Peonies + DIY Vases

Hey friends & Happy Saturday!

I bought a couple of medium sized cylinder vases from Wal-Mart today that cost 97 cents and I decided to do a little DIY project. If you even want to call it that! haha. It's SO simple. All you need is spray paint, painters tape and a cylinder or square vase.

I LOVE how these turned out! I'm going to get a few more and make some with black stripes. You could use these for birthday decor, decorating the house or for holiday parties. I mean the black would look awesome for Halloween with some white flowers with maybe some flying bats popping out or fake spiders on top of the white flowers. Eeekk! Or hey, Memorial Day is coming.. what about some red, white and blue vases. The possibilities are endless!

Herb 'Thank You' Gift

While we were out of town my friend down the street looked after our house and collected the mail for us. I had to create a little something for her to show my appreciation for her. She has a garden and unlike me, she actually keeps the plants ALIVE, so I decided to make her an Herb 'Thank You' gift using parsley and an anthro mug, which can also be used as a pencil holder. ;)

THANK YOU AMANDA for always being so willing to help me when I need it. You're the best!

Spring Wreath

 A few weeks ago I was at Hobby Lobby with Robby (haha that rhyming made me laugh) picking out a frame for my Christ picture I got as a gift last year for Valentine's Day (yes, it took me that long to find a frame & hang it up). As we were leaving I walked by the wreath section and fell in love with all the pretty Spring wreaths. Except.. what the.. $99 for just a wreath! Ohhh okay.. as I saw the 50% off sign. Still, $50 for a wreath is still pretty pricey. I'm pretty sure Robby was ready to get the heck out of the store because he mentioned how I can probably make a prettier one for cheaper. Light bulb went off: yea, your right! it probably is cheaper.

So fast forward three weeks.

 As I was driving around my neighborhood I saw everyone's cute Spring wreaths hanging up and it reminded me of how I needed one. How I could MAKE one for cheap. 

I saw these pretty little wreaths on Pinterest and decided I wanted to make one similar.

 I went to Michaels because I knew the Spring & Summer fake flowers were 50% off and I had a 40% off coupon for the styrofoam wreath form. My total: $38!! What the heck?! I went home and started making my wreath and ran out of flowers!!!! My wreath had some major bald spots people! So, I had to go back to Michaels to buy more green hydrangeas which cost me $11. So my grand total was $49. Yup! The same price as the wreath I saw at Hobby Lobby. 

Even though I was so annoyed because I spent $38 on stuff to make a wreath. And even though I ran out of flowers and had to drive BACK to the craft store. And even though I spent eleven MORE dollars. And even though I burnt the crap outta my fingers with hot glue. And even though Robby and I were wrong.. it WASN'T cheaper to make (my fault for thinking he knew anything about crafts to begin with haha). And even though I could have just bought one at Hobby Lobby for the same price... 

(who else is tired of reading "and even though..?" haha)

...I'm so glad I made my own because I got exactly what I wanted.

Thank you, honey. 

I'm glad you were in a rush to get out of the craft store because I actually love the one I made way more than the one at Hobby Lobby ;)

Oh and by the way, I realized I don't have a patriotic wreath for Memorial Day haha.

Subway Tile Backsplash

Before we moved into our house I knew exactly what I wanted to do with our backsplash and space above the cabinets. Add white subway tile! BUT I kept debating back and forth (I can't EVER decide!) whether I wanted the herringbone style or the classic subway tile look. After much pondering I FINALLY decided to go with the classic subway tile and I couldn't be happier with the results so far. We still need to add the bright white grout but for now, here are a couple pictures of the tile..

Nice Job, honey!

Chalkboard Banner

I had this brilliant idea to make a chalkboard banner when I was making my Halloween Advent Calendar and guess where I saw my idea at about a week ago? 

Yea, you guessed it..

 Pinterest!

(insert sad face)

I guess some people got tired of making a banner for each holiday/season like I did ;)

So I just went ahead and made a banner anyways because I still love my the idea. 

I mean how easy would it be to write and than erase?

