Pinterest Inspired Project - Elsa Pumpkin

The Bean recently came home from school with a Family Pumpkin Project.  The assignment was for her to decide who her favorite storybook character was and to create a pumpkin that looked like that character.  The rules were you could not carve the pumpkin but you could add paint and decorations to your heart's desire.

I love how this was a "family" project.  We all totally know that means the parents did all the work.

Yes, we did all the work.  Bean filled out the questionnaire.  I hope we get an A.

Bean immediately said she wanted to make an Elsa pumpkin.  I had no idea how that was supposed to happen but I did envision braiding some crochet thread to make that braid.

I did not want to make that braid. I suck at braiding.

So I used the time honored "parent steer" method.  Or I thought I did.  I said "hey Bean, instead of Elsa because there will probably be, like, 12 Elsas already, why don't we make Olaf?"

She was not immediately sold.  But I reminded her, several times, how much Olaf made her laugh.  She warmed up to this idea - pun intended.

I figured making Olaf would not be that hard.  Get 3 small pumpkins, paint them white and then somehow slap them together.

Let me tell you this isn't as easy as you might think.

Pumpkins do not like being slapped together. They resist the slapping and the togetherness.

I first used double sided tape because I could not find my glue gun.  By the time the glue gun was located, I had contemplated concreting the whole mess together.  While I was having a mini tantrum over these three damned pumpkins, I decided to consult my crafting bible, Pinterest, and lo and behold this fantastic beauty made by A Pumpkin and A Princess appeared and saved the day.

Look at that thing!  That is a work of art.  It's beautiful!

I immediately threw Olaf off to try and totally steal and recreate this beauty.

I had similar paint.  I had a purple gemstone crown.  I had some crystals left over from Bean's birthday party.  I had glitter spray paint!!!!   Mine and the Tooth Fairy's favorite crafting item - glitter spray paint.  I love that crap.

But I did not have any snowflakes or any of those pretty swirly rhinestones.  Oh well.  They can't all be works of art.  

This is our Elsa pumpkin.

I sprayed the crown with white spray paint and then went back over it with the glitter spray.  We painted the pumpkin with some color called Azure and then sprayed the heck out of it with more glitter spray.  We used so much glitter spray that the jewels stuck to the pumpkin with no added hot glue.  We only lost one rhinestone in transport so if you are ever out of glue, grab your glitter spray paint.  If you don't have glitter spray paint, smack yourself upside the head and rush out to your craft store and buy some!!!!  

We got a lot of oohs and aahs on the way to class.  My elbow is so sore from patting myself on the back.  

Oh yeah, we also took Olaf.

Yes, that is the world's creepiest Olaf ever.

  

We can thank Hubz for his artistic donation to the family pumpkin project for that one.  Olaf did not weather the ride to school as well as Elsa did.  Thank goodness in the movie, Olaf continually falls apart.  In that way, our Olaf is very similar.  Poor creepy Olaf.

Please Teach, give us an A!!!

Time to put your big girl panties on and get organized.

It might not come as any big surprise to anyone but I am not really a big planner.  It's true.

I usually am a day late and a dollar short for everything.  I have great ideas but I suck at planning them out.  On top of that, I am forgetful.  Both of those are bad alone but together, I'm amazed we ever get anywhere we are ever supposed to be.

With life now getting more and more hectic as Bean gets older and involved in more activities, the time has come for me to pull on my big girl panties and get us organized.

My first step is to get myself a daily planner so that I will have one spot where I can write down everything we have scheduled.  Writing something on a post-it, putting something else on my phone's calendar, or just expecting myself to remember it all no longer works - not that it ever really did.

I started looking around for a planner/calendar that would work for me.  It had to be something that was a) cute and b) something I would continue to carry around.  I've bought tons of calendars before and somehow none of them ever stuck.  I would go back to using my phone or switch purses and not bother to transfer the calendar too. I also really had no idea what I wanted as far as types of calendars, project pages, whatnot.   Pinterest was consulted.  I also joined some Facebook groups and got ideas from other ladies on what they used or looked for in a planner.

