Mason Jar Craft Challenge Voting is LIVE!!

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to pop in quickly to let you know that you can now vote for your favorite Mason Jar craft from the Consumer Crafts Challenge I participated in last month.

Head on over and vote...hopefully for my Mason Jar Cake Plate!!

Here's the link:  Mason Jar Craft Voting

Thanks so much!!  I hope to be back soon with more crafty goodness.

Niki

Mason Jar Cake Plate with Endless Possibilities

Mason Jar Cake Plate with Limitless Styling Options

{I received some super cool product in exchange for this post.  However, the opinions, post & tutorial are my own.}

Do you love decorating for parties?  If so, then you are going to love today's craft -- a mason jar cake plate!!  I am so in love with this thing.  <3  Consumer Crafts sent me some mason jars & some other amazing crafty products and challenged me to create something using the jars...I had so much fun dreaming up this one!!

Easy, Beautiful Scrapbooking with Project Life

Easy, Beautiful Scrapbooking

{This post is part of a paid campaign.  However, my LOVE for Project Life is real.  I have been drooling over them for months!!  They totally Rock!}
 
Don't you just LOVE it when you find a new product that is totally awesome AND solves a problem for you?  I sure do!  Today, I want to tell you about a crafty product that has solved a huge problem for me...and will for you too.  The amazing product is Project Life.  So, you might be wondering what problem they solved for me.  It was my scrapbooking dilemma.  I LOVE a beautiful scrapbook that displays your pictures, tickets, souveniers, etc.  However, I just can't ever seem to find the time to make them.  I don't know if I just take too many pictures and have my hand in too many pots (blogging, room mom, career, schooling, house keeping, other crafting whims, and a million other things) OR if I just want each page to be perfect and so I spend HOURS trying to get it to meet that standard.   Either way, I want a beautiful scrapbook (preferably without having to cut my pictures) that doesn't take me 3 months to complete...and THAT is what Project Life has done for me.

20 Ways to Support Others During an Illness or Death

20 Ways to Support Others during an Illness or Loss of a Loved One

When someone you know and love is in the hospital or loses a loved one, most likely one of the first things out of your mouth is, "Let me know if there is anything I can do to help."  Without a doubt there are things that you can do to help without them ever having to tell you what to do.

School Supplies

{Special thank you to Heather at The Sewing Loft Blog who gave me her new pattern so I could write this post.}

Simplicity Backpack Pattern - the perfect school supply - Make it your own!

It's almost time to head back to school.  I know for some that phrase brings joyful shouts and for others tears of sorrow.  Back when I was a school kid, it didn't matter how I was feeling about school, there was one thing that really got me SuPeR excited about heading back - new school supplies!

Pin It to Win It Contest from Consumer Crafts

{I received some great products from Consumer Crafts in exchange for promoting this fun contest, but I am truly excited about it...and hoping to win.  #Honest}

New Bathroom Ceiling

Popcorn Ceiling Before Makeover

Do you have a popcorn ceiling that must go?  It just might be easier to handle than you think.

Easy, Affordable Patriotic Wreath Tutorial

Patriotic Wreath Tutorial

Hi Everyone! 

Yesterday, I was the guest poster over at Today's Creative Blog.  I am showing how to make an easy, affordable patriotic wreath, just in time for July 4th.  So hop on over and check out my post and all of the others from her Celebrate Summer Series.

Have a Great Week!!

Niki

Easiest Handmade Jewelry Ever!

Handmade Jewelry Made Easy

I was given Styled by Tori Jewelry as compensation for this post.  However, the opinions here are 100% mine.

How to Make Patriotic Hair Accessories

Join me as I host another Crafty Hangout where I will show you how to make Patriotic Hair Accessories.  Thank you, American Crafts, for sponsoring by sending us some cool product!


Niki

A Southern Style Blog Hop

Photo Credit: flowtv.org

Today, I am joining some other bloggers for a Southern Blog hop designed for those raised in the South, living in the South, or just a fan of all things Southern.

The thing that I love most about Southern culture is the Hospitality.  So today I wanted to introduce all of you blog hoppers to HomeMadeville in true Southern style by giving you a taste of what hospitality is like here.  The following are some of our past posts related to hospitality and home.

