DIY: Trick or Treat Bag/Decor

I stopped by the art store the other day to pick up some canvas totes so that I could make Halloween candy bags for our kiddos. I grabbed a bunch to feed my tote obsession and bonus...they were on sale.  I wanted to keep the design for their bags simple and timeless (two of my favorite words) - so here is an easy ($3) tutorial for you:

Step One:

I printed out “Trick or Treat” and a/b transferred the image on the tote using a pencil.

Step Two:

I dry brushed black acrylic paint over the pencil lettering to give it a weathered look.

Step Three:

I hung it up to dry and WOOHOO! Just like that…my son’s trick or treat bag turned into my new “wreath.”

I’m in love. If you need me…I’ll be up to my ears making totes tonight. :)

Check out our spider project  from last year here.



I am sharing this project and getting inspired at:

Craftberry Bush 
Crafty, Scrappy, Happy
Design, Dining & Diapers

eighteen25
Six Sisters' Stuff 

SNAP!  
Tatertots & Jello  
30 Handmade Days

The 36th Avenue 
Today's Creative Blog  
WhipperBerry

Halloweenie Pancakes

Here are some of our newest early morning Halloween inspired griddle sketches:

"Flap-jack"

"bitsy"

"stack"

yep...I just named our pancakes. :)

See more of our pancakes  HERE.




I am sharing these pancakes and getting inspired at eighteen25! :)

Here’s how I roll(ed)…

Hey! Here are a few more peeks into my journal. I am journaling along with Lil Blue Boo in her Lil Journal Project  series…you can check out my first post here.  This prompt was fun…you basically journal about your life in cars. A fun spin on things and it brought back so many great memories! Instead of going with just cars…I started off with bikes, roller skates, etc.  - making an entry about how I roll(ed) from a toddler on. I also discovered that I still draw cars the way I did in preschool. Hmmph.

You can find all of the journal prompts over at Lil Blue Boo. It's never too late to start...there are no rules!

Have a great weekend! :)

ONE WHOLE YEAR :)

Hello, friends! I just realized that today is mk inspired’s 1 year BLOGIVERSARY! Thank you so much for following along and for all of your sweet comments & support over the year. I appreciate each one of you and hope that we have inspired you in some way! Cheers to one year!

Gratefully,

Krista

Bumble Bee Shower

I LOVE decorating for parties. Once I have a theme, my mind immediately begins piecing together décor that will reflect the guest of honor. I am a huge fan of personalizing- and making each event special, memorable and fresh.  I recently had the opportunity to team up with my family to make some goodies for a Bumble Bee Baby Shower.  Here are some of the details:

...handpainted "fresh honey" crate. See my CRATE TUTORIAL HERE.   Sweet little burlap topped honey jars went home with each guest (thanks to my sweet sister).

...mini flags and delicate tissue paper flowers by my super talented sister added  perfect pops of color.

...adorable bumble bee cake by my oh-so-talented Aunt.:)

...simple, handsketched bumbles.



...this little cutie sat next to the mom to bee as she opened her gifts.

It was a bee-autiful day with beautiful people. :)

I am sharing this post and getting inspired at: 

Craftberry Bush 
Crafty, Scrappy, Happy
Design, Dining & Diapers

Johnny in a Dress

Scissors&Spatulas 
Six Sisters' Stuff 
SNAP!  
Tatertots & Jello  
30 Handmade Days

The 36th Avenue 
Today's Creative Blog  
WhipperBerry

I love...

painting in the warm, fall sunshine ...and when my little guy picks me gorgeous flowers.  :)

Have a great weekend! :)

Dear Diary,

A couple of years ago, I found a really cool blog by happy accident (at that point, the term blog was kinda foreign to me). I think I Googled “awesome art website” - or something close to it and it took me there…to an awesome more-than-just-a-website. I was immediately roped in by the art, the down-to-earthiness and the real content.  …and when I saw that this blogger let her toddler paint on huge canvases (Hey! WOW! Me too!! YAY!) …well, I knew that I was in the right place.

Since my stumble-upon, I have been a daily lilbluebooer(say that ten times really fast). Head over to Lil Blue Boo and meet Ashley. She rocks. You will be inspired, you will spit out your drink laughing, if you are like me - you will need a giant box of tissues, you will be empowered and you will find joy.

