Clay Bookmarks

Brody and I made some clay bookmarks that I want to share with you. They were super easy to make and we got to personalize them by using a B for Brody.

Here's how we made the bookmarks

Make sure to follow cooking or drying instructions on the clay package. We used air-dry clay so it took about 2 days for our bookmarks to dry.

Step 1. roll out clay on a flat even surface
Step 2. use a cookie cutter to cut desired shape
Step 4. turn clay shape over and press wooden stick into the shape, you may want to use extra clay
Step 5. once the bookmarks are dry you can sand the edges or leave as is
Step 6. for added color paint the hearts 
 

Re-Post: Valentine Sweets Pillow Box Printable

Valentines is  a dangerous holiday for me!  I have no will-power when it comes to the sugary goodness found on isle after isle at the grocery store.  I'm a sweet-tooth-a-holic!  There I said it!  My name is Kirsten and I like candy.  However, I love baking and giving away sweets as well, so this little printable pillow box is perfect for the holiday.  It's going to help me get some of this candy out of my house and into someone else's.

 First download and print out the pillow box on your home printer or your local print shop.  Just keep in mind, this printable works best with card stock.  It's needs the heavier weight paper to keep it's shape.  After printing it's as easy as the next couple of steps...

It's a great size for any valentine candy imaginable, cookies or brownies.

 

 Uh oh... this little sweetie-pie has inherited the love of candy from his mother!  What's a mom to do?

 To download the Valentines pillow box printable go HERE.

Also, don't forget to head on over to Embellish and check out my other FREE printables.  Enjoy!

Thanks Kirsten for the darling Valentines box printable and tutorial! 

You can see more of Kirsten's amazing printables and tutorials on her blog, Embellish.

Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails- Baby Shower Favor

Finding ideas for baby shower favors is hard. Even Pinterest didn't have many ideas.
I was in charge of the favor for a shower for my soon to be great nephew (I can't believe I am going to be a great aunt, I am only 32) and this is what I came up with.

Frogs & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails

That's what little boys are made of 

Crafts with Playing Cards

Card games of one form or another date back to the 9th century.  I guess it shouldn't be a surprise when something as universally recognized as a playing card turns up in our decorating.

I have my own history of card games. Ever since I was little, cards have always found a way into my spare time. In fact, they even accompany me on vacations. Grabbing a deck of cards was always more appealing to me than any board game.

I have loved seeing all the fun crafts people make with a simple deck of cards, especially all the Valentines crafts and cards.

When this picture came out in Martha Stewart's Blueprint magazine years ago I fell in love with the poker card wall. Don't you just love it?
To make your own all you have to do is have an image of the cards of your choice enlarged and framed. They would look great in a game room.

I also love Martha Stewart's Valentines cards

 Who wouldn't love a deck of cards full of 52 reasons why someone likes you?

Get instructions on how to make your own from Little Gray Fox.

You can also decorate with cards by stringing them together to make a garland like this one from Craft O Maniac. For Valentines Day make it with the hearts suite.

What crafts would you make with a deck of cards?

In collaboration with Elizabeth Bridges of Slope Interactive

Pregnant With Twins: 33 Weeks

I am now in count down mode. Only 29 days until my scheduled c section. Only 29 more days of being SO pregnant. Only 29 days until I meet my baby girls. Unless I go into labor first.

I have had two non stress tests and both showed the babies doing well. I also had another ultrasound yesterday and both babies are now head down, no wonder I feel so much pressure down there.
One baby weighs 4.3 pounds and the other 4.7 pounds.

Travis and I have started talking more seriously about baby names but don't want to decide for sure until we see the girls.

I have really started to slow down and don't leave the house too much. When I do leave the house I am so worn out afterwards. Luckily Brody has been really good for me. He likes to tell me to go sit on my bed and then he will bring toys on my bed for me to play with him. He loves playing in my room. One of Brody's favorite games is pretending my bed is a train, he brings his stuffed animals in to ride the train and makes us give him tickets before he drives us to some made up place. I am glad that I can still play and interact with Brody while giving my body the rest it needs.

What baby products or gadgets can you not live without?

Jello Valentine Treats

Today I am over at Somewhat Simple sharing these little Jello Valentine treats.

Brody had a lot of fun making them with me. 

I hope you will stop by and check them out.

It's Just Another Stylin' Sunday

penny loafers, oxford pants, cardigan sweater

Clay Hearts for Valentines Day

I haven't worked with clay for years but thought it would be a fun to play with, especially since Brody has been so into playdough lately.  These clay hearts are perfect to use as a gift tags or hang them for a fun Valentines decoration.

Make sure to follow cooking or drying instructions on the clay package. We used air-dry clay so it took about 2 days for our hearts to dry.

Step 1. roll out clay on a flat even surface
Step 2. use a cookie cutter to cut a heart shape

3. we used a toothpick to place a small hole near the top of the heart so we can hang our hearts
4. leave the heart plain or use a rubber stamp to add texture

5. once the hearts are dry you can sand the edges or leave as is
6.  for added color paint the hearts

Valentines Heart Mobile Tutorial

Brody wanted to make some Valentine decorations so we decided to make a heart mobile. It's just like the Fall Leaf mobile we made a few years ago. I even helped him make a mini mobile for his room. He loved it!

Supplies:
2 pieces of 2" x 11" cardstock
Glue Dots
7-11 pieces of string (I used fishing line) 19"- 21" long
An assortment of colored paper hearts

Lets get started.

First I made a paper circle by taking the two strips of paper and placed two Craft Glue Dots on one end of each strip of paper and pressed them to the end of the other strip without Glue Dots.

Using a whole punch, cut three evenly spaced holes in the circle. 

Next take three pieces of string and tie each one to the holes.

