Episode 78: Island on a Budget

So, I am trying to get back in the swing of things...crafting, blogging, organizing...laundry.  I've had the post Christmas blahs pretty bad.  Therefore, let's start with an easy project.

Angela's Formula for Decorating your Island on a Budget:

1. Invest in Apothecary Jars (buy ONLY when glassware is half off at the craft stores, or how about trying Goodwill or even garage sales).
2. Invest in a chalkboard or cute memo board to greet guests, celebrate the holidays and special occasions, and to leave notes for family members.  I picked up my magnetic chalkboard at a local retailer, but google "The Roundtop Collection" (the maker of my chalkboard).
3. Decorate with candy!  Inexpensive and pretty to look at.  My normal rule: buy candy to decorate with that you WON'T eat.  However, watch the video for more info on that.
4.  Enhance your decor with inexpensive seasonal ribbon.  (And SAVE the ribbon.  I have a plastic container that holds all of my seasonal magnets AND ribbons for my chalkboard).
5.  Keep it simple.  Only purchase one or two accent pieces.

PYL's first Guest Designer and her Mickey Mouse Centerpieces!!!

Hi Everyone!

I am sorry it has been a while since I put up a post.  The family is a little under the weather.  BUT, I am pleased to announce that PYL will now be having Guest Designers from time to time.  My first Guest Designer on the PYL FB group, and her Mickey & Minnie Mouse Centerpieces were a BIG hit.  So, I invited her to come onto PYL and share her creations.  I'm so glad to introduce Jennifer Snyder!  Here is her post:

Mickey and Minnie Mouse Centerpieces

I am honored to be Prettify Your Life’s first guest crafter!!! I appreciate you letting me share this with all of you!!!  First, let me introduce myself. My name is Jennifer Snyder. I am a wife to an amazing hubby, who lets me clutter our home with crafting items. :)  And I am a stay-at-home mom of a little boy who loves to keep me on my toes.  I also make wreaths and other crafts.  I started making wreaths thanks to Angela and her blog and now here I am.

So let me explain why I made these.  My son’s birthday party was this past Saturday, he LOVES ‘Mi Mouse.’ So that’s what my husband and I decided on for his 2^nd birthday.  To try to save some money I decided to try to make a lot of the decorations and food myself.  So, of course, I went to Pinterest.  I found a picture of a centerpiece.  After I looked at the picture and fell in love with it, I showed my husband and he said go for it.  It took me all of maybe 5 minutes to put it together (once everything was dry).  It was very easy to do!!!  Now the Minnie Mouse was an afterthought because I had trouble finding Red Hots.  Who knew those little cinnamon candies would be so hard to find?  So I lucked out when I found M&M’s in Valentine’s colors (pink, white, magenta, and red). So there was Minnie’s Polka dotted dress.  I posted the picture of the finished pieces onto the PYL Facebook group and Angela asked me if she could post the picture and a write up on PYL.

So here is what you will need:

3” Styrofoam balls- 4 of them for the ears
6” Styrofoam balls- 2 of them for the head
Wooden Dowels- 3; various sizes can be used. I used the small ones that you can find in Walmart in the crafting section
A lollipop stick
Ribbon- I used 5/8” on the top of the Mason jars and a 2 1/2” ribbon for Minnie’s bow
Fray Check
Mason Jars- 2; I used the larger ones found at Hobby Lobby
Black Acrylic paint
A foam paint brush
Hot glue and Hot Glue gun
White Buttons- Various sizes; whatever you would like on your jar
Candy- I used 4 bags of Valentine’s M&M’s but you can use Red Hots or anything small and red.

Ok so here it goes. Paint your Styrofoam balls with the black paint. Using the foam paint brush gets the best coverage. Yes you will get paint on your fingers, but hey that’s what being a crafter is all about!!! I placed them onto a piece of wax paper to dry. I then painted the wooden dowels black as well.

While those were drying, I started on the mason jars themselves. I glued the white buttons onto the front of the jar with hot glue.  I took the 5/8” ribbon and tied it around the top of the Mason jar. I did make a bow because to me a bow makes everything look better. I duck tailed the ends and used fray check on them to make sure the ribbon stayed intact. I then took the 2 1/2” ribbon and made a bow out of it and glued it onto the lollipop stick. You can use glue dots, but here is your pre-warning, I used them on mine and the bow fell off half way through the party. So I highly suggest hot gluing it to the lollipop stick.

Ok now here is the fun part. Take your small pieces of dowels and insert them halfway into the smaller Styrofoam balls, this makes the ears. Then insert them into the larger Styrofoam ball, the head, and tada you have a Mickey head. Once I inserted the smaller balls into the head I took them out and put my hot glue gun into the hole and added a small amount of glue into the hole, just to keep it in place. Then I took the two long wooden dowels and inserted them into the bottom of the head just enough to where I felt like they were in there pretty good. I did the same thing with the hot glue gun as before. Once the hot glue is dry I painted over it to hide my work. I then added the bow onto one of the heads that I had made. I did put it catty corner because I thought it looked fabulous that way!

