More Personalized Scriptures

I made my daughter some personalized scriptures two years ago and decided it was time to make some for my boys. After seeing how hers held up, I decided to make a few changes. 

This time I used mod podge to put the paper on the scriptures so that the edges wouldn't come up. I spread mod podge over the entire surface of the scriptures and smoothed the scrapbook paper on top. 

I also made sure to make the paper long enough to go all the way around the front cover and inside a little. I noticed on my daughter's set that this is where a lot of wear came from. 

Since these were for my boys I didn't embellish them but kept them nice and simple. I really like the way they turned out and my boys just love them. We use them for family scripture time each night and it has made a world of difference having them each have their own set. My 3 year olds love thumbing through them and it gives their hands something to do while we are reading. 

Chevron Messenger Diaper Bag

With each of my pregnancies I went in search of the "perfect" diaper bag -- something that was functional (love me some pockets!!!) and also stylish.  I went through several diaper bags but none of them was what I was looking for.  Wouldn't you know it, now that I'm done having kids I have finally found the perfect one?!

My sister had her first baby two years ago and being the talented seamstress she is, made her own diaper bag.  Brilliant! It has about a hundred different pockets and lots of personal touches. And it is CUTE!  I am seriously in love with her bag.  Not enough to want more kids, but you get the idea.  ;)

She's started selling them in her etsy store.  If you or anyone else you know is pregnant, you should check out this bag.  I'm telling you, you will be so happy with it! You can view it HERE.


Join Amazon Prime - Watch Over 40,000 Movies

Personalized Christmas Ornaments

I love to have personal touches in my Christmas decor, so I decided it would be fun to have each member of our family's name on the tree! I was so excited to start this project and my kids just loved the idea of having their own special ornament on the tree. 

Here's how I made them:

I used 2 frames that I already had and got 3 more from the dollar store. I used 4x6 frames cause I did not want them to be too heavy for the tree. 

I spray painted the frames white and roughed them up a little with sand paper. I chose white for the frames cause I wanted it to pop against the tree but you could use any color.

I used the stencils that I had gotten from the Martha Stewart campaign. I think you could achieve the same effect with vinyl or paper and mod pod.  I baked the glass in the oven for 30 min at 350 degrees to set the paint. Then I used a hot glue gun to secure the glass to the frame.

 I then cut strips of ribbon and hot glue gunned it to the back of the frames. Finally we placed them on the tree!

These were so easy to make and I love how they turned out! They just add so much to our tree!

Merry Christmas!

-chelz


Linked to: Rea Gun Ramblings

Printable Teacher Card Set

One of my favorite gifts to give teachers is a set of personalized cards.  They can use them as thank you's, notes home, etc.  I made a set last year but ran out of time to make some for the teachers this year.  I decided a printable set would be quick and easy and I could use just print up new ones each year.

I love this natural brown paper and decided to do a few in white and a few in brown.

After printing, cutting and folding I just added some envelopes and a little bit of bakers twine.  And there you go - a quick and easy gift!

If you'd like to print up a set of your own you can get a blank copy HERE and add in your teacher's name.  Or if you don't know how to do that, you can get a generic "just a note" set HERE.  Enjoy!

-marie

10 Homemade Christmas Gifts

We thought we'd share some of our favorite gift ideas from our blog.  Perfect in time for Christmas!

Yummy Homemade Caramels  

Buff made me a couple batches for Christmas last year and I did NOT want to share them!  They are so creamy and so yummy.

DIY Leather Watches

A super easy an inexpensive project for someone who loves fashion.

 

 Peace, Joy & Soap

These are the perfect gifts for neighbors or teachers.  So easy to put together and inexpensive.  I always have a few extra on hand for gift emergencies.  :)

Raspberry Jalapeno Jelly

This jelly is delicious and different from your tradition jalapeno jelly.

Paper Piecing Frames

Another gift that is easy and inexpensive and totally cute!

Gift Card Holders

You can never go wrong with a gift card! This is a simple tutorial to dress those gift cards up a bit.

Personalized Stationary

This is a great gift for teachers! 

Perpetual Birthday Calendar

This is great for that person who already has everything!  A cute and fun way to remember birthdays and special events each year.

 Vanilla Lime Sugar Scrub

I LOVE this sugar scrub!  Dress it up in a cute jar and it would be a perfect gift.

 Dollar Store Mugs

Chelsea and I just spent the weekend making a couple dozen of these to give out.  Personalize them with names and add some homemade treats or packets of hot chocolate. 

Good Books: 8-9 year old girls

My daughter, Cailyn, has always enjoyed reading but over the summer she really found a passion for it and devoured book after book after book.  So I thought I'd share a few of her favorites. Books are ALWAYS a great present for Christmas.  :)

The great thing about this list is that they are all part of a series so there are many, many books to read!

1. The Princess Tales , by Gail Carson Levine

2. Bailey School Kids, by Debbie Dadey

3. Ruby Lu , by Lenore Look

4. Ivy and Bean , by Annie Barrows

5. Dork Diaries , by Rachel Renee Russell

6. Diary of a Wimpy Kid , by Jeff Kinney

7. Janitors , by Tyler Whitesides

8. Dear Dumb Diary , by Jim Benton

Bonus Series (Read Alouds)

I've also been reading the Fablehaven series with her and we are on book 4.  I absolutely *adore* this series!  I'm not sure it would be one she could read on her own, but it is a fabulous read-aloud book and I am more than happy to read it with her. :)

When we're done with this series we will probably read Percy Jackson together, followed by Gregor the Overlander.  I love having a child that loves reading as much as I do!!!

-marie

Frugal Friday: Vanilla Lime Sugar Scrub

I think the only thing I hate about Summer is shaving my legs.  I have coarse, dark hair that grows really fast so I have to shave just about daily.  I also get really bad razor burn AND ingrown hairs, so yeah, I pretty much hate shaving.

I came across this pin on Pinterest for a sugar scrub and decided to give it a try.  I am pleased to report that it worked great!  It really did leave my legs feeling soft & silky and I didn't end up with razor burn.  The scrub also helped loosen up any ingrown hairs, too.  (Now if only I could find a frugal product for making my hair grow slower!)

DIY Sugar Scrub
adapted from Gluten Free Navy Wife

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• juice of a lime (or lemon or orange)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all ingredients together until well combined.

To use, draw a warm bath and soak for 5 minutes.  Shave legs using your preferred method. Then use a palm full of the sugar scrub to scrub your legs; rinse.   Now shave your legs again using the residue from the scrub.  You'll need to rinse the razor often!  Use the scrub a second time and rinse. Pat your legs dry with a towel and use your favorite lotion.

I also use this in the shower and when I'm in a hurry I skip the first shaving and just shave once with the scrub.  Still works great!

-marie

Teacher Gift: Target Gift Card

I'm getting this up a little late for Teacher Appreciation Week, but I think it would also make a great end-of-the-year gift, too!  I made this little printable to go with a Target gift card (cuz I love Target and just assume every teacher does, too!).  :)  You can get the printable HERE.

 

You'll want to print the card onto white cardstock and make a slit on the black line with a box cutter or exacto knife. 















Then glue the top and bottom of the card onto a larger piece of cardstock. (You can slip the gift card in to use as a guide for where to put the glue.)

 Have your child sign it and slip the gift card in.  Easy peasy!

Fruit Bouquet For Mother's Day

Make a Fruit Bouquet for MOM, using your crafty side, make butterfly's out of pineapple, hearts out of cantelope, and dip some strawberry's in chocolate..... Put styrofoam in the bottom of a planter then slide the fruit on skewers, and sit back & enjoy the beautiful bouquet..she will love it....