February 2010 - Simply Kierste

{baby food containers put to good use}

Feb
26

I just love finding ways to re-use and recycle. I also love containers, and finding new ways to keep organized. How adorable are these plastic baby food containers? They are such a perfect size, and be used for SO many things. For me, I have been wanting a way to keep all my girls' hair things neat and organized. Because they have short hair, they mostly wear bows and flowers that are on clips, but we do have a collection of elastic hair bands, bobby pins, and other paraphernalia that needed their own place. These containers are exactly right! I had considered using a plastic tackle box, or bead box, that have different compartments, but decided against it for several reasons. First of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: All Crafts, Crafts, For the Home, Organization, Re-purpose & Refinish |

Pin It

{craft recycling…family board}

Feb
24

Do you have any old or leftover crafts laying around that you just don't use anymore? Maybe stuff that you once loved, but doesn't quite work as it is now? Well, that's exactly what I had.I took some wooden letters that had been sitting in my craft closet for awhile, along with some leftover wood. With a little scrapbook paper, hot glue, paint, and mod podge, I turned them into an adorable family sign for my basement. ITEMS YOU NEED:wooden letters (I bought mine at Walmart, but if you use your 40% coupons at Michael's or JoAnn's, you can get some great deals there too)wood board, cut to desired length and widthspray paint (or craft paint & foam brush)distress inkhot glue gunscrapbook … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized |

Pin It

{burlap tic-tac-toe}

Feb
20

This burlap tic-tac-toe game is perfect for my girls' little table, or for on the floor. I used their initials instead of the traditional x's and o's, and they love having their own letters to play with. How FUN would this be for a personalized gift? It's also perfect for taking in the car, or tucking in a bag to take on errands to entertain little ones. BURLAP TIC-TAC-TOE ITEMS YOU NEED: burlap, cut in a square--mine is around 2 1/2 feet craft paint and foam brush painters tape foil ribbon--I used 7/8 inch heat 'n bond felt scissors DIRECTIONS: Tape off your burlap like this: Make sure you place aluminum foil or wax paper underneath your burlap, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Babies & Children, Crafts, Home & Family |

Pin It

{welcoming…The CrEaTiVe CraTe}

Feb
19

Hi Brown Paper Packages FaNs!!I'm Stacie...the craZy one behind The CrEaTiVe CraTe...and I am SuPer ExciTed to be swappin' blogs with Kierste's AweSoMe blog today!! I LoVe doing crafts in my spare time...especially when I can create things with items that I already have @ home! Sooo...the project I am going to share today...is one that I made out of a scrap 1x10 piece of pine.Personalized Initials Board First...I printed the letters on card stock {to the size that would fit on my scap 1x10}...and cut them out with a exact-o knife.... then painted the board... then stenciled the letters on...And...if you like the old "warn" look...you could sand the edges...and the top.Then...I wrapped it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized |

Pin It

{stocking your crafting pantry}

Feb
17

(picture via www.goodhousekeeping.com) I do most of my crafting at night, after my kids have gone to bed and the house is quiet. I can fit some things in during the day--like a coat or two of paint, or working on the computer. But if it involves a power tool, anything sharp, or an amount of time over 15 minutes, it has to wait. With a very busy husband who often works past the time when stores are open, and with four children, ages three and under at home with me during the day (I have one son in school), my trips to the craft store are not usually spontaneous ones. To top it all off, I am not a patient person. :) Many times I will think of an idea, and have to do it just as soon as … [Read more...]

Filed Under: All Crafts, Crafts, For the Home, Organization |

Pin It

{valentine chain}

Feb
14

Each year my husband has decorated a room in the house for me for Valentine's Day. This year the tradition continued, but in addition to the balloons & crete paper, he got a little crafty (and he is not one to usually do something like this, so it's really saying something)!I thought he had a really clever idea for a Valentine chain, and wanted to pass it along. He actually used it as a card, and left messages on each heart. I think it would be darling strung across a mantel or doorway!ITEMS YOU NEED:red & pink construction paperdouble stick tapeDIRECTIONS:Draw out your heart shape template. At the bottom tip of the heart, leave a gap on either side, and make a "tail", about 4-5 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized |

Pin It

{burlap curtains}

Feb
11

When we finished the basement, we also finished under the stairs to make the girls a playhouse. We framed in a couple of windows to match the rest of the windows in our house, which means I needed curtains! What could be cuter than curtains made out of burlap? I added a thick black & white polka dot ribbon at the bottom to add some oomph, and match the color scheme. Despite my lack of sewing skills (truly--this is not a forte of mine, although I keep trying), I am really pleased with the way they turned out. So...for all you seamstresses out there, please do not look too closely at the stitches. I am a work in progress. :) ITEMS YOU NEED: burlap heavy duty needle...it will … [Read more...]

Filed Under: All Crafts, Crafts, DIY Decor, For the Home, Sewing |

Pin It

{framed sheet metal decor}

Feb
10

ITEMS YOU NEED:frame of choice (We made this one, because I wanted something specific. You can either make one, or purchase one you love. I think a chunky frame looks best.)sheet metal, cut to to fit the frame E6000, craft adhesivevinyl letteringDIRECTIONS:If you bought the frame, remove the glass and cardboard.Cut sheet metal to fit the inside of where the glass was. (If I buy it at Home Depot, I use a sharpie marker and a ruler to mark the size, then use tin snips to cut the metal. I have also purchased sheet metal from a manufacturer, who cut it just the right size.)Using the E6000, carefully glue the sheet metal to the back inside of the frame. Let dry.Apply the vinyl … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized |

Pin It

{the “clean-out-your-closet” necklace}

Feb
10

I adore Lei's style over at My Many Colored Days, and this necklace is fabulous! I think I need to make this for myself for Valentine's Day.Her tutorial is HERE.P.S. I changed the look of my button...I've been trying to learn more about Photoshop, and my blog changed as a result. :) Please feel free to grab one! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized |

Pin It

{newspaper heart blocks}

Feb
07

I have been wanting to do a project with newspaper forever! I had some extra wood blocks laying around, and when I saw THIS post, it all came together. I love, love, love how they turned out! ITEMS YOU NEED: 2x6 board, cut into 5 1/2 inch squares (When you buy lumber, it's always about 1/2 inch smaller than it says--so a 6 inch board is actually around 5 1/2 inches.) cardstock Mod Podge and foam brush newspaper scissors paper trimmer ribbon or other embellishment Distress ink DIRECTIONS: Paint and distress wood blocks. Router the edges if desired. Cut cardstock to be just a little smaller than the edge of the routered edge. Distress the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holiday Projects, Valentine's Day |

Pin It