New and Glorious!

Isn't it beautiful? My favorite vinyl supplier Regional Supply was having a summer craft fair today and tomorrow to check out some project ideas and the latest and greatest in the vinyl world. When I walked in the door and was told to check out the patterned vinyl, my heart skipped a beat. Patterned vinyl? Could it be? Oh it was! And it was glorious. I would have liked to get one sheet of every pattern but alas I had to control my urges since I needed to stock up on some of my old favorites as well. So I ended up with three sheets to play with. Now here's the problem, what do I make with them? Any suggestions?

Calendar It!

In an effort to try to consolidate some of the chaos that often takes over our kitchen, I have been in the market for a new dry erase type board. Something to write notes, appointments, the weekly menu, honey do lists, and the like. While out shopping last weekend we came across this at Roberts and since we had a 50% off coupon, I decided to give it a go. I bought the "unfinished" version so I could make it more my own. So here it is in it's naked version.

We still have the leftover paint from our kitchen re-paint we did in January. So I painted it the same grey as our trim.

I had Mike drill some holes for me to add a little ribbon flair and cuteness. I chose some green gingham ribbon to match the John Deere decoration motif I have going on.

And of course, added some of my own pictures and broke out the Cricut for some vinyl lettering. I was deep in thought on what to write on it and was asking and searching for suggestions, when Allison suggested "Organized Chaos" just like my blog. DUH! Why didn't I think of that? As I passed that idea around to Mike and others that I had been asking they all like it, and it so fits to what this is.

On the last bow I hung a plastic sleeve to put things such as Caleb's pictures he has hanging all over the kitchen, important papers that correspond to calendar items, grocery items, appointment cards and things I want readily available. And I like the idea of it, but not sure I am sold on the sleeve. I may look for something else to hang and serve this purpose or a verticle hanging sleeve. Or I may scrap it all together and have it just be a good idea that didn't pan out. Opinions/suggestions on this section are welcome.

So this new board will serve as:

1. Monthly calendar (still haven't given up the regular calendar but this is a step closer to one less thing hanging in that area)

2. Note space (always needed)

3. Picture displays (or they may turn into more note space, still deciding)

4. Weekly menu on the calendar days (whoo hoo !I can trash the other dry erase board that floats around from place to place.)

5. Consolidated space for numerous papers, cards, art work etc. ( I think my fridge is jealous to have all the papers off of it)

I'm still not sure it's completed. But overall I like it. Onto the next project. Pictures to come!

Plane Crazy

The twins will be 2 in just 1 more week! I am happy to say that this morning we finally finished up their Bday present. From us they are getting their new room with the bunk beds from the previous post. We decided to move away from the monkey-themed nursery and go with airplanes for the theme. So I'm ready to share it all with you guys now. First I started off with using the Cricut for some decals for the door.


Once the Bunkbeds were up we put on the "plane crazy" bedding from Disney.

Next I had some fun on Etsy for the next 3 items. Since I don't have a cartridge like this, I cheated and ordered this decal. It's a "twin-seater" ha! I couldn't resist and it looks so great above their beds.

And I ordered this Lampshade.

And who could resist ordering a switch plate cover from there when it was only $3.

But my favorite of all is something that I think will be treasured for a long time even when they grow out of this room. I asked Mike to get out his paintbrushes that have been on hiatus for a while an put his artistic ability to good use and he painted them a picture to hang above a dresser. I sooooo LOVE it! He is seriously so talented (one of the many reasons I married him ;) ). I helped with the lettering a little and of course he came back and fixed it for me since I don't have a painting bone in my body.

Here's a shot of it closer up.

I am so happy to say that their room is completely done and now I can spend this week focusing on the last couple of party details and cleaning the house for all the guests!

2 Buckaroo's

One month from tomorrow, we will be parents of 2 -2 year olds. Scary thought. I have been buried deep in planning mode for their party. I have been crafting and buying like crazy, it's always nice to have a good mix of both. So I thought I would share a few pics of what I have been up to for their Cowboy-themed party. First off the invites:


And yesterday I got the makings of a mighty fine banner cut out and glued together:

And of course, I've even been working on the wardrobe and made them a couple of little shirts with the iron-on vinyl.

So much fun, but I am happy to say that I am almost done on the planning side. Just have to order a cake and decide on the grub to serve. Party is on April 3rd. I'll post the rest of the decoration and party pics then. Can't wait!

Trying Something New

My friend had started trying out some iron-on vinyl for some projects with her Cricut and I had been wanting to try it out but was a little bit afraid of it so I kept putting it off. That was until Mike decided he really wanted me to make him some "nerdy" shirts that he's been wanting so when I was out and about on Friday, I picked some of it up and tried my hand at it. It was much easier and more fun than I thought it would be, I was impressed and really liked using it.

