Coley's Corner

Flower Pot Cards

2013-05-16T00:01:00.000-04:00

I bought this flower pot cut file from the Silhouette store awhile back (Side note: One thing I love about the Silhouette store is how inexpensive all the cut files and often they have sales making them cheaper than the normal 99 cents.) and had been wanting to use it for something but hadn't created anything with it.

Last week, I finally had times to craft for me since I had been pretty consumed with crafting for the BMB retreat and decided to create a few cards for my Mom for Mother's Day and a friend. I recalled the flower pot shape and decided to give it a try. It was pretty easy. I just selected different papers and cut them.

The way the card is created the flower part slides down into the pot. You can write your sentiment below the flowers.

I used different patterned papers to create the flowers. (I actually used some scraps - I'm on a mission to dwindle down my scrap pile this year!)

I decided it needed something a little more and that's when I added the ribbon. I create a tag using a punch and a stamp.

I love how they turned out!

I forgot how much fun card making is and I know I'll be sharing more cards soon!

(Linking to the parties listed in my sidebar)

{Girly} Super Hero Decor

2013-05-13T10:00:00.000-04:00

Some of you may know that my BFF and I co-founded an organization called BirthMom Buds that provides support to birthmothers and each year, the weekend before Mother's Day we host a retreat and celebration in Charlotte, North Carolina. I really enjoy the task of decorating for the retreat. Each year, we choose a theme each year for the retreat and try to carry it out through out the whole weekend. This being our 9th event, we are starting to get a little more creative and out of the box with our themes and chose this year's theme to be (girly) Super Heroes. Our colors were pink, yellow, lavender, green, and light teal and we created one table in each color.

My Silhouette machine makes creating decor SO easy. I seriously wonder how I ever did this before I had a Silhouette! ha!

My BFF created some amazing buildings out of cardboard boxes by painting them black and adding and cutting out little windows. Those were the main part of the centerpiece and then I created other things to go around the buildings.

The clock tower is my favorite part of the building. So cute!

To go around the buildings, I created several thing. First up, is the candle holders below. I spray painted them black. The masks are fabric and were made using a simple mask shape from the Silhouette store.

I also took glass vases and spray painted them black. I filled them with beans for weight and then silver shred. I created super hero bubbles (using this shape from the Silhouette store) with different words like "pow," "wow," and "bam." I created a colored bubble and then a slightly larger black bubbled and sandwiched two of the bubbles in between a small dowel rod that I painted black. I applied the letters with pop dots to give it a small bit of dimension.

I think my favorite part of the tables was the girls popping out of the building. This same girl is in the retreat logo. I traced the logo in the Silhouette software and cut just the girl out. She is on a small black dowel and is secured inside the building using floral foam. The initials BMB were cut from black vinyl.

I also printed some super hero themed quotes on colored card stock, framed those in frames we used in a previous year's decor, and placed them around the buildings as well.

The last thing I created for the tables was some table scatter/confetti to sprinkle around the centerpieces. The bubbles are the same shape from the Silhouette store. I used the print and cut feature to create a lot of these easily. Sometimes, creating mass quantities of something using the print and cut feature can be a little tedious so my tip is to print everything all at once and then use two mats. While the Silhouette is cutting, you can be peeling off and getting the next page ready to go in.

Lastly I created a banner using the tag line for the retreat, "Super Birthmoms Unite." I found some printable comic book pages online, then turned them into black and white prints in my photo editing software. Then I cut out triangles and letters in solid block using the Silhouette.

And now, here are some more pictures:

The BFF and I were super pleased at how it turned out!

There we are rocking our super hero attire at our Friday Night Mixer.

(I'm "C Kent" and she's wonder woman!)

This post is part of a monthly Silhouette challenge created by Lauren at The Thinking Closet. Check out the links below for more projects by some talented crafty ladies using their Silhouette machines.

Spring Hoop Home Decor - Daily Dwelling

I Heart Labels: Flour & Sugar Jar Edition - The Thinking Closet

Bleeding Heart Card with Free Flower Download - Creative Turn

A Numbers Game - Learning Numbers with Your Preschooler - Lil Mrs. Tori

My First Silhouette Challenge Group Project - Tanya's Creative Space

Personalized Garden Post & Grandma Book (Silhouette Mother's Day Presents) - Whole New Leaf

Girly Superhero Decor - Coley's Corner

"A Cup of Tea" Customizable Art Printable - Tried & True

The Lady in Hat "Thinking of You" Card - An Elegant Touch

Interested in joining us for our group posting event next month? We'd love to have you. Simply contact Lauren from The Thinking Closet by email.

