I'll have to admit...

I've been a little depressed lately.  We just moved, and we're still unpacking, and I feel all I want to do is hurry and jump into so many projects and other things I want to try, but I cannot do it all with the unpacking mess, the 2yr old hurricane, and my own errands and whatever else super woman is responsible for.  So I apologize for the lack of interest in my own blog here lately, even though I have 3 followers, there may be secret ones, you never know....(ok so i'm a little optimistic now... hahaha) Any who, just wanted to touch base to make me feel better, and any followers who are following.

For the Critters

Have A Crafty Christmas

Christmas is such a big holiday, and there's so much stuff you can do when it comes to Christmas, it's now getting it's own tab, because I have SO many things I can't wait to share with everyone here soon! 

HELLO AGAIN!

Ok, I am SO far behind on getting this blog all caught up! LOL  But I would like to announce we have moved, and now we're still in the process of unpacking. But once that's done, lot's of exciting things will be happening here soon and you can also see it on my FB page! :D And unfortunately winter is around the corner so time is limited and things/projects will have to get done soon!!! So new/more things to come soon. Nothing's better than anticipation! lol

Neat, ya think?

 So neat, really this could be used any where as magazine rack, in you're sewing or crafting room, kid's room for storage or even in your living room for mail and toys too as easy pick-up, so many things!!! :)

The Easiest Recycling Project EVER!!!

  

Great Recycling Project and ever so simple!!! Just Save TP rolls and get out your hot glue gun, maybe some spray paint, and BOOM! Awesomeness! Found on Pinterest, and you can find it on one of my many boards. ;)

Mouse Traps...Who knew!

    And if you look in the "Remakes from Pinterest" tab you'll see I have post the remake the day before this post! :) 

Art on the Wall

I'm sharing this because I had bought my daughter a kid art desk this past Christmas and she just keeps tearing it up (she's a creative 2 yr old) and so we're trying this out, and I think it'll be a little more organized and she gets to hang her art up! Fun Fun!!! :) You can also see mine that I made in the "Remakes from Pinterest" tab above.

Collage Flower from Pinterest

      

  And I've already done a remake of this, and you can see mine in the "Remakes from Pinterest" tab!!! Enjoy!

Pins of the Week from April 1st, 2012 - July 8th, 2012

***Sorry Everyone this is what I had posted before I discovered "labels". ***

Pin of the Week for July 1st - July 8th

DIY end table with crates; easy to add your own style to it and the best thing that I love about it, STORAGE!!! I swear you can NEVER have enough storage room! And it could even do this as a recycling project. You can find it at it's original site here: http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2012/05/vintage-wine-crate-coffee-table.html and see how they done it.

Pin of the Week for June 24th - July 1st

I'd use this as a shoe storage in my little girls room, or for supplies in a sewing/craft room.  It's simple and green!  You can find it's original site: 
http://www.curbly.com/users/diy-maven/posts/9755-getting-organized-home-office-inspiration-how-tos

Pin of the Week for June 17th - June 24th

Okay, if you're broke like me, this is like the best idea EVER!!! lol And/or if your kitchen is small like mine I would suggest putting wheels on the bottom! ;) Really another thing too I have a toddler who likes to make a mess of everything so if you also don't want buy something so expensive that you really can't afford to get tore up and need replaced in the next 5 yrs, another reason why this is a great idea.  Save your money and DIY and then go vacation with the family.
http://www.thenester.com/2011/05/bird-watching-52.html

Pin of the Week for June 10th - June 17th

Love thus!!! Looks pretty easy and self explanatory, but here the site: http://thebbcreative.wordpress.com/2011/09/18/diy-jewelry-organization-roundup/

Pin of the Week for June 3rd - June 10th

  Genius! Spray paint a branch and attach to the wall for a curtain rod

Pin of the Week for May 27th - June 3rd

Sorry I don't have to much to share on this, the site was something other than english but it has a decent visual for the idea.

