The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Ok peeps. I have obviously been mia with my blog posts and my tutorials in particular. I have SO MANY tutorials to post so keep an eye out because they're FINALLY coming! My 2 1/2 week vacation this Summer was definitely needed, but put a hole in my plans to blog. Oh well. ha. I'm sure many of you have seen these gorgeous Proclamations floating around online, in your friend's home, in your dream home, etc. They are very popular right now.
For those of you that are not familiar with what the heck this thing is, head on over to here to read it. It was read in an address to the women of our church that was broadcast live in 1995 and read by our beloved Prophet (at the time) President Gordon B. Hinkley. It has since become an iconic piece of our religion that helps us understand a bit more about our purpose here on this Earth.
When I first saw this ginormous piece of wonderfulness, it was on a local buy/sell/trade page on Facebook. She had started out making them with the frames but pretty quickly switched to selling just the file for a WHOPPING $5 and mentioned where you could get it printed. Literally YEARS later (like 2) I finally decided where I wanted mine to be and set out to make it happen. (Check the end of the post to see where you can download a proclamation of your own!)

I started out by purchasing, downloading and printing this particular Proclamation from The Rain Barrel on Etsy. She is local here in The Valley of the Sun, but you can download it from anywhere. Obviously. ha. When asked by others where to get it printed, she suggested Office Max or Staples. I did neither. I researched to make sure I was getting the best quality for the money that I had. I ended up at Costco and printed a 20"x30" Poster Board. This is different than a regular poster. It is thick foam board that is very sturdy (for these purposes). I would not recommend letting a toddler play with it but it will withstand whatever happens to a picture hanging on the wall. Mine has been pelted with Nerf arrows and darts and is still ticking. I digress. I don't know if all Costcos do, but mine had the option to get this 20"x30" poster board printed in an hour! Say what!! This was particularly fantastic for my impatient self, because once I want to start a project, I want to start it NOW. So naturally, Big Sis and I set out to do this together. 

The next step was the wood. I wanted a frame with a little more substance than some that I've seen out there so I purchased 1" x 4" pine boards for the main frame and 1" x 2" boards for the trim around the edge to add a little something extra. I couldn't find the right color on its own, so I mixed my own. I stained the wood using a 50/50 mix of Minwax Special Walnut and Classic Gray. It was the perfect color for what I wanted.

Once the boards are stained and cut, be sure to do a dry fit so you can make adjustments BEFORE it is screwed and nailed together!

I cut the pieces at a 45* angle to get a mitered joint. To attach them securely, I used a Kreg Jig to make the pocket holes so that I could get a tight and strong hold in the joints. This was my first project using a Kreg Jig so I followed this simple tutorial to get the idea. Gotta love Shanty2Chic! Once you get the main pieces cut out and the pocket holes drilled, screw it together using countersinking screws. The easiest thing to do is to buy the screws that are the Kreg Jig brand to make sure they are the right kind. I used 1 1/4" screws for this project.

When attaching the 1" x 2" boards to the outside of the frame, make sure they are standing on their side so that they are taller than the 1" x 4" so it actually adds some dimension to the frame. For this part I simply used a nail gun to attach the 1" x 2" to the frame.

The final step was attaching the print to the frame. Ideally I would have had used a router to make a ledge on the back of the frame for the print to sit in, but alas, I don't have a router. Instead I opted for staples. Because I wanted my print to be straight when I flipped it over to attach it with staples, I applied a piece of packing tape to the BACK of the top and bottom of my poster board. Then flipped it over so the print was facing up. Next I simply laid the frame onto the poster and pressed down where the tape was. I was still careful when flipping it but the poster stayed in place and I was able to staple it down.

DISCLAIMER: When putting this together, I realized that some of the wood had warped in the awesome record heat that we have had in AZ this year. My joints are not perfect because I only had the weight of my sister standing on it to help get the wood tight. I had the option to follow some tutorials to get the wood less warped, start over or live with it. In the end I decided to live with it for a few reasons. 1. I was not in the mood to start over. 2. It actually added to the rustic feel that I was going for. 3. I don't always mind when something LOOKS homemade. Overall I LOVE how it turned out and it adds the perfect touch to my stripe wall that I did when we first bought our house over five years ago.

Get your own Proclamation!
TheRainBarrel
MandyBradyDesign
TheGroveCo
WestWillow

A Shower for Hannah

My friend and neighbor Sylvia is having a baby girl. Finally! After 2 little boys, she's ready for some ruffles and roses. My EX neighbor Kim and I pulled our resources and threw, what I considered to be, a successful shower. (I say ex because she broke my heart and left me! The wounds are still fresh and I'm still trying to deal.) Sylvia had friends, family and neighbors here to shower her with gifts for little Hannah that will hopefully be here soon! Here are a few shots of the festivities. 