Linking to the link parties listed in my sidebar

Memory Jar for Mom

2013-05-07T01:43:00.000-04:00

Since Mother's Day is this weekend, I thought I'd share a couple of easy DIY gifts I made for my Mom for past Mother's Day.

This memory jar was easy to make and it was fun for my brother and I to sit with my Mom and re-count some of our fond memories.

To create this gift, my brother and I each wrote about 10 memories of things our Mom did for us or with us from childhood to present day. I also asked Noah a few of his favorite Nana memories. I printed them on plain old white copy paper and cut them a part into strips. I rolled them up and tied mine with pink ribbon, Noah's memories with orange ribbon, and my brother's with purple ribbon so my Mom would know whose memory she was about to read just by looking at the color of the ribbon.

I created a tag explaining what was when the jar and what color each of our memories were tied up with. I put them all in the jar, decorated it with a few stickers, and ribbon.

My Mom loved it!

(Linking to the parties listed in my sidebar)

Weekend Wonders: Blog Planners

2013-05-04T09:47:00.000-04:00

I was looking for a good blog planner to help me keep track of the multiple bloggers over at the BirthMom Buds blog which I manage and found some cute, free printable blog planners that I thought I'd share.

And Cutie.com Blog Planner

Basic Blog Planner at Organizing Home Life

Blog Planner Printables at My May Sunshine

Blog Planner at Portland Bloggers

Blog Planner at Home School Creations

Monthly Blog Planner at Confessions of a Homeschooler

Do you use a blog planner?

Noah during the National Anthem

2013-04-30T19:53:00.000-04:00

As a team Mom for Noah's Miracle League baseball team, I have been able to be on the field with him while the National Anthem is being sung. Until last week, I was usually far away and quite honestly not paying much attention to what he was doing during the song.

Last week, I noticed that towards the last line of the song, he begins to get SO excited by kicking his legs and bouncing because he knows the song is almost over and he gets to play baseball.

So this week, I decided to try and video it hoping he wouldn't be distracted by me standing there with the camera. And he didn't disappoint! I love his excitement. It makes my heart smile.

"This is the Stuff"

2013-04-25T23:24:00.000-04:00

Do you ever have those days where absolutely nothing goes right and everything seems to go wrong? Today, seems like one of those days for my little family complete with massive Noah meltdown and seizures. Followed by a mini Momma meltdown once Noah was asleep.

But even in the midst of the "stuff" I'm reminded that in the middle of the mess (food on the floor thrown there during the meltdown, dog barking, messy kitchen, crying Momma) that it could be SO much worse. And I'm blessed.

And so I choose to find joy in the midst of it all. I find joy in the texts and notes from friends, from songs that feel like they were written for me, for outlets, an understanding husband, parents who will listen when I vent, amazing friends, and a God who loves me in spite of it all.

I leave you with this song which felt like it was written for me tonight.........

JOY Prom and Special O.

2013-04-19T09:25:00.000-04:00

Last week was a big week for Noah as he had both Special Olympics and JOY Prom.

At Special Olympics, Noah competed in two different wheelchair races. He goes soooo slow but has a huge smile on his face the entire time and thoroughly seems to enjoy himself and that's what it is all about! As soon as he stopped racing each time, he would sign "more race."

Two days after the Special Olympics, Noah attended JOY Prom. JOY Prom is a prom for special needs teens. Noah went for the first time last year. To be completely honest, I didn't plan for him to attend this year as it seems to me that prom would lose it's specialness if he goes each year but he already knew about it and really wanted to go. So, he went! He chose the orange accents of his suit himself! So handsome!

Paint Chip Spring Ornaments

2013-04-08T10:00:00.000-04:00

I have this little tree that I decorate in different ways each season and it either sits on the side table in the living room or on the mantel. I didn't have any spring "ornaments" for my little tree so I decided to make some.

I have quite a pile of paint chips building up. I don't know why but every time I am in a store with paint chips, I grab a couple. My stash is quickly growing so I decided it was time to use some of them. (And that photo is only a very small sampling of my collection!)

I got out my Silhouette machine and found a couple of springy shapes I liked; a flower, a butterfly, and a bird. I placed my paint chips on my mat and cut out a bunch of the shapes. Even though my mat was plenty sticky the paint chips were sliding around so I put a little piece of re-positional tape on the back of each paint chip and that held them in place perfectly.

