Countdown to a Dr. Seuss Party!

I can not believe my tiny (not so tiny anymore) baby is going to be one in less than 2 months (49 days to be exact). I am so excited to share with you all the ideas I have found to make his first birthday awesome!

So Wonderful So Marvelous

Mad in Crafts

Beg, Borrow, Steal She has so many cute ideas, I can't wait to get started creating!

The next I'm going to share are pictures, that I saved months ago and of course didn't save where they came from or I would share that info. If you know where they are from please share in the comments.

So many things to make, I can't wait! Stay tuned to see each decoration, project and hopefully not any fails.

As always feel free to leave some comment love and thanks for stopping by!

Bookcase Revamp

I did this project over a year ago, but found the pictures from the day we finished them and thought I would share.

These started off as cheap bookcases from Menards and when I saw the bead board panels I knew it would be perfect for this project.

The best part is that the bookcases were starting to get shaky due to lack of stability with the cardboard they include with the bookcases, so the bead board fixed that. 

I could have gone around the whole bookcase with the molding, but I planned on keeping them together next to each other. 

For this project you will need:

Bookcase(s)

Bead board Panels large enough to fit the back of the bookcase

Molding

Nails

Paint

You will want to cut the panels to size for your bookcase, making sure you leave the full edge so you can nail the panel to the bookcase.

Before you nail on the panel you want to paint it first, mine were obviously painted white but I often want to go back and add a pop of color. This is always an option too.

The same goes for the molding, cut to size then paint.

Once the panel(s) and molding are dry nail the panel to the bookcase. Since this is more sturdy than the cardboard you don't have to use quite as many nails, I went every 4 inches making sure to get the nails centered on the edges.

You can nail the molding on or use a wood glue. I nailed mine on to make it more stable when moving. Depending on the molding you select you may have to adjust it so the front of the bookcase and the back of the molding are flush. 

Take a step back and admire your handiwork! You can do some touch up with the paint and cover up the nails if you like at this point too.

I loved this project! It was fast, easy and pretty cheap to do and it looks great.

I originally had them out in our living room, but a couple months ago moved them to my bedroom to reduce the clutter of the living room. They are still sturdy as ever and look great where ever I put them. 

As always let me know your thoughts, feelings or even share your own handiwork. Thanks for stopping by!

Linked on:

http://www.lemoinefamilykitchen.com/2014/12/wednesday-roundup-week-56-link-party/

http://www.mamabzz.com/2014/12/inspire-wednesday-linky-party-issue-112.html

http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

http://katherinescorner.com/2014/12/31/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-170/

http://www.artsyfartsymama.com/2015/01/artsy-fartsy-link-party.html#more

http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2015/01/happy-new-years-from-the-homeacre-hop.html

http://saving4six.com/2014/12/welcome-to-think-tank-thursday-11-2.html

http://www.adelightsomelife.com/2014/12/home-garden-thursday-26.html

http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/2015/01/happy-2015-feathered-nest-friday.html#more

http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/

DIY Christmas (or anytime) Gifts for Dad

S loved getting these from L for Christmas and they were fun to make as well! S actually saw the idea for the butt print on Pinterest and made a gift request thinking I would never do it. Well I proved him wrong. 

The original idea for the Ninja Turtles can be found here and the butt print idea here.

We'll start with the easiest (surprisingly) one first. The butt print. My mom was shocked I did this and that I actually used L's butt, but it was actually quite fun. Had I used one solid color it would probably have shown up better but (pun intended) I wanted it to be festive. 

You will need:

Paint of your choice, I used acrylic.

Something to put the paint on that is butt sized. I just used a paper plate.

Card stock or paper

Paintbrush if you plan on painting the words.

WET WIPES!!!!! or washcloth

I wanted it to be festive so I spread red for one cheek and green for the other on a paper plate. Then got L down to his birthday suit. It was only slightly difficult to get him to sit down since he's more into trying to stand these days. Plus when you add in him sitting on something squishy, that doesn't help either. 

I made sure to do all of this very quickly and was going to be satisfied with the first print I got. I sat him down in the paint then quickly moved him to the card stock. Once the print was done I moved him face down to a towel to get him cleaned up quick. 

