Lost Socks

I don't know about you but I have a lot of socks missing their match.  I often throw them into a laundry basket and avoid them unless I'm desperate for a pair.  I was inspired by this post to create my own lost sock board.

Here's mine.  Cute Right?!?

Paint your board, add vinyl, and use ink to distress.

Trace your clothes pins on pattern paper and cut out.  Ink edges.

Hot glue your paper to your clothespins and then to your board.

Hang up and add your extra socks.  Or if you are like me pull a few from your basket full of missing socks to display.

Its time to make a change

First the voting is up at One Month to win it.  Head on over and checkout all of the great projects.  Any guesses which one is mine?

So as you know last week I took a little blogging break and it was nice stepping away for a few days and not worrying about it.  Between trying to post daily (including most weekends as well), working on projects, writing tutorials, taking pictures, leaving comments, responding to comments, etc. it takes a lot of time.  I admire all of you that can do it but I've come to realize right now its too much for me to keep it up.  I have two little girls that don't nap any more and need me to spend time with them, I have other things I enjoy doing that aren't blog worthy like reading, becoming addicted to tv shows, and learning to play the piano.  Also I have some personal issues we are trying to figure out that are causing added stress (if you are super curious I wrote a little about it here) and well most days I have a lot of stomach pain and need to rest a lot and take pain killers.  Lately I feel like I try to finish something quickly just so I have something to post or I avoid doing some projects (or feel guilty for doing other things) because they take a long time or its not really a tutorial type of project.  Its not really fair to you and I really want my blog to always be a place that inspires not just something I throw together to say I posted that day.  I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm not going anywhere, I love to craft and create, and blog but I am taking myself off the hook to post every day.  I'm reliving the stress of feeling like I need to keep up or catch up to others in regards to followers and stats.  They really don't matter and thats not why I started blogging.  Its going to turn back into something I enjoy doing and not something I feel like I have to do.  I'll post when I have something worth sharing.  It may not always be a tutorial or something amazing but it will be something I can be proud of or think it is something that will inspire you to create something.  I hope you understand and will continue to follow along.  Who knows there may not end up being much of a difference we'll see.  I really have the best readers and I'm so grateful for you and all the comments you leave.  They really make me so happy and I enjoy reading each one. 

FYI: The craft challenge will continue as well as the before and after party.  The craft club will be postponed but will be back soon.  Also I do have a few projects to share I just need to finish taking a few pictures.

Craft Challenge Winner Announced and next challenge

The Craft Challenge results are here!  First I want to thank everyone that joined in.  It was so fun to see all of your different projects.  Also a huge thanks to Mandy and Jaime.

May's Judge:

Mandy from Sugar Bee Crafts

Jaime from Stitch 2 Buttercup with be providing the prize.  A key fob with 2 stamped washers.

1st place

Come Together Kids Bookshelves

2nd Place

Creations by June crate turned to storage

3rd Place

Keeping it Thrifty Birch Wood Centerpiece

Congrats! 

Next Months Challenge will be Paint!

If you would like to be a judge or provide the prize (2 month free sponsor spot for providing the prize) in the next few months please contact me. You can find more details here.

you make me happy...

For today's post I thought I would create a project combining a few of my favorite things...quotes, flowers, and pictures.

Interchangeable Photo Canvas

Here's How I made mine.  Cut out 7 strips of fabric mine were 1"x9" long.

 Set your stitch length to the longest setting.  Mine is 5.

 Close to one of the long sides back stitch at the beginning.  Sew the length of the fabric but don't back stitch at the end.

 Pull your ends to ruffle up your fabric.

 Roll tight and sew through all the bottom layers to keep your flower secure.

 Make all 7 of your flowers.  I added a yellow one for a nice pop of color.  Hot glue beads to the center.

 Hot glue your flowers to two corners of a canvas (8x10)

  Choose a photo and place where you want it.  attach four clear photo corners to secure your picture in place.  This will make it so you can easily switch out your picture when ever you want.

Measure your empty space to figure out the size of your font.  They use paper, vinyl, paint etc. to create your quote. 

