{2×4 raceway building blocks}

Aug
26
17
cars outside with jack 2-logo

I had the best day last week.  It was seriously like Christmas when a very large brown box showed up on my doorstep, and I opened it up to find it overflowing with the most fantastic products! I'm delighted to introduce you to the Martha Stewart Crafts Decorative Paint Line, brought to you exclusively by Plaid Crafts. I was privileged to preview the line, and I'm here to tell you that you are going to love it! Here's what I love about it... It is incredibly versatile.The paint is formulated to work on ALL crafting surfaces including wood, metal, glass, ceramic, terra-cotta and fabric.  It is indoor/outdoor safe, dishwasher-safe on glass.  There are 160 paint colors in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Babies & Children, Crafts, Gift Ideas, Home & Family, Kids' Crafts |


{photography with lei} fun with props

Aug
25
6

Hello everyone!  How's the photography coming?  Are you seeing improvement in your photographs?  Have you been playing around in manual mode?  I would love to hear from you!  Email me with questions, or photos you're proud of (or want help with)... my email is photosbylei@yahoo.com.  And please visit me on facebook!  http://photosbylei.com/leilani.rogers.photographerToday I thought it would be fun to delve into the creative side of photography a bit more.  Developing a sense of style of course is very important in achieving beautiful portraits!  All the know-how in the world isn't going to get you that.  You have to stretch your imagination, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized |


{boo! beadboard sign}

Aug
22
5
boo sign front 2

With the month long Back 2 Basics event coming up in September, I thought I would get a jump start on something fun for Halloween. I have a corner in my kitchen where I usually keep a chalkboard frame, but I wanted to make something that would go there during the holidays.  I went to my workshop, and found the most perfect piece of beadboard--I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I {LOVE} it! This is a quick and easy project--just the way I like it!. ITEMS YOU NEED: piece of beadboard, approximately 11x14 black spray paint white cardstock, 8.5x11 Distress Ink (I used vintage photo) black cardstock coordinating pattern paper Silhouette or template for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Halloween, Holiday Projects |


{elmer’s craft camp}

Aug
19
83

When Elmer's contacted me about doing a craft camp for kids, I couldn't wait, and I knew just who I wanted to invite. Some of my best girlfriends have the most darling group of girls aged 7-10, and these girls are always creating fun projects and crafts for the younger kids. I just knew how much they would love getting together to create, plus go home with some really great products!Elmer's sent me the most fantastic crate, filled with 6 burlap bags--1 adult bag, and 5 kid bags.  They were filled with all sorts of wonderful supplies--scissors, markers, glue dots, gel pens, craft foam board, and more. On the day of our camp, I set the picnic table with the supplies, their bags, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized |


{back 2 basics} a fall event!

Aug
18
3

I am just so excited about this! Some of the most fabulously talented bloggers around are going to be here the whole month of September, celebrating school days and everything it involves, in our Back 2 Basics fall event. They will be sharing recipes, tutorials, organizational ideas, free printables, and more! Just look and see who will be here...Craftaholics AnonymousOopsey DaisySomewhat SimpleA Little TipsyLil' LunaThe Crafting ChicksSew Dang Cuteseven thirty three---a creative blogSnippets of WonderfulHowDoesShe?Brassy Appleeighteen25This Little ProjectWhipperberryLittle Birdie SecretsLess Cake {more frosting}Infarrantly CreativeUnder the Table and DreamingTater Tots and JelloBe Different … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized |


{baby bloom shoes}

Aug
17
6
baby flower shoes 3

My friend Martha made the MOST adorable baby shoes for her baby girl, and when I saw them, I was smitten. She sent me the link for the tutorial and I couldn't wait to try them. The facts that my babies just turned two, and that they are boys?  Minor details. They literally took less than 20 minutes to make, and I LOVE that they are made from an old tee shirt. One of the cutest ways to recycle that I've ever seen! Using the collar pieces that are already hemmed means very little sewing (just a few hand stitches), and that makes me very happy.  :) Did I mention they were easy?  SO easy! Now don't judge the way the slippers fit the baby in my pictures.  You would really want … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Babies, Babies & Children, Crafts, Gift Ideas, Home & Family, Sewing |


{giveaway and review} psa essentials

Aug
15
172

I have been having so much fun with the stamps from PSA Essentials.  Their stamps are really fun because they have switchable borders and middles--so you can mix and match leaving you with tons of different options. I was really excited when they sent me some stamps to try out and review, especially because I was able to choose which ones I wanted.  It was a really hard decision--they have SO many fun ones to choose from. I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that I decided on a set of alphabet stamps--to fuel my love for all things monogrammed and personalized.  It's the small touches that make something extra special, and that's what these stamps do. It took just a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized |


Aug
15
1

It's here! It's here!After literally MONTHS of creating, the "50+ Top Blogs All Time Favorite Recipes" cookbook is HERE!!! You may have seen a sneak peek of this gorgeous recipe book this past month. We hope you have been anxiously awaiting it. :) Now, until the end of August, it's available for purchase. But wait, scratch that, it's not a purchase. The best part is...it's a donation!100% of your donation will go to the American Red Cross to help the many people who have been affected by recent natural disasters around the world.After seeing the devastation in Japan, several top blogs teamed together wanting to somehow make a difference. More than 50 blogs donated one of their favorite … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized |


{teacher gift ideas} “mint” to be, an apple for the teacher

Aug
11
15
Teacher Gift | simplykierste.com

 I love sending a little something for the teacher on the first day of school, and I'm excited to share with you some of my favorite ideas. {an apple for the teacher} Yummy caramel apples are always a huge hit! My kids love to decorate the apple for their teacher, and while they're not perfect, they're totally charming.   It doesn't have to be covered in caramel to be cute though--place a stick in an apple, and add your tag.  SO cute! What about a whole bag of apples? .....  {"mint" to be} Andes Mints are my son's favorite candy, and they were the inspiration behind this yummy idea.I put them in a Crystal Light container--which I LOVE.  The wrapping … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Teachers |


{monogrammed window}

Aug
09
21

I have a slight obsession for old windows.  I {LOVE} them. My family knows if I see one on the side of the road I'll stop to check it out--no matter where I'm going or how I'm dressed.  I think I have at least 10 windows sitting in my garage right now, and several more in the workshop.  I recently came across a bunch of them that had a solid piece of glass in the middle (no dividers), and I was excited about what I could do with them.  I was even more excited when I realized that one of them was the perfect size for a wall I have in my foyer--I have struggled with what to put there for a long time.I'm sure you've seen canvases covered with newspaper or book pages, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized |