Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

I'd like to take a moment to give a little credit where credit is due...

To those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the ideals of freedom... 

 I THANK YOU

To those who are currently serving our proud country... 

I THANK YOU

To those families who hang a gold star in their homes, I'd like them to know that I honor their fallen soldier and their sacrifices.

Happy Birthday To My Future Husband!!!

I just have to take a minute to say Happy Birthday to Matthew, also known as Amazing Boyfriend Fiance or ABF on this blog. 

Matthew and his truck

He is my best friend, my biggest fan and my hero! And in September, I'll finally be able to call him my husband. 

Happy 30th Birthday, Matthew! 

I love you!!!

How To Make An "Oh S@#t" Kit

I've actually seen these kits called a few different things - "Wedding Day Emergency Kit" or "Oh Shit" kit are my personal favorite, but whatever you end up calling it, basically it's a kit or bag that you can put together for any emergencies that might pop up on the day of the wedding. This is an awesome gift idea for a bridal shower! 

I got the idea a few years back from my Mom, who had a few co-workers put one together for another co-worker that was getting married. Since than I've teamed up with a friend or my Mom a couple of times to put one of these kits together. One of us buys a nice purse that the recipient would actually use again and the other buys all the supplies to fill it.   

My cousin Kim is getting married in a few weeks, so for her bridal shower Mom and I put together a kit. I thought I'd take the opportunity to show you all what you need to put one of these kits together.

Wanna see how I did it?

Mom bought a purse that we knew Kim would like (Pink is her FAVORITE color!) and that we knew would be big enough to hold all the supplies. 

These items came from the Dollar Tree

These items were purchased from the travel section at Target

I bought all the items that should go in the kit. I got most of the items at Dollar Tree or the travel section of Target. (LOVE the travel section at Target! They have the best variety of stuff!) Since I love checklists for everything, of course I had one when getting all my supplies. 

 
Just in case you can't read the list in the picture above here are the things on my list: 

deodorant
safety pins
bobby pins
hairspray
sewing kit
breath mints
band-aids
super glue
panty hose (optional) 
clear nail polish
waterproof mascara
chapstick
tylenol or ibuprofen 
tissues
Tide 2 Go pen
handi-wipes
tiny bottle of booze or mini flask
sewing scissors (optional) 
lint roller
Q-tips
nail clippers
sunscreen (optional) 
mouth wash
bug spray (optional) 
tooth brush 
tooth paste

You'll notice that some of the items above are optional. I didn't get sewing scissors because the sewing kit included a pair. I also didn't get panty hose because my cousin is getting married in July and I doubt she'll be wearing any. The sunscreen and bug spray were included because she's having an outdoor wedding, but if the bride you make one for is having an indoor wedding and reception it's unnecessary. You could also add other things geared toward the bride that she might find useful, like contact solution, or you could include snacks of some variety. The fun part is customizing things to the bride!

I loaded the bag up full of all the essentials, and added one of my decoupaged mini flasks to the outside of the purse (because anyone who has planned a wedding knows that what goes inside this is essential!) and I had the perfect bridal shower gift! 
  

I've been featured!!!




I'm sharing this project at the following link parties: 

~ What's In The Gunny Sack @ The Gunny Sack ~ The Cure For The Common Monday @ Lines Across ~ Make It Great Monday @ Etcetorize ~ Craft & Tell @ Cherished Bliss ~ Tutorials & Tips Link Party @ Home Stories From A to Z ~ Tell Me Tuesday @ Me and My Boys ~ Take-A-Look Tuesday @ Sugar Bee Crafts ~ Talent Tuesday @ Vintage Wanna Bee ~ Tip Toe Thru Tuesday @ Crayonfreckles and Tiaras & Bowties ~ Love It And Link It Up @ The Little Giggler ~ Time To Shine @ A Diamond In The Stuff ~ Too Cute Tuesday @ Funky Polkadot Giraffe ~ Show Me What Ya Got @ Not Just A Housewife ~ Spicy Link Up @ It's Just Called Spicy ~ Wow Me Wednesday @ Ginger Snap Crafts ~ Your Whims Wednesday @ My Girlish Whims ~ Lil Luna Link Party @ Lil Luna ~ Weekly Link Party @ Sew Woodsy ~ Wicked Awesome Link Party @ Handy Man Crafty Woman ~ Share The Wealth Wednesday @ Laugh, Love & Craft ~ Show & Share @ Southern Lovely, My Lil Pink Pocket and Vintage Gwen ~ Creative Juice Thursday @ Momnivore's Dilemma ~ Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage ~ Show Me Extraordinary @ The 36th Avenue ~ BFF Open House Link Party @ The Answer Is Chocolate ~ Delicately Constructed Friday @ Delicate Construction ~ Project Party Weekend @ Bubbly Nature Creations ~ Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity Now ~ Anything Goes Link Party @ Bacon Time ~ Free For All @ Young & Crafty ~ Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots & Jello ~ Strut Your Stuff Saturday @ Six Sisters Stuff ~ Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane Boutique ~ Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different Act Normal ~ Saturday Seven Party @ Positively Splendid  ~ Sister Sunday Link Party @ Sisters Of The Wild West ~ Think Pink Sundays @ Flamingo Toes ~ Sunday Show Off Linky @ Twigg Studios ~

I Feel Pretty! Oh So Pretty!!!

