The boys and I had the opportunity, through Twitter Moms’ Glue Dots Summer Bonding Project, to get creative.  We had a weekend in June that included not only Father’s Day, but my parent’s 50th anniversary and my mom’s birthday.  So, we decided to make some homemade cards.  Of course, we were able to use our fancy, schmancy glue dots for the project.

The boys got busy making Father’s Day cards, and we put little pockets on their cards, so they could insert coupons for Daddy time and tickets to see a movie that Daddy had been wanting to see, The Last Airbender. The glue dots worked great for their cards.  While they were steadily working along, I decided to create this cute teacup card for my mom, for which the inspiration came from Martha Stewart (yes, I am a fan….she has the most amazing crafts). Anyway, we had a blast, and the glue dots did great for the boys’ cards; they didn’t want to stay sticking as well on mine, but I think it’s because I was trying to insert little teabags down into the cup, and they didn’t want to hold all of that weight pulling on them.  It was just too much.  However, for crafting with the boys, they are awesome in this mom’s book.  They are less hassle because they’re so much less messier than liquid glue or even gluesticks, which Jaden has an obsession with.  He can’t paint the table with Glue Dots, which makes me that much happier.:)

You can find Glue Dots online; you can even like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.  You’ll find some really creative project ideas online, as well.  They have a variety of dispensers available.

(Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Glue Dots blogging contest to be eligible to receive a $30 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.)

I don’t know if you’ve ever read the blog, Mod Podge Rocks!, but I have to say that Mod Podge does rock!

That blog gets my creative side flowing, and last week, I finally decided to take the plunge and try this whole Mod Podge thing out for myself.  I’ve actually never used it, except for small school projects, but apparently, you can do just about anything you want with it.  So, I decided to take our plain, white, utensil crock we have next to our stove and transform it into a thing of beauty.

Behold, the power of Mod Podge!:)All I did was cut up pieces of scrapbook paper into squares.  Now I do have to say that the lighter weight paper was so much easier to work with on the rounded, slick surface of the crock.  The heavier paper didn’t want to stick so well, but it did after sealing and drying.  After cutting my squares, I put a layer of Mod Podge (I used Matte finish) all over the outside of my crock, where I wanted the paper to go.  Then I put Mod Podge on the backside of each square of paper, as I added it onto the crock, trying to come up with a creative design as I went.  I used a paintbrush, but next time I’ll probably use a sponge brush, since it would be a lot easier and smoother, I think.  Once I had all my squares on, I also put a piece of vellum paper that reads Bless This Nest, and it has 2 little blue birds on it, one on each end. After everything was Mod Podged onto the crock, I then brushed over it all with another layer of Mod Podge.  I’m thinking I should have done more than one layer maybe, but it really did a great job of sealing the layers together.  Not saying this crock will be easy to clean, by any means, but it definitely is cute! The Mod Podge sealed it well, but it’s just not as smooth as I thought it’d be.  I love it, though!  Definitely gotta try more Mod Podge projects.

I love having a wreath on my front door, not just because it’s warm and welcoming, but also because it can be changed with each season, to represent the colors and beauty of that time of year.  A couple weeks ago, I decided to make a more summery type of wreath, and it was really fun and really inexpensive.

First of all, you have to gather your supplies, and for this particular wreath, I needed the grapevine wreath, floral stems (of your choice), wire cutters, and scissors.The first step is to cut your floral stems to the length you want them.I cut mine, so that there were still a few leaves left, just to give the wreath a little greenery, as well as flowers.  Then, it’s as simple as taking your stems and just placing them into your wreath, wherever you want them to go.  I tried to keep mine going in the same general direction, so they all flowed together well and almost looked as if they’d grown from the wreath.I love these grapevine wreaths, because it’s so easy to just find spots for your floral arrangements; they just poke right into the wreath, and there’s no need for fasteners of any kind; once you have them in, they stay in place really well.Then, voila, you have a wreath.  With sales and coupons, you can easily make a wreath for under $15; this one actually cost me about $12, by the time all was said and done.  You can make these types of wreaths for summer or winter.  In the winter, I have one made with white lights and a cranberry type of vine.  It makes for a really festive decoration.  Hang your wreath on your front door, and you’re showing hospitality to your guests. 

Happy nesting!

Crafting has to be one of the most relaxing things in the world; I love to sew, but I’m not that good at it.  I can sew home decor items really well, but when it comes to clothes….I’m just not that great.  Let’s just say that usually, the clothes end up either swallowing the victim whole, or they’re so tight, the victim can’t breathe.:)  Anyway, with summer coming on, I begged Dan to put up a clothesline for me in our back yard, and he did!  I’m so excited!  I’ve hung out my first loads of laundry this week, thanks to my honey!  There’s just nothing like fresh sheets straight off the clothesline.  What do you do with the clothespins, though?  I decided to make a cute little bag to hold them….and a bag that I could sling over my shoulder on the way out the door. 

I’ve been wearing it over my head and shoulder kinda like a messenger bag, and the length of the straps makes it perfect for grabbing the pins out as I hang laundry.  Here’s how to make this simple bag:

First, get your supplies together.  You’ll need fabric (preferably cute fabric that matches your style), pins, scissors, a measuring tape, thread, and an iron/ironing board. 

Then, you need to measure yourself.  Where do you want the straps to end on your body?  I measured from the top of my shoulder down to below my hip, and then I added extra inches for the straps to tie together in a bow.  Measure this length out on your fabric, and cut your straps, allowing enough width to sew a nice seam.  My straps were about 4 inches wide and then my measured length.  After that, you decide how big you want your bag to be, and measure out 2 squares of fabric; then cut the squares out.  Once you’ve done this part, the rest is easy peasy.

Next, take your two squares of fabric, and place them wrong side up.  Along one edge only of each square, fold the fabric over about 1/2 inch-3/4 inch.  Iron that down, and pin into place.  This will form the top of your bag. Do the same thing to the two ends of each of your straps.    Sew your edges into place, careful to keep your stitching straight.

Next, you’ll place your squares, right sides together, and pin together on the 3 sides that haven’t been hemmed; leave the hemmed edges open.  You’ll sew these together, and you’ll have your bag.  Take each strap, and with the wrong side out, fold down the center, pinning into place (see my picture below if you’re confused; you’ll see how my straps are folded down the center and pinned; ironing helps with this too).  Then, sew your pinned strap edges together on each strap. After you’ve sewn this edge on your straps, you’ll have a bit of a tedious process in turning the straps right side out.  (Like I said, I’m not the greatest sewing whiz, but this worked for me).

Once your straps are right side out, and your squares are sewn into the form of a bag, keep that bag wrong side out.  Take one strap, and pin one end of that strap to the top sideseam on your bag (make sure it’s facing the correct way, or your strap seam will show when you’re wearing the bag).  Do the same with the other strap and side seam of your bag.  Then, sew these into place with some quick stitching along the seams.

Last, tie your straps in a bow at the top, and voila….you have a cute clothespin/shoulder bag! 

Mine works so well; I love it!  I hope you enjoy!  Remember to enjoy the process just as much as the finished product.:)