Tutorial: Etched Glass Bakeware

    I worked on this today after realizing that so much of my bakeware is missing or has to belong to someone else because it doesn't look familiar at all.  After this project, my bakeware will be a memorable item that will get back to me even if I forget it at a friend's house.

    If you saw my paper pendant tutorial, then you might be thinking, "Dang, she likes the pi symbol."  It's true.  I'm going to attribute it to missing my students and classroom.  In this case though, I think it's pretty clever.  A pie pan with a pi symbol!

After the jump you can see a full tutorial with pictures of how to make your own.  It's so easy and inexpensive!

Tutorial: Paper Pendants

    If you have been reading my blog for a while, then you are well aware that I reallllly wanted a Silhouette Cameo.  Back in May, I finally ordered one.  I wasn't anticipating that it would be back ordered until the beginning of July.  The Cameo came in the mail the other day, and I got down to business right away.  Time to make a nerdy necklace.

    Before you say, "What the heck?"...  Let me tell you two important things about me.  I am a math teacher.  Beyond that fact, Pi Day is my favorite day of the year.  Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th.  Wait for it. Wait for it.  Pi is approximated by 3.14.  March 14th is 3/14. 

After the jump you can see all the steps to make this beauty (or a paper pendant of any other design).

Fun with Your Instagram Pictures!

    I have been using the application Hipstamaic prints for all of my old school looking prints, but I realize that most of the world uses Instagram.  I just got the app about two weeks ago, but haven't really started using it yet.   I found this website a couple days ago and decided that I need to start taking a million pictures on Instagram!  There are so many cool things that Printstagram will make with your Instagram prints.

Like this!

What a lovely little spiral bound book!

Or this!

I could do so many things with these!  I want to turn a set into playing cards.

     They also will print t-shirts, square prints, tiny hardcover books, and STICKERS!  This will be the first thing I order once I have taken enough pictures on Instagram.

    If you get your pictures printed from here, tell me  how it goes.  I'm so excited to hear about it.  I have three projects for these babies in my head at the moment.  I'm going on a nature excursion today, so I will be sure to take lots of pictures.

Have a great day!

*Newsflash!  I just signed up for Instagram.  Follow me!  I'm just starting to take pictures.

Jazzing Up My MacBook (Semi-Tutorial)

    Ahhh!  Look at this!  Target has a relatively new line of great supplies in the kids crafting section. (Think where chalk, Crayola kits, pipe cleaners and the like would be.)  Yes, I'm 27, but clearly I like bright, fun stuff.  I'm excitable.  I have been looking at these things as well as some crazy color crayons which I plan to create at a later time.  I have been looking at the contact paper and paper tape for about two weeks.  Today was my day to purchase them.

 So naturally I wanted to stick this stuff all over everything (not exaggerating), but I opted to try it out on my MacBook.  Awesomeness follows.

After the jump you can see how great these products are!

Cheers to the future of paper crafting at my house.

Oh my god.  I'm so freakin' exciiiiiited!  Guess what I have purchased?!


...a Silhouette Cameo!  All my vinyl and paper cutting needs can now be met.  I have about 20 projects lined up already.  You may be asking yourself, "What is a Silhouette Cameo?"  Well, my friends, it is the ultimate crafty girl's dream.

    You can design whatever you like and it will cut it out!  Oh the project ideas are endless.  I can't wait to get it.  I have been lusting after this for about 6 months.  I saw this for the first time around Christmas.  It sells for $300 (womp, womp...sad face) and I just missed a Black Friday 40% off deal.  I couldn't pay full price for it after missing a deal like that.  So, I have been checking websites every now and again to see if any crazy deal is going on.  I ended up getting it at Oh My Crafts.  They list it at $269 and then I got a coupon for 25% off.  I got it this week for $201!  Yay to $99 off!

It is backordered until early June.  Let the countdown begin!

Become a Rug Designer!

   I saw this in a store the other day and was completely enamored.  I think I audibly oooo-ed.  The company is called Vecco.  They have stencils, spray/dye and sealants to create your own rug design.  The thought of making my own rug design easily makes my heart flutter.  Imagine getting a plain rug and being able to put any color or design on it.  Oh, the cost effectiveness.  Oh, the creative possibilities.

   I am saving, brainstorming and lusting after this.  As soon as I set my mind on a design, I will let you know.

Fun with Stamps

    I love stamps! I have lots of fun ones, but these ones take the cake.  They are from a wonderful company, Yellow Owl Workshop.

   I bought the cityscape stamp set on super sale at CB2 about a year ago and have used them to make stationary, stickers and other fun projects.  Then, for Christmas this year, Mike got me a rainy day set, seashore set, London set and birdy set.  Aren't they so cute?!

After the jump you can see one of my recent uses for these beauties.

Creating Storage

I have a lot of stuff!  Every few months I go through a purging phase and try to give away things that I am not using.  That being said, I still need to find organized homes for lots of things.  Mike and I both need functional workspaces, so our second bedroom has two desks.  My old desk just wasn't cutting it.  It was constantly cluttered and really didn't store much of anything.

I looked for a long time trying to find the perfect desk.  One important limitation is that I never want to spend a lot of money.  One day at Ikea, my wheels started turning and I ended up with this:

See how I made it and and get a closer look at all of the stuff I am able to fit in it after the jump.

Making My Save-The-Dates

Last week, I told you about some strategies that I used that can help you figure out your style, theme, colors, general feel that will match the type of wedding you want to have.

After much deliberation, here are the save-the-dates that we made for our wedding.

The blue paper, font and photobooth pictures were the starting point

See the back and read more after the jump.

Etching Glass Tutorial

Earlier this week, I raved about Armour Etching Glass Etching Cream here.  I promised a whole recap of some of my favorite ways to use it.

After the jump, you can see my full tutorial of how to make some glasses like these for yourself.

These are a few of my favorite things.

Shout out to all my crafty people.
Here is a list of the craft products and accessories that I am currently loving.