He's a SMARTIE

My first and oldest baby started Junior Kindergarten yesterday.

I am beyond excited for him and so happy that he seems to enjoy it so much!

I am really sad for me. I'll miss him so much. He's the life of the party around here.

Anyway, I made a little gift to give to his new teachers, as a Thank You for all the hard work they do from the very start.

Here's close up of the tag I made:

I had seen some other printables with the smarties idea, but they never quite said what I wanted them to. 

So I figured I'd try making my own. It was actually easy and fun! And really adds such a cute touch to the little gift.

Inside are Smarties and a Starbucks gift card. Yum...coffee and chocolate :) The cup is made of glass and double walled for hot/cold.

I'm pretty happy with the results :)

And just in case you like the tag and want to use it, I made a printable.

Now, I'm not sure if this is the way to do it, but I figured this will work.

Just save the picture, copy it into Word, and resize as needed :)

Oh, and his teachers (he's got two) LOVED them! One said "what a SMART way to start the year! WIth Smarties" lol... :)
Hope you're all having a great day and hope your kiddies are enjoying the new school year.

xo, Dorian 

Let's Start Thinking about MOTHER'S DAY...

I recently received an email from the wonderful people at Plaid Crafts asking me if I would be interested in participating in an upcoming Mother's Day crafting event.

OBVIOUSLY, I said yes. 

I received a box of goodies that far exceeded the last one, to make some Momma themed crafts. So after *some* excited jumping around and some squealing like a kid on Christmas morning, I got to playin'! 

I figured I would use this opportunity to create some special gifts for the two special mommas in my life: my Mom and my MIL :)

Besides the Martha Stewart supplies Plaid sent me, I went out and bought these: 

2 Glass Vases from the DS

A pack of 3 canvas totes from Michael's

2 Taupe-y Fabric Photo Albums

2 Wooden Plaques (DS)

2 Trivets and a pack of coasters (not pictured and DS)

Today, I will show you what I did to the albums. And how to do it yourself :)

You will need:

- Martha Stewart Stencil

-Stencil Adhesive

-Paint

-Pouncers ( I used foam)

- Albums

What You Do:

Start of by spraying the Stencil Adhesive on the back of your stencil.

I penciled in where I knew I wanted to but my bird first then positioned my stencil on top.

Because of the stencil adhesive, the stencil doesn't move around because it sticks to your projects. The stencil will still come off easily when you're done. leaving very clean lines :)

Don't forget to tape off the parts of the stencil you do NOT want paint on. Here, I taped over the flowers and the bird's tail. Taping is a VERY important part.

Shake your paint, pour onto tupperware lid paint pallet, and tap your foam pouncer (pictured below) into it. You want to them "tab" some the excess paint off on the lid, so you don't have too much paint on. Too much paint will cause leakage, causing messy lines even WITH adhesive.

Take your pouncer and tab it UP and DOWN onto the stencil. Do NOT swipe it, you need to tap it up and down for a perfect stencil :)

Once you're finished painting, you will have this:

*Please note* You should paint every part that requires say, brown. all at once.

Also, see the arrow? That's where some of my tape is.

Remove stencil carefully:

the circle indicates the penciled in bird feet.

I did two corners in the same stencil just in different directions:

Wait for it to dry.................

(wash your stencil while you wait)

Okay, now take your newly clean stencil, spray some more adhesive on it and line it up with your previously painted lines.

Tape over the painted parts:

Use your pouncer (I used the 3/4 inch one) to paint in your flowers a bright dark pink.

I then used a brush (not pictured, but it's just a regular brush) to paint in the center of the flower stencil, while the stencil was still on:

(you don't have to be super neat or artistic about this part, just dab it on)

Before the paint dries, very carefully remove the stencil:

Do that for both branches and add the bird :)

For the "M" monogram I used the Martha Stewart Fancy Script Stencil Set. It's cardboard (strong one, though) but I still sprayed on the adhesive and it worked great.

And that's it! easy! And sooo cute, right?! I love how whimsical it is :)

I made a second album for my MIL:

Isn't it so elegant and timeless? 

I really hope they both like their customized albums. I plan to fill them with some pictures I had printed of my boys and some of my boys and them. I really hope they love it.

Anyway, I have 2-3 more stenciling projects coming in the next two weeks, so if you haven't tried stenciling before, you can try it now! It always intimidated me before, I don't know why though, it's fun and Plaid makes it easy with they're products. Anyway, if you wanna try, go for it! There' is plenty of variety :)

"See" you soon!

xo, Dorian

P.S:

Don't forget to check out my Big Birthday Bash! We've got a HUGE giveaway coming up on Sunday, should be fun!

