Better late than never.

So I discovered craft blogs only months ago. 

I know, right?

I wasn't interested in crafting, didn't think I was good at it...anyways, and had NO idea craft blogs even existed.

When I first discovered the greatness that is craft blogging, I fell in love with hand stamped necklaces. 

I realize this was a trend earlier this year, but hey, I'm a newbie. And I wanted to give it a try.

I bought some 1/8 inch metal stamps from here (I also got uppercase but I like the lower better) They arrived a few days later, only to sit on a shelf untouched.

This morning, I went throught my husband's nut and bolt organizer and found some washers. 

Score! Free stuff to stamp!

Basically, you put the stamp against the washer on a concrete surface, and give it a whack or two with a heavy hammer. Then color it in with a sharpie and wipe off the excess. Easy. 

I had some sheer black ribbon and a clear bead that I got from my sister and added some clasps I got from from Hobby Lobby to the back.

Viola-I can wear my kids names without a tattoo (which I want, but the hubs isn't sure he want me to get...sigh).

This took about 5 minutes and is a great gift idea!  My mom's birthday is in less than 2 weeks and I do believe that she will be receiving a Nana necklace.  I will put hers on a silver chain and use a prettier washer/piece of metal though. 

I made my daughter one, too...but she's sick :( and isn't really feeling up to modeling.

I used a rougher looking washer on hers than I did on mine.

Today I am thankful (more than ever) for the internet. 



Wedding Gift Idea on a Budget-Etched Glass Baking Set

I'm going to give credit where credit is due.  I always do.  Ashley over at Make It and Love it did some glass etching like this and I loved it.  I have made this a couple of times for couples for wedding showers, and this gift is ALWAYS the hit of the shower-with the guests and more importantly, the couple. Everyone is always asking me where they can get a set!

Ashley did a small pyrex baking dish, with her name down one side, and cute trees down the other.  I loved the font she used. Smiley Monster-it's perfect for this project.  I found a 5 piece set of Anchor baking dishes at Wal-Mart for less than $16. Personalize it, and people think you really went all out!  I usually add some applique dish towels and little recipe cards of our favorite meals tied with a cute ribbon. 

Perfect gift.

For under $20.

Which makes it even more perfect for us penny pinchers!

Here is what I did to them all.

I used the same steps as I did here on the cookie jar.

(please excuse the pictures.  Etched glass is really difficult to get good pictures of! Especially at midnight! ;))

 I did their last name (Haukebo) down one side of the large baking dish,

 and "made with love" down the other side.

A simple "h" on the measuring cup.

I cut a mirror image of their name in a circle for the bottom of the pie pan. This way when half of a pie is gone, their name is peaking out from underneath.

Here's what it looks like from the bottom.  I did it on the bottom, because I didn't know if etching the inside of it would make food more likely to stick.

 Haukebo on the small baking dish.

They have a great sense of humor, so I couldn't resist doing "haukebowl" on the bowl! They LOVED it!

There you have it. A matching set of baking dishes! (That look like they cost well over the $16 you paid at Wally World!)

Katie (the bride) told me that this needs to be my signature bridal gift-that I will be known for the awesome personalized dishes!  Such a sweet compliment! 

Go forth, etch some dishes for a gift! (or for yourself!)

Remember, if you don't have a Cricut or Silhouette, you still do this! You will just need to trace whatever you want onto contact paper, use an exacto knife to cut it out, and you are good to go!

Today I am thankful for my car.  It's nice having a vehicle that I love and that is dependable!



Wreath with fabric flowers

I came across a burlap wreath one day when I was blog-hoppin.  It was pretty cute, all covered with it's little burlap ruffles-but it wasn't really my style.  I have been trying to figure out what I wanted to do on a wreath, and yesterday when the kids and I went shopping for craft supplies, and I found a grapevine wreath for $2.79 at Joann's.  I'm a sucker for a bargain, so I picked it up, headed to buy some burlap and fabric to make some fabric flowers to jazz it up.  I found the cutest fabric! I only bought enough for this project, and I bet I end up kicking myself for it! I needed to unwind last night when we got home, so I got my supplies out, whipped up some flowers and burlap ruffles, then got creative! This is the end result.  I will post a full tutorial when I have more time-from making the flowers, to the ruffles, to sticking them on the wreath.  I am happy with how it turned out!  With the wreath, berries, fabric/burlap flowers, and the S, it cost me less than $10!  I love frugal crafts! (and my hot glue gun!)

Happy Friday everyone! Have a safe and blessed weekend! :)