Monday, September 15, 2008

Projects and updates, oh my!

I feel like I've left some loose ends on this blog lately, so I'm here to fill you in on a few things.

1. You ladies do NOT disappoint. You have aided me in my mission to get my mom blogging, and I finally broke her--I mean, convinced her. I think she was so overwhelmed by your positive responses, she knew there was no going back. She's already getting excited about what to call it and how to set it up! Remember all that fun? I'll let you know as soon as she's up and running!

2. If I've learned nothing else from blogging, it's that you don't buy ANYTHING without telling WHERE you bought it!! Oops. Remember her? I bought her at TJMaxx, but I also found her unlucky twin at Marshall's. Good luck!

3. The response to my "can you guess it?" project was 50/50. You either had no clue, or you figured it out. And yes...it's a Halloween advent calendar. Before I proceed, I will show you my project room. Some people refer to it as a kitchen island, but I think of it as my "creative space"--a.k.a. my MESSY space.

I don't even know what half that stuff is doing on there. WHY am I burning two candles? I'm using my son's scissors--too lazy to look for mine. An empty spray bottle with no top? Good. ness. It's like a game of I Spy!
Well here it is!! I've done 7! That's right. 7!! To be honest, the only difficult part is waiting for the spray on the boxes to dry. Otherwise, it moves along quite nicely. Remember, I'm a scrapbooker who doesn't scrapbook, so the details in this were quite fun. I bought some ultra strong magnets and glued them to the back. Each day, my kids will count down by opening the day's box and finding a goody! They're sooo geeked for it already.
Lastly, I'm ashamed to tell you my bathroom cabinets remain naked as we speak. I was put on a spending freeze (we all know how those are in this house), I went back to work, and I was lured into little projects that, quite frankly, are much more fun. Soooo...here's a little somethin' for you.

I bought this little magnet a few weeks ago at JoAnn's fabric. I adhered some fabric to the glass, stuck it in a frame I already had and hot glued the magnet to it. Pretty cute, eh? Edited to note: I knew I stole this idea from someone, but I couldn't find who. Typical. Find the original inspiration over at Cherry's Jubilee. From now on, just assume that any of my ideas are stolen from her--she's a genius! :) Thanks for letting me know, Cherry! The little finial jar was .99 cents. It was white with tiny pink roses on it. Nothing a little spray paint and polka dots can't cure! That's really all I can show you right now. I'll reveal the finished room sometime next summer! :)

46 comments:

The Berry's Patch said...

Nest summer...are you kidding? What a cute idea for Halloween. That little frame is darling. Why or why can't I come up with something cute like that?

Desiree said...

Your blog is very inspirational! you are full of great, crafty ideas and I love how you turn cheap thrift finds into beautiful decor.
Desiree

AngiDe said...

I love that family frame idea!! Your so creative! And that jar!?!?! Super cute. Love your blog!

Angie
www.nanasboxnonprofit.blogspot.com

sandra/tx said...

Great ideas. I love the idea of a Halloween Advent calendar.

Runaway Farm said...

That Halloween advent calendar is a super cute idea? I have more Halloween scrapbook paper than I will ever use -- I don't even scrapbook halloween photos usually! Anyway what boxes did you use and what are you spraying them with? My kids would love this!

Lettered Cottage said...

Now I REAAAAALLY wanna come over and do crafty stuff with you!
:-(

Why do you have to live in Michigan?

Layla
The Lettered Cottage

Deb said...

What fun ideas. I'm sure your kids are going to love that advent calendar. I really like the fun frame and I really want that little jar. I may need to make a trip to Joann's tomorrow.

cherry said...

Hmmm that frame with the metal magnet that says family is a bit familiar to me ...http://cherrysjubileehome.blogspot.com/2008/08/painting-puttering-and-little-project.html Glad you liked the idea rofl. cherry

Stephanie said...

I still don't quite understand the advent calendar. Maybe you can do a tutorial sometime?

Everything you do is so cute though! Your kids are so lucky to have you as a mom :)

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

How Cute!!! My daughter is the one that got me blogging. In fact, my post from yesterday shows some pumpkins we just made out of elegant upolstery fabrics.
M.L.

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

What a bunch of clever/cute ideas,girl! Your brain must be going a mile a minute...I swear!

Tanya said...

I love your Halloween calendar. That is so cute! I love coming here for fun ideas :)

Blogger said...

Fun, fun, fun!!!! :)

Love the Family magnet project, I might copy that one ;)

Bella

Marie said...

Be sure to link us to your momma when she's up and running! :o)

Your advent calendar is so cool! What are you attaching the boxes too? The refrigerator? I can't tell and I MUST know.

LOVE what you did with that magnet and a frame! I see those magnets all the time and I always pick them up and want to buy one but had no ideas how to use it. Good idea!

Michelle said...

let us know when your mother is up and running...

Love your creativeness:)

Shell in your Pocket said...