There are a lot of cute ones out there.  Unfortunately, it seemed that "cute" usually ran to the cost of about $50 or so.  That ain't that cute really - not in my pocketbook's world.

Then I had a problem with missing a payment on a work invoice.  I handle the bills for three entities at work and juggling all of that is a full time job.  Oh yeah.  That's why I work there.  Anyhoo...I made a mistake and knew that it would probably serve me well to finally institute a full time planner at work, too.

But then do I have one planner for both work and personal, or do I separate it all?  I began with the train of thought that I should separate but now I am thinking

this is my life 

- all of it.  So I might as well put everything together and not stress myself out more with having to juggle two separate calendars for 7 people (work and home life).

I got a ton of great ideas from my Facebook groups so I began my search.  First, let me say that trying to find a planner in September is probably not the best way to start.  There are hardly any left in the stores and it's hard to get a "vibe" from looking online.  I also knew that even with my bosses footing the bill, I could not justify spending $50 or even $80 for some Filofax planner.

"You see, Sir, since I am such an airhead,

I had to charge a $90 calendar to the company card 

in hopes that I won't be late on any more of your payments."

That probably would not fly in this office's airspace, if you get my drift.  I have learned at least one thing in the past 17 years here and that is the less explaining I have to do, the better off I am.  So no.  No Filofax for me.

I found this ARC customizable planner at Staples.

Of course, it's PINK.  What did you think it would be?

There is a group on FB exclusively for ARC users. At first, I was not sure about this system.  You can buy refillable packets of different kinds of paper - calendar (they are out of these right now), planner pages, project pages, etc.  You can "grow" your planner with these different size discs, too.  The drawback is if you want to add your own planner pages you make or find online, you have to buy a special paper punch that will make the right type of notches that will work with the discs.  That thing is huge and costs over $40!  And you don't really have any other use for it.  This is my biggest reservation about this whole system. I don't need one more do-hickey cluttering up my office.

I have "prettied" up some of my pages with highlighters, colorful tabs and washi tape but for the most part, the ARC pages are pretty boring.  That's coming from someone that wants bright colors slapped on everything so if you tend to like more sedated looks, you'll be fine.

This planner system is not too pricey either.  The binder cover was marked down to $11.24, the page refills run in the $4 range, and the discs are in the $3-4 range, too.  Now since my binder was marked down to a final price, that worries me.  Will I be able to find ARC supplies in the future?

Again, the planner pages are pretty bare, not only in color but also in what it gives you as far as recording information.  The calendar I was able to get is blank and only has space for a few lines of daily information.

I also found a Day Timer reversible planner for 2015 that was $15.50 through Capital Office Supplies. Again, it's PINK.  Yes, another pink planner.  Don't be shocked.

I went ahead and ordered this one just to see it in person.  It looks a lot more professional than the ARC, but I do understand that pink patented leather never really looks professional to begin with, or at least not in the profession you want people to talk about.  I also really love the pages of the calendar.  There is a space for appointments, journaling, to-do lists and expenses.  It is a small print space but it's there.  There is also a separate section for monthly priorities like birthdays or projects, and a notes section, an address book and a plastic receipts or paper holder in the back.

 

So it's still undetermined which one will win out but I think I have two very good contenders to try out.

Back to School - First Grade!

 It's time to go back to school.  Bean is ready for First Grade.

What did you say?

I said:

FIRST 

GRADE!!!!

Uh...I am not ready for summer to be over!!!

We used these free printables from Lauren McKinsey and LoveBakesGoodCakes.com.

A Ba-BEE Shower!

We hosted a baby shower for a co-worker who is set to have their first baby in August.  Marcy is a bee keeper in her spare time so we decided to use bees as our theme.

