Easy 4th of July DIY

From living in the apartment and having NO storage space I had no 4th of July Decor AT ALL! I know, I know...horrible right! 

So I was alittle bored and decided to make something using what I had around the house. Patriotic fabric, raffia, jar lids, old wood wreaths, and good ol hot glue.

Baby food lids. I took the rafia and glued it in a criss crossing fashion then glued a fabic star cut out over the middle. Once star was placed a went back and trimmed the raffia...like giving it a hair cut. LOL.

  I then did the same thing with white wide ribbon.

 And again with cut blue fabric scraps.

Jessi had these old wooden wreaths she had painted green. I took them (lol) and we had some metallic blue spray paint we covered the wreaths with. 

I also added little extras in with the star jar lids, just with plain scrap fabric, hot glue and other jar lids.

I then fastened all the wreaths together with white ribbon and hung them.

(thanks to Jessi and my indecisiveness) I later removed the top ribbon from design.

Annnnnd whaaaalaaa! I have myself a 4th of July Wreath/Door Decor!

Be creative~

Bree and J

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Brooklyn's Room: In Progress...Mod Podge Fabric Initials

Super Simple and Fun Craft

What you need:

Mod Podge

Fabric

Letters

Razor Blade or Razor Knife

Paint Brush (optional, I have used my finger before...but this gets messy!)

 Add a light layer of mod podge onto letter, if your using card board letters apply an even lighter coat. The purpose of this is to just hold down the fabric while you mod podge over it. Applying a thick layer may cause the card board to get soggy...this can even happen with the wood letters. Make sure to check the quality of each letter before purchase.

 Place fabric onto letter. If you have a pattern make sure you line it up or keep the fabrics design in mind.

 Add a good (thick) layer over fabric. Make sure to extend mod podge over the edges a tiny bit but don't leave a lip or too much excess on edge.

 Then I used the razor knife to cut along edges, make sure to take your time so you don't have an edge that starts to fray. Don't worry, if you do just add alittle mod podge over the area. I applied a light layer of mod podge to all edges after cutting but this isn't necessary. 

I also added an extra layer of fabric because my fabric was white and with only one layer it was alittle see threw. This all depends on fabric and letter your using.

I think I may add one m ore little hoop at the bottom of the right green one but still not sure...need to find the little hoop first but would love any feedback and what you think...

Yes add one more little hoop or no it looks great!

(its also really hard to see but the wall color is yellow and the white letters do stand out a bit more. Better pics to come with final viewing of her room!!!)

To view tutorial on the hoop decor follow this link: Brooklyn's Room: In Progress...Hoop Decor.

Hoop Fantastic~
Bree and J Pin It

Brooklyn's Room: In Progress...Hoop Decor

By using embroidery hoops you can simply add fabric to create a beautiful design for your wall.

 Pick your fabrics and gather your hoops. I wanted a mixture of hoop sizes. Smaller ones are hard to find. Goodwill is always an inexpensive place to find them sometimes.

 Iron your fabric.

 Place hoop to get an idea of where to place bottom hoop. You want to make sure you leave a good 1 1/2" because when you press down the top hoop the fabric will shorten up on the sides.

 Place your bottom hoop under the fabric.

 Then press down the top hoop and tighten the ring so its secure.

 After it's tightened, trim the sides for easier handling.

 Glue the sides of fabric, I used hot glue but I've seen where people use Elmers.

 Press down fabric on glued edge.

This is what it looks like after all fabric is glued. You can then go back around and trim up more. 

Then hang in whatever way you like. The space in the middle of hoops will have her initials going down diagonally. 

Have a Hoopy Day~ LOL

Bree and J

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Schools Out: Gifts for Kids

I promised this post last week but fell behind due to NO INTERNET! BAAAAH! Anyway enough these cute ideas for an End of Year/Schools Out gift for your kiddos classmates! You'll find some really "smart" and "Kool" ideas!

 For those "smarties" of ours..."Good Luck Smartie Pants"

Such a "Kool" idea... "Have a KOOL summer" with silly straw and Kool-Aid.

So sweet and minty fresh "Owl Miss You" with gum packet.

You can "knot" be without this Knot Design for your older kids!

Great way to be "chill" with this Popsicle idea!

Stay "chill" and have the "Kool"est "Smartie" kid in class~

Bree and J

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Schools Out: Teacher Gifts

The end of the year is coming up very soon! In a matter of weeks now! My kids have no idea what that means and in fact will probably be devastated when there is no more preschool for awhile. Though I am in fact excited for the weather that is "supposed" to be associated with summer. Last year was awful (I was thankful though being 9 months pregnant) but this year I want swimming weather EVERYDAY!

Anywho......we don't want to forget those very special teachers that helped our kids all year long, put in countless hours before and after school planing, are underpaid and had to put up with (I'm sure...but it wasn't me) irate parents (lol). Here are the links to the great schools out gifts for teachers that are shown up above. 

You can also view our Teacher Appreciation Gifts from Teacher Appreciation Week.

Also look for:

Schools Out: Classmate Gifts

Schools Out: For Your Kids

to pop up this next week!

See a gift you liked up above? Follow these links to see the tutorial. 

