{ bunting inspired invitations }

Incredibly enough, it's the middle of the month already! Where,

oh where is the time going!? I feel like I've been so busy

lately. But, really, I've only done a few projects and 

mostly crocheting! :) Time to get some more projects complete!

My baby girl is turning 4 tomorrow 

(then no more birthdays 'til September)!

We are celebrating this weekend with a tea party

and then a BBQ. I finally made the invitations!

I was walking through Goodwill the other day and found a pack

of invitations for $0.50. This is significantly less than what

I usually spend on invitations. Even home made ones! It actually 

costs me more than that for just one piece of card stock at

my local scrapbook store. So, needless to say, I bought them!

What you'll need:

* Invitations or card stock cut to invitations size

* Craft paper or paper bag

* Pattern paper ( I used scraps)

* Scissors

* Glue

* Sewing machine with coordinating thread

* Embellishments (optional)

Here is a photo of my fifty cent invitations!

Start by tracing the section you want covered onto

your craft paper. Then cut the piece out.

Glue it down and trim the edges. Set the invitation aside.

Cut out small triangles from your pattern paper. I used

7 different papers. 

Now, line them up on your invitation how you want them.

you can draw a line or use some string to help 

you out if you want. I just eyed mine up and then used it

as a visual for the others. 

Now glue your flags down. I only put a small amount

of glue on the top edge so the flags didn't lay flush. 

Using your sewing machine, sew along the tops of the

flags from one side to the other and then reverse stitch

back to the beginning. Don't worry about staying on the

same line. It looks cute to have them a little crazy!

And don't forget to sew it 

with the invitation open! 

Don't want to sew it closed!

Now you can add any embellishment your little heart desires! 

I kept mine simple and just added a flower with

a button brad!  

Such an easy way to make those left over invitations from 

last year work again this year! 

Total cost for 10 invitations: $0.50

{ shabby chic bedroom furniture } old new again

I've finally started on my bedroom! I'm really excited

to get it done! The only thing I'm having trouble with is deciding

what color to paint the walls. In the meantime, I've

got a few projects to finish anyway. This weekend

I re-painted my dresser and nightstands. When we

first bought them (second hand), we had painted them black

because at the time I really didn't have an idea

of how the bedroom would be decorated. 

And now that I've redone them, I LOVE them! 

(don't mind that my bed isn't made)

This is an inexpensive way to make your

furniture fit your decor without having to go

out and buy new pieces. 

What you'll need:

*  A pint of flat paint.

* Paintbrush and small roller

* 120 grit sand paper

Here's the nightstand. Go ahead and take the

drawers out. I wanted to paint my hardware

to give it that worn vintage look as well. 

Depending on your preferences, you

can tape the hinges off or remove the doors

and hinges until after you've painted.

Use some sandpaper and scuff up the finish a bit. This

helps the paint stick. Wipe off the dust.

Lay down some newspaper or a drop cloth under

the nightstand to avoid a mess.

If you're lucky, you'll find one of these, too! Score!

I used BEHR's antique white, interior flat paint.

I've found that gloss paints peel off really easy. 

Using your roller, paint your surface completely. I like to

avoid the paint tray when using this little roller. 

You can just dip it into the can and let it drip off a 

little. Way easier and less mess to clean up.

You may have crevices that you can't get with the roller.

 Use your paintbrush for these parts. 

The first coat will be thin, especially if your

going from as dark as I did, to as light as I did.

Once the first coat is dry, add a second coat.

DO NOT put a second coat of paint on until

the first coat is not longer tacky. If you try

to add a second coat before the first is dry, it will

just lift the first coat.

I recommend you let the second coat dry over night. 

If you are going to sand your piece of furniture,

it will gum up if it isn't completely dry.

Now it's time to age your piece. Use your sandpaper

and scuff up the new paint. Focus on the edges, corners

and other details in the wood.

 You don't have to sand every part. I like to make 

it look less intentional and more natural. Have fun

with it! Don't worry about making it perfect.

Here are a few more detail shots.

If you've used newspaper, it's probably stuck to the 

bottom of your nightstand. 

 Just use your sandpaper and sand it off! 

Make sure you use a rag and wipe off all the dust

from sanding before bringing it into the house. Put

your drawers back in and put your doors and 

hinges back on if you removed them.

This is an easy way to make your old furniture

new again. Total cost to redo 2 night stands, a dresser

and a headboard:  $15

Enjoy!

