Giveway Time!

Dropping in this morning with some giveaway news!<br /><br />I've teamed up with one of my favorite bloggers, Jen from <a href="http://www.jennasuedesign.com/text/" target="_blank">IHeart Organizing</a>, to bring you an exclusive <a href="http://jennasuedesign.com/" target="_blank">Jenna Sue Design</a> Giveaway for $50 shop credit. Just in time for Christmas!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennasuedesign.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t9L1SW5QljU/ULz29gtk-lI/AAAAAAAAQEs/oygnbeaNNa4/s1600/header.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/12/items-iheart-holiday-giveaway.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuRzcpgXszK5CIxFx1CB3jDfRx9MYTzroTOl98wS10YMbrOMy1b1SA_eisxQpqLLRLAMtN4hbuvZDLulKS3CPhFmOpshezjx9_wyYnLCW9W83REbNkU8GR0qG8gtg7TkALny92KdmpNG2/s1600/HolidayGiveawayButtonBorder550.png" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />Details and entry form over at her <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/12/items-iheart-holiday-giveaway.html" target="_blank">blog</a>. Good luck!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t9L1SW5QljU/ULz29gtk-lI/AAAAAAAAQEs/oygnbeaNNa4/s1600/header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>

Giveway Time!

Dropping in this morning with some giveaway news! I've teamed up with one of my favorite bloggers, Jen from IHeart Organizing , to bring...

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Easy DIY Christmas Mantel

I'm baaaack!<br /><br />These past few weeks have been pretty crazy. I spent a week back home for Thanksgiving, and <a href="http://jennasuedesign.com/" target="_blank">business</a> has been non-stop (can't complain there!). I've also been battling a sore throat/incessant cough for 3 weeks... and that is getting old. Needless to say, there hasn't been much house related activities since the last post.<br /><br />However, I made sure to carve out time to do some Christmas crafting and our mantel was the first order of business.<br /><br />Here was the fall setup:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJoHbl9yE5LIH1qL-xZsNrt-jPk2VNaJlzOI9nRxYsc4LMu5aTEdCwXUl0ZYn6tX7e3m53Xei3ni6ebbSoNm6Dpb-dDqiaNcAZk54C6AogYrQrjHv2I_vi1O3dxjQJdjorspl9QnF4QYx/s1600/IMG_9126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJoHbl9yE5LIH1qL-xZsNrt-jPk2VNaJlzOI9nRxYsc4LMu5aTEdCwXUl0ZYn6tX7e3m53Xei3ni6ebbSoNm6Dpb-dDqiaNcAZk54C6AogYrQrjHv2I_vi1O3dxjQJdjorspl9QnF4QYx/s1600/IMG_9126.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />And now, as of yesterday, here is the holiday look:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BC-T447rgSgWQGiWsSKjkD2IGU3-7JFD_gfjqGvFCLwQRQCKQk6CK4gUJWhnssxpQMxcpsOXMS-FJFiuB2Hhnb2Wc3sP0s3Zx7fIEFF1imPN8yJ2qZFXQYCJ5kOzd158pMA9slXBpOLD/s1600/IMG_9478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BC-T447rgSgWQGiWsSKjkD2IGU3-7JFD_gfjqGvFCLwQRQCKQk6CK4gUJWhnssxpQMxcpsOXMS-FJFiuB2Hhnb2Wc3sP0s3Zx7fIEFF1imPN8yJ2qZFXQYCJ5kOzd158pMA9slXBpOLD/s1600/IMG_9478.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Everything was DIY'ed/repurposed, so let's go through them all, shall we?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAFZTsRfydrL5-EVhFt-UGq5mZO4DkI6THZ7stqmQZYX2eUDwJXick99H19O8Pdo7YmNm6c3ZLS__3xRxiYSuIZKbDyzoGo32j8VdofE2iaNC13kpGk72wbyXrkToQxx7jIVhFlnce6om/s1600/IMG_9470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAFZTsRfydrL5-EVhFt-UGq5mZO4DkI6THZ7stqmQZYX2eUDwJXick99H19O8Pdo7YmNm6c3ZLS__3xRxiYSuIZKbDyzoGo32j8VdofE2iaNC13kpGk72wbyXrkToQxx7jIVhFlnce6om/s1600/IMG_9470.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I made these cute little snowflake/yarm pom poms as Christmas tree ornaments and decided to add a few smaller ones to the mantel branches.<br /><br />I don't have photos of this process, but it's quite easy. You just need yarn and scissors. There's a bunch of tutorials floating around, I like <a href="http://ottoman.typepad.com/ottoman/2008/12/yarn-pom-poms.html" target="_blank">this</a> one.