Post A Signature On Your Blog

Do you know how to post your signature in a Blog? I searched the net and found a few helps.

One help I found was on My Live Signature follow the instructions.

Or...you can make something similar to mine. I opened a new template in Photoshop Elements and I made the new template 1 inch by 3 inches , however if I were you...I would do it a little smaller. Anyway...then I opened up and pasted my scrapbooking paper on the template. I added my signature (just by picking my favorite font). save your image as a jpg. Next, upload your signature/picture to photobucket. Copy the HTML code. The Open your Dashboard/ Settings/ Formatting/ Post Template in your blogging account. Put this code in the Post Template box. Make sure when you write your next post, that you write ABOVE the code, or else it will show the signature first. Let me know if you have any questions!

Decoupage Projects

Click on the pictures to go to Grace Violets Blog

I too have done the decoupaged letters (for Addison's room). It was a fun project. You can buy the letters at Michaels, Jo-Anns, Or my personal favorite Roberts Crafts (In Idaho & Utah). I turned the letter facing down on my scrapbooking paper (which is flipped to the wrong side...does this make sense?) and I traced the letters onto the paper. I then cut them our using scissors and an exacto knife. Then I added a thin layer of Mod Podge on the letter. Then I added my scrapbooking paper. Let it dry. Then add another layer of mod podge to the scrapbooking paper (you are making a sealant...how do you spell that anyway?). Let Dry. You can decide if you want to add more layers of mod podge or not. Add any embellishments including ribbon, buttons, Etc. I also like the worn look, so I edged the wooden letter with our sanding belt (I'm sure you could just use sandpaper). I love that you can personalize and match the colors to the theme of the room. This is a cute easy project!

Decoupage Silhouettes

(I'll have to try this one...too cute!)

Decoupage Canvas

I have done a few covered canvases before also, however Kristins are a lot cuter then mine!

I made one in Briggs room. He had a Polo Bear Theme. I cut out one of the little bears from a extra pair of sheets that had a polo bear on it, and I Mod Podged it to the covered canvas. It turned out REALLY cute. I wish my camera was working so I could take some pictures to show you!

Ribbon Covered Bucket

Click on the picture to go to her Blog

I've seen this done before, but I have never seen such a cute bucket itself! Kristen (from Grace Violet) said that she married into a creative family and her sis-in-law made this for her kids toys. If only my kids toys were organized in such a stylish fashion! (Actually...I'm not giving up on the idea!)

These are my favorite colors! Forget the kids toys, I need one for me! Enjoy!

Ps, I know your next question is going to be...Where did she get the bucket? Babies-R-Us!

Pillow Case Skirt

Click HERE for the link

What a fun idea.....from a pillow case? Who would have thought? When I unpack my sewing machine, this is one of the first things I'll try!

Featuring Grace Violet

I absolutely love surfing the net and finding creative and crafty ideas. I could spend hours doing it. What a geek...I know! In fact I have to reward myself with time on the computer if I get my other household chores. It's my incentive! (You've never seen a women clean so fast in your life!!).
Anyway...I happen to come across this site called Grace Violet. I have contacted Kristen and she was kind enough to let me use her pictures featuring her products and crafty ideas, then I will just link you directly to her site. So the next few posts will be from her. Thanks Kristin!
Enjoy!

How to make Spray & Wash

I found this off of the organizing mommy blog. You can visit her site HERE! What a crafty idea!

"For about 10 years, I've been making my own laundry-pretreatment. I found the recipe in the Tightwad Gazette. To make it easy on everyone, I buy a bottle of spray and wash and proceed to use it up. That only takes a week or two around here. (Yes, I spill on everything and everyone)


Then, I use the original container to make another batch.
With a funnel, pour in the following ingredients:
1/2 cup of wisk
1/2 cup of white vinegar
1/2 cup of ammonia
Add water up to the top.
Put on the lid and shake 'er up.


The real question is: does it work? It does. It does smell a little different than the original, which could cause some problems. We once had a guest who asked to do some laundry. Later she told me that she couldn't use the spray and wash because, "it smelled like vinegar!" HA... that's one way to keep 'em out of your special stash of spray and wash!

Make your own."

Perfect Mothers Day Post

My friend Angeline from kenai is one of those "perfect" moms. Her house is ALWAYS tidy, her kids are always well dressed, punctual, supports her kids in this and that, she's a wonderful cook, crafty, smart, and the list could go on and on.
One time I went to her house and saw these pictures. I thought "What a fun idea", I really wished I would have thought about it. So for you moms, or moms to be, here is a nifty idea for when you have a baby!

Angeline said: "In Both sets of these pictures I was within 7 days of delivering, and some right up to the day of delivery, I either was going into the hospital the next day for induction or just waited long enough past my due date before I took them."