OH MY...how cute is all of that! Is the craft store opened at 8:00am? This posting makes me want to "create"! I love the boxes and the frame is so cute! Love it all!
-Sandy Toes

the undomesticated wife said...

Cute projects!

I saw those magnets also at Michael's. They had a ton of them (different words as well) and I almost bought a couple. I think they were $1. Love what you did with it!

Inspired Kara said...

This caldendar is SOOOO cute! I just love love love it!

Carry Grace said...

The calender is really cute, but I love the frame and finial jar. Great polka dots!

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

You are just killing me with that advent calendar. I LOVE it and it is seriously making me stressed out that I don't have the fortitude to make one myself. SO cute!!!
Carrie

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Hi Chris...Now I keep thinking about your advent calendar...where did you get the little boxes? Maybe I AM brave enough to try this?
Carrie

Shannon said...

All such cute ideas! I love that family magnent. Man, I need a Joannes!!!!

AJ said...

Long lost sister, that same magnet is hanging on my refrigerator. Definitely not as creative as yours(or Cherry's) but let's just say, add it to our list:)
I'm loving the calendar. Can't wait to see the finished project. Your mom is going to be one popular momma!

AJ said...

Oh, and I guessing the candles are to diffuse the gassy smell of the Nemesis!!

Michele said...

Hi Chris...next summer???? What the heck! LOL I love what you did with the frame...too cute. And how come you don't have paint dripping down the sides when you spray paint something? I must be doing somthing totally wrong!!!

Hugz,
Michele

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Too cute! Love the phinial (sp??). You've got some awesome ideas girl!

Positively Creative! said...

You have the cutest ideas, thanks for sharing them! I am totally inspired by all of it!!

Tara said...

This framed family magnet idea is too cute! Love the polka-dot jar, too! I always leave here inspired!! :)

Barbara said...

I have to copy that finial jar! Or! maybe you can make me one..... That turned out awsome. I can hardly describe how cute those advent boxes are. The kids are going to have so much fun with those. What a nice project to be creative with. All the faces and ribbons. How fun!! As always, a great blog. PS... thank all your blog friends for their compliments on my fall arrangements. Can't wait to blog myself. "COMING SOON"

Mom

Tanya said...

I LOVE your decorating and your blog. I have a little blog award for you on my website txtanya.blogspot.com. =) Tanya

Positively Creative! said...

That's funny, yeah a couple of those pic were yours, hope you don't mind!? The other ones I am not sure, I have files of pics on my hard drive that I have been collecting over a few years and I just looked in my Halloween and Fall files... Some I think are even from magazines.

Anonymous said...

hi! just came across your blog - what great ideas! i am currently playing around with ideas for an advent calendar for christmas... any ideas? thanks for all the inspiration!
~nicole

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I love that other people's projects take months - see you next summer!

Suzann said...

I enjoy your crafty and inspiring blog. Love that framed "family". So creative and adorable.

Suzann

Tausha said...

cute cute! I love the idea of an Advent for halloween. So-where did those little boxes come from-and how mush were they. And about what size of little something do they fit? My kids would so love to do this and i figure that I love halloween a whole bunch-we should all have a great time! Thanks for being patient and sharing the info!

chris jenkins said...

that halloween countdown calendar is seriously cute!

Our Complete Family said...

Oh my googness this project is AMAZING! I love it so much! Did you spray your boxes or did they come black? So fun, fun, fun! Can't wait to see what kinds of goodies your kiddos find in the boxes!!!

Jennspiration said...

You have such wonderful decorating ideas, I hope you don't mind if I borrow a couple? I love the "Wordle" print you did (I saw that on Today's Creative Blog). I am going to put one together for my friend's baby shower...now to come up with a bunch of words to describe a baby!

I look forward to visiting your blog often!

Mrs. Jones said...

Where do you find the time to work, blog and be crafty? I'm so impressed. I'm subbing 4-5 days a week and I'm swamped. Although that could be because all 3 kiddos are in sports.

The project looks amazing!

Heather

Anonymous said...

Im so glad that your Mom wants to join us. Now I bet she can teach us all a thing or two... I cant wait. I love your craft room.. I have one just like it, smile!

Annikke said...

I just found your blog today! The frame is so cute! I love all your pictures!

Melissa said...

Love the frame and Halloween countdown calendar! Yes, please share with us where you got the boxes and a brief tutorial! So creative.

Wendy said...

I love your advent calendar. What a cute idea!

Kristen said...

Are you bribing the kids in your classes to help you with your crafts? Or do your kids watch a lot of tv? I don't get how you get all this done. How much caffeine do you drink?

I.need.to.know!!!!

That is too cute. I would be sneaky and eat the candy ahead of schedule though. By dimmed light of course, that would make it ok. Then I'd replace it the next morning.

Don't think I'll be making one for that reason. (Or Graham eating it all) But it is darling!

Anonymous said...

Can you tell me where you found that magnet? I love this idea and would like to do it for my home and as Christmas gift but am having trouble finding the magnet.

LOVE your blog!

Anonymous said...

Nevermind, it says JoAnns!

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