<br /><br />Next is this wood and fabric peace sign:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb-O77Vt3Pg6dLMdtfvNs9YaNTq9upqWiphD8hq9QxEnNiikUBap_P3Oa_vpXcOf81avAuCjSwvvMJqvEFKaVF25CDYUTvMH1pmp8hP7hIrTRBxK-eBXk02Cq4KzTX8Vdp2_HJ_hP9RaX/s1600/IMG_9472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb-O77Vt3Pg6dLMdtfvNs9YaNTq9upqWiphD8hq9QxEnNiikUBap_P3Oa_vpXcOf81avAuCjSwvvMJqvEFKaVF25CDYUTvMH1pmp8hP7hIrTRBxK-eBXk02Cq4KzTX8Vdp2_HJ_hP9RaX/s1600/IMG_9472.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />This shape may look familiar to you:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOH6NmRheBQVw-ZOMLQlaWnjwCvlVKbVhPVi-p8ylDEclIkrWs3cbPk2kgWeWIpUClyyZjSxxa3Ga9wmuxYshtUh2T_fqSFue3OgzbO4ACCC3h0IyCRCfp3JGpR_3qqci6erVj9-jq6bp/s1600/IMG_9120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOH6NmRheBQVw-ZOMLQlaWnjwCvlVKbVhPVi-p8ylDEclIkrWs3cbPk2kgWeWIpUClyyZjSxxa3Ga9wmuxYshtUh2T_fqSFue3OgzbO4ACCC3h0IyCRCfp3JGpR_3qqci6erVj9-jq6bp/s1600/IMG_9120.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Yes, it is the back side of my <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2012/09/fall-decorating.html" target="_blank">thankful</a> sign!<br /><br />I knew I wanted another wordy sign for the holiday mantel, and I loved my little wood banner, so I decided I'd flip it and repurpose the backside to say something else. Now I can use it for all my fall/winter holidays... I think it's pretty much the best idea I've ever came up with in life.<br /><br />I love this tutorial because it's easy and cheap and there's so many possibilities.<br /><br />I first bought 1/2 yard of some fun turquoise and beige chevron fabric at Hobby Lobby (came to around $2, and I have plenty extra to use for other projects down the road).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaC0a_nu-NlXrcC6BK4GFEWJGKY5PoTBS8-s76BIBk1UU0E9Ie8TPory1zP2cZx2t9KNEfb6jvYisYxI5S2G_AAuulTKiPxYUHvNmQRAMTBt24Tt_MIUgNsp7-P-LhJIzVa5hWQYZ7Ls8s/s1600/IMG_9450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaC0a_nu-NlXrcC6BK4GFEWJGKY5PoTBS8-s76BIBk1UU0E9Ie8TPory1zP2cZx2t9KNEfb6jvYisYxI5S2G_AAuulTKiPxYUHvNmQRAMTBt24Tt_MIUgNsp7-P-LhJIzVa5hWQYZ7Ls8s/s1600/IMG_9450.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I applied a layer of modge podge onto the wood, and smoothed the fabric over it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzsmRPBk2qfoWeH8RmmT6kqySJf-Qah2qVPcyFBTF35A9Wb1CWNd9VIqpyQ2JxUTuJAP0tJ7hhiYKRTTtkVGrQg2fGd_1rK1BN9z7eMzDU_mJrdm86kMIe7uXWWeqBN13VAD3iSNQZ5lO/s1600/IMG_9451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzsmRPBk2qfoWeH8RmmT6kqySJf-Qah2qVPcyFBTF35A9Wb1CWNd9VIqpyQ2JxUTuJAP0tJ7hhiYKRTTtkVGrQg2fGd_1rK1BN9z7eMzDU_mJrdm86kMIe7uXWWeqBN13VAD3iSNQZ5lO/s1600/IMG_9451.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />After letting it dry/set for a few minutes, I flipped it over and grabbed my Xacto knife.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mOi32iYQ4Jv3G6i2ebjgoYW_yRiXQL5J4iQyr5AcN78IDjsFA06VsFZFbLNP0aMOtdXXSU0Y0zsHK3nLsOa9Ts7k3r86PDjL4qBFm_1SHiegtFmPQmvA7IHt_WB-GLHcc-k2xUBgdCck/s1600/IMG_9452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mOi32iYQ4Jv3G6i2ebjgoYW_yRiXQL5J4iQyr5AcN78IDjsFA06VsFZFbLNP0aMOtdXXSU0Y0zsHK3nLsOa9Ts7k3r86PDjL4qBFm_1SHiegtFmPQmvA7IHt_WB-GLHcc-k2xUBgdCck/s1600/IMG_9452.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I've never cut fabric with a knife before so I wasn't sure how well it was going to work, but luckily, it cut like butter.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBBqsaLWq8lVccmMU4gUWRN6aEnFEDAvt3vRlWc8XzZ4hlFtjvGsRiJqKjdz8mxFBER0Pg8jnVgw3N6ECqRQgkvBCGMjCmCQainoruxoPJhvaPbfr8Ni-gTJMfIiJ-9VC1x9SpeJX0S2n/s1600/IMG_9454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBBqsaLWq8lVccmMU4gUWRN6aEnFEDAvt3vRlWc8XzZ4hlFtjvGsRiJqKjdz8mxFBER0Pg8jnVgw3N6ECqRQgkvBCGMjCmCQainoruxoPJhvaPbfr8Ni-gTJMfIiJ-9VC1x9SpeJX0S2n/s1600/IMG_9454.