Me and my guns... and a V-day craft :)

Watch out!
(Don't mess with me!)

My sweet husband took most of the week off for my b-day, and while we had some time to kill together, he took me out to the shooting range after purchasing a new little gun that he says is "for me"...yeah right. I did really like it though! I have only ever shot once or twice before, so I'm no pro (although I think I've got pretty good aim!) but when I pulled out my GLUE GUN today I knew I could handle it :) Most importantly...for my b-day he got me a Silhouette! I'm SO excited! My birthday wish came true, which is why last week I didn't do much in the way of crafts, hoping that if I held off I would have an extra special "helper". Here is my first project using my Silhouette, my glue gun, and these *flexing biceps* guns! ( I couldn't help myself, I'm sorry) ;)

*NOTICE-my "be mine" blocks? I made a new saying out of these blocks!*

A couple weeks back I found this really cute Valentine's Day Countdown at Katie's Nesting Spot that I wanted to try for myself, I used my Silhouette to cut the numbers (from fabric) out after I used heat n' bond on them. worked like a charm! Apparently Silhouette just came out with a new product to use for cutting fabric, but I did it without the new product and it worked!

I'd still like to embellish it a little, but here's the basic idea. Each numbered heart is a little pocket that I can put a note, activity or treat in for my kids to make the anticipation of V-day a little more fun.

I think I'm in LOVE (no pun intended, well....maybe?) with the Silhouette! Of course you could do this project with a Cricut or no machine at all by just cutting out your numbers :)

*Brittney*
Linking up to:
Sew Can Do
Keeping it Simple
Skip to my Lou
It's So Very Cheri
Making the World Cuter
Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Felt Flower Pillow

I consider each of my readers and followers my friends, so I need you to keep a secret. I'm pretty confident my husband doesn't really read this little blog of mine, at least I hope he doesn't read this post ;)
I love my husband, really, I'm very blessed. I won't tell you all he does, you'd be jealous, then we might not be as good of friends as I hope! haha. His job in the Coast Guard makes it so he's away a fair amount, especially at night. Before I found the wonderful world of craft blogging, and before I actually started trying to re-create projects I saw, I would sit at home like a sad puppy dog every time he left for a few days at a time. ( I know, I'm pathetic, even after years of it!) When he was gone, I would watch some t.v., stuff my face with something chocolate, catch up on my family blog (failing in that dept right now!), nothing really exciting or productive...Now that I have a craft to-do list, there are always things I'm trying to find time for and I've found that days and nights that my husband isn't here, make the perfect time for projects! Now, I'm still a sad puppy dog when he leaves, but I don't sit around anymore(usually) eating bon bons(not that there's anything wrong with that) I have things to do!
This is what I did this evening: A Felt Flower Pillow, I first saw it over at The Crafting Chicks
I've never had pretty pillows on my couches, but my world has changed, it adds more than I thought it would! I'm so happy with how it turned out, I feel like making 10 more but that would be overkill. One pretty pillow for my couches down, a few more to go :) Go check out the tutorial, it's great!!
2 post in 1 day?! Man, I'm chatty!
Have a GREAT 3 day weekend!

*Brittney*

Mail Time Quiet Book Page

Did you just LOVE getting mail as a kid? I know I did, so I took my own spin on sending and receiving mail, for Skylee's Quiet Book. Here she can keep a pen and some paper handy, write a note and send it off, OR get a little note from Mommy!

The envelope is open at the top where little pieces of paper are stored, and a place to hold a pen or pencil. Simple and functional :)
*Brittney*

Quiet Book

This is the first craft project I took on last fall. I had no idea what I was doing, what materials would work best, and how durable it would be. I also never really finished it, and just remembered I still wanted to add to it. Just in time too, we're leaving town in 2 weeks, complete with long hours of sitting for little ones (me too)! I figured I'd show you what all I've made and then I'll be able to keep you posted on new pages I add. I wanted to keep the cost to a minimum(as always) so I used felt, hot glue, felt, buttons, felt, velcro, felt, ribbon, and oh, FELT! What can I say, it's inexpensive and perfect for child's play :)

Cover with handle:

Flowers button on and off for practicing skills. Counting beads and using patterns:

Play purse with mirror and lipstick/ Hair page with pocket to hold hair supplies:

Dress up closet:

Ice cream scoops:

Tic Tac Toe

Oven opens for baking cupcakes/muffins:

I still plan on doing a few more pages for this book. I'll also see if I can start and finish another one for my little guy, more catered to boys :)

*Brittney*

P.S. I took some of these ideas from other bloggers, but since it's been a while I can't remember where! If you recognize any, let me know so I can give the credit due!

Linking up to:
Keeping it Simple
Craftastic Mondays
Market Yourself Monday
Get Your Craft On

DIY Wall Decals

Wall decals are totally "IN" right now, and I totally LOVE them! The problem is I'm not willing to spend much money on them. My solution, I made my own for WAY less $$! I don't have a Cricut machine, and I didn't use vinyl, but it's the same idea. This post from The Craft Patch is what inspired me, and although it's completely different, it got me to thinkin'...


I had a brown sheet that was perfect for this idea, a search on google, and some felt to finish it up would do the trick. Sorry I didn't take too many pictures again (didn't have this little blog), but you'll get the idea. If you have questions I'd be happy to answer them :) I'd still like to add more leaves, maybe add some more color to it, and I wish I would have made the trunk wider. Overall, I'm really happy with how this experiment turned out!

This is how I did it:
1. From queen size or full size sheet, cut out the shape. I'm no artist but I looked at a picture and did it free-hand (probably why the trunk turned out a little funny?)

2. Using push pins, I hung the now "decal" to the wall for placements. Then I used spray starch (like the kind you use for clothes) to adhere the decal on the wall (almost like wall paper). My decal is big, and I drenched the fabric, still had plenty of starch left over :) If you do this,make sure to re-pin the decal once the starch is on, until it dries. When it's completely dry, remove push pins.
3. From felt, I cut leaves/birds (or any other desired shapes). I didn't want to waste my time trying to starch-spray these to the wall...I put a little tape on the back, and stuck those little birdies up there! :)

I simply wiped any starch residue on the wall away with a wet cloth.
This works great for me since we are guaranteed to move in the next 6-18 months! The decals will peel off the wall with ease, leaving no residue! Perfect for renters on a budget, and a 3 year old girl who doesn't care about the imperfections!!!

Linking up to:
Keeping it Simple
Craftastic Monday @ Sew Can Do
Tip Me Tuesday @ Tip Junkie
Today's Creative Blog
You're So Crafty Mondays @ Miss Crafty Pants
We Did It Wednesdays @ Sew Much Ado
Whatever Goes Wednesdays @ Someday Crafts
Idea Sharin' Wednesdays @ Women Who Do It All
Hook'n up with HoH
Pumpkin Seed Productions
*Brittney*