My latest wedding gift

I love to make wedding gifts.  Registries are a wonderful thing, and I certainly appreciated everything we got from ours...but I figure most people will probably shop from the registry and cover the necessities, so I can do something more personal and fun!  :)  A dear family friend got married last weekend, and I was trying to think of a new wedding gift to make (I was tired of my old fall-back ideas).  So, of course, I hopped on Pinterest and saw this, and this, and this:

And then came up with this!

It was pretty simple!  I took an 8X10 frame (courtesy of a garage sale) and a wood letter (courtesy of Michaels),

painted them with Americana Acrylic Paint in Bittersweet Chocolate, then gave them both a couple coats of Krylon Matte Finish spray.  This is for durability, of course, but also to give the acrylic paint a more attractive finish...it kinda looks dull otherwise.

Then I made my own script patterned paper in Photoshop, using the couple's names, wedding date and the saying "Happily Ever After."

Printed it out, and traced around the letter (put it face down on the backside of your patterned paper).

Cut it out, and modge podged it onto the letter.  (I love Modge Podge.)

Speaking of Modge Podge, after ripping off the part of the cardboard backing that makes the frame stand up, I then laid the rectangle onto my burlap, and loosely cut around it.  Then slapped some Modge Podge onto the cardboard, and carefully laid the burlap over it and smoothed it down.  After that, trim the edges off.

I took a strip of fabric, about an inch wide, and tied it around the top of the letter (which you unfortunately cannot do with every letter!),

then looped it over the frame.  This part was a little tricky.  I then put in the burlap covered insert, and pulled the two ends of the fabric until I got the letter positioned just right, then hot glued the edges down on the back of the cardboard, then covered it with another piece of cardboard to keep things neat and tidy.

Then tied a bit of lace around the letter.  I jazzed up a plain green button with some glitter,

and added a little rhinestone in the center, then hot glued that onto the knot in the lace.

THEN, for the final touch, I took my Martha Stewart Sanserif font clear mount stamps, and spelled out "truly, madly, deeply" and "since 2012" and stamped them onto the corners of the burlap, using Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip ink.

Lastly, I put a quick bit of hot glue on the back of the B and stuck it to the burlap.

All done!  And I think it is great!

Linking up here:

{M} Twigg Studios-Ask Anna-Skip to My Lou-The DIY Showoff-Mad in Crafts-Marvelously Messy-Pinkopotamus-The Girl Creative-Sumo's Sweet Stuff-Making the World Cuter-Sew Can Do- C.R.A.F.T.- Keeping It Simple-Creating My Way to Success-All Things Fee-Etcetorize -Craft-o-Maniac-My Junk Drawer-Homemaker in Heels-Singing Three Little Birds-The House in the Roses-Boogieboard Cottage-Be Colorful-Between Naps on the Porch-I Should Be Mopping the Floor-Embellishing Life {T} Today's Creative Blog-Tip Junkie-Cherished Bliss-A Diamond in the Stuff-Sugar Bee Crafts-Vintage Wanna Bee-Reasons to Skip the Housework-The Kurtz Corner-Me and My Boys-All Thingz Related-Funky Polkadot Giraffe-Hope Studios-Creative Itch-Not Just a Housewife-Rook No. 17-At Home with K-My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia-Home Stories A2Z-Type A Decorating-DIY by Design-Primitive and Proper {furniture only}-Elizabeth & Co.-Project Queen-Coastal Charm-Ladybug Blessings-Homework-Topsy Turvy-New Nostalgia-Measured by the Heart {W} Tea Rose Home-Someday Crafts-Lil' Luna-Creations by Kara-Sew Woodsy -Goodbye City Hello Suburbs-Blue Cricket Design-Sew Much Ado-My Girlish Whims-Very Merry Vintage Style-Savvy Southern Style-Seven Thirty Three-Night Owl Crafting-Sugar and Dots-The Trendy Treehouse-Southern Lovely -Polkadots on Parade-Restore Interiors-Chatty Chicks-Ginger Snap Crafts-The Sasse Life-Fireflies and Jellybeans-Organize and Decorate Everything-Rae Gun Ramblings {Th} The Shabby Creek Cottage-House of Hepworths-The Brambleberry Cottage-The 36th Avenue-Yesterday on Tuesday-Saved by Love Creations-Momnivore's Dilemma-Beyond the Picket Fence-Somewhat Simple-Gluesticks-A Glimpse Inside-Domestically Speaking {paint only}-A Creative Princess-Christina's Adventures {$20}-What Allie's Making Now-Tales from Bloggeritaville-A Little Knick Knack-Crafty, Scrappy, Happy-Two Yellow Birds Decor-These Peas Taste Funny {F} Thirty Handmade Days-Just a Girl-Romantic Home-Remodelaholic-Shabby Nest-Young & Crafty-Lovely Crafty Home-WhipperBerry-At the Picket Fence-Finding Fabulous-delicate CONSTRUCTION-My Repurposed Life-Naptime Crafters-Chic on a Shoestring Budget Decorating-Fingerprints on the Fridge-504 Main-Cookie Nut Creations-Making Lemonade-French Country Cottage-See Vanessa Craft-Sassy Sites-Kojo Designs-It's a Hodgepodge Life-Tidy Mom-Truly Lovely-Simply Designing-Bubbly Nature Creations-Home is Where My Story Begins-Miss Mustard Seed {furniture only}-Simply Sweet Home-Creation Corner-Joyful Stamper-Craftionary-Release Me Create-Simple Home Life-Family Ever After-Addicted to Decorating-One Artsy Mama {S} Funky Junk Interior-Ladybird Lane-Tatertots and Jello-Craft Envy-A Law Student's Journey

