tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32107816762295902302024-03-18T10:14:51.252-04:00leaf and letter handmadeleaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.comBlogger424125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-27410659697844348322014-09-27T14:52:00.001-04:002014-09-27T14:52:16.575-04:00i like big lamps & i cannot lie.oh poor, sad craft blog. i'm sorry to say you've once again been sacrificed at the feet of raising these three precious wild littles of mine. & we found out a few months ago that one more is coming! suddenly, a year has come & gone & so much crafting has been left undocumented.<br />
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so here i am, sitting during the 30 minute window i have left of naps, blogging on my smart phone. #thisismotherhood<br />
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blogging on smart phones, of course, means terrible cellphone pics of quickly-attempted photo staging... what a crime in the pinterest age! gotta work on that.<br />
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i'm just going to just pretend i haven't been off the blog grid for nearly a year & pick right back up with this incredible lamp i found today. thrifting/reselling/yardsale-ing is big here in this still-new town of ours & stuff goes cheap. sometimes an impulse buy is a good thing when it's a huge, gorgeous, creamy white ceramic lamp. on half off day at a local church's tag sale. for ten bucks.<br />
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like this one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilZl0vuUqWtukl7YOwC-yblji1MUiUt0Im03SiQNTvEi8qpnWujQAyEAePeiJgJF97C6MOapYNakmJp5Dxiv5d6Fge2KSR_3IR8XWx8djTAlHa172D2nZo2_g_ighN4RtnIYwizQYAbU/s1600/IMG_20140927_142500_680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilZl0vuUqWtukl7YOwC-yblji1MUiUt0Im03SiQNTvEi8qpnWujQAyEAePeiJgJF97C6MOapYNakmJp5Dxiv5d6Fge2KSR_3IR8XWx8djTAlHa172D2nZo2_g_ighN4RtnIYwizQYAbU/s1600/IMG_20140927_142500_680.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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combine it with my huge $3 goodwill lampshade that i re-covered in green damask forever ago, & i think we have a winner for that little spot that used to have a floor lamp until we re-arranged (again). i never imagined there could be a table lamp big enough to make that lampshade look almost too small!<br />
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look how much cozy it adds to that corner. love it.<br />
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i'm grateful for a husband who doesn't give me (too much) grief about <i>another</i> lamp in the house. when we got married, i think we had one pitifully sad little cheap dorm room walmart-style floor lamp by the couch & one little table lamp in one of the bedrooms that my mom bought one time she stayed with us (because she knew).<br />
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we've recently dismantled the guest room upstairs & the 2 lamps now sitting on the floor that were formerly on bedside tables admittedly make the room feel a bit like a lamp graveyard.<br />
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but i'm happy with my new ceramic lovely. if i hadn't snapped her up when i did, i'd have been regretting it all day!leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-78129856503273975472013-11-01T13:40:00.000-04:002013-11-01T13:40:00.048-04:00upcycled napkin rings!it's rare that i ever find an 'upcycled' project made from toilet paper rolls that i actually want to make... there just seems something weird about using toilet paper rolls to make something you'd keep & use in your house. but when i saw these 2 ideas on pinterest, they were the first i think i've ever seen that i'd consider really making!<br />
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toilet paper rolls embellished with raffia & shells/seeds/paper leaves/etc to make napkin holder rings!<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/84935142945181811/">source</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/196891814930786315/">source</a></div>
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i guess i could use paper towel rolls if that made me feel better about it. but how cute would these be for a thanksgiving table? & the best part is they're recycled, nearly free, & you don't have to worry about them lasting forever. [if you do want them to last longer, i'm sure a cute wood or plastic set would work. i just recently saw cute brassy ones at the thrift store too!] but i like the look of the cardboard paper showing through.<br />
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what do you think...would you decorate your fall table with toilet paper rolls? hah!leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-18114887296332580072013-07-01T15:55:00.000-04:002013-07-22T15:56:30.272-04:00a story of three little faces...i've had a bit of unintentional silence for awhile here on the blog & also survived a lesson learned in staying updated on recording my projects here & backing up my photos...<br />
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the first reason for getting backed up was this little face, baby gunnar, who joined our wild crew on march 12th. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrS-zcowGboRTtN3qQIftJoElSrtlA0q2KJOrtX9gNW8ITVPlvGeAuOTstdX0ep7J7pi8cJi7Gy2Lo_Cq34VHcU_EcqHDKUJNpQxRqfWx5SKdN5bIndd3vVOTKqZH3gaR1RlWtIVctRxM/s1600/1+week+errands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrS-zcowGboRTtN3qQIftJoElSrtlA0q2KJOrtX9gNW8ITVPlvGeAuOTstdX0ep7J7pi8cJi7Gy2Lo_Cq34VHcU_EcqHDKUJNpQxRqfWx5SKdN5bIndd3vVOTKqZH3gaR1RlWtIVctRxM/s320/1+week+errands.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
he's now 4 months old & i'm just starting to truly feel like i'm coming up for air!<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">this little face was thrilled to welcome him in her handmade-by-mama stenciled shirt:</span></div>
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& this little face, my wild monkey who is just entering some terrible twos, decided to dunk mommy's cellphone in a glass of water like a cookie & all of the project photos on it are gone.</div>
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trickster that he is.</div>
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so instead of detailed tutorials & surprising before & afters, i have just a few scrapped together updates with the handful of photos i had saved in other places of all the crafty escapades i've been up to for the past several months. </div>
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live & learn i guess. back up those photos & never underestimate the destructive power of an inquisitive toddler! being a family of 5 is happy chaos for sure!</div>
leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-39882080849470017412013-03-28T15:15:00.000-04:002013-03-28T15:15:00.461-04:00anthro-inspired necklaces!these days i find myself in need of some jewelry to spruce up/outfit-ify the post-baby-whatever-fits look i have going- with some bead excess to burn & some anthropologie to inspire, i went for it!<br />
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since i started out my business-y crafting a few years ago with handmade jewelry i have a hard time giving myself 'permission' to buy new jewelry when i could hypothetically make it myself. normally i try not to directly copy another person's designs, but i figured using my own beads i had on hand would personalize these necklaces a bit & i've just had to face it that i'll never be buying originals from a store that charges a couple of hundred bucks per necklace. sorry, anthro. so here's what i came up with!<br />
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the inspiration:<br />
[anthro's pernilla]<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTls_4Gg8W_Sg1JgQjm2627nAqlDJzFNLOoQ7NboAhLMGcyWogFpuDWC5RDJj6tfsR2HYCrzhmrBWHj-hfDFiQafE35EH_50_3T4j6PlcOOPy-Ieb37ZnpMTqGeQZ00APYjvardR5nqyc/s1600/Pernilla-Necklace.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599632534915119522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTls_4Gg8W_Sg1JgQjm2627nAqlDJzFNLOoQ7NboAhLMGcyWogFpuDWC5RDJj6tfsR2HYCrzhmrBWHj-hfDFiQafE35EH_50_3T4j6PlcOOPy-Ieb37ZnpMTqGeQZ00APYjvardR5nqyc/s320/Pernilla-Necklace.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a>my version:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvC5C5RkKUvh-lG_kwxdfJnS_0vdowXr8XvIx5ToV9fZc6nur1TNfb-zrP4Y8d-CuKggYB54uV66t8Ne0pwinhyphenhyphendIlzQGUAnH70PmFBo0PFaDXLHLhNiiqdwNph9PbjjfpA_cURQZksT0/s1600/IMG_0459.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608866967158552530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvC5C5RkKUvh-lG_kwxdfJnS_0vdowXr8XvIx5ToV9fZc6nur1TNfb-zrP4Y8d-CuKggYB54uV66t8Ne0pwinhyphenhyphendIlzQGUAnH70PmFBo0PFaDXLHLhNiiqdwNph9PbjjfpA_cURQZksT0/s320/IMG_0459.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJxFTW_-ZZRmD3nIPsY4HtlXLYYDA1674cofDKKgSw18Z10trUkSfE-8cYqfNfS8VAxISkq1R9syTLkgISZaT7T1ML4dKjSz6eqht3VR_iIWxZkjLuKVx0aK0SRpaYUadqTe0npLGqheE/s1600/IMG_0437.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608866972804290770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJxFTW_-ZZRmD3nIPsY4HtlXLYYDA1674cofDKKgSw18Z10trUkSfE-8cYqfNfS8VAxISkq1R9syTLkgISZaT7T1ML4dKjSz6eqht3VR_iIWxZkjLuKVx0aK0SRpaYUadqTe0npLGqheE/s320/IMG_0437.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
here are two others i really liked - i have some similar beads that i think i could make something cute with!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoPeso7XNLQKqqNVYAv8IW2vncBe5qFvChkFw92Y6i_a6aR1jrI9bzQUJIUvI2P5nU2aVPM8HqAH-32Wa546PrMivyLMMx5oxL5nzThGFHz3YYHFDlcQTjHlEyTEfSWFLGkijimImywMr/s1600/anthrowoods-268x400.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599635512309912914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoPeso7XNLQKqqNVYAv8IW2vncBe5qFvChkFw92Y6i_a6aR1jrI9bzQUJIUvI2P5nU2aVPM8HqAH-32Wa546PrMivyLMMx5oxL5nzThGFHz3YYHFDlcQTjHlEyTEfSWFLGkijimImywMr/s320/anthrowoods-268x400.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdyUN0dwOkwTCy8HipUTDYQ9fWYv2jyEZAfXVXhKqm5pBv2YTNxctBFbiLx5oXNQBVdIhyVB_lGlFKgFhkqnO5LCj-S4BLKmhtpBWzHS0mHZ_B1jjZ1b__KfAgi8mcbLlnpTq_SNbFoHn/s1600/anthro+necklace.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599632528527300402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdyUN0dwOkwTCy8HipUTDYQ9fWYv2jyEZAfXVXhKqm5pBv2YTNxctBFbiLx5oXNQBVdIhyVB_lGlFKgFhkqnO5LCj-S4BLKmhtpBWzHS0mHZ_B1jjZ1b__KfAgi8mcbLlnpTq_SNbFoHn/s320/anthro+necklace.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a>coral just always says spring to me. i don't think you can beat jeans, a plain white tee & a pop of coral somewhere!<br />
happy spring!</div>
leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-3395793986005295372013-03-15T11:29:00.000-04:002013-03-15T11:29:00.377-04:00new town, new thrift!i mentioned <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-pre-move-home-tour.html">that we moved</a> to a completely new town back in october... one of the great things about small town living is checking out the new small business thrift places in the area! it's also been my fun escape from the stress of so much new [& anytime i get a little mommy-break in the afternoon] to wander & check out the local cool junk. i'm sure they thought i was casing the joint, walking around taking pictures with my cellphone, but i was armed & ready with the explanation that i''m a local blogger, new to town, & eager to share all their beauties with my readership! hopefully they can't argue with that. [truly, i think no one noticed/cared.<br />
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here are some of the fun stuff i've come across & had a hard time not bringing home with me:<br />
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this little chair is just the perfect shade of mustard. i keep going back to visit it... it's $70 which is not too terrible considering the perfect condition of the upholstery, but i can't quite pull the trigger. i do love it though, & it would be perfect for my<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2013/02/naked-lampshades.html"> little living room desk.</a><br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGL-tCC2lkn6D1a85_RCZfbGMCkAUumlayX24DUaSOeB1yZtfA27Kl-yd-uaQjoCVxChc_mnBZ6CFHNe0sAOfGwidBplqy4Yk9xysr_cEQzrfMf4Nw6bRin2Hg8OeR4cBJlLfa8kbtOw/s320/mustard+chair.jpg" /></div>
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i loved these hook racks, but for the price i think i'll have to diy- it looks like they are old cabinet doors painted pretty colors with big beautiful coat hooks. i actually already have something similar started for our little hallway that i'm trying to make into a mudroom of sorts. but i loved the colors of these & the 3rd one has burlap added! pretty.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5Kq4kY15S5qekiHhbBCsn4lmsuQMjtnjUvFaznosrj9DsZ8mIXvzLWlXU2ht0aa6Z7l0CDfd-0wEvqoc1JmbjaU2gCB4Wgecu86I0zg-1JHG5XDW_LQr5U4_98eDicuitnq11sc-3SM/s320/hook+shelf.jpg" /></div>
one of my favorite parts about a place with multiple booths is seeing how many different styles of display there are- & i especially like seeing creatively upcycled ideas! this booth had an old rake handle hung upside down holding wine glass stems. so pretty! i think if i did something similar i'd use it for big chunky necklaces instead, but with the glasses it would be a cool touch to a farmhouse/industrial kitchen wall.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdtabJc9jxuzi2Nlt7JYHoORyVBy0RgJs9aGs_XchUbqgkoU0tXOPJGBbFs7GIH4wk-TqooIHAEILthyW5j5cvNCiVtUv-ftX87tCVQVUvlgYZ9xzQGTfsnFsdUvwqEegBl87FMTb9XY/s320/rake+rack.jpg" /></div>
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here's one that did come home with me! i'd written about how much i loved <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/06/loving-some-ikea-recently.html">that scrolly ikea mirror</a> that everybody's doing such cool things with, so when i found this awesome similar one for only $18 bucks, it had to come home with me. i'm already in the process of <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/10/pinteresting-thrifty-candlesticks.html">spray painting it my favorite green</a> & i think i might hang it in the dining room- we may possibly re-do K's room in a paris theme when she gets a little bigger, in which case we'll move it over to hers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBNljeU7bZ7etRut2ar7bw_DbGJUrHh5rlJrNh6TTYPZexgjYC23oKoimsiTkLhkEpTjg4aHs6v6ZPppGXSJb1yvJhFAEReA-Iq_3uXgC1byVs3E-qvD5rm4WDiY3wcZyqJgGqAaxQso/s1600/IMG_4252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBNljeU7bZ7etRut2ar7bw_DbGJUrHh5rlJrNh6TTYPZexgjYC23oKoimsiTkLhkEpTjg4aHs6v6ZPppGXSJb1yvJhFAEReA-Iq_3uXgC1byVs3E-qvD5rm4WDiY3wcZyqJgGqAaxQso/s320/IMG_4252.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
if i was going to do a whole mirror wall like this awesome one, i'd have picked up this beauty too! i actually did text the photo to a friend to see if her little girl's room <i>needed</i> it.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cbshco8wlVIRQ8ZFo3astCBFeLIftxsHMEupKhs-S79EBTyQDTywk8j_YJrE4LjIM5m7Q1BLQflanIWjhf1SQYB40RL_dyHcUyX_ARix866jIMBdVCWHu3xbKBlb6VJEPPZu9m8b91U/s320/brassy+mirror.jpg" /></div>
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i also did buy this little set of 4 vintage clothespins for $1. i saw an adorable nativity ornament on pinterest that i'd like to make with them... & the price was right!</div>
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i very closely considered buying this little guy for toilet paper/extras storage in our little master bathroom corner, but hesitated because i didn't<i> love love</i> it & then it was gone. </div>
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thankfully, the one i did really love was this chippy off white iron one... i stalked it for a few weeks, & when i thought it was gone, i was sad. then i looked up & realized they had just moved it to a hanging spot from the ceiling! it even had gone on sale for just $15 & i snapped it up! i didn't get a photo of it in the store, but here it is hard at work storing our bathroom toiletries:<br />
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there was one booth in particular that had more obviously handmade stuff. i ended up accidentally running into the owner one day & got to meet her! i especially loved her burlap webbing & glitter chipboard letter banners [this one was back at thanksgiving] & lots of her stuff since then has been really cool. she's one of the first booths i go look at whenever i visit. always inspiring!<br />
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goodwill is farther away [& there's only one in town instead of the 2 we used to have nearby] so i haven't found as many scores there recently, but i do check as often as i'm able. i was laughing last night at how all of my lamps have been from goodwill, & i don't think I've ever paid more than $10 bucks!<br />
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what's your favorite recent thrifty score/discovery?leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-46634574624815622512013-02-15T15:02:00.001-05:002013-02-15T15:02:25.919-05:00we've got a pinterest kind of love.my husband laughs a little bit at how much i've... ahem... <i>utilized</i> the very special entity that is <a href="http://pinterest.com/">pinterest</a>. while i do think it can be a bit of a trap you get stuck in, pinning idea after idea, beautiful visual inspiration ad nauseum, it can also be a great jumping off point for your own ideas. [or a great resource for something you really are at a loss at, like me & cooking!]<br />
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well. truthfully, i constantly think of him with many of the ideas i see, & when i found myself pinning about 4 or 5 little ideas for his valentine, i decided this was the year for small & homemade instead of trying to decide what was the best & most affordable gift from his amazon wish list. i think once packaged all together, they turned out sweet, thoughtful, & a little cheesy, just like a valentine should be!<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoa3HSIqGTrsXthrgF6qsivglcjPJm2B22GhLgbdkDdQqx2WE1baH6tpuN-ZVa5D2X7Kh685wEMuAfFyLNB6RrNV5Z_BS3U_tnZ-XAeHzA-SsythEKRZgvfk5GtcabKrJOAvPa8m9KLAk/s320/IMG_4358.JPG" /></div>
first things first, i saw this card. it can be tough to find a manly valentine card & i really loved it because of the vellum envelope & simplicity. i tweaked it a little by using a kraft notecard i already had and ended up writing the little phrase since i couldn't find my tiny letter stamps at the last minute. also, we just moved so i thought it had a sweet extra meaning- we've had some really cool travels together & i would follow this man to the ends of the earth & he knows it.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCdc2DvwViFDhdpCqjuGCeeaXLZyRvU0wcNCYJNzq5GRJVCbmjkcKJo8srNZYBigc-53VE6c7oSSfVhvyI5-yxuOQcbEK-5LG2Z3QMawDiyY1mfusDSmeB9zk3Oc2SLB59qgll4tSvLE/s320/IMG_4373.JPG" /></div>
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original idea seen via <a href="http://swoonstudio.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentine-giveaway.html">swoon</a></div>
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i know the 'i dig you' shovel with candy is a little kiddo-ish, but it immediately made me think of him because it was one of the first things he said to me right before we started dating that indicated he was interested in being more than just friends. the shovel came with a little bucket from the dollar tree [yellow is his favorite color] & i made a simple little shipping tag for it.<br />
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the idea is apparently originally from <a href="http://torispelling.com/blog/post/valentines-day-creative-kids-crafts">tori spelling's craft blog</a>... who knew, right?</div>
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next were some fun little valentine mad libs, idea via a blog appropriately enough called <a href="http://www.dinneralovestory.com/mad-lib-valentine/">dinner & a love story</a>. we had done some in the car recently & these ones were more like a middle-of-your-busy-life love note- pretty appropriate for us right now. i printed out 2 copies & had one ready that i had filled out & one for him to fill out about me. i packaged them in little glassine envelopes with little kraft labels to indicate who's who & we traded and read them during dinner.<br />
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there were a couple of other little things i wanted to add, like cheerwine in a glass bottle, but in the end i added some of his favorite candy & was happy with how it turned out.<br />
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ironically enough, pinterest also played a role in the epic gift he got for me! first off- i'm a strictly target/payless/old navy kind of gal when it comes to shoes. i don't spend much, so i rarely get good quality. i'd been complaining about how i'm wearing out all of my favorite shoes & how few of them fit right now while i'm pregnant, so my sweet husband went straight to my <a href="http://pinterest.com/leafandletter/pretty-to-wear/">pretty to wear board</a> & saw these awesome <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/139752394658932946/">yellow nine west</a> stunners:<br />
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he even did a little sleuthing to make sure what size i'm currently wearing & look what was waiting for me right after breakfast:<br />
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real shoes. foot <i>perfection</i> in butter soft real leather, mustard yellow.<br />
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i do so love this guy. happy valentine's day!<br />
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<br />leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-12796152537266298882013-02-11T12:11:00.000-05:002013-02-15T12:12:27.155-05:00heart decorations!i wrote about all the <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2013/02/valentine-inspiration.html">beautiful valentine images</a> that are inspiring me right now, so here are the ways i incorporated some of them into our decor & celebration this year!<br />
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i lost our great big mantle when we moved, so this little crown molding shelf in our dining room is where i do <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/11/fall-mantle-in-new-house.html">our seasonal decorating</a>. i actually love how clean & simple it turned out for a little valentine love!<br />
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i kept it simple [& cheap!] by using mason jars, paper doilies & some red baker's twine. the foam glitter heart was from hobby lobby with a 40% coupon & the felt hearts were actually christmas decor that i bought super cheap after christmas from target one year!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc04E11dFqFCiJ-Zic4e33dbPmm1PC2DTzBmqhlyLmSaq2R9fwY4KgG9VqSfkVBD0l4iEgKFTVQqd30hyZmgqA8KVolAJveFpjmlU3V7n3ERfqNJW283-0AUl_FJx_JcxcO1GBjsU3tkk/s1600/IMG_4346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc04E11dFqFCiJ-Zic4e33dbPmm1PC2DTzBmqhlyLmSaq2R9fwY4KgG9VqSfkVBD0l4iEgKFTVQqd30hyZmgqA8KVolAJveFpjmlU3V7n3ERfqNJW283-0AUl_FJx_JcxcO1GBjsU3tkk/s320/IMG_4346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
the dining room window got a little love too with a felt & burlap heart garland that was $2.50 at target this year. i love it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5D_AT0U3X_4Wwrdjv9QUEhUHGhrZrbJpa6Szd5WR0hGHoBZpzGpAYbqXH3fmvkEsWBawg5S7wiNug05YghRNynkbfWWiKnoN4RbuD9foBUSn2Xky1tzONQAMaXmw7DcHkYm4EOT4Og0E/s1600/IMG_4371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5D_AT0U3X_4Wwrdjv9QUEhUHGhrZrbJpa6Szd5WR0hGHoBZpzGpAYbqXH3fmvkEsWBawg5S7wiNug05YghRNynkbfWWiKnoN4RbuD9foBUSn2Xky1tzONQAMaXmw7DcHkYm4EOT4Og0E/s320/IMG_4371.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
it's the kind of thing i definitely could have made, but for $2.50 it was much wiser for me to just buy it & not add another unfinished project to the stack- i'm trying to be better about that. the felt is a little stiff so it keeps its shape & the 'burlap' is actually unbleached cotton that has a bit of a see through look when hung on the window:<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIIa6_hNF69rYZJMOoQAlh8Qc25Cez10mMWGPq_6ZHSFjKCGteQKyyIXwQtJqKB_FTJnSxTokATyGLSmyv8rnD35hVaN1odsyTReHgTQL6u162qdsxAPBZGyj12uZVB5ip8hnkRI0T1w/s320/IMG_4372.JPG" /></div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhBj3XE5zbE-2qdCgnz8XiuyRFv_lX6wzKpDTN8Xid1ftGVhuSZSLI15D-bA5SF6Q_yO5XauCxMRI72yG5xpy9_dMvCQuxz_DwqUkSlGT1ELe4h2Q458It_ykrs9pDU9ebd8stoVCprQ/s320/IMG_4368.JPG" /></div>
our kitchen chalkboard also got a new verse & i tried out the chalk pen i got for christmas. it will take some practice i'm sure, but we love having scripture right there where we see it all day, every day.<br />
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what is your favorite thing about love/heart decorations? did you do something unusual this year? i think next year i might try a different color scheme, like this green/orange/teal mantle along with the traditional red & pink:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_APIzELg524s/TTS5lua9H-I/AAAAAAAAK4c/TK63kWu7_yg/DSC_0898-1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_APIzELg524s/TTS5lua9H-I/AAAAAAAAK4c/TK63kWu7_yg/DSC_0898-1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.crapivemade.com/2011/01/valentines-day-bunting.html">source</a></div>
<br />leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-97107581221890972013-02-07T22:52:00.003-05:002013-02-07T22:53:24.733-05:00valentine inspiration!i'm working on getting all the snowflakes taken down & the valentine's decor put up tonight, so i thought i'd share a couple of the pinterest ideas that are visually inspiring me right now. i'm trying to be better about using what i have rather than thinking i need to go out & buy a ton of new stuff for each holiday- & if i do, letting it be a $1 pack of doilies or something like that. i mean really, most of us have an empty jar or 2 around & i'm pretty convinced there's nothing a mason jar & some baker's twine can't make pretty!<br />
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i'm not huge on valentine's anyway, possibly because i always seem to be expecting a baby the first week of march, which leaves valentine's in the late-pregnancy, no-energy,8 months preggo mama stage. here are some of my past valentine projects i did manage to finish:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5gfQNuL408BpXpytpjZx6DcxTmVcybg_VYnA43SfES6k0uc6SJmKH12DlAomwLS_sjBB7HNXVHM24MeJq8wK7tPuCSgwY1iPfreOkTiT1t85HOOEHwsr2PEGkgvfdNxYLxNPgKyuPuiS/s1600/IMG_4776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5gfQNuL408BpXpytpjZx6DcxTmVcybg_VYnA43SfES6k0uc6SJmKH12DlAomwLS_sjBB7HNXVHM24MeJq8wK7tPuCSgwY1iPfreOkTiT1t85HOOEHwsr2PEGkgvfdNxYLxNPgKyuPuiS/s320/IMG_4776.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/02/valentine-sweets-for-my-sweet.html">stenciled love brownie</a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92KLt2y3NyGNbeF5-4-8Ta4yTSjNT6fnDOYRCxSRyyD0E-D60as0CaQcPckTDkcKsqDHLsOPlxdSDYVO50Mf4NjS01s0l6lbeUm-MV-2ipG3zvIZoeUCzBYPvwm0b0v7mRBUz4CA_JKmg/s320/IMG_2553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92KLt2y3NyGNbeF5-4-8Ta4yTSjNT6fnDOYRCxSRyyD0E-D60as0CaQcPckTDkcKsqDHLsOPlxdSDYVO50Mf4NjS01s0l6lbeUm-MV-2ipG3zvIZoeUCzBYPvwm0b0v7mRBUz4CA_JKmg/s320/IMG_2553.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentine-bomb.html">valentine wreath</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPFAqWSWlZyAIIlKP8XBMUy4Uumu7rm8ZFyRq30Nu_YG2aAahxHDdZ-eRfZC40ExcqB45Y_rPbuinVq6WL5JODXdy0vSWm3t6qwRoZUU0u5ZsY-RwR-N3074OqtlB75s2o4frjt9NXLqv/s1600/IMG_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPFAqWSWlZyAIIlKP8XBMUy4Uumu7rm8ZFyRq30Nu_YG2aAahxHDdZ-eRfZC40ExcqB45Y_rPbuinVq6WL5JODXdy0vSWm3t6qwRoZUU0u5ZsY-RwR-N3074OqtlB75s2o4frjt9NXLqv/s320/IMG_0115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentines-that-were.html">scribbly layered kiddo valentines</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXHn_k6Z0u0zZguhP71GMkv7pt9Z-WDaCENbFu4MlaignzL9W5JCpu6LTEk7hhhOOW77INnHDxSlfp0TjATEJ510izb6jUIQbdnjIsyW6R37LAKwNCExwHgVC6KX4XphbutItzx_U5pTy/s320/IMG_4392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXHn_k6Z0u0zZguhP71GMkv7pt9Z-WDaCENbFu4MlaignzL9W5JCpu6LTEk7hhhOOW77INnHDxSlfp0TjATEJ510izb6jUIQbdnjIsyW6R37LAKwNCExwHgVC6KX4XphbutItzx_U5pTy/s320/IMG_4392.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/02/hearts-on-string.html">felted & crocheted heart garland</a></div>
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i did 'splurge' a tiny bit when i saw how amazing everything in the dollar spot section of target was this year. we don't live anywhere near a target anymore, so whenever i'm there it's even more of an exercise in self control! i was having a really hard time when i found red & white baker's twine, heart & flag shaped kraft paper stickers, & a red & pink felt & burlap heart garland! they were speaking my language:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQWv9A3puZSsMWe3S8ZSw-IiXeRINE4u5csMPbfngYF7BTZEyKACcs_IZrUpkqzJqXg7KF1WpmUxU1t-M2Yu9_S1tpcQ4VHTKl9ZmdzZIpIvlnEJaZocF5eyKpXSYNqBDiXG2-8sWesw/s1600/target+valentines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQWv9A3puZSsMWe3S8ZSw-IiXeRINE4u5csMPbfngYF7BTZEyKACcs_IZrUpkqzJqXg7KF1WpmUxU1t-M2Yu9_S1tpcQ4VHTKl9ZmdzZIpIvlnEJaZocF5eyKpXSYNqBDiXG2-8sWesw/s320/target+valentines.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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so here's some eye candy if you will [pun intended!] to get you in a valentine's kind of mood as you decorate:<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550/7f/00/c0/7f00c0d9ecff2201b5a3e247e404674c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550/7f/00/c0/7f00c0d9ecff2201b5a3e247e404674c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/55802482854980384/">source</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/517069600936998820/">source</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/139752394658355138/">source</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/131730357822782494/">source</a></div>
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shew. don't all of those make you want to just buy/make/eat every single one? i do. although, you might be very unlike me & already have all your valentine's decorating done!<br />
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[ps- i didn't test each individual pin, so if it doesn't take you to the very original, i do apologize!]<br />
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apparently i was extra inspired by valentine's in 2011 (even though i didn't make much myself) considering i made 2 of these inspiration lists that year!<br />
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<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/01/valentines-ideas.html">valentine's inspiration list #1</a><br />
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/02/loving-lately.html">valentine's inspiration list #2</a><br />
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leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-53225329015570815902013-02-01T11:17:00.000-05:002013-02-07T11:17:37.684-05:00naked lampshades.i've written quite a bit in the past <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-difference-shade-makes.html">about lampshades</a>... it's not that i'm obsessed with them or anything, i just find it strange that a simple affordable one is so difficult to find. whenever i buy <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/03/look-for-less-lamp-lovely.html">vintage or thrifted lamps</a>, the lampshades that come with them are almost always damaged or terribly out of date. & i'm a firm believer that updating the shade takes the whole lamp from strange goodwill find to chic new-to-me lamp!<br />
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so. i did finally find some completely plain white ones for about $15 at target. good size, great price, but they stayed plain as i never could really figure out what to do with them. cover them in fabric? stencil a pattern in fabric paint? start over with some <a href="http://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=ikat+lampshade&category=0%7CAll%7Cmatchallpartial%7Call+categories">really cute ikat ones</a> i wish i'd seen first?<br />
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i was trying to figure out a temporary & non-permanent solution until i decided & this is what i came up with. i had some book pages lying around from christmas crafting that were about the same height as the shade. i added some mini clothespins to keep them on & thought it turned out pretty cute!</div>
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this is the odd little corner i'm still trying to fill up now that our christmas tree isn't there anymore:</div>
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& my little temporary solution:<br />
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yep! just clipped up there! still a little more neutral than i'd like, but at least now there's a little something interesting going on with my <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/09/little-blue-tables.html">little thrifted brown wooden lamp</a>.<br />
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what is your favorite go-to fix for temporarily giving something some color or texture?leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-18965228753391056392013-01-31T12:59:00.000-05:002013-01-31T12:59:37.362-05:00january organizing.what is it about january that makes you want to pull everything out of your house, either clean it or get rid of it & then put it back all beautifully organized & color-coded? maybe it's just me. i usually get a major cleaning & organizing bug right after christmas instead of at 'spring cleaning' time. this year, yet again, there's a bit of baby nesting in the mix- 6 weeks or less to go!<br />
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this is actually a project i did a few months ago before we moved, but january felt like a good time to share it in case the organizing bug has bitten you too. remember when <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/08/watch-out-world.html">i labeled all our kiddo crafty stuff</a>? that's when i discovered this cool organizer/container that my dad's wife [a jewelry designer] was using to store her bead projects-in-progress. it is a <a href="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/clear-extra-large-photo-keeper-287482/">"photo and craft keeper</a>," essentially a plastic suitcase with a handle full of little removable sections made for 4x6 photos. each section & the whole suitcase itself snaps together really securely! i immediately started thinking about all the things that could be organized in it...<br />
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i held my breath the first time i tried to put one of the chunkier puzzles in a little section- i'm just ocd enough to be annoyed by one puzzle having to live somewhere else when all of the rest of them are nicely organized in one container!<br />
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it has even held the 100 piece ones we usually get at the dollar tree. i tear off the edge of the box that shows the finished picture & the number of pieces- you can tuck it right into the section with the puzzle. and kiddos can take one puzzle out at a time to work on it rather than dumping all the puzzles into a big ridiculous mess of lost pieces.<br />
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currently ours is storing 5 sets of flashcards & memory/matching card games, 6 puzzles & we still have 5 empty slots to fill as we need them! that's way better than a bunch of torn up cardboard boxes that the puzzles come in, constantly losing pieces & trying to organize those boxes neatly in one place.<br />
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my favorite part? it fits <i>perfectly</i> on the shelf of an <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40047675/">expedit</a>. you could even fit 2 side by side!<br />
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see it hiding there on the top right cube at our old house?<br />
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i'm kind-of hoarding these little suitcase containers now- i get them at michael's with a 40% off coupon. i have this one in the playroom, have already gotten one to use for my own jewelry & beading project-in-progress & i'm thinking about getting one to start getting our photos out of cardboard boxes & at least protected, if not organized. but i know the photos will probably take several containers, so i haven't even started on that!<br />
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maybe next january...leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-548146161900769162013-01-21T21:19:00.000-05:002013-01-26T22:22:11.443-05:0010 crafty things i always buy at the dollar tree!i figured while everybody is jumping on the january organizing bandwagon, i'd share some of my favorite dollar store finds while you're there getting organizing stuff! i admit, i'm particular about my dollar store shopping... it has to be the <a href="http://www.dollartree.com/">dollar tree</a>! i'm almost always pleased with their quality & they have a good variety of regular stuff & a few surprises for each season. it's not unusual to find dollar tree bags hanging out in my car or on my table when i come home from a 'supplies' trip!<br />
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here are the 10 things that seem to always follow me home from the dollar store:<br />
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1- wreath forms<br />
these are a little skinny & always need some fluffage to make them really nice & full, but they are oh so much cheaper than the ones at craft stores! there is just so much possibility for all the things you can glue to them to fatten them up & bring them to wreath-y wonderfulness. i can't help but keep 4 or 5 of these wicker wonders hanging on a hook in my craft room basically at all times! [sometimes they have small foam ones, but i find those to be much more illusive.]<br />
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here are some wreaths i've made with dollar tree bases:<br />
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/03/dollar-store-wreath-1.html">fabric covered egg wreath</a>:<br />
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scalloped<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/04/dollar-store-wreath-3.html"> paper lunch bag wreath</a>:<br />
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<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/01/snowball-pom-pom-wreath.html">snowball pom pom wreath</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVt-DD5mXWFNe4BHUzMs0E8R_HcfnEfNjNO45_zPQx7ZYONH2eKJKAW8yEShlZJTCzDavFiyDpPkypm5n5JIW0mYgt6nwJLYLRsXAxyEGmclgsAa-9nzEs2877wxf9qk-QQqLS96hGvFp2/s320/IMG_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVt-DD5mXWFNe4BHUzMs0E8R_HcfnEfNjNO45_zPQx7ZYONH2eKJKAW8yEShlZJTCzDavFiyDpPkypm5n5JIW0mYgt6nwJLYLRsXAxyEGmclgsAa-9nzEs2877wxf9qk-QQqLS96hGvFp2/s320/IMG_0063.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br />
2- metal hooks<br />
i'm not sure if these are a new item or not, but i feel like i just recently discovered them... & oh the ideas i have swarming with them! they're only $1 & they come in gold & silver, but you can spray paint them pretty much any color [including oil rubbed bronze] to make them look much pricier than they are. stay tuned for a couple of fun projects i have in mind for these!<br />
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3- foam stickers<br />
these are a quick & easy 'good behavior' treat that i can let my kiddos pick out- & they love them! they have a good variety [we've even come across the glitter ones!] in a quantity that would be much more expensive in the big craft stores. besides just using them as stickers, we also made <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/09/pinteresting-foam-stampers.html">tiny foam stampers</a> out of them!<br />
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4- sidewalk chalk<br />
both my kids super big puffy heart<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/10/crafts-for-non-crafty.html"> love sidewalk chalk</a> & i like having another great non-candy snack i can indulge them in when they've been good on an errand trip. i actually like the soft texture of them better than the more expensive brands like crayola & it comes in little 4 packs of 4 sticks for just a buck! we keep it in a big bucket with our porch/backyard toys & i've even used it on my <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/04/frame-to-chalkboard.html">dining room chalkboard</a>.<br />
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5- kiddo craft supplies<br />
in addition to sidewalk chalk, they also carry lots of other great crafty supplies for kiddos! pom poms, foam shapes, shaped sponges, paint brushes, wood shapes, picture frames, markers, crayons, & notebooks are all things we've bought one time or another! it's easy to put several together to give as <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-make-toddler-craft-kit.html">toddler craft kit gifts</a>! you don't have to feel bad about amassing a great kiddo crafting stash when the whole thing cost just a few bucks.<br />
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almost all the same things also work great for <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/">operation christmas child</a> boxes, if your family does those! this has become one of our favorite ministries & traditions, we try to do them every year & always have a funny story. it becomes even more fun as our kids start to understand why we do them!<br />
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6- other 'hardware' stuff!<br />
it seems like every time i'm there, there's something else that jumps out at me from the hardware section of the aisle- cotton twine, a little spool of jute, clothespins, floral tape, & non-slip rug mats! there's lots of fun things you can think outside the box with- here is <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/06/pinteresting-fabric-wrapped-chandelier.html">a ribbon chandelier i made</a> out of a dollar tree wire trash can!<br />
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6- glass vases<br />
the internets are literally overflowing with seasonal & special occasion centerpieces/decor to be made on the cheap with dollar store glass vases! seriously, a quick search will bring up at least eleventy billion [actual statistic]. here are some projects i've made with them:<br />
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-budget-christmas-decor-candy-canes.html">candy cane vase</a><br />
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<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-2010.html">easy mantle decor</a> -just add branches & twinkly lights! or table decor!<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/139752394656431843/">pinterest-inspired</a> cupcake liner storage<br />
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<br />
7- baskets! all kinds of baskets/bins/buckets.<br />
dollar tree has come through for me about a billion times when it comes to needing an inexpensive way to store multiple little things in different places. we have their plastic baskets organizing something in almost every room of the house!<br />
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they're especially great for kids' rooms, not only since they usually have all the little trinket-y stuff, but also because they come in so many pretty colors! here are a few examples:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78EP8om8OOOLOQI_jsP3h2JDnYfHWC5G2Edl7DTjnvmfocI5mToAPiijeoMWl2s8Qw3T8Rg_nZYGwswb1gtEqWGyF37beMZa-bgSMXWYfeJypT-1A46_B8md_tOFdeWrk8Ga8KfBWHCM/s320/IMG_1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78EP8om8OOOLOQI_jsP3h2JDnYfHWC5G2Edl7DTjnvmfocI5mToAPiijeoMWl2s8Qw3T8Rg_nZYGwswb1gtEqWGyF37beMZa-bgSMXWYfeJypT-1A46_B8md_tOFdeWrk8Ga8KfBWHCM/s320/IMG_1254.JPG" /></a></div>
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8- lots of seasonal decor!<br />
dollar tree has some tried & true favorites they bring back every year, but they also have a couple of surprise elements each year. here are some things i've made seasonal crafts with from the dollar tree in the past:<br />
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styrofoam floral supplies into <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/12/12-days-of-christmas-diy-day-3.html">flippy bookpage trees</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fuhUiUOHXNdb7LQt8hEE0L7c6BVftMiC3-mJPub60rR79in5w68iDNwX-jMZ7fyOE27plIJOQTQvDB2QN96pYkKN3uJx2N8LFh522j5vv1zo1EoecqLKFIWTCCgdN8-49Tt-Y2SZRSM/s320/tree2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fuhUiUOHXNdb7LQt8hEE0L7c6BVftMiC3-mJPub60rR79in5w68iDNwX-jMZ7fyOE27plIJOQTQvDB2QN96pYkKN3uJx2N8LFh522j5vv1zo1EoecqLKFIWTCCgdN8-49Tt-Y2SZRSM/s320/tree2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCR_d9YgRzRCDqXw5OGf4VqFOqgozQfVrT8oFbhfsZfKf4-T6tFWGqYU2z1YiCGDhNLUr8xfCHFmqKXVLyehn317ER2hsiaABhqCPghrBq-Sf3vbdW2Ksvw6WBwlVg5llhHHCt_AaAkU/s320/IMG_20121214_110812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCR_d9YgRzRCDqXw5OGf4VqFOqgozQfVrT8oFbhfsZfKf4-T6tFWGqYU2z1YiCGDhNLUr8xfCHFmqKXVLyehn317ER2hsiaABhqCPghrBq-Sf3vbdW2Ksvw6WBwlVg5llhHHCt_AaAkU/s320/IMG_20121214_110812.jpg" /></a></div>
