.

It's no secret that I like to craft!

I like to take something old and unloved and turn it into something new and lovable

or creating something that cost a LOT less if I made it with my own hands!

 

It's a passion....

it's my relaxing afternoon of golf

my cup of joe on the porch

it's my way of escaping the crazy of the day :)

 

I have been dying over all the chalkboard madness that has taken over 99% of America's homes!!

and I had been going back and forth with G about what we wanted to do

My first thought was our entire kitchen wall....I was quickly shot down

I debated on making a 6' leaning chalkboard to take up an empty wall in the living room....again, shot down

 

then one day while thrift storing with family in AR, I ran across an old window for $8...PERFECT!!!

For $8 I wasn't in the market for a second opinion..so without hesitation I loaded that bad boy up and carried it home :)

 

So I grabbed the necessary tools...

protective eye wear

face mask

sander

caulk

screwdriver

frog tape

Rust-Oleum Magnetic primer

Krylon chalkboard spray paint

Rustoleum "Sun" yellow spray paint

and WINE!!! - yes, wine is a must :)

I love the fact that it doubles for a magnetic board, too!

I am a picture fanatic and to have additional places to put my favorite photos is a winner in my book!



Yesterday was an exciting day around my house!!!

Yesterday, I FINISHED my duvet cover!!!! Yep!!! You heard me!!! I really did it! And I didn't give up -although at times I debated whether or not to chunk my sewing machine OUT THE WINDOW. 

WOW, so after making this list I don't feel near as accomplished as I thought I was!!! BUT I am still very much proud of myself for completing my FIRST, yes my first, sewing project and for it actually resembling what it is actually suppose to be :)) woohoo GO ME!!! Yes, I may or may not have battle wounds from my occasional fights with the sewing machine -the sewing machine obviously WON- but I have a finished product made with my very own hands!!

But for now, I have to step back and temporarily put this project on hold to help the hubby finish the deck!!! YES the deck must be complete before I fall any further into a NEW project!

I had so much fun making this diaper cake. It's fairly easy to make and the possibilities are endless. 

First, find out what the theme of the baby shower is going to be or what colors the host/hostess is wanting to use.

3 packages of 24 count diapers

-I used two different sizes-

4 shades of ribbon

-use 1 1/4", 1/2" and 1" ribbon

bottle of wine or large baby lotion (for center of diaper)

Stuffed animal

Any toys, baby gear or baby supplies you want to use.

Step 1:

 I took the largest platter I had in the house and laid it onto a cardboard box I had.

Then I Greg used a razor to cut the circle out of the box.

(Isn't he so sweet)

I cut approximately 1" strips out of some fabric I had around the house -you could also use rubber bands-

roll each diaper and secure it with your fabric or rubber bands.

After rolling A THOUSAND DIAPERS!! the fun begins.

 Take your cardboard cutout and place you wine bottle (for mommy) or large baby lotion in the center.

Begin placing your diapers around your bottle until you reach the end of the cardboard.

 -I would secure this bottom layer with hot glue-

I then tied a ribbon around the entire layer to keep it in place. -I didn't have a glue gun-

Continue on to the second layer and finally the top layer until all 3 tiers are complete.

I used my main colored ribbon on all 3 layers the added the second largest ribbon to the center for a splash of color.

I also added the baby's name to the middle layer to personalize it!

Then take you TWO smallest ribbons and begin tying on all you little goodies! There is NO right or wrong way of doing this! Whatever strikes your fancy! 

 Do this for the ENTIRE cake!

 When you finished with this, the last step is to attach you stuffed animal as the cake's topper.

 I secured my teddy bear by sticking straight pins through his legs into the diapers under him!!

 and VOILA!!! you have yourself a wonderfully BEAUTIFUL handmade diaper cake!!

This weekend was wonderfully productive!!

Friday was spent at the hubby's Golf Course with great friends, lots of laughs and some awful O' so fabulous crawfish -or so I was told. I went into this evening thinking I was going to at least try this creepy crawling goodness, BUT after seeing all the ALIVE crawfish in the cooler and my friends plate with the LEGS AND HEADS still attached, I ever so kindly went to the bar and proudly ordered myself a nice juicy hamburger -yes I realize this is also an animal but is has previously been detached from its limbs before I ever laid eyes on it!!!!!

 Moving on! ....I finally finished my second baby shower DIY project and I am certain she will love it!

 

Then G and I headed off to Home Depot and picked up the beginning supplies of our DECK!!!!

Luckily when we got home and started unloading the supplies, our DEAR friends showed up to give Greg a lending hand!! -notice how I said Greg....our friends showing up just at the right time meant I was off the HOOK!!!! WOOOHOOO!!!

Once the supplies were unloaded and the game plan was sent, the boys didn't waste anytime in getting started!!

 

 

And before we knew it the process hang BEGUN!!

Now, because neither of these guys had ever built a deck, the first couple of hours were spent trying to get everything level! So after FINALLY figuring out the fastest and easiest way of doing this they were able to get half the deck's foundation complete in one evening.

Sunday, the guys bounced out of bed at the crack of dawn -so they had time for afternoon GOLF!!!! Men, I swear!!!!!

Because I'm a lazy bum!! The guys dang near had the whole foundation complete by the time I woke up!!!

So the guys finished their daily deck duties, took showers and headed off for a rousing game of golf!!

 I think the guys have done a FANTASTIC job!!! They worked so hard and it payed off!! By Sunday afternoon we had a finished foundation!

And because we girls helped out SOO much with the deck -only kidding- (by help I do mean we kept them WELL hydrated) we decided to head to the movies and relax.....

I have to say this is by far the best movie I've seen in a LONG LONG time!!! If you haven't seen it but have thought you might!!! GO!! Go NOW!!! It's amazing!!!

Drama mixed with LOVE mixed with a lil' bit of action!!! 

Perfection!!

Let me start out by saying that I am in NO way an artist! But I like to be creative and if there is something I love but is too expensive or cannot be found for purchase, I tend to try to create it myself!  (Sometimes)

So,with this being said, when my friend told me of her upcoming baby shower and that the theme of her precious baby boy's room is going to be Dr. Seuss, I went straight to the world wide web in search for the perfect shower gift!!! 

After searching for a few hours moments I came across this photo of an art piece displayed in someone elses baby room, it was perfect! I then went in search of where to find this beauty, only to find that I couldn't! I looked at baby stores, Etsy and even tried googling Dr. Seuss artwork, but nothing took me to this picture I was desperately trying to find! -in my mind, I just knew my friend would love it.

So I got to thinking and looking twice over the photo that I had found and it dawned on me, "I'll just make it!!!" So, that's exactly what I did! -disclaimer: it is not perfect but it is perfectly handmade with love. So for me (and the hubs) that makes this gift EVEN BETTER-