It was so sweet. Sylvia's mom gifted her some of her dresses and blankets. They were darling and crocheted.

It was so much fun putting it together. I love a good reason to have people over and this was definitely the perfect reason to celebrate. 

Menu

Custom Baby Shower Cookies- Made by Kim's cousin. If you live in the Phoenix valley and need a referral for a baker...let me know!

Veggie Tray- This included brussel sprouts! That was a bit different for me but I loved it!

The Yummiest Ginger Ale and Cranberry Juice Punch EVER!- Canada Dry ginger ale and cranberry juice- Seriously, so yummy!

Naked Cake- box cake with a few adjustments. I'll make a separate post all about the cake! I have never done a cake like this before, but I am so glad that I tried. It turned out great!

Orange Scones- Pinterest discovered recipe that I have used over and over! It. Is. Heaven! For those of you that asked for the recipe...Sprinkles and Sugar Orange Scone Recipe

Deli Sandwich Tray- Courtesy of Sylvia's Amazing Mama. Purchased from Jason's Deli 

Decor

Wood chunks- Courtesy of McKenna (awesome friend of many years)

Cake stands- Courtesy of Lindsey (awesome SIL of ALMOST 2 years. Thanks for getting married so I could borrow your gifted cake stands that you may never see again except in pictures from the awesome cakes I'm going to bake to put on them. I might even share the cake)

Glass milk Bottles, Paper Goods- Party City  I have looked on Etsy several times wanting to purchase these. Party City sold them for less and I didn't have to pay shipping. I'm all about shopping from small businesses, but sometimes saving money is the decision maker. I loved the plates and cups that we got there. They had the prettiest floral design on them that was bright and feminine.

Paper Straws and Tassel Garland- Petite Party Studio (I told you I like to shop small! This is the most darling little shop in Down town Gilbert. They have dang near everything that you could possibly need to throw a great party and it's all spot on with current trends. One of my favorite things in their store is their wall of felt balls. They have shelves floor to ceiling with giant jars full of different colored felt balls. I want to make a felt ball garland from balls purchased there so badly! I just forget and haven't done it yet. One of these days though...

Basically all of the floral decor that you see- Michaels This includes the garland at the base of the cake stand, the flowers by the jar of mints, the moss letter 'H', and the wreath for my door. (The wreath was 100% necessary for the shower. Scouts honor.

Overall, it was a great time! Thanks for letting us celebrate with you Sylvia!!!

Home for Christmas

I didn't post my house at Christmas last year and I was so bummed. It's not like it's something crazy special, but it is to me! It's home and at Christmas, it's my favorite. We mostly just have one room really decorated but this year it started spilling into the family room and kitchen. I almost feel like I want another tree for the piano or something. Oh! If you follow me on facebook, then you know I have these 2 HUGE snowflakes that a friend makes and sells at boutiques...I found a home for BOTH of them! So check it out;
 Christmas with the Gilletts.

The trees, and reindeer are from the dollar store! (SCORE!) The 'Let it Snow' sign and the garland with it are from Tai Pan Trading Co circa 2010. Stocking are from WalMart (2005) Target (2009) and Target (2014). My North Pole arrow is a combination of a facebook buy and some glittery red vinyl.

'Dashing Through the Snow' and my buffalo check Moose pillow are from Pillows4Everyone on Etsy You .see! WAAAY up there! My giant snowflake!

I printed the chalk printables a year or two ago. They were free but I can't seem to remember where they came from. I'll look into it.

This little Santa head is a new favorite of mine. I got him at Hobby Lobby last year and he is my FAVORITE!

This corner is probably my most favorite of all. Santa is from an old boss of mine when I worked at The Gingerbread Cabin in the White Mountains of Arizona. He was our Christmas gift from the owners and I cherish him. I was right out of High School and he was my first 'real' Christmas decoration. The little boy with the Christmas tree is also from there. I got him because at the time, he reminded me of my little brother. (he's now 21 and waaay taller than me). The Christmas Carol book that he is standing on is an Usborne Illustrated Book and it is B-E-A-UTIFUL!! The little tree with bells is from Tai Pan (2010). The Santa cookie plate and milk mug were inherited from my Grandma. We had one exactly like it growing up and this had been a gift to them from my parents. I was beyond excited when she gave it to me. The Christmas Carol book that he is standing on is an Usborne Illustrated Book and it is B-E-A-UTIFUL!!

This Bear Nativity and 'Twas The Night Before Christmas' book are also from The Gingerbread Cabin. I purchased the book so that someday I could read it to my littles on Christmas Eve. I do. Every year. The Hubs purchased the Beartivity for me our first Christmas together. If you know him, you know that it's completely appropriate.

