mother bird

I have seen a lot of these floating around out there and I just had to have one. Here's my version of my favorite one I've seen here.

gumballs for the soul

I love to do something cute every month for the girls I visit teach. Here's the gumballs I wrapped up for them with some of the quotes I liked from the message.

a guy's party

My boys were invited to a boy's birthday party. It was a contruction theme and we ran with it. We made him a great tool belt and hard hat that we got some tools for.

mom's brain

That's what I've been working on. I have wanted to really get myself organized and I think I finally found what works for me. I needed a calendar where I could see an overview of the month, but that also had monthly projects, budget, events...weekly menu and tasks, etc. So here's what I came up with. Yes, it's big, but it's what works for me.



Here are the pages I made. If you like, just click on them and snag them.
The July and August calendar pages I got from anythingbutperfect.com. She makes great calendars, I just couldn't wait for hers so I had to make my own for the rest of the year. I am far from a digital designer. When making them so you could grab them there were some glitches. Sorry. Amateur! :)

vinyl craze

I am loving vinyl. I always have, but it seems lately that I have been putting it everywhere.
I got theses great watering cans from IKEA for $.99. My boys love to help me water our garden and my old ugly green one was just not cutting it.

I made this weekly menu a while ago. I have loved using it, but have now found a new way to organize myself, so it's off to my sisters for it.

I love my big metal canisters, but could never see what was it them since their home in on the top shelf. Now when I open my pantry to use one, not only do I know which one to get, but I smile too! :) (yes I am a geek when it comes to organization...it gives me a natural high!) :)

I had to dress up my laptop. I've loved this decal even more since now my husband said he won't use my computer anymore! :)

Here are two more things I have done to give you a sneak peak at how our at home classroom is coming along.


I got this great clock idea from here. I used a fake, hallow book for the center, and then just wrapped some books I had with cute paper and used vinyl for the numbers and words. The clock kit was from Hobby Lobby for about $6. I am SUPER happy with how it turned out.
Vinyle even found its way on to my toes! :)

and to complete the look...

...here are the throw pillows and doll I finally finished for Presley's nursery. I think they turned out great.

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.