Watermelon Stars

Last week I decided to tap into my crafty side.

Watermelon Stars

These watermelon stars will definitely get people ooh and ahhing. 

Step 1. 

Choose and buy watermelon. You know pick it up tap it to see if it is hollow. I have no idea if this works, but it looks like you know what you're doing. 

Step 2.

Cut watermelon into slices. You'll want to make sure your slices are at a maximum the width of your cookie cutter, a little thinner is better. 

Step 3. 

Using a cookie cutter, cut shapes out of the watermelon. I love how the stars turned out. I tried a few hearts, but they didn't look as good. 

Step 4. 

As you are cutting out the shape consume excess watermelon, or at least have a container for the not as pretty parts because there will be a lot of extra. p.s. the watermelon still tastes as good if it is not in the shape of a star. 

Farm facts:

• Did you know that from 1998-2000 the farm value of watermelon production averaged $262 million
• Watermelons are more than 90% water

via streetdirectory.com 

• It takes a watermelon 80-95 days to become full-grown
• Watermelons are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamins B6 and B1

via my-indiana-home.com 

Making your own Turquoise Necklace

Let's get crafty!

Yes, I am still at a cattle show, and trust me I have seen lots of turquoise this week. Although, I haven't been blogging much because of all the chaos I still counted leave you without a little turquoise. So today if you follow More Design Please's instruction's very careful you can make this...

A gorgeous turquoise braid necklace. I am sure you can actually pick any color you want!

Good luck!

Cows, Maps, Picture Frames Crystal Cattle gets crafty

Me and Michael's are great friends.

I recently needed to come up with an idea for some of the youth of I have mentored through during the last couple years. I had seen some really cute projects using maps on Pinterest so I came up with my own idea.

The gift receivers were on the National Junior Angus Association Board of Directors. I asked each of them where their very first Junior Nationals (cattle show) was and then used their retiring cattle show (Harrisburg, PA) as my inspiration.

This was the final masterpiece. I think I am going to make one for the Boy and I for our future home. 

So how do you go about making much a masterpiece of your own. 

I used 8x10 picture frames for this project, but really any size will do. With my handy Michael's coupon I was able to get six frames for under $30. 

I also bought textured white and cream scrapbook paper for my background. These had to be cut down to size to fit in the picture frames.

First choose what you shape is going to be. In our case it was cows, but hearts, stars or whatever your fancy is will do the trick. I did not cut up every map I own, but rather used color photocopies of maps. Remember the city of importance should be in the middle of your shape. I have to admit I had a great assistant for this part of the project. 

Next using spray adhesive coat the back of the shape, and then adhere it to your paper. Word of caution make sure you lay down lots of newspaper because this will get everywhere. And if you do this project in bare feet and then walk around your house, the bottom's of you feet will become very dirty. Yes gross, but true. 

Finally, put the paper back in the photo frame and boom you have a pretty cool personalized gift.

DIY Notecard Booklet

Notes of kindness.

Over the years I have collected all kinds of card and notes from family, friends and coworkers - thank you cards, birthday cards, notes of encouragement, the list goes on. However these notecards can only hang out on your fridge or bulletin board for so long. Thanks to Pinterest (greatest invention ever) I came up with an idea of how I could compile all my notecards.

This is just a small pile of the cards I had from work. I had another pile at home to add to these ones.

Use a two hole punch to put holes in the card. Most three hole punches allow you to move the middle punch closer to the end. I would say my holes are about 2-3 inches a part.

 

  Piles of notecards ready for some pretty ribbon.

Of course I used turquoise ribbon (thanks Hobby Lobby) and thread it through the holes. Be sure to leave extra length so you can add more cards.

Boom a little book of happiness. I have alread flipped through my notecard book a couple times. I love rereading all the notes and words of wisdom my friends have given me over the years. Instantly brightens my day!

DIY: Jute Monogrammed Wedding Letter

Thank you Pinterest inspiration. 

I had been eyeing a very similar wreath to the one I created, however my thrift (a better word than cheap) self said, "Self you can make that yourself." And so I did.

Don't be fooled this project takes a little while (more than an hour in my case). But it was a great way to fill the time while the Boy was at bowling.

I didn't take any step-by-step photos, but here are some tips.

- I bought my styrofoam letters online here They shipped out super quick. Mine was 12" tall and 1" thick
- You'll want to wrap the letter in jute twine. I bought a HUGE roll from Burlap Fabric.com (you should see all the other cool stuff I got for the wedding! However, that is for a later post). Pick a really thick jute, because that will mean less wrapping, and trust me by the end you'll be glad!
- You'll need a hot glue gun, I went through one of the super long sticks. Choose the low setting on your gun otherwise the styrofoam will melt a little
- whatever decor you want to use as an accent

I started in the middle of my letter, and began wrapping toward the top, and the did the bottom half, trying to put most of the glue on the back side of the letter. The jute is easier to work with if you cut it into 2-3 foot sections.

I love this jute stair runner.

Have you been inspired by all the burlap and jute decor that has been popping up? I am so glad that we choose it as one of our wedding colors. p.s. It is exactly one month until the big day! We can't wait.