Easy Monogramed Wreath Tutorial

I have slowly been working on the ginormous wall above my piano.  The 3rd piece that I have added is this cute monogram wreath.  It was a simple and quick addition to the wall.  Plus it cost next to nothing!  Mine kind of project!

 

First I made the wreath at the same time as the one that is on my front door HERE

Then I took some Vinyl from +Expressions Vinyl in Middle Gray and Turquoise Blue

Then in the +Silhouette America online store I found a file called "Frame 2".  I did a little editing to the frame and deleted the little frame circles inside the frame and then I deleted the inside frame. 

Then I found a font that I liked the "S" in and cut that out in the turquoise blue vinyl

Before I put the vinyl on the way I layered the 2 vinyl pieces that I cut.  Then placed it on the wall where I wanted it.  Then I hung up the wreath.

This whole project seriously took me less than an hour.  Even with waiting for the paint to dry.  I did however paint the wreath a few days before I hung it up on the wall.

I love how my wall is turning out.  Its full of color and isn't so BLAH!

To see the rest of the wall go to HERE

How to Update Decorative Balls and Save a Few Bucks

I bought a bag of balls (weird to say that right...)  The decorative kind.  They are the wooden, potpourri type.  They were red, purple, and brown.  Not necessarily the colors that I want in my living room.  Plus, I've been trying to add more color in my house. 

A quick and easy fix (and cheap I might add) is a cute vintage box filled with those wooden, fake plant balls spray painted to match my decor.

Now balls aren't that easy to paint, Just FYI.  The easiest way that I found to paint them is to put them in a box and spray them inside of there.  Less over spray and it seems to coat them a lot better cause you can roll the balls around while you are spraying them. 

The cute little basket that I have these balls in, is actually a plate holder for disposable plates. I like to use what I've got.  Leaves a few extra pennies in my pocket.  I don't mind it being black, but I haven't gotten any turquoise in this corner of my living room, so it might find itself at the wrong end of a spray paint can in the near future.  *insert evil laugh*

Now I am officially a dork my husband says.

12+ Ways to Make Back to School Easier on the Entire Family

Back to school time is in full swing from what I see on Social Media. Lucky for my family we don't start school until after Labor Day.




So, in an attempt to make my life (and hopefully help you out) easier in the coming weeks as school starts.

PS this roundup was made using ONLY links from the Creative Exchange Link Party.  It starts every Thursday morning early (3 am mountain time).  Plus, you gain exposure on 5 different blogs.  That means 5 chances for you to be featured, and a lot more exposure for your time!  So make sure to stop by Thursday and enter your blog links! Can't wait to see you there!

First off.  Homework.  Everyone dreads it right?  How about being able to keep track of what needs to go on which day with this weekly calendar board from Making it in the Mountains:

What about all those back to school clothes you need? How about taking a pattern you already have in your stash and creating a few unique clothes like Boy Oh Boy oh Boy Crafts did for her son

Or what about breakfast. If you are like me and my daughter its a fight every morning to get her to eat breakfast, but I won't let her walk out that door unless she does. So here are a couple great ideas for simple, easy, HEALTHY, and quick breakfast.

2 Ingredient Banana Pancakes with Satisfaction through Christ

Or scrambled eggs in a mug that is easy enough for your kids to make them all by themselves with Chic California

What about after school. Every kid needs a snack by Blooming Homestead (plus don't the parents too?!? PS After School Snack time is a great time to reconnect with your school age kid and find out how their day was...)

Or even a sweet snack.  Who doesn't like a little cookie after school.  I know I do!  A little celebration that we've made it through another day

Try these yummy crab cookies of Mice and Ramen

or these marshmallow fruity treats by lovefoodwillshare.com

Does your child have a little anxiety with back to school. Maybe doing a little teacher interview might help by homemade Interest!

Are you on the PTO or are you Homeschooling? This bulletin board is to die for by the Gilded Pear!

