Cutting Edge Stencil Review

A few weeks back I won a stencil from the I Love That! Blog Giveaway. I'll be using said stencils

the 5 piece wisteria from cutting edge stencils

to prettify my bedroom and kitchen. I got to pick my own stencil valued up to $50 and strategically I choose the wisteria because of two reasons:

1. Wisteria reminds me of my great grams house in Wisconsin. We lost her several years ago and the stencils bring back fond memories of the wisteria she had out in the yard. There would be this gorgeous smell that would drift into the house whenever there was a good breeze off Lake Michigan and it is one of the things I associate most with my sweet Czech great grandmother. 

2. It comes with 5 stencil sheets with lots of options for craft reuse!

If you haven't heard of them you should really head on over to there website Cutting Edge Stencils and check them out. They have an awesome selection with a huge variety from entire wall patterns, murals, borders, holiday crafts or small craft projects. In the upcoming week or so I'll be hard at work transforming my abode so please check back with me as I complete my to-do list! I'll be sure to post pictures and share my review of the stencils.

Free Valentine's Card From tinyprints

If you haven't heard of tinyprints you really need to head on over to check them out. They have pretty and affordable cards for literally every occasion you can imagine. In addition to that they usually give away a code at each holiday for one free card( when you have it mailed to yourself or for about .44/the price of a stamp to mail it to the intended receiver). I've received them personally since last year and they are great quality with a really nice envelope to send it in. 

Anyhow Getting to the good part!

Go see The Krazy Coupon Lady and follow the instructions to get your very own free Valentine's card for your significant other, children, parents, grandparents, etc...did I mention they have cards for everything and everyone?

Whimsy Couture Sewing Blog Giveaway

Over at Whimsy Couture they have the cutest patterns for a vintage cape

and the most adorable bow twirl dress perfect for the little princess in your life.

Just a small selection of gorgeous patterns they have and right now they could be yours for FREE!  From now until noon tomorrow( January 21) you have a chance to win SIX sewing patterns of your choice in Whimsy Couture's first rafflecopter giveaway. Just head on over to Whimsy Couture Giveaway and follow the very easy instructions of rafflecopter before noon tomorrow and you could be the lucky winner!

Paperback Wreath

If any of you are like me you have a ton of old paperbacks lying around. I have a real love of reading that leads me to buy used books all the time. Once I've made my way through them I keep my favorites and pile the rest in boxes to take to the donation box or our local Loaves & Fishes...however I can be a procrastinator. I saw this wreath and fell in love. What a great idea! 

 

This would be so easy to do and the look is just neutral and classy, it could really work with anyone's style. I like how Sheila alternated the use of older books with a nice aged color with the whiter pages of newer books.

This is definitely going on my to-do list! Head on over to Dodging Raindrops  to get the instructions to make Sheila's paperback wreath.

Bird Nest Pendants

Gorgeous aren't they! I know this isn't a new project and many of you will probably have already come across Sarah Ortega's bird nest necklaces but I've been in love with them for a long time and haven't attempted them yet. 

They require just two things:

beads

wire

Yup just two things aside from the chain or bracelet to make these pretty things. 

Well now is the perfect time because there are five, yes that's right, five babies on the way within my family. What could be a cuter mommy-to-be gift than a bird nest necklace or charm bracelet with beads corresponding to the number of children they have/are expecting and the sexes! I have made two with what wire I had but it is far too thick and with the size of the beads I had didn't come out how I wanted them too. Next week however I'll be stocking up on new beads and wire and will post pics after! So in the meantime head on over to Sarah Ortega's VERY easy tutorial to try it for yourself.

New Beginnings

I have wanted to start a blog for a long time and with the general way things go in life I put it off and forgot about it. It became that thing I thought about when I was feeling creative but quickly set aside because of college or family or work. With the new year came a re-evaluation of what I wanted from life and what I was going to do to attain it. So here I am (after lots and lots of internet browsing) beginning my very own blog. Maybe people will like my projects and my blog and maybe they won't but I'll never find out if I don't try and in the end I'm more doing this for myself than for anyone else. I have a creative outlet I need to express and I have a desire to share them. So welcome to my blog with the horrendously long title and I hope you ( and I ) enjoy!  Now what I hope to bring to you:

• recycled everyday items for fun projects
• thrifty ways to spruce up your abode 
• jewelry
• clothing
• accessories
• tutorials
• my loves of the week
• monthly giveaways(coming later when I'm all settled in)
• sample, coupon, and freebie sites that I use and can swear by
• featured diy projects from you lot