DIY Mini Pallet Valentines Art

Hey, hey, hey!!  Happy Monday!!
I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!  Our weekend was great!  We just hung out a lot as a family, grilled steaks, tried new recipes, played at the park and on the golf course, and just enjoyed time together as a family.  That’s what it’s all about, right?!? 
I also made this super easy and super cute Valentines Day art!  I don’t really get all crazy with my Valentines decorations.  I hang a wreath and a flag on our porch and I put one or two things on the mantel.  But definitely nothing extravagant.  I love how this sign is so simple and subtle and that it doesn’t look too “Valentine-y”!




I love, love, love the look of pallets in the home.  Pinterest is full of yummy ideas for using pallets in your home from restructuring them to be coffee tables, to beautiful art!  My recent favorite is Jen’s Valentines Pallet Art!  So pretty!
Although I love the look of pallet art, let’s face it…..I don’t have the time or patience to hunt down a pallet, clean it, sand it, paint it, blah…blah….blah!  If you’re new here (hi! and welcome!! and thank you so, so, so much for following along!!), you’ll soon come to realize that I love projects that are 3 things: quick, easy, and cheap!  Oh and it’s gotta be pretty!  Ok, so 4 things!
So while browsing in Hobby Lobby one day, I found these pretty little packages of wood pieces.  They were just wood strips and there were 4 in a package for $2.  I bought 3 packages, came home, and got to work!
Here are the supplies:

• packages of wood strips from craft store
• white paint & foam brush
• vinyl
• wood glue

I was a little impatient and didn’t get a picture of the wood strips in the actual package, but you can at least see what the package looks like. 
So I just laid out all my wood strips to get the size “pallet” that I wanted.  I saved 2 of the wood strips for the back.


Then I just used the wood glue to glue all the horizontal strips to the 2 vertical strips.  Can you see the “mini pallet” coming together?!
Once they were all glued on, I let it dry for about an hour while I did other things.  I came back and got busy painting with some plain white acrylic paint.
It took a few coats to get the coverage I wanted.

I don’t have pictures of this step, but I created my saying in Silhouette Studio and cut it out with vinyl on my Silhouette.  Nothing better than a little Jason Mraz lyrics for V-day!

I used transfer paper to transfer my vinyl onto the “mini pallet”.  And here’s the end result:









I love how it looks on my console table and is just the perfect touch of Valentine’s!
What do you think?
Thanks for stopping by!

I am linking up to many of these great parties:

M: DIY Showoff Project Parade, Metamorphosis Monday, Made by You Mondays, Just Something I Whipped Up, Today’s Creative Blog, Making Monday Marvelous, Polly Want A Crafter T: Get Your Craft On, Tip Junkie, Home Stories A to Z, Homework, A Bowl Full Of Lemons W: Uncommon, Oopsey Daisy, Uncommon, Twin Dragonfly Designs, Creative Spark , Not Just A Housewife Th: 36th Avenue, Just A Girl, Gluesticks, House of Hepworths, Every Creative Endeavor F: My Repurposed Life, Sassy Sites, I’m Lovin’ It, Remodelaholic’s Anonymous, Frugal Friday, Fingerprints On The Fridge, Feature Yourself Friday, Pity Party, Weekend Wrap-Up, Weekend Bloggy Reading S:  Positively Splendid, I Heart Naptime, Be Different, Act Normal  Su:  Under The Table & Dreaming, Remodelaholic, Homemaker On A Dime

Thanks for reading! 

Don’t forget to follow along on Facebook & Twitter!

A Valentine’s Shirt For My Valentine

Ok, well I guess she’s my 2nd Valentine since I think Scott has to technically be my first Valentine! 
It’s FRIDAAAAAYYY!!!!  I wanted to share with you a cute (and easy) shirt I made for Emily for Valentine’s Day! 

Here’s how I did it!
Supplies:

• Craft cutter (I used my Silhouette)
• Heat ‘N Bond (or other fabric interfacing)
• Fabric of choice
• Iron
• Shirt (I got mine at Hobby Lobby for $3)
• Scrap paper (optional)

I started by ironing some plain pink fabric to some Heat ‘N Bond (man, I love that stuff!!!).


Then in Silhouette Studio I created my design.  It looked a little something like this:

I cut out the L, V, and E on the pink fabric using my Silhouette!  I cut the heart separately on some pink polka dot fabric, using the same method.

I still use the cutting mat just for extra “security” even when I’m cutting vinyl and fabric even though I don’t think you have to.
Wait…..let me back up!  Of course, before I ever even cut the fabric I did a test cut with some scrap paper and placed it on my shirt to make sure I liked the size, spacing, etc.


