Yellow {clearance} home decor touches!

Well Spring may be a ways off still. . . but I'm totally ready for it, and cant wait!

Everything outside is still snow covered and cold, but inside is a different story. . . I'm preparing for spring, like it or not! :)

My first step was these darling yellow place mats with awesome yellow napkin rings to adorn my dining room table.

 {along with beautiful roses from the hubs}

The napkin rings I got last year at the thrift store and the place mats I got a few weeks ago on clearance at Target!

 I love clearance and I love yellow, so these were screaming my name!  Literally.  The hubs thought I was crazy when I picked them up and said I just had to have them!  He's a good sport.

I realize I must have a bit of a problem when I got home and thought to my self that I should go back and buy ALL the yellow place mats, just in case I could make something out of them.

Don't worry, I didn't go back and buy them out. {yay for me!}

Since bringing some yellow into the house, I feel all springy inside and as much as I enjoy Winter, I'm ready for my favorite season!

I see more spring, and lots more yellow in my and your near future! :)

I'll get by with a little help from my friends - that means you! :)

My hubby and I are about to celebrate our 4th anniversary.

{Awwwwww. . . .}

I know, exciting right?!

But I am at a complete loss as to what to give/do for him!

One year I made him a scrapbook, so thats out.

I've made him photo books, Mix cd's, coupon books etc.

I'm starting to feel like this. . .

So I thought, "there are so many brilliant and talented women out there that I'm bound to get some totally fab ideas if but ask for help!"

So HELP!!

If anybody has done anything for their man that was a total hit or has any ideas you'd like to share with little ol' me. . . I'd LOVE it! 

☺

Hoping I wont go crazy,

A gift for someone HOT in your life!

I want to share with you what I did for my hubby this year for V-day.

Something simple, inexpensive, thoughtful, cute and something he'll totally love. . .

Snacks!

I made him a basket of HOT snacks and goodies.

My theme was obviously to let him know how hot I think he is!  Cute right?!

I included in the basket many of his favorite snacks, all spicy or HOT!

Hot Tamales, salsa, flaming hot cheetos and munchies, hot cocoa packets, spicy V-8 juice, red hots, etc.

I also made a few little cards {complete with images of flames} to let him know how HOT he is!

Though I used this as a Valentines day gift, this would be perfect for any occasion. . . birthday, anniversary, or a just because gift.

What man doesn't love his snacks. ☺

I hope some of you can get some use out of this. . . We're all looking for new ideas!

Guest Blogger - Julie from Singing Three Little Birds

 I hope you are enjoying all my guest bloggers as much as I am.

Its so great to get new ideas and learn about some new blogs!

And a big thanks to all of my guest bloggers. . . you all are great!

Now onto our guest for today - lets show her a big Ready-Set-Create welcome!


Hello and thanks for having me here today!

My name is Julie and I write a little blog called Singing Three Little Birds. When I'm not blogging about my crafts and kids, creating new items for my etsy shop or chasing my kiddos around, I work full-time as a children's librarian. I am a pretty busy mom!

This month I challenged myself to create a new rose everyday. Being a really busy mom and all, I haven't come close to creating one everyday but it has been fun trying. I have been using different materials that I haven't tried before.

Here are a few favorites.

White lace

Denim

Double ruffle ribbon

A zipper!

Have you challenged yourself recently? I'd love for you to stop by and tell me about it.

I also have a weekly linky party called Inspire Me Mondays.

Come link up your projects and show me some inspiration.

Thanks so much for having me here today! I hope you'll stop by soon.

Julie @ Singing Three Little Birds

Guest Blogger - Karen from Pocket Full of Pink

Hey!  This is Karen from Pocket Full of Pink and I am so excited to be a guest post on Ready-Set-Create!   Thanks Aleesha!

First let me introduce myself.  My name is Karen and I am 40 something:)  I still feel like I am about 20 though!  It's hard to believe I have 3 kids, 16 (almost 17yr. old daughter), 14 yr. old son, and a 9 yr old daughter.  They are very busy and SUPER good kids.  I can't help but brag about them.  I am such a proud mom!

Right now I am going back to school at a community college to finish up my associates degree, then on to a 4 year college in 2012.  I just started in September after staying home with the kiddos for about 16 yrs!  I am having a blast.  I highly recommend it:)

Now, enough about me and my B-O-R-I-N-G life!  On to a fun craft.  Today I am going to show you how to make an adorable Dog tag necklace with scrapbook paper!

Here is what you will need:
-Dog tag (purchased HERE)
-Mod Podge
-a piece of pretty patterned scrapbook paper
-craft knife
-self-healing cutting surface
-glue gun
-paper flower or whatever you want to embellish your necklace with!
-emery board
-ribbon or ball chain

Here we go!  First put your dog tag down on the wrong side of the scrapbook paper and trace around it like this:

Next, cut it out with the craft knife, being careful not to rip the paper.
Then, slap some mod podge all over the wrong side of the paper and glue that baby on the dog tag, matching up edges. Let it dry for about 1/2 hour.  Then add a letter sticker for whoever you are making it for.  Add some more mod podge on the top of the paper once you have attached the paper to the dog tag.

