Happy (early) April

I gave up candy. It was a poor choice. But, I think it was a wise one. Confused? Let me explain.

Lent started last month in the beginning of March. My work has a candy drawer, where people bring in left over candy, newly bought candy, etc for the office to enjoy. I've been over-indulging. For example, there were whoppers in the bag. No one likes whoppers. Except for me, apparently. I eat them three three-packs at a time. One day, I did six. So I gave it up. 

And now I want M&M's. Let me countdown the days! I know, Sundays don't technically count during lent. But I give it up from Ash Wednesday 'til Easter Sunday. Last year I went vegetarian. Ryan threatened divorce (not really) if I did it again. 

Anyway, it's close enough to the first of the month, that means there's a printable for you. It's themed for April's impending holiday and hot damn do I love pastels. It looks awesome on my new mantel. Check it out.

Here's the printable...

April Mash Up

This printable was formatted to fit a 5" x 7" piece of paper. I used the following fonts: ReturntoSender. SketchSerif. CarnevaleeFreakshow. Vanessa. BlackBoysonMopeds. I used the following graphics: EasterEgg1. EasterEgg2.

Did you give up anything for lent? Has it been a challenge so far?

She's Crafty - Spring Bottles

I have a plethora of bottles and jars hanging around. They are from around the world (truly - there's some from Argentina and Mexico) and I keep them so that I can do crafty things with them. Like this project.

Easter's right around the corner. Since St. Patty's is already over I've started decorating for Spring. Bright pastel colored bottles were just the thing. 

I bought three colors of matte Rustoleum spray paint, pastels of purple, yellow, and blue. Funny thing. I painted yellow and blue two bottles each. Then I got to purple and this happened...

There was no paint cap on it to spray paint. So I just changed one from another color to this one. After a few coats of paint these bottles were looking pretty nice. Of course, after I figured out how to spray paint evenly. I'm still working on that one.

Along with the garland I made before, I think they tie the whole mantel piece together. This project was definitely a HIT.

She's Crafty - Holiday Garland

I mentioned a month ago an amazing hole punch I bought from Michael's with a 50% off coupon. Since I got that I have been going hole punch crazy. My husband thinks I've gone crazy too. Mainly because I make him help me. 

I've probably mentioned that I love Pinterest. Of course, I was pinspired to make a garland for the upcoming Easter holiday. Here's what I used for my Easter one:

6 Sheets of 12" x 12" Paper

3 1/2" Hole Punch

1/8" Hole Punch

Hobby Lobby had a paper crafting sale and I snagged this scrapbooking bundle for half price. It had adorable Easter paper with bunnies and chevrons. I had a few other pieces that fit right in with the color scheme.

After hole punching nine 3 1/2" holes in each 12" x 12" sheet, and I punched two teeny holes on either end. Then, I enlisted my handsome husband to help me string these bad boys with some hemp twine. This is the hard part. You string in the front and then out the back. The string would run up the back of each punch. 

Literally, stringing these bad boys all together takes FOREVER. But once it's done, it looks pretty damn cool. And it's one more part of my Easter mantel. Make sure you have a handsome helper on hand. 

I love the way this looks on my mantel right now. I'd say it's a HIT. Now, all the teeny hole punches I've made make me want to keep it all and make some confetti. That would be a project and a half - making all that confetti...I feel an idea coming on.