An Exrta Role

My husband always get's on my case (in a lovie teasy way) about forgetting to put a spare role of TP in the other bathrooms. Part of the problem is that I don't like the idea of leaving them out for dust to collect. The reality is there is probably nothing to worry about, but it bothers me enough to want to do something about it.

I have see the commercials lately with the TP containers but I wanted to try and make my own out of materials I already had in the house. All in all, the project was pretty easy and only took about 20 minutes.

I had the perfect box in mind for this project. The gift inside was given to us as a wedding present and the box was such a perfect size, I didn't have the heart to recycle it. While it was a little big for the role, it will allow for bigger or smaller roles down the road since I can never seem to buy the same TP twice in a row. 

First I covered the top. Using a normal 12x12 piece of scrapbook paper I cut the paper down to the right size using my Cricut paper cuter.   I measured the top and added 2 inches on each side.   I then folded the paper like you would a gift box and secured with tape. 

Since the box height and sides were all exactly 6 inches, covering it was very easy. I cut a blue 12x12 piece of scrapbook paper in half. Then I wrapped each piece around the box securing it with tape. I rolled the tape and put it behind the paper on the bottom and just wrapped the tape up over the sides at the top (the top of the box will cover the tape). 

I decided the blue box and orange top were a little boring so I took the rest of the orange paper and cut them into stripes. On two of the opposite corners I folded the paper evenly and secured it from top to bottom. On the other two sides, I cut smaller pieces and folded the paper evenly but taped them horizontally instead of vertically. 

I first put the box in the bathroom with out the writing and realized some people may not realize what is inside. So, I took out my trusty Cricut machine and cut out the lettering and secured them with glue. Our bathroom is green, yellow, blue, orange and red to represent the different metro lines of the DMV metro system. We also have a metro map shower curtain which ties all of the colors together.  The blue and orange box looks perfect! 

Love is in the air!

A good friend of mine came over a few weeks ago for craft time. Since the Valentine's Holiday was approaching, we decided to create a little LOVE. We went to Michale's and found these letters for $2.50/each. I already had plenty of paint, brushs and twine at home.


In just a few short hours, I was able to go from this...

To this...

I didn't really need to provide step by step instructions for this one. I just used different designs for each letter. I wanted to connect them in an organic looking way so I found some twine and started wrapping it around each letter. I started at the top and created a loop for hanging first. I secured each section with hot glue, my favorite crafty tool. 

Where has the time gone?!?!

I can't even believe how much time has elapsed since my last post! I swear, I have a pretty good reason though!!!! Right before, like the night before, we left for OBX with our families (all the way back in October) we found out that we are expecting! Needless to say, I have been busy keeping our family blog up to speed since we have people from all over wanting to know updates. As a result, I have neglected my crafts and more importantly the Pinterest Challenge!

I PROMISE THAT ENDS THIS WEEK!

Now that my crafts will have a specific focus, Pinterest will be even more helpful and I want to document all of my craft making on this blog (I wish I had for our wedding). We also plan to do a lot of home additions around the house to increase storage space.

I want to keep this blog focused on crafts but if you want to check out our personal blog it's http://est-2011.blogspot.com/.  :o)

Pie In A Jar

Awhile back I came across a DIY project using Mason jars.  Of course I immediatly started brainstorming how I could make this into a DIY wedding project to submit to DIY Weddings Magazine. Keeping in mind the upcoming winter season, I catered the DIY project to a winter themed wedding.

Take a look at my step by step instuctions in their Winter 2011 issue.

Below are the templates I mentioned in my article. They were saved as Google Documents for easy access. You do not need a Google username or password, just the link!

Name Tag Template
Top Template

I can also customize templates for you. Since I am just starting to build up my blog and Etsy shop, I will do it free of charge. In return, I just ask for a review of your experience to post for future customers to read.

A little bit of this, a little bit of that!

I can't believe how long it has been since my last post. Once we got back from vacation I was slammed at work with spring registration for all of my students which took priority. I have been actively crafting but I am just now getting around to posting some of them.

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Milk Ghosts
I had one more Halloween project I wasn't able to post. My inspiration came from Pinterest of course! I tried to track down the original source but it led me here. This was a pretty cool project because it was; 1) easy, 2) cheap and 3) does not require storage. I collected milk containers in August and September. Using a black permanent marker I drew the faces on the containers and then purchased hats in the doll section of AC Moore & Michael's. My favorite, sorry guys, is the skinny ghost that looks like a Tequila bottle. I gave him a straw hat!

Wall Card Holder

My inspiration came from http://pinterest.com/pin/138767232237886252/. This has been a popular pin so I can assume that this is now hanging on walls in many homes. These are actually the fronts to medicine cabinets we purchased at a place called Restore. They were $3 each and it only took a few moments for Hubby to take them apart. After painting them, I decided to add some flowers and  the wood word cutouts. Since the cards that will be displayed on there come for Christmas, birthday's, and anniversaries they will be from our closest friends and family. I have a whole idea in mind for this wall and can't wait to finish it and show you all the final product.

First Christmas ornament of the season!

That's right folks. I decided to make ornaments for our family and this is the first of many. Some are Pinterest inspired and some are of my own creation. This is the latter. Hubby's parents own a camper and when we went to visit, they had this cute plaque on the tree outside that had their names and where they are from. Everyone on the campground had the plaques so that you know who lives where. I decided to replicate the plaque for their Christmas tree.

Free Printables

People always comment on the spreadsheets I make to help keep my life organized. I decided it would be nice to share with others to help spread the organization! Enjoy

Budget Tracker 

(This is only a PDF version. If you are interested in the Excel document, just send me an email!)

  - Explaination Guide on how to use the budget document

  - How to use the SUM button

Vacation Tracker Template

Password Tracker Template

Edible Acorns

We are currently in OBX this week with both sets of parents and a good friend. The weather is amazing and we are in total relaxation! My Mom decided to bring a few Pinterest projects to keep us busy!

Today, we decided to make edible acorn treats. My Mom found this through Pinterest at http://wearethatfamily.com/. We made a few alterations during out process but they still came out yummy!

You only need three ingrediants! Hershey Kisses, round Nutter Butter cookies, chocolate chips.

Separate the Nutter Butter cookies trying to leave peanut butter on each side.

Squeeze the Hershey Kiss and Nutter Butter cookie together.

Take a plate and run it under hot water for a few minutes.

  



Place the chocolate chips on the plate for a few seconds so they melt a little.

Squeeze the chocolate chip against the Nutter Butter.

Enjoy!!!



New Link Ups!

I have really started to get into link ups. Here are a few I am going to start participating in!!!

Cloth Ghosts

Another successful week of crafting for the 52 Weeks of Pinterest Challenge. Keeping with the Halloween theme!

These have always been a favorite decoration of mine at my Mom's house during Halloween. I decided to surprise her last weekend when I found out she was making them during her weekend craft class. We had such a fun time with my cousin and Grandma. Enjoy!

   

Creating your "ghost molds": Using two wires, wrap the ends with white electrical tape. Bend them on each side and secure around the bottle with tape. Using half the plastic egg, either the round or pointy side, tape it on top of the water bottle. Then bend the end of each side to create the arms of the ghost.

I think the round looks like a female and the pointy like a male, not sure why :o).

I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to do a quicky wedding with Rob. I am not a big fan of being the center of attention... The fortunate/unfortunate part is that my family is HUGE and a destination wedding would have made it impossible for most of my family to participate including Grandparents.

However, if it had been possible, this would have been one great deal!

Wedded Bliss Upon Tropical Sands

I also wouldn't have felt complete if I hadn't spent 15 months with DIY projects ;)