Justina, Susan and I worked together and I think we did a wonderful job!

We started off with our invitations.  I purchased the digital paper from Burlap and Lace on Etsy and printed it off on cardstock.  Then I designed the front card piece in Word and attached everything with Glue Dots.  Added a Jolene's bee sticker that Justina found on the front to let everyone know that this party was going to be a surprise.

I also made Marcy a Mom-to-Bee badge to wear during the shower.

Susan made this bee-u-tiful diaper cake that we used as the table centerpiece. She was nervous at first because she had never attempted a diaper cake before but we all thought she did a great job on it.  The Jolene's stickers were added here too to top it all off on our bee theme.

I used the same digital paper pack along with alphas from Crazy 4 Monograms and Just So Scrappy to make a Welcome Ba-Bee banner.  I found larger Jolene's bee stickers at Michaels to add more bees in case anyone was missing the theme!

Susan made us some delicious lemonade and added lemons and mint leaves.  I could have drank all of this myself.

Justina decorated the table with a yellow tablecloth, black and white polka-dot napkins and black and white paper straws.  (I LOVE paper straws!)  Justina also had a friend make these cute bee cupcake toppers.  This was such a sweet decoration!

Everything was beautiful and the Mom-to-Bee had a wonderful time and enjoyed the surprise.  Now we can't wait to see this beautiful Ba-Bee!

Linking up to the following linky parties.

Our Table for Seven ~ Mandy's Recipe Box ~ Epic Mommy Adventures ~ Lou Lou Girls

Our Home Away from Home ~ A Stroll Through Life ~ Tiny Sidekick ~ The Blackberry Vine

Not Just a Housewife ~ Funky Polkadot Giraffe ~ Sugar Bee Crafts ~ A Bowl Full of Lemons
Just a Girl and Her Blog ~ Lady Behind the Curtain ~ Green Willow Pond
Super Mommy Club ~ My Paper Craze ~ Seven Thirty Three ~ Free Pretty Things for You
Sweet Haute ~ A Delightsome Life ~ Sweet Bella Roos ~ Lamberts Lately
Seven Alive ~ Katherine's Corner ~ Artsy Fartsy Mama ~ A Creative Princess
The Cookie Puzzle ~ The Shabby Nest ~ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating ~ Whipperberry
Blissful and Domestic ~ Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons ~ Diana Rambles ~ Craft Dictator

Kindergarten Graduation 2014

I finally got around to looking at the picture CD that came with Bean's kindergarten graduation picture package.

My heart just seized up!

DIY Dress-Up Board

Bean has an ever-expanding selection of dress-up clothes and finding a place for them has been bit of a challenge.  Usually they are in her closet, on the floor, in toy buckets, just everywhere.  I decided to try and make her a place to keep them all.

I found the wood at Home Depot in the back of their lumber department.  Most locations will have a bucket or float filled with pieces of wood cut from someone else's projects.  I believe the board cost $1.27.  We picked up the knobs and hooks there too for about $12.  I sanded and painted the board with paint from my "oops" paint collection and then used some Martha Stewart Pink Luster Glitter paint as a wash over the top for the added sparkle.  You gotta have the sparkle!

When everything was dry, I used my Silhouette to cut out the little girl and the phrase.  My spacing got a little jacked up but the six year-old isn't criticizing.

Hubz added the hardware and hung it up for us.

I am hoping this new addition to her room will inspire Bean to hang her dress-up clothes back up after she is done playing with them and the days of fishing them out of closets and toy buckets are over.

I have linked up this post at several linky parties.  Please check out the Places I Party here!

Where does your inspiration come from?

Over my blogging "career" I have gone through periods where there is absolutely zero inspiration for my next post.  Sadly, I have been going through one of those periods lately.

Sometimes I am inspired by my child, things that go on in the world around us, craft projects, and desires.

