Easy Fall Tree

I had some branches in my backyard from a tree we took down forever ago and wanted to spray paint them black for some Halloween decor. But I was talking with Chelsea one day about it and we got to thinking that it might be better to paint the branches white so that we could use them for other holidays as well. 

The first thing I wanted to make was a Fall Thankful Tree. I've seen these around a couple places and think they are just so pretty. So I gathered up my branches and gave them a couple coats of white spray paint. I used the cheap white paint and it took an entire can to do two coats. I didn't cover the branches completely because I still wanted them to have a bit of a rustic feel. 

Once they were dry I found an old vase I had sitting around and I arranged the branches how I wanted them and tied a bow on it. Then I used a circle hole punch to cut out some circles from scrapbook paper and hung them on the tree. I'm planing to do a family night soon about gratitude and have the kids all write down things they are thankful for on the back of the circles.  

I really love how it turned out and think it goes nicely with my fall decor. I just love decorating for this time of year!!!

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. 

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

Frugal Friday: Jack-O-Lantern Shape Matching

My kids LOVE Team Umizoomi so I was excited to see these cute printable pumpkins on nickjr.com.  I printed the pumpkins on orange paper and the shapes I printed on white but then colored them with a marker.  I laminated everything, cut them out, added magnets and now the kids have a fun, reusable game that's perfect for Halloween and learning their shapes! 





We used dollar store cookie sheets for ours but they would also be fun to play on the refrigerator.  You don't even have to use magnets if you don't want. 

 

-marie

Quick & Easy Cards with David Tutera's Card System

I love making and sending homemade cards to my friends and family.  We live in an age where most sentiments -- birthdays, anniversaries, etc -- are sent via Facebook or text.  But there is something special about receiving a physical card in the mail from someone.  

I absolutely LOVE this new line by David Tutera.  You can make personal homemade cards in just 3 easy steps. You pick a base, add some layers, and finish with embellishments.

Here are the supplies I used for my Thank You card.  I love that everything is already cut to the perfect size.

  I started with a white base and added a turquoise embossed layer.  For this layer I used a sanding tool on the embossing to add a contrasting color.  This is one of my favorite techniques to use!

Then I added the embellishments and a sentiment and I was done.  Seriously, so easy but still very personal and unique.

I even let my 8 year old daughter try it out.  She made this adorable birthday card for her aunt all on her own.  She was so proud.  :)

Here are a couple more cards I created.  I love that I can whip up a bunch at once and have them ready for when I need to send out a card.  And if I have to make one last minute?  No problem cuz it only takes about 10 minutes to make one.  :)

David Tuera's Celebrate Card System is available at Jo-Anns Crafts.  For more information, you can follow the David Tutera Paper Crafts line on Facebook,Twitter and YouTube.

Would you like to win some of these goodies? Three lucky winners will receive a $250 grand prize pack of supplies from David Tutera’s Celebrate cardmaking line AND a personally signed book from David. Twenty additional winners will receive a $50 Celebrate prize pack! 

Sign up here for a chance to win.

  DISCLOSURE:  I wrote this post as part of a paid campaign with David Tutera Celebrate and Blueprint Social. The opinions in this post are my own.

-marie

Pinned It, Tried It: A Couple of Cards

I have found so much card inspiration on Pinterest lately!  I have so many cute cards on my Pinterest card board and since my stash is running low I figured now would be a good time to make some.

The pink and grey combo is what really caught my eye on this card.  I didn't have those colors but used the layout to create my own.  One of these days I'll have to make a pink/grey version for sure!






Here's my version:
 

I love the look of this card and it was a super quick and easy card to make.  I'll even give you the measurements so you can make one, too.  :)

Here's my version: 

Measurements:
card: 4.25"x5.5"
orange: 4"x5.25"
chevron: 3.5"x3"
turquoise: 3.25"x2"

-marie