After all my shapes were cut, I just took some white twine and glued it in between 2 of the shapes.

It was a easy and pretty quick project and now my tree is good to go for spring and early summer!

Budget-Savvy Spring Sihouette Make - We Love Cards

D.I.Y. Canvas Date Art - The House on Hillbrook

D.I.Y. Vertical File Folders (Martha Stewart Home Office Knockoff with Free Cut File) - Whole New Leaf

Anchor's Away! A Fabric Applique Silhouette Tutorial - Lil' Mrs. Tori

D.I.Y. Subway Art Canvas & Free Cut File - The Thinking Closet

"Different Is Good" Autism Awareness Tee - Tried and True

A Gift! - For 'Just a Little Nutty' - An Elegant Touch

Mother's Day Celebration - Creative Turn

Interested in joining us for our group posting event next month? We'd love to have you. Simply contact Lauren from The Thinking Closet by email.

Quote of the Week: Hope

2013-04-07T13:12:00.000-04:00

"When the world says give up, hope says try one more time."

- Unknown

We're Still Here!

2013-04-04T18:09:00.000-04:00

I promise we are still around! I actually have a couple of posts in the works for you guys.

I think I am coming out of the slump! I am feeling better mentally and although it's really cold and rainy outside at the moment, spring is on the horizon At any rate there is more sunshine now that the time has changed and I can see a difference in my mood. I'm entering my busy season as we plan for the annual BirthMom Buds retreat.

It's spring break this week. We are surviving. Noah's had some meltdowns and really rough moments but there have been some good moments too. Noah has some big things coming up: baseball, JOY prom, and Special Olympics.

For now, I thought I'd leave you with a collage I made of Noah and Granddaddy dyeing eggs on the Saturday before Easter.

Pinch Proof Shamrock Pin

2013-03-11T10:00:00.000-04:00

We don't really do a whole lot for St. Patrick's day. But I decided that I needed a little something green to make me pinch proof on St. Patty's Day so I whipped up this little pin.

I started out by downloading last week's free shape from the Silhouette store. I un-grouped the file so that I could use just the shamrock.

Then my Silhouette machine cut out a perfect shamrock out in both the patterned paper and the green cardstock. I then glued the patterned clover on top of the green clover just to give it a little extra support and weight.

Then I used Mod Podge Dimensional Magic to give it a dimensional glazed effect. Tip for working with MP Dimensional Magic: Start from the middle of your project and work out. Keep a straight pin handy to pop out any air bubbles that may appear.

I let it dry overnight then attached a pin back to the back of it with hot glue and voila! A cute shamrock St. Patty's pin!

Gender Neutral Onesies & Free Cut Files - (The Thinking Closet)

Personalized Kindle Fire Cover - (Daily Dwelling)

Vintage Numbered File Organizer: Office Organization - (Whole New Leaf)

Make Montessori Sandpaper Letters with Silhouette - (Tried & True)

Steampunk Lime Fog Plus Free Stuff - (Creative Turn)

Their WORD for 2013: A Gift - (An Elegant Touch)

Lucky - (Sugar Bee Crafts)

How to Not Lose Your Sunglasses - Silhouette Style - (Crafty Jac)

Interested in joining us for our group posting event next month? We'd love to have you. Simply contact Lauren from The Thinking Closet by email.

Spring Definition Tile (and free printable!)

2013-03-08T19:39:00.000-05:00

I'm really wishing spring would hurry up and get here. Slowly, I'm trying to get out my spring decor and came across my spring definition tile. The writer in me loves anything with quotes, definitions, or words really so thanks to Mr. Webster I used the definition of spring on this tile.

Items Needed:
6 x 6 inch Ceramic Tile (You can find these pretty inexpensive at home improvement stores.)
Spring definition file (I'm sharing mine here.)
Mod Podge
Foam brush
Scrapbook paper of your choosing
1-2 Decorative flowers
Rhinestone or pearl (for the center of your flower)
Sanding block or fine sandpaper
Glue gun
Acrylic sealer (optional)

What you'll do:
1. Print out the definition on the scrapbook paper of your choosing.
2. Center the definition on the tile and then using the tile as your guide, cut it out. I always leave a little extra which we will take care of in a later step.
3. Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge over the tile. Smooth your paper down on the tile and press down firmly with your fingers to get rid of any air bubbles. Let dry for awhile.
4. Using the sanding block or sand paper, sand off any excess paper. You could omit the sanding step but I just like the more finished, adhered look that it gives to it.
5. Glue on your flower and the rhinestone center with hot glue. I used two flowers to give it more fullness and a pink pearl center.
6. Spray with acrylic sealer for added durability. (You also use additional coats of Mod Podge instead.)
7. Sit it on a stand (or add ribbon and hang it somewhere) and admire your pretty work!