(I used cardstock and my cricut.  I used a glue stick to glue it down)

 hot glue ribbon to the back

 You now have a fun canvas where you can easily switch the picture to any of those sweet memories that make you happy.

 

Before and After Link up Party! The Master Bedroom

Its time for another before and after party!  This week is the Master Bedroom.

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Here's the details in case you missed them. Each week there will be a specific room/area assigned. You will have one week to work on your room. First take before pictures. Keep it as real as you feel comfortable with. Then do something small or huge to make your room more comfortable, beautiful, and clean. Keep in mind the three D's: deep clean, declutter, and decorate (you don't have to do all three but it provides great direction). Once you're finished take your after pictures. Write up a post sharing your pictures and the details. Come back to my blog on Friday and link up! (will run through Sunday).  You can find more details and the full schedule here.

 Some extra details:1. Your change can be as simple as dusting or as big as rearranging and redecorating the entire room.  It doesn't matter just do something to make your room beautiful and more comfortable for you.2.  You can join in every week or just when you feel like it.3. Don't have a blog?  Email me your pictures we would still love to see them4. If you forget to take some before pictures no problem. Please link up anyway.  So lets see your Master Bedroom! To Join Link up your post with before and after post of the current room we are working on (the master bedroom)Please grab a button and help spread the wordLink up runs Friday through Sunday (midnight).Visit some other links, leave a comment, be inspired, and make some friends. 

thank you!

I just wanted to stop in and say hi and thank you for all of the kind comments I received in regard to my last post.  It was a nice and much needed little break.  

 

Thank you to those that voted for me in the Snap contest.  Sadly I didn't win but I do have some other exciting news.  I made it into One Month to Win it craft competition!  I'm super nervous but excited. 

Today is the last day to vote for your favorite project from the craft challenge.  This week's before and after challenge is the Master Bedroom (link up Friday-Sunday)

In regards to the Craft challenge and Craft Club would you like to continue through the summer or wait until Fall?  I know people are really busy so I'll let you decided.  I added a poll to the side bar or leave your thoughts in the comment section.

and since I like to add a picture to every post here's the newest item added to my shop.

Hope to have a new project to share with you tomorrow.  Just need to take a few pictures.

taking a few days off

I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to take a blogging break for the next few days.  I've been having a frustrating and stressful last few weeks and today pretty much pushed me over the edge.  Between that and feeling pretty sick I just need a few days to rest and do nothing but take care of my kids.  I hope you understand.  I'll see you in a few days. 

Top 10! Come Vote

The Craft Challenge results are here!  First I want to thank everyone that joined in.  It was so fun to see all of your different projects.  Also a huge thanks to Mandy and Jaime.

May's Judge:

Mandy from Sugar Bee Crafts

Jaime from Stitch 2 Buttercup with be providing the prize.  A key fob with 2 stamped washers.

If you would like to be a judge or provide the prize (2 month free sponsor spot for providing the prize) in the next few months please contact me. You can find more details here.

Remember the theme is Wood.  Pick your favorite project that you think best fits this theme.  Voting will end Thrusday May 26th.  The person with the most votes will win this months prize.  Feel free to grab a button and send people over to vote for you!

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delicateConstruction giraffe growth chart

Keeping it Thrifty Birch Wood Centerpiece

Our Incredibly Happy Family Table

Creations by June crate turned to storage

Vertigo Shelf  http://www.randallprice.com/

Come Together Kids Bookshelves

Homemaker in Heels driftwood hurricane

The Country Chic Cottage barn wood shelf

La Dee Da Crafter  Beadboard Watermelon

Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom stools

My Bathroom: Before and After

So my bathroom has been a work in progress.  In every rental we've lived in (7) our bathroom has always looked pretty much the same.  I decided to change it up a bit.We went from this shower curtain to

to this one!  I love it!  However none of our decor fit in any more so its been slowly coming together.

Here's what it looked like last week (again didn't clean up for the before's.  Sorry.)

Love my new step stool but the rug doesn't match.

So what did I do this week besides scrub everything down?

Organized the side cupboards and added new baskets. 

 bought some black rugs

 and towels