I used wet wipes but you could use wash cloths. Really make sure you are getting all the paint off since their skin can be sensitive, especially on the bum. He also got a bath once we were all done but the wipes worked really well for the time being.

The perfect butt print, but I'm a little biased.

Once the print was dry and L was all squeaky clean I painted on the words using a small paint brush. You can always adapt it to whoever you are giving it to as I did.

Ninja Turtles Handprint

You will need:

Card stock or paper

Paint (Green, Purple/Red/Orange/Blue, Black and White)

Paintbrush(es)

I actually managed to get two good handprints from L with green paint. I was originally going to make multiple superheros for this project, but two green handprints was all I was getting out of him that day. So I worked with what I had. I had to fill in a tiny bit on one of the handprints since two fingers didn't really show up. I just used a small paintbrush and filled it in using very light strokes.

Once the hands were dry I painted on the masks and the mouths. I did two coats of paint for the masks since I really didn't want to see the green underneath. 

The eyes and lettering were last. I didn't want to cover his handprints too much so I left the orange squares (like in the original idea) off. 

I would be lying if I said L really liked making them since by the time we got through the two handprints he was done with all these art projects, but I really think they both turned out great and S loved getting them! 

As always let me know what you think and Thanks for stopping by!

Linked on:

http://sandandsisal.com/2014/12/inspire-monday-40.html

http://blog.pioneermomma.com/

http://www.loulougirls.com/

http://jembellish.blogspot.com/search/label/A%20Round%20Tuit

http://www.sewcando.com/

http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/

http://homegrownandhealthy.com/mostly-homemade-mondays-week-112/

http://www.amynewnostalgia.com/

http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/tutorials/tutorials-tips-link-party-190.html

http://www.cedarhillfarmhouse.com/2014/12/scoop-151.html

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

http://www.thegunnysack.com/2014/12/time-sparkle-link-party-93.html

http://www.myownhomeblog.com/talented-tuesday-link-party-9/

http://www.abowlfulloflemons.net/2014/12/one-project-at-a-time-123014.html

http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2014/12/take-look-tuesday-17.html

http://mamaldiane.com/gathering-spot-133/

http://cupcakesandcrinoline.com/2014/12/29/project-inspired-link-party-week-99/

http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2014/12/titus-2-tuesday-136.html

http://www.carolynshomework.com/2014/12/the-inspiration-board-creative-link-party-187.html#more

http://www.southernbeautyguide.com/2014/12/lets-be-friends-blog-hop-98-is-live.html

http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/

Handprint Bowl

I'm so excited to finally be able to share all the homemade Christmas gifts L and I made this year! These did not turn out at all how I imagined. I originally saw the idea on someone's Facebook post, but it only linked to a picture. So I thought I could just recreate it, I was wrong. Although it doesn't look like the original idea I still love it.

I still would love to know how they made this one!

Here is how I made mine:

You will need:

Flour

Salt

Water

Paint if you so chose

Gloss Modge Podge

I mixed up my salt dough using 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, and 1 cup of water. I ended up adding another 1/2 cup of flour since it was so sticky. I ended up splitting the batch into three equal sections and putting two in a Ziploc bag in the fridge. This seemed to firm it up a bit too.

I pulled a smaller section from the one I was working with. I rolled it out onto a floured surface and worked in some more flour into the dough. I rolled it about 1/4 inch thick (probably should have made it a bit thicker) into a circle. I placed the circle on a plate so L would have a firm surface to press his hand into the dough and it was easy to move from his highchair to the counter.

Once I had his handprint in the dough I cut it out using a butter knife. Since the dough was still fairly sticky this was not that easy and I had to round out the edges of his fingers by hand. After getting two handprints out of him I knew I was not getting anymore. So I decided to trace the original handprint on card stock and cut out the rest from that. 

Once I had my template I cut out about 8 more handprints.

I used a Pyrex bowl and sprayed the outside with Pam before laying his first handprint in the middle of the bowl. I then went around the bowl pushing the handprints into the middle and each other. Two of the handprints the fingers got stretched out for whatever reason and another the dog apparently wanted to eat two fingers off of so I had to reattach those. I smoothed out the bottom using my finger and some water to make sure the joints would hold. I preheated the oven to 200. I then placed the bowl on a cookie sheet (I have yet to full get the stains off but it is actually clean) and baked it for 2 hours. 

