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Friday, September 27, 2013

Be YOU tiful!

Hi Everyone,

I've really been thinking a lot about how much Pinterest is changing people's lives.  I know I am on there almost every night and somewhat unknowingly have become more and more discontent because of it.  Is there really any way I am going to have the rooms, houses, clothes, exotic vacations, gourmet meals and perfect body I am seeing every night while I scroll away??  NO! I'm not.  Honestly,  trying to measure your life, home, and kids based off of what you see on pinterest is not going to lead to a healthy, happy, contented spirit.  Don't get me wrong, I have found some things on Pinterest that have helped me out.  There are some yummy recipes and organizing ideas that I have taken from there and LOVED!  The problem comes when we measure ourselves against what we are seeing.

I have seen "Be You tiful" popping up everywhere and I love it!!  It's a great reminder that everyone is different, but being yourself is absolutely beautiful.  There is no one else like you, so why would you try to be like anyone else?

I have been thinking about this a lot recently and decided that I wanted a daily reminder to just be who I am.  I used etched vinyl that looks amazing on mirrors and glass but isn't permanently etched into it!


I am offering this in my etsy shop right now.  It makes a beautiful addition to a bathroom or daughters room especially (sometimes boys don't like to be called beautiful ;-)  )  This would also be a special gift for all of those beautiful women in your lives.  This is up in my Master Bath as a daily reminder that I don't need the perfection I see in pinterest.  I am unique and that is beautiful :-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

~Rebekah

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

A Loose Tooth

Happy Hump Day!
We have had a lot of excitement in our house! My 5 year old is about to lose his first tooth and isn't happy about it!  He is only eating soft foods because he doesn't want it to come out and accidentally swallow it :-)  I have really been trying to talk up the tooth fairy and the first tooth "bonus" he will get under his pillow but nothing seems to work!

The last few months, I have been teaching myself how to sew.  I came up with this little pillow idea and gave it to him.  I told him that he can put his tooth in the pocket and money will be in there the next morning.  He is really excited about the pillow (but still asked for oatmeal)! Oh well, it will come out one way or another :-)


Didn't it turn out cute?!  I am really happy with it, and he loves it!  This little sentiment below came from a retired Pink by Design set and goes in the pillow with his tooth (a little note to the tooth fairy).  I am going to keep the note and write the date on the back for scrapbooking :-)


I'm thinking about adding these little pillows to my etsy site!  Let me know if you would be interested :-)

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Rebekah

Friday, July 26, 2013

Back to School!

Hi Everyone,
I am super excited to show you a project that I have been working on this week!  My oldest is starting kindergarten and I wanted to put together a special place to keep track of his school papers, schedule and backpack.

I headed over to Ikea and found this magnetic chalkboard (It had so much potential and I knew I could make it work!)

Before:

I painted it to match my laundry room since that is where I wanted to hang it.  I had some scrapbook paper that matched perfect so I adhered it to the back for a little more pop of color.  I created the magnets using washi tape, clothespins and magnets.  The frame was in a two pack from Ikea.  I used more washi tap and then stamped my son's name along the bottom.  Each year I am going to add his handprint to the frame to see how much he has grown!  The can on the left I found at Michaels and I added some washi tape to that also.  It will be perfect for holding pencils and extra supplies throughout the school year :-)

This chalkboard came with hooks on the bottom that are going to hold his backpack each day (so we won't be searching for it every morning!)

Finished Product:


I LOVE LOVE LOVE how it turned out!  I doesn't take up any floor space and fits perfectly in my laundry room.  My little guy is so excited to have a space all his own just to keep his school stuff!

Thanks for stopping by today!!

~Rebekah

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Washi Tape Magnets

It's Hump Day!!
If you haven't seen the commercial of the camel asking what day it is, you are missing out!! Hysterical :-)

Today we are continuing the Up, Up, and Away theme over at Pink by Design.  It's Technique Wednesday and we are making projects using Washi Tape.  I have to say that this is the first time I have ever used it and it is really easy!  I decided to make a couple magnets that are part of a MUCH BIGGER project I am working on (you can see the final product right here on Friday!!)

