Nest
Tuesday, June 9, 2009, by Leigh Anne
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Note: Be sure and check out the two different great giveaways this week at iLashGirls! The Fun, Fun & More Fun Giveaway has two great summer items. I think I want the sidewalk chalk for myself and the beach bag is so cute!!
And if you have ever thought about starting a blog Sherra and I are offering a giveaway for some Fun and Free Blog Startup Help. We have had so much fun learning to blog we want to help others and share what we have learned!
This past weekend was Rose Festival weekend here in Portland, Oregon. Portland has the second largest floral parade in the country.
There is a reason why the Rose Festival is held the first part of June - our roses are crazy beautiful right now!
I thought I would show you the Rose Festival that is going on in my own backyard. Enjoy!
This is what I see from my office window.
With the few weeks of sun we had the roses are going crazy!
And look what’s happening along my fence.
Eden is one of my favorite roses - it blooms just like this all summer!
And then on the pergola.
It’s hard to get any work done with this amazing distraction outside my office window!
We have a total of 37 rose bushes in our backyard according to my husband who gets to prune them every President’s Day!
What’s blooming in your garden right now?
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Sunday, May 31, 2009, by Leigh Anne
Do you remember that scene in the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy is running through a beautiful field of poppies with the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow?
I always loved that scene, mainly because of the flowers. Even though the poppies have had a spell put on them by the Wicked Witch so that Dorothy falls asleep, they are still beautiful! Glenda saves the day with a little snowfall!
I love this time of the year in my garden because I have my own field of poppies!
My favorite spring blooming flower! Princess Victoria Louise (Papaver orientale)
Fortunately my field of poppies is not poisonous! Mine are just beautiful!
Mine even have a few purple Japanese Iris mixed in.
Elsewhere in the garden the peonies and roses are beginning to pop!
And the snowball bush is just finishing up.
Ohhhh, this is just the beginning of so many beautiful things to come!
What’s blooming in your garden right now?
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Monday, May 11, 2009, by Leigh Anne
After my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary in March I wanted to create a little picture keepsake of my parent’s wedding for my daughters, especially since Cali was not able to attend the anniversary party. And really, having grandparents who have been married for 50 years is pretty special! So I put together two of these…
While in Arizona for spring break I bought some chipboard accordion fold out albums that I thought would be the perfect thing to use for the keepsake.
I found them in Mesa at Mystic Paper. Unfortunately they don’t have their online shop set up yet but if you are in the Mesa area you may want to pay them a visit.
I’ve looked around online and haven’t been able to find anything similar but did find this online tutorial for making your own accordion foldout card.
The fold out albums I bought are made out of chipboard.
I have had several requests for directions on how to put one together so I thought I would just do a tutorial here on the blog!
Begin by gathering your supplies: fold out album/card, photos, decorative scrapbook paper, Mod Podge, Tacky Glue, sponge brush, various trims, ribbons, flowers, buttons etc. I scanned in my parent’s wedding photos and then had them printed in wallet size. You will end up with four of each picture.
Next, cut or tear your decorative/scrapbook paper to size. The albums I used measured 4 x 6. Some of the pages I covered completely with paper, some I tore the paper slightly smaller than the page size so that the brown chip board showed and I layered the paper on several of the pages.
Put a layer of mod podge on the album page itself, adhere the paper and then put another layer of Mod Podge over the top. Allow to dry.
Continue until each page is covered or decorated with paper - I only decorated one side of the book as well as the front page and the back page on the other side but you could decorate both sides of all the pages. I just didn’t have enough photos to cover both sides.
Each page can be different or do them all the same.
Allow to dry. Air bubbles may appear, just use a credit card or spatula to push the air out. Many of the smaller bubbles will disappear as the Mod Podge dries.
The Mod Podge will dry clear. I used the matte finish. There is also a glossy finish.
The next step is to add your photos and trims. I used Tacky Glue to glue down my trims etc. and photo tape for the photographs.
Have fun with whatever you have on hand or pick up some fun trims at the fabric/craft store. I used some of my paper punches to make hearts.
I used some vintage ribbon I had on hand to use as a closure on the album. I just attached it to the middle of the back of the album with glue.
For the back page I printed off their name and wedding date on vellum paper and the words I Do. The vellum will pucker up a lot when you put Mod Podge on it so be gentle or it tears easily. A lot of the bubbles came out as it dries but not all - I like the crinkly look - it looks vintage!
I can think of all kinds of fun ways to use a accordion fold out album/card - how about you? A vacation, graduation or how about one for Father’s Day!
