Shadow Box Display

This past summer my husband and I went to Exuma, Bahamas with some friends.  It is one of the prettiest islands I've ever been to.  You should go if you ever get the chance.  There is a sandbar we checked out while boating one day.  The guys were able to bring back quite a few sand dollars.  I'd never seen any this big before.  I actually found one myself.  It's one of the smaller ones.  I knew right away that I was going to display them in our guest bathroom where I have a painting we picked up in Maui on our honeymoon.  We sort of have a beach theme in there now.  I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up a shadow box and matte board.  I used a paper cutter here at home to cut the board down.

I chose four sand dollars to mount to the board, two smaller and two larger.

 My supplies - shadow box, matte board, sand dollars & epoxy (not pictured)

Mixing the epoxy.

I laid them out how I wanted them.

Then put the glue around the edges and wiped away the messes.

Here's my shadow box hanging in the bathroom.

Just so you know there's color in there, it's hanging across from this!  On the counter is a photo I took in Exuma and shells we have collected from various Caribbean islands.  I'm going to enlarge another photo I took and hang it to the right of the shadow box.

Train party

For my son's 2nd birthday we decided to do it at a local play area with a Caboose available to rent for parties.  I stuck with a train theme and used primary colors for the decorations.  This was a great location for us since it's already hot here in Texas and the caboose was nice and cold inside.

I had a craft set up inside for the kids to do when they needed a break from the heat.  My little guy was already crafting before the party started.  This told me that I picked a good craft!  The craft was foam visors with foam stickers to decorate (all purchased at Michael's).  The kids all enjoyed doing the craft and even wore the visors while playing in the play houses outside!

This is a really bad picture but for lunch I made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and used a train cookie cutter to cut them out.  I served them with a bag of Cheez-its and a juice box.  I meant to take a picture of a plate set up but we were moving around too quickly and I forgot.

As soon as everyone finished lunch we cleared off the table again and gathered the kids back up for cupcakes!  These were made by Cupcake Sally.  I love the candy detail she adds to the top.  Such a nice little detail and touch of color. 

Birthday boy!

Rather than buying typical favor toys that usually end up in the trash I opted for a non-tradtional, non-train theme favor.  I saw some cute water bottles and thought that would be a great favor.  What kid in Texas doesn't need a water bottle in the summer??  I mean not only is it HOT and we all go through lots of water but in my family we're trying to be greener by not buying water bottles.  My daughter added fun-size bags of M&Ms to the water bottles.  I also made Oreo lollipops using red candy to stick with the primary color scheme and then topped them off with sprinkles.  To complete the favors I used primary colored bags and made little train tags tied to the bags that said, "Thanks for coming to my party."

We had a great day celebrating with friends and family!

Linking to:

Just a Girl

Somewhat Simple

Modge Podge wood letters - Easter

I saw these Easter wood letters at Hobby Lobby and immediately thought it'd be a fun Modge Podge project.  I'm new to Modge Podge.  I've been wanting to try another project and this one was perfect.  It's my first project to do with letters.

Supplies

Easter wood letters

Modge Podge

Scrapbook paper

Wood stain

2 foam brushes

sand paper

pencil, scissors & credit card

Ink distresser

1. Trace letters face down on the back of the paper and cut out.

2. Use foam brush to stain the sides and back of wood letters.  Let dry.

3. Apply layer of Modge Podge to front of letter with second foam brush, lay the cut paper on top of the letter and use credit card to smooth out the paper.  Get all the bubbles out from underneath.

4. Let dry for one minute.

5. Use sandpaper to sand edges of paper. 

6. Use Ink Distresser to stain edges or blot wood stain with a cloth on edges.

7. Use foam brush to apply Modge Podge all over the the front and side of letter.  Don't worry Modge Podge will dry clear.

8. Let dry.

Linked up with:

Free printables = facelift for playroom

We have lived in our home for a 1 1/2 now and I still have a lot of empty walls.  I am not very good at decorating.  I don't even know what my style is.  When I see something I like I contemplate if it will look good over and over and then usually go home empty handed.  I recently stumbled across a new blog Oh My Handmade.  I signed up for the RSS feeder to have new posts sent right to my inbox and in came Free Artwork with free downloads with adorable artwork for nurseries, playrooms, etc.  I was so excited because the artwork is so cute.  I knew immediately I wanted to use this one.

Both of my kids love books so I thought it so only appropriate to hang this one!  It was really hard to pick a second picture.  They are all so cute.  I wanted a gender neutral picture.  I knew it was going to hang near a window so I thought this one of the tree would be nice.

The files on the website are pdf files.  All I had to do was save the pdf, then I converted it to a jpg by saving as jpeg with new file name.  Then I went to the Costco website and uploaded the jpgs to the Photo Center, picked my size and picked up my prints.  I picked up two 8X10 frames at Home Goods and they were ready to hang.

I decided I should clean up the bookshelves and make them look a little more organized.

BEFORE

AFTER

I think they added a nice touch to the room.

Now if I could just get around to ordering the other photo mats for the remaining picture frames to hang above the couch.  I've had the frames for over a year and only need three of four mats.  Ugh!

Valentine Centerpiece

If you're looking for a quick and easy Valentine decoration for your home here is one!  All you need is a hurricane candle holder or any candle holder will do, a candle and a bag of conversation hearts.  Pour the bag into your hurricane glass and then place your candle in the hearts and there you go.  Normally I use a white candle but I could only find a red one so we're using red this year. :)  I have two small candle holders that are also hurricane glass and was going to fill them as well but when I got to the checkout counter I noticed the second bag had a hole and they were spilling out.  I keep forgetting to buy another.  Next year!