Button Love

Pretend I'm at a concert doing my shout out:

This one goes out to all the babies out thereeeeeee! (get it? I'm singing in a microphone and I'm totally rocking the concert)

I need more buttons

When I spotted this little gem on Pinterest, I knew I had to make it! Although, I didn't think it was a project for my apartment. Instead, I wanted to make it for a nursery (or two..or three).

I didn't exactly follow the same directions as found on Spearmint Baby's tutorial. I improvised! I started with one of my a letter B for the my adorable nephew, Beckett.

This is my, "I hate sand" face

Boop!

Using my Cricut, I cut out a giant letter B. Then, I started attacking it with buttons and more buttons and MORE BUTTONS. I started with spray adhesive, but it was making everything sticky (it's purpose I suppose). The buttons weren't sticking to the B. Instead they were sticking to me. Since I wasn't in the mood to wear a button dress, I switched gears.  I ended up using Fabric-Tac. I brushed parts onto the B and glued buttons upon buttons.

B is for Beckett

I placed the completed letters in a white 8x10 frame from Wally World. After Beckett's creation, I got a little crazy and made:

H is for Heet

A framed H for the adorable Heet twins!

P is for Piper

I also made a P for Molly and Josh's new baby girl, Piper!

Well, it's the end of my rock-baby concert and I'll close by saying...
Peace, love and chicken grease!

Travel Bug!

Before my project, let's take a walk down memory lane.... (my favorite lane!)

I would give just about anything to be back in Europe right about NOW. Everything about being in London was fantastic. Three years later I am still mourning the country. Soon enough, I'll be back for a visit. Until then, here are some photos to reminisce with. 

for the HP fans out there. I didn't make it to Hogwarts. 

Cheeserolling. Totally normal sporting event. 

Gorgeous Ios, Greece

You get 'em, Grandma!

Final memory from being abroad: 

After leaving the Sistene Chapel, I asked my grandma, "What did think?"

She replied, "Eh.. I've seen better."

Needless to say after coming home from studying abroad I had many many maps. I was known for always asking directions (even though I had 5 maps in my purse). When I came home, I stuffed my maps, journals, and whatnot inside a tub that has been hiding in my closet since. 

I climbed into my closet and pulled out my tub of maps and memorabilia. As you can see below, I have many to choose from for my next project!

Thanks to my new love, Pinterest, I stumbled upon this product. I made my way to the link and realized that this heart/map craft was available to purchase. It was priced around 45 euros! That's luuudddaaa. I can make that home. So, I did. 

While catching up on the phone with Abby, I jetted over to Target and picked up a few white frames. 

Next, using my handy dandy Cricut I cut out a heart. This took several attempts to find the perfect size. Finally... I created my masterpiece!

You're looking at Italia!

Greece on the right, holla!

Paris! 

I was quite pleased the way my maps turned out. Plus, it was a great time for me to riffle through my London tub of memories. Hopefully mine will look shabby on my wall just like the for sale items!

Over and out!

Yarn Wrapping is Not for Beginners

Get ready for an explosion of crafting... your eyes might pop out! 

Just kidding.

I spent the afternoon with Alissa crafting up goodies in KC. Let's just say, we got a little frustrated throughout our experience. I'm getting ahead of myself.. let's back up to the beginning.

To start our journey we took a trip to the oh-so-wonderful Hobby Lobby. We managed to find an rustic/antique like frame for the yarn letter project, and a replica of this Vintage Wood Calendar Chalkboard I wanted to purchase from Urban Outfitters. (it was out of stock!)

After Hobby Lobby we headed to Michaels because I had a coupon for 20% my entire purchase! Have I mentioned I'm not very good with coupons? Well, I'm not. In fact, I have a 10% success rate using them. Today made me feel foolish because after I asked about using my teacher discount at the checkout (feeling confident) the woman said, "Your coupon isn't valid until Sunday, m'am."

It appears I cannot read the fine print. Oops! 0/1 on coupons for the day. I was saved by my 15% teacher discount (who cannot read fine print...) That was slightly embarrassing.  Almost as embarrassing as sending an email to 60+ people confusing "too" for "two" in a sentence. Summer vacation has done wonders on me!

Moving right along to craft numero uno. I found the cutest dish towel at Anthropologie while shopping at the Plaza. I decided to display it instead of using it for its intended purpose (being a towel, duh). We found a neat frame and wrapped the towel around the glass so the embroidered knife, fork, and spoon were on display in the golden frame.

Meet Alissa: the hand model 

Here is Finnegan and our finished product! Cute, eh? I think it will look delightful hanging in my kitchen. 

Using inspiration from a craft that Ashley Fine created in her living room, I wanted to try out this so called chalkboard paint people keep raving about. I bought a cheap plastic rim frame and took the cardboard backing out. Then, using my nifty can of chalkboard paint that Alissa found in Michael's...I started spraying. 

"IT'S JUST LIKE SPRAY PAINT!" -my reaction to the paint

"It is spray paint!" -Alissa reassuring me as I painted (good thing I have her around)

The little can there did the trick! Hours later... I am still fascinated. 

After it dried for a few hours, I added a few embellishments to make it fancy. Now, when you come to visit me you can sign your name on my chalkboard and write a little message! It was by far the easiest project of the day.

I've saved the best (and most dreadful) for last. After reading Let Birds Fly blog post on Yarn Wrapped Letters, I was convinced this was the best craft for me. It didn't require any sewing, needles, or manual labor from what the pictures showed. I was hooked! I even left the link open on my desktop for days to build excitement. Maybe I should have kept that little tidbit to myself, but oh well... it's public knowledge now.

Using Let Birds Fly photo and tutorial as a reference, Alissa and I began our journey. We had the frame picked out and I decided on the word "Happy" for these reasons:
1. I like to be happy.
2. I would like for others to be happy.
3. If you're happy and you know it clap your hands.
4. Don't worry be happy.
5. My middle name is Happy (okay I lied, it's Jennifer... but it's close!)

Yarn, letters, and Ben Harper Pandora radio station ready to rolllll

Unfortunately we were not HAPPY while making this project. We started with the individual letters and began wrapping away. The curves, turns, holes, and nonsense of the letters that I chose began to become our crafting Achilles heel. It would have been much easier if we had used block letters. Lesson learned!

Throughout our wrapping experience the following noises were heard by Ali Pitt on the telephone...

"AHHHHHHHHHH"

"STOP IT."

"I'm getting frustrated." -Alissa

"Keep calm and sew on..." -My attempt at humor

"NOOOOO!"

I think you get the idea. It was frustrating! Thankfully, Ben Harper crooning in the background added to our uncomfortable silence due to the wrapping. I started with the letter H and next tackled an A. I realized afterwards that my project was slightly mocking me. As if to say, "HA" you are not done yet, sucker! I can't take credit for the Y... that was all Alissa, although I think that's a memory she will soon forget.

After multiple burns from the glue gun (we cheated) and screeches of frustration, we were able to complete a pretty nifty project! All I ask is that when you come over and see this hanging on my wall you shout with pure joy and enthusiasm by saying, "WOW! I AM SO HAPPY!"

That's all for now. I need to come up with a neat "closing" as we called it in second grade. I'll test out a few before I pick the one for me.

Over and out!
(nahh...)