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Monday, April 20, 2009, by Leigh Anne
Today you are going to get a tour of my garden. There’s not a lot blooming right now but there are some definite signs of Spring especially along the woodland path.
Lots of daffodils…
and the Hellebores are still blooming….
and then these pretty little delicate blue flowers. I can’t remember what they are - does anyone know?
and the wood violets are so pretty….
and my personal favorite - the Euphorbia wulfenii. Isn’t the green color gorgeous!!
and then there are signs of things to come…
I can’t wait for the peonies to bloom!
And then there was this sign of Spring on my kitchen table….
Time to get the garden in!
Here in Oregon it’s time to can plant broccoli, cabbage, parsnips, lettuce, radishes, carrots, beets, spinach and herbs.
In May you can put in tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons (can start squash and melons inside now), potatoes and corn.
Happy Gardening!
What are you planting in your garden this year??
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Monday, March 16, 2009, by Leigh Anne
Happy Monday!
I am going to start the week off with a fun little organizational tip! Every once in a while that organizational bug bites.
I love texture, fabric, paper, yarn, and especially ribbon!
Last week as I was attempting to clean up the craft room (aka the boys room) I discovered that I had a problem. Too much ribbon. I love ribbon! My craft room was getting cluttered with spools of ribbon so I decided I need to get it organized.
I found this great ribbon organizing tip over at Tip Junkie. It was shared by Kitchen Klique.
As soon as I saw it I knew it was the solution to my ribbon problem!
All you need are some pant hangers.
I only bought two to start with and because of my addiction I need to get a few more!
Not only is it a great way to organize your ribbon but I just love the way it looks. I also color coded mine so it looks pretty too!!
I must confess - this is my craft ribbon. All my present wrapping ribbon is stashed under my bed - now I need to find a way to organize it! Most of that ribbon is those large spools of ribbon from Costco. They are too big to fit on the hanger - any ideas?
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Categories: Nest, Organizational Tips
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Tuesday, March 3, 2009, by Leigh Anne
I’d love for you to pay a visit to iLashGirls today and read my post. It is about my favorite room in my home - can you guess what it is? You can take a little tour of that room too!
But before you head over - leave a comment below and let me know what room you think it is and then click here and go see if you are right!
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Monday, February 2, 2009, by Leigh Anne
Note: Be sure and check out the yummy giveaway over at iLashGirls! Be sure and enter!
I am in a banner mood.
Last week I shared this fun Valentine banner.
This week my Camp Craft Ladies and I are getting together and we needed a craft to make. I saw this darling Hugs and Kisses Banner over at My Romantic Home and since I seem to be in the banner mood I decided it was perfect.
I thought it would be a good idea to try it out first before the Crafty Ladies got together.
I got a little carried away. Not only did I put together one banner - but I made three! I decided that in addition to the Hugs and Kisses and a Love Banner that I needed a banner for my new Word for 2009
Here is my new Joy banner….
I am going to hang it in my office.
I put together a little tutorial on how I put together my 3 banners. Give it a try!
Step One:
I purchased brown paper covered letters from Joanne’s for the words I wanted to use. You could draw your own letters or print them off on the computer too. Mine were on sale for $2.00 a piece and I figured I would use them for something else sometime. You will also need coordinating scrapbook paper, foam core board, spray adhesive, a SHARP exacto knife, a self healing cutting mat and ribbon. I was excited when I found the exact paper My Romantic Home had used at Michael’s. I LOVE that pink toile paper!!
Step Two:
Using a pencil trace your letters onto the foam core board. I just made my own pattern for the heart.
Step Three:
With your foam core board on top of your self healing mat use a SHARP exacto knife to cut out your letters. I highly recommend putting a brand new blade into your knife before you start. It will make it so much easier. You will get a cleaner and more even cut - especially important on those curved letters. I learned this from experience!
Step Four:
Using your spray adhesive (do this in the garage or outside) spray the front side of your letter and place in face down on the wrong side of your paper. Rub to make sure it is adhered.
Step Five:
Using your SHARP exacto knife cut out around the letter/shape.
Step Six:
Using an ice pick or other sharp pointed instrument poke a hole through each letter for the ribbon. I use the ice pick to push the ribbon through each hole too. Depending on where you will be hanging it will determine the length of your ribbon. Be sure and leave enough on either end to attach it to something and tie a bow.
Step Seven:
I added a bow to my O because I tore the paper a little and it covered up the mistake! Hang banner and enjoy!!
I will be taking one of the two Valentine banners with me to Utah next week when I go to visit the college kids. Don’t you think it will be darling in Cali’s dorm room? (don’t really think the boys want one for their apartments)
Which one do you think she would like. Cali? If you are reading this - let me know which one you want!