Then I emptied all 4 bags of the Valentine’s M&Ms into a bowl and my mom and I sat and separated the red from the rest. My son even helped us even though we had to go behind him and fix some :) So after that was done I just placed the Mickey and Minnie heads into the jars!!! The M&Ms held the dowels in place very well!!

They turned out very cute and were a hit with everyone at the party. I hope you all enjoy and I hope it inspires you to make something special!!! Once again thank you Angela for letting me be the first guest crafter on Prettify Your Life!!!


Thanks Jennifer!  You did an amazing job!!!

Fabulous 50,000 Winner!!!

The winner of The Roundtop Collection heart chalkboard in the "Fabulous 50,000 Give-A-Way" is....Shannon Winters!  Congratulations Shannon!  PM me your address so that I can send you your prize!

Thanks SO much to all my PYLers for your support!

Connecting with the Crafter: Beth Morton

Today PYL is featuring crafter Beth Morton.  Here was her wreath entry for the Sugarplums and Snowmen Wreath Contest.

Now take a moment to get to know a little about Beth by reading her "Connecting with the Crafter" interview with PYL.

What's your name?
 Beth Morton


Where do you live?
Mississippi


What was the inspiration for your wreath entry in the contest?
The roll of mesh that was used. I just loved the lime, red and white with the hologram silver. And I don't normally even decorate with red. It was fun and pretty at the same time. The little sign and the HOHOHO ornaments just set it off to me.

What/When did you start crafting?
I don't remember not crafting. My mother talks about how I would sit at her feet and color or whatever. I started floral arranging 20 years ago when my sister could not find any flowers in her wedding colors so I took white flowers, painted them and made all of her arrangements. I started scrapbooking in 1999 and my sister says I need to go to "paper-packs anonomous"! haha

Where's your favorite place to find craft supplies?
 love Hobby Lobby! I literally have spent almost a day in the store. The music is calming and the people are nice and I appreciate a company still being closed on Sundays so the employees can worship and/or spend time with their families. I also like buying supplies from stores on Etsy.


Tell us about your crafting space--spacious crafting suite or I craft like a nomad--constantly on the move to the best space available at the time!
Well, I started out at the kitchen table, then moved a craft table into the living room (so I could watch tv - lol) , then it took over the spare bedroom. Then I opened a store on Etsy (www.customcreated.etsy.com) and it started taking over the whole house. My husband decided we better do something so I now have a large studio. YAY!!! We are farmers and I help him on the farm as well so we put it at our farm headquarters and he will have an office there too (after the first of the year - gotta get past Christmas!)


What's your favorite occasion to craft for?
Christmas! Christmas! I can't get enough glitter!


Besides crafting, what other things do you like to do?
watch tv, travel, take vacations, stay up late... but mainly I love to craft - I do lots of different crafts


And these are just for fun:


If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
royal purple


Coffee or Soda?
 I really like Chai tea lattes (yum!)


And finally, Tis the Season (well actually not anymore, but that is my fault):


“Miracle on 34th Street” or “A Christmas Story” or “Christmas Vacation”?
"Christmas Vacation" I think we can quote half the movie! 

Parisian Tablescape

So I've been planning my tablescape for the Daddy/Daughter Dance for a week or so.  I decided on a Paris Theme.  Below are pics of the finished project.  My friend, Charity, helped me get everything staged. Thanks SO much Charity!!  I'm super please with the way it turned out.  Everything came from Hobby Lobby except the ribbon for the chairs (Sam's during Christmas), a couple of faux diamonds (Michael's), some costume jewelry (from my daughter's stash), and the little faux chocolates (local retailer).  Take a look:

My friend had the fabulous idea of draping the vinyl tablecloth material (that you get on the big rolls) over the  chairs and tying them with ribbon.  I think it really completes the look!  Thanks Charity!

I love this very sophisticated lady!  I tried to keep things low on the table, but I was draw to her at the store, and I think she looks "fabulous" as the centerpiece!

There are the placemats I made.  For a how-to tutorial, check out the Parisian Placemat post here.

The tablecloth was inspired by something I saw on Pinterest.  There is a basic vinyl pink tablecloth on the bottom.  Then I cut two strips of hot pink satin ribbon and laid them over the pink tablecloth at both ends.  Next, I put down the black and white piece of fabric, draped two more pieces of ribbon on the top.  Then I gathered the ribbon from underneath and tied it to the ribbon on top in pretty bows, basically sandwiching the black and white fabric between the layers of ribbon.  Thx Pinterest!

 Love how Charity curled the ribbons on the backs of the chairs!