Pin of the Week for 20th - May 27th

 

DIY Garden Planter & Birds Bath

I shared yesterday that I was working on a diy garden project that was for the birds! Our Lowes Creative Ideas Network challenge this month was to create a diy bird feeder or birdbath. After Matt’s failed attempt at creating a bird feeder, I just went ahead and purchased a cute feeder from Lowes. However, I had this fun idea to create a planter and bird bath in one and today I’ll show you how to make your own!

Supplies needed:

NOTE: Please use your own measurements and judgement when recreating this project. These are guidelines to follow and you shouldn’t necessarily even want to copy my project exactly. Be creative and add your own flair, pot sizes, rebar size, birdbath top, paint color, etc.

• 1  8″ tall terracotta pot for the base
• 4  6″ tall pots
• 1  4″-5″ tall pot
• 62 inch piece of rebar (I bought a 10ft piece from Lowes and had Matt cut it to size with a hacksaw. Lowes will cut if for you if you ask.) **Edited to add: My Lowes said they could cut it for me; however, someone had trouble getting their rebar cut by Lowes so you might need to purchase a hacksaw for this project. It’s $5.
• Spray paint primer. (I used Valspar primer.)
• Spray paint in your color choice. (I used Valspar in Exotic Sea.)
• Discarded globe from “boob light”.
• Little ceramic bird (Optional but uber cute.)
• DAP Household/Aquatic Adhesive

Step 1: Prime all of your pots and then spray paint them in whichever color you choose. This was my first time using Valspar spray paint and I have to say that I wasn’t a huge fan of the primer, but I loved the paint! The primer seemed to splatter a bit out of the can and it took two cans of primer to thoroughly cover the pots. Granted, I didn’t seal the pots before painting so they were thirsty for the primer! However, I used less than one can of Valspar’s gloss spray paint in Exotic Sea on all of the pots and on the birdie. I love this fun color for the garden!

Step 2: Measure the height of all of your pots and then add 24 inches to that number to determine the length of your rebar. Cut your rebar to size using a hacksaw. Use a hammer to pound the rebar into the ground at least two feet down so that it will hold your heavy pots.

Step 3: Thread your pots onto the rebar and fill with soil. Alternately tilt each pot from right to left, filling with soil as you go.

Step 4: Take the globe from one of your discarded “boob lights” and place it onto the top of the rebar. The bowl will be resting on the top flower pot but the rebar should thread all the way up into the birdbath bowl. I used DAP household/aquatic adhesive to attach the bird and to seal around the gap between the bowl and rebar hole. The adhesive takes a day to cure, so I’m not able to fill my bowl with water yet.

Step 5: Plant your flowers and enjoy!

For more DIY bird feeder, birdhouse, and bird bath projects be sure to check out Lowe’s Creative Ideas Magazine!

 

Pin of the Week for May 13th - May 20th

Make a pearl and ribbon necklace or bracelet.  So elegant! @

http://roadkillrescue.net/2012/05/doily-design-chair/

 

Pin of the Week for May 6th - May 13th

Layed down lace then spray paint! @ http://roadkillrescue.net/2012/05/doily-design-chair/

 

 

Pin of the Week for April 29th - May 6th

 Sewing together pot holders to make a rug! Brilliant!

 

Pin of the Week for April 22nd - April 29th

 Love this!!! And actually making me a pair soon! There was no link for me to tell you how to do this but it's quite simple.  Go to your local fabric/craft store, find "fabric" paint, be sure to read the directions because different brand have you finish in different ways.  Wash you pants (new or used) without fabric softener before you begin.  You can make you own stencils if you need to and when you're done painting be sure to read the directions on the paint so your paint stays on and doesn't ruin your pants.

