Blog Swappin' with Amy at {Mod Podge Rocks!}

Hi! I'm so pleased to be joining you today. I'm Amy, girl-behind-the-curtain at Mod Podge Rocks! Stacie was kind enough to swap with me, so come see her project today at my blog. Here's what I've been up to lately, and I hope you enjoy it. This is a great first time project if you've never used Mod Podge before.

I have recently been nursing an obsession with the $1 store - in fact, I recently did a guest posting at Dollar Store Crafts. This re-do was another surface purchased from that very same trip, and I had so much fun with it. It incorporates my favorite things, mainly the color blue and buttons. Even better - it was inexpensive. The original "Diva" mirror was only $1, and I had everything else on hand. I also decided to add a little punch with some glitter. Check it out.

Here's the original mirror. While I am a diva, I felt it needed a personal touch. So I gathered the following supplies and tools:

FolkArt® Acrylic Paint, Turquoise
Mod Podge® Silver Glitter
Diva Mirror
My Mind’s Eye Scrapbook Paper – 2 sheets, 1 each of 2 designs
EK Success Scalloped Circle Punch
Buttons - 12 coordinating
Flat Paint Brush
Craft Glue
Scissors
Sandpaper
Mini Screwdriver

Remove the mirror piece and then the screws. That's easy enough, right?

Sand the frame of the mirror - you don't need to go to town on it, just rough it up so that it takes the paint well.

Oh no! The diva is disappearing! That's okay, she's being covered over with a wonderful shade of blue - Turquoise. Paint several coats. Get the sides and inside edge too. Paint several coats on the front, turn over, paint the back, and do it until it's fully covered. It's going to take a bit so have patience. Go make popcorn or take a bath in between coats.

Also while the frame is drying, go ahead and cut some shapes out of the papers. I chose to follow the flower shape with leaves on one paper - and then cut several circles and flower shapes after that.

I started laying the paper shapes out on my frame. I also busted out my scallop punch and punched out some small circles from the other coordinating paper.

I laid everything out to see out I liked it. Notice the tense foot below as I contemplated my choices. I was really happy when I started overlapping some shapes.

Once I was sure what I wanted, I started Mod Podging with the Glitter. I turned each shape over and coated the back, then glued it down.

Smooth each piece carefully. When all of the pieces have been glued, let them dry for 15 - 20 minutes.

Now go back and coat the entire frame with Podge! Do the front, let dry. Sides, let dry. Back let dry. Then repeat. I did two coats.

Time for button magic. I absolutely love buttons, and when I finished I realized that the mirror was missing this most important embellishment. My process was simple: open the button stash, pick out some mostly coordinating buttons and glue them to the mirror with craft glue. Done!

After your mirror dries overnight, replace the hardware and the mirror piece. Shine it up and you are ready to admire yourself. Note that you are still a diva, even though your mirror no longer says so.

To Stacie and all of her readers - thank you so much for having me. Come visit me any time at Mod Podge Rocks for projects and decoupage advice. Hope to see you soon.

That is sooo stinkin' CuTe!! Isn't Amy awesome!! If you haven't yet...go check out her blog now!! You'll be glad you did! She has sooo many creative tips and ideas! Amy...Thanks so much for swappin' with me today!! You Rock!!

Personalized Frame!

My nephew was married a couple of weeks ago...and I made this for them...and it was super simple! There is supposed to be a black and white pic of the temple in the frame...but when I took this pic...I didn't have it... so just pretend it is there. :) All I used was a little vinyl, a little tulle...and my Cricut. Sooo Easy!

Maybe...you could get really creative and make Christmas/ Mothers Day/Fathers Day gifts with your family pictures and a little vinyl. Hummmm....my wheels are a turnin'. :)

Happy Crafting!!

FuN Giveaways!!

Amy @ Mod Podge Rocks...is hosting an awesome giveaway for this Mod Podge Starter Pack!! She will be giving away {5} of them!!! So...go enter HERE!!!Marissa @ Rae Gun Ramblings...is hosting a giveaway for an AdoRaBle Halloween skirt!! Tooo CuTe!! Go check it out HERE!!

Good Luck!!
Thanks so much for the AweSoMe giveaways Ladies!!!

AdoRabLe Scripture Totes!

O.K....{AdOrAbLe!!!}

When I was blog surfin' a while back...I came across these adorable scripture totes here! Sooo CuTe!! Loree made these out of placemats!! How clever!! As you know...I am not too great when it comes to sewing...but these I am going to have to try! My daughter already picked out the one she wants. Wouldn't these make perfect Christmas/Birthday/ or a Baptism Gift??... or a great Super Saturday project!!
Check out more info on how Loree made these... here.

Also...Check out some additional how-to links on making these awesome totes here and here!

Thank you Loree!!

Have FuN!

{easy cupcake idea!}

I made these the other day... for my son to take to Preschool for his birthday...and I think he thought they were pretty CooL! These were super easy...and alot of fun to make. I used buttercream frosting...and used Wilton tip #2 for the grass...#199 for the football...and #4 for the white laces. For being a rookie...I think they turned out pretty good. So...give it a try...because... Tis' the season for FooTbaLL!! Which reminds me...

GO BRONCOS!! :) Have FuN!!

DIY Scavenger Hunt

Hi everyone!!!

If you haven't yet...head on over to The DIY Show Off where Roeshel is hosting The DIY Scavenger Hunt ... and enter to win!! Thanks Roeshel!!!

HaVe FuN!

Blog Swappin' with {somewhat simple}!!!

Hey there Creative Crate-rs!

My name is Steph, and I am the creative mind behind somewhat simple.

I am so excited to be taking over this awesome blog today! Stacie is the best! I have been inspired by quite a few of her projects and want to be just like her someday!

