Jute Cardboard Letter for Son's Door

It is time for me to start thinking about my son's big boy room. The first project I am starting with is the letter on his door. It is small detail of his room but an important element that will be the first thing you see when you enter his room. This letter represents the feeling I hope to portray in his new room.

Verbally here is the look I am going for: Tailored rustic, outdoors-y (no camo, I promise.)

The Finished "W"



To make this letter I first drew (free handed) and cut out a 'W' from cardboard. Using what I own, I used a Pull-ups box.


I cut out the letter twice and glued it color side facing together.


Then I started wrapping with Jute. This was a little bit time consuming but worth it.





Here is the W completely wrapped in jute but looking a little plain.

I added two pieces of jute going the opposite way for more texture & two buttons that give a small glimpse as to what you can expect in his "big boy room" Also, this project cost me $0.

Great start for his new bedroom.

Follow me along as I transform his room from a nursery to a big boy room!

"W" is for Wesley or for WILD!!! Love you, buddy!!

Easter Decorations 2010

I can NOT believe Easter is already here. Seems like it was just Valentine's Day, but alas, it is Easter week and time to decorate the house. I pretty much have the same decor as last year but I have added one new item (see bottom). I figure what worked last year will work this year. No reason to reinvent the wheel.

Here is my "Easter Tree" I made for zero dollars. Sleek and elegant for my dining room. Go here to see how I put this together.

I love all the details on this tree!

Then on my foyer chandelier are some mod podge eggs. I love this wrapping paper!

The newest addition is my garage door "wreath"


Made from an old broken frame. Look at that cute baby (me) !!!

Have your 4 year old help you paint your frame in silver shoes and a dress!

Then use mod podge eggs your daughter helped you make in 2009.

Can you tell my daughter loves to do crafts as much as I do??

Add a bow and a flower to mask that you can not make bows.

You are done!! Colorful, springy and cheap. It cost me 97 cents for paint!

I am participating in Life as Lori's In Celebration of Spring/Easter

Designs by My Four Yr Old Daughter

The other day my daughter came up to me and said "Mommy why do you make all my clothes?"

(Note: I do not make all her clothes)

I responded "I like making you clothes, it makes me happy."

My four year old said "Well, can I pick what you are going to make me? So I LIKE what you make me." After licking my wounds I said...

"ABSOLUTELY!!"

My daughter went through 3 Rubbermaid containers and 2 drawers and found these remnants.

I received the cat material from my Mamma II and the pink material is left over from Baby McKenna's bedding. Therefore, it was FREE!!

I used my newly restrung serger (Thank you Lenette @ Nettacow for the vote of confidence to switch out the colors) and made this skirt in less then 40 minutes. Bonus- it looks so professional inside!!

The best part...my daughter designed it and she so PROUD of her design!

I recently read a great article from Kristi at Pink and Polka Dot Let them Paint. She pretty much said everything I believe in teaching/showing our children to be creative. Here is what my daughter did while I sewed her skirt and my son was taking a nap.

She made a beautiful picture. She drew it, painted it, and then gave it to her friend. What a sweet creative girl!! Two creative pieces in one day....does it get any better??

Keep Calm Sign- Gift for My Kids

I love all the "Keep Calm and Carry On" Signs I see all over blogland and Etsy. They make me smile because this really should be my motto in life but I am normally not a very calm person. However, I am always working on self-improving so I decided this needed to be in my house. Here is what I made for ZERO DOLLARS.

I have this old frame that my Mamma II gave me years ago. My husband was about ready to put it in a yard sale but I told him "no, no I am going to do something with it" Well it wasn't bolted down he was going to sell it so I had to do something quick!!
Let the transformation begin...

First I spray painted it black. (you can never go wrong with black


Then I covered the mat with burlap...I LOVE THIS STUFF

I wasn't really sure how I was going to get the look I wanted but I saw that backer board inside the frame I decided to paint it black. It worked like a charm and actually up close looks like canvas.

Then I found the Keep Calm Carry On Sign from Graphic Fairy. I love this site!!

I cut out each letter because my opening was 9.5X 14" and not letter size. I did not cut out the inside of the letters. I will tell you what I did at the end.

I lined up each letter by sight not with a ruler (probably should have but nap time was almost over)

I used Mod Podge to glue them on. Making sure it did not get outside the letter because I did not want to Mod Podge the entire board.

Once it was glued the letters on I took a Sharpie Pen and colored in the inside so it was the same deep black!

Here is my finished sign.

It is in my foyer and I can see it from my kitchen.

So you might be asking why is it a gift for my kids?

So when they pull out all of the pillow stuffing all over my house, I can read this and TRY TO "KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON!"

Today I am participating in.

Thanks for Linking up!

Thank you to everyone who linked up at my Gifts from the Heart Party!

I have already changed the link back. My sister told me the "Gifts from the Heart Challenge" was an oxymoron statement. (Leave it to a sister to tell ya the truth) So now it is just "Gifts from the Heart"

For my first Blog Party I would have to say it was a success! Everyone is so talented and I know each of the recipients LOVED their gifts! I wanted to show off some gifts that are so sweet and so touching and that are on my to do list!

Those Northern Skies Showed us a Wonderful Mother's Day Gift The sign says "Moms are like buttons, they hold things together"

My sister, from Our Little Half Acre (my biggest fan) has been inspired and made this for her baby and for my daughter.

Katie from Katie's Nesting Spot Made and Altered Book: Hopes and Dreams. She is the queen of scrap booking!! I need to do this for my kids or all of their memories are going to be only on the computer!

I have a new "Featured Button" on the right. Grab it if you would like!!

Today is officially my husband's birthday and the get-together (gift from me) was a huge success. Here is a picture from his party. See the bonfire in the back and festive lights! Yep, we had a GREAT TIME!!

Happy Birthday Collins!!

Gifts from the Heart Challenge - March

It is party time!! I can't wait to see what you have come up with, but first I will show you my gift to my hubby for his birthday!

My goal for this year has been to make all gifts homemade. On March 22 my handsome hubby will be turning 33!! I have put a lot of thought into what I could make him but nothing seemed appropriate.

I thought about appliqueing a t-shirt like I did for my son's 2nd birthday, but I think that would be a little weird.

Next, I thought about monogramming a hooded towel for him but even the thought of that makes me laugh out loud!

With nothing fantastic coming to mind OR something I can post about here (my family reads this.) I decided the way to my man's heart is through his stomach. On Saturday I will be hosting a small get together with some of our friends. Yippee a party! I love parties!! I will be serving all of his favorites.

Buffalo Chicken Dip


Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Peppers

Seven Layer Salad

This is my picture!!

Collins' Famous Ribs - Sorry no recipe!!


Favorite Boston Creme Cake


Plus, some of his favorite beverages!! My hubby loves to entertain as much as I do so I know this is the best gift I could give him!!

Happy Birthday Collins!! I love you!

Now, on to the P-A-R-T-Y!!

You know my challenge, and I know I am not the only one who loves to give homemade gifts! Here is your chance to show off your "Gifts from the Heart." You might not be crafty so it could be baked good/dinner or give your friend the gift of time, babysit for them! Tell us about it!

Giving is not about how much you spend, but the thought and effort you put into your gift, and giving it from the heart.

A couple rules...
1. Link back to this blog and grab my button
2. No Etsy links!

I can't wait to see all the wonderful things you have created.