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cardboard party hats into <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/01/on-cheap-winter-trees.html">winter table trees</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvTuiChHYPHyLcUgZpNF-u3la9moDgrUCkEIhk-IsFRDydVrCtpo87Fz-FFmD2embhnjEypXVBem5bLrOS2dlIwNxtgpKrSCMo-KuIA8J06ulZ3mALY_pQsINrkv2YZRXHG1RmogNX7h5/s320/IMG_4046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvTuiChHYPHyLcUgZpNF-u3la9moDgrUCkEIhk-IsFRDydVrCtpo87Fz-FFmD2embhnjEypXVBem5bLrOS2dlIwNxtgpKrSCMo-KuIA8J06ulZ3mALY_pQsINrkv2YZRXHG1RmogNX7h5/s320/IMG_4046.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-5OH2CKDFZOxVPCj7h_VuQJSo34tK0yXVQgDRxHCtUOFPtwE6RgDq0jegm0H54gqwFuqv_TrSMkM4YAQBxCcjcgCZjtgfjigS028-1P_B9kk4_E94_bNqGYxDYmI79Q1cTm6dW58ODz_/s320/IMG_4367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-5OH2CKDFZOxVPCj7h_VuQJSo34tK0yXVQgDRxHCtUOFPtwE6RgDq0jegm0H54gqwFuqv_TrSMkM4YAQBxCcjcgCZjtgfjigS028-1P_B9kk4_E94_bNqGYxDYmI79Q1cTm6dW58ODz_/s320/IMG_4367.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrepNGJ-FzhTlqKfFVUM0K9AMVwMHmX4qXo8LHQQpKzNMD-lsIlmJfeX3ZvcNMlIwED9i3OT40ZioAYSrhvPOQFfjoHV41cZH3BG8xjD0FqIZL1PEBkVTgvQ54CI4Ozvsqdq_6-AlIkr8/s320/IMG_2225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrepNGJ-FzhTlqKfFVUM0K9AMVwMHmX4qXo8LHQQpKzNMD-lsIlmJfeX3ZvcNMlIwED9i3OT40ZioAYSrhvPOQFfjoHV41cZH3BG8xjD0FqIZL1PEBkVTgvQ54CI4Ozvsqdq_6-AlIkr8/s320/IMG_2225.JPG" /></a></div>
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cheapo garland & glitter snowflake into <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2009/12/winter-porch.html">christmas porch trees</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbD5G0ST8VhO-yL5kAYgyiJ7lAcg_0KPQJVWar3uPFXYoLsVxuHJ4r92cA3YESmgtoR4ZoLMR0e4tLRfQq6qinIYZgCrvFOjP2mv3ZMtlvYvBTn02zBQlquZpJSLK2LyRjcFzSda1QOru/s1600/IMG_4041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbD5G0ST8VhO-yL5kAYgyiJ7lAcg_0KPQJVWar3uPFXYoLsVxuHJ4r92cA3YESmgtoR4ZoLMR0e4tLRfQq6qinIYZgCrvFOjP2mv3ZMtlvYvBTn02zBQlquZpJSLK2LyRjcFzSda1QOru/s320/IMG_4041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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styrofoam pumpkins into <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/10/almost-unpaintable-pumpkins.html">painted twine pumpkins</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-UYLQm7v8fL_LjQJbPrPBD-DUiwNvAl2Gb2Q3nK5gxfKVgYvfNHhDIXJA2-7edW7eSrw84kT71F6oOBY2nFZ-9AvgPap9l5a3-lbQDy75gjFcxfni3xu_9X6D0bIkEuz00KplDiVofV1/s1600/IMG_1357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-UYLQm7v8fL_LjQJbPrPBD-DUiwNvAl2Gb2Q3nK5gxfKVgYvfNHhDIXJA2-7edW7eSrw84kT71F6oOBY2nFZ-9AvgPap9l5a3-lbQDy75gjFcxfni3xu_9X6D0bIkEuz00KplDiVofV1/s320/IMG_1357.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFY-ZDFAuIGK6K9hN5-ruZPby5y4jwYeOuzeXjeou40NqFUNAS5qgjYm5py_iXyU8uPHaYaGWTDHfJGdLhqCHEHqIde1ShbugHrvIS0CNcvF9uLwcQFmea3lp0wsoQUaWLQLsd19QxI9AF/s320/IMG_1456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFY-ZDFAuIGK6K9hN5-ruZPby5y4jwYeOuzeXjeou40NqFUNAS5qgjYm5py_iXyU8uPHaYaGWTDHfJGdLhqCHEHqIde1ShbugHrvIS0CNcvF9uLwcQFmea3lp0wsoQUaWLQLsd19QxI9AF/s320/IMG_1456.JPG" /></a></div>
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9- clothespins & thumbtacks<br />
pinterest is absolutely brimming with cute clothespin ideas- i use them for lots of little jobs around the house. both kinds of thumbtacks are ready & waiting at the dollar tree- the clear plastic tipped ones that i use in a pinch to hang lightweight things on the wall & the flat gold ones that look like nailheads.<br />
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the <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2009/12/on-cheap-card-clip-wreath.html">clothespin wreath</a> i made was a fun project, all you need is ribbon, and embroidery hoop & clothespins:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Hfj8f9wmHw1WpCAun-c7mU2qowJdarh-VKdmC1Ifw7VasifPi4_mL39_TzgXwSdDA45ZGzTktPXm7-ZU3QAgdgJ5nqjXsOqyXZNuncqWomM7Z4LfCfn8eiSG59WYMT2z1QXRxUk9ARi3/s320/IMG_4108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Hfj8f9wmHw1WpCAun-c7mU2qowJdarh-VKdmC1Ifw7VasifPi4_mL39_TzgXwSdDA45ZGzTktPXm7-ZU3QAgdgJ5nqjXsOqyXZNuncqWomM7Z4LfCfn8eiSG59WYMT2z1QXRxUk9ARi3/s320/IMG_4108.JPG" /></a></div>
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this is a clear thumbtack that somehow accidentally got hit with some spray paint, but you know what i mean:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJsLUfAsmMRYBRLrkjCFdw5zsZPEoxSlbLBzUehnuUXm7kkch6HKY3QsyJu_ZSQyObkjR6_rZD4918ItTw9GXueLOszIe_JFNhJ01cpbordQtvp5ScJ5j-hb0TrsKSXCnTIT2_jr37s_z/s1600/IMG_4065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJsLUfAsmMRYBRLrkjCFdw5zsZPEoxSlbLBzUehnuUXm7kkch6HKY3QsyJu_ZSQyObkjR6_rZD4918ItTw9GXueLOszIe_JFNhJ01cpbordQtvp5ScJ5j-hb0TrsKSXCnTIT2_jr37s_z/s320/IMG_4065.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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you can line the edges of a fabric-wrapped cork board to fancy it up:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqemk-zxkaVOfzRppiEd7WrowBE4ahQkfgtjGqz7M6FTCcelpUP9XeaGNaCwT2_fAG6R6durCcgDHJq-qeHimhGBFsTvaBruDv5RJJ7OcfFk5hJsIMay5OMnaDWvK2Tgz7sKHywxazermL/s1600/IMG_2208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqemk-zxkaVOfzRppiEd7WrowBE4ahQkfgtjGqz7M6FTCcelpUP9XeaGNaCwT2_fAG6R6durCcgDHJq-qeHimhGBFsTvaBruDv5RJJ7OcfFk5hJsIMay5OMnaDWvK2Tgz7sKHywxazermL/s320/IMG_2208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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you can even cut off the pointy part of the tack & hot glue them on if need be, like i did for my front door <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/12/12-days-of-christmas-diy-day-8.html">diy barn star</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVID-QVMAgpeaT_w1SFNSa1yYQ9sBEIC2U_WRVY8HEa8sV58YytGajxyuIFxIbcrPCGHjPQ0O6E4iYBKZa4yqFnT2YNVu6lqbclwc2gIkh5z5Ukw8W2750_nYkzgWbckbumE5zoKNFhA/s320/barn+star+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVID-QVMAgpeaT_w1SFNSa1yYQ9sBEIC2U_WRVY8HEa8sV58YytGajxyuIFxIbcrPCGHjPQ0O6E4iYBKZa4yqFnT2YNVu6lqbclwc2gIkh5z5Ukw8W2750_nYkzgWbckbumE5zoKNFhA/s320/barn+star+door.jpg" /></a></div>
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10- birthday & party favor supplies!<br />
the dollar tree especially is a great place for party supplies- they have themed plates/napkins/utensils etc but usually i just stick to the solid colored ones in a coordinating color. that keeps the party from being too character/themed & you can also use the leftovers for other parties or get togethers later. i've also had good luck with their gift wrap and candy/baked goods giving baggies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4K6nUC5QAYit3GTWge3GCSZi8bleDIu6IYoBOryOwqulEszfBdVeMgHgSehj_khAH_LloCckdT6EUMeidb0-TnLVyGsGODsJxXBL-DYp92C2tz64_SA1hSHNFpaOXi4M9mzMH-5Q6hKE/s1600/2012-12-04_12-55-48_774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4K6nUC5QAYit3GTWge3GCSZi8bleDIu6IYoBOryOwqulEszfBdVeMgHgSehj_khAH_LloCckdT6EUMeidb0-TnLVyGsGODsJxXBL-DYp92C2tz64_SA1hSHNFpaOXi4M9mzMH-5Q6hKE/s320/2012-12-04_12-55-48_774.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
very related to kiddo crafty supplies, the dollar tree is also my first stop when it comes to party favors [& some decor!] for my kids' birthday parties. almost every party i've done so far, if it has had a party favor, the stuff in it & even the container has usually been from dollar tree! 2 exceptions were my daughter's <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/11/sweet-shop-birthday.html">sweet shop party</a> where the favors were just bags of serve-yourself candy & my son's bear party where the favors were little stuffed bears from target's dollar spot.<br />
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ps- i was not paid or perked for writing the above... just love me some dollar tree! i also love the target 'dollar spot' & other places like dollar general for fun crafty decor & seasonal cheap stuff. [although, i noticed the other day that target's dollar spot used to have things either for $1 or $2.50 & now they've raised the $2.50 stuff to $3. bummer! they must be catching on to us thrifty crafters!]leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-80265665203104397752013-01-15T17:14:00.001-05:002013-01-15T17:14:24.260-05:00pillow ideas!pillow tutorials abound in the crafty world, & it really is true that they're a super quick, easy & fun simple sewing project that can totally spruce up a room! the problem i have though, is that if i'm going to take the time to make a pillow, i want it to be sturdy & washable & not the simple envelope closure style- i want a zipper.<br />
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zippers intimidate me. thus, my problem.<br />
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our living room has a set of very neutral beige colored sofas. i've been wanting to spruce them up with lots of pillows with a mix of bright patterns & some fun typography [big letters or numbers] for probably years now. i also keep holding out hope that i'll find just the right thing for almost-free on some magical clearance rack somewhere. it's actually probably good that i haven't taken the plunge yet, because pillows seem to be a thing i change my mind on quite frequently design-wise & i just can't bring myself to pay $25 per pillow, even though that's reasonable for just one.<br />
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i did make this <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-stella-got-her-craft-back.html">one little leafy guy</a> that i love the look of, but i made it with thin quilting cotton & you got it... an envelope closure. i've been planning for forever to go back & add some batting [so the feathers of the feather pillow inside don't keep coming out] & a zipper in the back [so the cover will actually stay on the pillow. details.]<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5H0mcwSxL0kI3brP-KHytHnTD1dcYlYEfgNK-2GI0xY8mo0bYQ9etCV852_qFmTpvVEv8Gyeq10Akuu5QFcPE_KF2OIvIO6SQDjPCl3IzL-DZbnuj_-tm3t8x8g-HSLTCypdIyBOWmTG/s320/IMG_3773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5H0mcwSxL0kI3brP-KHytHnTD1dcYlYEfgNK-2GI0xY8mo0bYQ9etCV852_qFmTpvVEv8Gyeq10Akuu5QFcPE_KF2OIvIO6SQDjPCl3IzL-DZbnuj_-tm3t8x8g-HSLTCypdIyBOWmTG/s320/IMG_3773.JPG" /></a></div>
in our <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-pre-move-home-tour.html">pre-move home tour</a> a few months ago, you probably saw the darker green velvety pillows i paired with it- an $8 each target impulse buy- which were also fun when we got the 2 matching vintage arm chairs on craigslist.<br />
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the green ones aren't removable covers, but have washed well & are starting to show some lumpy beat up signs of wear thanks to living [mostly on the floor] amongst our toddlers for a few years now.<br />
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so yes, time for new pillows!<br />
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here are some ideas i've found that i really love the look of. i think i've decided that a big mix of just one of each different bright color & pattern is more fun than a bunch of matching pairs. i'm not bothering with links to sources because almost none of them are still available [they can all be found on my pinterest 'pretty to make' board though].<br />
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this one's originally from <a href="https://www.jossandmain.com/">joss & main</a> & i think could be made with a few strips of cute fabric & burlap [although i'd use unbleached cotton or even a cotton canvas drop cloth for pillows since it's softer & washes better]. you could use any color or pattern & i think that solid strip would be cute done with ribbon!<br />
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this one's no longer available at land's end, but could very easily be done with cotton canvas, some fabric paint & a round stenciling sponge [similar to <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/11/fabric-stamped-lampshades.html">this lampshade</a>].<br />
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this one's no longer available at target, but i was thinking, again, cotton canvas + fabric paint + a large stencil of some sort? i've seen this<a href="http://shop.plaidonline.com/martha-stewart-crafts-cathedral-lace-laser-cut-ste/149/32265/product.htm"> 'cathedral' one by martha stewart</a> in person at michael's & i think it could work pretty well! the tricky thing would be finding/mixing fabric paint in that gorgeous mustard yellow shade.<br />
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<a href="http://knightmovesblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/stella-dallas.html">source</a><br />
i originally pinned this thinking it would be cute for my daughter's room. for the living room i wouldn't go hot pink, although a coral color could be nice for spring! this would be easy to do with a pre-made solid pillow that you could find inexpensively at a discount store- then just add your burlap letter or number appliques with <a href="http://www.joann.com/heat-n-bond-lite-iron-on-adhesive-17-w-x-5yds/prd2982/?_requestid=3025311">heat n bond</a> & stitch around them!<br />
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<a href="http://www.bhg.com/christmas/crafts/christmas-words-pillow/">full tutorial at bhg.com</a><br />
this one is just a printed panel on fabric that runs through your home printer with 4 solid strips around the edges. with all the freebie printables on pinterest, can you imagine the endless options? you could do one for every season!<br />
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<a href="http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2012/01/v-and-co-how-to-painted-heart-bag.html">full tutorial at v & co.</a><br />
the tutorial here is shown on a tote bag, but i think these would be equally cute on a solid pillow! you could use a colorful solid pillow for the background, or stick with the cotton canvas. the heart shape is cut out of freezer paper & ironed on, you could pick any shape or letter/number you wanted! a star with navy & light blue dots would be adorable for a little boy room & your family monogram in a pretty ombre effect of almost any color would be lovely.<br />
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i really like the idea of using a canvas painter's drop cloth as a sturdy canvas base to sew sturdy pillows! they're easily available at home depot/lowe's & one drop cloth would make several pillows, or you could try the 'cheater route' [that i'm strongly considering!] with these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Canvas-Corp-Pillow-Cover-Natural/dp/B004M5B710/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=DIJFSADVWD0Q&coliid=ICMYN1ERGD9RL">blank canvas pillows</a> on amazon. places like joann fabric & hobby lobby both sell cotton 'duck' canvas which is the same thing!<br />
