And 3 months later..

Once again, I do apologize for being MIA. I myself even getting tired of hearing myself say it.

But, if any of you keep up with my other blog - http://thegoggins.blogspot.com/
then you've heard our exciting news! We are expecting our first bundle of joy in June.
I'm finally a couple of weeks into my second trimester, so I'm FINALLY getting over my morning sickness. It was not pretty for the first SEVERAL weeks. So my crafting took a back seat.

But I do have a project to share with you today. It only took me 4 months to complete. It was supposed to be a birthday present for my brother in October, however I didn't even come close to getting it finish. So it became his Christmas present. It was so exciting to get to see him open it, because he had no idea. I had help from his girlfriend to get his stash of Crown Royal bags.

Here we go... lots of seam ripper use.... mishaps in measuring... many spools of thread... and 4 months later... its finally finish!

Chalk it Up

In case you didn't know, I have a little obsession with chalkboards right now.
I mean who doesn't?
I came across this blog on Pinterest and thought I have to have that! So I went on a scavenger hunt to find my own. At low cost of course.

Well I went to a few different thrift stores in search of a solid frame that would be a decent size. Either for a picture or a mirror. I wanted a fun bordered frame. Fail. I either couldn't find what I was looking for, or the thrift stores were so over-priced it was ridiculous! I'm talking like $50. Seriously? At a thrift store? Not worth it. I could go by a really nice chalkboard at store for that price.

I also searched Craigslist for a few hours. Nobody seemed to have what I was looking for.... how did this girl find just the right piece? I couldn't figure it out. So then I started thinking that those over the door mirrors might work. I scoured Wal-mart and Target for a cheap mirror. But either the frame part was not what I wanted or it just wasn't the right size I wanted.

After several hours and a few days of searching, it clicked. I could basically just make my own. So next stop Home Depot. I figured some plywood and trim should do the trick and at a pretty low price too. Then I found something even better. While searching through the plywood, trying to decide what size and thickness I wanted, I found exactly what I needed. Did you know that they have Chalkboard "Plywood." (Not sure plywood is the right word, but it was located with all the plywood) The also had dry erase. It was also only like $7-$9. So instead of having to buy or make a good chunk of chalkboard paint, it was already done. Then I headed over to the trim/crown modeling to find something cheap and cute.

This is what I came up with....

My materials:

Then I painted the trim, and attached it with Gorilla Glue

(Note: Follow instruction to Gorilla Glue... you only need a THIN layer... it started oozing out):

 And the final product:

 I'm pretty happy at how it all turned out. And it cost me less than $20 =)

Pinterest Party

My Saturday was filled with a rainy day, great friends, yummy snacks, great conversation, and awesome crafts! I got to catch up with some college friends and we spent the day crafting! It was the perfect rainy day! We each brought a craft we found off of Pinterest for all of us to do. I'm excited to share them with you today!

I brought hand-stamped tea towels..

Unfortunately, we quickly found out that lettering didn't show up very well... 

so I used a paint pen to re-do the writing. 

We also found out that the lighter colors didn't show up very well either, but still cute...

 

Next up: We combined two of my favorite things. Chalkboards and Mugs =)

 I put one to use this morning. The weather was perfect for a hot cup of 

Apple Cinnamon Tea =)

We also found it fitting for some seasonal crafts 

since the holidays are fast approaching.

Our Fall/Thanksgiving project also uses one of my favorite things: Burlap

 And last, but not least... Christmas!

 I had so much fun creating and catching up with some old friends! I can't wait until our next Pinterest Party. 

Honey Dew...

Sometimes I have a hard time concentrating... and I don't even have ADD!
Especially when I'm in my craft room. For instance, one of my goals today was to get my craft room cleaned up and re-organized... I haven't finished. But I did get a craft done =)

I found a fun Cleaning To Do List on Pinterest and thought I would make my own version.

It was extremely cheap too. I used a frame I had on hand, which came from the Dollar Store, so today's craft only cost me $1.

I then made my daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning lists. Used scrapbook for a background and viola!
Just use dry erase to check off and erase to start over =)

Too bad I can't really get my Honey to do this list.... Hopefully it will help me stay on track from now on. I feel each time I clean then next time I turn around its dirty again. And I don't even have kids. Ha! Can't imagine how that is gonna be... I bet my lists get tripled =)

Dirty Thirty

I apologize for my hiatus. I had to take a small break while working through some things.

I have been dying to showcase Lee's Dirty Thirty! I have been working so hard on all the small things for the party. It was extremely hard not to show them as I went, but it was a surprise party so it was have ruined it.

It is so difficult to keep things from Lee and to surprise him, but I finally pulled it off for his Dirty Thirty...

Hope you enjoy....

 
 

 

Party Favors.. Hand Sanitizer 

 

Dirty Thirty Trail Mix/Candy Bar

 

Mason Jars with Chalkboard for you name

 

Pizza Party

 

Dirt Cake

 

Photo Booth

 

 Lawn Jenga

I had so much fun putting everything together for the party. It was hard to make sure he didn't see all my little crafts. Good thing, he rarely ever goes into my craft room. I also had lots of help from my mom to store some items.