{ pattern paper vase }

Happy New Year's Eve to everyone! I can't believe

2011 is already at it's end! What a wonderful year full of 

blessings and fun! 

I haven't come up with a resolution this year, but I have

come up with a few goals. I plan on finishing my bedroom and 

my children's bedroom! I know... 3 years in a place

you'd think they would be done by now. I 

started pulling things out of my room that have

gathered in there over the past year. I had an idea of how

I wanted my room and then changed my mind! So I 

have some things that need refinishing to bring them

up to speed with my ideas. I wanted to finish

the year with one last post. 

Believe it or not, this vase was, only a few hours ago, red and gold! 

I've seen a lot of people using old sewing patterns in their 

crafts lately. And since I'm in love with all things

vintage and "make do" I really wanted to bring this element

into my decorating as well. 

So here you go! A refinished vase!

What you'll need:

* Vase

* Elmer's school glue and water

*Sponge paint brush

* Old sewing pattern ( I picked mine up at Goodwill

for $.50)

OK... Here's the vase. 

Put about 2 quarter size amounts of Elmer's glue

in a bowl. Add a little water to thin it out. I didn't

measure how much water I used but it was close to the

same amount of glue I used. Mix it up well.

Now just spread your glue mixture onto the vase. 

Start putting pieces of your pattern onto the glued areas.

Cover completely. This is one layer of  paper.

You can see that is is transparent (pattern paper is very thin).

Go ahead and add as many layers as it takes to cover

your vase. I used about 3 or 4. 

Allow it to dry completely.

Once the paper has had plenty of time to dry, you'll see

that the coverage is better, too.

That's it! You can use this method on just about

anything! Frames, jars, bowls, etc. And you 

can also use other types of paper; book pages, pattern

paper, or sheet music.

Thank you all for visiting my blog this year! It's been fun

to share all of my crafting adventures with

you! I'm hoping the new year with bring 

giveaways and contest (with prizes)! So keep 

checking it out and don't forget to follow A Lott Of Ideas!

{ cookie dough pops } recipe

Today is Ryker's last day of school until next year! 

I'm excited for the break and so is he! I really

enjoy having him home and watching him

soak in the free time! :)

He wanted to bring a Christmas treat to school 

for all of his classmates. I have personally

been wanting to try a treat that I saw on this blog

back in October! Cookie dough pops!!

What a wonderful idea! 

And with no eggs at all, it's OK to eat raw!

On a side note, I'd like to encourage you to use cuter

sprinkles than I did! When you live in Hawaii, it isn't

a rare occurrence for Wal-Mart to be "out" of things.

Unfortunately, on the day I needed cute sprinkles,

they were out. These ones were the only 

sprinkles in the whole place!

What you'll need:

* 6 inch lollipop sticks

* A brick of almond bark

* CUTE sprinkles

* Cookie recipe and ingredients

* Wax paper

* Foam block

Ingredients:

2 1/4 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 c. (2 sticks) butter; softened

3/4 c. granulated sugar

3/4 c. packed brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 c. milk

2 c. (12 oz pkg) semi sweet chocolate morsels.

Start by combining the flour, baking soda, and salt in a

small bowl. Mix it well and set it aside.

Now, in a large bowl, combine butter,  sugar, brown sugar

and vanilla. Beat until creamy and well mixed.

Add milk and mix well.

Gradually beat in flour mixture.

Stir in morsels.

Line cookie sheets with wax paper.

Roll balls of dough about an inch wide. Lay

them out on the wax paper.

Melt almond bark in the microwave.

Follow the instructions on the package.

Now dip your lollipop sticks into the almond bark and

then stick them into your cookie dough balls.

Freeze pops for 20 min.

Once the pops are firm, take out a few at

a time and start dipping them into the melted

almond bark. You may have to reheat it often.

The pops coat better when it's hot!

Tap them on the side of your bowl to remove

excess coating.

Quickly sprinkle with cute sprinkles!

Ryker was in charge of this part! He was in 

sprinkle heaven! :) 

Now poke the stick of your finished pop into 

the foam block so it can harden.

Once the coating has dried, you can wrap

them with Cello wrap or tie them with a bow. 

This just happened to be another thing Wal-Mart

was out of yesterday when I was picking

up supplies! No small, clear Cello bags! Sigh...

So they were put in these big "surfer santa" bags.

The extras will be going with Jake to work tomorrow! 

Hope the ladies like sugar! :)

This recipe makes between 40 and 50 pops! 

Enjoy!