I am a stay at home mom of 3 fantastic kids, and a wife to my very best friend. We have been living in sunny (and HOT) Arizona for 4 years now and we LOVE IT!

somewhat simple is my little corner of the universe where I share yummy recipes, craft tutorials and all things creative!

Here are some of the recent happenings you'll find when you stop by:

If you like what you see, you will love the "Popularity Contest GiveAway" going on right now. I will announce the winners Monday, so if you hurry over, you could be the lucky one and win some fun back-to-school related items- here's a sneak peak of some of the prizes:


I post something different every week day on somewhat simple, so there is always something new and exciting!

Make sure you check out our monthly challenge- this month is all about getting creative. Join in the fun and get inspired by others who are just like you!

I hope to see each of you soon! Thanks Stacie for swapping with me today! You are awesome!

Have a great weekend!!!

My $3 Frame Makeover!

From this...

To this!!

This was a super fun and quick project that I made last week. I saw one of these at Jo-Ann's one day...and of course...I couldn't afford it...so I wanted to try to make one myself. So... I did with a $3 picture frame that I bought at a yard sale. Now it is a dry-erase calendarAll I used to make this... is a good frame with glass {not plexi-glass}...a permanent marker...ruler...and my Cricut to cut the {Month} {days of the week}{and the circles}. I drew the squares...and placed the vinyl on the opposite side of the glass than the side you will be writing on ...so they won't come off with all of the erasing. If you have a Cricut...I used the mirror feature...then your letter will stick on the back of the glass...but you will be able to read it from the front. I hope that made sense...I'm not really great about describing things...but hopefully you get the idea. Don't worry...if your squares aren't perfect. As you can tell mine aren't but it still looks ok. Also...don't be afraid of the perm. marker...if you make a mistake...use a wet paper towel and wipe...or you can spray hairspray on a paper towel and and wipe and it will come right off.

Remember to place everything backwards...on the opposite side of the glass.

Now it is a very functional...hand calendar to write on!!
If you felt like it...you could use that extra piece of cardboard that came with the frame...and put fabric or scrapbook paper on it to give it a more personalized look!

Hmmm...wouldn't this make a great affordable Christmas gift????

Ok...I screwed up...Roadkill Rescue is supposed to be for items that you spent $0 dollars on...oops!! I linked up... then read the fine details...How dumb do I feel. :)Sorry...I guess it would be $0 if you already had the frame. :) Anyways check their other awesome Roadkill Rescue's that linked up at Infarrantly Creative!! :)

HaVe FuN!!

Jewelery Window idea!!

Tammy from Decorating my life...came up with this awesome way to display and organize her jewelery!! I love it!! My necklaces and earrings are scattered everywhere...and when it comes time to find them...I never can. I am going to have to try this!! If you would like more info. on how she made this...go HERE! HaVe FuN!

Tammy...thanks for the great idea!!

Are your old paint chipped windows safe??

Recently I received a comment from Cherie regarding decorating with old paint chipped windows that possibly might contain LEAD. Thank you {by the way} for bringing this to my attention. I LoVe old paint chipped windows, doors, etc...and I have a ton in my house. This really had me worried...I can't believe I hadn't thought about it seriously until now. Sooo...today I went to Home Depot and bought a lead paint detector and guess what...{3} of my items I had in my house for decoration... tested positive for lead paint. EEEK!! Thankfully...I don't have a little one crawling on the floor putting everything in her mouth. I don't really want to freak everyone out about this...but it is so important for the health of you and your family. I think sometimes we get caught up in {how cute it is} and forget to check to see if it will harm us or our family.

Needless to say...those items are decorating the outside of my house now :) Anyways, I will still love old things...but in the future... I think I will be a bit more careful on what I will bring in my home. So...go check all of your old painted windows etc. and make sure yours are safe. The testing kit I bought was under $7 and only took a couple of minutes. Definitely worth that peace--of-mind. Thank you Cherie!!

AdoRabLe old window project!!

From this:

To This!

How AdoRable is this!! Look what Hailey from I Love This and That made out of her old window!! What a FuN picture holder!! She saved the bottom window pane...and put her daughters name on it. Sooo CuTe! If you would like more info...and to see some of her other great ideas...click HERE!!

Thanks for the FuN idea Hailey!

AdoRaBle Children's Kitchen!

OK...I am absolutely in L*O*V*E with this!! Erin at Sutton Grace made this ADORABLE children's kitchen from a old entertainment center. HoW CrEaTiVe is that!! Since it seems like everyone is buying the flat panel TV's...I've seen a lot of these for sale on Craigslist. You can check out how she made this and more awesome projects HERE! HaVe FuN!!

Thanks for the great idea Erin!!

Giveaway @ The Dress-up Drawer!!

If you haven't already...head on over to The Dress-up Drawer's Super Giveaway!! Today... you can enter to win this Chicken Wire Picture Board!! Also check out Jaime's AdoRabLe capes she makes for the kiddos!! So Fun!! GOOD LUCK!!

Super Giveaway!!!

The Dress-Up Drawer
is hosting an AWESOME Giveaway starting Aug. 17th-24th. Go Check it OuT!!! GOOD LUCK!!

90 min.(or less) Little Girl Twirl Skirt!

Isn't this skirt FuN!! My awesome cousin made this for her AdoRabLe little girl the other day... in under 90 min.! How fun and easy to change up your little girls wardrobe with a few of these. I am definitely going to have to try making some of these for my girls. It will probably take me longer than 90 min (like most of my sewing projects usually do).... but hey...if it saves a little cash (especially using Joann's coupons)...and looks adorable...then I'm all for it! For more info and an awesome tutorial...go here!

Thanks Deb!!

Have FuN!