xoxo Dollar Store decor- Tutorial

Valentines Day is just around the corner. What are your plans?
My hubby and I scheduled a babysitter so we could get some grub and have some alone time. No idea what he has planned.. I have some fun things planned but I can't share till after. I don't want him peeking on here ;)

On Instagram a little while ago I posted that I would be sharing a tutorial on how to make this super cute Valentines frame. I apologize I haven't shared this sooner. Both my kids have fevers, coughs, runny noses, one just got 4 shots at his 6 month appt, and the other has a double ear infection. No fun! So I have been spending my time with my kids trying to get them better. They are sleeping- and now I get to do a little blogging and DIY!

Without further ado...
This is REALLY easy to make.
You will need:
Dollar Store WOODEN frame
 Acrylic Paint
Ribbon/fabric trim
chip board letters/stickers
Scrapbook Paper
Glue Gun

I first painted my frame and then distressed it.
I then chose a piece of scrapbook paper and glued my lace to the edges. I got my lace at Walmart by all the trimmings/ribbons in the sewing section. Then, the last thing I did was glue on my letters!
It really was that easy. You could use the words LOVE, KISS, BE MINE, etc. 

I love easy projects- and this one kinda tops them all!
Have fun making it! 

Recycling Soup Cans Part 1: Pencil Holders

You guys. I.LOVE.SOUP.CANS. 

They seriously have become my favorite thing to reuse! There are so many fun things you can do with them so I decided to do a series of tutorials on how to use them. 

For this tutorial, you will need:

scrapbook paper

a paper cutter

recycled soup cans, washed, and paper removed (you can use goo be gone to get off all the sticky stuff)

hot glue gun

pen

The paper I chose is from American Crafts. They are having this huge warehouse sale not too far from my house, and I have to ban myself from going anymore. Anyway, I chose to make three pencil holders so I chose three coordinating papers. 

First you want to measure out where to cut the paper. 

Make a mark where the can hits, then take your paper cutter and cut. 

Now you will have the right width. Now you will use the hot glue gun. Put hot glue on one end of the paper and stick it on the can (easy enough right?!) Make sure you put it on straight not crooked because if its the least bit crooked it will roll up uneven on the can. 

After you have rolled it to the end, glue the end on. 

Of course my daughter had to be right by me. She colored while I crafted. I love how much she likes to color! 

This is how they look when then are done. SO simple, yet functional. Its a perfect way to display all the colors easily for my daughter. You can dress these up with a monogram on the front, some ribbons, twine, etc.. But I just kept it simple. Sometimes less is more, and because I love this paper I felt it was ok to leave them this way. 

And thats IT! Easiest tutorial ever, right?! 

Leave a comment below with a link to one of your recycled can projects. I'd love to see! 

Part two coming soon.. {recycled cans into plant holders}

linking up to these lovelies: http://handmadebygill.blogspot.com/p/link-parties.html

True Love Blocks tutorial- {& how to cut letters without a Silhouette}

I'm BAAAACK!
Man, that was a long week. Our DC jack on our laptop melted... literally. So we have been out of a computer all week. It has been driving me insane. I was so disappointed that it all had to happen right after the launch of this blog. But, back to things! Here is a super easy tutorial in honor of love day coming up. Enjoy!

A few years ago, I made this tutorial for my personal blog. I'm now sharing it on here so if you've already seen this, forgive me! It was back before I had a Silhouette or Cricut- so I had to get a little creative. So this is a great tutorial for someone who doesn't have one of those to cut out words. I know there are still a lot of you who don't own a cutting machine such as above, so here is a way to get around it.

Let's start with the tutorial!

I used these two paints from Roberts Crafts.

Sorry it's blurry, but here is a 4x4 block

I printed this off of google images somewhere, I can't remember where.. but I'm sure if you googled it, you will find it. I found it on the first page I think. I printed it off on white cardstock. I cut it to be a little smaller than 4 inches by 4 inches. 

I got this heart at Roberts Crafts a long time ago for like 70 cents I think.. maybe cheaper?

Since I didn't have a cricut or silhouette at the time, I got on Microsoft word and wrote "true" with the font smiley monster from kevinandamanda.com. I printed it on white cardstock, and carefully cut it out. Don't look too close, I didn't do that good of a job. You could use scissors like I did, or do it much better with an xacto knife!

Here are all the supplies you need again (I forgot to add modpodge in this picture, but you need that as well.)

I then painted the heart red, and the block black. I didn't paint the back of them because I knew they wouldn't be seen. 

After a few minutes, I took some sandpaper and distressed them. 

I then modpodged the scrapbook paper on the block. Be careful not to put too much modpodge on there because it will make the paper get bubbles in it if you get too much. I mostly just put the most modpodge on the corners. I put a thin layer on top after it was glued on too. 

I then put a good layer of modpodge on the back of the heart, and stuck it on the block. 

I was going to keep the letters white, but I decided on painting them black. I should have just printed them out black because the paint kind of made them a little soggy. I then modpodged them to the heart, and took a thin layer of modpodge to the whole block once more. The red paint got on the brush and mixed with the modpodge so it kind of made the whole block have a pinkish/redish/vintage look, but I liked it so I kept going. 

After it dried, I put it in our room with a picture frame on the shelf. I will probably put a different picture of my husband and I in there, I couldn't find a black and white one that I had printed besides that one.

How do you like it? I love how it turned out! Super easy and fun. 

I decided I wanted to make one more. I painted this block pink, and brushed a little brown on it. I then distressed it a lot to make the brown not stand out as much.

I had a scrapbook page from the brand pebbles that had all these cute little punch out cards on it. I loooove that brand. It's by far my favorite scrapbook brand. Anyway, this was my inspiration, and why I chose pink and brown for the block. I took a thin layer of modpodge to it, and that was it! Super easy. I will probably add some buttons or ribbon later. 

So, that's it! All ya'll get craftin! Go make some cute blocks. :)
linking up to these lovely ladies: http://handmadebygill.blogspot.com/p/link-parties.html

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