November 25, 2013

DIY Thankful Banner {Dare to DIY}

November 25, 2013/ Michelle S

Today's the day! The very first day of the Dare to DIY for 2013.

Cassie {Primitive and Proper} is today's host. Check out my project and head on over for a ton of Thanksgiving inspired DIY projects. I can't wait to read through them all! (Darn work cramping my blog time.)

I decided to update my Instagram display with a "Thankful" word banner.

Thankful Word Banner {Decor and the Dog}.jpg

It's no secret that I'm an Instagram addict. (My username is decorandthedog. Weird, right?) I use Instagram to capture those little life moments that I don't want to forget. I have the worst memory. Except for pharmacy information. I remember all of that. I just can't tell you what I had for supper last night. Wait, I can. My Instagram feed tells me it was ham and bean soup. Thanks, Instagram!

I made the "Thankful" word banner using felt and Heat n' Bond Iron-On adhesive. I traced my letters on the felt backing. (Be sure to keep in mind that you are tracing mirror images). I applied the Heat n' Bond according to the directions. I then applied the front layer of felt and cut out my letters.

I then top stitched around each letter. I think these letters would be cute for any holiday or birthday!

To dare myself to be even more thankful, I decided to print out some new Instagram photos using Snapstagram. (They gave me a code for some free prints. I wasn't required to post about them but I was super happy with their products.) The DIY prints work great on my Instagram display because they are sturdier than other prints and seem to hang on the clothes pins better.

My Instagram feed is full of so many things that I am thankful for. Some of which include my darling friends.

And of course, these two. How could I not be thankful for these two?

One final thankful shot.

Another great "thanful" project would be this photo book (also from Snapstagram). It's just too cute not to share. The cover is plain Kraft paper. I made a book of Ike (totally thankful for Ike) and stamped the front accordingly. These would make awesome gifts for family, especially if you have non-furry children.

Now it's time to check out my co-hosts amazing thankful projects. Rachel {Maybe Matilda} made a tutu for her darling baby girl. Cassie {Primitive and Proper} created a thankful tree with feathers and arrows. Kim {NewlyWoodwards} whipped up a thankful chalkboard crossword.

Be sure to link up your own DIY thankful project at Primitive and Proper! We can't wait to see what you came up with!

(Baby tutu via Maybe Matilda, Thankful tree with feathers and arrows via Primitive and Proper, Thankful banner and Instagram display via Decor and the Dog, Thankful chalkboard crossword via NewlyWoodwards)

Did you Dare to Be Thankful? Tell me you did! Are you an Instagram fan? Anyone want an Ike book? ;)

November 22, 2013

A Reminder and Sneak Peek

November 22, 2013/ Michelle S

I always have to Google "Sneak Peek" to make sure I pick the right "peek". I must remember "peak" is like the mountain. Moving on.

First, I installed Disqus to possibly help with the commenting woes since transferring to Squarespace. It'll probably cause more problems (like none of my old comments transferred (working on it)) but let's give it a shot. Let me know if you have problems. Social media or e-mail me if you do!

Next, I wanted to remind you all that Monday is the first link up for Dare to DIY!

The link party will go live on Monday morning over at Primitive and Proper. Cassie is seriously one of my favorite people. I think you should head on over to her blog and check out some of her projects. You know, get to know the hostess before you show up to the party.

Here are the full details in case you have forgotten.

Party Date: Monday, Nov. 25

(Link goes live Monday morning at Primitive and Proper)

Dare to… be thankful!

DIY a Thanksgiving project to remind you to be grateful during this season. Ideas include a Thanksgiving advent calendar, artwork or banners.

There are also prizes! One of you will win 1 artisan enhancement 8 oz leaf and foil, 1 artisan enhancement 8 ounce clear topcoat, 1 copper gilding wax, 1 silver gilding wax and 15 feet of foil from Catfish Studio.

Here's a sneak peek at my project. Thankful is a tough one but it's good to step outside of our comfort zone every now and then and just create!

The suspense.

Nate and I are also finishing up a project for our dining room. It's so pretty and I can't wait to share!

More suspense.

Here is a sneak peek at what Ike will be working on this weekend.

There is absolutely no suspense there.

Happy weekend! I can't wait to see what you craft up for Monday!

November 20, 2013

32.7

November 20, 2013/ Michelle S

I'm currently in the middle of about 32.7 projects. Which means I have zero productive things to blog about this week. But hold on for next week.

Let me distract you with some cute pictures of Ike and weird Michelle ramblings.

Here is Ike wearing a scarf. He looks quite stunning in it. Notice the tennis ball in the office? There are approximately 32.7 tennis balls around our house at this very moment.

Here I am wearing a scarf that I knitted on Sunday while watching The Wonder Years. I go through these phases were I knit like 32.7 scarves and then I don't knit again for another 11 months.

I sold my hutch on Craigslist last night. It was one of the first pieces of furniture that I painted. Sort of sentimental in a weird way. The girl that bought it was in love so I feel like it went to a good home. Now we are finishing up a project to replace it with. And I'm in love. My husband is a furniture building animal.

Also, we put up our Christmas trees this past weekend. They aren't lit or decorated but they are up. Our house is in this weird half fall/half Christmas stage and it's making my OCD self wig out. Ike's cool though.

It has snowed 32.7 times in the past few weeks. Or like 2 or 3 times. I can't remember. I have a feeling it's going to be a long Winter. Anyone in a warm climate have a guest room for me from approximately January to April?