Halloween Subway Art

Creator of this cute Halloween Subway art was Rhonna Farrer; She is super cute, super creative (seriously, go to her blog and check out here vintage camper refurb, wow!) and super generous. She has long been an inspiration to me, and who knew... we also share the same birthday. She posted this freebee (get your own here) on her website in honor of her birthday and "share the love"- she offered it to anyone for free if, for their payment, they would do something nice for someone.

Since this was also my birthday, I felt a special obligation to "share the love". Since my friends took me to lunch, I figured the least I could do was buy them drinks (I wished I could have afforded the whole meal). Seriously it was one of the favorite parts of my day.

Of course, later that afternoon I had to go and play around in all my goodies (just a little present to myself) and here's what I came up with. I printed it out on textured cardstock, glued it onto chipboard covered with black paper added a large orange bow, a bat that fell of of some other Halloween decoration - that I've apparently been hoarding for years, and made a Halloween junque charm hanger. Simple, but fun to create.

And just for the record, I think it's funny that this type of print is called Subway Art - and we went to Subway for lunch. It was meant to be.

Owl Apothecary Jars

A couple of weeks ago I was checking out hashtags on Instagram and I came across some "owl apothecary jars. I was dying at how cute they were. I knew I wanted to make some but thought I'd have to wait til i finished with Super Saturday - but, in all my running around, I came across the actual owls I'd seen in the original picture. I decided, "What the heck." I bought them up and went to town, right in the midst of all my other preparations. I have to admit, once I started I couldn't stop making them. In fact, this afternoon I'm going to go see if I can find more owls. They are the cutest thing for Halloween gifts. Of course I had to make a set for myself too. I've already got ideas for Thanksgiving ones too.

The Room Behind the Juices

So I am lucky enough to have a room dedicated completely to my paper, scrapbooking and crafts. Unfortunately it is usually so full of dare I say "crap" I can't get my brain or my body comfortable in the space.  It has been in various states of clean and dirty for the past year - due, in part, to my new organization system. Finally, however, I got things under control at least enough to complete a few projects. Rather than picturing me creating in pure "crafting tranquility", I thought I would show you the BEFORE, so you know that is not always the case.

And in all fairness I must post the AFTER picture. It's not exactly how I want it, but it is a huge improvement and I feel the "Ahhhhhhh" when I go out there now. It is so much fun to be out there (and why I say "out" it's because this is set up in my garage) when it looks like this. My TV, my iPod player and a new Black Raspberry Vanilla air freshener makes the mood complete.

"Believe" Banner

So a post or two ago I mentioned my Silhouette.
Seriously! Go get one of these! I am literally so excited about it.
I ask Brad every morning if I've mentioned how much I love it. He totally humors me.

If you don't know - it's a die cut machine. Cricut is a popular similarity. But without dissing the Cricut - The Silhouette is AMAZING!! There should be one in every household. All the images are online and not cartridge based. Each design is usually only .99 cents (or less) and are sold individually. Not to mention you can cut out any font you have on your computer - so if you downloaded a FREE font you can cut out words or letters using that font for... you got it... FREE!! (no $50 font cartridge needed)

Silhouette Cameo

So of course I had to put it to good use. I designed this tag banner (also for our Super Saturday Craft Day). I thought it came out cute.

Keep an eye out for future Silhouette projects. There are sure to be a million of them.

Apple Sauce

I guess this really doesn't have to do with crafts, but I felt it deserved some credit in the category of "creative juices".

(Cute Daddy - Apple Masher)

My visiting teacher, Kathy Hanson, gave me a whole box of apples from her orchard. This was the result. Mom and dad came down and helped me. I was so grateful they did. And I'm loving the result. In fact I think I'm going to go crack open a jar right now (ok, not literally crack... that would get shards of glass in the sauce).

Trick or Treat Pillows

So I know it's been a while since I've visited this blog. There are just too many things to do and so little time, and part of that involves laying on my back staring at the ceiling - hey a girl's gotta make room for priorities. But really, occasionally I do get something productive and even cute done once in a while.

Thanks to my good friend Annette - who on a whim, said, "I want to make these today." And so we did. Do you even understand how totally cute they are? Of course the idea came from Pinterest, you've probably seen them but I think we improved on them.

I've decided Caroline, Annette and I make a great team. 

Annette = Instigator, cheerleader, multiple resources (someone randomly gave her the "canvas" she had made it into a table cloth which she was happy to undo for the purpose of pillows for all).

(This picture was taken a few seconds before Caroline and I left to go to a High School Football game and left Annette alone with a stack of pillows and fabric - she did a lot of work for us that night, and clearly she did it in style, isn't she so cute?)

Caroline = Master seamstress (my newest title for her, although she has deserved it for a long time.) She figured out the measurements for the fabric etc. She also taught us the word for the little flap of fabric around the border of the "trick or treat" pillows, it's called the "flange" -- who knew (see... master!) AND she sewed a bulk of the pillow coverings for us. I had to try really hard to make the ones I actually had to do look as good as the ones she made. It brought me to a whole new standard of excellence. 

Stef = Owner of the brand new Silhouette, Cameo die cut machine. I know! BE JEALOUS! It is a fabulous machine!! I made the stencils for the letters. What a cute font, don't you think - it's one I've kind of ignored before, but in the future it's going to get a lot more use. It's called "June 15"

We used the Martha Stewart sparkly paint - it was a nice touch with the canvas.

The stack ofpumpkins on the porch are cute to eh? Again, another Pinterest idea.

The idea for the doormat with my address also came from Pinterest. We made these at the Super Saturday craft day that I was in charge of for church. When I showed it to Brad he wondered where I had ordered it from.  Someone at church thought I wove the rug. Silly! But, of course, I was flattered. 

And there you have it, my Fall porch! 

Currently

I like to follow this blog called the dares. (they are scrapbooking challenges)

This time I actually "dared" to do one. It was about "currents". What it is that is currently going on in your life/brain.

I'm a little late though, just as I was coming to post this page there was ANOTHER dare. I don't really care though, I'm just happy to have made time to do this... maybe I'll be more on top of the next one.... eh, probably not!

Journaling reads:

LISTENING: Mostly Kris Allen

EATING: loads of Salad - at least 1/day

DRINKING: lots of Water

WEARING: my new silver flip-flops with big silver flowers and gems

FEELING: thinner (just a tad)

WANTING: a Pug

NEEDING: Scrapbook Time

THINKING: I live a charmed life

ENJOYING: Running with my new iPod playlist

WONDERING:what it would be like if my house actually stayed clean

READING: David Archuleta - Chords of Strength and Eclipse (for the 2nd time) The Host is next.