway too!

I was walking in the craft store the other day, looking for inspiration for a new front door decoration.  I usually have a wreath, but to be honest, mine is a little worse for wear.  I saw this chicken wire Christmas tree amid all the Christmas craft supplies, and I knew this would be a simple and cute project!

You don’t even really need a tutorial for this.  All you need is the chicken wire tree, a pack of 28 or so jingle bells (medium size), and a hot glue gun. Lay out your bells on the tree until you’re happy with the layout.  Then glue in place.   I chose to have the bottoms of my bells all facing up for a uniform look. I love the look of the glittered bells mixed with the shiny ones- and the traditional red and green match my traditional holiday decor.  You could go all silver, silver and gold, red, and white, etc. Top with a bow or star if you want.  I just liked mine plain and kind of rustic-looking. Hang on your door for everyone to see!  Or, this would make a great wall hanging, too! Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That’s what helps fund this blog so I can keep bringing you fun new craft projects to try at home!

Are you participating in the Sweet Scallops Tote Sew-Along from See Kate Sew?    I heard about it from Mandy at Sugarbee Crafts, and I’m so glad I did.  Emboldened by my success with the Layla bag I made here, I decided to try my sewing skills again.  I finished my bag last week, and I’m sharing it with you today! Here it is: I made the bag using Riley Blake fabric from the Sugar and Spice line, as well as some leftover canvas and lining I had from some previous projects. Close up on the scallops: Here’s a view of the (boring) inside. My 2 year old thinks it belongs to him.  He quite enjoyed filling it with toys. But really, it’s a nice piece of arm candy for me.  I’m excited to take it out and about with me.

It’s not too late to join up- if you’re a quick sewer, the link-up is on until NOVEMBER 15th!  Head on over here to see all the bags linked up!

I’m also linking up to some of my favorite parties this week- come party with me!

Thanks for stopping by-

I have recently developed an obsession with earrings. 3 years ago I wouldn’t wear them because I keep my hair pretty short and thought my fat ears made earrings look funny! Don’t we all have some crazy body image issues? Well, my husband went on a business trip and found a necklace he really liked for me, but the guy wouldn’t sell it to him without the earrings so he thought he’d give it a try. Well, I did give it a try and my husband may be regretting it now! See, in Korea jewelry is CHEAP. I mean, you can find stands with awesome earrings for 1000 won, which is less than a dollar. So, I may or may not have grabbed like 5-10 pairs every time I came across one of those stands!

That quickly means a storage issue. I mentioned that I have a hanging organizer that has lots of tiny clear pockets, and it still is a great solution, but I came across a photo on pinterest awhile ago that intrigued me. It was a sheet of metal she had put in a picture frame! Genius!

Now that we are homeowners and frequent Home Depot more than Michael’s, i perused their perforated metal sheets and found the perfect one to hang all my long, dangly earrings from!

Here’s a closer look at the metal. I love how many holes it has and how many options that gives me!

My sheet of metal was 12″x24″, and they do make picture frames that size, but I found this frame at the thrift store and thought it would be perfect for this project. I bought some tin snips and sized my sheet of metal to the frame. I removed all the glass, cardboard and pictures and nailed (with some tiny tiny nails) the sheet of metal to the back of the frame. I just love it!!! Now I just need to come up with one for all my studs, since I didn’t want to be hooking and un-hooking earrings to the frame all the time. Maybe something upholstered that I can just stick ’em in to?

We’re linking up this week to some linky parties:  Come check them out with us!

Welcome to our Fun In the Summertime Series!  You can find the rest of the posts here!

You’re going to love this roundup of Summer Activities I’ve put together for you.  I have three kids home for the summer, and I don’t think I could ever find enough ideas to keep them busy (without breaking the bank!)  Read on for some fun (and frugal) activities to keep your kids entertained and you worry-free!





1.  Free Summer Reading Programs from Frugal Living Mom.  My kids LOVE to read, so I’m all about earning free stuff along the way!  These are also great motivation if your kids don’t enjoy reading.

2.  Dolly Bookmarks from Two Sisters (Review Books).  So sweet and easy!

3.  50 Summer Activities your Family Can Enjoy For Free from Saving Cents with Sense.  So many of these are perfect for my family!  How about yours?

4.  Fly Swatter Painting Kid’s Craft from Glued To My Crafts.  I know two little boys who love to hit things!  At least now I can make that impulse into art!

5. Surprise Rocks/Dinosaur Dig from The Kitchen Is My Playground.  What a great idea!  I want to do this in secret so my kids are truly surprised!

6.  DIY Kiddie Car Wash from Mom Endeavors.  Anything to help keep cool is a bonus in my book!

7.  Summer Backyard Chalk Activities from In the Playground.  Saying yes to drawing on the house?  Your kids will love you for it!

8.  DIY Sponge Bombs from Stockpiling Moms.  Again- harness your kids’ love of throwing things!

9.  Free (or Cheap) Online Summer Camps from Frugal Living Mom.  I’m a cheapskate, so this is right up my alley!

10.  Truffula Tree Pencils from Two Sisters (Review Books).  I love making things to go along with favorite books.

11.  Smashin’ Ice Fun from Glued To My Crafts.  Hammers and water?  Oh yeah!

12.  Use Baking for Summer Reading, Writing, and Math Practice from The Kitchen Is My Playground
   (Can I just eat all those treats?  Yummy!)

13.  DIY Ring Toss Game from Mom Endeavors.  This would keep my kids entertained for hours.

14.  10 Fun and Free Activities for Kids in the Garden from In the Playroom.  I don’t have a garden but I do have lots of space for one!

15.  Lemur-themed Food from Two Sisters Review Books- perfect for any of the Madagascar movies!

16.  Backyard Fishing Activity from Mom Endeavors.  What kid doesn’t love fishing- especially if it doesn’t involve having to bait a real hook?
I hope that helps you get started on an awesome summer!  Which one are you dying to try out first?

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It seems like a lot of my friends are due with babies, and it’s a never-ending, gift-giving, craft-making opportunity! I still enjoy making onesies for the newborns, and snack/sippy cups for turning one, but you always need a card to go with a gift!

I’m all about mass production these days. Honestly, with the time you spend to make one card, you can duplicate your design and make a handful without much extra effort. (I’ve been doing the same thing with meals, doubling and freezing the extras!)
So I found a CUTE design on the Silhouette Store….

…and took advantage of Michael’s 5/$1 scrapbook paper (I know I had plenty, but sometimes you need fresh paper to get you motivated!) and got to work on 3 boy cards and 3 girl cards. That should last me the year, right? 

Once all the pieces were put together I had fun embellishing them with buttons, brads, sparkles and a fun saying! There’s plenty of room on the inside to write a personal message, and they’ll be a fun addition to an already personal gift.
We hope you stop by later this week- our friend Abby from The Cards We Drew is celebrating her birthday all week with awesome roundups and over $1000 in prizes given to three winners.  Come back Wednesday to enter!
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Thanks to the following blogs and websites for featuring our projects!
 

   

    


  


  

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