Darling cards!

As promised here are the super cute Make n' Takes from my quarterly Stampin' Up! meeting.  If you are interested in acquiring any of those supplies, click on the Stampin' Up! logo on my sidebar to be taken directly to my demonstrator website, or click on the hyperlinks.  If it doesn't show up automatically, I'd really appreciate you selecting Heather Ipson as your demonstrator!  :)  Enjoy!

 Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Real Red and Chocolate Chip

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi,  Real Red and Chocolate Chip

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, from the Occasions Mini (only available until April 30th)

Punches: Blossom Punch, 5 Petal Flower Punch and the Scallop Border Punch (used to make the ric rac)
Other Embellishments: Stampin' Dimensionals

 Cardstock:  Real Red, Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White

Ink: Real Red and Basic Black

Designer Series Paper: Big Top Birthday

Stamps: Fox & Friends

Big Shot Die: Top Note Bigz Die

Big Shot Embossing Folder: Houndstooth

Button: Designer Button in Pumpkin Pie

Ribbon: 3/8 inch Taffeta Ribbon in Whisper White

Cardstock: Whisper White

Ink: Real Red

Designer Series Paper: Twitterpated

Stamps: P.S. I Love You

Big Shot Framelits: Hearts Collection

Big Shot Embossing Folder: Perfect Polka Dots

Ribbon: 3/8 inch Pleated Satin Ribbon in Pear Pizzazz

 Cardstock: Sahara Sand and Calypso Coral

Ink: Sahara Sand and Chocolate Chip

Designer Series Paper: Attic Boutique

Stamps: Rue Des Fleurs, from the Occasions Mini (only available until April 30th)

Stampin' Around Wheels: Chamomile Standard Wheel

Ribbon: 1/4 inch Grosgrain ribbon in Very Vanilla

Other Embellishments: Stampin' Dimensionals and Basic Rhinestones

Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight and Basic Black

Ink: Daffodil Delight, More Mustard

Designer Series Paper: Big Top Birthday

Stamps: Fox & Friends

Punches: 1/2 inch, 1 inch, and 1 1/ 4 inch Circle Punches, Extra Large Oval Punch

Other Embellishments: Stampin' Dimensionals and Natural Hemp Twine

Rustic Wood Wreath

We had a great weekend!  Got a table saw, for one!  A worthwhile investment that will help save us a ton of money...since we're using it to build those good ole cabinets for my craft room.  I might have mentioned them once...or twice.... ;)
I also got to go to my first quarterly Stampin' Up! meeting.  It was a blast, I got to see some new techniques demonstrated, as well as a new product.  Not to mention 5 fabulous Make & Takes, treats and socializing!  I'll post some photos later this week.
And last (but definitely not least!!!), my brother-in-law announced that HE IS GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!  I'm giddy as a school girl over this one.  My husband and I are both the oldest, we've been married for coming up on seven years and between the two of us, we have six younger siblings.  Not one of them is married.  But that will change soon!  In addition to gaining a sister-in-law, I also get to help plan a luncheon or dinner AND throw a fabulous bridal shower.
I'm almost ridiculously excited.

