You've Been Boo'ed

I seriously love love love this time of year. My cookbook gets messier, the smell of a hot glue gun fills the air, random scraps of paper layer the floor and treats all around. This year for family night made the treats and bags for out ding dong ditching. Each kid picked a family and Eric and I picked one too.
So.. we made some bags for the goodies to be delivered in.

Then we made some goodies and wrapped them in baggies. And decorated the tops of the bags with folded over stock paper.

I seriously love getting goodies... and the only thing better than getting the goodies... is getting the recipe for the goodies so I can make them later! There can never be enough goodies!!!!

Priesthood Vinyl Word Art

I always struggle with coming up with neat gifts for the men in our life. Seriously? Ties, aftershave, (my hubby hates chocolate... ) Mike & Ikes... well that gets old.

One of the things that I value most in my husband in the priesthood. The most respectable men I know holds and honors their priesthood. In my life, I have been so blessed countless times by the priesthood. So... I created word art to show appreciation for acting in Heavenly Father's name. And now... I share it with you.

Locally is a company called DeWills. They are a cabinet shop. They sale their left over doors for $1 each. So... I bought about FORTY... no... not really kidding. I am now known as the lady who uses "their doors" for crafting purposes... love those guys. 

TIP: Find a local cabinet shop!!!! The possibilities are ENDLESS!!!!

Ashtyn Jade Photography

I endeavored on the most spectacular adventure yesterday with Ashtyn Jade Photography. 

This woman is absolutely incredible. Karen totally rocked it. She scouted and found the most perfect spots in my area to take the freakin' fan-tab-ulous captures of my soul. This was a celebration of me... and the adventure in weight loss this summer. I lost 25lbs, mostly running, and some good eatin'. This is only the "sneak peak". She is actually making me wait until they have been proofed. I am not a good waiting woman!

Then we went back to her place and took some incredible boudoir pictures. Nothing skanky... totally tasteful and absolutely fun! Sorry... those pictures aren't for the blog... hahaha... just the hubby.

So as a thank you... I made something using her tag line. I think it came out pretty incredible. Thank you Karen for your time, talents, laughter and an awesome experience!

Chocolate! (need I say more?)

I saw this saying and absolutely fell in love with it. I know I have had those days when all goes wrong and chocolate is the one thing I can count on not to make me feel worse!
The story behind the craft: I was asked if I wanted to share a table at a craft fair with Melinda at Under My Umbrella. I had a few things to sale, but wanted something simple. This project came to mind. It is super simple and the older ladies ATE IT UP! They bought it for each other, daughters and co-workers. I really didn't think much of it... but hey!
This project is simple. I guess I don't do simple enough. It is a 2x6 (find it at Lowes or Home Depot - both will cut the board for you!), paint, paper, mod podge, vinyl (you can order that from me... $3 - send me an email!), and ribbon! Hey... maybe even a good idea for Christmas!

The more hilarious part... was that people were most interested in the styrofoam balls covered in twine...really people?

Trunk or Treat Cupcakes

At our PTA General Meeting we wanted to get volunteers for the upcoming Trunk or Treat at our school. Our chairman has been putting in countless hours organizing it. GO HEATHER! And now it was time for the real work to begin (sorry Heather!). We enticed with the best marketing strategy EVER ... cupcakes (some chocolate and some tie-died -- way cool!) and I made the sign! She got 15 volunteers and no cupcakes to take home! So... IT WORKED!!!

Oh Where Have I Been...

Firstly... let me say THANK YOU for all who have ordered lately... I am loving the support. The Witchful Thinking is a HUGE hit! I have sold 28 hats (finished and kits). I still have a couple more if you would like one!!!!

MY EXCUSE: I joined the PTA. I know... I know... It is a lot of work! I am the Vice Pres and am very grateful not to be the President. We have not had a very productive PTA board with almost no volunteers in the last couple years ... so we have some ground to make up! Last year there were about five people on the PTA... this year SO FAR... we have 54 members! HOLY COW!!!!So to make a "look" like a functioning PTA... I created some signs. I used all cabinet doors - they were about $2 each (love love love Habitat for Humanity!) I think the spray paint cost more!

