DIY Cigar Box Cufflink/Ring Holder

Today is my Fiancé's birthday and how lucky is he that I made a craft for him! And also lucky for him, I got him a 10 game pass for the Texas Rangers. Sticking to that theme, I found the coolest cufflinks that were made from a previously used baseball by the Texas Rangers! Going through Pinterest I found the neatest idea a while ago to create a cigar box ring holder and going through my crafting pin board I found it again and realized how awesome it would be to use it for cufflinks instead! I followed the tutorial from cut out + keep. I already had a stash of cigar boxes that I bought a while back so I just picked my favorite one and I had a great teal shirt that I could use for the folds, I also had everything else listed below already.

Supplies I needed:

- Cigar Box

- Hot Glue Gun

- Old Shirt

- Fusible Fleece

- Scrap Fabric

- Fabric Scissors

I began by measuring the width of my cigar box so that I could cut my shirt to fit within that width. I also cut the shirt into three pieces in order to get three of the same sized pieces to fill the whole cigar box.

I realized after I cut that I would not have enough thickness to get the desired look I wanted for each roll that the cufflinks would slide in to. Due to this, I grabbed some thick scrap fabric I had from a previous craft and cut that to the same size as my shirt. I then grabbed my fusible fleece and made sure to cut it smaller than the shirt and the scrap fabric because it expands as you iron.

I then covered the whole thing with my scrap fabric. Be sure to follow the directions on your fusible fleece package to be sure you are doing it right. Another great tip is to wait for it to cool down, when it is still warm the fabrics will still move around because they have not fused or attached yet.

After fusing the two fabrics together and letting them cool. I began folding the fabrics accordion style about 1" thick, so that it would be a nice height within the cigar box.

Here is where I got a little ahead of myself. Rather than doing on piece at a time I tried to do them all, which slowed me down tremendously. This is when I went back to doing one fused piece. After folding the fabric I placed it inside of the cigar box and made sure to hot glue the edges and each fold. Then I found some heavy objects I had lying around and placed them inside the cigar box in order to let that fabric cool.

While I waited for that to cool I went to the next fused fabric piece and did the same thing. It was easier for my to attached each folded section I made going from outside in, so I did the same thing as above for the bottom part of the cigar box and used the heavy objects to help them stay in place while they cooled.

When it came to insert the last folded piece everything had cooled perfectly and I could just slide it in and hot glue the sides. I was honestly worried how well this craft would come out, but I am pretty excited it looks as good as it does! I even left in the paper flap that came with the box for added detail!

How neat does this look with the cufflinks inside of it! I cannot wait for my Fiancé to open his birthday gift tonight!!

If you like what you see please follow us!

<3 Elisabeth

DIY Spring Tulip Wreath

Hey Everyone!

I've had a pretty stressful week, so naturally I threw myself into crafting. I got this idea from etsy and then I went to Michaels and JoAnns and bought enough supplies for 5 different crafts! The first craft I did on Wednesday, I am pretty fond of. Since I had coupons and the floral department was on sale for 50% I made a Spring Tulip Wreath for only $14!

I bought these supplies at Michaels:

- 1 24" Grapevine wreath

- 2 bushes of Tulips

- I already had green floral wire from a previous craft

- I used my dad's tools to cut the wire to size

I started by taking apart the tulip bushes. The first bunch came apart really easily, and I had a hard time taking apart the second bunch until I realized that were the flower meets the stem is hot glued inside to wire so I needed to break that connection before I could pull the whole stem off of the bush. You can see the wire in the picture below, if you don't get that wire out of the middle of the stem than your tulip will be harder to work with when you're putting htem into the grapevine wreath.

After I separated the tulips I started to weave them in between the grapevine wreath. I chose to have them all go in one direction. While I weaved if I didn't feel like my tulip was sturdy I used the green floral wire to secure it to the wreath.

Once I had the whole wreath covered I stood back and looked at the wreath to see where I wanted to add more tulips for fill.

And here is my finished wreath! I absolutely love how it came it! And the project was so easy!

Until next time! Happy Crafting!

