poor computer

Been dealing with this...

Hope to be back super soon :(

Conversation Hearts

I bought a package of unfinished wood hearts from Hobby Lobby for .99 that came in a package of five. I decided to make them into conversation hearts and put them in the corners of pictures I have sitting around the house!

I painted the hearts a cream color and printed the saying with a cute font. When I printed the words I made sure to mirror them....when you go to print there should be an option for properties, click on that and there should be a tab Advanced and it will be under there. After I cut the words out into stripes and went over the type with a pencil. Carefully tracing. Then I flipped it over onto the heart and scribbled on the back to make the lead come off on the heart. Am I making sense? I should have taken more pics...my bad :) Then I painted with the tiniest of brushes over the words. Inked the edges and there you have it! A simple, super cheap way to add a little love in the home.

XOXO Frames

I have to give myself a pat on the back because I actually checked off two of my "to do" projects off the list....(highly unheard of. I have sooo many unfinished thingys :) I combined two different projects into one! The first is these XOXO marble frames that I LOVE...I so wish I could take credit for this idea, but this fab lady over here was my inspiration.

I also got an idea to crackle my frames from the Shanty sisters. I crackled a bunch of other frames, but I will leave that for another post...
I love that once Valentines is over I can remove the XO's and do something different!

Spark People

I was told about this really neat website called Spark People. Has anyone else heard of this? It is a completely free online dieting and weight community! You will create your own account and you can keep track of what you have eaten that day, it will calculate your calorie intake, it even will personalize your own diet plan according to how much weight you want to lose and by what date you want it lost! It gives you meal plans that you can personalize to your liking and also tracks your fitness and calories burned....it wonderful! So head on over here to Spark People and check it out for yourself!

Paper topiaries and Cardboard letters

I did these projects quite a while ago, but I don't think I have ever posted about them. They are some of my most favorite things that I've done and super easy (a bit time consuming) but worth it! They are in my "craft, office, quilted bear booth" room!

I found the tutorial for these topiaries over here at Heather Bailey, who is one VERY talented lady! On the left side of this link there is a pattern section. Just click on the Paper Globe pattern and download. I have used these topiaries for birthday parties, church functions and home decor! I just love them!

These letters are just the cardboard letters you can find at almost any craft store....I just jazzed 'em up a bit!

XOXO Banner

Feeling a bit bored and a complete lack of Valentine's decor I decided to whip up one of these...

I used letters from Micheal's and some super cute Valentine's paper from
My Mind's Eye (love love them)
And thanks to Robyn....because without her this project would have been impossible.
lol...can you tell I watched the Golden Globes on Sunday :)
Happy Crafting!

Dinner Conversations

Dinner last night at our house was not a very enjoyable event. Kids not sitting still, playing with the dog, picking at their food....mom was about to lose it! So while in bed I thought of doing this...

Put in questions that are appropriate for your kids ages. Since my kids are young there are questions like:
What do you want to be when you grow up?
What is your favorite book and why?
Did you make someone smile today? If so what did you do?
Did someone make you smile?
What is one thing you learned today?

This is a great way to get your kids talking and making them feel like you care about what's going on with them. Hopefully dinnertime at our house tonight will go a lot different!

Linkin up here...

Helping the People of Haiti

Many are aware of the horrible state that Haiti is in.
It is a shocking and sad situation.
Given the state of the "lovely" economy, I know many people feel like they can't help. But if everyone donated just one dollar? That would add up to many and help out in a way we would not even think possible. Did you know that 80% of Haitians don't even have access to clean water?

How to help the people of Haiti
1. American Red Cross
2. UNICEF
3. The Salvation Army

These websites are trustworthy and secure.
Be cautious when donating. Unfortunately there are people who take advantage of others in a time of need so just keep that in mind when you receive emails or text messages to donate.

Ask yourself the question...If something like this were to happen to me and my family would I be prepared? I did. And sadly the answer is no. How scary. This has caused me to get back on track with my food storage and emergency preparedness......(that's the plan anyway).....so if an emergency happens we don't have to run up to my mom's and mooch off of her. So if you see more posts about couponing, filling up that food storage, and emergency prepardness, don't be surprised!

Paper &hearts's

I found this great tutorial on paper hearts and thought they would be

great to fill my Apothecary Jars!

What do you think?
I put scrunched up tissue paper at the bottoms of the jars! I love em....super easy and super cheap!

My future home

I thought I would go ahead and share with you my future home....

Beckie's Future Abode....click here!

So what do you think? So what if I have to move to Atlanta.....so what if it costs 4.95 million?

Isn't it beautiful?

I can dream can't I?

Birthday Bonanza

With all of my kids birthdays in Feb, March and May (lucky me...didn't plan that one to well) I thought it would be fun to give you some birthday ideas! First up...

The Princess and the Frog party

Cupcakes:

Invitations:
I found this picture on google images and just placed it on card stock.
Decorations: Decorate with a swamp theme (you would understand if you've seen the movie) lots of trees, alligators etc on the walls or like New Orleans with music notes, Mardi Gras beads, feathers, lots of color.
Games: Play leap over the frog where one child hops over the other and so on. Play kissing frogs, along the same lines as pin the tail on the donkey, but your trying to pin the two frogs lips together!
Food: Have the kids make their own homemade chicken nuggets, sweet potato fries and fruit salad. Princess Tiana is trying to buy her own restaurant after all! Have them be their own little chefs.

Buzz Lightyear party
Cupcake:
Invitations: Put things on there like: Mission (who's party), Sector (address),
Launch time (time)
Decorations: Glow in the dark stars, space planets made out of Styrofoam balls hanging from the ceiling, make a rocket out of cardboard boxes. Cover it with tin foil and let the kids decorate.
Games: Space Mission Relay - make an obstacle coarse for the kids to do. Play freeze tag.
Rocket Man - Like Simon says. The leader is the Rocket Man. When they say blast off the other kids run to try and touch him. If he says stop, they have to freeze in place.
Food: Pizza from Pizza Planet!

Webkinz Party

Cake:
Invitations:(made it in Photoshop)
Decorations: Put every stuffed animal your kid owns out and around
(in my house that's a TON!)
Very colorful balloons, streamers etc. The games will tie into the decor as well.
Games: Make sure to print off kinz cash for all the kids, but the key is they have to win it.
The Wheel of Wow - Have them spin to see if they win a prize or cash
Dr Quack's Clinic - Pin the band aid on the webkinz hurt.
Balloon Pop - Have the kids try to pop the balloons....their may be kinz cash inside.
Arte's Gem Hunt- Hid gems around and have the kids find them. They can either keep them or trade them for kinz cash. Set up a table with little prize that the kids can "buy" with their money.
Food: Hot dogs, potato chips...


Check out some of the parties I have already done for my kids:

Sorta-Sleepover Party
Invitation:
Fancy Nancy

Invitation:

Hopefully this gives you some ideas for your next birthday party!

I'm having a pity party

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I'm taking a blogging break for a couple of days (in case you haven't noticed :) I'm just not feeling myself or up to blogging right now....I know, it's weird?! Let me figure my little self out and I hope to be back with some fun, cute stuff!
Thanks,