I really didn't have much a clue what the PTA raises funds for... If I didn't know... maybe more didn't know... it is an excellent selling point! Do you know what your PTA raises funds for??? So... How much could my little Box Tops help? Well... I didn't know what a money maker this was! Let's just say... I turn in EVERY BOX TOP I CAN FIND! My mother-in-law saves her's So...I am finding that communication is KEY! So I made these ... one in the Teacher's Lunch Room, one at the front desk... and one by the teacher's boxes. It has a clothes pin... so we can just change the paper as a new event gets closer.
And thus the adventure begins!

Witchful Thinking

I love making decorations... especially Halloween. I think they are too cute! How could anyone not love feather boas? I felt the need to get away from the traditional orange and black. Purple, green and black are much cuter! (And YES that is sun on my grass... it is mid-September in Washington state ... who knew?)Oh My... I dearly love this quote. So I had to make something cute to put it on.

DIMENSIONS:

Hat - 14" across x 11" tall
Star - 4"

UNFINISHED KIT:
$8 for wood with holes, wire, ribbons,
boa feathers, vinyl, buttons and star
(black, off white or white vinyl)
excludes paint

COMPLETED KIT:
$13

HOW TO ORDER:
Email: AllDahledUp@gmail.com
and include vinyl color: black, white or off white
Shop: ETSY

Happy Harvest Wreath

One would think that with all the creativity in my brain... and the countless hours I have on my hands (insert eye roll here) that I would have created another wreath in between my 1776 - Fourth of July wreath and this one. Well... nope! My poor neglected front door! I feel slightly redeemed being that is the 15th of September and my wreath is up!All you need is 1/4 yard of three different fabrics, a wreath, and ribbon! And oh yeah... that cute thing in the middle. Look below for ways to order that! Hehehe!!! Thus begins the fall/harvest/Halloween/Thanksgiving decorating!

PARTIAL PROJECT:
$2 for the Happy Harvest sign
(includes MDF with hole,
vinyl -white or off white and button
excludes ribbons and paint)
Dimensions - 5"x4"x1"

HOW TO ORDER:
Email: AllDahledUp@gmail.com
Etsy Shop

Yet another bag!

and I am not tired of them yet. Strange... I THINK NOT! I think I have made five bags so far. Such a huge hit! My mom picked the fabric for this one, and it completely fits her personality!I couldn't very well do a bag without putting her name on it.I seriously love the polka-dots on the inside. The bottom of the bag is reinforced and completely lined!

COMPLETED PROJECT:
$35 with name on front pocket
(I have a few tricks to get
the right color scheme and fabric)
Dimensions - 17"x15"x8"

HOW TO ORDER:
Email: AllDahledUp@gmail.com
Etsy Shop (I will make you a custom order)

Splish Splash Welcome to a Birthday Bash!

This entire summer my son has asked for a pool party for his 8th birthday. I think I had a little too much fun with the decorations and the puns! The sign was made from a cabinet door, spray painted... then vinyl :)The food was a hoot to put together. I had a blast coming up with all the different names of things...
Blue jello with swedish fish in the bottom made cute kiddo pools.And of course, what is a pool party with out pool water?I used yellow salt water taffy. Microwaved it (thank you Michelle) for 4 seconds and shaped it into shark fins!With all this preparation... I couldn't very well have the giveaways be lame. So... instead of giveaways, I purchased a white towel and embroidered each boys name on them. The boys thought it was the coolest thing EVER! One kid asked me if he could keep his towel. I told him that I didn't want a towel with his name on it. He just looked at me funny and got back in the pool!This is what the towels look like when the pool is full with kids! I think this is my favorite pictures... well... besides the one with all the boys in their swimming trunks!
Happy Birthday ETHAN! What a good group of kids!