Pin of the Week for April 15th - April 22nd

 Bird bath made from painted flower pots.  You can see how it's done @http://theculinarycougar.wordpress.com/2010/05/30/more-backyard-inspiration/

 

Pin of the Week for April 8th - April 15th

Paper cocktail parasols – available at party supply stores – are fun and festive. I made this simple project by sticking the parasols into a grapevine wreath and in minutes, I had a bright new look. You could also use a foam wreath. @ http://cfabbridesigns.com/holidays/christmas/easy-easter-wreath/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:FamilyChicFamilyChic

 Pin of the Week for April 1st - April 8th

Simple and cute.  Really think this would work out in most homes and rooms! :)

Tye-Dye with Sharpie

(from Pinterest)

 (and mine and my daughters)

You can find these on my Pinterest, just click the "Follow me on Pinterest" button to the left and check it out and get the "How To", also I'll throw out there that I didn't care for the "cup" technique, I used a medicine dropper for the alcohol, and put a plastic sack underneath to prevent bleeding through.

DIY Gift Ideas

The Mouse Trap Magnets / Key Holder

This idea will be posted for the Pin of the Day, Monday, March 19th, 2012.  This is quite easy, I hot glued the magnets for the fridge and nailed thru the one's as key holders to the wall.  Some paint, and some adhesive letters.  I could have done more to decorate but I already have a lot going on in my house so I didn't want it to look too busy, more simple on this one. :)

The Collage Flower

This is a Pin of the Day, for March 18th, 2012.  This piece was quite easy.  I think they may have used fabric on the one from Pinterest, but I already have a technique for paper/canvas.  And I'll give you MY How To: 1) Paint Canvas (Black seems to make the colors of your paper to pop out). 2) I used scrapbook paper and cut out leaf shapes, and one circle. ( I also you this and the product for the next step in ALL my collage projects.) 3) I used an Acrylic Medium, Matte Medium Gel to glue/seal w/ a brush for each leaf.  (This can be found in the art isle of your local craft store, it is made for the canvas but I use for other things as well but that's for a different time.) 4) After I have gotten everything glued down, I went over the whole canvas w/ the gel and a flat 1in. paint brush to seal it. (Mine looks shiny because it was still drying.) 5) OPTIONAL- If you'd like you can give it a back to hang or you can hang it by the wood behind it.
(This piece is what is going to bring all my collage and art projects I have recently done for my "living room re-do" altogether! Hope you enjoy! :)

Rylie's "ART" Project

My latest! I got the idea off Pinterest, cost me no more than $15, and I had bought her a cheap kids art desk for Christmas for more than this project. She kept tearing it apart; and so far this is a better alternative than cheap toys, quite easy, and make cute bedroom decor! ;)

DIY - Dryer Sheets

Okay, if you're like me, we pretty much live paycheck to paycheck.  And I noticed I had one dryer sheet left right when I was about to start laundry.... I HAVE TO HAVE MY DRYER SHEETS!!! But I found a solution!

 I googled it, I pretty much done it the same as this site (which I no longer have sorry), but they were using an organic product which was the only difference.  And so, my boyfriend was throwing out his old white T's last week, and I told him NO! I can always recycle them for something! So I cut them up into somewhat the same size as my dryer sheet squares.  Got a large tupperware container added some fabric softner (how much you use is your choice, I used about as much as I would for a large load of laundry, which still isn't much [because softner can make you break-out and isn't good for your skin depending on your skin reacts]).  Then added water about 2 inches from the top; threw in my T-shirt squares, and you're done! Just toss them in the dryer with your wet clothes to dry with, and when you pull out your dried clothes just put them back in the container. ALSO, if you were wondering, it DOES still take out the static! I thought is wouldn't be as effective because of the material the actual dryer sheets are made of, but it is.  Hope this helps some of you.

Saving a Lamp from the Dumpster

 

Absolutely HIDEOUS!!!!

