Saturday, June 27, 2009

Our Biggest Craft Project of the Summer

At seven fifteen this morning, we started our biggest craft project of the summer. Calling it a craft project definitely seems less intimidating than "big, scary DIY project." We're removing our entire front porch, roof and all, and replacing it.

There's my hubby up on the front porch roof, taking off shingles. We were blessed to have his friend, Jeff, come help out for a time before heading to a meeting. (Thanks, Jeff!)

That's my hubby's new utility trailer. Funny how giddy we both are about it!

It will be so nice, though, to be able to make runs to the home improvement store without having to "make arrangements" with three or four other people to go.

Rich loves to do satisfying DIY projects like this. You know, ones you choose to do, rather than have to do because there's an emergency, and something has leaked or broken. Although we really did have to do this project, we were still able to do it in our own time.

This photo cracks me up! Do you see the foreperson overseeing the project from the second floor window? Shannon is chomping at the bit to get out there and help, but she was banned from the work site because of the danger involved -- too many falling parts and sharp dirty nails and such. She'll be able to help during the building phase. She was a huge help building the back deck last summer, but for today she had to satisfy herself with shouting orders out the window. :) Now, if you take a closer look at the downstairs window, you'll see that Shannon wasn't the only spectator to today's activities. Ronan was watching too, although he had more interest in when we were breaking for a snack than in the actual deconstruction.

Twelve hours later, there is just enough porch to get in and out of the house and up and down the front steps. Soon that will be gone, and the real fun part will begin. Don't you just love the smell of fresh-cut lumber? I do. :)

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Seaside Sunset



It's the fourth week of the month already, and my turn once again to host the Crafty Secrets challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. I chose a theme challenge, "Inspired by Nature" and asked the members to make a project with a nature theme, using colors or patterns inspired by nature, or to bring something from the outdoors in to use on a project.

My card was inspired by the colors of the ocean and beach. My mil is attending a wedding reception for a couple recently married on the beach, so I thought this would be a fitting card for them.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Story of Me Mini Album


This week on the Crafty Secrets' member forum, Pammyjo challenged us to make a project that is "All About ME". She asked us to make something that reflects our personalities.

Scrapbooking was my first papercrafting love, so for my project I made this mini-album using one of my favorite Crafty Secrets images from the Story of Me set. I used two of my favorite colors, purple and chocolate brown. I gave the little girl chestnut hair, the same color as mine, and dressed her in shades of purple, of course.

The album cover also reflects my love of reading and writing. I loved studying in college and majored in English with a writing discipline. I attended grad school for Children's Literature, which is how I came up with my screen name, Kiddielitter. I put that degree on hold, though, when my daughter was born and my hubby decided to get his PhD. I'm a copy editor now and am surrounded by the written word all day.

This project was really fun! I think I see a bunch of mini-albums in my future. They would make super cute gifts for all kinds of reasons.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Outdoor Art Studio

Need a little me time, Mums? Pick up one of these great tents for your kids. Ours arrived on Friday, and I haven't seen my kids since!

Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration. I've seen them a few times: potty and snack breaks, requests for additional paper and art supplies, and church on Sunday.

In case you're looking, this tent is made by Pacific Play Tents, and we ordered it from Amazon.com. Some of the great things about this particular tent are: it opens and closes really easily and doesn't have stakes (the three-year-old can set it up and put it away by himself) and the fabric is treated SPF 30.

The size can be a pro or a con - it's 48" x 48" x 36", which is nice for a cozy clubhouse for two, but not too roomy if they want to spread out or if you have more than two kids. The upside is that it isn't too big to set up in the house on rainy or winter days.

I have some craft projects in the works, and we're preparing for Vacation Bible School at our church next week. I'm the assistant director and the crafts director this year. I should have lots of crafty goodness to show you soon!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Sparkly Fairy House

For last week's Crafty Secrets' challenge, Lori challenged us to add *sparkle* to our projects. So I sprinkled this Little Folding House with all kinds of fairy dust (Stickles glitter glue, rhinestone brads, mica flake glitter, and Atyou Spica glitter pen).

The various papers are from Brenda Walton and Anna Griffin, and the diecut folding flowers are from K&Company. Once again, the stamps, which I colored with Copic markers, are from Crafty Secrets' Fairyland set.

Thanks again for stopping by, and I hope you have an enchanting Monday!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Summer Reading


What a crazy week it's been! End-of-the-school year activities and parties for Shannon all week, plus a really busy week at work, have kept us all busy. I made a bunch of thank you cards for various tours and activities that Shannon's Daisy troop participated in recently, but I didn't get any pictures taken of them. It was one of those situations when we were practically crafting as we went out the door to a meeting or party.

The card to the right is for Shannon's teacher. This week on the Crafty Secrets' forum, Lori challenged us to use text on our project. This dear little sheep from CS's Booklovers set has started her summer reading list already.

The text background is a segment of Wind in the Willows from October Afternoon's Night Light collection. I cut the scalloped circle using a Nestabilities die in my Big Shot machine. I colored all of the images with Copic markers, and popped up the sheep with foam dimensionals.

Here's to a wonderfully relaxing summer vacation full of fun creative pursuits!