And The Winner Is...

With the help of my trusty 5 year old we were able to pick a winner. This was difficult, he really wanted everyone to win, including Grammy {thanks for following us mom!}.

Drum roll please…..
We're so excited to announce the winner of our first blog follower give-away....The Virginia House, thanks so much for everyone who’s decided to come out of the closet to follow us. Hope you’re able to put this set of 6 "martha style" chalkboard labels to good use!


Stay tuned for next months give-away, we haven't decided what it will be just yet, but trust me, you'll want it! All you have to do is click to follow. Easy Cheesy {as Andrea would say}.

Your story, your legacy

Hi, remember me? I'm the super sentimental, sappy sister who's got to make every craft have a personal meaning. Every item of decor has to have a story, every gift has to be hand made and ultra sentimental. Yeah, I know, it's a sickness. But with that in mind, here is my post for today. I found this when I was shopping in a really cute German town with my parents and sisters (so now its even MORE sentimental). I almost screamed when I found these books- they are the perfect gift for me!!! There are two books- one for mom's and one for dad's. They ask questions about your childhood and leave room for you to describe your bedroom when you were a kid. Your favorite relative. Your first friend. First date. How you met your spouse. It's a journal that prompts you to tell your children about yourself. What you wanted to be when you were a kid. Your favorite Christmas memory. The cat that tortured you as a child. (sorry mom, I know you love her but she's a menace!) Your funniest memories with your siblings and boy do I have alot! I jot these memories down when I'm waiting at the dentist or in carpool for my kids to know a little more about me. My kids love it & eventually I'll get my husband to fill out his book too. I thought this was so cute that I ordered some as a baby gift for a first time mom. I researched the book maker and here is where you can get your own. This could be a great mother's day or father's day gift too! Go ahead, get some chips ready for all the cheesy goodness these books will force you to become. And maybe I'll save a spot for you at the Super Sappy Sisters anonymous meeting. I'll make sure to bring cookies from a 100year old family recipe served on a platter that my great great grandma brought over on the Mayflower. :)

My Scrappy Clutch

I case I've lead you to believe that I'm a great seamstress, I am sorry. I am not. I can sew some pretty good straight lines, but when it comes to patterns with mutliples steps, I typically end up with some impared projects. Like my project today: my scrappy clutch. I followed a great tutorial here. She does a great job taking you through step by step, but her end product looks so great! I'm still pretty happy with mine though, I guess practice makes perfect.

I was really proud of myself for putting in the zipper! Her tutorial made that part easy!

On another note, when's the last time your kid put his face in the car's tailpipe?

I'm posting this on Just a Girl's Show and Tell Day!

Board book makeover

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with scrapbooking every photo of my children. Because of my craft A.D.D. I needed a quick project that I could complete during nap time. Earlier this week as I was cleaning out the girls old toys and books they've outgrown I thought of a way to repurpose this mini princess book instead of getting rid of it. The book is 3"x3" and I simply sanded down the glossy finish with some sand paper. Cropped some photos & changed them to black & white in photoshop. And then cut them to size & used Provo Craft super tacky tape to apply them. The total time spent was 2.5 hours including photoshop time. My girls are begging to make them one next & honestly- I can't wait! These mini books are just so darn cute I want to make one for everyone. Watch out sistas- you may be getting one for your burfdays. (And if you're nice to me- they'll be pictures of your family and NOT pictures of me:)




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Avocado & Classic Black Photo clip Display

0324_3230a, originally uploaded by Nestlings.

One of my adorable friends had a birthday last week. You know, the kind of friend who makes you laugh so hard face hurts? Yep, that’s the one. She’s also extremely crafty and creative so coming up with a birthday gift I knew she’d appreciate was a little more difficult. Thank goodness her awesome husband bought her a Canon camera for Christmas because that gave me an idea. Monday I started working on this project and several steps later it was finished. Actually it’s very easy, just a lot of steps and drying time in between. Since I’m not really the modge podge type {thankfully Andrea taught me to not be afraid of it} this was a totally new project for me. A little sanding and antiquing came next. My friends at American Crafts hooked me up with this gorgeous scrapbook paper {thanks Jeff!}. Finally the top was coated in a protective varnish that took about 2 days to dry.One paper binder clip was attached to the top and I covered a button with linen to help camouflage the not so pretty clip. A gorgeous picture for the sample came from Blessed B photography isn’t she the sweetest baby?