Always wanna give love to those who actually made it first! <3

1. Apple Milk Glass and Matching Card 
2. I tried to track this one down, found the photo on Google images and LOVED it...so simple and SO cute...but it was copied and pasted to many times and error only resulting when trying to track down the originator. Any way this cute apple and Thank You tag is very simple to do. Thin ribbon/twine, make a tag and tie to an apple stem and your done!
3. Assorted gifts in a Soda Pop Box
4. Sweet Strawberries Gift
5. "You are sweet" Ice Cream Cup
6. Root Beer appreciation gift
7. For those of you who aren't crafty so much and would rather buy a cute crafted idea here is one:  Cute and Creative Teacher Gifts to Buy
8. Even though this was originally a Christmas idea you can use the idea and just make a few changes for your teachers.... Christmas Gift turn to End of School Teacher Gift
9.  Personalized Pencil Holder
10. Another idea for those of you who aren't so crafty...buy these Adorable Magnets for your teachers!

Show your teachers some love~
Bree and J Pin It

Friday Pinterest Challenge

Friday Pinterest Challenge

Who can pick the 

BEST Teacher Appreciation Gift

Bree VS Jessi

From Pinterest Board:

Crazy Kids

Also see our blog post featuring these gifts:

Our Teacher Appreciation Gifts!

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15 Great Teacher Appreciation Gifts

UPDATED: With the tragic, recent Connecticut School shooting many parents are wanting to show their appreciation to the wonderful teachers that make it their priority to keep our kiddos safe! Here are some great ideas from last years Teacher Appreciation Week! Show your teacher how great you think they are! 

Thank Them!

1. Adorable Crayon letter Frame
2. "We're NUTS for our teacher" treat/gift idea
3. "Bear hugs for Mr. Stu from Bradley" treat idea: add teddy graham bears (you can also use gummy bears) to fold over sandwich bag, cut off fold, make tag with text and punch hole in tag than tie with ribbon. So simple!
4. "My teacher is AW-some" A&W pop idea
5. Quick and easy snacky M&M's and mason jar idea
6. You were mint to teach idea with altoid mints
7. Adorable chalk board planter gift
8. Inexpensive pencil frame for your teacher
9. Multiple cup idea's for your teacher
10. Cute and delicious apple and homemade dip gift
11. Quick and easy water bottle gift tag idea
12. Simple and cute "Teacher's plant seeds" theme planter set
13. Yummy We need "s'more teacher's like you" treat
14. We're stuck on our teacher" mason jar and glue gift: Fill Mason Jar with glue sticks and create or hand write "We're stuck on our teacher" text, then punch out with circle or decorative punch and hot glue to jar. To finish off tie decorative ribbon around top of jar.
15. Extra Gum and Gift Tag: Make a tag that says "The difference between an ordinary teacher and an extraordinary teacher is alittle EXTRA", you can either make on your computer and print or hand write out, punch hole in tag and string ribbon/twine through to tie. Place "Extra" gum into a fold over sandwich bag (cut off fold) and tie closed with tag.

Show your teacher some appreciation~
Bree and J

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Handmade Stepping Stones

Handmade with Love 

Stepping Stones for Mom's Day

What you need:

Molds, such as foil pie tins
Newspapers
Quick-drying concrete
Plastic work container
Water
Rocks, marbles, small toys, or other items
Nonstick cooking spray
Acrylic paints
Paintbrush


Instructions:
1. In a well-ventilated work area, place newspapers over work surface.
2. Pour quick-drying concrete into a plastic container. For each tin, you'll need about 8 cups of dry concrete mix. Mix it with water according to the directions. To slow the drying time, add another cup of water to the mixture. Just before you pour, spray the form with nonstick cooking spray. When the mixture is the consistency of cake batter, pour it carefully into the form.
3. Smooth out the concrete and add embellishments, such as rocks, marbles, or small toys. Write your name with a small stick and make a hand print or footprint if desired. Work quickly. Wash hand or feet when done. Let the plaque dry.
4. Remove the plaque from the form. Paint it as desired. Let the paint dry.


Thank you Martha!


5 days until Mom's Day~
Bree and J
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Handmade with Love: Mother's Day Card

My Grandma gave me this card for Mother's Day..she goes to card making classes with her girlfriends and also creates them herself. I loved this one!!! 

She added a detail on bottom of top page of card, its been forever since i "scrapbooked" so i don't remember what its called but she rolled it through a thingy that cut the paper to add the scalloped edge and then she "browned"/"aged" the edge with an ink pad. (i think, lol) Then place a main, designed piece of paper over the top as your base design to create off of.

Add ribbon accent then glue/tape embellished card stock over ribbon...card stock overlaps ribbon.

Glue/tape down "MOM" scrabble letters to shaped accent then tape shape with foam tape to add a "lifted" 3D feel. 

 Butterfly Detail

Butterfly Die Cut, glue/tape down only the center on back to be able to lift wings and give butterfly a 3D effect. Add a ribbon bow for accent.

She always adds a stamp detail inside card for a little extra touch.

If I come over and your missing scrabble letters I'll be happy your using them to craft! LOL!

Happy Mother's Day Card Making Fun~

Bree and J

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