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />All done!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqubpw8iWPCa9wCVOh86wDwSZ-ztACIfTqNC25f6Zf57TXPSnRgCGiu33mCcQ49IZJU8h6ft4-11U3XX3gMH8_jLTUGbYccfnBDV8h0EvJs-kVe-62k7_pztDvO9rb4KVp8wQUnaE3ZkFJ/s1600/IMG_9455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqubpw8iWPCa9wCVOh86wDwSZ-ztACIfTqNC25f6Zf57TXPSnRgCGiu33mCcQ49IZJU8h6ft4-11U3XX3gMH8_jLTUGbYccfnBDV8h0EvJs-kVe-62k7_pztDvO9rb4KVp8wQUnaE3ZkFJ/s1600/IMG_9455.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />For the lettering, I wasn't sold on trying to paint/draw directly on the fabric, and I wanted something a little more dimensional. After no luck finding the right sized wooden letters in the style I wanted, I decided to pick up a sheet of white foam (for 89 cents at HL) and cut it out myself.<br /><br />After measuring the sign, I printed out the word PEACE in the font of my choice (I used Gotham Black) and taped the paper over my foam.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHnpfMWJ6TNZhQkaWmc1wuYPuxsh36YjasKwtTyIr8i9gz4dAMh1drw0_KjHYy-NWxteKqmOxo1YKLD2aRSlyGPooVd0mJT_Nr3O12VNmhRAMg00yaQlioLHch_8GcJGUN-2oCah8soI0/s1600/IMG_9456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHnpfMWJ6TNZhQkaWmc1wuYPuxsh36YjasKwtTyIr8i9gz4dAMh1drw0_KjHYy-NWxteKqmOxo1YKLD2aRSlyGPooVd0mJT_Nr3O12VNmhRAMg00yaQlioLHch_8GcJGUN-2oCah8soI0/s1600/IMG_9456.jpg" /></a></div><br />Then it was just a matter of carefully cutting out each letter:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3hNXlywDn6j2Z9tWGnqny-NPa-IHXQrADeO_c-zFc-6xqm8ICcB6-hOLN1c1Rnm2x5h1xjPOoA8ias3hpMeMgy84xPeqSbXG2_9Uet0fh1n8cYseGbS_Ngp3dsQ5IBGgpwkMBkxbPLFe/s1600/IMG_9457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3hNXlywDn6j2Z9tWGnqny-NPa-IHXQrADeO_c-zFc-6xqm8ICcB6-hOLN1c1Rnm2x5h1xjPOoA8ias3hpMeMgy84xPeqSbXG2_9Uet0fh1n8cYseGbS_Ngp3dsQ5IBGgpwkMBkxbPLFe/s1600/IMG_9457.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Once they were cut, I lined them up on my sign and used painter's tape as my guide so they would be straight:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknsmCbhVDl2LBMeWQhMFbSskMQkSzYiEOtwzG-VJKv1HGc9QiZeOf6RwO4QBXcDHt0hubwIviK4fK7GbSQ4KWFyMICKrqFe79fcsCjumk5dnwHRdEUGqnOu1GZslmOXohb7Yzja9-18AQ/s1600/IMG_9459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknsmCbhVDl2LBMeWQhMFbSskMQkSzYiEOtwzG-VJKv1HGc9QiZeOf6RwO4QBXcDHt0hubwIviK4fK7GbSQ4KWFyMICKrqFe79fcsCjumk5dnwHRdEUGqnOu1GZslmOXohb7Yzja9-18AQ/s1600/IMG_9459.jpg" /></a></div><br />Then I applied modge podge to the back with a paintbrush, and voila! $3 Peace sign.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb-O77Vt3Pg6dLMdtfvNs9YaNTq9upqWiphD8hq9QxEnNiikUBap_P3Oa_vpXcOf81avAuCjSwvvMJqvEFKaVF25CDYUTvMH1pmp8hP7hIrTRBxK-eBXk02Cq4KzTX8Vdp2_HJ_hP9RaX/s1600/IMG_9472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb-O77Vt3Pg6dLMdtfvNs9YaNTq9upqWiphD8hq9QxEnNiikUBap_P3Oa_vpXcOf81avAuCjSwvvMJqvEFKaVF25CDYUTvMH1pmp8hP7hIrTRBxK-eBXk02Cq4KzTX8Vdp2_HJ_hP9RaX/s1600/IMG_9472.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Now for the rest of the mantel...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqVnnlAyhKZsPRfY4JapDkto3zbQwK-8giehKnxnyOdw6HvY6oT4EI07C6kmMBOlxNF4A1fO2ahCeQQ2ef9jhrMe0ddqezaVPgH3IMK5ye35s792f8ZkMs_hfP5vjm6fD5bwOQ6cRTHUj/s1600/Mantel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqVnnlAyhKZsPRfY4JapDkto3zbQwK-8giehKnxnyOdw6HvY6oT4EI07C6kmMBOlxNF4A1fO2ahCeQQ2ef9jhrMe0ddqezaVPgH3IMK5ye35s792f8ZkMs_hfP5vjm6fD5bwOQ6cRTHUj/s1600/Mantel.jpg" /></a></div><br />First, the trees.<br /><br />After gathering inspiration on Pinterest, I settled on these three designs (there are <em>so</em> many things you can make into a tree... I can make a different one every year for the rest of my life)<br /><br />Unfortunately, I have no photos of the process because a) two of the trees were made during a craft night with friends, and no cameras were present, and b) I had step by step photos of the pinecone tree, but forgot they were on my SD card when I deleted everything by accident.... oops.