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<br />leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-2722665285620187572013-01-02T18:36:00.001-05:002013-01-02T18:36:05.632-05:00& a happy new year!did you have a merry christmas? i hope so! we sure did, full of the non-stop merriment & busyness that the season brings. & of course, i barely took a single photo! i need to work on that, getting the 'big camera' out more often to catch these fleeting happy memories of crazy-fast growing & going kiddos!<br />
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i have to be honest, i'm filled with mixed thoughts when it comes to the 'blank slate' of new year's. it's easy to make a list of all the ambitious resolutions you want to make happen in your life & business, but i confess i'm often full of good intentions but not much follow through- & i'm finding that as a busy mommy with the 3rd little on his way in a matter of weeks, follow through is pretty sure to become in shorter supply in the coming days...<br />
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but i do have thoughts... & plans... & hopes for my little space here- for making it a place where folks want to be, where inspiration is found, & a friendly spot to visit for awhile. in my busy-ness, i feel like my personal touch here has fallen off & 'catching up the blog' becomes a chore on my to-do list instead of an outlet for creativity & joy.<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/139752394656320561/">photo</a></div>
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not ok in my book! so here is what i'm resolving to work on as i continue enjoying my crafty little place here & hoping you do too:<br />
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-better content with better photos, even if it means less frequent content.<br />
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-that being said, i hope to provide more content! settting a schedule of posts, not so that things are rigid, but so that there's a little more consistency to what can be expected here.<br />
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-be cautious not to burn up all my productive time on facebook/twitter/pinterest browsing. there, i said it- even if it's painful to admit! using the small chunks of time i have to make this a lovely place, not to just wander the internets.<br />
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-get my poor, sad, forlorn etsy site back up & running! at some point maybe even consider switching to big cartel if that becomes an immediate possibility. are you considering the same? <a href="http://www.gussysews.com/2010/04/etsy-vs-big-cartel/">here's a great article</a> by gussy sews full of information about it!<br />
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-and lastly, before i get too over-achiever on you... i want to continue to remember my main goal here & with all aspects of my life- to glorify God my father in everything i say & do! to leave you not only inspired by something cute, crafty, or thrifty but to also leave you encouraged & reminded how much God loves you!<br />
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of course, i have personal goals too. </div>
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prioritize my daily time of prayer & bible study. </div>
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get back into consistent meal planning/couponing. </div>
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lose 100 pounds & make <a href="http://pinterest.com/leafandletter/pretty-to-wear/">my pinterest wardrobe</a> into reality. </div>
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have a healthy baby in march & raise my littles well.</div>
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take more photos & keep up<a href="http://thebroglis.blogspot.com/"> family blogging</a> those littles!</div>
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wishing you a happy & healthy 2013!</div>
leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-11863124691639649682012-12-19T15:57:00.000-05:002013-01-01T11:59:32.999-05:00diy paint stick barn star!i really wanted to hang a <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/139330182193337525/">red wooden barn star</a> on our plain white front door this year. i'd seen some at an antiques fair/open house thing i went to on my birthday, but just couldn't justify $30 bucks for one. when i got home and couldn't stop thinking about them, i went scrounging in my craft room to see if i had anything that could work. lo & behold, my good friend the simple paint stirrer came to my rescue!<br />
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-what you need: 10 paint stir sticks, red craft paint, hot glue & large silvery thumbtacks [optional]<br />
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-i started as always by cutting off the curvy part of the stir sticks & sanding the cut edge [i use a little handsaw to score both sides & then it snaps right off!]<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCaOxxYODWgMpSEkGG6JULrIWKTcCSlgxR9BGB5WOExr_zF1etkF9a1RYQe5boNwRXGjRYlt1J85zIS0UcvdpfSjXczoARZo2tv8ZlK29hgFChJoriRgVlIYsj1Tsvj_cfJKD8Y_rnVI/s1600/barn+star1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCaOxxYODWgMpSEkGG6JULrIWKTcCSlgxR9BGB5WOExr_zF1etkF9a1RYQe5boNwRXGjRYlt1J85zIS0UcvdpfSjXczoARZo2tv8ZlK29hgFChJoriRgVlIYsj1Tsvj_cfJKD8Y_rnVI/s320/barn+star1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
-give all your star 'legs' a swipe of red craft paint. i just painted right over the orange home depot printed side!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVYVaTXIAc8IHowfTxSJXz8gKFRrl6UE62RvjMSo_OY3f2pn37G9q9TLcgiBM3BtZyfttiePB0o4Qkd6ELz7_KUkwaWdvWqZxMO-jalH-XyfpqALiOQDcvstUP5Ohn9_NXDTjjnnyzpY/s1600/barn+star2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVYVaTXIAc8IHowfTxSJXz8gKFRrl6UE62RvjMSo_OY3f2pn37G9q9TLcgiBM3BtZyfttiePB0o4Qkd6ELz7_KUkwaWdvWqZxMO-jalH-XyfpqALiOQDcvstUP5Ohn9_NXDTjjnnyzpY/s320/barn+star2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
-lay out your star 'legs' into a star shape on the floor<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCW7V3E10MCqV8pZ3eMNd070np5rCj5OsOh0xi5rYmegvoKnHeGxeyEWeJN2MwlG3eWhgqwFDJQlM5eAm1t2F3glEcQgUla6JOpXEHBM1NMcIGGQLYeq8DHfm3e5pMwH0Kw1Ivyd5vWg/s1600/barn+star3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCW7V3E10MCqV8pZ3eMNd070np5rCj5OsOh0xi5rYmegvoKnHeGxeyEWeJN2MwlG3eWhgqwFDJQlM5eAm1t2F3glEcQgUla6JOpXEHBM1NMcIGGQLYeq8DHfm3e5pMwH0Kw1Ivyd5vWg/s320/barn+star3.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
-hot glue each of the 2 'leg' sections to make the 5 pointy sections to make the star. cut the pointy part off of your thumbtacks with strong wire cutters & glue them on top of each connection spot.<br />
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-repeat for all 5 sections of the star. if you don't like the way the star shape is turning out, you can gently pop the glued parts apart & reposition.<br />
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ta da! you have a barn star! i love the way it turned out, but i do think i'm going to pop mine apart a little bit & readjust- it turned out a little wonky & looked much better the way i originally laid it out on the floor. just needs a little tweaking!<br />
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i put a large plastic snowflake hanging behind it on our front door & i absolutely love how it looks! it adds so much color & festive to our front door!<br />
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<br />leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-24127477754760177252012-12-18T19:33:00.002-05:002013-01-01T11:57:49.833-05:00hymn page crosses!i found these little <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/12/12-days-of-christmas-diy-day-5.html">paper mache crosses</a> the same day i bought my stars at hobby lobby. i thought they'd be pretty fun to prettify, especially since my husband is now a pastor & we're celebrating our first christmas at our new church! speaking of, even if you don't work at a church these would make awesome 'little something' gifts for your pastor, sunday school teacher, church pianist, etc if you're looking for one more handmade but easy & inexpensive gifts!<br />
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-all you need is: a paper mache cross [or other shape], hymn or book pages, plain white school glue & glitter glue<br />
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-spread glue on one front side of your cross &h stick the paper to it, smoothing out bubbles gently. let it dry. if you'd like, you can carefully position the paper so that a special song title is centered on the cross [like i did with the 'amazing grace' one]<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ldhHy7oGbKUGckN1unOSFaBOO1EEQ6Bj453o8tuns_4ALc9vkydYwsqWAZX1jdxVoTSB0t4FALRbp6ySXnptneTl9k5kAvLixTANwHu3VCy9JIoRXrlAJnfly5Wqjusj5YApHUfDDGw/s1600/IMG_20121222_152942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ldhHy7oGbKUGckN1unOSFaBOO1EEQ6Bj453o8tuns_4ALc9vkydYwsqWAZX1jdxVoTSB0t4FALRbp6ySXnptneTl9k5kAvLixTANwHu3VCy9JIoRXrlAJnfly5Wqjusj5YApHUfDDGw/s320/IMG_20121222_152942.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
-once the glue is completely dry, carefully cut around the shape, leaving a little bit of a border. gently tear away the border to leave a jagged edge. careful not to tear it off the cross!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8Rw9DT8g8l1uKm8xdND1iJsqdGaogBO0H-hPJy6BBjkdgJO4kqXjSWHlzylIlSUpGV3__OcEBW26RvbnioNGPj6VQm8qZKhqrdp8RtwYZS6urqr_FtV7OZjA53REpO_KcUU4ctVNxCw/s1600/2012-12-05_11-36-24_84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8Rw9DT8g8l1uKm8xdND1iJsqdGaogBO0H-hPJy6BBjkdgJO4kqXjSWHlzylIlSUpGV3__OcEBW26RvbnioNGPj6VQm8qZKhqrdp8RtwYZS6urqr_FtV7OZjA53REpO_KcUU4ctVNxCw/s320/2012-12-05_11-36-24_84.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
-add glitter glue around the edge of the paper. repeat on the back if you'd like. add a jute loop with hot glue for hanging!<br />
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<br />leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-8107194537177832692012-12-17T17:54:00.000-05:002013-01-01T11:56:28.186-05:00sparkly jar lid ornaments!remember me writing about feeling guilty for straight-up hoarding some [ok, lots of] <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/11/one-where-im-glad-i-saved-bit-of-junk.html">baby food jar lids</a> from my [now 4 year old] daughter's food?<br />
<br />
ahem. well i found another use for them!<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">sparkly 'gemstone' jar lid ornaments</span></i><br />
<br />
i made these together with my 4 year old daughter & she absolutely loved it! they were super easy, not very messy & there's really no wrong way to do it [always a plus with kiddo crafting!]. since she loves 'my little pony' she called these gemstone ornaments & i thought that was pretty cute. she was pretty proud of herself... waiting to let them dry to put them on the tree was the hardest part! this one was a <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/139752394658377050/">pinterest</a> project that i snapped right up because i knew my big girl would love them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpotgazaaSdYvNB3s3pZjmAu5Js3A2FfaHt9NDDLGZP50EpeYP2eivROMfx1YltSXTII9TZHJ15G3iTBw7q2WK4huwL8INb_15hHQHAsUqAt3Q98y57G5b4LsvJNQjhyVuSwk8x9ASBQE/s1600/2012-12-05_12-52-02_891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpotgazaaSdYvNB3s3pZjmAu5Js3A2FfaHt9NDDLGZP50EpeYP2eivROMfx1YltSXTII9TZHJ15G3iTBw7q2WK4huwL8INb_15hHQHAsUqAt3Q98y57G5b4LsvJNQjhyVuSwk8x9ASBQE/s320/2012-12-05_12-52-02_891.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
-what you need: any size/type jar lid you want to use, some acrylic faux gems with the mirror backs, some elmers or tacky glue & some silver glitter glue. oh & twine for hanging. our 2 little packs of gems [from hobby lobby] were enough for about 6 jar lids]<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndMlp2fZRQ53vQFBom3KfO7QERqrrmKOqdVzvKJyxZIwOhX0A7BuIyErpf8gavZwhP3wA63wByXWISgbapWtmTtyK_0YCRqCIlgKO5Nd6oJ8mHcrAOeINWBkqEo0qOu6dPWbwteLzyV0/s1600/IMG_20121217_172353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndMlp2fZRQ53vQFBom3KfO7QERqrrmKOqdVzvKJyxZIwOhX0A7BuIyErpf8gavZwhP3wA63wByXWISgbapWtmTtyK_0YCRqCIlgKO5Nd6oJ8mHcrAOeINWBkqEo0qOu6dPWbwteLzyV0/s320/IMG_20121217_172353.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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-prime your lids if they're not already a pretty metallic color, or if you want to cover up any writing</div>
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-hot glue a loop of twine inside the circle. if you forget, you can glue them to the backs & cover it with a felt circle. i may or may not have had to do that on 2 or 3 of them...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2DaUlLP54SPgHGg8Imq5A99AYcxn_1U43W-y6mlCrpL2DK1_3nWqcXEqo76MhfYNdqUxuOScLXbB62LSCg3-FYyLN6VjwUdtCkecLnq8YeM6vaU4afSCQKPDBoCkfG6Pc_QZmtsi6AU/s1600/2012-12-05_12-50-56_872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2DaUlLP54SPgHGg8Imq5A99AYcxn_1U43W-y6mlCrpL2DK1_3nWqcXEqo76MhfYNdqUxuOScLXbB62LSCg3-FYyLN6VjwUdtCkecLnq8YeM6vaU4afSCQKPDBoCkfG6Pc_QZmtsi6AU/s320/2012-12-05_12-50-56_872.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
-hand them over to your sweet assistant in her my little pony dress-up dress to glue the gemstones into the lid. get them nice & full & don't worry if some of them flip over... the mirrored backs look pretty too & will really reflect the christmas tree lights!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAz3CluoC7IOPNRNYsANY1rGgYpMSkKWQVefU-Qs02_l6CnPwFLkZaHeD0i0MscMDaxRh544baZbEQOe2jX8EAEWXHKKQSZpXuf32pH699Z3rhkH2Q9pZ40kZyeTgYdVe6Y25zeA-Qx4/s1600/2012-12-05_12-59-33_940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAz3CluoC7IOPNRNYsANY1rGgYpMSkKWQVefU-Qs02_l6CnPwFLkZaHeD0i0MscMDaxRh544baZbEQOe2jX8EAEWXHKKQSZpXuf32pH699Z3rhkH2Q9pZ40kZyeTgYdVe6Y25zeA-Qx4/s320/2012-12-05_12-59-33_940.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVDH-rm3pb7LU3p01rxCp0i61Vp6CnDCPONOLAA5ZxnDmxTJi7H_Kj8vSz_UTyF8kAUzUx-XqyRfxkibSEagXMwt4PRKLtL2F2KrVWloeB8FqVJxMVjLhwxvkwd3PrpbL2WgvI_mXhUU/s1600/2012-12-05_12-41-48_792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVDH-rm3pb7LU3p01rxCp0i61Vp6CnDCPONOLAA5ZxnDmxTJi7H_Kj8vSz_UTyF8kAUzUx-XqyRfxkibSEagXMwt4PRKLtL2F2KrVWloeB8FqVJxMVjLhwxvkwd3PrpbL2WgvI_mXhUU/s320/2012-12-05_12-41-48_792.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
-let the glue dry & then outline the gems in silver glitter glue. this will make them sparkle so much more & make them look like the gems are 'set' in the glitter. let dry again & then hang them on the tree!<br />
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<br />leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-91203075277765425812012-12-16T17:16:00.000-05:002013-01-01T11:54:59.336-05:00glittered felt star ornaments!<div style="text-align: center;">
