Memory Keeper Map Key-Chain

January 7, 2019January 19, 20192 Comments

Good morning! Are you back into the swing of things or still on holiday mode? I am back at work, but the kid count is very low, so it’s still a slow week. It’s kind of a nice way to get back into the routine.

I like to make things out of maps and I made these key chains for my co-workers for Christmas, so I thought I would share them with you. I have other map projects here and here. They are such a simple project, but are a great way to celebrate the city you live in or maybe that special place you have. Here’s the list of items you will need:

small wooden shapes
paint-color of your choice
Mod Podge
paint brushes
map of the city or place you want
pencil
key chain or loop
drill

I had this package of Woodsies in my craft stash and chose to use the oval ones.

I painted the back and sides of the piece white. You can pick whatever color you like, but you only have to paint the back and sides.

I was able to find some small maps online and printed them out, 4 on a page. I googled my city and then choose the one I thought would work best for my wood piece.

I used my Woodsie as a template to trace around my city. I centered it as close as possible and used a pencil to trace.

Once my pieces were traced, I cut them all out.

I painted Mod Podge on the unpainted side of the Woodsie, giving it a pretty good layer.

Once the Mod Podge was on, I centered the map piece on top and gave it another coat of Mod Podge. When the piece was dry, I trimmed the edges of the paper.

I added a small ring to each one and they were done!

I love how this turned out!

Do you have a place that is special to you? Maybe your hometown, or a place you have traveled to? I would love to hear about it! Let me know in the comments!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Have a great week!

Driftwood Starfish

August 21, 2018August 21, 2018Leave a comment

Good morning! Well, this will probably be my last summer post this year. Crazy, right? It’s hard to think about fall when it’s still over 100 degrees outside!

I found this cute idea over at The Wicker House. Thanks Emily! Great craft!

I thought I would give it a try with some of the driftwood I picked up when we went to the beach. I found some slim pieces that weren’t too long and some small chunks of wood to add to the back. I already had the twine.

driftwood starfish supplies

I started with the long pieces that I wanted to go together and a piece that would work for the middle.

driftwood starfish 5 pieces

I used hot glue to attach all the pieces together.

driftwood starfish hot glue and twine

I then glued the end of the twine to the back of the piece of wood to secure it and then started wrapping it around all the long pieces.

driftwood starfish with twine

I continued wrapping until everything seemed secure and then added a little more hot glue on the back to finish it off.

driftwood starfish wrapping with twine

Such a simple project, but looks so cute!

driftwood starfish with sailboat

These starfish give the perfect finishing touch to any coastal vignette.

driftwood starfish 5 pieces and twine

I wrapped this one with string instead of twine and it looks great too.

driftwood starfish single 5 pieces with string driftwood starfish small starfish driftwood starfish with bucket

I love the little extra touch these starfish bring to my home.

driftwood starfish with twine boats

Are you ready for fall or are you still hanging on to summer?

sunshine-and-blessings-picmonkey

Fun Ideas To Do With Seashells

August 6, 2018August 3, 2018Leave a comment

Good morning! Do you collect seashells like I do? Last week I showed you my new storage box I made for my collection.

I also made a seashell mobile to hang in my yard.

I’ve used them quite a bit in my decorating too!

I even made a seashell garland!

So what else can you make? I found some more ideas around the internet.

Shells can help keep your houseplants happy. By placing seashells on top of the soil, they helps to keep the moisture in the flower pot.

Of course, you can also decorate your flower pot.

Deep shells are perfect for planting succulents in. These are the cutest!

How about using a large open shell to hold your little items next to your bed? I love the gold on these!

This is so simple, I don’t know why I haven’t thought of it! A nightlight!

I made a garland, but not a wind-chime. this is so pretty!

Are you going to try any of these projects! The night-light is my first one! Have a great week!

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Here are some items you might like!

Festive Paper Christmas Tree Garland

December 11, 2017December 10, 20174 Comments

Good morning!

I have another craft for you today. I made this one a while back and I am just getting it posted. I see all kinds of garlands out there today, but this is definitely one of a kind!

Here’s what you need:

scrapbook paper
buttons
string, twine or ribbon

I started out by picking out some scrapbook paper that I liked and ones that coordinated together. I have quite a bit on hand, but there are so many pretty ones to choose from at the craft stores. You can make a garland in any color combination you like.

I drew some trees freehand, but didn’t really like how wonky they turned out, so I ended up tracing some others from a pattern I found online. I made 2 trees from 7 different papers, for a total of 14 trees.

These look a little more normal! 🙂

After cutting them all out, I used a hole punch near the top. Then I went through my buttons and picked the ones that I thought looked best with each color tree. The buttons with the shanks on the back worked best.

I placed the shank of the button through the hole and then threaded the gold wire through the button. I twisted the wire so the button wouldn’t slip out. I left a couple of inches between each tree until I had the garland as long as I wanted.

I did end up using the wonky trees too. I had enough star buttons to use one on each tree and hung it on the headboard in the guest room.

I used the other trees on the foot-board in the master bedroom. I like how it adds just a little touch of Christmas to the room.

I used it this year in my guest room too! Here’s the post if you want to take a look!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Drawstring Dishtowel Christmas Gift Bag

December 5, 2016December 4, 20162 Comments

Good news!! We closed on our house! Finally! We closed late Friday and have been working on painting and other projects all weekend. We will try to finish a few more things this week and will be moving our stuff in next weekend. I can hardly believe it! I’m excited about the projects I want to do, but it will take awhile to get them all done. But a home is never finished, right? I’m sure there will always be things to do.

So, I won’t be having any Christmas decor for you, but I do have a few crafts. These are all pretty simple and don’t take a whole lot of work, but they look great and add just the right holiday touches. These bags turned out so cute! I can’t wait to use them next year for my Christmas decorations!

I found my dishtowels at Hobby Lobby. I bought 2 of the same design, but you could use coordinating ones too.

I pinned the right sides together and sewed up the 2 long sides and one short side, leaving the top open.

Keeping the bag inside out, I folded over the top edges and sewed it, making a pocket for the ribbon to run through. Leave a little open at one end to run the ribbon through.

I used a safety pin at the end of the ribbon to make it easier to thread through the opening. I pushed it through by holding the pin through the fabric, gathering fabric and then pulling the excess back towards the beginning.