Kids Kraft Day Supply List

Happy Saturday Crafters!

As I previously announced on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube yesterday, I will be hosting a Kids Kraft Day YouTube LIVE event on Monday, June 26, 2017 at 8pm CST.  I came up with a craft to do with your kids for Independence Day...a table place card arrangement...or you could use it at as a decoration.  My youngest daughter, Lucy, and I will be creating them together with you.  I want to get kids crafting! In case you missed it, here is the YouTube LIVE video from last night where I discussed the supplies you will need to make this craft with me on Monday:

Now here are some close-up pictures of the supplies which were all purchased at Hobby Lobby.  You don't have to buy the same ones, but I wanted to give you an idea of the things you will need.

Container, Foam, and Floral Picks--These were found in the floral section.

Filler from the Holiday Section

 Flags and Floral Picks from the Holiday Section

(I ended up not using the flags, but my daughter did.)

 I used one of these in my arrangement.

 I used one of these in my arrangement.

 I used three of these.

Some Floral Picks from the Floral Section (Not shown is an addition white curly pick...see video).

I used one of these blue firework-looking picks in my arrangement.

I used two of these in my arrangement.

A Floral Pick from the Party Section and chalkboard picks from the Scrapbook Section. 

I used one of each of these.

If you want to add a bow, you will need some ribbon of your choice.  Additional supplies that you need are a hot glue gun, glue sticks, scissors, and wire cutters (great for cutting floral pick stems).  I just recently purchased these diagonal cutters  HERE, and they are AMAZING!

I hope you and your kiddos will join me and my daughter to make this fun craft!

Thanks for stopping by!

Pinterest Project: Mason Jars with Chalkboard Labels--EASY

If you're on Pinterest, then I'm sure you've seen one of the latest crazes in children's birthday parties--mason jar glasses with chalkboard vinyl labels.  I recently made these for my daughter's birthday, so I thought I would share with you how EASY this project is.

Supplies Needed:

~Mason Jars~

 (Thx to my awesome FB group of crafters and their knowledge, I was able to find a package of 12 mason jars for $7.25 at Big Lots.  Each jar is 5 inches tall, perfect for little hands.  You can also find them in grocery stores and sometimes Wal-Mart, although one WM I went to had none and said they were seasonal items.  Yet, another WM 10 miles away had a TON???? WhatEVA!)

~Chalkboard Vinyl~

(I used Hexis brand chalkboard vinyl purchased on a trial basis from Pick Your Plum.  My FB group asked me months ago what I was going to do with it.  I didn't know until this project, and now I can see myself getting hooked on the stuff. To purchase Hexis Vinyl from Sign Warehouse (my vinyl supplier of choice), click here.  The super nice gentleman I spoke to at Sign Warehouse also stated that they have another vinyl in a slate gray that is non-toxic made by R-Tape.  Check it out here.  I panicked and asked if what I used was toxic.  He said that anything made with PVC (like stickers) when consummed or chewed on a bunch can be toxic.  So apparently the vinyl brand, R-Tape is less toxic?  I'm not really worried about this since I used the vinyl as labels and the kids used straws to drink from.  And hello, they handle stickers all the time.  But, it's good to know, right? )

~Crop-A-Dile II Big Bite~

~Cricut Expression, mat, and a Cricut Scaper.~

If you don't have a Cricut Scraper, get one!

~Cricut Cartridge Lacy Labels~

(Why did I not get this cartridge before?  Purchased at Wal-Mart.)

~And fancy straws~

How-To:

1.  Place the vinyl on the Cricut mat and load it into the machine with the Lacy Labels cartridge already loaded.

2.  I chose the label I wanted and set the size at 2 3/4inches.  I had the blade depth at 5 and the speed and pressure at max.  I also pressed the "Auto Fill" button so that the Cricut would automatically cut out as many labels as would fit on the page.  When I tell you the vinyl cut like butter, I'm serious!  Super easy.

3. Then simply peel away the excess vinyl and use your Cricut scraper to remove the labels.  

4.  Remove the backing and center the label on the flat surface of the jar on the opposite side from the mason jar logo.  Get it right the first time because this chalkboard vinyl is STRONG.

5.  Then use liquid chalk to write the guests' names on the labels.

6.  In order to punch holes in the lid, use your Crop-A-Dile II Big-Bite-Punch on the largest setting.  Thanks Janie for the tip!  Or, as Cheryl said, you can also use an awl.

