Pallet American flag

If you have been on Pinterest much at all chances are good you have seen reused pallets used in creative ways. I asked hubby to bring home a few pallets for me, I used 3 to make a compost bin for my garden and had 3 left to play with. I love all things Americana, and and July seems to be all about red, white and blue and Old Glory so my plan was to make another piece for my deck to coordinate with my tulle flag wreath on our door. ( You can see my wreath HERE.) I had really hoped to have had this project finished and displayed last month, but that didn't happen.
After seeing several pallet flags online and around town I decided I wanted one, a rectangular flag.  My pallets are all square so I invested in an inexpensive jig saw which made short order of cutting through the wood on the back and sides of the pallet I also knew I wanted to begin and end with red stripes, just like on my wreath, I thought 5 boards would work best.
Sanding and painting was next up, and this is where I got very discouraged and walked away for a few weeks!! I used a small hand sander to get rid of most of the splinters, there is no way this low grade wood would ever sand out smooth! I used Antique White Rustoleum spray paint, and the wood soaked it all up, I don't even remember how many coats I used!! After several weeks I decided to try an exterior paint  applied it with a small foam roller, I was shocked that it worked!!
After I covered the entire thing with white paint, I used painters tape to mark my blue section and used my Silhouette to cut vinyl stars. I used the roller for the red stripes and then rolled over the stars with the bluein my taped off section. Once dry I peeled off the tape and vinyl and was very pleased with my new flag!! 
 I am happy with how quickly this all came together once I worked out the problem with the paint!
Now to figure out what to do with those 2 leftover pallets.......
Thanks for stopping by!
Until later~

Patriotic tulle wreath

While cruising around Pinterest I found the inspiration for my Memorial Day/4th of July wreath. It came together very fast and is super cute!!

I used a styrofoam wreath (mine was green haha), rolls of tulle (I bought 3  25 yds spools of each color and had a little of the blue  leftover) and some white glitter stars. I cut the tulle into 22" strips and then double knotted them onto my wreath. I started with the blue and used it on about 1/4 of the wreath. I then started on the strips using red first and alternated 3 strips of red and 3 strips of white until I had filled in the entire wreath. I ended with red- the top and bottom strips on an American flag are red- and then filled in the tiny space that was open with more of the blue. Tacky glue on the back of the stars hold them in place. I like the ratty edges so I left my strips untrimmed, and as you can see it pretty much covers my back door. You could trim the ends if you like.
My flag wreath has been on my door since May and the heat through the glass storm door causes the tulle to look a little messy at times, but I finger comb the tulle back into place and it looks good as new again.
 I love Americana decor and lean more toward navy, cream and burgundy but the traditional red, white and blue looks very stunning on our house. I will be sad to put it away in a couple of weeks!!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~

4H projects

 I don't have much time to actually craft since we added 2 little ones to our family and provide respite for other Foster families. Being a mom to 4 (and up to 6) has taken some adjustment~ but I would not trade it for anything in this world!!
The "big kids"- Hunter and Hailey recently took part in their 4H Achievement Days. They took a van load of projects last year, and this year I let them manage their time and projects. Hailey took one- a plate of Chocolate Chip cookies and earned a Blue ribbon. 

Hunter and his Blue ribbon Wine bottle bird feeder.

 Hunter earned a Blue Ribbon with the leather knife holder he made for his dad.

He got a Red ribbon for his recycled soda can grill.The can was cut in half, Ubolts used for the legs and a coat hanger for the cook surface. It is perfect to grill one hot dog or brat. 

Not only did the kids learn from their projects, but they learned a lot about managing time wisely. Hailey has already started her projects for next year. Hunter has a few good ideas and has been creating Wonderloom stuff. 

 Hopefully between the 2 of them and me, we will post more often. :-) We have all been scouring Pinterest in search of projects and have made a few trips to the craft stores and home improvement stores!! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

 

Summer in North Dakota is just getting started

 

Summers on the prairie in North Dakota a simply gorgeous! I snapped this canola field while out and about with the hubby last weekend. We had a block of time to spend with each other, a rarity these days! We spent a good part of the day road tripping and out running  scattered popup storms in the area. A small  storm was rolling in and the contrast between the dark sky and the brilliant yellow blooms of the canola took my breath away. I really wish I had grabbed my camera before heading out the door!! It has been too long since my last trip out with my camera, way too long!! Hopefully soon I can get reacquainted with my camera... and with this area that I have grown to love!! The next month or so the crops will be blooming and I want to capture as many as I can!

Thanks for stopping by!
Until later~

Extinct Layout

I know it has been ages since I have shared anything crafty here. Today I am popping in to share a dinosaur bones layout. This is a 8.5x11 horizontal layout for our 2015 Project Life album.
 We paid a little visit to our state house in Bismarck over the kids' spring break in March. I was blown away by all of the cool dinosaur bones on display there!! Quite honestly, I am not a big dino fan, but even I had a blast checking out all of the bones!!

(Sorry for the wonky picture taken with my cell phone!)

The patterned paper is from an old paper pad and the green swirls were my inspiration for the layout. There is a lot of green going on here. I think it is funny that it looks like the flower cluster is going to be dinner for this skinny fellow!
The "extinct" die cut is from the Silhouette Store

I used Mister Huey spray mist for the splatters,
a little Washi tape, paper flowers, felt flowers (ugh! I HATE felt!) and some green rhinestones and I matted the entire layout on green textured cardstock and called it done!

Hopefully I wont look like this dinosaur the next time I update my blog! :-)
 Thanks for stopping by!
Until later~

Brave Girls Faithful Friends book review

 

Brave Girls Faithful Friends A 90-Day Devotional For Brave Girls Like You!

My daughter is one of those girls who makes friends easily no matte where she goes. I like that Brave Girls Faithful Friends reinforces her desire to be a friend and to have friends. Having just completed the second grade Hailey is able to complete each devotional on her own, but I am thrilled when she wants to share her devotions with me!
 Each devotion starts with a relevant scripture followed by a thought-provoking devotion and then ending with a meaningful prayer.

Brave Girls Faithful Friends is divided into sections with titles such as; God is my best friend, Bible Friends, Critter Chat (my daughter loved reading about various animals and their “friendships.”), Friendship Starters, Friendship Fixers, Friends at Home, Quizzing the night away, and Friendship Fun Zone.

 Brave Girls Faithful Friends is a great tool for girls between the ages of 7 and 10  to teach friendship skills that will last a lifetime.

I received Brave Girls Faithful Friends from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The First Easter Ever by Dennis Jones Book Review

 

The First Easter Ever by Dennis Jones

The First Easter Ever tells the story of Jesus’ ministry, death and resurrection using kid friendly words and illustrations. My 8 year old and I read the book together, she most definitely could have read this one on her own, but enjoyed sharing it together.

Some of the things I like about The First Easter Ever are that the story is pretty accurate and age appropriate, the book is a good value price-wised book, and being a paperback is very kid friendly.

 The story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is one my children know well, but each year as we prepare for Easter we like to read it again. The First Easter Ever will be re-read many times in our home.

I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.