Tuesday Tutorial: Chore Charts

I finally got the chore charts done! They are REALLY easy to make - you only need a few things: paper, Mod Podge, clip boards, hooks, eyelets (optional), and cards or cardstock for the chore cards.

Basically you Mod Podge the patterned paper to the clipboard and let it dry. Then you measure out where you want your hooks and make a small indentation with a nail (not all the way through). Screw in your hooks. Punch a hole in the chore card and put in an eyelet if you want added security. Glue on a picture of the chore and attach some cute stickers on the back for when you flip it over. That's it!

I decided to show you the finished project instead of taking pictures of each step since it's pretty basic. I attached a small scrap of ribbon to each for some extra prettiness. Super easy!

Big E's Chore Chart:

clean up toys, make bed, feed the dog, help do the dishes
extra cards courtesy of my 2010 Project Life album

I was out of laminating sheets so I used an eyelet to make the hole more secure.

I love ribbon!!

when she completes all of the chores she sees all princess stickers

Little E's Chore Chart:

take dishes to the sink, clean up cars, put books away, put clothes in the basket

this ribbon is all boy and matches perfectly with his paper

Little E was so excited to see his stickers...he'll want to do the chores
just so he can see all of the transportation stickers!

cute stuff!

What are you guys making today??

 I'm hanging in there in the top 25 mom blogs...can you please vote? You can vote once a day until May 2nd. Thanks! 

New In Shop: Tooth Fairy Keepsake Tin

Since I haven't had time to craft this week with preparing for the Open House on Sunday, I decided to add a tin to the shop that I've been holding on to for a while. Big E is now 5 and is going to lose her first tooth in the near future and I wanted to have a memento to keep her first tooth in that I could keep until she's older. I made two different types of these tins: one for boys and one for girls. You can see them in the shop - only $5!

New In Shop: Slide Top Tins

More new goodies in the shop! These are perfect to put your new jewelry and charms in or as pill boxes or small storage containers. The large ones are the perfect size for Moo Mini Cards, which are so popular right now. Click on the picture captions to learn more...

Mini Slide Top Tins | $3.50 each

Standard Slide Top Tin | $4.50

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Flour & Sugar Container Re-do

I have been meaning to get some new containers for my flour and sugar because my old canisters hinges didn't work right and today I saw these at the grocery store. I decided to purchase them and then upgrade them a little at home.

The first thing I did was measure the lid. It had a nice indentation that was just over 3 1/2 inches in diameter. I used my Cricut to cut a circle 3 1/2 with a shadow and it fit perfectly into the depression on the lid. I sealed that in with some Modge Podge (a couple of coats) and let it dry.

Next I made the labels for the containers. I'm the Queen of re-using items in new places so I didn't want to decoupage "flour" and "sugar" directly onto the jar because I know that someday I'll use them for something else. I used my Cricut Expression again to cut out the letters and glued them onto a square 3 1/2 piece of paper for each. Then I adhered them with photo corners. Now they are ready to use and are perfectly coordinated!

This post is part of my series for 2010 where I create something as often as possible (I realized that every day was unattainable for me).

Create: Welcome to the Nest Canvas

I purchased a 10 pack of canvas in March and decided to use one to play around with a new Cricut cartridge I got called Straight from the Nest. Birds are so popular right now and this cartridge has so many cute things. I decoupaged all of the pieces on the canvas and then sealed it with high gloss sealant.

the cut pieces

The finished product on the door but it blows in the wind and knocks on the door so I'll have to find another place for it.

This post is part of my series for 2010 where I create something as often as possible (I realized that every day was unattainable for me).

Siebert Friends & Family Rules Canvas

As soon as my mom saw the Family Rules canvas I made she placed an order for hers. I was really excited to make something for her. She and I headed to the local craft store to pick out some paper. She wanted brown, beige and green but the paper she loved was brown, beige and blue so I tried to minimize using the blue and stuck with the neutral colors. It's almost done, I just have to sand the edges and give it a coat of sealant.