For those of you that don't talk "nerd speak" I will explain what these mean:


Mike's is the maroon one. It reads DAD in binary (computer code). After he told me that's the one he wanted, it only made sense to make the boys each one that read SON in binary too. I will be getting them together for a pic in them sometime soon.

This is HTML programming the < > part is called a "tag" in code so this shirt says "Tag You're it"

And of course one appropriate for myself.

I have already bought the twins some shirts for Valentines Day but hadn't found one for Caleb yet so he helped me design one. If you can't read it, it says "key 2 Mom's heart" basically. I think it's cute. Mike rolled his eyes at it.

But not only did I work on shirts this weekend. I also went back to my original vinyl and put a saying on my freshly painted wall. I love the way it turned out. 2 more things to replace in this room and it really will be an all new kitchen.

I didn't think it was possible, but I think I fell in love even more with my Cricut already this weekend. Can't wait until the next time I get it out and find a project or 2 to do.

Creepy Crafts

It was also a weekend where I had time to play a little with Scrapbooking and with the Cricut. So here are a couple of Halloween projects I made. The sign above was a collaboration from both me and Mike. We really like the way it turned out. The bottom part says "haunted since 2002" in case it's hard to read in the pic.
I also made this little sign. "Broomstick Parking 25cents" I made it specifically for this little wooden broomstick I picked up at Tai Pan Trading last weekend. Mike put a little nail in the broom and viola! Need to find a better place to hang it, but overall. Love it!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Independence Day! I am so grateful for this day and everything we celebrate and hold dear as American's. I finally got my tile made (better late than never). The writing is in gold so it's kind of hard to read but it says "From Bravery Comes Freedom." I think that just about sums it up.
Take some time to remember what this day is all about.
Be safe celebrating, but most of all have fun with it!

Summer Tile

I finally got around to making a summer tile last night. I like the way it turned out overall. I am in need of the right color of blue vinyl to do my 4th of July tile. So stay tuned for that one. I will have to get it done this week as I am running out of time.

Dreamin....

I am so anxious for Spring to arrive and dreaming about being able to take the boys outside more. Yesterday morning I got up and started making my Easter tile since I finally got some more vinyl colors to play with. It turned out more just spring-like but I think I will count it as my Easter one anyway. I love the way it turned out. There are (of course) some things I would fix if I did it again, but overall not bad!

St. Patty's Tile

I finally got around to making my St. Patty's Day tile tonight. Overall I like it. I am not sure about the way the e and r ended up being so big, that's just the way the font made them when I typed it in so I went with it. On one hand I like the funky/fun aspect of it and then on the other hand my need for symmetry is fighting it. What do you think?

Valentines Decor- Latest Editions

I have been getting out the Valentine's decor. Not that I have a lot of it so, it didn't take long. But thought I would share my latest editions of crafting for this holiday.


If you haven't guessed from my other posts, I have a goal of making a tile with my cricut for most of the holidays in the year. I started with Halloween so I am moving along as they come up. Here is my Valentine tile.

And I got this from a friend (thanks Reva). Well at least the chipboard cutout. I dug through my old paper and covered it and then cut around it with a razor then added the tag and ribbon. to embellish a little.

And that's all from my latest crafty corner.

Caleb has been getting excited for Valentines day and had me buy him 2 boxes of Valentines to give to his friends. So we have a box of Kung FU Panda and a box of 3D dinosaurs. We'll be filling those out soon for him to hand out. Can't wait!

Turkey Day is Nearing!

I can't believe that tomorrow we'll already be leaving for Price for Thanksgiving this year. Here's the cute tile I made this year for Thanksgiving. I am excited for the turkey, the potatoes, the rolls and of course the Cherry Pie! I can't wait for all the goodies. But most of all,I can't wait for the wicked deals on Friday. Of course I will be one of those silly girls lined up at the stores (all 3 of them down there) starting at 4 am. It's tradition, we have to! Plus I have been scouring the ads online already and there's some really good deals this year. So I am packing my running shoes and making a game plan. By Thursday night, it will be all mapped out as to who is running for what. This is one shopping trip that even Mike gets in on, he likes running through the stores for the good stuff too. I've already lined him up on what he's going after.

So here's to another fruitful year. If I don't blog again before then, Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Eat lots of turkey and take the time to stop and think about the things you are most thankful for. I do it everyday here at home when I see my 4 boyz.

Until next time!

Halloween Tile

My friend Holly had this great idea to make Halloween tiles. She showed me the ones she made and I just had to try to make one of my own. I like the way it turned out and the best part was that I can cut out all the shapes with my cricut machine. I had fun doing this one and it's fun that if I make more they will all be a little different. I can add a skeleton here, pumpkin there. etc. The possibilities/arrangements are endless. I have enough tiles to make 4 more so any special requests should be sent to my email address :) .