Your Home's First Impression - Front Porch Makeover

Porch Makeover

Around here, we are getting ready to put our house on the market and start down the road to selling our home.  Since so much of my time is being spent "sprucing up the place," I thought I would share the transformation with all of you.  Since I am a real estate agent, I thought it might be a fun way for me to share some of my home selling knowledge.

Orange, Green & Yellow Butterfly Party

Bright & Cheery Party Decor

The end of the school year is always busy, busy!  So, this year when another mom and I were put in charge of decorating for the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, we began brainstorming what we could do in a short amount of time.  We realized we each had things on hand that could be combined into a bright and cheery luncheon.

Easy Wreath from Dollar Store Scarf

Wreath from Dollar Tree Scarf

 If I told you that you could make this Ahh-mazing wreath from 3 Dollar Tree Scarves and a Styrofoam brand wreath form, would you believe me?  Well you should!!  For around $5, I created welcoming decor for my front door.

Dollar Tree Scarf Wreath Google Hangout Coming Soon!

This month, I am hosting another Crafty Hangout!  On Monday, May 20th at 2 p.m., I am going to show you how to make a wreath with Dollar Tree Scarfs.

However, I'm not the only one in on the wreath making fun.  There are 18 other bloggers in on the action, each one with their own unique wreath created from a Styrofoam brand wreath provided by our fabulous sponsor.

So, start it off with my Scarf Wreath tutorial on Monday at 2 p.m., then visit CraftyHangouts.com to see the full #WreathHoA schedule.

If you happen to miss any of the hangouts, you can visit www.CraftyHangouts.com to catch up on them later.

Happy Crafting!

Niki 

105th Birthday Party - Yellow & Gray

Yellow & Gray Party Decor for 105th Birthday Party

Not many families get the opportunity to celebrate for the same reason we did last month.  My great grandmother turned 105!  Believe it or not, we have 6 living generations.  We are truly blessed to still have Grandmother, as we call her, still in our lives.  She is a total sweetheart: kind, loving, and nurturing.  She is extremely healthy, remembers and recognizes us, still reads, plays bingo, and more...it is astounding!  She certainly doesn't look or seem her age.

Easy Monogrammed Ring in 15 Minutes or Less

Monogrammed Ring in 15 Minutes or Less

If you consider yourself a crafty person, then you probably know what it is like to have an urge to get creative, yet not know where to find the time to squeeze in a little project.  Last year, I joined Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage and Carolina @ 30 minute crafts for Craft Lightning -- crafts in 15 minutes or less.  You can read that post here: Embellished Hair Accessories.  Today, I am joining them for another round!  Since accessories are easy to craft in 15 minutes or less, I decided to create a monogrammed ring for today's crafty quickie.

Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors Blogger Brunch

Stash Booth at Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors

A couple of weekends ago, I attended a blogger brunch hosted by Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors.  Although I don't consider myself an antique junkie, I have always loved Queen of Hearts because they are so much more than just an antique store.  You can find new and old, drab and rehabbed, and antique and modern.  Whatever your style, budget, or need, you just might find what you are looking for at Queen of Hearts.

How to Make a Welcome Sign from Wood

How to Make a Wood Welcome Sign

Mother's Day is less than 2 weeks away, and I have a great homemade gift idea for you!  Also, at the end of this post, you will find some other Mother's Day ideas. 

Join me for a Mother's Day Crafty Hangout.

Paper and Book Holder Makeover: A great gift idea for just about anyone!

Paper & Book Holder Makeover

Today, I am joining with some lovely ladies to showcase some great Teacher's Appreciation gifts.  Since this project has so many uses, it makes for a great gift for just about anyone, including teachers.  The best part is, it can be personalized to reflect their personality.  I made this one for my sister who is a writer and teacher, but it would be also be perfect for Teacher Appreciation, Mother's Day, Father's Day, a co-worker, a friend and more.  

