Can I Tell You A Secret?

I have a good friend who is really into mysteries and spy craft. He really likes things like hidden doors and secret messages, which was why when I saw this idea on Pinterest, I knew I had to make a set of these secret message glasses for my friend! 
 

Didn't they turn out awesome?!
 

I used my awesome Silhouette machine to make the stencil, flip the wording backward, and cut the stencil out of vinyl. I used the following phrases: "I spit in that", "this isn't your glass", "you have just been poisoned" and "did it taste funny?" 
 

 I applied the stencils to the bottoms of the glasses I bought, making sure you could read the sayings through the bottom of the glass. 

I taped off the edges around the stencil, just to make sure I didn't get any etching cream where I didn't want it to go. 

Then I applied the etching cream. I use Armour Etch, which you can buy at Michael's or your local craft store.

 The directions say to leave the etching cream on for 5 minutes, but I like to leave it on a little longer, usually about 20 -30 minutes. Then you just wash it off in the sink, and I have a soft sponge I use for etching projects to make sure all the cream comes off. 
 

 Once all the cream is washed off, peel off the stencil and see your pretty design. 

 I'm so excited with how these turned out, even though a few of the stencils bled in a few spots, but you can still read them so I'm calling it a success. 

What do you think?

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

~ What's In The Gunny Sack @ The Gunny Sack ~ Tutorials & Tips @ Home Stories From A to Z ~  Take-A-Look Tuesday @ Sugar Bee Crafts ~ Too Cute Tuesday @ Funky Polkadot Giraffe ~ Teach Me Tuesday @ Some Day I'll Learn ~  Time To Shine @ A Diamond In The Stuff ~ Tell Me Tuesday @ Him & Her ~ Show Me Whatcha Got @ Not Just A Housewife ~ Hoo's Got Talent @ Night Owl Crafting ~ Lil Luna Linky Party @ Lil Luna ~ Your Whims Wednesday @ My Girlish Whims ~ Wow Me Wednesday @ Ginger Snap Crafts ~ Wicked Awesome Wednesday @ Handy Man, Crafty Woman ~ Show & Share @ Southern Lovely ~ Wildly Original Link Party @ I Gotta Create ~ Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage ~ Creative Juice Thursday @ Momnivore's Dilemma ~ Link Party @ The 36th Ave ~ BFF Open House Link Party @ The Answer Is Chocolate ~ Delicately Constructed @ Delicate Construction ~ Anything Goes Linky @ Bacon Time ~ Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity Now ~ Free for All @ Young & Crafty ~  Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots & Jello ~ Strut Your Stuff Saturday @ Six Sisters' Stuff ~  Show & Tell Saturday @ Be Different Act Normal ~ Think Pink Sunday @ Flamingo Toes ~ Sunday Show Off Link Party @ Twigg Studios ~ Sundae Scoop Link Party @ I Heart Nap Time ~



Thank you for featuring me!!!

My Little Valentines

I was walking through Michael's the other day, trying to decide how to use my Christmas gift cards, when I stumbled upon a display that was all set up for the next major "holiday." 

Valentine's Day. 

Ugh!

Matthew was never really a fan of Valentine's Day, but we always did something, however small to celebrate the day. This year is different because it's the first year in a very, very long time that I don't have a Valentine. 

Then I realized, I don't just have one, I have 4... 

These sweet faces are all the Valetine's that this broken-hearted Auntie could need! 

 So I scooped up this package of heart shaped boxes to make little valentines for my sweethearts! 

 And a little Valentine candy for some inspiration...

 I pulled out my paints for the first time in way too long, and went to town! 

 I used my awesome Silhouette machine to cut out sayings graphics for my heart boxes with pink vinyl. 

 Then I applied the graphics to my little boxes.

 After applying the vinyl sayings, I applied a coat of polyurethane varnish to keep the paint from chipping off. 

Once they dried, I was finished.

 Now I have cute little treat boxes to give my nieces and nephew, and even a few extra to give to a few special people I know... now I just have to decide what to put inside. 

Have you done any Valentine crafting yet? 



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

~ What's In The Gunny Sack @ The Gunny Sack ~ Tutorials & Tips Link Party @ Home Stories From A to Z ~ Take-A-Look Tuesday @ Sugar Bee Crafts ~ Tell Me Tuesday @ Him & Her ~ Time to Shine @ A Diamond in the Stuff ~ Too Cute Tuesday @ Funky Polkadot Giraffe ~ Lil Luna Link Party @ Lil Luna ~ Wow Me Wednesday @ Ginger Snap Crafts ~ Your Whims Wednesday @ My Girlish Whims ~ Wicked Awesome Wednesday @ Handy Man, Crafty Woman ~ Show & Share @ Southern Lovely ~ Creative Juice Thursday @ Momnivore's Dilemma ~ Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage ~ Wildly Original Link Party @ I Gotta Create ~ BFF Open House Link Party @ The Answer Is Chocolate ~ Delicately Constructed Friday @ Delicate Construction ~ Anything Goes Link Party @ Bacon Time ~ Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity Now ~ Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots & Jello ~ Free For All @ Young & Crafty ~ Strut Your Stuff Saturday @ Six Sisters' Stuff ~ Show & Tell Saturday @ Be Different Act Normal ~ Think Pink Sunday @ Flamingo Toes ~ Sunday Show Off Linky @ Twigg Studios ~ Sundae Scoop Link Party @ I Heart Naptime ~

Thank you for featuring this project!!!

Cheers To The Bride & Groom

I know I've mentioned a couple times in past posts that I'm helping with the wedding of two of my good friends, Heather & Tillman. They are having a small, simple, winter wedding. 

As a nice little something extra, I decided to make bride and groom toasting glasses for their special day. 

What do you think? 

I started off with two plain champagne glasses, glass etching cream and stencils I made out of vinyl using my awesome Silhouette machine. 

I carefully applied the stencil to the glasses. My idea was to do the Mr. and Mrs. designs in relief, so I made sure the stencil was exactly where I wanted it. 

 Once I had the stencils exactly where I wanted them, it was time to apply the etching cream. I personally use gloves every time I use etching cream, just to make sure I'm protecting my hands.

 The directions say that you should leave the etching cream on for about five minutes before washing it off. I usually wait about 20 - 30 minutes before washing the cream off, just to make sure the cream has had time to do its thing. When you're rinsing the glasses make sure you rinse it really well to get all the cream off. 

Once the etching cream is washed off, all that's left is to peel off the stencil and admire your design. 

I added some ribbon to tie the glasses in with the rest of the wedding decor. 

I'm very pleased with how they turned out, and I think it's the perfect idea for a winter themed wedding! The bride loved them, and that's what is really important. 


Cheers to Tillman & Heather! 

I wish you all the happiness in the world.

 


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

~ Take-A-Look Tuesday @ Sugar Bee Crafts ~ Tutorials & Tips Link Party @ Home Stories From A to Z ~ Show Me What Ya Got @ Not Just A Housewife ~ Lil Luna Link Party @ Lil Luna ~ Wow Me Wednesday @ Ginger Snap Crafts ~ Your Whims Wednesday @ My Girlish Whims ~ Show & Share @ Southern Lovely ~ Wildly Original Link Party @ I Gotta Create! ~ Creative Juice Thursday @ Momnivore's Dilemma ~ Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage ~ BFF Open House Link Party @ The Answer Is Chocolate ~ Anything Goes Link Party @ Bacon Time ~ Delicately Constructed @ Delicate Construction ~ Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity Now ~

Don't Spill!!!

I found the cutest idea on Pinterest (love Pinterest!) and decided to borrow it for my wedding prep. 

I decorated reusable drink cups with straws to reduce spilling anything on ourselves as we get ready for the ceremony. I made one for myself, my maid of honor, my Mom and my niece, Kirra since they'll be there for the getting ready part before the ceremony. 

I used my awesome Silhouette machine to cut out the designs, and names of everyone and applied the vinyl to the cups.  I'm pretty excited with how they turned out! 

 5 days to go!!!

Who Needs Flowers Anyway?

Being the cheap budgetly creative bride that I'm turning out to be, I decided that I wanted to go a different route in making corsages for the VIPs for our wedding. 

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE flowers, but since we're ordering bulk flowers and doing all the arrangements and bouquets ourselves (budgetly creative, remember!), I decided that it would be smarter to make plan something different for our corsages that could be made ahead of time. 

So I made some paper sunflowers using the sunflower shape from the Silhouette store... 

...Then I took some ribbon...

 ...Added a few strips of tulle...

...glued the paper sunflower in the middle...

 ...then hot glued a pin to the back...

 ...and the end result...

Some pretty cute and (budgetly) creative corsages for the VIP ladies for our ceremony! 

I love how they turned out! And it's one more project to cross off my still pretty long list. 




31 days and counting!!!

I Made Pretty Cute Cupcakes!

Oh wait, you thought I baked? Excuse me while I giggle a minute... 

Okay, I'm back...

I recently saw these adorable burp cloth cupcakes on UCreate. When I was invited to a baby shower for one of my (many) cousins, I knew they would be the perfect little baby shower gift. 

Didn't they turn out adorable?

I was pretty happy about how this batch turned out, although next time I think I'll try using receiving blankets to make them a little bigger, but overall I think it was a great tutorial to follow. 

I'm really proud of my cupcake toppers! 

I used several different shapes that I had in my Silhouette software and cut them out. 

I glued them together. 

Then I glued those pieces together with a skewer stick in between. 

 Then I stuck them in the center of the "cupcake".

 When I had my "cupcakes" all put together, I put them in a little basket that I trimmed with ribbon. 

I think it's a pretty creative and cute little baby shower gift. I'll definitely be making more "cupcakes" in the future. 

What's your favorite baby shower gift idea? 


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

~ Make It Great Monday @ Etcetorize ~ The Cure For The Common Monday @ Lines Across ~ What's In The Gunny Sack @ The Gunny Sack ~ Craft & Tell @ Cherished Bliss ~ Tutorials & Tips Link Party @ Homestories From A to Z ~ Take-A-Look Tuesday @ Sugar Bee Crafts ~ Tell Me Tuesday @ Me and My Boys ~ Talent Tuesday @ Vintage Wanna Bee ~ Tiptoe Thru Tuesday @ Crayonfreckles and Tiaras & Bowties ~ Too Cute Tuesday @ Funky Polkadot Giraffe ~ Show Me What Ya Got @ Not Just A Housewife ~