Anyway, onto today's post!
I saw this wreath awhile ago over at Shabby Love and pinned it, thinking it would be a perfect post-holiday winter wreath for my front door.  I thought right!  :)

I did it a little differently than Melissa did, however.  I used an 18" raffia wreath as my base, didn't even take off the plastic!

Then I cut three inch wide strips of dark brown felt

and wrapped them all around the wreath, using good ole hot glue to hold them in place.  It took about 250 inches in length to wrap around the entire wreath, with plenty of overlap so none of the raffia showed through.

A couple months ago, I took all the limbs from my pruning adventures and sliced them into about a quarter to a half inch thick discs with the chop saw (make sure your branches are all dried out before you do this).  They've been sitting in a bag in my garage waiting for me to get around to this!  So I dug out that bag,

and started hot gluing away!  It really was like a puzzle, as Melissa said, getting everything to fit just right with as little space as possible showing through.  Just kept going until it was done...I cut around 450 discs, and I used all but maybe 30.

Then I hung it on the door...rustic wood juxtaposed with sparkly silver ribbon (found on clearance after Christmas).  I completely love it!!!!

 The whole project cost me about $5.  Not bad at all!

Linking up here:

{M} Ask Anna-Skip to My Lou-The DIY Showoff-Mad in Crafts-Marvelously Messy-Pinkopotamus-The Girl Creative-Sumo's Sweet Stuff-Making the World Cuter-Sew Can Do- C.R.A.F.T.- Keeping It Simple-Mo Momma-Creating My Way to Success-All Things Fee-Etcetorize -Craft-o-Maniac-My Junk Drawer-Homemaker in Heels-Singing Three Little Birds-The House in the Roses-Boogieboard Cottage-Be Colorful-Between Naps on the Porch-I Should Be Mopping the Floor-Twigg Studios {T} Creating a House of Grace-Today's Creative Blog-Tip Junkie-Cherished Bliss-A Diamond in the Stuff-Sugar Bee Crafts-Vintage Wanna Bee-Reasons to Skip the Housework-The Kurtz Corner-Me and My Boys-Embellishing Life-All Thingz Related-Funky Polkadot Giraffe-Hope Studios-Creative Itch-Not Just a Housewife-Rook No. 17-At Home with K-My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia-Home Stories A2Z-Type A Decorating-DIY by Design-Primitive and Proper {furniture only}-Elizabeth & Co.-Project Queen-Coastal Charm-Ladybug Blessings-Homework-Topsy Turvy-New Nostalgia-Measured by the Heart {W} Tea Rose Home-Someday Crafts-Lil' Luna-Creations by Kara-Sew Woodsy -Goodbye City Hello Suburbs-Blue Cricket Design-Sew Much Ado-My Girlish Whims -A Mommy's Life with a touch  of yellow-Very Merry Vintage Style-Savvy Southern Style-Seven Thirty Three-Night Owl Crafting-Sugar and Dots-The Trendy Treehouse-Southern Lovely -Polkadots on Parade-Restore Interiors-Chatty Chicks-Ginger Snap Crafts-The Sasse Life-Fireflies and Jellybeans-Organize and Decorate Everything-Rae Gun Ramblings {Th} The Shabby Creek Cottage-House of Hepworths-The Brambleberry Cottage-The 36th Avenue-Yesterday on Tuesday-Saved by Love Creations-Momnivore's Dilemma-Beyond the Picket Fence-Somewhat Simple-Gluesticks-A Glimpse Inside-Domestically Speaking {paint only}-A Creative Princess-Christina's Adventures {$20}-What Allie's Making Now-Tales from Bloggeritaville-A Little Knick Knack-Crafty, Scrappy, Happy-Two Yellow Birds Decor {F} Thirty Handmade Days-Just a Girl-Romantic Home-Remodelaholic-Shabby Nest-Young & Crafty-Lovely Crafty Home-WhipperBerry-At the Picket Fence-Finding Fabulous-delicate CONSTRUCTION-My Repurposed Life-Naptime Crafters-Chic on a Shoestring Budget Decorating-Fingerprints on the Fridge-504 Main-Cookie Nut Creations-Making Lemonade-French Country Cottage-See Vanessa Craft-Sassy Sites-Kojo Designs-It's a Hodgepodge Life-Tidy Mom-Truly Lovely-Simply Designing-Bubbly Nature Creations-Home is Where My Story Begins-Miss Mustard Seed {furniture only}-Simply Sweet Home-Creation Corner-Joyful Stamper-Craftionary-Release Me Create-Simple Home Life-Family Ever After-Addicted to Decorating-One Artsy Mama {S} Funky Junk Interior-Ladybird Lane-Tatertots and Jello-Craft Envy-A Law Student's Journey