LBB started the Lil Journal Project last week. It is beyond typical journal writing and a good kick in the butt to get you motivated.  Check it out and grab a pen. It’s never too late to start something this meaningful. I'm hooked. :)

Here are some clips from my journal:

I'll keep you posted as I go. Have a super week!   :)

Sincerely,

Krista

Hello, September :)

Hello, freshly picked crisp apples...

Hello, fluffy chicken...

Hello, perfectly plump berries...

A beautiful day at the orchard.
We are not quite ready for pumpkins just yet. Almost. ;)



Pencil & Crayon Wreaths

Pencils, crayons, glue sticks, notebooks… it’s about that time!

In honor of the new school year, we decided to collage some wreaths together. Here’s  what we came up with:

Materials:

Wreath form, notebook paper, pencils, Mod Podge(matte), hot glue  

This project was super easy and cost about $4 to make. :)

Step One: Mod Podge notebook paper to 12" wreath form (I cut the paper into strips and glued a couple of layers). Allow to dry.

Step Two: Hot glue various sized pencils to ring.

Step Three: Attach a ribbon for hanging.

Crayon wreath...

 

              

Same steps here, only I coated a 6" ring with some white paint first. :)

Have a happy and safe school year! :)

I am sharing these projects and getting super  inspired over at:

The 36th Avenue
Johnny in a Dress
Scissors&Spatulas
WhipperBerry
Tatertots & Jello
30 Handmade Days
Six Sisters' Stuff
SNAP!
Today's Creative Blog

Photo of the day:

Here are some Back to School pancakes we’ve been whipping up. I’m stocking up and freezing school inspired flapjacks for busy mornings ahead.  Fun way to kick off the school year. :)

Check out more of our pancake art here. :)    Happy Monday!




I am sharing these pancakes and getting inspired at:
Tatertots & Jello

Birthday Party Fire Helmets

Here is a simple tutorial on how I made shiny, plastic fire helmets look more realistic and seasoned (for my son's birthday...see more DIY party decor here):

1. Coat the entire top side of plastic helmet (the kind that you get at the fire station) with white gesso and allow to dry completely.

2. Choose your helmet color and paint over the gesso.  For red, I mixed a few shades of red together and added a little black paint to give it character.

*Optional: To give your helmet a rough look (see white helmet-above & black helmet-below), begin by coating helmet with a layer of newspaper (basic paper mache method) and paint as desired when dry.

It’s great how a couple coats of paint can dramatically change the look of the helmets. Here is the before and after:  

                           Before                                                                                                           After

 

I love how these turned out. I'm going to add these to my little guy's bedroom decor.  :)

Have a great day!

I am sharing these projects and getting super inspired over at:
The 36th Avenue
WhipperBerry
Tatertots & Jello
30 Handmade Days
Six Sisters' Stuff

Fire Truck Party Decor

We recently celebrated my little firefighter’s 3^rd birthday.  He picked a fire truck theme, so I had a ton of fun whipping up some projects/décor to transform our home into a fire station. Here are a few of the details...

I made two of these for some fun yard games.

 

(tutorial here)

Materials: recycled cardboard, fire helmets & acrylic paint

I LOVE using cardboard as a canvas. It's free(YAY!), lightweight and you can get super creative with it.  In case you missed it, I have a cardboard valance over one of our windows...you can check it out here. 

Stay tuned for the next shindig! :)


I am sharing these projects and getting super inspired over at:
The 36th Avenue
WhipperBerry
Tatertots & Jello
30 Handmade Days
Six Sisters' Stuff

Tryer Trucks

My little guy turns 3 soon, so we have been preparing for his upcoming party. I let my kids choose their birthday themes…my little guy decided on a “tryer truck” (fire truck) party.  He has a small obsession with fire trucks, hoses, and taking trips to the fire station.  So here is a little peak at some of the things we’ve been working on to make this fire truck party come to life:

I decided to make his "special"  pancakes ahead of time so that I don't have to stand at the griddle through breakfast. :)  I usually make double batches and freeze them.

The beginnings of a fire hydrant...

Can't wait to share all of the other details with you! I'll have the full post for you soon.  Back to work...I have a date with some cute kids and red paint.  :)