before and after lamps

I can't believe it's been 1.5 weeks since my last post.  Maybe it's the heat, but I've been lazy and uncreative. 

However, recently I made over two lamps for our bedroom.  I've been slowly pulling it together, but instead of purchasing new lamps to match the new look, I made over the one's I had. 

Before: 

After 1 Coat of Primer: 

After two coats of white Krylon spray paint and Ralph Lauren "brownish"(I can't remember the exact hue) glaze. 

I purchased two shades from Target for $14.99. 

What do you think?

Parties I'm Linking To Today: 

Strut Your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursday at the Shabby Chic Cottage
Get Your Craft On at Life as Lori
Power of Paint at Domestically Speaking
Penny Pinching Party at The Thrifty Home

Activities/Favors for Kiddo Parties on Great Day St. Louis

This morning I will be back on Great Day St. Louis (and if you are visiting from Great Day, "Welcome!") to showcase a variety of fun and thrifty favors/activities for kiddo parties including recycled broken crayons and party pinwheels.  If you've got a kiddo or are planning a party for one, check out these simple, thrifty and cute ideas at 10am CST on KMOV Channel 4 or online.

If you would like the printables for the color-me fans from this morning's show, read on after the jump.

party pinwheels

What's a party without some pinwheels?  

Pinwheels make a great party decor, favors, and fun.  These DIY pinwheels can be made ahead of time or after your party goers decorate them with a little flair.  

We are planning the big #2 party for our kiddo and part of the party fun will be making these pinwheels.  First, the kiddos in attendance will decorate their paper with fun bug-themed stickers and their new chunky crayons; then, the adults will assemble each one using a 3/8" dowel, a tack, a glass bead, a hammer and a dab of gorilla glue.  Simple and fun.  

any questions?

A few pointers:

1.  You've got to work with it a little after assemble to get it to spin fast.  A little tug here, a little tug there.

2. It may spin faster if you use a hole punch instead of poking the holes with the tack.  

3. Supervise the kiddos while they use these, the chance of the tack coming out is possible.  Although, with the use of gorilla glue, it lessons the chance of it coming loose with "normal" use. 

These pinwheels have endless versatility.  How cute would they be on pretty double-sided printed paper?  Or, with painted or ribbon-wrapped dowels? Or with fun stamps all over?  The options are endless. 

If you like this idea, I will be sharing in on Monday morning, July 12 on Great Day St. Louis.  In addition to these pinwheels, I will also be sharing how to use broken crayons as a party favor, mess-free finger painting, DIY fans, and pocket coloring books.  Tune in Monday at 10am for the fun!

Parties I'm Linking to Today:

Get Your Craft On at Life as Lori

Strut Your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple 

Crazy Domestic at All Things Domestic

recycled broken crayons

 

Beautiful color.

I love this idea. 

Place broken crayons in a mini-muffin tin.  A fun-shaped muffin tin/mold would be great to use as well, think hearts, flowers, etc.  Put muffin tin in preheated 300 degree oven.  Watch closely until crayons are melted into a nice, hot wax.  Remove muffin tin from oven. Cool.  Flip over and pop out these chunky new crayons. 

This is a great idea for recycling your kiddo's old, broken crayons.  You can also buy a $1 box of crayons and make fun color-themed kiddo party favors or to accompany a gift.  Plus, these large, chunky crayons are great for small hands. 

These are for my kiddo's upcoming 2nd birthday party favor boxes.  

On Monday July 12th, I will share recycled crayons along with four other simply DIY kiddo party favors and activities (including...mess-free finger painting, paper fans, pinwheels, and pocket coloring books) on Great Day St. Louis.  For my other appearances on Great Day, check out the left sidebar.

Parties I'm Linking To Today: 

Whatever goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts
Penny Pinching Party at the Thrifty Home
Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple
Crazy Domestic at All Things Domestic

a wedding rehearsal

a rehearsal dinner invitation...

a bouquet from a pile of ribbon...

and a trail run...

my little brother got married this weekend; these are just a few things i wanted to share from the rehearsal. i will have more to share from the wedding day soon.