Project 52- Week 11

Here's my week 11 photo for Project 52. 

Girl time!!!!

I had dinner this week with my sisters (I don't think we've gone out since December). We went to On The Border. The food was yummy and we had a great time. 

Project 52- Week 10

A beautiful sunset to end our Spring Break on St. Patrick's Day.

One Little Word.....February Prompt

The February Prompt for One Little Word (my journey began here) was to try to capture your word with a camera. It could be literal or figurative. So here's what I came up with for my word, Present.

Being present in the car with Sophia, on the way home from school.....

Being present with Sophia at a restaurant.....

More car time with Sophia.......

Being present on the car ride into work in the morning....

Home time with one crazy little girl.....

Noticing the rain drops on the windshield....

Pulling over on the side of the road in the morning to capture the beautiful sunrise...

Being present with good friends.....

Being present, watching how my little girl plays by herself...

Being present feels good!

All Occasion Mini-Books

After I made my Christmas Card Mini-book (found here, inspired by Pinterest), I decided, "Why not make one for all of my other cards I've been saving forever?". Yep, I'm a saver. When people give me cards, notes, etc., I throw them in this box. I have cards from when Russell and I first started dating (from 1994).

In fact, this is what Russell sent to me for our very first Valentine's Day ever. He used a package of kiddie Valentine's cards, wrote something on each one, and sent it to me in the mail. How thoughtful and sweet, right?

So I started sorting, birthdays, Mother's Day, Valentine's, Christmas cards from Russell and of course, all of the cards Sophia has made for me. Plus, there is a stack of miscellaneous ones (notes from friends, students, my dad).

I cut chipboard down to size. I used scrapbook paper to make covers and used my Cricut to make titles. 

I started out using 3 rings but found it easier to turn the pages when I used one in the upper left hand corners.

Shamrock Painting

So here's how I made the shamrock painting.

I used pages from a book I got at Half Price books a long time ago (Alice in Wonderland, paperback, $2). Ripped out pages that I liked the best and Modge Podged them onto a piece of mat board.

Then I distressed it with this.

Next I cut the shape of a shamrock out of poster board and taped it in the center.

Next, I used different shades of green and dabbed it on with bubble wrap, starting with the lighter ones first and getting darker.

Then I used a stamper that I have in my classroom (but can use anything that has a texture to it.

Then just remove the shamrock stencil and allow to dry. 

Linking Up With These Great Blogs:

Alderberry Hill,      Tutus and Tea Parties,      The Rustic Pig Designs,      Or So She Says,      My 1929 Charmer,      Super Handmade Sunday @ A Cat- Like Curiosity,      Lil' Luna          Craft Geek,      Simple As That,       House on the Way,      Sassy Sites,      Mindy May's Market,   Skip To My Lou,        Sugar Bee Crafts,      Cheap Crafty Mama,      Be Different, Act Normal,   Homemaker In Heels,     The Busy Bee's,      Fireflies and Jellybeans,    The Shabby Creek Cottage,     30 Handmade Days,     52 Mantels,     The Shabby Nest,     Lovely Crafty Home,  See Vanessa Craft,     Blissful Bucket List,     Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo,     Lena B, Actually,     Pocket Full of Pink,     Family Ever After,      I Heart Naptime,     Six Sisters Stuff,  Nifty Thrifty Things,     Homemaker on a Dime,     Under The Table and Dreaming,     Flamingo Toes,    It's Overflowing,    Ivy And Elephants,    Clean and Scentsible,    Creations by Kara,     Tip Junkie,      Love and Laundry,      Create. Craft. Love.,     Sarah Dawn Designs,     One Artsy Mama,      Tatertots and Jello,     The Grant Life,     The Hubby Made Me,     Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons,       The Chiffon Diary,     Manic Mother,     The Thriftiness Miss,     Say Not Sweet Anne,     Becoming Martha,     Too Much Time On My Hands,     Destination Craft,     The Dedicated House,      Katherine's Corner,   C.R.A.F.T.,    Fluster Buster,     Nap Time Creations

St. Patrick's Day Mantle

I finally got around to photographing my St. Patrick's Day Mantle.

I made a banner using the colors of the Irish flag (green, white and orange).

I made the Lucky tags at The Little Blue House.

I made the shamrock painting using pages from a book and layering green paint (I'll post a tutorial on it later).

Important Numbers and All in One Place

I was really inspired by my friend Kristy's blog post all the way back in September found here at Next to Heaven. She made a super cute Rolodex that she keeps all of her important numbers in, for quick/easy reference. I loved everything about it. The design, the idea....so I kept it on the back burner until recently.

I came across this little black box at Joann's in their clearance section ($4). And I had a ton of scraps and embellishments just laying around. The thing is, we still have a land line (I'm still not sure if 911 would find us as quickly via cell phone) and I don't always have my cell phone near me. And since I don't have most numbers memorized, this is a great thing to have handy (I always have my "I need to call so and so moments" in the kitchen). Plus, if we ever have a babysitter at our house, it's a must!

So basically what I did was stamp some white paper with a lined stamp. Then glued that onto scrapbook paper. I used a paper edger to add variety to the end of some pieces. I also inked all of my edges (do it! It makes a big difference).

I used some twine and leftover bits of fibers to attach this bunting to the front. I also added some number charms that I strung on the twine since I didn't have a charm that had the # sign. 

For the beginning of each letter of the alphabet, I trimmed the top at angles to make a tag and used charm letters I had leftover from another project with embroidery thread to attach the letter.

I also mixed it up by using some papers that already had ruled lines on them (so I can add to this number tray with either). The first tag is one that has the fire, police etc. on it. 

This little box would also make a great recipe box holder. Good thing I bought two!

Linking Up With These Great Blogs:

Alderberry Hill,      Tutus and Tea Parties,      The Rustic Pig Designs,      Or So She Says,      My 1929 Charmer,      Super Handmade Sunday @ A Cat- Like Curiosity,      Lil' Luna          Craft Geek,      Simple As That,       House on the Way,      Sassy Sites,      Mindy May's Market,   Skip To My Lou,        Sugar Bee Crafts,      Cheap Crafty Mama,      Be Different, Act Normal,   Homemaker In Heels,     The Busy Bee's,      Fireflies and Jellybeans,    The Shabby Creek Cottage,     30 Handmade Days,     52 Mantels,     The Shabby Nest,     Lovely Crafty Home,  See Vanessa Craft,     Blissful Bucket List,     Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo,     Lena B, Actually,     Pocket Full of Pink,     Family Ever After,      I Heart Naptime,     Six Sisters Stuff,  Nifty Thrifty Things,     Homemaker on a Dime,     Under The Table and Dreaming,     Flamingo Toes,    It's Overflowing,    Ivy And Elephants,    Clean and Scentsible,    Creations by Kara,     Tip Junkie,      Love and Laundry,      Create. Craft. Love.,     Sarah Dawn Designs,     One Artsy Mama,      Tatertots and Jello,     The Grant Life,     The Hubby Made Me,     Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons,       The Chiffon Diary,     Manic Mother,     The Thriftiness Miss,     Say Not Sweet Anne,     Becoming Martha,     Too Much Time On My Hands,     Destination Craft,     The Dedicated House,      Katherine's Corner,   C.R.A.F.T.,    Fluster Buster,     Nap Time Creations

Project 52- Week 9

So my new favorite app is Instagram! And while we were out at lunch this weekend, I couldn't resist taking a pic of Sophia and the lunch/cookie she's saving for later all over her mouth. It's been a hectic week. Can't wait until Spring Break! Only 4 more days!!!!! But who's counting??