Pinewood Derby

I realized that I never posted the Pinewood Derby last year, so I thought I would post a little of both years.

We basically used a checkerboard theme for our derby.  We were able to find a few things at the dollar store and the rest of the stuff I made.

We hung a few flags on the doors coming into the gym.  These larger flags were found at the dollar store.

Around the track, we set up a barricade.  We didn't want the kids getting near the track.  We got small cones.  We actually taped them to the ground. Then, we taped the flags all along the track.  To make them, I just found a checkerboard clipart and made b/w copies on cardstock.

 For centerpieces, I made a few fans/pinwheels.  I had made the blue and gold ones for a blue/gold banquet a few years ago... they come in really handy for all cub scout functions.  For the pinewood derby, I added a checkerboard one.

We used a few of them on the food table along with the larger banner from the dollar store.

 I made these trophies last year.  I spray-painted a car gold, silver and bronze.  I painted a 2x4 block blue.  The plaque in the front I just made in photoshop.  I got it laminated and nailed it on there with small nails to make it look more like a real trophy plaque.

 I put our pack # and the year on the trophy.

 I had a good time making signs and awards.  These are all items I made last year.  I made a wide variety of awards so that every boy could get one.  (I am so sorry, but I can not find my list of awards... there were some really creative ones.)

 I did not get pictures of these, but we had a weigh-in table.  This table had a scale, graphite, tools to fix cars, etc.  The boys checked in their cars...

...Then the placed them on the checked-in table.  On this table, I had black paper plates to put their cars on.

I also had a name card for the boys to write the name of their car.

 We had all the boys and family members vote for "best of show" at this table.

Then, the races began....

I hope you find some of this stuff helpful.  Everything I made was in Photoshop Elements, please feel free to email me if you would like any of the files.  anisascholes at gmail dot com

Spring is in the Air

It has been so nice and warm down here in Sunny St. George (until today).  So, my real purpose in this blog post is to make my South Jordan friends jealous of our nice weather.  And to prove that I can actually finish a project.  I have been working on my front porch for awhile... and I finally got it done!

Here is my (Southwest, St. George style) house.  Not at all the style of house I would choose.  But, I love my neighborhood and the friends I have here, so I'll take it for now.  As you can see, there is a cave that goes back in to our front porch.  The left front of the house is a Casita (mother-in-law apartment) that is 90% my craft room and 10% my husband's office.  The right is the garage.  And behind all of that is our house... the part we live in.

As you head back into the cave, you can start to see our front porch.  

As you can see, there is space at the left for my bistro table.  And not a lot of space at the right.  It's not symmetrical... it would drive my mother crazy... and it drives me a little crazy too.  But, I've had the bistro table for probably over 10 years and I don't want to get rid of it.

Here's a close up of the bistro table.

 I picked up this green fabric at a yard sale and recovered some pillows.  I made the fabric flowers so that they safety pin on (I would like to change things up a bit for fall and winter).

 I've had the garden box forever... I'm thinking it may have been something I bought at Tai Pan.  Its filled with flowers, garden tools, gloves and some styrofoam covered fabric balls.

 I picked up this metal stand a few weeks ago at a yard sale for $10.  I was so excited about it!  It matches my bistro table perfectly.  The plant pot was also something I picked up at a yard sale.  My favorite igloo cooler was a vintage find from a yard sale as well.  It's metal and I was so tortured as to weather I should paint it or not.  But after talking to the paint department at Lowes, they told me that I would be able to remove the paint, so I went for it.  And the rain boots were something my husband picked up for me at a rental house... and I spray painted them pink!

 I've been loving all of the yard wrapped stuff on Pinterest, so I went ahead and make a wreath.  It was a pain in the butt, but I love it!!!  I added some flowers with pins in the middle so that I can take them off later.  And I have some fabric letters clipped on with mini clothes pins so I can remove them too.

 And even though today was one of the coldest days in awhile, I finally got all of my pots planted.  I've had these pots for a few years, but they needed an update... turns out turquoise spray paint was perfect!

My goal is to finish some projects... most of my rooms are 90% done, but they need some finishing touches!

Dining Room

Moving is sooo much work.  I don't know how long it will take me to get completely organized (ok, I probably never will).  One of the most fun things about moving is decorating.  I didn't want to post pix of my house until I got some things decorated.  Decorating takes time and money... so it will come slowly.

This is the fabric that I chose for my living room, dining room and kitchen.  I was looking for something with black and brown because my furniture is black and brown.  I also really wanted something with turquoise.  The other colors just happened.  I love the purple and green... it's different than what I'm used to, but so fun.  And I really am tired of red.  It was on clearance, so that's a huge bonus!  

Here is my dining room.  It's probably the most used and most looked at room in my home...(I stare at it  while I'm cooking.)    I've had the dining table for several years.  But I had to spray paint the chairs.  That is one of my favorite parts.  

I have always loved this look of mis-matched chairs from my favorite TV show Friends. 

So I got to work painting my own chairs.  One green, one turquoise and one purple.  Technically I need one more chair, but I haven't found one at a yard sale yet.  Plus, we only have 5 people in our family.

 I made the curtains and bought the rods at Ross.  I had the dresser in my craft room years ago.  I've been using it in my boys room, but it was way too girly!  Even though it's in front of the window, I love it!  It's the perfect place to put all of the kids coloring books, and coloring supplies.  As well as their homework.

Most of the accessories on top are garage sale treasures.  Of course, I spray painted the balls on the bird baths.

I think I pulled everything together nicely.  I do need to make a table runner for the middle of my table and some sort of bowl with balls for the center as well.  What do you think?  A table runner out of my fabric, or doilies painted in the colors of my fabric?  Also, do you think I need to hang anything on the walls?