Recycling: Can into a Centerpiece for Earth Day

Soup can turned into a centerpiece

I have a REALLY EXCITING event coming up in April that I can't wait to share with you!  I am not quite ready to reveal what the event is or the full project.  However, since Earth Day is coming up April 22nd, I thought I would link up with some of other amazing bloggers and show you one tiny element from my centerpiece -- a soup can turned vase.  So, read on for my project, plus checkout the other recycled projects in the link at the bottom of the post.

Girl's Birthday Party Decorations

Pretty Girl Birthday Party

Recently, I had the pleasure of helping my friend Jill with her 8 year old daughter's birthday party.  Since I love a cute party, and I'm quite busy enjoying Spring Break with my child, I thought I would share the party with you today.

Happy Easter: Free Printables Worth Celebrating All Year

Free Easter printables worth celebrating all year

Happy Easter from HomeMadeville!

Easter is about more than bunnies, eggs and Spring's arrival...It's a celebration of the new life we are given through a risen Savior.  So, how could we let this weekend come having only shared posts that didn't reflect the reason we celebrate.

How to Reupholster a Cedar Chest

How to Reupholster a Cedar Chest

When my mom was 16 years old, my grandparents gave her a cedar chest to use as a hope chest.  Over the years, the leather on top got ripped, but the chest was still filled with memories.  So my mom asked if I would help her reupholster it.  We had never reupholstered anything before, but thanks to many amazing bloggers, I had seen enough tutorials that I was sure we could handle the task.

Door Bell Update

Door Bell Before & After

Have you ever grown attached to something in your home even though you hated the way it looked?

Step Stool Makeover Using Scrapbook Paper

Step Stool Makeover Using Scrapbook Paper

A step stool can have many uses around the house, especially if you have children.  That's why when my mother-in-law gave me a simple, handmade step stool that she bought at a yard sale for $2 or less, I knew I had to take it from functional to functionally fabulous!  I had been trying to decide how I wanted to makeover the step stool when I was offered some amazing paper craft supplies from Dear Lizzy Fifth and Frolic.  The amazing crisp blues, greens, pinks and yellows were a perfect complement to the bathroom where I planned on using the step stool, so I knew it was meant to be.

Dear Lizzy Sample - Available at JoAnn's on March 17, 2013

Tutorial for Step Stool Transformation

Step Stool Before & After

1. Paint the step stool.  - The first thing I did to the stool was wipe it clean and paint it.  I used some leftover wall paint.

Paint Step Stool

2.  Cut paper to size. - I picked which pieces of craft paper I needed and cut each piece to the exact size I needed.  You can now pickup these same papers and more Dear Lizzy products at Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores.

Scrapbook Paper Cut to Size

3.  Glue each piece down with Mod Podge. - The next step was to put a layer of Mod Podge on each piece of scrapbook paper, as well as the location where the paper was going.  Using a brayer is the best way to make sure that no bubbles arise under your paper as it dries.

Mod Podge each layer of Scrapbook paper and let dry

 4.  Add Ribbon Trim. - In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I hadn't done quite as good of a job cutting my scrapbook paper as I had thought.  The top piece was just a tiny bit short of reaching the back, so I decided to add a matching ribbon that I happened to have on hand to trim it out.  I think it added a nice additional layer to the project, so it all worked out.

Ribbon Trim

5.  Add the flag banner to the sides. - I really loved the flag banner that came with the Dear Lizzy products.  It came just like a sheet of scrapbook paper, only it was perforated for easy removal.  First, I mod podged the back of the flag banner, then the area where it was going on the step stool.  I was expecting this step to be more tedious since the flag banner was small and flexible, but it was so easy to apply.  I made sure that I had the same number of flags per banner for both the top and the bottom, so that each side would match appropriately.

Mod Podge Flag Banner

  
6.  Seal the step stool with hardcoat Mod Podge. - After researching it, I decided that hardcoat Mod Podge was the best medium for sealing my step stool, since it is a piece of furniture.  The hardcoat Mod Podge will not scratch as easily and is a little more hardy for a furniture piece.  You will need at least a couple of coats.

Step Stool Makeover with Scrapbook Paper and Mod Podge

7.  Enjoy! - I am so pleased with how it turned out.  I really love how the paper makes an arrow effect on the step stool.  I hope that if you make a similar project that you will enjoy it just as much as I am enjoying mine.