I'm still trying to see if these wood sheets are durable for erasing a number of times. I'm probably going to paint the back of each card for more support and because it looks a lot nicer.. 

What you'll need

Wood Balsa Sheets

(I got mine at Michaels but you may find them somewhere else cheaper. I used a coupon of course)

Scissors

Chalkboard Paint 

(I got mine awhile back at Home Depot)

Small Paint Roller or Paint Brush

Hole puncher

Rope, Ribbon, String

 

Cut Wood Sheets  

(read my lesson learned down below)

Lesson Learned: If you look at the picture below.. I cut the sheets into rectangles, painted them with chalkboard paint and then I cut the banner to the shape I wanted. I suggest cutting the shape you want and then painting them because when you cut after you paint..some chips of wood may break & then you have to touch up with paint again.

So, cut into this shape below or into a triangle & then paint them.

Add two holes at the top of each

  AND TADA!!
You got yourself a chalkboard banner.
 

Halloween Advent Calendar

I looked up Halloween advent calendars on Pinterest but didn't really like the ones I saw, so I decided to make my own. Can't wait to hang this 'spooky' advent calendar on our fireplace!

  What you'll need

Burlap Fabric

Fabric Paint & Paint brush or sponge
Number Stencil (I got mine from Joann's)

31 Clothespins 

Acrylic Paint to paint clothespins

Halloween charms

Twine or Yarn

Printable cards

Rope 
 

•  I found the ghost and spider table scatters at Target. You know the dollar bins in the front of the store? They were in that section for $2.50 each.
• I had burlap fabric and fabric paint already, but if you want to buy some you can get the fabric at Joann's or Wal-mart and the fabric paint you can buy at any craft store.

• I got the clothespins at the dollar store (36 of them in one package).

• I had the acrylic paint already to paint the clothespins black & white.

• I printed the cards from here.

• I bought the black & white twine from here.

Now.. for the cards!

I don't have any kids yet, but I made some cards keeping my future children in mind. Robby and I will do most of these activities together now (I'm a kid at heart and I LOVE all the holidays), BUT we can come up with something else to do if we don't feel like having a Halloween muffin tin lunch or coloring a Halloween picture! Ha! Who knows.. we can color a page and the best picture wins, getting a massage for the prize! =) 

Btw.. if you come up with a cuter way to make the cards please let me know. I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to digital stuff so that's as good as it's going to get.

Also, I know we all get busy and stuff comes up. 

So I thought about just adding the cards in the bags weekly or maybe even sticking a card in the bag daily that way I know for sure if that activity will work with everyone's schedule/weather/etc.

AND last but not least, 

if these activities are way too much for you to add to your already busy schedule, then you can alternate-- activity, treat, activity, treat.. & by treat I mean a piece of candy or a cheap little Halloween toy. 
That's what I love about these calendars.. we can make it our own!

On each card I added an activity and Halloween joke.

Here is my list in no particular order:

go to a corn maze

*why don't skeletons like parties?

{they have no 'body' to dance with}

make a creamy caramel apple dip

*what is a witch's favorite story?

{'ghoul deluxe' and the 'three scares'}

(NOTE: You can find that recipe on my Pinterest board called: autumn/fall)

go trunk-or-treating

*where do baby ghost go during the day?

{day'scare'}

 (NOTE: My church always has trunk or treating, so that's why I added that one} 

read halloween books

*what kind of mistakes do ghost make?

{'boo-boo's'}

pick apples & bake an apple pie with the apples we pick

*what is a witch's favorite subject in school?

{'spelling'}

watch charlie brown halloween special & read "it's a great pumpkin charlie brown"

*what do you call a fat jack-o-lantern?

{a 'plumpkin'}

make apple cider

*what do witches put in their hair? 

{'scare' spray}

have a photo shoot in the leaves

*what do ghost do when they get in the car?

{they 'boo-kle' their seatbelts}

go on a picnic

*why was no food left after the monster party?

{everyone was a 'goblin'}

make spider cupcakes

*what do birds sing on halloween?

{trick or 'tweet'}

go on a hay ride

*what is the favorite game at a ghost's party?

{hide & 'shriek'}

carve pumpkins

*why didn't the skeleton cross the road?

{didn't have the guts}

color a halloween picture

*what's a monster's favorite play?

{romeo & 'ghouliet'}

go trick-or-treating/pass out candy/make hot cocoa

*who won the skeleton beauty contest?

{no 'body'}
(NOTE: this card will always be in the day 31 bag & watching "Hocus Pocus" is MUST!!!)

paint mini pumpkins

*what kind of witch lives by the sea?

{sand-witch}

make ghost rice krispie treats

*what do you call two witches living together?

{broommates}

make a halloween craft

*who did frankenstien take to prom?

{his 'ghoul' friend}

visit the pumpkin patch

*what do skeletons say before eating?

{'bone' appetit!}

make halloween cookies

*why do witches fly on brooms?

{vacuum cleaner cords aren't long enough}  

make spider ice cubes & a spooky halloween drink

*what do you call a skeleton who won't work?

{lazy bones}

"boo" one of your neighbors with a halloween treat

*when is it bad luck to meet a black cat?

{when you're a mouse}

have a halloween muffin tin lunch

*what do ghost's say when something is really neat?

{'ghoul'!}

have a family halloween party

*what does a witch do on saturday night?

{'boo-gie'}

(NOTE: we may not have time to always have a halloween party, but we can veg out on the carpet with just the ones who live in our house with halloween music blasting-- I consider that a party too!)

decorate for halloween

*what do ghost serve for dessert?

{ice 'scream'!}
(NOTE: this card will always be in the day 1 bag)

make any halloween treat

*what is a vampire's favorite food?

{'neck'tarines}

watch a halloween movie

*what do you call a friendly, dead egyptian?

{chummy mummy}

make a halloween craft

*what do ghost drink when they are thirsty?

{'ghoul'-aid} 

 (NOTE: I know I already added this, but a person can't make enough crafts. Especially with all the cute ideas on Pinterest)

pumpkin bowling

*what kind of insurance does a ghost buy?

{home 'moaners' insurance}

watch hocus pocus

*how does a witch tell time?

{she looks at her 'witch' watch}

(NOTE: I'll probably watch this movie more than once. My favorite!) 

make s'mores

*why are mummies good employees?

{they get 'wrapped up' in their work}

(NOTE: they have halloween s'more ideas on pinterest with the ghost marshmallows)

make halloween cake pops

*what has webbed-feet, feathers, fangs and quacks?

{count duckula} 

Update:
 I added some more cards to my list..

watch "the witches"
what do ghosts eat for breakfast?
 {boo-berries}

go for a fall walk
where does count dracula usually eat his lunch?
{at the casketeria}

paint halloween rocks
what's it like to be kissed by a vampire?
{it's a pain in the neck}

make caramel apples
knock knock.
who's there?
ben.
ben who?
ben waiting for halloween all year!
Note: cheesy joke, i know! & i can't believe i forgot caramel apples in the first place.

make dirt in a cup/add gummy worms
why did dracula's mother give him cough medicine?
{because he was having a coffin fit} 

play halloween games
how can you tell the vampire likes baseball?
{every night he turns into a bat}

scavenger hunt
knock, knock.
who's there?
witch.
witch who?
witch one of you can fix my broomstick?

make pumpkin bread/give some to a neighbor
what song does dracula hate?
{"you are my sunshine"}

read fall books
knock, knock.
who's there?
boo.
boo who?
boo who, I didn't want to make you cry.

go over the history of halloween
what tops off a ghost's ice cream sundae?
{whipped scream}

make halloween popcorn
dracula decided he needed a dog, which breed did he choose?
{a bloodhound}

make leaf art
what do you call a goblin who gets too close to a bonfire?
{a toasty ghosty}

make snikerdoodle cookies with candy corn
what kind of tie does a ghost wear to a formal party?
{a boo-tie}

I added a couple more craft cards & movie cards since those are fun & FREE!

If you have any other ideas or ideas that don't cost a penny, please let me know so I can add your ideas to my list. 

   

**Time to make a Christmas one!**