Salt painting

So, today has been a very busy day!

We woke up early and went to McDonald's for pancakes and headed over to Dinosaur World. 

 

After the dinosaur walk, dig and playing on the playground, we headed home for naps. 

Unfortunately that did not include me.

 After naps, we headed to the post office, to Dairy Queen for shakes and smoothies, to the bank, and then to Fred's.... Not fun... Thy didn't have formula so I had to drag the kids back out at the dollar store just to get formula. 

I can't explain how challenging it is to take three kids under the age of five into a store. First getting out of car seats. Then getting them back in again... Not to mention the 95 degree weather! 

So, Cooper can't sit up good enough yet to sit in the cart, so I carry him. Reid sits in the front of the cart, and Jackson gets distracted by toys and such, so I put him in the basket of the cart. Needless to say, holding an 18 pound baby and pushing a cart with two kids is difficult. :) 

 Okay enough complaining! ;) After supper we decided to just forget about the laundry piles and dishes in the sink and we searched trusty ole Pinterest for something fun to do. That's when I came across salt painting. 

 Here is the link to the pin I found: http://pinterest.com/pin/235594624230038057/

 It was so simple and I had everything we needed to do it! Here are some snapshots of the boys during our "craft time"!

Supplies needed: 

White glue

Salt

Construction paper

Food coloring

Water

Paint brush

Cookie sheet (optional)

 

First have the kids dray a picture with the glue on a piece of construction paper. 

 Then put the paper on a cookie sheet and sprinkle salt on the picture, covering the glue. Now shake off the excess salt. The cookie sheet makes cleanup easy!

Now have your child dip their paintbrush into the colored mixture of 1/8 cup water & 6-7 drops of food coloring. 

Tap the paint brush on the glue/salt painting. Watch the amazement in your child's eyes as the color begins to spread! 

Now admire your child's artwork!

Happy Crafting!

XOXO

 

Giveaway!

 Miss out on the last giveaway? Well here is another chance to grab your own burlap flag! 

Simply share the link to this post on twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, etc. and ask your friends to follow my blog. They just need to follow me and put your name in the comments. Whoever refers the most followers will receive a monogrammed burlap flag! 

The new followers will also be put into a drawing to win a burlap flag as well! 

Contest ends on August 1st! It's a win-win situation! ;) Now go get those followers! Good luck! 

 

Life as a fire wife...

Those of you ladies who are married to a firefighter, know that feeling you get when your husband is at a fire.... Sitting there, listening to the pager to make sure all is going well. Wether it is a small dryer fire, like tonight, or a fully involved house fire, the worry sets in. It is the unknown, I think, that is the worst part. Then, after they get home, they proceed to tell you all these "exciting" things that happened. However, I don't get quite as "excited" about hearing that one of the guys fell through the second floor, or that he ran out of air and had to run out if the house... It just makes me worry about him that much more. Will he make it out of the house next time? Will he be the next one to fall through the floor?

It has definitely taught me a few things. I have to have faith that god will watch over him. I have to be patient. And I have to be positive and excited for him.

Last time, my husband got home at like 4:00 am and I was asleep! Lol. I guess I know if I go to sleep, I don't have to worry and he will wake me up when he is safe at home. He thinks I go to sleep because I'm not worried about him. He is wrong because I am CrAzY about him and worry about him all the time. 

So here's to all my fellow fire wives! Hang in there and just be proud and support your spouse in his heroic endeavors! 

Good night! 

Burlap Flag Winner!

I had a very unbiased little guy do the honors of drawing a winner! :) 

As you can see, we did it the old fashioned way! 

And the winner is......

NATALIE! Email me at ashley_a_edwards@yahoo.com with your choice of bow style (see options below), monogram color, and initial. 

Bow colors available:

Natural burlap

Blue-Gray chevron

Yellow chevron 

Teal chevron

Royal blue burlap

Those of you who participated but did not win, thank you so much for your comments! Still want a flag? As a participant, you can order a flag with $10 off! (They are regularly $28) You must order by June 10th to recieve the discount.

Just email me with your order and I will send you a PayPal invoice (for those of you who are local, we can do a check or cash)

Thanks again and congrats to NATALIE!

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!