How to Make Christmas Photo Card Placemats

The holidays are over, and if you are like me, you got some amazing Christmas cards from friends and family.  So, I'm going to show you a quick way to turn those photo greetings into everyday placemats.  So, join me as I host another LIVE CraftyHangout sponsored by Darice Crafts.

Helpful Hint: If you would like to further protect them, you could always have them laminated.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed the video!

Niki

Nature Inspired Ladies Brunch Decor: Silver and Teal

Recently, I hosted a ladies brunch.  It's not something I do often, but I always feel like when I do, I want to make it look festive.  As ladies, we often march along running errands and doing every day things, so I love making a little get together seems festive by decorating the table.  Thankfully, PartyPail had offered to sponsor a post by sending me some products for an upcoming event.

Kid Crafts: Creative Gifts for Kids and Tweens

If you have a kid or tween that loves being creative, then I have the perfect gift idea for them.

Amanda from Crafts by Amanda has two amazing books that make ideal gifts to inspire kids to create: Duct Tape Mania and Rubber Band Mania.  She so kindly gave me one of each in exchange for telling you about them -- What a deal!!  I love sharing fun finds and opinions. :)  These books have SO many easy and fun ideas, so I thought I would share one of her fabulous tutorials with you today, so you could see just how cool these projects really are.

So, without further delay...

Kids Craft: Duct Tape Bracelet

DIY Black & Gold Decorative Nesting Boxes for Under $10: Nautical Inspiration

Learn how to decorate a paper mache box with this craft tutorial.

*This post is sponsored by Consumer Crafts, but the ideas, opinions and designs are mine.

Create your own decorative box set for less than $10

Decorating my new home has been so much fun!  I love decorating and re-decorating the shelves and built ins.  Decorative boxes make for awesome shelf accents because they are so functional.  They look pretty, can be modified to suit any decor, and they are the perfect way to keep things organized.  I love personalizing each decorative box and making it unique.  Nesting boxes can be placed on top of each other or scattered throughout a shelving unit.

Three Easy Party Favors with Free Printables - Canvas Bag, Hair Tie Napkin Ring & Printed Magnet with Free Printables and a Giveaway

3 Easy Party Favors with Free Printables

This post is sponsored by OnlineLabels.com - I received compensation for this post, however, the opinions and projects are my own. I truly enjoyed their products.

Goodies to take home make any party better.  Last week, I introduced you to an American Girl party that used Online Labels to enhance the pink and green decor.  You can check that post out here.  Today, I am joining Crafty Hangouts again to show you the three easy party favors and free printables that made the party memorable and fun for girls and dolls alike.

Pink & Green American Girl Party Decor with Free Printables & a Giveaway - Part 1

Pink and Green Party with Lots of Details

After having a fantastic time at a luncheon at the American Girl store in New York City, I was inspired to re-create the fun with a pink and green party that would delight any little girl -- and of course, her doll!  Thanks to Crafty Hangouts and our sponsor, OnlineLabels.com, I created a video, lots of free printables, AND we are hosting a Giveaway of three $100 Target gift cards for today's post.

My Craft Room (Craft Closet) Makeover

Craft Room Decorating Tour

We just moved, and I am so excited to organize and decorate our new place.  So, when Angie from The Country Chic Cottage invited me to be a part of her tour of craft rooms, I really wanted to participate and thought it would be great motivation for getting things in order.

DIY Styrofoam Corks

DIY Decorative Corks using Styrofoam

Learn how to turn an ordinary vase or bottle into a work of art by creating decorative corks using Styrofoam.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Homemade Valentines using Wax Candy Drinks plus Free Printable

Homemade Valentine with Wax Drink Candy

This year, I wanted to make homemade valentines for my daughter's class.  I decided since those wax candy drinks are her favorite type of candy, like they were mine at her age, they were the perfect choice!  I thought about catch phrases, and finally decided on "Cheers to a Fabulous Friendship!" and "Cheers to a Fabulous Teacher!"

Homemade Valentines with Wax Candy Drinks

Lucky for me, they had the 10 packs at my local Dollar Tree.  Four drinks fit perfectly inside the cellophane wrappers, so I just used scissors to cut them.

Below is the graphic I created for the top label.  Feel free to download for your own personal use.

Cheers to a Great Friendship Valentine by

Hope you have a Happy Valentine's Week!! 

Niki

Tea Themed Birthday Party

Tea Themed Birthday Party Decorations

A couple of years ago, I hosted my Mother-In-Laws Birthday Celebration.  She has always taken joy in having tea parties with her three grand-daughters, so I thought it was only fitting that the celebration have a Tea Party theme.

