TUTORIAL: How to Make a Magnetic Pin Dish

I was shopping at Michaels a couple weeks ago and I came across the cutest little ceramic owl dishes...are they not the most adorable things?!  And in their dollar spot section no less! I bought a few thinking that they had so many uses...a dish to keep on the dresser for change...and rings and what's that? A Magnetic Pin Holder? Yes ma'am, my sewing room needed one of these too!  Just remember that you will need MAGNETIC pins for this dish.  Did you know not all pins are magnetic?  Weird but true.  I find the longer quilting type pins are more so than the little ball-tipped ones, just an FYI for ya!

So once I decided that my sewing studio needed one of these it was off to the magnet section I went to buy some tiny but STRONG magnets...you see this ceramic dish is a wee bit thick which is a good thing cause it's sturdy! Of course you could always make a Magnetic Pin Dish with any type of dish...or tea cup saucer...how cute would that be! 

So let's make a few shall we?  They are uber easy...especially if you use permanent and strong glue dots (you don't want that magnet coming off if you have little ones in the house!)

Magnetic Pin Dish

Cute dish (tea saucer, melamine plate, you name it!)

Neodymium magnets (the super strong kind!!)

Glue (I used both E-6000 and Elmer's CraftBond Glue Spots)

Magnetic Pins

This is what the Elmer's CraftBond Glue Spots look like (above left) They are permanent, clear, acid-free, and photo-safe (important if you are a scrapbooker!) I was sent a few samples of some new products from Elmer's and the Glue Spots were just perfect for this project! Nice and strong and great for attaching those leeetle tiny magnets. Just press a dot on a magnet and push firmly for a few seconds to attach...easy peasy!

I also used E-6000 just to compare!  This can be a little messier but still did the job.  Just dab a little on one side of a magnet and press it to the backside of your dish of choice.

See, it gets a little messy as the glue comes out on the sides a bit but it dries quickly so no worries!

If you use the E-6000 you will want to place one magnet on and then let it dry before adding a second magnet.  I found that if the glue wasn't dry the magnets would "find" each other and stick like no other...hey, these are some STRONG magnets people!  The Glue Spots from Elmer's definitely made attaching the magnets a bit easier in that regard.

Then just flip your dish over once the glue is dry and drop your pins in...ahhh!

So easy...and cute!

Ya gotta love a functional and fast project!

Thanks for stopping by today!

**Giveway winner has been chosen, the winner is:

Oh!  And if you'd like to win your very own box of Elmer's Glue Spots click here or enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below!

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XOXO,

Creativity Made Simple with Jo-Anns: How to Make Pom Pom Hair Ties Video Tutorial

Can y'all please pinch me cause I feel like I am dreaming. Jo-Anns asked me to create a video for their YouTube channel and I still can't believe it. How freakin' cool is that?!

Jo-Anns contacted me earlier in this month to create a video tutorial as a part of their Creativity Made Simple campaign.  On their Youtube channel you can view my video along with a few other pretty crafty bloggers where we share how to create simple and fun crafts helping you to rediscover time for your creativity!

Here is my video below:

Or click here to see it!  If my video is the most viewed I will get to host a giveaway for a $100 Jo-Ann Gift Card for one of you to win, how fun right!  And in full disclosure, I'll win one too!  So please, watch, view, and share my video!!!  Learn how to make fun Pom Pom Hair Ties and see how the Clover Pom Pom maker works...its is the neatest little gadget and once you have one you will never want to put it down.

Jo-Anns is also giving y'all a 40% off coupon to use in their stores, valid from 3/22-3/31/13 
Just print if off and save some cash on your next shopping trip!

XOXO,

** I have been compensated for this post. However, all opinions are truthful and my own.  This post contains paid links.

Stampin' Up! Fabric Giveaway and HUGE sale!!

**This giveaway is now closed, thanks for playing!**

How many of you have heard of Stampin' Up! ? If you haven't, well let me introduce you :-)  

Stampin' Up! is a wonderful company started by two sisters that is known for it's many ways to express creativity including products to create handmade cards, scrapbook pages, craft projects, and home decor.  You know I love my creativity and with this company the options are endless.  I really like the options they have for handmade cards...and craft projects...yes, they have so many goodies to keep you crafty all day long!

And now Stampin' Up! has entered the world of fabric!  Yup, FABRIC (!!), they now carry their own line of fabric and super pretty fabric at that...you can see all of it here! I've got to tell you that I'm really loving the bright colors and patterns of their fabrics.  The quality is really nice and oh-so-soft and buying it is a breeze. Just order it online from Stampin-Up! and boom! It's at your door in no time flat...you have to love that especially if you are as big a fabric addict as I am! Some of my favorites are the Essentials Designer Fabrics and the Summer Smooches Designer Fabrics...aren't the colors just so vibrant and pretty!

And during the week of March 25-31st Stampin' Up! has all their fabric marked down 50%!!!!  They are calling this their Fabric Frenzy sale and there is no minimum purchase necessary to receive the 50% discount, holla!

