Night of Fun

Well, LOTS going on in our house tonight! 

We started with a homemade pizza competition...

My hubby won with an AWESOME pizza 

he made on the grill!

 (mine was the tasty Hawaiian, but his was unique and yummy!)

It was scrumptious! 

Now I am off to a full night of Crafting and Pandora Radio! 

If you are just hanging out tonight, 

you can follow my adventures of 

preparing for my first craft show on Twitter!

Have a FANTASTIC night! 

Day of Firsts!

Holy Buckets! 

Today has been an eventful day of firsts for me! 

Two AWESOME things happened today...

One: I signed up for my first 5K!!! 

On July 15th you can find me running in The Color Run!

The Color Run is a race for charity that just 

looks like a TON of fun! 

Runners participating start out with a white t-shirt, and by the end

they have been doused by TONS of powdered 

paint to end in one heck of a color frenzy!

My husband, sisters, and I signed up for the race today! 

It will be a first for us all! 

Check out this Awesome video and tell me you don't want to be a part of that!!!

The Color Run Minnesota will be sponsoring

 Open Your Heart Nonprofit Organization.

I am SO pumped! 

Now time to start training!!

Two: I signed up for my first craft show! 

The kicker...it is in 18 days!!! 

YIKES! 

I need to get my butt in gear! 

What to make? 

Zipper Flowers, Banners, Scrapbooks and more....

be prepared to see my craft attempts & 

fails in order to prepare for this show! :) 

Lucky Sign

Note: 

You still have 2 Days to Link Up

to this weeks Weekend Wind Up! 

Enter for your chance at this weeks 

great giveaway! 

Now....

 Needing some more St. Patty's Day Decor?

I know I do! 

So, I searched through some crafting supplies tonight

 and here is what I came up with...

What do you think?! 

It was SO easy! 

To Make Your Own, You Need:

An Old Frame or Mirror

Burlap

Glue Dots

Acrylic Paint

Stencil Brush

Stencils/Cricut Word Cut Out

1. Cut your piece of burlap to the size of the frame before starting. 

2. Lay out your stencil and tape it down tight. 

3. Using your stencil brush, stencil on your lettering. 

4. Attach the piece of burlap to the fram using sticky dots, 

or if you want a more permanent setting, glue it down. 

5. Embellish with scrapbook paper, ribbon, gems

or whatever you please! 

And there you have it! 

A mantle worthy decoration! 

Linking up @: 

Manic Monday

Blog Lovin' Blog Hop!

I am super excited to be co-hosting a Bloglovin' Blog Hop
 with Amanda from School House Scraps 
and Randee from Randee's Organized Chaos.  
What's Bloglovin' you ask?  
Well, only the greatest way to keep track of the blogs that you love!  


With the discontinuation of Google Friends Connect, I decided that I needed to find another way to keep up with all of my favorite blogs that are not hosted by blogger. 
 I signed up for Linky Followers and I've had great success with gaining new followers, but I’m finding I don’t get any traffic to my site from Linky.  
I also do not enjoy reading my favorite blogs from there.  
I stumbled upon Bloglovin' and I am in love! 
 It is very similar to Google Reader, in that you can see the beginning of the post and the first picture attached to the post.  
Plus, Bloglovin' automatically updates your posts, unlike Linky Followers, which you have to manually update each time you write a new post.  
I don't know about you, but I just don't have the time to do that every time.  
Another added bonus is there is a Bloglovin' application for IPhone and Android devices.
  Woohoo!  Like I don't spend enough time reading blogs.  
Now it's a simple touch.  
Love it!

In order to participate in this hop you need to sign up for Bloglovin’.  
Go to Bloglovin'.  


***These are the complete instructions for sign up***
{Please skip if you already have Bloglovin'}


 {{Hit the green sign up button in the right hand corner.  
Next enter an email address and create your password.  
You will get a confirmation eamil that you will need to follow a link back to Bloglovin' to continue the process.  
Once you click on the link you will be brought to a page where it says to choose blogs to follow.  You don't need to do this.  
Click next in the bottom right hand corner. 
 The next screen let’s you know about the mobile app so just click next again.  
This screen will show that you are not following any blogs. 
 Click on Account in the upper right hand corner and toggle down to widget. 
 Choose the widget you want displayed on your page. 
 Put your url into the search query and it should pull up your site. 
 Click on your site and it will say display this icon. 
 The next page should bring you to a screen that has you display it into your layout.  
 Once you hit publish you’re done!  
If you view your blog you should see the icon and now your followers can add you to their Bloglovin’ feed. 
 Seriously, so simple. }}


  So let’s get to the blog hop.  
This is a party so make sure to have some fun and mingle.  


