On To Round 2!

I made it to round 2!!! I seriously can't believe it....I really wasn't expecting to after seeing the other projects. Apparently my suitcase was 2nd place! THANK YOOOOU, everyone! I wouldn't have made it without you! (No...seriously.) Thank you so much to all of you who voted! I can't even tell you how much it means to me!

I'm so grateful, I think I'll do a giveaway tomorrow for another one of my necklaces! :)

Now...for round two. I am so nervous! The theme is Home Decor. So...hopefully I can think of something fast. Like...tonight fast. Wish me luck! :)

A "MONSTER" Of A Party

We had Kate's Birthday party today since so many of my family members had to work yesterday. I was actually kind of relieved to have an extra day because I've been so swamped this week. I need that extra day to make party decorations!

Her party was a MONSTER theme...because I think the terrible twos have hit and she has just been horrible for the past month! Sooooo much attitude! So...the monster theme was perfect.

It made decorating really easy, too. So many fun possibilities! I made the usual tissue paper pom poms, and I glued on some googly eyes and horns on a few of them.

Then, I made a "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" banner with my trusty Silhouette. (How did I ever survive without it!?!) Oh! And I also designed some monsters with party hats with the Silhouette software and just had it cut out all the pieces for me to glue together. They turned out really cute!

And my pull string pinata that only took an hour to make....

{tutorial here}

and I tried the ruffled tissue paper garland tutorial I found {HERE} It turned out great!

I also made some cute monster cupcake toppers! {bought monster digital images from HERE} I cut out the cupcake wrappers with the Silhouette as well. And the cupcakes were soooo good! I even made buttercream frosting from scratch, and I will NEVERRRR go back to frosting in a can again. EVER.

And, just because I love you:

NatSprat's Buttercream Frosting

1 Cup softened butter
about a whole bag of powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 Cup milk (I used heavy cream. So bad...but so gooood.)

Beat the heck out of it on medium speed until smooth, and add food coloring if desired.
THAT'S IT!!!

And the adorable cupcake plate stands were just plates glued to spray painted candlesticks from Dollar Tree! {LOVE}

And, of course, what would a monster party be without tickle monster Mama? :)

All in all....I think the monster was pleased with her party!


* * * * * * *

P.S. If you have a second, pretty please go vote for my upcycled suitcase in the American Crafters competition! :) I'll love you forever and ever! (Okay, I'll love you anyway...but it would still be awesome if you voted!)

Click HERE to vote



Submitted to:

30 Handmade Days
Thrifty Decorating
Fingerprints on the Fridge

Trash to Treasure: Suitcase Upcycle

WOWZERS! It's the first week of American Crafter and it's been a doosie! I'm up against some AMAZING other crafters, and to be honest, I'll be happy just to make it through the first round! Hahahah!

This week, our challenge was Trash to Treasure. Here's the button, just to make it officially official.

I was so excited (and nervous) about our first challenge. Turning trash to treasure!?! I had nightmares of decorating dumpsters. But, once I got out and about and started looking for a victim, ( I mean....candidate...) it got to be pretty fun. I found this old Samsonite suitcase....

It wasn't love at first sight. (I'm sure Oscar the Grouch would have thought it was smoking HOT!) It looked like crap on the outside, but the inside was practically BRAND NEW!



And sunshine yellow with white polka dots. *drool* I knew we were meant to be! So, I paid my $6 and took my new baby home. I got out the masking tape, spray paint, acrylic paints, brushes and stencils. I had so many images of what I wanted going around in my head, and it was so much fun to make them come to life!

Here it is all taped up and ready to go...

I spray painted it red, and with my Silhouette I cut out a spiffy (yes, I said spiffy) flower stencil.

and added some lovely text and swallows. "Away we go..." Love it! :) So, here's the back:

Now, for the BEST part. I've been loving all this chevron eye candy going around, and knew I had to have a piece. So, I stenciled on a chevron pattern and then after that dried I stenciled on a scroll design in teal. Then, I added an "N" for Natalie and sat in awe for a little while at my creation. I also did a coat of Krylon clear topcoat over it to protect all my hard work! It added a nice glossy finish.

And, there you have it! My trash turned into treasure...and I LOVE IT!!! I can't wait to use it when we go on vacation in June! I will always treasure my trash. :)

Now...this is a competition just like American Idol. And YOU, my dears, get to vote for your favorite projects! I would be HONORED if you voted for me! And you also get to vote for 2 more of your favorites! There is so much talent there...go check it out!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Shared With





Blue Cricket Design



Vintage WannaBee Talent Tuesday
Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts
30Handmade Days Pity Party
Thrifty Decorating
Thrifty Decor Chick
Fingerprints on the Fridge

A Little Teaser For Ya....

Aren't you just so curious? Check back at 4:00 to see what my project is for the American Crafter competition! :) It's gonna be AWESOME!!!

Happy Birthday, Kate!

My baby is 2 today! I guess that means she's not a baby anymore. *sniff sniff* I can't believe how fast time flies. It seems like just yesterday (or maybe last week) my little 5 lb runt was born.

And now...she's a 20 lb runt. She loves sunglasses, hats, yogurt, Dum Dums, chapstick, balls, and Eugene from Tangled. And we love her, terrible two's and all. Happy Birthday, my Kate!

Desert Rain Designs Giveaway Winner

We have a winner! The winner of this pair of ADORABLE silver on silver rose earrings by Melissa at Desert Rain Designs Giveaway is.....

Congrats, Beck! You have 48 hours to email me your address so she can get these sent to you! :)

P.S. Be sure to check out Beck's fun craft blog at

Gingersnap Fun!

And don't forget, you can still use the code MOTHERSDAY at Desert Rain Designs for 30% off your purchase!

Until next time.....

American Crafter

Oh, Mercy! I've been selected to participate in American Crafter! I am so excited and terrified at the same time! I'll be on the prowl today for something I can turn from "Trash to Treasure" by Thursday. Wish me luck, I'll need it! HAHAHAH!!!!