<br /><br />I'll try to recreate the process in words.<br /><br />For the cone bases, I used large sheets of cardstock weight paper, rolled them into a cone, taped it so it was secure, and cut the bottom so it would sit flat. The paper tree and pinecone tree bases are both made this way.<br /><br />For the paper tree, I used an old book of hymns and cut out a bunch of leaf shapes in varying sizes (small, medium, large). Before applying the leaves, I wrapped the entire cone with the hymn sheets and hot glued them (so you wouldn't see any paper underneath the gaps). Starting from the bottom and the largest leaves, I glued each one individually and worked my way across, alternating each row. Easy peasy.<br /><br />For the felt tree, I can't take the credit. I found it on Pinterest and fell in love. I already had the foam cone so it was perfect. Tutorial <a href="http://papiervalise.typepad.com/scissor_variations/2009/12/diy-felt-shingle-tree.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />The pine cone tree was a last minute decision. I had a bag of crushed seashells that I originally wanted to use, but it did not turn out as I had anticipated.<br /><br />For plan B, my friend had a bunch of pine cones she had collected and wasn't using, so she let me cut them up for this project. I first spray painted my paper cone dark brown to camouflage any of the gaps. After carefully trimming each pinecone piece off, I organized them into piles by size (small, medium, large). Then I sat in front of the TV and individually glued each one down in a row, using the larger pieces at the bottom and smaller ones at the top (same process as the leaf tree). One and a half episodes of Chelsea Lately later, and it was good to go.<br /><br /><br />For another Christmas/wintery touch, I placed a 5x7 of my <a href="http://www.jennasuedesign.com/deer-head/" target="_blank">Deer silhouette</a> print with a charcoal gray wood grain into an Ikea frame. <br /><br />PS... if you follow my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jennasuedesign" target="_blank">facebook</a> or are on my mailing list you know this already, but I'm offering $8 off this print (in any size, background and color) until Christmas with the code REINDEER at checkout.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY54JQWIbNxLLpMslHbkyZVYzWdafJyXnrz2i_OqsJvBJ_OukGBeD3nXfyDMCu8aHb7mYG2Mp1PNp_EKn7b847Te-LZxMznk3-6O8_c88shDsQ6GhiIGGMfo1qAGXvwI8rB1FTC1k46qE/s1600/ReindeerSpecial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY54JQWIbNxLLpMslHbkyZVYzWdafJyXnrz2i_OqsJvBJ_OukGBeD3nXfyDMCu8aHb7mYG2Mp1PNp_EKn7b847Te-LZxMznk3-6O8_c88shDsQ6GhiIGGMfo1qAGXvwI8rB1FTC1k46qE/s1600/ReindeerSpecial.jpg" /></a></div><br />That would make the print shown above just $5! Christmas score.<br /><br /><br />Finally, we have this new banner that I whipped up yesterday afternoon:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYShLiRf6W172AOdUbwbnZ67Jfl_HpBGbfBsZPzqErcTorBWY1qW-DarOo7iKPUAl2ZlZ0d7HMxfWsZW3WnKG4rleWv3HCLfNB1vQfcy9giIyVxakgqVH1AX78HooM0_2XlicDE9uAuzKT/s1600/IMG_9471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYShLiRf6W172AOdUbwbnZ67Jfl_HpBGbfBsZPzqErcTorBWY1qW-DarOo7iKPUAl2ZlZ0d7HMxfWsZW3WnKG4rleWv3HCLfNB1vQfcy9giIyVxakgqVH1AX78HooM0_2XlicDE9uAuzKT/s1600/IMG_9471.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Materials needed for this:<br /><br />-Canvas fabric (1/2 yard is plenty)<br />-Paper (thick is better)<br />-Spray adhesive<br />-Inkjet printer<br />-Xacto knife (or scissors and a steady hand)<br />-Twine, string or rope<br />-Hot glue<br /><br />After deciding on a slogan I wanted to use and picking up my materials, I determined the size I wanted for the flags: 4.25" x  5.5" (half of a letter sized sheet of paper—you'll see why).<br /><br />I found <a href="http://www.polishthestars.com/2010/08/how-to-print-on-fabric.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> on pinterest and was intrigued, because if it worked as well looked like it did, this would open up a whole new world of decorating possibilities.<br /><br />So I found a stiff piece of paper, applied a coating of spray adhesive, and smoothed out my canvas material:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKU1c1hvdsy0iADGd6N6JAP5Qb4hB05MPVqdkUHXtp3hkQM8qgjHkN9vsxk41beE8GuhqK5rqZ5MiWiKTcy3L_yzJDlCNlG-mdJHdcL4kPQ0_r1XcjMsD2NjJcf5_1chugc1yiLoKu9wMG/s1600/IMG_9460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKU1c1hvdsy0iADGd6N6JAP5Qb4hB05MPVqdkUHXtp3hkQM8qgjHkN9vsxk41beE8GuhqK5rqZ5MiWiKTcy3L_yzJDlCNlG-mdJHdcL4kPQ0_r1XcjMsD2NjJcf5_1chugc1yiLoKu9wMG/s640/IMG_9460.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />It instantly bonded and didn't need to dry. I then used a ruler and Xacto knife to trim the fabric to the paper size:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHfXXKEAm-np_scd4eFCjQCOYMFy_oeMXaeWzBdZJqQleouglrSbX3_ia2ATVoLzBYNeah4TxVYvhjoS1Rjgozn86ZayThwY8tBOClkcszrtz1KhipKjZUuO68it0xGCu2he4Zp7KvmlS/s1600/IMG_9461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHfXXKEAm-np_scd4eFCjQCOYMFy_oeMXaeWzBdZJqQleouglrSbX3_ia2ATVoLzBYNeah4TxVYvhjoS1Rjgozn86ZayThwY8tBOClkcszrtz1KhipKjZUuO68it0xGCu2he4Zp7KvmlS/s1600/IMG_9461.jpg" /></a></div><br />This worked just as well as my Peace sign.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cOUpZu113VxeVGGOZZjK7ru32_q6eNVRjJmmR6I-r9rD2NRdjK0eS9aCqjPoIDDmc97G56h_fyCu1pEfm2dT1HAixOuu5XhUoEodfFdbfJbOmGKTzTKMOadzD5szAqeKDOjHC1PqIDvY/s1600/IMG_9462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cOUpZu113VxeVGGOZZjK7ru32_q6eNVRjJmmR6I-r9rD2NRdjK0eS9aCqjPoIDDmc97G56h_fyCu1pEfm2dT1HAixOuu5XhUoEodfFdbfJbOmGKTzTKMOadzD5szAqeKDOjHC1PqIDvY/s640/IMG_9462.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The paper I chose ended up being too thick to feed through the printer (it wasn't even really paper, more like extra thick card stock), so I went though the process again using regular thick letter sized paper and it worked like a charm.<br /><br />To simplify things, I designed it so that two flags would fit perfectly onto one sheet.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKEmhyphenhyphenUh7_V70C-9PpqxVWwF9BxQpBGAhBgVA-MGOAWPMMd9GNVXlsDu0eata0SrBLx1ji-RAxxhnXSbdDfRLtS0YRevr3QJ4XQsTniz_AryfA4Bto5mp36_Wmy3myr4b53AF61zGjQ-s/s1600/IMG_9463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKEmhyphenhyphenUh7_V70C-9PpqxVWwF9BxQpBGAhBgVA-MGOAWPMMd9GNVXlsDu0eata0SrBLx1ji-RAxxhnXSbdDfRLtS0YRevr3QJ4XQsTniz_AryfA4Bto5mp36_Wmy3myr4b53AF61zGjQ-s/s1600/IMG_9463.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Then, using a template I had designed, I cut each sheet in half and notched out my little flag shape at the bottom:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQjL0JOydniTn26T2MX5uqsn7Ai4zTrNe9iHlkc6wdLv4Sty9Uw7iXXYwRbCV9QvdqefHq-VdXddY0LZLvQ6V9kMHZim0rv3XXgwxpKi13qBT-q5yEDiOGk6xHg5DPan0jqb1Un4Gz7OF/s1600/IMG_9464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQjL0JOydniTn26T2MX5uqsn7Ai4zTrNe9iHlkc6wdLv4Sty9Uw7iXXYwRbCV9QvdqefHq-VdXddY0LZLvQ6V9kMHZim0rv3XXgwxpKi13qBT-q5yEDiOGk6xHg5DPan0jqb1Un4Gz7OF/s1600/IMG_9464.jpg" /></a></div><br />Once each flag was trimmed, I simply pulled the fabric off the back and it was perfectly free of any glue or residue. Like nothing had even happened. Amazing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7mX4bKzePUX6Wq-qlJkw9P38gwzum13HZEKfuWuZrrAOfMOliboLUzIJxfe7jjrs59LP3oAjbq1Lc7qQULJnmgU1suTsHhwtry0FOopxMIEJ3QlH3wbiqddmij_zw9B55AO5I0wDIV7I/s1600/IMG_9465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7mX4bKzePUX6Wq-qlJkw9P38gwzum13HZEKfuWuZrrAOfMOliboLUzIJxfe7jjrs59LP3oAjbq1Lc7qQULJnmgU1suTsHhwtry0FOopxMIEJ3QlH3wbiqddmij_zw9B55AO5I0wDIV7I/s1600/IMG_9465.jpg" /></a></div><br />After each flag was completed, I lined them up and spaced them out to fit the mantel. Then I laid my twine across them, folded the top over and secured with hot glue.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf0La1it3UYf9feSB1YKtuPRCcr9LXtDQV-nw_TMZm_l9qrIWTX7WFHVNchyudTPDYIjNssdN_ix5QTdIHVnXkJ9G3qJLifYzpYPOzqPTCM1r5mndmX155AzWfL3dOhd6vvCnB61EDqez/s1600/IMG_9469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf0La1it3UYf9feSB1YKtuPRCcr9LXtDQV-nw_TMZm_l9qrIWTX7WFHVNchyudTPDYIjNssdN_ix5QTdIHVnXkJ9G3qJLifYzpYPOzqPTCM1r5mndmX155AzWfL3dOhd6vvCnB61EDqez/s1600/IMG_9469.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Both the Peace sign and Merry banner were completed over a few hours yesterday afternoon, for under a few bucks each. These are my favorite types of projects!<br /><br />I still have Christmas tree I'm finishing up, so that will be coming next. I didn't forget about the pantry either... I just need to make it through the crazy holiday season before I tackle anything that large :)<br /><br />I'm off to prepare this delicious pumpkin <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/10/24/its-a-chocolate-pumpkin-pizookie/" target="_blank">dessert</a> for a dinner party tonight. Have a very Merry first week of December.... until next time!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><i>Linking up to the <a href="http://diyshowoff.com/2012/12/09/diy-project-parade-56/" target="_blank">DIY Showoff</a>!</i>

Easy DIY Christmas Mantel

I'm baaaack! These past few weeks have been pretty crazy. I spent a week back home for Thanksgiving, and business has been non-stop (ca...

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Emma's 1st Birthday Invitation | DIY Extra Thick Photo Invitation

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOJkERnyTORVsabfo4gQVi2H6KNr_xhKADgTUw7xM15-6syXJote2PG9jfhr9oPmaSDIXZTP4PvwtWWuR13Iibwh4lAPnHVM2QjiqDAp8IXkz7GMgCcgX6shIh5FZXq2PxJFoG6L_rLM/s1600/IMG_8617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOJkERnyTORVsabfo4gQVi2H6KNr_xhKADgTUw7xM15-6syXJote2PG9jfhr9oPmaSDIXZTP4PvwtWWuR13Iibwh4lAPnHVM2QjiqDAp8IXkz7GMgCcgX6shIh5FZXq2PxJFoG6L_rLM/s640/IMG_8617.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGP-nwAFclE-B679BNc0J1O2ZUBSG7Mrr_z_-uoHtdd1tmJ1hLI6MSA_z6AyB9xzpnppTUxwdBgUOEHu3HaQOLtNIBN01UQfn-pG6UswNlavDJCgCuf9H8Wk38nVTKs6BGDyQNVbV8Vk/s1600/IMG_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGP-nwAFclE-B679BNc0J1O2ZUBSG7Mrr_z_-uoHtdd1tmJ1hLI6MSA_z6AyB9xzpnppTUxwdBgUOEHu3HaQOLtNIBN01UQfn-pG6UswNlavDJCgCuf9H8Wk38nVTKs6BGDyQNVbV8Vk/s320/IMG_0187.JPG" width="320" /></a>Emma's 1st Birthday is just a couple of weeks away.  In a way, I can't believe she is going to be one, but then again, it feels like we've been parents for 5 years already!  It does seem like a lifetime away when we headed to the Emerson Hospital in Concord...</div><br /><a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F12%2Femmas-1st-birthday-invitation-diy-extra.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-MPGXWiGoFMg%2FULz_f_fwALI%2FAAAAAAAAOq8%2FyuI7Sg6iVCg%2Fs1600%2Femma-invite.jpg&description=Easy%20DIY%20Extra%20Thick%20%26%20Double-Sided%20Photo%20Invitation%20or%20Holiday%20Card"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a><br /><br />December birthdays are tricky.  Mike's birthday is the 7th and when he was younger his Mom always made sure that they celebrated his birthday before they decorated for Christmas - to make sure they didn't couple up the holidays.  No birthday photos in front of the tree.   <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbG6miTEgOwFoaUKSuV3S2MwNkzbHIvJfNpVkLYk1cLwp_1dILuaYgs3aAN-G6diG-72pI6qWSEy0T1t9uSYmfYdDUx7DNuAZ1C_T6eYoWniaMQo6FIuckPLw0F1JdV6bQ8iwhLzpQdA/s1600/IMG_8569.