OOOh, love that nice blue mat!  Yes, it has been well used.

Let the mod podge dry for at least 1-2 hours.  Then using an emery board, sand gently around the edges, making sure you are working down, so not to lift the paper off the dog tag.

Next add embellishments!  I added a paper flower with a pink round pearl in the center.OOPSEY!! I couldn't tell where the glue was going.  It's hard to take picture's while you are crafting:) You get the idea, right?

Here is the finished necklace!  I used a pink ball chain that I purchased HERE

Here's another one I made. 

Thanks Aleesha for having me here! 

Stop by my blog Pocket Full of Pink anytime for Giveaways, tutorials, or recipes, or the latest crafts I am working on!

Guest Blogger - Megan from The Bug Creator

I hope you all had a fun, fab Valentines Day that was full of love!

I'm super excited to have another guest blogger today. . . Make sure you stop by her blog and spread the love!

Hello there ready set create fans! 

I am so excited that Aleesha is letting me guest post here today.

I guess the polite thing to do would be to introduce myself... My name is Megan. I am 24 years young and a single mommy to a wonderful little boy that just turned 1 year old! I am also the writer for The Bug Creator blog.

Being a single parent is not easy, and sometimes I get overwhelmed having this tiny person depend on me and only me 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. . But when it comes to planning a party I shine! So when my son's (bug)  first birthday started getting close (okay maybe it was 4 months ahead of time) I started planning how to do the party the cheapest way possible, to accommodate my budget, while not compromising the greatness of the party. 

I did a entire 1st birthday party for 48 people (38 were able to come) in well under $100!

So how'd I do it? Easy! 

-Made the cake myself ($22.76)

- Made all the decorations in photoshop & printed on cardstock I already had ($0)

-Purchased the invitations using codes for % off and free codes on Shutterfly.com ($.85)

-Did 16 goodie bags by going to the dollar tree, and clearance sections of wal-mart.($12.54)

The most expensive part of the whole thing was food which ended up costing around $52.00 for 38 people and we had some left!

Total party cost: $88.15

 for a party for 38 people... (we planned for 48 though)

Think that is impressive? I did my entire mistake wedding for $600 and it was amazing! 

(that included my dress & food)

Want to see photos? I know you do! 

(All photos were taken by an amazing photographer Jebbica @ Photos By Jebbica the ones that do not have her copyright were originals I edited ,graciously given to me because we forgot to grab snap shots with other cameras on the party...oops... lesson learned!)

16 little gift bags for our tiny guests...

In the bags-

bouncy balls, plastic bug, candy hearts, gummy works that we put in clear plastic bags left over from another party. 

Meat and cheese tray for food along with a fruit tray and some chips.

Cake:

4- 9inch double layer cakes 

dyed icing with gel color

Foam board to set it upon

I used a fork to "stab" the icing to make it a fuzzy caterpillar!

Dirt bowl- Crushed chocolate teddy grahams & gummy works thrown in...Big hit with the kids!

Banner- 8x10 cardstock made in photoshop using simple shapes and text

(thrifty wrapping with brown paper by my friend Emily)

(we had streamers from the dollar store going from our chandelier to each corner of the window and the banner on the window is made of cardstock )

Birthday boy

We even set up a tent tunnel for the kids to play in! Bug obviously thought it would be great to push my nephew through it. 

The cake was Bug Approved!

Awesome right? 

Don't forget to come visit me for tutorials, crafts, life, and more over @ The Bug Creator or on facebook

Thanks Aleesha for having me over! 

Cuuute Heart Owl Valentines!

Aren't owls just so cute right now?

So I made some fun owl valentines!

Look at this cute little owl. . . Made of hearts. . . a heart body and two little heart feet!

 Candy for V-day is all great and good, but you gotta have a little card to share a little love right?

 A clever little owl statement on each card completes it!

I think they are super cuuuute, and totally my style!

 If they are your style too, go ahead and use 'em!

I printed eight cards to a sheet and they are the perfect size.

I hope you enjoy these. . . If you wanna share them, "Owl" really appreciate it! :)

Guest Blogger - Crystal from Crystal's Craft Spot

Hi Everyone! I am so excited to be here today.
I am Crystal from Crystal's Craft Spot. Its my little spot to share my current craft projects, tutorials, recipes, and ideas I want to use in the future. I just started a monthly craft challenge (first link up today!), an online craft club, and Feature yourself Friday that I would love for you to join. I try to post something new almost everyday and I enjoy a variety of crafts. It is my way to relax and take a break from a busy day.

Here are a few of my favorite projects

Family Motto

 

fabric high chair

Sweet Baby Plates

Today I have a cute and quick craft for Valentine's day or any day.

The Valentine's Headband

and here's my little cutie pie wearing her new headband.

Start by cutting out 3 hearts from felt.  I stitched around the red for a fun look.  Hot glue the three together and glue on the buttons.

grab a plastic headband

add a bit of hot glue to one end and start wrapping the entire headband with yarn.  You can add glue do different parts of the headband to keep it secure.

A close up of the end.

It should look like this once you're done.

glue the hearts on your headband and you're done!  So cute for your little one or even for yourself.

Come by my blog any time for more fun ideas.  Thanks for having me today!