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Handmade Gift Guide

December 17, 2013 By Erica Deuel 4 Comments

DIY_Handmade_giftsWhat is the most special gift you have ever received?

Was it something you had been wanting for a long time?

Was it a surprise that you weren’t expecting?

When I think of the gifts that have meant the most to me, it is gifts that show thought and effort. I love personal gifts that are a reflection of a time spent thinking of what I like, need, or enjoy. Sometimes these are bought gifts. For example, my sister-in-law bought me an appointment for a new hair-do this week, and I was so thrilled. She knew I had been wanting blue in my hair for a while. So thoughtful!

girl_Blue_hairA lot of my most special gifts are ones people have made me. I can think of the T-shirt quilt my mom made me as a high school graduation present using all of my favorite childhood shirts. I think of the stamp, business cards, and organizer book Matt made me for me first little craft company years ago. Handmade gifts can be some of the best. They show time and effort and can’t help but make you feel special.

I have rounded up some of my favorite crafts all in this one post. I think this collection of crafts would make great gifts are additions to gifts and stocking stuffers this holiday season. Christmas is a week away, and you have a weekend to get some stuff done. Imagine the joy you could bring someone in your life with one of these handmade gifts.

Ruffled Fabric Bag

ruffled bagRuffled Apron

DIY_ApronBurlap Flower

a flower for youDecorative Front Porch Hello Pot

decorate flower potsSet of Greeting Cards

DIY_homemade_greating_cardsYarn Picture Frame

DIY_yarn_frame1Textured Rug Pillow

transform_rug_into_pillowDecorative Stepping Stool

diy foot stoolLittle Girl Hair Bows

the sofest headband for newbornsSunburst Stick Mirror

DIY_sunburst_mirrorsChevron Heart Pillow

DIY_easy_pillowsMost of these crafts have a base item that I started with, and I simply embellished it. They are all possible to do relatively quickly. Just follow the tutorial steps in each of their links and switch out the colors, fabrics, etc to make it personal to your individual.

handmade_giftsI am busily trying to finish up a few gifts of my own. We have a week till Christmas! Let’s imagine the joy we can bring to someone by taking the time to create something especially for them.

Special Reminder: Coming in January, I will have packaged crafts for you to receive on your door step. This special membership will eliminate the hassle of having to find the supplies while providing the joy of a fun, seasonal craft to make as a gift or for your home. For more information, watch this video.

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DIY Outdoor Checker Board

June 14, 2013 By Erica Deuel 6 Comments

patio checker board

Have you been spending a lot of time outside lately? Whenever it’s not raining, we have been playing outside or walking down to the pool. One thing that we are definitely enjoying is our back deck. We didn’t have a patio or a deck at our old house, so this deck is like the coolest thing to us. My favorite times are when we use it are in the morning lounging after breakfast with our coffee or at night after dinner. The kids will actually bring out bean bags to sit with us. It’s fun family time with the woods to stare into.

We were given this hand me down old furniture to put out there till we could get some. You know it’s not my favorite, but it’s something and so we are thankful we have it! The one thing that really has been bothering me was the table. It was rocky because of a bent leg. I have been afraid cups would spill or my active toddler would climb on it and somehow fall off and get hurt. It had to go.

bad outdoor patio furniture

On one of our many trips to Home Depot, I saw their 16″ Pewter Stepping Stones. They were $3 and I knew I could do something with them. I stood there staring and it hit me. I would make an outdoor end table with one stepping stone. I think this idea came quickly because of my great love for my Log End Table. I was excited and inspired to turn it into something practical yet fun. I landed on making a checkerboard on top. Here is how you do it!

Materials:

  • 16″ Stepping Stone
  • Kills Paint Primer
  • Outdoor Spray Paint
  • Paintbrush
  • 1.5″ Painter’s Tape
  • Bottle Caps
  • Tree Log

The first thing I did was figure out how many squares are on a normal checker board. Google told me the norm is eight rows by eight columns. I decided the easiest way to measure and try to get those boxes even was to create rows and columns based on the width of my Painter’s Tape. I used the Painter’s Tape
to create my own ruler. Eight little pieces of tape all lines up side by side would equal the width of my checker board. Note: I ended up taping all those little pieces in a row on another long piece of tape, so i could quickly move my make shift ruler around without having to pick up each little piece at a time.

