My new Router

My parents gave me money for Christmas. So, what do you know, I bought myself a router! Most women would buy clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc.... I buy a router. It's a woodworking tool that I have always wanted. This past week I finally got around to doing something with it. Awhile back I saw these photo blocks over at Little Birdie Secrets. I just had to make some of my own!

I basically followed their tutorial... but I have to tell you... I struggle with Mod Podge. For some reason I always get bubbles and wrinkles. I thought I had them smoothed out perfectly... and I had them displayed on my desk. Then about 5 days later, I noticed that they had started to bubble and ripple. I think that the problem with the pictures was that they were photo paper and not actual prints... but anyway, I was able to peel the paper off the block and start all over. What I ended up doing was using an actual glue to glue the picture on. I used this glue that my sister in law got at Joann's. I have to say, that I love this glue. It is almost like hot glue in that it dries so quickly and it sticks really well. The picture stayed on great and so far hasn't bubbled up or peeled off. If anyone has any great tips on Mod Podge, I'd love to hear them!!! Please leave a comment.
As you can see, the routed edge is just that extra something that makes the blocks more than just a block of wood. And it made the distressing show up a lot more.
I plan on trying this again with the concept of glueing the picture and paper on and then using the mod podge over the top and seeing how that works. Sometimes crafting is just trial and error. -Anisa

March Snow Showers bring Fabric Flowers

It snowed this weekend. But I was in the mood for flowers. So, I used Cami's Sizzix and some super cool wool fabric that I got from my mom's stash and I made some fabric flowers. I met a girl in my neighborhood a few months ago that was wearing a fabric flower similar to these. I asked her how she made them and she kind of explained it to me. So, I thought I would do my version and see how it turned out.

For these flowers you will need 6 flowers. We cheated and cut the flowers out on the Sizzix with a flower die. You could trace and hand cut the flowers if you want. I am using different colors in my sample flower so that you can see the layering easier.
Step 1: Take your first two flowers and off set them. Using a needle and thread, just pull the need through from the back.
Step 2: Fold the other 4 flowers in half (I ironed mine for the picture, but don't do that. You want them to fluff up).
Step 3: Layer the flowers like you would fold closed the top of a box... turning a quarter turn for every flower.

Step 4: Put your layered flowers on top of your other two flowers and pull that needle through the flowers again. Sew a couple of stitches through to make sure you get every layer.
Step 5: With that threaded needle still in your flower, sew a button in the middle.

Now, my multi-colored flower is a little wonky... but kind of cute. But let me show you some of my cuter flowers.
Gotta love my mom's stash of fabric!!!
-Anisa

My vintage mom

I love my mom. She is a funny person. She saves everything... and I mean everything. She's not that old (she'll be 60 this year). But she loves old stuff.... like antiques and always has. This past weekend we went to see my mom and I was telling my boys that she has boxes of my old halloween costumes (yes, they are already starting to plan what they want to be for Halloween). So, we immediately starting getting out the Halloween boxes. We found an old bug costume, dracula cape, jack-o-lantern, etc. But then we found a box with shoes in it!!! It's a good thing my mom and I wear the same size. Now I have 3 new (old) pair of shoes that I get to wear and I love them!

I also raided her fabric and have plans for fabric flowers, zipper flowers, etc. Stay tuned....

Creative Guest on Ucreate!

I am soooo excited!!! I am going to be the Creative Guest on Ucreate !!! I love Ucreate. I always check out this blog when I'm looking for inspiration. I will be doing a tutorial on how to make my picture frames with vinyl images on the glass!

You can see more of my frames here.

If you are interested in purchasing some frames already made, visit my Etsy shop.


-Anisa

Trinket Bag

In my blog surfing, I noticed that Made and Made by Rae were doing "Celebrate the Boy" for the month of February. Since I have 3 boys of my own, I've been checking out their blog all month. Both of the blogs had different posts about bags for boys. On Made, Dana has a super cute Hobo Sack. Love it, love it... totally cute!!! Then, over on Made by Rae, there was a guest post by Amazing Mae. She had these darling Trinket Keepers.

I have a little boy who I would say is a bit OCD. He decides that he likes a toy and will play with it non stop for days (until he's bored.) He's great about organizing things and lining things up and he loves to put things in groups in baggies. So, to save me some money on Ziploc bags, I thought I would make him is own drawstring bag. I liked the look of the trinket keeps on Amazing Mae, but I liked the idea of a bit bigger of a bag.

Right now his obsession is Trios. But that changes. So I didn't want his bag labeled for his toys because I'd be making a new bag every other day. So, my husband and I call our kids by the initial. I thought it would be cute to have is bag just say "Big J." Then he would use it for whatever his favorite toy is for the week.

So this is what I came up with:) I used my Cricut to cut the letter J out. I appliqued the J on the bag. Then I used my cricut to cut a stencil out of freezer paper. I stenciled acrylic paint over the bag and J and there it is. I then sewed it into a simple drawstring bag with a grosgrain ribbon tie.

He loves it and he takes his treasures everywhere with him now.
-anisa

Angie's Door and Anisa's Mom's Headboard

A few years ago, my mom got a new front door. She loved her front door tons and didn't want to just get rid of it, so she had my little brother make it into a headboard. It's pretty cute, isn't it?


After I met Angie, I found out that she had the same front door. That's kind of crazy, isn't it? So, here is a before picture of the headboard/door.

I love doors... especially fun ones like these!!! I would love to find a cool old door to make into a corner bookshelf for my kitchen!!!

Crown Molding Shelves

If you live in the Salt Lake City, Utah area, I have a great deal on some awesome crown molding shelves for you!!! My little brother has started a little business making these beautiful shelves.

He sells them by the foot prices... painted or unpainted. Check out his blog for details.
This black one is a huge 10 ft. shelf that he made for my mom's bedroom. How fun to have one of these shelves all along a room to display other fun crafting projects.... I think I'm going to have him make me one for my living room.

-Anisa