these are a mini version of the <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/01/anthro-esque-star-ornament.html">anthropologized star ornament</a> of a few years ago... i really enjoyed how they turned out & when i saw some of the same paper mache stars i'd used [except mini!] at hobby lobby, i picked up a few... i couldn't resist at just $1.17 each.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfK4oDVKa-JeOkdZsajSOrLD3nvWFXPwo0IKOBZZcQgZrToMCElOAtuwFNd9ZxyETMg4Vg0Pk5YnoC5g_ubDzHHMn0Mxu5xNzYwAGFR1VmhvHp5Y6y0qcPY9WC0P90hJ4EKWm-boTFYY/s1600/IMG_20121212_201652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfK4oDVKa-JeOkdZsajSOrLD3nvWFXPwo0IKOBZZcQgZrToMCElOAtuwFNd9ZxyETMg4Vg0Pk5YnoC5g_ubDzHHMn0Mxu5xNzYwAGFR1VmhvHp5Y6y0qcPY9WC0P90hJ4EKWm-boTFYY/s320/IMG_20121212_201652.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
here's the original with one of the new ones for size reference:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8hVM6u3qiVshppuNoJoMNzhUAxc1ee5V9DSIpG3Jib8A-SwvwT9mbd5dENkeo7Wey27T3ZNIzXMs7_L9t6NF2vbG97twIizZkJPPwlhtg42J6n1TU5BWkryL5eBxfEdbGx8G2xOBc9M/s1600/2012-12-05_09-23-52_664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8hVM6u3qiVshppuNoJoMNzhUAxc1ee5V9DSIpG3Jib8A-SwvwT9mbd5dENkeo7Wey27T3ZNIzXMs7_L9t6NF2vbG97twIizZkJPPwlhtg42J6n1TU5BWkryL5eBxfEdbGx8G2xOBc9M/s320/2012-12-05_09-23-52_664.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
i followed <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/01/anthro-esque-star-ornament.html">my original tutorial</a> exactly, other than after gluing the felt circles around the edges of the stars, i worked from the outside edges in, instead of gluing them randomly. if you read the tutorial, that will make sense.<br />
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i also added a little something extra this year... i lined the edges of each little circle with glitter glue. this gives the ornament some dimension & i love the contrast of the cozy felt glammed up by the glitter! perfect to make it a bit more christmas-y. i had several types of glitter glue, so they all got a bit of a variety of the brightness of glitter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRzu7yGfowhD11zwdISjxtcGEm2ly7x0qRI_VhW5dByXWMvZNfTB8ImGzNfLzED4gKXPwhXyYgjX1CpfhaSv199QpBK8If_mAtvFxFBuJNlysl-YEEt8ak9SZvhSZbuH8hffTdGxUH3w/s1600/stars3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRzu7yGfowhD11zwdISjxtcGEm2ly7x0qRI_VhW5dByXWMvZNfTB8ImGzNfLzED4gKXPwhXyYgjX1CpfhaSv199QpBK8If_mAtvFxFBuJNlysl-YEEt8ak9SZvhSZbuH8hffTdGxUH3w/s320/stars3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
the more lightly glittered ones almost don't show up in i have to say though, that i really love the bright, saturated glitter the best! i did 2 colors, an ivory felt with silver glitter & an oatmeal felt with gold glitter:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKoillt7reyiQYY2Nfx92seChmjx3VKyASssi8LEKzyU_hJ9UUOnRJV6ONOidTCNREXiGgbg31jxFHmDAo8NpGTZ5tTStTon-1rQiSJAVFNpgrWeZP7Aj_ojlJ4qK9jIJ-cdQf34kehM/s1600/2012-12-15_13-10-17_24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKoillt7reyiQYY2Nfx92seChmjx3VKyASssi8LEKzyU_hJ9UUOnRJV6ONOidTCNREXiGgbg31jxFHmDAo8NpGTZ5tTStTon-1rQiSJAVFNpgrWeZP7Aj_ojlJ4qK9jIJ-cdQf34kehM/s320/2012-12-15_13-10-17_24.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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love these so much!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVRj9Uio7OEYes1j8DfOMkJJsDObR0rCg5PvbllrXdiNY-yJGigNjiiKfmWxO8otrfy8XXRmlKgBJHBAVxtluKEyrqlEDE3gNldpf2myCpCqhQV3YpuntLICMb06V_c4aDzF1B8Yae64/s1600/IMG_20121214_110850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVRj9Uio7OEYes1j8DfOMkJJsDObR0rCg5PvbllrXdiNY-yJGigNjiiKfmWxO8otrfy8XXRmlKgBJHBAVxtluKEyrqlEDE3gNldpf2myCpCqhQV3YpuntLICMb06V_c4aDzF1B8Yae64/s320/IMG_20121214_110850.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-64325542405189567632012-12-15T16:50:00.000-05:002013-01-01T11:54:02.040-05:00paper pinwheel garland!<div style="text-align: center;">
this project must have been hiding somewhere in my subconscious, because i didn't realize until i finished it that it's exactly like a mini version of one by the <a href="http://akadesign.ca/?p=5815">wonderful aka design</a>. i had these little chipboard 'joy' letters that i'd been saving for the perfect project, so this was it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_1INJ3f7nW7vqKpnVHimZFooUt6-lQhxX1uTOtlh1nwfPfFwnvyUUlKUVnyabwQ29DCuVdYFfSw4u5hRUq0uINutEDRf_kbJyS0omHOxOVvLXg_HFjIYeri6HAkrtprQOIhlcgpq0RM/s1600/2012-12-05_09-23-23_110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_1INJ3f7nW7vqKpnVHimZFooUt6-lQhxX1uTOtlh1nwfPfFwnvyUUlKUVnyabwQ29DCuVdYFfSw4u5hRUq0uINutEDRf_kbJyS0omHOxOVvLXg_HFjIYeri6HAkrtprQOIhlcgpq0RM/s320/2012-12-05_09-23-23_110.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
they popped out really easily & i gave them a couple coats of gold shimmer paint on their already-white backgrounds. [i saved the backgrounds the letters punched out of- i'm sure i'll think of something to use them for... maybe a wreath like <a href="http://createstudio.blogspot.com/2012/08/vintage-stencil-signage-tutorial.html">create studio's vintage stencil</a> one? or just another <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/257197828691041453/">simple garland</a>!]<br />
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the paper pinwheels could not have been easier & were really, really fun. i had also squirreled away this little hymnbook that my grandmother gave me [it has my uncle's name written in the front cover in his little kid handwriting from back in the day- cute!] it was really perfect in size for the letters! i used 3 pages for each pinwheel. here's how:<br />
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-fold the pages like an accordion<br />
-fold each accordion in half like a fan<br />
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-hot glue each side of the 3 folded accordions together<br />
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-be sure to secure the center with glue so it doesn't 'pop' out<br />
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-paint or glitter your letters as you like<br />
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-hot glue the letters to the pinwheel's center<br />
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[sorry... more late night crafting!]<br />
i thumbtacked a bit of ribbon over the playroom door & clipped the garland to it with clothespins. the draped jute right behind it is the perfect spot to hang our christmas cards! so easy & <i>cute</i>!<br />
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you can also make these out of regular book pages instead of hymns, & can make them into ornaments instead of stringing them into garlands- just poke a hole for some twine or clip them right to the tree branch with a clothespin!leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-90946651421118987602012-12-14T11:23:00.002-05:002013-01-01T11:52:46.451-05:00flippy bookpage trees!i knew i wanted to include some new little tabletop trees to my decor this year- i wanted something a little more neutral than <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/01/on-cheap-winter-trees.html">the ones i've made in the past</a>. i decided to try a variation of the curly book page trees you see everywhere, except i didn't want mine quite so curly- more like flippy.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>flippy bookpage trees</i></span><br />
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i was in the dollar tree, planning to get some party hats to use as my tree bases when i saw these! i was seriously irrationally happy that they're carrying these this year & seriously resisting the urge to hoard up 20 or 30 of them...<br />
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i was standing there with 2 of them in my hot little clutches, thinking how much i wished they had a bigger size, when i just happened to think of these floral foam bases:<br />
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put them together, and presto!<br />
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my little secret to get hot glue to stick to these without melting the foam is to wrap them in masking tape. so, since i was going to wrap them in masking tape anyways, i just started by wrapping the 2 pieces together & then wrapped the rest as usual... making a tree of the same size, except slightly taller! love it! it worked like a charm, & ya'll, i felt like a genius!<br />
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[please excuse the terrible dark crafting-at-night photos- it's terribly un-blog-worthy, but the only time i can get any crafting done in peace with little ones!]<br />
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all i did from there was tear some book pages into strips, cutting a fringe in one half of the long side. i bent up the fringe ever so slightly until it looked like a little skirt. the non-fringed edge is what you glue to the cone:<br />
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i cut a circle of paper to fit the tops & bottoms exactly & also added a solid strip at the bottom so the cone wouldn't show through the first row of fringe. keep gluing your fringe strips all the way up the tree from bottom to top!<br />
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at the top, just make sure your top fringe is even with the little circle. you can add a star or leave it plain, of course. gently brush your hand up the fringes from the bottom to the top to fluff it up a little.<br />
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and done!<br />
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i'll be putting mine are on <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/10/pinteresting-thrifty-candlesticks.html">my thrifty candlesticks</a>, to give a bit of background to our nativity. stick around a few more days to see what i did with the smaller 2 dollar store trees!leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-77441893442978511512012-12-13T11:20:00.000-05:002013-01-01T11:51:37.807-05:00craft clay snowflakes!these little snowflakes are about as easy as it gets... just 2 items necessary [although you can certainly jazz them up a little more if you like!].<br />
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all you need is white air dry craft clay, such as crayola, & some cute snowflake cookie cutters! you literally just ball the clay up, roll it out with a roller [i let my 4 year old do it herself with a roller from her toy kitchen] & then cut them out with the cookie cutters!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJhoC_GFTemQWiNMGRahfjNK4x539OueqmwBflr_zVR5xXzUq7h-vegQuADTlRUcefZDM9v6E-s2mLuNF1Z-t5Z8S7cTVjZSn5XwEuDocsQtRtx8jYx3uA-7ayn6R2qHWmMZcBTVSpsk/s1600/2012-12-05_13-14-12_850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJhoC_GFTemQWiNMGRahfjNK4x539OueqmwBflr_zVR5xXzUq7h-vegQuADTlRUcefZDM9v6E-s2mLuNF1Z-t5Z8S7cTVjZSn5XwEuDocsQtRtx8jYx3uA-7ayn6R2qHWmMZcBTVSpsk/s320/2012-12-05_13-14-12_850.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
if you want to leave it at that, you totally can. it's that simple! we decided they needed a little something extra... the first one we tried stamping with a clean, dry rubber stamp for a little texture:<br />
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then we decided they were a little too solid, so we used a plastic straw to punch out some tiny circles to make them a little more lacy & snowflake-y [which i realized after the fact i'd need to do anyway to have something to hang them with!] they took a few days to fully dry & then i used a little piece of jute twine to hang them. i also painted a tiny bit of glitter glue over them to give them a bit of shimmer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x06VAwUGi8G4XawxRCZnPg-SLgBIL3B6kci4xFTTmz6peXBlkgPVe3uFVnqbQhyphenhyphenYlApG4zmoOUV-dhDublDgt7RO-DUwrGDODuhCqYoVjloosIKNMu4SGTPzcARcL8qiChOYVPRDAt8/s1600/IMG_20121214_110832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x06VAwUGi8G4XawxRCZnPg-SLgBIL3B6kci4xFTTmz6peXBlkgPVe3uFVnqbQhyphenhyphenYlApG4zmoOUV-dhDublDgt7RO-DUwrGDODuhCqYoVjloosIKNMu4SGTPzcARcL8qiChOYVPRDAt8/s320/IMG_20121214_110832.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
i thought these would be super sturdy & great for kiddos to do [& they were, my kid loved it!] but they were surprisingly fragile after they dried! they were really lightweight, which is good, but the first one i tried to tie the jute into tore right through. we were a little bummed! next time i'd probably do these with good old white playdough, which dries much harder.leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-88125091511097976392012-12-12T20:46:00.001-05:002013-01-01T11:49:52.133-05:00craft stick nativity!i have lots to share since we <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/11/fall-mantle-in-new-house.html">just moved</a> & have been hard at work getting a few rooms painted, some furniture arranged just so & lots of things hung on the wall! i'm about 26 weeks pregnant with this little one #3, so i'm so thankful my hubby has been a driving force to getting it done quickly.<br />
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but, as usual, all must come to a halt for my favorite crafting season... christmas crafting! i went a new direction this year & so, instead of using all our traditional ornaments, i'm starting almost from scratch with some super simple & rustic handmade ornaments & decorations!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">craft stick nativity</span></i><br />
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i waxed quite poetic last year during my <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/search/label/no-budget%20christmas">no-budget christmas decor</a> series about my <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-budget-christmas-decor-popsicle.html">love of craft sticks</a> (aka popsicle sticks). so when i saw this <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/139752394658238334/">super cute & simple nativity idea</a> on pinterest, i knew it would be the perfect project for my & K to get to work on! here is our interpretation, hanging on her colorful little playroom tree:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr86dBF936yUKoPKwcMJtsRDQy9sJ1xSUO5z3JdEt8358FFWOC1eHM44UDSPmbxb9njQyJZXmmXID3Dcx-G8ORqAZK6JY1wpYMhNgip2CsGFAMWUqbn7v47-4BKb0rGOiYLTeN3icNVuI/s1600/craft+stick+nativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr86dBF936yUKoPKwcMJtsRDQy9sJ1xSUO5z3JdEt8358FFWOC1eHM44UDSPmbxb9njQyJZXmmXID3Dcx-G8ORqAZK6JY1wpYMhNgip2CsGFAMWUqbn7v47-4BKb0rGOiYLTeN3icNVuI/s320/craft+stick+nativity.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
no real tutorial for this one, it's pretty straight forward with different sized craft sticks (<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-budget-christmas-decor-popsicle.html">see this post </a>for where i found each size) & painted to look like a nativity! next time i'll use a wooden star instead of a glittered paper one & a jute loop instead of a pipe cleaner for hanging- both to make it a bit more durable.<br />
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i'm just now realizing we left off the angel! we actually made these on a sunday night for our children's church group, intending to decorate the church's tree with them- but K loved hers so much we somehow forgot to take it back for the decorating party. we may just have to make another one for church!leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-56945332152385659062012-11-06T12:29:00.000-05:002012-11-30T15:05:24.328-05:00fall mantle in the new house!it's really fun to pull out your seasonal decor in a new home you've just moved into- you get to use all the same old things in new ways because they're going in new places! it can be a little overwhelming, but fun & exciting too!<br />
