DIY Wood Plank Sign {You Are My Sunshine}

You're probably sick and tired of hearing about my son's gallery wall I've been attempting to put together.  But I think I'm finally making some headway.  I'll share as soon as it's complete, but here's what I just finished to add to the wall.

My in-law's bought some really cute wooden signs at Swiss Days this year, and they looked so simple to make.  I've been wanting to make something like this for a long time, so I was glad for the inspiration to finally do it.

My father-in-law has a big wood pile in his field, so whenever I need some good, old barn wood I head to that pile.  I found some pieces and had my husband cut them for me.  Each plank is approximately 4" x 16".  Then, he attached a few small wood strips on the back to connect the planks.  Click here for a video clip from Studio 5 (a local lifestyle show here in Utah) that uses the same method I did to attach my planks.

I used my Cricut to cut out my lettering in vinyl (like my shiny red vinyl?  I'm not even sure why I bought this, but it came in handy for this project).  I used the Classic Font Cartridge for the letters.  

LETTERING

YOU ARE MY (3" capital letters with cream paint)

sunshine (2" lowercase letters with yellow paint)

Just like I stated with my Bug Jar Caddy, I've learned to use as little paint as possible on my brush when using the vinyl as a stencil on wood, and just dab the paint on. I don't use any brushing motions at all.  You probably have your own method, so do whatever works best for you.  This is what I've found helpful.  I also peel off my vinyl immediately after I've painted.  I don't let it dry first.

The little sunshine I used for the dot on my 'i' came from PicMonkey.  I found it in Overlays.  It was actually in the Stars category, but it looks like a sun to me.  I printed it out in yellow, cut it out, and then used Mod Podge to adhere the gold glitter.

I was pleasantly surprised with how this turned out.  If you're like me, often times you have a great idea in your head, but the end product doesn't quite reach your expectations.  Well, not in this case.  I love everything about this sign, especially the rustic, simple feel, and the bit of pop the glittered sunshine provides.  It was so easy to make, and it didn't cost me a dime- even better!  Now I need to make some more signs.  I'm thinking a Halloween one would be fun!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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$1 Rainbow Loom Band Organizer

My twins each got a Rainbow Loom for their birthday in October, and for awhile right after that there was a looming craze going on at our house.  Then, just like every toy, the newness wore off, and their looms sat untouched.

Well, I'm not sure what sparked the craze again, but it's back, in full swing!    We've always kept the bands in small white plastic ramekins from Dollar Tree, but last night as I was wandering the isles of Dollar Tree again, I found this.  What do you even call these?  Do they have an official name? Anyway, I loved the white, and all the compartments, and it just seemed perfect for all our Rainbow Loom bands so I bought one.  One tray holds 7 colors, it's light-weigh, portable, and the sections are really big, so you can fit a bag of bands in one section.  The middle section is a bit smaller, so save that one for the bands you have the least of. 

I'm thinking these would slide nicely in a flat drawer or cupboard because they are a bit big to keep on a desk or counter.  For now, ours sits on the floor in the toy room because my boys haven't quit using them for days.

We do have more than 7 colors of bands, so I need to head back to Dollar Tree and buy 2 more trays, then that should have us covered.  You can even use one of the compartments for your c-clips, s-clips, or whatever kind of clips you own.

Oh, the joy of simple, inexpensive, functional storage.  My heart sings, and I think my boys are really liking it!

How do you store/organize your Rainbow Loom supplies?

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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Easy Homemade Oreos

You've probably had  homemade Oreos before, but for the few of you who haven't, here's a recipe you have to try.  Homemade Oreos take me back to my growing up years.  I remember making these with my friends all of the time when we'd get together.  I also remember eating the entire batch ourselves (four of us).  Actually, I'm pretty sure I could easily take care of a batch myself.

I must be on a three ingredient kick (last week I posted a three ingredient smoothie recipe) because this Oreo recipe has just three ingredients.  Well, technically there's four ingredients if you count the can of frosting, but the cookies themselves are made with three ingredients.

Print

We're in charge of treats tonight for my twins' soccer game, and these were their first request.  I guess we'll be making a batch to take and share.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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Summertime Printable

Happy Tuesday!  How was your Memorial Day?  We spent our day outside hiking, playing in the backyard, and enjoying tin foil dinners and s'mores for dinner.  A perfectly perfect day for ushering in the summer season!

Click to Print

Speaking of summertime, my printable for today is all about summer.  I love the carefree, light-hearted, starry nights of summertime.  So, I wanted to design a printable that somewhat captured those feelings.  Thanks to PicMonkey, it wasn't hard at all!  My favorite part of the printable are the white twinkly stars!  Aren't they magical?  I love the effect they give.  I found them in PicMonkey's Themes section (the apple icon on the far left of the menu bar) under 'Celebrate'.  They're called 'Sparkle Stars'.  They offer a couple of  choices with the star patterns, so if you're creating with them you can mix and match them, or just find the one you like the best.  My two favorites are the options on the left of the menu.

Well, happy last week of school to those of you who will be finishing this week.  My twins will be first graders no more come Friday afternoon.  A bit bittersweet to realize how quickly they're growing up, but we can't wait to enjoy some summer fun!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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Patriotic Playlist {On Spotify}

Happy Memorial Day!  I posted this playlist last summer, and was going to wait until the 4th of July to repost it, but I figured Memorial Day was a great day to post it, and that way you'll have it for now, and when the 4th rolls around.