I cut stars on my silhouette to continue with the Up theme and covered them in washi tape. I also ran some tape over the clothespins and then glued a magnet to the back.  Super Easy.

The PBD stamp set I used is called "Lunchbox Notes".  This set is perfect for a child that is school age :-)


Don't forget to link up to the challenge by Saturday at Midnight!!  I have included the link at the bottom of this page also!

~Rebekah

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

My Brother is a Superhero!

Hi Everyone! Today I have a fun project to share with you that I created for my boys rooms. They are really close in age and are inseparable. Recently, they have been all about superheroes and I had some cute pictures of them from a Mother's Day photo shoot.

 I bought the wood from Lowes, painted it with leftover paint from my younger son's room and then made a vinyl stencil for the wording. I made two so each of my kiddos have one :-)


I love how these turned out and they cost me less than $2 a piece to make! Can't beat that :-)

Thank you for stopping by to take a look!

~Rebekah

Monday, July 22, 2013

Up, Up, & Away Challenge!

Happy Monday!
We are starting the week off over at Pink by Design with an "Up, Up, and Away" Challenge.  All you have to do is create anything using the "Up" theme.  Birds, planes, superman.....  ;-)  Link up below before Saturday at 11:59pm cst and you will have a chance to win a gift card to the Pink by Design Store!!

Here is my project for the challenge..


My oldest is starting kindergarten in a couple weeks and I wanted to make him a card for the first day of school! This book is a favorite at our house and I know he is going to love it :-)

Now it's your turn!!  I can't wait to see what you create!

~Rebekah


Monday, June 3, 2013

Angry Birds Space Birthday Party!

Hi Everyone!
Back in March, my little guy turned 4 and I just realized I never posted the Angry Birds Space Party we had for him :-)  There are a lot of pictures!  I made everything that you see here and adapted it to what we needed.  He LOVED it and still talks about how fun his party was!

Invitations



The cake!  My husband and I put our heads together and were really happy with how it turned out :-)






I used marshmallow fondant to create all of the characters and designed the sign and his name on my Silhouette.





I found this bucket at the dollar store and then added vinyl to it to personalize it!



The party favors were door hangers with angry bird crackers inside.




The balloons were also from the dollar store and I added vinyl to personalize them.  They are my go to when I need balloons.  They last for weeks!




I personalized the birthday boys t-shirt using my silhouette and printable iron on transfer paper.


Me and my sweet little four year old :-)

Thanks for stopping by and looking!

~Rebekah

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Congrats Grad!

Hi Everyone,
It's already time for graduations....Can you believe it??  Over at Pink by Design, we have been creating graduation projects all week.  We would love for you to come over and Link up your project with us.  One lucky person will win a $10 gift card to Pink by Design!!

Here is my graduation project for today using the "Scripted Year" Stamp Set.


Come on over and link up.  Can't wait to see what you create :-)

~Rebekah

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Thinking of you challenge and a winner!

Happy Monday!

First I would like to thank all of you that participated in the Little Prince Blog Hop!  Wasn't it fun??  I have chosen a winner using Random.org, and it is........

Heather !!

Here is the comment she left: 
AMazing projects love the spiderman card and the t-shirt design FABULOUS

Thank you Heather!! Please email me at calbekah a aol dot com to claim your prize :-)

Today at Pink by Design we are starting a "Thinking of You" Challenge.  Here is my project that I designed!


I used the PBD stamp set "just saying" and separated the sentiment to give it a little more of a fun look!
Come on over and Link up HERE by Saturday 11:59 p.m. CST to have a chance to win a $10 gift card from Pink by Design!!

Can't wait to see what you create :-)

~Rebekah

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Little Prince Party Blog Hop

Homespun Elegance Prince Blog Hop

Happy April!!
Can you believe we are in April already??  Today is day two for this Super fun blog hop hosted by Jessica from homespun elegance.  If you are coming from Jodi you are in the right spot! If you want to start at the beginning, click HERE!  I am the last stop on today's hop but there is another day of all new designers tomorrow so be sure to visit homespun elegance again tomorrow :-)


  1. STARTS AT: www.homespunelegance.blogspot.com
  2. Mindi Palmer http://www.scrappintoxicmidge.blogspot.com/
  3. Mandee Gillen  http://www.thescrappinlounge.com
  4. JulieK  http://3girljam.blogspot.com/
  5. Meriah Hamlin - www.twoscraptasticgals.blogspot . com
  6. Laurie http://mincedpaper.blogspot.com
  7. Miranda www.nanasscrapspot.com
  8. Jodi Ethington - www.talkingtwineandtrim.blogspot.com/
  9. Rebekah Ostrus - http://craftyteachermom.blogspot.com   YOU ARE HERE!



I  am a proud mommy to two little princes and I couldn't figure out what I wanted to share with you, so I chose 3 projects :-)

The first is a Spiderman card I made for a birthday party we were invited to last weekend.


I found this Spiderman jpeg on the internet and used my silhouette to print and cut the design.  The spiderweb and 5 are from my silhouette.  It's kind of hard to see but I heat embossed the spiderweb to make it have a glistening effect.  The "make a wish" sentiment is from Pink by Design (I design for them!)

My next project is a type that I do a lot!  I love to print designs on heat transfer paper and make custom t-shirts for my boys and their friends :-)  


These adorable Avengers are the creations of Lisa over at Pretty Papers, Pretty Ribbons.  The font for the name is called Masked Marvel.  The printable transfers I use are June Tailor.  I print and cut them using my silhouette and then iron it on.  Super easy but a great personalized gift :-)

The last project I have for you today involves some sewing.  I will be the first to tell you that I am a beginner when it comes to sewing.  I get an idea in my head and then I just try to put it together on my own (which is what I did here).  I wanted to make something I could carry along in the car for my little guys that would keep them busy when  they get bored.  

Here it is folded up

The inside


The storage


I found some super cute white boards in the $ spot at Target, along with mini dry erase markers and erasers.  The pocket on the left holds the whiteboard and a few other books and the right side has compartments to the hold the markers, eraser and a hotwheel or two.  They don't take up much room at all!  It cost me less than $5 to make both of them because it doesn't take much material.  I don't have step by step instructions because I honestly just made it up as I went.  If anyone is interested I can try to write out the dimensions and how I put it together :-)

Blog Candy!
If you become a follower and leave a comment, I am giving away the "Dots for Sure" from Unity Stamps! (unfortunately due to shipping, US addresses only)

Thanks for hopping with us today! Don't forget to head back to Jessica's blog tomorrow for day 3 of this awesome hop! Lots of prizes are up for grabs :-)  You have until April 5th at Midnight CST to enter the giveaways.  I will be picking a random winner and posting it April 6th so please leave a way for me to contact you!

~Rebekah


Friday, March 29, 2013

Pink by Design & Lovebug Creations Spring Blog Hop


Hi Everyone!
I am so excited today for this fun blog hop featuring Pink by Design Stamps and Lovebug Creations Ribbon!
If you are coming from Ellen's page, you are in the right spot!! If you would like to start from the beginning, click HERE!
Here is the lineup of these super talented designers:



This is my first time using ribbon from Lovebug Creations and I absolutely love it!  The colors are so rich and  I love the feel of this ribbon!  For my project, I used this new file from the silhouette store.  It is perfect to hold little trinkets or jewelry.  I couldn't decide which color ribbon I wanted to use, so I used every color I have :-)


The sentiment is from our newest PBD release and the stamp of the month called "Love Today".  All of my papers are from the dollar spot at Target! (I picked them up last spring)

Thanks for stopping by today! Now I am going to send you over to the super talented Martha!!

~Rebekah

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Easter treat bag topper

Happy Wednesday!
Today over at Pink by Design, we are sharing paper punching techniques.  Paper punching adds extra detail to a project and is super easy to do.  I used a scallop punch and a dots punch to this cute little bag topper.


My boys aren't big candy fans so I am putting other treats in their Easter baskets ;-)

Don't forget we have an Easter challenge going on over at Pink by Design!  Submit any project with an Easter theme and you could win a $10 gift card to the Pink by Design Store!!  Head on over and Link up!!