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our fall mantle looks a little different now since we don't have a fireplace or true mantle in the new house. but that didn't stop me from hanging one of my white crown molding style shelves over the buffet i inherited from my mom in the dining room, which has provided lots of decorate-able surfaces!<br />
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this is how i put it together for fall... so much fun!<br />
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the only new additions were those little mini pumpkins from dollar tree [which i plan to wrap in jute or paint & replace the plastic stems with real sticks], the tiny orange basket pumpkins on the candlesticks & some leaves from our backyard! the little orange bowl is also pumpkin shaped & from the target dollar spot [wish i'd gotten more!]<br />
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i also still need to wrap my second lamp in jute! it obviously hasn't bothered me enough to get on it yet.leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-62263273973901163102012-10-30T12:19:00.000-04:002012-11-30T12:21:17.689-05:00a pre-move home tourduring the month of october we've been moving to a new house. that doesn't just mean we have a new house waiting to be made a new home, but also a new town, a new church, a new job for my husband [at the new church] new doctors, new routines, & in the spring, a new baby in the family!<br />
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<i>that's a ton of new</i>.<br />
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as we're packing up the old house & making trips back & forth to the new one, i thought it would be fun to put together a home tour of what it looks like right now- not only to remember & show the kids later, but to see that i really do finish a project every once in a blue moon! it looks quite a bit different since the last one i did last christmas [the last time i did a <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-tour-2011.html">home tour</a>], since i'm a chronic re-arranger & can't leave well enough alone when it comes to crafty decorating.<br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>entry foyer</i></span></div>
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before:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WyE-SuYW_8VJGm44Et21kLvg6jMhGMVCtDMMIJoVfM8uutblge4fuUUK_nXnWAAenmeua_E7E0gf4LUvzbEDTuwocg2iWZ-Ds4mfhrlWQEJOREj6EMNlkyqNzNIEgIr7B3_8mm0lIF7X/s320/IMG_2620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WyE-SuYW_8VJGm44Et21kLvg6jMhGMVCtDMMIJoVfM8uutblge4fuUUK_nXnWAAenmeua_E7E0gf4LUvzbEDTuwocg2iWZ-Ds4mfhrlWQEJOREj6EMNlkyqNzNIEgIr7B3_8mm0lIF7X/s320/IMG_2620.JPG" /></a></div>
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currently:</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5I7FBfE8yGZ41IOkgqQEedfZgCAsYk6Q98Ij31ETavKOV-ENTKbUdvdQJIhJuSOl-NTUI216rq-KN1hWzaFetEH2i5rOgh2xtRTqZiDCa6YixCnod8YvLeHpFLGOB4MNxCrPaa6jHPhu/s320/IMG_4131.JPG" /></div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_j0uIrvFEx4bcAi1G1Tnw9_IoiePILI3Rb1phASuPD9N62EGY6Xs_7LfZ2ohmqXC4ci7NcycxDuE8SVLpLUgqM62yzvNgq9TDRWf2nQ8nwZr8B81hO1x31ipByN_nVNzwlrACpF3Vdbb/s320/IMG_4158.JPG" /></div>
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entry foyer projects:</div>
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<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/02/favorite-thrifty-find.html">thrifted blue mirror</a></div>
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<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-little-yellow-table.html">yellow freebie table</a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>living room</i></span></div>
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before:</div>
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during:</div>
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currently:</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLcsjfZRh1oONz2pE6_D10U0MJU2MEudiTwoAU5WhCQyHIVTEtsxgIJ91qJjv-QICdIvWtCYh2PL-fug5EhAwvYuVBe4lVDZ4XAmaxgp0knhhtMYdkk-bdEmVDCqwgLwrjdi_5H64T10G/s320/IMG_4126.JPG" /></div>
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living room projects:<br />
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/03/you-too-can-gallery-wall.html">gallery wall</a><br />
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/09/insta-mood-board.html">empty frame to mood board</a><br />
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/09/little-blue-tables.html">little blue end tables</a><br />
i made the leaf pillow, but apparently never wrote about it!<br />
the chunky wood lamps were also thrifted, & the gorgeous round green family art was custom handmade through a local shop- it was my anniversary present last year!</div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>den/playroom</i></span></div>
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before:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHf7KWnzVNzI18SUdMxRT5F5W-ja3hpwOmnR6p08kPrKttwwCDT4r77MxA0Mklfdk57Jjldx47hura7HBe-Dgz9REOoQSQZMPLQUSIOhrSpnjN8gAOuYtWC-YEzsvd4Oiek_maHckD6yC/s1600/IMG_2569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHf7KWnzVNzI18SUdMxRT5F5W-ja3hpwOmnR6p08kPrKttwwCDT4r77MxA0Mklfdk57Jjldx47hura7HBe-Dgz9REOoQSQZMPLQUSIOhrSpnjN8gAOuYtWC-YEzsvd4Oiek_maHckD6yC/s320/IMG_2569.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYb9fNmHSeQqTI0fpztTO-DRXSL55WxBGdtUtxMABfslhSxqsERaUykIO4qMefhIS1g4K42dMyKtSZ-hcI4j-eiCD9yIm7e9AvFs2x9QrIWCrsFBuu8RVtixMLsQ-gEszIuteIckmKDF4F/s1600/IMG_2566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYb9fNmHSeQqTI0fpztTO-DRXSL55WxBGdtUtxMABfslhSxqsERaUykIO4qMefhIS1g4K42dMyKtSZ-hcI4j-eiCD9yIm7e9AvFs2x9QrIWCrsFBuu8RVtixMLsQ-gEszIuteIckmKDF4F/s320/IMG_2566.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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during:</div>
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currently:</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05tIEwgn6IdbOqPoU77mEKdASnjcVk6E3QnWhyqrKHOQ5koCpq-s_2JzuFna4v6veBzYXBPTAUp6VABBHLT38DRbdcP9a45h_22mC0kddZQ9bGjD2V8YeYG7VfZDAP7_loqfoR95fEzPD/s320/IMG_2962.JPG" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
den/playroom projects:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/03/worlds-most-giant-mirror.html">giant blue painted mirror</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-difference-shade-makes.html">large burlap shade</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/02/funny-story-about-end-tables.html">white craigslist end tables</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/03/look-for-less-lamp-lovely.html">green goodwill painted lamps</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/03/my-favorite-paint-finish.html">little frames</a> on the side tables</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
additional sources:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the toy storage is an ikea expedit [bought used on craigslist] with target dollar spot buckets, the black coffee table was a $25 flea market find, the baskets under the side tables are from kmart, & the ocean painting on top of the expedit was painted by my hub's grandmother!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>dining room</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
during:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqA0u0TSFtx-6z5-5nRadeOo_mBLAfcRzZXuIH91RzIF5L5LsaMNzTCWC3KuJB6DvlrBFRZL_Gj8U439UQ_2TNAb9W-8Lx3ySzti-o-5YmLmLhD7aK6u8VLVSJ34B-QKhnpsBemGydQMG/s1600/IMG_2584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqA0u0TSFtx-6z5-5nRadeOo_mBLAfcRzZXuIH91RzIF5L5LsaMNzTCWC3KuJB6DvlrBFRZL_Gj8U439UQ_2TNAb9W-8Lx3ySzti-o-5YmLmLhD7aK6u8VLVSJ34B-QKhnpsBemGydQMG/s320/IMG_2584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
currently:</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9Q7R-1rWFYm9zZ5Hcarf7kNyjuIuDVBiGkUlmeayvUJYjcBxbdzTVSWxJYwJdce9H8nLaZJPGSrnWnI_PqLSrTQNYvaLMQBPM9imjtQLS2NnQfuWTZoiHqC2C3xWqaiGQNgNp2EUcLcH/s1600/IMG_2668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9Q7R-1rWFYm9zZ5Hcarf7kNyjuIuDVBiGkUlmeayvUJYjcBxbdzTVSWxJYwJdce9H8nLaZJPGSrnWnI_PqLSrTQNYvaLMQBPM9imjtQLS2NnQfuWTZoiHqC2C3xWqaiGQNgNp2EUcLcH/s320/IMG_2668.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kPJTepzZujvN1wKSi2cqgxQpqC1tTOeeuplO_42434d42E6r1pCSMW0JJKFefExCN5-CqhidDYwBzDk2tcbN20fkrWqsbqnGR5eljgH6dCq5wAPn6CK4jaZdpu3on8gDdZAEUQ3t6V4M/s320/IMG_4057.JPG" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
dining room projects:<br />
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/03/one-more-reason-to-love-coffee.html">giant coffee filter wreath</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/04/frame-to-chalkboard.html">big frame to chalkboard</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/10/pinteresting-thrifty-candlesticks.html">thrifty candlesticks</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i'll fully admit the dining room never got to the point of what i would call an 'after.' i spent lots of time on the living room/den/playroom & the master bedroom since that's where we spend lots of our time. but i did do some little tweaks here & there!</div>
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</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>guest bath</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
before:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMnBpDs7GC40jN63_u6DQVPDJZ5iNPgSoTcz4CmaqxFn93T35RbjiaHj2ksbRHF9ZK-1_EjA2hVoZkgV9IS2zcf6UxIkaTNqd6ktY_kPK6qufbKS6dFH9N60jpHl51JQW1ejxlXi-33Ld/s320/IMG_4587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMnBpDs7GC40jN63_u6DQVPDJZ5iNPgSoTcz4CmaqxFn93T35RbjiaHj2ksbRHF9ZK-1_EjA2hVoZkgV9IS2zcf6UxIkaTNqd6ktY_kPK6qufbKS6dFH9N60jpHl51JQW1ejxlXi-33Ld/s320/IMG_4587.JPG" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
after:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Jg2t6hCXfPD4p5_K_5p8zRqGhIX7v857BYFByrA-6n_IMjColyXBv5wd7g5XD6TG7Ao4_hvVIugH50mozgCwRo88JJ_5-QDmbVLddvZ91EKMq8L_Hv3UcwuQ9zhBnQwv9-aVgfzjYKcz/s320/IMG_4132.JPG" /></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">guest bath projects:</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/09/stenciled-shower-curtain.html">stenciled shower curtain & jute wrapped hooks</a></span><br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">master bedroom</span></i><br />
before:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lkwxsFq2Hr9oWS-pYOnLl-ZFZmaII91sngJuSJ2-TS1vuI8VV6t_0mJGtlczsQe-rycEYvL_55NG0LriwcefJmwos0CIp74yHYIIW80iPGfIstDp2aqurQzN5zNKOlut2KJm4enKbtMO/s1600/IMG_3013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lkwxsFq2Hr9oWS-pYOnLl-ZFZmaII91sngJuSJ2-TS1vuI8VV6t_0mJGtlczsQe-rycEYvL_55NG0LriwcefJmwos0CIp74yHYIIW80iPGfIstDp2aqurQzN5zNKOlut2KJm4enKbtMO/s320/IMG_3013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
currently:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NDxncLM8kTQ1tYAt78xLDNCBDPXacOUl7tS_oEDSNm3P3CSr-BNP1kWPcYjVnDAsaVN9Jwbrf2CYyevEbuIVGBuaGAhqAPBRLsSjTYMUnFN9DMtGTpguyBGaZnDPhPC2CR0wuT4BrwA/s1600/IMG_4162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NDxncLM8kTQ1tYAt78xLDNCBDPXacOUl7tS_oEDSNm3P3CSr-BNP1kWPcYjVnDAsaVN9Jwbrf2CYyevEbuIVGBuaGAhqAPBRLsSjTYMUnFN9DMtGTpguyBGaZnDPhPC2CR0wuT4BrwA/s320/IMG_4162.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />
master bedroom projects:<br />
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/04/pretty-painted-furniture.html">refinished bedside tables</a><br />
additional sources:<br />
all our bedding is from tj maxx/homegoods, i made the yellow pillow out of 2 napkins, & the yellow shades you probably recognize from target!<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">big girl room</span></i><br />
before [our guest bedroom]:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9sa4HJ8S0NJ0SpLUGy_I1QhbCEHIlT6K7YaKr1qEGa9iG_5rmC2OuqF0H9hqWcyBwh0xRlE_LcLzZdhrwSk_1il5QzJ6ULclFG81gHnS-l30DcI73WMd9FUBd-E3F903EZyoOGb-x6U/s320/IMG_3031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9sa4HJ8S0NJ0SpLUGy_I1QhbCEHIlT6K7YaKr1qEGa9iG_5rmC2OuqF0H9hqWcyBwh0xRlE_LcLzZdhrwSk_1il5QzJ6ULclFG81gHnS-l30DcI73WMd9FUBd-E3F903EZyoOGb-x6U/s320/IMG_3031.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
during:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
currently:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnM52e5MvHpRdYBlQaUHFSRCISrP5cU0BmCg1M8s0ntLNnjrglKJDmjJfOKIbxBmTD4KwTB_pHVdfCs1Ridwb42nbch4nqjbyO8jZEluYlz6v7gE_7pHZRdGXhyB7eFXDRZgWONj36J-A/s1600/IMG_4199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnM52e5MvHpRdYBlQaUHFSRCISrP5cU0BmCg1M8s0ntLNnjrglKJDmjJfOKIbxBmTD4KwTB_pHVdfCs1Ridwb42nbch4nqjbyO8jZEluYlz6v7gE_7pHZRdGXhyB7eFXDRZgWONj36J-A/s320/IMG_4199.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazvNhXZwplivUdlZ9a13Mf9Yu7I-maJbvcWBfeMSI2PkHN86YvtUijYwnLg_nUMmT-dIMzjbGC0kSfzJhkQgleRdUWkFaiDmyugQsAs8lDdbD8y0IEE7DukbPOIjBy4c6I3QcpQMRPVzN/s320/IMG_3697.JPG" /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
big girl room projects:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/06/quickie-frame-project.html">framed artwork with goodwill frames</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2009/07/on-cheap-fabric-pennant-banner.html">pink fabric pennant banner with tutorial</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/07/heirloom-doll-furniture.html">painted large toy crib & high chair</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/11/painting-tiny-furniture.html">painted little pink toy crib</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/02/let-there-be-light.html">revamped lamp</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/06/pinteresting-fabric-wrapped-chandelier.html">fabric wrapped chandelier</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i made all of the Ks above her window except for the chunky hot pink one, which was from michael's. you can tell i do most of my crafting for my kiddos- my big girl especially is so fun & easy to please! the paper lanterns are from target/michael's/various dollar places, & the striped rug & most of her bedding was target clearance or hand-me-downs.</div>
<br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>baby boy nursery</i></span><br />
before:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESbw7B520smcpB753YllMZGZt1Mi-CfvdB718uLSjLbbPHkdzJSkjB6A79Fc0Qr8-jo078umtU3kcJNTmki0wOwkT0nLe2YLq_ZjVLf2Ugcn9a8DEHuGRzWz_328y128sDp98BuXYFQo/s320/IMG_3242.JPG" /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQXz4BBRbp5Ejt8GXv-li4OKLmUMMqgt4UffEH9Ga9MyKTSJxK7_sghkL5RjUcqF7xoZTV6NBc9P9kEcUZhiCjofh0rkE7IwH0HnDwKB6muEiodTZuYxvCZxdBUuj9IAtoRga1i99eJY/s320/IMG_3241.JPG" /></div>
<br />
during:<br />
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currently:<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_6gi1u2-ua_hAOq8REd2LfOvdAw0UGLhAVi4rKvKh2pCHVl-dXw8Wpf40EQENingERoz9y-l5Sx3UObFdYw1Lx_5eWVbGhB0Bqox9qrNboOsHduHURQ4ZPrf4K51Ge9uXb4JVuXLjp4/s320/IMG_4223.JPG" /></div>