Linking up to the linky parties listed in my sidebar

End the R Word Pledge

2013-03-06T15:28:00.000-05:00

Today is the national day of awareness to Spread the Word to End the R Word.

I know so many people think the "r" word is NO BIG DEAL. It's just a word, right? But when you and your baby have cried tears because because of that word, it's more than just a word. Words hurt.

And I know, you are probably going to tell me that you are just calling your friend the "r" word instead of calling them dumb or stupid or something else equally insulting. So aren't you in essence then calling my precious boy and others like him dumb and stupid?

There's a gazillion other words out there - choose another one!

I encourage you to sign the pledge in honor of Noah. And let us know you did!

In a Slump

2013-03-05T21:38:00.000-05:00

So, you have probably noticed I've been a little quiet lately. I am just in a slump. I haven't crafted much either - though I am starting to work on some projects for the 9th annual BirthMom Buds Retreat.

I'm ready for winter to be over. I'm hoping the upcoming time change and having more sunlight will help with my mood!

I'm tired of Noah having seizures (they have increased) and we don't have a cause for the increase. We are subsequently increasing the anti-seizure meds but just have to wait and see if they work.

Just wanted to let y'all know I'm still around and I'll be back as soon as I have something that isn't just whining (like this post) to say or I have created something to show you!

Edited to Add: As soon as I hit published I noticed that THIS is my 999th post! That means the next post will be my 1,000th post. WOWZERS!

You were Made for This Owlie Reminder

2013-02-20T21:00:00.003-05:00

Click here to read the story behind my personal mantra, "You were Made for This."

Click here to see the other photos in my "You were made for This" photo series.

Owl Diaper Cake

2013-02-15T21:14:00.000-05:00

You know I love owlies, right?
So I just had to share this adorable owl diaper cake my BFF made for a baby shower.

Isn't she a cutie!

And she made a tutorial. Check it out in the video below!

(Linking to the parties listed in my sidebar)

Vinyl Nursery Decor

2013-02-13T18:09:00.000-05:00

My friend Leah just recently had a beautiful baby girl. Back when she was decorating the baby's room, she mentioned on Facebook that she was looking for some vinyl decor for the walls. She had already bought a vinyl tree but wanted to add some birds to add some pops of color to the room. I offered to make whatever she wanted so she chose a couple of images from the Silhouette store and a couple of different colors of vinyl and I cut them with my Silhouette machine.

I made all those cute little birdies.

More birdies and a cute little owl.

I really love how it turned out. I've never used vinyl decor in my own home but now I really want to! I'm thinking a vinyl quote in the living room or kitchen..... or something!

Love is All You Need Art

2013-02-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

I needed something Valentine-y to go above my mantel so I decided to break out of my crafting slump, get out my Silhouette machine and make some canvas art.

I love how it turned out!

I started off with a canvas, some music themed scrapbook paper to match the song lyrics I chose to use, some red and black cardstock, Mod Podge, and a glue stick

I used the Mod Podge to adhere the paper to the canvas then I simply cut out the heart and the text with the Silhouette machine. I adhered the heart and text to the canvas with a glue stick.

The font for "love" is one of my all time favorite fonts, Missed Your Exit.

The font for "is all you need" is Lucida Calligraphy.

I added some ribbon to the back of the canvas so it could hang above the mantel.

Then I used my favorite trick to make it pop by framing the canvas art with my red frame.

I love how it turned out!

Burlap Love Banner & Free Cut File - (The Thinking Closet)

Valentine's Day Mantle and Banner - (Daily Dwelling)

"We're Better Together" Valentine's Day Card - (Tried & True)

Silhouette Heat Transfer Onesie - (Crafty Jac)

Interested in joining us for our group posting event next month? We'd love to have you. Simply contact Lauren from The Thinking Closet by email.

Our Version of the Fish Bowl Valentine

2013-02-10T20:51:00.002-05:00

I have seen the "fish bowl Valentine" pinned many times this year. You can find printable versions at The Cards We Drew and I Heart Naptime but Noah and I decided to make our own version......

Cute, isn't it?

Because goldfish crackers have been a long time favorite of Noah's we opted to use those inside instead of gummy fish. And he insisted on orange hearts instead of red. Very un-traditional and very Noah at the same time.