Or how about giving your childs teacher a cute little stamp set to start the year off on the right foot by Casual Craftlete

My inlaws like to measure all the grandkids at the beginning of the school year. Its a fun way to see how your kid has grown each year (and to compare to each other) by Shambray

What about those poor not school age kids. I know my 2 year old is going to bored out of her mind without her sisters here to entertain her. What about making a cute little indoor tent by the Gilded Pear?

If you are looking for ideas on helping your kids with homework and progress their learning you might be interested in My School and Learning pinterest board

Churn Dash Quilt Top: A Vision to Remember Instagram feed

Loving this pattern from Karrie at Two Kwik Quilters.  It will soon be released (don't have a date yet)

Quilt top ✔️ @karie_twokwikquilters I loved #patterntesting this quilt! Can't wait to get it quilted! #isew #quilt via Instagram http://ift.tt/1q2TRNq

Loving the #churndash #quilt pattern by @karie_twokwikquilters Only 8 more blocks to go. #wonky #isew. Ps. This is the first thing I am making for baby boy. Better late than never right? via Instagram http://ift.tt/1vrgAuM

How to Easily Rethread a Serger with Pictures

Unless you have a totally awesome serger that threads itself, every time you need to change colors on serger can be a nightmare.  Not anymore!  Seriously, there is an easier way to rethread your serger without messing up your tension.  Plus, it is way quicker, and not intimidating at all. 

All you need to know how to do is tie a knot and gently pull.  Can you do that?  Seriously.  So...Freaking...Easy!


Step 1-Cut the thread that is in your machine already.  Cut it up close to the top where your thread is hooked.  Replace those spools of thread with the new colored spools.  I started with White and will be switching to Navy Blue

Step 2-Tie a double knot joining your original thread with your new thread.  

Step 3-Pick on of the threads down by your presser foot and start pulling very slowly, making sure the thread doesn't get hung up anywhere.  If it does then find where it is getting hung up and without unthreading the machine help the thread through the tough spot.  For me on my Bernia 1150MDA it is where the thread goes through the tension disks.

Step 4-Repeat with the remaining threads, until you have all 4 threads pulled all the way through.

Step 5- Then do a quick test sergering on a scrap piece of fabric and you should be good to go with your new thread in your machine

And your DONE!  Simple, Right?!?

If you like this tutorial you may also like:
How to Easily Bind a Quilt Tutorial

Decorating On a Budget Ideas plus The Creative Exchange Link Party Highlights

I haven't had a chance to do any features the last 2 weeks of The Creative Exchange, but I thought I would combine a few of my favorites from the last 3 weeks into 1 and do a little Home Decorating Ideas on a Budget Roundup.

  Song Chalkboard Printable is a great way to update your home decor on a budget.  

Or update a piece of furniture with a new coat of paint like this Stylish Side Table Makeover with Chalk Paint

Add some cute coasters to your side table like these DIY Striped Coasters

Or add a new piece of furniture from something old like the Country Kitchen Island

Update your lighting with a new DIY Hanging Lampshade

Or add a new piece of wall art like the Hello Sunshine String Art

Upcycle some old Thrift Store Frames with a little chalkboard paint

Take a cheap Canvas and turn it into some beautiful wall art

Create a Wall of Scrabble Board Tiles

A Simple Paint job and Handles to Create a New Look

Create a Changeable Picture Board

Giant Flashcards Wall Art (knock off Of Pottery Barn)

Or Create a removable wallpaper wall with Fabric

If you can't find the exact fabric you are wanting try creating your own with a little fabric paint

Or use your old fabric scraps to create some fabric art

Update a old chair or stepstool into a piece of art

Take some buttons and burlap and create a beautiful piece of wall art

 For more Home Decor Ideas please visit my Home Decor Pinterest Board:




Or for Wall Art:

Sailbooat & Anchor Baby Boy Crib Set

Love this little boy crib set with sailboats and anchors. This particular one was done in seafoam green, red, navy blue, and brown.  The boats and anchors are raw edge applique. 

All of the pieces can be found at A Vision to Remember Etsy Shop

The entire set
Bumpers
Fitted Sheet
Standard Pillow Sham
Crib Skirt
Throw Pillow Sham