Ready for the first day of Pre-School

September 21, 2015August 21, 2020Leave a comment

Because starting Pre-School is a really Big Deal…

I wanted to make my Grandson Nick a special shirt to wear on the first day.

At first, I had all kinds of silly and corny ideas…

in the end I thought maybe I should make one he’d actually wear more than once.

Thanks to some Pinterest Inspiration.

I came up with “Class of 2029”. Sounds kind of futuristic doesn’t it?

Nick’s mommy liked it so much she wanted me to make one for his little brother.

Class of 2032. (Oh my!)

The boys’ shirts were made using iron-on embroidered letters from Joy SA.

Creating a Garden Stepping Stone

September 17, 2015April 7, 202010 Comments

Every one in my family thinks of me when they see Red Toile dishes.

It’s my thing. (one can never have too many right?)

So… when my daughter saw a set of Red Toile dishes on clearance for $25 at her local thrift store

she immediately called me to see if I wanted them. (um, yes!)

While packing the car for their visit home, my son in law picked up the box to rearrange the car

and the bottom fell out. Most of the dishes survived. Five of the large plates did not.

Deciding to turn lemons into Lemonade…

I kept the broken plates to make a few garden stones.

I enlisted the help of my little buddy. He was eager to lend a hand. (with gloves of course)

Creating a Garden Stepping Stone:

Cover the sides and bottom of an old cake pan with Petroleum Jelly for easy removal.
Arrange the pieces of the broke china pattern side down in the bottom of the pan. Make sure to use the flattest pieces.
Add glass stones in between the pieces for added color and interest.

Mix a quick setting cement according to the directions on the package.
Fill pan with cement approx. an 1″ thick.
Shake pan a little to fill in the gaps and smooth.
Allow a couple hours for the stones to set.
Remove stepping stones from the pans and clean excess cement from the top of the stones with a stiff wire brush and water.
Allow a few days for the cement to cure before sitting outside in your garden.

*Disclaimer: This blog uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support.

Any content on this website is created for inspiration purposed only. Creating with my suggested methods, products used, and tools is under your own risk.

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Etched Family Frame

September 14, 2015March 29, 20182 Comments

Whenever I get a chance…

Whenever they’re all home together…

I try to get a family picture.

It only seems to happen a few times per year.

When we’re all together, there’s so much excitement, talking and laughter that I forget.

Like this summer, after swimming and naps….

I set up the tri-pod, gathered the kids and set up the self timer.

(it’s always good for a few laughs) All 18 eyes were open,

all those who were running away were captured and everyone was looking.

Phew… not an easy task. But always worth it in the end.

It was starting to get dark, so the picture’s not as clear as I’d like it.

I decided to print it in black and white and put it in a simple black frame.

To capture the sentiment of the picture I etched the word “family” on the glass.

Etched Family Frame Products Used: (*affiliate links)

Directions:

Remove glass from frame. Clean glass to remove all dirt, fingerprints and oil. Dry with a coffee filter, paper towel, or lint-free cloth.
Apply “Family” stencil to glass. Burnish the edges of the stencil. You want to make sure no edges are coming up.
Mask around the stencil with removable painters tape for extra surface protection.
Apply a heavy coat of etchall® etching crème to the masked area of the stencil.
Leave etching crème on design for 15 minutes. After etching time has elapsed, use the squeegee to return the crème back into the original container for later re-use.
Rinse etched surface with hot water to remove any remaining crème. Remember to keep crème away from porcelain sinks or ceramic tiles.
To make the etched letters stand out more, apply picket fence distress paint over the letters. Wipe surrounding area of the glass clean.

and for your viewing pleasure…

*Disclaimer: This post uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

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Shoot for your Goals

September 9, 2015October 9, 20151 Comment

This is one of my favorite Soccer pictures of Nicholas taken by his daddy last Spring.

Today was a big day for Nicholas…

First Day of Pre-School

First Day in a new Dance Class and…

First Soccer Game of the Fall Season.

He’s one pretty busy boy.

I made my Soccer Frame for my Deflecto Design Team Project using:

Deflecto Beveled Frame, Metal Knobs, 5 x 7 Inches (799593CR)*

Kaisercraft’s Game On Collection P1496 First Place

*Disclosure: I am a Amazon Affiliate.

“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Deflecto Design Team I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions.”

Preserving Summer Memories

September 7, 2015February 9, 2023Leave a comment

I’m holding on to Summer as long as I can.

This summer Nicholas learned how to swim the entire length of the pool without the aid

of a floatie and he learned how to float on his back.

Warren learned how to jump off the side of the pool.

Pretty impressive when you consider they’re only 4 and 1 1/2.

Nicholas loves the water, we call him a polar bear because it doesn’t matter how

cold the water is.

Yesterday… we had our last pool party of the season. Thanks to a little 95º heat wave.

I’m going to miss summer.

My Summer Layout uses:

Simple Stories Collections: Summer Vibes and Freedom
Bo Bunny’s Boardwalk

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Disclaimer: This blog uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

The New Deflecto Design Team

September 4, 2015September 4, 2015Leave a comment

I have a bit of fun news to share with you today….

