DIY Framed Art

The gallery wall I've been working on for the dining room needed a pop of color so instead of buying art I made my own framed art.  I think I mentioned in my Monogrammed Wall Decor post from earlier this week that one of the things I struggle with is buying wall decor.  For some reason it kind of stresses me out, so to solve that problem I've started to do a little research on my favorite blogs and Pinterest to find ideas to create my own.

Here is my DIY framed art and the steps for how to create your own!

Supply List:

White 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 note cards

Frame (Target)

Rubber Stamps (Most craft stores or Stampin' Up)

Colored Ink pads or Rubber Stamp Markers from Stampin' Up

Sponge

First, use the stamps to create your art on the white notecard.  I kept mine pretty simple with a single flower stamp.  If you want to get more creative, you can use multiple stamps or stamp sets.  There are so many great ideas on the  Stampin' Up website.  To keep my stamps clean after I'm done using them, I wipe them off with a sponge.

I would be lying to you if I said it only took me one try to get the picture exactly how I wanted it.  It probably took me at least ten trys so don't feel discouraged if your first two trys don't turn out.

Here is my final product hanging on the wall!

I centered the picture in the frame and then attached it with scotch tape.

Tomorrow, I will reveal my gallery wall to you so you can see how it all came together!

See you tomorrow,

Beth



Thanksgiving Table and Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is Thursday - Yikes!  Fortunately, I am not hosting a Thanksgiving celebration, but if I was I thought I would share with you what my Thanksgiving table might look  like. :)  I'll also let you know where I found some of the items I used, just in case you like them.

Standard white plates go with anything!

Plates: Walmart - Better Homes & Gardens Brand

Glasses: Pottery Barn (they are actually plastic!)

The place holder is such an easy DIY project! Just use a binder clip and a little flair to the paper with a seasonal rubber stamp.

Napkins & Napkin Rings: Pier 1 Imports

The centerpiece has been on my table throughout the fall.  I just added two more vases that I filled with fresh cranberries to add a little more color.

It's so fun to decorate and "wow" your guests with the meal you make and the decorations but what about truly celebrating this holiday by coming together as family and friends to share what you are thankful for.  This seems to be something that can be easily forgotten this day and age.  Below are a couple of ideas that I came across in the November 2011 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

Thankful Leaves



Cut out leaf shapes and have your guests write something they are thankful for.  Then have them post the leaves on a cork board for an additional fall decoration.  This can also lead to an awesome conversation piece.

Conversation Cards

Use small squares of cardstock decorated for fall to write a quote or a question on.  Put one next to each place setting and during or after dinner go around the room and have everyone read their card.

For more ideas visit the Better Homes & Gardens website.

Enjoy  your Thanksgiving my friends.  I hope this post gives you some inspiration for preparing your celebration and remembering the importance of this holiday!

Beth

It's A Girl!

GOT YA!! For some of you, I bet you had to read this post because the title completely caught you by suprise and you had to figure out what was going on!  No, I did not and am not planning to have a baby.  Maybe someday, but not any time soon...

However, our good friends in northern Iowa just had their first baby, a girl, named Riley Jo.  And, because I love giving gifts you better believe we mailed them one right away.  I am pretty proud to say that I actually made the majority of their gift (if you count items and not $$ because we did give them a Target gift card.) Some of you might think I am crazy for spending time on this stuff because it is SO MUCH easier to go out and buy something but that's definitely not as fun when you want to give a unique or personalized gift.

Here is what I made.  It's not much (that's why they got a gift card) but it was fun! :)

I love making greeting cards!  I do a lot of rubber stamping and use a lot of Stampin' Up products.  Making cards is something I do to relax.  Not to mention it saves quite a bit of money when you consider buying $3.59 greeting cards these days - Ridiculous!  Even though I love making greeting cards my boyfriend, Adam, said I can't make a living do that...

I also do a little bit of sewing- mostly straight lines yet - so I made a burp cloth.   If you can thread a sewing machine you can make one of these.  Just pick out some cute material, sew the material right sides together and then turn it right side out and stitch up the opening.  Very Easy!

This was my favorite part of the gift!  I picked up a cute jar a Hobby Lobby, (usually 50% off every other week), tied a ribbon around it and used my rubber stamps to jazz it up.  You can't see it very well but I filled it with those cheap, plastic, little girl barrets that I found at Target.  It would be cute filled with diaper pins or candy if you wanted to give something simple as a birthday gift. 

Personalized gifts are fun and pretty easy as long as you are willing to put a little more time into them.  If you don't like taking the time to make gifts or don't feel very creative, let me know, I would be happy to make personalized gifts for you to give.

Happy Crafting!!