All their pretty fabric patterns would be perfect for crafts and DIY projects...yummy!

Appliques anyone?

I can see some pretty cloth napkins in these designs too!
I can tell you that I plan on making my girls a few pretty spring dresses and skirts, those colors are just calling for them.
And for my boys...well, of course they'll get a few applique tie t-shirts and some fun pants for church...they will be just perfect for the warmer weather!

In order to share the love, Stampin' Up! is offering my readers the chance to win 

ONE package of their eleven fabrics FREE!  

The package will contain three blocks of fat-quarters measuring 27" x 18"

You in?!?  I thought so!!

Enter the Rafflecopter widget below or Click Here!

**The winner is...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK!

XOXO,

** I have been compensated for this post. However, all opinions are truthful and my own.  This post contains paid links.

9 Months and Counting...

Ha! As I read my blog title, I can't help but think thank goodness that is 9 months out and not 9 months in...yeah, the end of pregnancy is never fun, is it?

Well look who turned 9 months old last week!  

My little man Oliver is getting bigger and bigger...I just can't believe it.

I feel like I say this all the time but I really can't help it, PLEASE STOP TIME!  I just can't handle him getting bigger, less wee little baby and more full-on kid...soon he'll be a toddler...then ugh, then he'll be 6...then 16...then he'll be off to college! 

I know, I know! Let's just enjoy him as he is now, you should never waste away the present...are you ready for some super cute Ollie pics?  Me too!!!

Can I just say how Oliver is such an awesome blessing from above.  I couldn't have asked for a sweeter more happy baby.   He continues to be such an easy-going little babe and like the baby of the family tends to do, he just goes with the flow.  

Nap in the car as we run errands?  

-Sure Mom! I'll catch a nap in my crib later today...or never, whatevs.

What? We ran out the door before you could feed me breakfast? 

-I'm cool, I'll just nurse extra long when we get there!

I really want to play with the trains but Penny keeps carrying me around like a dolly!

-Oh well, maybe I'll get a chance later today...when does she go to preschool again?

Such is the life of #4 I suppose!

Over the past month he has reached lots of fun new milestones...

Two shiny new teeth made their appearance...and we finally stopped biting mommy ahthankyouverymuch Oliver!  We also learned to crawl last month and then immediately the next day we started cruising on furniture, sigh. And wouldn't you know that as soon as he turned 9 months old he started in for the stairs, and made it to the top, over and over and over again.  We really need to find those gates!

Thank goodness he still has the rolls.  The chubby baby rolls...so delicious!

And as you might have guessed with all those milestones I mentioned, our monthly pictures are proving to be much more difficult these days.

The blurry ones far outweigh the crisp, clean ones...fudge puddles.

And isn't it interesting that at such a young age boys really do gravitate to cars, trains, things with wheels?  I remember that with Noah too but not so much my girls!

Thanks for stopping by today and letting me gush on my little bub! 

XOXO,

Handmade Hostess: Book Tour Review and Giveaway

** This giveaway is now closed!!**

Today y'all are in for a treat! My blog is part of a book tour for a new book that just came out recently, Handmade Hostess.  I was lucky enough to be able to review it early and can I tell you that I spent hours (yes hours!) enjoying this lovely book written by Kelly Lee-Creel of Storybook Lane fabric fame and her sister Rebecca Soder.  The book is a labor of love for them, a place where they could share with all of us their love for entertaining, sewing/crafts, and dessert-making.  Just looking at the cover I knew this book was right up my alley :-) And the book is truly gorgeous inside and out with every picture inside just absolute eye candy.  

At the beginning of the book, Kelly gives party planning tips and checklists to keep any hostess sane during party prep which we all know can be a bit crazy at times. The book has 12 different party themes that include 36 handmade hosting touches like how to make whimsical tent cards, ruffly tablecloths, and coordinating table accessories just to name a few.  There is also a dessert recipe that coordinates with each party straight from Rebecca's kitchen. I especially thought the Valentine's Party was adorable, right down to the handmade cloth napkins that, once folded, are meant to be love notes with embroidered addresses on them...seriously so cute!

The party themes included so many areas...bridal showers, tea parties, St. Patrick's day (seen above), and even a boy's Mad Scientist themed birthday party! And there are tips and tricks within each party to help make your planning and hand making easy on you.  I also loved at the end of the book how there was a Special Techniques section to help even the most beginner crafter/sewer understand how to pull off all the handmade crafts the book offers.

This really is such a great book, one that I will definitely be coming back to again and again as you all know I love to throw a good party! Gah, Oliver's first birthday is only 3 months away...I better get cracking on a theme!

Kelly Lee-Creel and Rebecca Soder are so kind as to not only let me review their new book for you but to also offer ONE of my lovely readers the chance to win your own copy!!

If you want to enter just click the link here or enter below!

