Hopscotch

So I came across this idea on Pinterest. (Go figure!) So the kids and I headed out, bought some 12x12 stepping stones at Wal-Mart (cheap!!!!), some paint, already had some varnish... and away we went!

Each of my kids painted two stones, and I painted the rest. B painted 4&5, E painted 7&8, and K painted 10&2. Then I went over all of the numbers with white paint, outlined with black paint, coated with varnish, and there they sat. For literally a week. Why? Because it rained. And rained. And rained. I couldn't get them in the ground because it was complete mud mess in the area I wanted to put them! (Okay, just where the number 10 goes.... but that was a good enough excuse to put off digging in all that dirt and ground.... for a week, anyway.)

Once it stopped raining, I went outside to assess the damage. Guess what? NO HARM DONE!!! The varnish worked! (The stones were slick as snot when wet, but not an issue when dry.)

This, my friend, is HUMIDITY.

So here is the finished product. Amazing, huh!?!?!? Thanks for the idea, Pinterest!

Clipboards

Many moons ago, my crafty St. Louis friend Kim (is she ever going to notice I'm mentioning her in my blog?) told me about decorating clipboards. It was a cool idea, but not on my radar at the time. Just a couple weeks ago I remembered what she had told me, and set out to get some ideas on Pinterest. I found what I was looking for, combining a few examples that I found. So here is what a little paint, scrapbook paper, Modge Podge and ribbon can do for you! (These are regular 9x12 sized clipboards. Please pardon the flash mark.) Front and back views.

Dream Come True!

I could go on and on about my dreams, realities, hopes, blah blah blah... but I'm going to cut to the chase. Crafting is more than just a hobby for me. Crafting is my outlet. It is my therapy. It is ME. I started when I was young, I'd say seriously started in college. I started making things for my "future" classroom. I found I was pretty good at it, but didn't do much with it. Fast forward about 5 years. I was living in St. Louis, and found myself to be among some very crafty friends, one in particular. (Shout out to my crafty friend Kim! Love you girl!) She and I dabbled in this and that, and I drug her along with me to one of my favorite stores....Hobby Lobby! Fast forward another couple years, and I found myself living in Milwaukee, with no super crafty friends (love to Christina, but she'd agree with me) and the closest Hobby Lobby was 45 minutes away. Gasp! Don't think for a second I didn't make that trip a couple times a month though! Along about then I came across the Jo-ANN super store... hello fabulous! There were some Michael's in the area, too. I can't leave that great store out! Fast forward to my baby girl being born. Hello Scrap Booking! I started in 2006 and haven't stopped since. 2008 came, my baby boy was born, so multitasking and two different children's scrapbooks were on deck... but I learned how to balance it all! Then in 2010 I really started getting into other crafts, wreath making, painting, painting signs, hair bows, etc. Thus, in 2012, "The Crafty Apple" was born. In these many moves and crazy times, I had a craft room here and there, but never my "DREAM" craft room. Until now. We are in our dream house, dream location, and I now have my dream room. I'm so blessed! Here is the official unveiling of where my crafty magic happens. Introducing...... my Craft room!

Wowzers!

I've always loved these colors, but could NOT bring myself to decorate with them for Christmas. So the other day while at my favorite store, I had a brainstorm. I could make a wreath...... and hang it up all year..... oh yeah. Here it is!

Oh my goodness I love this wreath! DH thinks it's *swanky,* DBS and DD love it, and DS really didn't care. Typical of a 4 year old boy.... here it is up close. These shots are fun to take!

I currently have 3 large wreaths on display at home. Gee, I think my family loves me. I'm always coming up with new stuff, which means our great room is in constant state of chaos. My stuff is everywhere.....!

Yep, I did it again!

I started another blog. Just for my crafty creations.

So I'm in the crafting business. I'm in the crafting business. Um, I'M IN THE CRAFTING BUSINESS!!!! My hobby has turned profitable! (Well, kind of.) :) I'm pretty proud of these creations. Don't worry, I have plenty of duds too. I won't post pictures of those. At least not right now. :) Please bear with me as I get take the time to get my pictures uploaded, it takes time, and my spare time is pretty full right now....crafting, of course!