It took me a little over 4 hours from start to finish and although I've had fun doing the two Family Rules canvases, I've decided that I'm not going to offer them for sale. If anyone wants any tips on how to make your own, please feel free to leave a comment!

This post is part of my series for 2010 where I create something as often as possible (I realized that every day was unattainable for me).

Tins Available in Etsy Shop

I'm having an issue uploading pictures on amycornwell.com but I've listed the tins in my Etsy shop. I have many to choose from so come check them out. They're great for jewelry or you can use them for paper clips or pill boxes. They have SO many uses!

Create: Cornwell Family Rules Canvas

I finally got my Family Rules Canvas done! I started cutting out the letters this week using my Cricut Expression and finished them today. I laid them all out so I could see how they all fit. After moving some around and shortening some phrases, I was ready to glue each letter down.

In searching for other Family Rules Canvases, I was surprised how many people hand cut their letters! I can't imagine having that kind of patience. If I had to do that, I definitely wouldn't do this project. Patience is not one of my gifts! But thankfully I have a Cricut that will cut the letters for me. I suppose to some people cutting the letters might be therapeutic, but not for me!

I wanted my canvas to be different than the others that I saw online, so instead of just vertical lines all of the way down, I put a large scalloped circle to the bottom left. I think it added a little visually to the canvas and it was a great place to put a six inch "C". Each stripe is 2" and each letter is 1.5". The letters are large so I couldn't fit a whole lot of rules, but these were the ones that the whole family agreed on.

This post is part of my series for 2010 where I create something as often as possible (I realized that every day was unattainable for me).

Create: gift tins

Since I went to Michael's last week and bought a huge jar of Modge Podge, I've been creating like crazy! Today I felt the need to make some more metal gift tins because I'm almost out. I give away free tins when someone purchases from me off of Etsy and fills out my survey. I was almost out and so I used my Cricut to cut some 1 3/4" circles and quickly made 38 new tins! They are super easy to make and are really cute. I used to sell them in my shop and might bring them back in the near future. They'll be $4-5 if anyone is interested between now and then. All of the ones shown are available!

This post is part of my series for 2010 where I create something as often as possible (I realized that every day was unattainable for me).

Decoupaging Glass Jars & Bottles

My friend Chrissy asked me to post a tutorial on decoupage and I've been holding on to some glass jars for a while now so I finally decided to go for it and craft something new!

I started with a 12x12in piece of paper that I had from my stash of paper that was included in my Project Life album. I knew I wouldn't use all of the paper included for my album so I'm using some for other crafts. It's a beautiful dark orange and purple and I thought it would be great on a glass jar. I took my Cricut Expression and made an 11 inch scalloped square with the Accent Essentials shape cartridge.
 

Then I measured my jar and cut the paper down to size. I sprayed adhesive on the back of the paper and wrapped it around the jar.

Then I took Classic Modge Podge (glossy) and decoupaged the entire jar. Decoupage simply means painting over the piece with Modge Podge to seal it. When the Modge Podge was dry I glued a piece of ribbon at the bottom line of the paper. (picture 1)
I added a few sticker definitions of the words "sparkle" and "achieve" and a rub-on of the word "inspired". (picture 2)
I knew the jar needed some sparkle so I attached some Hot Fix Swarovski crystals to some of the petals on the flowers. (picture 3)
This jar is the perfect size for some Sharpies that I use for my "thank you" cards when I mail out orders. This was a simple project that just took a few hours to complete (with dry time). (picture 4)

I also made Ellie a jar to put her spare change in. I did pretty much the same thing as the above jar, but on hers I also added some glitter chipboard letters. To help the letters to stay curved as the glue dried, I used masking tape to secure them. Once the letters and decoupage were dry I added some Scripture and fairy stickers.

This post is part of my series for 2010 where I create something as often as possible (I realized that every day was unattainable for me).