Maddie is already planning one for her room!

Ruffley Wreath

When Andrea first sent me the link to this wreath here, I was immediately smitten. I thought about it all winter long, but didn't really want to make a white one. With this small town in Idaho having limited crafting supplies, what's a girl to do? So I finally went to Joann's in the "big city" the other day and remembered the wreath- Holy Moly, have you seen their felt selection?! I was so happy!! And it was only $2.50 a yard people. For 74" widths! I went slightly off my turquoise OD and selected this peacock blue. It's a little bit darker in person, I think. So I cut about 275 three inch circles (Yeah, it took me a while). How else was I going to get through American Idol? Although it was quite a bit of work, I couldn't be happier about it. Maybe it's all the work it took that just makes me happy it's finished, but either way- here it is! Hopefully you'll enjoy it as much as I do!

Don't you just love that ruffley goodness?

So the total cost of this project?
Wreath form: $5.50
Felt: 1 1/4 yards $3.13
Pins: Had on hand
Total cost: $8.63
Oh, and I read on another blog where someone wasn't sure how to hang a ribbon from the door. My trick? Thumbtacks.
I'm linking this to Creations by Kara

Crafty Coaster Break

I finally decided to tackle some spring cleaning and actually cleared off my desk, filing each and every loose paper, coupon, to do list, and candy wrapper. Then I decided it looked too bare. With all the loose papers cleared off my desk there suddenly were no loose papers to use as a coaster for my cans of coke zero {I’ve converted, it’s seriously the best!}. Anyway, I took a 15minute break to make myself a useful coaster out of some bits and pieces of my favorite fabrics, 100% soft linen and a very hard to find print by Heather Ross that I’m in love with. Don’t tell Andrea, but I think she’ll be getting a set for her birthday because I know her computer desk could use them too.

So what have you created today?

Easter is coming!

Can you believe it peeps? Easter is just around the corner! I've been so busy lately that I haven't even had time to plan the fun! So I've spent the morning rifling through ideas to make this Easter memorable for my family. Here are some ideas I came across:
1. Bakerella makes some fun Easter cake pops that make me gain a pound looking at them!
2. Getting Crazy came up with a fun way to repurpose some old stuffed animals (I think I have an extra 30 if anyone wants some!)
3. Of course there is always Easter Egg dying parties with little friends. I love doing this with other mom's!
4. My friend in Salt Lake always has a picnic the weekend before with great grandparents. They come to her house and she and the kids prepare a fun lunch on the patio. The night before, the family makes fun Easter baskets for the G's to enjoy! How cute! This would be great to do with any elderly grandparents that you know if yours aren't close by!
5. I've gotta try this last idea: Easter egg hunt at a hotel. My friend books a room for a night at a hotel (always with an indoor pool for the kids) and they hide easter eggs around the lobby, hallway, vending machines, gym,etc. You get the idea. The kids find some of the eggs & the unsuspecting guests get to find a few too!
Start thinking about Easter friends. It's approaching quickly!

Spice Rack Reno!

Ahh, finally naptime! What a relief! I bought this spice rack at the local DI a few months ago and I thought it'd be perfect to hold baby food jars filled with little do-dads. Well, I finally got to it and finished it. Two coats of primer, two coats of paint and I think it looks much better. To cover up the lids of the baby food jars, I just mod podged some scrap fabric on top and hot glued grograin ribbon around the edge. (I learned from experience that you can't mod podge fabric all the way around the lid- it just WON'T work!:P) Filled it up and tada!
Here's the before:

And the after:

So, next time you go to the thrift store, don't forget- you can paint *almost* everything!

