Fabulous Earring Stand

A Little of This, a Little of That has this super fun earring stand tutorial, HERE.

Thanks Sarah!

Creative Guest: V-day Countdown Tutorial by Love Actually

Before I do anything, can I first say, “eeek!” I am SOO excited to be guest blogging for UCreate! I remember first finding this blog when it had around 800 followers. I thought, “Holy moly…this must be a good blog!” So, I followed immediately only to discover that "good blog" was a MAJOR understatement. I'm a huge fan....and I’m honored to be posting here today!
I’m Cher, the author of Love Actually…a fun little blog devoted to creative romance and date ideas on a budget. You’ll find all sorts of fun ideas (from simple to extravagant), free downloads, inexpensive digital kits for romantic gifts or dates, and great giveaways on my blog…

Today, I’d like to share with you a tutorial of one of my latest crafty pursuits... brought to you just in time for Valentine's Day! (There's still time for you to make it and use it!)

I've created a Valentine's countdown calendar especially for you love-birds.

This is mine on our bedroom wall... If you have kids, you want to keep it separate from anything Valentiney you're doing for them.

Each day has some kind of simple romantic activity or gesture that you both do (some together, some separate). The possibilities are endless, but you can read the activities I used on my cards below.

It's super easy to create and I've got a tutorial for you. {Just click to enlarge and/or save.}

Card insert examples:
(click to enlarge for better viewing)
I'd love for you to come over to Love, Actually where you'll find gazillions...okay maybe not gazillions... but LOTS of other creative date and romance ideas on a budget!

Here are a few other crafty favorites from Love Actually:
Date of the Month Club
Romantic Rubik's Rube
Love Checks
Bad Day Box
Lover's Lotto Cards
Thanks to Kari and all of you for letting me guest post today!

No-Slip Dish Towels

This solution to the slipping dishtowel is so fantastic by Martha!

I'm so doing this.

Photo Pops Vday Idea {GENIUS!!}

K, this has got to be the coolest Vday idea EVER!!

Find this amazing idea at 24-7-36.

{found via Crap I've Made}

Fabulous Totes!

You have to check Jessica's owl and toadstool bags at Running With Scissors!

I love all of the details, the inside pockets, and especially the owl!!

Find the fabulous tutorial, HERE!

Lace-Trimmed Tshirt

Add a feminine touch to that regular t-shirt in your closet by using lace!

Vintage Dutch Girl shows you how, HERE!

Valentine Subway Art

Tater Tots and Jello has this fabulous subway art for Vday, HERE!

Mod Podge Earrings!

Lindsey at That's So Cuegly transforms a plain pair of earrings into these super fun ones!

I LOVE her beauty and trend tips! Go check her out!

Mr. Postman Mail Bag

The amazing Sarah at Create Studio has this super cool mail bag tutorial, HERE.

Fabric Scrapbook!

Melissa from the Polka Dot Chair is over at Moda Bake Shop today sharing this BEAUTIFUL , AMAZING, FABULOUS fabric scrapbook, HERE.

Foam Doll House

Cookie magazine has this inexpensive, darling doll house idea using foam board!

LOVE THIS!

{found via Adventures in Crafting}

Trendy Zig Zag Rug

As many of you know, zig zags are hot in home decor right now!

Check out this DIY rug at Adventures in Dressmaking.

So COOL!

Scripture Ribbon Bookmarks

Check out these inspirational bookmarks by Inspiring Ideas.

Beautiful.

Another Fabulous T-shirt Scarf!

I'm lovin' this tshirt scarf by Vermillion Rules!

Going to raid my hubbies closet, NOW!

Game Board Decor and Storage

When Beckie showed me this idea I had to feature!
What a fabulous way to store your games and decorate a toy/play room!
Find tutorial, HERE.

Creative Guest: Hanging Mini Album Stand Tutorial by KMcKay Designs

I am thrilled that Kari asked me to be a guest today. I have loved crafting since I was a little girl. I have a creative mind that unfortunately often exceeds my crafting talent lol. I have worked in the scrabbooking industry for many years doing project design, product development, and creating product for QVC and the Home-shopping network. While I love the business side and was blessed to work from home, I decided to step away from it last year. Now I just craft for fun. I have 3 children 14, 12, and 9. I am currently a contributor for a local morning show here in Utah and I do several segments for them each month. I also love posting and sharing free patterns and projects on my site http://www.kmckaydesigns.com/. My life motto is "Life isn't about finding yourself . . . it is about creating yourself."