7.  I then added some fancy dancy straws that I purchased from Polka Dot Market.

Ta Da!  Easy

Now, if you don't have a personal cutting machine like a Cricut or a Cameo, it's ok because Martha Stewart has come out with some chalkboard labels at Staples!  Check them out here.  I went to my local Staples today, and yep, they have a bunch of FABULOUS Martha Stewart Office supplies, including the chalkboard labels. Templates are available online.

Or, you could even buy the vinyl and use my trusty method of making a template out of a file folder, tracing around the template on the back of the vinyl and cutting them out my hand.  That would certainly work too! 

I hope this tutorial has helped.  Give it a try.  It also makes me feel better to have glasses with lids on them, even though they are GLASS and still have a little HOLE in the top.  I guess the word "lid" makes a Mommy feel better.  :-)

****Special Note:  To clean the mason jars, I ran the labels under the faucet and the liquid chalk came right off.  Then I put them in the dishwasher.  Yep, the dishwasher.  If it doesn't go in the dishwasher, it's likely not to even make in my house...unless it's antique jadite. (LOVE)  Not a single label came off.  Far from it.  A couple of jars had a bubble or two underneath, but nothing that couldn't be squeegeed out with your finger.****

Please remember to vote for Prettify Your Life in the Circle of Moms Top 25 Creative Moms of 2012 Blog contest.  Click the Circle of Moms button in the top right-hand column of this blog, then find Prettify Your Life in the list of blogs and click on the orange thumb on the right to cast your vote.  I really appreciate your support!  

Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my blog and the creations that I personally create!  

I hope you do something to "Prettify Your Life" today!!!

American Girl Birthday--Part2

Today I thought I would show you a fairly quick and easy project I did for my daughter's birthday party.  I wanted the color scheme to be varied and vibrant and to carry up from the table to the chandelier.  So what better way to do that than to change out the chandelier lamp shades.  Easy!

Supplies Needed:

Self Adhesive Chandelier Lampshades (Hobby Lobby)

Ball Fringe (Jo-Ann's)

Felt flower cutouts (Jo-Ann's)

Buttons (Jo-Ann's)

Ric Rac ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

Flower ribbon (Wal-Mart)

Hot glue gun and glue

Scissors

Here is the before shot of my chandelier:

And here is the after, ready for the party:

I simply unwrapped the lampshades and took the protective sheet off.  Now the lampshade's sticky surface is exposed.  I hot glued the ball fringe to the base of the lamp.  Then I adhered the ric rac and flower ribbons, just hot gluing them at the ends and allowing the adhesive of the shades to keep the rest in place.  Then I hot glued the felt flowers and buttons.  And Ta-Da...done!  Here are a couple of close up shots:

Please remember to vote for Prettify Your Life in the Circle of Moms Top 25 Creative Moms of 2012 Blog contest.  Click the Circle of Moms button in the top right-hand column of this blog, then find Prettify Your Life in the list of blogs and click on the orange thumb on the right to cast your vote.  I really appreciate your support! 

Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my blog and the creations that I personally create!  

I hope you do something to "Prettify Your Life" today!!!

Last Day for Tablescape Contest

PYL Facebook Group Members:  This is the last day to cast your vote for the Spring Tablescape Contest.  Click on my new PYL "Current Contest" button in the right hand column to check out the entries.  The voting link is in the FB group Doc Tab!  Good luck Cheryl, Rhonda and Shannon!!!

Thank you for stopping by!  And thank you to all those that have subscribed!

Spring Tablescape Contest Entries!

It's time for the Spring Tablescape Contest!  

Only members of the PYL Facebook Group are eligible to vote.  The poll link is in the Facebook Group!!  

Let's take a look at all the fabulous entries!!!

Participant #1:  Rhonda Emanuel

Participant #2: Cheryl Martin

Participant #3: Shannon Winters

Voting will be from today through February 29th on the PYL Facebook Group.  One vote per member.  Good Luck Ladies!!!

Thanks so much for subscribing!!!

Episode 76: Why I Love You Tree--Valentine's Tablescape

I plan on creating a few Valentine Tablescapes for you.  Here is the first one.  It is my most basic one, yet I think probably the most important.  It is centered around what I am calling the "Why I Love You Tree".  I cut out 3 inch hearts with my Cricut and used simple labels to attach my family members' names and reasons why I love them.  We often get busy and forget to say the words of encouragement and special things we should say to those we love.  So, why not put it in writing and leave it up all month?

Note: I mention all the stores where I purchased the items in my tablescape in the accompanying video, so make sure you watch it!  Hope you take some time to tell those you love, WHAT you love about them!

And here is the video: