Blue Cricket Design

Valentines Day door by “My life and kids”

Becca — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:51:09 +0000

I love decorating my front door for the holidays and Valentine’s Day is no exception.

Supplies you will need:

2-3 sheets of craft foam in pink / red or both (I used both)
1 sheet of black craft foam (or you can use poster board)
1 sheet of white poster board for the mouth
Stapler and staples
School glue
3M strips or masking tape – whatever works best for hanging things on your door

For each eye – cut a large heart, a medium-size white circle and a small black circle. Glue them together.

For the nose – cut a medium-size heart.

For the mouth – cut two medium-size hearts and a large “smile” out of poster board. Staple the hearts onto each corner of the mouth. Draw “teeth” onto the poster board.

For each arm - cut a circle out of pink or red craft foam. Starting at the outside of the circle, cut a continuous swirl. Cut a medium-size heart for the hand, and staple it to the end of the swirl.

Use your 3M strips or masking tape (or a staple gun) to attach your face and arms to your door.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

For more great posts by Anna please visit “My Life and Kids!“

Thread & Rhinestone Bracelet by “Miss Lovie”

Becca — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:46:22 +0000

Yesterday I showed you how to make the Thread and Rhinestone Bangle so today I’m going to show you how to make the Braided version! This is the second bracelet I made for my audition on SYTYC This bracelet is a little more difficult to make than the bangle maybe, but you can still do it!! I seriously love these bracelets. They are so fun and pretty.

Materials Needed

Four different, but coordinating colors, of chenille embroidery thread, about 2 1/2 times the length of the diameter of your wrist (depending on how loose you want the bracelet) I used about 24 in. and it was a little long, but it can always be trimmed.

Rhinestone chain (I bought mine when it was 40% off and I had a coupon at Hancock’s Fabric), 8-12 in.

Gold chain and antiqued bronze chain, 8-12 in.

Large and small jump rings

2 solid (not like jump rings) connecting rings

2 crimp connectors (see larger picture below)

and gold wire (22-24 gauge)

eye pin and large pearl or bead (not pictured)

You’ll also need all tools above minus the crimp tool.

(All measurements are approximate. I usually eyeball. And often I have to fix it because I don’t properly measure. The measurements above may be overshot a little, but you can always trim the thread as needed)

Ok first you’ll do the same technique to get the colors all mixed together like in Thread and Rhinestone Bangle Tutorial. This is optional, but I think it looks really cool.

First you want to cut about 24 inches of embroidery thread from each color. Then you are going to separate the threads into 2 strands each. Each thread comes with 6 threads twisted together so you’ll separate it into 3 sets with 2 strands in each set. Once you do that to both sets from the same color you’ll have 6 sets with 2 strands in each set. Do that with the rest of the colors and you’ll have 24 sets with 2 strands in each set.

(please email me if you have questions. I know that’s confusing!!)

I don’t know if my way is the right way to separate embroidery thread, but I always hold one end of the thread between my knees and pull the threads apart slowly. This keeps it from tangling so much. If it tangles, let it untwist some and be patient. If you pull too hard, it will knot.

After your thread is ready you want to put the threads together by alternating colors. On every thread you add, run your thumb and index finger along the entire length of the joined threads to keep them together to reduce tangles and knots.

When you’re done adding all the thread it should look like this. See how the colors are all mixed together?

Cut each end for a clean edge to work with.

Slide the embroidery thread through one of the solid connecting rings so that there is an equal amount on each side. These will make up two parts of your braid.

To make the third part of your braid you’re going to put all chains (rhinestone, gold, and antiqued bronze) on a large jump ring. Before doing that you have to create a connector from the rhinestone.

Here is the crimp connector. As the picture above shows, the flat parts that stick up are going to be folded down between the rhinestones to hold it in place. The loop will be under the rhinestone and it will help you connect the rhinestone chain to the large jump ring.

Fold one end down first using your (patience) and bent nose pliers.

Then fold the remaining flat part on top of the other.

The back of the rhinestone chain should now look like this with the loop behind the rhinestone.

Use your bent nose pliers to pull up the loop a little so it’s useable and place a small jump ring onto the loop. This step just makes the rhinestone chain a little easier to work with so it will lay flat like it’s supposed to. (step not pictured)

Then slide the two chains and the small jump ring connected to the rhinestone chain onto the large jump ring and close the jump ring around the large connecting ring between the two embroidery threads. The chain cluster will act as the third part of the braid.

Now you’re ready to braid!

Braid as you normally would being super careful the settings on the rhinestones don’t snag the embroidery thread. Make sure the braid is tight enough that it won’t fall apart! Try to fit the thread in between the rhinestones when you cross over the chain cluster so you see as many rhinestones as possible and to help keep the braid tight.

When you have your braid done to the desired length, push all the embroidery thread to one side and run the thread through your fingers to get it nice and even and looking like a cohesive piece.

Slide your cohesive embroidery thread through the other solid connecting ring and see where you need to cut the chain so that they’ll lay be tight enough and not have any slack in them. Cut them with your wire cutters

Add a crimp connector to the rhinestone chain again as described above, then add all chains to your second large jump ring and close the jump ring around the solid connecting ring.

Loop your embroidery thread around the solid connecting ring and pull tight. Use the wire to wrap around it once and twist the end around itself once. Do this very close to the solid connecting ring so you can work your way down.

Here you can see the wire wrapped around itself once.

In between each wrap use your pliers (doesn’t matter which one but I usually find I have more control with my bent nose pliers) to clamp the wire down flat. Be sure the wire is tight around the thread.

A couple of wire wraps away from being finished, cut the excess thread off (not pictured) and continue wrapping the wire (and crimping it down) to enclose the loose thread ends. When you’re done, clip the wire with the wire cutters so that the wire is in the middle of the bracelet and bend the wire in towards the bracelet with the bent nose pliers. The arrow above is pointing to the bent wire.

Tuck the bent wire into the thread and up under the wire as shown above. I purposely made my braided part a little shorter so I could add that fun goldish pearl to the clasp.

You could even wrap wire around the other side in the same manner and it would look pretty cool, too. I might do that next time.

To make the clasp like this, simply take the eye pin and slide the pearl onto it and create a simple loop above the pearl. See pictures below to make a simple loop.

Open the loop to connect it to one side of the bracelet.

Connect the clasp to the other solid connecting ring with a large jump ring and use the other simple loop on the pearl to clasp the bracelet together.

All finished!!

And no, that bracelet is not made of hair like someone on Pinterest obviously thought at first.

See their comments here. I literally laughed out loud when I read those. Yikes. If I ever make anything out of hair you have my permission to call me seriously crazy and I’d hope you wouldn’t read my blog ever again. HA!

I’m really loving them. I wore one to school today.

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial! If you missed it, be sure to go check out the Thread and Rhinestone Bangle Tutorial that matches this one!

For more great ideas from Allie be sure to visit “Miss Lovie!”

Don’t forget to vote! You could win $1,000

Becca — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:42:36 +0000

There is still time to vote for your favorite Pillsbury Crescent recipe! So many yummy recipes to tempt you and give you new ideas on ways to get creative with your Crescent rolls!

My Apple turnover recipe is simple and easy and oh so yummy! Vote for mine or any of the other amazing recipes! And don’t forget! Your vote might win you $1,000!

Vote for my Creative Crescent Recipe and you’ll be entered to win a $1,000 grocery gift card!

Find more quick and easy Pillsbury recipes at www.CreativeCrescents.com.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Pillsbury. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Contest Rules.

Show and Tell

Becca — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:30:13 +0000

Time to get your link on! Have you created a fab project you want to show off!?! Link it here and get seen by thousands. I’ll often feature favorite links on Facebook and twitter and on my site so by linking you give me full permission to shout your praises and feature you and your post! Consider it FREE publicity!

Chocolate Mousse cups by “Grateful Prayer, Thankful Heart”

Becca — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:59:49 +0000

I picked up chocolate molds on after-Christmas clearance (75%-off) and knew they would make perfect serving cups for a special dessert. They were a little tricky un-molding but nothing that the filling didn’t hide.

Following the directions on the package, I made 10 dessert shells with about half a bag of Candy Melts.

When the dessert shells were completed, it was on to the mousse.

Alton Brown rates his recipe as easy but I thought it was a bit involved.

Not difficult but with several steps.

Heating the cream over a candle is so Alton.

Kind of feels like you’re in science lab

After the mousse was made and chilled a bit in the refrigerator, I piped it into the chocolate molds for a pretty presentation.

Chocolate Mousse

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

PRINT RECIPE
Serves: 6 to 8 servings (I filled 10 chocolate cups plus two additional glasses)
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups whipping cream
12 ounces quality semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 ounces espresso or strong coffee
1 tablespoon dark rum
4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon flavorless, granulated gelatin

Directions
Chill 1 1/2 cups whipping cream in refrigerator. Chill metal mixing bowl and mixer beaters in freezer.

In top of a double boiler, combine chocolate chips, coffee, rum and butter. Melt over barely simmering water, stirring constantly. Remove from heat while a couple of chunks are still visible. Cool, stirring occasionally to just above body temperature.

Pour remaining 1/4 cup whipping cream into a metal measuring cup and sprinkle in the gelatin. Allow gelatin to “bloom” for 10 minutes. Then carefully heat by swirling the measuring cup over a low gas flame or candle. Do not boil or gelatin will be damaged. Stir mixture into the cooled chocolate and set aside.

In the chilled mixing bowl, beat cream to medium peaks. Stir 1/4 of the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Fold in the remaining whipped cream in two doses. There may be streaks of whipped cream in the chocolate and that is fine. Do not over work the mousse.

Spoon into bowls or martini glasses and chill for at least 1 hour. Garnish with fruit and serve.

(If mousse is to be refrigerated overnight, chill for one hour and then cover each with plastic wrap)

Rescue Remodel! Vote for a fire house to win an IKEA makeover!

Becca — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:16:14 +0000

The voting has begun!!! Time to vote for a winning Fire House to receive that$25,000 IKEA Kitchen makeover! We know how hard fire men and woman work! Why not help one lucky fire house win this huge honor and get a killer new kitchen!

One lucky Fire house will win a $25,000 kitchen Rescue Remodel from IKEA and The Family Handyman? Now’s your chance to VOTE!

Appliances, cabinets, counter tops, Oh my! Everything a deserving fire station needs to feel like the hero’s they are!

Contest Period: Entry for this Contest begins on Oct 18, 2011 and ends on December 6, 2011. There will then be a public voting period on selected finalists from about January 24, 2012 until February 28, 2012.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!!!!!

HP’s Photo Creation and Getaway reminder!

Becca — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:29:46 +0000

Have you downloaded the new HP Photo Creation Free software yet? This program is so much fun! Look what I whipped up in no time!

These personal “Clean Room charts” are for my girls! Every Day they keep their room clean they get to mark their calender and when they keep it clean for 7 days in a row they can earn a prize! Fun and motivating and they only took me about 5 minutes to create!

HP’s Photo creation made it so simple! The hardest part was choosing a back ground! There are great theme options, layouts, and fonts. It’s easy to upload photos and adjust size and placement! And when you are done it’s as easy as sending your project to your printer to be printed or ordering from their home delivery options!! Mouse pads, Luggage tags, key chains, calendars, scrapbook pages and more!

And Don’t forget to enter the HP Getaway Giveaway where you could win a trip to any U.S. theme park by LIKING HP on facebook, downloading this new software, creating a project and uploading a photo of you with your project to win! You have until Jan. 31st to enter to win so get creating!

If you do all of the above mentioned to enter on HP’s facebook page be sure to jump over to THIS giveaway where the chosen winner will be in the running for a free HP Printer. $199 value. To enter the printer giveaway you must have liked HP’s fan page, downloaded the software, and entered the getaway giveaway by uploading a photo of yourself with your finished project!

** I am being compensated by HP for my participation in this campaign.

How to shoot with Window Light by “Photos by Emilie”

Becca — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:59:01 +0000

Winter is tough for the photography world. It’s freezing & dull outside. This tutorial will teach you how to capture a stunning image inside with window light. The first rule is to pick a time of day when the sun in not directly coming into the windows.

Below are the 3 rules to placing your subject in relation to the window…

Rule #1: Place your subject on the same level as your light. I used a table to lift the sweet baby off the ground and level with the window light.

Rule #2: Place your subject close to the window. You will be surprised how much difference the light will be just 1 or 2 feet away.

Rule #3: Be sure to have lots of window between you and your subject. This will create a softer light than if you have very little window between you and your subject. (I did end up pulling that curtain all the way back and out of my light.)

Here are some more images I captured…

Happy Snapping!!

This is just one of the tips you’ll learn during my workshop. I offer workshop in Salt Lake and

online.

Just a few of the things you’ll learn:

-Shooting in Manual Mode

-Perfect Lighting Every time

-My Favorite Poses

-The Magic of Photoshop

Photo By Emilie Workshops:

ONLINE WORKSHOPS

SALT LAKE WORKSHOPS

My next Salt Lake Workshop is Saturday, March 3rd.

Posted by:

Show and Tell with Hoopla Earrings

Becca — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:30:12 +0000

Want to meet my all time favorite earring company? Of course you do!!!! Meet Hoopla Earrings!

I own 6 pairs of Hoopla’s and if you ask me that’s nowhere close to enough! I first fell in love with these amazing hand painted and crafted earring about a year ago when I found them for sale at Oh Sweet Sadie. I bought my first 3 pair and has craving more! Lucky for me the amazing designer behind hoopla is a local so I’ve been able to get my Hoopla fix easily! Hoopla also sells on etsy so lucky for all of us, we can all get our hands on these beautiful earrings!

AND one lucky winner is about to score a $50 gift card to use at Hoopla Earrings! That’s enough for 5 pair! SCORE!!!!!

AND Hoopla Earrings will be setting up shop and selling at Oh Sweet Sadie Feb. 3-4 in South Jordan, UT! You know I’ll be there scooping up more earring!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner will be announced next Wednesday!

What’s your greatest “Steal of a Deal?”

Becca — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:16:25 +0000

It seems like every time I leave a thrift store with a new find I say to myself! ” This is the best deal EVER!” only to say it again to myself after the next shopping trip! I LOVE a great deal. My latest “Steal of a Deal” was found during my last visit to The Home Depot…

I saw a display of these Gliden Paint samples and they were marked down to 50 cents each! I grabbed 6 of bottles of fun bright colors and headed to the checkout but low and behold they rang up for 1 penny each! What the! I asked the checker to double check because I told her what I thought they should have been. NOPE! 1 cent! SO you know what that meant right? Time to load up!

56 bottles and 56 cents later I now have this great collection of awesome colors. They are about the size of a small craft paint bottle!

So here’s a question…What’s the best “steal of Deal” you’ve ever gotten?

Valentines Door Wreath

Becca — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:00:22 +0000

Striped fabric:IKEA $7.99 a yard

Frame: “Balboa” 8 x 10 frame from “Cut it Out” $12.99

Glitter Heart: Emporium at Thanksgiving Point $5.99

Ribbon: My craft room

Happy Valentines! Let the pink and heart crafting begin!

Meet the Contributors…

Becca — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:30:40 +0000

I am so excited to announce and introduce you to the new BCD family! These talented ladies are beyond amazing as over the course of time I know you will see why I have invited them to join in on the fun over here on Blue Cricket Design! Please help me welcome them by saying hello and visiting their home sites to see what keeps them so busy in the creative blogging world!

Emily Ralph, is a self-taught photographer who specializes in family portraiture, children portraiture and photography education. She has a special talent for capturing the unique essence of children and passing her knowledge along to others. Her award-winning work can be found on the walls of Utah’s trendiest homes, businesses and has been published in local magazines. Emilie books group, one on one and online workshops where you can learn the tricks of the trade and improve your own photography skills! Please visit her website for more details.

Emilie can be found: website, blog, facebook

Showing love and spending time together is what motivates Lorraine’s enthusiasm in the kitchen. Married 36 years with 4 grown daughters (including twins) and 10 grandchildren has provided lots of experience as well as laughter, closeness and full tummies. Her kitchen staff often include wee ones on the counter helping to stir and pour with older ones by her side reading the recipe.
Equipped with a good recipe and some basic skills, Lorraine believes success in the kitchen is not just easily obtainable but a joy to create. Whether the occasion is casual or grand, intimate or over-flowing, she loves to share fellowship and food with the goal of doing it all “With A Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart”.

Lorraine can be found: blog

Anna had three kids in three years, and then she quit her job, moved to the suburbs and bought a minivan. Now she’s knee deep in kids and loving every minute of it. She blogs about it all at My Life and Kids – where she always strives to find the fun in life and motherhood.

Anna can be found: blog

Jessica Peck is the creative mind behind Sweetie Pie Bakery. Her blog focuses on her life as a mid-western, work at home mom, sharing her knowledge of sewing, baking and everything between the seams!

Jessi can be found: blog, facebook, twitter, pinterest

Allie Watts is the creator of the blog, “Miss Lovie,” a blog centered around sharing detailed tutorials on all types of crafts and DIY such as jewelry-making, sewing, and holiday and home décor. Although she is relatively new to the blogging world, her projects are full of creativity and many have found her tutorials inspirational. She devotes a lot of her time teaching kindergarten and spends the rest of it on good books and blogs, good friends and family, and new projects of all kinds!

Allie can be found: blog, facebook, twitter, pinterest

Catherine Pooler is the owner and founder of StampNation and also a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator. She spends her days rubber stamping, scrapbooking and teaching others how to explore their creativity as well through her blog, newsletter and her membership site (StampNation). She has been a scrapbooker for 20+ years and a rubber stamper for 8. She has been recognized by Stampin’ Up as one of their top demonstrators every year since signing on with the company, including the #4 top demonstrator in 2008. She is ecstatic to be living her dream, working from home elbow deep in cardstock, markers and rubber stamps while raising her 3 daughters.

Catherine can be found: website, facebook, youtube

Kacey Kendrick Wagner is happiest when she’s working on her latest big idea in her spare bedroom studio. Armed with a background in Art Education, no project or material is off limits. From felt to fabric, paint to printables–this girl dabbles in it all. When she’s not busy making beautiful things (and big messes), you might find her glued to her computer, curled up with a good book, or cheering on her favorite sports teams. Kacey chronicles all of her creative endeavors through her blog, “Stay-at-Home Artist.”

Kacey can be found: blog, etsy, pinterest

Jackie Hernandez is the author of Teal & Lime, a blog about creating a DIY modern home. Jackie is the mother of two young boys. As much as she loves a beautifully styled room, she always keeps the kids in mind. She includes them whenever possible in home DIY projects, but also enjoys coming up with special craft projects just for them.

Jackie can be found: blog, facebook, twitter

Holly Marsh, a former kindergarten teacher, is the creator of the upcycling blog, “Life as a Thrifter.” When not chasing after her busy toddler, Holly finds time to scour thrift shops and flea markets in hopes of giving new life to her fabulous finds. With a toddler on her hip and a paintbrush in her hand, she can transform almost any thrift find into an easy to follow DIY project.

Holly can be found: blog, facebook

Larissa Zitzman is the author, creative brain, and Momma behind the blog “Just Another Day in Paradise”. Between the craziness that is raising three, soon to be four, Little Men, she can be found creating, sewing, crafting, cooking, whipping together a party, and home-decorating. Her motto is that “creating doesn’t have to be expensive”. She is a big advocate of use-what-you-have and think-outside-the-box in all of her creative endeavors. She can be found using her frugal method especially in putting together a party. She is a big believer that beautiful projects, good meals, and fabulous parties don’t have to break the bank. She enjoys sharing her creative ideas through her blog and the excuse it gives her to come up with new projects.

Larissa can be found: blog

Crate and Barrel Stendig Calendar

Becca — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:35:02 +0000

Crate and Barrel set up shop in Salt Lake late last year and I could not have been more thrilled! I grew up with Crate and Barrel. Mike and I registered there for our wedding gifts! It was a fun and nostalgic walk threw memory lane when I first visited and I wanted EVERYTHING! This Stendig Calendar was irresistible! It’s easy to see why, right?

A few weeks ago I scored this amazing find on ksl.com (local classified ads like craigslist but 100 times better!) I’ve been looking for filing cabinets to go in this space in my kitchen. I thought the idea of filing cabinets would work great for this space. Tons of new storage and I loved the idea of adding an industrial/utility look inside my home. My house is pretty eclectic so I was excited to see how it would look. I’d been looking for months when I came across these salvaged metal bank drawers! BINGO! How freakin’ perfect! When I sent my husband the link to get his opinon he was like ” How on earth did you find blue cabinets!” I didn’t even realize they were a dark teal blue hue! My screen made them look more green. I had fully intended on painting any cabinets I found to a teal tone but alas…they were already my signature color!

This find was such a steal! I paid $100 for all three cabinets and they fit the space perfectly! But as you can see I had those ubber lame outlets to deal with! Seriously builders! What the heck! Enter Stendig calendar…

I positioned it just so that no plugs show! I used 3M Command strips to stick it to the wall! A level was a must to make sure it was perfectly straight! Wish you could have seen me try to hang it by myself! Straight up comedy! I recommend getting a friend to help! This Calendar is HUGE!!!

Love me a huge calendar!!

p.s. If you live in the Salt Lake area and want these filing cabinets in your home, the seller has more! He has this shade and gray! They might still be available. If you want me to locate his number just email me!

Pillsbury Apple Turnovers

Becca — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:00:10 +0000

Brunch: The perfect meal! You get to sleep in AND you get to eat yummy warm food! Sounds like a winner to me!

When I was given the chance to create a new recipe using Pillsbury Crescent Rolls I knew exactly what I wanted to create! Warm, yummy, sweet Apple Turnovers! Why haven’t I done this sooner! Pillsbury Crescent rolls are such a family favorite over here and they were the perfect starting point for this easy recipe!

Tart green apples, cinnamon, sugar and butter come together to create a morning treat that the whole family will love!

I added red food coloring to my Cream Cheese Frosting to make it pop off the golden crescent! This makes them so so pretty and perfect for a special Valentines meal! Consider creating this yummy treat for your special Valentine this year! But let’s be honest…they are perfect for any time of year!

Ingredients

1 Pkg. Pillsbury Large Crescent Rolls
2 Green Apples
1 Tablespoon Butter
1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1Teaspoon Sugar

Cream Cheese Frosting

2 Tablespoon Cream Cheese softened
2 Tablespoon Butter Softened
1 Tablespoon Milk
1 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar

** Combined together till smooth. Add a few drops of food coloring to tint your frosting to compliment any Holiday.

Directions

Thinly Slice your apples and saute them in butter and cinnamon sugar for about 5 minutes until they have softened. Add a spoonful of cooked apples onto your unrolled crescent dough and carefully roll up. Place on slightly greased cookie sheet and back at 350 for 12-15 min. or until golden brown. Drizzle with Cream Cheese Frosting!

Vote for my Creative Crescent Recipe and you’ll be entered to win a $1,000 grocery gift card!

Find more quick and easy Pillsbury recipes at www.CreativeCrescents.com.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Pillsbury. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Contest Rules.

Show and Tell

Becca — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:30:11 +0000

Getting organized

Becca — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:12:28 +0000

Now that I had my new craft room painted and new furniture assembles it was time to fill it back up! This part of the makeover process was a little overwhelming for me becasue I wanted everything to not only look great but be functional and accessible! This was going to take boxes, bins, jars and canisters! After looking at what felt like endless options I finally found what I wanted!

To recap…

My old craft room started off with green walls, hand painted button walls and wood toned storage.

After using Valspar Signature paint and IKEA furniture I now had a space that was fresh and bright and ready for filling!

These Allen and Roth Baskets from Lowe’s were the perfect fit for my new bookcases. Like PERFECT fit! This is where my inspiration began! I new I wanted natural elements and these baskets were a great find. Anything Allen and Roth I adore! Remember my Allen and Roth Paintable Wallpaper toy chest! So fun!

Add some Metal buckets, white boxes and red pots from IKEA to the mix and now I had the perfect organizational team!

Next the fun part began! I love to organize so finding the perfect place for everything was a fun task for me! I started by placing my baskets, boxes, jars and bins in the places I thought looked the best. Then I made sure what I filled them with made sense. I shuffled around a few things once I realized I wanted paint over here and ruffles over there but all in all it was a pretty easy process.

When it came to thinking about how I wanted to set up the room I thought about how I was going to use the room. At the desk I knew I knew I wanted certain things at an arms reach. The small metal buckets were perfect for organizing my gel pens, markers, pencils and pens. The Red pot is perfect for task tools I’ll be using while on a projects; things like scissors, pliers and rulers.

Forever I’ve been looking for a great ribbon display to hang on the wall but in the end I really liked how all my ribbon, ruffles, lace and tulle looked on the shelf.

My Allen and Roth narrow baskets were great for storing my lose ruffles and collection of glitter! They tucked perfectly into their shelf.

Kerr jars make the perfect storage for my buttons and gems!

Paint moved in and made itself at home!

These metal buckets each hold different collections that include broaches, premade felt flowers, magnets, and more!

This pretty red dresser is on the wall when you first walk in! It soon will be filled with more supplies as I finish up organizing. For now it displayed my great vintage Blue Singer Sewing Machine I found at a thrift store for $6!

Great storage products make all the difference! Do you have a space in your home that could use a little organizing? I found great luck with the tools I implemented into my craft room to help create this new space I am loving!

Lowe’s wants to make one lucky readers Organization task that much easier with a $100 Lowe’s gift card!

To enter leave a comment in today’s comment section telling me what space in your home needs a little Organization TLC! For additional entries you can Fan Lowe’s Creative Ideas on Facebook! Let me know you did so in a separate comment!

Winner will be announced on the Blue Cricket Designs Facebook page on Monday Jan. 23rd!

Next up I’ll be tackling the walls! I’m working on a cork board and s few other fun details! In the mean time don’t forget to sign up for your FREE Lowe’s Creative Ideas Magazine where you too can get inspired to make your spaces shine!

Miss Ruby Sue is dreamy. I can prove it…

Becca — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:40:06 +0000

I about died then I saw photos from the wedding Miss Ruby Sue helped outfit! If this is the first time you’ve heard of Miss Ruby Sue then you are in for a treat! Miss Ruby Sue creates Couture Head ware that is so dreamy you will actually dream of it as you slumber! Lori, the amazing designer behind Miss Ruby Sue, had her hands full as she created endless head pieces for the dreamiest wedding I have ever laid eyes on. She has even more beautiful photos over HERE on her site so jump on over there and get your PIN on! WARNING! This wedding will make you wish you can call “Do over” on your own wedding!

Be sure to follow Miss Ruby Sue on facebook! She has a daily deal every day where she sells one of her amazing products at half off for 24 hours! And she’s also just added nearly 30 new fun products to her shop! Something for everyone!

Photography by: AubreyJoyPhotography.

Source: The Wedding Belles

Hairpieces: Miss Ruby Sue

HP’s Project Getaway – Your photo project could be a ticket to adventure

Becca — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:33:06 +0000

A memorable vacation begins with a like!

Would you Love, LOVE , love to win a trip to any theme park in the United States? Of course you would! I have just the thing that can make that happen!

HP has a new fun and great way to create creative keepsakes for you and your family! Download their new FREE Photo Creations program and get started making calendars, scrapbook pages, cards, invitations, mugs and more! This program is easy to use and helps make preserving your memories so easy!

Print at home products and order for delivery options too! The options are endless! AND when you download this program and create something amazing you can enter to win a trip for you and your family to visit any theme park in the U.S. (Up to a $6,000 value) to create and capture even MORE great memories! There is also a chance to win an HP ENVY 110 e-All-in-One Printer (ARV: $199.99).

To enter HP’s Getaway Giveaway hop on over to HP’s Facebook page and LIKE them, then download the free program, create something fabulous and enter to win! Enter now through Jan. 31st.

If you enter the big HP Getaway contest you can enter to win this HP Envy 110 All in one printer ($199 value!). After you enter over on the HP Facebook fan page come back here and let me know you entered by leaving a comment in today’s post! I’ll pick one lucky winner who then move on to be a finalist in this printer giveaway Giveaway closes Jan. 31.

Ready! Set! Create!

**I am being compensated by HP for my participation in this campaign.

Show and Tell time!

Becca — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:30:05 +0000

Beethoven meet Valspar

Becca — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:02:25 +0000

Beethoven and I had a little moment in a thrift store in Arizona. Our eyes locked and it was like the universe put us together! He had to be mine! This foot high busk of the talented Mr. Beethoven was $5 and I knew he’d be moving in and setting up shot atop my piano in no time!

If you looked close you’d notice Mr. Beethoven had a few dings and a chip on his shoulder, no pun intended! Nothing a little Valspar spray paint from Lowe’s couldn’t fix.

The key to a great spay paint job is distance, constant movement and two even coats!

Now these are the projects I love! Fast and easy and makes me smile! I have to say my two year old and her friend were a little scared of this guy while he was in the garage getting his makeover! He is now lovingly referred to as “The mean guy!” It’s ok, Chuck! She has let to learn that he’s just freakin serious about great music!

Check out Lowe’s for amazing Valspar Spray paint. Endless colors that can help you spice up a thrift store find! And don’t forget to sign up for your FREE Creative Ideas Magazine from Lowe’s!