If you're actually visiting my page and not viewing this through a blog reader, you might have noticed a few changes around here.. 

(No, really! It's different, I promise...)

I've been wanting to make a change for awhile and *gasp* even add a blog button! I haven't ever had one before (I know, I know, bad blogger!) 

I found my way over to The Cutest Blog on the Block and fell in love with their free blog goodies. If you've been looking for a great site to make your blog all cute, I highly recommend them! (No, they didn't pay me to say that, either.) 

I hope you'll bare with my while I work the kinks out and update a few things *cough featured list cough*  In the mean time, take a look around and let me know what you think. Love it? Hate it? (If it's the latter, please be kind.)  

I Wonder If There Is A Group I Can Join?

My name is Bethany and I'm addicted to making paper boxes. 

(Hello, Bethany!) 

Honestly, it all started out innocently enough. I received a free box shape from the Silhouette website last year and thought it would make an adorable favor for a baby shower I was throwing. So I bought some cardstock, cut out the boxes and assembled them. Added a cute sticker and some ribbon and they were ADORABLE!!!

I later realized that there were a huge variety of boxes on the Silhouette website and bought several to try out. (No, seriously, there are TONS!) 


  I cut these boxes out of file folders and covered them in washi tape to make these gift boxes. 

 All these little favor boxes I made simply because I was curious to see what the pattern would look like put together.

This adorable heart shaped box will make a great gift box! 

This last box was such a challenge! I had to look up the tutorial on how to assemble this candy dispenser box. Not only is it super cute but it will make a great little gift for a candy lover. I'm definitely planning on making more of these boxes to use as little gifts!

Wouldn't you like to receive one of these, especially filled with sweet little treats?


I've been having so much fun making these paper boxes that I've already volunteered to almost everyone I know that if they need favors or are throwing a party to let me know because I have tons of adorable favor ideas. Although, they might not let me now that they'll know that they're just enabling my recent addiction. 


What's your latest crafting addiction? 


(Let's be honest, we all have one!)

Unruly Children Will Be Used As Weed Pickers

I love my Mom, but trying to come up with something wonderful to make for her for Mother's Day can sometimes be a challenge. I wish that I could take her on fun vacations or a shopping spree through her favorite yarn shop, but alas, I just don't have that kind of money. 

So I made her this instead. 

Amazing Boyfriend Fiance helped me out by using his blow torch on the box to bring out the wood grain, giving it a rustic look. 

When he was done, I painted on the saying.  

When the paint was dry, I sprayed it with a polyurethane spray to protect it from the elements. 

When the polyurethane coat was dry, I added a pot of plants and a card and took it over to my Mom, who loved it!

Did you make your Mom anything for Mother's Day?

I'm sharing this project at the following link parties:

~ What's In The Gunny Sack @ The Gunny Sack ~ Make It Great Monday @ Etcetorize ~ The Cure For The Common Monday @ Line Across ~ Craft and Tell @ Cherished Bliss ~ Talent Tuesday @ Vintage Wanna Bee ~ Tips and Tutorials Link Party @ Homestories From A to Z ~ Take-A-Look Tuesday @ Sugar Bee Crafts ~ Tip Toe Thru Tuesday @ Crayonfreckles and Tiaras & Bowties ~ Tell Me Tuesday @ Me And My Boys ~ Show Me What Ya Got @ Not Just A Housewife ~ Time To Shine @ A Diamond In The Stuff ~ Too Cute Tuesday @ Funky Polkadot Giraffe ~ Love It And Link It Up @ The Little Giggler ~ Lil Luna Link Party @ Lil Luna ~ Wow Me Wednesday @ Ginger Snap Crafts ~ Your Whims Wednesday @ My Girlish Whims ~ Share The Wealth Wednesday @ Laugh, Love & Craft ~ Weekly Link Party @ Sew Woodsy ~ Wicked Awesome Wednesday @ Handy Man Crafty Woman ~ Spicy Link Up @  It's Just Called Spicy ~ Show & Share @ Southern Lovely ~ Hoo's Got Talent @ Night Owl Crafting ~ I Made This @ Grits & Giggles ~ Creative Juice Thursday @ Momnivore's Dilemma ~ Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage ~ Show Me Extraordinary @ The 36th Avenue ~ BBF Open House Link Party @ The Answer Is Chocolate ~ Creative Genius Link Party @ The Creative Paige ~ Anything Goes Link Party @ Bacon Time ~ Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity Now ~ Project Party Weekend Link Up @ Bubbly Nature Creations ~ Delicately Constructed Fridays @ Delicate Construction ~ Free For All @ Young & Crafty ~ Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots & Jello ~ Show & Tell Saturdays @ Be Different Act Normal ~ Strut Your Stuff Saturday @ Six Sisters Stuff ~ Saturday Seven Party @ Positively Splendid ~ Sunday Show Off Link Party @ Twigg Studios ~ Sundae Scoop Link Party @ I {Heart} Naptime ~ Sister Sunday Link Party @ Sisters of the Wild West ~ Think Pink Sunday @ Flamingo Toes ~