Here’s the love one.
Note: On my Joy banner I used a Distress Ink pad to distress the edges. Just rub a sponge onto the ink pad and then rub the sponge around the edges of the letter.
Happy Crafting!!
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Categories: Nest
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Monday, January 26, 2009, by Leigh Anne
We’ve got a great new giveaway opportunity over at iLashGirls this week. Click here to check it out and enter but be sure and come right back to see the fun banner I made!!
While my college daughter was home over the Thanksgiving break we made a fun banner for her to hang in her dorm room. It was quick and easy to put together using this great tutorial over at according to Kelly. Her pictures are great and instructions are easy to follow.
Here’s Cali’s banner…
Cali and I had a fun time picking out fabric that would match her bedding. It turned out so cute I was tempted to keep it for myself but being a good mother I let my daughter have it!
Our women’s group at church sponsors monthly Enrichment Activities and this month one of their activities was this cute Valentine Banner.
I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. Unfortunately I had another meeting the night of the class but lucky for me the gal who was teaching the class had put together a great tutorial on her blog Make it with Meg. Meg is also an amazing photographer so be sure and check out the link to her photography blog on the sidebar of her blog too!
I put together my banner all on my own just following Meg’s step by step tutorial.
My banner is very similar to Meg’s with just a few tweaks here and there.
Here’s mine - I love it!
I picked up all the supplies for mine at Joanne’s and Michael’s. Instead of making the cute little rag wreath like Meg did I bought a premade heart wreath at Michael’s. The button covered felt heart at the end was actually a stuffed heart I found at Joanne’s for 40 percent off $2.99 that I just cut apart.
And I’m keeping this one for myself!! What do you think - isn’t it cute!?
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Friday, January 16, 2009, by Leigh Anne
I have been out of town most of the week and haven’t had much cooking time. I spent four very COLD days in Minnesota. One day it got down to 30 below with the wind chill factor!!
So today I am going to share another quick and easy craft project that my girls and I worked on over the holiday break. Like I mentioned on Monday my girls and I enjoy making handmade gifts for their friends for Christmas and their birthdays.
For Christmas presents for some of their friends the girls decided to make these cute mod podged picture frames that I saw over at according to Kelly. If you haven’t checked out Kelly’s blog please do! Lots of fun ideas and recipes
We picked up the wooden frames for this cute project at Michael’s. The smaller ones were only $1.00! The larger sizes were a bit more expensive, $5 - 7.00.
Kelly has a great tutorial for them here.
The girl’s personalized the larger frames with the initial of their friend, some ribbon and a few buttons.
The initials are made out of chipboard and can be purchased at Michael’s. We just mod podged the letter onto the back side of the paper (be sure and put the letter face down) and then used an exacto knife to cut around the edge of the letter and then distressed it with an ink pad.
The smaller ones we just covered with paper and then distressed the edges - they were my favorite I think!
They make a quick, inexpensive and darling gift! Wouldn’t you love one? Just follow Kelly’s easy to use tutorial.
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Monday, January 12, 2009, by Leigh Anne
Over the holiday break my girls and I spent a little female bonding time crafting. I have always loved using my hands to create something - whether it be with fabric, yarn, paper, photos or even food.
One of my favorite things to make are gifts for others. Remember those cute little journals I made last summer?
The girls and I have always enjoyed making the gifts they give to their friends for Christmas and their birthdays. Over the next few weeks I will share with you some of the cute gifts my girls and I crafted over the holidays.
The first one is these darling headbands. I have been on a bit of a headband kick lately. First there were those darling reversible headbands I made for the girl’s in my church class. Then I saw some darling ribbon covered headbands over at Design Mom. I knew my girls would love them and so would their friends!
They are darling and so easy to make. Design Mom has a easy to follow tutorial here.
I bought the ribbon and flower supplies at Michael’s and found the headbands at Walgreen’s.
While the girls were home for the holidays they did a fun photo shoot with their friend Olivia who is an amazing photographer for a seventeen year old! The girls wore their headbands for the photo shoot - aren’t they cute!
You can see more photos of them with their headbands on our family blog.
I emailed Design Mom that my girls and I had fun making her cute headbands and sent her the link to the photos. She loved them and asked if she could put them on her blog. My girl’s are famous - they are on Design Mom! Check them out!! You will have to scroll down a few posts.
Tessa has worn her headband to school several times and gotten lots of compliments. We’ve given them as gifts to some of the neighbor girls for their birthdays and they love them too!
More getting crafty ideas to come!
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