<3 Elisabeth

DIY Stackable Wooden Cross 2

Good morning,

Today I have a baby shower for a friend of mine that I met in college a couple years ago. We've stayed in touch even after graduation. She will be having a baby girl named Milly before too long. Her nursery is done in red, white and black with a cute country theme. When I went to Brandi's baby shower she really liked the first stackable wooden cross I made with turquoise and zebra print (click here to see it) so I made a personalized one just for her and Milly.

Below are my materials. Two wooden crosses (I can only find these at Hobby Lobby, not Michaels). Red paint for my large cross, ceramic stucco paint (in paint aisle), black and white paint (all paint acrylic), paint brush, and peel and stick jewels to embellish.


First I painted the large cross with red. I did two coats to really make the red pop. :)

While the red paint was drying I painted on the ceramic stucco. I used globs of this glue and just brushed back and forth because I really wanted a messy look. I have seen pictures of this stucco used to make swirls, a rough surface and looks similar to my own. I have always wanted to try using it and was so excited to get to use it today. It's in the paint aisle in a cylinder bottle.

This took a good two hours to dry. When it was ready I painted the the small, stucco-ed, cross completely white. Then I went back over with black and made it look like cowhide. Originally I wanted to just use scrapbook paper to mod podge on but I couldn't find any. Then I realized, hey... Why not do it myself? It gave me a reason to buy the stucco. :)

When the paint was dry I used wood glue to glue the little cross to the large cross.


Then I peeled off the jeweled stickers and placed them on top. I played around with the stickers for a while before deciding on a look that I liked.
Then, I took some scissors and cut parts of the jewels off that hung over the sides of the small cross and stuck them to the red cross. Here is a side picture to kind of show that.

Here is the finished product! I love it and I can't wait for Emily to see it! :)

You could play with many different kinds of paint colors. The stucco was really fun to use too. You could use different embellishments found in the scrapbook aisle. You could use different scrapbook paper. I have also seen these made with mosaic tiles. These are so fun and easy to make, one of my favorite crafts. I also made her a cute black tutu to go with her gift following the same steps I did in January. Click here to see it and the instructions.

Have a great Sunday! :)
Cassie

DIY Picture Frame with Clip

Welcome! :)

Tonight I replicated a craft I saw at local boutique where vendors rent out space to sell their handmade crafts and neat finds. As soon as I saw a photo box with clip I knew I had to make one!

Below is a snapshot of everything I used. A wooden box that I found near the canvas and paint section of Michaels. I also picked out a piece of scrapbook paper, some scrapbook stickers, matching paint and a metal clip (also at Michaels). I also used scissors, a paintbrush, pen, ruler and Mod Podge.

First, I measured out how big I wanted my middle section to be. My wooden box was 8x8 so I drew a 6X6 box in the middle to give me an idea of where my scrapbook paper would go.


Next, I used acrylic brown paint and brushed over the front and sides of the wooden box. I left the middle white to help me line up my scrapbook paper when it came time. :)
While the paint was drying I cut out the scrapbook paper the same size as I drew on the wooden box, 6x6. I choose a 6x6 since most pictures are 4x6's and this way the pictures could be horizontal or vertical when displayed and the cute paper would still be seen.

When the brown paint was dry I used Mod Podge as a glue and sealant and placed it on top. I used my fingers to help get out any air bubbles. You can still see the Mod Podge drying in this next picture.

Then I started placing my scrapbook stickers. When buying the stickers I made sure the scrapbook paper would match. There were LOTS to choose from.

Then I stuck the heart sticker on the clip. I didn't use any glue on the stickers since they game with a sticky back to them.

I used a quick dab of hot glue to place the metal clip at the top of the photo box.

Here is a picture of the finished product without any pictures. I LOVE IT! :)

Here is a picture of the photo box with a picture. I LOVE IT MORE! :) That's my adorable nephew when he was little.

I love this wooden frame because it stands out and looks so personal! The metal clip at the top allows you to change out the pictures at any time. You could do SO many different things with these photo boxes. You can make a family one like I did, or a sports one for a child, a wedding one for a gift, a baby photo box for a shower, the ideas are endless. You could use other embellishments, other than the stickers, that are in the scrapbook section. The one I saw originally had a ribbon bow at the top. I have seen smaller and larger wooden boxes at the craft store. You could make several to go with a theme.

Did you notice my yarn wrapped bottle in the background? :) The instructions are here.

Thank you for stopping by. Feel free to follow us! :) Check back for more creativity soon!
Cassie

Green Monster Smoothie

Welcome back!

This morning I am sharing one of my favorite recipes of ALL TIME! About two weeks ago I tried my first green monster smoothie and now I HAVE to have one almost every day (because my body has started to crave it!). This is a good thing because this smoothie is loaded with anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, live enzymes and amino acids (protein). I have on for breakfast and am full until lunch. I actually feel a little more energized since I started drinking them.

I found my recipe at www.skinnytaste.com . The owner's name is Gina and she is a MIRACLE! She takes favorite recipes and makes them lighter and healthier. She even lists all nutrition information below the recipes (calories, fat, etc, even weight watchers points). We refer to her by name at my house because we cook from her recipes 90% of the time. I would literally cry if she were to stop blogging. :) I've tried MANY of her recipes and have never been disappointed, plus they all use REAL ingredients (no processed foods!) and the instructions are very easy to follow. She even takes step-by-step photos to help you with the cooking process.

Here is her green monster smoothie recipe:

Ingredients: 3/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 cup of nonfat greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter (Better'n Peanut Butter), 2 cups of fresh spinach, and 1 frozen banana. I put them in the blender in this order.

Here is a close-up of the deliciousness. The ingredients make 1 smoothie serving (6 points plus). :)

Yum! Gina also has a tropical green smoothie recipe that uses pineapple, coconut and coconut milk which is also very good. That one tastes sweeter to me and actually feels like you are having a special treat when drinking it.

Many people are hesitant to try these smoothies because they are green. But HONESTLY you cannot even taste the spinach. This just tastes like a banana smoothie with a hint of peanut butter. Give it a try and let me know what you think! According to Gina you can switch out the greens (for other leafs like Kale) and the fruit (strawberry, mango, etc). I am too in love with this one to try something new right now.

Thanks for stopping by and please visit www.skinnytaste.com - she is AMAZING!

Check back for more creativity soon!
Cassie

Weight Loss Visual Motivation

Good morning,

Today is a simple way to help motivate weight loss. Two weeks ago I started weight watchers to help lose weight and get healthier. I am doing great but am a visual person. I love tracking my weight online but after I turn off the computer that's it. I made these jars (after finding the idea on pinterest) to help have a daily, visual reminder of my progress.

All you need is two jars (you can buy mason jars individually any craft store or save two spagetti jar), marbles (of your color choice) and a paint pen to write on the front. At first I tried using dry erase markers on these jars but everytime I touched them to move a marble it would wipe away. These are the same paint pens we used to make Elisabeth's thumb print guest book for her wedding reception, so they can come in handy for other things. Instead of jars I have seen other people just use plastic baggies. You can change up the marbles and put other things inside too (like all those wine corks you might be saving :) or small pebbles, anything).

You put how many marbles, or pounds, you want to lose on one side and as you drop the pounds, you move the marbles over. I like seeing them every morning because it is a great reminder as I start my day of what I am working for and how far I have come.

If you are on weight watchers find me (cassiemis1)!
Have a great day,
Cassie

DIY Thumb Print Tree Wedding Guest Book

Last night Cassie and I had a slumber party, which was especially fantastic because her words of encouragement helped me paint the thumb print tree for our At Home Reception. I can't believe it, but its only 126 days until Travis and I say 'I do'. From the first day we started planning the wedding I knew that I did not want a traditional guest book and started looking around on Etsy where I found the idea of the thumb print tree. Wanting to save money I decided that I wanted to create the tree myself, but I had no idea how to go about it. After weeks and months of searching for ideas online I considered several ideas, not including doing it myself, and then saw Cassie's acrylic tree painting so I asked her to help me. I finally found a tree that I loved on Etsy here. I bought all of my supplies from JoAnn's with several coupons. I did end up using some of Cassie's paint pen and paint brushes because they were thinner and harder and easier to do the detailing with.

I had my laptop open to the tree painting I liked and started out by sketching with pencil on the canvas. I began by free drawing the trunk, the outline of the roots, the main branches of the tree and the swing. Using a pencil was great because I could easily erase any lines I didn't like.

I started painting with 'Au Natural' from JoAnn brand acrylic paint. I painted the inside of the tree before I painted the outline so that I wouldn't paint over the outline.

I made sure to stay within my sketch so that the branches wouldn't end up being too big for the the size of the tree. I also knew once I was done with all of the branches I could cover any of the pencil left once I began outlining.

After I finished painting all of the tree and branches that I sketched, I grabbed a smaller more sturdier brush to start on the branches. I looked at the painting of the tree I liked and put a similar amount of little branches as in the painting.

Once all of the branches looked similar to my favorite tree painting, I took a break and then stood back to see where else I wanted to add branches to make them look fuller so that I could maximize the amount of thumb prints we can get at the reception.

I then used and even smaller and sturdier brush and 'Chocolate Sprinkle' acrylic paint to begin outlining my tree. I put shadows throughout the tree for depth and along the branches.

Then I used the same brush from when I painted the base of the tree and used 'Au Natural' and 'Hot Cocoa' acrylic paints. I dipped each corner of the paint brush into one of the paints and then brushed the paint on the canvas. I did not premix, but let the paint mix as I used the brush so that I would get the light effect onto the tree.

I then painted the swing and premixed 'Au Natural' and 'Hot Cocoa' for the heart that is carved out of the tree.

I'm very critical about my handwriting and didn't want our names at the bottom of the tree to look bad so I started brainstorming for ideas. Cassie remembered my Cricut Expression that I got for Christmas and so it was christened!

I used my Winter Wonderland cartridge because that was my favorite font and got to work cutting the letters into some scrapbook paper, which I then cut and taped to the canvas. I used a ruler to make sure that the wording would be centered and then I used a black paint pen to fill in the letters.

And here it is! My finished tree! I am so excited how it turned out and still can't believe I was able to do it. I used a black fine tip Sharpie for the letters within the carved heart and put detailing on the wooden swing to make it look real. I also added some detailing to the rope to make it look more realistic. I'm going to use a dark green, light green and pink ink pad for my thumb print leaves.

I cannot wait until our reception in August to see my tree with thumb prints and all of our guests signatures!

Happy Crafting!

<3 Elisabeth

New mom gift

Rise and shine!

Yesterday my husband and I went to visit his sister (Brandi) who just had a baby girl, Sophia Grace. Sophia is so adorable and little! Before we went to see Brandi, we spent the day cooking to bring her a homemade meal that Brandi, and her husband and son (Taylor) could enjoy.

I searched on pintereste for new mom ideas and I found this blog: Dwell on Joy. This blog has all kinds of sewing and craft projects, yummy recipes, photography and so much more! :) I found the new mom gift idea on the blog here. The owner made these recipes on her own and they were very easy to follow.

Below is a picture of the finished product.


First I made the roasted corn and potato chowder soup that has fresh thyme in it (very simple!). This will help fill and warm everyone in Brandi's family.

Of course, if you have soup you need some bread to go with it. :) As the blog suggested I purchased frozen rolls and placed them in tupperware with the cooking directions cut off.

Brandi will feel unbalanced and need some fruit to go with it. I used fresh green grapes, blueberries and strawberries. You could you anything you want here. I think this was my sister-in-laws favorite part.

Then, the fruit will make her think of dessert so we gave her (according to the blog THE BEST muffins ever! :D) Caramel-Banana-Pecan muffins.

I stored the food in new tupperware for her to keep and topped them with two gifts, a little onsie for Sophia and a dirt bike toy for Taylor (for being a new big brother).

Top if with a congratulations card to help finish the gift. :)

I also finally gave her the pink tutu that I made last month. The tutorial is here. It is homemade, inexpensive and easy to make.
I hope you enjoyed this new mom gift. You could also alter it for mommy-to-be's. Don't forget to visit the blog that inspired me, she made it really easy to follow. :) My husband and I really enjoyed putting this together for Brandi. She was really appreciative of us bringing it over. Taylor, her son, was very happy about the fruit the fruit and Brandi's husband said the muffins, 'really are amazing!' :)

Have a great spring break!
Check back soon,
Cassie :)