*I feel obligated to say that I am part of a group of bloggers who works with Plaid on special campaigns. I received no monetary compensation for this post, just the material to craft with (BETTER!). All opinions expressed are my own. I wouldn't blog it, if I didn't love it :)

LINKED:
To these parties!

A CHARMing Necklace - A Tutorial

Hi Friends! How are you? I hope you had a fabulous weekend and that your week is off to a good start!

Today I have a jewelry tutorial y'all. It's quick and simple and would make a cute Christmas gift or stocking stuffer. 

I call it my "Charm"ing Necklace...

It's super light, and cute and really adds character to an outfit!

Wanna make your own? It's easy! Here's how:

Then grab some paint in colors you love. I used:

Next follow steps 1-4:

You can get as creative with the colors as you'd like!

**there are WAY better findings for this project then the ones I used (which are brass flat head pins), but that is what I had on hand and I didn't want to go out and spend money. As Tim Gunn would say.."MAKE IT WORK PEOPLE!" : )

Now, follow steps 1-4: use your needle nose pliers to turn into a cane like shape, put your embellishments right sides together onto the pin at the turned part, then keep turning until the "charms" are enclosed:

I bought the scrapbook embellishments at the Dollar Store. A pack of about 15 for a buck! the rest I had on hand. I think it would look cute with a ribbon instead of a chain too, but I've ran out of cute ribbon. I'm left with the weirdest most random colors. Does that ever happen to you? It's like, why did I even buy those ribbons in the first place?! 

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it! And I have another fun tutorial (a sewing one!) coming very soon!
And if you wanna see more jewelry tutorials you can go here for my Spoon Pendent tute (most popular) or here for a tutorial on how to add texture to wooden beads. Or you can click on the "Tutorials" tab for more :) 

And as always, thank you so much for reading my lil' blog  my sweet friends, it really means so much to me : )

xoxo, Dorian

Oh, and I'm sure you've noticed a surplus of giveaways suddenly and less crafting. I apologies for my lack of creativity lately, and hope to change that soon. The giveaways are my way of saying "thank you" and "Merry (early) Christmas!". I wanted to have giveaways that would give us hard working mommas something to look forward to opening during this crazy Christmas season. We often are so busy thinking about all our loved ones' gifts that we forget ourselves! Well, I remembered you and wanted to give YOU something fun! I wish everyone could win :( ***I know some of you really enjoy giveaways and some of you really don't. For those that like them...enter! This is for you! And for those that don't: wait it out and skip those post, I promise it'll calm down soon!
And yes, there is a current giveaway :) You can enter HERE for $40 in Plaid Paint, Mod Podge and Brushes!

On that note...I have another AMAZING giveaway for you this Monday...it's soooo good you guys...soooo very very good : )

Linked HERE

A Quick and Easy Gift Idea

On Friday, I showed you guys an Easy way to paint like an artist. And today I will continue the painting theme, but move onto stencils. How much easier can it get?! :)

I went to the DS last week, and while there came across some pretty white mugs and dishes. To me they looked like a blank canvas. I have A MILLION and one ideas for these mugs. Most involve some sort of stenciling and painting. 

I had one particular thing in mind. Do you know about mug rugs?

A Sewing Journal 

It's basically these long quilted coasters that you can place your mug on and maybe a couple of cookies.

I LOVE this idea, and I think I'll be making a bunch to give away for Christmas (if you live around me and are reading this: SURPRISE!) however, at the DS I saw a long, thin dish that I'm sure is meant to hold asparagus or something. But when I saw it, I saw a ceramic mug rug, that can be made without any sewing what-so-ever. Wanna see what I mean???

Lookee:

I took some of my Plaid stencils and enamel paint and just went at it. The idea is it holds your mug on one side and your yummy dessert on the other, easy to grab and take over to the living room to relax in front of the  T.V or with a good book.

On the front I stenciled a butterfly and wrote "enjoy" in little dash-y lines so it looks like the butterfly was flying in that pattern. 

On the back it's just another butterfly flying in loops.

I needed the dash-y lines to end, so I wrapped them around the handle and off the mug. I have to tell you, it may be silly, but that little detail makes me smile every time :)

This is the long, thin dish. I followed the butterfly theme, and stencil another fluttering butterfly onto the raised edge. I think this butterfly's a bit drunk, look at all those loop! HA!

I wrote "yum" (not very well) in dash-y lines to go with the "enjoy" on the mug.

Then I added a glass jar that I also got at the DS, added a simple flower and leaf (with a stencil), then stuffed it full of mini biscotti, and WA-LAA! It's done. 

It took me all of, 30 minutes (those dash-y things take most of the time) cost me $6 (with taxes) and now I've got a cute little gift that can be personalize to a persons favourite colours and taste. And if you add the person's favourite book...how cute would that be??