I hope this little stool will inspire you to take something drab and turn it into something fab.

Happy Crafting!

Niki   

*I received Dear Lizzy, Fifth & Frolic Scrapbooking Supplies in exchange for this post, however, my opinion of the products and project are sincerely my own. :) 

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I created a video tutorial for My YouTube Channel so feel free to check it out as well.

Max and Ruby Bunny Party

Max & Ruby Bunny Party

With the Easter bunny hop, hop, hopping around the corner, I thought it was the perfect time to reveal this amazing Max & Ruby birthday party that my friend, Hannah, threw for her son.  As you can see, it was adorable.

Bunny Party Peeps on a stick

One of my favorite elements was the Peeps on a stick, or as she called them "Peeps 4 My Peeps".  I love how she put them in a little flower pot with basket grass.

Max & Ruby Hats and Goodie Bags

Each child in the class received a Max hat and a Max & Ruby goodie bag (or box in this case).

Max & Ruby Bunny Party Goodie Boxes

These bunny boxes were filled with all kinds of bunny accessories.

Bunny Party Goodie Bag ideas

Gummy carrots, plastic carrots filled with powder candy, bunny teeth gummies, bunny wind-up toy, and more were inside the bunny sack.

Bunny Party Decor

This bunny party is perfect year round, whether you are hosting a kid party for Easter or a birthday party for the little one who loves to watch Max & Ruby.  "Hop"fully it's the inspiration you need to make the kids "Hoppy".

Have a great week!!

Niki

This post was feautured at The Clumsy Crafter

I'm sharing this post at Honey Bear Lane, Craft Quickies, The Spring Hop Party & Tablescape Thursdays. 

Easter Egg Wreath Makeover Tutorial

Easter Egg Wreath Makeover Tutorial

 Easter Egg Wreath Makeover

We've all seen those wreaths that are made with Styrofoam eggs.  I had one that I bought at  Target last year, but I felt it needed a little love to jazz it up.  Below, you will find how I did it, and links to some other great Easter egg projects.

How to give your Easter egg wreath a quick makeover

1.  I started by making a bow and putting a little butterfly sticker in the center.

Make bow for Easter Wreath

2.  Next, I cut scrapbook paper to size and added it as the background.

3.  I added a pink feather boa around the edge of the wreath and tucked it under itself so it would stay tight.

Wreath Tutorial Step 3 - Add Pink Boa

4.  I added a ribbon to the back for hanging.

Then my wreath was complete!!

Easter Egg Wreath

I hope my little Easter egg wreath inspires you to look beyond the simple wreath before you and think of ways to add glam to your front door.

Happy Crafting!

Niki

*Thanks Barbara @ Chase the Star for featuring the wreath!  

Also linked up at Honey Bear Lane and The Spring Hop Link Party.

Dollar Store Sock into a St. Patrick's Burp Cloth

Dollar Store Sock into Burp Cloth

Even baby needs a festive St. Patty's day accessory!! 

My local Dollar Tree had some adorable little St. Patrick's day socks, which were my inspiration.

St. Patrick's Day Sock from Dollar Tree

1.  Sew a piece of ribbon to the bottom of the burp cloth, if desired.

2.  Cut the top and bottom off of the sock.

Dollar Store Sock to Burp Cloth - Cut off top & bottom

3.  Make a cut down the center of the back, so that sock will be a rectangle, rather than an arm band shape.  Note: the sock will curl up at this point, but that is OK.  Once it is sewn, that curl will give you that nifty, rough edge.

Note:  I did not trim to size until after I sewed the patch in place.

4.  Begin sewing the sock to the burp cloth.  I hand stitched so that I would have full control and be able to keep the sock straight.  However, a good seamstress could probably do that with a sewing machine....but good seamstress, I am not. :)

5.  Sew all four edges.

6.  Trim edges.  I left about 1/4 to 1/2 inch beyond the seam.

TA-DA!!!

Burp Cloth Made from Dollar Store Sock

 Now your favorite baby is ready to celebrate the Luck O' the Irish with their very own burp cloth!

Today I am linking up with some amazing craft bloggers, so click the pictures below to see their great projects.


Happy Crafting!!!

Niki