There are only a couple of rules:

1.       Please follow all three hostesses – 


School House Scraps 


The NY Melrose Family


 Randee's Organized Chaos

2.      Add Bloglovin' to your blog.


3.      Post our button for the blog hop on your page to promote the fun.

<center><a href="http://www.thenymelrosefamily.blogspot.com/"><br /> <img src="http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj590/russej10/bloglovin-1-1-1-1.jpg" border="0"/><br /> </a></center>

Alright, so let's have some fun and mingle!

Super Busy Saturday!

Wow! This weekend is FLYING by,

 but it has been SO fun!

First things first, please stop by and link 

up to the 2nd Weekend Wind Up! 

There is a great giveaway going on, 

and we LOVE to see your creative ideas!

On to the weekend....

Last night the hubby and I took his big buck to the

Deer Classic, and he is placing 2nd right now!

{{I really don't care for hunting, but it is something he

loves and is excited about, so I am too!}}


Update: He ended up placing 3rd in the Big Buck Contest! :)

I did LOTS of window shopping with a good friend today...

and I was SO good!

I only bought one thing....this LOVELY old globe from

and antique store.

{{Picture to come tomorrow!}}

I also signed up for American Crafter.

I am not sure I have much of a chance, there

are SO many talented crafters out there, but

What The Hey?!

It's for the fun of it, and it would be SO awesome to

be considered!

If you have a second, I would

LOVE it & appreciate it if you would 

stop on over and click on 

#59, Zipper Flowers! 

Another great thing that happenend, I was awarded The "Sunshine Award" by anew blogger friend, Jenny, over at The NY Melrose Family! 

Thank you Jenny! 
I am so grateful for all of my followers. I have loved blogging so far and sharing my ideaswith you all! 
I hope that you have all had a great weekend so far too! Hopefully I wil get some crafting on tomorrow! Happy Crafting! 

Weekend Wind Up #2

It's that time of the week! 

Get ready for the weekend and Wind Up 

by linking up your great projects here! 

This week I have an awesome giveaway for you 

from Caitlin at A Paper Owl!

She is offering these adorable notecards

 from her Etsy Shop! 

They don't mean what you think....  :)

The winner this week will receive a pack of 9 note cards & matching envelopes! 

Now the Rules: 

1. Only link directly the original post of 

your own projects, ideas, or recipes.

(Please don't link any businesses or promotions)

2. Please do not "Like" your own link. 

It's more fun that way!

3. You can earn more "Likes" by:


* Becoming a Linky Follower of School House Scraps


*Liking School House Scraps on Facebook


*Adding the Party Button to your Blog

The winner with the most "Likes" On Wednesday

 evening will be e-mailed, and featured 

in next weeks Wind Up! 

Good Luck & Happy Partying!

"Charm" Banner

With St. Patty's Day and Easter right around the corner, 

It's time to get going on decorations, 

and you're in luck! 

This banner is my first attempt at "greening" up the casa! 

To make your own, here is what you need:

*Burlap

*Scrapbook Paper

*Binding or ribbon

*Scissors

*Tacky Glue

*Sewing Machine

*Embelishments

1. Trace your pennant pattern onto the fabric. (5 times)

and cut them out. 

2. Lay them out on the binding to check your spacing. 

When you are ready, fold the binding over and pin in place. 

3. Sew the fabric into the binding.

(Make sure to leave extra binding on the ends for hanging!)

4. Cut your paper lettering and shapes out of the scrapbook paper.

{{I used my Cricut for the lettering & hand cut the shamrocks}}

Glue them down to the burlap using your tacky glue. 

5. Get our your embellishments & go to town! 

And there you go! 

Happy Crafting! 

St. Patty's Day Prep!

Hello All!

First of all, there is still time to link up your cute projects 

to my first linky party!

 Check out the Weekend Wind Up & Link Up

HERE! 

Now, we all know that I am in the process of 

acquiring more decor for my new casa. 

St. Patrick's day is one holiday that I have

literally NOTHING for...

we aren't Irish, we don't have anything

green except for my craft room (love*)...

and overall we don't do much 

on March 17th...

but no excuses! 

I still need to make it look pretty and

why not be festive too??

I have a love for banners, so the first thing I made 

is a St. Patty's Day Charm Banner....

What do you think?

I happen to have TONS of burlap, 

and thanks to one of my co-workers, 

TONS of binding in a WIDE variety of colors...

so, green it was! 

