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8.23.2011

Tile Me Pretty

So, I guess we can all agree on the fact that I'm not very good at keeping up a blog. I try, I really do! Obviously, not hard enough!

Recently I've made and given tile coasters to some of my girlfriends. They are easy and fun to make, not to mention pretty! Everyone should try to make them and personalize anyway you want!

 












You need: tiles (home depot), mod podge, ruler,  felt or foam sheets, scrapbook paper, scissors, brush, hemp/twine (optional)


1. Cut your scrapbook paper in 4"x 4" squares. I'm making four tiles here. 

2. Paint mod podge all over the back of your paper. Glue and press down on tile making sure a little bit of tile is showing around the edges. Next, paint the mod podge all over the top of the paper. Paint 3 coats, letting them dry in between.



This Step is optional. To add a little decorative touch, cut a strip of hemp/twine 34 1/2". then wrap around the outside edge of the tile twice, gluing as you go.

3. The last step is to add felt or foam to the back. I use felt when I have a glue gun, and foam when I use regular glue.
 
YOU'RE DONE!



The first coasters I ever made

I think it could be fun to explore different ways to use these tiles, maybe for wall decoration, or actual tiles for a back splash! 
 
What are some other cool ways to use these tiles?



~Emily

8.08.2011

Prayers for Caden

5 day old Caden is having open heart surgery for the next few hours today. Please keep Caden and his beautiful family in your prayers today and as he recovers!
 
To read his story visit
 

8.01.2011

Pumpkin Pie

Is this a tutorial on baking a pumpkin pie?

No, I’m sorry to say but it is not. This is a post about my family cat, who we delighted in naming Pumpkin Pie. I don't mean to be sad and sappy on my 3rd blog post, but I feel compelled to write about my memories of him, to honor his life as part of my family and as "King of the Jungle" (or King of the Neighborhood, but jungle sounds better).

He is 19 years old and recently ran away. We believe he was leaving to be on his own to die. I looked it up and people say that’s what cats do to protect their lair and family. They draw predators to themselves rather than to their home. I’m sure this is what Pumpkin was doing, even though most every day was all about him, I think he was thinking about us this time. If I try to be positive about it all, it’s in fact quite sweet. He can be young and free forever now.

The first time I ever met Pumpkin was when I was 5 years old. I was playing a really intense and competitive game of coed soccer when my mom and brother brought this cute little orange and white kitten to the field. Like every other 5 year old on the field, I ran to the sidelines to see my new pet. Did we care that it was the middle of the game? Of course not! Nothing better than a baby fur ball. Since my brother picked him out, he named him Pumpkin, all because he was white and orange and it was close to Halloween. It was only fair that I got to pick out the middle name. "Pie" was the only name that really seemed fitting. From that first day, my relationship with Pumpkin was a battle between love and hate.

He was the cutest thing! I always remember him playing on the railing on our back porch. He would sit on the top and chase his tail from underneath. We were always afraid he would fall off but it was his favorite game...till one day when he actually did! Luckily, being such a strong and agile kitty, he landed on his feet! 


I'm not exactly sure when it began, but I became deathly afraid of him. It might have started when he scratched me from my finger tips to my elbow! Cat scratches are NOT little, they sting and hurt! My fear of him was so bad that I wouldn't touch him. I went years without touching him! Don't worry, the rest of the family was able to handle him, he received plenty of love. But he always loved me. He would always make his way into my room before bed and would lay right in the middle of my bed. I had to get my parents to come in and pick him up and carry him out of the room! No way was I sleeping with the animal I feared most!




Even our wonderful dog, Katie, got along with him! They were like brother and sister, constantly teasing and playing with each other.  They would both sleep in my parent's room, Pumpkin at/on Mom's feet and Katie on her dog bed at the end. But of course Pumpkin always found his way to the middle of her bed as well.....




Pumpkin was hogging Katie's bed, sound asleep. Katie carefully climbed up on the bed, trying not to disturb Pumpkin, out of fear of retaliation, I'm sure.  Pumpkin just obliviously kept sleeping.  Of course he thought he was entitled to the bed... he got there first!

It wasn't until 2007 that Pumpkin and I started to get along again. Our precious Katie died at the age of 12, and it was obvious Pumpkin was sad and missed her. He started taking on roles that Katie had around the house, like greeting us at the front door when we would come home, snuggling up next to us. He was always around the family, we think at times he was actually looking for her. He became very very sweet. I was able to pet him again and cuddle with him. He let me pick him up and he would crawl into my lap to snuggle. He was always such a fun cat. We all loved him so much. For 19 years he was part of the family. It's sad and weird not to have him around anymore. 


He was a lover of broccoli, cat nip, birds, string,  and boxes. He acted like a human and thought he ruled the neighborhood. When guests would come over, he would show his approval by laying on their feet. There is so much more I could tell you about our sweet Pumpkin Pie, but I could go on forever. I know everyone in my family has stories of Pumpkin. These are just some of my memories.


I know that he is in Kitty Heaven and he has tons of woods to run around in and rocks to sit on like a throne! No more fleas or asthma or hair balls! Just happiness.




7.31.2011

Crafting with Meem

This weekend I went home to my parent's house and had some quality time crafting with my mom ( for those who don't know, I call her Meem). 

They turned my old bedroom downstairs into the craft/sewing/scrapbook room. It's nice to have a large space to work and keep all of your supplies organized! 

My mom loves to craft just about as much as I do, maybe even more. We listened to pandora and crafted our little hearts out. We had a really good time! I'm so lucky to have a Meem like her, I could never ask for more. 

Here are some of the thing she made....

She makes REALLY pretty paper flowers! These are def time consuming, but I think the outcome is probably worth it! 

Burlap to decorate a vase we already had. The vase was free and she had the burlap in her stash!


Same concept as the burlap on the vase, just using different material from her stash!

She is one talented lady!



Here are some things I made. If anyone is interested in any of the projects I can post tutorials!




It's really great to let your creative side out once in awhile! It makes me happy and appreciate the beautiful things in life. 
What Inspires you?


~Emily

7.27.2011

Finally...


 Hi! 

Thanks for visiting oh, what a pretty thing! My name is Emily and I'm a lover of all things pretty, crafty, and joyful.

I just want to start by saying that I made this blog about two months ago and didn't know how to get it started. So, I decided that I would just get right into it, starting with a tutorial on my new favorite little craft, paper flowers!

Please forgive me for a few things...
1. my newbie blogging skills
2. my nasty nails - we had family game night on Sunday and I was getting into it and bit all my nails off (gross and a bad habit, I know).

Paper Flowers are a lot of fun to make, and you can make a really beautiful arrangement when you're done!
1. Start with scrapbook paper of your choice. I like cardstock that has a pattern, the thicker paper is easier to work with. Also, a plus if you can find paper that has color on both sides.


2. Start cutting your spiral. You can use a pencil and then trace your lines OR use freehand with your scissors! Try to cut making the edges scalloped to add a little dimension. It doesn't have to be perfect!

This is what your spiral should look like!



3. Start rolling your spiral in. Starting with the outside edge, roll the pattern IN so you only see the back of the paper.
Your rolled up spiral should look like this.


NOW LET IT GO!


4. Hold the flower in the palm of your hand and gently adjust it to the size and shape that you are happy with.

5. With a glue gun, put glue all over the bottom part of the flower and then set the rest of it on top of the glue. Adjust the paper how you desire.


FINISHED!!

Arrangement in my room
Flowers I'm making for my mom!



Thanks for stopping by!

~Emily