RANDOM FACTS:
-I have crafter's ADD - if it takes more than a couple of hours to finish a project . . . I'm over it.
-I'm addicted to Diet Pepsi. Someone once asked me if I get a headache if I don't drink it. My response was I don't know, I've never gone long enough without it to know lol.
-My daughter is my BFF we even have matching rings that say so (real mature I know).
-I love to embarrass my kids. I've been known to pick them up from school wearing my old prom dress (awful I know).
-I can't sew but I have wicked fabric glue skills.
-I don't look at other's blogs very often because they make me feel completely intimidated and insecure. There are SO many amazing and talented women out there!
-I LOVE to laugh until I cry
-I love new friends on face-book
-Even now that my site has grown larger than I ever expected, I still return every single email I get! I've made some amazing friends, which as been the best part .

Today I decided to share a project that I came up with to display my mini albums. I don't know about you but it seems like all of my mini albums end up at the bottom of a box. This is a fun and attractive way to show them off.

The best part about this project is that all of the supplies are available at Michael's crafts. You'll need the following:

-unfinished wood photo cube

-wooden finial

-3/8" wooden dowel

-7" unfinished wood candle stick

-a small wooden knob for the end (the one pictured is already painted black)

Additional supplies:

-a drill with a 3/8" drill bit

-Gorilla or wood glue

-Black paint and brush

-Clear coat finish

First Step: Drill a hole in the finial with a 3/8" drill bit. DON'T BE SCARED lol. I'll be honest . . . this was the very first time I ever used a drill. It was so much easier than I thought it would be. I started by making a small hole with a smaller bit and then used the larger drill. You will want to drill about half way through the finial

Next, Cut the wooden dowel down to 8.25". Fill the hole in the finial with wood glue or gorilla glue. Then insert the cut dowel. If the fit isn't as tight as you'd like it you can use hot glue to fill in the gaps.Next, paint the pieces black and adhere them as shown with a high temp. hot glue gun, wood glue, or gorilla glue. You will need to put some weight inside of the cube to balance it. Fill the sides of the photo cube with pictures, patterned paper, or do a burlap stencil as shown. To do the burlap stencil you will need the following supplies.

A stencil brush, a small square of burlap that will fill the photo cube (2.75") and a stencil. I made mine out of card stock on my electronic cutter.

Thanks for letting me share!

Kristine McKay

www.kmckaydesigns.com

Corkboard Headboard

This headboard by The Pleated Poppy is sooooo cool!

I can see this in Joseph's bedroom!

You think this headboard is amazing?! You should check out the whole room, HERE.

Vintage Charm Bracelet

This vintage bracelet over at Another Day in the Life is so gorgeous!

A"MAZE"ING Valentine Idea!

How Does She.com shares how to make this a"maze"ing treat card, HERE!

Burlap Button Pillow

Y'all know I am a sucker for burlap tutorials, well...check out this fabulous button burlap pillow over at The Feminist Housewife!

Charm Pack and Jelly Roll Twirly Skirts!

I absolutely love charm packs and jelly rolls!!

They are already cut and the darling fabric is coordinated for you! How simple is that?!

Check out this ADORABLE skirt pattern using charm packs {top} over at One Hip Mom.

Treasures for Tots has a great tutorial for this darling jelly roll skirt {bottom}, HERE.

Cupboard Chalkboard

Turn an old cupboard door into a stylish chalkboard!!

Find this super cool idea over at Punkin Seed Productions!

Baby Bibs and Burp Cloths

How cute is this ruffle bib and coordinating burp cloths?

Homemade by Jill offers many cute baby tutorials including these, HERE!

Creative Guest: End Table Renovation Tutorial by It's So Very Cheri

Kari is the Queen of showing off the trendiest crafts, tutorials and DIY projects in blogland
so I am beyond honored to be here today.

My name is Cheri and I have a fun little blog.

I have the greatest 599 followers and growing in blogland.

(1000 is within my reach)

My blog started 8 months ago and

I have had so much fun getting to know the gals and even a few guys.

I love blogging-it is a great outlet for me to show off all my projects

and I get to know the nicest people in the world.

Each week I have 2 parties

MONDAYS - ITS SO VERY CREATIVE

&

WEDNESDAYS - CELEBRATE the HOLIDAYS

then on

FRIDAYS we have a home tour of different peoples homes around the world, it is called

ITS SO VERY COTTAGEY the home tour.

I have a few other parties I will be adding very soon as well.

I have lots of plans and that means even more fun for everyone.

I hope you will come by and join in and be a part of all the fun.

I HAVE A GIVE-A-WAY going on

till the end of Jan.

and

I have some fun give-a-ways coming in Feb.

I typically do at least 6 posts a week.

I love new FOLLOWERS FRIENDS and comments.

I try to have the FUNNEST BLOG ON THE BLOCK.

On a personal note I am a home schooling mom to our 2 oldest boys and then I chase the 2 little ones around as well, oh yeah and do projects, cook, clean, laundry, you name it cuz Prince Charming is in school too. Its ALWAYS busy around here.
When is it the quietest in the house?