love notes

I had a great weekend planned. Totally fun stuff from sunrise to sunset. The stomache bug had other plans for me though. I have been stuck in bed since Friday night and going insane. My TV in my bedroom broke on Wednesday so I'm totally bored! I feel great if I'm laying completely flat and don't move. It leaves very little for me to do since I've already slept 15 hours today! What's a girl to do? That's when I remembered I need to catch up on the kids journals. I've been (badly) keeping journals for each child since they were born. But recently my neighbor shared a fun idea with me that my kids love. I got each of them fun notebooks at Hobby Lobby for $1.99. I write them a note in the book and stick it under their pillow, then they write me a note back and stick it under my pillow. Its been a fun journal because I get to see what's important to them at the time and see their writing improve (hopefully). Here is a fun note from my kindergartner- I'll have to translate: Dear mom, I love you. I am happy because you are letting us get a dog when Kimball is potty trained. Love, Taylor Oh the things we commit to when we are desperate! Taylor was going through a I don't want to go to school phase so I slipped up and offered this in the distant future. I have a feeling she's going to remind me of this every day for the next year!

I also started a notebook for my husband & I to write back and forth. So far its just a letter to him. My pillow is getting lonely babe.... hint hint!

Easy Fabric Bucket Tutorial

This is my version of the easy fabric bucket that I came up with back when I had more time than money and needed some simple baskets for the kids or a way to wrap a gift for a friend. Even if you’ve never sewn before, trust me, you can tackle this with the simplest of ease and if you can’t…well back away from the sewing machine mama, there is simply no hope for you.

Both the inside and outside of the bucket are made the same, making this completely reversible. Once you’ve mastered the simple bucket you can spice it up with handles, appliqués, or even a quilted stripy pattern on one side.

Supplies:
Ruler
Rotary cutter
Mat
Regular sewing supplies
Canvas, duck cloth, denim, or any other heavy fabric. This will allow you to make the bucket stand without having to add any interfacing or batting.

First Step:
For the outside of the bucket you will need to cut 1= 10” x 22” strip of fabric and 1= 7” circle
For the inside of the bucket you will need to cut an identical set with the same measurements as above. I would recommend using two coordinating fabrics, and then if you fold the top down you’ll get a bit of flair showing.

Second Step:
Placing right sides together (along the 7” side), pin and sew (I use ¼” seams) the ends to make a tube. You’ll do the same with the other strip of fabric.

Third Step:
With the wrong side facing out, pin the circle to the bottom of the tube. To avoid frustration when it comes time to sew, make sure you spend the time pinning the base evenly around. Sew around the base using ¼” seams.

Do the same to the second tube and circle base.


Fourth Step:
Turn the outside of the bucket right side out and place inside of the outside of the bucket. Sounds confusing I know just look at the sample picture and make sure that both the inside and outside pieces have the right sides of the fabric facing each other.

Fifth Step:
Match up the raw edges at the top of the bucket and trim any unnecessary threads. Sew along the top with a 1/4” seam leaving an opening approximately 3-4” wide open (un-stitched). You’ll use this un-stitched section to pull the entire bucket through which will leave a nice finished seam at the top.

Sixth Step:
This is where an iron comes in really handy, carefully iron the seam at the top making sure the fabric is pulled as to not leave a large gap of fabric. This will help to make sure the top of your bucket is even all the way around. Lastly, you’ll sew the 3” opening shut and secure both fabrics together by stitching along the top edge. Again, a 1/4” or topstitch if you have the appropriate sewing foot works well.


Now fill and enjoy!

I’ve used these over the years to wrap gifts, hold odds and ends or placed on my children’s dressers in coordinating colors to hide their “treasures” that just don’t fit the theme of their room.

Now post a link, I'd love to see your version.

Yay! He's Home!!!

When my hubby has to leave out of town for business, let's face it- I'm a wreck. I don't handle it well when I'm left here alone. It just plain stinks and I miss him. So before he leaves, I pack his bag with little treats and notes to open for each day he's gone. Usually I spend a lot of time making the notes all sentimental, but I rushed to throw this together. I forgot until late the night before he left, so I hurried to Wallyworld and picked up a few treats. Scribbled some notes for each day and threw them into paper sacks with the treats for each day. Don't forget the duct tape, so they're really hard to open :/ I know it's super-cheesy, but it makes me feel like he knows how much we miss him here. And he likes it too, I mean, who wouldn't?!

Book Review- Founding Mothers

I grew up in a family of readers, it’s in my blood. One of my favorite teachers to this day is Mrs. Garrett; she taught me how to read so of course she’s my favorite. One summer my family went on driving vacation. After a long day in the car with all of my siblings (dvd players for the car had not been invented yet) my mother locked herself in the bathroom and took a hot bath. With nothing on hand to read, my mother grabbed a take-out menu left in the room. Now that’s what I call obsessed with reading!

This fall I took an early American history class and thoroughly enjoyed it. The professor obviously loved history and gave us all a greater understanding of the big picture, and how each event shaped future events. Over the Christmas break I had the opportunity to read two books by Cokie Roberts, Founding Mothers; the Women Who Raised Our Nation and Ladies of Liberty; the Women Who Shaped Our Nation. We all know the backgrounds and stories of the great men, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, through letters, journals, and other correspondence the well known news correspondent Cokie Roberts gives us a unique insight to the women behind the great men. How the early years of our nation our formed through the eyes, ears, and with the help of these courageous women. Reading the nastiness of politics back then, well, frankly, things haven’t changed all that much…

Benjamin Franklins wife was one of the most interesting, while he partied in Europe, Deborah ran the successful businesses at home. When Franklin supported the very unpopular Stamp Act, rioters arrived to burn down the Franklin home. Deborah held the group off at gunpoint and saved her home. One of the women I’d love to meet is Dolly Madison; people were drawn to her and her parties sound fabulous! Dolly was known to spend $50 a day on food at the white house. Keep in mind, Roberts points out, a whole chicken was .40 cents so $50 seems quite exorbitant.

Another favorite is Louisa Adams, when upon learning that congress would not incorporate the orphan asylum, but that a long congressional session “left more in its wake than testy tempers” she asks for an explanation and was told “Congress having left many females in such difficulties as to make it probable they would beg our assistance.” Her response; “I recommended a petition to Congress next session for that great and moral body to establish a foundling institution and should certainly move that the two additional dollars a day which they have given themselves as an increase in pay may be appropriated as a fund toward the support of the institution.” I laughed out loud; she’s my kind of girl!

If you get a chance to read either of these books, I promise, you won’t regret it.

More photo ideas

Because I have this huge need for taking photos & preserving memories (they're going to name a new disorder after me because I'm obsessed!) I am constantly looking for unique ways to display them. I ran across some ideas that I'm itching to try. This cute set of nine square pics I found here on ETSY and want to try with my own photos- so cool! Design dazzle showed me the ideas of the book case & the picture sections. Then I randomly found this totally awesome idea to jazz up book bindings here on this site. LOVE IT! I'm totally inspired to get started on altering photos- stay tuned for the reveal!

Dollar Store Gumdrop topiary

Last week I helped decorate the tables for a dinner held for the women of my church. We decided to decorate 12 tables according to the months of the year and have each woman sit at her birthday month. I was in charge of decorating for April, May, and June. April was easy, I just filled a cute easter basket with plastic eggs. May was pretty simple too, I just bought some daffodils and put them in a vase. June had me stumped- what happens in June? Here in Idaho last year, it rained about 25 out of 30 days. Wonderful. So I thought this cute centerpiece would work for anything- and so simple. I spray painted an old flowerpot, cut a dowel the right size, then poured plaster of paris in the pot, holding the dowel in place until it set. I let that dry overnight and stuck half-toothpicks into spice drops. I got the flower pot, styrafoam ball and spice drops at the dollar store, so overall it was a really inexpensive project! It took 2 bags of spice drops to cover the ball- I think it's only a 4 inch ball. And voila!

I linked this to the CSI project!

