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. 

Rainbow Sugar Cookies

A few weeks ago, we made our edible glitter and here is what we did with it. We decided to make rainbow sugar cookies. You can get the sugar cookie recipe that I used from here. I doubled the batch cause we were taking these to a family reunion. 

I then separated the dough into 5 bowls. I left 1 bowl its normal color of yellow. I then added food coloring to my dough and mixed it by hand.

I took our edible glitter and poured them into bowls, so that I could roll the dough balls in the matching color.

I then put the balls on the cookie sheet and baked them.

This is how they turned out! 

I was a little worried that the food coloring made the dough too wet, but they cooked normally without any problems. We got tons of compliments on how cute they were. We were also asked for the recipe for the sugar cookies because they were soft and moist!

-chelz

Great Finds Under $6

As many of you, I LOVE Target's $1 section. I found this cute porcelain bird and little owl in there! I just couldn't resist buying them especially since they were only $1. The owl is a dark grey color it is kinda hard to tell in the picture. I will definitely be using these in my Halloween decorations to come in October, but can be used year round as well! 

Now that my kids are back in school, my 1st grocery trip to Walmart with out them again turned up some surprising things. Since I didn't have my older two kids with me, I took my time and wondered up each isle. I found this cute frosted mason jar with the bird and twig for just $2.97! It would cost me more to make this so, I snatched it up. Down another isle I found this cute barn lantern and was shocked to see it was only $5.97. Again I couldn't resist. 

I love it when you find great finds when you are not expecting it!

-chelz

Edible Glitter

I found this idea on pinterest and decided to give it a try. It didn't make it really glittery, but my kids had a blast making it and we will definitely do it again! 

 I measured out 1/4 c of just regular white granulated sugar and put it in each container. You can also use raw sugar and that might turn out more glittery. I will have to try it that way next time.

I added about 5-7 drops of food coloring and mixed it in really good. I used the liquid kind, Im not sure how the gel would work. If you use it let me know how it works.

I took a cookie pan and placed 4 "U" shaped tin foil sheets on it and poured the sugar onto it. This keeps them separated and then it makes it easy to pour into the container once it has been cooked. I cooked these in the oven on 230 degrees for about 8-10 minutes, if you use the raw sugar then bump the oven temp up to 350. Once you pull it out let it cool for a few minutes. The sugar will be stiff so i just folded the foil down and used my hand to break it back up.

I used baby jars to store the sugar in. It was really easy to make and a fun craft to do with the kids. I will post later what we end up doing with our new sugar glitter!


-chelz

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.


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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


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