Activity Bags

After a church meeting last week my friend told me about this blog Chasing Cheerios and the activity bags she made. I thought they were super cute and a good idea for all the times we're at the doctor's office, meetings, car rides, etc. and I need something for her to entertain herself with.

I looked around for the zipper bags but then I saw my friend use these. So with my new sewing machine I decided to give it a try.

Here's how they turned out:

First I went and purchased 4 placemats from the Dollar Store.

Next I folder them and sewed up the edges.


I left room at the top and folded it over and sealed it down with velcro.



Then I used handy dandy Heat 'n' bond with the Impervious font and some really cheap fabric from Walmart to add one, two, three, and four unto the fronts of the bags.

Now they're filled with crayons and coloring books, stringing activities, puzzles,etc. They sit in the basket near our garage door ready and waiting to be picked up and taken with us wherever!

New Etsy Shop

After going back and forth several times and then doing some more himming and hawing I finally decided to go for it and open up an Etsy shop and sell some handmade accessories.

Thanks to the teaching, talents, and prodding of friends I thought I'd try it out and see how it goes!

The site is: 123tiedwithabow.etsy.com. It features bows and flowers attached to clips which can be worn on headbands, alone, clipped on bags, etc.

Check it out if you are interested and feel free to pass it along to whomever you'd like :)

Have a great day!

twine heart

I saw a cute twine heart over at Craftaholics Anonymous and thought it was just adorable. So adorable that when I saw this heart at a local dollar store here where I live that is moving and had everything 75% off I knew I had to have it (only 25 cents!!!) - I really should have bought another!


So I hot glued the twine to start and then started wrapping it up. I would hot glue the twine down every once in awhile just to make sure it stayed in place.

Here's how it turned out.

And the final product hanging on the inside of my front door.

Heart Wood Block

More Valentine's Decor...

I've had this wood block sitting around from our church craft day more than a year ago. I turned the others into photo blocks and just didn't have a place for this one. I've had it waiting around to be put to good use.



So I took some leftover scrapbook paper from another project I have waiting in the wings. I cut it down to fit the block and distressed the edges.


Then I Mod Podge -ed it onto the wood block.


Then I adhered this little berry wreath to it with hot glue. (I got the wreath at Micheal's with a 40% off coupon - I think it was like $1.90).


And...ta da! Another Valentine's decoration for around the house. Fast, easy, cheap, and cute!


Total Valentine's decorations to be found in my house - 2 !!! ;) Hopefully more will make themselves shown soon :)

valentine's heart sign

i have had this router-ed piece of wood sitting in my craft closet for over 3 years now. i just never knew what to do with it so it stayed in there forever.

then last week i decided i needed some valentine's decor when i saw a cute little berry wreath at Micheal's. and that's where my idea began.

so i painted the wood brown (i've seen pieces like this at Micheal's for a few bucks) and then i sanded it a little.

next i printed the words 'be mine' (font - impervious) on a creme piece of cardstock.

then i distressed the edges using this ink that a friend introduced me to.


next i mod podge -ed it on the wood.

finally...


i nailed this little heart (which i ended up getting for 40% off at JoAnn's) underneath the writing.


here's the final product.

sit on an easel or hang with ribbon on the wall.

Christmas Around Our House

I love blog land during the holidays. Everyone shows all the pretty things they put up and all the creative ways they make the stuff. Here's how our house changes during the holidays...

When you walk into our house this garland is hanging in the entryway. It's just one of those cheap ones from JoAnn's and then I dressed it up by tying some strips of fabric on it (kind of like the tree garland my cute friend over here did). I added some pine cones and now complete it with Christmas cards we receive in the mail using dressed up clothespins (my oh so talented friend again) to hang them with.

These three little trees are plain and simple. No need for extra decoration - I love them just the way they are.

Can't decorate without a some wood and vinyl :)

This tin bin (Goodwill find) got put out in October to hold Halloween candy but I've loved it so much it has become a permanent fixture in the kitchen - just change out the ribbon.

Why I absolutely love Marshall's ? - because you can find cute hand towels like this one - for cheap!

Our living room is adorned with garland, berries, and lights just about everywhere. Everyday I can't wait for the sun to start setting so I can turn on all the lights!

The mantle...
The stockings...
The whole picture. I love this room during Christmas time. It's one of those rooms you really don't go in all too much - especially because ours happens to be really cold. But during Christmas time I just want to spend as much time in there as I can.

The tree...adorned with berries, ribbon, and all ornaments from the dollar store or cheaper (painted wood stars, pine cones, etc.)

All Sort of Cute Girly Hair Things

I just love a good bow or oh so cute hair thing.

One of my best friends and her partner are starting up a business. They are making all sorts of barrettes, bows, etc. for girls.

If you're interested in finding some cute one of a kind hair things to dress up you girl's hair - check them out.

(Hello Steeler's Fans?!?!)

Check them out at:

www.tootsiewootsiebows.blogspot.com