Supplies:

• Paint Brush (s)
• Primer (you can use regular white crafters paint on this one, but the best primer I like to use is "Gusso" found in the art/painting isle.)
• Paint - color(s) your choice
• scrapbook paper
• Buttons
• Hot Glue-Gun
• Scrapbook adhesive stickers (your choice) -  and/ or -  picture cut outs.
• (A Lamp Shade if you do NOT already have one.)
• Matte Medium Gel (found in the art/painting isl of your local craft store.) And here's a picture of my preferred brand, and also so you know what you're looking for:

 Directions:

1. Wash off the lamp of all dust and dirt. (I prefer to use wet wipes, because they're actually really good for that and many other things!)
2. Begin to prime everything you plan to paint and collage.
3. After that dries, paint all of the surface you want the paint to show. (DO THIS BEFORE THE COLLAGE!!!)
4. Then you take your scrapbook paper and tear it to whatever size you want, some will be BIG / SMALL REGARDLESS, and if you are working with a Curvy Lamp, it's a bit more tricky like a puzzle and you'll definitely have those smaller pieces. After that, you take a small flat paint brush then brush on your matte gel to the back side of your torn piece of paper and place to glue it to the lamp. NOW DON'T FREAK OUT! It may not stick very well, so I get some more gel on my brush and brush it over that piece of paper. It's seals it and glues all down.  (Also, I like to tear my paper into whatever pieces/ shapes as I go, because like I said, it's kind of like a puzzle and certain shapes fit better in certain areas/ doesn't over lap with the same pattern of paper.) And you continue until you see no more primer and the collaged area is filled.
5. Any adhesive scrapbook stickers or cut outs you add now.  Cut outs go on the same way you as you had put on your paper, with the matte gel.
6. Once you're finished adding the stickers/ cut outs and it's DRY, you can add your buttons however many / wherever on your lamp with the hot glue gun.
7. Then put in back together (shade/bulb), plug it in and sit back for an hour or so and admire your work! ;)

 (half-way done, collage area is filled.)

Finished, up close.

The whole thing, finished. I added a new (vintage) shade I got from my grandma's barn still wrapped from the 70's or 80's. ;)

In My Home

Recipes

Trash-to-Treasure

How To's by My Design

Cleaning and Alternatives

For the Holidays

Remakes from Pinterest

For Kids

WE ARE UNDER CONTRUSTION, PLEASE IGNORE THE DATES ON POSTS LOL

UGH!

I've been having a creative block...... if that tells ya anything.  (to be continued)

Just a Thought

Okay I had this random, creative thought.  Two words, "Duct Tape", as a wall borders.  I came up with it in my head because I've been really wanting to do something with duct tape, and no, I am not the only brilliant mind out there.  I did a search on Pinterest and I found 1 pin about someone doing that, so let's get the idea out there, especially for those who may rent and are NOT allowed to paint their homes this could be a great alternative.  And you'll be be able to find this Pin on my "Rye's Room" board! I'll be moving here no later than 3 months so it'll be a minute before I am able to do it myself and share.  But in the meantime that doesn't me you can't give it a go! ;)

Alrighty then...

Okay Pin of the Week is coming back sometime this week. In other news, I have started some project once again, and they'll begin to get posted through out the next week with the "How To's". Next today and probably some of tomorrow I think I'll be going through my blog and doing some editing, maybe adding new tabs (not sure yet) and I know this may be cheating but I think I'm gonna go a head and make up for the weeks we lost in the "Pin of the Week" because I have found a lot of great things and I can't wait to share them all with you! And keeping checking out for new posts this coming week! Enjoy!
~Shana~

Coming BACK soon!!!

My next 2 weeks are going to be a bit hectic, but I should be back and have this site up and running again soon!!!
Sincerely,
                Shana

Again...

Apologies, with the delay of the Pin of the Week, I'm still trying to get my blog organized!  And between having a toddler - potty training, still behind on house work, still feeling weak from the flu/ Epstein Barr, and the recent holiday; I have been swamped! I promise soon things will be back in order!

Pin of the Week Delay

Sorry for the delay.  I've been sick with the flu and forgot. :(  Today I'm finally starting to feel better again,  but Pin of the Week has been posted.

Changes Again!

