for dad

I know you all think you had the best dad and are now married to the best dad ever, but you are mistaken. My dad and husband currently hold those titles! :)
We had a great father's day at our house and it is partly this party and printable that helped add to the ambiance.

land that i love

I am still very much in the patriotic frame of mind. Summer just scream patriotism to me. I have found some great ideas online that I just had to try.
These pinwheels were very springy, but I wanted to go more old-time classic red white and blue with mine.


This 2x4 flag block was genius. I love how cheap and easy it was. I was able to make 3 out of one 2x4 that only cost me about $2.

I grabbed this here. I'm always a sucker for a "keep calm" slogan! She has it in red, white, or blue.

This is just beautiful. You can get it here. I just printed and framed them with an IKEA frame.

"x" marks the spot

...or is it just a paperclip?! :)
Every month I try to think of something to make/do for the girls I Visit Teach. This is a program my church has for the women to help look out for each other, up-lift one another, and get to know one another.
Making something for them is a way in which I am able to get excited about seeing them and talking with them, and it helps me to stop and think about them during the month, not just when I visit them.
Here is the latest thing I have done for them. When I saw this idea online i just had to do it. I am always looking for ways to mark certain readings in my scriptures. Between my personal reading, family reading, sunday school, and favorites, I don't have enough ribbons to mark them. So here is my solution.

growth chart tutorial

Making this growth chart has been on my list for a VERY long time. I finally just did it. It was so easy, I don't know why I hadn't done it earlier.
Growing up we measured our growth on a door frame. I loved that door frame. The only sad part was when my parents moved and that history was gone....

So here's my solution. I can take it with me anywhere I may go.

So here's the step by step so you can make your own.

I bought a 1x8 6 feet long board at Home Depot for just under $5. When picking your board look for one that is not knobby and isn't bowed.

Paint your board and its' sides your choice of color. Be sure to choose a color that is light enough to write on so you can track growth easily.

Run your measuring tape the length of your painted board.

Decide at what height you want your board to start (since it will be hanging on the wall). I started mine at 11" so that the 1 for the first foot would fit on. From there mark each inch with a pencil. I marked the quarters, half and foot inches longer so I would know when adding my vinyl "tics".

I used straps of black vinyl that I had to cut "tics" for the inches. You can also cut your numbers out first and then use the vinyl around them to cut the "tics". Start with the smallest size tics. Then make them longer from there for the quarter, half inch, and foot marks.

After cutting your "tics" to mark each inch, stick them to the left side of your board. I started with all my "in between inches" (don't do the quarter inch, the half inch, or the foot-those will come after and be longer).

After doing all the "odd" inches, cut your next tics to do a little longer. These will be for your quarter inches.

Next cut your "tics" a little bit longer than the last for your half inches, and then a little longer for your foot.

After attaching all your inch "tics", add your numbers off to the right. I cut out different fonts and sizes to make it whimsical. That way, nothing has to be perfect. If it's not, it adds to the look.

Find where you want to hang your board. Measure so that our board is the correct distance from the floor (this tape measure is not correct, I was just showing that you should measure). Draw a pencil line so that you can use that as your guide. Then mark where you will want your nail.

Now hang at the correct height. Doesn't it look great!

i can do hard things {free printable}

This is something that is very popular in my family. I find myself saying it to my kids all the time, and now I am saying to myself as I am gearing up for homeschooling.

Hope you enjoy. It is a good slogan to have. I am sure some of you can make your own to your own taste, but if you like this one just click on it to snag it. If you would prefer other colors just leave a comment.

let freedom ring

Here's my latest holiday banner. I just LOVE how it turned out. I think red, white, and blue, can look tacky, or really great. And I think this looks really great. I love the balance between old charm, like the twine and nautical paper, with the fancy, like the glitter and crystals.


With left over paper I always like to make an "insect" art. I found this frame at my mother-in-law's house. It was gold leafed and very out of date, but I just love the details of it.

I made this Uncle Sam back in my college days when I was trying to raise money to go on an LDS church history trip with my parents and brother. I still love him to this day, and if you know me and want one, let me know, my mom just made some more for a craft open house.

I also made these firecrackers then too. I have changed out the raffia I originally tied them with for twine. It was a nice refresher.

patriotic printables

One of my favorite holidays is the 4th of July. I am already getting into the spirit of things. It always kicks off around this time, Memorial day. Then comes flag day, then the fourth.
I love all the flags that appear on the homes on my street. It is just so warming to relfect on what our country was founded for.
Here are a few printables to frame and display.

Just click on the pictures.

drawer doll house

My niece and her family were in town for a quick trip. While here we were able to celebrate her birthday with her. I found out she didn't have a little play house, so I had an idea that was inspired by this doll house.






I love how it turned out. I painted the little wood people to be her family. I divided the drawers in half with chip board. The paper is all just mod-podged in. To keep the drawers upright when playing with them I added velcro to the bottoms/backs and some on the drawer case. It works pretty well....and the best thing about it is that you can store all the pieces inside of it so they don't get lost and it's easy transport.

folder tutorial

To make your own custom paper folder choose your color/print paper in a 12x12. This will fit 8.5x11 paper that is landscape and cut in half, or anything smaller.
Take your piece of paper.

Fold your paper in half.

Open it back up.

Fold the bottom up anywhere from 2 1/2 to 3 inches, but no more than 3.

Fold the bottom back down to prepare to glue.

Just a thin strip of cool glue on each end. (I use cool glue because it dries quicker and doesn't smoosh so much.)

Right after applying the glue to both sides fold the bottom back up and hold until dry.

Insert your papers. In this case I put all the game papers on one side and the advice cards on the other for my baby shower.

Then tie it closed with something cute. You can write something on it if you want to personalize each one, or leave it blank.