I let it cool on the bowl for about 15 minutes then took it off the bowl and let it fully cool on a plate.

The handprint in the middle is my favorite part! I just applied Modge Podge gloss to the whole thing but it could be painted with regular acrylic paint and then a gloss applied to it if you like. Again it doesn't look like the original idea, but I still like it.

Let me know your thoughts, ideas, if you have a question, etc. Thanks for stopping by!

Linked at:

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com

http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2014/12/amaze-me-monday-91.html

http://itssoverycheri.com/2014/12/28/party-time-12-28-2014/

http://diyshowoff.com/2014/12/28/diy-party-33/

http://www.create-with-joy.com/2014/12/inspire-me-monday-week-156.html

http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/

http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2014/12/mix-it-up-monday_28.html

http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com

http://www.thoughtsfromalice.com

http://www.pinkwhen.com

http://sweethaute.blogspot.com

http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com http://www.myownhomeblog.com/talented-tuesday-link-party-9/ http://www.abowlfulloflemons.net/2014/12/one-project-at-a-time-123014.html http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2014/12/take-look-tuesday-17.html http://mamaldiane.com/gathering-spot-133/ http://cupcakesandcrinoline.com/2014/12/29/project-inspired-link-party-week-99/ http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2014/12/titus-2-tuesday-136.html http://www.carolynshomework.com/2014/12/the-inspiration-board-creative-link-party-187.html#more http://www.southernbeautyguide.com/2014/12/lets-be-friends-blog-hop-98-is-live.html http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/

Scrapbook Paper Trees

I found the idea for the folded paper tree on Pinterest here. The other I just came up with on my own (super creative I know). I'm all about using things I already have in the house so I adapted Balancing Beauty & Bedlam's tutorial. 

I used the fun paper cutter again, and cut my scrapbook paper to half inch strips. Then cut them down to 1 1/2 inches in length. 

Instead of using a Styrofoam tree I used card stock to form a cone, which is what I did with regular scrapbook paper for the plain tree.

I folded the paper and taped it on with my clear scotch tape. 

Then I finished both of them off with a tiny fluff ball for the star that you see how to make here.

I really like how they add more holiday spirit to the house!

Let me know your thoughts as always and thanks for stopping by!

Linked up on:

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/2014/12/flaunt-it-friday-236.html

http://itssoverycheri.com

http://www.findingsilverpennies.com

http://diyshowoff.com

http://www.familyhomeandlife.com/p/perpetual-link-party.html

http://thebestblogrecipes.com

http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com

http://www.pinkwhen.com

http://www.dearcreatives.com

http://sweethaute.blogspot.com

http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com

http://thefreshmancook.blogspot.com/2014/12/celebrate-it-blog-party-22.html

http://thecottagemarket.com/2014/12/junkin-joe-8.html

http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/2014/12/anything-goes-linky-184-and-features.html#

http://www.dianarambles.com/2014/12/pin-me-linky-party-116.html

http://www.kitchenfunwithmy3sons.com/2014/12/kitchen-fun-and-crafty-friday-link_18.html

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2014/12/frugal-friday_18.html

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2014/12/white-christmas-show-and-tell-friday.html

http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/2014/12/feathered-nest-friday_18.html

http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/2014/12/handmade-hangout-27.html

http://www.craftberrybush.com/2014/12/the-inspiration-gallery_18.html

http://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2014/12/catch-as-catch-can-194.html

http://www.answerischoco.com/2014/12/bff-open-house-link-party-189.html

http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2014/12/pin-junkie-pin-party-97.html

http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/2014/12/linky-party-207.html

http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2014/12/amaze-me-monday-90.html

http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2014/12/mix-it-up-monday_21.html#more

http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2014/12/clever-chicks-blog-hop-118-with-3.html

Handmade Table Part II

As promised, my second handmade table. 

We unfortunately didn't take pictures during the whole process of making this one. Out of the two of them, though, this one is my favorite. We mostly did the same process as the first one with a few adjustments. 

For the top of the table we used 4-2x8's at 4 feet long, since we needed a smaller table in the dining room. The legs are my favorite part, they are 4x4's at 29". They were so much easier to attach, minus the fact that the Kreg Jig doesn't go wide enough so you end up having to measure where to put the Kreg Jig and having to remove it from the base. Which all sounds harder than it really was. 