This nativity is also a previous gift from my grandmother. I'm not sure how I got so lucky to get this, but I was. It also has a GIANT stable with animals and baskets and a well. It's amazing but I just don't have the real estate in my home to display it. Not safely anyway.

These 2 things are new additions this year. The Sleigh Rides sign was made by me with a stencil made by my neighbor's cousin and pallet boards that I stole from my other neighbor's pallet wall when they were moving out. It was just the top row. They never even noticed! ;) hahaha. Confession: she knew. HE didn't. The crib spring came from Sadie Mae's vintage crib that I just took down a week or so ago. I have seen people display several things on them so when I needed somewhere for incoming Christmas cards, I knew I needed to use this. I clipped the cards on with bow alligator clips because I already had them. They work great! The Merry Christmas sign is from Tai Pan 2010.

HEY!!! HEY!!! It's my other snowflake! My kitchen was a bit messy from dinner so I spared you the gory details and just took a picture of where Christmas is in it. 

My dining area got itself a poinsettia and some beads, from Hobby Lobby, for the chandelier. 

Despite the fact that the center of the tree has no lights on right now, I still love it. That little train has been with us through 10 Christmases and 2 little boys. When my "little" brother was 10, he saved and bought this for The Hubs with his own money. Who knew that it would be our dainty daughter that would annihilate it? (yesterday) The back wheel on both the caboose and the dancing Santa car are no longer working. :( Despite that, it still makes a great decoration and if we want it to run and sing, we can always run just the engine and the coal car.

So there you have it! I hope someone finds SOME kind of inspiration from my little home. I reminds me that I don't have to have a mansion with thousands of dollars worth of new decorations every year to love my home. As I mentioned before; it sure warms MY heart. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays! 

'Ello Love

To start out, this project was soooo easy! (After 3 hours of trying to figure it out on my own before I finally asked Andrea and she sent me the Silhouette file. Haha!) 

I wanted to follow her direct tutorial but when she mentioned that she cut it out by hand, I decided to "take the easy way out" and use a cutting machine. That being said, the machine was not mine and I have NEVER used one. K. Here goes. 

Andrea @ Pics-O-Andrea has a fantastic tutorial that works wonders! The freezer paper method works well! Here are a few tips if you're going to use a machine to cut it. 

1. Make sure you have the actual file for the cutting machine that you are using. 

2. Make sure you cut with the "shiny side" up on the cutting mat. 

3. Use the light blue blade if using a Silhouette and set it to the vinyl setting. 

4. Make sure you "mirror" the word in the Silhouette software. This matters because you iron the freezer paper onto the shirt "shiny side" down. So unless you want it to say "olle' evol" make sure you mirror it. 

 Iron it onto the shirt "shiny side" down. 

(If you're making it for an adult, be sure to not put it too close to the neckline of a crew neck shirt. You want it to start about 4" down from the neckline. Use a similar ratio when making for a toddler.) DON'T forget to keep and iron on the center of the 'L', 'e' and 'o'. 

With a piece of cardboard between the shirt layers, use a sponge paintbrush to stipple the FABRIC PAINT onto the shirt inside the stencil. It will take a few coats, so be patient. Let it dry a bit, but not completely. Then, simply peel the freezer paper from the shirt. Leave the piece of cardboard between the layers until it is completely dry. (I think the paint bottle says about 4 hours minimum.) Then, it's yours to enjoy! 

My Mother's Technique

I have an age old trick for packing that seems so simple, you would think everyone would do it for EVERY trip they ever took. My mother taught me this years ago by packing our clothes like this when I was young. It keeps things organized and hassle free. This weekend, my boys and I are traveling to a land far far away to spend time together and be one with nature. (In this family that translates to, "I have an elk tag a couple hrs away and will be gone until said tag is filled or I run out of vacation days." That's how we get our free range, hormone and chemicle free, organic meat.) Anyway... Little #3 will be spending the weekend at Grandma's. To help keep things streamlined and easy peasy for Grandma, I used my mother's technique.

 

A ziploc bag per day, jams, a caboodle and her (current) favorite toy. 

Each bag has the same items. A shirt, pants, shoes and a bow. 

Then each bag is marked with the day. Sunday has a bag marked "Sunday Church" and one marked "Sunday Play". This is so fantastic because Grandma literally just has to reach in and grab the bag of the day. No stressing about whether or not it matches or if it is what Mom would have chosen. At the end of the day, just return the dirty clothes to the bag! The best thing about it is that it ensures that you have packed enough clothes and have everything you might need while away from home. I hope this helps someone's life get a little easier the next time they travel. It's been a life saver for me! Thanks mom!