Martha Did It Better - DIY Object Stamps

The latest issue of Martha Stewart Living had

a super cute idea.. making stamps out of various

items you may have laying around your house.

Buttons, keys, a potato masher, etc..

I decided this would be fun (and cheap) to try out myself.

So, here we go...

What you need:

                                                -Hot Glue Gun

                                                -Stamp pads (I got mine for $1 each at Micheals)

                                                -Wooden blocks ($1.50 for 6 at Micheals)

                                                             *You could use corks too

                                                -Misc. objects that may make a good stamp

                                                               (Buttons, keys, etc)

                                               -Paper towel

                                               -Material to stamp (paper, fabric, etc)

Now just glue your objects to the blocks...

Tips:

*Don't get glue in any of the holes!

*Choose objects that are mostly flat, indentations won't stamp!

Ok... now try it out...

So, as you can see, some of my stamps worked well..

others did not work so well.

I really had to press firmly to get a good print.

This could also because my ink pads are cheap.

I know nothing about stamping.

I might go back and try to find better simple buttons that

might make better prints too.

All in all, not a bad project for under a few dollars!

Go check out Martha Stewart's version to see craft perfection!

 If anyone has any tips, let us know :)

Happy stamping!

melisa

One Year!

One year ago today I married the greatest man on the planet! I'm a lucky girl. It has been quite beautiful. It has had many ups and a few downs & we have grown up and grown closer together because of it. I can't wait for the many years that we have yet to experience with each other. Thank you to all of our friends and family for being a part of this past year with us. We love you guys!
Here are a few of my favorite photographs of our wedding day:

Now it is time for me to go celebrate with my husband!

-sarah

A Strawberry & Apple Pie.

As a part of getting to know our new little neighborhood, Jake and I went shopping at the family owned Italian grocery, Donatelli's, that is just down the road from our place. It was such a great discovery! For the first time I felt relaxed as I shopped for our food plus everything was significantly cheaper than the dirty chain grocery store that we forced ourselves to go to when we lived in south side. Such a sweet change. I picked up the apples for Jake's apple pie that I had promised a while ago and adding strawberries sounding like the prefect idea.

Recipe:

3-1/2 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples

1-1/4 cups sliced fresh strawberries

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 cup sugar

3 to 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Pastry for double-crust pie (9 inches)

Bake for 10 minutes @ 450 then reduce heat to 350 and bake for 30 minutes.

I also used a simple crumb topping.

Crust recipe from Andrea's mom <3 

Turned out to be quite delicious!

-sarah

DIY Fabric Strawberries (Garland)

Here is a little tutorial on how to make

(my version) of fabric strawberries.

They can be used as bowl fillers, garland, etc.

*I realize some of these look like peppers,

that is what happens when I draw my own pattern!

I like to make adjustments as I go along.

Here is what you will need...

                                                  -Fabric (red & green)    -Green Button(s)

                                                  -Scissors                        -Hot Glue Gun

                                                  -Thread (or floss)          -Needle

                                                  -Poly-fil                     

                                                  -Sewing machine (or you can hand sew)

                                           *Pinking Shears & String for garland are optional*

Put fabric pieces with inside facing out.

Cut out pattern.

Here is mine, but feel free to adjust if you want.

Sew around around the fabric, leaving top open (not sewn).

Turn your piece inside out and stuff it with some poly-fil.

Now, take you green piece of fabric and cut out a circle.

I used pinking shears, but you can just cut jagged edges.

Thread your needle and sew a gathering stitch

at the top of your strawberry. Pull it tight.

Without cutting the thread, sew through the green circle fabric,

sewing the button onto the middle.

Basically, you are sewing the green top onto the strawberry.

Once it has been secured tight, knot and cut.

Now, get that glue gun ready...

I randomly glued the green piece to the red strawberry

to hold down the top and make it look more "leaf-like".

There you have it!

Have fun mixing fabrics and buttons!

Don't forget, you can make this into a cute summer garland

by simply stringing these together with a needle and string.

Have any other ideas that you could use these for?

Let's hear 'em!

-melisa

Instagram Life- Andrea

Due to the lack of blogging I have been doing I tried really hard to document something every day so I could share it with all of you! By the time I get to the third day you will be able to see how uneventful my life of 23 years really is.

Monday:

Littlest Niece and I avoided dog poop in the yard

Took a weekly photo with my "brother" Patrick

Tuesday:

I hung out with Emily and Baby Josie..in her jeggings

Wednesday:

I enjoyed a nice gossip magazine and Oh Brother Where Art Thou? (I have an obsession with Mr. Clooney)

L.N. is the most spoiled when it comes to her books

Thursday:

The cheapest and most frat party daiquiri making ever for our fiesta party

Making chicken enchiladas

Natalie grated cheese like a pro

Friday:

Weekly happenings at the diner

My brother in law and dad are the best of giggly friends

Bought my ticket for my mini vacation at the end of the month

Saturday:

Made the best breakfast sandwich

Is this our engagement photo or an awkward church directory photo? You decide

Fun times in the park

Did you do anything fun this week?

-andrea

(instagram @andreabible)