Okay, so my life is getting busier, so I have changed the "Pin of the Day" to "Pin of the Week", and I've added another new tab of Misc. things that I've made, for those of you who are interested and like my stuff.  Also I'd like to note that I will be getting a new camera probably around June, so my pictures will hopefully come out better.  (My daughter broke my good one so we're back to the old one.)  And I won't be doing much crafting this week until probably this weekend, due to m daughter just had her birthday and she has trashed my house wit all her new toys, and I've been kind of slacking because I've been crafting! :) And tons of numerous things and changes going on (I have toddler!) So and we're preparing for the summer and daycare, like said tons of stuff going on! One more thing it's in my top priorities to make tutorials on here, so that's still going to be coming this week! Yay!

Additions

Just added 2 new sites for you guys to check out and also I added a "For Kids" tab at the top, I decided to add this for parents who want to make stuff for their kids and their rooms or have your kids do a little craft project of their own!  Now, granted I probably won't be adding anything until the end of this weekend.  I have a project I've been working, well 3 at once (lol), and I've been bent on get those finished so I can share them with you and give some "How To's".  So just hang in there. :)

Hey!!!

Just wanted to let everyone know I should be adding some "How To's", a "Don't buy it when you can make it" and hopefully a "Trash to Treasure" by the end of this weekend! :)

The "Inspiration Aquarium"

Originally, I was trying to do this (from Pinterest):

And I didn't like the way my wax melted and I just left it out and looked at it and my boyfriend walked in the kitchen to check it out and he says "Babe, it looks like an under the sea thing" so there I went with that theme. (A plus to it was because my 2 yr. old is obsessed with fish. lol)

 And let me tell you, this was the biggest pain in the butt, EVER!!!  I went and got a 16x20 shadow box, for a 16x20 canvas, well inside the shadow box, it ISN"T 16x20.  So I chip away some of the wood in the shadow box (can't take it back now), still doesn't fit, then busted it, but still doesn't fit.  So I had to cut off the canvas fabric, cut down that wood, sand it, staple it back together, FITS!!!, and then nail the box back together, and finally hot glue the things that popped off back on and add some from chipping off some wax...
Like I had the biggest pain EVER! If you're interested in a "How To" leave me a comment, if you're brave enough to take this on! lol

St. Patrick's Day Crafts

This is so cute! A "leprechaun trap" lol

And a "Pot of Gold", east, cute, and great for the kids!

You can check out the site:
http://familyfun.go.com/st-patricks-day/st-patricks-day-crafts/to-catch-a-leprechaun-710897/

Happy St. Patty's Day

I'm gonna try and find a St. Pat's Day craft to share for the little holiday, and I will have it posted soon!

Introductions

Hi there, a quick bio, and some info about my blog:  I'm Shana, I've recently gotten back into crafting, I done 4-H for the whole 10 years, won trophies, gotten first place at the state fair, so FYI my stuff's legit. :)  I'm now 25, been a stay at home mom for a few months due to thyroid problems, and because of those problems is how I got my mojo back!  My "main" talent that I really have an "eye" for is collage art.  On anything and everything.  That's my main thing, along with recycling, turn trash into treasure.  Being a stay at home mom, having a kid, and one income is expensive.  So a lot of my ideas / projects affordable, I won't say easy because I don't know you, or if my projects are gonna be your "thing".  Like for example, I can sew, sewing looks easy when my mom does it, but for me it is difficult and frustrating.  I will also note too, if you have ideas for constructing things differently always try it.  For example, if I try to recreate something, I can't usually go by it's directions, I'm already crafty so if I have any clue, I usually do it "my way", otherwise I screw it up.  Just wanna throw that out there in case you are like me.  But I will post directions ALWAYS as detailed as possible and will always answer questions.  I will also be posting stuff that I found on Pinterest that is awesome as suggestions and my recreations of some of those as well, and of course from other places I'm sure.  So I hope you enjoy!

Coming Soon!

Sorry my Blog is under construction, but I hope to have it up and running by the 1st of April and no it's not a pre-April fool's day joke! :)