A COLORFUL, CHOCOLATEY THANK YOU

 Today is "Teacher Appreciation Day", so to honor and thank Luke's teachers, this is what we put together for them.

Like pretty much everything else I do, I found this on Pinterest.

 I don't have a color printer, so I had to hand write the "colored" words.

Just a little something...

For two very Special ladies

TEDDY BEAR RACE CARS

The Thursday before Easter was the last day of school before Spring Break, so I thought I would send Luke to school with a little treat for his classmates. I saw these on Pinterest, and knew they would be perfect.... Teddy Bear Race Cars

So simple... fun size Milky Ways, Teddy Grahams and M&Ms

I melted a few chocolate chips to use as glue for attaching the M&M wheels to the Milky Way car. I made sure each car had all the same color wheels, and I made sure all the Teddy Grahams were the same shape. To put the Teddy Grahams into the Milky Way, I first cut a little slit before pushing them in. Reason being, the first one that I did (without the slit) caused the candy bar to get slightly crushed from the pushing.

I was able to save money by getting my candy at the Dollar General. They have little $1 packs that each have either (6) fun size Milky Way or (6) fun size M&M packs. I bought (2) Milky Way ones and (2) M&M ones (I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get all 10 cars with matching wheels if I only bought (1) of the M&M's - but I ended up only needing one). So for $4, I got all the candy I needed for the price of one big bag of Milky Way.

According to Luke's teacher, they were a HUGE hit!! And, since they are so simple, and I know I can get the candy pretty inexpensively, and I usually have chocolate chips and Teddy Grahams on hand, I can make these cute little treats for my boys whenever I want. AND... it's probably something, they can even make themselves.

MODGE-PODGE SHOES

Check out my Cool new Shoes...

They started like this. Got them for $2 on Clearance from Walmart, last October for my Smurfette Costume - knowing I would use them eventually to do this project.

Well, Eventually finally came, and using a Fat Fabric Quarter and some Modge Podge, and after following this Tutorial, they turned into this...

I added the little decorative fabric rosettes for texture and interest.

I think they're really Cute and perfect for Spring.

HOWEVER, they are NOT comfortable :( I did not pay ENOUGH attention to the heel area on the left shoe, when I was wrapping the fabric over the edge and gluing to the inside. There is a build up of fabric, which rubs when I walk and REALLY hurts. So if you are going to try this easy little project, definitely take the time to make sure the curve at the heel is nice and smooth :)

DRUG STORE CANVASES

Did you know that you can get photo canvases at the Drug Store? Well I didn't, until recently when a friend mentioned to me that CVS now offers Gallery Wrapped Canvases. I didn't think much of it because I had been pretty loyal to an online company. But after having a recent issue with them, I thought I would give the Drug Store a try.

I just happened to go to the CVS website one day earlier this month, and they just happened to be running a 25% off special. I had recently taken a way cute pic of my boy's bare feet, and I thought it would be perfect for their bathroom. See...!!

With the 25% off special, I was able to get a 16x20 canvas for under $35. And since I had it shipped to my local store, the shipping was Free! When I went to pick them (yes, them - I ordered two) up today, I was pleasantly Impressed with what I got for the money.

First, the colors were spot on with the original pic (that was the issue I had with the other company).

Second, it was a nice 1.25" thick.

Third, the corners were wrapped Amazingly TIGHT!

And Fourth, the backing was Incredible!! Nicely finished with hangers already attached.

Here's the other one I ordered. I love it's odd size - 12x18 ($27 with special discount). It hangs above the commode.

So, if you are looking for a NICE Gallery Wrapped Canvas... Give CVS a Try!!

GOOD WEATHER FOR SPRAY PAINTING

So, the First day of March brought 70 degree weather, which meant (to me anyway), I could finally do some of the spray painting projects I had been dreaming about all winter.

The first one I wanted to do was inspired by (yet again) something I had seen on Pinterest. Go here to see my Inspiration... and here's my version.

It started out like this... your typical brass candlestick and a simple white plate - both found at my local Goodwill.

After a couple of coats of Gloss Red paint and some E6000 glue, I had my own "Soap" stand.

Now I just need to get some pretty containers for my soaps. I've seen a couple of "how to's" for turning mason jars into soap dispensers, so I'm pretty sure there's another project coming in the near future.

The second thing I painted was a new Cake Plate Stand. I found this silver candlestick at Goodwill for $2, and the plate was from someone leaving it at our house after a party and never coming back to claim it. I joined them using E6000 glue.

I was a little worried about the dark trim around the rim of the plate, but after a few coats of primer, it was no problem.

And Voila...

I had the green paint already, so this little project only cost me the two bucks.

And then the best part...

I found the glass Dome at Goodwill for $5. I so can't wait to do a little baking now that I have something pretty to show it off on.

NEW PENDANT LIGHT

Since moving into our new house last month, I have HATED the fact that there is no light over the kitchen sink. I'm old (well, older). I need light to see what I'm doing. But a few months ago, while perusing Pinterest, there were a few things I had pinned that could help with this lighting problem.

So, after seeing this for Inspiration and then this tutorial, I was determined to make my own.

I didn't really follow the tutorial, since I was using a new jar, but I got the gist of it. I cut a hole in the lid with a box cutter, after punching a bunch of holes with a nail. Then I used a light kit that I had from Ikea.

I found the plant holder at a flea market. I had hoped to find an old rusty one, but this works just fine.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!! And, it provides a TON of lighting for me when I am working at the sink.

So Easy! So Cheap! So Cute! So Functional!!