And the miscellaneous bits about my bathroom redo...

(Before and After of my entire bathroom redo found here.)

Just tying up loose ends.

I took down all the plain old nickel hardware (light fixture, towel ring, towel bar, TP holder, toilet flush handle, robe hook, shower curtain rod and rings) and painted it with some more Krylon oil rubbed bronze, and added the copper highlights just like I did with the faucet.  Everything is holding up perfectly so far...except the shower curtain rings.  They WERE plastic rather than metal like everything else, and the inside of the rings where they rub the rod are chipping.  If I was smart, I would have somehow put some clear tape on the inside of the rings...but I guess I'm not!  :)

My Eastern Europe photos were edited using the Pioneer Woman photo action Seventies.  The frames are just 8X8 frames I spray painted white.

The hand towels and bath towel are from IKEA, shower curtain from Amazon.  Tumbler is plastic, they were two for $0.84 at Walmart...my kids broke the glass tumbler I had, and I'd prefer for that not to happen again!  Soap dispenser I got at Robert's Crafts (before they closed all their stores to sell online only).

One Year....

One year ago today, we closed on our house.
Our very first house.  Hard to believe it's been that long!

In that year we have:
- Ripped out shrubs, a tree, and a weird heart shaped strawberry patch from our front yard (and removed the original owners' attempt at xeriscaping...wheelbarrows full of ROCKS!!! and leveled the dirt mounds left behind)
- Ripped out a huge garden from our backyard
- Planted grass seed in everything we tore out
- Pruned back the trees
- Painted the front door red, and the garage doors black
- Put up board and batten shutters and a planter box we built ourselves
- Painted the entire main floor
- Stripped, sanded and restained our kitchen cabinets (and upstairs bathroom cabinets while we were at it...) and added hardware and crown molding
- Painted the banister and installed a gate
- Painted my big ole laminate bookshelves
- Built and hung gallery shelves for the living room (post will be forthcoming)
- Built and painted all kinds of things for a big gallery/collage wall for the family room (post will be forthcoming)
- Revamped the main bathroom
- Vented in heat to begin the transformation of mostly finished cold storage to completely finished craft room (post will be forthcoming)
- Finished off the last little bit of needed sheetrock in my craft room (post will be forthcoming)
- Painted my craft room (post will be forthcoming)
- Put down laminate wood flooring in my craft room (post will be forthcoming)

Along with lots of other smaller projects!  It's been a busy year...and I have still more grand plans for this house!
Next up: BUILDING CABINETS FOR MY CRAFT ROOM!!!!!
(I'm just a tad excited about it...)

Stay tuned!

Framing a Mirror

(Before and After of my entire bathroom redo found here.)

Framing the mirror was not all that difficult.  First, I measured around the mirror.  Next, I hammered door shims into the wall around the mirror so that there was a level surface to attach the molding.

Yep, I'm in my jammies...I do some of my best work in my jammies....  ;)

Then, I measured the molding and cut the appropriate 45 degree angles with a miter saw, then stained and polyurethaned.

Now, like a lot of ugly old builder grade mirrors, ours was attached to the wall with brackets, which meant the molding wouldn't sit completely flush against the mirror.  So I figured out where the brackets would be against the back side of the molding (using the highly technical method of holding the molding in place, then lifting the edge and trying to peer in there while also sticking a marker in there to mark the edges), and drilled a few holes (NOT ALL THE WAY THROUGH, BE CAREFUL!)

and finished it off with a utility knife.