Nothing is inspiring me lately.  I am lost in a sea of day-to-day activities and none are fueling the creative fire.

My child is still lovely.

The world around us is still good and terrifying at the same time.

My craft projects have stalled in the water do to lack of energy, time and ability.

And my desire is to just to keep up with the latest Real Housewives drama.

But what do you do when nothing makes you want to write?

Teacher Appreciation Week - Day 5

Yay, it's Day 5!  Not that I don't appreciate the teachers but this has been a test to keep up with all week.  But I failed today.

We put the presents together last night but I thought "I'll wait until the morning to take the picture".

I should have known better.

I woke up at 7:23 this morning.  We got ready in 20 minutes.  I still don't have on makeup.  So...no pictures.

For the final day, we decided to print out this great classroom printable from eighteen25.

Property of eighteen25

We found a frame on ahem, clearance, ahem at Michael's and slid this in.  And that's that.

We also included two foaming soaps because Bean doesn't think it's a party without a trip to Bath and Body Works for some reason.

So Teacher Appreciation Week 2014 comes to a close but the appreciation still goes on.

Thank you to all the teachers out there.  Without you, we'd have to teach them ourselves.  Bean would grow up only knowing how cool the British Royal family is and how to cry when you get pulled over if it was left up to me.

Teacher Appreciation Week - Day 4

The streak had to break sometime...

I have zero pictures of today's gift.  Last night, our air conditioner unit outside caught on fire so we now have no air conditioning.  This is not good for a summer in Georgia.  So as you might imagine, my mind was not totally on task last night as we put Thursday's gift together.

We used this really cute printable from Landeelu.

Landeelu's design

"You are o-fish-ally the best teacher."

We attached these to boxes and bags of Goldfish crackers.  This morning was Muffins with Mom and after the muffins, we walked around the school and handed them out to the front office and the teachers.  They all really seemed to like them.

Tomorrow is the final day of Teacher Appreciation Week so tune in to see what Pinterest project we used for the last day.

Teacher Appreciation Week - Day 3

Yay!  We've made it to Wednesday and are still on track.  I am so surprised!

Today we sent in bottles of Fanta and used this adorable printable from 4 Men 1 Lady.  I loved this idea and it took all of 2 minutes to put it together.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's gift.

Pinterest-Inspired Teacher Appreciation Week - Day 1 and 2

It's Teacher Appreciation Week.  I hope it didn't sneak up on you.  It's the week where we tell those teachers in our lives "thanks for putting up with my kid for more hours a day than I do and possibly teaching them a thing or two along the way".  And, of course, we found all of our ideas on Pinterest!  Why have an original idea anymore when you can just search for a pin???

Bean has two WONDERFUL AMAZING teachers this year.  I am not just kissing up when I say that if we get teachers like these two all during Bean's schooling years, we will be the luckiest folks around.  They put so much time and love into the kids in the class.  I am already dreading saying "see you later" in a few weeks.

Since we have such grand teachers this year, we wanted to let them know how much we really do appreciate them so we decided to give them a gift each day this week.  This was an ambitious plan but two days in and we are still on track.  Let's pray that we don't get lazy, sit on the couch, feed the kid potato chips for dinner, and not put our gifts together.

On Monday, Bean took her teachers bamboo plants in really cute painted ladybug planters.  We lucked up and found these little ladybugs at WalMart.  I'd love to show you a picture but even though I got off the couch to print off the cute printable from LivingLocurto.com, I failed to take a picture of the end result.  But you can find this adorable printable here.

Ain't it cute!

Yes, it is.

Tuesday Bean took a wrapped Hershey bar to not only her two kindergarten teachers, she also took them to her music, art and after school teachers.  I found the editable printable at ItsWrittenOnTheWall on etsy.com.

This was so easy to edit and put together.  These turned out really well.  We think we'll make some more and take them into the front office for more brownie points!  Woot woot!

Tomorrow Bean is taking...I can't tell you yet!  Check back to see.