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boy nursery projects:<br />
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/10/pinteresting-paint-stick-letters.html">paint stick letters</a><br />
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<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/10/diy-dollar-store-giant-letter.html">big paper mache letter</a><br />
repurposed twig baby mobile [tutorial coming!]<br />
wood bible verse artwork [tutorial coming!]<br />
<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/04/pretty-painted-furniture.html">distressed dresser</a><br />
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i also made the little twig wreath out of sticks from the park & a ring cut from cardboard, & a good friend reupholstered our rocking chair cushions as a baby gift!<br />
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i'm excited to share some new projects as we get into the new house & start decorating for thanksgiving & 2 birthdays in november [not to mention christmas rapidly approaching...]leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-85916427755237093522012-10-25T11:55:00.000-04:002012-11-30T11:56:11.945-05:00diy dollar store giant letter!have you ever written a blog post just to feel deja vu the whole time, nearly convinced that you've written the entire post before & just didn't publish it? totally getting that feeling right now, but the mystery blog post draft is nowhere to be found!<br />
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i love the look of really, really large letters. in my quest to "go bigger" with our decor, big giant letters are pretty much my favorite thing to start with! after we painted a wall brown in what used to be our big girl's nursery [to make it ready for baby brother], i found myself with this big gorgeous focal wall that needed something above the white crib.<br />
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after i discovered the <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/10/pinteresting-paint-stick-letters.html">paint stick letters</a> on pinterest, i knew i wanted to do a monogram with a big giant letter for our last name in the middle, & a paint stick letter on either side. i almost pulled the trigger on one of the <a href="http://www.joann.com/23-5-paper-mache-letter-many-styles/xprd78856/">2 foot tall papier mache ones</a> from joann fabrics only to find out the letter i needed was constantly out of stock [and i'd have to pay shipping] i decided to make one.<br />
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i started with some big sheets of poster sized foam board from the dollar tree. then i used <a href="http://www.blockposters.com/">this magical little website</a> to print out the letter B in my choice of font on 4 sheets of paper so i could cut the pieces out, reassemble them into a B & then trace it onto the foam board to cut out in one large letter.<br />
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[that probably sounds confusing. <a href="http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/2010/11/printing-multiple-pages.html">here is an explanation/tutorial</a> of how to do it.]<br />
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after i printed out my giant B on 4 sheets of paper, i traced them onto the foam & cut it out 3 times with an exacto knife, & hot glued all the layers together. i used 3 layers of foam board [only $3 remember?] to give it the thickness i wanted.<br />
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from that point, i needed something to make it a little sturdier, smooth the edges, & give it the natural papier mache look i wanted it to have. so i tore some paper lunch bags [also from the dollar tree i think!] & modge podged it onto the letter. </div>
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i did the edges first [you can see it best on the back]:</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQAzbBcCfO-oo08JBY-zzP0IkmEM0AMtG4_i5fDXGmXyU8T6e0LbjBGrBdTFFXS9sOyPl_ItAM2kjXEiZdoMufwnIPqnXNLmxl1K0VxoieMB0p7iKJZxfM1l4um2KXw9SpPA2rUuprZE/s320/IMG_3752.JPG" /></div>
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& then did some squares to cover the rest of the white on the front. this step by far took the longest & i want to play around with using washi tape or printed duct tape instead!</div>
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here's a close up of the front so you can see the texture once the modge podge was dry:</div>
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ta da! big giant letter! it's hard to get an idea of the scale here, but it's leaning up against the house on my back porch railing if that helps at all. </div>
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instead of trying to hang it with command strips, i decided to go ahead & use a picture hanging bar & a clear command hook that i usually use for hanging ornaments on windows. while i'd honestly rather have a letter like this made out of plywood or mdf, this paper version is <i>light as a feather</i> & that makes me feel good about it hanging over a wee one's crib.<br />
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so happy with how it turned out, especially for so cheap!leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210781676229590230.post-69650790234256708112012-10-23T15:50:00.005-04:002012-10-23T15:57:45.236-04:00crafts for the non-crafty!i love crafts/crafting/making/diy/handmade so much that my heart sinks anytime someone proclaims themselves to be "non-crafty." or maybe i just feel a burning desire to convert the unconverted. or maybe i just want more people to be crafty so i'll have more crafty friends to craft with... ok, i admit it!<br />
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today, when i read <a href="http://blogs.babble.com/toddler-times/2012/10/23/7-reasons-that-doing-crafts-with-toddlers-sucks/">an article a childhood friend of mine wrote for babble</a> about how hard it can be to craft with toddlers, i felt an obligation as a crafty person to reassure the ladies out there who feel like they are self-proclaimed non-crafters that it can be done! & it doesn't have to be hard, frustrating, or expensive.</div>
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now,<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-we-made-today.html"> i'm the first to admit</a> that, especially with toddlers, it's true... toddler crafts can be messy, time consuming, & are more than likely to not end up looking anything like what you thought they would. it's not always easy. you have to let go a lot of your perfectionism, be ok with a lot of prep for a little bit of artwork, & most likely, be ready to clean up a big mess afterwards! but letting your little be free to find their own method & explore their own creativity is exactly the point. lots of big, expensive therapy centers & schools use creative arts as a way to relieve stress, encourage creative 'outside the box' thinking, & develop personality. you the mommy, who know him or her best, can be a conduit for all these things in your kiddo!</div>
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i do have to give a few disclaimers about myself, all of which you already know if you're a frequent reader here [if you're a first timer, welcome!]: i LOVE crafting & so in some ways it comes easily to me, but i still have to make time & patience for it just like anyone else. i also have a ridiculous stash of crafty supplies, much of which i inherited when my momma died, that might rival the prop closet on the martha stewart show set. but i promise, even if those same things aren't true about you, you can encourage creativity in your child & in yourself. you can do it inexpensively & not want to burn your house down rather than clean up when it's all said & done!</div>
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so, here are some of my favorite tried & true toddler/preschooler craft ideas, if the title is green, it links to a full post i did on the project:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">homemade bathtub paint</span></div>
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i find the bathtub to be one of the best ways to calm my kiddos when they're cranky & a free activity that they enjoy more than some of the most expensive, elaborate things out there. when i saw a recipe on pinterest for homemade bathtub paint, i thought, why not try it? now, i'm definitely not a crunchy <i>you must make everything yourself</i> homemade momma, but i do get a little skeptical of what kind of chemicals my kiddos are spreading all over themselves & our bathing areas in the name of 'paint.' homemade bathtub paint is seriously just:</div>
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one tablespoon cornstarch</div>
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one tablespoon dish soap</div>
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several squirts of food coloring</div>
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i didn't have cornstarch on hand, but the walmart brand box is like a dollar, & you can use baby soap instead if you're worried about little eyes burning [although i worried about that & we've never had a problem]. a giant bag of crafty paintbrushes are just a few dollars pretty much anywhere, or you can call it fingerpaint! i was shocked at how much my 2 year old loved this when i started making it, which literally takes all of 3 minutes to mix up- we have done it so many times. & i was also shocked at how sparkly clean & yummy smelling it left our bath tub when i rinsed it away! win/win/win. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/09/pinteresting-foam-stampers.html">foam sticker stamps</a></span></div>
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this is an idea i admit i straight up stole off pinterest- it doesn't take much creativity to do that! it was practically free, insanely easy & took about 3 minutes to make before she could start stamping away with them! all you need are some foam stickers & some totally free plastic juice bottle lids from your recycling. walmart & michaels have a huge selection of foam stickers, but we grab a bag as a special treat every time we have good attitudes at the dollar store, so we always have them on hand. a washable ink stamp pad ranges from about a dollar to much more expensive- you can choose what you want to spend on it based on how much you think you'll use it. my kid LOVED making these stamps & still uses hers all the time. </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentines-that-were.html">homemade notecards</a></span></div>
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a set of several blank notecards & envelopes come in all shapes & sizes & costs about $5-$6 bucks at michael's/ac moore/walmart/hobby lobby. give your child a pre-folded one, & something as simple as washable markers & stickers becomes a finished project that no matter what it actually looks like will thrill the hearts of grandparents everywhere. just stick it in the coordinating, perfectly-fitting envelope it comes with & pop it in the mail! if you're like me & never seem to have any stamps, stick it in daddy's lunch to find at work, or his sock drawer for a secret surprise next time he grabs a clean pair!</div>
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i used this as an easy way to make loads of valentines for family & friends last year- i had my little make lots of beautiful scribblies in pre-selected marker colors & then i cut out the hearts for her & glued them onto the cards themselves. extra work, sure, but you could alternatively have your kiddo color right onto the card- it just depends on whether they're old enough to handle scissors & glue!</div>
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<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-story-of-little-ikea-table.html" style="font-size: x-large;">chalk it up</a></div>
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i think that with the advent of the pinterest age, we over think things. just like not every pb&j you make for your kids needs to be cut into some fanciful flower shape, not every "craft" they do needs to be more complicated than simple stickers or good old sidewalk chalk! we don't have the luxury of a back yard right now, but we have a giant bucket of chalk [also a frequent but guilt-free dollar store purchase] that my kids have used since their under-one-year age. they use it on our little back porch & color everything from the porch railings, patio furniture, grill cover & even the siding of our house- it all washes off later with the spray of a hose!</div>
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sometimes your kid will come up with something clever/crafty all on their own if you can keep some of their supplies reasonably accessible for them to get to themselves when the mood strikes [obviously, the glue, scissors, paint, etc. are way up high in our house! check out <a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/08/watch-out-world.html">how i organize our supplies right here</a>]. my daughter has been known to combine some random things for her own version of 'crafty.' for example, today she was sitting with these little super cheap punches [from walmart, i believe], punching some plain old notepad paper, & putting the little punched out shapes into her piggie bank [which she is obsessed with]. kept her busy for like 30 minutes!</div>
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here are some others that i haven't personally done, but fit all my easy & cheap crafting with kiddos criteria. some of them are definitely a bit messy, but never underestimate the joy of everything being washable- spread your kiddo out on the back porch or even on your kitchen floor! i bought a washable plastic tablecloth [the kind that's plastic on one side with a cute print & flannel-y on the other] on clearance at target & it's been designated as the crafting surface. we spread it out on the big dining table or kitchen floor & as long as the art is smaller than the table cloth, it does a great job of mess containment!</div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/139752394657918243/">gluing pom poms onto things</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/139752394656414648/">pencil eraser stamping</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/51650726946306899/">veggie stamping</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/51650726946007927/">homemade air dry clay</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/236298311669717634/">snow paint</a></div>
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for more ideas, feel free to click on over to my pinterest '<a href="http://pinterest.com/leafandletter/pretty-for-kiddos/">for kiddos</a>' board [i try not to pin anything i haven't actually tried myself our wouldn't actually try myself] & check out my other '<a href="http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/search/label/crafting%20with%20kiddos">crafting with kiddos</a>' posts here!</div>
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leaf and letter handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02106560245804997657noreply@blogger.com0