**The winner has been chosen!! Thanks for playing!

Thanks for stopping by today!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 XOXO,

TUTORIAL: Washi Tape Easter Wreath

Is it me or am I the only one wishing Spring would just get here already?  In Chicagoland it is still very much winter...at least once a week we get some kinda freakin' snow deal happening. It might be that we get dumped on by a full on storm or just an dusting of an inch but seriously, when will it end!?!  Well to bring Spring to my home since it just can't get here fast enough, I thought a pretty Spring-colored Easter wreath was necessary...and one that's all decked out in Washi Tape just made creating it all the more fun :-)

This wreath is so easy to make, my two girls ages 4 and 2 even helped with it.  Who knew punching out paper could be so fun for little hands...and so therapeutic for momma!

Washi Tape Easter Wreath

Plain card stock

Washi Tape

2-inch oval punch (or you could free-hand the eggs)

Empty cereal box

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Ribbon

Scissors

To make this wreath you need plain card stock and a 2-inch oval paper punch.  You could totally cut out your egg shapes by hand with a pair of scissors but my little girls wanted to help me make this and a punch is so much less scary for me to watch my 2-year old handle!

You'll also need some Washi Tape in lots of fun Spring-y/Easter colors.  If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you know how obsessed I am becoming about this stuff.  I bought a whole bunch of Washi Tape at Michaels on clearance recently...hey, 2 rolls for $1.49?  You can't beat that price! 

Take your Washi Tape and just tape it in rows to your card stock.  If you have average width Washi you will need about 4 rows per 2-inch egg shape.

After the girls and I taped 4 rows of the Washi down I cut that section of card stock and then we continued taping another 4 row section of Washi. I found it was easier for my girls to punch the oval shape when I had individual strips of the decorated paper. Then just punch out lots of prettily decorated oval shapes.  Go to town folks!

Next I used an empty cereal box to make my wreath form.  You could probably just use card stock but I wanted something a bit thicker that would hold up on my front door.

I made drew two half circles, one on each side of the cereal box, cut them out and hot glued them together.  Then I took the egg/oval shape and hot glued them all around my new wreath form.

Lastly, I took a 6-7 inch piece of coordinating ribbon I had on hand and hot glued it to the top backside of the wreath so I had something to hang it with...easy peasy!

 Then find a nice door...or maybe a mirror or mantel...and hang it up!

Oh how I love thee, Washi Tape.  You make everything so full of color.

And please Spring, I beg of you, please come fast!!!

Thanks for stopping by today!

XOXO,

TUTORIAL: Washi Tape Coasters

So this is how I spent another hour being creative the other day...making my leetle sister and her soon-to-be new husband a little wedding gift of sorts!  Again, this is all part of Michaels' CRE8TIME Challenge where I'm trying to spend one hour a day over 8 days being creative!  It's been a lot of fun and very relaxing for me, I can't begin to tell you how nice it is when you set aside a little bit of time to do something you enjoy...ummm, it's REALLY nice!

I found a set of 4 pretty ceramic coasters at Michaels last week and thought they would look super cute if I dressed them up in some yummy Washi Tape...Washi Tape Coasters? Oh my, yes please.  So, off to the tape aisle I headed and bought myself a ridiculous amount of it. It's just so pretty, I couldn't help myself (if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you know just how much I bought, I need an intervention!) Michaels has so many designs in stock that you could really go wild when you decorate these. I thought the two tapes I used would be perfect for my sister and her fiancé.

Here's the how-to...they are super easy, pinky swear!

Washi Tape Coasters

Set of ceramic coaster (ceramic tiles would work too!)

Washi tape

X-acto knife

Cutting mat

Mod podge

Foam brush

Clear acrylic Sealer

 Gather your supplies...I told you I went a little overboard with the Washi Tape! ;-)

Wipe your ceramic coasters with a damp cloth and let dry.  Place strips of Washi Tape slightly longer than the coaster next to one another making sure if there is a pattern on your tape you are matching it as best you can. Try to get the Washi Tape as close together as you can so no part of the bare coaster is showing. Remember, Washi Tape is removable and re-stickable so you can always fix it if you mess up!

Once you've completely covered the coaster, press your Washi Tape down so it is nice and smooth on the surface. Flip it over on a cutting mat and, using your X-acto knife, cut the excess Washi Tape as close to the edges as possible.

At this point your coasters will look pretty much done and they totally could be BUT if you plan on using them for drinking glasses that may sweat you will want to protect them!

Take your Mod Podge and foam brush and, following the instructions on the back of the Mod Podge, coat the tops and sides of the coasters and let dry.  When they are thoroughly dry you can spray a coat of Clear Acrylic Sealer over top to waterproof them.

And there you have it. Fun coasters to give as a gift!

 Or to keep for yourself...they are super cute, aren't they!

Remember to keep adding your CRE8TIME Challenge projects to their gallery here!  And keep your creativity flowing, it's fun to reclaim our creative side by spending one hour a day doing something fun like this!!

Thanks for stopping by today!

 XOXO,