I left the insides of them blank and let Noah paint them in blue with his beloved dot markers.

I think when we do the rest, I might use a little less goldfish crackers so you can see his beautiful dots better. Either way, he's proud of them!

He Loves his Pictures

2013-02-08T09:08:00.000-05:00

Noah loves pictures and recently I was looking around his room and noticed there weren't enough pictures around. The crafty girl in me wanted to make him some picture frames but he's been known to take them off shelves or where ever they are and hold them so I didn't want to use glass frames. I opted to just use plain old plastic frames and just let the pictures speak from themselves.

So I gathered up some pictures and framed them while he was at school. When he came home they were in various different spots of his room; a couple spaced out on the bookshelves, two on the dresser, and one on the bed side table. My the time he went to bed, I walked in his room and found this........

Yep, he moved all the pictures in a little pile on his bedside table so he could see them better!

(PS. I moved them back the next day and he did it again. Too cute!)

You Rock my Socks Valentine's Day Gift

2013-02-06T08:05:00.000-05:00

This is a little gift I made for Noah's PCAs's, teachers, and aides last year.
It turned out soooo cute!

I started out with these:

little heart shaped boxes and socks from the Dollar Spot at Target.

Then I got creative with my Silhouette machine and scrapbook paper. I used a basic heart shape and the sock monkey image from the Silhouette store and decorated the top of the heart shaped box. I simply adhered the heart on to the box, paper pieced the sock monkey and adhered it to the heart, and then added the vinyl letters. Easy peasy!

Roll up the socks and stick them in the heart shaped box.

And now you have a cute little gift!

Love it!

(Linking up to the parties listed in my sidebar)

Because he's My Child

2013-02-05T22:25:00.000-05:00

People often tell me what a great Mom I am and how they don’t know how I do it. But the truth is I often don’t feel like a great Mom at all. The truth is most of the time I feel like I am barely scraping by. I make mistakes and lots of them, I call my Mom or BFF late at night having a mini breakdown about something I’m worried about, and I worry – A LOT – about the future. I stress that I’m not doing enough, that I’m not good enough, and that the mistakes I’m making are huge mistakes that will scar him for life.

But I’ve learned that I’m not that different from Mom’s of typical children. While I’m struggling with wheelchairs, IEPs, and what not, they are struggling with teen and tween attitudes, homework, teaching their children to keep their rooms clean and do chores. We're all struggling to get our kids up and out the door on time, to care for them when they are sick, and to provide them with a good childhood full of unconditional love. And why do we all do it? Because they are our children and we love them to the moon and back. The struggles are different but they are struggles just the same. We all do it because they are our children – it’s that simple.

My version of a great Mom is someone who puts her child’s need above her own. She accepts the struggles and challenges and does what she has to do for her kids even when she’s exhausted and would much rather be sleeping, soaking in a hot tub, or doing something for herself. Most of us are good Moms because they are our beloved children and it’s just what we do; it’s just hard for us to see that.

The next time someone says “I just don’t know how you do it,” I’m memorizing the chorus of this amazing song by Jennifer Shaw and I’ll respond by saying:
"When those eyes are looking up at mine,
Every trial, every fear in that moment disappears
And you realize that it's all worthwhile,
When it's your child."

Quote of the Week: Next Chapter

2013-02-04T06:51:00.000-05:00

"You can't start the next chapter of life if you keep re-reading the last one."

- Unknown

Weekend Wonders: Valentine's Decor

2013-02-03T04:05:00.000-05:00

Do you decorate for Valentine's Day? I do a little bit and since it's right around the corner for this weekend's post, I am featuring cute Love Day Decor.

Valentine's Hurricane Candle

My Heart's Desire shares how to create this cute conversation candy filled hurricane candle.

Love Story Free Printable

Pop this cute printable from the girls at Eighteen 25 into a frame and you have instant and easy decor.

Valentine Mailboxes

These little Valentine Mailboxes from Gigi's Creative Designs actually hold Hershey Nuggets. So cute!

Tree of Love

How cute is this "Tree of Love" featuring photos of loved ones shared at Tater Tots and Jello.

Candy Bouquet

I love this candy bouquet (that has a coordinating poem) from Pattie Wack.

XOXO Candles

Lemon Tree Dwelling shares a simple way to dress up everyday candles for Valentine's Day.

Button Heart Art

Mama's Crafty Space shares this cute button heart art idea.

Quote of the Week: Light and Love

2013-01-21T23:39:00.002-05:00

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

- Martin Luther King Jr.