Happy Anniversary!

To my best friend...
I love you!
Happy Anniversary:)

Easter Project for under $5 (Tutorial and Free Template!!)

***Edited to add:
I made this before I found out about Lindsay's $5 spring challenge, but it fits in perfectly! Did I mention that the winner gets some great prizes??:)

This project cost less than $5 (I actually only spent less than $3) to make. I got the canvas (8 x 10) at the Dollar Store for $1. I bought the "Happy Easter" magnet at Michaels. It was $2.99 but I used a 40% off coupon bringing it down to $1.79. I had the paper, paint, fabric scraps, ribbon, and the fake flowers already, but even those are a minimal cost. So I made a tutorial for you, and if you make one, I would love to see it! This project could made so many different ways.

Step 2: Feel free to download this bunny template and trace it onto paper, cut it out, paint it, decoupage it, use material...be creative!

Don't forget to send me a picture if you make one!

xo

Chrissie

PS If you're looking for some beautiful spring decorations, go over to Rhoda's for her Spring Fluffing Party:)

Grace rules

I finished my house projects this weekend. This sucker is big...it measures about 3 feet high and 2 feet across. I bought the original painting in the matte about 5 years ago. My husband never liked it. So I saved the matte and frame and embarked on a new painting. I decided on "Grace Rules". A fun and colorful way to remind our kids (and us) the things that our family stands for.

Every section is hand-painted and then I used lots and lots of scraps from my stash. Stickers, stamps, and rub-ons...

A found metal dragonfly...

Paper posies with buttons...

and a little bit of embroidery...

After 5 years of saving it the matte was in terrible shape. I covered up the dings with a scalloped border made of paper scraps...

Did I mention that I started this project before Jax was born? Which means it's been a work in progress for at least 7-8 months? Well, it certainly felt good to finish it, put it back in the frame, and hang it!

In my effort to be more frugal I haven't bought any arts or crafts supplies unless it was something I had to have for a commissioned piece, or the occasional purchase with my 40% off coupon. It feels really good to use up my stash!

I hope everyone had a great weekend. See you soon!

Flashback Friday

Happy Friday!

I showed you here how I make these, so I thought I'd show you the other three that went in this series.

They are so "spring-y", right?

I am going to try really hard to finish two projects for my house this weekend. I figured maybe if I said it on my blog I would feel more accountable!

See you on Monday~

xo,

Chrissie

Tutorial-Paper word plaques

I make A LOT of these. It's a great way for me to use my scraps of wood and all the pretty scrapbooking paper I have. They make great gifts.

Try different paint colors, different words, different papers.

If you're not comfortable drawing out your own letters, type them and print them out on your home printer. Then use transfer paper and a pencil to draw them onto your scrapbooking paper.

Have fun! Let me know if you try one!

xo,

Chrissie

Some new art and a meme

Just two new pieces I custom made for someone (Hi M and J!) that I thought I'd share.

Happy Hump Day!

Edited to add:

I was given this award by Judy Hartman a couple of days ago. Judy is a very talented sewer. If you have a chance you should check out her blog!

And Christi tagged me to list 6 wierd things about me. Hmmm, that shouldn't be too hard!:)

1. When I eat I almost always leave one bite left. Seriously. I don't know why.
2. I have a terrible singing voice but I don't care. At church I sing so loud my husband has to give me "the look".
3. When I'm pregnant I eat ice all day long. My doctor said it was due to anemia, but I still think it's pretty wierd.
4. When I go by big garage sales or estate sales, I get butterflies in my stomach. I guess I think I may get the deal of a lifetime!
5. When I was a young girl I dreamt I was a mommy of two boys with red hair. Everytime one of my babies came out I looked for red hair. (And no, none of the four are red-heads)
6. I have a terrible sense of smell. I can only smell tobacco smoke and gasoline.

Okay, now you know how wierd I am...:)

Recycling Cereal Boxes 2

While everyone was at school yesterday I got the kitchen table ready for a craft. Sometimes I like to surprize them with special treats. There was popcorn and pudding set up on a blanket in front of the TV. My four year old is studying Dr. Suess this month (March 2nd was Dr. Suess' birthday), so I borrowed Horton Who from our neighbor and they had a little picnic in front of the TV.

Then we got busy. I drew out large egg shapes for Easter decorations and the kids started painting.

I love to watch how they all paint so differently. I know a lot of it is based on their age and skill level, but also I can see their own personalities coming through.

When Logan was younger he was too "busy" to sit down long enough to paint. But now that he's older, he likes to join in when we do arts and crafts.

Ashton and Ava glued on lots of beads and yarn to their eggs.

After they dried I cut them out and glued them on recycled cereal boxes to make them sturdier. I punched holes in the top and bottom and connected them with yarn. Then I hung in them in the hallway.

Thanks for looking at our craft!

What kind of surprizes do you do for your kids...just for fun?