World Down Syndrome Day - Check this out!

Today is World Down syndrome day:

3-21-2012 


World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on the 21st day of the third month of each year to symbolize a third copy of the 21st chromosome in Down syndrome. This year is especially exciting as it is the first year that the date is officially recognized by the United Nations!

In honor of this day, parents of children with Down syndrome were asked the following question:

If they could go back right before they had, or adopted, their child(ren) with Down syndrome, 

what would they tell themselves?

Watch the following video for their answers, it's beautiful!

(My youngest daughter has Down syndrome, 
so that is why this clip is very touching to me.)

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Spring is here!

We're excited about the days getting longer, 

the yard showing some signs of life again,

and even some warmer days here and there...

So that's a good reason to celebrate spring with this banner.

I really like buntings or banners:

They're so easy to make, so it's a quick and fun way to add some seasonal decoration.

I just printed some sheet music on plain cardstock.

Then I cut them into banner shapes, first by cutting a 8.5 by 11 sheet of cardstock into 6 rectangles, and then cutting out a triangle from the bottom.

I added some scalloped circles, the word "SPRING" and some tiny flowers.

(I used my Silhouette Cameo, but you could also just print your letters, 

or cut some basic spring-y shapes, like flowers...)

I used tiny wooden clothes pins to attach them to some twine, and that's it...

(By the way: I thought it's pretty hard to take a good picture of a mirror, this one is hanging in our stair case, and I had a hard time keeping the reflection of unwanted elements, like light switches and steps out of the picture, therefore the funny angles...)

Flower Burlap Wreath for Spring

Our front door 'needed' something to get ready for spring.

So I made this flower wreath.

The best thing? I only used materials that I had on hand, so it's a cheap project.

Also, it was a very quick project, it took me about an hour I think.

I didn't take any pictures of the process, there are SO many flower tutorials available online!

One thing that I did do different, is that I didn't use felt, but some fleece scraps.
Fleece is very easy to work with, and it doesn't fray.


I used a dollar store wreath and wrapped burlap around it.


And, I used LOTS and LOTS of hot glue!!!

I love easy, quick & cheap projects!

Shared at  Delightful Order and Blue Cricket Design.

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Digital Scrapbooking & Cards Offer with Mixbook - Great deal!

If you have been following my blog for a while,

you know that I like a LOT of different crafts.

One of the things that I really like to do,

but unfortunately don't have much time for,

is scrapbooking.

I have boxes full of pictures to be scrapped...

Last year I got an offer to try out Mixbook,

and make a free digital scrapbook.

I thought I wouldn't like it, 

since I am sort of a hands-on person.

I was WRONG. 
There is still so much 'freedom', you can use ready-made books, 
but you can also change the elements on the pages around, or completely do your own thing.

I just loved how fast that book came together.

Also, unlike other programs, I love their backgrounds, stickers, etc.

You can combine different themes, so you don't need to make a one-theme album.

Their site is very user-friendly.

I was very happy with the finished product.

Books, Calendars, Cards (Picture - Mixbook)

So when I saw this Groupon deal,

I was really excited.

Pay $15 for $50 of products, that is a very good price.

For terms and conditions, check the fine print on the site.

And if you use the link I provided, I might get credit for it. Thank you ;)


You have more than 3 days from the date I posted this.
If you don't see it show up as the main offer, 
check on the right where it states 'More great deals'.

Flower & Lace Hair Clips - Tutorial

Let me start by saying this is a super easy & quick project!

(No glue needed, no sewing, just fast & easy.)

So no excuses not to try this :)

Begin by gathering your supplies:

* Lace 

* Flowers (You want the kind that comes apart, like most of them do)

*Brads (preferably with long legs)

*Alligator hair clips (The one with an opening in the center, as pictured)

The only tool you'll need are scissors...

Begin by taking your flower apart as pictured below.

Take off the plastic piece in the back, and separate your flower.

You might find some plastic pieces in between, you won't need these...

Next, cut a strip of lace, and poke your brad through the end as pictured below.

Then, start pleating or folding your strip, and push the brad to each pleat to keep it in place.

Work your way around.

If your strip is too long, you can trim it, if it's too short, just add another one.

Slip the smallest of your flowers on the brad behind the lace center you just created.

Then, cut a piece of lace about the same size of that flower.

Fold it as pictured (double it twice).

Trim the corners.

Open it, you created 4 petals.

And repeat once.

Now, slip these 2 pieces of lace onto the brad, as pictured below.

Then, add the next flower (one that's bigger than the previous one).

Keep repeating by layering lace and flowers till you have the desired result.

You can trim the lace if you want to.

Then, take your alligator clip.

Open it, and slip your brad through the top prong as pictured below.

Fasten your brad by bending the legs.

And you're done!

Now, if you are worried that the flower could come off,

or if you think this is just TOO simple, 

you could use your glue gun...

(But I have used them just like this and it usually works just fine.)

But for gift giving or for little girls to wear them, I prefer to have them a little more secure.

In that case, you can secure the brad by putting a little glue on top of the legs of the brad.

Or you can go all out and glue some felt on top of the brad and then glue the alligator clip on top of that.

Now, enjoy your beautiful hair clips.

I linked up to Sugar Bee Crafts, A Little Tipsy and Blue Cricket Design.

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All you need is love - free printable

I created this printable a while ago and found it again today while searching for something else.

So I decided to share it...

I made it in 4 colors and don't know which one I prefer, so here they all are.

Print your favorite and use it as a card or to decorate your home...

Enjoy!