Dollar Store Upcycle // "Spooky" Cat

Dan + I are definitely cat people.  Even though we don't currently have one, we both grew up with pet cats around & I know Dan would love to have one one day {I tell him we have to be out of debt first & in our own home, 'cause I'm not adding a pet fee to our monthly apt. payment, that's for sure #sheworkshardsavingmoney}.  Anywho, I saw this adorable wooden cat at the dollar section at Target this year & thought it should come home with us, 'cause it was only a buck, people!  The wooden cat came unpainted with 3 little mini paints + a paintbrush.  I was able to make use of all the black paint that it came with to cover the cat + it's little stand front & back.

Next, I took a strand of battery powered orange maple leaf twinkle lights from the Dollar Tree & a bit of washi tape & secured two of the leaves behind the cat's eyes so they would give off a spooky cat-like glow.  It's the perfect addition to our home for October!

Dollar Store Upcycle // Slogan Straw Hat

 

Have you seen those hats popping up all over the place?  The straw kind with slogans & cutesy sayings all over the brim?  Did you know you can DIY your own for only a couple bucks?!

Here's how...

I found all the materials for this upcycle at my local Dollar Tree {straw hat - it already came with the black ribbon tied around it, black sequin ribbon, & tacky glue}!  Figure out what your slogan is going to be first.  Here's some ideas:

• do not disturb
• hello sunshine
• out of office
• beach vibes
• aloha
• bonjour
• peachy keen

Next, take your sequin ribbon & practice spelling out your phrase.  Beware of overly scrolly script - you don't want your hat to be hard to read, or, even worse, misread.  Also, try out the placement of your slogan on your hat.  Once you're happy with it, go ahead & start gluing it down.  I used Aleene's Original Tacky Glue {from the Dollar Tree} & it worked like a charm.  I tried both hot glue & super glue previously & got poor results.  The tacky glue is pretty easy & forgiving if a readjustment is needed, it dries clear, & has a strong hold.  Let your hat dry until all the glue is clear {this could take a couple hours}.  Once dried find a sunny spot to put on that fancy + wordy hat!  I love how this easy DIY takes a simple summer staple {the beloved floppy hat} & turns it into a real statement!

What would your hat say?

P.S.: Thanks Dan for taking the perfect hat shots! 
P.P.S.: You are the best husband this girl could ask for!

Easy "XO" Rustic Wall Art

What You Need:

▲ jute twine

▲ a piece of driftwood {or wooden dowel}

▲ X & O wooden letters {mine are from Walmart & came with the rustic finish already + were only 98¢ each}

▲ an electric drill

You could, of course, choose whatever letters you like, but I'm just a sucker for the old romantic X + O.  First, carefully drill one hole through each letter {I used a 3/16" drill bit for this project}.  Then, carefully drill through your drift wood or wooden dowel in 2 places {I centered mine & made them approx. 4" apart}.  Depending on how long you want your letters to hang, you may want more or less twine {eyeball it & then cut your jute}.  Next, thread your jute twine through the 2 holes in your drift wood or wooden dowel & keep the drift wood from slipping by creating a pair of double knots at the bottom of each hole.  Attach your 2 letters next, securing with a double knot at the end of each piece of twine & trim off any extra twine.  Hang + enjoy knowing you made this little rustic charmer with your very own hands!  Mine's going out on our mini screened-in patio for now.

Dollar Store Upcycle // Easy Wall Art {Made from a Gift Bag!}

I was recently on the hunt for a cheap bit of wall art for our patio space.  While browsing Dollar Tree I happened upon an adorable gift bag & I thought to myself, "I think this is it!"  I snagged a simple 11X14 frame before I left the store, so the total cost for this project was just $2!

Simply cut one side of the gift bag out, trimming to fit your frame, & place inside!  It's really that easy.

❤

Looking for more cheap art?  Think about elevating these items to frame-worthy status... greeting cards, silk scarves, vintage postcards, wrapping or wall paper samples, sheet music, pressed flowers/leaves, fabric... The possibilities are limitless!

Dollar Store Upcycle // String Art

Upcycling dollar store finds is one of my favorite things.  I snagged this string art {see below} the other day at my local Dollar Tree, & while it's nice, it's not really me.  So, I'm going to work some easy-peasy upcycling magic to make it more my style.  Here's how...  

Step 1: Get rid of the string + add some fresh paint.  You will likely need several coats to cover. {Extra tip: Don't forget to paint the edges (if that's important to you)!  I forgot to paint them & had mixed my own gray paint color & used it all up, & wasn't about to try & match it up again, so I ended up putting a simple washi tape on the edges (which works, too).}

Step 2: Add some new string. {Extra tip: Add a drop or 2 of hot glue to secure the ends.}

Step 3 {Optional}: Personalize it further with some embellishments, letter stickers/stamps or a painted phrase, or keep it minimalist - it's up to you!  At 1st, I was sure I was going to add a phrase like "Dan + Laura" or write "love" across the bottom in scrolly script, but now I'm thinking of just keeping it simple & sweet & leaving it as is.  Any thoughts?

Getting Into Bible Journaling

I know you've likely seen it popping up all over the place for awhile now...  Bible journaling, the art of decorating in your Bible with paint, pencils, embellishments... - there's really no wrong way to do it!  I just wonder, when did Bible journaling become a thing?  Because, if you're anything like me {+ have worked in both a public & elementary school library 😉}, you kinda have to unlearn what you've already learned about books {i.e.: You shouldn't write in them!  Let alone in the Holy God-breathed Word!}.  But, once that's done, you're pretty much ready!

Anywho, I asked Dan for a journaling Bible this past Christmas & I unwrapped this little treasure underneath the tree last month...