The table overlay is just a 9 foot piece of fabric bought at Hobby Lobby (on sale).  Now, it must be said that I do NOT sew.  But I remember seeing Sandra Lee make no sew tablecloths, so I thought "What the heck?  I'll give it a try!"  I placed Heat Bond tape on the back side of the fabric close to the edge.  Then I folded the fabric edge over on top of the heat bond and ironed over it for about 3 seconds.  Ta Da..a finished looking edge without getting out a sewing machine!  Can I just tell you that I LOVE this technique!  I will be using it again.

Hope you enjoyed my little taste of Paris!  Don't forget to vote for PYL on Top Mommy Blogs and Picket Fence Blogs.  Both links are at the top of the right hand column.

Parisian Placemat

Hi Everyone,

I thought I would share what I've been doing tonight.  I am decorating a table at my children's school for the Daddy/Daughter dance tomorrow.  The theme--PARIS!  The table is 6 feet long by 2.5 feet wide--NOT big.  You know, one of those cafeteria tables.  If I learned anything last year, it was to scale down the size of my decor.  I still wanted "places" delineated to show where each person will be sitting, so I decided to make some hot pink Parisian inspired placemats.  I should tell you that when I started this project I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to make the picture in my head happen.  After fiddling around with my Cricut, I figured out a way.  Here's how I did it:

Step 1:  I used a regular file folder to create my pattern.  I've been doing this a lot lately.  I foresee file folders becoming a staple in my craft room.  I used Cricut Cartridge Fancy Frames.  I cut out Frame 8 at 6.5 inches with pressure max and speed high.  I am in desperate need of a new 12 x 24 mat, so after one failed attempt, I taped down the second file folder to ensure it didn't move.  Then I removed the cutout.

The "cutout" is the piece on the top.  The "negative space" is the portion on the bottom left behind on the file folder.

Step 2:  I cut around the outside of the negative space to create a placemat template.

Step 3:  Trace around the template on a piece of fun foam, in my case, hot pink.

Step 4:  Cut out the image with regular scissors.

Step 5: Tape the cutout to a light box.  While I don't use my light box often, it is truly an invaluable tool to have in your craft room.  Sometimes, like tonight, it is the exact thing you need to make a project much easier.  If you don't have one, I highly suggest you get one!

Step 6:  Put your placemat on top of the cutout, lining it up to your satisfaction.

Step 7:  Use Dimensional Fabric Paint to trace the lines you see shining up from the cutout on to your placemat.  I used Tulip Brand, Slick finish in black.

Step 8:  Remove the placemat and let it dry MANY hours, overnight is best.  For blog purposes I went ahead and "pretended" this was dry.  Tip:  I smudge one and was VERY annoyed.  I could see having to cut out another placemat and start ALL over.  Then, my husband suggested using the Magic Eraser.  I thought it was worth a shot.  And guess what?  The Magic Eraser took the smudged dimensional paint right off!  My husband rocks!!!

Step 9:  Print out some place cards using Avery blank business cards and a fun font.  This font is called "Shelter Me".  I downloaded it from http://www.dafont.com/.  LOVE that website!  Fabulous fonts!  I bought the little purse place card holders a few years ago.  And TA-DA!  It's complete (or it will be when it dries)!

A note about the dimensional paint.  It is not for the faint of heart.  I have to admit it was a bit nerve racking. It's a lot like piping icing on a cake.  Don't do this if you've had a pot of coffee!  I can't wait to put the rest of the table together tomorrow and share it with you!

Fabulous 50,000 Give-A-Way and New PYL Contest!!!

Can you BELIEVE PYL has had over 50,000 hits???  I can't!  So, to show my appreciation, I am holding a Give-A-Way.  In order to enter you must either comment below this post or on the PYL FB page under the "Fabulous 50,000 Give-A-Way" Document and tell me what your favorite PYL video is.  One entry per person please. So, what does one lucky person win?  Check it out:

It's a super cute, brand new magnetic heart chalkboard from The Roundtop Collection (one of my fav companies)...like the oval one you've seen on my island in some of my videos.  I picked this up today, especially for y'all!  I have to admit, I bought myself one of these too that you will see later this week in my Valentine Island video.  Winner will be drawn Friday night, January 27th.  So Good Luck!

CONTEST!!!!!!!

Now it's time for PYL's second contest!  Per viewer request, the contest is going to be for Best Spring Tablescape.  I'm not getting specific...whatever Spring means to you.  Decorate your breakfast, dining room, or outdoor table in your most fabulous Spring decor.  One entry per person.  Items on the table can be store bought, handmade, or a combination of both.  However, only members of the PYL Facebook Group will be eligible to vote.  Entries are due in by February 19th.  I want to give you plenty of time to plan and have a couple of weeks to hit those craft store sales!  Voting will be from February 21-29th.  The winner will be announced March 1st.  So what do you win?  Here's the Low Down:

2 work wreaths

2 work garlands

4 rolls of deco mesh

1 package of deco flex tubing

1 package of glamour rope

and a surprise

So, put your thinking caps on and show me your Sassy Spring Style!!!  


