April Desktop

I know the month is half way over, but I am just downloading a desktop for this month.  I've been so busy that I just haven't done it yet :-)  This month I am downloading an April desktop from Leelou Blogs.  Isn't it cute?!

Want one for yourself?  You can find it here.

Giveaway @ Life Unscripted

Amber is having a giveaway over at Life Unscripted.  She is moving and is purging her supply of paper crafting items!  Can you say SWEET?! 

She’s got some papers, stickers and a stamp. There are these super cute felt flowers which I {heart}!

So, head on over and sign up for her giveaway here.  You have until March 31 to sign up.   

Spring Cleaning Anyone?

Anna from Ask Anna is hosting a spring cleaning event.  It starts on April 2 and lasts for 2 weeks.  I don't know about you but I need all of the help I can get ;-)  


Tasks will be posted every other day, which gives us two days to complete them.  This works out in case something comes up.  As long as something doesn't come up for a few days in a row. 


Anna says "we will be cleaning everything from our windows and draperies to our doors and vents".  I am looking forward to a sparkly clean house to ring in spring!!


Care to join us?  Just click on the Event button below to find out all of the details.

Things I heart!

Kiki has created a mini village for her son's stuffed animals.  The supplies needed for this project are minimal.  You will need a few cardboard boxes, paint, sharpies, clear vinyl, ribbon, and scraps of paper.  And of course a bit of an imagination :-)  You can find this project here at Kiki creates.

At Arm Candy For You you will find the tutorial for these super cute credit card purses.  All of the measurements are in metric, but when has that ever stopped us from making something so cute!  Go here for the tutorial.

Now something for the boys.  Can't forget the boys!  Especially since I have one :-)  Noodle-Head made this adorable boys wallet.  You can find the tutorial here.

How cute is this bag?!  It is larger than the normal purse, which is perfect for me.   Since I normally have my things and a few things in my purse that belong to one of my two kids.  The inside even has a zippered pouch.  I believe this bag is about 15" wide.  You can find the tutorial here.

How about some chaps for your little cowgirl or cowboy?  Or yourself ;-)  LOL  Lily Bug Designs has a tutorial on some for ya.  You can find it here.

 

Two Twenty One creates thrifty hurricanes out of vases and candlesticks.  Add some split peas to ring in spring!  Tutorial here.



I love fonts!!  I use them to make cards, scrapbook pages and elements, and many many more things.  Download the free font here.

Blue Skies and Sunny Days - Printable

Spring is just around the corner.  The kids and I can't wait!!  I even noticed grass starting to grow yesterday.  


I created this card yesterday.  Easter was on my mind, hence the blue and purple colors which are not too feminine and not too masculine.  

Put a smile on someone's face today.

Click HERE to download.

If you do, please leave a *Thanks* in the comments as that is what will put a smile on my face :-)

Freebies I Love This Week

Freebies!!  I love freebies :-)  This is what I've downloaded this week.  I use to download any freebies I could find, but now with over 53 GB of freebies I am a bit picky about what I take.

Click on a picture to be taken to each designers website to snag these awesome images.

 

We is a card I made using the tree branch from Delicious Scraps.

I added a calendar in the frame.  I am always looking at my calendars I add to my desktop wallpapers, but you could put a picture in there instead!

 

You do need to register (which is free) in ordered to snag this freebie

Menu For The Week

This week should be much quieter than last week.  We (PSA) hosted a book fair at my daughter's school last week.  Little man and I did a whole lot of running back and forth everyday opening and closing the book fair.


Here is what we are having for dinner this week.  What are you having yummy?


Monday:
Pancakes (little man's favorite meal)


Tuesday:
Steak Sandwiches
Sweet Potato Skins (saving the inside for later in the week)


Wednesday:
Spaghetti
Garlic Bread


Thursday:
Balsamic Glazed Chicken
Green Beans

Friday:
Beef Stroganoff

Saturday:
Baked Pork Chops
Sweet Potato Casserole (using leftovers from Tuesday's dinner)

Sunday:
Taco Salad


I am hoping to finish a few project I've already started!  (keeping fingers crossed)


1) Table Runner
2) Refurbished Spice Rack
3) Transform a Folding Metal Bed Tray into a Magnetic
    Message Board


Wish me luck :-)

Linking up to....

Anyone you know having a baby?

For Christmas this year I gave sets of greeting cards to use throughout the year.  Here is the baby card I included in the set.

I enjoy making graphics with Photoshop.  Most of the time I take a picture of an object and alter it.  I took a few pictures of my son's pacifiers before throwing them away (since he finally doesn't use them anymore).  


I digitally changed the color of the pacifier from blue to green so this card could be given to anyone expecting a baby, not just for someone expecting a boy.  This is very easy to do.  If you are interested in a tutorial on how to do this, I can put one together :-)  Leave me a request in the comments.


When I see a layout I like I do a sketch of it in my notebook.  I also create a digital sketch as well using Photoshop CS2.  I've included my layout sketch for this baby card.  You can click on the image to open a larger image.  Then just right click on the photo to save it to your computer.  I've also posted the pacifier image as well.  Just click on it to open up a full resolution photo, then save it to your computer.

You have my permission to use this image on a card which you give someone as a gift.  You may not use this image to make money, or as a freebie.  You may post a link back to this post for other people to stop by and collect the freebie for themselves.

I am planning on posting more of my card creations, including the digital stamps so you can make your own cards!!  

 

To make a mat for anything on a card, cut the mat 1/4" larger.  

Example: You want to mat a paper that is cut 2 1/2" wide by 1" high.  Your mat will be 2 3/4" wide by 1 1/4" high.

This will give you a 1/8" mat on each side.  You can see the mat I used under the pacifier in the picture above.

Fabric Or Chocolate, I Pick Fabric!

If I had to pick between fabric and chocolate, I would most defiantly pick FABRIC!!  The beautiful colors, the endless projects that could be made out of it.  The one thing I wish I had more of?  Fabric stores close by that sell designer fabrics.  


Online shopping is an option, but most store make you buy fabric by the yard.  At $8-$10 per yard, that can really take a bite out of your wallet.  For big projects it's okay because you normally would buy a large amount anyway, but what if you are a quilter or want to make a small project?  


I found a AWESOME store online that not only sells wonderful designer fabrics at a great price, but they will sell you fabric starting at 1/8 of a yard!!!.  It's like a dream come true :-D

http://hawthornethreads.com/

Hawthorne Threads not only will sell you 1/8 yard but they also have great prices on their fabrics and their shipping prices rock.  You must check them out!!

This Weekend

Saturday afternoon my dear 6 year old and I ventured to our local fabric store, Verna's Fabrics in Mifflinburg, PA.  As soon as we walked through the door the owner started talking to my daughter.  She asked if she starting sewing yet then took a few 6" squares out of a bag full of scraps to show her.  She showed my daughter how we could cut the squares into smaller squares so she could make a quilt or pillow for her baby dolls.  My daughter had a smile on her face from ear to ear.  She then proceeded to give her the whole bag of fabrics!  

Verna, thank you so much for giving my daughter the inspiration to start sewing.!!  Your generosity was such pleasant surprise.  You are a wonderful woman.


This morning we went through all of the fabrics.  I asked her what she wanted to make first.  Her answer?  A quilt for one of her baby dolls.  She picked out the fabrics and I cut them into 2 1/2" squares.  She has hand sewn one row together so far.  I told her to take her time and work on it here and there.  I'll post her progress as she sews her first project, a baby doll quilt!  I'm such a proud mama!!

The reason for our trip to Verna's on Saturday was to buy fabric for a table runner I want to make for our dinning room table.  This is what we came home with.

Most of them are Moda Fabrics, which is one of my favorite fabric companies.  I am going to use this tutorial for my table runner.  This piece of Moda will be used for the backing. 

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Valentine's day is just around the corner.  Tonight we printed, cut, and addressed these cute little valentine's for my daughter's 1st grade class.

The kids put 20 heart candies in snack bags while I stapled them to the envelopes.  I think they ate 1 for every 3 they put in the bags :-)