Clothes Pin Carrots + A Giveaway

I saw these cute clothes pin carrots and took a screenshot. I knew I wanted to make them for my spring décor. 

You need six clothes pins for each batch of carrots you want to make. 

I took them apart and gave them a coat of orange paint. I then glued the smooth sides together. 

I purchased some greenery to use for the tops. I glued each carrot top to the back of the clothes pin. 

I then wrapped twine around the top of each "carrot." I glued two of them together and then glued on on top. I thought they turned out really cute!

I paired them with a sign from H*bby Lobby and added them to the basket on the ladder in my kitchen. 

I like how it added some whimsey. I liked it so well that I decided to giveaway a set of carrots and the cute little sign. 

If you are interested in chance to bring these home all you have to do is leave a comment with the word giveaway. I will announce the winner on Wednesday. 

Wendi 

Feeling Creative

I mentioned in my previous post that I pulled out the sewing machine. I purchased this fabric last year and made a valance for above the kitchen sink, a table runner, and place mats.

I had some other things in mind and finally got to them. I have wanted a dust cover for my mixing bowl for a long time. I had looked at purchasing one, but I never found a fabric I liked. 

I am super happy with how it turned out! I also whipped up a tea towel to hang on my mini ladder. 

When thinking about my spring décor I have been looking in catalogs and watching YouTube videos. I noticed that brown wicker type items are "in." Many of them have the scalloped edging. I like how warm the brown wicker looks. I feel like the scalloped edging is a trend that won't stand the test of time. It's cute, but I don't want to spend money items that I like, but don't love, and will be considered dated sooner rather than later. I could be wrong and this is my humble opinion, so don't come at me. Honestly, if I wasn't budget minded I might buy a piece, as they are cute. 

All of that to say that I came up with a way to get that warm look. I purchased a roll of jute for under $5 and then got creative.

I wanted to make a vase. I grabbed this out the recycle bin and Chuck cut it down to size.   

I hot glued on the jute and then added some faux tulips that I bought for 40% off at H*bby Lobby.

I had some jute left and another idea was born. I once again went to the recycle bin and this time I pulled out a tin can. 

I pulled some florals from my stash. 

Another inexpensive item to add to my spring décor. 

I'm excited to start decorating, but first I need to do some cleaning. Not as fun, but necessary. 

Wendi 

Mini Rolling Pin Makeover

I love the look of vintage rolling pins stacked in a crock. My issue is that I don't have a good place to display them. Small home issues. *smile* I thought that I could use mini rolling pins on my corner cabinet. I went searching for them and found them, although I could never commit. That idea went on the back burner until I saw this after Christmas. 

They were in the T*rget Dollar Spot packaged with a mini rolling pin and Christmas cookie cutters as a kids' baking set for $3. Bonus is that I was able to snag them after Christmas on clearance for $1! I purchased three sets. Two for me and the other one can be used along with the cookie cutter for my nephew to use with playdoh. 

The first one I stained. I used stain I had on hand...Provincial. 

The second one I added red handles. The red paint I had on hand was a little bright, so I added some the stain once the handles were dry. 

I'm going to use these in a display with my Naked Cake, so I was thinking about how I wanted to display them. I ended up buying a flour sifter from WalM*art for under $5. Chuck took out the screen so they would fit. What do you think?

I love it! I can't wait to create the little vignette in my corner cabinet. That will wait for another day. 

I need to rummage through my decor for a few things. My seasonal and extra decor is stored in this shed. I think I'll wait for another day to venture out there!

Wendi 

Naked Cake DIY

In my kitchen I have a cake stand on one of the shelves in my corner cabinet. I've had numerous items placed in the stand, but I've never been completely satisfied. At one point I thought I wanted a faux pie. I looked them up and found them anywhere from $40 - $75. Nope. Out of my price range.

Lately I've had a sign in the stand. It was fine, but not what I really wanted. I stumbled across a new to me YouTube channel recently and she had a faux naked cake that she styled for each season/holiday. Below is a shot of her cake from her Instagram account. 

