Pick Your Plum Challenge ~ Menu Board

A few weeks ago, I received a a little surprise in the mail from my bloggy pal Janette.

She and Ashley are hosting a Pick Your Plum link party with a chance to win a $25 PYP product box!!  If you have blogged about a PYP product or completed project, you can link it up the whole month of February!

You can learn more about Pick Your Plum on their Facebook page.

Anyways, when I first received my free challenge project, I thought,

“Holy Crap, what have I gotten myself into?!?”

Then, I calmed down and focused…

[In case you didn’t know, I’m a night crafter.  It is VERY difficult to get good pics at night, so I don’t have a step by step tutorial for you today.]

Here’s what my project morphed into!

I spray painted the metal with black chalkboard paint, spray painted the wood purple, glued one of my mustard resin mums onto the magnet, and mod podged away. 

I have some vintage sheet music (circa 1939) that I have been “saving” for the right project.  I have a tendency to collect, stash, and then NEVER use my coveted possessions.  Not today my friends!  (In all honesty, I had to seriously talk myself into cutting up the music for two straight days before I could actually do it.  C.R.A.Z.Y, I know, but I’m just keeping it real for ya.)

Vintage just isn’t complete to me without a little cotton lace.  Oui?

Ok, ok, I just really like the look of it.

Do you blame me?

This little “Menu” sign is one of The Graphics Fairy’s bazillion FREE clipart images.  If you have never checked her out, NOW is the time to do so!  I printed it out on tagboard and inked the edges to give it the look I was going for.

The menu board in action, with a clothespin to keep the dessert recipe handy.

Originally, the title of the sheet music drew me in… “Do as Thou wilst with me, O Lord!”  I use the mum magnet to attach the “Menu” sign when I need a menu board or take it off when I need an inspiration board.  The kids actually stopped to read it and smiled.

Bonus mom points!!

 

I’m Linking Up With A Few Of These Girls Too!

Blog/Life Recap of Quarter 4

 

I kept telling my bloggy pal Janette that I was going to participate in the 2011 Review Extravaganza and I’m finally keeping my word!!

 

Before I review my blogging goings on, I just want to tell you what I learned in life this December:

 

1. Being out of town 5 consecutive weekends prior to Christmas isn’t exactly the greatest way to get prepared for said holiday.  Although I thoroughly enjoyed all my trips and wouldn’t take them back, Christmas really sidled up on my this year.  Now that I’m finally in the mood, it’s O.V.E.R.!

 

2.  Having the main floor of my house painted 2 weeks before Christmas wasn’t a very smart move either.  Yes, I’m loving the freshness and the color.  But, I didn’t have time to sit at home and babysit the painters for the entire week. Not to mention, I missed my daughter’s fieldtrip to the science museum waiting for aforementioned painters to show up on the second day (which they finally did at 2 pm… could have made it after all).  Also, not to mention, I wasted my last week without kids sitting at home instead of being out shopping for them (see #1 for the reason I needed to shop).

 

3.  When life gets too busy crazy, I don’t blog.  It’s not that I don’t want to, but it becomes one more thing on my “have to do” list.  I resent it along with everything else on that list.

 

4.  My kids continually amaze me, in both good ways and bad.  Emily took first all around in her third straight gym meet, Max and Jack both earned their green belts in Tai Kwon Do.  Finley learned the phrase, “I will never ever EVER be naughty again,” and used it daily.  He followed it with “I love you SOOOOO much.  You are my best friend.” 

 

5.  My husband CAN still surprise me… he went to Jared for Christmas and made me feel like a princess. :))

 

Ok, Blog Recap:

 

October was a pinning, crafting, boot wearing, What I Wore Wednesday and Talk To Us Tuesday kind of month.

In November, I started to get busy with the kids but continued my addiction with Pinterest and boots, started new addictions with Twitter and Instagram, and spent a large amount of time in Jack’s class.

  In December, I tried to organize my Christmas plans via pinterest, spent all the time that I could in Jack’s class, and got my new laptop!!  Woot woot!!  I still don’t have everything switched over but I’m working on it.  Yeah, basically not a blogging month for me. :(

Cheers to 2012!  My motto for 2011 was “Making the effort” which helped keep me focused on my family.  I think for 2012, I’m going to go for “Keep it simple.”  I still have a few hours to decide, right?

New Cozy and Handmade Wednesday Hop

I have a NEW cozy in my etsy shop! 

“Won’t tweet ‘til this cup’s complete”

I’m horrible at making up catchy phrases… I really liked the little birdie and wanted to use him somehow, someway. :)

It’s also time for:

My blog is co-hosting this week! :)  You can have a chance to co-host as well!  Link up your crafty blog here:

If you have a handmade store, link up here: (make sure you specify etsy, artfire, or personal)

Happy Wednesday to you.

D-O-N-E Just in Time!

I actually finished all of the kids’ school valentines BEFORE midnight!!  I’m patting myself on the back. :) 

Those wooden hearts that jumped into my cart sure came in handy this year.  I used them to make Finley’s class valentines with a super cute “I Love You” printable I found on someone’s blog.  I can’t remember whose though… so, if you know, PLEASE leave a comment or email me so I can give proper credit!! 

I used the “Peace, Love, Rock” digital art from Urban Threads , a little card stock, and spray adhesive for Max this year.  It’s his LAST year to exchange love notes as a class.  Man, I feel OLD!

Jack’s goody bag definitely evolved as the evening progressed.  I had all the fun things for the bag, but didn’t know quite how to present it.  I was originally going to make little felt bags for everyone, but ran out of time.  Then, I was just going to do felt name tags.  They ended up as bookmarks!  I think they turned out super cute, so I’m going to do a tutorial on how to make them. :)

Emily had hers planned out for about a month.  She came up with the phrase, “I think you’re a smartie” so she could give out her FAV candy.  She rocked the low temp glue gun, btw.

The wooden hearts ALSO turned into teacher Valentine’s this year.  I tried to incorporate each teacher’s personality into their heart.  It’s amazing how paint, burlap, mod podge, and scrapbooking supplies can transform plain wooden shapes. 

I really had fun this year for Valentine’s Day!!  I’m a wee bit sad that it will be over in 24 hours.  I guess I can always start planning for next year. ;)

Linking up here…. check out these awesome parties!

Fabulous Linky Parties!

Sunday:

 

Monday:

 
 

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

    

Thursday:

Friday:

 

Saturday: