Shadow Box Room Decor

You can view the other room décor items that I made for my daughter Erica's room HERE (giant paper rosette,) HERE (upcycled bulletin board,) and HERE (upcycled chalkboard.)

I purchased a bunch of shadow box frames several years ago from Target for $3.24.  (Does anyone ever buy stuff at Target that isn't on clearance?!)

This project was very easy to make.  I traced the "E" and cut it out, added some bling, and that's it. 

I am always amazed when I see all the things that can be made out of paper!

 

 

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Speaking of Target, what is the best thing you have ever found at Target on clearance?  I have found too many things to count!  I think the most useful things have been hurricane-supply items.  A few years ago, when south Florida (where I live) was hit with two major hurricanes, we were so happy to have that metal contraption that lets you make toast on the grill!  :)

 

Dorm Room Decoration: The Finished Product

I'm finally back from move-in day at college.  Here is a quick look at the banner.  You don't need to decorate a college dorm room to make one; any blank wall will do!  Check back tomorrow for the tutorial. 



Unexpected surprise:  it doubles as a headboard.  Who knew?!

Dorm Room Decoration: Make a Fun Banner

I'm taking a few days off from blogging because I want to spend every second playing with my girls!  I'll definitely post photos next week of move-in-day and the dorm decorating fun!

In the meantime, here is the finished project that I blogged about yesterday. 

When you make your banner, choose lots of coordinating colors and then have-at-it when you decorate!  I used pearls, rhinestones, ribbons, and stamp sets that coordinated with the patterns in the comforter.



This was my inspiration:







 

 

I also added a little tiny note for her to glance at every now and then.  :)

(If I get a chance, I will post the supplies and tutorial over the weekend.  If not, I will be sure to post as soon as I return from dropping her off; that is if my tears don't get in the way.)

Inspiration for Decorating a Dorm Room

By this time next week, Adrienne will have moved in to her dorm room and I will have spent the night with her in her room.  (Shhh...don't tell anyone!  She has a single room, so I won't be disturbing anyone.  Plus, we HAVE to re-create that fabulous scene from Gilmore Girls.  You know the one I mean!)

I am trying to fit in as much fun time with both of my girls before she heads off on her new adventure.  In-between the last minute shopping trips and all of the goodbyes, I have been working on some dorm-room décor for her.

This is her bedding:



I'm getting my inspiration from the colors in her pillow sham.  They just happen to match Stampin' Up's new In Colors that were released in July.  Isn't that sooo fabulous????  I need to order the matching ribbon asap!  Oh, how my mind is racing!!!!  These color combos are so unexpected and yet so stunning.



Here are the matching cardstock colors.  Can you believe how well they match?  It's almost as if the peeps at Stampin' Up! and the peeps at Macy's got together and decided to create a dream come true!  :)  Cardstock can be found HERE.



I'll post the finished project tomorrow, along with the template, too.  Stay tuned! 

A Craft Care Package for Your College Kid

One of the benefits of having pretty much every craft item known to man is the ease at which my girls (and heck, the entire neighborhood for that matter!) can count on me to have just the right thing they need when it comes to making projects for school.  Glue?  Check!  Punches?  Check!  Paper?  Check!  And on and on and on....

So of course, as our oldest daughter prepares to leave for her freshman year of college, I keep thinking to myself, "What if she needs a paper cutter at one in the morning?  What will she do?!"  As if that is going to happen, right?  Well, I can rest a little easier because I put a box of basic school supplies together for her.  You can do the same thing, too!  If your kids are still too young for this, put together a box anyway.  I'm sure you know someone who knows someone who is heading off to school.  It will be fun for you to make, and even more fun for the college kid when he/she needs a permanent marker to make a poster for a party and is too broke to buy one.  All of these items are so inexpensive to buy during this time of year.  Wait a month, and you will be shocked at how expensive they suddenly become; especially in college bookstores.



Some basic items for your college box can (and should!) include:

Permanent markers

Colored pencils

Regular markers

Glue

Scissors

Paper cutter (because every piece of paper should be straight!  it looks so much more professional!)

Tape

You-name-it

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I was going to leave the box plain white, but how could I possibly live with myself?  Go ahead and decorate your box to match the student's school theme!  They will love you even more...guaranteed!

College Pride Week: Make a Mini College Scrapbook (Tutorial)

There are so many "firsts" in life.  You know...first baby, first day of school, first hair cut, etc.  I thought it would be fun to memorialize our daughter's first few days at college. 
I made this mini scrapbook to save photos of the days when I drop her off and help her move into her room.



It only has a few pages.  By making the scrapbook "mini," it is much easier to complete.  You won't feel overwhelmed by having a huge scrapbook.  All you have to do is use a few photos that capture the important moments.  I'm looking forward to taking a couple of photos of her dorm room after she is all moved in and the room is all set.  I can pretty much guarantee that her room will never be as neat and tidy as it will be that first day.  :)



SUPPLIES:
Click HERE to order
Cardstock in your school's colors 
Ink in your school's colors 
Ribbon in your school's colors 
Paper cutter with scoring blade 

Directions:
For the Cover:
1)  cut a piece of cardstock 4-1/4" x 11"
2)  score the 11" side at 5", 5-1/2", and 6"

3)  fold in half along the 5-1/2" score line

4)  cut a slit along the 1/2" score line
5)  round the corners

For the Inside Pages:
1)  cut two pieces of coordinating-colored cardstock 4" x 10-1/2"
2)  score the 10-1/2" side at 4-3/4", 5-1/4", and 5-3/4"
3)  fold in half along the 5-1/4" score line
4)  cut a slit down the 5-1/4" score line
5)  round the corners
6)  fold all pieces into a book
This is what you will end up with:


For the ribbons:
1)  cut three pieces of ribbon
2)  insert through slit and tie


Decorate the cover and you're done!

College Pride Week: School Spirit Banner Template & Tutorial

For the banner template, click on the pdf file here:  dukebluedevilsbanner.pdf
Supplies:
Cardstock that represents your school's colors  (click to order)
Ink that represents your school's colors  (click to order)
Sticky Strip  (click to order)
Scallop Edge Border Punch 
Natural Hemp Twine

Measurements:

Directions:
**cut a piece of hemp twine long enough to hold all of the school letters, leaving about 8" on each side for hanging, and about 1" in-between each letter for embellishments**
1)  score banner piece down center and fold in half over natural hemp twine
2)  adhere back of banner piece to front of banner piece with sticky strip

3)  repeat steps 1 and 2 with each letter
4)  add school letters, scallop border, and accent piece to each banner piece
5)  add embellishments between each letter


Come back tomorrow for a fun college scrapbook!

College Pride Week: School Spirit Banner

We are busy preparing for our oldest daughter to leave for college for the very first time in just a few weeks.  (AGGHH!!)  I have been busy making some fun school-themed items for her to bring with her.

Here is a fun banner she can hang in her room.  Come back tomorrow for the pattern and the tutorial.  You can customize it to any color and school you want!  (Guess where she's going?  We are so proud of her...she worked so hard for this!)



This banner is the perfect size.  It's not too big as to be overpowering, yet it gets the point across that yes, Duke is #1.  (Or so we think!)