Tea Party Tablescape

For guest favors, I enclosed an individual size teabag in an envelope I made from matching scrapbook paper and ribbon.  They each received a little chocolate lamb, as well. You can see the favors best in the first photo.

Tea bag shaped cookie

Also, at each place setting, I placed a teabag cookie.  It was shaped like a teabag, had a "Happy Birthday Liz" tag attached by string, and was dipped in chocolate to make it look even more like a teabag.  I got this amazing idea from Kim @ Frost Me Blog!  Checkout her blog for full details.

Teabag shaped cookie

 As for the food, I have my wonderful husband to thank for that.  He started the meal with a cheese tray consisting of Hoop Cheese (the guest of honor's favorite), Gruyere, and Parrano, with fig paste, candied walnuts, and balsamic syrup.  Then he prepared an amazing and colorful meal that we served buffet style.

Delicious Buffet

The salad was a Spinach Salad filled with delicious Strawberries, Candied Pecans, Feta, Bacon, and a Balsamic Vinegar Dressing.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Chicken fingers and a veggie tray of carrots, celery and ranch was aimed at pleasing the kids, but the adults were allowed to partake too.  The main course was his very own creation: Curried Stir Fry with yellow peppers, pineapple, and butter-cilantro basmati rice.  It is a perfect Gastrique!!

Curried Chicken & Pineapple Stir Fry

Veggie Tray

Basmati Rice

The birthday cake was specially ordered with a unique surprise for the birthday girl.  When she was growing up, her mom used to make a Caramel Cake with Coconut mixed into the icing.  So to remind her of her decadent days gone by, I had them sprinkle coconut over a portion of the cake.  It was Tasty and Beautiful!!

Caramel Cake Sprinkled with Coconut

So the Sweet Tea, Water, and Salt & Pepper would be readily available, I set up a Beverage Station on top of the microwave beside my place at the table.

Drink Station

I had seen so many of my blogger friends making the Martha Stewart Pom-Poms, so I decided to make some of my own to hang over the dining table.

Pom-Poms like Martha Stewart's

To welcome the Guest of Honor, I made a sign with scrapbook paper, ribbon, and a photo mat.

Birthday Welcome Sign

Since I shared this party on my previous blog years ago, I had a great time reminding myself about the party and all my years blogging.

Hope you enjoy!

Niki

*Sharing Here: Get Your Craft On

Card Making Made Easy

Easy Homemade Card

A couple of weeks ago I received a package in the mail that made my day!  I received a box full of David Tutera Paper Crafts which are Coming Soon to JoAnn's.  The best part is that I got to try it out before it was even available.   

Card Making Made Easy

What I love most about the products is that you can make layered and embellished cards in a fraction of the time, and they are absolutely beautiful.  They are as easy as 1-2-3!

Pick a Card and Envelope Combo

Step 2 - Add Layers to Your Cards. Sand It if Needed.

Embellish the Card and Envelope

Because I was so impressed with the ease and beauty of the line, I made a little video to show you just how quick and easy it truly can be to show your love with a handmade card.

A handmade card using the Sand It feature

Although these supplies were designed for cards, you will find they are a great addition to many projects.  Just to show you the versatility, I created a scrapbooking type page to insert in my school notebook.  As I sit in my journalism classes, my little creation keeps me inspired and motivated.

A plain notebook gets a new look with card making supplies.

I started with a simple notebook and scrapbook paper.  Then, I added one of the pink cards (opened), layered the Step 2 silver cutout layer which I love, and embellished with a "Make a Wish" tag, flowers, a jewel and a few journalism related stickers.  I love how just sliding it all inside the clear cover of my binder added such style to my notebook. 

Paper Craft Layered Details

Here are a few other fabulous projects from some amazingly creative bloggers:

To sweeten the deal on this amazing product line, three lucky winners will receive a $300 grand prize pack of supplies from David Tutera's Celebrate Cardmaking line AND a personally signed book from David!  20 additional winners will receive a $50 Celebrate prize pack.  Sign up here for a chance to win: http://pages.exacttarget.com/tutera-optin-blog/.

Keep up with the David Tutera Celebrates Cardmaking line is easy at these links:

Facebook         Twitter          YouTube

*I received product in exchange for this post. However, the opinions are 100% my own.

Niki

*This post is linked to Hookin' up with HoH, Made U Look, DIY Project Parade &  DIY Thrifty Thursday