DIY Ruler with Painters tape

I used the ruler to figure out the length of the bottom of my checkerboard and I just eye balled it to go in the center of the stepping stone. I then pulled up my ruler and rotated it to get the side get the length for that side of the checker board, being careful to start the length at the top of the tape on the bottom. Use this method to get the following two sides for your checker board.

making a checker board

Once you have the outline of the checkerboard, tape off the remaining outside of the stepping stone to make it easier on you while painting. Then paint the Kills primer into the center of the stepping stone.

painting a checker board

Use your tape then to start measuring for your checker boxes. I started lining up long strips of tape side by side. I used tape as a placeholder to mark the spot, but as soon as I could I pulled it up and rotated it to the next place (see below). Once Your board is taped one direction, rotate your stepping stone and do the same thing going perpendicular to the tape you just placed.

stripes on a chcker board

homemade checker boardOnce you have your tape down, press over each strip to make sure it is tight. Then use an outdoor spray paint to cover in the squares. I thought about doing a fun color, but ended up doing the basic black. Once that dries, peal up the tape and lay it back down to COVER the black you just painted. You need to do this to create the checker effect. Right now you have 16 black boxes surrounded by the white. By moving the tape grid onto the already painted black you will open up the areas that still need black paint. I’m sorry I forgot to take a pic of this step. Just know that when you peel your tape the first time and wonder, “Oh no, what did I do wrong?” (like I did) you haven’t done anything wrong. You just need to paint one more round of black boxes.

making checker boxesOnce you have painted your second set of black boxes and they dry, your checker board is done! Peal up the side tape and place your board on your tree log-or any other creative item you might want to use as a base! I think even a cinder block might be pretty cool. You can also use whatever you want as the game pieces. I spray painted bottle caps as our game pieces. Note: If you use a stepping stone or something else heavy make sure your base is completely level and very sturdy to avoid it falling off when little ones bump it or lean on it.

checkers

DIY Checker game piecesIf you use bottle caps, spray the insides as well. I will show you further down as to why. I still need to go back and spay paint the insides of mine. We are currently storing our pieces in an old tin cane wrapped with jute rope and some fake flowers stuck in on top to make it look like a center piece.

storing checker pieces

yard checker boardWe are having so much fun already with this little table. I taught my six-year-old how to play the other day, and he might be obsessed now. Sitting outside and enjoying some time and laughs together is one of the highlights of my days.

playing games with your kids

learning how to play checkersEven my little girl is having fun playing her own version of checkers which is pretty cool to watch. She takes the checker pieces out and lines each one up in its own square. That is one to one correspondence and pretty cool to see her thinking and playing an age appropriate version.

one to one corespondenceThe reason I told you to spray the inside of your bottle caps is so you can tell which king is yours. We played that once you were “kinged” you turned your checker over. Well, by the end of our game, we could barely tell which king belonged to us.

queen me in checkersThis project cost literally $3.25 plus tax, since I already had all the other materials on hand.  Such a cheap decor to spruce up your outdoor living and help you enjoy the pretty days this summer. Here is a quick recap if you want to pin or bookmark how to make this outdoor checker board.

how to make an outdoor checkerboard

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and celebrate your dad’s amazingly well this week for Father’s Day!

back yard deck

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Birds of a Feather Flock Together {DIY Valentines}

January 16, 2013 By Erica Deuel 9 Comments

valentines day kids craft

I am so excited to share with you these sweet Valentines I made for my kids.

The other day I was watching them all play sweetly together (which as much as they love each other does not happen all the time), and it made me think of that popular phrase “birds of a feather flock together.”  They are my sweet little flock that always wants to be together.  They love each other and it warms my heart.

Valentines day decorations

I am going to show you step by step how to make these sweet little Valentines that you can also use as Valentines decor around your house.

The materials you will need for this craft are:

  • old jar lids (from spaghetti or pickle jars)
  • spray paint
  • scrap card stock/scrap booking paper for birds legs, and nose
  • paper (I used heart wrapping paper) for the back of your bird
  • hot glue gun with glue sticks
  • feathers (found at any craft store)
  • foam heart stickers (or you could easily cut out paper hearts)
  • Googly eyes (or your could use paper or draw them on)
  • printer to print off my graphic
  • scissors
  • pen

sequence of crafting bird1

1)  The first step is to spray paint the backs of your old jar lids.

2) Use the jar lids as a stencil to draw the right size circle for the back of your bird.

3) Cut out your circles and get your hot glue gun and feathers ready to glue.

4) Put a strip of hot glue straight across about the middle (depending on size of feathers) of your lid.  Press feathers into the hot glue.  I used about 5 feathers per bird.

5) Add another strip of glue on top of the end of the feathers to glue your precut circle bird back onto the lid.  This will cover up the ugly ends of the feathers and make your bird look more finished.

6) Press your circle onto the hot glue.  Add more glue to seal down the ends as needed.

DIY bird valentines

Next, I cut out small strips of creme paper for legs and hot glued them inside the lids.  Look at the picture above, I also used red scrapbook paper to cut small hearts out to use for the birds’ heads.

craft birds with legs

I went back and folded my legs accordion style to add fun dimension to my birds.  I then used small foam heart stickers to stick on the ends of my legs to be the feet.  I used four stickers per a bird, sticking them to the front and back of the legs.  You could easily cut out hearts to do this step.  I had snatched up a big container of these hearts in the dollar section on Target and have been looking for a craft to use them on.

