Giveaway!

Ok, tell me what you love most about summer! I will put your name in a drawing and you could be the winner of a Monogrammed Burlap Garden Flag with Chevron Burlap Bow from Adorably Shabby! The drawing will be on Friday! Good luck!

Top of the List Tuesday- Tummy Fix

Ok, to be honest, it isn't like me to spend much money on "beauty" products. I happened to be buying some bottles and formula on target.com, and I wondered over to the beauty products. As I was browsing, I stumbled upon this product

I read the reviews and couldn't believe the great things people were saying about it so I bought some! :D 

I can honestly say, it works! It supposed to give the tummy and hip area elasticity. You know that joyful "mush" your tummy turns into after having kids?  My stomach is honestly tighter (no not skinnier! Lol) it doesn't make you flatter or thinner... But it does give your skin that smooth feeling it used to have! I use it at least twice a day and let it completely dry before dressing. 

Have you tried this or similar products? How did you like it?
 

Miss me?

Ok, guys! I know you probably thought I dropped off the face of the planet.... But I'm back!!! I have to admit, I have had a hard time stretching my time with 3 little ones running around. If I'm not doing something for/with the kids, I am cleaning, cooking or making flags. I stay up until the wee hours of the morning and wake up early everyday... Ok maybe not too early but considering I only sleep, on average, 6 hours a night...it's early.

I guess being the coolest mom on the planet takes up quite a bit of time too. We have annual passes to dinosaur world. It is just a few miles away, so sometimes we just go pick up lunch somewhere and eat with the dinosaurs. You may think that's a waste of time, but my boys think its awesome! 

 

I have to admit, I am getting a little stressed and maybe even a little burned out. I guess spending the entire day out in the sun with my family yesterday spoiled me and now I don't want to work! Ha! 

Today was super productive though! I completely spring cleaned the boys room and rearranged. It smells so good and now all three boys can sleep in one room. My husband and I have shared our room with at least one child for the last 4 1/2 years! As soon as the Coopster gets in his crib, we will finally have peace and quiet! 

It is quickly approaching 1:00 am though, and I am lying on the couch with Reid asleep beside of me. Are tomorrow's flags painted? Nope. I guess I will be waking up even earlier to paint my flags. Sigh. It is totally worth it! I love when Reid falls asleep on me!

When do I have time to make flags??  I work when the kids are asleep at night, watching tv, napping... Just whenever I can, really. 

Ok, enough rambling. But you asked how I get time to do crafts with all three boys... So there you have it! 

Free Printable!

 

(Right Click, Print-8.5"x11")

 

This festive Fall Subway Art is perfect for your Fall decor! Enjoy!

 

For Personal Use Only

Copywrite Willow Tree Designs

Personalized burlap Flag with burlap bow

This beautiful burlap flag is a charming addition to your home. This flag is hand painted with your choice of initial. Completed with a lovely burlap bow and two loops for hanging. Sprayed with a sealer to help prevent damage from inclimate weather.

Your flag will be lined (the one pictured is not lined)
Double Sided

Fits a standard Garden flag stand. (not included)
Ships out within 5 business days.

 

Use the following link to purchase:

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/115064818/personalized-burlap-flag-with-burlap-bow

DIY- "Etched" Privacy Glass

 

So, our side door seems to draw all our company... Including the unwelcomed ones with flyers and books in hand... Anyway, I saw a pin on Pinterest where a lady used clear contact paper to create a design to add some privacy on the little windows on each side of her front door. I was inspired!! I started my search for the contact paper and ran across a roll that was frosted and only cost $2.50!! I could'nt wait to get home so I could start my project!

 

The first thing I did was take a sheet of card stock and I created a design to use as a template. Then, I rolled out my contact paper ad traced the design on the back side of the paper around 90 times.... but, with that being said, do not give up before you even start! My tip is to do a couple of rows and then cut them out. I even placed them on the door a couple of rows at a time so I could see the results of my hard work and it kept me motivated to keep going!

 

 

 

I started placing my design on the door, begining with the bottom center. Then I worked my way out then went up to the next row. You can start where you feel most comfortable.

 

To do corners and edges, just place the design onto the glass, and use your finger nail or some type of tool to press the paper onto the edge of the door frame. Then, carefully use an exacto knife, razor blade, or even a sharp pocket knife, (like the one I used) to trim the edges close to the door frame. Toss the excess, unless the unused edge(s) can be used in another spot.

 

 

The finished product!! I am in love with this door now!! Sit back and look at what a masterpiece you created! It is a coversation piece and looks like we paid big money to get the glass etched. nope! It took about a half of a roll, so it cost around $1.25 + tax!

 

 

Wild West Birthday Party

When we moved to our new farm house a couple of months ago, I finally remembered what I loved about the country life. The smell of the fresh air, the old barns, the colors, the greenery.... EVERYTHING!! All of these things inspired my son's cowboy party!

 

Such an inexpensive way to decorate! Some

borrowed straw bales, wagon wheel, saddle

and a handmade stick horse.

 

 

We dug a fire pit and bordered it with stones.

Then we cut some logs to use as seats! Instant

campfire to roast marshmallows...YUM!

 

Straw bale seating

 

 

Horse rides!

 

 

Everyone seemed to really enjoy the hay ride.

 

 

My sweet birthday boy!