For the supports and the apron we used 2x4's again, nothing fancy there.

We added the same supports to the underside of the tabletop just as we did on our first table, but also added better corner supports to this table.

I went a little less Kreg Jig crazy on the tabletop for this table as well. 

I LOVE how the stain on the top turned out! We used wood glue in between the boards on the top and I really tried to sand the residue off, but some was left over and the stain didn't really take where there was residue. Overall though I ended up liking that as I think it gives it character. Which is what we say about everything that is a "mistake". 

The legs were actually stained with a deck stain I was able to find in a small amount. I wanted a stain rather than paint since I wanted a more weathered look and to also be able to see some of the wood grain through it. The Kreg Jig came with wood caps that worked out perfectly for this project.

This table just fits perfectly in our dining room and the size works for the two of us. I know come Christmas day I will regret downsizing, but that's what folding tables are for I guess. One day when I have a bigger dining room I will probably build a larger table, but until then this table works perfectly for our needs and adds to the cottage charm I am working towards in the house.

Let me know what you think and thanks for stopping by!

Linked up on:

http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/link-party-45/

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2014/12/strut-your-stuff-saturday-link-party-week-177.html

http://thebestblogrecipes.com/2014/12/weekend-re-treat-link-party-97.html

http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com/2014/12/a-bouquet-of-talent-party-with-most.html

http://www.thoughtsfromalice.com/2014/12/sundays-at-home-no-41-weekly-link-party.html

http://www.pinkwhen.com/diy-sunday-showcase-1213-favs/

http://www.dearcreatives.com/my-favorite-things-linkup-party-103-join-us/

http://sweethaute.blogspot.com/2014/12/show-me-saturday-11.html

http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/2014/12/saturday-sparks-link-party-93.html

http://www.familyhomeandlife.com/p/perpetual-link-party.html

http://www.huckleberrylove.com/2014/12/much-ado-about-monday-no-90.html

http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/2014/12/13-last-minutes-stocking-stuffers-mmm.html

http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/2014/12/make-your-own-diy-stencil-and-linky.html

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2014/12/clever-chicks-blog-hop-117-with.html

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2014/12/sunday-showcase-no-270.html

http://www.waittilyourfathergetshome.com/2014/12/14/crazy-christmas-time-monday-funday-party/

http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2014/12/amaze-me-monday-89.html

http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2014/12/mix-it-up-monday_14.html

http://itssoverycheri.com/2014/12/14/party-time-12-14-2014

http://www.findingsilverpennies.com/2014/12/silver-pennies-sundays-link-party-features-99.html

http://diyshowoff.com/2014/12/14/diy-party-holiday-edition/

Ornament Window Display

I have seen this idea all over Facebook and Pinterest and thought it looked so neat. Mine? It's alright in my book. I wish I would have kept them organized by height like I originally had them, but I guess I was also trying to go for a disorganized look so it works and there is always next year to perfect it.

You will need:

Ornaments (I got mine at the dollar store)

Ribbon or fishing line

Scissors

Bungee Cord (optional)

When I first started I cut all my ribbon in two different lengths. I then realized that my longer ornaments where level with the bar of the lower part of the window and that it looked pretty sparse. So I cut random lengths of ribbon and hung more ornaments. I also wanted to use fishing line to make it look like they were floating, but alas I didn't find it till the next day when I went looking for something else (isn't that always the way?). I left the ribbon since it wasn't worth redoing the whole thing to me. 

Once you have tied your ribbon to your ornaments, organize them into the order you want them to go in the window. This makes hanging them so much easier when you don't have to be up on a step ladder trying to figure out what color or length goes next. I did not do this so I stood in my window sill looking like an idiot to all my neighbors. 

This next part is optional, but I wanted to be able to still close my curtains and have the ornaments hanging in the window, so I hooked a bungee cord from one curtain rod arm to the other and tied my ornaments to that. Now I can close my curtains at night and still have the ornaments on the other side. 

Overall I think next year I will use the fishing line and better organize the different lengths. It would possibly look pretty awesome to have a long one in the middle and then go up in length on both sides. There really are so many possibilities of what you could do with the length and different colors. 

If you have sone this, want to try it, hate it, love it comment away! Thanks for joining us!