Once all three strings are attached tie them together near the free end. 

This is where you will hang your mobile.

Now you will hang your remaining pieces of string by  placing a Craft Glue Dots on the inside of the circle and pressing the end of your string to it.

Next place a Mini Glue Dot on each heart and press to the string.

Repeat until your heart mobile is full.
Hang mobile and enjoy!

Pregnant With Twins: Week 32

It is official, I am way bigger now than I was when I delivered Brody. Every week I think to myself, can I really get any bigger? But the answer is always yes!

Yesterday I had another doctor appointment and everything looks great! Next week is my first non-stress test and then I will have them weekly until the babies are born. I see the doctor again in two weeks and from that point on I will see him weekly until the babies are born.

I have started counting down the days until my scheduled c-section. Only 41 more days! Of course my doctor gave the impression that I could go into labor any time now.

The cribs were delivered this week and are all set up and I am in the process of getting everything all organized in the babies room. I am so glad I finished painting months ago.

Brody is getting really excited for the girls to come. I love that he calls them "the girls" or "the girlies". He likes to rub my belly and tell me the girls like that. He also will say hi to my belly so the girls can hear him. He tells me when they are born he will be best friends with his sisters.

Question for you: If you had a c-section did you watch? What did you think?
I am considering watching the c-section to see my babies born.

20 Minute Preschool: Alphabet Playdough

It's been a while since I have done one of these 20 Minute Preschool posts.

Brody has been playing with playdough like crazy lately so I decided to make the most of it by pulling out my alphabet cookie cutters.

As we cut out each letter I have Brody tell me what letter it is and we practice the sound it makes.
We also say words that start with that letter.

It's such an easy way for Brody to practice the alphabet and the letter's sounds while spending some time together. Plus it's an activity where I can sit and put my swollen pregnant feet up.

 For more 20 Minute Preschool click here.

Pregnancy Countdown Chart

When I found out I was pregnant I bought this pregnancy countdown chart from Everything Charts.
It has been the perfect thing to help me countdown the days of this pregnancy. 
We have loved it so much that I had to share it with you.

Everything Charts pregnancy countdown is now available in PDF form so you can print it right away. 

Plus you can get it for a great price! 

I think it would make a great shower gift don't you?

They also have other fun charts like packing lists, reading charts, job charts and much more!

Check out Everything Charts here. 

Favorites From 2012

Here are some of my favorite projects and recipes featured on Whatever DeeDee Wants from 2012

1) Enchilada dip

2) diy party hats

3) how to organize nail polish

4) secret compartment book safe

1) Olympic doughnut rings by Confetti Sunshine

2) Olympic tshirt

3) Cool Whip and Jello ice pops

4) diy screen printing from Sew a Straight Line

1) Mini Easter baskets from Confetti Sunshine

2) Printable weekly to do list

3) A line pocket skirt from Me Sew Crazy

4) Printable Spring tags from Confetti Sunshine

1) Printable prayer chart for kids

2) Dry erase alphabet tracing book

3) Weekly meal planner printable

4) Tin can pumpkins

1) DIY dinosaur hoodie

2) Picnic drink and utensil holder

3) Mother's Day room service printable from Embellish

4) DIY Risky Business costume

What projects did you work on in 2012?

Frugality Boot Camp- Get Financially Fit

Now that the new year is here, are you ready to get financially fit? Then you need to attend the Frugality Boot Camp in Salt Lake City! The boot camp will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2013. The day long event will be hosted by Jordan from The Fun Cheap or Free Queen.

Sell Tickets through Eventbrite

What you will get out of the Frugality Boot Camp

Interactive discussions, lectures, and classes

Good food (lunch provided)

A day of education and fun

Giveaways and take-home gifts

Mingling with other like-minded people, and forming new friendships

One-on-one coaching and Q&A from Jordan Page and other frugality and finance experts throughout Utah.

The info and skills to save your family thousands of dollars for years to come!

New this year: Hands-on workshops where you will physically make and take home budgets for your family, binders, helpful tracking tools, and more! PLUS "Husband's Point of View" taught by Jordan's husband.

You will learn

Step-by-step "how-to" on setting and maintaining a budget

"How much should I spend on...?"

The simple way to grocery shop and meal-plan, saving you thousands...no coupon clipping needed.

Fun, cheap, or free family activity ideas

Health, beauty, and fashion on a budget

How to fit home decor, shopping, DIY, and hobbies into your budget

How to gain and maintain an overall balanced frugal lifestyle

Involving the family in frugality, easy allowance system, etc.

How to be able to BUY what you want, DO what you want, and LIVE how you want, without breaking the bank.

"Husband's Point Of View" classes for helping husbands and wives learn how to effectively divide up and work through financial responsibilities within the family.

And more!

Make sure to use the discount code: DEEDEE to buy your tickets for the low price of $49 now through January 12, 2013 11pm. That's a $20 savings!

   

Books I Read In 2012

I read a little over 40 books in 2012

These were my top 5 favorites

Gone Girl

The Perks of Being a Wall Flower

Jellicoe Road

Divergent series

Little Bee 

The World to Come

Yellow Star

Rena's Promise

Vaclav & Lena

Someone Named Eva

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Summer at Tiffany

Twin Sense

Edenbrooke

Rush Home Road

 Kings of the Earth

Still Alice

The Trylle Trilogy

The Walk series (1,2,3)

Get Lucky

11/22/63

Speak

Heaven Is Here

The Island

Can You Keep a Secret

An Invisible Thread

Fragile

Serena

Paranormalcy

Mothers & Other Liars

The Art of Racing in the Rain

Easy

Love Anthony

A Long Walk to Water

Fifty Shade of Grey series

What did you read in 2012?

What were your favorites?