Send a pic of your completed tablescape to prettifyyourlife@hotmail.com and your entry will be added to the contest!

:-) Angela

Give-A-Way and Contest!!!

Oh wow!  I was going to wait until PYL had 50,000 hits to announce a Give-A-Way, but we are already there!!!  So stay tuned.  Tonight I will post the "Fabulous 50,000 Give-A-Way" and the new PYL contest!!!!

Show Me Your Craft Room Blog Hop!

Hi Everyone!  PYL is participating in a Craft Room Blog Hop this weekend!

If you are blog hopping, you probably just came from Julie's blog.  However, if you just happened upon this post but would like to know where to start check out host Lluvia Mata's Sweet Bird Memories Blog.  Thank you Lluvia for allowing my to join in on the fun!  Here is a special message from her:

"This is a no obligation hop, so if you would like to just browse through the space's, that is totally ok!  This hop will be open all weekend long!  So no rush!  However, for those of you who like freebies there will be "blog candy" if you follow and comment on each posting and leave a comment with "your best organizational tip" your name will entered in a random drawing to win a $25.00 gift card from Michaels!!! Winner will be announced on Tuesday 1/24/12"After checking out the pics of my craft room, be sure to check out the other blogs and their craft rooms.  The list is at the bottom.  Thanks for stopping by!"

My craft room is actually our formal living room.  We have no need or furniture for a formal living room, so I made it my craft room.  I am very girly, and I love pink, black and animal print.  So, that is the theme of my room.

My Grandmother's prayer list is framed in the six pictures.  It's very special to me.  The bookcase and pink bins are from Target and hold craft books and magazines.

I finished this cabinet many years ago.  It houses my laptop, office supplies, my Cricut Mini, and my Cricut Expression 2.

I

The ugly family filing cabinet has to be in my craft room, so I decided to jazz it up with vinyl, bling and and a fun quote!

This is an Expedit bookshelf from IKEA.  I store my stamps in CD cases on top of the bookcase (learned that storage technique from My Pink Stamper).

I love my Barbie art, painted by local artist Debbie Curtis.  Below is a painted pink pegboard that holds some of my ribbon for smaller projects and my Cricut mats.

I use a bunch of those cubes from Michael's.  Great storage.  

Here are my new ELFA shelves from The Container Store.  I got all the pink bins from Hobby Lobby on clearance.  I made the black labels.  This is where I store my larger ribbon for wreaths, garlands and decorating projects, organized by color.

This table from IKEA holds my printer, Cricut Imagine and my Cricut Expression.  The plastic bins below hold my scrap paper, filed by color.

Here is another Expedit bookcase from IKEA. Still a work in progress.  I do put all my vinyl in those cubbies.

I got my Hurcraft Craft Table for Christmas and I LOVE it!  www.hurcraft.com

I store all my Cricut books and overlays in the pink boxes and the cartridges in the embroidery floss holders.  I also store my Cuttlebug, Crop-A-Dile Big Bite II, markers, light box and paper trimmer here...and I STILL have room!

On the other side there is a cutout for trash.  I also have my Stampin' Up! paper stored there.

And last but not least is my pink chandelier.  Over-the-top, but I think it's fabulous!

Check out some other bloggers' craft rooms:

Brenda--http://brendafrerichs.blogspot.com
Cally Ann--http://callyanncraftycreations.blogspot.com
Kari--http://purplefuntastickcreations.blogspot.com
Jenny--http://crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/
Claire--http://scrapmyway.blogspot.com
Linda Dale--www.thefruitofmyhands.blogspot.com
Mindy--http://papercreationsbymindyblog.blogspot.com
Zenita--http://www.scrappinwithz.blogspot.com
Liz--http://scrapiliciousLife.blogspot.com
Doris--http://mybugandmecreate.blogspot.com
Haidee--http://created2bunique.blogspot.com
Sam--http://scrappingwithpirkie.blogspot.com
Lisa--http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com
Perlilla--http://www.perlillapets.blogspot.com
Jamie--http://myamusinglife.blogspot.com
Vicki--http://mamawsthoughts.blogspot.com
Barbara--http://barbarab3.blogspot.com
Chrys--http://scrapbookingkampstyle.blogspot.com
Melinda--http://thepaperthumb.blogspot.com
Julie--http://jk-littlebitofbling.blogspot.com
Angela--http://www.prettifyyourlife.blogspot.com
And Next Dana--http://papermemories4u.blogspot.com
Amy Jo--http://lv2scrapandfibrofacts.blogspot.com