Magnet Chore Chart: Making Chores Fun

This fun chore chart is one any kid can get excited about, I know mine are! 

Who doesn't like to play with magnets?

I used this Glass Magnet tutorial along with this Printable Chore Chart to make my DIY magnet chore chart. I found the panels at my local craft store (Michaels) and just used dry erase markers to write. It's as simple as that!

Bunting Cake Topper

This was really fun to make, and everything cost me less than $10! I made this one for my baby-shower and it turned out great!

What you will need:
Burlap
Freezer Paper
Printer
Bunting Banner Template - Welcome Baby
Bamboo Skewers
Hot glue gun or E6000 (I used hot glue)
Ribbon
Jute Twine
Sewing Needle
Heat'n Bond Adhesive or Double sided scrapbooking tape (I used tape)
Lace Ribbon (optional)

I bought a sheet of burlap in the scrapbooking section of my local craft store (Michaels). I used these instructions How To Print On Burlap.
Once printed, iron the adhesive or place tape on the inside of the burlap flags and fold the sheets in half starting at the long ends of the triangles (to double the burlap). Be sure to leave a small opening on top to slide the needle and twine through. Then cut out each triangle. (I apologize that I do not have pictures of this).
Next take your needle and thread the twine through your flags.
Grab your Bamboo skewers and either glue the ends of the twine or tie them off. Then make your bow out of the ribbon and glue onto skewers. Viola!

Optional: Take the two flags without any writing and adhere the lace ribbon on both font and back, cut out and add to banner. 

Babyshower Ideas

Centerpiece Picture Frames 

I decided to go the DIY route with most of my decorations and games for my baby-shower. I found that I have saved a lot of money doing so. I bought these small white picture frames (3x3) at my local craft store (Michaels). I took the glass out and replaced it with with cut out burlap and used my E6000 glue to adhere these beautiful paper/fabric flowers (Hobby Lobby). 

Birthday Prediction Game 

I found a lot of these on Etsy that were really cute but I couldn't get myself to spend the $10 when I could make one more of my taste and for less. I created my calendar and printed it off (I went to the UPS store) on one of the two 12x12 size scrapbook papers I bought, and glue sticked them to a thin piece of cardboard (I used a cereal box). If you can find cute poster-board paper that you like then more power to you. You don't have to take the extra steps I did.

I then proceeded by gluing some lace ribbon across the top and bottom of my calendar and hot glued my paper/fabric flowers (same ones as above) for my finishing touch. I purchased baby feet stickers for my guest to place on the date they predict and write their name along the sticker. I plan to use this not only for a fun game but also as my guest book alternative. I think it will be something cute that I can hang up in her nursery later. 

DIY Wooden Letters: To Save or Not to Save

Why spend over $15 per wooden letter at any given craft store when you could just make your own? Once I had the vision of what I wanted my sons first birthday photos to look like I was immediately disappointed when I came to the realization that there was no way I could afford to spend that kind of money on letters. They're just letters!!??

I can not take all the credit for this crafty little DIY project for it was my husband that offered to lend me a hand. All we needed was a little wood, a drawing utensil, a skill saw, and spray paint. If you happen to have those materials or are able to easily obtain them then you are in luck! The money saving begins right now!

Perhaps having a stencil would have made this project a LOT easier but I had to free hand due to time and money. Fortunately the spray paint hid my mistakes well!

This may seem like a headache to some but honestly it was the fastest easiest project yet! 

You can't complain with the results! Lucky for me I was able to have the materials I needed to take the photos I visioned for my sons birthday and every minute was worth it! Every penny saved was as well!

Hot Cocoa Christmas Gift Basket: The Economical Choice

If you're like me you're looking to give something to the family that's a little more personal then a gift card without having to spend a ton. Well search no more!

Homemade hot chocolate gift baskets! I purchased everything I needed (other than ingredients) from the dollar store. Five gift baskets for under $30. Can't beat that!

First I gathered three types of jars. A larger one for the cocoa mix, a small one for mini marshmallows and a mason jar mug for the candy canes. Once I had the jars picked out I found some festive christmas color baskets to place them in. I then grabbed three different types of ribbons, two different flannel back table cloths (technically you only need one but if you want a variety for different baskets go with two or more) and was on my way.

First things first... wash the jars! You wouldn't want to get a gift of edibles in a never washed jar would you?

Next, I began to place the different ribbons around each jar using double sided tape I had from a previous project from the craft store. Once I was finished with that I added the ingredients into the jars.

I then took some textured paper and cut it out to fit the lid of the hot cocoa jar. I took a different color and cut it into a fun shape, wrote my Merry Christmas, and stuck it on the lid. 

The baskets... ugh what a headache to figure out. But I finally did it!

I cut one of the tablecloths into fourths. Then placed it nicely in the basket and made sure I had some over hang. I had to once again use the double sided tape to hold the ends together. Then I grabbed one of the ribbons (since there was plenty left over from the jars) and wrapped it around holding it in place with the double sided tape. (Have we used enough double sided tape yet?). Lucky me I didn't measure the ribbon correctly so I had a small gap in between ends. Well problem solved! I took a different color ribbon and just tied a simple knot and taped it on. It was perfect!

 There you have it! A gift for five for under $30!

If you're really feeling adventurous then wrap the basket in holiday cellophane and tie it with a Christmas tag! I got the cute little Christmas tags at Walgreens in a pack of ten for under $2. 

But wait! What about the hot chocolate mix recipe you ask? Well check it out on my food blog - Adding Inches - Mama In The Kitchen

Time For Fall: The Pallet Project

I've finally done it! My first Pallet experience. My husband and I had fun trying to find some free pallets driving around near local businesses. It was like a scavenger hunt!

So I decided to further our decorating experience and make a homemade autumn sign. We're not crazy about decorating for Halloween but you can definitely add whatever you like to the sign! Make it unique and yours!

We started off by rounding up a pallet to tear apart (poor thing) and sawed off the ends of the boards to give it a worn out look. Imperfection is key! Than we nailed what boards we decided to keep onto the post we made from another part of the pallet to stick into the ground. We continued on by lightly spray painting each board to the desired color (we used orange, white, red and yellow to give it a good fall look).

I then worked my magic inside out of that cold garage and put my stencils to work! I stenciled on thin cardboard to help cover the sign while we spray painted the letters on. Feel free to use paint instead we were just going with the better economical choice.

Now to paint the letters on! If you're using spray paint it should be dry in no time. We did about two layers each.

Problem we encountered: I would recommend painting letters on individual boards BEFORE nailing them to the post. Why we didn't think of this? Not sure... excited perhaps.

Viola! Find the perfect place to place your new fall decoration and enjoy!

Chalk It Up

Why spend loads of money on signs that you'll probably only use once when you can make one?!

              

Thanks to my husbands landlord side job we had bunch of for sale signs and posts. I looked at Home Depot and they were only $15. Add the chalk board spray paint for less than $4, and a chalk marker from the local craft store for less than $5 and you're good to go! 

All it takes is a simple spray spray on the signs with chalkboard paint and let it air dry. It doesn't take long! Then a shake shake with your chalk marker and let your creative juices flow!