Now, I'm getting into it in my own little way!  I've found after the 1st attempt of actually drawing in my Bible that it is totally nerve-wracking for me + something I'm probably going to avoid {the fear of messing up (which I actually did the 1st time, but miraculously fixed with some strategically placed stickers + washi tape) is too great for my ticker}.  I think I'll stick to drawing/writing on separate embellishments & then adding them in.

{The one above in Song of Songs is my current favorite. ❤}

My go-to supplies so far seem to revolve around cutout embellishments, gold staples, ribbon, & stickers + this is where to find the NIV Bible I use.

This is becoming a new way to creatively get into God's Word & hide scripture in my heart.  While it doesn't replace my actual Bible reading time {still gotta have that (most of all)}, it is a beautiful creative thing & I'm kinda giddy over it!

DIY Scripture Advent Calendar

There's no doubt that this is my favorite time of year.  It's such a special & sacred time, & though the world would like to tell you otherwise, it's not really about the stores & the gifts & the Santa guy {though I consider myself  on Team Santa}, it's about the Savior of the world coming to us in tiny baby form on a mission from above to save us all.  It's incredibly radical & mind-blowing to think about, isn't it?  One way we keep Christ at the center of our Christmas is to stay in His Word & this advent calendar helps us do just that {& - added bonus - it looks pretty festive, too}.  Here's how to make it...

What You'll Need:
-a foam poster board {mine's from the Dollar Tree}
-wrapping paper or paint {or some other decorative something to cover your board in}
-small Christmas-y embellishments {think small ornaments, stickers, knick-knacks, etc.}
-tags {there are printable free ones here}
-twine
-pushpins
-hole-puncher
-hot glue
-these Bible verses

Cover your foam board however you'd like {I used book print wrapping paper for mine & wrapped it like I would a gift}.  Print {or create or buy} tags for each day {1-25} & add embellishments.  Print these verses out, cut, & glue to the back of each appropriate tag. {There are only 24 verse selections, so we chose 1 John 4:13-16 for the 25th {Christmas day} + we read the Christmas story in its entirety}.   Punch holes in your tags, add some twine, & tack onto your board with pushpins {add a drop of hot glue to the pushpin for extra holding power}.

I created this advent calendar when I was single & love now sharing the tradition with my husband {somehow it survived the move from TN to GA}!  The daily readings help us focus on the true reason for the season: Jesus Christ.  I think it's my favorite Christmas thing I've made ever {& that's saying something, 'cause over the years I've made a LOT}.

Do you celebrate the advent season in a special way?  Leave me a comment!  I'd love to know more!

DIY Thankfulness Tree

Whether you're hosting a gathering this week & need something simple + festive to spruce your place up, or you're just looking to start a new tradition at your house, this DIY couldn't be simpler. 

Gather small branches & twigs from outside, arrange in a canning jar, & hang decorative tags with blessings written on.  Place a small decorative plate or basket {or whatever you wish} with more tags + a Sharpie or two so guests/family can add their own to the tree.

Praying your Thanksgiving is full of moments where you stop & count up all your blessings!

"Every good & perfect gift is from above..." -James 1:17

DIY Vacation Memory Jar

What You Need:

▲ a jar + lid

▲ small tokens from your trip that will fit in the jar

▲ a smallish favorite photo from your trip

▲ a decorative tag {or make your own} + twine or ribbon + Sharpie

Anybody else not really wanting to remember an amazing trip by bringing home a pack of picture playing cards or a collectible spoon?

Creating a memory jar lets you put a personal touch on things + showcase your actual memories/trip highlights + it's not from an overpriced gift shop.  Win-win!  While this makes for a perfect sand & rock holder for beach/camping trips, you can also fill your jar with various tickets, foreign currency, & small souvenirs from most any place you care to venture.  You can be all minimalist or maximalist on these - you get to decide.  I'm thinking several of these jars showcasing different trips would look great as a collection displayed on a shelf or mantle.  Hmmm, I think I may just sense a travel tradition starting here in our house...

Happy crafting {& traveling}!

DIY Gender Reveal Baby Gift {+ Free Printable}

There are so many expectant mamas I know right now {both in "real" life & via my blogging sisters}.  I can literally count over 6 right off the bat.  Anywho, one of my real world friends is expecting her 3rd child in August, & recently held the most adorable bee themed gender reveal party ever.

I was planning to bring diapers to her party, but I wanted to add a little something extra {& more personal}.  With her bee theme in my mind, I created a simple bow that can be used as a hair bow {for baby girl} or a bow tie {for baby boy}.

Here's how you can make your own...  You'll need ribbon {bee themed colors or whatever neutral shades you'd like (remember this has to work for a girl or a boy)}; hot glue gun; small hair clip; more ribbon {to tie around the collar as a bow tie}; small plastic bag {for packaging up}; & the tag printable {if you like}.

Create your bow with a little room to slide the thin long ribbon through the back center {in case it ends up being a bow tie}.  Then, hot glue the hair clip to the back of the bow {in case it ends up being a hair bow}.  Place in packaging & wait to see what it will be!  For my friend it became a sweet little bow tie!

Free Printable:

Click on the bee tag & then right click & save to your computer {or copy & paste it where you'd like}.

This printable is free for personal use only.  Link with love.  Thanks!

Mr. & Mrs. Pumpkin

This October, my husband Dan & I had our 1 month married anniversary.  What better way to celebrate than to dress up some little pale pumpkins?  At least that's what this fall/DIY loving girl thought.

I used small letter stamps to stamp on the "Mr." & "Mrs." & created the top hat out of black cardstock.  The bow tie & veil were fashioned using some ribbon & tulle scraps I had lying around, & the handy glue gun made it all stick together.

Seeing this little pair makes me happy!  What can I say, it doesn't take much.