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbG6miTEgOwFoaUKSuV3S2MwNkzbHIvJfNpVkLYk1cLwp_1dILuaYgs3aAN-G6diG-72pI6qWSEy0T1t9uSYmfYdDUx7DNuAZ1C_T6eYoWniaMQo6FIuckPLw0F1JdV6bQ8iwhLzpQdA/s640/IMG_8569.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I feel like the 15th of December is a little too late to wait to decorate, so I am attempting to design her party with a 'winter wonderlandy, creamy, dreamy, candylandy" sorty of feel.  I wasn't sure how I was going to accomplish it, until I came across my source of inspiration...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZfQGrTpUR-qruDiZpBZFgyOsUaJUzddstXwlKNKc8Q9sPr0NNwOEPsVcpcSiMezNmRw1RASNJyFySnJabgAxPkWzWxGC1bTvCbC8kYj-WYiBRYi3axbkEOEZxWGj1g142THPuIyC0Vk/s1600/IMG_8572.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZfQGrTpUR-qruDiZpBZFgyOsUaJUzddstXwlKNKc8Q9sPr0NNwOEPsVcpcSiMezNmRw1RASNJyFySnJabgAxPkWzWxGC1bTvCbC8kYj-WYiBRYi3axbkEOEZxWGj1g142THPuIyC0Vk/s640/IMG_8572.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks to Paper-Source!  When I walked in the store, I thought this paper (that I used to line the opal shimmer envelopes) was the perfect inspiration for the party.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cute pink, red and green holiday cookies that look girly and feminine, without being too over the top "Christmas." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZ1eZJZ3FsytW8AKAzqqfaun5wrnT1OMYqIGKJGpiDhTbS5TLS3Rr3jvzblRPnQbEXJ9xl49Fiw8bUR8L_IMZXmnrjSUGtPyHL3ObQu0s0MlGBDQ0jFxkYOayQn8CsYAP3rgpR8wGxiQ/s1600/IMG_8579.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZ1eZJZ3FsytW8AKAzqqfaun5wrnT1OMYqIGKJGpiDhTbS5TLS3Rr3jvzblRPnQbEXJ9xl49Fiw8bUR8L_IMZXmnrjSUGtPyHL3ObQu0s0MlGBDQ0jFxkYOayQn8CsYAP3rgpR8wGxiQ/s640/IMG_8579.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When looking at the pinholepress.com site for holiday cards, I noticed their extra thick side-striped cards.  I only needed 15 invitations, so I couldn't justify ordering them... so, I figured out how to make them.  Of course. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99sUGKhzU_h20lBHBkBWGj0khLiAN7AcI_mTywphHZ58H2FJBHy3Lnlr6SJlLK4Vv_8OTmPXTVuFGzri-AxZaghNLcVAH-0ALZlDLwaviKw2KKMaxSTxCx_JfR71Z6ufMpUxIr4zg1Pw/s1600/IMG_8579_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99sUGKhzU_h20lBHBkBWGj0khLiAN7AcI_mTywphHZ58H2FJBHy3Lnlr6SJlLK4Vv_8OTmPXTVuFGzri-AxZaghNLcVAH-0ALZlDLwaviKw2KKMaxSTxCx_JfR71Z6ufMpUxIr4zg1Pw/s640/IMG_8579_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The photo doesn't quite do it justice, as my lens couldn't focus in enough, but as you can see (sort of), the card is triple thick with a layer of pink cardstock sandwiched between two cream cards.  It is all glued together, then cut to reveal the edging.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the process!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEvAmisDfYsarsSVgFNdQfPI8p3OpxW7aEDwTUgjkqyHFcubdznNxyXb6tna67ysPYJXLdk9SBo552U0FVICDkMRqC2eSuKn60e1f_yqXIskza_AtdRHwaUgd_EE2AVdTwy64ndiq1RE/s1600/IMG_8557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEvAmisDfYsarsSVgFNdQfPI8p3OpxW7aEDwTUgjkqyHFcubdznNxyXb6tna67ysPYJXLdk9SBo552U0FVICDkMRqC2eSuKn60e1f_yqXIskza_AtdRHwaUgd_EE2AVdTwy64ndiq1RE/s640/IMG_8557.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I printed a front and back on the same cream sheet of cardstock.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tu8i8is8LfhxosA2QGtKsc1KtDhUbqx1Mas1uTohWHrR6bVSCdFDzu7_PoQ1aFRo6QCrIMfeit04OAcGr9VTsgos6qyxtC_Jxi7ejExvFcQaQK1_4LxbCh_iZ47QlXfuCz1S_Bw9pIc/s1600/IMG_0603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tu8i8is8LfhxosA2QGtKsc1KtDhUbqx1Mas1uTohWHrR6bVSCdFDzu7_PoQ1aFRo6QCrIMfeit04OAcGr9VTsgos6qyxtC_Jxi7ejExvFcQaQK1_4LxbCh_iZ47QlXfuCz1S_Bw9pIc/s640/IMG_0603.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>BTW, isn't this the cutest set of Emma photos?!  Here is the original in BW.  They were taken on a whim in her high chair.  I photoshoped out the background and, boom, cutest ever invitation photos.  