Look for a DIY Tutorial coming soon! 

Happy Crafting!

Where have I been?!

It's been a few days since my last post

about Weekend Wind Up...but there is a reason,

I have not abandoned blogging!  

I have had the flu...and not just a little bit!

3 days of eating nothing

keeping down nothing...but finally this morning

I am feeling a bit better!

So, if you have not already linked up to the

Weekend Wind Up...PLEASE please do so HERE!!!

And enter for your chance at the adorable giveaway!

Also, this week look forward to some 

St.Patty's Day crafts! 

See you soon! 

Weekend Wind Up #1

Welcome to the FIRST of many linky parties from School House Scraps! 

Weekend Wind Up will be a place where you can share your great ideas with other bloggers and 

DIY crafters out there! 

And, another first for School House Scraps,
 I've enabled the "Like" button for a
Giveaway!!

The person with the most "Likes" at the end of the night on 2/23

 will win a creative, cute, and clever gift from 

Bellas Dress Up Closet!

Laine at Bellas Dress Up Closet is offering the winner 

a 24 pack of Mustache Cupcake Toppers 

in the color of your choice!

AND

 a 12 pack of Mustaches & Lips on a Stick!

She is also offering all of my readers a discount! 

Just type the code SHSCRAPS in the sales notes box and recieve 15% off your order! 

So Here are the rules...

1. Only link directly the original post of 

your own projects, ideas, or recipes.

(Please don't link any businesses or promotions)

2. Please do not "Like" your own link. 

It's more fun that way!

3. You can earn more "Likes" by:

*Adding Bellas Dress Up Closet to your favorites on Etsy

* Becoming a Linky Follower of School House Scraps

*Adding the Party Button to your Blog






<center><a href="http://shscraps.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src=" http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m484/abonjour/weekendwindup.jpg"/></a></center>

*Liking School House Scraps on Facebook 
(leave a comment!)

You need to leave a comment below to let me

 know you earned each like! 

The person with the most "Likes" 

next Thursday night will be the winner! 

Good Luck & Happy Partying! 

Wood Pictures

After two weeks of Valentine's Postings, 

I am READY 

to give you some great new tutorials!

One that I am particularly proud of is

the wooden picture transfers we made to go downstairs.

They fit in with the rustic theme very well! 

To make your own you will need:

1. Pieces of wood, cut to fit your pictures

2. Pictures printed on normal printer paper

*Make sure the print your photos backwards

 if there is any text on them!*

3. Gel Medium (picked mine up at hobby lobby)

4. Old Paint Brush

5. Modge Podge

1. Spread Gel Medium onto the wood generously and smoothly.

2. Rub the picture on, face down.

Let it dry overnight! 

3. The next day, dampen the 

picture with a wet cloth. 

4. Rub off the top layer of paper with your 

wet rag until picture is 

totally shown through. 

5. Cover top of picture with modge podge

(Don't worry! It dries clear!) 

(These are hanging in the "Man Cave" now) 

Let it dry, and Waa Laa! 

Your very own wooden art work! 

Valentine's Day 14: IT'S HERE!!

Today is Valentine's Day! Wahooo! 

And I have Confrences tonight...

Which means no crafting :(

But, never the less, I have a superb 

post full of freebies and printables for you! 

The Blogosphere is just booming with

 GREAT 

ideas for valentines and 

printables to decorate your home! 

I am especially in love with Owls....

Here are some of my FAVORITES

 that I have been collecting JUST for YOU! 

This cutie patootie of a Valentine's Card

can be downloaded over at My Owl Barn.

Make your own Owl Pillow Pouch with a

free template by Deena Rutter!

Check out these cuties and print your

own Here!

Creative Treat Bag Toppers 

For you here!

Free 5X7 Owl Print from 

It's A Crafty Life!

So many clever and cute ideas that I am storing away for next year already! 

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Crafting! 

{{While today is Valentine's Day, my heart is full of love, for those close to me, those who are close to those close to me, and to those whom I have yet to meet in my life. 

My heart is also heavy with grief for a family in my school district. 

Our community was shaken up last night by the death of a 10th grader.

It is heartbreaking to think of his parents and siblings, the loss of a child & sibling is unthinkable, yet I am amazed at how fast, how amazingly generous and close together our community becomes at tragic times like these. 

This Valentine's day is very different from any I have ever celebrated before, and my heart and my prayers go out to all those touched by this young man's life. 

Please cherish the time you have with those you love. Always tell them how much they mean to you. Always hug them. Always kiss them. Be grateful for the time you have with them and spend that time wisely. }}