As for the same dress collage,Matt took my first pregnancy pictures at 3,6, and 9 months in that dress, the next pregnancy I happen to take a picture of that dress a week before delivering and I thought, hey I have a shot just like this for Lochlan, so I consciously took the other 3 kids pictures in my 9th month. I used a basic scrap booking program for that and than framed it, as you can see by the pictures the dress is shrinking in size but I have to hold onto it for one more pregnancy...our hope"




"The painted belly shots is a fun family activity, the kids and Matt are the one who do it for me every pregnancy and we turn it into a family night, each picture correlates to a theme for the month they were born.. We still don't have the right paint down, the last two we used acrylics which stuck really good and washed off super easy, but my skin was very sensitive to them. I don't remember what we used on the first paintings.
If your painting your belly, do not do it while sitting down, that is what happened with the beach ball one, your stomach goes slack and when you stand up it's not very circular, so I either stand while they paint it or kneel down with my back against the couch for support, depending on how quick your little painters are it can get pretty uncomfortable, and don't forget to lay a sheet down for paint drips, we learned that after #1."



What a fun idea! I love to see the different ways she carried her babies, and I love seeing the different hairstyles!

Creative Ways To Give Money

When we were little my mom and dad found creative ways to give us money on birthdays, holidays, and upcoming vacations. One of my most memorable ways was "The Money Tree".

Mom would find a plant or a broken bare tree branch with lots of branches and tie money around the base. See how cute?

I was desperate to find a last minute present for one of Hunter's friends and I also decided to do the money tree. I went to the bank and got several crisp one dollar bills. I rolled the dollar bills, and tied each dollar to each branch on the tree with thin ribbon. I put the branch in a terra cotta base, and poured dirt in it. I scattered a whole bunch of change all throughout the dirt. Because I own my own vinyl lettering plotter, I added a personal touch by adding his name to the pot. I have to admit, it looked really cute! Hunter said it was a big hit at the party. I wish I would have taken a picture of it!

Instructions for the Dollar Gift Box

Instructions for the Dollar Shirt

Instructions for the Dollar Ring

Click HERE for many more money origami ideas!

A DOZEN LONG STEMMED DOLLARS

Fold bills in half and roll tightly into miniature roses.
Secure the roses with a craft wire or florist tape adding a silk stem and leaves as you wrap.
Put the dollar roses in a fancy tissue lined box or beautiful vase with real baby's breath and floral filler for a very romantic way to give money!

SHOWER THEM WITH MONEY

Cut several 10 inch ribbons and tie several dollar bills in the middle to make a bow tie.
Next, Tie the ribbon strands to the open spokes of the umbrella.
While holding the umbrella partway open, push all of the ribbons and money into the umbrella and close it up so they can't be seen. Imagine the surprise when the umbrella opens.

MONEY TREE #2

Cut a small tree branch with lots of smaller branches coming off the main one.
Mix plaster of paris with water for a stiff consistency and add it to a flower pot or other container. If you are using a terracotta pot make sure you cover the bottom drainage hole with plastic wrap or tape before filing it with the plaster.
Next, insert the tree branch and let it harden overnight. Using hot glue add Spanish moss to cover the top of the plaster. You can also hot glue silk plant leaves to the branches for a realistic effect.
Last, tie money bills to the tree branches for a unusual gift.

I found THIS site online, that sells cute, creative little trees. You could be creative and add money to one of these trees. They even sale money hooks to add the money to the trees.

O.k, I think I just found my new craft project. I will write a tutorial about how to make a wire money tree. Stay posted!

Quotes About Mothers

TyAnne from Inspire Me Crafts has put together a few quotes about mothers. I thought it was fun to read some of these, and I'm trying to figure something creative to do with them. I'll keep you posted.

1. Who are all these children and why are they calling me mom?
2. Mother's of little boys work from son up til son down!
3. A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after. - Peter De Vries
4. All mothers are working mothers.
5. When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. - Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty
6. Insanity is hereditary; you get it from your children. - Sam Levenson
7. A mother understands what a child does not say.
8. Your arms are always open when I needed a hug. Your heart understood when I needed a friend. Your gentle eyes were stern when I needed a lesson. Your strength and love has guided me and gave me wings to fly. - Sarah Malin.
9. AS I LOOK BACK
As I look back on my life
I find myself wondering....
Did I remember to thank you
for all that you have done for me?
For all the times you were by my side
to help me celebrate my successses
and accept my defeats?
Or for teaching me the value of hard work,
good judgement, courage, and honesty?
I wonder if I've ever thanked you for the simple things....
The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we've shared?
If I have forgotten to express my gratitude
For any of these things,
I am thanking you now....
and I am hoping that you've known all along,
how very much you are loved and appreciated.
- Author Unknown

10. YOU KNOW YOUR A MOM WHEN....
a. You count the sprinkles on each kid's cupcake to make sure they're equal.
b. You find yourself cutting your husband's sandwiches into cute shapes.
c. You can't bear to give away baby clothes - it's so final.
d. You hear yoru mother's voice coming out of your mouth when you say, "NOT in your good clothes!"
e. You stop criticizing the way your mother raised you.
f. You hire a sitter because you haven't been out with your husband in ages, then spend half the night checking on your kids.
g. You say at least once a day, "I'm not cut out for this job", but you know you wouldn't trade it for anything.