You can even see the applesauce all over her face and pj's : )<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTQg-GRV9SEa74pkamPj99KO7kyB1TdGJR20Qao2E2-40LYSVN2r6IqqIiSW4kpQS7CPovXaZcWnltKx8_XKCDZpG5TS97kb6B3Avd3L5Fs53h6Td3KCfdFxb4bp8O_CO1eE9HtkD3ZE/s1600/IMG_8573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTQg-GRV9SEa74pkamPj99KO7kyB1TdGJR20Qao2E2-40LYSVN2r6IqqIiSW4kpQS7CPovXaZcWnltKx8_XKCDZpG5TS97kb6B3Avd3L5Fs53h6Td3KCfdFxb4bp8O_CO1eE9HtkD3ZE/s640/IMG_8573.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I cut out each photo, leaving a little edge. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLH0JEIMhE4QESw-tiOxIcDk-cs-2CVacOeBQXhYZVmDGa7IHd8pUi8Sj2h49WnFbflvI_nV-GN4jP6XJCaqDnV75lVhm3yYvPPPSShDuUdEQAsN2_38036CzQwXnx2nZenO2Ou8wfrI/s1600/IMG_8576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLH0JEIMhE4QESw-tiOxIcDk-cs-2CVacOeBQXhYZVmDGa7IHd8pUi8Sj2h49WnFbflvI_nV-GN4jP6XJCaqDnV75lVhm3yYvPPPSShDuUdEQAsN2_38036CzQwXnx2nZenO2Ou8wfrI/s640/IMG_8576.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Then ran the cards through my xyron sticker machine (also from Paper-Source). <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aK8tlnvYHnGNGm8cUJApviU30EMvd39eP5JD3leHyRLKm8IXVagYptBmeU-oy5jSjRQzdCednrB6Ypf5xS_n8Wk3OIF266BXQ0di8P8ceWEPa_oV0LByTKxNU8KXfAFjNPpmDKdh_w4/s1600/IMG_8577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aK8tlnvYHnGNGm8cUJApviU30EMvd39eP5JD3leHyRLKm8IXVagYptBmeU-oy5jSjRQzdCednrB6Ypf5xS_n8Wk3OIF266BXQ0di8P8ceWEPa_oV0LByTKxNU8KXfAFjNPpmDKdh_w4/s640/IMG_8577.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I placed the front sticker on a sheet of pink cardstock... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLXHXHkcGfkHj6B4XOkGaMTgXkiKTwzr3NdzS8JpKLpmvr5Gg_43CJBzza5eqWlUf6SxcRzUka13AYynKj0gKlH1UuZ2wk9-DabrdC0yHYGvNClhP7xT8FL0RD54IoZzfKgLWqUFNk8U/s1600/IMG_8578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLXHXHkcGfkHj6B4XOkGaMTgXkiKTwzr3NdzS8JpKLpmvr5Gg_43CJBzza5eqWlUf6SxcRzUka13AYynKj0gKlH1UuZ2wk9-DabrdC0yHYGvNClhP7xT8FL0RD54IoZzfKgLWqUFNk8U/s640/IMG_8578.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Then the back sticker on the back, matching them up.  Then I cut out the entire card.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYVoqrg1f6UFgHcH1p2y0tJfSnSo6NEVvTUXl06xWXF54eCIm5w3zycD2PcpUWCUI1DkKtUCpfD1mMbyYsmyWsc9ju_sf1Nq9AuDSWCdmChGH-Cbpl7c1FnmgRZOFSzqoextMv9eI67c/s1600/IMG_8619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYVoqrg1f6UFgHcH1p2y0tJfSnSo6NEVvTUXl06xWXF54eCIm5w3zycD2PcpUWCUI1DkKtUCpfD1mMbyYsmyWsc9ju_sf1Nq9AuDSWCdmChGH-Cbpl7c1FnmgRZOFSzqoextMv9eI67c/s640/IMG_8619.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br />Stay tuned for more party details!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXVyYT0colQF7KXhmgFgty15bD-7E_HTUyezoGalhS14LnhD7RtzAgRG6JSK69ITPrg2bzF2Cb3eeCyVlUSeAv-0UHyhC3vz1SaCayopyKUUjmeQ59ol5_BmcNbvAaKHzqvGlbY844Cc/s1600/emma-invite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXVyYT0colQF7KXhmgFgty15bD-7E_HTUyezoGalhS14LnhD7RtzAgRG6JSK69ITPrg2bzF2Cb3eeCyVlUSeAv-0UHyhC3vz1SaCayopyKUUjmeQ59ol5_BmcNbvAaKHzqvGlbY844Cc/s1600/emma-invite.jpg" /></a></div> Here is the easy-to-pin strip!<br /><br /> <a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F12%2Femmas-1st-birthday-invitation-diy-extra.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-MPGXWiGoFMg%2FULz_f_fwALI%2FAAAAAAAAOq8%2FyuI7Sg6iVCg%2Fs1600%2Femma-invite.jpg&description=Easy%20DIY%20Extra%20Thick%20%26%20Double-Sided%20Photo%20Invitation%20or%20Holiday%20Card"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a> <script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

Emma's 1st Birthday Invitation | DIY Extra Thick Photo Invitation

Emma's 1st Birthday is just a couple of weeks away.  In a way, I can't believe she is going to be one, but then again, it feels lik...

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