 

 

I got the bandanas from Hobby Lobby

for a dollar, then cut them in half. Each

kid got a bandana, badge, and goody bag.

 

Centerpiece stuck into a mason jar filled with rocks and

covered with bandana print fabric.



 

(creativecakesbywtd.blogspot.com)

Yummy cookies made by my Mom!

 

 

I love these bandana wrapper after dinner mints from Hobby Lobby.

 



 

 I quickly made this rustic banner from some western fabric scraps, brown ribbon and burlap.

 

 

I made these personalized cupcake toppers for our corn muffins.

 

 

Does this make any one else hungry??

 

(creativecakesbywtd.blogspot.com)

Cake pops made by my talented Mom!

 

 

(creativecakesbywtd.blogspot.com)

Cake balls, another treat made by my sweet Mom!

Goody bags made from old jeans!



 

(creativecakesbywtd.blogspot.com)

My mom and I made this Tiered bandana and cowprint cake. Super simple!

 

Thanks for stopping by!!

 

XOXO

My First Crib Bedding!

I made this crib bedding for one of my best friends! She is expecting a sweet baby girl in just a few weeks! I was so excited that she asked me to do this and trusted me to make it for her!



I didn't make the adorable owl pillow. Isn't it so cute?



It took me around 50 hours total to make everything, including cutting the pattern, and designing the skirt and quilt. But I honestly ejoyed it! I can't wait to make bedding for my sweet Cooper who will be here in just a few short months!

 

Repurposed Jeans

I have a box full of jeans that are worn and frayed at the bottom. I was going to throw them away when I found a semi-tutorial on Pinterest for turning jeans into a skirt. I decided to try it with one of my pairs... I love a good jean skirt! Especially if I can say I made it myself! =)

So, this is what I did.... I cut the legs off the jeans at the knee, leaving enough length for a 1 inch hem.

Then, I cut the seam in the front and back. It actually is easier to sew if you go ahead and cut the seam off.

I used the scraps I cut off to make panels for the front and back of the skirt.

Just trim the panel, leaving some overhang for sewing the skirt together. Pin the front panel in place.

Sew the front panel on and trim the excess off from the inside, taking care not to cut the threads.

You can do the same for the back, but I decided to add some pizazz and put on a few ruffles. Before attaching the panel to the skirt, you need to pin the ruffles in place and stitch them on. I just used a straight stitch right down the middle of each ruffle. Then pin the panel in place and stitch it on.  



Now the last step is to hem the bottom all the way around. I didn't stop there. I decided to create a little interest and do a few detail stitches along the front panel. I think that made it look more handmade and not like any other skirt you can buy. =)

All done!!!! I wore it to prayer meeting at church Sunday night with a yellow top and pinned on a rossette I made with the same fabric I used for the ruffles.

B is for Boy! An amazing baby shower on a budget!

If anyone can throw a shower on a budget, I can! I found this out a few weeks ago, when I threw a baby shower for my friend. It helps to either be crafty, or have a close crafty friend!! =)

I made most of the decorations by hand, and most of the supplies came from the Dollar Tree! I will post more pics soon, but I was so I excited to share this with you, I just had to give you a sneak peak and give you some of my money saving secrets! The cake design looks like an expensive fondant iced cake, but no! It is delicious buttercream and only the kite and wagon are fondant! This saves $!! (My Mom baked the cake and I decorated it, so if you can do this, it will save you lots more!)

I am big on saving aluminum cans, jars, etc. for use with decorations. The centerpiece in the upper right picture is simply a paper-wrapped aluminum can. I used my Cricut to cut out the grass, tricycle, cloud and kite. I bought florist foam from the Dollar Tree (the package was $1 which made 4 centerpieces), and hot glued a cube of it inside of the can. Then I attached the cloud and kite to a wooden dowel and stuck it down into the foam. I covered it up with some green easter grass. Easy, cheap and looked great!

To add a little personal touch, I also framed one of the adorable invitations in a $1 (Dollar Tree) frame. The printable invitation can be found at willowtree84.etsy.com. Printable designs are an inexpensive way to have personalized invitations without emptying your pockets! I uploaded the jpeg to Walmart's online photo center and ordered them as 4x6 matte pictures. This worked out perfectly!

The cupcake toppers can be purchased as a printable file (willowtree84.etsy.com), saving a ton of money and you can make as many as you need! Just print, cut and glue to a toothpick.

The Cricut also came in handy when making the pennant banner! cut every single bit of it out on my Cricut, then just glued it all together. The pennants already have holes for stringing yarn or ribbon through for hanging. This was the perfect touch to the front of the cake/food table. The best part is the only cost to me was the paper and glue stick I used!

Another cute centerpiece idea is the pinwheel decoration. I simply cut the pinwheel out of white carstock and glued it to a wooden dowel. Then I attached a small wooden circle, painted red, to the center of the pinwheel. You could use a button in place of the circle and it would look adorable! You can use any coordinating container, but I used these cute little metal containers I found at the Dollar Tree for $1. Again, I used the foam and easter grass in the container. Super inexpensive and cute!

I hope this sneak peak will inspire you to create an amazing shower on a budget! Please feel free to comment with questions! I will be posting more pics and ideas soon!

Plastic tablecloth background- $1

Clouds and kites cut from cardstock using a Cricut

Onesies hung on a clothesline- $1 each from the Dollar Tree

Aluminum cans! Great repurpose!