You can find Simply Sweet Home here on Instagram or here on YouTube. 

I knew immediately that is what I wanted for my cake stand. I looked to see how much they were running. Anywhere from $25 - $59. Again, out of my price range!  I decided to make my own.

Here is how I did it. 

Now doesn't that look like real frosting piled on top!

Mine isn't quite as naked, but I love it! Once I start decorating for Spring I will show you it's new home. Look for some more DIY projects. All of a sudden I have the desire to craft!

Oh, and the total price of this project was $8.23.  Here is the price break down: $8.23 for the 8 in cake form and $0.51 for the paint. The spackle we had on hand. That's a price this girl can handle!

Wendi 

 

Simple Christmas Ideas (with links)

 I found the cutest labels that I am using for my goodie bags.

 A little note on the back and then I tied them on with some ribbon. 

Aren't these candy cane cards adorable? These will go to Megan's classmates. 

 Megan saw this and asked to make one. I suggested we make it to go on top of her gift for the class gift exchange. 

 Megan and I have been working on these ornaments. These will also be for her classmates.

 I made tags to go on the string of the ornaments. I don't usually make ornaments for classmates. This year is different for a variety of reasons. Many of the kids that Megan has been in school with since she was in preschool are leaving her school at the end of the school year. Middle school is good time to leave and transition into public school. Also we aren't sure where Megan will be next year. I thought that this would be a great way for them to remember their time with Megan.

I had a grand vision of how I wanted to package these. Then reality set in when I realized the ornaments were to big for the bags. I used what I had on hand and put it all into a zipper bag. This will help with dropping them into backbags. Ease is good as the Christmas party is full of tons of sugar and excitement. ;)

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

Grateful

There have been so many things going on around me lately. It could be easy to let the discontent around you seep in and start to effect you. I really don't want that to happen so I have taken a step back from some things. When you are looking for direction, need refuge or struggle with the right attitude it is best to turn to Him.

Saturday found us at the craft store. I have been looking for things to decorate a bridal shower. I found one of the items I was looking for, but at $15.99 each x 5 items I am on to plan B. While there Megan and I did pick up something fun.

I have been searching gratitude since that is where I feel my attitude has been lacking. I used my fun item as a starting place to make something to point me toward a grateful heart. 

As I have been searching scriputre about gratitude this is what spoke to me. 

Be grateful for God's love.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:36.

Be grateful in every situation.

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Be grateful For God's gifts.

 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Grateful for God's deliverance over my life.

I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:25

Be grateful I can go to Him in prayer and He hears my petitions. 

Be anxious for nothing, but In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

We had a beautiful, slow weekend. Plenty of time spent at home, dinner with family, a little creating and enjoyed a wonderful sermon given by a friend of ours. It is a new week and I am ready to get it started on the right path!

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

Working Wednesday: Feeling Crafty

It has been a while since I crafted. I will be hosting a bridal shower in April for my niece, Alison. I have spent the last few months gathering ideas. 

Saturday I decided that I had better get moving if I was going to make things for the shower. I gathered coupons and off to the craft store I went. 

It feels good to be creating again. I sometimes feel guilty when I craft. Feeling like I need to be doing something more productive for my family. I really need to make time to do these things as it brings me joy and a sense of satisfaction. It should be about balance which tends to be hard for me as an all or nothing girl. :) I am going to find a way to make some time to more of the things I love. 

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

Flower Pot Cake Stand

I have been feeling the urge to create and also change some things up around here. As always I want my changes to meet my very small budget. One of the changes I have been pondering is my table center piece. Meet my new creation.

I knew I wanted a glass plate for the top. I picked this up for $0.99 at a thrift store.

It exceeded my expectation with the basket weave pattern.

I painted an inexpensive flower pot.

I used the fantastic E6000 glue to attach the two together. 

Wallah, a new cake stand is born!

It has already been put to good use.

A summertime tradition of "Virginia Cake" awaited my family.

This was an easy project that will allow me to change out the center piece to fit the season or my mood. ;)

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!