And really, who doesn't need an excuse to curl up with a yummy mug of coffee, some cookies and a good book?

Easy to do, and fast? Can we say "hostess gift" anyone???

Hope you "enjoyed" this post!

Thank you so much for stopping by :)

xoxo, Dorian

*NOTE*

I had someone ask about the durability of the paint and if it needs a sealer. So for anyone else who might have the same question, I thought I'd post the information here as well.

The paint I used is called FolkArt Enamel Acrylic Paint made by Plaid. It is for glass and ceramics.

It DOES NOT require a sealer. But before you begin you must clean the surface with rubbing alcohol. Then you choose to either bake it or air dry for 21 days. After either is done, it is okay to hand wash or wash on the top rack of the dishwasher. The baking instruction are on the back of the bottle.

Hope that helps, and sorry I didn't think to include that important piece of info before! Thanks for your question Amy!

Plaid's Folkart Stencil and paints sold at Michael's and AC Moore.

Feel free to visit Plaid on facebook.  Or at their blog.

Linked:
Todays Creative Blog
and at THESE great parties

Easy to Paint

Recently, I was lucky enough to be sent some more stuff from Plaid.

This time it was their new "Easy to Paint" Line of products which is available NOW at Michael's and AC Moores across the country.

So basically, "Easy to Paint" makes some rub-on patterns that come in a little package full of how-to's with detailed pictures.

I bought that canvas an easel from the dollar store for 1.25, I think.. 

All you have to do is rub-on the flower you want and follow their super easy instructions on how to paint it in. 

When I say easy, youguys, I mean STEP BY STEP instructions. Even on HOW to dip the brush in the paint so you get the right look.

I didn't press down hard enough on the stencil :(

The package comes with a reusable practice sheet where you can practice your strokes before you commit.

I didn't use the exact colours the flower called for, instead I used what I had and mixed my own.

Follow the steps and you get this:

I made a mistake! see the arrow...boo!

In  hindsight, I think I would have left the canvas white. Instead I used the widest brush and watered down some paint and gave it a stained effect. Please note...I am NOT a painter. I'm not. I wish I was. I don't know if this is the technical way to do it, but this is what I did. I watered down some paint, brushed it on, then used a paper towel to wipe it off. I just wanted a very light stain.

The weather is horrible rainy today, so please pardon the dark pictures.

This is what I finished with:

I have to say, I like it. It was really easy, the results look better than I expected, and it's kinna addictive. I want to paint some more, now that I'm actually okay at it! LOL! It also made me feel like an artist ;), and THAT is always a good thing.

I plan to write a sweet little something on it, when the paint dries completely. I think I'm going to go with 

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; 

but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised"

And leave it there on my vanity, where I do my makeup, as a reminder that even on those days that I look like something from a horror film, it doesn't matter. HE matters. 

Or I'll give it as a gift...Christmas is coming up :)

Thank you so much for reading! Have a great weekend :)

xoxo, Dorian

P.S 

Hate doing this, but here's the fine print: I was provided with the Easy To Paint Rub-Ons, as well as paint, for this review. I received no monetary compensation, and all opinions expressed are solely mine. 

P.P.S

If you want to keep up to date with the latest in Plaid, you can visit their blog or "like" them on facebook.

An Apple a Day...

*THIS IS A POST PREVIOUSLY DONE ON MY OLD BLOG*

I know cloches are SOOO 2010 (even 2009, really), but I thought I'd share in case anyone was interested. Also, it's been a while since I made this and I still love it. Might be repainting it soon though.

I found this little beauty at a local second hand store and bought the candlestick at the dollar store (the miniature apples too)... 

Before:

I then went out and bought (and gathered from around the house) my needed "tools":

-Wood filler

- Primer (optional, I didn't really need it)

- Spray Paint

- Gorilla Glue (LOVE!)

-Sanding paper or block

First I sanded it down to remove the glossy wax-y thingie on top:

Then I used wood filler to fill dents...(ignore the water...I was trying to finish this while my 2 yr. old played in the sprinkler!)

Tape up the ceramic tile centre.I wanted to keep it:

And primed it. But really this step is not needed. Oh, the things we know in hindsight!!!!

Then I painted it with two coats of spray paint. 

I then glued the candlestick on with Gorilla Glue. Lurve Gorilla Glue :)

Et, voila, c'est fini! Isn't it the loveliest? I'm so happy with it, I can't wait to find it a home in my home...LOL.

I'm thinking of adding a top coat of shine...what do you think? Would it give it a "crisper" look? I'm also thinking of painting the candle stick, but I'm not too sure???

Anyway, hope you found this post fun. I sure had fun making my lil' cloche!

Thanks for reading!

xoxo, Dorian