So then, the molding fit nice and flat against the mirror.  With some construction adhesive (careful here, folks, not to much or it will come oozing out under the edges)

and a few well-placed wire brads, the molding was in place.

Next, wood filler in the corners and the nail holes.

Let it dry, then dab on some stain with a Q tip.  Wait for that to dry, and see how it looks, then top 'er off with a little poly (NOT with a Q tip this time!).

And Voilà!!!  C'est magnifique!

 And much cheaper than buying a big ole framed mirror! :)

Linking up here:

{M} Ask Anna-Skip to My Lou-The DIY Showoff-Mad in Crafts-Marvelously Messy-Pinkopotamus-The Girl Creative-Sumo's Sweet Stuff-Making the World Cuter-Sew Can Do- C.R.A.F.T.- Keeping It Simple-Mo Momma-Creating My Way to Success-All Things Fee-Etcetorize -Craft-o-Maniac-My Junk Drawer-Homemaker in Heels-Singing Three Little Birds-The House in the Roses-Boogieboard Cottage-Be Colorful-Between Naps on the Porch-I Should Be Mopping the Floor {T} Creating a House of Grace-Today's Creative Blog-Tip Junkie-Cherished Bliss-A Diamond in the Stuff-Sugar Bee Crafts-Vintage Wanna Bee-Reasons to Skip the Housework-The Kurtz Corner-Me and My Boys-Embellishing Life-All Thingz Related-Funky Polkadot Giraffe-Hope Studios-Creative Itch-Not Just a Housewife-Rook No. 17-At Home with K-My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia-Home Stories A2Z-Type A Decorating-DIY by Design-Primitive and Proper {furniture only}-Elizabeth & Co.-Project Queen-Coastal Charm-Ladybug Blessings-Homework-Topsy Turvy-New Nostalgia-Measured by the Heart {W} Tea Rose Home-Someday Crafts-Lil' Luna-Creations by Kara-Sew Woodsy -Goodbye City Hello Suburbs-Blue Cricket Design-Sew Much Ado-My Girlish Whims -A Mommy's Life with a touch  of yellow-Very Merry Vintage Style-Savvy Southern Style-Seven Thirty Three-Night Owl Crafting-Sugar and Dots-The Trendy Treehouse-Southern Lovely -Polkadots on Parade-Restore Interiors-Chatty Chicks-Ginger Snap Crafts-The Sasse Life-Fireflies and Jellybeans-Organize and Decorate Everything {Th} The Shabby Creek Cottage-House of Hepworths-The Brambleberry Cottage-The 36th Avenue-Yesterday on Tuesday-Saved by Love Creations-Momnivore's Dilemma-Beyond the Picket Fence-Somewhat Simple-Gluesticks-A Glimpse Inside-Domestically Speaking {paint only}-A Creative Princess-Christina's Adventures {$20}-What Allie's Making Now-Tales from Bloggeritaville-A Little Knick Knack-Crafty, Scrappy, Happy-Two Yellow Birds Decor {F} Thirty Handmade Days-Just a Girl-Romantic Home-Remodelaholic-Shabby Nest-Young & Crafty-Lovely Crafty Home-WhipperBerry-At the Picket Fence-Finding Fabulous-delicate CONSTRUCTION-My Repurposed Life-Naptime Crafters-Chic on a Shoestring Budget Decorating-Fingerprints on the Fridge-504 Main-Cookie Nut Creations-Making Lemonade-French Country Cottage-The Crafty Nest-Sassy Sites-Kojo Designs-It's a Hodgepodge Life-Tidy Mom-Truly Lovely-Simply Designing-Bubbly Nature Creations-Home is Where My Story Begins-Miss Mustard Seed {furniture only}-Simply Sweet Home-Creation Corner-Joyful Stamper-Craftionary-Release Me Create-Simple Home Life-Family Ever After-Addicted to Decorating {S} Funky Junk Interior-Ladybird Lane-Tatertots and Jello-Craft Envy-A Law Student's Journey