I will be continuing with the Deflecto Craft Solutions Design Team for another year.

This year there are several new faces. I look forward to getting to know these girls and seeing all

the wonderful new projects that’ll be heading your way.

Check out their blogs: (leave a comment and tell them Sue sent you)

Marilyn Gossett (www.marilyngossett.blogspot.com)
Alicia Falu Hill (www.sassycardsbyalicia.blogspot.com)
Anita Scroggins (www.theflamingochronicals.blogspot.com)
Erin Reed (www.scraps-of-reflections.blogspot.com)
Jennifer Davey (www.bestillmycraftingheart.blogspot.com)
Larissa Pittman (www.muffinsandlace.com)
Lorrie McCullers (www.lorriemccullers.blogspot.com)
Monica Taylor (www.taylormadecards4u.blogspot.com)
Nadine Carlier (www.myscrapnstuff.blogspot.com)
Sue Eldred (that’s me!)

Happy Friday!

Summer Reading with “A Sweethaven Summer”

September 2, 2015May 17, 2017Leave a comment

At 12:30 in the morning I finally put the book down.

I told my daughter-in-law just the other day… This is why I don’t read more.

Whenever I start a new book, I have to finish it in a day or two no matter what the time is.

A Sweethaven Summer is a book that I’ve been planning on reading for a few years now.

When the book came out in 2012 and everyone was talking about it…

I pinned the cover on my Pinterest Page as “books I want to read”.

Being that the book is about a girl who’d just lost her mother, the timing was too soon.

The book is written by Courtney Walsh who also happens to be a scrapbooker.

(how cool is that)

A Sweethaven Summer is a sweet easy read with a little romance, memory keeping,

mystery and faith.

As Levar Burton of Reading Rainbow would say…

“Don’t just take my word on it.”

This is what was written on the inside of the book.

I requested the book at my local library or you can purchase one of your own on Amazon*.

A Sweethaven Summer A Sweethaven Homecoming A Sweethaven Christmas

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar

August 31, 2015October 9, 20151 Comment

Have you read the story of the little caterpillar that ate and ate and ate?

And then turned into a beautiful butterfly? (spoiler alert)

My project was based off the book The Very Hungry Caterpillarby Eric Carle.

Here’s what you’ll need to make the Caterpillar:

Six- 2″ Smoothfoam Balls
Sanding Block or Very Fine Sanding Paper
Deco Art Americana Acrylic Paint: Olive Green, Sea Aqua, Watermelon Slice, Marigold, Brown
Paint Brushes
Bamboo Skewers
White Craft Glue
Craft Knife
Mod Podge

Directions:

Lightly Sand the ridge around the middle of the Smoothfoam ball.
To help the caterpillar sit and not roll. Cut a slightly flat side in two of the balls. Use them as your first and last green balls.
Paint five balls with Olive Green and Sea Aqua acrylic paint. For added dimension, stipple or sponge the opposite color on the balls.
Paint the last ball with the Watermelon Slice acrylic paint. Add a cute little face.
Cut a bamboo skewer into 1″ pieces. Connect the balls together using the skewers and white craft glue.
Cut the tip off of two skewers and paint brown. Insert into the top of the caterpillar’s head.
Paint a coat of mod podge to seal the paint and give a shiny finish.

Disclaimer: This project was created for and sponsored by Smoothfoam.

How to Etch a Mason Jar…

August 29, 2015June 7, 2018Leave a comment

I love the look of daisies in old blue canning jars. It just says summertime.

It’s simple, beautiful and it makes me happy.

I recently got the opportunity to work with a new product, etching crème from Etchall®.

While looking around for something to etch, I noticed the daisies sitting on the table.

Hmmm…Wouldn’t that look great with a etched flower and a greeting?

It’s a super simple project. (just how I like it)

Here’s what you’ll need: (*affiliate link)

Directions:

Clean jar to remove all dirt, fingerprints and oil. Dry with a coffee filter, paper towel, or lint-free cloth.
Apply Stencils to jar. Burnish the edges of the stencil. You’ll want to make sure no edges are coming up.
Mask around the stencil with removable painters tape for extra surface protection.
Apply a heavy coat of etchall® etching crème to the masked area of the stencil.
Leave etching crème on design for 15 minutes. After etching time has elapsed, use the squeegee to return the crème back into the original container for later re-use.
Rinse etched surface with hot water to remove any remaining crème. Remember to keep crème away from porcelain sinks or ceramic tiles.

Step #2 Step #3 Step #4

The etched flower looks subtle against the water in the blue jar.

“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Etchall Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas. The views and opinions are my own.”

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Crafting with Office Supplies

August 27, 2015May 17, 201710 Comments

When you think of crafting do you ever think office supplies?

Would you believe…

the “be happy” sign, which is now sitting happily on my fireplace mantel,

started out as a office name plate holder

A few stickers, chipboard letters, washi tape and voila a happy little reminder.

There are surfaces everywhere just waiting to be embellished.

Name plate 2

Deflecto Interior Image Sign Holder, 8.5 x 2 Inches, Nameplate (89105) (affiliate link)

“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Deflecto Design Team I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions.”

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