TwirlyGirl Dress Review and Coupon Code

I think we all know by now that Bean is a very girly girl and loves a great kids party dress.  Every girl looks great in kids dresses for parties as seen here.  Bean is no exception.  I was recently given the opportunity to review TwirlyGirl Dresses.

TwirlyGirl is a company started by Cynthia Jamin who realized early on she had an unique fashion sense.  That is something Bean definitely has in common.  She started a long time ago putting together her own outfits and hates the days when she has no choice in what she gets to wear.  That is one big reason so many things go unworn in kid’s closets.  If they don’t get to pick out their outfits, they won’t want to wear the clothes.  They want their own style to show through.  TwirlyGirl offers a variety of beautiful bright kid party dresses to fit any unique fashion style.

TwirlyGirl sent us their TwirlyGirl Pitter Patter Dress and Bean instantly loved it.  When it arrived, it was wrapped up in a colorful scarf that Bean immediately put on.  It’s a vibrant pattern of green, pink and orange.  Bean loved the big heart on the front.

This dress is unlike any other kids party dress I have seen.  While it’s made to twirl, it is not a stiff dress.  It is made of very light polyester and spandex.  It moves with the girl.  They can twirl and the dress will allow them to move without restricting any dance moves. That’s a plus!  It also has a fully lined bodice with a double stitched heart applique on the front.

Bean wore her TwirlyGirl Pitter Patter dress to her cousin’s birthday party.  We own a lot of girly, frilly kids dresses for parties and this TwirlyGirl dress fits right in.  It has become a favorite of Bean's now that the weather has turned warmer.

I really can't convey how light this dress is and Bean says it is "so comfy".  This is a fun dress.  And I have washed it several times and it is put together well.  Even while wearing dresses, little girls still love to run, jump, and twirl all over the place and this party dress holds up.

TwirlyGirl also has dresses for your dolls.  If your family includes an American Girl doll or the like, they can get their own TwirlyGirl dress and your daughter and her doll can match.  That is very cool I am told.

TwirlyGirl calls their dresses "wearable art" and I agree with that.  Each dress is a limited number design. Each design on the site is described with a pretty poem.  This is the one for the Pitter Patter design.

True Heart's Desire

Perhaps you’re hanging from a ladder,

Or stirring up some pancake batter,

Or maybe you’re on a baseball field,

With all your friends

Yelling “hey batter, batter.”

It doesn’t really matter,

If it’s a record you want to shatter,

Or magic seeds you’d like to scatter.

Do what makes your heart feel joy,

What makes it pitter-patter.

If you're not familiar with TwirlyGirl and have a little girly-girl yourself, check out their website where you can see all of their beautiful fun dresses.  You can find so many kids dresses for parties there. Right now, TwirlyGirl is giving our readers a 10% discount off their orders.  Just use the code JoyTG28 at checkout to save.  *Code is not valid on sale items, Design Your Own, or gift certificates and expires 05-14-14.

*I was sent a dress for the purposes of this review.  All opinions herein are my own.

Easter Weekend 2014

This weekend was packed full.  On Saturday, I took Bean and a couple of her cousins to our church's egg hunt.  It rained most of the day and I was afraid it would mean the egg hunt was cancelled but the great folks at our church moved the egg hunt inside and had plenty of games and crafts to keep everyone happy.

Egg coloring.

Face painting.

Games.

Once the egg hunt was over, the girls inspected their baskets.

Sunday morning, Bean found her present from the Easter Bunny.

That afternoon we joined my husband's family for Easter dinner and another egg hunt.

Bean and her cousins loved hunting for the eggs.  Bean won first place in her age group.

After the hunt, Bean posed for some photos.  She picked out her own dress this year.

I asked her to pose for me and this is what I got.  I have no idea who taught her this.

All in all we had a very Hoppy Easter.  (Bean loves that joke!)