Spring Break staycation

I was pretty bummed when I couldn't plan a REAL vacation for spring break. With my hubs self employed status he just can't get away. What's a girl to do? Stage 1: Sulk. Stage 2: denial. Stage 3: Tell yourself a staycation is WAY BETTER & make it believable! So I wrote down all the things I hate about a vacation, such as packing, unpacking, catching up on a week's worth of laundry, airports, claustrophobia on airplane, driving for long periods with screaming/whining children, not enough sleep because we're all crammed into one room at a hotel, awful beds, and stomache aches from all the restaurants. WOW! I suddenly don't feel so bad about not going on vacation! (I'm good at denial) But our family definitely needs a break, so what should we do? That's when I decided it was staycation time. Each of us got to plan a day where we choose the activity and a restaurant. I want a vacation from the kitchen too people! First I made some rules to ensure this would actually feel vacationy. Rule #1- No phone! Rule #2 No working. including emails! Rule #3 No housework! YAY for me!

So here is our itinerary and some pics from our first day of staycation.

Day one: Dad's day
Horse back rides and petting zoo. Eat at a pizzeria.

Day two: Morgan's Day
Bike rides at a new park with a picnic lunch

Day three: Taylor's Day
Movie- Alice & Wonderland, ride the carousel & campfire smore's in
the backyard.

Kimball's Day: (is pretty much every day)
Eat suckers, play with a ball, blow bubbles, swing, drink dad's BIG GULP

Mom's Day: Still working on it, stay tuned!

Day one was a success! No whining, no crying, no stomache aches, no headaches! We were able to see a Lamb with her two babies that were just born. We got to see one stand for the first time. It was a perfect moment. I love watching my kids see something new for the first time. This staycation isn't so bad after all! Stay tuned for more adventures in Staycay land! Hmmm, I wonder if I can recreate a beach & maybe a Disney ride tomorrow? :)

I'm just giddy with excitement, this Tuesday the 16th, Nestlings will be one of the featured vendors on the Nesting Place give-away-day. 24 adorable items for you and your home from 24 different fabulous shops. Everyone knows I'm not the squealing type, but I just couldn't help myself when I heard the news. Check out all the featured shops and leave your comment for a chance to win. The best part is you can do it in your pajamas, no need to get dressed up!

If you haven't had a chance to check out Nesting Place you really should (just click on the link above). There you'll find tons of great ideas for decorating your home on a budget, repurposing items from around your home and excellent pictures to inspire. The most recent tutorials include making slipcovers for chairs.

Origami box toot

I learned how to make these origami boxes back in the 4th grade. Who says you don't learn anything in school? I used to make them with black paper with puff paint gold stars and my mom would fill them with homemade chocolates for me to sell at my dad's work. He would just set them on his desk and bring home the cash. Pretty nice set up for a nine-year-old. I think they're a super cute way to present a gift- and now you can see how easy they are to make!
First you take a 12x12 piece of scrapbook paper.

Fold it in half diagonally.

Then fold it again.

Now, open it up again.

Now bring one corner to the very center where the folds meet. Do this to all four corners. Be very percise!


This is what it should look like now:)

Now, bring one side up and fold it on the fold.

Then bring your other side to meet it in the middle. (You may need a little help)

Next, open it up and fold both sides in again, only on the other side you haven't folded yet- does that make sense?

This is what it will look like- hopefully!

Next you'll need to cut carefully on the fold where I've shown. You only want to cut enough so that little triangle is apart, like I've shown here.

Now you'll need to make 3 more cuts, 2 cuts on each parallel side. Have you ever tried taking a picture of yourself cutting?! Yeah, it wasn't going to happen.

Next you'll fold the two sides up to build a little wall, and hold your hand there to keep it in place.

Using your other hand, you'll bring the flap OVER the wall you build and tuck the flap down into the bed of the box. Now do that on the other side too.

Now you have half of a box and you'll have to make another box- the same size- to have a complete set. To put the two sides together, you just have to wiggle and push it gently together.

Perfect place for a little gift- or to hide the easter eggs from Zac. He'd NEVER check inside that box. More starburst jellybeans for me!

Here's the completed box! That wasn't so bad, was it?

Disclaimer: Yes, I know I have ginormous hands.
I'm linking this up to today's creative blog get your craft on!