God has blessed us with 3 boys and one little girl.

Christmas 2009

I have always been a DIY GIRL, even as a little girl I was always coming up with crafts and I would load up my wagon, go around the neighborhood, knocking on doors and selling my stuff.

Enough about me I know you want to see a project.

I was at a thrift store dropping off some things to donate and saw these 2 end tables sitting over by the dumpster. I asked the guy if they were trashing them and he said yes. I asked if I could have them and he gave them to me. YEAH !! Free is always good.

They were in good shape but they were missing the glass tops.

No problem--I immediately had an idea of what I wanted to do with them.

I forgot to take a picture of the real before. This is in the in between stage. They were WHITE originally. I spray painted them in a flat black. I just used the cheap Wal-Mart stuff, it was getting covered anyway.

Next I started going over them with a copper spray paint-just spritzing here and there.

They were starting to take shape but they weren't quite what I wanted yet.

Then I went over them with the Rust-oleum Oil Rubbed Bronze.
It was starting to get dark as they were finishing drying so I had to take them in the garage and let them dry for the night.

Let me just say, in my UNPROFESSIONAL opinion, there are 2 different Rust-oleum Oil Rubbed Bronze paints and my favorite, by far, is the one on the left. There is no comparison.

I got up yesterday morning, got school done, ran to Home Depot to get my wood cut to the right size, ran home and started gluing with Gorilla Glue the brackets I was creating to hold my new table top. I had cans applying weight to the brackets, when Prince Charming came in the garage, from doing yard work and asked why I didn't just screw them in. I told him I did know where his drill was at the moment. Being a Prince and wearing the Crown hasn't gone to his head, he got the drill out and screwed them in place for me. We did do all four corners and now that that it is done, I want to add a couple of more supports in the middle since the kids will be playing on this a lot.

The Drama Queen's way (yeah that would be me)

Prince Charmings way (much sturdier)
don't you just love the white-the original color.

All the paint I used was FOLK ART BRAND
I painted both boards in #939 Butter Pecan
then I took my sponge applicator (just barely damp) and rubbed in some
#320 Jamaican Sea (cuz' you know teal is in this year)

Then I measured off my boards.

YEAH they fit pretty good. I will add some trim to finish them off--I didn't pick that up yesterday till I had it done.

I hand painted the checker board.

I took a fine tip pait brush (these are good quality artist paint brushes). I highly recommend investing in a few good ones, it really makes a huge difference in your projects.

For the checker board I used
#485 Raw Umber
&
#450 Parchment

Then I had a damp cloth and I would paint over the checker board with
#425 Medium Gray
and rub it off, giving it a weather or washed look.

It got a few little places of the Metallic Copper as well.

On the 2 ends I used
#320 Jamaican Sea
#939 Butter Pecan
#485 Raw Umber
#666 Metalic Antique Copper
#450 Parchment
#425 Medium Gray
It really looks harder than it is. I just used my fine paint brush and painted and rubbed and painted and rubbed.

I printed off the phrase
The Family that PLAYS together stays together
each word in a different font.
I torn the paper so there weren't definite lines.
I Modge Podged the letters down, then painted over the white paper and on the letters, I painted and rubbed (not too hard) until I got the look I wanted.

Then I sanded over the table and the top of the checker board. I wanted to knock some of the paint off to give it a weathered look. I want the kids to be able to play on this and not worry about any scratches.

Can you believe they were going to trash these.

We now have 2 tables that will be used as a coffee table. All 4 kids can play if they want.

I will put a sealer on it and let that dry and then we will bring them in and break them in. While they dry I have a few other projects on my list.

My next projects:

1. Get the game pieces made so each table has a set of checkers, backgammon and chess pieces. We got some unique items for the pieces.

2. I plan on making a metallic backgammon board and metallic tic toe board that the kids can have fun with as well.

3. Where will we keep everything? That is another project I will be working on this week.
4. Create a header and new side bars for my blog.
5. I got these 4 pitiful chairs but sturdy on sale at Goodwill 1/2 off, they were listed at $2.99 so with the 1/2 off, I got all 4 chairs for $6. The pictures actually make them look a lot better than they really look. They look like a cat attacked them.

6. I need to make the lampshade for this project that I just got done. I can not wait-I think it will be darling.

My pottery barn knock off lamp

I look forward to getting to know you all as well and if anyone has any questions, I can answer for you, you can e-mail me directly at cheri.peoples@live.com or leave a comment on my blog.

Where can you find me each day of the week?

ITS SO VERY CHERI

http://itssoverycheri.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much Kari for the opportunity to show your readers a project. It has truly been an honor to be here today.