In Case Of Emergency Break Glass

Awhile back I found the best little gag gift on Pinterest. 

via Pinterest

Of course I had to copy this idea!

Seriously, who doesn't have that emergency chocolate stash?


Wanna see how I did it? 

Supplies: 
picture frame (I used 5x7)
chocolate bar
vinyl or printer
glue dots or tape
spray paint (optional)


The first step I started with is completely optional. I spray painted my picture frames black so that they were uniform. If you have a frame that you are happy with just how you got it, you can skip this step and move on to the next. 

Next step was to install the chocolate bars into the frames. All I did for this one is use glue dots to secure the chocolate bar to the piece of paper I was using as a back piece.

press the chocolate bar down firmly to paper

Once I had the chocolate bar and paper in place, I put the back of the frame back on and slid the holding tabs back in place. The back piece is going to bulge a bit because of the chocolate bar being wedged in there, but if you press the back piece down, than press the holding tab down, it will stay put.

After the chocolate bar is in your frame, it's time to add the letters. I chose to use vinyl to add the letters to the front of the glass, but if you're not able to use vinyl, you could always print the letters out onto your paper that you mount the chocolate bar onto, or using letter stickers. 

Once you have your letters in place you're done! 

I think these are the perfect little funny gift for a few Moms that I know. 


So do you have an emergency chocolate stash?




I was featured!!!

I'm sharing this project at the following link parties: 

~ The Cure For The Common Monday @ Lines Across ~ Make It Great Monday @ Etcetorize ~ What's In The Gunny Sack @ The Gunny Sack ~ Craft & Tell @ Cherished Bliss ~ Talent Tuesday @ Vintage Wanna Bee ~ Tutorials & Tips Link Party @ Home Stories From A to Z ~ Take-A-Look Tuesday @ Sugar Bee Crafts ~ Tell Me Tuesday @ Me And My Boys ~ Tip Toe Thru Tuesday @ Crayonfreckles and Tiaras & Bowties ~ Too Cute Tuesday @ Funky Polkadot Giraffe ~ Time To Shine @ A Diamond In The Stuff ~ Show Me What Ya Got @ Not Just A Housewife ~ Love It and Link It Up @ The Little Giggler ~ Wow Me Wednesday @ Ginger Snap Crafts ~ Lil Luna Link Party @ Lil Luna ~ Your Whims Wednesday @ My Girlish Whims ~ Share The Wealth Wednesday @ Laugh, Love & Craft ~ Wicked Awesome Wednesday @ Handy Man Crafty Woman ~ Weekly Link Party @ Sew Woodsy ~ Show & Share @ Southern Lovely, My Lil Pink Pocket & Vintage Gwen ~ Spicy Link Up @ It's Just Called Spicy ~ Hoo's Got Talent @ Night Owl Crafting ~ Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage ~ Creative Juice Thursday @ Momnivore's Dilemma ~ I Made This @ Grit & Giggles ~ Show Me Extraordinary @ The 36th Avenue ~ BFF Open House Link Party @ The Answer Is Chocolate ~ Creative Genius Link Party @ The Creative Paige ~ Delicately Constructed Fridays @ Delicate Construction ~ Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity Now ~ Anything Goes Link Party @ Bacon Time ~ Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots & Jello ~ Free For All @ Young & Crafty ~ Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane Boutique ~ Strut Your Stuff Saturday @ Six Sisters' Stuff ~ Show & Tell @ Be Normal Act Different ~ Saturday Seven Spotlight @ Positively Splendid ~ Think Pink Sunday @ Flamingo Toes ~ Sunday Show Off Link Party @ Twigg Studio ~ Sister Sunday Link Party @ Sisters Of The Wild West ~ Sundae Scoop Link Party @ I {Heart} Naptime ~