~Rebekah

Monday, March 18, 2013

PBD Easter themed Challenge

Hi Everyone!! Today we are starting the week off with an Easter themed Challenge over at Pink by Design!!  All you have to do is make any type of project with an Easter theme and link it up before Saturday at 11:59 p.m. CST.  We will randomly choose one lucky person to win a $10 gift certificate to the Pink by Design Store!!

Here is my Easter themed project!


The "Happy Easter" sentiment is from the PBD set "Mini Wrappers".  

Head on over and link up!! We have also announced the winners from the PBD New Release Blog Hop :-)

~Rebekah

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Pink by Design New Release Blog Hop!


Happy Friday!!

Yea!! After a couple weeks of sneak peeks it's time to see all of the Pink by Design New Releases!!  Here is the line up for this awesome hop brought to you by some super talented designers :-)

Sarah - www.pinkcricut.com
Rebekah - www.craftyteachermom.blogspot.com
Lisa- www.prettypaperprettyribbons.blogspot.com
Liz - www.217creations.com 
Meriah – www.twoscraptasticgals.blogspot.com
Paula - www.morethanfavors.blogspot.com
Sabrina - www.sabrinaalery.blogspot.com
Gloria - www.gloriasgoofycraftspot.blogspot.com
Bryan - www.scrapguy.blogspot.com
PBD Blog - www.pinkbydesignstamps.com


I am going to share a project with you using the "Lucky" stamp set.  This is one of the new Half Pints and can be used for St. Patty's Day or other fun cards and projects throughout the year :-)  Mine is kind of a card within a card.

Here it is with the top card closed:


Now open:


This is a center panel step card that I bought in the silhouette store but you can find plenty of great tutorials online also.  All of my papers were from my scrap drawer but were originally bought from the dollar spot at Target last year :-)

This next card was super simple to put together because this stamp set called "Get Well"  gives you the adorable image and sentiment. Sometimes you just don't have a lot of time to put a card together for someone and this set is the answer!!  I colored this little bug with some colored pencils (raided my little boys stash) and put it together in about 10 minutes :-)



Here are a couple more projects that I have "sneaked" in the last couple of weeks just in case you missed them!

This project used the March Stamp of the Month called "Love Today".


Here is another using the "Lucky" half pint set...




Your next stop on the hop is Lisa from Pretty Papers, Pretty Ribbons.

After the hop, make sure you head on over to Pink by Design Store to pick up all of your favorites!!  DON'T FORGET.. U-Stream is tonight at 7:30CST! Click HERE to go directly to it :-)

Thanks for hopping with us today!

~Rebekah

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Not a card Friday: Sweet Treat

Happy Friday!
We are continuing our sweet theme over at Pink by Design.  Today I made a fun milk carton candy holder from the silhouette store.  I found the cherries in the store also and added some peachy keen faces to them to sweeten them up a bit!  The sentiment is from a "soon to be released" set next Friday at Pink by Design!!


This would make a simple but sweet gift for anyone!!  Don't forget to enter our Sweet Challenge.  You have until tomorrow at 11:59p.m. CST.  One lucky person will win a $10 gift card to Pink by Design!!  Click HERE to go to the challenge :-)

Have a sweet day!

Rebekah

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

New Release Sneak Peek!

Hi Everyone!
Today I get to give you a sneak peek of a new release coming soon from Pink by Design!!  Next Friday, you will get to see all of the new sets and have a chance to snatch them all up!!  I promise you won't be disappointed!

Here is my little sneak peek for you...


All the details of this fun little card are over at Pink by Design! Just click HERE!!

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Rebekah

Sweet Challenge

Happy Wednesday!
Our Sweet Challenge is still going on this week over at Pink by Design!!  You can create anything with a sweet theme and link up for a chance to win a $10 PBD gift certificate!!  CLICK HERE and then scroll down to the bottom to link up!  You have until Saturday Night at 11:59p.m. CST to enter!!

Here is some more inspiration using the dry embossing technique!


I used three different embossing folders on this Sweet Cake and then used "Everyday Banners" and "Take the Cake" from PBD.

Come back tomorrow for a sneak peak at some "soon to be released" sets from PBD :-)

~Rebekah