A Valentine

I don't like Valentine's day!

But I love LOVE. I love my children, I love my husband, I love my friends. 

But I love them every day...

Nonetheless, I decided to make a valentine for a sweet friend.

I have been thinking about this concept for awhile and wanted to play with it. It is inspired by mixed media art, which I seem to be crazy about these days.

I have so many ideas & inspirations and so little extra time on my hands these days. So I figured I'd start here:

The back is white fabric with large pink polka dots. 

I adore how it turned out and I am flooded with inspiration for other projects!

These are great scrap bin busters, and they are so very fun to make, especially if you know exactly who you're making it for :)

I hope my dear friend knows I am grateful for her and my love runs deep.

After all, that's what valentines day is supposed to be about.

That's what every day is supposed to be about!

xo

DIY Photo canvas for gallery wall

So, I'm hopping on the trendy scene with home decor. The gallery wall... I am working on two at the moment (since we all know that I am self diagnosed D.I.Y- A.D.D), one in my entry way and one in Mr. P's room.

Guess what?!

 Canvases were on sale last week at Joann's- 50% off! I live for this time of year. Honestly, I refuse to purchase a canvas if it is not on sale. I bought a lot of them... 

I just adore how a photo looks on a canvas and I have been known to purchase the Groupon for 60% off said canvas photo mounting. Enter Pinterest to save the day... again!

I found this tutorial (which rocks!) and I decided to do what I do and make it my own.

1. I took baby photos of Mr. P and adhered them to canvas (that I'd painted black brown- top and all 4 sides) with Matte Mod Podge- my fav.

2. I patiently waited for them to dry... about 20 minutes.

3. I covered the top of the photo with smooth horizontal strokes of Mod Podge. The smooth strokes with a paint brush, not sponge are sooo important, in the end you will see the strokes, but they make your photo look like part of the canvas.

4. Again, waiting for it to dry...

5. Fill in the creases between the photo and canvas, around the rim of the photo, you'll end up painting it. Then smooth vertical strokes of Mod Podge across the top (of the horizontal strokes) of the photo.

6. More waiting for it to dry...

7. one last coat of Mod Podge on top of the photo, again smooth horizontal strokes.

8. Waiting for dry....

9. Repaint the edges of the canvas black brown and stipple a bit onto the front rim of the photo- you can see it better on the smaller, lighter photo below.

10. Wait for it to dry.

11. Spray the whole thing with clear flat (unless you like a little shine, then use satin...), acrylic spray paint- I used Krylon!

And, a little side view!

Washcloth Cupcakes- a baby shower gift

My sweet friend is going to a baby shower this evening and needed a gift, so I whipped up a batch of washcloth cupcakes. Don't they look delightful?! Two washcloths per cupcake, the mommy-to-be digs primary colors! As a momma, I know you can never have too many washcloths with a little one. There's always something to wipe up!

So I have been away from my computer for a couple of days working on some major house overhaul and some incredible storage solutions as well as some diy projects. Stay tuned for some tutorials and shots of what has been going on around the Dannerville Manor!

What is your favorite baby shower gift idea?

*I linked up to Faith, Trust, and a little Pixie Dust!

Family Name Signs

Now that it is after Christmas, I can show y'all what I made for some of my favorite people!

I adore my family! My big brother is so kind and talented and he married an amazing woman for him, a perfect addition to our family. I wanted to give them something honoring their family, something that they can display in their home.

I love how it turned out!

I consider Nicole my sister. Her mother and my mother met in lamaze class when they were pregnant with us. Nicole was born 3 weeks after me. I don't know what I would have done in life with out such an incredible little woman to experience everything with. She's taught me a ton and tested me as well, as any sibling should. She married her hubs the same year that my big bro married his wife. I can not believe it was almost 4 years ago already! I adore The Cookes and I am thrilled that Bernie is also a part of our family!

As you can see, the coloring is different on the two signs. I know that Tay and Jen have more black and white in their home plus there is just a touch of green- Jen's fav color. Bernie and Nicole are more into the dark browns and mahogany shades, so I ran with that. I hope that my sweet siblings love their signs as much as I loved making them for them. 

If you are interested in ordering a custom sign, email me. 

What did you give your siblings this year?