  If you saw my guest post over at A Typical English Home, then you know I mentioned something about a patriotic playlist. I love having music to get me in the mood for holidays, don't you?  It adds the perfect touch to your holiday festivities!

Over the years, I've complied some of my favorite patriotic songs.  I know every one's taste is different, and there are a TONS of songs to choose from, but maybe the ones I've listed will help you get started on your own.  I have everything from classics to some newbies, and instrumental. 

I put my playlist together in Spotify.  You can only play your  Spotify list from your computer, but it's free.  You could purchase the songs on iTunes and then play them from your computer, phone, tablet or burn them to a disc. 
I found how to put my list from Spotify here in my post, but the songs won't play when you click on them (I know, I was disappointed too).  You can login in to Spotify and listen to my playlist that way, however.  Remember it's free to set up an account.
  And for some reason the playlist here on my blog doesn't show two of my songs, (apparently they need to work out a few bugs).  They will show up if you log in to Spotify, however.  The missing songs which are two of my favorites) are,  1.  Battle Hymn of the Republic by SHeDAISY 2.  America the Beautiful by Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert
Happy Memorial Day once again.  So grateful to live in this free, prosperous country, and for the many who have worked and fought to make it that way!  Enjoy this wonderful holiday with your family, and the excitement of summer!
Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.
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DIY Patriotic Tin Cans

  I love Memorial Day because it ushers in the summer holiday, and for me that means lots of red, white, and blue.  Don't you love red, white, and blue?  I'm a big fan of the timeless, classic look of the trio.

Here's the patriotic utensil caddy version of my DIY tin cans.  I make these cans for every holiday and occasion (click here to see my Valentine set, and here to see my desk set).  I love the fact that these are made from recycled cans, that I can put just about anything in them, and they can be transformed to fit every color scheme imaginable.  These really are so easy to make, and add the perfect, festive touch to any gathering.  Click here for my tips on making them.

One other tip on picking out your paper for your cans.  It may just be me, but I really like to buy my paper in colors, not themes.  Does that make sense?  There's a ton of patriotic paper out there, and I'll buy it once in awhile, but I really like to stick to the colors of each holiday and buy fun patterns in those colors.  I like that these cans are red, white, and blue, but not a single piece of paper is patriotic (infact, I think the red one is a Christmas paper).  I love the challenge and transformation that takes place when mixing all the fun papers, patterns, and ribbons.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time. 

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Cherishing Your Children

I just have a quick thought to share with you today.

If you're like me, you need reminders often.  I think it's just part of human nature, but we tend to forget, or not quite appreciate what we really should at times.  This busy world of ours can keep us so busy, we sometimes forget what's important.

I've been posting about my sweet little nephew, Ben here and there over the last several months.  He was diagnosed with leukemia in November, was undergoing chemo, needed a bone marrow transplant, and then his heart began to fail.  His cancer went into remission, he was able to go home, (while being on constant heart medication) and Make A Wish sent him and his family to Disney World.  They had such a wonderful time together as a family.

Well, a few weeks ago, his cancer returned (which was expected since he hadn't had his bone marrow transplant).  Despite his chemo treatments over the past week, or so, his cancer is spreading.  Doctors told his parents the chemo is of no use any more, and he has anywhere from 2-8 weeks left on this earth.  But, we never give up hope!  Miracles can happen!

So, with that I just want to leave you with the reminder to cherish your children!!  They're work, a lot of work.  They require our constant care, our patience, our love, really everything we have to offer.  But they're worth it!  They deserve the best we have to give, they deserve our uninterrupted time, undivided attention, unconditional love, and everything else we have to give.  Cherish each and every day with them.  Play with them.  Listen to them.  Support them.  Teach them.  Love them.  Cherish them!

I hope this reminder will encourage you to take the time to cherish each and everyone of your children a little bit more today, and always.  We never know what life will bring, and for me, I never want a single regret when it comes to my boys!

WE LOVE YOU, BEN!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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Shrimp Pasta Salad

My mom must have made a pasta salad like this when I was still living at home because I kind of just throw ingredients in this recipe, and it actually works. Which means I must have had some experience with this salad before because I'm not so good at making up my own recipes from scratch.

But, the origin of the salad doesn't really matter.  What matters is that it's a crowd-pleaser, and makes the perfect side dish for all of the BBQs you'll be attending this summer.  

I hardly ever do this, but for this salad, I don't really measure.  For some reason I just dare to add the amounts I'm comfortable with (I really need to venture out and try that on other recipes).  I guess it's because I kind of made up what I put in it, and when you're doing that you just go off what you think, or like.  So, feel free to play around with amounts, proportions, or even the ingredients.  I love the flavor the onions and radishes give the salad, but maybe you don't like those.  Really, just about anything goes.  The fun is in the experimenting. 

Click to Print

  I actually like this pasta salad best the next day, so go ahead and make it ahead of time.

What are your favorite pasta salads?  I love them, but don't seem to have too many great recipes for them.  I'd love to hear what you have to share!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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