Looks good to me!  Ok, now back to the fabric…..
So after I cut the fabric, I peeled the paper backing from the Heat ‘N Bond off the back of the fabric letters and ironed them down to my shirt.  I tilted the heart a little bit.  I kinda like it that way!


Now, Heat ‘N Bond is great and I love it dearly.  However, it has been known to peel up on projects I’ve done in the past (hhmmm….could be user error??  Naaahhh…we’ll blame it on the Heat N Bond).  So, I stitched along the outsides of the letters with some light pink thread just to make sure they stuck!


And here’s my little model sportin’ her new duds…..
 



Love it!  I can’t wait for her to wear it on Valentine’s Day!
Have you been creating any goodies for Valentine’s Day?  I must admit, I don’t really decorate my home for Valentine’s Day (just a flag and wreath for the porch), but I like doing little projects like this for these types of Holidays!
Thanks for stopping by!  Have a GREAT day!

I am linking up to many of these great parties:

M: DIY Showoff Project Parade, Metamorphosis Monday, Made by You Mondays, Just Something I Whipped Up, Today’s Creative Blog, Making Monday Marvelous, Polly Want A Crafter T: Get Your Craft On, Tip Junkie, Home Stories A to Z, Homework, A Bowl Full Of Lemons W: Uncommon, Oopsey Daisy, Uncommon, Twin Dragonfly Designs, Creative Spark , Not Just A Housewife Th: 36th Avenue, Just A Girl, Gluesticks, House of Hepworths, Every Creative Endeavor F: My Repurposed Life, Sassy Sites, I’m Lovin’ It, Remodelaholic’s Anonymous, Frugal Friday, Fingerprints On The Fridge, Feature Yourself Friday, Pity Party, Weekend Wrap-Up, Weekend Bloggy Reading S:  Positively Splendid, I Heart Naptime, Be Different, Act Normal  Su:  Under The Table & Dreaming, Remodelaholic, Homemaker On A Dime

 

Thanks for reading! 

Don’t forget to follow along on Facebook & Twitter!

 

Christmas Décor Galore

I am getting so excited about Christmas!!  I can’t wait to wrap everyone’s gifts in pretty packaging, create handmade gifts for neighbors and friends, spend time with family, and see my little girl’s eyes light up on Christmas morning!

I have been thinking a lot about what direction I want to go in for Christmas décor this year.  I am so torn because there are so many cute color combinations!  But, I think I have decided on a “neutral” Christmas using ivories, golds, silvers, and of course…..burlap!

So, to prepare for my “neutral” Christmas décor this year, I have turned to none other than my bestie, Pinterest!  Here are some of my favorite finds………

I love this neutral tree!  I will definitely have a burlap garland on my tree though!

Source:  BHG via Elisha/Pinterest

 

I love, love, love this tree!  This is exactly what I’m going for!

Source: DIY Divas via Ucreate via Hannah/Pinterest

Even though we ordered personalized stockings from PB last year, I am thinking about making some stockings like this!  I just love them!

Source:  Make It & Love It via The Crafting Chicks via Erin/Pinterest

This pillow is just to die for!  So cute, but can easily be made with some drop cloth and a Goodwill sweater!

Source:  PotteryBarn via Karen/Pinterest

I just love this simple décor!  Seems so easy!  I would love this on my mantle or buffet table!

Source: Shanty2Chic via Andrea/Pinterest

I also love this simple burlap tree!  This would also look great on the mantle or in a grouping as a centerpiece!

Source: Shanty2Chic via UCreate via Jennifer/Pinterest

 

This post has officially made me realize that I need to go buy more burlap and get busy!!  ‘Tis the season!  The best season ever!

So what are your décor plans for Christmas this year?  I’d love to hear your ideas! 

 

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Halloween Wreath {Fall Front Porch}

Hey guys!
I wanted to share with you today a simple and quick wreath I made for my front door.  I love, love, love all the cutesy yarn wrapped wreaths I’ve seen in blogland and on Pinterest lately.  But, the problem is I have an ENORMOUS front door.  It’s super tall and relatively wide as well.  So I kind of feel like I need “wow” wreaths on my front door (or maybe that’s just my excuse to have large and in charge and borderline gaudy things hanging from my door). 
So for my Halloween wreath I used some decomesh and a wire wreath form.  I just tied the mesh on, made a bow, and tied on some leftover black ribbon for a hanger.



I love how it turned out.  It’s simple but makes a big statement.  I love the spider web ribbon that I used to make the bow.  It was $1 at the Dollar Tree!!  One dolla make ya holla!!!!  Hhmm….sorry about that.  Sometimes I just can’t contain my inner……nevermind!
My pumpkin topiary looks great next to the wreath too!
To add to the Fall spirit, it finally got cool today!  Yesterday we were still rockin’ 90 degree weather.  UGH.  But we had some rain and it must’ve brought some cool weather with it!  It was so nice out today!  I’m hoping to take Em to the pumpkin patch one day soon!
What kind of Halloween/Fall wreath do you have on your front door?  Were you inspired by something you saw on a blog or Pinterest?  Do share!  I love hearing about and seeing different things you guys have done as well!

Oh….and don’t forget about the 31 Gifts giveaway!!
                  

I am linking up to many of these great parties:

M: DIY Showoff Project Parade, Metamorphosis Monday, Made by You Mondays, Just Something I Whipped Up, Today’s Creative Blog, Making Monday Marvelous

T: Get Your Craft On, Tip Junkie, Home Stories A to Z, Homework

W: Passionately Artistic, Twin Dragonfly Designs, Creative Spark @ Clean & Scentsible, Not Just A Housewife

Th: Just A Girl, Gluesticks, House of Hepworths

F: Sassy Sites, I’m Lovin’ It, Remodelaholic’s Anonymous, Frugal Friday, Friday Fun Finds, Feature Yourself Friday, Pity Party, Weekend Wrap-Up, Weekend Bloggy Reading

S:  I Heart Naptime, Be Different, Act Normal, A Little Lovely,

Su:  Under The Table & Dreaming, Remodelaholic

Monogrammed Pumpkin {“Pin”spiration}

My “Fall and Halloween” board on Pinterest is filled to the brim with so many gorgeous and inspiring ideas!  Although I would LOVE to duplicate them all, I don’t have the time, money, and quite frankly….the motivation!  I need quick and easy these days {with a grumpy and teething 10 month old and all}.

I have seen several cute pumpkin makeovers on Pinterest!  Take a look at these beauties:

{Source:  Pinterest/BHG}

 

{Source:  Pinterest/Blog}

 

{Source:  Pinterest/Tatertots & Jello via Restyled Home}

 

{Source:  Pinterest/BHG}

I love ‘em all!  So I wanted to make my own!  I really love the simplicity and stylishness of the nailhead pumpkins!  And I love monograms! 

So I made a monogrammed nailhead pumpkin!

I got the pumpkin at Walmart for $4.  It’s fake and kinda foamy-ish {yeah, I make up my own words.  It’s my blog.  I can do that!}.  I also got the pack of nail heads there for 88 cents.  I already had the spray paint on hand.

The pumpkin started out orange {obviously}.  I don’t have a before picture.  Horrible blogger.  Sorry.

I taped off the stem and took it outside and spray painted it using Krylon’s Satin Nickel.  I then printed a large W {for our last name} off the computer.  I held it up on the pumpkin where I wanted it and started inserting the nail heads.

My original idea was to put all the nail heads in, then just rip the paper off {thinking that the nail heads would stay in place}.  Well, that didn’t happen.  The nail heads popped out.  That was ok though.  I just put them right back in.  It was easy since the holes were already marked in the pumpkin.

I love it!  Simple, quick, cute, elegant.  I love that it isn’t bright orange and doesn’t scream PUMPKIN & FALL {although there is nothing wrong with that and I have some plans for some orange pumpkins}!

This took me all of about 15 minutes!  Even better!

Have you found any Fall and/or Halloween inspiration on Pinterest?  Are you just “pinning” or are you going to actually tackle some of those projects? 

 

Have a great Friday!

 

I am linking up to many of these great parties:

M: DIY Showoff Project Parade, Metamorphosis Monday, Made by You Mondays, Just Something I Whipped Up, Today’s Creative Blog, Making Monday Marvelous

T: Get Your Craft On, Tip Junkie, Home Stories A to Z

W: Passionately Artistic, Twin Dragonfly Designs, Creative Spark @ Clean & Scentsible

Th: Just A Girl, Gluesticks, House of Hepworths

F: Sassy Sites, I’m Lovin’ It, Remodelaholic’s Anonymous, Frugal Friday, Friday Fun Finds, Feature Yourself Friday, Pity Party, Weekend Wrap-Up, Weekend Bloggy Reading

S:  I Heart Naptime, Be Different, Act Normal, A Little Lovely,

Su:  Under The Table & Dreaming, Remodelaholic

Other:  Fall Frenzy