Next, I added some googly eyes and a small triangle I cut out of scrap paper to decorate the birds’ heads.  Simply use some more glue to stick the features on.

You are almost done!  Print out my graphic (listed at the bottom of this post) that I have made and am sharing with you for free!  I created 2.5″ circles and have put six on a sheet for you, so they are easy to cut around.  Once you print them out, cut the circles out.

birds of a feather flock together

printable graphic birds of a feather flock togetherGlue the circles into the center of your bird’s belly (inside of the lid).  I went back and wrote my kids’ names on the bottom of their Valentine.  I left that room so you could put anything you want in the open space.

homemade valentines for your kids

Your bird(s) are done!  How cute are they!  I love how it would be so easy to make a bunch of different styles of these depending on the color/size of feathers and papers you use.  I think they make sweet Valentines, but you could also use them as decorations.  I think you could even add some glue and string if you wanted to hang them from a chandelier over your table, so they seem to be “flying.”

valentines craft

One quick tip:  Watch how you glue your papers on, or you might end up with some sideways hearts like me.  🙂  See above picture.

DIY kids valentines

My kids love their Valentines (that I already gave to them!?).  Now, they want to make their own, so we are going to!  I think we will substitute the hot glue for Elmer’s glue to make it more kid safe.

DIY Valentines Day Decor

To download the birds of a feather graphic, simply click on the link below and follow your computer’s instructions to save the pdf file. Once saved, open it, print, and enjoy!

birds_of_a_feather

Are you thinking of Valentines Day yet?  Will you make any Valentines?

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Now let’s get this All About the Kids Party going!  Please link up YOUR new post!



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Christmas Wrap Up {with giveaway winners announced}

December 31, 2012 By Erica Deuel 6 Comments

I can’t believe that Christmas is already over.  We had a great Christmas and are still enjoying some downtime together.  Last night I edited some of our Christmas pictures, and I found myself smiling the whole time.  A few of my favorite moments from the day are…

Matt and I set the alarm an hour before the kids normally get up.  We wanted to get up and start the coffee, turn on lights etc, so the kids could come out and we were “ready”.  The kids slept later than their usual time, and we ended up waking them up by stomping and turning the Christmas music up.

waiting for kidsAfter seeing my sleeping beauty so happily snoozing, we decided to let her continue sleeping while the boys opened their stockings.  Sleep was a must for such a full day!

christmasWatching Caleb’s face when he opened Optimus Prime was one of the best moments.  Check out his JOY!

happinessReagan opened her doll and was so fascinated and in love, she didn’t want to open ANY other presents or stocking stuffers.  We didn’t make her.  Those presents got packed up, and she will get them next week on her birthday.  It was so beautiful to watch her joy and innocence in her first gift.

a girl and her doll

rea and dollReagan walked around all morning in her Christmas boy pajamas, in high heels, carrying her baby.  So cute!

1rea

We fought the cold for a few minutes, so the boys could enjoy their new basketball hoop from their Papa and Bebe.

basketball hoopOpening my Dollar Tree presents from the boys was one of the best moments.  Caleb got me a princess wand, and J got me an alligator hat.  How did I get so lucky!?  I was in giggles.

dollar tree christmas presentsGiving all our gifts (and my homemade gifts) out, including Matt’s aunt’s Ruffle Fabric Bag, was so much fun!

I wrote the words on this globe for Matt.
I wrote the words on this globe for Matt.
I sewed the boys Transformer pajama pants!
I sewed the boys Transformer pajama pants!

We must have the biggest fondue dinner ever!  It was perfect with all my siblings in the same room at once!

1fondue

All 8 of my siblings together at the same time with our padres!
All 8 of my siblings together at the same time with our padres!

We love to give one “joined/group” present to the kids every year.  This year it was a “school” present of new bean bags, math manipulatives, craft supplies, work books, and reading books.

student presentI loved watching my family as they poured out love onto my kids as we just played together.

rea and joWatching Matt change out the boys’ new transformers every two seconds was the funniest thing!  He was so patient too!

playing with christmas presents

What an amazing dad!
What an amazing dad!

Seeing the love my kids have for each other as they demonstrated it by hugging and being so excited for one another as they opened presents warmed my heart so much!

kid hugsSomething I will never forget is Reading the Night Before Christmas, the night before all this, cuddled up on one toddler size bed together.

night before christmas

I hope you had a great Christmas too!  I didn’t take nearly as many pictures as I wished I had.  I usually do pretty good when it’s just our family doing presents and our thing, but when we are with our extended families I think I must socialize more than think of the camera.  Does this happen to you too?

Now for the winners of last week’s A Year in Review Giveaway!  (You can see how Ralfocopter picked the winners on the original post or check them out below!)

Heather H. won the Scrappy Flower Pillow!
Polly D. won the Flower Earrings!
Rebecca B. won the Winter Hair Bow!
Congratulations to my three winners!!  Thank you so much for following me and entering this giveaway.  I will be in contact with each of you!

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