Cute Clipboards

Since I've been soooo anxious to do something crafty, I put together these cute little clipboards last night. They were quick & easy - just what I was looking for!

It all started when I was looking for something in my closet yesterday. I found these two old mini-clipboards that our kids took to church with paper & colored pencils when they were younger & had a hard time sitting for an hour!

I have also been wanting to put together a pre-printed grocery "shopping list" that I can use. Hmmmm....sounds like an idea is forming!

So here's how I did it:

Materials: 

Wood Clipboard (any size)

Scrapbook paper

Mod Podge & foam brush

Fabric flowers (optional!)

First I cut the scrapbook paper. My clipboards are 9" x 6", so I cut the paper just a little smaller than that. I also used my scrapbook corner rounder to round the edges:

So that the clip part wasn't in my way while I worked with the Mod Podge, I took a paperclip & looped it through the holes to keep the clip "open":

Then I painted the clipboard with a coat of Mod Podge. With me so far?

Next, I centered the scrapbook paper onto the clipboard and painted another coat of Mod Podge over the top: 

There WILL be air bubbles under the paper at this step - don't be afraid to smooth them out & paint some more!

After everything dried (I let them sit overnight), I added a fabric flower to one (for a tutorial, click here) and a ribbon to the other. 

All ready for the grocery list!

By the way, I edited all these pictures with PicMonkey and I have to say....I like it...A LOT!! If you are a Picnik user and are looking for something new, PicMonkey is a great alternative. Very similar. Simple and easy to use. Just what I was hoping for!

Linking up to:

The Kurtz Corner: Tuesday Tutorials

Jillify It: Party #3

Polkadots on Parade: Wow Me Wednesday

The Stuff of Success: Success U Wednesday

Two Yellow Birds Decor: Thursdays Temptation

The Crafty Blog Stalker: Blog Stalking Thursday

live.laugh.rowe: live laugh linky thursday

One Artsy Mama: Shine On Fridays

Creation Corner: Friday Link Party

Serenity Now: Weekend Bloggy Reading

Too Much Time on My Hands: Get Schooled Saturday

I Gotta Create: Spring Fling Week 1

Sew Can Do: Craftastic Monday

Serendipity and Spice: Manic Monday

Carolyn's Homework: Inspiration Board

Uncommon: Uncommonly Yours

Destination: Craft: Cutesy Monday

Valentine Collage

Over the weekend, I made the finishing touches to my Valentine mantel display. Sooooo last minute! I had been thinking about these for more than a week, but just didn't quite have the full idea until Friday.  I do think they turned out pretty well, and were so simple to make. I'm definitely keeping this in mind for other holidays. They would also be a great gift idea!

I started with a two-pack of 8x10 canvases from Hobby Lobby. (Promotional special for $3.99 - SCORE!)

Then I placed a heart shape I cut out from scrapbook paper on the canvas, along with a strip of red & pink scrapbook paper that I had stuck some "Thickers" on (remember those from my Christmas Monogram Art?)

Here's the other one:

Then I got out the good old Mod Podge and put a layer over the whole thing. 

Once it dried, it needed a little something extra, so I painted over everything with a coat of "Metallic Champagne" acrylic paint. Champagne for Valentine's Day - how appropriate!

Extreme close-up:

Next time I might look for a little lighter color paint, I wish the red background for the letters stood out more.  But overall, I really liked how they turned out, and they were such a thrifty project, too!

Here they are on the mantel:

(See what I mean about that orange wall? What was I thinking??)

And here they are alongside some of my favorite Valentine decorations - "sculptures" that my kids made in preschool!

I have one more Valentine's post coming up tomorrow.  And don't forget to check back for my giveaway winner!! Tomorrow is the big day!! You can still enter tonight, just click here.

Linking to:

The Blackberry Vine: Tuesday To Do Party

DebbieDoo's: Newbie Party

Sew Can Do: Craftastic Link Party

Alderberry Hill: Make the Scene Monday

Craft-O-Maniac: Monday Link Party

Michelle Paige: Rockin' Valentine Link Party

Valentine Polka Dot Wreath

I have to admit - Valentine's Day isn't one of my favorite holidays. I've never really gotten into it that much, and I certainly don't do a lot of decorating. (Maybe because I usually have half my Christmas things still out? LOL.) Anyway, our entire collection of Valentine's decorations are in a shoe box. A kid-sized shoe box. I don't really feel the need for much more, but I have seen a few cute ideas on Pinterest & other blogs, so I decided to make this heart-shaped wreath.

I started with a foam heart from Hobby Lobby (Using the 40% off coupon, of course!)

Then I took some scrapbook paper & cut it into strips:

Added a little Mod Podge:

And wrapped the heart up with the paper strips:

And then I added a cute little fabric flower. 
(If you're new to my blog, I have a tutorial here on how to make the flowers).

I also had a little fun with these photos on Picnik before it's gone. (So sad about that!)

Linking this post to:


Alderberry Hill: Make the Scene Monday
Debbiedoo's: Newbie Party
Life Made Lovely: Life Made Lovely Monday
Keeping it Simple: Motivate Me Monday
Skip to my Lou: Made by You Monday
C.R.A.F.T. : Making Monday Marvelous
Sew Can Do: Craftastic Link Party
Craft-O-Maniac: Monday Party
Sugar & Dots: What I Whipped Up Wednesday
Michelle Paige: Valentine Link Party
The Crafty Blog Stalker: Blog Stalking Thursday
Bacon Time: Crafting & Cooking from the Heart
I Heart Nap Time: Sundae Scoop
Sumo's Sweet Stuff: Market Yourself Monday
Thrifty Decor Chick: February Before & After

      
     

  

           

Monogram Art

I thought about making this project part of my "Frugal Holidays" series (which wasn't much of a series with just 5  parts!) But since it was a Christmas gift for my sister (who occasionally reads my blog), I didn't want to spoil the surprise! She was married in 2011, and I didn't think of this as a wedding gift, so Christmas was the next best thing.

I took a thrift store frame (I know she doesn't mind - she was probably with me when I bought it!) a wooden letter "N" from Hobby Lobby, and since I couldn't find any satisfactory wooden numbers, some scrapbook stickers (actually, they are called "Thickers" since they're so big & thick!)

See, I told you - Thickers!!

I spray painted everything black - even the "Thickers" which came in silver, but not black

(So now I know that pictures of black things taken in my dark basement don't turn out so great!)

I used two pieces of scrapbook paper and decoupaged them to the glass from the frame. Mostly because I needed some kind of back to hold it all together, and no one told me I couldn't decoupage glass! I've never heard of it before, but what the heck! It turned out okay. I added the black stripe between the N and 2011 since there was seam between the 2 pieces of paper that didn't look the greatest - the stripe was to hide that!

After everything dried, I used craft glue to stick the N and the numbers on the glass. The numbers wouldn't stick with just the regular sticker Thicker adhesive, so I had to use glue. Good idea - I wouldn't want the numbers falling off onto the floor for my sister's dogs to eat!

I personally think this was a pretty cool idea, and might make one for myself someday! (You know, after my long list of other projects is finished!) :)

This post linked to:

Ginger Snap Crafts: Wow Me Wednesday

Debbiedoo's Blogging & Babbling: Newbie Party
Southern Lovely: Show & Share
Someday Crafts: Whatever Goes Wednesday
The Blackberry Vine: Tuesday To Do Party
The Crafty Blog Stalker: Blog Stalking Thursday
Crafty, Scrappy, Happy: Crafty, Happy, Scrappy Me Thursday
Here's to Handy Andy: Pinteresting Link Party